Another busy weekend here in BC Land, lots of sport on the beach and Christmas doo’s and me reading all the different things that go on in the mornings on your breakfast table (this week’s BC Christmas Giveaway is well and truly still open for comments, ends close of play Tuesday).
This monday morning the weather is divine and I have been tidying up after the bombsite that is the weekend, putting up Christmas lights outside and moving a few pots around in the garden to accommodate the new bench (will show you that soon).
So how is your Christmas stuff going…over the weekend I was on the deck with a pile of those department store Christmas Gift Guides and a home magazine. I started to flick through and read through the intro in the first one from the editor/buyer who mentioned no less than 6 times in two paragraphs the phrase ‘perfect Christmas’. Next up the magazine and how to ‘create Christmas handmade with love’. Hmm, I love the BC Crew, I love Christmas but closing these books up and looking out with my coffee I kinda began to feel quite inadequate that my Christmas will be far from perfect and far from crafted with love…
So this then is something that I did to tick the handmade/crafty box in my Christmas life, but without either having to buy some strangely named ingredients or having to wildly wave a hot glue gun at some unsuspecting item in my craft box.
And save a touch of styling, these are about as easy as you can get if you do want to make a gift and still be able to feed your children and have a life in December.
All you need is a jar, some sugar and some vanilla pods and Bob’s your uncle. If you can slice open a vanilla pod and pour sugar into a jar you can make this Christmas gift.
I first made this years ago from one of the Jamie Oliver books, back when he was raw and excellent, used terms like ‘a handful of this’ a ‘lug of that’ (so my kinda cooking) and not part of a book making, tv show machine.
Vanilla pods then, were a fairly exotic ingredient to me, I was still very much in the essence stage. Jamie’s version (though I don’t think anyone can claim a ‘recipe’ for vanilla sugar) calls for you to slice open the vanilla and scrape out the delicious bits inside and moosh this around in the sugar…this gives you a nice full flavour, but to be honest, the sugar turns a grey-ish colour.
And we all know I like white.
So I just slice the pods and stuff ‘em in and contented, bask in the sweet glow of Christmas crafting…ready to give away as a sweet Christmas gift or, actually, just for us over the holidays, to sprinkle on our pancakes and suchlike, just in case there wasn’t enough sugar around
OK I am off, that bench is calling and I have a little Christmas decoration project that I am making that involves chalkboard paint…
Recipe
1 vanilla pod
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 Mason Jar/pretty glass container
1. pour sugar into a sterilized jar (to do this run through hot dishwasher or wash & put in oven on low)
2. cut the vanilla pod right down the middle lengthways
3. cut each half into three so you are left with 6 short pods
4. stuff pods into sugar
5. tie some Christmas sparkle to your jar
6. twirl around in crafted Christmas glee
*notes: works with most types of sugar, you can up the amount of pods for a much fuller flavour. 2 1/2 cups is about 500g.
Sprinkle on cereal, chocolate, your whipped cream topped coffee, pancakes, use in place of regular sugar in cakes/muffins etc, feel like a homespun baking queen as you pour..
*you’ll find vanilla pods in the spices section alongside things like peppercorns, nutmeg & cinnamon sticks
Love this idea Sarah, thanks kiddo;-) How about adding some vintage ribbons & lace trim, also known as bits and bobs decorating the jar for a added touch??
Off I am to my STASH of vintage bits and bobs…being on a budget this year I adore lovely homemade gifts and this one is
gonna be a fave of mine to gift!! You have NO idea how wonderful you are, AND, sometimes I believe that is part of why
you are so wonderful((*_*))
Don’t you just love that word ‘perfect’
What is perfect in one person’s world might not be the same for us all.
So here’s to enjoy more of the fun parts of the season – preferrably vanilla spiced!
Vanilla sugar is the best for sprinkling over your fruit in a crumble. I made a pear and raspberry one the other day and it was a huge hit! I’ll have a bash at making my own, as I usually just pick some up when in the UK. Thanks. Lx
Thanks sarah for making something look fantastic and easy and achievable for everyone. What a great idea and not something that people would think of doing for themselves.Great job…..adore the styling and photos yet again!! Kudos
I love your idea, and your thoughts about a homemade Christmas. I love the friendly way you write, my friend (I feel as though you really are)! Have a wonderful day.
Hi Sarah. Great recipe for me to try in my cottage this holidays, though as you say it is hardly a recipe, I think even I can have a go at this. I remember one of my aunts used to make something similar to this, but hers was a gray as you say so I think it was done in a slightly different way. I prefer the white look too BUT I remember the taste was exceptional so whatever way mine turns out I am sure I won’t mind. All I need to find now is a rustic looking jar.
Whoops forgot my manners. Sarah, Brothers and Sisters arrived the very next day after I emailed you my address. So thank you very much. The Walkers are very excited to be gracing my lounge this Summer:)
well I think this sugar would go well with a jar of homemade pancake mix, which is exactly what I am making this weekend to give as gifts to my church prayer group leaders, thanks for the recipe
I will enjoy stuffing the vanilla in and acting like a pro
I agree with the first commenter I think this would be nicer with some vitnage ribbon tied around it and I have plenty of that in my stash.
I am on a budget this year, a very very tight one and I am in love with the idea of this. It is surprising how a couple of ingredients and nice photography can make something so simple look so good.
I hope that mine turns out well, the sugar and pods will get me a few gifts as I will make them smaller and maybe add some vintage spoons to the side with some ribbon.
Ah, my neighbour recently gave me some vanilla pods for looking after her son while she finished an assignment, so I think I’ll try my hand at vanilla sugar. I have made lavender sugar before, but you need to leave the lavender heads in the sugar for a few days and then strain them out and re-bottle the sugar.
love the simple festive *honest* spirit of it all sarah….
love the look…
yep…i have found my self in our winter white gorgeous lead up to christmas with a very cool BC christmas gift idea….as our plane to marrakech was cancelled {once we got to the airport!} so am now home with a little time to myself i didn’t think i’d have before we try again tomorrow!!
thanks for taking my mind off it all with christmas goodies to *whip up*!!
I really appreciate what you wrote about the “perfect Christmas” etc. I guess it’s one of my pet peeves. the trap of perfectionism that people (mostly women) set up for themselves…..or society sets up for them. So many try to work full time, take their kids everywhere, be the ultimate cook and housekeeper, only to end up cranky, exhausted, and miserable. It makes my heart hurt.
And then they miss out on really LIVING. It’s an easy trap to fall into though, and I have to guard against it as well.
OK off my soapbox, I just REALLY appreciate how up front and honest you are.
Hugs!
Sarah – thank you for this. This morning at Costco I found vanilla bean pods for a pretty decent price and I’m off with your inspiration. It so simple and pretty and perfect.
my mom has always put vanilla beans into the sugar. I remember when my boyfriend (now husband) and I moved into our first place together he could not grasp the concept of the vanilla bean in the sugar pot. But to this day we always have vanilla sugar and he has learned to get past the vanilla bean!
Vanilla sugar? Guess it’s time to broaden my backwards culinary talents – I’ll be brave and look for these foreign things you call “vanilla beans” at the market and have a go at this!!! So pretty – so sweet – lovely idea!
Sarah, you just don’t know how refreshing you are! Your posts almost always put a smile on my face {not always an easy thing to do}. I love that you are “down to earth” and funny. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
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
you.are.becoming.quite.the.cooking.guru.
LOVE it… very much XX
Wow…that looks so simple and yet so happy!!!
I think I might even like a bit of vanilla sugar in my morning cup of coffee:)
Love this idea Sarah, thanks kiddo;-) How about adding some vintage ribbons & lace trim, also known as bits and bobs decorating the jar for a added touch??
Off I am to my STASH of vintage bits and bobs…being on a budget this year I adore lovely homemade gifts and this one is
gonna be a fave of mine to gift!! You have NO idea how wonderful you are, AND, sometimes I believe that is part of why
you are so wonderful((*_*))
**smiles**
I love this idea! I don’t think I’ve even had vanilla sugar before!
Don’t you just love that word ‘perfect’
What is perfect in one person’s world might not be the same for us all.
So here’s to enjoy more of the fun parts of the season – preferrably vanilla spiced!
Vanilla sugar is the best for sprinkling over your fruit in a crumble. I made a pear and raspberry one the other day and it was a huge hit! I’ll have a bash at making my own, as I usually just pick some up when in the UK. Thanks. Lx
So easy to do for a handmade gift! Tasty, too!
Lovely simple idea Sarah
Pretty! Love this idea…thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks sarah for making something look fantastic and easy and achievable for everyone. What a great idea and not something that people would think of doing for themselves.Great job…..adore the styling and photos yet again!! Kudos
I love your idea, and your thoughts about a homemade Christmas. I love the friendly way you write, my friend (I feel as though you really are)! Have a wonderful day.
gorgeous, as ever!
Hi Sarah, I love this, I have bought vanilla dusting sugar before, can’t believe it is quite that easy, I will try this!
I am going to add vanilla to my groceries this weekend and try some of this for my waffles.
I think this would give a great flavour to my regular old things.
Great photos too.
Loving the technical terms like “Stuff pods in” and mathematical terms such as “cut each half into three” love it.
Hi Sarah. Great recipe for me to try in my cottage this holidays, though as you say it is hardly a recipe, I think even I can have a go at this. I remember one of my aunts used to make something similar to this, but hers was a gray as you say so I think it was done in a slightly different way. I prefer the white look too BUT I remember the taste was exceptional so whatever way mine turns out I am sure I won’t mind. All I need to find now is a rustic looking jar.
Whoops forgot my manners. Sarah, Brothers and Sisters arrived the very next day after I emailed you my address. So thank you very much. The Walkers are very excited to be gracing my lounge this Summer:)
Wow that seems like something even the culinary challenged can handle. I’m actually not a great fan of vanilla but it does seem like an unique gift.
what a wonderful idea for a gift!
well I think this sugar would go well with a jar of homemade pancake mix, which is exactly what I am making this weekend to give as gifts to my church prayer group leaders, thanks for the recipe
I will enjoy stuffing the vanilla in and acting like a pro
I agree with the first commenter I think this would be nicer with some vitnage ribbon tied around it and I have plenty of that in my stash.
I am on a budget this year, a very very tight one and I am in love with the idea of this. It is surprising how a couple of ingredients and nice photography can make something so simple look so good.
I hope that mine turns out well, the sugar and pods will get me a few gifts as I will make them smaller and maybe add some vintage spoons to the side with some ribbon.
Thanks, glad I stopped by here!
hugs
Ah, my neighbour recently gave me some vanilla pods for looking after her son while she finished an assignment, so I think I’ll try my hand at vanilla sugar. I have made lavender sugar before, but you need to leave the lavender heads in the sugar for a few days and then strain them out and re-bottle the sugar.
love the technique….
love the simple festive *honest* spirit of it all sarah….
love the look…
yep…i have found my self in our winter white gorgeous lead up to christmas with a very cool BC christmas gift idea….as our plane to marrakech was cancelled {once we got to the airport!} so am now home with a little time to myself i didn’t think i’d have before we try again tomorrow!!
thanks for taking my mind off it all with christmas goodies to *whip up*!!
melissa xx
suga suga honey honey.. oh and vanilla! lovely combination there gal! Beauty on a budget- love it!
I really appreciate what you wrote about the “perfect Christmas” etc. I guess it’s one of my pet peeves. the trap of perfectionism that people (mostly women) set up for themselves…..or society sets up for them. So many try to work full time, take their kids everywhere, be the ultimate cook and housekeeper, only to end up cranky, exhausted, and miserable. It makes my heart hurt.
And then they miss out on really LIVING. It’s an easy trap to fall into though, and I have to guard against it as well.
OK off my soapbox, I just REALLY appreciate how up front and honest you are.
Hugs!
girlu r stressing way tooo much over getting stuff done for christmas….. relax enjoy
Sarah – thank you for this. This morning at Costco I found vanilla bean pods for a pretty decent price and I’m off with your inspiration. It so simple and pretty and perfect.
New to your site. What a fun DIY! Thanks for sharing.
The Cheeky Cafe
i LOVE vanilla sugar… will love making this… what a wonderful gift idea… enjoy your holiday season xx pam
Good report, it’s clearer to me now what my boyfriend wants me to do!
I just tweeted you, thanks!.
my mom has always put vanilla beans into the sugar. I remember when my boyfriend (now husband) and I moved into our first place together he could not grasp the concept of the vanilla bean in the sugar pot. But to this day we always have vanilla sugar and he has learned to get past the vanilla bean!
http://eatlovebikini.blogspot.com/
Vanilla sugar? Guess it’s time to broaden my backwards culinary talents – I’ll be brave and look for these foreign things you call “vanilla beans” at the market and have a go at this!!! So pretty – so sweet – lovely idea!
Sarah, you just don’t know how refreshing you are! Your posts almost always put a smile on my face {not always an easy thing to do}. I love that you are “down to earth” and funny. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!