Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Tomorrow is a momentous occasion; my sweet, beautiful, blue-eyed, youngest son turns six. I am not sure whether I am happy or sad that my last little baby is growing up.

He, certainly, is very excited. We are having an afternoon tea party for 8 of his little schoolmates; five little boys and three little girls.

As always when we have a party, cupcakes are on the menu. This time I made chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting.

I'll write about the party after the event. Stay posted!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Frosting

Cakes

125 g/4 oz butter, softened

2/3 C sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 C self-raising flour

4 tbsp cocoa

3/4 C milk

Preheat oven to moderate/180 C/350F. Line 2 x 12 patty pan tins with paper cases.

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. Sift flour and cocoa and fold into butter mixture alternately with milk. Drop spoonfuls of mixture into prepared paper cases. Bake for 20 min or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Cool in pans.

Frosting

125 g butter, softened

1 tsp vanilla extract (not synthetic vanilla)

1 1/2 C icing/confectioner's sugar

2 tbsp milk

Beat butter and extract with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in half sugar, then milk, then remaining sugar. Spread or pipe on cakes.

Note: If you intend to pipe the icing onto the cakes (as I have done) you will need to double this quantity.

Seasonal Confusion

Does anyone know why this apple tree in my backyard is flowering and fruiting at the same time, at the end of summer?

I have never seen this happen before.

Could this be the result of heat or water stress?

The flowers are pretty, anyhow.

Crispy, Sauteed Potatoes

One of my favourite side dishes is crispy, sauteed potatoes. Over summer I cook them on the barbecue and in the cooler months I cook them in a frypan, but they are always delicious.

The first thing I do is peel as many potatoes as I think I will need, if they are dirty, or wash and dry them unpeeled if they are clean.

I cut off any yucky bits and dice them into pieces about 2 cm in size, then I put them in a single layer on a plate and microwave them for about ten minutes, until they are barely cooked through. You could adjust this time depending on your microwave. If you don't have a microwave, steam or boil the spuds until firm but tender, then drain them until dry.

Meanwhile, heat a shallow pan or barbecue grill plate. Add a drizzle of olive oil or another oil of your choosing.

Toss the potatoes on the grill or in the pan to allow them to brown on all sides and finish cooking.

When the potatoes are nearly done, scatter on some salt, pepper and rosemary. I used some very special salt from the Murray River basin. It claims to be "assist(ing) in solving the inland salinity problem". Sounds good to me!

This salt was expensive so I only use it for garnishes, not for regular cooking. So far this box has lasted a couple of years.

Although you can't see it in this picture, the salt flakes are a very pretty pinkish colour.

Almost done.

When the potatoes are all crispy you can drain them on paper towels or scrunched newspaper, if you are especially thrifty.

Delicious.

For more kitchen tips visit Kitchen Tip Tuesday at http://www.tammysrecipes.com/.

This recipe is also featured at Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays.

'Making Do' Decorating in a Rental Property: Blue Boys' Room

One of the things we have been doing a lot of, since we moved into this rental property, is making do.

Our red house in Melbourne had fabulous storage; built-in bookshelves, three linen cupboards, built-in desks, a walk in pantry, and built-in wardrobes in every bedroom. It was a shock to move here and find that the only cupboards were in the kitchen, laundry and master bedroom. As we had built-in bookcases in the old house, we only owned one.

We were befuddled about what to do with all our stuff.

Others advised us to buy up big at Ikea, but this made no sense as we don't know what storage we will have in the house we eventually buy.

Fortunately, the local council held a hard waste clean up a few weeks after we arrived. We trawled the streets looking for furniture and picked up a few things for the kids' rooms.

Apart from that, we have made do with what we already had. This is not decorating on a budget; this is decorating with no budget at all.

Today I thought I would show you our youngest two boys' bedroom.

They have shared a room and bunk beds since Master 5 grew out of his cot in our room. He has never had a room to himself and he doesn't want one.

Master 5's soft toys.

Clockwise from the left: Tasmanian tiger, Rubbles the dinosaur (from the British museum), Baby the teddy, Digby the dalmatian, and a spider who screams if you press his belly.

the dress-ups box

All the boys' books and clothes are kept in these two pieces of furniture, which we already owned, and which were themselves hand-me-downs. The blue and white chest of drawers was originally white. I painted it for my eldest son's nursery. I'm not sure what happened to the missing handle. (Sorry about the wonky pic.)


The bedside table is from a nest of living room tables that belonged to my husband's grandparents. The lampshade came from my grandmother's house and the lamp base was a cheapie from Target (the original marble base was hit by a ball and broke).


On the mantel an ever-changing range of toys is on display. The mask below was designed and painted by Master 10 last year.


I know this room will never make its way into Vogue Living, but the boys love it. After moving to a place where all was unfamiliar, it is important for them to be surrounded by their special things.

It's a Small World

Tonight we had dinner with our new vicar and his family. As you know, we moved to Adelaide from Melbourne about 6 months ago. Our vicar moved here from a different part of Melbourne in December.

Early in the evening we discovered several mutual friends in Melbourne, which seemed a concidence.

Even more surprising, we discovered that I attended our vicar's 21st birthday party in Sydney in 1988. He had a joint party with another boy whom I knew well. It seems I met our vicar before he met his wife (and long before he trained to become a vicar), although I only met him once, at the party.

For those unfamiliar with Australia, it is a huge continent almost as big as the U.S., and Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide are many hundreds of miles apart.

I love such seemingly random events. It makes me feel that our budding friendship is meant to be.

Have you ever had a 'small world' experience?

Managing Fridge Front Clutter

There's lots of talk on various decluttering websites about having a clean fridge front. As The Nester wrote yesterday,

When life seems overwhelming, I remove everything from
the front of the fridge. I find myself putting notes and reminders up there too
but I've notice when my fridge is clutter free my kitchen feels bigger and more
clean. One trick is to only use the side of the fridge for magnets and when that
gets full, remove something.

These are great ideas. The only catch is that fridge clutter has a way of returning. The clean front never lasts for long. Especially when, like me, you have four busy school-aged children.

Whoever said that the computer age would cut down on the use of paper?

One thing I try to do is only have things on the front of the fridge that I really like; currently some pretty magnets, a photo of my littlest boy as star boy on St Lucia's Day last December, and a sweet magnetic shopping list decorated with cupcakes.

In addition, I have recently discovered butterfly clips with magnets on the back. I bought a packet of two for $1.80 at the newsagency. These are wonderful because they hold all the notices together.

I chose plain clips but you can get cute ones with animals on them too.

As our fridge stands alone (it's not built-in) we can keep the notices on the side.

This is my Kitchen Tip Tuesday tip for this week (although it's Wednesday). For more kitchen tips visit http://www.tammysrecipes.com/.

Use-It-Up Summer Menus

Due to a tight budget, we're having a use-it-up week at our red house this week. Almost all the meat comes from the freezer, but I did buy some staples and fresh fresh fruit and vegetables.

We have been enjoying lots of grapes. I have never come across such wonderful table grapes before, and they are very reasonably priced. This shouldn't come as a surprise; Adelaide is surrounded by some of the world's finest wine-growing regions, such as the Barossa Valley, and McLaren Vale.

This week I am only posting dinner menus, as our lunches and breakfasts don't change much.

For those who asked, I'm going to publish last week's Greek chicken recipe the next time I make it; I haven't forgotten.

Menus

steak

sauteed potatoes,

grilled corn, tomatoes

fresh fruit (melons and grapes)

***

chicken cobbler

broccoli

chocolate self-saucing pudding with cream

***

bean nachos

salad

raspberry smoothies

***

chevapcicis (spicy, skinless sausages)

hommus, tzatziki

flat bread

salad

cherries in jelly

***

macaroni cheese

salad

fresh fruit

***

cottage pie

peas, carrots

tinned fruit and ice cream

For more weekly menus visit Menu Plan Monday.

Heart-Shaped Ice Cream Cake for Valentine's Day

My sweetest Valentine's Day wishes to you all!

In Australia, Valentine's Day seems to be all about the romantic side of things, whereas in the U.S. people send their children and dear friends valentines. I like that idea a lot better.

Mind you, I adore the box of Haigh's chocolates that my sweet husband gave me last night. Give me a box of chocolates and I'll do anything. Really.

While I was aware of Haigh's chocolates before I moved to Adelaide, I don't think I had ever eaten any. Since arriving here, we have often been given them. They are such an Adelaide institution. They are too expensive for every day, but as an occasional treat, what could be nicer than locally-made chocolates?

For those of you, like us, experiencing a hot-weather Valentine's Day, why not make a heart-shaped ice cream cake? All you need is a heart-shaped cake tin, ice cream, lollies of your choice, cream, icing sugar and cocoa.

We often make ice cream cakes for the children's birthdays, and they are always a hit. Even young children can help make them.

Here is a post about my son's 9th birthday, with instructions for a chocolate ice cream cake like the one above.

And for a pink, heart-shaped, ice cream cake, you can find my instructions here.

May your day be filled with love and kindness!

P.S. This has been a rough week and I haven't written much, but I should be back to more regular posting in the days ahead.

A Vale of Tears

It seems, this week, that the blogging world, normally such a jovial, cheerful, benign place, is filled with sadness.

There are the terrible stories of almost 200 Australians burnt alive in their homes and cars during the Victorian bushfires. Our whole nation is sad. So many of us live in similar places that are just as dry, and we think that, but for the Grace of God, it could have been us too.

It could still be us; the fire season is nowhere near over.

Then there are other stories; of jobs lost, of families suffering in the financial crisis, and of pain and death. I have read of mothers, keen to stay home with their children, who are grieving about having to return to work due to a husband's unemployment.

Today I read about little Cora Paige, and her story made me cry again. In late January, 11 month old Cora's mother took her to the doctor because she suffered from recurrent ear infections. The family learnt that she had cancer, and less than three weeks later she has gone to be with Jesus.

Such sadness. Such pain. Such loss.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalm 23

Light and Lovely Summery Menus

This week's menu is particularly light and simple because it was written late last week during the heatwave. It was too hot even to barbecue outside, let alone heat the oven.

However, I knew that the temperature would eventually drop, so I included a chicken roast. I like to do a roast once a week as it provides cold meat for sandwiches and no-cook meals.

Breakfasts

combinations of:

cold cereal

fresh fruit

toast

eggs (poached, soft-boiled)

porridge

muffins

Snacks

muesli bars (on sale)

rice crackers, hommus, raw vegies

banana bread, muffins

unbaked lemon coconut slice

wickedly rich chocolate brownies

Lunches

sandwiches

leftovers

anything from the snacks menu

Dinners

cold roast beef and salad rolls

hard-boiled eggs

grapes, melon slices

ice cream cones

***

chicken and bacon club sandwiches

raspberries and cream

***

Sunday Barbecue

Greek barbecued chicken (marinade: olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, pepper, chilli)

rolls

tzatziki, hommus

salads

tiramisu

***

roast chicken with stuffing

roast potatoes, pumpkin, onions

green beans

orange refrigerator cake

***

BBQ steak, sausages

sauteed potatoes

sweetcorn, tomatoes, broccoli

fruit salad

***

tuna pasta salad

rolls

cherries in jelly

If you would like any of these recipes, please leave a comment.

For more menus visit Menu Plan Monday at http://www.orgjunkie.com/

Bushfire Tragedy

While all in southern Australia are pleased that the heat has finally broken, we are distressed by the terrible bushfires that have killed at least 76 people and destroyed hundreds of homes and properties across Victoria.

You can read about the fires here and here.

Please pray for all those who are suffering in this great tragedy. We are a nation in mourning.

Postscript: It's now Monday morning and the death toll is 108 and rising. There are also many in hospital with severe burns. The Red Cross has set up an appeal for the fire victims, many of whom have been left with nothing. If you would like to donate to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Red Cross Appeal, click here. If you are in Australia you can also ring freecall 1800 811 700.

Sweltering

There are times when being industrious is a virtue, but a two-week long, severe heatwave is not one of them. The health authorities advise us to stay indoors, keep cool, and try not to exert ourselves, and we're only too happy to comply.

So apart from the basic necessities of food preparation and cleaning up, keeping up with the laundry, organising the kids, and maintaining a semblance of order, I have been trying to do as little as possible around the house.

The children, normally busy and active, have found their own quiet ways to stay cool.

A little cross-stitching for Miss 12.

Listening to Elvis for Master 10.

And ripping up bits of paper for Master 5. In his bathers.

Pray for Becky

Please pray for Becky from Sweet Cottage Dreams. Her elder son Jordan died today.

Becky is a fantastic blogger and a great friend to many in the blogosphere. Let's let her know that she is in our thoughts and prayers.

We love you Becky.

A Love Affair with the Past

Do you ever find a blog that appeals to you so much that you go back and read all the earlier posts?

Alerted by Little Jenny Wren, I recently started reading Destination 1940 and My Year 1955. Fan that I am of all things vintage-y, I quickly became addicted. These bloggers have decided to live 2009 as if they were in the 1940s or 1950s.

I especially like My Year 1955 as the writer dresses, acts, housekeeps and eats as if she is living in 1955. Her blog includes magazine covers and current events of the day from 1955. She even has a friend come in weekly and pretend to be the 'help'. Sounds good doesn't it?

Whenever I read of instances of women stepping into the past like this, I do wonder how they would manage with children. Both bloggers admit that their task would be much different if children were involved. I think children could quickly turn a fun experiment, or a dressing-up fantasy, into jolly hard work!

Imagine having to put your baby on a Truby King routine and having to wash dozens of towelling nappies by hand before line-drying them. In winter. Or announcing to a grungy teenager that she needs a girdle to taper her waist, the Wii is going on a holiday, and her music of choice from now on will be Doris Day. Que sera, sera, indeed!

Being American, both writers can justify the use of technologies such as electric washing machines and even dishwashers that certainly weren't available elsewhere. I know my own mother, here in Australia, did not get her first dishwasher until the early 1970s, and my Dad only bought it for her because he was tired of drying up. Even television did not arrive in Australia until 1956, just in time for the Melbourne Olympics.

I like how both bloggers scrutinise the past through the lens of the present. Along with a loving fascination with history they share an analytical, critical eye. I am looking forward to following their blogs over the rest of 2009.

Totally lacking an analytical perspective on the past are the women in the 2008 British TV series, "Time Warp Wives". Unfortunately, this show was not run in Australia, at least not on free-to-air TV, so I have never seen it in full. However, I can't decide whether I like or am slightly repelled by these women and their fantasy lives. I mean, just because women looked glamorous in the movies and in advertisements doesn't mean that life was anything like that. Would these women really like to have lived in a shanty during the Great Depression, had their husbands mutilated or killed in the Second World War, or have been born black in the 1950s?

What do you think?

Shimmy Mom Interviews Me

We're now up to our sixth straight day over 40 degrees C (104 F) and all of Adelaide is praying for a cool change. Preferably with some rain. Or a lot of rain. Our hottest day was almost 46 degrees (115 F). I am dying to feel cool again. Everyone becomes irritable in this heat, and sadly there have been many fatalities. Even with cooling the houses stay hot because the nights are hot.

Being interviewed by Shimmy Mom has been a great distraction from the heat. Thank you Shimmy!

Here are her questions and my heat-addled replies.

1. Have you ever lived or been able to travel outside of Australia?

I have travelled a little, but not nearly as much as I would like. I've been to England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and New Zealand. I've also lived in three of Australia's seven states. The only state I haven't visited is the Northern Territory. The state I'd most like to live in is Tasmania.

Having four children has limited my ability to travel because it is very expensive to get anywhere from here; the distances are huge. My husband used to travel overseas a lot in his old job but I stayed home with the kids.

The places in the world I would most like to visit are Canada, Alaska and the Scandinavian countries. Note that these are all cold places, so perhaps that's wishful thinking!

Now that I'm a blogger, I'd also like to visit some of my blog-friends in America.

2. Where would you go on your DREAM vacation?

My dream vacation would be to one of the places mentioned above, or perhaps to the west coast of Ireland, or to Paris, which I love. I'd also like to experience a white Christmas. I don't want to go anywhere hot.

(Ask me the same question in winter and I'd probably say the Great Barrier Reef or a tropical island somewhere.)

3. Who has inspired you most in your life?

I've had the honour of knowing a number of amazing and inspirational people. In that list I'd include a few of my old school and university teachers, various Christian leaders I've known or read about, and my mother and grandmother.

My Dad (now passed away) inspires me because he was from a poor family, left school at 14, matriculated through the air force, and went on to become a leading pathologist and medical researcher.

I'm also currently feeling inspired by Barack Obama, not because of what he can do, because I think his impact on the US economy will probably be limited, but because of who he is and what he has achieved. I don't agree with everything he stands for, but I do think he is an amazing man and will be a model for many around the world.

4. What is your favorite meal or food.

I love chocolate, and really good coffee. Also lemon meringue pie (so long as it's made with fresh lemons). I adore beautiful, fresh seafood, but alas, it is too expensive to buy regularly. I think most of our good seafood gets exported to Asia and there's nothing left for us. Our local fish shop rarely sells anything under $30 a kilo.

5. What did you want to be when you grew up?


As a child I loved English and writing, and I studied English at university. I also loved going through my Mum's cookbooks and planning menus that I would make one day. I was always begging to be allowed to cook. I would often get up very early on a Sunday morning and cook pancakes for breakfast, or bake cakes or slices, before anyone could stop me. I guess I was destined to be a blogger writing about food!


Do you want to play along and get interviewed too?

Here's the directions:

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me." The more the merrier; I'd love to learn more about all of you!
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.