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Monday, September 24, 2012

Frittata Recipe




Frittata Recipe

6 med potatoes
2 carrots grated
1 med onion chopped
3 rashers of bacon
2 cups baby spinach
8 eggs
1/2 cup thickened cream (I ran out of cream so I made a simple white sauce with milk, butter and plain flour)
1 cup grated cheese
1/4 cup parmesan or enough to sprinkle over the top

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius or 180 fan forced
Grease oven proof dish
Slice potatoes thinly and parboil 
Dice onion and bacon, heat oil in a non stick frying pan over medium heat and cook for about 3-4 mins or until onion is tender. Add carrots and spinach and cook until spinach is just wilted.
Place some of the potatoes in oven proof dish and add a layer of the onion mix, add more potatoes and onion mix. Repeat until finished.
Mix eggs and cream (or white sauce) in a bowl and gently pour over potatoes and onion mix. Sprinkle the cheese on top and bake for 35 mins or until the egg mixture is cooked and top golden.

This recipe fed 2 adults and 4 kids dinner plus lunch the next day, but if a smaller amount is required the measurements can be tweaked :)


Friday, September 7, 2012

Spring Cleaning - Decluttering

In my last post which you can read here, I mentioned that I wouldn't do any decluttering during my spring cleaning, as I knew I wouldn't finish what I set out to do...

Well I couldn't do it... I ended up decluttering :)

I got rid of (or put things aside for garage sale and returning to rightful owner) 50 items yesterday.

Rubbish and Recycling
  • 1 x (empty) box from Missy's room
  • 1 x lolly bag from Missy's room
  • 1 x lonely Dora domino from Missy's room (the rest were lost long ago)
  • 2 x catalogues from kitchen
  • 2 x wrapping paper from main bedroom
  • 1 x lolly box
  • 1 x bear shaped eraser (It's been around since I was a kid)
Donate

  • 1 x toy turtle with hammer
  • 3 x handheld games
  • 1 x jumper
  • 1 x jacket
  • 3 shirts
  • 5 x singlets (day wear)
  • 1 x baby jacket
  • 1 x toy dog carrier
  • 1 x purple toy
  • 1 x tiger toy
  • 1 x toy guitar
  • 1 x kids toy cup (again the rest were lost long ago)
Garage Sale

  • 1 x 2 pc PJ set
  • 3 x sz 0 tops
  • 2 x glass serving trays
  • 1 x glass bowl
  • 2 x glass candle holders
  • 2 x small glass jugs
  • 1 x glass measuring cup
  • 1 x glass thing.. I have no idea what it is
  • 3 x nappy covers
  • 2 x 2pk newborn nappies
Returning
  • 2 x reusable nappies to cousin

I was going to donate it all, but seeing as though my mum is having a garage sale in a few weeks, and I need to raise funds for our possible move, I thought I may as well try and sell some things.


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Spring Cleaning - Zones

With spring finally arriving, it's time I started thinking about spring cleaning. Even with only one parent working outside the home, we've been struggling to keep up with the everyday basics, due to our busy lives. The house is starting to look a little neglected, and it's time to do something about it.

I've split my home into 4 zones, and I'll be working in one zone a week during September.

They are as follows:

Zone 1: Hallway (entryway) and  Lounge room
Zone 2: Kitchen and Laundry
Zone 3: Bedrooms 1 and 2
Zone 4: Bedroom 3 and Bathroom


  • Each zone will get a thorough clean and tidy, Which includes:

    General - All Rooms
    Dusting (inc. walls, fans, picture frames etc)
    Vacuuming (inc. behind/under furniture)
    Washing down of all hard surfaces (inc. walls, doors, windows etc)
    Clean switchplates and door knobs
    Clean Blinds

    Bedrooms
    General - All rooms
    Clean air con filter
    Wash bedding, inc. pillows and blankets.
    Air out Mattress
    Dust and wipe over lamp shade
    Deodorise carpet

    Bathroom
    General - All rooms
    Scrub/steam clean grout
    Touch up grout
    Reseal grout
    Scrub taps
    Remove seat and scrub seat bolts
    Scrub bath
    Scrub toilet
    Scrub shower
    Mop floor

    Kitchen
    General - All rooms
    Clean oven
    Clean microwave
    Clean out fridge and freezer
    Clean underneath fridge
    Vacuum and clean fridge coils
    Descale kettle
    Clean dishwasher
    Mop floor

    Loungeroom
    General - All rooms
    Clean air con filter
    Vac lounge
    Spot clean lounge
    Wash cushions and throws
    Mop floor

    Laundry
    General - All rooms
    Clean washing machine
    Clean Dryer
    Shine sink
    Mop floor
     
  • I haven't included jobs such as cleaning vanities, kitchen cupboards etc, as this is part of our weekly cleaning. 
  • I won't, or I should say I'll try not to declutter at this point, unless I finish that weeks zone early, otherwise I know I'll get distracted and end up not finishing what I set out to do.
  • I'll work little and often, instead of trying to do everything in one go and end up overwhelmed, frustrated and stressed and most probably give up. 
  • The zone cleaning needs to fit around our routine/schedule instead of us fitting around it. I still have appts to attend, make sure everyone is clothed, fed, clean, happy and well rested, aswell as keep up with my daily must do's. So there's a good chance I won't get it all done this month, but as long as I do what I can, I'm ok with that.
  • Most importantly I must remember to keep positive, smile, crank up the stereo and enjoy myself, after all a happy wife is a happy life :)
This was meant to be ready and posted by Saturday 1st Sept, but thanks to our crazy life its a few days late, so seeing as though it's Tuesday...



...I'm linking up with the lovely Jess at Diary of a SAHM for IBOT :)