It doesn’t seem like another month has passed since I shared a peek in my kitchen but the calendar doesn’t lie. It seems the older I get, the faster time passes. I remember thinking it was going to be FOREVER before I could go to school. Then it was waiting for Christmas, my birthday, to date and waiting to drive and waiting to drink. Now I want it all to slow down.
My sister, her two granddaughters and MY granddaughter Jade are coming to visit in August. Carole is bringing more homemade maple syrup so I bought a new waffle maker. My current one makes one waffle and with 3 young girls waiting for breakfast, I needed a bigger machine. With both going, we should be eating in no time.
I have been waiting for this Teatime in Paris book for a while now. My good friend Jill Colonna from madaboutmacarons.com has published her second book. If you’ve been following me for a while, you might remember that I learned how to make beautiful macarons from Jill’s first book, Mad About Macarons.
I’m going to pick something in her book and test it out for you. Her publisher doesn’t permit copying her recipe on blogs but I never follow a recipe 100% anyway. 🙂
I have wanted a spice grinder for a while now and this month I spoiled myself and ordered one. I’m really happy with it.
I was sent samples of this wonderful Sweet balsamic reduction from Jomeis Fine Foods in Melbourne. I’ve tried it with some sourdough, olive oil and dukkah and it gets two thumbs up from me. I’m also going to use this in some strawberry jam so watch for it. I just have to wait for the berries to ripen.
I went ages without a cast iron skillet and now they’re falling from the sky. Okay maybe not the sky. Maybe through the front door from a delivery man from Your Home Depot with this lovely bright red Chasseur cast iron skillet. I’m going to make something wonderful in it this weekend. John’s sister, niece and her son Sam are visiting for the weekend. They’re coming to see the olds and it will be great to see ‘family’.
Harper Collins sent this Slow Cooker Central cookbook by Paulene Christie the other day. It’s been quite chilly around here and meals in the slow cooker are mighty welcome after a long day. I’ll share something from this book soon and fingers crossed that it will be delicious.
Imagine the smile on my face when I opened a box to find 4 bottles of Strawberry Blonde Beer beer from Zeven Lemon. Who can guess what I did with it? It’s coming up on the blog soon.
Now I did just say that I liked slow cooker meals because it’s cold and it’s winter. That’s only at night because I just went outside and it’s a gorgeous day, full of sun. It does get quite cold at night, down to 8C or 46F. That’s cold enough for comfort food.
Finally, no in my kitchen post would be complete without my best friend, Charles the wonderdog. Jump, Charlie!!
Then he got tired from all that jumping (it takes a steady hand to hold the stick AND focus and click the shutter with the other hand) and he decided to have a nap on the rug by the front door. the postie at Charlie’s house is the most wonderful woman and she always brings him two dog biscuits when she comes to the door with packages. She whispers through the door and says, “Charlie, go get daddy,” instead of ringing the doorbell. He woofs at the doorbell because it’s always for him. (if you ask him). She came last Friday and brought her new puppy to meet Charlie. He was the size of her hand and SO adorable.
Time for a haircut I think.
This post is part of the In My Kitchen project by Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. Visit her to see the links to all the other food bloggers from around the world who share a peek into their kitchens once a month.
Your dog is SO gorgeous! I’d have trouble making things if this guy was in my kitchen, I’d just be playing with him. 😛
Oh Jenny, he also thinks treats come in the cat box. 🙂 This is the best breed of dog we’ve ever had. He can learn just about everything. He can even understand p a r k even when we say it backward.
haha! I love the photos of Charlie! Can’t wait to see what you make with the Strawberry Blond Beer and what recipe you choose from Teatime! I’m never follow the recipe directions to a “T” either 🙂
We’re twins! 🙂
I was all about your new gadgets until I saw Charlie jumping and napping and the major awwwwwww factor made everything else go away. Oh Charlie you are just the cutest thing ever, you deserve a nice steak tonight 😉
He’s getting pork tenderloin and that’s it, no steak. We’ll call it chicken anyway because that’s the only word he knows for meat. 🙂
Aww……Charlie is the cutest! It must be exciting to work with so many new things in the kitchen. I have never made waffles at home, time I bought one! I’ll look for a bigger one…thanks for the idea:-)
You’ve got all sorts of yummy and exciting things NGOs going in your kitchen! I bought a cheapy coffee grinder years ago for my spices and it still does the trick, your Kitchenaid brand looks terrific.
Can you believe I’ve never owned one? I have used my Thermomix but it’s so big for just a bit of spice that I decided to spoil myself.
One day, *I* want to be in your kitchen, Maureen. 🙂
I have waffle maker envy. We had one in Florida and then got rid of it when we moved because we never used it. Now everyone is waffling everything. Boo.
In my storage room, fondly called the laundry, I have 4 4-shelf industrial shelves where I keep all the toys I don’t use often but still want. The waffle maker sits there waiting for our first practice session. I’ll wait if you want to come over. 🙂
So many new things in your kitchen ! I don’t have a waffle maker and yours looks so nice ! Now, it’s summer time here but in september I will buy one ! Love waffles ! With your new book you are going to bake us the gorgeous patisserie 😉 Once I made macarons but it’s was hard. Finally it’s easier buy them !
Charlie is so amazing
My husband finds macarons quite sweet so it’s time to make a savoury one. It IS a lot of work but when I see the little feet growing in the oven, it’s worth it. As long as I’m baking for fun and not for anyone else, I find baking very relaxing and the more complicated the better. I know if it doesn’t work out, it’s only a few steps to the rubbish.
OHHH that cookbook looks awesome!!! And I am excited to see what you will be doing with all that beer!!!
Awesome round up of goodies, but what I loved the most was the “MY” granddaughter in all caps… Says it all… 😉
As to the beer, I think you will make a beef stew with it. DId I get it right?
Also glad that cast iron pans are not falling from the sky, because you don’t want to get one of those upside the head!
CHarlie is adorable as always… I need to get a photo of Buck jumping but might need help from the hubby, or as Celia calls him, “the handsome stud” (I cannot tell you how much that nickname got to his head… he embraced it sigh, sigh, sigh)
I missed the handsome stud but that works. I’ve always referred to him as smarty pants. 🙂
You got him! 😉
WoW! You are going to be one busy gal with all that company! I would love it and I bet Charlie does too!
I haven’t seen my granddaughter for seven years. I am beyond excited.
I was just thinking recently that the older I get, the faster time passes – glad I am not the only one! I think I’ve said this before, but I will say it again, Charlie is adorable! I need to give my dogs a hair cut too – so thanks for the reminder! I sure hope you post some of those waffles you are gonna be whipping up! xx
What a lovely collection for June – Maureen – including the adorable Charlie!
Your kitchen is filled with SO many goodies that I don’t know where to start. Maybe with a cold glass of beer cause it’s hot and muggy and when you get home tired and dragging your tail feathers, a cold one is always a nice treat.
Though the cuddly one on his rug is a tempting delay while he gets a tummy rub. He’s had a hard day, obviously.
All that jumping for mummy is tough. He never says no. 🙂
That cookbook looks like its sister needs a new home! Have to see if Amazon has it!
Maureen what wonderful bits and pieces you have in your kitchen this month. Could you please share a photo of the double waffle makers in action when the family arrives? I might have to get my hands on that slow cooker book. It’s so chilly here!
I’m shivering at 7:43am hovered near the heater. John’s niece and her son that’s Ollie’s age will be on the coast for the weekend. Going to be busy for him!
Well done on capturing that action shot of Charlie. What a lovely postie! We have the worst – he’s foreign (not that there’s anything wrong with that), barely speaks English (not that there’s anything wrong with that), has the world’s worst BO that’s like an entity that lingers long after he’s gone (plenty wrong with that) and bone lazy – chucks my parcels over the fence and leaves parcels out in the rain. Can’t stand him. Anyway…I have the same spice grinder and it’s fabulous and I use it only all the time. So excited for you that your family will be here soon – you must be counting the days xx
I am! He IS very lucky with his postie. She’s an absolute delight. No needing to go to the post office to hold his mail if he’s away. She sorts it out for him. Not sure if that’s supposed to be done but it works for everyone on that street. 🙂
Nice waffle maker and that balsamic reduction sauce sounds pretty amazing! Your fur baby stole the show today! Have a great weekend Maureen
I do have a sweet tooth the size of Texas so the sweet balsamic makes me very happy. Charlie likes to be the center of attention. 🙂
Oh Maureen, I’m so excited for you!!! How precious to see your family after so long….& that special grand daughter will have changed so much!!! A treasured memory coming up……
PS. Your kitchen rocks…full of interest, intrigue, taste & teasing. And loads of warmth & delight, by my imagination….
Cheers :)) xx
It doesn’t take a LOT of imagination Roni. You’ve been in my kitchen so I should have taken your photo! Next time. By the way, when IS next time?
My two faves this round is Teatime in Paris and Charlie. Maybe some day I can do Teatime with Charlie. Great title for a book. 🙂
I know! Wouldn’t it be nice for you to come and visit. You could toss the ball while I baked something from this book. 🙂
Jill is such a lovely woman. She’s from Scotland and has that traditional accent but lives in France and she makes the most wonderful food.
I thought the spice grinder was the highlight of this but then I saw Charlie. He is always the star of your posts!! 🙂
I really like that spice grinder. and Charlie. I like him a lot. 🙂
It’s been very cold here in the Adelaide Hills this week, with the temperature struggling to get into double digits during the day and down to 0C at night – I could really use that slow cooker book in this weather!
Oh it’s not that cold way up here in the north. Thankfully. On the other hand, I don’t have a view out my kitchen window like you do. — OR the food in South Australia.
Always love your Charlie pictures! The other ones too, but he’s the most important thing in your kitchen. Well after you, of course! Although I’m sure he’d dispute that. 😉 We couldn’t live without our spice grinder — such a nice thing to have. Good stuff this month — thanks for a peek.
He’s pretty sure he’s the most important thing around here. He just had 1/2 a sausage biscuit and waited around to see if I was going to give him the other half or eat it. I ate it and the looks I got!
I love the Cookbook , would need a copy of that! Plus the spice grinder and the waffle maker. I have never tried strawberry beer before. Maureen , don’t laugh, but is it sweet? Just Curious.
I don’t know, I haven’t cracked it open yet. I’m going to try beer bread with it. There, the news is out. 🙂
Charlie is such a sweet thing… I do miss having a canine best friend! Love your waffle maker… and I’m coming for waffles! You must be getting so excited about your family visiting. How lovely. Lots of other really good things in your kitchen, Maureen.
I’m very excited about seeing my sister and great-nieces but I’m over the moon about seeing Jade. She’s the only grandchild with black hair like mine. I know, I know, she has black hair because she’s 1/2 Taiwanese but I say she has black hair because granny does. 🙂
What a wonderful post that brightened my day Maureen as love your water views and could imagine sitting there just staring at the clouds all day!
What great cookbooks and look forward to what you create and LOVE waffles! I have so many wonderful childhood memories and love using the slow cooker the whole year through!
Thanks also for this month’s kitchen view!
Woah, lots of awesome in your kitchen this month. Especially digging the strawberry blonde beer, I dont enjoy drinking the sweet beers, but cooking with them, yes. I cant wait to see what you do with it.
Excellent photography skills you have Maureen, pooch jumping is perfect. 🙂
Hope you have an awesome day and lovely long weekend.
You must be beyond excited to see your grand daughter – what a house full of females! My folks arrive in 3 weeks and I can’t wait to see them.
I bet you cooked either beef or pork slowly with the beer – am I right?!
Your winter is like my summer!!!
I just had a little fun with my waffle iron in the kitchen today 😉 It makes TWO huge waffles – he he! Enough for me?? Or not! I have a big mouth after all!
It’s been a really cold start to winter in Melbourne, I need to head north for some sunshine! Your Charlie is so cute!
Maureen, you’re going to need a nap, too, after all the company and new gadgets & cookbooks trials! I’m sure Charlie won’t mind sharing his spot with you. 🙂 Waffles and slow cooker meals and something “cast iron” sound like the perfect way to ward off the morning/evening chill. I’m glad you’re enjoying the transition into winter — your view is gorgeous!
Charlie is such a cutie! With winter settling in on your side of the world, that slow cooker cookbook will come in handy. And I know what you mean about waffle makers, they never seem big enough, especially for a crowd.
awesome skillet!!!
love chasseur product….
Hi Maureen, love your view of the water and all your new kitchen gadgets. Sounds like you are going to be busy entertaining. Charles the Wonder Dog is quite adorable!
Love what you’ve added to your kitchen! I too look forward to having my own spice grinder. I know I’ll make good use of it. Look forwards to seeing what you create from Teatime in Paris!
Maureen, what a post! I love balsamic reductions and used to bring mine from Germany (they are made in Italy). But now that I no longer go to Germany all the time I have to think of an alternative. Have fun with your granddaughter and as usual Charlie is adorable.
Love all your goodies but really identify with the waffle maker. I could not find mine so I bought plates that fit into a new Cuisinart Griddle thing. And then I found mine. Someone wanted to know if I was going to send the never used plates back. Heck no…whenever I make waffles people are ALWAYS waiting on them! Now I want some; maybe I will have to do that in the morning. Want to come over?
yes, and I don’t like waiting until they go soggy. I like mine warm and crispy. 🙂
Oh, Charlie!! Such a cutie. Love your new cast iron pan and I baked up my first treat from Jill’s new cookbook—to rave reviews! Can’t wait to see what you try. Happy weekend!! xo
I know you’ve heard this a lot, but…..OHHHH Charlie..he is simply adorable.
I am loving all your goodies.
Have a good weekend my dear. xx
We had company for the weekend and one of them was 18 months old. Charlie loved it, even the porridge on his head. 🙂
Thanks for letting us have a peek in your kitchen and as always Charlie’s pictures are the star of the show :), so cute.
Definitely need to haul out the slow cooker for winter dinners now! Looking forward to it.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with out of the teatime in Paris book – it sounds like a book I would LOVE.
You know, Maureen, I’m so glad the book finally arrived – especially after that funny story of Liz sending the book to herself… I was in fits of laughter when I read how it happened! Apologies it took so long to get to you, though, down under.
That is adorable that your postwoman asks Charlie to get you rather than just leave the mail. That wouldn’t be at all like here in Paris: the postie doesn’t even ring the doorbell if there’s a parcel and even if we’re in, we have to fetch it during the week at the Post Office. I need your Charlie!
Oh, and I forgot to mention about the waffle maker – just after I took the photo for the recipe in the book, Julie made some waffles but also decided to waffle the cable too. I also need to get a new waffle-maker! Looking good x
i love the look of that spice grinder. and what a joyous photo of charlie!
What a wonderful time of treats and goodies…loving the Waffle Maker and Spice Grinder (hmm wondering if my life will feel more complete with these…). I also like Slow Cooker meals in winter and Sydney has been chilly – looking forward to your forthcoming posts on all…x
Your kitchen is always full of life and of course Charlie is the best helper of them all. He is such a little ham! I have always wanted a spice grinder so that is a fun little gadget. I need a battery operated one so matter which country I am in it works. I have no idea what you made with strawberry blonde beers but you have me very interested to find out. Did you make bread with it? Take Care
Ahh what would an IMK be without a pic of Charlie-your dream pet come to life! 😀
Love that cast iron pan – I need one of those. Would love a waffle pan too, but would probably eat too many!
Maureen, you lucky thing! Homemade maple syrup coming your way, sounds divine! What a lovely gift.
I too have that Slow Cooker Central recipe book. I think I joined the FB page when it was 40,000 members. Its now over 350,000 members and growing. Hats off to Paulene for all her successes! Can’t wait to see what you pick from the book to make. I finally tried the ‘lamb obsession’ that everyone raves about and it was delicious. Cheers, Kirsty
Lots of nice goodies in your new kitchen, Maureen and I love your happy, bouncy pooch! Love the balsamic reduction! YUM! Hope you’re doing well, haven’t heard from you in a while.
Roz
Love the new things in your kitchen Maureen! I’ve wanted a spice grinder for a while. Your dog is so cute, love the pictures 🙂
The best thing in your kitchen? The last picture 😀
Love that spice grinder too!
Great tools to make even better food! Thanks for the peek into your kitchen, Maureen!
All great ideas- I like the spice grinder. I try to double up with my coffee grinder- to start with it wasn’t a great idea and now it’s broke. hmmmm… I’m good for macarons but I’m always on for slow cooker recipes- year round. Yes I also need to a new waffle maker. I’ve been wanting to try savory waffles for quite sometime. Mine only makes 2 at a time… slllloooowwww.
Have a great week Maureen. I hope it goes as slow as my waffle maker.
xx
Wish I had Charlie in my kitchen! He’s adorable. So many goodies here on your post, love it all!
Charlie is precious!! And I want that spice grinder…
Oh that jumping puppy made me giggle 🙂 lots of wonderful things in your kitchen this month as always! I’ll be curious to see what you made with the strawberry blonde – you didn’t just drink it?? Made it into a cake perhaps? Jan x
I’m very impressed with your waffle maker Maureen. I fleetingly think I should get one but move on. Given your heritage though, I can totally understand why it’s a kitchen essential for you.
Now I really want to hear all about your spice grinder. Mine died the other day (though to be fair, it has been going for 20 years) and I’m in desperate need of a new one. I saw the KitchenAid one and they looked decent but also saw some mixed reviews. Have you given it a whizz? Is it OK? Let me know.
Always interesting to see what’s going on xxx
ps: lovely story about the postie
Our postie is the best. 🙂 I like the spice grinder. I’ve been using my Thermomix and it’s like trying to to hit a peanut with a sledgehammer. This is much better.
ha ha – thanks
Hello Maureen, What an enjoyable read! I LOVE Charlie!
Wishing you well, Carol
It is so nice seeing what you have in your kitchen…spice grinder…I need one too…
Charlie is so so so cute…I love the pictures.
Have a wonderful week Maureen 🙂
Such a great post! I think Charlie has taken all the spotlight here 🙂
oh such an amazing picture of Charlie Maureen.I love him can I meet him in January? Im going to look at that pastry book, and look forward to you trying a recipe. Such excitement family coming to stay!
You can! How long can I entice you to stay? 🙂
Wonder what happened to my comment. Oh well … cute puppy. 🙂
I so agree with you, time is going too fast as we get older. I love balsamic reduction vinegar and use it all the time. I get mine from Germany, but it is an Italian brand. I love your last picture.
Hi Maureen, you’re going to have your hands full with all those little ones around the house. Have fun! Sounds like you are going to be having some good times in the kitchen with them. Love the Teatime in Paris book – will definitely have to track that one down.
Maureen, I usually don’t like beer, but I can see myself swigging down Strawberry Blonde Beer! I’ve been using my Slow Cooker recently and it’s so nice to be able to ‘dump in’ the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning and then come home in the evening and have my dinner ready!
Dear Maureen,
I ought to try adding some balsamic to EVOO when eating dukkah with sourdough. I love the clean, spicy flavours of a good EVOO on its own too much!
Gorgeous IMK as always… I have always wanted a cast iron skillet… It is getting closer to the top of the list, so please let me know what you think of yours…. I’d love to get a Le Crueset one 🙂 thanks for sharing! Liz x
I’d have to mortage the dog to afford one of those. I did get a new Chasseur cast iron skillet that I haven’t even used yet. I can’t wait. 🙂
Maureen, that looks like my waffle iron, which we love! I worked out my waffle recipe to make precisely the right amount of batter for it. Isn’t real maple syrup just the best!
Beautiful things in your kitchen Maureen! and I love Charli, is lovely!!
xo
I love the sneak peek into your kitchen! What an awesome idea. Totally agree with you about time flying by; it’s cliche, but seriously, where does the time go?
Oh I can’t wait to see what you do with the strawberry blond beer it looks lovely 😀
I always wanted to have those waffle makers, I never had one
Love your “in my kitchen” posts, Maureen. I am reminded of how much I need me my own spice grinder!!! LOVE Charlie!!!
I will start from the bottom and say I love the pictures of your dog!! Now to go back to the top, I feel time is fleeting and I just can’t seem to fit it all into my day. Crazy busy!! And for the rest of the post, I would love one of everything including a boat please!!!
I’m jealous! What great items in your kitchen!!! Love the pics of Charlie. 🙂
Charlie cracks me up!!
I’m anxious to hear what you think of the slow cooker book, i’m always looking for tried and true slow cooker meals, so often the pinterest recipes that there are a gazillion of are just meh.
Have a great weekend!
The book is #2 in Australia this week. The recipes are all for busy homemakers using cans of soup, dry soup mixes, cans of fruit, taco seasoning packets, etc. All guaranteed to be easy and taste great. 🙂
I wanted to stop by and see if you were feeling any better.
Hope you are getting some rest x
Homemade. Maple. Syrup. By brain froze and stopped when I read those words.. 😉
That’s a serious looking skillet! And gorgeous Charlie always looks so happy. You do live in such a gorgeous part of the world, Maureen! xxx
Dukkah? I’ve never heard of it! I just looked it up and sounds really good.. made me wonder why I haven’t ever heard of it, since it seems like such an obviously delicious combination of flavors.
Love the look of your book, i’m working on a cookbook of veganised french recipes right now 🙂 And what a sweet dog. Such a good month for IMK!
Maureen, I loved having a look in your kitchen, and Charlie is the most adorable dog ever 🙂 I have a cast Iron Skillet too, The ones that are not enameled are cheap in the USA. I keep it on the stove top all the time as I cook with it almost daily, the only downside is (as I discovered the hard way) is that I can’t cook anything with a strong taste in it as it’s nigh on impossible to get the flavour out. Garlicy fried eggs are not as tasty as they might sound 😉
Hi Maureen! What an adorable pooch! We have two border collies, one of whom thinks I need help in the kitchen, which means he lays on the rug in front of my stove hoping I will drop something! 🙂