Daisy Chains and Picnics

  This Christmas Movie recipe is from the 2019 movie Noelle. Ingredients 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 1/3 cups plain flour 1 tbsp instant ground espresso powder 3/4 tsp fine sea salt 8 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped sprinkles Method 1.  Preheat oven to 165 °C. Line 2 backing sheets with baking paper. 2.  In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugars with an electric mixer at low speed until well blended. Add vanilla and beat well. 3.  In a small bowl, combine flour, espresso powder and salt. Beat into the butter mixture, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. 4.  Portion the dough and roll into 3x1" cylinders. Arrange on the prepared baking sheets 1" apart. Repeat with the remaining dough. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until lightly browned on the bottom. Transfer to wire racks to cool. 5.  Place the chocolate in a glass or ceramic bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stir...

  Tasty mouthfuls of crunchy nutty delights, ideal for parties, snacks or teatime treats. Quick and easy to make using pantry staples, these can be rustled up in about 20 minutes. You can also add 1/4 cup of glacè cherries or currants to the mix. Ingredients 125 g butter, chopped 1/2 cup caster sugar 1 egg 1 cup S/R flour, sifted 2 cups lightly crushed cornflakes 1 cup chopped mixed nuts Method 1.  Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. 2.  Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. 3.  Gradually fold in flour, cornflakes and nuts until well combined. 4.  Drop small spoonfuls of mixture onto prepared tray. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool on tray for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy.

On Saturday Cerys baked some Christmas cookies. I was absolutely delighted that she allowed me to take some photos of her participating in the activity, sounds a strange thing to say I know but if you knew what she was like last year it would make sense, she wouldn't let me anywhere near her with the camera, proves we are making some progress even if it is just her hands 😊 She also did a spot of Hamish dressing up 😏 poor old man 😜🐶 We settled down in the evening to watch the first of our Christmas movies.

These make a delicious healthier alternative to store bought cookies when you or the kids are craving a sweet treat, great for lunch box snacks as they contain the goodness of oats, Chia and sesame seeds, coconut and dried fruit perfect to give kids and adults alike that mid afternoon boost. A tasty source of protein and fibre Feel free to add up to 1 cup of coconut, I only used 1/4 cup as Cerys doesn't like coconut so it went undetected!! They don't have to be perfectly shaped, I personally prefer the rustic look. Ingredients 1 cup untoasted muesli 1/4 cup fine desiccated coconut 1 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup S.R flour 1/4 cup raw sugar 1/4 cup chia seeds 1/4 cup sesame seeds 90 g melted butter 2 eggs 2-3 tbsp maple syrup Method 1.  Preheat oven to 170°C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. 2.  In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients and make a well in the centre. 3.  Add butter, eggs and maple syrup, mi...

These easy to make brightly coloured cookies are perfect for kids school Christmas parties. Wrap some in Christmas cellophane gift bags to hand out to teachers or neighbours. Ingredients 120 g unsalted butter 120 g granulated sugar 250 g plain flour 1 egg, beaten 1 Tbsp milk 1 Tsp vanilla essence 1/2 Tsp baking powder 1/4 Tsp salt  1/2 Tsp ground ginger  red & green food colouring Method 1.  Preheat oven to 170° C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. 2.  Sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside. 3.  Using an electric stand mixer, cream butter and sugar together until light and creamy, add egg and vanilla essence, mix until combined, gradually add the flour and milk, mix on low until just incorporated, don't over combine. 4.  Divide dough into 3. Add a few drops of green food colouring to one third of the dough, add a few drops of red food colouring to the 2nd third, and ...

I love the spooky creativity that comes with Halloween...The food, the costumes, the decor, the makeup. It is the one time of year where you can let loose and embrace your inner creepiness without anyone thinking you are weird!! We have always made a point of celebrating Halloween with the kids, which came as a surprise and disappointment when we first moved to Australia 9 years ago. Halloween just wasn't a thing here, but over the years it has started to catch on and we are getting more and more decor, costumes and food in the stores making it easier and more fun to celebrate. Below are some photos of our 2017 Halloween.. Jodie and I made a Halloween cake, you can find the recipe  here Our chocolate ghost jelly can be found  here Poisoned apple milkshake  here dig your own grave chocolate pudding can be found  here Jodie carved the pumpkin.. Barbossa from Pirates of the Caribbean.  Cerys went Trick or...