Stewed Peaches with Greek Yoghurt and Dark Chocolate

Happy belated New Year! Here’s a recipe I came up with to replace my usual grilled peaches while my oven was broken ๐Ÿ™‚


Stewed Peaches

Ingredients:

4 peaches, halved and stoned
1 cup water
1/4 cup white wine
2 teaspoons vanilla extract or one vanilla bean, sliced in half lengthways
Greek yoghurt
Dark chocolate, at least 70% cocoa
Cinnamon

Method:
1. Mix water, wine and vanilla in a saucepan and bring to the boil.
2. Add peaches, reduce heat and simmer, covered for 3-5 minutes
3. Remove lid and simmer for a further 1-2 minutes
4. Divide the peaches among four bowls, pour a little of the syrup over and serve with a dollop of Greek yoghurt and grated chocolate.

Crochet December

Haven’t got much crochet done this month ๐Ÿ™ I’ve only managed one finished project, and one WIP. Meanwhile my queue is getting longer… and longer… and longer.

Sooo, remember that scarf I was making that I ran out of yarn for? Well I went to Lincraft, only to find that the Panda had most inconsiderately discontinued the yarn. So it was on to Ravelry to find something I could make with two skeins of 12 ply.

In the end I settled on a cowl, and took it with me to keep me going on the eight hour drive to Cohuna:

SiobhanAlice's Cohuna Cowl

Chunky Criss Cross Cowl by Jen Atchison

I had a great time in Cohuna, by the way. We were camped by Gunbower Creek, and went for a beautiful kayak, but you’ll have to imagine it because I’m a terrible blogger and didn’t take any photos.

 

I started on my third square for my Geekghan (I’m so behind, nine squares have been published so far!)

SiobhanAlice's Dr Horrible

Doctor Horrible by GingerGirl Geekery

 

And not made this month, but now that Christmas is over, I can show off this bookmark I made for a secret santa!

SiobhanAlice's Fan Bookmark

Fan Bookmark by Crochetroo

The recipient loved it, so I guess all that time spent separating strands of yarn to get a thin strand was worth it!

 

Chocolate Bananaberry Smoothie

Happy New Years Eve Eve! I can’t quite believe that the year’s almost over, it feels like it’s gone by so fast! Mind you, I think I say that every year. I was also slightly surprised to realise this blog’s been going for a whole year! During that time, I’ve revised and re-revised what I want this blog to be, and I think I’m finally starting to settle on what I want. Until I change my mind again.

I have to admit I’ve been a bit lax foodwise lately. What with going camping in Cohuna, and all the Christmas food, I’ve not been eating all the things I should, and have had a fair few things I shouldn’t. In my defense, you try saying no to one of my mum’s mince pies. Or for that matter, eating anything other than toast for breakfast when you’re living in a tent. Not possible, I tell you. But we’re back home now, back to civilisation and blenders, and all the mince pies are finished, so I have to start remembering that I can make things other than toast for breakfast.
Chocolate Bananaberry Smoothie (dairy free, no added sugar)
Like a chocolate bananaberry smoothie! It’s dairy free, no added sugar, and tastes delicious. Just what I need to make me feel healthy again.


Chocolate Bananaberry Smoothie

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 bananas
  • A handful of mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 – 2 tsp cocoa
  • Dash of cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 2 – 3 ice cubes (if using fresh berries)

Method:

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

 

Crochet November

I haven’t managed to get to the yarn shop this month, so I’ve had to work with what little yarn I’ve already got. In some ways that’s a good thing, as I’ve had to get creative and find projects that can work with what I’ve got, but it also means that I don’t have the right colours for the Geekghan squares that have been released this month and I’m now three squares behind ๐Ÿ™ Oh well, looks like I’ll be doing a lot of crochet this holidays to catch up. Isn’t that a tragedy.

In the mean time, I’ve been using some cotton yarn recycled from an old jumper. I already used some for my October Nights Headband, now I’ve added another hair accessory:

88A4357A-2A44-4CA0-877F-7624D04C6326

All Too Perfect Bun Cover by Tamara Kelly

 

I’ve already posted photos of my Small Totoro, but I’m going to post more anyway because I love him. Even though he’s the wonkiest of the three and his eyes are too far apart.

SiobhanAlice's Small Totoro

Small Blue Totoro by Lucy Ravenscar

 

And I FINALLY ย finished my second Tiny Turtle! I made my first Tiny Turtle of Happiness way back in October last year, and loved it so much I immediately started another one in the opposite colours, but got bored and didn’t pick it up again till this month.

Siobhan Alice's Tiny Turtles

Tiny Striped Turtle by KristieMN

SiobhanAlice's Tiny Turtle Twin

I’m not as happy with this one as the original,I did a pretty dodgy job of stuffing and sewing him together, and messed up his face a bit too, but I still think he’s pretty cute ๐Ÿ™‚

SiobhanAlice's Tiny Turtle Twin

He also falls over if you don’t balance him exactly right. Poor little guy.

I also started a scarf with some bulky yarn I’ve had lying around for a while. I need more yarn to finish it, but I’m thinking I might start again anyway. It’s coming out a bit stiff, and I think I’ve made it a bit short, so I might try with a bigger hook.

SiobhanAlice's Cozy Scarf

ย Unisex Mega Chunky Ribbed Scarf by Thomasina Cummings Designs

And that’s it! Well, there’s also a Christmas present I made, but that’s a secret! At least until after the victim giftee has received it. Just on the off chance that they see this before they get it and ruin the wonderful surprise.

Not Really Greek Salad

Summer is almost here and already it’s getting way too hot. Actually, as I write this it’s like 16 degrees and I’m wrapped up in a blanket. But the last couple of weeks have been crazy hot, and all that sunshine had me craving summery foods like salads and barbeques. So in preparation for when/if it gets hot again (’cause in Bowral, who knows?), I present my (sort of) Greek salad. Which isn’t really a Greek salad.

(Sort of) Greek Salad

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Chicken Walnut Salad with Creamy Mayo Dressing

This recipe was inspired by a salad I had at a takeaway in Perth. It was so simple, basically just lettuce, chicken and a few walnuts, but the dressing was what really made it special, turning a boring side salad into a delicious main meal. This recipe is for a single serving, but you can easily multiply the amounts to make enough for a family.
Chicken Walnut Salad with Creamy Mayo Dressing

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Crochet October

I thought I’d share last month’s crochet projects here, because why do we make things but to show them off on the internet?

Victoriana Beret by Drops Design

(Click the images to go to the project page on Ravelry)

Siobhan's Victoriana Beret
Siobhan's Victoriana Beret
I am ridiculously proud of this as it was my first time making anything lacy (that wasn’t immediately frogged), my first time working from a chart, only my second hat and the first one that I’m actually willing to wear. (The other one was generously donated to my mother. It actually looks okay on her, too).

Grey and Tiny White Totoros, by Lucy Ravenscar

Siobhan's Totoros

Oops, I forgot his nose.

I finally saw My Neighbour Totoro a little while ago, and I mayyy have teared up slightly. Slightly. Obviously, there’s only one logical action to take after falling in love with a movie: Make amigurumi. And make lots of them.
I love both my Totoros equally, but the tiny one is secretly my favourite. And not just because he’s made all in one piece and requires no hand sewing. Although that helps.
Tiny Totoro
I’ve also just started on the Small Blue Totoro, and I’m also seeing possible soot sprites and a Catbus somewhere in the future, but for now I think I’ll take a break before my house becomes overrun with adorable anime characters. I’ve already got the song stuck in my head just writing this post. Also did you know Totoro appeared in Toy Story 3? Well now you do.

October Nights Headband by Julie King

October Nights Headband

So nice, I made it… um, thrice! Because after I made a nice warm one, and one for Mother, the weather most inconveniently warmed up, so I made a light cotton one so I can wear headbands in any weather.

Ups and Downs Fingerless Gloves by Tamara Kelly

New Shiny New November Gloves! Okay, so I’m not that good at naming my projects. Mum’s off to England soon, and I thought I’d make her some gloves to go with her hat and keep her warm in the lovely November weather. Also to replace the gloves I originally made her, then frogged because I needed the yarn to finish my hat. Which I then gave to her.

Ups and Downs Fingerless Gloves

(Blocked on the right, unblocked on the left).

Anyway, I wasn’t too happy with my Shiny New November Gloves, so I stomped off to find a different glove pattern. I was much happier with my new Shiny New November gloves, and named them New Shiny New November Gloves. Because I’m creative.

And finally, I Love Yarn Day by GingerGirl Geekery

The second square in my LudiCAL Geekghan, to celebrate I Love Yarn Day 2014.

Yarn Day Square

Ah the joys of tapestry crochet. While working with two yarns, I carefully kept my yarn separate and didn’t let it tangle. As soon as I added a third colour, however, I lost all control of my yarn and ended up all…

 

TANGLED UP IN BLUE.

 

And yes, I did write this whole post just so I could make that joke.

Baked Scotch Eggs

Scotch eggs are one of those things that never fails to get a WTF? reaction from those unfamiliar with British haute cuisine. Really though, I fail to see what’s so strange about it. No one sees anything weird about eating eggs and sausages together for breakfast, and all scotch eggs really do is combine the two into a convenient, protein filled snack.

Scotch Eggs done2

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