School's Out

Actually, school will be out for term break next week.  But I am almost officially finished my Certificate IV course.  I say almost, because my lecturer says marking the RPL application is a mere formality and that passing shouldn't be a problem based in her quick glimpse. So for this year, at least, my own study is finished.

I've learned much in the last two years about myself in relation to studying:

• I adore external study.  Three years of correspondence in Yr's 7-9 have served me well.
• I really enjoy the study and, surprisingly, I miss it when it is finished.  
• My confidence is boosted when I receive my marked assignments with high praises regarding the quality of my work.   
• Dedication to my own work is oh-so-fine ammunition to be fired at certain undisciplined children who flop about, moaning and groaning while trying to get out of their homework.  Oh yes...very fine ammunition.

I'm now in serious investigations for next year....

Home Sweet Home

We had a great camp.  Sovereign Hill in Ballarat is always a favourite for this old fashioned gal.  I am glad to be home though.  It was nice to be greeted with enthusiasm by each of my children.  And I'm looking forward to finding out what's been happening here, when Dh gets home.

And I'm looking forward to a nice warm sleep in my own bed.  I was so very cold overnight, more so the second night than the first.

Mr Busy thinks I shouldn't have to cook dinner tonight, but oh well, he'll just have to be disappointed.

Recipe: Lemon Jelly Bake

This recipe is one from my childhood.  When we lived overseas we had two 'muli' trees that I recall as being huge and kept the three or four families of our mission well supplied.  We drank litres and litres of muli juice (lemonade), and Mum made this slice far more often than I am inclined to.  A slice with three layers seems like so much more work than it really is!  As I rediscovered, it's really not that time consuming, rather, it is something to be done between other things.

Lemon Jelly Bake

Base
1 1/2 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup sugar
125g butter
1 egg

1. Rub butter into flour and sugar.
2. Add egg and enough water (or milk) to become consistency of scone dough.
3. Spread over base of a well greased baking pan.
4. Bake for 15 minutes on 180C/350F (adjust for fan forced oven).

Jelly
juice of 3 lemons
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
2-3 tablespoons custard powder (heaped)

1. Mix as a custard and cook until thickened.
2. Pour onto base while both are still hot and allow to cool slightly.

Top
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons cornflour (heaped)
4 tablespoons icing sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons butter

1. Mix as a custard and cook until thickened.
2. Add butter and stir until melted through.
3. Pour onto jelly while hot and sprinkle with desiccated coconut.
4. Allow whole slice to cool to room temperature before serving.

Store covered in the refrigerator

I just now at this moment realised I forgot to put the butter in the top layer.  Oops.  Guess what?  You don't need it ~ it's fine without.

Apologies for the un-artistic photo ~ it was a quick snap in the midst of a busy morning.

Monday's Menu Plan: Week Beginning 6 September

I'm heading off on a school camp this morning.  None of my children are in Year 5 or 6, so this time I am completely, wholly and solely a staff member.  As you can imagine, Mum going away for a couple of days requires a little bit of planning, but these days it's a lot less than it used to be.  A teensy bit of preparation for meals and bread in the freezer should keep everyone's bellies filled.  The girls are terribly excited about taking over in the kitchen.  They get to prepare one meal each and no doubt Miss Sunshine will dive into the task of lunch-maker with gusto.  And I confess to spoiling the kids just a little ~ a rare pack of snack-sized potato chip packets is hiding in the bottom of the pantry.  To remind them that I love them, even while I'm away.

And when I return, they may just have to keep cooking ~ being on camp is very tiring work!

Monday:  Oven fried chicken, vegies
Tuesday:  Pasta with bolognaise sauce
Wednesday:  Italian sausages in tomato sauce (Nigella Express)
Thursday:  Crumbed chicken, potato & mushroom gratin, vegies
Friday:  Coq au Riesling, doubled for another night (Nigella Express)
Saturday:  Chowder, bread & butter
Sunday:  Baked eggs (a la Nigella), tomato salad, bacon

Can you tell I scrolled through my PVR recordings to the Nigella Express programs?  What else is a girl to do on a stormy Saturday, but reach for inspiration while menu planning?  And worthy inspiration it was, too.

A Mid-Weekend Post

my chicken & dumplings looks identical to this picture

 

Chicken and Dumplings is the perfect antedote to miserable winter-like weather that came with storm and flood warnings.


We've spent the day doing a little bit of cleaning and a lot of  TV watching.  BH&G and Jamie Does Andalucia from last night as well as some episodes of Little House on the Prairie.  All the while it has blown and stormed outside.  Not the torrential rain that others in Victoria have seen, but certainly worth a day tucked away at home.

What is your favourite thing to do when it's wintry and storming outside?

Sunshine - at last!

I woke up this morning and guess what greeted me?  Sunshine....brilliant, bright, cloudless sunshine.  The sky is blue.  I'd forgotten what lay behind those dull grey clouds!

It's the second day of spring here, but today is the first day of sunshine.  I don't suppose it's permanent but I am certainly going to enjoy it, revel in it and soak myself in it.

I've decided I love gerberas.  They look like little pieces of sunshine, don't they.

Review: 'For Time and Eternity' by Allison Pittman

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My book review drought is over.  It's been some weeks since I last sent one off to my wonderful friend Rel.  How I've neglected this little piece of life lately.  Sorry Rel!

In any case if you click here, you'll end up at my review for Allison Pittman's "For Time and Eternity".  I'd love to say more, but my brain has stopped so you'll just have to read the review.