At My House: Heirloom Pumpkin Gnocchi with Tomato & Olive Sauce

This is my first attempt at pumpkin gnocchi, any gnocchi actually.  It tasted good, but I did run into some trouble getting to the end result.  Preparing the dough was fine, but making the little shapes requires a fork and a flick of the wrist that I haven't quite mastered.  We'll definitely be having this again, so time to practice next time. 

I used this recipe, cooking my pumpkin by baking it in the oven for half an hour or so.  We were given an heirloom pumpkin from our interstate visitors recently, they bought it from a farmer in Kyogle.  Apparently he sets up his truck outside a servo there if you know the area.  It was beautiful, the flavour was so distinctive and reminded me of the roast pumpkin Nan used to include with our Sunday Roasts.

There are other things happening at our house this week, however I'm doing that stupid, unproductive thing where you have a toddler on your lap thinking you can type a quick post and keep them happy at the same time.  I've pulled her fat little hands off the keyboard and mouse a few times now.  I think it time for a cuppa tea and a nice story with her cuddling in next to me.

At my house: Making Toddler Headbands

Here's another 'midnight special .  After Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters I felt sudden inspiration.  I made this as a thank you for a client's little girl who is having a birthday soon.  It matches one of the personalised tops I made her last week.

Thanks again Lou for the 'At my House' game.  The pattern and tutorial for this headband can be found on Heather Bailey's Blog.  I used about 9.5cm of elastic including allowance for seams to fit a 2 year old.  I made the band width narrower than the pattern and the elastic under the knot is designed to be exposed but I think I can do something about covering it the next time I make one.  Overall, pretty happy with the outcome. : )

At my house: Personalised kids gear

I love a new project.  These personalised Tees and PJs started with a request from a Daycare Mum. 

This long sleeve, soft cotton top is a bit more interesting with a little lady's name appliqued onto it.  This will be delivered this week along with 2 others, hope the girls like them!

These flanelette PJs for a little man feel so 'cuggly' I'm tempted to make some for Hubby Cuggles... and then some for myself! 

Thanks again Lou, I always like playing along with 'At My House'.

At my house: Sewing Room Challenge

Sewing Room
Originally uploaded by yvestown

I'm at work today, which is like my second home but our house has been getting some ruthless treatment.  With a new baby due in August my nesting instincts have kicked in.

The challenge is my sewing room.  It is also the study/office, ironing room, folding room, storage room and sometimes guest bedroom.... AND we want the baby to have that room.  

The answer -

• I've stored some fabrics in the shed;
• Given books to Vinnies;   
• Moved plastic tubs of Hubby's paperwork to the shed. (Love you hubby - but you don't read my blog do you?);
• Refolded and sorted remaining fabric by colour and type.  The goal is to have all my sewing things fit into one cupboard, then it can stay in the corner, or be moved elsewhere.

I'll relegate myself back to the dining table to cut out and need to decide on where I will sew, the dining table or keep a desk in the baby's room.  Sigh, if only Hubby Cuggles would convert our garden shed to a sewing studio, paint it white, buy me new things and make it look like the one in this picture! 

I think its time to go next door for a cuppsy tea and a cupcake.  : )

Thanks Yvestown for the room inspiration and Lou for the 'At My House' Game.

At my house: Donna Vs Nigella

Superior styling, concise instructions and proven results vs. good styling, verbose instructions and unknown results.  That's what I'm pondering this week, as a loyal Donna Hay girl I have recently been tempted by Nigella with her 'Nigella Express' program the ABC is running.  I've strayed so far as to borrow a Nigella book from the library, but I keep choosing my tried and tested Donna Hay recipes.  Donna really just puts a bit of sophistication into everyday ingredients 'Express' version of Nigella seems to rely on pre-prepared (good quality) ingredients in order to then throw something together more quickly than you could have otherwise.  I'm not going to cross over anytime soon, maybe just have a little dalliance at some stage. 

Are you wanting lovely warm breakfasts with this cooler weather?  We recently had house guests and I thought it would be very domestic to serve up a good ol' pot of porridge to start the day.  I turned to a copy of a DH mag from Autumn last year and found 'Vanilla Porridge with Honeyed Apples'.  Have a look at the DH website for the recipe.  I hadn't made this one before but can advise that when doing the honeyed apples, high heat doesn't necessarily mean the highest heat your burner can go up to.  Oops.  I can also advise that if you want an even quicker version of this idea, you can grate some apple into the porridge toward the end of the cooking time and stir in the vanilla and honey as well.  DEEELISH.

If I break out any Nigella recipes I'll share those experiences too, just to be fair to the poms.  You can visit the Nigella's website by clicking this link.  Be aware some recipes are submitted by readers, not Nigella.

Thanks Lou for inspiring this 'At my house' sharing game.