Soothing Mosquito Bites

The other night we enjoyed a delicious dinner alfresco in the (finally) warm summer air.  It was gorgeous, good food and wine, great conversation, highly entertaining antics from the dogs and a deliciously warm evening to laze about in.

The problem was we weren't the only ones enjoying dinner in the warm summer air.  Despite various traps and repellents, the mosquitoes were out doing their worst.

Poor S got particularly attacked - even mosquitoes know how sweet he is - and soon had a number of swollen bite sites.  However we fixed him up in no time flat with a trick we discovered a few years ago.  All you do is break a leaf off an aloe vera plant and squeeze the juice directly on.  It is amazing how well and instantly it works.

The fresh plant definitely works better than a bought lotion and the plants are easy to grow - just keep them away from frost.  So if you are one of those people who the mozzies target, get yourself an aloe vera plant!

Vanilla Sugar

Do you keep your used vanilla beans and turn them into vanilla sugar?  If not then you definitely should.  Those gorgeous beans are full of so much flavour.  Even when the seeds have been scraped or they have been used to infuse a sauce or custard, they are still full of deliciousness.

Every time I use a bean it gets rinsed, dried (with paper towel - I don't worry too much about the moisture) and shoved into my vanilla sugar jar.  It is then topped up with castor sugar which in no time at all takes on the gorgeous vanilla aroma and becomes perfect to sprinkle on top of confections or used in dishes where you want a subtle vanilla flavour.

The moisture in the beans tends to make the sugar clump together somewhat, but it is easy to break up and the heavenly intense smell of vanilla every time I open the jar is just magic.  This is recycling at its best!

Panatone French Toast with Roasted Balsamic Strawberries

Christmas was a feast of deliciousness, but one thing we never got around to eating was panatone.  So we were quite thrilled to find them on super special at our local supermarket.

Normally we eat slices with custard and ice cream, or Mum makes a super bread and butter pudding but today I decided to make it into french toast.  I added some cinnamon and both vanilla sugar and vanilla extract to complement the spices already in the panatone.  To accompany the french toast I roasted some balsamic strawberries.  The tartness of the balsamic and the intense strawberry flavour was an excellent match for the sweet spiciness of the french toast.

A great way to start the day.

Panatone French Toast with Roasted Balsamic Strawberries

Panatone French Toast
2 thick slices of panatone (cut in half to 4 pieces)
2 eggs
A teaspoon of vanilla extract
A large tablespoon of castor sugar (I used vanilla sugar)
A sprinkle of cinnamon

Whisk together the eggs, sugar and cinnamon.  Soak the panatone slices in the mix.  If you can, leave for 5 or 10 minutes to really absorb.  It will get really soft so be careful when you pick it up to fry.

Heat a frypan over a medium heat.  Melt a little butter and fry the panatone slices.  You want to cook relatively slowly so that the egg cooks right through.

Serve with balsamic strawberries or maple syrup.


Roasted Balsamic Strawberries
Wash and hull strawberries.  Sprinkle thickly with castor sugar and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.  Roast at 180 degrees for about 10-15 minutes.

They are great with the french toast or on their own with vanilla icecream for a simple tasty dessert.

Accessorising

Today is theoretically the middle of summer.  I say theoretically because with the wind chill factor it is around 4 degrees at the moment and snow has been predicted in the high country.  Only a few days ago I had bare arms and strappy shoes, today I've dug out a scarf and stockings.  It really is proving to be a strange summer.

But the change in weather which saw me reach into a different part of my wardrobe, also inspired me to have a better look in my jewellery box.

I don't know about you, but I tend the wear the same accessories a lot.  It is easy, I don't have to think, I just grab the same few things and go with them.  However today, I wanted to wear something different, not just go with a full on winter outfit - after all even if the temperature doesn't agree, it is summer!

I ended up choosing a necklace and earrings that used to belong to my mother to go with my long sleeved dress.  They aren't a set, but the colours and the design work really well together and with my scarf from Peru.  It isn't expensive jewellery but wearing something my Mum used to wear always makes me feel a bit special.  It also reminded me that I'm lucky enough to have a heap of accessories and that I really should wear them all more often!

Are you the same?  Do you get stuck in a clothing/accessory rut?  And how do you like to mix it up?

Compliments

Yesterday I wore this fabulous pair of shoes.  Their very high heels are the only reason that I don't wear them more often because they really are great.

At the BBQ we attended I got several compliments, one of which led to a really interesting discussion on compliments.  I love compliments - although I'm much better at giving than receiving them.  On many occasions when I've seen a complete stranger who looks great I've complimented them.  I'm also a huge fan of the thank you note.  If I get some truly excellent service, I love to send a little note on to the company.

I recently read an article talking about the need for women to be more assertive.  If your coffee is cold - send it back, if the hotel room isn't what you wanted, ask to change.  I completely agree with this.  Too many of us put up with substandard service because we don't want to make a fuss.  As long as you are polite, it is usually fine to ask such things.

But if we are learning to become more proactive complainers, I think it is important that we also learn to be proactive praisers.

The person I was speaking to at the party aims to make one person (unrelated to her) smile every day.  I think that is a gorgeous mantra.  As she said it can be as simple as saying a welcoming hello to someone, or complementing a stranger on her shoes.  Imagine if we all did that, wouldn't the world be a happier place?

Regaining Balance

The last couple of weeks have been a festival of food.  Delicious, special meals.  All the good stuff that you save for treats.  There were helpings twice normal size, double serves of dessert, snack food galore - all washed down by liters of wine and soft drink.  It was oh so good and oh so bad at the same time.

So now my body is rebelling.  It is over the richness.  I have an endless supply of chocolate on hand but all I want is veggies.  So last night I whipped up a massive veggie stirfry.  Oh those delicious, nutritious bites.  With a simple sauce of ginger, garlic, chilli and soy it was exactly what I needed.  I could feel my stomach rejoicing as I practically inhaled the colourful, flavourful and nutritional meal.

And then I ate Hannah's Raspberry Whip - well we wouldn't want to send my body into some kind of health shock would we?

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2012, what will you bring?

It I've learnt anything over the last few years it is that fate is a surprising thing and I'm not game to guess what is to come.

But I will hope.  I will hope for laughter, for peace, for health, love and prosperity.  And I will hope that you too have such a fortunate year.