In My Kitchen – April 2013

Posted on April 2, 2013 by thecompletebook

In My Kitchen – April 2013

During my stay in Johannesburg to be with Mom while she recovered from her foot surgery, there was a morning out for breakfast with Dad and a spot of shopping which resulted in a few spoils. 🙂

In my kitchen…

Is a set of icing nozzles which Dad bought for me – such an awesome pressie.

In my kitchen…

Is some black decorating glitter – it’s more blue than black but still very pretty on top of cupcakes.

In my kitchen…

Are 2 offset spatulas which I have been wanting for the longest time. They are such handle tools to have in the kitchen.

In my kitchen…

Are 2 more icing bags – they were dirt cheap so I could not pass on the opportunity – they are fabulous!

In my kitchen…

Is another gift from Dad – 500 cupcake / muffin cases – they too were dirt cheap – awesome!

In my kitchen…

Is another gift from Dad. I have been on the hunt for a dough cutter / scrapper for what feels like forever and even had mom on the search for me but alas we were unable to source any, then Dad found one for me and one for Mom in Makro – yippee!

In my kitchen…

Is ANOTHER gift from Dad – a very handy micro grater.

In my kitchen…

Is an early wonderful birthday pressie from my brother Greg and sister-in-law Karin – a Jamie Oliver garlic press and slicer – I highly recommend you get one of these.

What’s in your kitchen this month? Please remember to link back to Celia’s blog Fig Jam and Lime Cordial if you partake in the fun.

60 thoughts on “In My Kitchen – April 2013”

Sous Chef on April 2, 2013 at 07:10 said:

Erm …..does your Dad want another daughter? *bats eyelashes winningly*

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- thecompletecookbook on April 2, 2013 at 10:58 said:
  
  Dad’s the best! He would lovingly have another daughter – after all, sharing is caring so just imagine the fun stuff he could buy us for our kitchens. 😀 Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Bam's Kitchen (@bamskitchen) on April 2, 2013 at 07:25 said:

I know it must be hard on you, wishing your mom a quick recovery and take care of yourself. If I had all of those fun frosting tips, I might actually be inspired to bake.

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- thecompletecookbook on April 2, 2013 at 10:59 said:
  
  I cannot wait to give them all a try Bam. I am just waiting on an icing coupler so I can use one icing bag and just change nibs but nothing seems to happen quickly around here. Mom is doing so well and has her next appointment on the 9th so hopefully she will be more mobile after that. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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ChgoJohn on April 2, 2013 at 07:54 said:

So many nice gifties from your Dad. I have to be honest, Mandy. I’m looking forward to seeing the beautiful creations you’ll be making now that you have all of those icing nozzles. No pressure. 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on April 2, 2013 at 11:02 said:
  
  No pressure!!! Well, here is my excuse for the meanwhile… I am waiting on the baking shop to get my icing coupler in so I can use one icing bag and change nozzles to test them all. Hope you have been well John, I am looking forward to catching up with you again. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Tandy on April 2, 2013 at 08:01 said:

love the nozzles! I should blog about my scraper I use – hardware things are the best for kitchen toys 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on April 2, 2013 at 11:03 said:
  
  I was very close to purchasing a scraper from builders warehouse. Look forward to your post. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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My Kitchen Stories on April 2, 2013 at 09:25 said:

Great bits your dad bought you. he must like eating what you make

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- thecompletecookbook on April 2, 2013 at 11:05 said:
  
  Thanks Tania. Sadly the folks live over 1000 kilometres away so Dad will have to wait to enjoy some sweet treats. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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Pat Machin on April 2, 2013 at 11:42 said:

What a lovely selection of gifts – all reasonably small but so useful. I have offset spatulas and they are great. They make a good tool for smoothing plaster as well :-).

It’s not a good reason to be visiting your parents but it’s lovely that you can spend time with them. I know the feeling. My children are scattered over two continents.

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- thecompletecookbook on April 2, 2013 at 12:59 said:
  
  Hi Pat, thanks for stopping by. I love that offset spatulas come in hand for other applications. 😀 Not nice having your family so far away from you. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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hotlyspiced on April 2, 2013 at 12:36 said:

I would love your garlic crusher. I don’t have one and have to cut all my garlic by hand. And it seems someone is giving you a very big hint because you have been given a lot of cake decorating gifts – maybe you’re just about to be asked to make 200 cupcakes like I was! xx

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- thecompletecookbook on April 2, 2013 at 13:00 said:
  
  Eek 200 cupcakes might make me run a mile Charlie! You were super brave taking on such a task. The garlic crusher is awesome; you have to get yourself one ASAP! Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Angie@Angie's Recipes on April 2, 2013 at 13:40 said:

I like my garlic crusher too. Your dad for sure knows you very well.

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- thecompletecookbook on April 2, 2013 at 14:23 said:
  
  Dad does really know me very well. Hope you are well Angie. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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cecilia on April 2, 2013 at 15:19 said:

welcome back and your Dad is awesome, I hope you Mum is up and about and feeling better now.. feet are so important.. Love the little spatulas,I bet they are useful and now we are all looking forward to seeing piles of cupcakes! Have a lovely day! c

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- thecompletecookbook on April 2, 2013 at 15:49 said:
  
  Thanks C, lovely to be back. Dad is the best! Mom is doing much better and we are eager to see what the outcome of her next appointment is next week Tuesday. Best I get cracking and get baking – think I shall play with an egg less recipe first… Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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Judy @Savoring Today on April 2, 2013 at 15:39 said:

A dough cutter/scraper is quite the gem of a tool, for sure. It is excellent for lifting delicate baked goods as well as cleaning counters. 🙂 What a handy list and thoughtful gifts.

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- thecompletecookbook on April 2, 2013 at 15:50 said:
  
  Think I shall be making quite a bit of pasta dough to get used to using the scraper/cutter Judy. I like the idea of lifting delicate baked goods with it too. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Bluejellybeans on April 2, 2013 at 16:44 said:

Lovely! Your dad is awesome, by the way 😉

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- thecompletecookbook on April 2, 2013 at 18:11 said:
  
  Hi Giovanna, thank you! My dad is a special man. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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Glenda on April 2, 2013 at 17:37 said:

Mandy. I want your dad!!!

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- thecompletecookbook on April 2, 2013 at 18:11 said:
  
  Isn’t he just the best! He is going to be quite popular my Dad. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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akismet-069f82b6d320654603807f0aa4a9f1e9 on April 2, 2013 at 18:55 said:

Love your gifts, Mandy.

Will you teach me how to frost FABULOUS cupcakes?

Love. xxxxx

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- thecompletecookbook on April 3, 2013 at 10:29 said:
  
  Thanks Kim. Oh yes, I would love to teach you. Are you on your way yet? I have the wine ready too. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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bentodays on April 2, 2013 at 19:37 said:

Wow you must be so pleased with all these! Can’t wait to see your creations using these tools!

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- thecompletecookbook on April 3, 2013 at 10:35 said:
  
  I am beyond thrilled with all my goodies. 😀 I can’t wait to get into the kitchen and start playing. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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- thecompletecookbook on April 3, 2013 at 10:45 said:
  
  I cannot wait to start playing in the kitchen ASAP! Have a super day. 🙂
  
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cravesadventure on April 2, 2013 at 19:54 said:

I am coming to your house – 500 muffin cases – muffins and cupcakes please (just kidding). Your father is a great gift giver. Have a Great Day – thanks for sharing!

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rsmacaalay on April 2, 2013 at 22:37 said:

I cant live without my garlic press, I use them everyday

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- thecompletecookbook on April 3, 2013 at 10:46 said:
  
  My old garlic press wasn’t quite working properly because I too use mine most days. Have a lovely day. 🙂
  
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GourmetGetaways (@GourmetGetaway) on April 3, 2013 at 07:03 said:

It is good to see you back, I hope your mother is feeling much better. What a great collection of cake decorating items!

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- thecompletecookbook on April 3, 2013 at 10:47 said:
  
  hanks so much, it’s great to be back. Mom is doing really well and super excited for her appointment next week Tuesday – hope the doc has all good news for her. I want to bake, bake and bake some more at the moment with all the lovely baking goodies in the kitchen. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Promenade Claire on April 3, 2013 at 08:52 said:

Dad definitely spoiled you 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on April 3, 2013 at 10:48 said:
  
  Spoilt rotten I am! Hope you are well Claire. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Lizzy (Good Things) on April 3, 2013 at 09:30 said:

Wow, lucky you and what a great dad! Imagine the goodies you are going to create with all your new gadgets Mandy!

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- thecompletecookbook on April 3, 2013 at 10:49 said:
  
  I have a special Dad Lizzy! I have already spotted a new recipe I want to try so should be able to share something soon. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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bitsandbreadcrumbs on April 3, 2013 at 16:33 said:

That’s quite a haul, Mandy! I can’t wait to see what you make with all your new baking tools. Those icing tips look like a work of art in their box. 🙂 Glad you are back and hope your mom continues to recover.

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- thecompletecookbook on April 3, 2013 at 16:36 said:
  
  Thanks Betsy. I am so pleased with my treasure – I’m smiling like a cherisher cat. Mom is doing very well thanks. We are both anxious to see what the doc has to say next week Tuesday. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen on April 3, 2013 at 17:41 said:

Well.. now your Dad is just the best, it’s so wonderful that he spoils you.. you definitely deserve it, Mandy! I can’t wait to see some decorating of cupcakes soon!! xx

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- thecompletecookbook on April 3, 2013 at 19:15 said:
  
  Thanks Smidge! Dad is awesome! I have watched a few tutorials on how to make icing flowers – ooo ooo ooo can’t wait! Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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kathryningrid on April 3, 2013 at 19:12 said:

Oh, you are going to have *such* fun!

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- thecompletecookbook on April 3, 2013 at 19:16 said:
  
  Come and join me Kathryn, we will have so much fun! Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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Geni - Sweet and Crumby on April 3, 2013 at 19:53 said:

You lucky girl! What a bevy of lovely gifts.

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- thecompletecookbook on April 3, 2013 at 20:36 said:
  
  Thanks Geni, I am a very spoilt girl. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on April 3, 2013 at 21:14 said:

Mandy, if I’d known you were after a dough scraper, I’d have sent you one! They’re only a couple of dollars here! And what lovely treasures you’ve been given – love the piping nozzle set, and I don’t think I could survive without my offset spatula, I use it all the time for everything from icing cakes to lifting cookies off a baking sheet. I hope your mum has full recovered now! xx

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- thecompletecookbook on April 5, 2013 at 08:57 said:
  
  Celia, how very kind of you to think of me. Thankfully Dad saved the day, my other hero next to Pete.;-) I have ordered an icing coupler and can’t wait for it to arrive. Think I should also have ordered an icing nail so I can start practising making roses and not sure how I ever survived without an offset spatula all these years. Mom is getting there and each day is an improvement. She has her next appointment on Tuesday; we cannot wait to hear what the doc has to say. Have a beautiful weekend. 🙂 xo
  
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Purely.. Kay on April 3, 2013 at 21:39 said:

I was just looking at icing nozzles this weekend and wasn’t sure what to get. I LOVE yours.

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- thecompletecookbook on April 5, 2013 at 09:05 said:
  
  It’s amazing what you can do with icing nozzles – there are so many wonderful tutorials available to show you how to use each one. Have a super weekend Kay. 🙂 xo
  
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Jed Gray (sportsglutton) on April 3, 2013 at 22:04 said:

All very useful things to have in the kitchen!

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- thecompletecookbook on April 5, 2013 at 09:06 said:
  
  The best Jed. Hope you have been well. Have an awesome weekend. 🙂
  
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Bunny Eats Design on April 3, 2013 at 22:56 said:

I love receiving gifts but I also love giving them. When I see something that would be perfect for someone, I can’t get it out of my mind. I guess it’s a good weakness to have.

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- thecompletecookbook on April 5, 2013 at 09:07 said:
  
  Hi Bunny, thanks for stopping by. I too love giving gifts. Have a super weekend. 🙂
  
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dianeskitchentable on April 4, 2013 at 23:36 said:

Aren’t Dads the best! You got some really cool stuff there & it looks like there’s a baking binge in your future. I keep meaning to get some icing bags & all those tips look like a lot of fun to play with.
That garlic press looks serious. I have one that just has the tiny holes – works well but it’s a little flimsy & doesn’t have that other compartment that yours has for slices. I think I’m going to be checking that out for sure.
Glad to hear your Mom’s doing well – must have helped to have you there.

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- thecompletecookbook on April 5, 2013 at 09:30 said:
  
  I love my piping bags. I must say Diane, my new garlic press is a serious number and works brilliantly. This is the first one I have seen with the slicing compartment too which is really cool.
  Don’t think I really helped mom while I was there, just more there for company and as always we had so many wonderful laughs. Have a beautiful weekend. 🙂 xo
  
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Karen on April 5, 2013 at 13:14 said:

Love all the new goodies your Dad got you. I know he appreciated you spending time with them after your Mother’s surgery. I can see a lot of baking being done in your kitchen.

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- thecompletecookbook on April 5, 2013 at 13:49 said:
  
  Thanks Karen! It’s always nice visiting with the folks – wish it could be longer sometimes. If I could I would be in the kitchen every day playing with all my new goodies but alas I cannot. Just as well otherwise I would be gaining a few unwanted kilos. I loved your recipe today – sounds heavenly. Have a super weekend. 🙂 xo
  
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  - Karen on April 5, 2013 at 13:51 said:
    
    I’m glad you liked it…thanks.
    
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    - thecompletecookbook on April 5, 2013 at 15:44 said:
      
      🙂
      
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