Vanilla Slice

I thought I would share with everyone how to make Vanilla Slice, you know that fancy stuff you get from coffee shops that costs a $5 a slice... Well lets just say you can make it at home for the cost of 1 slice from the bakery / coffee shop.

I usually just make one layer but its easier enough to make it double layered.

What ya need....
2 sheets of puff pastry (if you want to do a double layer you will need 3 sheets)
1.5 litres of milk (skim or full fat) you will need to double the quantity for 2 layers
Custard Powder (about 10 tablespoons, double the quantity for 2 layers)
Icing sugar
Lemon Juice

With a fork prick the puff pastry several times.
Cook the puff pastry sheets in a pre-heated oven of 180 deg cel for around 10-15 mins (when sheets are slightly golden)
Make the custard as per instructions on the packet but add more custard powder (i used about 10 tblsp per 1.5 litres) Allow to cool but not fully cool...
You need the custard to go really thick so it stands on it own.
Once the puff pastry has cooled put one on a plate with browned side facing you.
Spoon on top of puff pastry the custard and spread out evenly.
Place the second puff pastry sheet on top of the custard brown side down.
Make enough lemon icing to cover the top of the puff pastry.
Apply lemon icing to top puff pastry sheet.

$500 Challenge

Well I finally sat down and did a budget for the up coming year. I even factored in the increased cost of insurances and rates etc... We can certainly manage to keep under $500 but there is not alot left after the bills.... This does not however include our mortgage, not sure anyone at the moment could include the mortgage and all the bills and keep it to $500 a week...

I have broken down the budget weekly as my hubby is paid weekly.. all the figures are calculated weekly.

Car Insurance 1 12.50
Car Insurance 2 6.25
Car Rego 1 15.00
Car Rego 2 18.75
Boat Rego 2.00
Trailer Rego 2.00
House Insurance 17.00
Health Insurance 55.00
Council Rates 52.00
Electricity 34.00
Gas 4.25
Internet 20.00
Phone 10.00
Mobile 4.00
Groceries 125.00
Petrol 50.00
Train Fare 60.00

Total $488.00

The above figures does not account for entertainment which looks like it will be a cheap meal out once a month if we are lucky. If we didn't have 2 cars and a boat I could save even more money. This is a good way of working out exactly what we need in our lives and what we can live without.

I am going to stick to this budget for 6 months and may continue with it.

I'd like to Introduce you to our newest family member

Well the last month has been really busy..

My precious little man arrived on Friday 8th January weighing 8lb 15.5oz (4.07kg). I never realised you could love someone so much..... You definitly need to be organised being a new mum. I have been trying to follow a routine from a book called "The New Contented Little Baby Book" written by Gina Ford. I am following the feed times & sleep times when my little man plays nice. I decided the feeding guidelines weren't working so now I fill the bottles to the top and fill my man up.... The book has some great advice and is a great start to all new mothers...

Well I'd like to introduce you all to Marcus...