9 Jul 2013

Lemon Tart

I cant go and claim this delicious recipe as my own. I have to confess that I discovered it on the ever addictive Pinterest......

Yes I admit it - My name is Beck and I am addicted to Pinterest 

If my family cant find me in any of the usual spots that I lerk in, I am usually hidden away with my Ipad pinning frantically, oohing and ahhing with the best of them :) 
I admit that I don't just pin and forget, I cant see the point in that, when each pin gets me more excited with the possibilities, I have made a generous amount of the things that I have pinned so far. But so far out of all the recipes that I have pinned, this lemon tart was beyond delicious and left the whole family looking for more ! 

LEMON TART

Pastry
250 grams plain flour
125 grams cold unsalted butter
75 grams icing sugar
3 egg yolks
3 tbls water



Process flour, butter and icing sugar in food processor until mix resembles course breadcrumbs. Add egg yolks one at a time then gradually add 1-3 tbls of water until pastry comes together. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 30 seconds. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll pastry out on a lightly flour surface then roll out into a greased rectangular flan tin. Line pastry with baking paper, fill with rice and bake for 10 minutes at 160 degrees celcius, then remove paper and rice and bake until pastry is golden.

Filling
5 eggs
150 grams caster sugar
90 ml lemon juice
2 tbls grated lemon zest
150 ml double cream



Place eggs, sugar, lemon juice and rind in a bowl and whisk to combine, then whisk in cream. Heat lemon mix in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes or until warm, then pour into prepared pastry case and bake at 160 degrees celcius for 25 minutes or until just firm.


Cool the tart for 1 hour, then serve dusted with icing sugar (optional) and lashings of double cream.

original recipe pinned by http://jillianleiboff.blogspot.com.au

Whipping up this delicious Lemon Tart for the gorgeous Jess for this weeks IBOT 

ENJOY <3



5 Jul 2013

May You Always Be My Baby Boy

You desperately want to stop the clock, but in reality know that you cant and it's inevitable that time will pass and that the day will come when you must let go.

It provokes mixed emotions. Your palms are sweaty, your heart is racing and although as a parent you have always questioned yourself, the questions resurface and rush through your mind thick and fast.

This morning, I opened my eyes and it really hit home. I am now the mother of an adult. My first born turned 20 years old today and the memories of times gone by came to mind in floods of happiness.
The day he was born and I held him for the first time. His first Christmas, first tooth, first word. The day he took his first steps (for a lolly snake no less) and the list goes on.



As we celebrate this next mile stone in your life, I want you to remember that you are loved so very much and have brought nothing but complete joy to our lives, and although you may no longer be a child but a grown man, know that we are always here to guide you, protect you, and wrap our arms tightly around you.




So my son, celebrate your childhood experiences for they make you who you are, and has filled your life so far with adventure.

Honour your wisdom and the lessons that you have learned. Your know your own mind so always trust your instincts.

Take joy in this gift that is life. Since the very day that you were born, you have touched the lives of each and every one of us that has had the pleasure to know you.

You make being a parent a joy, a dream. You are my world and I am so very proud of the young man that you have grown into.

Happy 20th birthday "Kigga" may you always be my baby boy xx





Celebrating this wonderful mile stone on FYBF
Happy Friday x

3 Jul 2013

Yarn Love !

It's been getting rather chilly around these parts lately, and as I am a sucker for keeping warm and trying to look as fashionable as I can whenever I leave the house, I am rather partial to wearing pretty scarfs to brighten up these dreary Winter days.

I have quite a collection of soft, warm, floaty scarves to choose from, but each year when Winter rolls around, it seems that there are always new exciting colours and patterns that I just can't resist, I am quite sure that they are calling my name as I stroll past the displays.

 *sigh*

So this year, as I waded through my wardrobe to see what Winter woollies would need updating in my small collection (here in QLD our Winters do not last long so spending a lot of $$ on Winter warmers is not needed) I decided that there would be NO need to add to my scarf collection. Enough is enough, right ?

Whoops, I failed.......

I didn't exactly go out and buy any new scarves, I promise ! but on a recent trip to my favorite "women's hardware store" Lincraft :) I came across the most gorgeous yarn that was perfect for making pretty scarves.

I couldn't resist
I purchased said yarn
And I have been whipping up some beautiful scarves ever since.



The colours are amazing, and though it is a little difficult to use at the beginning (I recommend watching the short movie clip in store) once you get the hang of it, the scarves grow alarmingly fast. So far I have made one in the purple and one in pink and I am heading out this afternoon to purchase a few more balls of this magical yarn :)

Shhhhhhh that part is a secret !!!!

The finished project

This is not a sponsored post !!

25 Jun 2013

Crafty Turns One

Life can throw us many curve balls, and although I had great intentions to bring out all the bells and whistles to celebrate this week, things unfortunately did not pan out as I had hoped, and I missed a very important birthday celebration.



Two days ago Craftypjmum turned One ! 

A little over twelve months ago, with the support and gentle nudging of the wonderful Jules of The Bumpiest Path I sat before my computer and wrote my first blog post read it here I was nervous and scared out of my mind, but I pressed the publish button and within a few seconds Craftypjmum was out there, live and open for anyone to read. It was a big moment for me, and an opportunity that I am now glad I took.

Now, as I sit here at my computer writing this first birthday post, I am completely blown away with how far Crftypjmum has come. Who would have thought that people would actually read any posts that I write ? Not me and sometimes they even enjoy them 
And as for comments, WOW I actually have some :)

Eeeeekk

I admit that even though a year has passed, I am not much wiser to what I am doing, but I hope that with each passing day I continue to learn a little more. But no matter what, I must say that without Jules and the constant encouragement she continually provides, Craftypjmum would still just be a small niggling thought in the back of my mind and most likely would not be anywhere near becoming the reality that it is today.



I had great intentions of unveiling a brand new look for Crafty's birthday celebrations, but unfortunately life has a way of throwing us curve balls at times when we least expect it.

Anyhow, I just want to thank all my lovely readers for stopping by and leaving such lovely supportive comments. I appreciate each and every one of you.

Thank you to the lovely Jess of Essentially Jess for hosting IBOT each and every Tuesday, I really enjoy joining in with all the other amazing bloggers :) Jess you ROCK !

To the gorgeous Grace of With Some Grace thank you for FYBF, I have been inspired like you wouldn't believe by the wonderful posts that link in each week. Thank you so much.

And last but definitely not least. Thank you to the beautiful Jules of The Bumpiest Path
You have made my first blogging year a joy. You have helped me iron out so many bumps no pun intended and you have become an amazing friend. You are one in a million girlfriend, thank you  so very much, I will be forever grateful for all that you have done.

Linking up with the lovely Jess
for another week 
of IBOT

Have a birthday cup cake on me :)


In loving memory of my Grandfather 
who we sadly lost on Sunday
may you rest in peace 
Pop
x





18 Jun 2013

Finding Balance

Problems arise in that one has to find a balance
between what people need from you
and what you need for yourself



Being a Libra, my star sign is the scale, which signifies balance. Lately there has not been a lot of balance in my universe, and I was beginning to think that I was loosing my mind. I'm not of course I hope, it is just my mind playing tricks on me.

On a recent blog post, a dear friend asked me if I put to much pressure on myself ?
I guess the answer to that question could very well be yes.....

I am my own worst enemy. When things go wrong it is me that I blame, I always manage to find someway to take full responsibility even when I know deep down that sometimes it is others at fault. It is second nature to me and although it frustrates my family, I have found it hard to change my ways.
Recent events have forced me to re-evaluate myself. To dig deep inside and try to figure out why I am once again only seeing faults in myself.

I have decided that I need to find some sort of balance in my life. With balance, I am hoping to free myself, to figure out how to pull myself together and live a happy fulfilling life once again. It is not only for me that this is important, but also my family. I am being very unfair to them, and I am the only one who can turn this around.


I need to get a handle on the various elements in my life
so that I don't feel like I am being pulled in so many directions

The big question is...What does Life Balance really mean ?
How do I go about achieving it in the midst of my craziness ?


I need to find steps to take that will change what isn't working in my life. I need to better equip myself so that I can once again find some balance and take back some control. I need to take baby steps, and not change everything at once but take my time to adjust and determine what will work for me.



  • I need to acknowledge my state of mind and how I am feeling. 
  • I need to be honest with myself and others about my feelings and take notice of the areas in my life that I am neglecting.
  • I need to set goals for myself to achieve, take baby steps and not be afraid to move forward.
  • I need to acknowledge my past accomplishments and take from them the positive and not dwell on the negative.
  • I need to get a grip on my fears, doubts, anxieties, worries and negative self talk and find a way to channel the positive.


Basically to find balance, I need to change the way that I look at things and aim to find the positive in the small everyday parts of life. I need to stop over thinking and pay attention to what is really going on, I have to stop looking for what is not there !!

I am going to do my best to reconnect with myself and more importantly my family, after all they need me at my best. I need to be strong so that I can be there for them without doubt.

When it all boils down to it, I need to Remember fun - I need to Laugh, joke, play. 
I need to find my sense of humor as there is no greater medicine then a good old fashioned belly laugh.........

BELIEVE...DREAM...BALANCE


Linking up with the gorgeous Jess for another week of IBOT 
:)

7 Jun 2013

Flashback Friday - My 18th

I have been missing from link ups lately, not because I have been so over the top busy  (well maybe that is true to some extent)  but mostly because my brain has been complete mush and incapable of functioning :(
So today I am making a concerted effort to drag myself back to life and join in with all the fun that I have been missing out on..........

This week for Flashback Friday I am sharing photos from my 18th birthday party/engagement. It was a wonderful night spent with close family and friends, and it's a memory that will always bring happy thoughts and laughter.

Happy thoughts for the milestone birthday and engagement to my wonderful man.
Laughter as I look painfully back on the "poodle" hairstyle and "crazy" purple jacket, that when I look back on now ruined quite a pretty dress.

Have a great laugh with me !


Oh boy ! What was I thinking ?

Poodle hair 

With my parents

Happily engaged at last


There is no possible excuse for the hair and that awful jacket, my only defence is that it was 1992...........
Now if only I were still that thin LOL

Linking up with the gorgeous Cathy for Flashback Friday :)

Mon Vie Sur Papier {my life on paper}

Over the years I have received many special things that have meant the world to me, so special that it has been impossible not to hang on to them with dear life.
Cards, pictures, letters and hand made treasures from my boys and Hubby, things that I will cherish for my entire life time.
One year for my birthday I received a beautiful box that has since become "My Treasure Box" here is where I keep all these things that are so precious to me, a safe haven for my treasures.


My gorgeous treasure box

Every now and then when I get the chance or need to. I sit quietly with a cup of coffee and go through these items remembering times gone by and realising just how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family. 

Recently I have had the need to do just this. To sit and read the messages that hold such memories. 

One such piece of writing is getting quite creased I really must laminate it soon it is usually the piece I reach for first, the piece that brings a smile to my face and rivers of tears to my eyes. 

It is a piece written by my eldest son for a Primary School project back in 2006 when he was a mere 13 years old. It is a very personal piece of writing. So much so, that he was actually asked by his teacher to get "permission" from me to have it submitted.

After long and careful consideration, I have decided to share this written piece of work. It has been a hard decision and one that I have not taken lightly, but it is something that I feel I need to do. It is going to show you a side of me that I usually keep to myself, something or rather someone that I usually try to keep hidden from those who do not know me well. 

It is short, it is sweet and it is something that I will always treasure and hold close to my heart. For my son to have written something so heart wrenching and beautiful about me, his mother, is truly something so very special, something that will be dear to me for life.

Here is his piece of work.......


GREATEST AUSTRALIAN
Rebecca Gene Berger

When you define a hero, a few terms come to mind. Heroic, courageous, trustworthy and brave. Some people look at these qualities and say that makes a great Australian. Most people think of the greatest Australians as an athlete, or an actor, or even a surgeon. While others look for the comfort of their own home, they believe that the greatest Australian is one of their parents.

My mother was born on the 28th of September 1974 and named Rebecca Gene ---. Later in life she would be known as Rebecca Gene ----- after her parents divorce and her mothers remarriage, and then finally Rebecca Gene Berger after her marriage to my father Daniel David Berger. She would then later on in life go on to have four children named Christopher Gage, Joshua Kyle, Isaac Daniel and Benjamin James.

As a young girl my mother was a compassionate, artistic, vibrant young lady. She always thought of others before herself, always giving without receiving. My mother is the kind of person everyone wanted to be friends with. She was a kind, sharing girl always striving to achieve her best.

Extra curricular activities which she loved included playing the keyboard, studying French, writing music and even painting. Today she doesn't write music, she speaks little French and hasn't played a keyboard in years. She still paints but her new hobbies and interests are now scrap booking, beading and decorating our house. She loves her family and would do anything to protect us.

Although how I have said only good things about my mother she does have dark times in her life. My mother was diagnosed with depression at an early age of her life. She had lost a child between my brother Joshua and I, and as all mothers would be, my mother was devastated, but she had my father, her parents, my dads parents, and she had me. It took her a while to get over this tragedy but she has never given up on her journey. She has always been true to herself and others.

Written by 
Christopher Berger

This piece of writing is heart wrenching for me to read and share. But I share it now as the dark days still haunt me and at this time in my life I am finding myself back there where I do not want to be. I guess I am sharing it to maybe use it as an apology for my dreary tweets and posts/or lack of lately and I am hoping that by writing this down and sharing it, it may just jog me back, kick me in the back side and pull me out from under this dark cloud that has trapped me once again.

I may not leave this post up. I may end up regretting putting this out there {who knows}. But for now, I am letting those of you who read this post a closer look inside the person that is me. 

The original 



Linking up for FYBF with the lovely Grace
Have a fabulous weekend everyone x













AROUND HERE LATELY

Well hello there.... It’s been a while between blog posts, I needed time to gather my thoughts and to heal, both inside and out. Most of...