One Sparkly Life

Bringing in 2015. Wishing you all a fabulous night.  Xxx

I nearly deleted this post a few times but thought what does it matter? You guys don't judge and there is a certain cathartic feeling of being able to share while holding some anonymity. So here goes…. This year is flying by. It seems that like everyone else, the older I get the faster the time goes past. I also realise more often how important it is to surround yourself with good people and do things that bring you happiness. Too much of the last 12 months have seen me stressed and upset. This time last year were joyous with news of me being pregnant. Though a  few short weeks later I had a miscarriage and things changed. I rode the tumultuous ups and downs in my job, took a wonderful break to the USA and came back to more craziness at work than one person should ever handle. Jumping out of that frying pan it feels I landed directly into the fire with my new role. Now the process of figuring out whether to get out or ride it out begins again. Phew. Bring on the end of the year a...

It seems that I am not the only one who has been craving the taste of creamy homemade ice-cream. Thanks to all those who have let me know that you loved the look of my recent cooking efforts. I thought I would share the recipe with you all so that you can enjoy too. Homemade No Churn Ice Cream 1 x 395g Tin Condensed Milk 600ml of Thickened Cream Flavourings and toppings of your choice Pour cream and condensed milk into bowl of mix master and whip on medium until soft peaks form. Using a spatula fold in flavourings. Transfer to an airtight continuer and freeze overnight. Makes 1.2L. Flavour Option 1 - Rum N Raisin ⅓ cup of rum or bourbon ½ Cup of raisins or sultanas 1 Tbs of instant coffee powder dissolved in 2 Tbs of billing water Leave raisins soaking in rum overnight or for at least 4 hours. You ant the raisins too be plump and have soaked up the liquid from the rum. Once cream and condescend milk have been whipped, stir in raisins and coffee. Transfer t...

Why is it every time I feel like I get things under control and I get time to relax and reenergise it all suddenly goes pear shaped and back to being busy again? I feel like that has just happened all over again. After taking a few weeks off between jobs I felt like I had time to unwind physically and mentally. I had set myself some goals around relaxation time and activities. i was happy with the way I spent my time off (though it really didn't seem long enough). Then suddenly I look around and it has been 7 weeks since I started the new job and I am just as busy and stretched as i was before! Crazy. I am sure I am not alone and nor will I ever really change this feeling in any real way as something else will always take my energy, but it seems a little crazy. So here it is nearly the end of November and I am getting around to showing you what September and October looked like. So take a peak inside the craziness that has been my last few months before we fall headlong into the ...

It is beginning to look and smell a lot like Christmas at my place. This week I started making my first test batch of gingerbread men for Christmas. I'm experimenting a little with adding different spices this year as I try to find the perfect  gingerbread recipe.  I love cooking and baking. Taking a recipe and adding a few changes according to my tastes or availability of ingredients. I think some of my best triumphs have come from a swapping ingredients at last minute. Some of my worst disasters as well. But I love baking and sharing it with family and friends.  I'm always thinking of my next meal or what amazing treat I can whip up. Possibly explains why some of my clothes don't fit this year. It was icecream last week and this week Xmas cookies. I also been thinking about pulled pork again. I did an amazing pulled pork shoulder in BBQ marinade for New Years last year and can't wait to do it again.  I feel a dinner party coming on so I have a re...

Homemade rum n raisin icecream! Tasty.

Obsessed with making icecream. Batch number 2 - mint choc chip. Verdict- yummy!

It's been a funny week with clear skies and hot temperatures one day and thunder storms and torrential rain the next. Bring on summer I say. I'm sick if layering my clothes and wearing bulky jackets. Eating seafood curry laksa to keep warm! Wishing I was sipping margaritas in the sun. Xxx

I am loving this bout of spring weather. The shorts are on so the legs are put soaking up the sun. I've got the book and the music. All that is missing is the cocktail.   I love warm weather and days spent doing nothing more taxing then deciding what to drink! Xxx

A beautiful spring day with clear blue skies and plenty of sunshine. A great way to start the week.               Sunset from the balcony Xxx

Spring is in the air. Time for spring cleaning; wardrobe, life, and finances. Time for growth and reenergising. Taking out the old and bringing in the new. This last week has been very cathartic for me. Being able to walk away from a bad work situation with my head held high has really helped. This has been the start, the catalyst for a deeper and further clearing of all things that drain me.  I started a bit of a list of things to clear out and I have to admit to going well and feeling better. Wardrobe - clearing out unwanted clothes - things that don't fit or don't suit me - gone to either a good home through eBay or charity Random clutter - I have had a shelf (or two) of various bits I have been meaning to sell on eBay or get rid of. From perfume and books to DVD's and clothes. These are now online and earning me some cash. And pretty soon I will have an empty shelf Credit Card - I am debt free. Yes, that credit card with its hefty interest rate is gone! Paid of...