Homemade Ice-Cream

Look away Master Chef's. This is certainly one of the easiest ice-creams you will ever make but I'm sure true foodies would shudder at it.

We love it though and the kids REALLY love it so it gets my tick of approval.

The basic ice-cream is made up of 600ml cream & one tin of condensed milk. I like to chill the condensed milk first but it's not necessary. You can also use "light" cream and condensed milk as they work well too.

Pour into a mix master or whatever you call it and beat until thick. 

Then add whatever flavours you wish. 

You can blend or puree any fresh fruit you like. Mango is always a favourite or mixed berries etc. 

This time I mixed in some vanilla & rainbow sprinkles and in the past I've used Bailey's with chocolate chips. 

The flavours are limited to your imagination.

You then pour it into whatever mould you like. I've used an old ice-cream container as well as shaped muffin moulds. 

This time I used dinosaur and butterfly/ladybug moulds.

Cover with Glad Wrap and freeze for 24 hours. (No need to take out & mix periodically).

It's then ready to eat!

The dinosaurs did lose their heads a bit when turned out but they still tasted great.

Very easy and delicious. 

We have a few mangoes here so  I think I'll blitz some of that up soon.

xx Susan 

And they're off....

Hubby and Master M are heading to a property north of Richmond in the Gulf for a couple of weeks. 

My brother and his boys have gone too so it's certainly a boys only trip they're all looking forward to.

little Miss R and I are looking forward to some special girl  time at home although she still has school next week. We'll make surely we do some nice things though. 

Have a great time my boys!

Beach Days

We're really lucky to live only a 15-20 minute drive from the beach.

On gorgeous days like we've been having, it's lovely to be able to pack a picnic & head down to Caloundra with it's multitude of beaches to choose from.

Yesterday was pretty windy & there were a few jellyfish around but it was still lovely.

I love going to Golden Beach as it's protected by Bribie Island and is very child friendly. 

There's plenty of lovely spots along the waterfront with lots shady trees & areas to explore. 

After spending time playing & exploring with the kidlettes, it was nice to be able to sit & relax while keeping an eye on them as they swam.

Hubby's home next weekend so we've decided we need to have more beach picnics & daddy can bring his fishing gear.

Xx Susan 

The circle of life

Last week was quite big when I look back on it.  

My cousin Trish and her husband John have just become the proud parents of two little girls.

It's been a long road since this photo was taken at their wedding.

They now have two little darling girls, born at 30 weeks and a day apart (those rare twins that won't share a birthday).

Our heart wishes and thoughts are with you all.

....and a candle lit...

...for my husband's Uncle John who passed away on Saturday after a long illness.

The weekend in pictures

It was lovely.

A weekend away

We're at Hubby's Aunty Rob's again in Clifton for a few days. 

The kidlettes have been loving feeding the chooks, cows and goat as well as playing with the dogs. 

Being on the Southern Downs it's wonderfully chilly and the fire has been on since just after we arrived yesterday.

This morning has been spent exploring and now a little drizzle has set in so we've plonked ourselves in front if the fire with colouring in & boardgames.

Xx Susan

Winter is trying to get here

Wednesday continues to be our Knit and Natter day at Mary Cairncross Park in Maleny and both my sister and I have been desperately waiting for the cooler weather so that we can enjoy the fire at the cafe.

Well the cooler weather has arrived, even if it is only in the mornings on some days before it warms up, but at least we have been able to enjoy this....

Because it's an outdoor cafe and there's often a sneaky cold breeze it's nice to be able to cover yourself in you latest project of pure alpaca wool as you sit and chat.

This is the time of year when we can rug up in our creations made the previous years.

Our dear friend Jodi has been joining us recently.  She doesn't do any hooky or knitty type crafts but she makes up for it in the nattering.  She has been our friend and virtually part of our family for well over 30 years now and we love her!

Did I mention that it's cool enough that we can now enjoy the fire?  I know I did but I'll tell you again as it's sooooo lovely.

xx Susan