Recuperation and Pear and almond muffins

I've been a bit behind with blogging of late. I had day surgery on friday so it's taking a little bit of time to recover. I had some work done on the arteries in my legs. I have a weird genetic condition which causes pain when walking (and another associated condition which will need treatment). I've had some rather revolting post-surgery stockings to wear and it's not been fun in hot weather. I took them off a bit too early and ended up with massive bruises on the fronts of my legs. No swimming until they heal me thinks. Off to see the surgeon tomorrow for a check up ultrasound, fingers crossed.

Mr Pablo has been ecstatic at my sedentary behaviour (besides 30 mins prescribed exercise each day) and has been sharing the bed enthusiastically.

Yesterday I did a bit of cooking: lovely lentil soup, an experimental pumpkin loaf which didn't fare all too well and some pear and almond muffins. It's not really hot food weather, I've been impatiently waiting for the real autumn to arrive, it's my favourite season!


Pear and almond muffins

Ingredients

• •  3 cups self-raising flour,
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 pears, diced
  • 1.5 cup almond  milk
  • 1 cup almonds
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 
  
• Topping (optional)
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup Nuttlex (vegan margarine) 
• 
  
• Instructions

1. Heat oven to 180c
2. Place flour, sugar, cinammon, almonds and pears in a bowl and stir lightly
3. Add milk and olive oil and mix gently until combined
4. Place in greased muffin tins

• Topping:

1. Place oats, sugar and Nuttlex in a bowl and rub with finger tips until crumbly. 
2. Top muffins with a tablespoon of topping each
3. Cook for 40 mins or until cooked through. 
4. Allow to cool and store in container or enjoy one with a cup of tea.

Is Mr Pablo coming to Germany?

A lot of people have been asking me lately if we are taking Mr Pablo to Leipzig with us. The answer is, of course! We're in the middle of the process right now. He had his rabies vaccination this morning and a new microchip as his old one of 17 years is obsolete.  Once we move I'll write a bit about our experiences and how to move a cat from Australia to Europe.

As sure as the dawn...(an ode to our 17 year cat, Mr Pablo)

Inspired by Kayte of Woogs World, I decided to contribute my own list of inevitable things that happen to me on a regular basis

                         

As sure as the dawn...

• The cat decides he wants to go inside once let outside
• The cat decides he wants to go outside once let inside
• The cat manages to look innocent to all misdemeanors
• The cat will sprawl on the floor in front of the doorway right where you need to go
• The cat will only eat certain brands of food in certain flavours which are often sold out
• The cat will get excited when you go into the bedroom in case you might be going to bed

 We got Mr Pablo when he was in 14 and his owner was moving into a nursing home. He makes me very happy.

Life this week

Reading

read about it here

read about it here

Writing

Far too much data (doing a short term data entry gig that I loathe. Luckily I finish this week).



Watching 

Her

Computer Chess



Planning

• An afternoon of batch cooking today in preparation for the hot weather next week where we won't want to cook.
• A decluttering party of all my vintage and crafty stuff

• Tofu, tempeh and nut cheese masterclass
• How to look after Mr Pablo in the upcoming heat wave....

Eating

Lots of tasting plates like cheese and crackers and olives

Drinks

earl grey tea, rosé wine

Liking
Really funny
Written Off by Rebecca Mead

This makeover on Desire to Inspire

A few pictorial tales of 2013

Traveling overseas:

Visited parts of Europe for a few weeks including Hamburg, Prague, Bonholm, Copenhagen  and  a solo trip to Amsterdam, a city I absolutely adored.

 

 

 

Started working on my patchwork quilt

Read loads of books.

Became a cover girl for Australia's biggest selling magazine. Also delighted to be featured in a few others including Peppermint magazine!


Spent far too much time in hospital



Spent far too much time watching tv, videos and you tube clips online

Participated in Nanowrimo. I didn't finish my book but I will be working hard on it this month.


Spent alot of time with the lovely men in my life

Cooking firsts:

Made my first marmalade. It's funny considering I teach preserving, but I'm not a fan of marmalade although I've been told this one is absolutely lovely thankfully!








Made my first gnocchi




Made my first tofu




Made my first loaves of bread 

Work stuff:

Taught loads of classes included our jams, pickles and preserves masterclasses and a new Edible Gifts masterclass. I never take enough photos! We also did a cooking project with older people in high rise housing, taught pop up classes in Collingwood and Fitzroy at a range of venues from pubs to bookshops, share houses and aged care facilities.

Lots of projects including a Green Renting Expo for people living in social housing, private rental, rooming houses etc in Redfern, Sydney; a food waste program for a Chinese mothers' group and their kids; a community leadership program in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne (still going).






Holidayed and spent Christmas in Far North Queensland: