Still Here

One pair of my new glasses

I am still here, just trying to get myself organised. So much has happened over the last 3 weeks that my poor blog has been put on the back burner for a little while, but i am getting back in to it over the next 2 weeks. I am busy organising my life so i can try and find a happy balance! Is there such a thing?

So whats been happening you ask? As you can tell photography is HUGE in my life and have decided to take the plunge and make it my LIFE, so i have started my business, which i work around my day to day job. I am still training but i need to start somewhere and just seems to be the right time. Also my day job has gone from part time to full time, which is great for the above as the extra money is helpful for my business plus saving for a house. So far 2013 is a pretty exciting year for us.

I got new reading glasses yesterday, i love both pairs. The top picture you can't really see the bling on the side! i love the red ones below too. Below is me right now, looking extremely scruffy Ha, all i will say its Sunday! I also have new colour, not that you can really tell, i just redone it myself, i think this red was a little darker then the previous one.

2nd pair of glasses.

365 Photo a Day January Round up!

I fell a little behind in doing a weekly round up, so i here is a few of my faves from the month of January. If anyone else is doing a 365 photo a day or something similar, leave a link below to your blog, fb, etc to share your pictures.

Day 9: Water

Day 17: Heart

Day 21: Centre

Day 24: Blue

Day 29: Reflection

Day 30: Green

Recipe: Veggie and Egg Noodle Slice

Ever get to Sunday and wonder what you are going to have for lunches through the week. Well this recipe is for you, it freezes well. I serve it with a salad, and there is so many different combinations you can make, that part is up to you. As you can see i made two different varieties. I just used what was on hand in my fridge.

Left: Broccolini and Right: All sorts

Slice from side on.

Veggie and Egg Noodle Slice:

Ingredients:

5 Eggs                                                      1/4 Cup Oyster Sauce

1/4 Cup Milk                                         1/2 Cup Reduced-Fat Grated Tasty Cheese

1 Tbsp Rice Bran Oil                           2 Green Onions, thinly sliced

2 Garlic Cloves, crushed                    1 Large Zucchini

1 Medium Carrot                                  1/4 Cup Frozen Peas

125g Can Sweet Corn Kernels         1/2 x 440g Packet Thin Egg Noodles

        ( drained & rinsed)

Method:

1. Whisk eggs, oyster sauce, milk and cheese together in a bowl. Season with pepper.

2. Heat oil in a 20cm (base) heavy-based non stick pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, zucchini, carrot, peas and corn. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until softened. Add noodles. Toss well to combine.

3. Pour egg mixture over noodle mixture. Reduce heat to medium. Cook for 8 minutes or until almost set.

4. Meanwhile, preheat grill on medium. Grill slice for 3 - 4 minutes or until lightly browned and centre is firm to touch. Stand in pan for 2 minutes. Carefully slide on to a plate. Cut in to wedges. Serve hot or cold.

Source: Super Food Ideas Magazine, Issue 144, February 2013 pg.20  

OOTD: Date Night

Last week hubby and I went on a date night to the movies, We seen the Hobbit in 3D which was excellent, well worth going to see. Even though the weather was hot the other day, I always seem to get cold in the theatre so I work a cover up, I love the back as its cut out but still warm on the arms.

Dress: Autograph

Shoes: Corelli via Williams Shoes

Bolero: Best & Less

Photography: Hunter Valley Gardens

I showed you the Christmas Lights that Hunter Valley Gardens host, well last year when my mum came to visit we took her out to the gardens. It was a first for both myself and my mum. The place is totally amazing and have things going on all year around. I would love to go when the roses are in season, its meant to be magical.

This is just some of what HVG has to offer.

Having some fun.

Like two kids playing around.

Monday Marvels

Another Monday, so another post full of stuff to make Mondays more bearable  cause Mondays should be full of beautiful things..

The colour & pattern on this dress (source)

These Sandals (source)

Cute Reading Nook (source)

I want this cushion (source)

I want to make these, this tutorial is great! find it here!

This Saying (source)

Websites to read: 

1. Jes at The Militant Baker : Baker Babes, Fat Acceptance, Photography, Recipes, OOTD's and a whole lot more, always a great read.

2. Natalie at XL as Life : OOTD's, Fashion, Design, Real Life and a brand new design layout, that she made herself, such an amazing talent.

3. Kim at Oh, Sweet Joy : Crafty and simple/easy DIY, Cooking, OOTD, Real Life, Recipes to temp everyone, She will keep you busy cooking and crafting.

Recipes:

1. Pink Champagne Cup Cakes - These look delicious i so need to add them to my list

(source)

2. Pumpkin Spice - This is going to be tested out a whole lot through winter.

Blog Post:

Rachele of The Nearsighted Owl wrote a great & very interesting post about Fat Sex, anyone and everyone should read it, its pretty darn interesting.

Recipe: Salmon, Ricotta & Spinach Lasagne

This year i am have made a deal with myself to cook more and try out new recipes, so the good ones and not so good ones will be featured on the blog, i love to share my thoughts. You will find out that i rarely follow a recipe, its a habit i have. 

Last night I dished this up to My husband, and his parents and we all gave it 4 thumbs up. It tasted beautiful, can be changed around to taste.

Salmon, Ricotta & Spinach Lasagne:

Prepared and ready to go in to oven.

Top View.

All Cooked and Ready to cut and eat.

Recipe:

What You Need:

2 Tbsp Canola Spread                                         1/4 Cup (35g) Plain Flour

2 1/2 Cups (625mls) Skim Milk                            3/4 Cup Reduced Fat Tasty Cheese

3 Green Shallots (finely sliced)                             600g Skinned & Boned Salmon Fillets (cut in to     1cm pieces)

2 Tbsp Lemon Juice                                           1/3 Fresh Dill (chopped)

500g English Spinach Leaves                               250g Low - Fat Fresh Ricotta Cheese

4 (200g) Fresh Lasagne Sheets

Method :

1. Preheat over to 200oC or 180oC for fan forced ovens. Lightly spray a 2L (8 cup) capacity oven proof dish with oil.

2. Melt canola spread in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook , stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually stir in milk until smooth and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 -3 minutes or until sauce thickens. Stir in half the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Remove half the white sauce from the sauce pan and reserve for later. Add green shallots and salmon pieces to remaining white sauce and cook, stirring occasionally , for 3 -4 minutes or until fish is just about cooked. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and dill.

3. Place spinach in a large heat proof bowl. Cover with boiling water and stand for 1 - 2 minutes or until spinach wilts. Drain. Squeeze out excess water. Press spinach between sheets of paper towel to dry out as possible. Combine spinach and ricotta in a medium bowl.

4. Spread 1/3rd of the salmon mixture over the base of prepared dish. Top with 1 lasagne sheet, cutting to fit if needed, and 1/3rd spinach mixture. Repeat layering with remaining salmon mixture, lasagne sheets and spinach mixture, finishing with lasagne sheet. Pour reserve white sauce over lasagne and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes or until pasta is tender and top is golden. Serve.

I served this with a nice garden salad, you could also serve garlic/herb bread if you would like, they options are endless.

I also added a layer of mushrooms as we had heaps in the fridge, i didn't cooked them before, my advice is i would has it ended up been a little liquidity, but still tasted delicious.

If you follow weight watchers this recipe is worth 11 pro points per serve for the lasagne

Disclaimer: this recipe was found in the Australian/New Zealand Weight Watchers September 2012 magazine on page 76. I am not getting paid in any way shape or form, i lent a friends magazine to read and seen it and cooked it and now I'm sharing it cause it tasted so good!