Tackle It Tuesday #9

A little over a week ago I had a major spill in the bottom of my oven. I gave it a quick clean, as best I could at the time, but after that, each time you switched on the oven it smelt like the house was burning down. So today I had no choice but to get in there and clean it up properly. YUK! Man, I hate cleaning the oven - even more so than ironing!

I am not longer using harsh chemicals to clean so I ended up using salt, paper towel and a bucket of hot sudsy water. The oven was still warm from baking this morning too.

This is what I had to work with (forgive the quality of some of the pics - they just did not want to work for me today)

Inside the oven before

The inside of the glass although this pic doesn’t show just how bad it was…..

Scrubbing the glass with a little salt, dish washing detergent and strong paper towel,

Same with the nasty smelling inside,

After all my hard work. It isn’t perfect. When we moved in a few months ago it looked like it had never, ever been cleaned so each time I clean it, it comes up a little better. There are still some baked on spills that are left from previous years of it not being cleaned, but one day hopefully they will disappear.

The best part? No more yukky burning smell, and because I used “natural” ingredients, no awful chemical oven cleaner smells either

Remember to check out my new page Homemade Cleaners - A Healthier Home for lots of my tried and true recipes to start making your own household cleaners.

For more motivation, check out other Tackle it Tuesday Participants over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Menu Plan #10

This week I am using what is in my freezer. It has been an unusually long time between pays this month so I need to “shop at home” this week. I will be doing my next big shop on Friday so I just need to get us through till then. It is also just the 3 of us this week.

So, here it is, our menu for this week -

Monday - Lasagna with homemade lasagna sheets, green salad, garlic toasts

Tuesday - Freezer Stash Sweet and Sour Chicken with Rice

Wednesday - Tuna Casserole (with mash)

Thursday - Left over Tuna Casserole

Friday - Bucantini Al Amatricaiana

Saturday - Pork Chops, Apple Sauce, Roasted Potatoes, Carrots and Beans

Sunday - Sausage Casserole (with Mash)

Don’t forget, if you are new to menu planing check out my Menu Planning 101 and my free printables.

For more menu inspiration click here.

~H~

A Few Changes @ Homemaking Mama’s

Those with keen eyes may have notices a few changes here today.

I am happy to announce a new page has been added “Homemade Cleaners - A Healthier Home” it is still under construction as I have a lot to share but it’s a start in the right direction.

I would love to hear your views on the subject and any certain cleaner requests that you would like a recipe for to make at home. I will certainly do my best to provide a recipe to make your own at home for little money and great results.

Stay tuned for lots more

~H~

Thursday Thirteen #8

For the past few years I have been working my way through Stephen King’s extensive catalog of works. I haven’t read all of his books yet but I am a good part of the way there. It was a Stephen King book in my teens that first started my love of books and although I  love a good many different types of books, genres and authors, Stephen King is a writer that I can always come back to and enjoy time and time again. I am slowly building my own Stephen King library, and because I prefer spending time browsing second hand book shops and the like to find older versions of his books (instead of mass produced paper backs) it is a long process, but I am so happy when I find an old hard back copy of one of his works.

So back to the task at hand, Thursday Thirteen. (please note the images of these books are the mass produced editions, I can’t find many cover shots that look like the ones I have)

1. The Stand (I have the complete and uncut hard back edition found on ebay )

2. Cell (one of his more recent works,  it is meant to go into movie production in 2009 however Eli Roth is set to direct and I have to say this makes me a little nervous)

3.  The Dead Zone (so much better than the movie - as his books always are)

4. Insomnia (took me a little while to understand this one as I was reading it, but it all came together in the end)

5. Duma Key (another recent publication)

6. Different Seasons (a collection of short stories, including Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption)

7. Needful Things (this one takes a while to read due to its size, but I enjoyed every bit)

8. Everything’s Eventual (another collection for his short stories. I particularly like The Little Sisters of Eluria and 140

9. Desperation (a truly chilling story)

10. Rose Madder

11. Skeleton Crew (another collection of short stories - including my favourites, The Raft and The Mist)

12. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

13. From a Buick 8 (no, it is absolutely nothing like Christine )

For more Thursday 13 participants click here

~H~.

Espresso Ice Cream

This is a recipe by Ina Garten that I adjusted a little. Death by coffee….

1 1/2 cups milk (full cream)

1 1/2c heavy cream
6  egg yolks
2/3 cup sugar
Pinch salt
1 1/2 tablespoons ground espresso coffee beans, decaffeinated or regular
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (I used my homemade extract)
1/2 cup chocolate-covered espresso beans, chopped

1. Heat the milk and cream in a saucepan until it forms bubbles around the edge of the pan and steam starts to rise.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the egg yolks, sugar, and salt until thick and pale in colour. Slowly add the hot milk and cream mix until combined.

3. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for 5 to 10 minutes, until it’s thickened and the cream coats the back of the spoon.

4. Pour the cream through a fine-meshed sieve into a bowl. Add the ground espresso beans and vanilla and refrigerate until completely chilled.

5. Pour the espresso cream into an ice-cream maker and freeze according to the machines directions. Mix in the chopped espresso beans, spoon into a container, and allow to freeze for a few hours. Soften slightly before serving.

~H~

Coming Up @ Homemaking Mama’s

Just a heads up on what I am hoping to share here this week.

I have a few recipes to share along with pictures,

Cranberry Orange Scones (great for the freezer)

Orange / Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

Beef and Ale Hotpot (slow cooker dish)

and Espresso Ice Cream (for the ice cream maker)

These are all recipes I have tested over the past few weeks and they were all super yummy

I also will be posting pics of my Kitchen Notebook that I started revamping yesterday. I still have a litle work to do on it but will be sharing the finished product soon.

I am hoping to come up with some more printables too. Maybe a garage / yard sale checklist, basic inventory for your home, and I might get into the whole moving checklist thing too

Are there any printables you would like me to create? I love new ideas, feel free to let me know.

Well, here’s to a productive week.

~H~

Tackle It Tuesday #8

Today I thought I would tackle something that was “fun” for me to do this week.

I will be making a new recipe binder to organise all my menu planning, recipes and kitchen tips that I use.

I even went out and got new stationary to get started.

An A4 file, plastic sleeves and dividers. I am thinking along the lines of separate sections for each tried and true recipe that isn’t in a cook book (you know the ones you tear out of magazines, or print off the computer) maybe chicken, beef, cakes or maybe main, side, dessert - I’m not quite sure yet. I will also have a section for recipes to try (the loose ones that I haven’t tried yet) a menu plan section (at the front for easy access) and then things like my freezer food guidelines (safety tips and such for freezing foods - let me know if you want me to share). The rest will come to me as I’m going along. I will also keep spare blank menus ans shopping lists and things as well. Check out my printables if you need some inspiration.

Thanks to the ladies at 5 Minutes for Mom for hosting TT!

Will be back later to post pics of the finished product.

~H~

Menu Plan Monday # 9

This week DH is home all week and it is also his birthday when he comes home tomorrow. We also have a house full of visitors for dinner on Sunday and I am looking forward to cooking a huge feast. Needless to say there will be some goodies in this weeks menu too

Monday: Spaghetti Al Bianco (new recipe carried over from last week)

Tuesday: DH birthday dinner out followed by Malteser Chocolate Cake

Wednesday: Beef and Ale Hotpot

Thursday: “Fried” Chicken and Chips

Friday: Shrimp Scampi

Saturday: Lamb with Sweet Corn Topping - new recipe

Sunday: Roasted Garlic Chickens, Honey Carrots, Cauliflower Cheese and Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes followed by Toblerone Chocolate Mousse

For more MPM participants check out I’m an Organizing Junkie.

~H~

Thursday 13 #7

Posting it a little early but here it goes

13 Movies I love to watch over and over again…

1. The Green Mile -  (and not just because David Morse is in it ) based a story by Stephen King. It is 3 hours long (or there abouts) but it’s one I watch often. The execution of Edward Delacroix was a little graphic (I only watched that part once) and I get very emotional when I watch it, but I highly recommend it.

2. Shawshank Redemption - an amazing story. Again based on the works of Stephen King. Makes you think a little differently about a humble little rock hammer now doesn’t it?

3.  Pride and Prejudice - The one with Colin Firth that goes for about 3 hours. This version was so much classier than that rubbish they made with the far too skinny Kiera Knightly. Ick!

4. Scary Movie - The original and the best. I must have watched this one at least a dozen times and I still laugh.

5. Shaun of the Dead - ok, so this one is a little gory but it cracks me up every time I watch it. Hot Fuzz wasnt too bad for a laugh either. These two guys together are hillarious.

6. Friday the 13th - Yep I love the classic slasher flicks. They just don’t make them like that any more. That new Halloween remake by Rob Zombie was terrible. Stick to the classics

7. The Scream Trilogy - I loved the twists at the end of each one as to who did it. And who doesn’t love Dewey? or Randy for that matter?

8. The Notebook - what can I say except, man, I cry every time.

9. Super Troopers - I just love those Broken Lizard boys. Come on meow, you can’t say you didn’t laugh too.

10. Inside Man - ok so Clive Owen is hot and that helps, but the way they pulled it off was pretty clever too.

11. 16 Blocks - what can I say? David Morse as a dirty cop, Bruce Willis, lots of action - makes for a pretty good movie. The only bad part, Mos Def and that stupid voice he put on - I just want to jump right through the TV and slap that man!

12. The National Lampoon movies - only the Chevy Chase classics though, none of the c#$p they are coming out with now. I still watch Christmas Vaction every year and European Vacation was a crack up.

13. RV - I love to watch this one with my girls. They still laugh through out the whole thing.

Ok so there are technically more than 13, and I could go on all day. I guess there will be some debate as to some of my choices but hey, I like them even if you don’t. There is a big mix of genres there - isn’t there?!

For more Thursday 13 participants click here.

~H~

Finally Finished!!

I am feeling pretty over it right now, (the cleaning that is, not the guests) but at least all the work is done and I have finally completed my list of To Do’s. Now I am all ready for my guests who are arriving late tonight.

I am also about to post my Thursday 13 (just a little early) so I don’t miss out this week.

See you in a few days

~H~

Tackle it Tuesday #7

Here we are, another week and much to do.

Tomorrow we have house guests. We haven’t seen them for over 2 years and it will be the first time that they meet Little Miss M. It’s also the first time I have had overnight guests in our new home.

So much needs to be done as not only do I have guests but then we all pack up the car and go to my parents home a few hours down the road to stay for a couple of days.

Today and tomorrow will be spent preparing for my guests and our few days away. So here is my To Do List, I will come and update it through out the day - wish me luck

Todays To Do’s

1. Make “Healthy Breakfast Bars” for our breakfast on Thursday
2. Buy groceries
3. Clean guest room and bathroom, lay out fresh towels, mats etc
4. Good clean up of the rest of the house
5. Ironing (bleh, this will take me a couple of hours - I have been so slack in this department)
6. Put fresh sheets on guest bed
7. Dusting (where does it all come from?)
8. Pack for time away
9. Fill up car
10. Set car DVD player up and pack extra DVD’s (don’t forget CD’s too)
11. Workout!! (I have been so bad this week - can you spell Lazy?!)
12. Quick tidy up outside
13. Vacuum and Mop floors
14. Return video rentals
15. Pay bills and rent  (of course these are all due while we are out of town)
16. Buy “T’s” birthday present
17. Polish glass doors

I think that will do for now.

For more TT participants check out 5 Minutes for Mom.

~H~

Menu Plan Monday # 8

DH goes back tomorrow so all our meals this week will be for 3.

Monday

Chicken Casserole with Herb Sour Cream and Mash

Tuesday

Chilli Cheese Meatballs

Wednesday

Saffron Chicken Pilaf - New Recipe

Thursday

Spaghetti Al Bianco

Friday

Away at Mum’s

Saturday

Away at Mum’s

Sunday

Coal Miners Pasta

Baking / Extras / Sweets

ANZAC Slice (to take to Mum’s)

Orange Cranberry Scones (for freezer stash - recipe will be posted on Friday for FFF)

Choc Nougat Mousse

For more Menu Plans stop by here.

Freezer Food Friday #2

I know FFF is mainly for recipes that you can make for dinner, but this week I want to share a recipe that is fast becoming a family favourite treat and so I wanted to share it with you all even though it’s not a main meal. For this one you will need an icecream maker.

Caramel Fudge Icecream

2 cups whole milk

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup chopped Jersey Caramel Sweets

3 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup finely chopped Jersey Caramel Sweets

1. Stir milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until mixture almost boils. Remove from heat.

2. Beat egg yolks until smooth and creamy and lighter in color. Slowly stir in hot cream mixture while beating eggs. Be sure to do it slowly otherwise you will end up with scrambled eggs.

3. Return mixture to saucepan and stir constantly on medium heat. Add chopped jersey caramels and stir until sweets have melted and mixture thickens slightly.

4. Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into large jug, cover and chill overnight.

5. Pour mixture into icecream maker then add remaining jersey caramels. Mix until desired consistancy.

6. Spoon into a freezer container. Enjoy.

Thursday 13 #6

Well Im on the road to recovery and feeling much better than I did on Tuesday Thank you for all the get well wishes.

This week I wanted to share 13 random photos / links that I have come across lately. Some real, some not.

1. Satellite Image of Hurricane Floyd September 1999

2. Sandstorm in Iraq

3.   Life on Mars?

4. Giant Skeleton - I know this one is digitally edited but it is cool

5. Flight School - this one gave me a little chuckle

6.  OOPS!!

7. Michael Jacksons face undoctored

8. Sunset from Space - ok so this one is fake too, but I thought it was good and many were fooled

9.   No need for words here!

10.  Now I love shoes, but come on, what are these?

 

11.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, this really is an edible birthday cake!

 

12.  OOPS! Again..

 

13.  All made with balloons!

For more Thursday 13′ers click here.

~H~

Blehhh

As much as I would have liked to participate in Tackle it Tuesday today (and believe me - I really do need to paticipate in it ) I just can not do it this week.

Seems I have come down with some sort of yukky and am suffering from all kinds of nasty today. I think this is partly due to an unexpected detox effect caused by watching what I have been eating the past few days and cutting out a lot of rubbish food that I had been bingeing on lately. Obviously, expelling these awful toxins is a very good thing, only I did not expect it or prepare for it. I think I am also coming down with some sort of cold (is it obvious that I don’t get sick often? When I do get sick I am such a baby! lol )

And the bottom line after all my whining….. until my head stops feeling like a big brass band has taken up residence inside I will take a break from bloggityville, but will hopefully be back soon. This weeks Tackle it Tuesday is to look after myself for a change

If you want to see some real tackles check out 5 minutes for Mom for heaps of inspiration to Tackle something in your home.

~H~