Goodness... how time flies!

Well I have just survived the first week returning to work after the school holidays, and what a whirlwind of a week it has been! I feel as though I have been moving from one thing to the next, one thing to the next. Melinda blogged about not doing anything for herself this week. I concur. I have arrived home in the dark every night this week. I have plants that need tending to... houswork still not complete... it is a little disheartening, given the wonderful time I had on the holidays. Really, the only thing I managed to do for myself this week was to go to the gym a couple of times during the week and do a 10km run this morning.

I had a nice sleep this afternoon and just woke. I feel a lot better and have a couple of gatherings with friends and family over the weekend, so it should be enjoyable.

I will attend a dawn service tomorrow to commemorate ANZAC Day. I will remember that even though I haven't had the time do some of the things I love to do, that at least I am still better off than the majority of the world's population that don't have all of the lovely things that I do. Remembering that many people in the world don't have a roof to sleep under, don't have a job to go to or any of the luxuries and joy that I have.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Sunday Evening Suppers

Mmmm.... tonight I have decided to try a recipe I found in the Good Weekend Magazine - Chicken Tarraragon with Mushrooms. I have also made some brussel sprouts and some potatoes - boiled and then added to a creamy mustard sauce.

Hope you have had a lovely, nourishing Sunday supper! xx

Saturdays in Sydney

I just love Saturdays in Sydney! Today my husband and I spent the day doing things we would not ordinarily do on a Saturday. Firstly, my cousin is here in Australia on holidays so we decided to take him to Watsons Bay Hotel for lunch and for a walk along the promenade. Afterwards we took him for a walk along the Gap Park and then to Bondi Beach. Afterwards we played ten pin bowling. It is lovely seeing the city in which you live, through the eyes of someone who is experiencing it for the first time. Mind you, the day was just spectacular. There was not a cloud in the sky and there were lots of sailing boats out on the harbour. The warmth in the air was just lovely.

Well the day was magnificient, though I must admit I am a little tired now. My parents, sister and niece also joined us for lunch which was lovely.

I am actually looking forward to quiet tomorrow... I am not sure what I have planned, but I know there will be quiet time tomorrow.

Hope you have had a lovely Saturday.

Wednesdays

Today is a bright and sunny day in Sydney. I love waking up to a sunny day in the school holidays, because I can actually enjoy and savour the sun filling the bedroom with gorgeous, warm light. I have been spoilt because I can sit, sipping some delicious T2 Sydney Breakfast Tea (my favourite tea to prepare me for the day ahead) whilst working on a presentation that I will deliver to my staff on Monday, whilst taking momentary glimpses of the plants and trees on my verandah. The Bungalow Palm tree and Christmas Bush both seem to be doing well, though I am a little worried that the Christmas Bush might not be getting enough sunlight. It doesn't look sick or anything, but I will monitor it!

Today I am going to my parents' home to have a lovely lunch with my mother, family and some of my mother's extended family. Such a treat as I rarely see any of my relatives outside my immediate family. I suppose that is another reason why holidays are just so wonderful. Time. Time to catch up with friends and family. Time to read. Time to do nothing with a deadline attached. Time to reenergise and renew the senses. I hope that you are enjoying your Wednesday!

This is a photo of the ocean from Sir Lawrence Hargreave Drive, near Coalcliff, South Coast, NSW

Autumn Days

I really believe that Autumn is now quickly becoming my favourite season of the year. I love the way that everything seems to be slowing down just a little... or is it because I am on holidays? It is 5:20pm on Friday afternoon. I am drinking my favourite T2 Tea - French Earl Grey. I am not sitting in my car negotiating the traffic to get home. I am not thinking about all the housework that needs to be done (because I have done it!) and how I am going to fit a gym workout in the afternoon prior to going out to dinner (because I did that this morning as well!)

Today I went to one of my favourite stores in Sydney, Peters of Kensington. If you have not shopped there, then I suggest you visit the gorgeous pink building on Anzac Pde, Kensington. It has practically every kind of gift you would want to buy for an engagement, wedding, birthday, kitchen tea, bridal shower, housewarming, Mother's Day, etc etc. I love the store because of its array of cookware and cooking utensils, not to mention their collection of homewares and decorative vases and ornaments etc. Today I went there to buy an engagement gift for my brother in law and his fiance. I was successful and they will soon be the owners of a Royal Doulton cutlery set, Stanley Rogers Hostess set and two Scanpan stainless steel frypans.

I did pick up a couple of things for myself - a couple of pastry boards and two silicone egg cups.

This afternoon I spent a few lazy hours at the local library, reading about plants and gardening. In that time I think I had four daydreams where I imagined cascading roses and ivy, through to gardens made up entirely of succulents and ferns. They were beautiful, albeit fleeting dreams, but dreams that inspired me to think a little more about what to add to my garden next.

What plans do you have for this weekend? I am going to tend to my garden, go for a run, attend an engagement party and spend lots of time with family and friends. Whatever you do, may it be wonderful!

Engagement Cake in the Making: Part 2

Well tonight we finished the cake. The only thing remaining are the custom made letters R and P and the & symbol. I will get a picture of them on top of the cake at the Engagement Party on Saturday night. I was very nervous about placing the fondant over the top of the ganache. I was so worried about not having enough of it to cover the entire cake, but alas it did work well.

Let me know what you think of my first attempt - a combined effort with my soon to be sister in law!

Also had a lovely visit from a friend today. I decided to do lots of the tasks like deep cleaning the carpet in the high traffic areas and then decided to clean the leather lounges with the special cleaning equipment. Didn't leave me time to make a cake, so we had delicious T2 tea and a fruit platter. I offered her lots of Easter eggs. was still a nice afternoon. Have found some delicious recipes to try out as well over the holidays.

Enjoy the photos of part two of the cake making / decorating process.

Engagement Cake in the Making: Part 1

Everybody who knows me well, knows that I love good food. One thing that I didn't even know about me, was that I have some ability to make decorations for cakes. Let me explain for a moment why I have always held this opinion. I do not have a sweet tooth. I didn't, up until tonight, really know or want to know how to make decorations for cakes, however, my soon to be sister in law decided that she wanted to make her own Engagement Party cake!

Before I actually knew what I was saying, I had not only offered to help keep her company as she made it, but I actually suggested that it might be a good idea that I help her with it. So this evening, after spending the day in the city with my husband and the late afternoon doing a spot of shopping at a local fashion retailer, I headed over to her place filled with anticipation.

Below are some images of our endeavours. It is a white chocolate cake, that will be covered with a white ganache, topped with a lovely Magnolia made of fondant and the letters R & P, for Rebecca and Paul.

The outer perimeter will be wrapped with a blue 'Tiffany' ribbon and in the middle of that, a string of pearls. I will be sure to upload some more pictures as they come.

Tonight I learn't that I quite enjoyed making the cake, the ganache and the decoration. I learn't that I shouldn't be afraid to have a go at cake decorating. Mind you, I did feel the pressure (that I placed upon myself) in terms of wanting to get it as close to perfect as possible - given it was my first ever attempt, and this attempt is for an Engagement Cake for an Engagement party at which 150 people will be in attendance...

I also truly understood the meaning out of necessity, invention is born.

Catch of the Day

Today my lovely husband and I went to the Sydney Fish Markets for lunch and to buy some seafood. We started the morning at the Australian Museum to see the world winners of the Wildlife Photography competition. It was truly amazing and breathtaking to say the least. It showcased the diversity of photographic talent and creativity, as well as the majesty and beauty of the animals they sought to capture on film.

On our way back to the car we wandered into St Mary's Cathedral which is such a beautiful cathedral. It is a fine example of gothic architecture.

The Sydney Fish Markets was most certainly a bustling place to be. Below are pictures of our 'catch of the day' from our favourite fish mongers at De Costi Seafood.

Nursery visits

Today I took my wonderful mother and gorgeous niece to two nurseries. We visited Hargreaves Nursery and Swanes Nursery. Both are located in Dural, in Sydney's northwest. Was a wonderful day! I bought some pink flowering lavender and some fig and pear scented drawer liners. Mum bought me a lovely lavender room spray. I bought mum a couple of exotic plants and a gorgeous cushion. I am in the process of planting bulbs and seeds in time for a spring and winter harvest~

Cooked a delicious lamb roast and vegetables for dinner. So lovely to be able to relax and enjoy each minute of the day...

hope you have had a great day~

Easter Monday

Well I have to say that today was filled with much anticipation! Mark and I headed to Botany Bay which is a short 3-5 min drive from our place. We ran along the foreshore and it was so good to be out there and running again! I haven't run in a couple of weeks and have to say that I was feeling all the worse for wear because I hadn't run. The last active thing I did was a 'Revolutionary Cycle class' last Wednesday. I found that I needed to preserve what little energy I had, to push through that last couple of weeks of school - that and I had been interstate the week before!

I digress. In any case after the 5km run this morning in just over 30 minutes (which was good for me given I had a couple of weeks without running) made me feel so much better!

It was wonderful to see so many people out walking, running, cycling and out on the water.

Today my lovely husband Mark, my father in law, step mother in law and brother in law and his partner and I went to Manly. It was such a lovely day. We met at Circular Quay and caught the ferry across the harbour, out to the heads and to Manly.

It was such a great day to spend out on the harbour and at such a beautiful place. It was filled with good conversation and good laughs. I have included some photos below.

I tried Max Brenner chocolate today - in the way of an Italian dark thick chocolate. It was very rich and too sweet for me, which is disappointing because the service was great and the presentation was lovely. I find Lindt to be less sweet. At least I can say that I've tried it.

In any case, time spent with family was wonderful! My brother in law and his partner live in Dubai so it has been wonderful to spend the last couple of days with them.

It has been a truly delightful beginning to the holidays!

Happy Easter!

Dear friends,

Happy Easter to you all! I love the first Easter Sunday mass that celebrates the Resurrection! The bells were ringing loudly at mass this morning to celebrate! Easter is my favourite time in the Church's liturgical calendar. There is much that I love about today's mass. Something in particular is the Victimae Paschali that is the 'Sequence' read immediately before the Gospel reading. I have copied it below for you. I have taken it directly from this site http://tinyurl.com/yl3x2qz

I love this sequence. It fills me with joy everytime I hear it. I hope it inspires you as well!

I hope your day is filled with much joy and hope. I will be sure to post some pictures of Easter Sunday today.

Victimae Paschali

CHRISTIANS, to the Paschal Victim

offer sacrifice and praise.

The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb;

and Christ, the undefiled,

hath sinners

to his Father reconciled.

Death with life contended:

combat strangely ended!

Life's own Champion, slain,

yet lives to reign.

Tell us, Mary:

say what thou didst see upon the way.

The tomb the Living did enclose;

I saw Christ's glory as He rose!

The angels there attesting;

shroud with grave-clothes resting.

Christ, my hope, has risen:

He goes before you into Galilee.

Amen. Alleluia.

That Christ is truly risen

from the dead we know.

Victorious King, Thy mercy show!

Amen. Alleluia.

Chicken and Vegetable Soup

I can really empathise with those who talk about chicken soup as something that can nourish the soul. No wonder the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series of inspirational books and the various offshoots from the original have done so well in the popular book stores.

I made the following for dinner. I am sure you have your own version. I am always changing mine. It really depends on what is in the fridge at the time.

1 - 1 1/2 Litres of chicken stock

1 large carrot or 2 medium carrots

a handful of pasta shells or broken pasta (optional)

1 cup broccoli

1 cup green beans

1 cup cauliflower

1 cup celery

1/2 brown onion

1 bay leaf

1 chicken breast

salt and pepper to taste

1 shallot chopped

Bring the chicken stock to a simmer. Add chopped onion and bay leaf. Continue to simmer for 5 mins. Add chicken and allow to simmer until cooked. Remove the chicken and allow to cool.

Discard the bay leaf and onions.

Return the stock to heat and return to gentle simmer. Add carrots, followed by celery, beans, cauliflower and brocolli. Bring to a gentle boil and add some small pasta pieces if desired.

While this is simmering gently, shred the chicken into small pieces and return to the soup. Allow to simmer and add the shallots and pepper just before serving.

Serve with fresh bread. I chose to drizzle some sourdough bread with olive oil and place in the oven to become a little crispy.

Enjoy!

Holidays in Autumn

Well Thursday marked the last day of the first school term for 2010. I have to say that it could not have come any sooner as my wonderful colleagues and I were feeling quite drained. I kept insisting to my staff that they must rest these holidays... I don't think I needed to labour the point, given they had worked so hard and with such generosity of spirit.

In any case, I think these holidays are wonderful holidays because not only do they tie into the Easter celebrations, but they also allow for moments of quiet. The summer holidays, by their very placement encompass the busy Christmas and New Years celebrations. It is also the end of the school year. I must say that Autumn is becoming one of my favourite seasons.

I have begun to take stock of the myriad of tasks that need to be completed over the break. First on my list is to plant some seeds and tend to my plants. I love gardening, but sadly have not been able to get out there as much as I would like, except to water my plants. I have had no end of success in keeping the Tarragon well and truly alive! Not to mention that, my succulents are also growing quite well. The palm tree that Mark and I decided to have a go at growing seems to be going well, as does the Christmas bush and of course the Orchids.

I have a fern that is growing new fronds on what seems to be a daily basis and the lily tree has added another leaf. I think I need to buy some food for the lilly.

This evening I cooked a delicious chicken and vegetable soup, served with toasted, crusty sourdough bread. I will post the recipe in another post, if you are interested in trying it out! I find that soup really helps to warm the soul and nourish the body and mind. I have attached some pictures from my garden, of dinner tonight and of some pictures from our weekend in Adelaide last week, for a wedding.

Enjoy and Happy Easter!

A time to reflect and a time for new beginnings

Today is a significant day. Not only does it mark the first day of the school holidays, for which I and my dear colleagues are so incredibly relieved, but today is the second day of the Easter Triduum. The Easter Triduum is my favourite time of the liturgical calendar. One can easily forgo the incessant push for Hot Cross Buns and Easter Eggs (all of which are a lot cheaper than the rest of the commercial wares pushed during Christmas - which seems to begin a lot earlier than our Advent calendar would have us believe.)

In fact, I don't mind hot cross buns. They are delicious - quite simple in the flavour (I only like the traditional type made with fruit; you can keep the moccha or chocolate or plain ones....ewww.)

Given that I only really like dark chocolate, it is a nice time to give to others. Most people have worked out not to buy me too much at Easter which is good.

The Easter Triduum, for me, is truly a time to stop and to reflect. I find that the liturgies and masses at this time command a real reverence. It is one of the few times of the year that I think people actually stop and think about what the Easter message is all about.

I also love this time because today's reading comes from St John's gospel. It really reminds us to focus on the salvation of the word. Two simple words. "I am" from John's gospel really sum it up. I cannot even begin to fathom what it must have been like, to lay ones' life down for friends, for those who sought to destroy him, for us. I can only give thanks and remember that this season is all about new beginnings. The Way of the Cross and the Passion Liturgy are two powerful and moving parts of today's liturgies. I will certainly take stock of the messages imparted to us and will certainly reflect on what has been and pray for what is to come.

I hope that you find time today, or over the Easter weekend to stop and reflect. To think about what has passed, to be quite introspective in thinking about your life, the direction it is taking and if you need to make changes and then to be filled with hope for the possibilities brought about by the resurrection.