Finding joy in the everyday

As a special treat, my mum would make Bread and Butter Pudding for us in winter.  It was one of my favourite desserts as a child and it still today as an adult. I have made this many times for my sons and they love this dish too. This is a cheap, filling and best of all yummy dessert . . . plus a great way to use up any stale bread that you might have. There are many different versions of this recipe - this one is very basic and the one my mum gave me.  You can bake this in a large pie dish or in individual ramekins (which is what I do).  If you use ramekins, you will use less bread. You can use any type of bread including raisin bread, I keep the crusts on, you can remove them if you like. Adapt to your own tastes. Ingredients 2 1/2 cups milk (cream or evaporated milk or a combination) 4 eggs 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essences 1/2 cup caster sugar (more if you are sweet tooth) Handful of sultanas (this is optional - you can use dried apricots - the amount is up to you...

Books - I own far too many and don't really have any space for any more.  However, that didn't stop me from buying more on Friday.  My son and I had a lovely time at the book fair and bought an array of books and DVDs that will keep us all happy for quite some time.  " The Artist Revealed " is an interesting look at self portraits and one I am really going to enjoy - I might even do an Art Wednesday based around the book. The old cookbook is called " The Lily Wallace New American Cookbook " (1941) and full of those wonderful recipes of times long gone.  Some recipes contain a lot of shortening, very unhealthy by today's standards!! The little blue book is called " Australian Short Stories " was published in 1951 and I'm looking forward to read these stories.  Most of the stories were ones I had never heard before. " Females on the Fatal Shores " covers the lives of 12 courageous women who sailed to Australia in the early years ...

Today is the Lifeline Secondhand book fair. And some of you will know where I am!! Will report back later on my purchases. To some it may sound strange, but I get excited about these sorts of days! I don't smoke or drink or eat bad things (any more) so I think this small addiction is OK (as long as they are nice books)! 

Flour child by Morgan Weistling Three-quarters of Australian children in their final year of primary school believe cotton socks came from animals and 27 per cent are convinced yoghurt grows on trees.  A national survey of year 6 and 10 students by the Australian Council for Educational Research found yawning gaps in young people's knowledge of basic food origins. Whilst this shows a major problem with our education system, I do wonder what parents are doing. Don’t parents talk with their children about these things.  I know that I discussed food and where it came from with my children whilst out shopping or when we were preparing meals—I still do today even though they are grown up. In fact we talked about yoghurt not that long ago and wondered how it was discovered (along with yeast).  And only yesterday we talked about cider apples (cider apples taste horrible but make great cider - who discovered this)!!  And when I made the homemade vanilla extract earlier...

Three Red - this is one of my favourites Artist: Leonid Afremov Place of birth: Vitebsk, Russia (1955) - moved to Israel in 1990, USA in 2002 and now lives in Mexico For his life history (which is very interesting and lengthy) - check out his link Famous for his palette work (he generally doesn't use a brush), which is easy to see in these paintings and those bright oranges and yellows - his paintings are unmistakable.  Interestingly, Afremov does not hold exhibitions (or have involvement with dealers or galleries) and promotes his own works and sells many via the internet, including eBay.  I like this art, its bold and colourful, however I would like to see more works in different colours such as in "Evening Charm" or "Downpour" (below).  Forest Fall Downpour - can't you just feel the rain splashing on your legs - he has captured the falling rain so well.  I really like this painting Autumn park Friends Red bouquet Blue light E...

Memory Box's I have decided to create a memory box (or a safe keep box).  This isn’t my idea, it came from the book I read recently (“ The Happiness Project ” by Gretchen Rubin).  Around my house I have lots of little bits and pieces that I treasure, but they are scattered in drawers and boxes and will one day get lost or broken and that will make me sad.  So the other day I went and bought a pretty box (from the $$ shop) and have started to gather up those memories and store in one place.  So what am I keeping? It might be a movie ticket or something that someone made for me, a special card or note that I have received, a menu from a restaurant or favourite piece of lace or ribbon - just little things that remind me of those I love or places I have been.  I have things that my sons have given me over the years or something of theirs that I want to keep - these are extra special memories. Usually mothers build memory boxes for their children, but I also thin...

Dear bloggers, My mistress is currently relaxing - feet up with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate.  Whilst she is enjoying herself, I have been busy looking after her blog and what a very tough job this is.   So, this is my opportunity to share some fabulous photos of me with you.  What do you think . . . gorgeous, beautiful, magnificent . . . you are probably speechless!    These were taken in the bathtub - I just love to roll around in the cool bathtub, its' so much fun (until someone turns on the tap)!! and the white of the bathtub makes the perfect setting for these photos. OK, not all work (don't tell the mistress about this) - relaxing by the front door. Don't all cats lie on their backs? What does Charlie think she's doing - becoming a flower!! We are now growing cats!! Love from Ruby XX PS hopefully these magnificent photos will end up on Project 365 - they are much better than today's photo of a bolt - who posts a photo of a gate bolt when t...