Bubbles

My Mister snapped this pic of me last weekend. Little Critter and I were blowing bubbles in the back yard. MASSIVE bubbles...

Plum Jam

I have been making this plum jam recipe for several years now and it is dead set YUM!(I got it from taste.com.au and have added a couple of my own notes in pink)

Ingredients

• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tsp anise seeds
• 6 cloves
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• 2 dried bay leaves, crumbled
• 2 cups dry red wine
• 1.25kg white sugar
• 2 kg plums (try amber or blood plums), quartered, stoned
• 1/3 cup (80ml) lemon juice

Method
Place a couple of small saucers in the freezer to chill. Place
spices, bay leaves, wine and 1 cup sugar in a large, wide, heavy-based saucepan and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil then simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and leave to cool. When cool, strain though a fine sieve over a bowl.

Return strained syrup to pan with 1 cup water and plums. Bring to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer over low-medium heat for 35 minutes. This is where I get the stick blender out and give it a good whiz. I don't like 'lumpy' jam.

Uncover pan. Add lemon juice and remaining sugar. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil then simmer, uncovered, over medium heat, skimming any scum from top, for 45-50 minutes or until jam jells when tested. To test, place a small spoonful on a chilled saucer then return to freezer for 1 minute. Run your finger through chilled jam; it should be the consistency of honey and wrinkle slightly when pushed. (I use a candy thermometer and just wait till its at 104 degrees)

Once at this stage, pour into hot sterilised jars and seal.

Leather on the wrist...

My latest craftings. Leather wristbands. SO much fun to make. Will def be doing more of these...

Photo Friday : Cockatoo

At the lake this evening having an impromptu family outing, this little guy let me get quite close.

(Ok, so what if I have a slight bird obsession...  I blame it on Year 7 Bird Club with Mr Bigg.)

Photo Friday : NT 2007

FROM THE VAULT
This is a shot from our roadtrip through NT in 2007. I flipped it vertical and BAM! There was Mr Creepy Pants staring at me... He gives me the shivers just a little bit. You?

Photo Friday : Ducks

Justa coupla ducks swimming about...

Photo Friday : CHRISTMAS!

Went to the Christmas tree lighting in the city tonight. We were entertained by Justine Clarke (fun!) and some carol singers (fun for a while) and then Santa came to light the tree. Oh the things you never thought you'd do before you had a kid...

Photo Friday : Black Mountain Stout

Top - My latest assignment for my design degree and bottom, the image that inspired it. A shot of Telstra Tower on Black Mtn, taken several years ago on a day not unlike today, dreary and glum. I clicked it quickly from the window of the moving car while on the way to work. (Don't stress, I wasn't the driver...)

Photo Friday : Birdies

 

Yes, I know it's not Friday... been a bit slack on the postings these last few months so thought I'd play a bit of catch up with these. Snapped at the pet shop a few weeks back. A bit cute yeah?

Photo Friday : Tap