Propagating Plants, Muffin Cases and Happy Easter!

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So, we are nearly a quarter of the way through the 21st century. Politically and economically, things feel off balance. Immigration is under the spotlight, especially in Europe. Changed working conditions, instigated during Covid, are now being reconsidered in developed countries. While academically successful countries begin formalised schooling for children around seven years of age, Australia is planning school entry for three year olds. Such a saving on child care costs! One teacher and maybe one assistant for 23 three year olds! Absolute craziness.

muffin cases

Much more relaxing to concentrate on decorating the home. I’d like to repaint throughout but the thought of shifting everything away from the walls almost brings me out in hives. I’m thinking of smaller plans. Jobs in the garden. I’m propagating some spearmint scented lavender, some rosemary, a deep red geranium and two olive trees. The lavender is to bulk up an existing one which smells lovely when you rub against it walking by, the rosemary is to replace a bush which has become so big it became straggly around the base and the olive trees are cuttings I’ve struck from two olive trees I struck 25 years ago from the farm where I grew up. The original olives were planted there more than a hundred years ago. Erratic watering and being pot bound means I need to replace them. ( Although I had the cuttings, except the olives, in water until little roots appeared, they are now in pots )

The cuttings for the spearmint scented lavender and the rosemary were left to grow roots in water. I have now put them in pots as they all rooted.

Both cuttings from the old olive trees have developed new leaves.

Do you decide on projects when the season changes? Does the constant heat of summer and repetitive salads make you list jobs you want to do and clothes you need to buy as soon as it is cooler? Sometimes I find lists from previous years and I’m surprised how similar the ‘job lists’ are, year after year.

paper muffin cases

The muffin pans looked scratched and tired. The muffin mixture often overflows the paper cases and I soak and scrape endlessly, meaning the muffin baking pans look awful. I’m experimenting with today’s blueberry muffins. Half of the mixture will go into paper, lime green gingham cases and half will go into baking paper cases I’ve cut and folded from squares of baking paper.

I made the paper cases by cutting baking paper into 19cm x19cm squares then folding the square to make a triangle then again to make a smaller triangle. Unfolded then placed the paper under a bottle that fitted snugly into the patty pan. Then I just worked around the bottle folding the paper. Pressed to crease the folds. The baking paper patty pan looked like a tulip!

Found a bottle a similar size as the patty pan so shaped the baking paper around it’s base.

The baking paper shapes retained their shape when I pushed them into the muffin holes in the baking pan.

Put each one into the patty pan hole in the tray. Filled the pretty lime green gingham paper case tray and the tulip lined tray and into the oven. I use an old icecream scoop to fill the cases as it delivers perfect amount of batter.

The overflow was actually the additional crumble on top, but it was still a sticky mess!

Two of the muffins in pretty little paper cases overflowed despite careful measuring of the amount put into each. None of the baking paper cases overflowed. Closer inspection revealed it was the added crumble on top of the muffins which over flowed, but I still had to scrape the pans clean again. I think it took about five minutes to make the baking paper cases. They look like the ones cafe muffins are served in. Both lots of muffins were delicious!

The new tray after baking the muffins poured into baking paper cases. No overflowing batter.

Interestingly, the paper peels away from the muffin cleanly. My new preferred way of lining the muffin pans.

easter

If you celebrate Easter I hope you have a wonderful break, surrounded by family and friends and all the things you like to eat.

HAPPY EASTER

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Are EV Vehicles Really Green, Butter Bells and Sweetpeas

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are e.v. vehicles really green?

Are EV Vehicles really green? No! We have been massively tricked. And our Minister For Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, is complicit in this hoax.

Nickel mining is essential in the production of EV cars. China dominates the production of EV cars and sources it’s nickel from Indonesia. Nickel is essential in the manufacture of rechargeable batteries. The two main nickel mines are in remote areas of Indonesia. There are no environmental laws or worker safety regulations and visitors are forcefully discouraged. There are no limits on the destruction of native rain forest, forced destruction of towns and farming land and pollution of fishing grounds.

Image Pixabay

The energy to drive the smelters and power stations used in production comes from low quality and cheap coal barged into the area from nearby Kalimantan. No records are kept of worker injuries but fatalities are apparently common and not necessarily recorded. This has all been funded by the Chinese Belt and Road initiative. So, how ‘green’ are these cars?

( Since I wrote this I have watched 7NEWS Spotlight, Sunday 6th April, an exposay of ‘the dirty truth behind so-called clean, green electric vehicles.’ Then the next night Channel 7 news showed parts of the documentary plus the response from our Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen. He had no answers and stormed off, refusing to be questioned. Shocking.)

Britain has gone ‘green’ on many fronts and doesn’t hesitate to highlight its policies on limiting climate change. I enjoy British decorator magazines but after 120 pages focusing on recycled everything, ‘green’ paints and glues and wearing more clothes to stay warm in winter, comes the 30 odd page review of holiday destinations. The Maldives, Iceland, Mauritius and anywhere with saunas and spas feature as desirable destinations. I assume they all walk or swim to these exotic holiday destinations.

Image Pixabay

I feel cynical about the politicians, reporters and all their support people flying from one end of Australia to the other, leading up to the Federal Elections. I think they should ride their bikes. I’m also tired of all the money being promised by ‘the government’. That’s tax payers’ money, our money. Just stop it!

butter bells

Butter bells or butter crocks date back to the 16th century. I started investigating butter bells due to frustration cause by butter left out over night in a covered dish turning liquid and tasting rancid. Butter left in the fridge overnight was hard and I had to almost slice off pieces to put it on my breakfast toast. Not ideal. Softening the butter in the microwave resulted in it separating and tasting awful very quickly.

My butter bell sits on the counter top in a cool corner and keeps the butter soft and fresh. I bought a ceramic bell but there are also glass bells. ( I originally bought one from an online auction site online but had to return it. The lid didn’t fit properly on the base. Annoying. Go into a kitchenware shop and check the fit first!) To set it up, spoon the softish butter into the top cup smoothing the surface with the back of the spoon. Then estimate the depth of water needed so the butter is in contact with the butter. I change the water morning, some sites say every two or three days.

I am really pleased with the butter bell. Soft spreadable, fresh butter.

planting

Image Pixabay

Traditionally I’d plant sweetpea seeds around St Patrick’s day. It was easy to remember as the 17th of March was my parents wedding anniversary. I’ve just planted them because it has been too hot until now. It’s still warm during the day but getting cooler at night. My Mother grew forests of sweetpeas, mostly self seeded in the later years. They had reverted to various shades of purple and were highly scented. They will probably be a surprise to the new owners of her house. I hope they enjoy them.

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Eating 30 Different Things, Reading and Should You Wash New Clothes?

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gut microbiome health.

Eating 30 different foods a week, including herbs and spices, plus nuts, fruits and vegetables, is a re-occuring number mentioned by many renown scientists and doctors. A diverse diet is closely linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases, better immune function and even improved mental health. It isn’t as easy as it sounds and takes quite a bit of planning. Part of the problem is we are not a vegetarian. I do occasionally add tinned beans, chick peas and lentils to recipes but they are not our main source of protein. So fish, chicken and beef don’t count. Some plans allow eggs, some don’t, but we eat eggs regularly. Anyway, this week I got to thirty!

reading

Circumstances have meant I have spent a lot of time reading. I’m averaging about four books a week! Usually I read one or maybe, two, books a week. Added to that number is my usual haul of magazines, too. Now my husband has started immunology every three weeks we spend a great deal less time at the hospital.

Not a murder but a cleverly crafted story about a young, dominated wife escaping her husband and starting a new life in another country. Lovely travelogue throughout France, too.

My preferred books are murders! Not always, there’s some biographies and non fiction in amongst the murders, but often I read everything available by the same author if I’ve really enjoyed their books previously. I cannot explain why I find a clever murder so relaxing and like to have one on the go to read when I go to bed.

Not a murder, either but a series of emails between an Australian and American woman. They begin exchanging emails by mistake (the American has a very similar address to the Australian women’s ex-husband). A friendship develops resulting in regular contact via emails. Very engaging story with a satisfying outcome.

In January I read a book reviewer’s plan to read 100 books a year, but she quickly changed that to 80 books early in the year because her longtime boyfriend proposed and she had a wedding to plan. Valid excuse! It’s week 13/52 and I have read at least three books a week. Some I haven’t photographed nor named as they’re health books I’ve flicked through from the past, tracking specific information.

I also really like decorator magazines and subscribe to several, well, maybe five or six. I get a magazine from France, three from the UK and two Australian magazines, which sounds very indulgent, and probably is, but I don’t buy many books, preferring to borrow them from the library. If I really like a book I’ve borrowed I’ll go and buy it. If something on the cover of a magazine catches my eye, I will probably buy that, too. Apparently, regular reading assists in a healthy brain.

Talking to a friend about brain training activities online has also increased the number of online activities I do now. I do Wordle before I get up in the morning and now I’m doing a few other online brain training activities. When I have the time I’d like to investigate Scrabble (I haven’t played for years) and jigsaw puzzles, both recommended online for brain training. I play mahjong every week, but shy away from bridge! Some friends who play are fiercely competitive and don’t encourage chatting whilst playing.

The other behaviour recommended by brain training sites refers to social interaction. Well, this pretty easy. Unfortunately, my time is committed to other things at the moment, but that will pass.

should you wash new clothes before you wear them?

The chat around this subject really surprises me as my Mother washed everything from tea towels, to bed linen and clothes, even socks before we could wear them. So, I thought you always washed new things before using them. It’s a topic online at the moment.

Image Pixabay

Apparently, everything should be washed before they are used. This helps remove chemicals, dyes and germs resulting from the manufacturing process. Washing helps remove bacteria, fungi and parasites which are presented during manufacturing, storage and transport.

Articles based on research refer to garments tested from popular chain stores that had been tried on then put back on the rack or shelves. The research found norovirus, strep and staph and fecal germs. Scabies, lice and fungi were also found. Dyes, resins and tanning agents, such as formaldehyde, used to keep garments wrinkle free, can cause skin irritation, dermatitis and eczema.

Image Pixabay

So, my Mother was right; give everything a really good wash before you wear it! This includes bed linen, tea towels and towels. Interestingly, several articles I read suggested baby clothing, blankets and bedding should be washed and, if possible, line dried twice before use.

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