Mango Fruit Cake

I have been sharing a few recipes around here lately. You are either loving it or hating it, regardless, here is another one for you!! LOL!

I was given this recipe and enjoyed my first taste of it when it was baked by one of my gorgeous friends. She is always trying new things, and whipping up some delicious cakes and slices. Not only is she a great cook though, she is a truly beautiful person, inside and out. xo

The thing I like most about this cake , is it has no sugar!! Or butter and milk for that matter. Its still super moist but is a healthier take on the traditional fruit cake.

Mango Fruit Cake

1 x 425g can Mango slices

500g Mixed Dried fruit, incl Glace Cherries

1/2 cup water

1 1/2 teaspoon Bi Carb Soda

1 1/2 cups SR Flour

2 eggs, lightly beaten

METHOD

Grease 19cm square cake pan and line.

Drain Mangoes over a saucepan (so the liquid is in the pot) , chop the mangoes into small cubes and put in the pot with mixed fruit and water.

Bring to the boil and simmer uncovered for 1 min.

Remove from heat and cool.

Stir in combined sifted flour and soda with eggs and mix well.

Add cooled fruit in pot with all juice.

Pour into prepared pan and cook in moderate oven ( 160degrees) for 1 hour or by testing.

Cool cake in the pan and lightly dust with icing sugar to serve

Enjoy :)

This really is very yummy, my darling husband who doesn't normally like fruit cakes, LOVES this



Sharing the Love (Liebster Blog)

WOW time flies when you are having fun (or busy with little people!). A little while ago I received this award from a fellow blogger, the wonderful Annaleis from Teapots and Tractors!!
I too, like Annaleis, have never won a blog award, so this was such an honour, and I was listed with another 4 bloggers, all wonderful ladies , and with blogs I like to read.

Blogging has become more to me than just tapping away at a keyboard, hoping to feel some sort of relief or debrief from my hectic days with our little children. It is now a part of "who I am". Its what I love to do. Ever since my Year 11 English Lit class where we read the book Lord of the Flies, and studied how it was a microcosm of our society, I have love to write. Stringing words together is more than just that. Its expressing yourself, its therapeutic and I feel so lucky to be now able to start the journey of taking my blog to the next level.

There are a few rules for accepting the award:

• Copy and paste the award on your blog
• Link back to the blogger who gave you the award
• Pick your five favourite bloggers with under 200 followers who deserve to be recognised
• Hope the five chosen bloggers will continue to spread the blog award love

So my 5 recipients are obviously just a few , out the many many blogs that I like to read. I love that all blogs offer something different to the reader. Pick me ups on a down day, laughs when you need it and that inspiration or encouragement to get your shiz organised or get crafting with the kids!
It would be lovely for you to head on over to their blogs, show them some comment love, and see if you like them as much as I do!!

Living on Latte - Kaz is not only a genuine, lovely soul but also has a beautiful home, family and wonderful ideas for organising and crafting!! A woman after my own heart

Life at number 91 - Jill has been an avid follower and supporter of my blog and facebook page. She is gorgeous lady, with 3 gorgeous girls, and she currently has a giveaway running, and some Reno's as well!! Oh dear , busy busy!

Mad Mummas Sweet Randoms - Kell has the BEST giveaways, says some stuff that makes me nod my head and is a lovely lady too!

The Home She Made - One of the fabulous things about blogging, has been connecting with other wonderful women out there that share common interests and tastes. And to me , Clare is one of them. She has a fantastic facebook page, amazing blog and the BEST organising ideas! Thanks for all your inspiration and friendship Clare xo



My Family, Our Home - This wonderful lady Jess, is one of my closest friends. Jess is a VERY kind and generous person, with the perfect knack for decorating and styling! She hasn't blogged for a while, but you will find more than enough inspiration by trawling through her past posts. Just gorgeous

There you have just 5 of my favourite blogs to peruse, they are filled with lots of goodies and wonderful ladies!
Please check them out, and let them know who sent you!
And thank you so much Annaleis for the honour of this award, I think you are pretty special too! ;)

                     

Redecorating Itch

So.... lately I have been feeling a bit of the good old "redecorating itch". Don't get me wrong, I love my house, I love 'most' of my furniture and I love that our house feels welcoming and homely ( well thats what my instagram friends say anyway!! haha)

However, I have never actually set out with a mission to redecorate and complete a room, from head to toe.
 Like totally redo a room.
Set my mind to the task, and do it!
I see so often that people say " I'm redoing the kids rooms" or "we are redecorating the living area" or whatever. Our rooms have always been a work in progress, and probably always will be! Whenever we have a bit of extra money (got an inheritance, sold some shares haha ) we have put it towards buying some of our major furniture items, and of course, the gold old Interest Free purchasing!
The only problem with getting this 'itch" is the lack of funds. Isn't that always the case? Haha.
So I am going to have to be crafty and clever with my dollars, which adds a bit more fun into the mix!
The main bedroom makeover is still a work in progress, there was actually a bit of a big change that sort of throws the makeover WELL over budjet (like the purchase of a new bedroom suite on said Interest Free Finance) so the next project (I know, I know, don't start a new one until the other one is finished) is probably one the most used spaces in our home. Our Playroom.

This is a room that the kids play (derr!) , snack, watch movies for quiet time (amen for quiet time) , pretend to cook me dinner, read books, make MESS and sometimes eat breakfast.
I have never been too precious about this room. I like it to be neat and tidy , and the floors vacuumed ( one day I hope to replace the carpet with lino) but kids are kids, it is their space, and I am ok with letting them eat, drink etc in there.

The only toys kept in their own rooms are their special ones, the rest are in the playroom. Because their Playroom is shared, I don't think its fair that all their toys have to live there. Sharing is definately caring, but so is learning to look after and cherish your own special toys. So this means mass storage as we have boys and girls and ages 4 to baby. Thats the easy part, we already have the storage.

I just want to make the room look more 'pretty'. Seeing as though the Toyroom is infact our formal lounge area converted, the entryway is open wide to the hallway and the main thoroughfare with visitors enter and exit our house. Hmmm, not good when there are Mr Potato Head parts, Duplo pieces and dress ups everywhere!

So I am going to use these awesome new printables from Jen at iheart organizing , for recording my purchases, the items that need to be onsold or taken to Good Sammies.





Available in Post HERE

Now, the biggest decision I have to make in regard to this project (if only it was the biggest that decisions get!) is whether to embrace all the lovely colours that are around in the shops lately, or go with my usual look, beige, white and brown!!

Beige is good, Brown is safe. And safe is always a winner, however this is a kids room after all , and there needs to be some colour! I am also leaning towards more of a grey as the main shade , with accents of yellow (crazy for Liz huh?) But it is a big decision, huge infact, to go the grey option. Eeeek

A few of the things I am thinking are;

This mat from IKEA, pretty good value at $49.95

A new cover for the existing lounge $129.00

And I am thinking some nice curtains, labels for the toy baskets and new throw cushions.

I am pretty sure my wish list is bigger than my budget, but we will have to wait and see!!
I hope to show you some before and afters within the next few weeks!

Wish me luck!

Wonderful Sponsors

I'd just like to take a moment to introduce my wonderful new sponsors and welcome them on board at Bizzy Dayz.
My gorgeous new blog design is Sharnee at Suck My Lolly (funny I know!). Sharnee is so very patient, super duper clever and an absolutely lovely lady to work with! We must of exchanged well over 50 emails in the process of getting the design up and running and everything perfect.
To say I love it , is an absolute understatement! I mega love it, and hope you do too!
So if you are in the market for a new look for your blogger template, please commission Sharnee, you will NOT be disappointed!

Bright Buttons Toys has been my go to shop for the past few birthdays in our home. It is owned and run by the amazing Amanda, an Educational and Development Psychologist, so all the toys stocked are selected based on their high level of education, learning and uniqueness.
For those that know me well, you know that I prefer our children to play with and receive toys that are of a more classic design, wood and educational. Its not that I don't like the toys in the shops, our children do have some, and I do and think they are all great, I just prefer ones that I know will stand the test of time, encourage creativity and don't make annoying sounds!! Little bits of plastic everywhere, toys that break or need batteries. No thanks. Back to basics for us!!
For Max and Lacey Birthday this year, I bought a few goodies and they have been well played with, are still in great condition and are so loved! See post HERE. So I have a few items on the wish list for Christmas and Angus' 1st Birthday later in the year. Just a few are;


Love this Coffee machine, just like a real one!
HERE

How cool is this cash register? Complete with cards, scanning machine and eftpos!
HERE

                                          

Our kids definitely need these, they keep stealing ours when gardening!
HERE

As you can see, there are heaps of gorgeous toys, and soooo many more on the site, so please check it out, and join Bright Buttons Toys Facebook Page

A new sponsor to join me at Bizzy Dayz, is the wonderful Lisa from Giggle 'n' Groove. A lovely local lady who hand crafts the most amazing Jewellery and Hair accessories for you or your little one! I have been wanting one of Lisa's gorgeous pendents for some time now, and now that our family is complete, I am going to get one with our kids names on it. However choosing a design may be the hard part!! I think my favourite is ;



And I love this for my hubby

All jewellery is made to order and there are new designs being released all the time. To stay up with the latest products, special offers and sales , join the facebook page HERE
Lisa is currently running a promo on her facebook page, where you can with the right to purchase a pendant at a discount of over $100!!
AND, but wait , there is more, Lisa is also offering all Bizzy Dayz readers a discount of 10% off their purchases until the end of June, using the Code Bizzy Dayz, in the coupon box!!

And we have the gorgeous Ollie Rose. The girls have joined me for a month or so, and you will remember them from the awesome giveaways that I did not so long ago!
I love purchasing Ollie Rose clothing for our kids, so individual and gorgeous, and its nice to not bump into another child wearing the same thing! Their Facebook Page is HERE.

Thanks for listening/reading my babble, but I am really excited to be able to share the new blog space and next chapter of Bizzy Dayz with some amazing sponsors! I love their products, I am a customer of theirs and I believe in them, and that makes a difference!

A lot is happening in our home at the moment, I am deep into party planning for dear Angus' Baptism , the kids were hit with a touch of the dreaded bug going around and day to day dramas,  but its all go from here!

Disclaimer: I have not been paid to promote these products, they are purely my choice, and what I genuinely would like to purchase. However these Businesses have paid for the right to advertise down my sidebar space. If you wish to advertise, please contact me.

Woolly Buzzing Bees

These Woolly Buzzing Bees kept the kids nice and entertained while the weather was woolly outside over the weekend. Going along with our "insect" theme, these were perfect.

All you need is;

A toilet roll

Yellow Wool

Black Wool

Googly eyes

Baking paper

Craft glue

All you need it do is;

Run a small line of glue along the roll and secure the end of your Yellow wool.

Wrap it around and around to your hearts content.

Then wrap some black wool around a few times to create some black bee stripes.

Glue the pre cut Baking Paper wings onto the top and then the googly eyes.

Bzzz bzzz bzzz

* This craft was quite quick to complete and all the equipment we had on hand, however Stella was the only child that had enough co- ordination to complete the wrapping by herself and she is 4.
This activity may be for older children, or ones with more co ordination!! haha

Choc Bit Slice

This weekend, the weather here has been so wild and woolly, a lot of inside activities were had. One of them being some baking!
Today I whipped up this super easy slice, and yesterday it was yummy Vanilla slice, with passion fruit icing!! Not good for the figure, but good for the soul, and for the visitors that have been popping in for a cuppa!

This slice , has become a staple in our home over the years. The recipe was given to me , in the hand written cookbook ,my sister gave to us as a Wedding present. Its full of family and favourite recipes and gets used almost daily!

Each time I make it, its that little bit different, as its so easy to adapt with whatever you have in the pantry or to try something new.

No Bowl Choc Bit Slice

90g butter, melted
1 1/2 cups choc bits
1 cup mixed nuts , chopped ( I just used chopped peanuts)
1 cup sweet biscuit crumbs ( I use Milk Arrowroot's)
1 cup Shredded Coconut ( I used desiccated)
400g can Sweet Condensed Milk

*That is the basic recipe but today I have added Glace Cherries, Sultanas and slithered almonds for the top.
Other ingredients you can try are; Mixed dried fruit, oats, sunflower seeds, lollies (eeek), dried apricots

Method
Prepare your slice tray with grease paper and grease.
Pour butter into prepared pan and sprinkle evenly with biscuit crumbs
Sprinkle choc bits, coconut and nuts (and whatever else you choose to add) onto the biscuit base.
Drizzle the can of Condensed Milk over the top , covering the whole slice.
Bake in a moderate oven for about 30 mins, or until slightly browned.
Cool in the pan before cutting and refrigerate.
Enjoy

This really is so easy, and I love that it can be adapted to a healthier slice (as it can be ) or full of naughty stuff. I have given this in my Christmas gift bags  for the past few years and tend to make it for anything we go to.
I also love having a recipe that I have most of the ingredients for in the pantry, and that doesn't contain an egg, its always the times you need one, that they have run out!

I hope you enjoy it!

Paper Plate Lady Bugs

You may have noticed we have been crafting a lot lately? Boredom busters for crazy 2 year olds!!

We put to use the paper plates we painted the other day, and set to creating a few lady bugs.

You will need equipment as follows;

Painted plates

Black card stock

Some circles cut out of black card

A few antenna cut out of black card

A stapler

Craft glue

A few boggley eyes!

Firstly cut out a semi circle shape from the black card. I traced around a bowl and then cut them out.

Staple to the top of the plate, and staple the antennae to the black card. This is the lady bugs head

Glue the black circles wherever you please. Then glue the boggley eyes to the black head at the top.

Ta-da!!!

An alternative to the black circles could also be,  a pack of black dot stickers, painted black spots or even a potato stamped spot.

This craft session seriously only took 15 minutes , including the clean up, as I had everything prepared and ready to go!

We are going to make a few more 'insect' related crafts, as that is our theme at the moment , then we are moving on to an "Ocean" theme as Stella has just completed this at kindy last term.

Happy crafting!