In the spirit of giving .....The WINNER is?

I love giving gifts, who doesnt?! Buy wrap deliver. I totally could have done the FC gig-if I was magic and had elves to help.

So because I am also a little nutty and totally forgot that I had already bought a 2013 Diary for next year I am giving one away. I dont need two. I do need a better memory!

You can find an example here. Kikki-K Red leather Diary

So tomorrow I will announce a winner. Could it be you? Good luck and get organised in style!

Disclaimer- This is in no way affiliated nor endorsed by facebook. I'm just feeling generous!




















TRUDI ALLISON-Congratulations, One RED Kikki-K diary is all yours!

Phew that was mammoth! Lots of names/shares to go through :)

Please email me on aimless@internode.on.net with your address details.

Thank you to all that entered. There will be another giveaway in the new year!

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2013!

Choc Chip-Yes please....

This has to be one of the easiest recipes I have ever found- Courtesy of Donna Hay

Chocolate Chip Cookies. The mere thought of baking sweets sometimes sends me in to the corner and rocking. I am just not great with sweets. These however will have you jumping for joy and sending in entry forms for all the cooking shows-You will be your own master(Chef)

1 cup (175g) brown sugar

3/4 cup (165g) white sugar ( I used only a half  cup and they were plenty sweet enough)

150g unsalted butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 egg

1 1/2 cups of plain flour (all purpose),sifted

1/2 teaspoon of salt ( I omitted as I used salted butter)

1/2 teaspoon of baking powder,sifted

400g of chopped chocolate ( I cheated and used a packet of cadbury buds)

preheat oven to 160C (325F) Place the brown and white sugars,butter and vanilla into an electric mixing bowl and beat for 8-10mins or until pale and creamy. Add the egg beating well to combine. Add the flour and baking powder and beat on low speed until a dough forms.

Fold through the chocolate chips. Roll a large teaspoon into a ball, place on to a lined baking tray and flatten slightly. They spread quite a bit,so allow for growth!

Cook for 17-20mins or until golden. They will feel soft to touch whilst hot, but will harden on cooling.

Catch me if you can, I'm the chocolate (Wo)man! Take the dare, make some!

Keen as Mustard, Singapore Style

Who likes Singapore Noodles? Hands up in the air!

We love them. Besides the obvious ease of cooking and taste factor, you can pack alot of veggies into these which makes a very nutritious one pot wonder. This is my version adapted from various recipes.

So here we go. Serves 4

1 packet of thin egg noodles

Keens Curry Powder

Sesame Oil

Light Soy Sauce

Brown Sugar

Lime Juice

Kecap Manis

Vegetables-various.

Peas

Carrots

Onion

Capsicum

Mushrooms

Chicken Breast X 2

Chop the chicken breast into bite size pieces. Cook them off in the wok in a little sesame oil. Whilst you're doing this pop some water on to boil in readiness for the noodles. Once boiled add Noodles and cook according to packet directions

Once your chicken is cooked through, add a splash of water and 2 teaspoons of  Keen's Curry powder. Mix until the chicken is coated. Add a decent splash of Light Soy and a tablespoon of brown sugar. Add a splash of Lime and stir through. 

Now add your Veg. Making sure all are coated and mixed well. Cook until you have your desired crunch factor.

Drain noodles and add to the wok, Mix well with the other ingredients. Just before serving add a good dollop of Kicap Manis and mix through.

Serve. Eat. Enjoy.

Bad Wifey ....

My Hubby's birthday was in Oct. I wasn't here (in Perth) to organise a present from us. I thought I would worry about one when we got here a few days later. Worry is right....

First things first- I LOVE Internet shopping, seriously the best thing since sliced bread.Ok so the credit card being compromised once wasn't fun,but generally speaking landing a package on your door step(especially if you have forgotten ordering it) is great :)

Search-find-click- pay-delivered! Its that simple.... Except if you find a site that looks great but turns out to be dodgy. In this instance,Yup I found the dodgiest of the dodgiest. I REALLY wanted to buy Hubby a swank new esky to match his swank BBQ. Be the cool kid on the block-so to speak. I was thrilled when I found one online that could be delivered.

Search-find-click-pay-delivered. right?

WRONG- so wrong. What looked right, was so wrong. I waited and waited AND waited for this item to be delivered. I sent email after email AFTER email enquiring as to where it was. And true to form from a dodgy site, they ignored them.

Not withstanding the present buying was disastrous- I had also seemingly kissed $190 goodbye.

D.E.V.A.S.T.A.T.E.D

Morally this wasn't going to go down with out a fight. So I took out the big guns after they finally responded with "We have your product now in stock-would you like it delivered or a refund?"

Oh Gee, let me think about that for a whole 3 secs..... I WANT MY MONEY BOZO!

So plan of action was started- Police report-check! Consumer affairs- check! Both of which I emailed off  to them with a very stern "You are nothing but thieves,refund or trouble"

There was again a wait.Seriously who waits after being reported to the Police?  By this stage I had confessed to Hubby that I had no present and no money back.

End result after a few more emails was a refund. Happy days (phew)

Moral of the story, when searching for online stores, search for reviews first!!! I read reviews after the trouble started and found I wasn't the only one who wanted to poke them in the eye with a chopstick!

And to date, I still haven't got him a present..... oops.

click here for reviews :) It might just save you a headache! Reviews

Patience, excuse me what is that?

I admit I have very little or no patience when it comes to a lot of things. I like to make snappy decisions on the spot or to go with the flow. In decision drives me up the proverbial wall.

It would be perfect if you could just buy up a little patience for the times you really need it.

This past week I could have spent a fortune. I seemed to have none banked up and really needed a swimming pool full of the stuff to thrash about in. Kinda like jelly wrestling but without the wrestle and jelly...ok so nothing like jelly wresting, I just like the thought of going a little crazy in something that looks like fun.

Sooooooooo you ask... why was this patience needed? Thanks for asking, I am happy to let you know.

MOTHER IN LAW

Just a quick word before the mexican waves starts in unison, I love her. She loves my children and is a very very generous woman. BUT.... (did you think there wouldn't be one?)

BUT- I also love my own space. And having anyone in my space for a length of time saps my patience. TOTALLY sapped I tell you.

Its been hot and the heat doesn't agree with her.So venturing out has been a little tricky. I also expect my guests to be just that- a guest. I don't want my house to be cleaned and dinner on the table every night. I know I can probably hear you saying "are you nuts, enjoy the break"

Its the space thing. My house, my space.

I am grateful for the woman she is- dedicated Mother and Grandmother :)

I just want my space back.