I did say I had a thing for jaffles at the moment ... I love runny eggs and crispy bacon for breakfast too. Can it be jaffled? Sure, why not?  I gave it a go and that creamy egg cheesy filling with crunchy bacon is YUM YUM YUM. It's so simple, can it even be called a recipe? Anyway, here's the recipe!

Serves 2
Prep time 3 mins
Cooking time 3-4 mins

I've been getting into jaffles of late. Simple savoury fillings of ham, cheese, tomato and cracked pepper with that soft gooey cheesy centre and crisp toasty bread shell. 

This got me wondering and experimenting with how a sweet version could work. After a couple of trials, I think my CHOCOLATE, BANANA & COCONUT JAFFLE concoction is  a winner! It's quick and easy to whip up. Here's my recipe.  

Serves 2
Preparation 5 mins
Cooking 5mins

Isn't Cous Cous (my Aunt's dog) just too cute! .... Was that a SMILE I just saw on your face? I did warn you :)
 
Well today I wanted to chatter about how amazing  dogs are for us. WE have much to learn from them! Without a doubt in my mind, they are truly something SPECIAL. Speaking from personal experience, Buddy and Razz (and all those before them) have helped me to get through a few things and LEARN how to be a better me with their WARM LOVING personalities, EXCEPTIONAL company and FUN OUTLOOK to living. Watching them play and do their KOOKY things makes me GIGGLE and SMILE. Mr Freckles and I often give each other this knowing look when it happens.

At the end of a productive day, it's UNWIND TIME by soaking up that magical SUNSET and CALMING blue sky, with a drink in hand whilst ENJOYING simple nibblies on my DIY outdoor PALLET DAY BED RETREAT. I love this space in the corner of our courtyard. I look up at the sky and watch the clouds pass as if time has slowed down deliberately to remind me, "Hey, here's that simply beautiful sky again."

It's quite easy to create a pallet day bed so it's great as a first pallet project. Not much construction involved at all. Here's how you can create one in 4 easy steps.

I must have eaten this at least 4 times a week when I was in Japan! Yes, even for breakfast one time! It was so good with it's fresh and CREAMY green tea flavour nicely balanced with sweetness, topped off with SOFT and CHEWY mochi balls,  sweet red beans and a hit of slippery SMOOTH green tea jelly. So it's only natural I'd be craving it still. Here's my recipe to recreate this delicious Green Tea Ice Cream dessert.

Serves 6-8
Prep Time 1 hour 15 mins plus overnight
Cooking Time  2 hours

A planter box that can be EASILY MOVED around to catch the sun or shade as needed all year round ... AND as I CHANGE MY MIND about where it looks best depending on my MOOD for the day, week or month :) YES PLEASE!

In Japan, you just can't go wrong with where you eat! It's ALL PRETTY DELICIOUS whether it's out on the main street, in a dingy looking laneway, hidden away in the basement or 10th floor of a building, in a food court or at the train station.  The Japanese take great pride and care in the quality of their food.

So instead of recommending restaurants, I think it'd be much more useful to high beam the TOP 6 MUST EAT dishes in Japan. Plus, if you're like me (and safe to say most foreign travellers) getting lost in Japan is 175.5% going to happen (believe me!), so STUMBLING across places to try these dishes whilst on your travels is what makes it ADVENTUROUS,  FUN and VERY JAPAN :) 

Get your reserved stomachs and open minded palate in gear ready for the ride!

This certainly wasn't what we planned. Diligent and delusionally committed we were to not have our dogs on the bed ... and then it all fell apart when WE GAVE IN JUST A LITTLE, only once, for one cuddle on the bed that wouldn't bring our plans crashing down ... no, not at all. How foolish we were. I tell you it's that melt-your-heart look they give you!

Well this is where we find ourselves today ... Mr Freckles and I hanging off the edges of our bed as Buddy and Razz plot their way to the master bed TAKE OVER! I think they have already won ... but then secretly so have we :)

What's your funny bed take over story or picture?

xo Miss Freckles

It's only a few more days until Mother's Day where ever you are in the world! I find it's hard to know what to give. Sure, I can buy something but I think making something creative DIY style every now and then, adds a sweet and thoughtful from-the-heart personal touch. What do you think mothers out there? What has been your favourite most treasured gift from your kids?

Here's a round up of my top picks for creative, budget friendly, quick and easy DIY gift ideas out there ... in no particular order :)

Who likes pot pie? mmmmmmm ... I think it's a great little eat for those chilli days where a HOT FLAKY CRUSTY TOP PIE warms you in all the right places. When it's cold though, laziness sets in too right? So I take a few shortcuts with my Chicken Pot Pie recipe which takes less than 20 mins and nicely satisfies.  One day when I'm feeling less lazy, I would like try the 1 hour plus time it takes to do it from scratch, but for now I'm happy :)

Makes 4 pies
Prep Time 5 mins
Cooking Time 15 mins