Friday, November 11, 2011

Last Friday's pony lesson was inside as it was raining  The kids learnt how to put on a saddle etc.  Willow thought it was hilarious having a pony inside!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Isn't it funny how your tastebuds change as soon as the weather does!  My fridge was filled with salad leaves and salad veges ready to make quick lunches but now the thought of a salad just doesn't do it for me.  It's out with soup recipes.  Love them!  Here is a quick lunch when you need to warm up!  Spiced Moroccan Soup with the recipe from my guru Donna Hay...

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add 1 chopped onion (I used a red onion because that is all i had) and 2 cloves crushed garlic and cook for 5 mins.
Add 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 stick cinnamon, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika and 1 tablespoon harissa paste (I got mine at Iceland) and cook for 1 min. Add 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes, 1 x 400g can drained and rinsed chickpeas (garbanzos) and 1.5litres (6 cups) chicken stock (i used stock cube), bring to the boil and cook for 10 mins.  Top with yoghurt and coriander (cilantro) to serve.  MMMmm delish!

Wednesday, November 09, 2011

My lovely daughter was very upset that I didn't have a birthday cake on my birthday so we made one together and she decorated it for me.  Then she put candles on and sang happy birthday to mummy in Spanish and English.  And she has done this 3 nights in a row now!  Anyway the cake was/is delicious!  It is the Devil's Food Cake from the famous Magnolia Bakery (using rice milk) and we frosted it with the Orange Buttercream Frosting from the fantastic recipe book Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World.  This book is incredible!




 You can see the gorgeous new paint colour in our sitting/dining room - it's Farrow & Ball Charleston Grey

Thankyou to my wonderful family in Australia for these gorgeous birthday flowers and to my wonderful family in London who also sent me some beautiful roses!  How special do you feel when you receive flowers!

Cute!

The hallway now has a POP of colour!  Was supposed to be more like chartreuse but I actually like it... alsmost lime!

The bedroom end of the house is now in a grey/mauve

Willow's girly stuff

Her new bedroom design, very workable (very Ikea!).  The rug came across from Tangier on the ferry when I was pregnant!


Halloween is such a busy time.... what with my birthday, all the kids parties and events and this year our friends Nicola, Livio and Tiara and baby Isabella were over from south of France so we had even more celebrating and getting together to do.

Eva, Harry, Poppy and Willow at Sunday lunch

eyeball cupcakes by Alley!

scary Harry!

This was Willow exactly a year ago dressed for Halloween party at nursery