Archives for October 2014

How to Organise Travel Documents …

October 31, 2014

    Going on holidays and travelling is a great way to see the world and escape from everyday life. So, if you’re lucky enough to get away, it’s important to have all your information and travel documents well organised so you can access them quickly and easily. Nothing’s worse than having to dig around in your bag looking for airline tickets and passports when you’re trying to check in at the airport or hotel or, worse still, losing some important document.     I usually carry a large bag or backpack when I travel so I can store … read more

Chicken Nuggets … Oven Baked and Homemade …

October 29, 2014

Chicken Nuggets are an absolute favourite with most kids and if you’re looking for a homemade alternative minus the preservatives, “mystery ingredients” and fat, then this is a recipe you need to try. I used to avoid crumbing my own food but once you get the hang of it, it’s not too bad and the bonus is knowing exactly what’s going into the nuggets. If you haven’t use Panko Crumbs before, you will find them in the Asian section of Coles and Woolworths and they give a crispier and more textured result than an ordinary bread crumb. 5.0 from 1 reviews … read more

Tomato Soup with Celery and Fennel …

October 27, 2014

Although winter is almost a distant memory, I still love making soup all year round. It’s perfect to freeze and is a quick, easy, nutritious option for lunch or when you need dinner in a hurry. This soup is so delicious and really didn’t take all that long to make. Garnish with some basil and accompany with some toast with melted cheese or parmesan and you’ll have dinner on the table in no time at all. If fennel is a vegetable that you haven’t tried before, give it a go in this recipe as the flavour is quite subtle. Enjoy! Tomato Soup with Celery and … read more

White Chocolate Apricot Balls …

October 25, 2014

Here’s a yummy recipe that will be perfect for your next party, great for the kids lunch boxes or ideal just as a sweet treat. These are best refrigerated and served the next day as it gives them a chance to firm up a little. Enjoy! White Chocolate Apricot Balls …   Print Prep time 20 mins Total time 20 mins   Author: Mrs Organised Serves: 24 Ingredients … ¾ cup white chocolate bits 200g packet dried apricots, roughly chopped 1 cup desiccated coconut 2 teaspoons orange zest ½ can sweetened condensed milk extra desiccated coconut, … read more

Halloween Bag Toppers (Part 2) … Free to Download …

October 23, 2014

The other day I shared with you some fantastic Bag Toppers to download for free to create some goody bags full of Halloween Treats. You can access those here. Today I have two more “spooky” designs for you. Download one or download them all … it’s really up to you!       Please Note: These downloads and printables are free for personal use only. Once printed, the colour may vary from the colour seen on your computer screen. They may also be printed in black and white by adjusting the settings on your computer and have … read more

Halloween Bag Toppers (Part 1) … Free to Download …

October 21, 2014

  Well, it’s that time of the year again! The time when little “ghosts”, “goblins”, “witches” and other scary little monsters take to the streets shrieking and squealing “TRICK OR TREAT”! Yes, it’s Halloween and although my own kids are now a lot older, we still love to get in the spirit by decorating the house and having a bowl of goodies for anyone who comes knocking. Miss 16 still gathers together a group of friends, we make some ghoulish snacks and treats and then they take to the streets as the sun is setting. Now, I do realise Halloween isn’t celebrated by … read more

Chocolate Cupcakes … Halloween Spider Cupcakes

October 19, 2014

Halloween is just around the corner and, although it’s a real American tradition, it’s being celebrated more and more in Australia. Some people have mixed feelings about Halloween but we love it and when the kids were younger, they used to enjoy having a little Halloween Party with their friends before heading out to trick or treat. We always accompanied them and usually only visited neighbours in the street who were willing to participate. It was always a lot of fun and the kids still have fond memories of those times. So if you do decide to host your own … read more

Decluttering and Organising Magazines and Newspapers …

October 17, 2014

Most days, life is crazy and super busy. Working, cooking, cleaning and looking after the family, can leave us with very little time for ourselves. So when I do get 5 minutes of “me” time, I love to sit down with a hot chocolate or cold drink and a magazine … just a little bit of time to wind down, put my feet up and relax. However, as a result, I had accumulated quite a few piles of old magazines that I’d stored on different shelves and in cupboards around the house … old magazines that hadn’t been touched for years and were simply taking up valuable … read more

Orange and Poppy Seed Muffins …

October 15, 2014

Here’s a great new muffin flavour I tried over the weekend. They were gobbled up super quick leaving me only 4 to freeze for lunches … next time I think I’ll make a double batch! Orange and Poppy Seed Muffins …   Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 20 mins Total time 30 mins   Author: Mrs Organised Serves: 14 Ingredients … ¾ cup milk 1 tablespoon vinegar 2 ½ cups self-raising flour, sifted (I used gluten free) ¾ cup caster sugar 1 ½ tablespoons poppy seeds 125g butter, melted 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 orange rind, grated finely ¼ … read more

Little Bunnies Bathroom Posters … Free to Download …

October 13, 2014

I’ve created another set of fantastic posters for you of four common tasks that little people need to remember in the bathroom and toilet. When my kids were toddlers, posters like these were a fun way to teach them and remind them of simple things. To download, simply click on the “free to download” banner under each poster and print … totally FREE … laminate or frame and attach to the wall or tiles. I hope you like them. If you have family or friends who you think would use these great charts/posters, please feel free to share. Please Note: These … read more

Chocolate Sparkle Balls …

October 11, 2014

If you’re looking for some party food ideas for your child’s next birthday or special celebration, these Chocolate Sparkle Balls are perfect and so easy to make! For a serving suggestion, I found these cute little Mini Patty Pan Wrappers at Coles. I love that these balls can be made the day before meaning you have less to do on the day! I rolled some of the balls in 100’s & 1000’s and some in Choclettes but desiccated coconut works well too. Chocolate Sparkle Balls …   Print Prep time 15 mins Total time 15 mins   … read more

Pumpkin Bake …

October 9, 2014

I love this dish for loads of reasons … it’s perfect for those occasions when you’re asked to bring something, you can prepare it a day ahead if you like, it’s healthy and best of all … it’s scrumptious! My kids love it and usually come back for seconds (and sometimes thirds)! A word of warning though! Please be extremely careful when chopping the pumpkin. It’s such a difficult vegetable to chop up and I’ve often thought that if I ever lose a finger, it will happen when I’m chopping pumpkin … melodramatic I know! Perfect job for hubby if you ask me! Pumpkin … read more

My Tips for Cleaning the Inside of the Fridge …

October 7, 2014

  Most of us spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so it’s important that it’s well organised and working as efficiently as possible. And because it’s where we do all our food preparation, it’s also important that the equipment and utensils we use are super clean. Cleaning and getting organised is mostly about creating routines that are simple to follow and that helps us to develop habits. I’m a creature of habit so it helps me to choose a day of the week to perform regular or routine tasks and that helps me stick to it. Some weeks other things get in the way … read more

Citrus Slice … No Baking Required …

October 5, 2014

Here’s a gorgeous slice that’s quick to make, requires no baking and is perfect for afternoon tea when friends drop by for a cuppa. Enjoy! Citrus Slice … No Baking Required …   Print Prep time 20 mins Total time 20 mins   Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … 1 packet Marie Biscuits, crushed 1 can sweetened condensed milk 2 cups desiccated coconut 3 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons lemon rind, grated Icing 1 tablespoons butter 1 ½ cups icing sugar 1 – 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice desiccated coconut, extra Method … Melt butter … read more

How to be a Tidy Cook in the Kitchen …

October 3, 2014

  I do agree, cooking can be a very messy event! And when I hear people say “I hate cooking!” what they often mean is they hate the mess and cleaning that comes with cooking. But to be honest, cooking and cleaning go hand in hand. So here are some of the things I do to help keep my kitchen clean when I’m baking or preparing dinner.   Start with a clean kitchen. Nothing makes a kitchen messier than a kitchen that’s already a disaster before I even start, so I like to start with clean benches. I take a few minutes to put things away and wipe down the … read more