Lemon Lover's Slice

J'adore Lemons

This is my favourite lemon recipe (other than lemon cheesecake, pie, sorbet, muffins).

Well, it's my favourite lemon SLICE recipe.

I'm sharing it because I know there must be others out there, passionate about the lemon. I know my best friend is, I really hope she reads this and makes it for her kids this week!!!

It is also made entirely in a food processor. I know, that means you have to wash all the bits afterwards. But I promise. It will be worth it.

HUGE thanks to Simon and Alison Holst and their "100 Favourite Muffins and Slices" book.

Spread the word!!

Lemon Squares

BASE:

2 cups plain flour

1/2 cup icing sugar

125g cold butter

TOPPING:

1 1/2 cups of sugar

rind of 1 lemon

3 large eggs

1/4 cup lemon juice (two small lemons)

1/4 cup self raising flour

Preheat oven 160C

Line a slice tray with big piece of baking paper. It needs to be well covered (23cm square pan recommended).

Into the food processor goes the BASE ingredients.

Combine until it looks like fine crumbs.

Press into tray.

Bake for 15 -20 minutes until firm and straw coloured. Prepare topping while base is cooking.

For topping, process the sugar and lemon rind together (at this point I insist that you remove the lid and shove your head in. Take a great big sniff, it is AMAZING)

Add eggs, lemon juice and flour until completely combined and smooth. It should be runny. (Kind of looks like a delicious lemony egg-nog. But don't drink it, the slice just isn't the same without it!!!)

Ok, pour this topping mixture over the hot base and pop back into oven for another 30 minutes.

It is cooked when the top is golden, lightly browned and the centre doesn't wobble when the pan is jiggled.

(Here's the worst bit) Wait until it is COLD before cutting into squares!!!

Yum yum yum!

I hadn't made it for a while and the kids were begging for another piece this arvo. So quick, Off you go!! Go and make some!!!

xx

Summer Reading

I have just finished this book.

For the second time.

Written by Elizabeth Gilbert

I actually wasn't in the correct head space in November when my friend lent it to me. I skimmed it. But this past week I actually READ and digested it.

And I loved it.

Even the long descriptions of places afar and experiences of meditation. Which, lets face it, if your not in the right mood for. It's just not gonna happen.

Actually that's not quite accurate. If there are too many little distractions running around then any quiet, 'me' time or reflection is near impossible.

I haven't seen the movie. My hub has. He saw it on a plane between NZ and Aussie. He recommended it, but I really wanted to reread the book first.

I'll share one of my favourite passages from it. This bit really struck home for me!

"...happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it, you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it."

Elizabeth Gilbert; Eat Pray Love, Bloomsbury

Total coolness. Too often I have waited for happiness to be served on a platter, although I don't really like to admit it. I have been lazy, far too often. Wondering what my future will bring. But really, this book reminded me that I can probably bring it to myself if I try hard enough.

See it isn't just your physique and property that needs maintenance this New Year.

xx

Thankful Thursday

I'm sure you would agree, the warm weather makes it easier to be thankful on a daily basis.

☀

This week we are extremely thankful for the beach....again.

Jumping waves......

Resulting in fully clothed swimming!!!

Beach smiles ☺

Thankful for children that like setting up and taking photos :-)

I particularly love the fact that my two youngest will eventually abandon their clothes for impromptu nude swims.

Sand through your fingers

We ♥ the beach

Oh and we love this............little icing people made by eldest little Treacy person.

Have a thankful day and week,

love......

xx

Dear 2011

Dear 2011...

I've thought about you a lot already. I wont write a post about resolutions....... so many, some I'm scared to even say out loud.

But the Treacy family are ready to meet so many goals. Thanks for delivering us plenty of sun, fun and hope so far.

I am looking forward to what you promise.

Good health

A New school

More writing

More singing

Two pending babies (friends', not mine for goodness sake. I'm happy out to pasture, watching others)

Adventure and discovery

Confidence and risk taking!

And to you 2010..................

I apologise for not taking everything you had to offer. I probably could have made more of what was in front of me.

I can't believe the curved balls you threw me. Some I couldn't catch (not known for my sporting prowess). A couple of them slapped me right in the face and knocked me over.

But I made it to the end..........slightly more...........awake.

Dear Jaz........

Don't forget, today is precious. Don't waste it. Even if the day only brings rest and recreation. Don't waste it.

Stop putting off things because you're scared or doubt yourself. Start being who you want to be and not what others expect. Others WILL love you for it, including your children.

Try to not procastinate so much, endeavour to live for today, not tomorrow.

Starting.........NOW.

Finish that story, write down that poem in your head, make music, be the better friend, wife, mum. But most of all....love you!

love and warm wishes

Jaz

xx

Love thy Neighbour

Hi ya

I don't even have time to take a pic and post it.

But I had to let you all know.

The world is still a gorgeous place.

We still do good things for each other...........all the time.

I always smile and chat with my neighbours. We've had them over for BBQs. We've swapped veges from the patch and the odd egg or cup of sugar. Our children share backyards and play together daily.

They have proven to be great guinea pigs for my baking.

I don't know them well, we've only been in this house for about six months. But already feel quite 'at home' because of our developing relationship.

Guess what?

I know "stuff" isn't everything.................but they have given me a SEWING MACHINE!!!!!!

An old Jenome model, that was sitting around the garage. Great working order, just needs oiling. No cash wanted.

OMGOLLYGOSH :-)

I nearly wet myself (blame three gorgeous kids for that one).

Beautiful people. Right next door.

I'm gonna have to do some serious baking this month.

....and some serious sewing. (Once I learn how to drive it).

Am I a good neighbour? Are you?

xx

Thankful Thursday

I miss growing flowers very much. When we moved to Auckland in May 2009 we sold our Southern house and have rented up here ever since. It really is easier when planning around schooling, work contracts, health etc.

At our current rental property, we don't have a garden. Mark has managed to squeeze a very successful vege plot in and we have strawberries and herbs growing on the deck. It has been a year of container gardening for us.

So a few days ago I noticed something quite spectacular growing along our driveway. I knew it was there, but expected a dull shade of pink maybe. Like the Canterbury soil had always delivered me.

Shocking blue Hydrangeas

It's more than a baby blue......and 'shocking' isn't quite the right word either.

So yummy. I could almost eat them up.

I am thankful I could bring them up to my kitchen and look at them all day.

Small things huh.

Sometimes that's all you need.

xx

Gardens, Waterfalls and Beaches

Yesterday's day out was much needed and full of surprises.

Reading a fellow blogger's post at Paisley Jade this morning. I am in complete agreement. NZ is beautiful and it is amazing what you can find in your own backyard.

Having explored great chunks of the area around our current home and some of Northland we decided to head South.

Driving through Manukau with already restless children we stumbled, quite by accident on the Auckland Botanical gardens.

There we spotted..............

....metal seagulls....

...water...

And a Christmas tree made from ferns and poinsettas.

... a walled, edible garden to be very envious of, (or at least strive for)....

Back in the car we headed to a place truly out in the wops wops, near the Bombay hills.

Hunua Ranges to be exact.

Hunua falls

Can be found here and here if you are interested in the geology and location.

Not quite Niagra, but breathtaking and noisy enough to get us all awestruck and excited.

A wobbly swing bridge allows this first glimpse of the fall from a distance.

One of the access ways

Our touristy pic contribution.

I wish this was closer to my house. I think I could sit here for hours writing all sorts of inspirational things.

Bush walk in for a closer look.

And of course, as promised to the regional council, we left only our footprints. (Although Miss 6 was kind of concerned about our tyre tracks in the parking area. I assured her it would be fine. Innovative thinking though!!)

Then driving up through Clevedon (which we both loved the look of). The kids were fighting and playing games in the back by this point!!

We kept driving out towards the coast arriving at Maraetai beach.

Maraetai is covered with shells and has an amazing view of Waiheke Island directly in front of us.

With a camera full of photos, ice creams eaten and tired, sun weary bodies. We scoffed fish and chips and slept well.

xx