Easy Persimmon Jam...

Easy to make persimmon jam...

Made from  Mia Bella Passions Gardens persimmons...

organic... 

 and spray-free...

 So delicious there is definitely a competition going on as to to whom gets to eat them!

 The Wax eye birds LOVE persimmons.

and as it is winter in New Zealand, we don't mind sharing this wonderful food source with them.

 To make jam you will need to peel about 6 tree ripe persimmons.

Dice and core

The total weight needs to be 1kg (2.20pounds).

Have your jars sterilised ready to use.

Add 1 teaspoon of water to the microwave bowl containing the diced persimmons.
Cook for 5 minutes on high.
(adjust timing to the power of the microwave you are using.)

Mash roughly with a potato masher.

Add 1 kg (2.20 pounds) of Chelsea Jam setting sugar.

Over low heat stir in sugar until dissolved.
Add 25 grams (0,88 ounces)of butter. mix to melt.
Increase heat and bring the jam to a boil that cannot be stopped by stirring.
Boil for 4-5 minutes.

Bottle.

And enjoy!

Easy Persimmon Jam

Peel and dice approximately 6 large (tree-firm)  persimmons. Weigh as you dice as you need 1kg (2.20 pounds) of fruit. Microwave with 1 teaspoon of water until soft  (about 5 minutes, but will depend on your microwave). Mash roughly with a potato masher. Put into a heavy base saucepan and add 1kg (2.20 pounds) of Chelsea jam-setting sugar. Heat mixture over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Add 25 grams (0.88 ounces) of butter. When melted and mixed through increase heat to bring the jam to a boil. When it is a boil that cannot be stopped by stirring, boil for 4 - 5 minutes.  Test on cold saucer. It is ready to jar when a blob is cooled slightly and surfaces of jam wrinkles when you put your finger through it. Place immediately in hot sterile jars.   Lid, and cool.

Pop over HERE for the printable recipe.

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#jam #persimmon #homemade #preserves

Office Organisation Clip-it Line...

If your office resembles mine, you will have little bits of paper EVERYWHERE!

A bit of paper with a reminder...

a bit of paper with an idea you just must make...

a cake you must bake...

or a meeting date.

(Oh my - I should have been a poet!)

I decided I needed a system to prioritise and order my notes,

 so I created an office organisation clip-it line, with button embellishments.

 You will need:

Needle and cotton

 Cord...

Clip pins 

 And Buttons...

Create a small loop in the end of the cord, which you have cut to desired length.

Stitch the loop to hold in place. 

 Work out the spacing for the clips and thread onto the cord.

Add the note papers so you have a guide for button placement... 

Stitch a button by the loop and clip your clips/paper along the line... 

Loop the other end of the cord,

stitch and sew on another button embellishment. 

 Then sew the other buttons in between each clip it note.

Now you are ready to hang it...

 I screwed mini hooks into the wall to hang mine, but you could use stick-it hooks.

The Office Organisation Clip-it Line has certainly sorted the most important notes from the rest!

It's a great visual to-do list!

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#todonotes #organisationideas #buttoncrafts

Coconut Apricot Bars...

Forget about the chocolate content, and then you can consider this bar healthy, right?

Let's consider the research, which actually indicates dark chocolate isn't that bad.

Quality dark chocolate has many a health benefit.   'Mr Google' confirms this. 

Coconut Apricot Bars

Preheat oven to 160 Celsius

Line a 27.5cm by 18cm (about 11 x 7 inch size) slice pan with baking paper.

Melt 50 grams (1.8 ounces) of butter, 200 grams (7 ounces) of dark cooking chocolate and a half cup of honey in a large pot.

When melted add 2 1/2 cups cooking oats, 1/2 cup coconut and 1/2 cup diced apricots.

Combine mixture. 

 Press into a prepared slice tin  (size 19.5cm x 28.5cm) and bake for 30 minutes.

Cool completely.  

Refrigerate overnight then cut into bars.

You can cut into muesli-style bars as shown, or smaller squares...
You now have permission to indulge! 

Pop over HERE for the printable recipe.

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.

#healthbars #oatbars #apricotbars 

The French Shabby Chair Makeover...

Having acquired this fab wee French-inspired metal stool, the big debate was...to paint or not to paint!

Is the metal too shabby in all its rusty-marked glory?

I decided no, it is not.

There is just something about the time-worn patina of aged metal that I love.

So the metalwork's shabby look remains.

 I found a remnant of the most gorgeous fabric, which is called 'Paradiso' in Cobalt by Charles Parsens.

And this covered the very shabby and just can't keep its original seat cover!

It looks AMAZING.

(Gleeful happy dance in progress behind the camera!)

Gracie really doesn't care at all because it is nap time, you know!

But I am in shabby love!

I just can't decide which I love the most, that divine fabric or the time-worn metal on that chair!

Both, I think!

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#frenchcountry #diyfurnitureupstyling

Macadamia Caramel Slice...

 Macadamia Caramel Slice...

 This is so moreish you simply will not stop at one piece!

 You know what it's like when you open a bag of chips and you can't just have one?

Well, this slice has the same guaranteed effect!

Macadamia Caramel Slice

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius  In a large pot melt 170 grams butter. Add 1 cup brown sugar 2 cups self-raising flour  70 grams rough chopped macadamia nuts Press dough into a baking paper lined slice pan Bake for 10 minutes. While cooking make caramel. In a pot melt 2 tablespoons golden syrup and 50 grams butter. Add a 395 gram can of condensed milk. Stir over heat to boiling. boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly until thick and golden. Pour onto hot base and spread to edges. Bake another 10 minutes. Cool slightly and top with 100 grams melted dark chocolate that has 1 tablespoon Kremelta (vegetable shortening) added to it. This stops the chocolate cracking when the slice is cut. When completely cold and chocolate has set. Cut into slices or pieces.

A soft buttery shortbread base with macadamia nuts inside...
a thin layer of gooey caramel that is the perfect sweetness...
And a creamy chocolate topping.
Now that's my kinda slice!

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#macadamiarecipes #macadamiaslice #caramel #nutslicerecipes