Coconut and carrot soup: carrots repurposed

I love repurposing leftovers! Especially when there is already so much flavour developed. We had 8 cups of roasted carrots left over from the catering Jeff and I did a few days ago. I knew I wanted to make a soup out the roasted carrots; so I was hoping there would be extra! Jeff seasoned them with olive oil, curry powder, salt, pepper, a touch of brown sugar and chopped herbs. He roasted them until tender.  This was the vegetable on the plated dinner that  we catered.

I sautéed 2 onions and 2 ribs of celery with olive oil until tender.

I added in the left over carrots and added in 4 cups of water and 2 cans of coconut milk. 

We brought this to a boil and then let it simmer for about a half an hour.

Once everything was tender we used the immersion blender and blitz it until smooth. We tasted it and made sure it had enough salt and pepper.

This made 4 litres of soup. I sterilized jars and quickly canned the soup so it would last longer.  Three jars to give away and one to keep; perfect!

Lemon poppy seed loaf

We are thoroughly enjoying Jeff being on holidays. Jeff and I are catering a small function tonight and with two kids under the age of four I will be at home taking care of them. Aubrey really wanted to visit Jeff as he preps this afternoon. Since she is definitly my daughter she wanted to bake something to take to him. Well what is a coffee break without a sweet treat? I suggested one of daddy's favourites; lemon poppy seed loaf...she thought that would be perfect!

I found this recipe on Pinterest.

We whipped those ingredients together!

Now for the dry ingredients;

Aubrey mixed the dry ingredients thoroughly together.

We slowly poured the dry ingredients into the wet mixed ingredients; being sure not to over mix.

When the batter was just combined we poured it into two greased loaf pans some we made a double batch. Half a loaf for us and the rest to give away. I had wished that I have those individual serving paper loaf pans that you bake the batter in. Oh well this will do fine.

While this baked for 60 minutes I stirred together the syrup glaze. Equal parts powdered sugar and lemon juice. 

As I waited for the loaves to be done baking I sat down to read for a few minutes. I was reminded that my song can be sung in many different ways. As I joyfully baked these loaves with my precious Aubrey we talked about how we can share Gods love one lemony loaf at a time. 

I love that God is a God of the practical; He loves to be included in our day to day. 

When the loaves came out of the oven and were still hot I poured the glaze over.

I have had recipes in the past suggest to poke holes in the loaves but this one didn't so I just poured the syrup on top as this recipe suggested.

Now to package it all up and take some to Jeff!

I found valentines day packaging at superstore for 50% off. This is a cupcake box but it worked very well for the slices of loaf.

Now off we go...We just need to stop and get the coffee!

Oh and by the way; the loaf is amazingly delicious. I am so glad we planned to give most of it away. I have already eaten two pieces (the ends are my weakness)...too much of a good is thing isn't always good.

Rainbow day (courtesy of Pinterest)!

When I realized I'd have both of my kids for an entire day alone (indoors) I decided to embrace the challenge. At bedtime last night I asked Aubrey what she'd like to do tomorrow? As conversations with my 4 year old go they usually end up in a different place than expected. That was when today was dubbed "rainbow day"! What special day would be complete without her "Hun" (cousin Hurley)?!

So after I tucked her into bed I scowered Pinterest for rainbow themed crafts, food and activities.

I found so many great and easy ideas. I roamed the house looking for supplies.

My list of ideas all ready to go!

We started the day with sunny side up eggs and celebrated the colour yellow.

Along with that we whip egg whites to make rainbow meringues that I saw I Pinterest.

While the egg whites were whipping to stiff peaks Aubrey helped feed Liam and finished some printing.

The meringue was finally ready and with Liam down for his first nap we could play with food colouring!

We followed the tutorial and added lines of food colouring paste inside the piping bag length-ways.

We had pink, purple and blue.

Aubrey and I were excited to see if it would turn out!

Hurley arrived just in time to see them before they went into the oven for 90 minutes.

Oh the waiting game...good thing I had more planned. First things first; an all green snack!

Next they created a tissue paper rainbow.

Next was an ice discovery game. I froze all red items in a tub overnight. I inverted the ice into a deep pan and let them use tools and warm water to get all the red items out. This made grandma a little nervous but we made it through with no injuries!

After a much needed bath they had a movie with marshmallow sorting (and eating!).

What a great day! It was full of fun and excitement. Our whole family has been introduced to "rainbow day". Aubrey asked if it could be rainbow day again tomorrow? I told her I was tired; maybe next week!

The finish product of the meringues. They were so crunchy on the outside but chewy on the inside. 

I will definitly try these again. I'd love to add additional colours; maybe green and yellow.

My bedtime snack! I think I earned it!

Berries, whipping cream and meringues.