Microwave Tips and Tricks...

Well, ok, I know they never had microwaves in the 1950's, so what on earth is this post doing on my blog? Let me just say that throughout my blog I am aiming to recreate the simplicity of the mid century lives my grandmothers lived, as well as aesthetics of the era. If there was something around that made their careers as homemakers more efficient, more effective and less hard work, they would have been onto it !!!

I remember Grandma Jean working over an old fashioned wringer 'washing machine' on washday, cooking scrumptious dishes on a woodfired stove, sewing clothing on her treadle singer sewing machine, and preserving an abundance of fruit from the orchard with her Fowlers kit.

Nanna Alice enjoyed doing her housework to music on her hi-fi system, polished her linoleum floor with a vacuum like floor polishing machine, and had a beautiful collection of photographs of her life that she had taken on her box brownie.

They weren't always after the latest fad invention, they cared for their appliances etc and made them last a lifetime.....but a wringer washing machine was worlds apart from a washboard and tub; a hi-fi system to enjoy made housework so much more pleasant; a singer sewing machine was far more effective than hand stitching everything. And today, a microwave can help make your life as a home-maker (in full time capacity or otherwise!) much more effective too.......let me share with you some clever ways how:

Poached eggs:

I love to cook my eggs this way - it is so quick and leaves practically no mess to clean up at all. Simply crack two eggs into a mug with a drip of water (really, you hardly need any water at all). Pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Let sit in the microwave for 10 seconds, and heat again for 30 seconds. When you remove your eggs should be poached to perfection.....you can increase or decrease the time of the second heating session depending on how runny you like your yolks. *** The reason for the two heating sessions is to prevent the egg from over heating all at once and splattering all over the microwave.

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake:

Friends dropped in for afternoon tea unexpectedly and you have nothing to eat with your plunger coffee? Quickly pop

4 Tbspoons plain flour

4 Tbspoons sugar

2 Tbspoons cocoa

 in a mug and mix well.

Add

1 Egg and mix

Pour in and mix

3 Tbspoons milk

3 Tbspoons Oil or melted butter

Splash vanilla extract

you can add 3 Tbspoons choc chips if you have them too !!

Wack in the microwave for 3 mins on high. The cake will rise up above the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed. Once done, let it cool, tip onto a plate and eat on its own - or with cream or ice cream, or even raspberry sauce if you are lucky enough to have some in the pantry !!

Drying Herbs:

You can dry your own herbs in a microwave - think of the thrill of creating your own herbal teas strait from your garden ! Pick your fresh herbs and make sure there is no moisture on them (it will cook the herbs rather than dry them). Place them in between some paper towel to make sure. Place them in between the paper towel in the microwave and cook on high for 2 mins. Tah dah !! herbs for cooking and herbal teas in an instant !

Potato Chip Revitalisation !! :

Refresh stale potato chips by putting them on a plate for 30 seconds, then let stand for about one minute. You can also do this for soggy peanuts.

Ripen an Avocado:

Microwave avocado on Medium (50%) for 2 minutes. Turn over, microwave 1 minute more.

Increase your lemon juice:

Want to get the most juice from fresh lemons? Before squeezing fresh lemons, warm them in the microwave oven for about 40 seconds. You’ll get twice as much juice from each and every lemon.

Rain Soaked Newspaper:

It’s almost impossible to read a rain soaked newspaper. Don’t throw it away. Heat it on a low setting until it’s dry and once again readable.

Unused Stamps:

Everyone has at one time or another placed a postage stamp on an envelope only to decide later not to send it. Simply place a couple drops of water on the stamp, and microwave it for about 20 seconds. The stamp will come off easily.

  

No Cry Onions:

If you love to cook with onions but you don’t want to cry, trim off the ends, and heat them on full power for about 30 seconds. With these tips and tricks, chopping will be a tear free experience


** Some of these tips are courtesy of Associated Content

Music of the Moment - The Jive Aces

Have you seen this wonderful film clip and song? It is doing the rounds of youtube, facebook etc at the moment in preperation for the single's release in May.....if you haven't yet caught it, take a peek at it now (click on the picture below).....I hope you are inspired as I was when I heard it...my feet couldn't stay still !!! My only negative comment is that I could do without matching poodle skirted rock n roll dancers (Hmmnnnn) But for more about "the UK's no.1 jive and swing band" check out their homepage here.......

I have pretty much decided that with the colder months now upon us in Australia, red hair seems to be the most dramatically warm way to go....and keep your eye out for the stunning redhead in this clip......me thinks that is the look I will be aiming for !! But more on that at a later date.......

A visit to Sunnymeade

A couple of weekends ago I visited the most exquisite garden imaginable.....Sunnymeade in Euroa, Victoria. It was a brilliant Autumn day and I donned one of my most comfortable and prettiest dresses for the occasion and set off for the three hour trip. It was well worth the effort for the inspiration and peace the outing gave me. The garden was pretty as a picture, as you can see from the many photographs below, and Euroa offered scrumptious coffee and cake at the end of the journey. Plus, the drive gave me ample time to dream and imagine, especially on my way home as I conjured up visions of my own 'dream garden' that I someday hope to establish and see grow in beauty and gracefulness.....much the same as Craig has done with 25 year old Sunnymeade. A former chef, Craig decided to turn his hand to his greatest passion - his garden - and crafted Sunnymeade as his full time job, and pride and joy. It runs now as a bed and breakfast, as well as conducting bi-annual open gardens each year. The garden itself continues to be a work in progress ( as all 'good' gardens should be) as Craig tweaks and refines things here and there, and expands upon the already impressive 4 acres with new ideas and concepts. Sunnymead is well worth a visit for inspiration, but also for an uplifting dose of calm and tranquility....it's formal design and immaculate execution thoroughly deserving of it's innumerable garden awards........As for me, I could have sat on the hedged circular lawn in the sunshine all afternoon with a cup of chai tea in hand and drifted off to fantasy land.....complete and perfect happiness!

A fabric sample of my pretty dress above.....

(This dress was the first 50's inspired sundress I made in my post childbearing desire to always dress beautifully mid century vintage. It is therefore just a tad roomy and wonderfully comfortable as well as pretty to wear - and the cotton fabric is an absolute dream !!)

  

The gatehouse entrance

Aztec inspired wall

Moroccan inspired garden

Millennium clock

Egyptian inspiration for clematis garden

  And might I add, that Sunnymead is the first time I have seen an espaliered apple walk (such as is found in the movie "Emma" - see photograph below) in the flesh. Ever since I first saw the movie I have wanted to try one of these myself.....imagine the blossom in spring !!! One day, in my dream garden...........

 All stone work and masonry was built by the owner and designer, Craig....hasn't he done an incredible job !?

I loved the hot colours in this bed and contrast of the purple leaves - so dramatic and simply eye catching!

A sucessful frock swap and some adorable gifts....

 

This week I had my breath taken away by the generosity of a very new kindred spirit friend I have made in town. The past two days I have had the wonderful privilege of getting to know lovely Kaye Wilson, and shared a passion for beautiful old clothing and preserving history...... this happy friendship has arisen from my Frock Swap, which was held last Sunday. So for all my dear friends in blogging land I have attached some photographs of the swap which also included a display of Vintage Garments belonging to my Grandmother, my Mother and myself, not to mention some scrumptious traditional country afternoon tea ! I have also posted here some photographs of the stunning dresses Kaye has given me, as her collection has outgrown her wardrobe ....rest assured they go to a good home where they will be treasured and adored !!! Thankyou ever so much Kaye !

Living Dolls - April 2011

Introducing the beautiful Maria, whose vintage style (not to mention wardrobe) is just wonderful!

 

What does 'vintage' mean to you?

For me, ‘vintage’ is about beautifully made garments that show off the curvy female form (think the cinched in waists of the ‘New Look’). So to me true ‘vintage’ ends at around 1965. I know this is somewhat controversial as others have a broader version of ‘vintage’ but I definitely don’t think 80’s power suits are vintage! (they are just ‘second hand’)

What was it that first prompted your interest in vintage culture?

The history of the 40’s and 50’s has always interested me, I loved ‘The Sullivans’ (set in the 1940’s) as a child. My interest in vintage clothes started when I wore a 1950’s red ball gown owned by my best friend’s grandmother when I was about 13. It was absolutely gorgeous and once you have worn something like that you can never go back to ordinary clothes!

What is your favourite era, and do you 'live it' every day? In what ways?

My favourite era is definitely the 1950’s, particularly the cinched-in waists and full skirts. I can’t say I wear it every day as sometimes I have to wear contemporary clothes when I am looking after my children (I have a very messy 2 year old boy!). However, I do try and incorporate the values of that era by doing my hair in a 40’s or 50’s fashion and putting on make up (no tracksuit pants in public!). I think the value of being well-groomed in public is a great one to take from the 1950’s.

Tell us about your favourite item of vintage clothing, kitchenalia, music, furniture or whatever !

My favourite item of vintage would probably be one of the first really beautiful 1950’s black dresses I ever bought, and that is my sleeveless black dress made of rayon, purchased from Frocks and Slacks (a vintage store in St Kilda) about five years ago. For me, this dress personifies why I love vintage so much, it is beautifully made, of quality fabric (rayon drapes beautifully) and is very flattering on my figure (hides my child-bearing hips!)

Can you share with us why vintage culture continues to hold such appeal for you?

For me, I enjoy the feeling that I am respecting part of history and treasuring beautiful things from the past. One of my treasured belongings is a vintage black handbag which used to be owned by my grandmother. I never got to meet her as she died before I was born, so I love that I can keep some type of a connection by carrying this lovely bag around with me and be reminded of her. She was a very hard-working, strong woman and even though I did not get a chance to meet her, I admire her greatly for the work she put in to raising her family.

Do you have any tips for anyone starting out in the vintage scene?

The first thing is to think about what era you like and what clothes will suit your figure. I happen to love 50’s fashion and have a figure that seems to suit the dresses of that era as I have a small waist and rather generous hips (!) (I could never pull off a 60’s mini!). Secondly, do some research - there are great books on vintage available now (eg the one by Nicole Jenkins from Circa Clothing) and look at things online (just google ‘50’s fashion’ or whatever you are interested in). Don’t be put off by the high cost of some items online and in vintage shops - real bargains can still be had if you look carefully enough on etsy and ebay.

Now is your chance to provide us with an overview of who you are and what you do

Gosh, well to sum myself up in a few words I would say I am real ‘granny’ in many ways. I love anything old (except my husband, who is three years younger than me - ha ha!). As well as collecting vintage clothes and accessories, I am quite old-fashioned in my attitudes, I try to make dinner a home-cooked dinner for my family every night and I make traditional desserts and cakes such as scones and pikelets (from a Country Women’s League cookbook no less!). I also try to be anti-consumerism, so I have a low-key traditional home with no ‘movie room’ or flat-screen TV, no Foxtel and no four-wheel drive out the front. If you live in the suburbs of a big city, you will now that this is not a mean feat considering everyone else seems to have these things! So, in addition to my love of vintage clothes I would say the above best sums me up: very old-fashioned in many respects!

As to what I do, I am currently completing a PhD on refugee law which is no mean feat and work on that 2 days a week. On other days I am looking after my children and trying to write my weekly blog on vintage, http://vintagesuburbia.blogspot.com/

Finally, what or who inspires you and why?

First and foremost my mother inspires me, both in her strength and her sense of style. She is a great advocate of having a good jacket and brooch to wear and I have to say that has been my saving grace when I have been exhausted from lack of sleep and need to go out in public - a good jacket and brooch really does the trick!

Also, more recently, the ladies from the Lindy Charm School have really inspired me to make an effort to look my best and to act gracefully. I went to one of their Charm schools recently and after they did my hair I realised just want a difference a good hairdo could make to my appearance! They also gave a little talk on how to act with grace - good posture and also the importance of giving and receiving compliments gracefully. I was hugely impressed with their attitude and it has really inspired me to look more broadly at vintage, not simply as wearing vintage clothes, but also encapsulating the positive values of that era.