Archives for December 2014

Apple and Sultana Muffins …

December 30, 2014

Wow … Christmas has been busy with lots of lunches and dinners to attend so it was lovely later this afternoon to have some quiet time at home which I spent baking. The kids will be back at school before we know it and I love to get a head start on baking morning tea treats to build up a bit of a supply in the freezer. A couple of times each week I’ll include muffins in school lunchboxes and this recipe is just perfect for that. These muffins freeze really well and the grated apple guarantees they’ll be delicious and moist. Enjoy! Apple and Sultana … read more

How I Organise my Christmas Wrapping Paper …

December 28, 2014

  Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to pack away all the wrapping materials that you’ve used to wrap and decorate presents/gifts. Things like ribbons, string, baubles, cards and gift tags are easy to store because they are small enough to pack neatly into a plastic box or crate. Wrapping paper on the other hand is a little more challenging because of its size.   This is also the time of the year that I tend to stock up on wrapping paper at hugely reduced prices … sometimes up to 90 % off. So although it’s a great way to save money, now you have to … read more

Peanut Chicken … on the Table in Around 30 minutes … Really!

December 26, 2014

My family loves this recipe because it’s so yummy. Me, I love this recipe because it’s so quick and easy and I can get it on the table in around 30 minutes. Grab all the ingredients from the fridge and pantry … chop, measure, stir and cook … dinner served! It’s the perfect meal for those nights when you need dinner in a hurry. It won’t be suitable for anyone with a peanut allergy, so do be mindful of that! Enjoy! Peanut Chicken … on the Table in Around 30 minutes … Really!   Print Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … 600 chicken tenderloins 1 … read more

Boxing Day Sales Survival Guide …

December 24, 2014

  Merry Christmas, everyone!   I hope everyone had a wonderful day spent with family and friends and if you aren’t sick of the shops, the Boxing Day Sales start tomorrow.   I love the Boxing Day Sales and, for me and my girls, it’s a bit of a tradition. While the boys settle in at home to watch the cricket, we hit the shops. It’s a fantastic opportunity to make some great savings but there are a few tricks to make sure you get the best out of the sales. Here are my top tips:   Plan ahead. This is the time of year to buy those things … read more

Tracking Santa on Christmas Eve via NORAD …

December 22, 2014

    Well, it’s almost Christmas Eve and it won’t be long until Santa begins his epic journey and travels around the globe to deliver presents to boys and girls everywhere. It’s such an exciting time for littlies everywhere, but did you know there’s a way to follow and track Santa’s journey?   If you visit this site: www.noradsanta.org you and your kids will be able to follow Santa’s journey as he leaves the North Pole and flies south around the world. Santa is tracked by radar, satellite, Santacams and he’s even escorted by Canadian and … read more

Slow Cooker Sticky Date Pudding …

December 20, 2014

Recently I shared one of my family traditions … Pudding Day. Every year, about 6 weeks before Christmas, my family gets together to make our Christmas Puddings in the old, traditional way. We use a family recipe that has been handed down through the generations, ingredients are mixed by hand and the puddings are wrapped in calico and hung for 6 weeks before being devoured on Christmas Day. Now, if you haven’t made a Christmas Pudding for this year, there’s still time and this gorgeous Slow Cooker Sticky Date Pudding is a delicious alternative to a traditional … read more

Christmas Books … A Christmas Family Tradition …

December 18, 2014

  I love reading and have always enjoyed bedtime stories with my girls. This was one of my favourite times of every day when we would snuggle up and spend some quiet time together. Reading was part of our nightly routine and a great way to settle and relax the kids before they drifted off to sleep.   In December I always brought out our collection of Christmas books to read together which really added to the magic and spirit of Christmas. I always packed our Christmas books and DVD’s away after Christmas with the decorations so that, when we unpacked … read more

Beef Chow Mein … One Pot, One Bowl …

December 16, 2014

I love Chinese food and this recipe for Beef Chow Mein is super easy and really delicious. My kids love it and always come back for seconds. I usually chop all the veggies throughout the day to save time at dinner and then I can create this meal in no time at all. And the best news of all … it can be cooked in a single wok (or pan) and then served in individual bowls … so washing up is a snap! Changs Crunchy Noodles can be found in the Asian food section at most supermarkets. Beef Chow Mein … One Pot, One Bowl …   Print Cook … read more

Simple Tips for Choosing a Travel Handbag …

December 14, 2014

  Travelling and going on holidays is so exciting … exploring new places and experiencing new things. It can be loads of fun but having a handbag that isn’t suitable can be really frustrating. So, whether you only travel occasionally or you’re an international jetsetter, you want to carry a handbag that’s perfect for you.   I don’t take my usual handbag when I travel because it’s quite big and not really ideal. Like most Mums, my everyday handbag holds loads of things that I really don’t need when I’m travelling, so I use a smaller … read more

White Chocolate Tim Tam Balls … 3 Ingredients …

December 12, 2014

White Chocolate Tim Tam Balls are a delicious, sweet treat that are easy to make and only need 3 ingredients! These are a Christmas favourite at my place but really they are perfect for any time of the year. Package them up as a gift for family or friends, serve on a cheese platter or the kids will love them for a little after school treat. Enjoy! 4.5 from 2 reviews White Chocolate Tim Tam Balls …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Serves: 40 – 45 Ingredients … 2 x packets White Tim Tams (330 g) 1 ½ cups desiccated coconut 1 can sweetened … read more

Broccoli Soup …

December 10, 2014

I’ve always been lucky that my kids love broccoli but if your little munchkins give it the cold shoulder, here’s a yummy soup recipe that they just might be willing to try. My guys gobble this one up as soon as the plate hits the table. This will make enough for two meals, freezes beautifully and is super quick and easy. Enjoy! Broccoli Soup …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … 2 tablespoons butter 1 onion, diced 1 carrot, peeled and roughly chopped 1 potato, peeled and cut into small cubes 2 sticks celery, chopped 1 clove garlic, … read more

15 Tips to Help You Complete your Christmas Shopping in Only One Day …

December 8, 2014

    Preparing and shopping for Christmas can be frustrating and overwhelming and if you’re seriously limited for time, it really is possible to get your shopping done in a single day. This year I’ve got less time than I would normally have because I’ve just returned from 2 weeks holiday so, if you’re in the same situation … fear not because I have some fantastic ideas to help you complete all your Christmas shopping in only one day. It’s totally possible and for those of you who are now questioning my sanity … No, I haven’t lost my mind! Let’s … read more

Shredded Beef Tortillas …

December 6, 2014

Mexican food has always been a hit in my house. This recipe combines our love of Mexican flavours with the richness and melt-in-the-mouth tenderness that comes with any meat that is cooked in a slow cooker. Make sure you brown the meat first before throwing it into the slow cooker. Heat a large frypan, add a little oil and then brown the meat in batches. Be sure the pan is hot before adding the meat otherwise it will stew rather than brown. Brown the meat evenly and quickly and then add it to the slow cooker with the other ingredients. Turn the slow cooker on just … read more

Tips for Storing and Organising Herbs and Spices …

December 4, 2014

  For the record, I couldn’t survive without my herbs and spices. I use a lot of fresh herbs like coriander, lemongrass and parsley and I grow my own basil but I also have a huge collection of dried herbs and spices, which I use when I cook.   When I renovated my kitchen, I tried to consider where everything would be stored once it was complete and I wanted to find a great solution to how I would store my herbs and spices. In a previous kitchen, I had stored these in wire racks that were attached to the inside of cupboard doors and that worked really well. … read more

Letters to Santa …

December 2, 2014

      When my kids were growing up, one of our favourite traditions was writing a letter to Santa. Not only was it a magical part of Christmas but it also gave me some great ideas for their Christmas Presents. I’ve recreated those same letters and they are now available for you to download absolutely free on the blog.   Letter 1 is to Santa and includes your child’s wish list.         Letter 2 is from Santa replying to their original letter (Letter 1).         Letter 3 can … read more