Friday 30 January 2009

Kokeshi Doll










Here is the latest addition to the shop.

I'm planning on making a few of these,with a bit of punk pink and blue hair ,in different styles too.



Not that there's much work going on right now,Mairi went back to school on Wednesday and Skye's first day back at daycare was yesterday and I achieved zilch!
I mopped around missing them,the school holidays were so fun and I hate being home alone.
I love what I do,but I find in the solitary nature of having an online business difficult.
Any other extroverts out there running a home business?

How do you stay motivated?



Monday 26 January 2009

Tomato's!!!!!!


Check out my bounty!

Well,my hubby's the gardener so it's down to him mostly.

This year we planted grape tom's and we couldn't be happier with the result.

We grow organically and the bigger tomatoes have always been a killer,full of pests,this year was the best year yet,no pests.

I highly recommend them.

I turned this lot into a sauce for pasta and pizza bases and froze it in portions.

The secret in combining the fresh and sweet caramelized roast tomato together.

Try it....trust me....it's delicious.


Mel's Tomato Sauce


3 kilo's of grape or any tomato(homegrown or in season are best)

1 medium brown onion,finely diced

5-7 cloves of garlic,finely diced

a handful of fresh mixed herbs(thyme,sage and parsley are best)chopped finely

1/4 -1/2 teaspoon of salt( to taste)

Olive Oil


Toss half of the washed tomato's into a baking dish with a dash of olive oil,a little salt and half the herbs.

Use your hands to mix thoroughly.

Roast in own juices for about 45 mins at 200C.

Meanwhile,blitz the other half of the tom's with a handheld blitzer of food processor until liquidised.

Soften,the onion,garlic and remaining herbs in a deep frying pan over a medium/high heated until translucent ,add the fresh blitzed tomato's,reduce heat to low and simmer for around 1 hour until reduced to a sauce consistency.

Add roasted tomatoes and reduce further if needed.

Add a pinch of salt and taste,you may need to add more depending on the sweetness of your tomato's.

Use as a pizza sauce or serve with pasta and fresh basil.

Divine!


On another note,my huge 6 month gap from blogging has been due to my little business doing well and the fact that I've been under the weather with morning sickness for the last 4 months,as baby number three is due early June.

I will be getting my act together,this year,with weekly posts from now on(there I've said it out loud now I have to do it).