Howdy doody lovely blog friends, thanks for the pillow love…I knew you'd like my Coastal Cushions giveaway (btw it's open til Friday midnight so you can still comment to win).
Guess what? I'ts a holiday weekend here Down Under..it's Spring…it's warm and so we are going away for the weekend camping, and I am getting organised for that…nothing beats camping in Australia but for now in the midst of all of that, and ferrying various kiddos to all sorts of sporting activities, today, I've been making cake…which means it must be either an anniversary round here at the Beach Cottage or I must love Mr BC very much. It's the former
Today we hit fifteen years.
And he says he's gonna start a blog…
LifeWithACrazyWife.com.
And that all your husbands would stop by!
You wouldn't wanna hear my reply.
Anyway he is out on business tonight and couldn't make lunch either so we made a date for breakfast this lovely hot Sydney morning – we headed out to the beach and sat right on the sea front, overlooking a beautiful sparkling ocean, ate poached eggs on sourdough and mused our new life by the sea…
When I got home I felt the need to whip up a little something because he simply loves cake, like really loves cake. He eats cake standing up, straight from the cake tin, which drives me mad. He eats cake with beer, which drives me mad. And I've seen him sneaking it in for breakfast, which drives me mad.
I so don't buy into this whole overly-celebrating thing that seems to go on nowadays…I mean what day will Hallmark invent next? But at the moment I seem to be fervently enjoying all things home, being grateful for just plain old life stuff and so thought I'd celebrate by making cake. I do realise that for some people there is nothing more restoring and meditative than staying at home and sifting, stirring and measuring, I however am not one of those girls. You know I love to stay at home and yep sure, I can make a curry with my eyes shut, turn a plain old chicken into a feast and can throw a store cupboard meal without the blink of an eye. But baking is a very different matter – it all just has to be so very precise and with my errm, how shall we say, slapdash manner, it just doesn't do it for me. Baby.
I ended up today with a brownie recipe – one of the few recipes that I know will work. I have about 4 or 5 of these up my sleeve, just so my kids get home baked Afternoon Tea and know cakes aren't born in plastic happy wrappers….but that is where my interest ends. You won't find me tucked up under a quilt on the deck with a book about baking.
As I put it in the oven I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best and it turned out just right. So I wrapped it up, added a little note and put it on the vintage trunk that he had the grace to go-with-the-flow on (yeah yeah I know you all tell me he's good like that, but then I told you I'm good at favours lol!!!) and while most of the time rolling his eyes and cooking-up a post for LifeWithACrazyWife he didn't say much at all.
So tonight where we have our nightly ritual when he asks me if I'd like a bedtime cup of tea, vehemently hoping I will say no, and I nod, and he sighs, at least he will have homemade cake.
That's love for ya.
That's fifteen years of life.
p.s. did you hear about the blogger trying to win a washer/dryer? if not can you go here and simply leave a comment, she already has over 30,000 comments, yes sirreee that said thirty thousand but needs more by tomorrow so she wins?!
Fifteen years, huh? Well, have to say that’s longer than I’ve ever made it. Eight years with two. It’s been 12 with this one. But then I’m not young anymore and not as frivolous and hasty with decision-making. Have to keep reminding myself that the US is “cheap about providing a citizen health care” but perfectly happy to pay for wars. So guess I’ll try to make it last this time round. No, you won’t find me drooling over a cookbook either, Sarah. Just isn’t in me. Now a decorating magazine, sure thing. Happy Anniversary.
Brenda
aww Sarah you are so sweet, I am sure Mr BC is so proud to have you as his wife, look what you have done the past 15 years, did you ever think you would have this blog? you have touched many lives with your sweetness and all of your help to make our homes so comfy Happy Anniversy to you both I tip my glass to you both!! CHEERS….
I have just come across your blog via ???? Love it, as a Brit now living in Tokyo (very different from your life in Oz) I am missing my Europeanness (did I just make up that word??) Your blog along with countless others, “feed me” what a I need, especially as I am suffering with the flu, not “the flu” but regular flu and have a huge pile of ironing as big as Mt. Fugi and two bathrooms to clean – MAYBE, MAYBE NOT! A cup of coffee, actually this is my first cup of coffee after two cups of tea and it’s only 9.30 am, (I was up at 5.45 to get the family out the door for 6.45!) I find the mornings fly away once I start catching up with my bloggy friends. My husband keeps telling me that I should start my own, I think that would mean that I would be on my laptop ALL DAY LONG!
Congrats on 15 years, pat on the back, we just celebrated 24, where has the time gone? After starting out in South Yorkshire, then Herefordshire (our daughter born there 14 yrs ago), next Dublin, Ireland, before here Antwerp Belgium (the one place I love, so much so that we bought a beautiful house there) and now Tokyo, Japan.
Now I have found your blog, expect me on a daily basis Sarah! By the way, where in Britain are you from and how come you are in Oz???
G'day! I'm Sarah, I live in a tatty old cottage, near the sea in Australia with a battered old deck & a big old fig tree out the back...stripped wooden floors, old sash windows & a jumble of vintage furniture. [Read More …]
Beach Cottage ladies, we have some vintage linen and some wood/twig washed up on the beach today here in Beach Cottage Land….don’t say I don’t keep you entertained now will you . Come on in. So, yep I have posted about colanders on this blog, about things sourced from the side of the road, about [...]
G'day ladies, let's have a Too Easy Beach Cottage recipe yeah? The original place for Too Easy Recipes on the web ;-)
So, after my last salad went down a storm in my inbox, that's here if you missed it, I had to do this one seeing as I make it most weeks.
There is a problem with this salad and kiddos though...it looks, well, it looks, kinda yucky...but once they try it, they'll ask if and when they are next having it....at least that's what happens in this ratty old cottage...but I must interject here that my kiddos are 'good eaters'? ...they didn't get a choice in that ;-)
Now, stop, don't start running and hitting that next on your blog reading list, pulses are your best friend in the Too Easy Dump & Go kitchen for the busy mum, or busy anyone for that matter...that reminds me I must blog the garlic canneloni Go To for when you forgot to do dinner, feel like a bath but have three ravenous young Beach Cottage Kiddos on your hands...another day.
I am almost embarrassed to tell you how easy this is, we have it so much that I always have a couple, make that six, cans of lentils around and a jar of goat's cheese in the fridge...the great thing about this is that it's all too easy to get ready in just a few minutes, but it looks, tastes and seems like you did oh so very much more than that.
You can obviously too change it up a bit depending on what you have to hand in your kitchen, and I must say that is how I settled on this version...because one day when I made it I didn't have enough Parsley in the garden and so I chucked in some basil too, and liked the Summer feel it added.
I think of this as being a rather posh salad, not sure why, because it couldn't really be further from the truth...the great thing is that it works so well for an average run of the mill day, (when I did this for this blog post, it was a hot Sydney Sunday and I did it just simply to go with Rosemary & Garlic stuffed pork, you can see that pork here),
...but just as easily it works on a regular old Wednesday night when you have lost all enthusiasm for rustling up yet another meal, or indeed on Saturday night, when your friends are on their way over for dinner and you my friend, are in your new vintage inspired clawfoot bathtub (that's me in a few weeks time, k?) without any clothes on, a tipple and no idea what to cook for dinner...
I have a complicated and ever-changing relationship with goat's cheese...it never fails me in its performance and it never fails to impress me (you can find out a bit more on what I like in food here if you like) and I kinda collect it...because it's very easy to collect and has a fairly long fridge-life, I love trying out different ones and there's not many things I love more than goat's cheese on sourdough...but I think the best thing about it is not thinking about it exclusively in the toast/salad department...I've stuffed it in chicken and all sorts of things as a last minute and it's been fab.
But let's get down to the nitty gritty of this super salad that makes you look like an angel who has been on her knees all day scrubbing the front step when really you are in the digital world and spent most of ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, howdy, howdy howdy today for a Beach Cottage Too Easy recipe.
If you like cake, cream, sugar and chocolate, make this.
This is, rather than a recipe, a putting it together...as you know I am no dessert maker, but, I do make quite a few sweet things, because, somehow I have ended up with kiddos, who in their roles as offspring, believe that part of the deal, is that not only do I feed them a home-cooked meal with a few homegrown ingredients in there, yes, they also believe that dessert and not the kind that comes out of a packet is included too in this All-Inclusive Deal they call Parenthood.
So, this, for sure, is no culinary masterpiece, but if you are looking for something that is so very easy, dump-able, uses everyday ingredients and at the same time makes you look like you spent hours pulling things together plus tastes good....well, then this is for you.
Best though, you don't make this for yourself, if you have spent the most part of your week sitting on your derriere reading blogs...this my friend ain't low in the calories department...if, however, you are treating yourself to a delight in a mason jar, this is so for you.
I first had a version of this when at dinner back in Old Blighty with a girl, I once, in another life, caught the train up from our village to London with...she was a funny thing really...I am not quite sure how we got on...she was kinda prissy and a bit bothered by too much...I would run to the train flustered, having got up late, and she would have a spreadsheet on the train times, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few years later when we both had bambinos, I bumped into her again and we met up for playdates and dinner sometimes....this particular night, after a lovely meal she served up little bowls of creamy, cakey fruity stuff topped off with chocolate flake...it was delicious!
She didn't serve hers in little jars like this, hers were in a champagne glass and not quite so layered as these ones, plus she used tinned fruit not fresh or frozen.
Years later when said offspring kept requesting dessert, one day I wangled together somehow these from what was around in the fridge and they've been with us ever since.
Most likely, if you ever come here for dinner, and shock horror, you dont' bring the dessert with you, this, if you are lucky, will be what you will get.
Throw it all together, sprinkle a lil bit of chocolate on the top and the blog reading past-time you so rudely left in order to make this, is my friend, your oyster.
Beach Cottage Too Easy Layered Raspberry, Cream & Sponge Dessert
1 small maderia or butter cake or a pack of cupcakes (or of course make your own)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
8 tbsp fruit
1 x chocolate Flake or chocolate bar for grating
1. beat the cream cheese until it is soft
2. whip the cream until soft peaks form
3. combine & add the sugar through
4. cut your cake into portions
& layer into the bottom of your jar
5. add a tablespoon of fruit
6. layer on top the cream combo
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
*Beach Cottage Recipe Notes : this is just a guide really, you can use any cream that you have on hand...I have made this with clotted cream (don't even go there unless you want to seriously get these babies on your thighs), with double cream and I have even, in desperate times squirted in that, ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, well I thought it was time for some blogging tips here today, alongside a few nice flowers and shells ;-)
I was recently part of a blogger discussion group over at Kidspot and a couple of hours later had a few questions from girls who couldn't make it to the live chat, one was on my Facebook page and one via email, the Facebook one I will deal with in another Real Girl Blogging Tips post...the email one asked me what essentials do I think every blog needs?
Well I have been around here for a while now doing the blogging thing, so I should know this, yeah and I mused this on my walk by the sea this morning I thought well what do you only need?
...I think it is really very easy when blogging, whether or not you are blogging up there in the lofty heights of the Super Bloggers or you are just dipping your toe in the water, to get side-tracked by 101 million different things that are 'essential' to your blog and if you are someone like me who actually gets a thrill from reading blogging tips then you are in an even worse place because you will find yourself literally buzzing with these essential things to add/do/implement on your blog.
However, walking along, gulping down that brisk sea air today (no sunshine & clouds) I thought you actually don't need any of that professional blogging stuff to be successful...but there are a few things that are pretty much crucial ...and once I started to think about it I got it down to about 5 - these are the only things that you need to concentrate on...once you have read through take a look at some of the big girl's blogs...you'll see that actually they don't have bundles of stuff on their blogs...but they do have all of these...
So here are my top things that your blog must have
1. About Page
There are all sorts of About Pages out there, and if you search on it there are many different tips and ideas for what to have on yours
Whatever blogging platform you use, adding an About Me Page is easy, quick and simple and will do everything to grow your blog.
I like a long-ish About Page, I am inherently nosy and I like to know a bit more about the person but at the least you should have on it your name and where you are located. I also think a photo is good too...over the last year or so I think this has become more important in blogging - if you are hesitant about that as I was, you can try using sunglasses or a behind shot until you get comfortable.
There is nothing worse than stumbling upon a new blog and going to find out more to only be faced with a piddly little one liner About Me Page...well there is something worse, not having one at all!
2. Contact Page
The chances are someone, somewhere will want to contact you and you will be surprised what lands in your inbox once you put yourself out there on the world wide web with a blog.
Many bloggers also use this page to include details for PR's/brands that may want to contact them and some bloggers put their stats on there too.
A short, to the point and simple Contact Page works really well...whenever I have wanted to contact another blogger I am often very busy and have limited time so I don't want to hang around sifting through information looking for an email address, so concise and clear ...
G'day lovely Beach Cottage lovelies.
So, yeah, so on a roll people, so on a roll.
I feel kinda home accessory wired right now.
I am always telling people, if anyone ever listens, that blogging is all about passion, not that sort of passion, but about passion that makes one tick.
Things like this make me tick tick boom.
I love finding things that suit my budget and let me treat my home but look amazing too.
So without further adieu I introduce you, ladies of the beach, to the blue vintage glasses that I have been stroking for about a week or two now...
These glasses are from a little boutique I sometimes happen upon, this boutique sells also pet accessories, carpet cleaner, bras and compost...it's quite unique though.
And, thanks to my friend Marnie (she blogs over here, go take a look at her praying position, interesting), who just so happens to be one day having me over for a lil' Greek dinner, has let me in on the fact that we call Kmart....The KMart...with an accent ....as in 'I love The KMart'...just like her MIL does. Oh yeah. Love that.
So I have had my eye on reproduction vintage glass blue wine glasses and being trying to find real true vintage blue glasses for like ever.
Oh yes I have spied them in Frenchy boutiques, I have lusted after them in stores that I shouldn't even enter and I have put them back pretty quickly in those shops with the hand-written price tags. C'mon, you know the ones.
And, though all of the above have tempted me, muchly, really, even with my wardrobe stashing skills I just thought that, actually, I'd rather be saving that casherooni for our next trip overseas..
Hello The KMart.
Tick Tick Boom
Vintage style blue wine glasses.
Do not come to my old place and think you might pick up one of these and smile with pleasure at their handblown quality, their weight, and be secretly jealous that my wine glasses cost more than your car...friend, that would not happen...these do not feel like that...indeed these in a funny way reminded me of my baby girl, she was a tiny little thing, with stick legs, the tinsssssssiest ankles and wrists you ever did see, she slept sideways in her cot wedged in between rolled up blankets and would only settle attached to Mr Beach Cottage or I or a (dirty) pj top of mine scrunched up under her nose...the first few times I picked her up to cuddle, being used to Honeymoon Baby who weighed in at 9lbs at birth and has never really stopped growing, I nearly threw her little bird-cum-rat down covered body over my shoulder.
These glasses are like that...be careful or you might lose your wine down the front of your shirt.
But oh baby, we are not talking picking up here, we are not talking quality, we are not talking house accessory snobbery.
Beach Cottage ladies, we are talking aesthetics.
And this is what I need in my cottage.
Blue vintage style glass, paired with coastal / nautical / beach stuff on my deck.
It's The KMart.
Tune in tomorrow, tomorrow, I have more budget foofing for your home, or maybe it will be the dress that wraps me up in supermarket-chic and makes me feel like me again.
Good Day to you my friends, wanna come hang out on my deck, talk house accessories, The KMart and drink some wine from blue glasses?
Sarah
Fifteen years, huh? Well, have to say that’s longer than I’ve ever made it. Eight years with two. It’s been 12 with this one. But then I’m not young anymore and not as frivolous and hasty with decision-making. Have to keep reminding myself that the US is “cheap about providing a citizen health care” but perfectly happy to pay for wars. So guess I’ll try to make it last this time round. No, you won’t find me drooling over a cookbook either, Sarah. Just isn’t in me. Now a decorating magazine, sure thing. Happy Anniversary.
Brenda
aww Sarah you are so sweet, I am sure Mr BC is so proud to have you as his wife, look what you have done the past 15 years, did you ever think you would have this blog? you have touched many lives with your sweetness and all of your help to make our homes so comfy Happy Anniversy to you both I tip my glass to you both!! CHEERS….
ox janice power
Happy anniversary to you and Mr BC. What a sweet way to celebrate.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Sarah,
I have just come across your blog via ???? Love it, as a Brit now living in Tokyo (very different from your life in Oz) I am missing my Europeanness (did I just make up that word??) Your blog along with countless others, “feed me” what a I need, especially as I am suffering with the flu, not “the flu” but regular flu and have a huge pile of ironing as big as Mt. Fugi and two bathrooms to clean – MAYBE, MAYBE NOT! A cup of coffee, actually this is my first cup of coffee after two cups of tea and it’s only 9.30 am, (I was up at 5.45 to get the family out the door for 6.45!) I find the mornings fly away once I start catching up with my bloggy friends. My husband keeps telling me that I should start my own, I think that would mean that I would be on my laptop ALL DAY LONG!
Congrats on 15 years, pat on the back, we just celebrated 24, where has the time gone? After starting out in South Yorkshire, then Herefordshire (our daughter born there 14 yrs ago), next Dublin, Ireland, before here Antwerp Belgium (the one place I love, so much so that we bought a beautiful house there) and now Tokyo, Japan.
Now I have found your blog, expect me on a daily basis Sarah! By the way, where in Britain are you from and how come you are in Oz???
Angela x