Friday, July 22, 2011

Comfort foods, a challenge, and a giveaway!

We are now smack dab in the middle of winter and as Blossom is once again unwell - this time with a head cold and loss of voice  - it was important to cook some nourishing food for her.
Date and Banana Muffins make lovely breakfast foods. The  natural sweetness of the dates and the  bananas mean you don't need to add much sugar.
I soak my chopped dates in boiling water for 10 minutes before I add them to the muffin mix as it softens them and makes their sweetness spread among the muffin dough.
I use rich, moist brown sugar as it caramelises whilst baking and is a perfect compliment to dates and bananas...
The bananas are from our own trees and I realise how blessed we are to have them as across our country at the moment you can pay up to $15 per kilo for them! Cyclone Yasi in February wiped out the majority of banana plantations in our state. 
A new magazine, and a Banana Date Muffin...
 Perfect!
Another healthy meal is soup, especially my Spicy Roasted Pumpkin and Garlic Soup! I make this all the time in winter, and though my children don't like pumpkin, they DO love this soup.
I add in some shredded chicken breast for protein, and the soup disappears before my eyes.
Do you like Blossom's bowl? She also wanted you to take note of her spoon. Nursery foods for sick babies, eh? (The recipe was in today's newsletter which was emailed out about an hour ago)
~~~~~
Today I played a bit more with the remake of my second Affirmations design for the magazine. This is the original I made a couple of months ago...
...but I like to show you different ways to make the same design, so this time I am using leftover Robyn Pandolph fabrics, peach freshwater pearl beads, a coffee-dyed doily and extra doily flowers cut from a larger doily, and an very old brooch that has a peach pearl centre...
I couldn't believe the perfect match of peach pearls!
It's almost finished and I am loving how all the different fabrics and trims are harmonising in the design.
It's only one week until Issue 2 of Elefantz HOME is published. If you'd like to know what you'll find in this issue just visit HERE
Five designs this month! You'll love them all! 
And just $4 for the lot. Do you know how happy I am to offer you my designs in such an affordable way? :-)
~~~~~
NEWS: I am going to have a Challenge for you! It's been many months since my last Challenge and I felt it was time to work those 'little grey cells' again (as Hercule Poirot would say!).
This time you'll need a t-shirt. A t-shirt you'd like to repurpose. Maybe two, or three...it's up to you.
I have two to play with, and I know one is destined for a new life as a cushion for Blossom. Not sure what I'll do with the other yet.
I wonder what you'll make with yours?
There will be a giveaway too! If you enter the T-shirt Challenge and email me a photo of your repurposed project, your name will go in the draw to win a 'Ruby' Charm Pack!
This is the latest fabric line from Bonnie & Camille, and I can't wait to start sewing with mine. 
The Challenge begins today, and finishes on August 15th.

PLEASE NOTE: You cannot enter items you have made previously. These must be projects you make from a t-shirt between today and August 31st. 
Have fun!!
Hugs
Jenny
xxx

9 comments:

Wivi said...

I've mailed you my T-shirt challenge.

luv2quilt2 said...

So sorry to hear about your daughter's sickness, but delighted that it inspired you to do make such mouth watering recipes. I hope she's feeling better soon.

RobynLouise said...

Sorry to hear Blossom is unwell. Winter isn't her season is it? Hope she's fine soon.
I was going to give the challenge a miss until I reached the bottom and read Ruby Charm Pack. I'm not much of a 'latest' designs person but this range grabs me.
Cheers,
Robyn

Maria said...

I am sure Blossom will be well soon with all that yummy food.

Deb said...

Jenny, thank goodness you have your own bananas palm. Gosh $15 kilo is outrageous, we are paying about $3.50 kilo here. I wish I coud bring a big carton over with me but I think customs might have something to say. Poor Bloss, she is being stuck with it this year isn't she. How are your and her migraines hun?

Victoria said...

You amaze me... a "must-read" blog, a great newsletter, a creative magazine...Whew! And you cook ,too!

Robin in New Jersey said...

Sending a little love to Blossom. Fell better soon, sweetie!

While you are in the middle of winter, we right in the middle of summer. Yesterday it was 101 degrees with a heat index of 112! The air was so muggy, it was hard to breathe. The kids didn't even want to go in the pool! Today we are expecting more of the same. This too shall pass.

I paid 49cents a pound for bananas at the grocery store yesterday. They are usually 79cents a pound.

Thank you for the loveliness here at your blog.

Allie said...

$15/kilo? I think that's a little over 2lbs - we pay .39 cents per pound! Good heavens. I'm going to treat my bananas with more respect.

Love your Affirmations dear Jenny, those peach pearls are wonderful - looking forward to Issue 2! Feel better, dear Blossom!

LindaB said...

Hi Jenny...hope Blossom is feeling better now..Bananas are like gold at the moment, your muffins look very tasty and like your idea of soaking the dates first...could I please have the recipe...thanks LindaB
linda@stationeryworld.net.au