Timber Babushka Cross Stitch

Jodi Maloni of The Haby Goddess was very kind to post a link to my blog on her Facebook page in August which I was very excited about. I asked whether she would be selling the frames (rather than the kit), and I received an email from her in October, as promised, when they were available at her online store. I bought 7 frames (I’m now on a self-imposed online shopping ban… yeah right, who am I kidding?!) to make for some friends and family – and one for myself because I think the Babushka would look fabulous pinned to my red moss stitch scarf.

I managed to complete four frames on Melbourne Cup Day!

I loved the owls, aren't they cute together?

Since the babushka frames do not come with patterns (patterns come with the full kit), I followed a floral pattern from Jan Eaton's Cross Stitch Motif Bible which fitted perfectly. Thank goodness for my extensive craft book collection!

I don't know the name of these flowers but they grow outside my room so I look up now and then from my sewing to admire them. I love the vibrant colours, but they are rather smelly!

Sambal Prawns with Okra

It's been ages since I've updated my blog, but I've been busy at work and on the weekends, and have had the sniffles these past couple of weeks. Mum made sambal prawns and okra to give my tastebuds a bit of a kick as eveything I've tasted recently has been bland.

This ready made paste is from eCosway (Malaysian retail outlet which is scattered around Melbourne - you don't need to be member to purchase their products even though they try to give you the hard sell), and note the whole packet is for 1 kilogram of prawns so if you are just making a serving for three, you only need a tablespoon or so (depends how spicy you like it).  The paste is made using onions, garlic, tumeric, lemon grass, galangal and tamarind so it tastes and smells delicious. Cook the paste for a couple of minutes before adding shelled and deveined prawns (we had around 200 grams).

To save cooking time, microwave around 12 medium sized okra for 2 minutes, and add to the prawns. Add a dash of lemon (or lime) juice to give it a zing!

All done!