Donna Hay's melt-and-mix brownies

We enjoy getting our bake on around here. Saturday afternoon's of late have been all about the kitchen, as I catch up on preparing meals and baking and tidying, after two days out of the house at work. It also helps that there have been plenty of reasons to bake recently. I'm always keen to take something home cooked along when we have somewhere to go... and I love doing it even more if it's to feed people visiting us.


My Mama is coming over tomorrow to babysit the boys for us while we're punishing ourselves running in the City to Surf. So it was the perfect excuse to have a special sweet treat for Nana, to give her some much needed energy. I think she might need a few slices of this after a day with my boys. We chose this one especially due to it's dark chocolate content. Mama is quite a fan of the stuff. Angus was a tad disappointed that the recipe doesn't call for the use of "beetles" (re: beaters), but he LOVED scraping the bowl and licking the wooden spoon. This one is a rich, velvety temptress.

Donna Hay's melt-and-mix brownies

200g dark chocolate (I used Cadbury Old Gold Dark Chocolate)

250g unsalted butter, chopped

2 tablespoons cocoa, sifted

2 cups (350g) brown sugar

1 1/3 cups (200g) plain flour, sifted

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

4 eggs

Preheat over to 160 degrees (fan forced)

Place chocolate, butter and cocoa in a saucepan over low heat and stir until melted and smooth

Place sugar, flour and baking powder in a bowl

Make a well in the centre and pour in chocolate mixture

Add the eggs and mix to combine

Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 20cm square cake tin lined with baking paper and bake for 55-60 minutes or until brownie is just set in the centre

Allow to stand in tin for 10 minutes if serving warm, otherwise cool in tin

Walk this way

At times I'm astonished at my own ridiculousness. We used to walk to the local parks and shops all the time. When Felix was just a wee babe, I would pop him in the carrier, take the pram for Angus and off we'd go. Then somewhere between the onset of cooler weather and the convenience of bundling two boys into the car, rather than wrangling them on foot, the walks ceased. Though 6 months on, Angus' enthusiasm and stamina for hitting the pavement is much greater. So today we broke the drought. 


It took a failed attempt at finding a parking spot near one of our favourite local parks to make me realise... we didn't need to drive in the first place. So feeling a bit of a dill, I cut round through the back streets to our place, parked the car, grabbed the pram, bag, jackets and started again. A nice, leisurely, Winter stroll. We wandered past the old fire station, the bowling club, the primary school and down the tree lined path, to the sun filled playground. Taking it all in as we cruised. 


It's not always easy to get out of the house and meander. So often we have appointments to get to or people to meet or we're simply heading too far from home to walk. Though this morning was a perfect reminder that I need to reinvigorate our lust for walking locally again. Slow down the pace and savour the things we miss, when we're zooming past in the car.

Brother Dearest

I don't look forward to dressing Felix. He is such a difficult baby to pin down. He wriggles and squirms, which quickly turns into thrashing and bucking. It's a workout in itself getting him from nappy to singlet to pants and top. He is strong. Really strong. He has serious weight behind him and he knows how to use it forcefully. After his bath this evening, I was caught off guard and he did one of his famous backflips. Using every ounce of power to arch his back and twist around. His head connected with my upper lip and I could have sworn he loosened my tooth on impact. The area was numb for a good half hour following the collision. 

Earlier today, just as we were about to head out, silly me walked past the kitchen bench where a glass of water stood. Again, caught off guard, Felix took a swing from his position on my hip. In an attempt to save the glass from breaking I raised my leg. I did manage to stop the glass before it hit the floor, but the entire contents spilled right down my leg. Always when you're just about to walk out the door.

So Felix has pressed my buttons a little today. Though something beautiful came out of my vocal frustration regarding his behaviours. Evidence of a growing unconditional love between my boys. On both occasions when I raised my voice, Angus rushed to Felix's side to comfort him. Spoken in the sweetest tone, he whispered "it's alright baby". It fills me with so much pride witnessing the developing relationship between them. I am never under any misconception around how much they get on each other's nerves, but I definitely have a couple of great mates here. A bond that will carry them through their lives and no doubt serve as impetus against their Mama and Dada one day.

Fast Red Shoes

Angus has big feet for a three and a half year old. Each time we go along to invest in a new pair of shoes, we're told the same thing. His foot is long and wide. I've always felt quite strongly about him wearing good quality shoes. He has worn the odd pair of thongs and a couple of pairs of cheapie pre-walkers, but for day to day running around, I like comfort, strength and support for his hooves. There is something beautiful about walking into a children's shoe store. I'm a sucker for shoes in general, but the ones for tiny tots are SO sweet.

Last week we popped into Shoes & Sox for a quick look around and stumbled upon the sale table. I wasn't really in the market to buy, though I was open minded if a bargain pair, in the right size was there waiting for us. Because I've always chosen quite plain, dark coloured clodhoppers for Angus, I was slightly taken back when the sales lady emerged from the store room. Happy she had found his size on sale and carrying a funky pair of fire engine red street shoes. Clarks street shoes, no less. A far cry from the boxy chunkers I wore for school shoes as a littlie. 

So with that, we were both hooked. I loved that they were different and would go with a range of outfits and Angus loved her description of the shoes being a "fast colour". At which point she asked him to go for a test run to see just how fast they made him go. He took off out of the shop, into the main centre and back again. Now every time he puts them on, he thinks he's lightening McQueen and bolts away to show me just how fast he can fly in his new red shoes. 

The tricky part about fast red shoes is they are hard to photograph... because they're always moving! So I managed to snap a shot of one dangling down while Angus was sitting at the table painting.

White chocolate, macadamia and raspberry blondie

Going out at night takes considerable effort on my part these days. There is a great deal of planning leading up to the date. Carefully executed organisation on the actual day. Then overcoming the underlying feeling of it all being too hard in the few hours leading up to my departure from home. Nine times out of ten I could almost talk myself out of going at all. But, I manage to dig deep and find a burst of enthusiasm right when I need it. And I'm always glad that I do. It is important for all of us that Mama gets out of the house on occasions. Even if just for a casual girl's night in.

Last night a few of us got together for a home made pizza and wine evening. We gathered in the kitchen designing our own individual pizza's, amongst a buzz of chit chat and laughter. Then sat on the floor of my friend's cosy lounge room, sipping on wine and continued our chatter for the entire night. A delicious dinner, fine wine and great company. I decided to take a sweet along for dessert and wanted to try something new and a touch indulgent. I've been eyeing this recipe off for a while now, I snipped it out of a Women's Weekly magazine, as I tend to do with tasty looking recipes. But it's so incredibly rich and decadent, I didn't want to bake a batch that would only be devoured by Scott and I. I dread to think of the calorie content of this sugary baby. Though it was a complete hit and because it has raspberries dotted throughout, it can't really be that bad.

White chocolate, macadamia and raspberry blondie

185g Butter, chopped

450g white eating chocolate, chopped (I used Cadbury Dream)

1 1/4 cups (275g) caster sugar

3 eggs, beaten lightly

1 cup (150g) plain flour

1 cup (150g) self-raising flour

3/4 cup (115g) unsalted macadamia nuts, toasted, chopped coarsely

150g fresh or frozen raspberries

sifted icing sugar, for serving

Combine butter and two thirds of the chocolate in a large saucepan; stir over very low heat until smooth

Cool for 10 mins

Preheat oven to 180 degrees (160 degrees for fan-forced)

Grease 20cm x 30cm slice pan; line base with baking paper, extending paper 2cm over sides

Stir sugar and eggs into butter mixture, then sifted flours, remaining chocolate and macadamias

Gently fold in raspberries

Spread mixture into prepared pan

Bake for about 40 mins 

(this threw me a little, as mine was still a bit runny after 40 mins, so I whacked it back in for a further 12 mins and it cooked through)

Cool in pan

Just before serving, dust blondies with sifted icing sugar

Not the prettiest sweet treat by far, but the flavours are scrumptious!

Afternoon Sun

Working 2 days a week has brought about many changes, none more so than the impact that being out for those 2 days has on my housework. Up at 6am. Out the door at 7am, with two fed/changed/dressed little guys in tow. Home again around 6pm. Then it's straight into dinner/bath/bed routine. At this point, I'm spent and just want to watch tele, surf the net or tumble into bed. I could probably do with a bit more organisation, just to reign in some control come Friday evening. But as I sit here with a stack of chores to take care of... including almost every. single. article. of clothing we own in the dirty clothes basket... I have surrendered to the chaos. This IS how it's going to be for the moment. It won't be forever. And I will have a clean and tidy house again one day.

Last night I went to switch my camera on to snap a couple of candids. It had other ideas, because apparently a lens error is preventing my little work horse of a camera from doing what it does best. Nothing I try has rectified the problem. I find it rather ironic that just a day after my written admission about how I love taking photos, the source of my addiction gives up on me. Maybe it's trying to tell me something about my photographic prowess... or lack there of. Thankfully I held onto my previous old faithful camera, so all is not lost. Whilst it's not quite as sharp as the newer model I've been using, it does the job. And hey, it actually works!

I had a few shots that were taken the other day at my parent's place before the camera went kaput. Just as we were about to head home for the day. I clicked them in the front garden and I think they do fine justice to the star attractions. A spectacular Magnolia tree and a hot hot HOT pink cherry blossom. Both basking elegantly in the afternoon sun. Broken camera aside, I am not giving up on photography... just yet.

This used to be my playground

I was feeling particularly nostalgic yesterday. We visit my parents about once a week, but there is something about warm, sunny days, that bring back endless happy memories of my childhood home. The garden, where I spent the bulk of my time when the sun was shining, has changed very little over the years. I still get the same familiar comfort from being in it.


I feel very fortunate, at the age of 32, to be able to go back to my childhood home whenever I please. Taking my boys back with me, is just an added bonus. While they are still too young to fully appreciate the true beauty of my parent's gardening skills, I know they love being a part of it. They relax quicker, play more freely and sleep better, after a day of frolicking in the backyard. Much like when I was a child, they find so many things to do. So many places to discover. So many distractions to keep them sharp.


It really looked like spring had already sprung in the garden yesterday. The flower beds brimming with colourful bloom and the sun beating down upon it all. I couldn't resist taking photo after photo. Just wanting to capture every piece of Wintery goodness. Because it is August afterall and this IS Winter in Sydney. Going through the oodles of pics, I realised something which has been at the back of my thoughts for a while. I LOVE taking photos. I am no professional by any stretch, but the more I take, the more addicted to it I become. Candid snaps are fast becoming my favourite hobby.