Sunday, June 8, 2014

I love long weekends.....

Starting with Friday Night With Friends hosted by Cheryl...... I sewed with 58 others!!

It all started with some body parts....


... which came together slowly and made a body .....
(can't show you more... 'tis secret)


.... then I did a bit more applique
(can't show you more.... 'tis secret)


... and then started some borders on my stitched hexagons....
- I have done 5 of these so far... will show you once they are all together)


.... On Saturday we drove to Brisbane to make use of Hubz Christmas present last year ...


... a voucher for a tour around the XXXX beer factory and lunch...

I was a bit peeved that I had bought the tickets for tour and BBQ lunch and they have since changed it to an increased price of the tour, no BBQ but a free cap!)

However, they were wonderful and charged us at the old price for the tour and gave us a voucher for lunch ...

I chose the Thai Beef Salad... and it was delicious.... the beer wasn't too bad either

(not as nice as Hubz' in my view!)


We didn't get as cold as the forecasters predicted by the evenings are definitely cooler... you can tell by how the dog snuggles up....

she really is funny.... when it is even colder she will hide her nose under the blankie...


Sunday morning brought some cleaning up of the mess we made in the garden..... trips to the tip....

so this ......................................... to this



Long time since I shared a recipe.... I had a few too many overripe banana's... this is a lovely easy peasy banana loaf recipe 


INGREDIENTS
2 cups plain flour
1 cup sugar
1 level tsp bicarb soda
pinch of salt
pecan nuts (handful) (optional)
100g butter
2 eggs
1 heaped tsp baking powder
4 ripe banana's
I also added a handful of sultana's (optional)

METHOD
Grease and flour a loaf tin (I use two of the half loaf size ones)
Mash bananas.
Cream butter and sugar together
Add banana's and beat until well blended
Beat eggs and add to banana mix
Dissolve bicarb in 1/4 cup of water
Sift flour and salt and soda and add to banana mix
Beat well
Add baking powder and chopped nuts (and sultanas') last, folding in
Bake at 175C for about 1 hour - until well risen and golden

Moist recipe, freezes well and can be doubled successfully if you want loads of it!

There is a story to this recipe, I picked up one of the few recipe books I brought with me from my first country and was looking through it... This is a school fund raiser recipe book and years later I met the person who sent it in... but only after we had both immigrated to Australia....

Righto, Gotto Go.... naked bodies need clothing.....

Tommorrow we celebrate the Queens Birthday here.... hoorah!

34 comments:

Bev C said...

Hello Fiona,

You were brave to give hubby a visit to a beer factory, they usually come home with a carton or two. Hope that dolly gets some clothes soon.
Recipe books that contain donated recipes are always the best.

Happy days.
Bev.

Sharon - Lilabelle Lane said...

Oh with the colder weather I do hope that this doll does get some clothes quickly :) hugs

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

What a good visit to the Beer Factory Fiona! Better get some clothes in those gals!

Narelle said...

Awww...how snuggly does your girl look :)
Sounds like you had a lovely visit and have been very productive inside and out.
Will let my bananas go longer just so I can try this one out, thanks.

Lyn said...

A busy weekend, you have certainly packed a lot into it. Just as well it all worked out in the end with the beer tour. Thanks for the recipe, we have enjoyed making your quick apple pie one

Jane said...

lots of interesting secret projects going on :) Looking forward to seeing them all

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Love that body...LOL...sounds like a good day....thanks for the recipe...x

KaHolly said...

A trip to the beer factory is a very unique gift idea! Good thinking! Can't wait to see all of your secret projects!

Anonymous said...

Lovely post full of fun Fiona,your puppy is very cute,and can't wait to see your Tilda doll.xx

Mistea said...

Hope you've dressed the girl now.
Love your stitchings.

Michelle Ridgway said...

Thanks for the recipe.. Yum! You have been very busy with your stitching. Glad you are supporting the Queensland brew. Lol!

Susan said...

I love long weekends too....should be more of them! Lots of secrets at your place, very exciting. Lunch looks yummy, glad they looked after you. Enjoy your day tomorrow.

marina said...

so many secret projects at your place..
glad you enjoyed the brewery.
did hub get any ideas to upgrade his home brew production?
love how your four legger snuggles into her blankets

Cheryl said...

Lovely secret stitching Fiona. What a great pressie for hubby - mine would love that. Enjoy the rest of your long weekend

WoolenSails said...

I never acquired a taste for beer, lol.
Can't wait to see how your doll comes out, I still need to figure out how to dress mine.

Debbie

Josie said...

Darn it... sneak peeks drive me nuts! ;o) I'll not sleep tonight for wondering what they're going to be. Looks like a good trip to the beer factory... yummy looking lunch you have there. I'm totally impressed at the speed you cleared your garden.... that's no mean feat... well done.

Janet said...

Lots of secret sewing fun! It is so great that hubby's beer is as good as the brewery. Cheaper too I bet. (My hubby thought that the beer was quite expensive in Oz... I think that it was about the same price as here but more expensive in some places. Depended where it was bought.)

Farm Gate Creations Incorporating Hummingbird Quilting said...

Sounds like time well spent on your long weekend...well done.

Sheila said...

Looks like your doll is ready for an outfit , some nice secret appliqué and hexies too . Sounded like a fun day out at the beer factory :-) hugs Sheila

Jeanette said...

Sounds like you had a fun day out. I hope the dolly has an outfit now Fiona. lol. Hugs,xx

Helen said...

The body is looking great as are all the other projects. Lots of work paid off in the garden it's looking good and lunch yummy !!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a great day out with your hubby Fiona! My dad worked for XXXX for 25 or 30 years (I can't remember any more).. I still can't stand the smell of hops *giggle*. xx

Maria said...

Can't wait to see the secrets!
Looks like a great day out with hubby even though they changed things..

Noela said...

Glad you had a lovely day out. Lunch looks pretty good. The Banana Loaf looks good. Have a great day. hugs.....

Christine M said...

How disappointing to not have a BBQ as promised! I'm sure your hubby still enjoyed himself. Lots of lovely peeks there. You were very busy Fiona. xx

kiwikid said...

Lots of secret sewing at your place! Good to hear hubby's beer is as good as the commercial stuff. Sounds like you have been really busy!
xx

Karen said...

Your doll is looking great. I love the way you have used a patterned fabric in the body. It gives it a lovely character.Yes, I understand what you said in your other post about the quantity of stuffing you use.
Interesting work on your applique, too.
Loving the framed hexies.
The brewery tour looks good. So pleased it all worked out.
I find it fascinating the way people can meet up and find there is a link in their lives. You would not expect it to be through a cook book!
Good luck with all the garden work. Bet there are a few aches and pains now.

Lin said...

What a lovely weekend. Interesting sneek peeks of your sewing and that beef looked good! Thanks for the recipe, enjoy your day. xx

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

What a fun weekend! Love your snuggly little one. I'd be tempted to take a nap with her! I hate cold weather.

Wendy said...

Can't wait to see what that body is going to become, it's looking pretty cute so far. Looks like a nice day out with hubz! hugs Wendy

debbie said...

Such a lovely post with all the pictures. The food looks delicious and I love the dolly fabric. I had some white on white pillow ticking look fabric with little hearts in the rows and it made the most darling legs! Since I am now officially a subject of the Queen, Long Live the Queen! xx debbie

Unknown said...

lots of secret sewing there Fiona, and that banana cake looks so yum, i would never had thought to add in the fruit.

Quilting Chemist (Danette) said...

Pretty hexies, can't wait to seen your secret sewing.

DAWNIE said...

I wonder what you are making?? Such a tease onky showing snippets. Great doggy pic.
Oh and that banana break recipe looks good will have to try that one.

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