We wish you a Merry Christmas

Wishing all of my wonderful readers a blessed and safe Christmas 2020!  Thank you for your continued support, and may 2021 be a calmer and healthier year for everyone!!!

Apple Pie Granola

The Cheeky Monkeys family are huge fans of granola, and homemade granola is our favourite because of the ability to tailor the ingredients to our current flavour(s) of the month.

Our current favourite is this apple pie-inspired granola, which is not only full of high fibre and high protein ingredients, but low in processed sugars too.

 

 

Ingredients

- 3 1/2 cups rolled oats

- 1/2 cup quinoa flakes

- 1/2 cup sultanas

- 1/2 cup dried apple, chopped

- 1/2 cup blanched hazelnuts, chopped

- 1/3 cup buckwheat groats

- 1/3 cup pepitas

- 1 tsp ground cinnamon

- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

- 1 tsp vanilla essence

- 1 Tb maple syrup

- 1 Tb powdered stevia

- 1/3 cup canola oil or coconut oil

 

 

1. Pre-heat your oven to 170°C. Line two large baking trays with non-stick baking paper.

Mix the dry ingredients (the first 7 ingredients) together in a large bowl.

2. Mix the last 6 ingredients together in a small bowl.

3. Mix the dry and wet ingredients together thoroughly.

4. Divide the granola mix between the two baking trays, spreading the mix evenly over the trays.

Bake the granola for 20-30 minutes, or until lightly browned, mixing every 5 minutes to ensure the granola doesn't burn.

5. Enjoy granola with your favourite milk!

* Alternatives:

- Rolled barley, rye, spelt or buckwheat work well as an alternative to the rolled oats and quinoa flakes

- Blanched almonds can be substituted for the hazelnuts, or leave out the nuts if you or your family members have nut allergies

The poison ring's sweet little sister

Popular in the middle ages, the poison ring, also known as the pillbox ring, was used by many to hold trinkets, such as locks of hair, that reminded them of loved ones.
Two Cheeky Monkeys' range of locket rings, was inspired by those antique poison rings, but are a much sweeter version, created empty, or holding your loved one's initials!

These rings have been extremely popular in the last six months, with only one sweet ring left in-store.
BUT, I have been busy and have now re-stocked our locket ring range with popular sold out designs, as well as a range of all new designs that keep the retro, floral look of the original design.

Now also featuring locket rings with heart-shaped lockets, head to our Etsy store to see the full range, and tell me which one(s) you love best!

A roundup of Regency bonnet DIYs

Regency and cosplay loving friends, today's post is perfect for those who are keen to make their own costume for future Jane Austen and regency era festivals!

Once you've settled on a dress for the day, you can follow one of these tutorials to create a matching bonnet or hat to complete your outfit.  Enjoy!

1. Upcycle a straw hat to create a sweet bonnet.

2. Not a bonnet, but a regency turban cap.

3. A different method for turning a straw hat into regency bonnet.

4. A drawn bonnet DIY for those with mad sewing skills.

5. Prefer the look of a stovepipe bonnet? Try this simple DIY.

Button Bracelet Roundup

Hello friends, I hope you're all well and coping with the isolation of being in lockdown (or whichever name your country is calling it).

With Mother's day almost upon us in Australia, the US, and several other countries, I know that lockdown has made celebrating difficult this year.
So, I've put together a roundup of button bracelet tutorials that are easy enough for kids and teens to create for Mum, maybe with a little help from Dad!

1. This suede and button bracelet is the easiest of the lot, and perfect for the Mum who loves minimalist jewellery.

2. Another simple bracelet, but with a unique look.

3. A fun button bracelet perfect for those with a big button stash.

4. A perfect button bracelet for the Mum who loves bangles.

5. This button charm bracelet will need some basic jewellery making skills.

Our Madeit Stores Are Now Open!

Aussie fans, most of you have said that you prefer to shop online via an Australian site, and that you prefer to shop in AUD, so I've listened to your preferences and have re-opened my Madeit stores!

Via Madeit, store prices are a constant figure in Australian dollars, rather than a fluctuating figure based on US dollar exchange rates.  AND, shopping via Madeit means that you're not just shopping Australian small business, but you're shopping via an Australian owned and run website - a win-win situation, am I right!

For those who love my book- and vintage-inspired jewellery, you can find us at Two Cheeky Monkeys.

And if you're a lover of our bookish and boho homewares and accessories, head over to the Aussie site for Domum Vindemia.

Also, if you're worriedly wondering what to do for your Mum during this lockdown Mother's Day, I am still taking Mother's Day orders, simply select Express Post shipping at checkout and I'll send your order direct to Mum on your behalf!

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!

6 pancake recipes to try this St Patrick's day

Whether you love to cook pancakes for special days such as Shrove Tuesday, St Patrick's day, or on weekends "just because", you'll love this roundup of 6 pancake recipes.

With gluten free, basic no fail, low carb and more, there's a recipe for almost anyone - enjoy!

1. If you've never made pancakes before, this basic recipe will become your "go to", fail-proof recipe.

2. Celebrate St Patrick's day with fun, green pancakes.

3. Banana and oatmeal pancakes are a great way to get more fruit and fibre into your diet while still treating yourself.

4. Coeliacs can enjoy pancakes too, with this easy recipe.

5. Pancakes are such a versatile food that you can even adapt the recipe to create a delicious, vegan pancake.

6. And if you've jumped on the low carb or keto diet bandwagons, you don't have to miss out on pancakes either!