New Gadgets

Uh-oh, once again the blog gets neglected while real life takes over ..... or maybe I've just been too busy with my new toys! I bought these 2 weeks ago- the same pressies we planned on buying ourselves at Christmas with our Xmas money (only that particular shopping trip was abandoned due to our kids turning into some kind of possessed creatures), anyhow, I just knew a sale would come our way soon and so here they are ......



Breville Venezia Espresso machine (came with free coffee-grinds bin, or bang-bang as I call it)



and Breville Wiz Mix Pro (came with free amazing scales that do everything except bake the cake)


Both in lovely 'Platinum' finish, and all for lots less than I was going to pay at Christmas!


Now, a certain friend of mine (you know who you are!) did suggest that people buy coffee machines and then never use them, but rest assured this one is used every day! (in fact we justified buying it by calculating that if we had bought as many coffees as we had in the first week, we already paid for 1/4 of the machine!


Having used commercial machines some years ago it took a couple of goes to get the feel for it, but it truly makes the best coffees.


And I also discovered Blue Mountains Coffee Roasters in Valley Heights, the owner roasts his coffee beans on site, grinds them freshly for you if you need it, was very friendly and really knows his stuff! So we will be regulars there I am sure.....!


The mixer has had a little less action, but still done 2 cakes and a couple of batches of biscuits, with great results. Has attachments for mixing anything inc. bread dough so I will be experimenting with that later.


Now, all of this does sit a little uneasily with our plans of using less energy (or electrical gadgets in particular) and just generally buying less 'stuff' - but I think if that 'stuff' helps in creating home-made food, and actually gets used instead of sitting in a cupboard, then we are allowed a little luxury!


No electrical gadgets last Saturday though, Earth Hour came around again and once again we switched off everything we could. It wasn't too difficult with the kids asleep, we just lit a few candles and actually talked instead of vegging out in front of the idiot box. It was good the next day seeing some global highlights on You-tube, lights going out everywhere on major landmarks, it was like New Years Eve in reverse!