Yippee...It's Friday!
Fast and Easy Pasta and Prawn Recipe
O what a beautiful mornin!
Oh, what a beautiful mornin',
Oh, what a beautiful day.
I got a beautiful feelin'
Ev'rything's goin' my way.
All the sounds of the earth are like music,
All the sounds of the earth are like music,
The breeze is so busy it don't miss a tree,
And a ol' weepin' willer is laughin' at me.
Who better to sing this song than Hugh Jackman, the man from Oz!
(No Obfuscation here....this is indeed a shameless plug for my
Sunday Songs Meme each Sunday!!)
Thanks so much for having me Jenny!
This meme is O so much fun!
Thanks for stopping by and visiting me in my little corner of the world Down Under!
Best wishes,
Natasha In Oz
Red gerbera in the RAW!
I have joined in with a fun photo meme that happens each week at Sailor and Company.
.jpg)
It is raw because we can’t edit the photos...they are to stay untouched!
This week's RAW(e) photo theme is RED
Here are the rules:
Do not edit your photo.
It must be straight out of the camera!
Don't link up until you post your photo
(and link to the actual post not your entire blog)
It must fit the theme, which is RED this week!
My red photo is of a gerbera that I found in my mum and dad's garden.
You can tell it hasn't been edited because there is my big fat toe in the bottom right corner!
To go and see other photos in the RAW or to join in, just click here!
Best wishes,
Tea Time with Natasha in Oz: Buddha Ball Jasmine Tea
Welcome dear friends. Thank you so much for visiting me today and for joining me for another Tea Time post!
Did you know that after water, tea is the most widely-consumed beverage in the world? This does't really surprise me, especially when I heard that a 2009 Kingston University study showed that
1. White tea had high anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-collagenase, and anti-elastase properties and
2. These properties could potentially reduce the risks of developing rheumatoid arthritis, some cancers, heart disease and slow the enzymatic break down of elastin and collagen which accompany aging! Tea can help with stopping wrinkles and sagging skin...yippee!!! Source
Another study at Pace University in 2004 showed that white tea had more anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities than green tea! White tea is a miracle brew for sure!
My favourite white tea is not only healthy but it is also very beautiful to look at, especially when I serve it in my Royal Albert Chantilly tea cup!
This tea is called a "Buddha Ball" and they are hand rolled full white tea leaves and blossoms.
The white tea opens like a flower while infusing, to display a beautiful pink chrysanthemum at the centre.
The delicate chrysanthemum-scented tea is delicious.
Each ball of tea will make a pot of tea but I put the ball into a cup to show you how it blossoms.
You can add more water to the used leaves for a second or third or even fourth infusion! This cup of tea of mine lasted quite a while...enough time for me to sit down on my comfy couch and catch up on some of my favourite magazines from America, Good Housekeeping and Redbook.
From my comfy couch I can see a new vignette I created on our flatware chest.
I have displayed a plate that I found when Antiquing and my favourite Royal Doulton figurines. Of course, I always have a candle in every corner of our house and this MOR candle is perfumed with green tea....divine!
From my comfy couch I can also see the beautiful Royal Doulton figurines that Mr Attorney gave me as an Anniversary gift a couple of years ago. They are called Sugar and Spice!
I think you will agree that these figurines perfectly resemble my Miss sugar who loves to bake and my Mr Spice who loves Spicy Big Red chewing gum!
I can also see another plate that I have added to my collection! I decided to put this one on a plate stand rather than on the wall. I found it for only $9 at an Antique Centre in New Farm, Brisbane!
I don't know if I am quite ready to get up off my comfy couch at the moment! I think I will spend another 5 minutes here and have another cup of White tea, after all it is good for me and it is doing wonders for my skin!
Thank you for spending time with me today! I am so happy that you came visit and I do hope to see you again soon!
Best wishes,
Natasha In Oz
1. White tea had high anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-collagenase, and anti-elastase properties and
2. These properties could potentially reduce the risks of developing rheumatoid arthritis, some cancers, heart disease and slow the enzymatic break down of elastin and collagen which accompany aging! Tea can help with stopping wrinkles and sagging skin...yippee!!! Source
Another study at Pace University in 2004 showed that white tea had more anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities than green tea! White tea is a miracle brew for sure!
My favourite white tea is not only healthy but it is also very beautiful to look at, especially when I serve it in my Royal Albert Chantilly tea cup!
This tea is called a "Buddha Ball" and they are hand rolled full white tea leaves and blossoms.
The white tea opens like a flower while infusing, to display a beautiful pink chrysanthemum at the centre.
The delicate chrysanthemum-scented tea is delicious.
Each ball of tea will make a pot of tea but I put the ball into a cup to show you how it blossoms.
You can add more water to the used leaves for a second or third or even fourth infusion! This cup of tea of mine lasted quite a while...enough time for me to sit down on my comfy couch and catch up on some of my favourite magazines from America, Good Housekeeping and Redbook.
From my comfy couch I can see a new vignette I created on our flatware chest.
I have displayed a plate that I found when Antiquing and my favourite Royal Doulton figurines. Of course, I always have a candle in every corner of our house and this MOR candle is perfumed with green tea....divine!
From my comfy couch I can also see the beautiful Royal Doulton figurines that Mr Attorney gave me as an Anniversary gift a couple of years ago. They are called Sugar and Spice!
I can also see another plate that I have added to my collection! I decided to put this one on a plate stand rather than on the wall. I found it for only $9 at an Antique Centre in New Farm, Brisbane!
I don't know if I am quite ready to get up off my comfy couch at the moment! I think I will spend another 5 minutes here and have another cup of White tea, after all it is good for me and it is doing wonders for my skin!
Best wishes,
Please join me each weekend for the Say G'day Saturday Linky Party!
ANZAC Day and a Tuesday Tune: Slim Dusty
As I mentioned in my previous post, this weekend Australians and New Zealanders are remembering all of the fallen heroes who fought for our freedom in past wars.
Each year we also pay tribute to all Australian servicemen and servicewomen when we go to the Brisbane CBD to watch the ANZAC day parade.
Marching today were veterans from all past wars, as well as current serving members of the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Defence Force Cadets and the Australian Air League.
There is one special veteran who always gets an extra special cheer from us each year....my dad!
He was a mechanical Engineer with the Australian army during the Vietnam War.
Slim Dusty sold more than seven million albums and singles in Australia and over the course of his career, he collected more gold and platinum albums than any other Australian artist.
He was the first Australian to receive a Gold Record, the first to have an international record hit, and the first singer in the world to have his voice beamed to earth from space!
SMH
SMH
He recorded and released his one-hundredth album in 2000 and became the very first music artist in the world ever to do so. He was then given the honour of singing Waltzing Matilda in the Closing Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, with the whole stadium singing along with him.
Dusty not only recorded songs written by himself but also recorded songs written by other fellow Australian performers. And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda is a song, written by Scottish-born singer-songwriter Eric Bogle in 1971. The song is an account of a young Australian soldier who is killed at the Battle of Gallipoli in World War I. In the song, the protagonist loses his legs in the battle, and later notes the passing of other veterans with time, as younger generations become apathetic to the veterans and their cause.
In May 2001 the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), as part of its 75th Anniversary celebrations, named "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time. (Source of information)
So, here is a Sunday Song for you, Dad, and for all of the Australian men and women who have served for our country.
Thank you for visiting today. I am so thrilled you stopped by to visit me in my little corner of the world Down Under!
Best wishes for a beautiful week,
ANZAC Biscuit Recipe and the History of ANZAC Day.
Welcome friends to Natasha In Oz. Thanks so much for stopping by to say G'day! Today I am sharing an iconic Aussie treat that is baked and shared every April for ANZAC Day. Here is my
ANZAC Biscuit Recipe !
ANZAC day, April 25, is a national public holiday here in Australia and it is thought by many to be one of the most solemn days of the year. This year it will be marking the 95th anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during WWI.
In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers, the ANZACs, formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navy. The aim was to capture Constantinople (Istanbul) which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany.
The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli had made a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war.
Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the “ANZAC legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways they viewed both their past and their future. The meaning of ANZAC day today includes remembrance of all Australians killed in all the military operations in which Australia has been involved.
Each year Australians and New Zealanders recognise 25 April as the day to remember those who fought and lost their lives for their country. Commemorative services are held at dawn, the time of the original landing, at war memorials in cities and towns across both nations. Later in the day, ex-servicemen and women join in marches.
Another ANZAC tradition is baking ANZAC biscuits. ANZAC biscuits were eaten by our troops on the shores of Gallipoli and the fields of Flanders. The army biscuit, also known as an ANZAC wafer or ANZAC tile, is basically a long shelf-life biscuit that was eaten as a substitute for bread. However, these biscuits were very, very hard, so hard that most of the soldiers preferred to grind them up and eat them as porridge.
ANZAC biscuits are eggless so they wouldn't spoil before they reached the troops.
Watch out when making these! The mixture really froths up!
oz.jpg "ANZAC biscuits, ANZAC day, Australia, Natasha In Oz,")
Thank you, thank you, thank you Michael Lee!!!!!
Michael Lee is now hosting another Photo Contest, her 3rd! This time she would like people to submit pictures of MOSAICS. The contest ends April 30 so when you are over at Designs by Gollum looking at other yummy recipes check out all of the details.
I am linking this post to my weekly Say G'day Saturday party, a friendly and international linky party where you can link up anything and everything...recipes, pinterest posts, instagram pictures, craft projects, tutorial and DIY tips.
If you have a favourite song to share, please feel free to join in and link up! It can be from any of your previous posts and everyone is welcome-the more the merrier!
This week I will be sharing some pictures from Sunday's ANZAC day parade and a song about our brave Aussie Soldiers. I hope you will come back to visit me then.
Best wishes.
Natasha In Oz
ANZAC day, April 25, is a national public holiday here in Australia and it is thought by many to be one of the most solemn days of the year. This year it will be marking the 95th anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during WWI.
ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers, the ANZACs, formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navy. The aim was to capture Constantinople (Istanbul) which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany.
The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli had made a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war.
Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the “ANZAC legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways they viewed both their past and their future. The meaning of ANZAC day today includes remembrance of all Australians killed in all the military operations in which Australia has been involved.
Each year Australians and New Zealanders recognise 25 April as the day to remember those who fought and lost their lives for their country. Commemorative services are held at dawn, the time of the original landing, at war memorials in cities and towns across both nations. Later in the day, ex-servicemen and women join in marches.
Heard at every ANZAC Day service around the country on April 25th each year:
The ANZAC Dedication:
For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon
They shall not grow old,
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them.
We will remember them.
For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon
They shall not grow old,
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them.
We will remember them.
Another ANZAC tradition is baking ANZAC biscuits. ANZAC biscuits were eaten by our troops on the shores of Gallipoli and the fields of Flanders. The army biscuit, also known as an ANZAC wafer or ANZAC tile, is basically a long shelf-life biscuit that was eaten as a substitute for bread. However, these biscuits were very, very hard, so hard that most of the soldiers preferred to grind them up and eat them as porridge.
When the mothers, wives and girlfriends of Australian troops back home heard about this terrible food source they became concerned that their boys were not getting enough nutrients. Knowing that oats were a food of high nutritional value, they adapted a recipe for Scottish oatcakes and developed the now famous ANZAC biscuit. Australian War Memorial
ANZAC biscuits are eggless so they wouldn't spoil before they reached the troops.
Seven-days biscuit supply.
Le Havre, France, 1918
Ingredients always include rolled oats, sugar, plain flour, coconut, butter, golden syrup or treacle, bi-carbonate of soda and boiling water.
Watch out when making these! The mixture really froths up!
I hope that maybe I can inspire you to make these delicious biscuits!
ANZAC Biscuits
This ANZAC biscuit recipe combines rolled oats, sugar, flour, coconut, butter and golden syrup to create the perfect Aussie treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (90g) Regular rolled oats (not quick-cooking oats)
- 2/3 cup (60g) Shredded coconut
- 1 cup (150g) Plain (All Purpose) Flour
- 3/4 cup (180g) Castor sugar
- 125g Unsalted butter
- 2 heapied tablespoons Golden Syrup
- 2 tablespoons Boiling water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Bicarbonate of soda
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
Set oven to 160C/320F and then line a couple of large oven trays with baking paper. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together the oats, coconut, flour and caster sugar. Put the butter and golden syrup into a small saucepan over low heat and warm them or slowly microwave them in a large microwave safe dish (you will see why it needs to be large later), stirring occasionally, until the butter has melted. Then add the boiling water and bicarb soda and stir them in briefly.
Watch out! The mixture froths up!
Now pour this buttery liquid into the oat mixture along with the vanilla. Quickly stir the two together until they're thoroughly combined. Roll the (now very sticky!) dough into walnut sized balls, flatten them slightly and sit them at least 5cm apart (as they spread quite a bit) on the prepared oven trays. Bake the biscuits for 15-20 minutes, or until they're golden brown and still a little soft. I rotated the trays halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. Leave them on the trays for a few minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool. They keep well in an airtight container for up to a week....if they last that long!
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 24-30 biscuits
They keep well in an airtight container for up to a week....if they last that long!
A note on Golden Syrup: I am not sure if my American friends have used Golden syrup before? It is a pale sweet treacle and you would be able to find it in specialty stores or those with international sections, such as Wholefoods Market, which apparently stocks Lyle's golden syrup from the UK.
Before I go and pig out on ANZAC biscuits, I just want to say a very big thank you to Michael Lee from Designs by Gollum who not only hosts Foodie Friday each week but who also awarded me 2nd place in her 2nd Foodie Friday Photo Competition for this photo from my post last week on Chai Tea cookies:
oz.jpg "ANZAC biscuits, ANZAC day, Australia, Natasha In Oz,")
Thank you, thank you, thank you Michael Lee!!!!!
Michael Lee is now hosting another Photo Contest, her 3rd! This time she would like people to submit pictures of MOSAICS. The contest ends April 30 so when you are over at Designs by Gollum looking at other yummy recipes check out all of the details.
I am linking this post to my weekly Say G'day Saturday party, a friendly and international linky party where you can link up anything and everything...recipes, pinterest posts, instagram pictures, craft projects, tutorial and DIY tips.
If you have a favourite song to share, please feel free to join in and link up! It can be from any of your previous posts and everyone is welcome-the more the merrier!
This week I will be sharing some pictures from Sunday's ANZAC day parade and a song about our brave Aussie Soldiers. I hope you will come back to visit me then.
Best wishes.
Please join me each weekend for the Say G'day Saturday Linky Party!
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