Paying-it-forward

Today I have been parceling up my pay-it-forward 2011 gifts. Just a few finishing touches and they will be in the post...

Keep an eye on your mail boxes ladies!

Now I can move onto my next project which is an order for Stella.

Wardrobe Wednesday-scarf

Things have been pretty average in the wardrobe department this week but I thought I'd show you my version of the scarf I mentioned here and here. As I knitted it I wasn't convinced that it would turn out the way I wanted or even be something that I would wear but I am actually really happy with it. Turns out it is very warm which is great because I thought it was going to be more of a visual accessory rather than a practical one. I think I will be making more. I'm keen to try it in different yarn-maybe cotton or bamboo. If anyone's interested you're welcome to place an order and I'd be happy to make you one.

This is me and Sofia yesterday ...

Leggings from Farmers

Dress from Shanton

No shoes because I actually wore my slippers all day!

Sofia in BLUE! Thank goodness she seems not to be so obsessed with pink now and I manage to get her to wear some other colours some days-still her choice of clothing though.

Leggings from the Warehouse

Woollen singlet from Farmers

Mid Week Meal Ideas

Well I've been a bit slack on the meal ideas posts. It's been well over a week since my last one so I thought I'd just list down some of the meals we have eaten and then share a recipe for Pepperpot Beef. You will see some of the meals that I'va already shared and links to the recipe.
So these are some of our recent meals:
Chicken and Brocolli Casserole with potatoes and carrots
Meatballs and Spaghetti
Roast Lamb
Cheese Strudel with potatoes, bacon and coleslaw
Roast Pork with roast vege salad (and cheese fritters for me instead of pork)
Sausages with Potato Casserole
Meat patties with mushroom sauce, grilled tomatoes, chips and stirfry veges
Beef Pot Roast
Fish Pie (creamy sauce with cheesy crumbs on top) with wedges and coleslaw-made by Mum
Vegetable Soup-made by Mum
Pepperpot Beef with potatoes, beans and cauliflower-made by Mum
Sausages with Curried Potatoes

Pepperpot Beef

1 kg topside steak, diced

2T flour

salt and pepper

1/2 tsp ginger

Coombine flour and seasonings and coat meat in this mixture. Brown in a pan and put into a casserole dish.

Combine the following ingredients and pour over the meat

1 T chilli sauce

1 tin whole peeled tomatoes

1 T soy or worcestershire sauce

2 T brown sugar

2 T vinegar

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

2 cups sliced mushrooms.

Cover and cook at 170 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

Part way throught the cooking add one diced red pepper and 1 tin red kidney beans.

Mum made this for us when we were staying with them at the weekend. It was extra tasty with some of Mum's homemade pasta sauce added.

I didn't remember to take a picture so you'll just have to imagine how it looks...or make it yourself.

Loop-de-loop

This is what I'm working on today.

It's my first attempt at the scarf I showed here.

Any Ideas for Lunch?

Does anyone have any interesting, easy lunch ideas for a Mum and preschoolers?
It's hard enough trying to think of dinner ideas but lunch as well!! We eat pasta, soups, leftovers (if we are left any by the others in the house!). Today we had poached eggs, baked beans and toast.

 Sofia and Na'uli saying their lotu (prayer) before lunch "Malo Eiki o mai meakai. Amini"

...it doesn't always happen but it was their own idea today!

They enjoyed it. Sofia ate all of hers and wanted more. Na'uli ate most of hers.

I'd love to hear any other lunch ideas.

Wardrobe Wednesday-1st birthday

 This was what I wore to my friend's daughter's 1st birthday at the weekend

(Bit of a fuzzy photo-Sofia took it)

Current fav jeans (you may have noticed) from Just Jeans

Merino top from Max

Bracelets from Pagani

Shoes from Overland

Earrings bought here from Cloud Nine Creative

 

Visit Green Valley Crafts for links to more wardrobe ideas

Mid Week Meal-Meatballs

This is certainly not anything new or elaborate but just a reminder about an oldie but a goodie.
I always make up my meatball recipe as I go. Tonight they were: mince, a packet of onion soup, homemade tomato sauce, black pepper, rolled oats and chilli powder. Sometimes I add an egg, fresh herbs or onion.I brown them in a frypan then spread in a casserole dish. I then saute some onions in the frypan and add a tin of pasta sauce and a tin of tomatoes, a splash of soy sauce, some sugar and herbs (today it was parsley, oregano, and thyme). When it's bubbling I pour it over the meatballs and bake. When it's about 5 minutes from done I sprinkle some grated cheese over the top and grill till golden.

We kept it very simple tonight-just meatballs and spaghetti.

Love it

I love this scarf pattern. Hoping to give it a go sometime soon.

Photo from pneuma's profile on Ravelry(http://www.ravelry.com/people/pneuma)

Link to the FREE patttern here.

Just don't go and make it before I do!!

Tongans Will Sleep Anywhere

We've got a bit of a family joke about how 'Tongans will sleep anywhere'. When my parents and I first went to Tonga we noticed lots of the locals sleeping in some really funny places. Turns out it must be in their blood...
This is what I found when I came home from doing some shopping, having left the girls at home with Dad.

That's Sofia under there!

I also took this picture one evening last week when Sofia was playing behind the blind in the lounge then went very quiet...

Girl Style Friday-a rainy day

It's been pouring here today. We dressed up warm and went out to visit my sister Carmen and her kids.

Sofia is wearing...

Gumboots: Warehouse

PINK leggings: Warehouse

Long top: from Mama

Short top: from Aunty Mia

Na'uli is wearing...

Gumboots: garage sale

Pants: T and T

Jersey: knitted by Mama for first grandchild about 11 years ago!

 Here's Tess and Na'uli helping make lunch...

 And a bunch of cute cousins playing at the kitchen bench...

Wardrobe Wednesday-a 21st

On Saturday we hosted a party to celebrate our nephew's 21st birthday. He has been living here with us for over a year since he came from Tonga to work and study in NZ. He such a good 'boy'. He is in his second year studying architecture and also works in our brick and block laying business. He works hard, is motivated, helpful and has a great attitude to life. He's also brilliant with our girls. They love him and he holds a special position as Na'uli's Godfather. We think he's got a really bright future ahead of him and we were pleased to be able to give him a fun celebration for his 21st birthday.

This is what I was wearing on the night...

Boots: Street Legal

Tights: The Warehouse

Skirt: Kmart

Top: Tempt

Cardi: Shanton

Belt: Kmart

Me with the birthday boy and my girls.

Just as an aside this was our meal...

 

Mid Week Meal-Chicken Paprikash

This recipe is from Simon Holst's Pasta Cookbook

Chicken Paprikash

1 tsp oil

25g butter

1 diced onion

350g chicken breast, cut into 1cm slices

1 red or green capsicum, sliced

2T paprika

1/2-1T caraway seeds

1/2 dry white wine

1 cup sour cream

1T tomato paste

1tsp salt

Black pepper

Heat oil and butter in a large frypan. Add onion and saute until soft.

Stir in chicken and capsicum. Cook for about 5 minutes.

Add paprika and caraway seeds and saute for about 1 minute.

Stir in wine, reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.

Stir in sour cream, tomato paste, salt and black pepper to taste.

Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Serve on rice or pasta such as ribbons or shells.

I didn't use caraway seeds as I didn't have any. I thought there needed to be a bit more sauce so I added more wine and some water. I served with rice. It had a delicious creamy texture and very yummy flavour. The kids didn't eat all that much but it was well enjoyed by the adults.



Past Projects

Well I haven't done one of these posts for a  while. I thought I had exhausted my supply of photos of things that I have made in the past but just came across these photos of the girls wearing a teddy bear suit I knitted. This was made years before had children myself. I made one to be passed around my nieces and nephews then one for my own future children.

The photo above and this one show Na having her turn...

 And this is Sofia having her turn...

Girl Style Friday-Black and White

Today the girls' preschool was invited to perform for staff at the Ministry of Education. They were asked to wear white tops and black pants and a colourful kiekie (Tongan dancing skirt).
Here are the girls ready to go...

Ready for a practise with the other children...

Our girls looked beautiful...pity they didn't actually sing or dance!
Oh well they are performing again tonight for family and friends so hopefully they will join in.

It was a nice surprise to bump into Amy there today!

Book Browsing

I've just been browsing at The Book Depository. Here's some of the books I like the look of.