Because one Blog isn't busy enough

and really its not like I keep up with this one, I have also started another blog. What with my new diagnosis, I don't want this one to become all about "ME" and my gluten free self! So I have started another one that deals with GF stuff. I mean if your interested take a gander, and if not, then do hang around here, I will still be lurking about waiting to bore you witless as soon as you appear!

So if you want to check it out, its called Gluten Free - Good Food.

And when I am not on either of these blogs you will find me in the kitchen decontaminating, and trying to work miracles with Potato Starch!

Bloggy etiquette

What is one to do? I now have comment moderation on my blog. Of course I get so many comments that they all need to be fielded (yeah right) and anyway its a family show and you can't be too careful these days!
Anyway I am getting comments on my posts but some are in Japanese I think it is. I can't read them, so have no idea what they are saying or who this person is. Well Iv'e been rejecting them but don't know whether to feel bad about it or not, because they could be a really nice person, but then again they could be trying to sell me a time share in Outer Mongolia in the off season or something. So if you are nice I apologise, (do you think you could translate your comments?) and if you are trying to sell me a time share, don't bother. I don't have any time to spare! I'm far too busy!

The invasion....

There is an invasion of sorts going on in our pantry.
Family meetings are being called.
Signs are being posted.
Yes folks yesterday I was diagnosed with Celiacs disease. Which means things are a changin in the kitchen....
The Dymo will be getting another run out to do some more labels. They'll read something like this...

GLUTEN FREE FLOURS

and

GLUTEN FREE - DO NOT TOUCH!

with a few

MUM'S STUFF (GF)

and not forgetting that old chestnut....

KEEP YER GRUBBY MITTS OFF!

Well! Have you seen how expensive that stuff is?!!

The neglected Blog......

Yes I know its been a bit quiet around this blog for quite a while, and although I have been doing some crafty stuff it's been things for the kids new school. The reason why I have been doing a bit of sewing for the school is because I think I am that parent. You know the one... That says to the teacher,

"If you need anything doing, I can sew a bit."

Its at this stage that the teacher gets a glint in her eye, but ever so casually says, "oooh lovely, we might need you later on..."

Later on comes and so Easter is not far away and then teacher pulls you aside and says,

"you couldn't make a costume for the Easter Liturgy could you?"

So one Jesus costume turns into two guards, a Mary, and a Pontius Pilate, and an angel!

And then the Official School opening is about the happen, and being a Kiwi school, there is a bit of Maori culture involved, and the school don't have any Kapa Haka outfits. It is about then that I start to have a bit of a nervous breakdown. Anyway I did manage 43 headbands, and dresses for the two main girls and a piu piu (sort of like a skirt thing for non Kiwi's) for the main boy.

Chuck some pillows in there somewhere for a couple of the classes, plus the ridiculous amount of after school activities, and organising a big "0" party for my sister, and there is my reason for not blogging.

In other words its been business as usual around here. Crazy mad, and very BUSY!

What follows is a short visual interlude.....

Junior Busy as the Angel Gabrielle

Mary


Junior Busy son as mean guard placing the crown of thorns (twigs wired together from our tree out the front) on Jesus' head.


Jesus


Pontius Pilate

Kapa Haka headbands waiting to be trimmed.

Piu Piu (for non Kiwi's pronounced Pew Pew)

Piu Piu with sash.

Kapa Haka dresses.

Hopefully it won't be so long before my next update, but in reality I have a few mums to round up, so we can get 40 more Kapa Haka costumes made for a cultural festival. I haven't forgotten you. I'm just .... well ... Busy...

Anchor's away...!!!

I bet you thought I was going to tell you I was off on the Queen Mary or something didn't you? Well I'm referring to these delightful little carrot muffins, that really only have one use. Chuck a bit of rope on the end of them, and throw them off your boat. You'll be moored in the harbour as long as you want! I forgot we had to take a plate to the PTA meeting tonight, so thought I could whip these up. I might try and fob them off to the family, but they will probably end up weighing down the compost bin at the end of the day.



And to add insult to injury I burnt my Bubble Log!!


What follows is a summary of why:
I have been awake since about 2.30am. So instead of trying to force myself to sleep I got up and watched the Living Channel. I fancied the cup cakes they were making on Nestle, New Zealands hottest home baker, and got a bit inspired.
Im going to plead insanity at the PTA meeting tonight, and who knows, it might get me off manning the cake stall!!

Little baby bunting....

I have a little thing about bunting so I made this for our new niece. Now I just need to get it in the post before she turns 21!!!

Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble...

I make Bubble log for the kids, to chuck in their lunch boxes, because
A: its really quick and easy to make,
and
B: I made this pledge when I gave up work a couple of years ago, that if I didn't bake then I was not allowed to purchase shop bought school snacks.

Okay so I have folded a couple of times (a couple?!!) and broken my pledge, but sometimes you just have to take care of your sanity, and not beat yourself up about it all.
Anyway I thought I should whip up some more bubble log, after I resisted taking the easy option at my supermarket foray today. So I'm all geared up and find there are only a couple of miserable rice bubbles skulking around the bottom of the cereal container. Great!
But hang on look there's that Hubbards Muesli I bought on special that everyone raved about for 3 minutes and then pushed to the back of the pantry till the weevils took hold *(Please see footnote)
So what did I do? I chucked the Muesli in instead of the Rice Bubbles.
I'm so lovin it that I had to immediately make a cup of coffee, and eat those small miserable pieces that you get at the side. (Ah actually not so small and not so miserable, but I hate sounding like a greedy pig!)

If you want the recipe it's in the Edmonds book for all you Kiwi "chefs" or as follows:

125 gms butter
2 tablespoons of honey
1 cup of brown sugar. (You can use white sugar, but add a little bit of vanilla essence)

Boil this mixture for 3 minutes once it has all melted.
Take off the heat, and add 4 cups of Muelsi (original recipe is with Rice Bubbles)
Press into a tin, cut while warm and let cool.
(I keep mine in the fridge in this warm weather)




*Please note: No Weevils were harmed in the making of this product*