Project 259.....lamb pie

Cook your lamb with an onion or two and only salt and pepper in the pressure cooker until falling apart.  You can use normal cooking bits for this.  Place in the bottom of your oven dish.  Mix together 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of milk, 1 tsp baking powder, a pinch of herbs(I like to use oregano), a pinch of salt and an egg.  Pour over your meat.  Now slice an onion and place the rings on top of the dough.  Bake it until done at 180*C.  Sooo easy and a great  way of stretching a small amount of meat!

project 258......placemats

I made these place mats from recycled jeans.  I gave them a linen background, a piece of denim and hand sewn the words on it.  I have quite a steady hand and has not written the words on the material, but I do think it is a good idea to use material chalk to write the words.  This was so easy, you can make a set for whatever occasion!  I've sewn the words on different spots just to make them look different, but it is your own choice if you want them all to look the same.

I haven't put batting in these,as the denim is thick, but will surely do it with a thinner material. 

Project 257.....handprint table cloth

I am quite sentimental about this one!  Mine is really used up now, and my kids too grown up to make their mum a new one!

I used a white sheet and one sunny morning we made hand prints on it with material paint.  I used black to make birds, write notices, exc.

We made some overlays at the church a few years ago for a mothers day function, and it is so satisfying seeing all the kids as students and teenagers now. 

This is a great way of capturing memories, and a great gift for grandparents as well.
 

Project 256....shabby schic table runners

I made these some time ago, but seem to use them quite often.  I love to do a table with non- matching stuff, and these are working well.

I've used a linen base, and simply sewn blocks of pretty material and lace together to make a runner.  It was an easy way to use all the pretty pieces of leftover materials!

project 255...baked crustless milk tart.....

I have my usual way of making milk tart (project 35), but I saw this recipe the other day for a baked crust less milk tart, so I tried it yesterday.  Quite nice, but I think my old recipe is much less work!  The family enjoyed it though, and I am sure I'll have to make it again this way in the future!

Mix together:

30 ml butter
250 ml sugar
4 egg yellows
250 ml self raising flour
1 l milk
5 ml vanilla

Add in 4 firmly whipped egg whites

Bake at 180*C for 40-50 minutes.  Cover with cinnamon sugar when removing from the oven.

just a short note.....

I don't know if it is the same in your house, but I tend to make the same things over and over again!  Yesterday I made gingersnaps(project 24) for the so manieth time!  It is just sooo easy, and you know that they hardly ever flop!  I thought of making something else, but my time was limited.....I know that I can roll exactly 48 balls in 10 minutes when making ginger snaps!  And that is even measuring them with a 15 ml spoon as well!  So why bother making something else if you're in a hurry!

Last night friends came around for coffee, and when I took the ginger snaps out, our friend replied that he's going to take two straight away, as it is his favourite...then I thought....that's me....everybody knowing me, knows that I make ginger snaps!  Unfortunately doing the same things over and over again don't put new ideas on the blog!  But sometimes people just want something they are familiar with....

I have an adopted son, Siswe studying in Pretoria!  My husband is not aware of the fact that I have adopted him! HA HA!  The other night he phoned to ask how it is going on this side, and I enquired about his exam results.  He then said that he reads the blog when he misses home!  He just wants to see what we're up to!  Maybe he just want something familiar there on that side of the country!  Maybe he can smell the ginger snaps!

I don't want to make excuses, but sometimes I tend to do more habitual things, like making ginger snaps over and over, in stead of doing grate new things to place on the blog!  Maybe it is a phase....sometimes I make new things, though....and I forget to take the snap to prove it!  So please forgive if it is going on the slow side with times!...hang in there with me....hopefully the creative juices will start to flow again soon!  For now, I am going to have a cup of coffee with gingersnaps!

See my paintings I am busy with....

project 254...pancakes

It is a mission and a half to bake pancakes for my family!  You bake and bake, but the plate seems to stay empty!  So I must admit, I don't make it often!

My family don't even ask for pancakes! It is so cold lately though, that I decided to make some without receiving any requests!

1 cup flour
1 egg
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk
1/2 cup water
7.5 ml oil

Mix everything and allow to stand for about an hour.  Spray your pan with spray and cook and then heat half a teaspoon of oil and start baking.  Only add oil to the pan if it start sticking to the bottom.  Add some cinnamon sugar....or ice cream! 

Project 253....a good old fashioned cake

The other day my son asked me to make an old fashioned cake like one I made years ago.....I was mind boggled? What for a cake is that, I wondered....his reply......just a normal sponge cake.....with only a little frosting on top....just to sweeten it slightly.....So I made this humble recipe and he was satisfied....it tasted just like he wanted it!  The cake was polished in no time, I almost did not get a piece for a snap!

225g self raising flour
225 g margarine
225 g sugar
 
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
pinch of salt

Cream together the sugar and margarine. Add the rest and bake at 180*C for 25-30 minutes.  Allow to cool and add frosting as desired or jam in between two layers.

I realised that sometimes we want to make things more complicated.....you put so much effort into making fancy cakes and stuff, then at the end they don't even eat it!  But this old fashioned cake was a real winner!

PROJECT 252....CHICKEN POTATO SOUP

This one is my own recipe!  Created yesterday when I realised the bacon was finished, and I already cooked the potatoes for potato soup!  So I made a plan.....

Boil about 6 large potatoes until soft.  I use the pressure cooker for this as it saves time.  Mash half the potatoes and cut the rest into large chunks.

Saute two large onions and two chopped chicken breasts until done.  Add a teaspoon of thyme. half a teaspoon of paprika, salt and pepper to taste.  Add your potatoes, two chicken stock blocks and a litre of water.  Allow to cook through.  Now add a litre of milk and heat through.  Add two cups of grated cheese.  I served it with cream for those who wanted a richer soup, as it is quite creamy already and I knew the kids does not like it that rich......I must admit.....it is even tastier with the extra calories!

project 251.....easy fish finger dish

This is a very humble dish, but one of my families favourites!  When I really don't feel like cooking, I can make this and they think I have cooked up a feast!

You need a batch of savoury rice(see project 69), about 4 fish fingers per person, some white sauce with extra cheese added and grated cheese to top it off.

Fry your fish fingers in a little oil.

Place the rice in the bottom of an oven dish, add your fish fingers on top, then the white sauce and lastly the grated cheese.  Bake until golden brown at about 180*C.  Serve with a green salad.  Quick, easy and extremely cost effective!

 

project 250.....a basket from a 2l soda bottle

I made this for no particular reason!  I think the only reason might be to see the outcome.  Not something I have a use for now, but maybe if it was made from some string or raffia I could have found a use for it....It would have made a good container for some desert roses, and you would not feel bad to hang it outside in the sun. 

The wool I used is a disgusting colour, but I had to try it.  It is amazing how much junk you can turn into something else!  I'd love to start an upliftment programme just creating things from junk!

I've cut the soda bottle in half and punched some holes all around the rim.  I then crochet a small frill around it and gave it a sling.  I think you can even make them in pinks and purples and use them to put your party favours in for a little girls party!