Yummy last minute easy xmas puddings!!!

After years and years of baking my traditional Christmas pud in late October I have found the perfect recipe for mini xmas puddings and maybe you can share it with someone else to make their life easier too!  These taste a treat and can be wrapped individually in calico or cellophane with a cute little ribbon in twine or just piled on a plate as they are.  I topped half of them with cream cheese icing! You only need to soak the fruit for about half an hour.  It will absorb the coffee liquid. They are SIMPLE and ready in 30 minutes... dont even need to use the trusty old sunbeam.  Actually upon reflection you dont need it for the regular pud either. 

1kg dried fruit
2 cups of hot coffee to soak fruit in (or 1/2 cup port & 1 and 1/2 cups coffee)
Brandy optional
1 large block of Cadbury's nut chocolate (N.B. I like to use Lindt Orange Intense instead)
2 cups S.R. Flour

Combine ingredients.  Line muffin tin with patty cake liners and spoon in.
Cook for 30 minutes at 170 degrees.

Can be iced with cream cheese & icing sugar mixed together.

Yum your little puddings will soon be ready for consumption.  Dont be tempted to eat too many!  Happy Baking.    Penny

Quick, easy & cheap Bus Roll hanging

Thought I would share with you an inexpensive solution to the fabulous bus rolls that you see in decorating magazines at a fraction of the cost.  I purchased a tea towel with the bus roll print for about $10.00 then popped it in an $8.00 ikea light frame.  There you go - change from $20.00 and lots of comments too!!! Have a happy day.  Penny

My Chrissy Wreath

Today I was lucky enough to pick up this cute twig wreath from one of my favourite shops Twig & Twine.  I plan to leave this up permanently and decorate it with whatever takes my fancy throughout the year.  I always like to add a touch of the beautiful beach to my Christmas decor and I think this fits in well.  I have used a few shells from my HUGE collection and gently added a hole at the top with a hammer & nail.  Tie on the shells with some rope string and add a  few bits of raffia , shredded cellophane and a couple of fabric frangipanis and voila....a touch of the beach at christmas. Keep happy. Penny.

Favourite Plants of Summer from my garden

Today was one of those fabulous days of summer when you wake up and just KNOW that the world is wonderful and you can do anything!  I love this time of year when Christmas is just around the corner and those early blooming summer flowers and vegies just add to the excitement of the season - so I picked up my little camera and wandered around the garden to share them with you too.
The first is my absolute favourite: Philadelphus - It flowers in my garden in November & December and makes the perfect cut flower.  I love to pick a bunch and plop them in an old jam jar.
The second is the traditional hydrangea - always a reminder of summer.  I always pick them early and then squeeze the base of the stem before sitting them in boiled water. They seem to last longer this way.
Third in line is the good ol' tomato.  I have found growing them in wine barrels works better for me than in the garden.  Remember to cover them  with netting when the tomatoes appear or the birdies will have a field day.  Lastly  - what garden is complete without a rose bush or two.  Spray with eco oil every fortnight and feed every six weeks and then sit back and enjoy the wonderful reward! Have a happy day!!!