Time for a new blog...

I'm no longer running my craft business Polka Dot Rabbit, haven't been for some time, and after a long hiatus, I've decided to do some blogging again.

You can read my new blog, Consuming Cate over at http://consumingcate.blogspot.com/.

What will I talk/write about:

• Daily happenings and a few pics
• new recipes, with an emphasis on plant based recipes
• Travelling
• The process of writing a novel
• New workshops and creative projects.

Maybe you'd like to join me? 

Things I like today

I think this chair is rather lovely, such beautiful fabric!



Rather enjoyed this article on seasonal eating out of season? (I spied chocolate eggs in the shops on Boxing Day). What's your view? ps-keen to make my own hot cross buns again this Easter!




I'm keen to give these vegan potato tacos a try...with plenty of chilli sauce! Avocados are cheap at the moment, and it's also great to find new soy free recipes.


Wonderful embroidery!

Hope everyone in Melbourne is enjoying the cooler weather today!

Things I like today

I'm quite intrigued by this recipe for pickled nasturtium pods!

I actually think these Christmas decoration would be great any time of year!




Insanely cute tattoo of a Gemma Correll illustration, surely the ultimate flattery!



In respect to yesterday's welcome chilly weather here in Melbourne, I whipped up a batch of scones. I'm most definitely a cool weather person!


I'm quite taken with this bag

Christmas gifts from the kitchen

I love making people gifts and this years I was keen to make my gifts homemade. I didn't have much time for crafting unfortunately so I decided to make some goodies from the kitchen.

Reasons I like making gifts:

• No shopping at horrid shopping centres full of piped Christmas music, just a trip to the grocer and spice market
• I can make rather than shop
• I enjoy cooking
• It's usually cheaper to make than buy (especially if fruit is acquired through gleaning)
  
• It's always lovely to receive something handmade
• My collection of jars (and those hoarded by others) are of good use!
  

Here's a series of recipes that I made, complete with a few pics!

Apricot lavender jam





Ingredients

• About 2o fresh apricots
• 1/2 cup water
  
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon lavender flowers
  
• freshly-squeezed lemon juice ( I used the juice of half a lemon)

Directions

1. Cut the apricots in half, extract the pits and discard (no need to peel them).
   
2. Place the apricots in a large stockpot with water, sugar, lemon juice and lavender flowers
   
3. Cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally until the apricots are cooked into oblivion.
4. As the mixture thickens and reduces, check the hot jam frequently and stir just to make sure it isn’t scorching.
5. Several sources suggest placing small saucer in the freezer. When the jam looks thick and is looks slightly-jelled, turn off the heat and put a small amount of jam on the chilled plate. Put back in the freezer for a few minutes, then do the gel test: If the jam mounds, it’s done. If not, continue to cook, then re-test the jam until it reaches a thin jam texture.
   
6. Once done, ladle the jam into clean jars.

Dukkah


Dukkah is a wonderful middle eastern spice mix that is ridiculously easy to make. It's traditionally served with olive oil and flat bread but also can be added to curries, salads, meat dishes etc. The ingredients list is quite forgiving, open to a variety of culinary substitutes in regard to the type of nuts and spices. We live near a fabulous middle eastern spice grocer and it's fantastic to go and buy loads of different spices, herbs and other dry goods. Here's the recipe I like to use:

Ingredients

• 1 cup almonds
• 1/4 cup coriander seeds 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup tablespoons cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon salt

1. Heat a non stick pan over high heat, add the nuts, and dry-toast until slightly browned and fragrant, being careful that they don't burn. Remove from the heat and cool completely.
   
2. Repeat the procedure with each of the seeds and the peppercorns. Allow each of them to cool completely.
3. Place the nuts and seeds, along with the salt into a blender and pulse until broken down but not until it becomes a paste.
   

Store in an airtight container in a cool place .

Capsicum chutney

Ingredients

• 3 large Granny Smith apples
• 6 capsicum (red or green is fine)
  
• 1 onion
• 115g raisins
  
• 115g fresh or dried dates
• ½ tspn mustard seed
  
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup white vinegar (I used brown which was fine)
• 2 gloves garlic
• chillies to taste
  

1. Mince apples, capsicum, onions and garlic.
2. Add remaining ingredients and boil on a low heat for 4o mins until thick
3. Spoon carefully into sterilised jars.

And well. as for the tomato sauce, I can't go past Pip's Nanna's awesome recipe! You can find it over here






photo of tomato sauce and chutney, all ready to be labelled

Things I like today

Absolutely adore these drawers made from suitcases


Such a sweet illustration!


Love the yellow paint work here


Gotta try this Pirogie recipe, looks amazing

Cute green cardi

Things I like today

Love the wall hanging and the hankies!

This is another room from their house that I love

How good does this recipe of Mushrooms Bourguinon look? Yummy! If you're in a cooking mood, I recently also made pear crumble and bean loaf!

The work of photographer Julia Hoersch as featured here

How I adore the work of Misako Mimoko!

Cute Jan Goeting pic from here

Things I like today

hahah this made me laugh

Beautiful picture of jewellery designer Michelle Jank by The Sartorialist


Great idea! Gotta make these one day

I've been getting patchwork cravings lately. This is just lovely.

This is clever hey?

Things I like today

It's been a bit of a gap between postings, I've been really busy with Green Renters work, studying NEIS and battling a bad cold. I also had a Polka Dot Rabbit stall at Craft Victoria's Craft Hatch last weekend and I've been busily working on custom orders and stock for my lovely stockists.I don't like to bank up posts, it seems a little cold to do that. But here's some things I really fancy:


How amazing is this raspberry tim tam cake? Recipe here
Clever
I can't remember where I found this, but I really like it.

I love these recycled bins, made from sustainably harvested rattan and reclaimed bin. They are produced by the indigenous Aeta people of the Philippines via fair trade NGO Preda.

It's getting cold and I've been making double sided door snakes. Great for high traffic areas, as the snake doesn't need to be positioned everytime the door opens and closes.

Things I like today

I think I might make this over easter, being the time for chocolate and all. Wonder what fruit would work well instead of bananas?

Chicken or egg?
I love cloche hats to the extreme

Hand embroidered badges, a great gift for any embroidery lovers, just $4 each from here

What a simply stunning window and view!

Things I like today

I don't have any tattoos, but I think this is beautiful


These tights are amazing!


and these ones too

I love a good gin cocktail like this one

Another beautiful image by Matou en Peluche as seen here