Milestone Giveaway, Wildlife and Mountains and Creamy Pappardelle with Prosciutto + Basil

Hi lovely Maddabling readers, I hope your weekend was all you could hope for. To wrap up this weekend, I share with you Milestone Giveaway, Wildlife and Mountains and Creamy Pappardelle with Prosciutto + Basil. 

Happy Reading xo♥ 

800 Likes Milestone Giveaway
On the 4th December, Maddabling reached an 800 Likes Milestone on Facebook. 

Maddabling decided to reward all those lovely Maddabling likers with a festive giveaway!

The prize pack contains a Maddabling signature line silver plated Festive Kilt Pin Brooch adorned with silver tone charms and fire polish Czech glass beads, 12 festive gift tags and three mini prints made from original photographs captured by Maddabling. 

The Rules are simple, to enter you are required to leave a comment on the Maddabling blog:

1) you must be a Maddabling liker on Facebook and let me know in your comment that you are - one entry, 
2) let me know if you follow the Maddabling blog - bonus entry, 
3) tell me what you love about the festive season - bonus entry. 

Fine Print:
1. So that your parcel of Maddabling goodness will arrive before Christmas Day, this giveaway is ONLY OPEN TO AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS this time around. 
2. Entries are now open and entries close Thursday 12th December at 8pm sharp, Western Australian time. 
3. The entries will be tallied and the winner drawn using random.org true number generator service. 
4. A blog post announcing the winner will be published by 9pm Western Australian time on Thursday 12th December. 
5. The winner is required to contact Maddabling within 24 hours of the announcement (9pm Western Australian Time Friday 13th December) or a new winner will be drawn, and a subsequent announcement made. 

Good luck everyone - let the giveaway begin! 

Wildlife and Mountains 

We headed out to the fantabulous Cloud Nine Spa Chalets for a mid week mini break recently. If you don't know, Cloud Nine Spa Chalets are nestled in a gorgeous rural setting near the Porongurups, Southern Western Australia. 
I adore Cloud Nine and have blogged about our experiences there before. 
http://maddabling.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/countdowns-cloud-nine-and-cookies.html
http://maddabling.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/on-cloud-nine-romantic-getaway.html
http://maddabling.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/winter-wandering-weekend.html
While we were there, we decided to tackle the Bluff Knoll Trail in the Stirling Range National Park. The task ahead became ominously apparent as we started up the winding mountain path. 

We didn't make it quite to the top this time, due to unexpected circumstances, but will definitely try again soon. 

The views really were amazing and we were lucky it was such a clear day. 

Back at the chalet, we observed this  cheeky pair of pink and grey galahs stopped their scoffing of seed to pose for the camera, although only for a moment.

A little kangaroo family spied from the front deck, felt truly blessed to see this! The joey climbed right back into mum's pouch, not quite sure how he managed to fit in there. 

 

A beautiful sunset topped off our mini break. I can't wait to go back to visit Cloud Nine again ♥ 

You can check out the details on Cloud Nine for yourself at: http//:www.cloudninespachalets.com.au

Creamy pappardelle with prosciutto + basil
I spied this recipe recently in the STM magazine, in the Donna Hay food and drink section. Easy to make and a delicious use of fresh basil! 

Creamy pappardelle with prosciutto + basil
Ingredients: 
400g pappardelle
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, sliced
1/2 cup single (pouring) cream
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus extra to serve
12 slices prosciutto (180g) 
1 cup (200g) ricotta
2 cups fresh basil leaves
sea salt and cracked black pepper
4 eggs, poached

Method: 
1. Cook pasta in a large saucepan of salted boiling water until al dente. 
2. Drain, reserving one cup (250ml) of the cooking liquid, set aside. 
3. Heat the oil in the saucepan over medium heat, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. 
4. Add the cream and reserved water and cook for one minute. 
5. Return the pasta to pan, along with the parmesan, prosciutto, ricotta and basil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to combine. 
6. Divide the pasta between 4 plates, top each with an egg and the extra parmesan. Serve. 

Readers, that concludes  Milestone Giveaway, Wildlife and Mountains and Creamy Pappardelle with Prosciutto + Basil. I hope you have a wonderful week, see you all on Wednesday for a new Wednesday Wishes blog post xo♥

Friday Friends - Australian Makers - The Sweet Beekeeper

It's Friday lovely readers - how is everyone? Hoping your collective weeks haven't been too hectic! Albany Town has been buzzing with activity as a result of the Clipper Round The World Yatch Race and is slowly returning to the normal sleepy seaside country city that we are. 

This week it is my great pleasure to introduce to you a sweeter than honey Australian maker - meet Christiana of The Sweet Beekeeper! 

Those who follow my blog know how much I love handmade and natural beauty products. Christiana makes a beautiful range of Australian extra virgin olive oil soaps and botanical skin care ,all crafted by hand. The ingredients are all natural ingredients, sourced locally where possible in Central Victoria, Australia.

I have tried three of Christiana's beautiful products and can assure you just how wonderful they are! Let me start with the Australian jellybush honey and beeswax skin healing balm which is just perfect for remedying those dry patches of skin on knees and elbows amonsgt other uses.

Secondly, the Australian Lavender, Blue clay and Olive oil soap, so gentle on the skin and a lovely scent as well.

The third gorgeous product that I have used is the Replenishing face oil with Australian Jojoba, Rosehip, Calendula and Australian Sandalwood oil. Christiana describes this product for you as: "A wonderfully moisturising face oil is packed with the finest ingredients for a light but deeply nourishing and soothing treat for the face. Use daily( 3 drops ) under your regular moisturiser or at night( 6 drops ) as a penetrating serum."

Dear readers, I leave you now to indulge in a little luxury, while you learn more about The Sweet Beekeeper Buzz. Have a wonderful weekend, see you all on Sunday for the weekend blog post xo ♥

The Sweet Beekeeper Buzz

So, my business name is The Sweet Beekeeper. I love bees, honey and beeswax - as raw as possible! Now that I have moved to the country some bee hives will be in order to use in my products - in time.

My journey started many years ago in my early 20's when I became interested in Aromatherapy. A great friend (who I still have in my life today ) gave me a wonderful book "The Fragrant Pharmacy" which I still love and use today. 

Jump ahead to my early 30's..

I was living in Edinburgh, Scotland and started to make my own products for myself and friends to combat cabin fever on those cold, rainy days (that happened a lot as it rains constantly in Scotland!)

After coming back to Australia and settling in Melbourne I continued making skin care and eventually soaps. I sold at the Rose st Market in Fitzroy for some time to test the waters then opened up my Etsy shop 2 years ago in Feb and I love it! I have recently just moved from a small apartment in the inner city of Melbourne to a pretty little town in Central Victoria.

I am constantly inspired by nature-the smell, the feel, the colours..now that I live in the country and have a backyard with butterflies, fig trees and a herb garden, the delight of nature is all around me. I am also inspired by vintage apothecary, antique timber, French design and Japanese aesthetic-simple design in muted colours.

I like to use as many local ingredients in my products and pride myself on that. Whether it is local honey and beeswax, Australian extra virgin olive oil, Australian clays, oats and lavender. I even use  Australian essential oils where possible - lemon, orange, mandarin, lemongrass, sandalwood. In the future I would like to increase that to peppermint and lavender. I also like to use organic as much as possible which I do with my African shea butter, which happens to be one of my most favourite  ingredients to work with.

My favourite product that I make would have to be my Australian extra virgin olive oil and beeswax soap with geranium, patchouli and orange and Australian pink clay/ organic cocoa powder. Mainly because it was the first ever item that I listed on Etsy and I had such a great response that it gave me the confidence to continue on, also because it smells absolutely divine!

My other favourite products are the replenishing face oil, the organic brown rice and lavender face scrub and the Australian jellybush honey skin healing balm.

My plan for the future is to continue to expand on my range and source more local and organic ingredients to include in my preparations. I would also like to keep my own bees to use the honey and beeswax in my balms and soaps.

I plan to get back into the artists market scene in my new area, so anyone living in Central Victoria, keep your eye out!

I have a friend working on some new packaging and logo ideas so, that is in the pipeline. So many plans and ideas, I feel inspired by my new surroundings already and it has only been a couple of weeks!

Dear readers, do you want to see more? Here is how you can connect: 

Buy lovely things on Etsy here: 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/thesweetbeekeeper

Things I Like - Wednesday Wishes

Maddabling is celebrating her birthday this week and this Wednesday Wishes wishlist is inspired by things that she loves ♥ Enjoy xo ♥  

Turquoise + Silver Necklace, Fine Silver Rings from RiverGum Jewellery

Deluxe Trio skin healing combo-Organic face scrub, Australian Jellybush honey skin healing balm + replenishing face oil from The Sweet Beekeeper

Large Assorted Selection Box from darkside chocolates

Washi Tape from mechakucha808

Concrete mini bowl gradient turquoise + pink from zinandbert

It Feels Like Summer Street

Hello Maddabling readers, this weekend blog post is a little tardy I know, and there is no recipe to share this week. Summer Street was held from Thursday to Sunday and Maddabling was lucky enough to have been involved in this beautiful creative coming together of local makers and suppliers of antiques and collectibles. 

Summer Street is a boutique pop up makers event held but once a year. Here are some of the fabulous souls that attended this year! 

Meet Nazzy Beads - local maker of fine Hand Crafted Italian Glass beads, glass hand crafted + melted by Naomi Calleja. Naomi creates a variety of Hand Crafted jewellery, cutlery ,loose beads and focals. No one bead is alike and her designs are constantly changing.

Then we have Joanne of Antique Linen and Collectibles. Joanne strives to supply the discerning buying with lovely vintage and antique items.

Next is Textiles by Carol - a local sewing enthusiast who makes darling toys and beautiful bags + quilts and lots of other gorgeous things! 

Julia of Jules Jewels creates beautiful beaded jewellery, I snavelled one of her divine gemstone bracelets this year and gave it a forever home! 

A new comer to Summer Street this year was South Coast WoodWorks Gallery- stunning and exquisite creations loving carved and made from wood.The mission of South Coast WoodWords Gallery is to design, manufacture and display Australia's finest small wood products and this gallery is recognised as one of the finest in Australia; featuring unique works from nationally and internationally renowned local craftspeople. 

Adelle of DEL-icious Designz was also in attendence with an array of pretty fabric bunting, crocheted creations and the cutest character hats! 

Leanne of Le-Papier was another of the newcomers to Summer Street this year, Leanne makes lovely cards, prints and other creative things 

I must confess I gave a Le-Papier print a new forever home - I am sure I have mentioned before on this blog how much I love owls? "Owl Magic" will now hang proudly in our home. 

In fact, the plan is to hang "Owl Magic" next to our Sue Codee - This Paper Cut Life art piece purchased at last years Summer Street. Sue Codee - This Paper Cut Life was another of the fantastic creatives involved in Summer Street this year! 

I must not forget to mention Judy - creator and artist, and the driving force behind Summer Street. 

Steampunkery Sculpture and Fine Fish Art is her passion.

Oh and Maddabling of course was there too. 

Summer Street Fair beautifully summed up the event by saying: 

"Summer Street would like to thank all the makers who made the market such a huge success this year. Also the spouses, partners, parents, friends and offspring who helped by selling, carting, lugging, stacking, packing and provisioning the creatives." 

So much goes into organising an event like this and the local creatives are eternally grateful! See you all on Wednesday for a new Wednesday Wishes blog post xo♥