Sewing. Motherhood. Domestic Engineering.

Previous posts: Just purchase The Casual Vacancy Chapter One down So since my last post on the book, 17-Oct-12, I have honestly not read another page of the book. Just not interested I suppose. There is nothing drawing me back into the book and always something else to distract me. That said, I WILL eventually finish the book just because I've started it and it must be finished :)

Previous post: Just purchased The Casual Vacancy Post Chapter One So, I've finished chapter one...I won't reveal any spoilers (don't want to ruin it for anyone) the scene is well and truly set and I hope the next chapter gets the show on the road. I love J.K.'s style of writing, the way she describes the world in her books and if you enjoyed that in the Harry Potter books you will like this one. However, there isn't as much action (mind' I've only read the first chapter...). It may improve...will provide an update when I get further in :)

Just got a copy of J .K. Rowling's new book The Casual Vacancy for  steal at $20 on ebay. Look forward to reading it despite the mixed reviews on the web. Will let you all know what I think when I get into it. If anyone else has read it leave a comment and let me know what you thought.... Chapter one complete:  http://mrsclwilson.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/chapter-one-of-casual-vacancy.html Post chapter one

I actually made these!! A little while ago Macarons or Macaroons became a huge hit in Queensland and in my kitchen. Bede and I got the book 'Secrets of Macarons' by Jose Marechal from his grandmother as a wedding gift. Didn't take me long before I was making an attempt at the yummy sweets. I also used another recipe for chocolate macaroons that I found somewhere on line but I can remember where it can from.  Basic equipment for making most macaroons: kitchen scales electric beater piping bag (pretty cheap from ebay) piping nozzle (round) large flat baking tray baking paper sieve whisk spatula thermometer (I just guessed) macaroon template   The template ensures that when you join them together they are all the same size. You can grab a template from here and just print it out (some you print twice and stick them together) and slip it under the baking paper - Don't forget to take it out before baking. So here you have it. This is a combi...

3/5 - This book includes all the information on growing fruit and vegetables but also how to raise chickens, goats, pigs, bees, cows and more. I'm not such a fan of the layout of the book, just a bit all over the place. There is a fair bit on how to design the garden and building things like trellises and frames for vertical plants. A good reference for herbs. It's completely American - so months of the year, regions and plant types will be different for most other parts of the world.

4/5 - I got this from Amazon a while ago after we started gardening on verandah. I really like the layout of the book, it makes sense. And it provides a really good time line for when to plant, and cut back. It's also done by seasons  and not times of the year so no need to convert it for different parts of the world :) I frequently refer to the book when new things happen in the garden or when I want to plant something new. It also has some information on crop rotations and how to prevent certain diseases.