Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Good Bye 2014.. Welcome 2015

What, the year is over already?!! It's like we just wished each other a happy new year 2014 and it's already over.

Going back to see the year that was - it has been a year of changes for me. Changes within and without, changes personally and professionally, changes in my outlook and  how I see things, changes in how I handle things.. the list is endless. Though it was not a very easy year, I have enjoyed each and every moment of it - the challenges that were thrown my way and how we emerged out of it, only stronger. It has been a year of loving and understanding the people around me.

On the crafting front - I learnt quite a few recipes, some of them keepers. Zilch on the beading front, hoping to catch up with that too this year. Though I was not able to stitch much in the first half of the year, I caught up from August and the progress has been good ever since.

I baked a Christmas fruit cake this year - my first attempt. My cousin and her children visited us last weekend. I baked 2 mini loaves to give them as return gifts, and a bigger one for us. 
The pan I used was not of the right size, so it looks kind of flat. 
Here's a link to the recipe I used. Mine is an alcohol free, eggless version. I am definitely going to be baking this one again, it's a keeper

V learnt a new craft this year - quilling. Guess what, she now has her own craft box. Bad part is, some of the things from my craft kid suddenly just 'disappear'!! 
V made a few cards, here are 2 of the best 

And as we walk into 2015, here's where seashells stands

Dear friends, looking forward to more and more interactions this year with you all. I am hoping to learn atleast the basics of sewing this year, focus on the family's health and bring more discipline into our daily routine. Don't they sound simple, hope these are as simple to keep up.

Wishing one and all a very happy, healthy, prosperous 2015
See you in the New year. Till then.. take care.. be happy.. keep stitching.. Au Revoir!!!

Monday, December 15, 2014

New Recipes and progress...

I have been quite irregular in the blogger world this year - updates wise and also on catching up on other blogs. I definitely intend to mend that and be more regular from now

There are a few new recipes I tried during the last few weeks, out of which 2 stand out.

A whole wheat pizza made from scratch. The base is so simple and does not require yeast.

I used 2 kinds of toppings - the classic tomato and minty toppings. I found the recipe in Nita Mehta's book - Italian cooking for Indian kitchen.

I have been wanting to bake something using pumpkin for a long time and here's what I made

It's an eggless pumpkin streusel bread. The basic recipe can be found here. I skipped the chocolate chip and used a streusel topping instead

The husband passed a comment - "Every Sunday if I open the oven there's something smelling great and looking yummy"!!! Yyaaayyy, now need I anything more motivating to keep baking

Now, best for the last - my progress on the seashells

I am really happy with the way things are shaping up here. The last few months I have been stitching every night and the results are obvious. I definitely intend to keep this up

Well, that's from me today folks. Till next time.. Take care.. be happy.. keep stitching.. Au Revoir