Lego and Animals Christmas Style Inspiration

I wanted to share with y'all my daughters cute animal tree, 

and her Christmas lego creations.

No one in my family has styled Christmas decor in the usual way this year.

We have all approached it in different ways.

And this is April's Christmas styling.

A simple branch tree in white.

Metal Ball Bells

Fairy lights.

Animal decorations 

She has built Christmas themed lego over the previous months to compliment her display. 

How cool!

         

I love these Lego Christmas themed buildings.  

             

They even have light up and opening bits.

So much fun even for the 'big' kids.

I think she's aiming for a Lego-themed Christmas table display on a grander scale next holiday season.

This is just the beginning of something fun to come.

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#Lego #Christmaslego #simplechristmasdecor

Christmas Table At Mia Bella Passions

My life is changing.

After 33 years of living here in 'Mia Bella Passions' homestead, I'm going to be moving in 2021.

And a lot of belongings are in storage already.

Life has been exceptionally busy.

As the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions eased in New Zealand,

I have presented two gallery art exhibitions.

My favourite philosophy has always been the 'KISS' one -

(Keep It Simple Stupid).

And now we are in pre-Christmas mode, and with all that has happened in my life in 2020, this is ever more important.

Thus, my very 'KISS' Christmas decor this year.

I adore Christmas.

Christmas decorating.

Christmas baking.

The Christmas and holiday season.

And I will return to it all next year once I am in my new home.

For my display, I used gold and white mistletoe fabric to make my dining table runner.

It is a very quick and easy whip-up even for a beginner sewer who can straight stitch using a machine.

You'll find a tutorial on how to make one HERE.

I love these table runners...

You can creatively add tassels, buttons, braid, rope or beading details if you want to.

With the table runner made and placed on the tabletop, 

A tray with small baubles in gold, rose gold and silver were scattered at the feet of the regal white stag wearing a Christmas star on his neck.

A pretty white and gold tealight candleholder was the final touch.

Everything used to create this display was purchased at Spotlight, via their online store. 

(I popped the gold faux glitter flower stems shown in a large glass bottle for the sideboard).

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#Christmastable #spotlight

#Christmastablecentrepiece

Mango Orange Smoothie

This smoothie is:

Super 'good' for you.

Super 'yummy'.

A great start the day, 

 lunchtime or afternoon tea thick shake style drink.

You will need:

A Magic Bullet or a blender:

425g can mango slices (drained)

2 oranges peeled and diced.

1/2 cup soya milk

(1 cup if you prefer a thinner consistency).

1 Tablespoon liquid honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

1/2 cup crushed ice or coconut icecream.

BLEND until smooth.

Pour in a glass and devour.  

Or into your 'on the go' drink vessel.

Note: An ingredient conversion chart can be found HERE

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#smoothierecipe #smoothie #healthydrinks

#mangorecipes

Christmas Door Wreath

 It's going to be a funny (but not the haha sort) weird kinda Christmas for me this year...

But 2020 has been just that, hasn't it?

There will be no tree this year.

I'll tell you more about the reason why in a while...

But I am doing a door wreath.

And a table feature.

But in superbly 'KISS' (keep it simple stupid) style!

This is why I love Online Christmas stores.

Because when you have no time to craft it, create it or DIY make it,

their ready-made is just right!

Plus it's delivered to your home directly.

So for the front door this year I chose a pretty metal and faux pine and greenery wreath.

Noel is considered a French word but it actually dates back to the  Latin word Nasci, which means to be born.

In the middle ages, Noel described the Christmas period.

'Joyeux Noël is Merry Christmas in French'.

#noel #christmas #christmaswreath

Lemon Meringue Mousse

Deliciously tart, tangy and OH SO CREAMY!

The lemon lovers will LOVE this light and airy dessert.

Lemon meringue pie inspired it's super simple to put together, and ready to eat in a few hours.

The yield is about 8 larger size ramekins.

Use smaller ramekins to treat more people.

Step 1:  Make the lemon base and cool.

Step 2: Make the meringue.

Step 3:  Fold the cream Fraiche into the cooled lemon base.

Step 4:  Use a whisk to whip the lemon mixture into the meringue.

Step 5: Spoon into ramekins.

Top with some finely grated lemon rind.

Chill for 2 hours before serving.  

Lemon Meringue Mousse is best made and eaten on the same day.

Adaption: Orange or mandarin can be used instead of lemon.

Lemon Meringue Mousse

• Makes 8 large-size ramekin servings

• Ingredients
• 3 Tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
• 3/4 cup fine white caster sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup of water.
• 3 medium size eggs
• 1/4 cup extra sugar
• 350 grams (1 and 1/2 cups) of Cream Fraiche (store bought)

• Instructions
• Mix the cornflour to a paste in a pot with some of the water. Add the rest of the water, the lemon juice and the caster sugar. Stir on heat until thick.
• Remove from heat, cool and whisk in the 3 egg yolks saving the whites. Set aside to cool.

• Make the meringue.
• Whip the egg whites until stiff. Add the sugar.
• Mix to a smooth meringue.
• Set aside.

• The next step is to fold the Cream Fraiche into the cooled lemon base.
• Use a whisk to whip the lemon mixture into the meringue.
• Spoon into ramekins. Top with some finely grated lemon rind. Chill for 2 hours before serving.

• Tips
• Can be adapted to orange, lime or mandarin instead of lemon.
• 
  

• The printable recipe is HERE
• Note: An ingredient conversion chart can be found HERE
• 
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• #lemondesserts #lemonmeringue #lemonmousse#lemonrecipes 

Christmas Art Rocks

Painting rocks.

One of my favourite things to do!

And these simple designs are perfect for the kids to make on a weekend.

Perfect to decorate the home for Christmas.

Perfect to gift to the grandparents, aunties, uncle or teacher.

TO CREATE:

 

Select smooth rocks with a flat front surface.

                   

Using gold acrylic paint, paint the rock a shown.

While the paint is drying, sketch some ideas to decorate the rocks.

Use a black marker pen 

(Sharpie is best as other brands tend to run when you spray varnish the rocks)

Decorate the rocks as desired.

When dry spray a light coat of varnish sealer over them.

Place in the décor or gift.

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#paintedrocks #christmascrafts 

A peek at Mia Bella Passions Garden

Life has been so very busy,

and my next crafty DIY just has not been created.

So instead of a craft tutorial,

(I'll save that for the next post).

I'm just going to show you a snippet of my back of the house garden.

I adore this time of the year.

New growth over spring and now into early summer.

Lush greens.

New annuals heading up for display.

And the rhododendron in full bloom.

This back garden is my favourite place to be.

Enjoy your peek. 

EASY YEAST FREE PIZZA

 EASY YEAST-FREE PIZZA

I'M SHOUTING THIS OUT IN 

SHOUTY CAPITALS.

BECAUSE IT IS DELISH AND SO VERY EASY TO MAKE.

I think you get the hint now.

LOL

This really is the best base if you can't be bothered to fluff around with yeast.

Or you don't like that yeasty flavour.

ALL YOU DO IS:

Mix in a bowl until dough forms:

1 1/2 cups plain flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup fat-free milk (I used soy)

(or a little more if needed)

2 tablespoons olive oil

THEN:
on a floured benchtop knead for one minute.

Shape into a ball.

Put the dough back into the bowl. 

Cover with a clean tea towel and leave 10 minutes before using.

While the dough rests, prepare your toppings.

I used:

smoked chicken

Tomato

Mushroom

Pineapple

capsicum

Spring onion

Tasty cheese

Dollops of cream cheese

THEN:

Roll dough out to a round shape.

Place on a baking tray.

Bake in a 200-degree Celsius oven.

Bake for 7 minutes.

Remove from the oven

Spread the base with cranberry jelly.

Top with the goodies.

Return to the oven and bake for a further 15 to 20 minutes.

Note: An ingredient conversion chart can be found HERE

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#homemade #pizzabase #yeastfree

Peachy Chocolate Balls

Snack balls are my favourite thing.

Especially snack balls that are cacao based not date!

In these ones, I have used dried peaches.

But you could use other dried fruit like strawberries,

apricots or cranberries.

I retrained my sweet tooth away from too many cakes and biscuits 

to dried fruit, when I wanted a sweet snack.

A yummy chocolate fruit ball is the ultimate treat when you are trying to maintain healthier food choices.

To make:

Place in a bowl:

            

4 finely diced dried peaches

(I used Tasti brand)

1 cup almond meal

3/4 cup coconut

Add 290 grams (10 ounces) of melted dark Chocolate.

Mix well.

Refrigerate until firm.

Remove from refrigerator and roll into balls.

The ball can be large or a small bite size.

Store in a sealed container in the cupboard.

Or refrigerator if in summer air temperature.

Printable recipe HERE

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#healthysnacks #snackballs #chocolateballs