Banoffee Pie Sundaes

What's for dessert?  Always handy to have something you can throw together without too much effort.  What's not to love about a banoffee pie?  This one has the flavours without so much of  the fuss.

Ingredients
cookies
icecream
bananas
sour cream
brown sugar
cream
chocolate chips

Instructions
Crumble the cookie into the bottom of a glass.  Top with a scoop of vanilla icecream.  For the easiest caramel sauce, in a separate bowl, mix equal amounts of sour cream and brown sugar and heat in the microwave on high 30 seconds  or until melted. Drizzle the desired amount over the ice cream.  Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate chips.  Enjoy.

Around here

I know.....it's about time I posted here.  I have said it before if I'm not here it is because I am busy living.  I write posts all the time, in my head and they never quite make it.  I have so much to tell but the telling never quite gets there.  I need to start writing like it's my job.

As I write this we have been three weeks although it seems like much more of sickness.  This one is really bad.  This couch has been home on a number of occasions to boys who need rest and cozying up by the fire.

I read post after post of summer stories from afar and dream of warmer days while mine are filled with trying to get washing dry and keep warm.

Among it all I know that if the bed is made then it will be okay. 

As for the cozy fire, it is nice but it sure makes a mess

and then........ I read this post and was reminded of those everyday things that we do and keep doing. "Sometimes you must cease endlessly striving for what you want to do and learn to love what must be done" Goethe.

And the sun came out again. The kitchen is about the only place that it actually comes into our house in winter.  There is joy to be found in doing the dishes.

One Little Word 2015

image credit

 My one little word for 2015 is story.

And there is quite a story to it.  As I come to the end of the year I start looking back at where I have come from and looking forward to what is ahead.  My words seem to come naturally through what I am doing.  Sometimes it is something I have read or maybe heard.  Other times it is through things that I see.  The more I engage in the process the more aware I am of how my word comes to me.  Last year my word was brave.  And I needed it.  I am really only starting to process what happened through our building adventure that went terribly wrong and took over my life.  I wrote it all down.This year sees me looking at that story.  Am I ready to tell it?  It has made me see the importance of story.  Everyone has one.  One of the big purposes of our studio building was for me to develop my scrapbooking and help others tell their story. Now it is complete I am looking forward to seeing where my one little word will take me.

Back in 2010 I chose my first word for the year.  I came across the concept through Ali Edwards.  She explains it really well here

"Essentially the idea is to choose a word (or let it choose you) that has the potential to make an impact on your life.
Maybe you want to invite something or maybe you are hoping to subtract something. Maybe your word will be practical or hopeful or creative or fanciful. Maybe you need a big word, something in-your-face that will challenge you everyday. Maybe you need something smaller and quieter that will whisper gentle tidings as you make your way throughout the year."  Ali Edwards

You can read about her One Little Word Journey here.

Here is a look at the words that I have chosen

2010  Breathe
2011  Be
2012  Define
2013  Enough
2014  Brave

As I go back through my words I recall just how much they have each become a part of my life as I have worked with them in different ways.  A lot of times they have been what I needed and I am thankful that I came across the concept as it has changed my life for the better.  Just one little word.  I wonder where my word will take me this year?

Self Care - Update

I mentioned in this post that I had been wanting to get moving more and make good choices about what I am eating.  I have been out walking at least twice a week and have been doing more on other days like getting in to the garden.  In a grocery shop a while back I bought some chia seeds and intended to use the excess of spinach that we had growing in the garden for some green smoothies.  I have pinned a number of recipes and ideas.  Another never got around to it idea.  But now I have.  I bought some more spinach and did what is suggested, make up packs to have in the freezer ready to go.  I kept it pretty simple - banana, spinach and berries.  I just add yoghurt, chia seeds and a little milk and I am good to go.  Amazing how just one little thing can get you on to something good.

Taking time to organise saves you time.

Baking packs

With four boys it takes some doing keeping them feed.  Baking only lasts a little while. So there must be an easier way than resorting to buying ready made processed bikkies.  Oh to have a packet mix like the store boxed ones.  Add water and you are done.  Well when we go camping we have made our own mixes for pancakes so why not do the same at home.  I was reminded of this as I scanned through Pinterest and came across this post and this one.  And while I was on to the baking thing I might as well make some bread mixes as well. 

So it takes a bit of time, but oh the time that you save when you come to make them.  Getting all the ingredients out at once and making up bags instead of doing it one at a time when you go to cook soon adds up.  I wrote on each bag what was in it and what needed to be added.  For recipes that require separate steps like creaming the butter and sugar I put this in a separate smaller bag inside.

I have been doing this for about six months now.   I keep them in a lidded container in the pantry.  I certainly notice when I haven't set them up.  It has also made me try out some new recipes.  Next job to post the recipes I use.

Recipes, recipes, recipes

The thing about being foodies is that you tend to acquire a large number of recipes.  At one time I organised all my recipes into a folder and had favourites in a recipe box that sat in the kitchen.  For some time I have been thinking that the system needs an overall.  I plan my weekday meals for two weeks and while I have a good list it just isn't working and I tend to fall back on what is easy.  With so many yummy things to make it was time for a change.

Sometimes you just have to get messy in order to tidy things up.  So here is me spread out on the floor sorting all my pages.

 Once I had the recipes in different categories I pulled out folders that had another purpose at one time but were going to be repurposed for a much better reason. Sure it would be great to have a fancy system and have everything looking the same but I would rather be cooking.  {To be honest I would rather be scrapbooking.  This is really why I get organised - to sort the things I have to do in order to do the things I was made to}

 So now I have several folders sitting on the recipe book shelf and they have already been put to good use.  Last time the meal planning and shopping were much more enjoyable to plan. And more to the point we tried out several recipes that haven't seen the light for quite some time.  The boys were most impressed.

They are still a work in progress as I add recipes that we use and don't have hard copies of.  And of course the big goal is to put together my collection here on the blog.  To share now, and for the future when my boys are flatting and need that recipe of Mum's that she used to make.

How about you?  Are you tired of the same old, same old?  How have you sorted your recipes.  Maybe it is time for a change?

Getting moving

Over a year ago I took this photo.  It was my starting point of getting moving.  To be more active. And that is as far as it got.  It was for a post here on my blog and an attempt to get motivated.   But, exercise is far down my list in terms of things I enjoy most so it doesn't get high priority.  And those shoes just got worn out and the story didn't get told.

Switch to now.   It continues to play on my mind.  And the reminder is there when I look in the mirror.  I would like to lose some of the kilos that have hung about since having children.  But more than that it is about feeling fitter.  My energy levels have been low and it's not just to do with low iron.  So what to do?  Well last week my day began like any other.  I dropped the kids at school and mentally went through my list of what I wanted to get done.  Exercise is always there but usually hits the bottom.  As I walked out the gate I bumped into a friend who was in her exercise gear and off for a run.  She will probably never know but it sparked something in me.  I wanted to do it to.  So as I started my to do's in town I found drawn to the exercise gear and picked out something for me.  And so it begins.  Instead of driving home I headed to the walkway and went for a walk.  And it was great.  I enjoyed it.  It starts when you find what works for you.  You won't catch me running but I like to walk and bike.  That's where I am starting.  You might like to know that since then I haven't got out again.  My kids have been sick and I haven't been out.  I was starting to worry when I read this post from Cathy Zielske.  She shares life about moving more and eating less and what that looks like for her.  It's real.  It wasn't so much what she said but also reading the comments from other readers. Sometimes instead of making big goals we have to set little ones.  

It has motivated me.  Setting a habit takes time.  It won't happen overnight but it will happen.  While I am waiting I won't stress about it.  Just keep living.