A Gift To Give

Sooo This Year at thanksgiving (the one where we are the only family missing as we live ACROSS THE OCEAN) everyone drew names for who to get a gift for we got the Mumma and Sarah got My sister in-law Rachael. We all have a $25 dollar limit, Sarah i want to see what you've got so far. Time is ticking on for me...and actually i dont think our gift will arrive before Christmas!

Well well Mel,I'm not sure if Rachael reads this so...what I can tell you is you have inspired me and most of her gift will be homemade!...

Hello

Hey Sarah how you doing?

Well i know there has been little to no action from me on here and there are no excuses. Because the truth is we have both been busy i know it. So its the time for Christmas cards so ill be posting what ive created later!

Glow-stick spiders

With Halloween just around the corner,and the kids out for fall break,we have been making lots of crafts,got to keep them busy.This one is really easy
Items needed:
*Styrofoam balls-you choose the size
*glow sticks
*googly eyes
So take a nail or screw and poke holes all the way through you may have to turn the ball over and do it on both sides.Next bend glow sticks and put in hole,glue on eyes.Or if your impatient use the glow stick it may come out uneven,I just pulled it out tried again and it came out fine,glue on eyes
Enjoy
Sarah

Time to Blog.....

August 30th was our last POST?! Ok we have really got to talk and get something new up here!
Sarah

Easy Chicken Dinner

HI all!!! Well i really wanted to post some things earlier this week but i haven't had the time....Well not really i actually couldn't think of what recipes i was going to do in advance so as i have been cooking this week i have been taking pics and things. In Australia we do have a great range of pre made sauces and spice rubs and things. I personally don't think they are very cost effective here, plus i just don't know how to cook that way, Although i love it when i get my American spices hint hint wink wink Sarah : )Check your mail,its on it's way(Sarah)!! So im going to post a few recipes that reflect how i cook. Having a sick husband and five Kids hasn't really changed things for me i just have to be more prepared.
TIP 1- think about what you want to cook in the morning and take it out to defrost or make sure you have all the ingredients.
TIP 2- Choose something to make that you already have the ingredients for. I am a grocery shop a holic but you really don't need to go everyday if you just plan ahead.
Tip 3- Prepare little bits during the day

Example

Plum Sauce Chicken with herb rice and veg




From This




To This


Ive already posted the recipe for herb rice before. Sometime during the day put the rice ingredients together then 20 minutes before you want it ready add your water and chuck it in the microwave.
The chicken was taken out in the morning and while the kids had their nap i lined them in a baking tray and poured over a jar of some plum sauce i made earlier this year from the lovely plum tree we have in our back yard. You can let this sit, it just marinates till you need it...which is about an hour before in a 180`C oven, Then when the rice is done cover it and chuck in your veg. I choose mixed veg straight from the freezer and into the microwave for 2 mins at a time till they are heated through. Walla!!! Dinner is served and really i didn't have to do much Just Think!!

If you don't have home made plum sauce just add a jar of marinade of your choice, or 1/2 cup soya sauce and 2-3 heaping tbs honey mix together then pour over, or 1/2 cup plum jam and a couple of splashes of soy sauce.
Mel

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes

Here in America,when you make cupcakes usually you buy a box at the store add eggs,water,oil.They are decent for your buck.I have always wanted to try making my own,I came across this recipe and oh my gosh they are to die for!

Don't worry the batter is really watery
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar (not packed)
1 3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill muffin pans with 24 cupcake liners. Sift dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat with a mixer for about two minutes, occasionally scraping the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the boiling water, and beat, just until blended. (Don't be alarmed - the batter appears watery). Evenly ladle (or pour) the batter into the liners. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the center of the cupcakes springs back when lightly touched. Cool and frost.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Perfectly sweet, but not overly so, and light and creamy just like you'd want on a cupcake.

1/3 cup butter, just slightly cooler than room temperature
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
food coloring, if desired

Beat butter in a medium-sized mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in 3 cups of the powdered sugar. Beat in milk and vanilla. Blend in remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar. If desired, tint with food coloring. (For the perfect pastel colored frosting, only 1 drop of food coloring is necessary).

OR buy a can of cream cheese frosting! Hey I have to keep it American!Haha
Sarah

Whats up with Mel

Welllllll, I had a fun 3 weeks, and this is what happened.....Three weeks ago on a Friday (the weekend of Lillies birthday) My husband (Sarahs brother) pulled his car up into our drive way, very close to the door and kinda rolled out of the car. He came inside in a huge amount of pain and couldn't breath, move or talk. We called an ambulance and off to the hospital he went. I would normally get my mother over to sit with the kids in these kind of emergencies but she was getting off a plane from Ireland (visiting my sister), So i packed up the kids and off we went to the hospital. Hours later and some pain meds they sent us home with antibiotics, panadene forte and said it was a bad chest infection. The following Tuesday We raced him back to the hospital with only 1% oxygen in his blood and 40% lung capacity, they said he had pneumonia. 3 days later he was transferred from the ICU ward at our local Hospital to the Royal Hobart Hospital 4 1/2 hours away. So I called in my mummy, she held the forte here for a week and i took 2 children (we have 5) with me on a road trip. I spent the next week dragging two kids into a city with a GPS in the middle of a very cold winter, to be with Dean. Dean on the other hand over that week had drains put in him, taken out, oxygen, specialists, and finally a pretty serious lung surgery procedure to break down the walls between the bubbles of liquid. 2-5% of people that get pneumonia have this complication apparently. Any way we are back home now with Dean off work for 6-8 weeks. Wow!! and that was the short story there was actually more in between..... quick fix meals, do what you can cleaning (as i am a nurse now too) yep i can focus on that.
Mel

What's up for Sarah

The past 3 weeks have been crazy!August 3rd we decided to move,even though we didn't know where it was we were moving to! By August 7th we put down our deposits,My daughter Lily's birthday party was that same day,so we didn't get much done.My husband Jake worked on Sunday so I spent the day with my good friend Linda,loading and unloading the blazer.Packing one room at a time.Deciding to move so fast we didn't have a lot of time to get boxes so I had about 10.It's summer in Arizona,so I was moving in about 115*F,I think I got heat exhaustion.So we finally got everything moved over by Wednesday the 11th,the day after my son Hunter started his first week of school.So in honor of all these changes and not to metion Mel's 3weeks,she'll explain. We are focusing on easy dinner meals,one dish,crock pot meals,meals to get us through our busy days!
Sarah

If I Were There

I would help you clean your house
and sort out all your mess : )
I would help you pack your things
i would do no less.
I would make a yummy meal
for your family to enjoy.
Moving things room by room
is a good tip to employ.
I would help you with your kids,
and return your borrowed goods.
I would help you Sarah
Yep you know i would.

Happy moving Mel



Thanks Mel,wish you were here! Now if you could only do something about Cox Internet Service...Ugh hopefully I'll be up and running on my Tuesday.......

Moving

So I know it's suppose to be cookie week but we've had to move.So I thought I would share some moving tips.
1.Get lots of help-packing,cleaning
2.Throw away stuff you haven't touched in months
3.return borrowed items ( library or neighbors)
4.One room at a time-pack and clean as you pack
5.make one dish meals
6.Get some to watch your kids
Anyway that's all I have for now,wish me luck for this week!
Sarah

COOKIE WEEK CHALLENGE

OK Sarah i have a challenge.......... I had the pleasure of indulging myself in some lovely cookies this week that a friend of mine bought to an activity i had, wait for it..............they were............ Chocolate, choc chip, flaked coconut, cherry cookies and they were delish. One problem though she wont share the recipe!!! so ive made it my mission to find out if i can replicate them. CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE? ive tried looking here with no luck so far, i need that cookie!!! If you post a recipe and ill try it out, Thankyou your the best!!

Mel

Hey Sarah!! After skyping with you the other day you sparked my interest in the idea that the cookie may be called a black forest cookie as it has all the essentials of being in the black forest cake category so i found this recipe and it looks really yummy i will try it and let you know what i think i will add coconut though you know to make it more like what i remember.

Mel

Black Forest Cookies

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter

• 1 1/2 cups (9 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 jar (10 oz) maraschino cherries, drained (reserve 2 Tbsp juice); cherries dried with paper towels, then chopped (11/2 cups)

• FROSTING

• 3/4 stick (6 Tbsp) butter, softened

• 1/3 cup marshmallow cream (such as Marshmallow Fluff or Creme)

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar

• 2 Tbsp maraschino cherry juice

• 
  

Recipe Preparation

1. Heat oven to 350°F.2. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl until well blended.3. Melt butter and 1 cup chocolate chips in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring often just until melted. Remove from heat; cool 10 minutes. Whisk in sugar, then eggs and vanilla until blended. Add flour mixture; stir until smooth. Stir in 11/4 cups cherries and remaining 1/2 cup chips.4. Drop rounded measuring tablespoons of dough 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheet(s).5. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until firm when gently pressed. Remove to rack to cool completely.6. Frosting: Beat ingredients in a medium bowl with mixer on medium-low speed until fluffy. Stir in remaining chopped cherries.7. Spread about 11/2 tsp frosting on each cookie. Let frosting set about 2 hours.

COOKIE WEEK

Hey Sarah!!! Its cookie week and its my turn to put up a recipe coz you have put up heaps lately. So ill share my favourite family cookie recipe. We call them Vanessa cookies because it was my lovely friend Vanessa that shared this one with us originally.So here it is

Vanessa's chocolate chip cookies

1 cup butter melted
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 2/3 cup plain flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 pkt choc chips

Mix melted butter, sugar and eggs together, then add other ingredients and mix to combine. Roll into 1 inch balls or use a cookie scoop and place on baking sheetes. Bake at 180`C (a moderate oven) for 7-10 mins or till your desired browness, or firmness!! everyone is different. Yumm!! Have fun.

Mel

Cookie tip: You can add white choc chips and nuts to this recipe as well, at Easter time i crush up all the "extra" eggs and add those too. You can also chop up a block of chocolate thats also yummy with all the little specks of chocolate.

Mel

Saltine chocolate pieces

Saltine cracker chocolate pieces,Taste like Toffee!
1 cup Butter
3/4cup brown sugar
1package saltine crackers (about 24)
2cups chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 400F.Line a 10*15inch cookie sheet parchment paper.Cover cookie sheet with with saltines.Boil sugar and butter for 3minutes.Pour mixture over saltines and spread evenly.Bale for 5minutes.Remove from oven,sprinkle with chocolate chips.Let set for one minutes,then spread melted chips evenly sprinkle with nuts press down lightly.Cut on diagonal immediately or cool until firm then break up.I usually place them in the freezer to cool then break into pieces.You can also take out the nuts,add toffee picece,peanut butter chips,white chocolate,whatever you like!
Hope you enjoy,and have all the ingredients in Australia!
Sarah

FableHaven

I'm just about finished with book 4! I'm still waiting for book 5,I have a hold on it at the library.Can't wait to start the next book!
Sarah

Yummy Stuff ( Hippie Munchies)

This is a little twist on an all time favorite Rice Crispies,Jake called them Hippie Munchies!
7 or 8 cups of Honey Bunches of Oats cereal or 4-5cups frosted flakes,4cups of granola
1 package marshmallows
1/4cup butter
1/4 peanut butter or more if you like

In a small pan melt butter with marshmallows and peanut butter.After it's melted add to cereal,pour into greased cake pan,eat right away or put in fridge for a few minutes til it's hardened.
Yummy! Sorry I didn't take a picture right away and they are almost gone!
Sarah

Mel's Caramel Banana Bread

This bread is so good and moist.My husband Jake might even like it,he doesn't like banana bread! Thanks Mel! I will be adding this to my recipes.

I Made Sarahs Banana Bread!

Well this is Sarahs banana bread recipe, It came together really easy and has a good texture, and the first thing Deano said to me was "it taste like my moms!". I do have alot of banana bread recipes that i use when i have different types of ingredients at home and this one will now take its place amongst them thanks Sarah!!

Mel

We need ideas! Our first attempt to lose weight wasn't so successful.We made our rules way to easy! So please leave a comment or email us some ideas 2coronagirls@gmail.com Thanks!
Sarah

Grilled Salmon Burgers

Ok so i wanted a salmon recipe because my mother gave me a whole bunch of fresh salmon and i remembered Sarah posted a recipe for Grilled Salmon Burgers, so here mine is with soy butter rice and green beans. I just pulsed chunks of the fresh salmon in a food processor then added all of the other ingredients for Sarahs Grilled Salmon Burgers they were yummo and the kids loved them thanks Sis
Mel
Glad you liked them!!! Sarah
Mel

Hmm Mel must be pretty busy she hasn't posted her food diary yet! Haha poor thing I have no idea how she does it with 5 kids!Your amazing Mel! Love ya
Sarah

Lose weight with us....

For anyone wanting to follow along please comment on your progress and your mess-ups.Give us tips on what you've done to make it through the day.So leave us a comment,lets motivate each other!

Attempt ONE!!

Ok Ok so i have been a bit busy but i tell you its the first time since forever that i have actually had things to do : ) I will say though, that being busy has kept me out of the pantry. I think the rules that Sarah and i set for ourselves were good and they haven't made me feel guilty. So here we go
Day 1 (Monday)

a bowl of Kelloggs just right cereal a Milo no sugar, not that i normally do just thought that sounded better : )
an orange
a walk past a packet of girl guide cookies that was really hard
Lunch was a ham and cheese sandwich that i grilled (shopping day is a few days away)
a few chips
dinner was a steak, potato bake and green beans (my portion was smaller than normal)



So that wasn't so bad. Dean made smoothies for our Family Home Evening supper and i only had a half a glass rather than a full size.

Day 2

a bowl of weetbix and a Milo no sugar
a chicken salad burger (whoops) but it was the healthy choice
a cookie
for dinner i made a really yummy creamy pasta that i will post up later again my serve was small
no supper today

Day 3

Deano must have been in a good mood today because he made everyone eggs and toast but i only had 1 and not two like normal
for lunch i had left over pasta from yesterday and shared it with tyty
i had alot of pieces of cake today but small bite sized pieces
for dinner we had a beef roast with potatoes and greens again i had a smaller plate.

Today i went for a big walk with my eldest son, was good i felt great after even though i was real tiered to start with, i was in bed by 8 by the way : )


Right truth time....... I think we need stricter rules Sarah there were too many loop holes i only lasted 3 days if that. Hmmm i will just finish baking my cake and call you : )

Sarah's Food Diary

Ok so this diet was way too easy.Then I went camping like 4 days into it so yea Mel we need a new plan.So any readers have any ideas please leave us a comment or email us 2coronagirls@gmail.com thanks!I have not been feeling very good,normally I snack more...so next weeks diary maybe a little fuller
Monday June 21
Breakfast-1slice pumpkin bread,6oz. milk
Snack-banana
Lunch-2 chicken and cheese rolled tacos,8oz water
Dinner-whole wheat spaghetti,one slice of garlic bread,one whole summer squash(yup that's right 1 whole squash to myself,no one else likes it)
one tiny square of Lily's cookies 'n' cream candy bar (really that's all I had)
I also drank about 8 glasses of water,I'll probably drink a few more before bed I LOVE cold water in the summer!
First day not so bad ;)

Tuesday June 22
Breakfast- Nutri-grain bar,water
Snack-1 chocolate chip cookie
Lunch-Chili cheese hot-dog,4 12oz cups of water
Snack-banana,granola 12oz water
Dinner-baked lemon salmon,mashed red potatoes,corn,lots of water

Wednesday June 23
Breakfast- 2 slices butter toast, 32oz water, whenever I'm sick I drink extra water
Lunch-Mac &cheese water
Snack- lightly buttered popcorn
Dinner- Garlic,tomato,cilantro chicken and rice,green beans( oh my gosh Mel you'll have to try this one,but you'll have to wait til I get those marinades to you.I made a new recipe hehe!)

Thursday June 24
Breakfast- Bowl of raisin bran
Lunch- Mac & cheese
Dinner- spaghetti,salad with cucumbers

One Week At A Time.....

Rules for our weight management
1.Cut refined sugar
2. Workout at least 3 times a week for 30minutes
3.Sunday is the day of rest so why not "rest" from our diet (no going overboard)
4.One night we week we cook the same meal
5.More baking less frying
6.No sugary drinks,MORE WATER
7.Smaller portions
8.Think SKINNY!!
9.Only weigh yourself once a week
10.Don't get discouraged if you break a rule...get back on track

VOTE PLEASE!

Ok people we need you to vote....we want to keep this blog interesting and want you to keep reading...so please vote on the poll! It's to the left of this post! <<
Thanks Sarah

I want to Loose some weight

SARAH!!!

I want to loose some weight......Stop eating ice cream and Subs and join me for a week I recon i could loose 1 kilo (about 2 pounds) in a week if i just focus. Its a start, Are you with me??
Of course the ice cream is only a pint so it's almost gone! What are we going to do?Walk,I swim, cut out the junk.....or try! Sarah

I am normally very tidy!

So i feel bad about posting a dirty kitchen for the world to see well mainly just my mother in-law. So that's why I have put some pics up of my nice clean kitchen, Just to show my mother in-law that i am taking care of her baby !!



Still some stuff on the island but we are not a minimalist family
Mel
Ok don't feel bad of course you take care of your house,you have 5 kids it's going to be dirty now and then.I just thought it would but funny to tease a bit,I did however post my dirty laundry as well! Your house looks great Sarah

Laundry

Ok so you asked to see my laundry but you never said my dirty laundry! Haha Ozzy wouldn't move!





Just kidding here is my dirty laundry

I dare you!!

hmmm i wanna see your laundry pile Sarah!!!
mel

I Dare you.....

So we all remember truth or dare right? So here it goes I dare you Mel to take a picture of what your kitchen looks like right now.No pre-cleaning! Do you accept? What will you dare me to do.....be NICE!!!!
Sarah

Caught

Ok you asked for it Sarah...... This is my kitchen on a Sunday morning without fail. Now let me explain because today was so extra fun. I am super ready these days came down stairs and made the kids porridge for breaky ( they love that stuff) did a little RS stuff as you can see on my table there is glue, sugar, bowls, and my church bag being reorganized. In the sink are some dishes from a late night snack and clean dishes still from the day before. And below is my Island of destruction : ). Things just grow on it truly im not lying... Fruit bowls laptop cups. OH OH OH and to top it all off you caught me on a day that i discovered Lice in Charnas hair..... So this mess will officially stay this way till i have decontaminated my home. Truly i am normally very clean : (

As If.....

As if keeping up with the kids isn't enough to keep my body looking HOT Haha!I use these at home workouts.The 10 minute Solutions has 5 different 10 minute workouts,great for the busy mom.I don't know about you but I GET SO BORED with workouts,so having 5 to choose from is good.If I'm REALLY feeling motivated I do the No More Trouble Zones.All you need for this one is small 3-5lbs weights,and a mat if your floor is not carpeted.I did it for about a week and lost a pant size! Now if I could only figure out how to stay motivated!
Sarah

Oooo whats this!

Oooo i wonder what this could be.....a thank you gift maybe? i love American spices better do a good job on this to keep the merchandise coming!!
I am so excited!!!!!!!! Sarah!!!!!!
You Should be it took ages to pick the fabric lol Mel.

Grilled Salmon Burgers

Olive oil Spray
1lbs, skinless salmon fillet
1Tbs.Dijion mustard
1Tbs.ginger
1Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro
1tps. soy sauce
1/2tps. ground coriander
salt &pepper to taste
Lime zest
Preheat grill,lightly coat with olive oil spray.In food processor pulse salmon grind coarsely.Transfer salmon to a large bowl and mix remaining ingredients.Form into 4 patties,grill 4minutes each side.Garnish with fresh lime
Sarah

Recipes

Don't know about you guys but I love cooking and so does Sarah, sourcing new recipes is a hobby of mine and Sarah and i have been enjoying swapping kitchen secrets. We thought it might be fun to post two of the same recipe one from Sarah and one from me (Mel). Look closely because they arnt the same you could say we did a USA version and an Aussie version have fun with them. hmmm i think i might make Sarahs meatballs tonight...

Banana Bread

2cups of all purpose flour
1 1/2tsp baking soda
1/2tsp.salt
4overripe bananas
1cup sugar
3/4 cups of butter melted
2 large eggs
1tsp.vanilla
1/2cup pecans
powdered sugar for dusting
Preheat oven 350 grease bread pan.In a large bowl combine flour,baking soda,and salt.Mash 2 bananas so they still have some texture.With electric mixer whip the 2 other bananas with sugar for 3 mins.Add melted butter,eggs,vanilla,bet well scrape down sides,mix with dry ingredients fold in nuts and mashed bananas. Pour into pan get bubbles out Bake for 1 hour 15mins.cool bread dust with powdered sugar

Sarah

Caramel Banana Cake

125g Butter
3/4 cup brown sugar firmly packed
2 eggs
1 cup mashed banana
1 1/2 cups Self raising flour (1 cup plain flour + 1 tsp baking powder)
1 tsp bicarb soda
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tbs milk

Icing

60g butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups icing sugar
2 tbs brown sugar

Preheat oven to 180` C. Grease loaf pan. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, stir in banana, then alternate wet ingredients with sifted dry ingredients. bake for one hour or until skewer inserted comes out clean. Stand for 5 mins before turning. For the icing melt butter and sugar on stove, do not boil, add cream and then bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add icing sugar, spread evenly over cooled cake. Enjoy!!

Mel

Lasagna(Paula Deans)

Lasagna

For the Sauce:
2cups of chopped tomatoes
2cups tomato sauce
1cup water
1/2 chopped onions
1/2cup green bell peppers
2 cloves garlic
1/4cup fresh parsley leaves
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 1/2 lbs ground beef or sausage
1 1/2 tsp house seasoning
**House Seasoning:1cup of salt,1/4cup pepper,1/4cup garlic powder
For Lasagna:
6to 9 cooked noddles
12oz.cottage cheese, mixed with one egg
1/2cup Parmesan
1cup grated Gruyere cheese
1cup swiss
2cups cheddar cheese
8oz.cream cheese
1cup mozzerella
For the sauce combine ingredients boil,reduce heat simmer for one hour.Cook ground beef,add to stockpot.Preheat oven to 350 place a layerof sauce on bottom of pan,place 3noodles on top of sauce layer cheese then meat sauce add pinches of cream cheese on top of that continue layering 2 or 3 times cook for 30-45 minutes

Sarah

Lasagna Al a Mel in a hurry

from 500gms to 1 kilo of mince meat (beef)
1x 800gm tin of crushed tomatoes
1x tin of tomato soup or 1 cup tomato paste
1x lg onion chopped
2x cloves garlic minced
a good couple of gluggs of soya sauce
2 tbs beef stock powder ( i often use chicken too, cluck moo whatever)
a dash of sugar if using tomato paste

1 quantity of white sauce equaling about 1 litre
in the white sauce i put 1 tbs of whole grain mustard
1tsp onion powder and 1 tsp of garlic powder
and about 1 cup of grated cheese
grated cheese (i grate form the block so to your taste really

1 quantity of home made pasta

2 cups plain flour
2 tbs oil
salt
1 egg
water

Simply mix together gently with a knife adding water to get the right consistency (not too sticky), cut into portions ( i make 3 as i like 3 layers) roll out on floured surface, i fold into quarters until im ready for them its normally not long.

Brown the onion with a few Rachael Ray around the pan tbs, add the mince and brown. Mix in the crushed tomatoes and tom soup. Then add the garlic, soya sauce, stock and season to taste. At this point i add water if i used more to the 1 kilo of mince about 1/2 cup. let simmer while making your white sauce and pasta. Simmer longer if you like a firm lasagna as this will reduce the liquid in meat sauce.
Layer a small amount of the meat sauce on bottom of pan. Use whatever baking dish you can always freeze what doesn't fit. Then lay down one of your sheets of pasta, a layer of meat then some of the white sauce. Then repeat ending with meat sauce and layer with the white sauce. grate some cheese over the top and bake till nice and brown in a 180`C oven. I know it sounds like a lot of work but it really isn't. Enjoy!!

Mel

Caramel Popcorn

Caramel Corn
1cup Brown sugar
1/2cup butter
1/2tsp.salt
1/2tsp. baking soda
1/2cup corn syrup
In a saucepan combine butter,salt,Karo syrup,brown sugar.Stir constantly until it starts to boil.Let boil for 5mins without stirring.Remove from heat then put in baking soda stir pour over popped popcorn

Sarah

Caramel Corn

12 cups of popped corn : )
1 cup salted peanuts ( i also use salted cashews)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp bi carb soda

Place pop corn in a lined roasting dish. Melt butter, corn syrup, sugar and salt, bring to boil over medium heat, biol for 5 mins without stirring. Take off heat and stir in vanilla and bicarb. Pour over pop corn as evenly as possible. Bake in a pre heated 120`C oven. Stir every 15mins for one hour. Pour out onto waxed paper and break up. Do this while it is still warm or it will clump. MMMM enjoy!

Mel

Strawberry Banana Split cake

Crust:
2cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2cup butter,melted
1/4cup sugar
Filling:
1/2cup butter,melted
2cups powdered sugar
1T.milk
1tsp.vaniila
3large firm bananas cut into slices
28oz.cans of crushed pineapples,drained
2qt.fresh strawberries,sliced
Topping
2cups whipping cream
1/4cup powdered sugar
1 1/2cups chopped walnuts
Combine crust ingredients and press into 7by 11 dish.Chill one hour.In a mixing bowl,cream butter powdered sugar,milk and vanilla.Spread over crust.Chill 30minutes.Then layer with bananas,pinapple,and strawberries.Ina small bowl,beat cream until soft peaks form.Spread over fruit.Sprinkle with nuts.Chill
Another great recipe from Patsy:)

Sarah

Banana/Strawberry/Pineapple Split cake, Or you can call it Yummy!!

2x 20 cm round banana cakes (1 quantity of banana cake baked in two tins will do)
2 cups sweetened whipped cream (or if you come from the land down under you don't need sweetener coz our cream is sweet enough : ))
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1x 225g crushed pineapple well drained
a Jar of fudge topping
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Divide whipped cream into half. In one half fold in strawberries, and in other fold in drained pineapple.
To assemble, slice the two cakes into half horizontally. Place the base of one of the cakes onto a serving plate. Spread the strawberry cream to the edges of this cake, place the top of that cake on the strawberry cream. Spread the top of this with some warm fudge sauce, then layer on the fudge sauce the other bottom of the other cake. Spread this cake half with the pineapple cream then top with the cake top then drizzle over the desired amount of fudge sauce mmm Enjoy

Mel

Creamy Garlic Meatballs

Sauce
3T.flour
1can of cream of mushroom soup
1can of cream of chicken soup
31/2 cups water
1T.Italian seasoning
1tsp.(or more if you like) garlic
1/2tsp.salt
1/2tsp.pepper
Meatballs
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1egg
fresh garlic
onions
bread crumbs
salt and pepper
parsley
basil
Mix all meatball ingredients,make into bite size balls.Cook in skillet over medium heat.

For the Sauce
In a large saucepan,combine flour and soups.Stir in water and seasonings until blended.Bring to a boil,reduce heat cook and stir until thick.Add meatballs, serve over mashed potatoes,rice or noddles
Recipe brought to you courtesy of Pasty Engstrom thanks!


Meatballs

750g beef mince
1/3 cup ketchup
dry minced onion as desired
Garlic salt salt and pepper if desired
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 pkt of french onion or onion soup mix
1-2 eggs

Combine all ingredients and form into balls. Layer into a baking dish.

Brown gravy sauce

1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup sour cream
1 pkt dry brown gravy mix
water

combine all ingredients in a bowl add enough water to make a thin, but not too runny consistence. Pour over meatballs and bake at 180`C for 1 hour. Serve with herb rice and green beans Yummy Enjoy!

Mel

Lets Find Sarah a Sewing Machine

It's true I don't own a sewing machine! I usually borrow my friend Linda's,or have her finish a project for me,hehe! So let's see what kind of machine should I get,which ones should I avoid? Any tips?

Coming Soon.....

Upcoming events..... sewing projects(lets see who can finish first)project find Sarah a sewing machine.Yes it's sad but true I do not own a sewing machine! Book club,what are you reading?

Chicken Nuggets,Herbed Rice,Green Beans

Chicken Nuggets
Chicken breast,cut into strips
1cup Flour
1cup Breadcrumbs
1/2cup grated parmeasan
Combine these
1or 2eggs
Dip chicken into flour mixture then egg,then back into flour mixture. Fry in a shallow pan with vegetable oil.

Herbs Rice
1 cup Rice
2cups Chicken stock
2tablespoons butter
1/2teaspoon of each Parsley,Basil,Thyme,Tarragon
Combine rice and butter in pan over medium heat.Add chicken stock turn up heat bring to a boil,reduce heat to medium when it boils add herbs.DO NOT COVER. Watch rice when stock is absorbed take off heat fluff with fork


Get your kids involved in cooking.My kids loved it! Yes all the pictures were taken the same night,Lily just loves to change her clothes!

I forgot the flour but I did use it

The Finished product YUMMY!!!!!

Coming Soon To Australia....

Melanie has told me that they don't get many marinades,seasonings.If they do it cost an arm and leg! So I'm sending these lovely ''gifts" from America! Hope you enjoy them.....