the stuffed zucchini and the wee little chicken

 We have these cute little zucchini growing in the garden. We are about to have an abundance of zucchini as you do. But for now they are still exciting. I thought I would try stuffing them. They turned out yum, but took longer to cook than I was expecting.

I cooked the Zucchini first for about half an hour. Then cut off the top and scoop out the seeds. I stuffed with mashed potato,peas,onion, garlic and cheese on top. Cooked them for another hour and they were just done.

Can you believe this chicken?! A beautiful friend made it for me for Christmas. It just perches on the oven waiting to be used to pull a hot tray out of the oven. Just looking at that cute lil thing makes me smile.

Yum!

the caffeine

I have a problem with caffeine. The problem being that I dont usually have any, so when I do I am wired! I used to be an avid caffeine drinker. First Mountain Dew and then Diet Coke. For years I lived off my caffeine beverage of choice. I have been off it for about 5 years.
So this morning I popped a caffeine laden Excedrin to battle my headache. I now I am awake and out of bed at 7am. Partly due to the caffeine and partly due to jet-leg. I often wonder at the things I could accomplish in a day if I were to get up at such an early hour.
It is chilly in the mornings here in Woodville, NZ. A lovely 38F this morning. So first I put on my possum socks and wooly sweater and then put the jug on for a cup of hot tea. I made some Delicious Fig and Coconut Baked Oatmeal, see recipe below, got the quilt and computer and sat down to blog.
I thought blogging a better choice than waking my soundly sleeping husband up with my caffeine induced morning chatter.
So... 8am. No one up around here on a sunday morning except me and the birds. Even the cat has abandoned me for the cozy warm bed.
I will wait for the Oatmeal to bake, enjoy my cuppa and see what Catherine is up to. My first time reading Jane Austens Northanger Abbey.

Baked Oatmeal.....very loosely based on a weight watchers recipe. Feeds 4

1 1/2 C old fashioned oats
1/4C dried figs
1/4 C dried coconut
3T raw sugar
1t baking powder
1/2t cinnamon
pinch of salt

1/4 c plain yogurt
1/4 milk
2 small eggs (or one large)
1 T oil
1 t vanilla extract

Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet in another then mix together. Pour into a greased baking dish 8x8. Bake 30 min at 350F or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool ten min then serve with some milk pour over top.