Spreading some love..

Hello! I love a good chocolate slice and this recipe has been pleasing my family for over 20 years!  The recipe comes from an Australian Women's Weekly book call The Big Book of Beautiful Biscuits.  This recipe is such an institution that everyone in my family makes this recipe..my mum, sister, brother and now even my 13 year old niece bakes it.  I can admit that sometimes I have stuffed up the recipe…like the time when I  was about 14 I added a cup of cocoa instead of 1 tablespoon.   But it is foolproof!  So here it is…

Chocolate Fudge Bars 

• 1 cup of plain flour
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of coconut
• 1 tablespoon of cocoa
• 185g (6oz) butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Chocolate icing

• 1 cup of icing sugar
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa
• 30g (1oz) butter
• 11/2 tablespoons of hot water
• coconut

Sift dry ingredients into bowl, add melted butter and vanilla, mix well.  Press mixture over base of greased 28cm x 18cm (11in x 7in) lamington  tin.  Bake in a moderate oven for 20 minutes.  Cool in tin.  When cold, ice with Chocolate Icing, sprinkle with coconut.  Cut into bars when icing has set.

Chocolate icing: Sift icing sugar and cocoa in small bowl, add melted butter and water, mix until icing is smooth and glossy.

I even hunted out my own copy of this book at an op-shop, it's such a treasure to own.  

Chocolatey…fudgey days to you!

Kimberlee xx:)xx

Lots of things…

Hello!  What a busy month!   It has been a month since I last posted anything.  Well, lets jump into it! 

Recently my family and I visited Brisbane's GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) and checked out Cai Guo-Qiang's exhibit Falling Back To Earth.  It totally blew my mind.  I just hope my pictures do it some justice but if you ever get the chance to see his work, do it you won't be disappointed.

Also this last month I got my first sale on my etsy store.  I was excited to get a custom order that was to be a present for someone else.  It is nice to have someone like what you do and actually want to pay you for it!

I love to crochet but I have admit my skills are limited.  I wanted to challenge myself to create anything other than a granny square!  After admiring many mandala rugs on pinterest I found some great inspiration, and found the perfect pattern.  But unfortunately the pattern did not work for me, so I am making do with the start from the pattern for around the first 3 rounds and then making up my own!  So far it's looking good..will keep you updated!    

Maria George!  You get me every time with your gorgeous collars and embellishments.  I just couldn't resist this cute lace collar which I got from Spotlight for only $6.50AUD.  Sewing it onto a cheap t-shirt I got from Target, I have ended up with a one of a kind shirt for only $14.00AUD.  I get a giddy when something I picture in minds eye actually turns out ok! :) 

Mother's Day.  We love a celebration in my family.  Any chance we get we love to get together and share a meal.  My sister and I took on the role of cooks this year (even though she is a mum herself) and let our mum take it easy for once.  This is how my family celebrated the day for mums….

 Mussels in spicy Thai broth

Thai prawn curry

Strawberry blissmas cake 

Mine was actually a Raspberry blissmas cake as I could not find any strawberry's in store at this time of year.  I also made my sponge as the recipe states you can use a store bought one.  My recipe for a Never fail sponge cake by one of my favourite CWA ladies Merle Parrish is here.

All the recipes were tried and tested and absolutely devoured by my family!  We will be definitely making them again.

Food, craft, art and sewing some of my favourite things!  I hope you have had a divine month and I promise it won't be so long between posts next time!

Kimberlee xx:)xx

Lionel & Bertie in the clouds with carrot cake?

Hello!  Thank you once again for joining me on this adventure!  This past week I have been…

I had heaps of fun making these cloud cushions for my bed from the Liberty Book of Simple Sewing.  I am a beginner sewer and this project was well within my means and so quick to finish!   I love this book it has so many cute projects, and it also has given me heaps of inspiration in looking for Liberty & Liberty inspired prints!

In the words of Marjorie Dawes from Little Britain …'I loooove the cake!' I made this yummy carrot cake on Sunday.  I found the recipe here.  And frankly it's a winner!  What's not to love…cinnamon, golden syrup, carrots, vanilla bean paste & cream cheese icing.


Have a great week & happy days to you..

Kimberlee xx:)xx

sunshine and lollipops

It has been a busy couple of weeks for me, so I'm finally getting to a new post!  Here are some of the things that have been inspiring me these last 14 days....

 I made some unreal brownies from a recipe by New Zealand cook Annabel Langbein.  These brownies were made with dates.  I was so surprised as I am not a dried fruit fan (actually I run from the stuff) but the dates add a unique texture and moreish quality to these delicious morsels.  Im afraid I never got around to taking a photo of the end product as they were devoured by my family (and me)!  If your inclined to make some here is the recipe!

 My sister bought these gorgeous earrings for me from Daisy Chain a handmade jewellery and accessories store she found on Facebook.  I love stud earrings and have a lot in my jewellery box and wear a different pair every day...(ok small obsession ;))

Embellish me!  Wow check these beauties out!  I found them at Spotlight and I swear my eyes nearly popped out of my head!  There were many embellishments of the same kind some were a bit more glitzier and some were collars.  These were only $6 each a complete bargain if you ask me.  The only thing is that I'm not sure if I will use them for a simple black t-shirt or something more daring and use them for a jacket.  What do you think?  I will post pics when I've decided!

My reading material for the last couple of weeks..Frankie Magazine which I love, love LOVE!  Did I mention I love Frankie Magazine?  I find it quirky, down-to-earth, interesting and fun such a good read every month.  Merle's Country Show Baking, old school baking which I really enjoy.   Merle is a member of the CWA (Country Women's Association) and a queen of baking.  I look at it as baking that your Nanna would do.   Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, working in a public library I have a list as long as my arm of my next reads.  This book has been on my list for quite a while and Im really enjoying it so far...I think it's a winner!


Oh a note on my antlers... well I am still trying to find the perfect rope to bind them together.  I have tried several over the last couple of weeks and they have either been too big and bulky or not the look I am after.  The hunt for the perfect rope continues...

Happy Days to you!
Kimberlee xx:)xx