A roundup of quince recipes

Quinces - those fruit that I always think I'd like to try cooking with, but never do.  But, now that we're all living in self-isolation thanks to a certain virus, I found myself the proud purchaser of a box of quinces and other fruit direct from a friend's sister's farm (long story).
Of course, I've since been madly baking away with the various fruit in the box, so here is a roundup of quince recipes I've been trying out.  Enjoy!

1. Unless you're making quince paste, you need to cook your quinces before using them. I love the spice combination of the poaching liquid in this recipe.

2. Quince paste, possibly most people's first exposure to the enigmatic fruit (and delicious with a selection of cheeses).

3. This cake was so good my family ate half of it in one sitting (hey, it was on the smaller side)!

4. Upside down cake minus the 1980s kitsch.

5. These muffins call for dried quince, but adding cold, poached quince works just as well, if not better.

5 Anzac Day Ideas

With the world all topsy turvy right now, it's nice to still be able to do some of the old things we did to keep up some level of normality.

So, even though Aussies and New Zealanders can't be out and about at Anzac Day commemorations this April 25th, there are still some things we can do to remember this day.

Here are four simple ideas you can do from the safety of home.

1. Australia's RSL is livestreaming a short commemorative service and asking Australians to stand in their driveways at 6am instead of attending the usual Anzac Day marches.

2. Make poppies out of coffee filters with your kids.

3. Make a rosemary wreath for your door - rosemary is a symbol of remembrance.

4. Another one the kids can do, make felt poppies to wear on your lapel.

5. Tired of the same old Anzac biscuits?  Why not try an Anzac slice for something different.

DIY earrings from Lindt chocolate bunny bells

Hey chocolate lovers!  Now that Easter is well and truly past, I'm assuming that you've eaten through your entire stash of Easter chocolates.

Grandma Monkeys rather generously gifts all her grandkids with Lindt chocolate bunnies every year, which leaves my Cheeky Monkeys with the dilemma of what to do with the leftover bell after you've eaten the chocolate.

Well, here is a quick and easy solution for those who want to avoid sending items to landfill!

Supplies

- 2 x Lindt chocolate bunny bells (or any bells you have on hand)

- 2 x gold-plated earhooks

- jewellery pliers

STEP 1

Gather your supplies, keeping aside the chocolate bunnies for post jewellery-making consumption if you haven't already eaten them.

STEP 2

Using your jewellery pliers, open the loop at the bottom of the earhooks. Hang one bell onto an earhook loop, then close the loop.  Repeat with the other bell and earhook and you're done!

Alternatives

- If you want your earrings to look a little festive, you could tie a mini ribbon bow to the bells

- Collect enough bells, and you could attach them to gold-plated chain to make a fun bracelet or anklet

Jane Austen's Silhouette

Janeites, amidst all the current doom and gloom, I have been keeping myself occupied with lots of creating, baking and gardening.

I have also spent a lot of time staring at bare spots on my home's walls, and thinking up new ways to adorn my home.

Which leads me to today's announcement, my OFFICIAL LAUNCH of the very exciting literary silhouette range!

Created by printing an outline of Jane Austen's silhouette on orphaned pages of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, these regency-inspired wall art pieces are a fun way to celebrate your love of reading.

I am really loving this new range of wall art, and am planning to add more pieces in the future, perhaps a silhouette of Sherlock Holmes or Charlotte Bronte.  Which famous authors or literary characters would you like to see remembered in art form?

Have a blessed Easter

As the world's health crisis feels like it's never going to end, I want to wish you all a blessed and safe Easter; I hope you're encouraged by this song I love.
I know it will be a difficult time for many who have had to cancel travel plans, or are simply unable to meet and celebrate with their favourite people, so sending lots of virtual hugs too.

"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." Matthew 28:5-6 (NIV).

6 Easter Food and Decor Ideas

Easter has got to be one of my most favourite times of year, with a four day long weekend to especially remember and celebrate God's saving grace.

Although we're travelling this Easter, the Two Cheeky Monkeys family usually spends Easter weekend celebrating with our friends and loved ones.

Here are 6 ideas to help you with your Easter celebrations this coming weekend!

Wreaths are a fun way to add a seasonal touch to your home.

Celebrate your Christian faith with this free printable.

Perfect as guest placecards or to display a seasonal word.

Feed them in rustic Italian style with this Easter pie.

Serve your guests with a luscious edible wreath!

You can't have a celebration without gorgeous drinks to serve your guests.

DIY Chandelier Earrings

Chandelier-style earrings will never go out of fashion and look great with both casual and more dressy outfits.  And this super lightweight and sparkly pair are so easy to put together yourself, they will glam up any outfit you team them with!

I went with a bluish-multicoloured plus silver-plated metal theme, but feel free to go with your favourite colours.  You can use any style of round or teardrop-shaped chandelier finding for these earrings, and you can also swap the imperial crystal beads I used for Swarovski crystal or Czech firepolish beads.

Follow along for the full DIY!

Supplies

- 2 x metal chandelier drop earring findings

- silver-plated headpins

- 2 x silver-plated fishhook earwires

- 8 x imperial crystal oval beads (4x6 mm size)

- 2 x imperial crystal oval beads (6x8 mm size)

- jewellery pliers

STEP 1

Gather all your materials, making sure that you have one headpin for each bead as well as round nose pliers, chain nose pliers and headpin cutters (or an all in one tool).

STEP 2

Thread each bead onto a headpin.  Cut off excess pin, leaving approximately 1 cm of spare metal.  Create a bead dangle with each bead and headpin, but DON'T close the loop just yet.

STEP 3

Attach one large bead dangle to the central loop (or space in my case) of the chandelier finding and close the loop.  Attach the smaller bead dangles to the remaining loops on your chandelier.  Repeat with the other earring.

STEP 4

Attach one fishhook earwire to the top of each chandelier, and that's it, you've got yourself a pair of swishy and sparkly earrings that will brighten your day, quite literally!