Monday, December 05, 2011

ALL ABOUT FOOD CLUB.


Here it is. Everything you want to know about Food Club.

There's been a few questions about Food Club. And not being the secretive kind of keep-it-to-myself sort of person, here is what we do. They're not rules, so much as guidelines...
  • There are eight of us, and we meet approximately once a month to six weekly at one of our homes (we take turns so that we all host it once a year).
  • It's always held on a weeknight around 7:30pm (after the kids go to bed) until late. Some of us have husbands who work away at some time, so we usually try to host a night when we are husbandless. (Also, if another fellow foodie isn't hosting, but hasn't got anyone to look after the kids, they usually bring their kids in the pjs and put them to bed in the hostess' house.)
  • Everyone makes one dish, and one foodie makes drinks instead of a dish (usually it's a fancy drink). There is always ample food.
  • We choose a theme for each night. So far, we've done these themes: summer, autumn, spring, summer, comfort food, all things pizza (even dessert pizzas!), Donna Hay Vs. Nigella Lawson (four of us made Donna Hay dishes, the other four made Nigella Lawson dishes - we had to guess who was who!), Thai, Food from the 50s (we dressed up), 70s/Fondue night (we dressed up), all things Jamie Oliver, English Wedding banquet (on the same night as the royal wedding - and we dressed up in our old bridesmaids gear!), Christmas in July, Traditional Christmas and Food For Gifts (our most recent one).
  • Usually the next theme, date and host is decided on a Food Club night, and if someone has something they want to try that fits the theme, they can designate that dish on the night of deciding. The host keeps a list of who is going to bring what, and usually the emails are sent to every fellow foodie, so we know what is left to bring. Then it's first in, best dressed for filling in the rest of the menu. Usually at our meals consists of entrees/nibbles, two savouries/mains (four of the girls are vegetarian, so usually there is a vegetarian dish and a meat dish), a hot dish, a salad, drinks, two desserts. As I said, PLENTY OF FOOD! The host usually sets the table all pretty and provides some water and another drink of their choice.
  • The best bit is that after every meal, when planning the next Food Club night, we send the recipe of what we made to each foodie so they can add it to their repoirtoire. At our first Christmas, Melanie (our fellow foodie) compiled all our first years' worth of recipes into a cook book. I use that little cookbook a lot! Also, for Christmas and Christmas in July we have organised Kris Kringles. The first one was a $10 food tool, and the second one was a $20 cookbook. Our last one we made a dish for the table, and then that dish in a packaged gift size to gift to another foodie. We put names in a hat, and that is who we gave it to! So you can see the ideas are endless! And so much fun.
Each of us are in Food Club for different reasons. Some girls have families who don't like trying new things and they long to try lots of new recipes, some just love to cook and try new things, some aren't good cooks and they want to learn more, some are trying to add to their limited repoirtoire! I'm in it because I love to cook and eat. Because, seriously...

We have one of our foodies who is like our mum. She is the BEST cook, and she always teaches us something new. Last week she showed us some christmas gift wrapping ideas. She's super creative!

When we first started Food Club, not one of us knew everyone in it. Because it was a combination of two mother's group friends, book club friends, mothers whose children go to the same school, sisters, and friends from different groups. I knew three other Food Club members before, but met the other four through Food Club. I think we are all very different and have a diverse age group - but that's what makes it so much fun!

Oh, and if you want to see more Food Club posts here on this blog, go here (just remember, that the top post will be this one, so keep scrolling down).
So... when will you start your local Food Club? I'm so looking forward to hearing if you pull it off!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

EAT: CARAMELISED ONION + FETA QUICHE


SERVES 6-8 | PREP 15 MINS | COOKING 10 MINS FRYING | BAKING 50 MINS | VEGETARIAN

You know those recipes that you just love and never tire of? This is one of those recipes for me. And because of hubby's egg intolerance, this is one I whip up on nights when he is away, and for guests too. I get asked for this recipe a lot. So, here it is - posted with love.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

MY BEDROOM. MY SANCTUARY.


I love this room. Besides the kitchen, this is where I spent most of my time. Of course, it's usually in my favourite state - in the Land of Zzzzs.


I love the buttermilk walls, the pale yellow ceiling, the white ceiling rose, and austrian blinds.


The timber skirtings and window, are just so decadent, and the space is totally uncluttered.


We had carpet laid in the bedrooms, which gave the bedrooms such warmth. While I love floorboards, it just wasn't the same.

And because I just like to lie on the floor, we put in a thicker underlay too. Plus it feels so velvety under our feet.


Friends often giggle that we still sleep in a double bed, but I don't mind at all.


Besides, there's more excuse for a cuddle in a smaller bed!

I love this room.

Monday, November 21, 2011

FIXING THINGS.


Once upon a time, a very long time ago (before children), my third drawer was the home to all things pretty - tea towels, spare candles, tea lights, matches (to light forementioned pretty candles), napkin rings, and other table accessories.


These days my third drawer (actually now located across a large top drawer next to the cutlery), is full of useful things, like tools.


And batteries. And tape. And string.


Because barely a few days pass by when we don't pull out the tools and fix something.


Whether it be a torn sleeve, cover or page of a book, a broken toy, or some new batteries (which we seem to always need more of).


So we always have a spare (or five) of each sized battery.


The boys have their favourite toys, so I can't seem too ignore the constant fixing that needs to be done.


Plus, they keep asking!


Besides, I don't really mind. It keeps the lads very busy. Especially in the 'fixing' part as well as the enjoying of the toy. Or book. Or whatever it is that needs to be fixed.

Plus, what boy doesn't enjoy finding how the insides work of a thing that makes noise, or plays music?

Do you find that there is a constant need for fixing at your place?

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Thursday, November 17, 2011

WHEN HANGING OUT AT HOME...


It's been lovely coming home from work to these lovely energetic boys. And because we like to 'bank' memories, a new tradition has started in this home.


While I make dinner, we've been doing a little dancing...



... pulling faces...



... and taking photos ...


I love evenings like this. The kids ask me when we are going to do the "Himmy Hake" (Shimmey Shake, thanks Wiggles), because it's the highlight of their day too.


It's what memories are made of.

How do you 'bank' your memories?


a day in the life of us

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

WHEN BROTHERS ARE INSEPARABLE.


The lads get along so well, it surprises me sometimes.

They don't fight often and when they play, it's usually a very happy thing.

And when they're put in their separate beds, this is what we sometimes find when we check in at night.

I'm not unrealistic enough to think this will last forever.

But still, I'm treasuring it. And capturing it, to remind them of how it was.

Now.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

EAT: CHEESE + HERB DAMPER WITH HONEY MUSTARD BUTTER


SERVES 6-8 | PREP 5 MINS | COOKING 30 MINS | VEGETARIAN

It's always wonderful to rediscover a recipe you haven't used for a while. I made this quite a bit when we lived in PNG because I always had the ingredients in the pantry. This damper is an awesome addition to any meal, and the mustard honey butter really makes it.

Monday, November 14, 2011

THE BMX BANDIT.


I'm not sure when it happened. But suddenly, one day, my little toddler turned into a real boy.


I don't mean real like Pinocchio, but real as in likes motorbikes, cars and all things testosteroney.


Really, I should have known. His first word was "brmmmm brmmmm".


I guess the writing was on the wall.


Look at him go.

I love my real boy.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

WHEN LIFE BLOWS YOU BUBBLES...


Today was the perfect day to make bubbles...


INGREDIENTS
3 tbsp dishwashing liquid
7 tbsp water
1 tbsp sugar

METHOD
1. Mix until the sugar is dissolved. Let it sit for an hour.


It was too sticky a mixture for the inside, so out we went...


... to blow lots and lots of bubbles.


 The best things in life are indeed free.


(Or at the least very, very affordable).

Friday, November 11, 2011

IT'S INTERESTING WHAT YOU FIND...


... in your lounge room when you live with a musician.

And if you don't live with a musician, here's what you might find in this here cute little wooden bowl:
  • spare batteries for the foot wahwah pedal (yes, that's what it's called)
  • guitar strings
  • capos
  • slides
  • plectrums
  • harmonicas
  • neck brace for the harmonica (what's their proper name?)
  • CDs with recordings on them...
Oh yes. And that's my candle.

Do you have a messy musician in your house? Or just a person who has little bits and pieces floating around the house?

Thursday, November 10, 2011

ACCESSORIES. SORTED.


I've been meaning to share this post for over two weeks now. It's shameful that I've left it so long. But seriously, I think life has just gotten in the way of blogging. Even scheduling posts. Yes, life is sad when there's no time to even schedule!

My best friend couldn't come to my birthday do back in September, but instead decided to purchase something she knew I'd love.



You see, I have a few accessories. Not as many clothes, but LOTS of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and scarves. And she found this amazing standing mirror-come-secret-cupboard-with-a-key.


See? You wouldn't know there was anything in this slim-line beauty!

I'm especially loving the key bit, because then little fingers can't break my cute things. (It's been known to happen before, just once or twice... I even have jewellery repair tools for this very purpose...)


Before I had my fancy new secret-hiding-place-mirror, this is how I use to have my things... on the dresser, and very easy access to toddlers and pre-schoolers.


Sure, it looks pretty, but seriously, how can you get all your trinkets out of a box like this?


I'm all for easy access, and colour coodination...


... like this.

It makes my inner OCD very happy.

(Thank you Nine for the cool present!)


a day in the life of us