Snapshots from our week

We have winter potatoes. These spuds grew from forgotten potatoes that sprung up in my garden in Autumn, I replanted them in a sheltered place and they have soldiered on through the chilly winter. It's not a huge harvest, but enough for a couple of meals. They were a great find as we have just eaten our way through the Autumn harvest, the purple congos were the potato hero, storing the best of all the varieties we have grown. There are still plenty of potatoes growing, we are pretty self sufficient in spuds these days.

When life gives you lemons, there's nothing better than lemon butter. Made using this recipe, I feel like a traitor not using my Nannas recipe, but have to say this one was slightly easier.

I am working on a sourdough starter, it is only 2 days old and is yet to show signs of life. Hello wild yeast, please come to my jar.

The littlest is helping me make scones, a great winter treat to warm the house and our tummies. Made using my favourite scone recipe here, it uses cream and iced water. We had a stunning sunny weekend and ate outdoors. This is the cheats way to make scones.

There has been some bug antenna making, a practice run for a future Junior Landcare activity. The middle bowerbird found some unmade projects to play with in his room, a solar plane and a dragon lurking amongst the mess.

the fire is burning non stop, Drying our washing and warming our toes, I look forward to days when we can leave the doors open and let the fresh air in.

We got another box of delicious citrus, straight from the grower. I'm thinking about making mandarin marmalade.

Each day we run to the gate, the littlest staking first claim on checking the letter box, it's currently filled with mind numbingly dull election material. Does all that campaign paper really gain more votes?

Indian minors are a pesky aggressive bird, but this one peering through my window at me made me smile. I had the feeling someone was watching me, and when I turned around there was a beady yellow eye.

I have finally gotten around to making my own clothes washing detergent, using Rhonda from Down to Earths recipe. So cheap and working a treat.

Weekend Baking - Scones, Berry Muffins, pies, Sausage Rolls

When our cream starts to turn - a little whiff or just past the use by date - I like to make scones to quickly use it up. I hate waste. I realised we had no milk 1/2 way through making them - instant milk to the rescue - worked perfectly. I like this quick cutting technique - make a log and cut - no scraps. I usually just make scones through feel  so have no idea of quantities, plenty of good recipes on the web, just don't mix too much, put close together in a hot oven and they're pretty forgiving.

The instant milk packet (Aldi) had a quick one bowl method for making berry muffins so I made those too.  They were so good I made them again tonight, this time with a bit of white chocolate. They are so quick and easy - good one for kids to help with.

2 cups SR flour

3/4 cup caster sugar

1 cup reconstituted milk powder (or 1 cup fresh milk works fine)

2 cups berries (I used frozen)

2 eggs

1tspn vanilla

100g melted butter

1/2 cup White chocolate (optional)

Preheat oven 180.C

Mix dry then wet ingredients in big bowl with wooden spoon - add berries last so they don't turn to mush. 

Do not over-mix, a few lumps are fine. 

Cook in greased muffin pans (12) 20 - 25mins

stand 5 mins then cool on rack

  

  

Sausage rolls made with turkey mince - just add a packet of turkey or chicken mince (think they're 500g), a grated carrot, a couple of eggs, bread crumbs, Worcestershire Sauce, mix and roll into puff pastry, brush pastry with milk and cook 180 C until lightly browned. I add zuchinni when they're in season. The kids love these served with home made chutney and salad - lots of freckle lettuce at our house at the moment. 

Bowerbird dad doesn't eat meat so I also make these with ricotta, feta and silverbeet although I cheated this time and he had bought frozen pastizzis. 

We're also big fans of lazy lentil salad made with tinned organic lentils, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper, and coarsely chopped parsley and coriander. All but the Bowerbird boy like it and it's been on the table most nights this week.

 Made these because I got out too much pastry (again with the not wasting) - apple and rhubarb pies.