Pinspired

The Scout has a habit of sending me links to recipes he thinks sound rather delicious.  I usually pin these recipes to my Delicious Board on pinterest for looking at later.  Yesterday I didn't work and the cake tins were empty, so I made this very delicious Salted Caramel Slice.  Since I sampled the piece in the photo above, I have actually cut the bars in half again because they are so decadently rich.  I will be making this again, but it certainly doesn't fall into the basic category of home baking, and the cake tins are still empty for school lunches.  Guess what I'm doing this weekend.

Pinspired

The other night The Scout came home with a box of feijoas, a fellow staff member had brought into work.  My family loves this autumn fruit freshly scooped out of it's skin,  but I decided to use a few up for a dessert.  Looking for inspiration on the internet , I remembered this recipe - Honey Feijoa Cake I pinned a couple of weeks ago.  I didn't have the almonds to go on top, so I made an oaty coconut crumble topping - tasted good, but most of it fell off when I cut into the cake.  The cake however is very good, and for any fellow Kiwis with a slight surplus of feijoas, it is well worth making.

Pinspired

 I have been wanting something chocolate and decadent to eat today, so when I found this recipe, for Cornflake Mars Bar Slice on my pinterest board, I thought it fitted the bill easily.  The only change I made was to substitute Moro bars for Mars bars, cos they were on special.  Now I just need to wait for it to set before I can sample it.

Have a great weekend.

Pinspired

I have always loved the look of Cathedral Window Cushions and have a few photos and tutorials pinned to different pinterest boards.  The other day I thought I'd see just how difficult they were to make.  Using this great tutorial, I made a pin cushion.  I think the fiddliest parts were all the folding and pressing, then pinning back and sewing the curved edges.  I am really happy with how this turned out, however I don't know if I would have the patience to make a cushion.  They also use quite a lot of fabric, which you don't see under the coloured 'window panes'.

What has inspired you to cook, sew or create from Pinterest lately?

Caramel Apple Scones

As we haven't done a lot of exciting things these holidays, and with Mr J's ankle restricting activities somewhat, I thought I would make something really nice for lunch today.  These Caramel Apple Scones (a recent pinterest find)certainly fitted the bill.  Apple gently fried in butter and cinnamon until soft, a scone dough made with yoghurt and then the apple mixed in.  Topped with caramel icing for a touch of decadence,  they hit the spot as a special treat.  Probably the only thing I would do differently next time would be to add more apple and maybe make them slightly smaller.  Overall a pretty quick and easy but delicious lunch treat, that I have been told I can make again.  High praise indeed..

Pinspired

 

 

Inspired by all the beautiful strawberries I was seeing on Flickr, I decided to try making some while I was on holiday.  I knew I had pinned some patterns and tutorials on Pinterest,  so I printed off the patterns, assembled some red and white fabrics, assorted beads, felt and embroidery threads and packed them ready to go.  During the evenings I sat there and created these lovely little strawberry pincushions, each with lovely wool felt leaves and little beaded flowers.  They are almost to pretty to use as pincushions - maybe Christmas decorations instead for those of us Down Under who enjoy strawberries on Christmas Day.

Pinspired

 

Browsing cook books and food blogs is something I enjoy. I love reading the little anecdotes that are written with the recipes, I love the appetising and beautiful photos. Interesting recipes to try are pinned or bookmarked.  Today was cold, wet and windy, so spending some time in a warm kitchen  felt like a good idea.  Browsing my pinterest boards I came across this recipe for Oaty Chocolate Fudge Slice.  I had all the ingredients on hand. so gave it a go.  It looks pretty good, so I am looking forward to having this with a cup of tea after school today.
Creamy curried lentil and pumpkin soup with pita bread for dinner tonight.  I have made this before and from memory, I  need to halve the amount of chili powder required - it was a little too spicy for my kids. Still hearty and warming - which is what we need with this cool weather.

Food blogs - some old favourites and new finds that I enjoy are:

• http://www.mydarlinglemonthyme.com/
• http://twospoons.wordpress.com/
• http://mylittlechequeredkitchen.com/
• http://www.whatkatieate.com/
• http://www.notquitenigella.com/
• http://www.happyolks.com/
• http://www.seasonsandsuppers.ca/

What have you made from recipes you have pinned?
Do you have any favourite food blogs or cook books?

Pinspired

One of the benefits of not having my sewing machine for a couple of weeks,  was remembering that I used to do a lot of other crafty creative things and doing some of them again. The other day wanting to create something, I browsed my pinterest boards for inspiration, and came across this image.  I knew that I had bought a lot of little canvas boards, so I pulled them out, found my test posts of paint, rummaged through my craft supplies for coloured paper, heart embellishments, lace and old clothing tags.  A few a hours later, I have my version of a multi heart artwork. Currently displayed on a mini easel. on my sideboard. I think that once a month I will make myself create something from my pinterest boards - whether it be something sewn, cooked or arty, to keep my creative mojo inspired and challenged.

What have you made from your pinterest boards?