Archives for August 2015

The Deuce Bus, Las Vegas …

August 31, 2015

  On our recent trip to Las Vegas it was hot … so hot, in fact, that walking the vast distances along The Strip became uncomfortable and exhausting. There’s so much to see on the Strip and the hotels are so huge, most with several thousand rooms.   Each hotel features it’s own unique design and attractions all aimed at pulling the crowds inside. For example, at the Venetian you can glide along the Grand Canal in an authentic Venetian gondola as your gondolier sings to you. You will float through a typical Venetian streetscape under bridges and beside … read more

30 Simple Jobs You Can Do While Talking on the Phone …

August 29, 2015

  Like most Mums, my time is valuable and most days I never seem to have enough. And if there’s one thing that can intrude on my busy day, it’s time spent on the phone. Whether it’s chatting to family and friends or making other calls where I can find myself stuck on hold, being on the phone can really eat into my time. Either way, multi-tasking becomes my best friend and I try to get other things done at the same time.   Ideally the types of jobs that are suitable need to be quick, easy and not require too much brain power (or you could find yourself … read more

Lamb Pasta Salad with Lemon and Garlic …

August 27, 2015

If I had to nominate my favourite meat it would hands down be lamb … so I’m always looking for creative ways to serve it. Last night I created this simple salad that was light, fresh, loaded with veggies and absolutely delicious! This dish is perfect for dinner but I think it would also make a fabulous dish to serve on Christmas Day. Did I also mention it was quick and easy … let me know what you think! Lamb Pasta Salad with Lemon and Garlic …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … 2 -3 cups pumpkin, cut in small chunks 1 medium Spanish … read more

Hotel Review … The Luxor, Las Vegas, USA …

August 25, 2015

  Hubby and I were recently in Las Vegas in America to attend a friend’s wedding. It was held in the Chapel at Planet Hollywood and we had so much fun. Because we were going to travel so far, we decided to turn it into a bit of a holiday and I’ve had loads of requests from readers who wanted to know more about our trip, the things we did and where we stayed.   So, over time, I’ll share the details of our adventures (along with some tips) and I thought I’d start today by sharing my experience at the first hotel we stayed at … The Luxor in Las Vegas, … read more

Chocolate Tiny Teddies …

August 23, 2015

Tiny Teddy Biscuits are a hit with most kids so, if you’d like to try whipping up a batch yourself, here is a simple recipe using basic ingredients that you’ll most likely have in your pantry. The only other thing you will need is a small Teddy Bear cookie cutter and, because I know you’ll all ask, I purchased mine online from the Cookie Cutter Shop (click her for the link). It’s not quite as tiny as the biscuits you’ll buy from the supermarket as it measures 4.5 cm but personally I prefer the slightly bigger shape. Perfect for school lunches or an after school … read more

Easy Peasy Two Ingredient Pizza Dough …

August 21, 2015

This is quite possibly the easiest recipe you’ll ever make … only two ingredients … that’s right … 2 ingredients! Although I’ve been making this Pizza Dough for a long time, it’s not a new recipe and has been floating around the internet forever. I love making this recipe because it turns out every time and also because it doesn’t involve yeast … yeast and I have a difficult relationship, but that’s another story for another time! This dough is so quick because there’s no need to set it aside to rise as you do when yeast is used … just combine the … read more

Slow Cooked Lamb Korma …

August 19, 2015

Do you pack your Slow Cooker away over summer and only bring it out in the winter months? I confess that I don’t … I tend to use mine all year round because I find it especially perfect for those days when I work all day. I can prepare everything the night before, turn it on before leaving and by the time I get home, dinner is ready! Love it, big time! This is a family favourite that needs about 15 minutes of preparation and then the Slow Cooker does the rest. It’s such a simple recipe, it’s so yummy and as good as you’ll find at any Indian restaurant … and, if … read more

A Simple Tip for Packing Makeup Brushes, Makeup Pencils, etc …

August 17, 2015

  Hubby and I have just returned from 3 weeks in America so, today I thought I’d share a little packing tip that I’ve been using for years. Toiletry bags can get a little messy and disorganised so here’s a quick little tip for keeping makeup brushes, lip pencils and other similar sized products organised when you travel … store them in a toothbrush/toothpaste holder. This will prevent these items from floating around loosely in your toiletry bag and from potentially becoming broken or damaged because they will be stored securely in a solid container. Use a … read more

Tomato, Ham and Zucchini Frittata with Ricotta …

August 15, 2015

Some nights you just need to create a meal that’s quick and easy without too much fuss … this is one such dish. Serve on it’s own or add a quick tossed salad for a healthy, filling nutritious dinner … and, if you’re lucky, there’ll be leftover for lunchboxes the next day! Tomato, Ham and Zucchini Frittata with Ricotta …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … 1 large zucchini, cut in half lengthways and thinly sliced 1⅓ cups ham, chopped 1 punnet (200g) mixed cherry tomatoes, cut in half 8 eggs, lightly beaten ½ cup milk 1⅓ cups … read more

Kitchen Hints and Tips #1 … How to Soften Butter in a Hurry …

August 13, 2015

    I love to bake but when I do, a lot of recipes will call for softened butter. Softened butter is much easier to mix with other ingredients like flour and sugar and it’s almost impossible to successfully blend ingredients with hard, cold butter. But there’s nothing more frustrating than having all your ingredients measured out only to find your recipe needs softened butter and it’s still in the fridge rock hard … grrrrr!   Allowing butter to stand, out of the fridge, at room temperature is the easiest way to soften it but, depending on the … read more

Strawberry Bliss Balls …

August 11, 2015

Strawberries are in abundance at the moment. You can pick up a couple of punnets for a reasonable price and, when that happens, that’s usually my cue to whip up some of these Strawberry Bliss Balls. This is a really simple recipe that needs only 5 ingredients. It’s super easy to make and the balls freeze really well. Great for lunchboxes or an afternoon snack, these are sure to be a hit! Enjoy! Strawberry Bliss Balls …   Print Serves: 32 Ingredients … 2 ¾ cups desiccated coconut ¾ cup rolled oats 1 ½ punnets strawberries ¼ cup honey 2 … read more

Adult Colouring In … why it’s a “Thing” and how you can benefit! Plus 2 Free Printables!

August 9, 2015

  I’ve always known colouring in was therapeutic … after all, I am the Mum of three beautiful girls and an aunt to over 30 nieces and nephews and I’ve done more than my fair share of it over the years.   When my girls were little, we’d sit down frequently to colour and draw and it would make me laugh when I realised I was still sitting colouring, lost in my own little world, long after they’d snuck away to entertain themselves with something else. I used to find it very relaxing because, for those brief minutes, the act of colouring allowed me to switch … read more

Mexican Bake with Cheesy Corn Chip Topping …

August 7, 2015

Some nights call for a quick and easy meal and this dish fits the bill perfectly … Mexican Bake with Cheesy Corn Chip Topping. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a yummy, rich stew served in individual bowls and topped with corn chips and melted cheese. My kids love this dish and, hopefully, yours will too! 5.0 from 1 reviews Mexican Bake with Cheesy Corn Chip Topping …   Print Ingredients … 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large onion, chopped finely 500g mince meat (I always use the Heart Smart Mince) 3 small cloves garlic, crushed 1 … read more

Easy Peasy Fried Rice …

August 5, 2015

Serve me up a bowl of yummy Fried Rice and I’m a happy girl … and not only am I happy but the whole family’s happy as well. Perfect for a weekend dish when simple and easy is the order of the day. This is a delicious recipe that will make a good-sized batch of Fried Rice that will take care of snacks or lunch the following day as well. It’s great for lunchboxes, too! Typically, to make a traditional Fried Rice, you need to cook the rice the day before and then spread it on oven trays to dry out in the fridge overnight … if you could be bothered! Instead, I … read more

Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies …

August 3, 2015

I’m addicted to Nutella! There I’ve said it … I love that stuff so much I can eat it straight from the jar! In fact, it may be necessary to stage an intervention soon before I eat my body weight in Nutella. It appears, however, I’m not the only one and I recently discovered that there is actually a World Nutella Day which will be celebrated next year on Friday, 5th February, 2016. Amazing!! So for those of you who also love Nutella, here’s a simple recipe you’re sure to enjoy! Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies …   Print Author: Mrs Organised … read more