Doing it Italian Style.

I was given a pasta machine for free. I was very, very excited. I've been waiting for a few days now to try it out, and with kids asleep today is that day. First things first, the dough.

3 cups 00 flour
4 small eggs
1 tsp olive oil
pinch of salt

You're meant to put the eggs in the centre of the flour pile and slowly incorporate into a dough mix without breaking the 'flour walls'. My first attempt was pitiful. Here's my second attempt.



I managed to wrangle this into a dough that looked wonderfully like pasta dough. I used my index finger to mix. Is there nothing the index finger cant do? The dough should not be too dry or too sticky. Tick. It it should bounce back when poked. Tick. And it should look like Jamie Olivers...:(



For this delicious pasta I will be making a roasted red pepper sauce. Peppers were $2.80 at the local supermarket and I couldn't resist a nice big bag for our pizza, Vietnamese stir fry and of course, this dish.

Simply char grill the peppers, peel off their skin and whiz with roasted pine nuts. To see a full recipe go to this awesome site. I will be making little ravioli stuffed with spinach and ricotta. I'm always looking for more vegetarian dishes, dishes that don't require me buying any ingredients outside my weekly shop, and of course, something that hides vegies for the kids. This dish really does do all those things.



Annie absolutely loved making pasta. We were very careful with the fingers people!







When I saw how well the pasta had turned out, I popped down to Seddon Wine Store and got us a lovely Italian red to go with. My best idea so far!

Brand Junkie: Push and Go Teddy

Tom turned one on Friday. I know, right? Like, where did the last year go, huh? It flew by and I have a little post I want to dedicate to just him in a few days. But before I do, there's something I wanted to share. My sister gave us money to buy Tom toys we thought he needed at this point in time (love it!). We were able to choose his gift. Make sure it was right developmentally. And of course, insure that it didn't beep, bonk, flash, whiz, zoom, or sing. I bought two toys at Baby Bunting from the Tolo Toy range and was very happy with the results.



He got this ball with hidden Teddy that pops up when you push the button. Cute!



And Push and Go Teddy.

Here's a little video of Tom and Annie learning how to share like the civilised human beings that we have raised them to be.

Getting busy with it.

I've been keeping busy of late qith a few little projects. All of them have to have purpose (present etc) and be cost effective (using left over material if possible). Annie has a friends birthday party on Sunday. The mum asked me awhile back to make her daughter's doll a little cot quilt.I finally got around to it, but decided against the quilt and for a little sleeping bag instead.





For the inside I used some toweling that I had left over, all the pieces zig-zagged together to form one piece big enough to take on this project. It was so easy and cost effective and I figure not to bad to wash either.

For the fabric I tried using a mix of things I already have in my limited stash. I think the colours work pretty well together. I just hope shes not bitterly disappointed that it's not pink!

The long and the short of it.

Where does the time go???

With the small touches of sunshine we have been having, the kids and I have spent less time indoors making cubby houses and skipping through the internet. Hence this lovely blog as had a little quiet time. But I'm back, and there is so much to share I can't even wrap my head around where to begin.

There are lots of crafty projects to show, house improvements to parade and random Annie-isms to share. But all in good time my friends.

I just quickly want to share this while I'm here: on my to do list I mentioned making something for Miss Annie. Here's a little dress I have been dreaming of making her for months!





Cute, easy and straight out of a Japanese pattern book (thanks for the loan, Leslie) Unfortunately, it's just a little long, so I will have to keep it for next winter. The good news is that it was super easy and I just love the fake little pockets and her 'busy bee' buttons.

Stay tuned...I will be back. xx