Jersey caramel bickies

I made these Jersey caramel bickies recently because I pinned this Donna Hay recipe and it was haunting me.

They were just about the quickest things ever to make. I swear, I got them from pantry to oven in the time it took Baby to eat a post nap banana.

I've come to realise all the best quick biscuit recipes are the ones that instruct you to melt the butter and sugar on the stove instead of laboriously creaming them. Anzac bickies are like this and are likewise quick and easy. Wet ingredients into dry, quick stir, Bob's your uncle.

These are very sweet. But if you like sugar and jersey caramels you should definitely make some.

Jersey caramel bickies

60g butter
115g golden syrup
60g (1/3 cup) brown sugar
225g (1.5 cup) self raising flour
jersey caramels (cut in half)

Preheat oven to 180 celsius.

Melt butter, golden syrup and brown sugar in a small saucepan.

Add melted ingredients to flour and mix to form a dough.

Roll spoonfuls of dough into ball and place on baking trays.

Flatten each ball a little with your hand and top with half a jersey caramel.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

One year of Baby

I've been taking a photo of Baby in the same chair every month since we brought him home. I'd like to keep doing it as long as he lets me. It's such a mind bender seeing how fast he changes.

Home rearrangements

The threat of impending visitors for Baby's birthday party last weekend was a wonderful motivator to have a good reorganise of some neglected corners of the house. Some of these projects have been on my 'do' list for ages so I'm feeling pretty happy with the way things look right now.

I painted this lamp base flouro pink and hung this red macrame hanger from the op-shop.

I'm a bit in love with this corner now.

I re-cushioned this lounge too.

New cushions and a slip cover for the chairs in this little ante room outside the kitchen. I did have a lot of neutral in here but I'm loving all the clashing patterns now.

New gingham bed curtains (op shop) and spotty linen cushion covers from Ikea for the bed. The tapestry pillows are both op shop too. I love a tapestry pillow, I'm always on the look out for more.

This is my office. I haven't done anything major in here but just generally shifted things about and reorganised. The whole room was turning into a tip with piles of paper and books everywhere. Tidy office, tidy mind.

I need to do something about desk my chair. That yellow fabric is just tied and stapled onto the chairs to disguise the ragged upholstery underneath and Baby tears it to pieces on a daily basis. Desk chairs are one of those pieces that feel like a big commitment though, so I become racked with indecision and cannot choose anything new.

Baby's first birthday

Yesterday we had a party for Baby's first birthday. I know all mothers say this but I can't believe he's one already. It's been the best year.

Before we get to the party shots I must warn you this was my first chance to dabble in the world of children's parties and it's just possible I got a little carried away.

Also, (and I'm not proud of this), the beginning of Spring signals a festival of children's parties in my family. The Baby's party was first of the bunch, so I had to make sure it was THE AWESOME. You understand, right?

Warning, many photos follow.

THE SETTING

This is such a gorgeous time of year in Brisbane so we had the whole thing outside on the lawn.

The tassel garlands are made from op-shopped sheets, except the gold fabric which I had to go to Spotlight for. They took me three evenings straight in front of the TV with a pair of scissors to make. I plan to trot them out for Christmas and every festive occasion I can from now on though.

THE FOOD

Mexican layer dip is such a crowd pleaser and so easy to knock up. Just make sure you offer a corn chip with sound structural integrity bedside it.

Potato salad. Obviously.

Ready for the BBQ.

Vegemite sandwiches and fairy bread. These went in minutes. Minutes.

One of the very first things I bought when I found out I was going to be a mum was a set of 0-9 biscuit cutters from Wheel and Barrow. You know those rare life moments when reality matches your daydream perfectly. This.

THE FUN

Skyping absent grandparents

This is my sister. She works for MAC.

She paints a mean tiger face.

A family friend and her daughter made this Hoot piñata. Baby loves some Giggle and Hoot.

THE CAKE

This magnificent creation is the work of my mum. This is just her hobby, she doesn't do this for a living at all. Spectacular, no?

Baby and his mini doppelgänger.

The delicious carnage.

THE PARTY BAGS

I filled most of these with a handful of jelly beans, but also did a few with Little Bellies gingerbread bickies for the tiniest guests.

Baby was such a trooper all day and we all had the best time. Can't wait for next year.