The Anzac Bee is progressing well, but we need some help. I am looking for one more member to join our bee. If you are interested, please let me know as I'd love to hear from you.

This month, we are all making red and black Essendon stars for Corrie. It had me reaching for the dictionary thinking Essendon was colour I hadn't heard of. Turquiose maybe? It turns out it is a sports team. I guess it is like making a Canterbury Rugby quilt really.

The blocks are looking awesome and, as usual, you can check us out on Flickr.

I have a new found appreciation for scones*. When I was growing up they were the staple. Mum would whip them up at a moment’s notice when visitors were imminent or the shearing gang needed feeding at the woolsheds. They were part of the fabric of our home. Mum made it look easy. I didn’t appreciate this until I had a hankering for Devonshire teas and tried making them myself.


Little E and I have been experimenting but this weekend she had a lesson from the master.


Mum says that it is the method, not the recipe so here is what you need to know:
Cold – keep the butter cold, rub in by food processer where possible
Baking Powder – more than usual, 2 teaspoons to each cup of flour
Fast – Mix the milk in with a knife, make it quick and stir as little as possible
Hot – Have the oven set to 200-220 C


So now you know. Hopefully my next batch of scones will measure up.


*Scone is a British term, in the US you might know of them as biscuits.
**Yes, that is my Dad doing a cameo appearance in the first photo.

I caught sight of this while sorting out our bedroom. From underneath a pile of forgotten, important things, too important to put away, was a piece of paper on how to tidy a house. I love that the only headline you can read in the pile of stuff is “Don’t Gather Junk”.

Amy, of A Common Place Life, is gathering together a collection of moments that step out of the orchestrated Martha Stewart Perfections into real life. You can find them here.