Lazy weekend + Berry and Apple Danish

Sunday morning snuggles in bed with Minnie are the best.



I felt the need for some sweet, baked goods and settled on creating a bunch of little danishes.


Here's what i did.
Ingredients.

• three granny smith apples
• one cup of frozen raspberries
• one cup of sultanas
• one 600ml carton of vanilla custard (or you can make your own)
  
• one tablespoon ground cinnamon
• one tablespoon mixed spice
• one tablespoon nutmeg
• quarter of a cup of caster sugar
• 6 sheets of puff pastry (or make your own)
  
• egg and milk for wash
• quarter of a cup of icing sugar and a few teaspoons of warm water for icing
• toothpicks
  

Peel and core the apples, slice into thin pieces.
Mix cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg and sugar together in a small bowl.
Cut puff pastry into quarters.
In the middle of each square, place a few strips of apple, some raspberries and sultanas.
Dribble some custard over the fruit and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mix.
Bring two opposite corners of the pastry together and secure with a toothpick.
Brush over with egg wash.





Once all of your pastries are assembled, cook in a medium-hot oven until pastry is puffed and browned.
Mix icing sugar and water together to form a runny icing mixture and drizzle across danishes.
Sprinkle with more of the cinnamon sugar and enjoy.





Easy and so very delicious. I made extra to freeze for when Spomes and I want a lazy, sweet treat.



Also also found this gem in the cooking aisle of Woolworth's. I'm going to make it for Sleeve's birthday as he is a Harry nerd like me. It's a package mix (shame) so I'll be adding extra bit's and pieces to make it even more delicious.



Happy weekend everyone!

Special guests!

Mother and Father Strange are in the house, Yall.
They are here from Darwin for a little visit.



(Yes. Mr S' last name is actually Strange <3 )

Spomes is a perfect blend of the two of them, but he does have all of his fathers mannerisms and habits and his Mum's sense of humour. It's a bit freaking adorable.






Minette of course has been entertaining them while we have been at work.
Here is her new full time favourite position. This is the chair that was supposed to be my reading chair. One day i'll get my own chair.


On another note, i've been feeling at itch for Cat number 2.
I said that i'd wait until Minnie was at least 8 months old before i brought another kitty into her house but i found this amazing site called Brisbane Valley Cat Rescue and now my willpower is going downhill. I really want to adopt an older male cat, i've had dreams of a big tom cat protecting the house (the cat i've been dribbling over is called Timmy, he's that beautiful white boy that'd 12 months old). It's very lucky that i've spent the last four weeks without work and that my bank balance contains nothing but tumbleweeds or i could be in a dangerous situation. I'm back at work now and i've given myself a month to get myself straight financially, then it's cat-time again!!

Green Capsicum and Chilli chutney.

RECIPE TIME!!

This was one of the many jars of delicious that I whipped up for my Christmas gifts.
This spicy little devil suits just about everything. I've had reports of people spreading it on sausages, using it as a salsa with nachos, cooking it through a pasta sauce and Spomes even puts it on his sandwiches. It's handy when you need to give your food a little kick.

Here's how I rolled.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 kg green capsicums
• 250 ml white wine vinegar
• 900g white sugar
• 4 tbs green chilli
• 2tsp 'jamsetta'
  

Depending on what tickles your fancy, you can switch the green capsicum and green chilli for the red version of each for a slightly sweeter version.


Chop, chop. chop all your capsicums.





Then chop, chop, chop all your chilli's.
(Seeded or not, it's entirely up to you, the seeds give the chutney a great little kick which compliments the coolness of the capsicums but if you are not a fan of mega spice, take the seeds away.)





Place all ingredients, minus the 'jamsetta' in a nice big pot over a medium heat.
Stir constantly until sugar has dissolved. Bring mixture to a full, rolling boil and add the 'jamsetta', cook for a further five minutes.






Now if you like, pour all ingredients into a food processor and give it a whizz. I only do this because I was giving the chutney as a gift and wanted everything to look super neat. If it's just for home use, skip this part - It only makes more mess!






Spoon the mixture into hot, sterilized jars and seal.
Turn the jars upside down for one minute then back around again and place in a cupboard, or area away from sunlight to settle and cool.

All done!





On another mind-blowingly awesome note....

We are getting new neighbours!




Meep!


I CAN'T WAIT.

Rain, rain.

REALLY GO AWAY NOW.
Your presence is not appreciated any more.

This is the road that is around the corner from us. It will usually flood in the smallest of rains but in the last few days it's been something else.
Mr S and I went around the corner this afternoon to investigate and now the sun is shining, there is no water in sight.
Bardon has just been put on a 'Watch list' according the ABC news, but so far, we are fine. Today we went to Rosalie to investigate rumours that our favourite burger place is under water, they were true.





It was horrible watching people jamming all their worldly belongings into cars and trailers and leaving. Spomes has been given the week off work due to all the power being out in the CBD, so we are basically sitting around watching the News. Tonight there is a group of us going to help fill sand bags and volunteer in any way we can, I've also registered us on the RSPCA website to foster any animals that need a temporary home. I found out this morning that Minette's shelter is under water.

Hopefully these rains bugger off so we can start fixing this mess.

Perfect, rainy, lazy Sunday.




Please don't ever end.

Today we slept in.



Feasted.





Minette lounged.





While we gamed.




Heaven.

Dear Sir Sleevie.

I'm sorry I forgot you from my little questionnaire, Haggis, you are one of the most interesting, beautiful and wonderful cats I met in 2010.












Next time I come visit I will bring you delicious treats and beg for your forgiveness.

Christmas loot. Oh Christmas loot.

Well.
I can certainly say that i was spoilt rotten on Christmas day by friends and family alike.

Mr S and I celebrated Christmas number one together in our little house.
It was a nice change from dashing off interstate for family commitments.
We also has our newest addition to celebrate with.




Man that cat loves tinsel.
She managed to pull over the tree four times. Even when we had hoisted it up onto a table.

From Scott I received Mastering the Art of French cooking, both volumes. Something i have dreamed about for a long time.





This very, VERY special box set of Harry Potter books.
They have an original set of artwork on the covers and they come with their own spiffy box.
Le sigh.







He also gave me this awesome Magneto & Fluffy Ducks print.
It speaks for itself really.





And a pussy cat teapot from T2.





But the cherry on top of my Christmas cake was this Hogwarts Acceptance Letter he had made for me.
It comes with it's own little leather envelope and Hogwarts wax seal.
It is even addressed to me and has my name on the letter.
There is a possibility i may of cried when i opened it.
It is my most current treasured possession.








We had a glorious Christmas lunch with Spomeys family in an beautiful apartment overlooking Roma street station and parklands. Then we had a bunch of our friends over to our place (with plates of their left-overs) for a relaxing Christmas night.




I made some Festive Fudge for the occasion.

The next morning i jetted off to FREEZING COLD Melbourne for more serious family feasting.
My Uncle dressed up as a Christmas elf and distributed all of our presents.





Christmas. The time of triple puddings.





I have introduce my Mother's new little man. This handsome devil is George.
He woke me up with some serious headbutts and a bed shaking purr. What a charmer.





From my wonderful Mum and Step Father I got some sweet Heston Blumenthal DVD's. I'm obsessed with molecular gastronomy because of this man. He is a mad scientist, but you can eat his creations! I bought a cookbook of his once then realised i lacked the scientific laboratory required to create one of his meals perfectly so i gave up and because content with his television shows.



HAIRSPRAY TICKETS.
MNEEP.



The brother bought me a sweet pamper pack from Endota, thus cementing his position as GREATEST BROTHER IN THE HISTORY OF BROTHERKIND.





and from my beautiful friends there were home made marmalade's, robot tea towels, comedy dvd's, mini chocolate puddings and a TIME TURNER.....


Yes.






Thank you Amy.



Minette also scored a new pink collar and a tiny catnip-filled ball of blue floof.





She seems pleased.



I'm kind of sad it's over.

One more, for old times sake.

I used to adore doing these terrible things back in the day and i spotted this on the Facebook page of a friend and couldn't resist.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?

I went on an overseas holiday for the first time and popped my travellers cherry. Japan was one amazing experience and has only fuelled my need to save save save and travel EVERYWHERE.

I also moved into my first proper home and started to get settled. I love my house and it's two furry occupants more than anything else and i'm so very happy to be nestled within it's walls.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

My New Years' resolutions were to learn the guitar and to learn to speak a bit of French. I achieved neither of these.

My LEARN FRENCH FAST cd still rolls around on the floor of my car under the seat and i never so much as picked up a guitar.

I didn't get a better job, earn more money or get fitter or stronger. I did get better looking though.

I am probably going to make the same few resolutions this year and then break them in all the best possible ways.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Only one that i can think of. Little Leah Rose to Naomi and Will.

I've had friends of friends pop out a few bundles too.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

We lost the most beautiful dog in the world. Our Max in December. He was the sweetest, goofiest little dude we knew and battled his cancer until the very end. I still think of him every day.

5. What countries did you visit?

I was lucky enough to spend two glorious weeks in Japan. I was such an amazing experience.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

I'd like to have more success in my career. Whether i change it completely, start studying again or move up in my current field, i want to feel more satisfied with the job choices i have made and have more freedom to save and start pursuing the things i am passionate about.

7. What date(s) from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

July 10th was the date that i moved from Melbourne to Brisbane and settled into my home, thus starting the next chapter of my life.

The month of December marks the two year mark of my Mum battling (AND BEATING) breast cancer. It's something we are proud of not only in that month, but every day.

Also, November 18th was the day the new Harry Potter movie came out. I was chuffed.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Moving interstate and settling down.

Saving up and travelling overseas for the first time.

9. What was your biggest failure?

My various jobs and job hunting.

2011 will see big things from Laura's career!

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?

Thanks to years of working in Hospitality i now have the back of an 80 year old woman, this only came to light recently and has left me with quite an impressive hobble when i'm feeling rough.

There was the incident when i fell through rotting floorboards at Our Kitchen table in the middle of one of the busiest Saturdays all year. Also the time i fell down concrete stairs in our apartment block. Someone up there must like me because i escaped both of these incidents with nothing but a very bruised ego.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Minette Twixby Billington-Strange.

The most perfect little cat in the world.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My dear friends Amy and Nick got engaged. That is pretty fucking spectacular.

My little brother got a fabulous new job running his very own pub (feel free to go visit him) and my wonderful Spomey landed a job in the Justice Department (saving the world and all that). I was proud as punch.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

General society. Any bullying, racist, ignoramus or narrow minded person that made another person feel bad for their own enjoyment or for no good reason.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Moving house and state and jetting off to Japan. Worth every penny.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Kitten and everything to do with kitten.

Seeing the new Harry Potter movie over and over again until i ran out of money.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Anything to do with the mental that is Lady Gaga.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder?

Much happier. Everything has worked out for the better and i've never been so comfortable in my life.

ii. thinner or fatter?

Probably fatter. I'm choosing to ignore this fact and continue eating my left-over Christmas chocolate for every meal.

iii. richer or poorer?

A lot poorer. I'm akin to a church mouse. Totally worth it.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Saved. With money comes the freedom to travel and experience all the nice things without worry or stress.

I wish i'd saved every penny i earned last year.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Stressing. Everything turned out better than i had ever imagined. I like to think all the tears, stress and sleepless night were all worth it in the end.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

Next Christmas? The same as all of them, with family, friends and lots of FOOD.

22. Did you fall in love in 2010?

I was already ridiculously in love and fall more-so everyday.

24. What was your favourite TV program?

So many! I caught up on so many series this year so everything was my favourite at one stage or another.

If i had to pick i'd say Community.

Because i love Abed and Troy more than words can express.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

I hate Tiger Airlines and Centrelink with a new found, ranting, roaring and burning passion.

(LOOOOONG story)

26. What was the best book you read?

My Life in France by Julia Childs and Moab is my Washpot by Stephen Fry were two that stick out in my memory.

I can't really pick a favourite because i also re-read all the Harry Potters and a great pile of old books that i'd had packed away for months and i fell in love with each one as i read it.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Sadly, none. Spomey does all the discovering while i reap the benefits with the mix cd's he makes me every month.

Recently i have quite delightfully re-discovered my Temptations Anthology so i'm bathing in Motown glory.

28. What did you want and get?

I wanted a kitten more than anything else in the world and by golly i got my kitten.

29. What did you want and not get?

I pretty much got every materialistic thing i daydreamed about.

I am spoilt rotten.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

HARRY.

(Hipster Potter...MEEP)

31. What did you do on your birthday?

I spent my 25th birthday in Osaka, Japan eating amazing food and singing karoke with amazing people.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

To be in a job that i'm passionate about and to end the year with a little bit more than tumble weeds in my bank account.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

I really, really didn't have a personal fashion concept. Whatever fitted me and was affordable was my clothing of choice.

Deep down i yearned to be one of those glorious new-wave hipsters with their amazing hair and tight, tight pants.

2011 might be my year.

34. What kept you sane?

Mr Spomey

and my mum.

I couldn't get by without my friends.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

A combination of Jason Segel and Russell Brand.

Or Christina Hendricks.

Oh my.

37. Who did you miss?

I missed my Mum when i moved.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

I liked all the new people i met in 2010.

Most importantly there was Lolly Bell who stole Sir Sleevies heart.

and my most Favourite Brendan who makes Diana swoon every day.(I actually met him on New Years day last year, so he is not really that shiny or new, but still wonderful.)

There is also Mr Jeff Dachauer, our Caragh's dude. Who i only met a few days ago, but is still a pretty cool chap.

Honourable mention to Antz and Michael who we travelled with to Japan. Antz, who taught me nw and horrific things about the human body and Michael who is my musical soul-dude.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

When life gives you lemons you say fuck the lemons and bail.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I want your horror

I want your design

‘Cause you’re a criminal

As long as your mine

I want your love

Love-love-love

I want your love, uhh

I want your psycho

Your vertigo stick

Want you in my room

When your baby is sick

I want your love

Love-love-love

I want your love

Love-love-love

I want your love

They don't sum up anything but the fact that this is an awesome song.