There is nothing I love more to do as a family than the day we get to put the Christmas decorations up. It's just a beautiful thing - doing the same things again - remembering what happens, what decorations go where, unrolling the advent calendar, getting the tree, putting up the wreaths on the … [Read more...]
Damien Pignolet Cooking School
December 1, 2013 by 20 Comments
Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure and luck to spend some time in the kitchen with Australian cooking legend Damien Pignolet. Damien has had over 40 years in the food industry running some iconic and legendary restaurants: Pavilion on the Park, Claudes, Bistro Moncur and Cleopatra Guesthouse to … [Read more...]
Christmas Gift ideas for girls age 4 and 7
November 29, 2013 by 33 Comments
Last Sunday I took the girls to the toy shop in town to have a look around. I wanted to see the kind of stuff they were interested in before I started to buy stuff. Just because I think it's a good present doesn't necessarily mean that the girls will like it, or play with it. I've been so slack the … [Read more...]
6 minute butterscotch sundae
November 28, 2013 by 32 Comments
A sponsored post for Woolworths Select If you are anything like me, I get a certain craving for something sweet a few hours after I have eaten dinner (yes I eat dinner with my kids at 5.30pm) and a little while before bed. For me, that time is around 9pm. Most of the time I can push the thoughts … [Read more...]
It was all yellow
November 27, 2013 by 29 Comments
Yellow is my favourite colour I think. And Wednesday's are my new favourite day of the week. Things slow down. Routine and mundane settle in. And stuff gets done. How's your Wednesday going? What's your favourite colour? Do you have it throughout your house? … [Read more...]
Put a ring on it
November 26, 2013 by 66 Comments
Do you guys read the Daily Mail online? On your iPad? In bed? YOU SHOULD. My little sister got me onto the superior trashy gossip (you only need to read the celeb/TV bit) when she lived in London and I have been a devoted fan since. On your iPad it's even better, you swipe through those stories with … [Read more...]
Nice things
November 25, 2013 by 23 Comments
There's been plenty of times over the last few days where I have been reminded just how lucky we are to have found this place to be our home. The lovely community we live in filled with amazing people we get to call our friends. The beauty of the place. The fun times we constantly seem to … [Read more...]
Stephanie Alexander Cook’s Companion App
November 25, 2013 by 18 Comments
I got an email from Stephanie Alexander on Friday. Actually, let me rephrase that for you. I GOT AN EMAIL FROM STEPHANIE ALEXANDER ON FRIDAY!! For those of you that may not know who this icon of Australian cooking is - she has been working in restaurants for over 40 years. She has run some of the … [Read more...]
Miscellaneous 31
November 22, 2013 by 79 Comments
You guys want to know where I source cheap flowers from? Quick sale bucket at Harris Farm. Our local HF has a big selection of flowers, which seems to get bigger and bigger each week. Because there are only so many flowers people can buy, they whack a whole lot in the quick sale bucket. Things that … [Read more...]
Where to buy {cool} Christmas decorations from
November 21, 2013 by 19 Comments
We can pretend all we like, but Christmas is coming. This time next month we will be but days away. I'm not OK with it, but I will embrace it. On the 1st December ONLY. I have very strict Christmas decorating rules and you will not see a wreath, tree or string of anything tinsely UNTIL the 1st … [Read more...]
Around the grounds: Green & blue
November 20, 2013 by 16 Comments
The sun is hot and shining and it feels like the beginning of summer. You can smell the heady jasmine dripping in flowers and scent on the verandah. The garden is getting greener before your eyes with all this rain, the soil is dark and hot, the air humid. The washing is drying crisply in the sun, … [Read more...]
Solving the big issues: how do you unpack your groceries?
November 19, 2013 by 197 Comments
Updated 3pm 27th Nov 2013: Hayley Rose has been chosen as the winner of the giftcard. Thanks so much for all your awesome comments it was so hard to choose a winner. Special mention to the following who made the Top 5: Emma Steedman, Stinkbomb, Geal & Domenica. A sponsored post for … [Read more...]
On comfort
November 18, 2013 by 34 Comments
On Saturday Rob and I spent the latter part of the day on 'no speakies'. It was over a stupid thing - I got cranky at him, then he in turn got cranky at me and then I was cranky at him being cranky at me! I mean HOW DARE HE! I eventually decided to be indignant, because we had no plans and were home … [Read more...]
From the archives: Night terror
November 16, 2013 by 14 Comments
This morning I got a sleep in. Rare as hen's teeth for a happily early riser like myself who is up with the girls each morning. But a couple of days ago I put in a request and this morning I got to hear little people wake and trot off with Rob as the bedroom door was closed behind them and I got a … [Read more...]
Middle agedness
November 15, 2013 by 34 Comments
Rob and I were sitting on the couch last night discussing the fact that even though we feel like we are young, we are in fact, getting older. Not old, old. Just old-er. While we are probably both in better shape now than when we were 18, things are drooping, Hair is greying. Eyes are rolling at … [Read more...]
Miscellaneous 30
November 14, 2013 by 31 Comments
No one panic. I purchased some peonies at last this morning. I've had my eyes on them for the past few weeks but at $25 a bunch of 5 I have held off. But today! Today, they made it to the quick sale bucket for $7. Grabbed a bunch and am enjoying them for the 24 hours they will probably last. Took … [Read more...]
Harvest
November 13, 2013 by 37 Comments
This morning I let the chooks out and checked to see if they had laid yet. Like I have every day for the past 8 weeks or so. This morning? Pay day! Eggs! We quickly cooked them up for breakfast and went and thanked the ladies for their hard work. This afternoon the girls went and pulled some … [Read more...]
Lunch: crumbed tofu with soy, chilli & coriander
November 13, 2013 by 18 Comments
A sponsored post for Woolworths Macro Vegetarian Whenever I am trying to eat a little healthier I try to get creative at lunch time. If I have something substantial enough, my stomach is filled and my mind not distracted until dinner time. Sometimes it’s a salad, other times veggies and most of the … [Read more...]
From the archives: Homemade Advent calendar
November 12, 2013 by 3 Comments
Yesterday I had an email from an old friend who was looking to whip up a home made Advent Calendar and remembered this post that was originally posted on the blog in November 2010. Thought it may give some inspiration for those that way inclined (the sewing and the crafty kind that is). For those of … [Read more...]
Where to buy {cool} Australian bed linen from
November 12, 2013 by 73 Comments
You know my thoughts on a well made bed. And if you've been reading my blog, or followed me on Instagram you'll know my thoughts on good bed linen. I am a fan. Nay, I am an embracer of good bedlinen. The more patterned and more colourful the better! I often get asked about where I get my sheets and … [Read more...]
