domestic bliss... and a happy parcel day :)

After a bit of a dry spell, the parcels are arriving on my doorstep once again! Among the new arrivals was my vintage dymo labeling machine, a tonne of new fabrics and a 'cute-as-a-button' teapot cookie cutter!!

Today was spent labeling everything in my house, doing a bit of a spring clean and a spot of baking. Unfortunately, my teapot cookies are nothing to brag about, but I have included a photo just for a laugh...

After seeing these pretties on the kit and nancy blog - I HAD to have a teapot cookie cutter...
Sadly, mine have not turned out so perfect...

hmmmmm, yummy. 

My love has recently started working a 2 and 1 roster for his fifo job - (2 weeks away and 1 week home) - so we are not seeing each other very much. So I took the morning off on Wednesday to go fishing with him down at the Busselton Jetty. I am so glad that I went. Real sunshine on my face and the smell of the ocean. PLUS I caught enough fish for that nights dinner. lots of fun...

Tomorrow is a sewing day - I have so much to show you so hopefully you can look forward to a bonza blog post tomorrow.

Hope you are all well and happy, wherever you may be in the world.

Bec x

scrummy date loaf...

There is a lady at my local market who makes the yummiest date loaf I have ever tasted, and last week I made it my mission to find a recipe for date loaf that came close to hers.

I found a recipe via Google that seemed pretty straight forward. The first loaf came out a bit average, but with a bit of tweaking I think I have found a winner!! I like my date loaf dense and moist. So I doubled the dates, halved the sugar and knocked 15 minutes off the cooking time...

This recipe will make two loaves. I doubled it because I am a bit greedy. After only making one loaf a few times, and then being disappointed 20 minutes later when it has all been eaten, I have decided that I will only ever make two of any tea cake... One for now, one for later...

You will need -

4 cups of pitted dates chopped
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups boiling water
120grams butter
3 1/2 cups self raising flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
2 teaspoons of vanilla essence

In a large bowl combine your dates, boiling water, sugar and butter. Cut your butter into smaller pieces so that it melts faster.

Add your vanilla essence...

Sift your flour and baking powder into the bowl and combine...

Pour your mixture into your loaf tins - I like to line mine with baking paper...

Cook in a moderate oven for 30 minutes...

YUM!!

Now if you are like me, you will make a cuppa and eat half of the cake while it is still hot. If you have made two cakes, you can let the other one cool down, wrap it in muslin/baking paper/cotton fabric, tie it up with twine, and feel like a most wonderful domestic goddess for the rest of the day...