Memories of My Nana

Between the age of 9 – 12 years of age I would often stay with my Nana during the school holidays. I would travel on the old steam train from Christchurch to Oamaru.

My Nana used to get me to make Peanut Brownies in the old coal range. Nana would have previously roasted the peanuts ahead of time. I then had to take the peanuts outside and blow off the skins.

Today I made some to have with a cuppa when my granddaughter visits. They turned well but very sweet, it’s amazing how our taste buds change.

The recipe is from a good old New Zealand recipe book.

I hope you get to try out this recipe.

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Another Pizza at Ally’s Castle

A quick Sunday night meal for one. I had eggs for breakfast, beef dish for midday meal. I decided to make a vegetable pizza for tea.

Mixed Grain Wrap, tomato paste, baby spinach, chunky mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, extra tasty cheese.

Ready to be baked. Bake at 210c for 14 minutes.

All cooked. The wrap is slightly overcooked but nice and crunchy. Thoroughly enjoyable πŸ˜‹

Why are there Numbers before names?

I am working on the Family Tree.

Yesterday I came across numbers before names. I will give you some examples of what I found. The following people are all great great +++ grandparents of mine from England.

10 Richard Tuffery

13 Robert Coxhead

13 Anne Smith

15 John C. Smith 11

16 John Compton Smith 1

Please excuse my ignorance. I am hoping someone can educate, enlighten me as to why the numbers. Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers Ally

Out Of Hibernation

I am renowned for hibernating during the cooler months. Even more so over the past year because of the covid situation….forced into lockdown. Recently I was able to escape the four walls and go on a bus trip for the day to look at beautiful spring gardens. We travelled about 90 minutes west of Brisbane to Spring Bluff and then to Pittsworth. We visited an old railway station, a nursery and some private homes and had lunch at a hotel. I was able to take heaps of photos, some of which I will share with you. Sorry I can’t tell you the names of plants, just enjoy seeing the beautiful colours.

I hope you enjoyed seeing a few photos of spring time here in a couple of country towns in Queensland Australia.

Pizza at Ally’s Castle

When you’re hanging out for Pizza, you can’t go out because it’s dark and not safe and you refuse to pay hefty delivery fees….you make your own.

I gathered up bits and pieces from the fridge .

Mixed Grain Wrap , tomato paste, baby spinach, beef and salami slices from the deli, red capsicum, cherry tomatoes and grated cheese. Bake at 210 c for 14 minutes.

Believe it or not that whole pizza is the evening meal for one person. ..definitely yummy and no nasties in it.

Words of Encouragement

I may have mentioned in an earlier post that I am currently doing a 12 week healthy dietary plan with CSIRO. I am now in week 3, so far so good. To be honest 12 weeks is just to get started, it really is a lifetime plan that I will be able to follow without subscribing to an organization. Even though I am not big fan of Facebook I did become a member of the CSIRO community group. Everyday people post helpful hints, ask questions and often post helpful thoughts.

I have saved a few words of encouragement to share with you.

I hope you enjoyed a few words of encouragement.

A Brilliant Idea

During my recent train travel I was given this handy string like bag to transport my takeaway coffee back to my seat. It actually fits about 3 cups stacked up.

Ok that’s not a takeaway coffee cup but it gives you the idea. I actually carried a coffee and a toasted sandwich in the bag. I found it very helpful because you do need to keep a hand free to support yourself while walking through carriages plus it prevents nasty burns. I should say that Queensland Rail do not use boiling water….work place health and safety.