It is almost about 12 years ago now when Rob and I got engaged and when we decided on where we would get married, we both knew that the new block of land that Rob's Dad had bought would be the place. At that stage there was no house, a new stakes in the ground for where things would be, but it had … [Read more...]
Date Loaf
January 3, 2016 by 20 Comments
Another day, another baking session this morning, this time for an old favourite of mine: Date loaf. I love this recipe because it's so simple, I have even varied it from the original recipe so that now I use a food processor for the dates which is even easier. This makes 2 loaves and has no eggs in … [Read more...]
Doughnut Cake (Hot cinnamon tea cake)
January 2, 2016 by 38 Comments
This morning I decided to whip up for morning tea a favourite of my Father in law's: the hot cinnamon tea cake. I've made this plenty of times before and the recipe is on the blog already, but this is the tweaked version that I thought I'd share with you. This is served hot. It's DEAD SET like a … [Read more...]
Little old me and you
December 31, 2015 by 61 Comments
Yesterday morning I finished reading Elizabeth Gilbert's book Big Magic. I loved it, so interesting to hear her thoughts and insights on creativity, on learning to tap into our own creative instincts and desires and living our lives creatively as well as hearing about her own writing journey … [Read more...]
Best of BabyMac 2015: My picks, your picks
December 30, 2015 by 18 Comments
Here we are almost at the very end of the year. I'm where I always am at this time of the year (well for the past 12 years I think bar one when we were in Paris) at the farm spending long, lazy days unwinding from a busy year and restoring some peace and quiet and rest for the year to come. I do … [Read more...]
Holiday reading
December 29, 2015 by 21 Comments
Ahhhhh....holidays. The only time of the year that I actually read. Holiday Beth is in situ and everyone (including myself) is thrilled that's she's here. It's a shame but it's true that the only time I actually open a book these days is when I'm on holiday. Something happens to my brain when I am … [Read more...]
Babies: lessons in joy & time
December 28, 2015 by 7 Comments
There's been so many things being a Mother for the 3rd time has taught me. The main thing I think has to be trust. Trust in my body and mind to inherently know what to do has to be the biggest. And while a little comes from practice and old age, it was there from the very first time I became … [Read more...]
Quinoa Salad
December 28, 2015 by 3 Comments
I made a yummy salad on Christmas day that was something I wouldn't normally do but it was YUM and thought I'd share it with you guys. It was based on a salad that I made from Jamie Oliver's Super Food book ( a jewelled tabouleh that he serves with eye fillet). We had it with a little ocean trout … [Read more...]
Christmas 2015
December 26, 2015 by 9 Comments
Here we are, Boxing Day already, Christmas done and dusted for another year. And wasn't it a great one! We have had the loveliest few days filled with lots of family and friends, happy kids, excellent pressies, lots of flowing champagne and good food. My Dad and Step Mum and Rob's Mum arrived … [Read more...]
I wish you a Merry Christmas!
December 24, 2015 by 20 Comments
Oh my goodness, here we are at Christmas Eve. How are you? Frazzled off your face? I'm a mixture of calm with only having 3 visitors and extras for the Christmas table tonight and tomorrow and also running around like a fruit loop trying to work out what I forgot to get at the shops last night, … [Read more...]
Beth & the very good pre-Christmas eve day
December 23, 2015 by 10 Comments
Today I had quite the to-do list in front of me. My sister and her 3 kids were staying overnight last night and heading off early this morning to get back to Melbourne, Rob was maybe going to have to go up to Sydney for a quick round trip and I had to head into town to get a whole lot of little last … [Read more...]
This thing I’ve been doing with hydrangeas
December 22, 2015 by 22 Comments
You know what there's a lot of at the moment? HYDRANGEAS! All different colours and styles and given the fact that everyone has lots in their gardens, there are all kinds of bunches being dropped off from lots of different friends. I LOVE IT. I only have two hydrangea bushes - one of those old … [Read more...]
Christmas Family Palooza 2015
December 21, 2015 by 23 Comments
My goodness we had a weekend of family celebrations...full ON family time with 4 catch up's over 2 days in some of the hottest weather we've seen in Sydney in some time. Everyone had a BALL. Mainly. Mags spent a lot of the time like this: Babies and parties and 15 minute naps between venues … [Read more...]
Monday Meal Ideas: Christmas cooking
December 21, 2015 by 6 Comments
It's the last Monday meal ideas for the year so I thought I would hit you up with just about every kind of possibility for Christmas cooking this week. I'm still not sure what I am going to trot out on Friday...I have a desire to chuck out all the traditions and go with a simple ocean trout and … [Read more...]
Bev’s Never-fail Pavlova
December 19, 2015 by 47 Comments
There's plenty of things I'm no good at in the kitchen. Pastry. I have recently had a dream, actually a QUEST where Maggie Beer came to me in my dreams to get me to make a rough puff, but that's an entirely different story. And Pavs. And lots of other things. But Pavlova for sure. I just haven't … [Read more...]
Fisher-Price classics & a New kid on the Block
December 18, 2015 by 27 Comments
A sponsored post for Fisher-Price How’s the Christmas shopping going? Done that mad rush to Big W yet only to shake your fists at the sky at your unorganised ways wishing you had lay-by’d the toys in August? Or is that just me? Lucky for Mags we were sent a new Fisher-Price toy to play … [Read more...]
Jamie Oliver Make Ahead Gravy
December 17, 2015 by 13 Comments
This recipe is high on the search results on my blog this time of year so thought it best to share it again. I LOVE this gravy (or graby as Harps still calls it) and the best bit is you can make it now, whack it in the freezer and you have something done for the big day! Make it a few days before … [Read more...]
Over the Back Fence Xmas Special {Season 5 Ep 4}
December 17, 2015 by 5 Comments
In this year's Christmas Special, Neighbour and I discuss the start of school holidays, massive jugs, Star Wars and swimmers, hair pie, spending habits, Christmas menus, tactics for surviving long car trips, and things we've learnt this year. Happy holidays to all. You can listen to it online … [Read more...]
Maggie is 7 months old!
December 16, 2015 by 46 Comments
Even though I know it was 9 minutes ago that I said that Maggie was 6 months old "apparently" it was a whole month ago. She's 7 months old. SEVEN! Today. Thrilled at the prospect! It's been a quiet month. One of being at home and keeping to a good routine while I have been super busy with … [Read more...]
Oxfam hamper giveaway worth over $250
December 15, 2015 by 78 Comments
I've been lucky enough to be able to pull together a Oxfam Australia Shop hamper to give away to you guys thanks to the kind people at Oxfam. They have some great stuff in their shop that I have shown you guys before...but I really hope that you guys like what I have chosen! A little selection of … [Read more...]
