Lemon Slice

I love pretty much  anything lemon flavoured including this lemon slice.  The trick to making a great lemon slice is to include lemon juice in the icing on top.  The more zing the better.  I've tasted a quite a few lemon slices that don't have the lemon flavour and I've been left wondering what slice it was.

This slice keeps for a couple of weeks in the fridge and travels well too.


1/2 a tin of sweetened condensed milk.  I think the current size is 400grams

125 grams of melted butter

1 packet of Marie biscuits or similar sweet biscuit

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

1 cup of shredded coconut

Grated zest of 1 medium lemon ( I like to add more )


Crush the biscuits with a rolling pin or in a food processor.
Add all other ingredients and mix well until everything is wet.
Place into an oblong slice tin and pat down with the palm of your hand.
Refrigerate for one hour

Lemon icing -

Approx. 1  1/4 cups of icing sugar
juice of 1/2 a lemon

Mix together until a thick icing is made.  Add a little extra lemon juice if needed.
Spread the icing over the slice working quickly to even and smooth it out
Add a little extra shredded coconut to the top of the icing and press slightly into the icing.
Return to the fridge to set.

To cut the slice,  take it out of the fridge for 1/2 hour before cutting.  It can be cut in the tin or taken out and cut. 
Store in containers with baking paper between each layer.

This Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 1st October 2016

Darren and I spent a lovely weekend away at Corinella Country House in Greenhill last weekend.  We had a family wedding to attend in Malmsbury just down the road from where we were staying.  The farm we stayed at was lovely and peaceful and the fresh air and gardens were just delightful.  I'll post a couple of photos below and write a blog post shortly about  our stay.

Here's what else we got up to this week -

*  Made four loaves of wholemeal bread with extra goodness.

*  Made a batch of diluted Dynamo laundry liquid ( great for smelly washing ).

*  Bought home any leftover food from our stay in Greenhill.

*  Packed bottles of water,  dinner for the first night and snacks for our weekend away.

*  Saved lots of shower water for the washing machine.  I also saved the rinse water for each next load of washing.

*  Dried the washing on the line and clotheshorses.

*  Used the dry mop on the bamboo flooring instead of getting out the vacuum cleaner.

*  Gratefully received a card making magazine and stamps from a friend.

*  Saved a couple of gift bags given with presents this week.

*  Bought two Summer tops from Savers and used a 15% discount stamp.

*  Picked silverbeet from the garden to go with two meals.

*  Darren filled up his car with petrol bought at 99 cents a litre.

*  Turned the heater off for a couple of hours each day when the sun was shining through our windows,

*  Fed the chickens an old lettuce plant every few days.

*  Cut of the ribbons from my new tops.  These will be used in card making.

We have peaches starting to grow.

Cherry blossoms on Darren's cherry tree.

The raspberry plants are growing fast.

Miniature teapots on my kitchen dresser

The cottage we stayed in.

In the garden around the cottage

The view of our cottage from the garden.

What frugal tasks did you complete this week ?

Grocery Specials Wednesday 28th September 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials - 

COLES -

*  Peters Drumstick 4 Pack-6 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $7.99, Save $4.00  Now $3.99 each

*  Cadbury Sharepack 160g-180gBETTER THAN 1/2 PRICE Was $4.60, Save $2.60 Now $2.00 each   A stockpile worthy price.

*  Doritos Corn Chips 150g-170g or Smith's Crinkle Potato Chips 170g BETTER THAN 1/2 PRICE Was $3.20, Save $1.70  Now $1.50 each.  Stock up for the footy finals,  Cup weekend,  Christmas etc

*  Fantastic Rice Crackers 100g1/2 PRICE Was $1.95, Save $0.98  Now $0.97 each

*  Smith’s Duos Potato Chips 150g1/2 PRICE Was $3.20, Save $1.70  Now $1.50 each

*  Mars Celebrations Boxed Chocolates 300g1/2 PRICE2nd week on sale .Was $10.00, Save $5.00
Now $5.00 each

*  Cadbury Boxed Favourites or Mini Blocks Chocolates 320g1/2 PRICE Was $12.00, Save $6.00
Now $6.00 each

*  30% OFF Black Swan Classic & Wattle Valley Dips

*  Four’N Twenty Classic Meat Pies 4 Pack 700g1/2 PRICE Was $8.00, Save $4.00  Now $4.00 each.  There are lots of other footy type food on sale right now.

*  Heat Beads Barbecue Fuel 4kg1/2 PRICE No rainchecks. Limit 5 bags per customer.Was $9.49, Save $4.75  Now $4.74 each

*  Willow Cooler 25 Litre1/2 PRICE2nd week on sale.Was $42.00, Save $21.00  Now $21.00 each   Makes an impressive and useful present
.
*  Praise Deli Style Aioli 250mL1/2 PRICE Was $3.99, Save $2.00  Now $1.99 each

*  Fountain Tomato or Barbecue Sauce 2 Litre1/2 PRICE Was $6.00, Save $3.00  Now $3.00 each.  Stockpile for Summer bbqs.

*  Maharajah’s Choice Basmati Rice 5kg1/2 PRICE Was $17.50, Save $8.75  Now $8.75 each

*   Praise Dressing 330mL1/2 PRICE Was $3.50, Save $1.75  Now $1.75 each.  Buy a few for Summer bbqs

*  .Uncle Tobys Cheerios 570g-580g1/2 PRICE Was $6.29, Save $3.15 Now $3.14 each

*  ASC Basa Fillets Thawed1/2 PRICE From the Deli.Was $11.00, Save $5.50 kg Now $5.50 kg.  Ask for frozen stock so you can put it in the freezer.

*  Tip Top Raisin Toast 520g1/2 PRICE Was $5.40, Save $2.70  Now $2.70 each

*  Tip Top English Muffins 6 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $4.90, Save $2.45  Now $2.45 each

*  Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Multi-Protection Toothpaste 110g1/2 PRICE Was $10.00, Save $5.00  Now $5.00 each

*  Palmolive Naturals Shower Gel 500mL1/2 PRICE Was $5.39, Save $2.70 Now $2.69 each

*  25% OFF All Rimmel Make-Up

*  Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Pump SPF 50+ 400g 1/2 PRICE Banana Boat Sunscreen.
Excludes Banana Boat Aloe After Sun & clearance items.Was $20.40, Save $10.20  Now $10.20 each

*  Herbal Essences Shampoo or Conditioner 300mL1/2 PRICE Was $6.49, Save $3.25  Now $3.24 each

*  20% OFF All Toys

*  40% OFF Bonds Men's & Women's Underwear, Socks & Hosiery.Excludes Baby, Kids and clearance items

*  Buy Any 2 Get the 3rd FREE Selected Disney DVDs

*  Nescafé Café Menu 10 Pack 132g-185g1/2 PRICE Was $6.59, Save $3.30  Now $3.29 each

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Dr Oetker Ristorante Pizza 310-390g Now $3.75 each1/2 Price, Save $3.75

*  MasterFoods Tomato or BBQ Sauce 500ml – Excludes Aussie Grown & Flavoured Sauce Varieties 500ml Now $1.42 each1/2 Price, Save $1.43

*  Sakata Rice Crackers 90-100g Now $1.00 each1/2 Price, Save $1.40

*  Mars Medium Bitesize 140-180g Now $2.12 each1/2 Price, Save $2.13.  Great for Christmas treats.

*    Mars Celebrations 300g Now $5.00 each1/2 Price, Save $5.00

*  Moccona Mixers Pk 10 Now $2.79 each1/2 Price, Save $2.80

*  Robert Timms Coffee 200g Now $4.50 each1/2 Price, Save $4.50

*  Betty Crocker Gluten Free Mix 450-550g**Available in the Health Food Aisle .Now $2.99 each 1/2 Price, Save $3.00.  If this is something you need then buy up big.

*  Cadbury Cooking Chocolate 200-225g Now $2.50 each Save $1.75

*  Spam 340g Now $2.45 each1/2 Price, Save $2.45

*  Alfa One Rice Bran Oil 4 Litre Now $12.00 each1/2 Price, Save $12.00

*  Sunrice Basmati Rice 5 kg Now $9.00 each1/2 Price, Save $9.00

*  Sargents Premium Chunky Pies 700g Pk 4 or Angus Beef 760g Pk 4 Now $4.25 each1/2 Price, Save $4.25

*    Golden Crumpets Rounds Pk 6 Now $1.65 each1/2 Price, Save $1.65

*  Tip Top Cafe Raisin Toast or Cafe Style Breakfast Toast 650g Now $2.95 each1/2 Price, Save $2.95
*  30% off All Scotch-Brite Sponges, Scourers, Cloths & Cleaning Wipes

*  1/2 Price All Gillette^Excludes blades and Value Pack

*  1/2 Price All Banana Boat, Sunsilk Shampoo or Conditioner & Listerine 500ml varieties.

*  30% off All Body Lotion*Excludes Dermaveen, Cetaphil, Clearance Items, Prices Dropped and Low Price Always lines

*  .25% Off All Ecotools

*  30% Off All Sally Hansen

*  Oral B Pro Health Toothpaste 145g Now $2.99 each1/2 Price, Save $3.00

*  20% off iTunes Gift Cards* 20% Off $30, $50, $100

                                        

Card Making Ideas September 2016

Although I love making female cards,  I know I need to learn how to make men's cards as well.  After all,  they do celebrate birthdays, Father's Day,  anniversaries and Valentines Day too.

Recently I was given a handful of motoring booklets and magazines that had suitable pictures to use in card making.

Here's what I've made lately -

These cards were made on a cream colored card.  I found packets of 10 sheets of cardboard colored cardstock in the $2 shops.  Each sheet was cut into four giving me enough for 40 card fronts.  I edged the cardboard with a black ink pad to give it an aged / vintage look.

The red background for the car is a paint sample card from Bunnings hardware store.

This image is from a Kaisercraft 12 x 12 inch sheet that had multiple images to cut out.  This makes a quick and easy card.

This one was made on a silver card.  It gives it a sporty look.  I try to keep most of the cards blank and add a sentiment when the card to being given.

This Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 24th September 2016

This week has been a bits and pieces week.  Darren has been patching and painting our ceilings after the new downlights were installed a couple of weeks ago.  He will finish painting them later in the year.  I've been busy taking photos of my cards and getting ready to sell them. Stay tuned for the big announcement.  I've completed my monthly food shop this week and started planning and buying for my Summer stockpile.

Here's what else I got up to this week -

*  Sold five of my handmade greeting cards to a friend.

*  All of our chickens have started laying.  Wednesday was the first day we collected five eggs.  I've added  weeds,  grass and old vegetable plants from the garden to their diet..

*  Kept the heater off for a couple of days.  It was even warm enough to have the doors open.

*  Refilled a couple of foaming hand wash dispensers with diluted shower gel.

*  Picked a few lemons off our tree.

*  Dried some washing on the line and clotheshorses.  Some items had to be dried in the dryer.

*  We all ate leftovers out of the freezer for dinner one night.

*  Gratefully received three avocados from a friend.

*  Gratefully received a few placemats,  serviettes and doilies at the Cheapskates card making day.

*  Made a card for a wedding we are going to.  I used supplies I already had on hand.

*  Bought a beautiful pair of near new shoes from Savers for $24 using my 20% discount.  These shoes are for the wedding.

*  Refilled all the spray bottles with Miracle Spray.

*  Cut off the hanging ribbons from a cardigan.  These will be used in card making.

*  Gratefully received a handful of train magazines.  I cut out a few pictures for decorating cards.

*  Saved the washing machine water for each next load.

My ( new ) shoes

Handmade wedding card

Handmade men's card

Free card making items


What was on your frugal list this week ?

Grocery Specials Wednesday 21st September 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

*  Mars Medium Funsize 144g-216g1/2 PRICE Was $4.60, Save $2.30  Now $2.30 each

*  Golden Circle Tetra Fruit Drink 1 Litre1/2 PRICE Excludes Pineapple, Tomato & Nectar.
Was $2.15, Save $1.08  Now $1.07 each

*  Cheezels Cheese Snacks 110g1/2 PRICE Was $2.00, Save $1.00 Now $1.00 each.  Put a few away for end of year school parties.

*  Gold Choice Canola, Vegetable or Sunflower Oil 4 Litre or La Española Rice Bran Oil 3 Litre1/2 PRICE Was $18.00, Save $9.00  Now $9.00 each

*  Continental Cup a Soup 2 Serve 40g-75g1/2 PRICE Was $2.00, Save $1.00  Now $1.00 each

*  Heinz Classic Soup 535g1/2 PRICE Was $3.49, Save $1.75  Now $1.74 each

*  Vittoria Mountain Grown Coffee Beans or Ground or Organic Coffee Beans 1kg1/2 PRICE
Was $36.70, Save $18.35  Now $18.35 each

*  Don Footy Franks 375g-500g1/2 PRICE From the Dairy department.Was $5.60, Save $2.80  Now $2.80 each.  Great for the footy finals season.

*    Golden Crumpet Rounds 6 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $3.30, Save $1.65  Now $1.65 each

*  30% OFF All Mitchum

*  Carefree Regular Tampons 20 Pack or Stayfree Ultra Thin Regular Pads with Wings 14 Pack40% OFF All Stayfree & Carefree Pads & Tampons.Excludes clearance and Every Day items.
Was $5.00, Save $2.00  Now $3.00 each.  This is a stockpile worthy price.

*  Dettol Pro Fresh Shower Gel 500mL1/2 PRICE Was $6.49, Save $3.25  Now $3.24 each

*  Viva Paper Towel 3 Pack Was $5.00, Save $2.00  now $3.00 each

*  1/2 PRICE All Sistema Klip It.

*  Willow Cooler 25 Litre1/2 PRICE On sale for 2 weeks.Was $42.00, Save $21.00  Now $21.00 each.  This makes a great present.

*  Old El Paso Soft Taco Kit 405g1/2 PRICE Was $6.50, Save $3.25  Now $3.25 each

*  L’Oréal Elvive Shampoo or Conditioner 250mL1/2 PRICE Was $5.95, Save $2.98  now $2.97 each

*  Arnott's Chocolate Biscuits 160g-250g1/2 PRICE Excludes Tee Vee Snacks & Mini Wagon Wheels.Was $3.65, Save $1.83  now $1.82 each.  Stock up for Christmas

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Peters Drumstick 475-490ml Pk 4/6 Now $3.99 each1/2 Price, Save $4.00

*  Golden Circle Sliced Beetroot 450g or Corn Kernels 410g Now $0.82 each1/2 Price, Save $0.83

*  Tip Top Raisin Toast 520g or Wholemeal Raisin Toast 600g Now $2.70 each1/2 Price, Save $2.70

*  Tip Top Muffin Varieties Pk 6 Now $2.45 each1/2 Price, Save $2.45

*  30% off All Moki, Essentials Cutlery, Inspire Glassware or Corelle

*  1/2 Price All Décor Tellfresh & Match Ups.

*  Fairy Dishwasher Tablets Pk 20-24 Now $7.49 each1/2 Price, Save $7.50

*  Handee Ultra Paper Towel Pk 3 Now $3.00 each Save $1.40

*  30% off All Poise

*  Maybelline Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette 9.6g Now $12.97 each1/2 Price, Save $12.98

*    30% off All Suncare & Tanning

*  30% off all L'Oreal

*  1/2 Price All Dove

*  1/2 Price All Colgate Optic White

*  Garnier Nutrisse Hair Colour Now $6.00 each1/2 Price, Save $6.00

*  30% off All Only Organic Baby Food

*  25% off All Sabco Mops & Mop Refills

Please feel free to post any other specials you find in supermarkets and department stores

    

Planning A Kitchen That Works - Part 1.

I love my new kitchen.  It's clean,  shiny and works so well.  I guess 20 years of dreaming and planning has paid off.  It also helps that I've been cleaning other people's kitchens for the last 18+ years too.  This has given me the chance to see what works and what doesn't.    Here are some things to consider when planning a new kitchen -

*  Pull out tap. These taps make it easy to rinse off large pots and to swish a sink clean.

*  Stone bench top color and edge.  If you get a stone bench top,  consider the color you choose.  A black or dark color is very hard to keep clean.  Every wipe mark and smear shows up no matter how hard you try to keep it clean.  Stone benches will have joins in them.  Choosing a light color with detail helps to conceal the joins.  The edge of the bench matters too. If you pick a slightly rounded edge it prevents damage to your clothes.  

* Drawers. Replacing cupboards with drawers makes it easy to access everything.  No more bending down and digging into the back of a cupboards.  Please note,  drawers might not hold as much as you think.  I had to do another declutter to fit everything in.  At least  I've only kept the things I really love.

*  Corner cupboards - lazy susan or not.  When I picked out my kitchen,  I was shown a corner cupboard with a lazy susan in it.  At first glance it seems like a great way to access everything.  Unfortunately the shelving is not as strong as a regular cupboard shelf.  I like to stack casserole dishes inside each other to maximise space.  A lazy susan would only be good in a plastics cupboard.

*  Sinks are smaller.  When I was researching the sinks available to buy,  I was quite suprised to find that sinks have shrunk in size over the years. Please keep this in mind when choosing one for your kitchen.  I picked the biggest I could find.  Even doing that,  I lost 20 centimetres off my old one.

*  Range hood with canopy or pull out.  Range hoods with a canopy might seem like all the rage on those cooking shows.  Keeping them clean is another issue.  When cooking,  steam rises.  So does the oil you cook with.  Before you know it your range hood has a layer of grease that can be a pain to remove.  Even if you do remove it,  you'll see the wipe marks from your cloth.  I've wasted so much time cleaning clients canopy range hoods only to see they are still not perfectly clean.  I chose a Westinghouse 90 centimetre pull out range hood.  The filters can be pulled down and cleaned in the dishwasher.

Drawers

Pull out tap

Detail in a bench hides the join