Mondays in Autumn

Monday in March. A good start of the week it was, sent messages to the girls, to catch up and knowing that everyone was excellent and well made my morning.  Good fun at Jane's place and how good it was to see her family having a great time, even though only through photos.
A lovely Monday morning to be greeted with this dressed-up photos.

Spring Carnival in Eindhoven, the Netherlands

Elanora, Jane Milo and Edwin

Every season is always carnivals in the Netherlands, lots of celebrations. The first week of Autumn over here in Austalia, but at Jane's place, it is Spring. They have a great time to be in the Spring Carnival, everyone dressed up and they looked amazingly cute,  I am sure they had fun.  Elanora and Milo had bright makeup, it is good to see them happy and at home in their community.
We don't do badly either, after a good day and restful Sunday we had a pleasant Monday morning, fun with our sports and was able to join the birthday girl for a sweet morning tea.  Loved and enjoyed the light and luscious scone-jam and cream, Happy Birthday, Nicky, I took a piece of the cake home and shared for our afternoon tea, also the fresh basil and zucchini the harvest of friends garden. All good happened on the day, it was a Marvellous Monday.

The Birthday Cake and The Herbs.

We were looking forward to having a healthy cake, the carrot cake that was baked the day before, and so we had it too, the double treat, two sweets in one day, and why not after the sports you need something substantial or at least a treat.

Susy Carrot Cake

Made the best of fresh pineapple and carrot that had to be consumed, the cake was good.

To celebrate the fresh harvest, a healthy dinner was prepared, the ricotta and zucchini pie.
 How do you do it, it is easy, I shall share the recipe.

Ricotta Egg Pie with Zucchini as the Pastry
No, we do not need the pastry for this pie.
Use a medium-size zucchini.



Ricotta and Zucchini Pie

Zucchini-sliced (rounds) for the base and the top

The Filling
200 gr fresh ricotta
3 large eggs
a cup diced zucchini, sauteed with oil
Fresh basil
Olive oil, and salt to taste.
To Sprinkle
Mix dried spices and salt: smoked paprika, bay, mint, oregano and a pinch of salt
Method
In a bowl, place the ricotta, eggs, basil and the cooked zucchini,1 tablespoon of olive oil, mix to combine, add salt to taste.
Line a baking dish with a baking paper, place half of the sliced round zucchini and arrange them to cover the base, drizzle with olive oil.
Spoon the ricotta and egg mixture, and cover with the rest of the sliced zucchini.
Brush or drizzle with olive oil before baking, bake in a moderately hot oven at 175 degrees C for 31-35 minutes.  Take it out and sprinkle with mixed dried spices on top.
Serve hot or cold garnished with salads as you like.

Tomato salads with basil would do us

The Process 

Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle a little salt before baking.

 Slice to serve, and garnish with salads.  I prepare tomato salads with lots of fresh basil, and radicchio salad with Parmesan cheese.

A light vegetable pie and goes well with fresh salads with herbal tea for the drink.

The Pie Served with the Salads

March is an important month to us, its lots of events that are worthy of remembering.  It is the month in which we landed to this land, in Brisbane and settled in Hamilton Vic. Also the month of a granddaughter's birthday and a brother birthday. Noted as well a few friends are having their birthdays this month, and of course, thinking of my father, the end of March is his anniversary, we loved him well.  All of these adds the colour of our life, good and sadness is a part of it. So far, we have a fantastic journey, and it continues.

Keeping actives, playing sports, visiting places together has been excellent, and we love to stay that way.  Always thinking of our children who are living far away from us, but the most important thing to be grateful about that they are happy with their own family.  Our job is looking after oneself to make them proud and peaceful.

March was a mammoth month for my family and me.  

April the following month was Easter celebration and a good one too, lots of happened for us during the month and most of all was an enjoyable one.

Now it is May, the latest Autumn season is more refreshing.  A reminder that we are heading to the cold weather-the Winter.  Before that, though we will have lots of celebration, at least five birthdays in our family, and not forgetting that mother's day is coming to.  Another important event which is coming in on the 9th of May is the biggest morning tea in our sports club, which is organised by Shirley every year for the Cancer Council.  She does an excellent job every time.
Biggest Morning Tea is Cancer Council Australia's most popular fundraising event, and the largest, I am sure everyone knows about it. I am looking forward to, and we will be there to be a part of.

Monday the six of May was sweet morning tea for July' birthday celebration.  Happy Birthday, July.  She shared beautiful slices/cakes and chocolates.  As always, l love to take the sweet and enjoyed it at home.  And here is the picture one of the delicious cakes.

Apple Cake Sliced (not too sure about the name)

Hot Coffee with Cakes

Another treat homebaked sweets after playing sports, to enjoy with our hot drink at noon.






Here, we are having a lovely month of May so far.

It is Latest Autumn in Australia, Enjoy!

Susy