All my children have been happy to bake things in the kitchen and the more they did so the more you could tell, not only what they liked to eat but what they enjoyed making.
This recipe was first made by Daniel but now Katrina makes them on a regular basis and considers it ‘her’ chocolate biscuit recipe.
125g butter, softened
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup caster sugar
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plain flour
½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
150g dark chocolate, chopped
½ cup (50g) walnuts , chopped coarsely
Beat the butter, sugars, egg and vanilla in a bowl with an electric mixer until smooth but don’t over beat.
Stir in the sifted flour and soda, then add the chocolate and nuts.
Drop level tablespoons of mixture onto baking paper lined baking trays about 5 cm apart to allow for spreading.
Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes in a preheated 180°C (160°C fan-forced) oven.
Cool on trays then store in airtight containers.
These really are lovely eaten warm but I find them a sweet biscuit.
My Mixpod which is a selection of songs I have added to an Ipod on here can be managed by turning on, off or the volume up or down. Check here for more details
The song was conceived as a bittersweet Elvish
lament sung by Galadriel for those who have sailed across the Sundering Sea. Several phrases from the song are taken from the last chapter of The Return of the King.
In the commentaries and documentaries
accompanying the extended DVD edition of the movie, director Peter Jackson explains that the song was partially inspired by the premature death from cancer of young New Zealand filmmaker Cameron Duncan, whose work had impressed Jackson and his team. The first public performance of the song was at Duncan's funeral.
The song won the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 76th Academy Awards, one of the movie's 11 Academy Awards. Lennox performed the song at the Academy Awards ceremony.
It also won a Grammy for best film song.
Into The West
Annie Lennox
Lay down,
your sweet and weary head.
Night is falling.
You have come to journey’s end.
Sleep now, and dream
of the ones who came before.
They are calling,
from across a distant shore.
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see.
All of your fears will pass away.
Safe in my arms,
you’re only sleeping.
What can you see,
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
a pale moon rises.
The ships have come,
to carry you home.
Into the West CD
And all will turn,
to silver glass.
A light on the water.
All souls pass.
Hope fades,
Into the world of night.
Through shadows falling,
Out of memory and time.
Don’t say,
We have come now to the end.
White shores are calling.
You and I will meet again.
And you’ll be here in my arms,
Just sleeping.
What can you see,
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
a pale moon rises.
The ships have come,
to carry you home.
And all will turn,
to silver glass.
A light on the water.
Grey ships pass
Into the West.
I knitted a cardigan and little shoes for my dear grand-daughter in purple that is here
When I gave it do her mum she asked if I could do a beanie to match. So being the Mumsey I am, I found the left over balls of wool and have just completed a matching beanie.
I had made up the colour design myself so had to go back to check the rows etc from my blog post.
I found a basic double knit hat pattern from a website I get emails from - FaveCrafts Quick and Crafty.
Its got lots of different patterns and instructions and they are all free.
So here is the finished beanie and I am now on to the next project. (The colours look lighter but it is just the camera flash.)
I have just finished a lovely pink jacket with a hood for my grand daughter.
I had made one for her brother when he was little and his mum (Sarah) wanted one for her darling.
I have finally finished it and sewn it all up.
My youngest choose the buttons and she thinks they are cool.
Anyway Sarah doesn't want her cherubs photos on the web (which is understandable) so I have used my "Rose" to model it.
"Cute" do you think?
Once again I used an old pattern - Hooded Coat and Leggings Shepherd # 759 - I had and some wool from my mothers that she passed on to me, so all it cost was the buttons!
I mean MUMSEY.
When we purchased my little car my hubby decided to get me a personalized number plate.
He was utterly pleased with himself when the one "MUMSEY" had not been taken already and 'snatched it up', so to speak.
However it wasn't quite so cute a while back.
A few weeks ago, on a wet afternoon, I had stopped in a parallel car park to pop out to the post box, to post a letter and parcel.
Just before I was to get out of the car and zoom around the front, so I would not get too wet while I ran my errand, the four wheel drive wagon in front of me just backed up two car parks and straight into the front of me.
The back spare wheel squashed my bonnet and the tow bar crunched into my bumper.
The guy got out straight away and apologised saying he didn't see me, then proceeded to say he didn't even look!!
He said he would pay for all the repairs and we exchanged names and numbers.
I posted my mail and sat in the car for a moment gathering my thoughts.
All I could think was that if I had been a couple of seconds quicker getting out of the car, I would have been between the two vehicles.
dent on the bonnet and the bumper above the "M"
He was most concerned and rung home before I even got home to check I was all right.
We went to our insurance company and they arranged for the repairs and said I would have no penalties so would keep the 'no-claims bonus'.
MUMSEY went to the panel beaters and the paint shop. She was away for three days and I had a rather nice larger car to get around in for a few days.
Now MUMSEY is home and looking very nice actually.
Not only can you not see any of the damage but all the little stone chips from other vehicles driving in front of me have been fixed as well.
Very smart she is.
I have crocheted a few of theses beanies from a design I made myself. They have been for my daughters but now I am getting requests from people.
This one was for one of the teachers from the college my youngest daughter goes to.
She supplied the green wool and I made it.
It was actually a green acrylic by Knitwise pricewise which is available from The Warehouse in New Zealand.
I printed the pattern off from my first post of a crocheted beanie and discovered I had typed it wrong. There were parts missing and a couple of the rounds were wrong.
So I have since redone it and if you have copied the pattern off already to make your own, I am sorry, but it was wrong.
It is now correct and you should be able to make beanies to your hearts content.
The fifth song on My Playlist is sung by Bob Carlisle.
He is best known for his hit song "Butterfly Kisses", which appeared on his third solo album' of the same name
The song was written for his daughter Brooke's 16th birthday.
There is also a book based on the chart-topping song by the same name, and is for every dad who knows the joy of raising a daughter, and for every little girl who has experienced the comfort of a father's unconditional love.
My eldest daughter gave her Dad the CD and we have the Little Golden Book Butterfly kisses which is a lovely story explaining butterfly kisses and that special relationship between a father and daughter.
Butterfly Kisses
Butterfly Kisses - The book
There's two things I know for sure She was sent here from heaven, and she's Daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes And I thank God for all of the joy in my life, oh but most of all...
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair Walk beside the pony Daddy, it's my first ride I know the cake looks funny Daddy, but I sure tried Oh with all that I've done wrong, I must of done something right To deserve a hug every morning, and butterfly kisses at night.
Sweet sixteen today She's looking like her Mama, a little more everyday.
One part woman, the other part girl To perfume and makeup, from ribbons and curls. Trying her wings out in a great big world, but I remember...
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair. You know how much I love you Daddy, but if you don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time. With all that I've done wrong, I must of done something right To deserve her love every morning, and butterfly kisses at night.
All the precious time, oh, like the wind the years go by. Precious butterfly, spread your wings and fly.
She'll change her name today, she'll make a promise, and I'll give her away. Standing in the bridegroom just staring at her She asks me what I'm thinking, and I said I'm not sure. I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl, and she leaned over...
Gave me butterfly kisses with her Mama there Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair. Walk me down the aisle Daddy, it's just about time. Does my wedding gown look pretty Daddy? Daddy, don't cry. Oh, with all that I've done wrong, I must of done something right.
To deserve her love every morning, and butterfly kisses, I couldn't ask God for more, than this is what love is. I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember... Every hug in the morning, and butterfly kisses.
