Happy Birthday Java Jane

Today is my blogs 1st birthday! (Ok so you will forgive me for speaking in 3rd person!)  It's been one long year since I opened up Blogger, created Java Jane and stepped into the great unknown! What a crazy adventure it has been! Filled with out of this world coffee, life changing drama, laugh out loud moments and heartwarming  experiences! (Sounds like a great movie huh!!! Think I may have just taken that off a film poster!!)  You can read where it all began at my first ever {very naive} post here.. 

I thought as it is Wordless Wednesday that I should share some of my favorite pictures of the year that was and forever will be the adventures of Java Jane xx.

 

I am making a little movie but its not ready yet!

I am Linking up today with Trish for Wordless Wednesday at  My Little Drummer Boys

Until next time, Life is too short for crappy coffee

Who doesn't love a good old Pancake....

I thought today I would share a recipe... This one is passed down from Darby's Grandma, on his dads side... Most times when I go to stay with her, she makes these and they taste delicious... I can never stop at just one or two or three.... but they are on the healthy side (or you can make some healthy swapsies and they would be) so I don't feel so bad!! She has been making these since Darby's dad was a wee young thing... so she has perfected this recipe over a long period of  time! 

Me on the other hand thought I'd give it a go, not sure I perfected it on the first attempt but they still tasted mighty fine. Darby cleaned  his plate and then asked for more! Still have a couple of weeks to go until Shrove Tuesday, so I will be making these a lot!!!

These pancakes are different from the regular kind, as the main ingredient is rolled oats, so that makes them super healthy to me, basically like replacing your morning porridge ... and you have to be organised because you need to soak the oats overnight with the buttermilk... but that's as easy as it gets!!
  

SWEDISH PANCAKES

Ingredients

1 and a half cups of buttermilk 

1 and a half cups of rolled oats} Soak oats overnight in buttermilk 

2 eggs

2 tablespoons of sugar (I used one tablespoon Coconut Sugar and the rest Stevia - a naturally derived sweetener you can get from the supermarket)

pinch of salt

2 tablespoons of melted butter  (here I used Coconut Oil! It gave it a slight coconut flavour! yum!)

Half a cup of Plain Flour

1 teaspoon of Baking Powder 

(Half a cup of Blueberries optional)

Method

Lightly beat eggs and mix into the buttermilk mixture

Stir in Sugar and then in melted butter (oil)

Fold in flour, baking powder and pinch of salt 

Batter should be fairly thick but pourable. If too thick, add more buttermilk 

Cook in a non stick pan sometimes adding a teaspoon of butter (or alternative ) to pan.

Serve with sliced bananas, berries and yoghurt.. and if you are anything like me you will need lashings of maple syrup to make it perfect!! If you are cutting out sugar, these are decadent with ricotta or marscapone cheese as well!! They are perfect for breakfast or an  afternoon snack... Super filling, super healthy and now just try and stop at one!! 

Lashings of maple syrup is the only way to go for me!!! 

Let me know if you give them a go and share any tips you have!?!! Or any other good pancake recipes! I'd love to hear!


Until next time.. Bon Appetite! 

Today I am linking up with the delightful Jess at Diary of SAHM for 

image via 

Back on track for 2012....

After a week off blogging about my weekend, (last week was a complete and utter disaster..well for the most part I  couldn't get out of bed, let alone sit in front of my computer)  I'm back now, but really I don't have to much to report on!! 

Life is chugging along... we are into February.. and to be honest I am pretty glad to see the back of January... It was the crappest of crap months... and I really hope 2012 will start to be kind to me and those around me from now on ...... So Happy New Year to me... 2012 starts now!!! 

My fab friend Janine made this gorgeous dress for me!
I chose the fabric and we ummed and ahhed over
the pattern, finally deciding on this flattering
one!! I wore it proudly on Saturday... I love
that its a one of a kind! It also makes me feel
very feminine and girly!! I am putting in another
order!!!

Here is a little snapshot of the weekend that was : 

❤  On Friday night I dropped Darby at my sisters for a sleep over... as it was fairly last minute I didn't make any plans... I was however longing for a night out.... well just some one of those impromptu dinner outs, with a glass of wine and cheap and cheerful food and company.... I reminisce about the days when this was possible... 
So it probably sounds out of this world crazy that I would want to go out with Darby's dad for dinner... We have been separated for almost 2 years now and yes we get along, but not really on a "I want to go out for dinner with you"basis... but heck I decided to give him a call, knew he would probably be free and met him at a local pizza restaurant.. The funny thing is, there are absolutely no romantic feelings whatsoever, not even the tiniest bit... we can be adults about everything.. even I am proud of my self... sooo grown up! What do we talk about??? Not much really, Darby, work, friends, food, wine, whatever.. but it is actually enjoyable... I still find him annoying at times, but more annoying like a big brother or something! I still cant say that things are not rocky from time to time, but at least we can   be on friendly terms... We enjoyed dinner, I dropped him home and that was it! A nice night out... of the very unconventional kind!!  

❤ On Saturday morning I reluctantly went back to my personal trainer for some hell.... well it wasn't as bad as I thought it may be, but I seriously have lost my fitness since 2011... time to get myself into shape... might have to set myself a new challenge!! I have a big occasion to look good for, so  I need to shift some kilos pronto!!

❤ I then went to visit my aunty and we took Darby to Bunnings so Darby could have a jump in the jumping castle.. it was heaving with people, no, make that men... it surely is a place for the guys to hang out at and get away from their lives and to sneak in a sausage sizzle!
After that we met up with Darby's aunty on his dads side... I get along with them really well and they have just moved into the neighbourhood which is fabulous because Darby will become a cousin in the coming months and I will become an Aunty for the first time.. something I am ecstatic about! 

❤ On Sunday I broke my 11 day coffee drought!! I can't believe I have gone that long without coffee!! I decided if I was going to have one , it would have to be a good one! So we traipsed off to a remarkable cafe nearby home... The coffee is always amazing... Just as I had remembered, such a perfect anecdote after a very low few weeks!! Now that I am back on the coffee train, I know I can go a few days without it and that's ok... I now just want to drink Quality over quantity!!(not that I can stomach more than one a day) 

In the afternoon I did a bit of shopping... I discovered  I may have a new obsession! Cinnamon sugar covered pretzels!! Mmmm they were amazing... like a doughnut- but they say they are low in fat.. bit doubtful about this fact... but Ill take their word for it - it was either that or a cupcake so I'm sure I made the right choice!! 
Ill be sharing a healthy recipe soon on another of my favourites - Pancakes... hmmmm stay tuned!

I have exciting things to plan this week... One year birthday of my blog... and booking of a big trip!! Yay something to look forward to over the coming months... Ill share the details soon!
Hope you had a good weekend...and your start to 2012 has been happy and healthy x

I am linking up with the adorable and gorgeous Son at Life Love & Hiccups....

Until next time , life is too short  to drink crappy coffee... 

Piquing for Pinterest... Looking towards a new adventure....

With not much I can say at the moment (until its set in stone and I have a ticket in one hand, and a new passport in the other)... but I can say there will be travel in my near future... I have found some pictures today that might give away alot... or still err on the side of vagueness!!  With details to figure out, these pictures are just giving me more inspiration to get my bum into gear and get to the travel agent ASAP!!

Linking up  today with Tina  for Piquing for Pinterest 

Until Next time,  Adieu, Au Revoir.....

Source: google.com via JavaJane on Pinterest

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via JavaJane on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via JavaJane on Pinterest

Source: ohsuzeq.tumblr.com via JavaJane on Pinterest

Source: goodmorningandgoodnight.com via JavaJane on Pinterest

10 days and counting....

If you had said to me this time last year I would be 10 days without a single soy cappuccino .. I would have called you crazy, well make that nutty, loopy or at least you would have said I was not a very happy person!! 
There was no way I would ever be insane enough to go that long without my beloved drink... but now 10 days without it and I'm in a predicament... when will the urge come back?? Im scared I won't drink coffee again ... I think its almost there, but not in the same kind of intensity that hits me daily!!! 


Its a bit of a worry really seeing as though the whole point of my blog was about coffee and its healing powers over me... and well, I  have named myself after it as well! I have been so grateful for the amount of confidence it has given me, the energy, the buzz, the highlights of my day.. It has taken me out of my comfort zone and has allowed me to bond with Darby... 
I have no doubt in my mind that next week I will be gagging for a good coffee... but in my current state, my body and maybe even my mind is not there yet!!  So even though I miss it like crazy I should actually be very grateful that my body is getting a break from the so called side effects of it! 

It makes me realise I  am not as addicted to it  as I thought I was .... maybe trying to cram in 100 coffees last year has left my body wanting a good old fashioned break... So Ill try and say cheers to that, and be thankful for the detox... surely my body will thank me!! Ill keep you posted on the big event when I do have a cup!!! 

Have you gone without something you really love?? How long for?? 


Until Next time, Have a good week.....

Linking up with the beautiful Maxabella Loves for 52 Weeks of Grateful

Got the look!!

Yes... I'm getting a makeover!! (and I'm humming the words to roxette's tune as I write this)
Well It's about time really! It's not changing too much, but I'll certainly look more polished and shiny!! I'm really needing this makeover after such a crappy start to 2012 and who cares if it's only in the virtual world!! I'll still feel a million bucks in the real world!

Stay tuned for my next adventure..,

Love
Java Jane xxxx

Wordless Wednesday - January Photo a day challenge

Here is a recap of my favourite pictures posted as part of FatMum Slim's January Photo a day challenge...

I have loved participating and now am looking forward to February...

I am Linking up with Trish for Wordless Wednesday at  My Little Drummer Boys

Until next time, Life is too short for crappy coffee