Time to retire this blog

I've been toying with the idea that I should retire this blog. Whilst I do enjoy blogging about all manner of things, I'm thinking of retiring this blog and starting a new one, which will focus on all manner of domesticity, food, travel and design. I've decided that I'd also like to curate my blog with great posts from other talented people. I know that a lot of people seem to do this, but I think that having the focus of a new home and all the projects that will eventuate, will give my blog greater purpose.
I feel that a new beginning warrants a new blog. Stay tuned...

I'm Back...

My goodness how the last two months have just flown! I didn't quite realise just how busy I was, until I logged into my blog and realised I hadn't actually penned anything for almost two months! Work is going really well. Busy but great. Huge learning curve but glad to be on the journey!

I have been exercising more, which is great. I like the new gym and I know someone who attends, so we always motivate each other, which as you know, is important!
I have been eating out at a lot of great restaurants. I've also done three cooking classes and attended a Jamie's Food Revolution gathering at my favourite Salumeria - Pino's Dolce Vita at Kogarah.

I was actually thinking about starting another blog with all my experiences in food... but then, I think I'd probably want to contribute to a blog.

I'm also really interested in interior design. Always have been, but now that I'm looking to buy a house, the whole prospect of decorating and designing an interior has captured my interest. I've also been really excited about my Orchids... most number of blooms ever! Promise photos in the next post.

Cooking

Something that I love to do is cook. Over the holidays I spent a little (well maybe a lot) of time reading cookbooks. I have decided to cook a few dishes, from different cookbooks.

I just made the most delicious dinner this evening. I wanted to prepare a vegetarian dish, largely because I have been reading Maggie Beer's "Maggie's Verjuice Cookbook." I was really captivated by her recipe - Eggplant and Lentil Stew with Pomegranate Molasses. It just looked and sounded so appetising that I just had to make it. Well, I did and it was so good! It was so delicious, so tasty and so moorish. I made a little extra so I could take it to work for lunch tomorrow.

I will post some pictures soon. Hope you've had some great cooking adventures.

Long time between posts.

Life has been very busy. Very, very busy. Work, for about the last three weeks has been really, really busy. At times, really forcing me to draw on my inner strength to get through some moments of self doubt. Pleased to say the last week was a great week of term and I'm thoroughly enjoying the holidays. I went to mass for Good Friday and will go again tomorrow for Easter Sunday. I love Easter. It is a great time to allow one to really reflect on life, on sacrifice, suffering and love. John's gospel is by far and away my favourite and given the scriptural passages from John's gospel are used for Catholic masses at Easter, it is a great source of inspiration.
My gorgeous niece enlisted her mother and she put on a play for us. It was indeed very cute. She sang the songs she had learn't during school, about Lent, about Jesus entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. It was a really lovely moment, to witness her faith development.

I have also been doing a lot of reading. In the last week I've read The Hunger Games and have now almost finished reading the second book in the trilogy - Catching Fire. Suzanne Collins has done quite well to construct this narrative. It reminds me a little of Phillip Pullman's trilogy, His Dark Materials, which I also enjoyed. I purchased a Kindle to read. I have found reading novels on the iPad a little difficult - particularly when reading for extended periods of time. The back light makes my eyes somewhat tired. Since buying the Kindle, I've been able to read for much longer.

I've also started cooking and gardening. Have caught up with friends and family. Here are some pictures of different aspects of my month that has been... I hope you enjoy and I hope you have a Happy Easter or Happy Passover.

This first picture is of gorgeous sun chairs at our boutique hotel accommodation at Jasper's Brush.

The second picture is a muffin that one of my students made for me, for Easter. 

Something I love about Autumn is the delightful colour of leaves. Taken at Hartzer Park, Bowral

Food trucks seem to be all the rage in Sydney, as they have long been in the USA. This is a stalwart - an icon. Donuts are still wonderful. 

These sliders were an excellent appetiser at Matt Moran's new restaurant, Chiswick at Woollahra. Fabulous restaurant. Go for the Moran family lamb. 

The beautiful menu cover. 

It's a book!

It is our National Year of Reading! Excitement for all English teachers and voracious readers! The inclement Sydney weather is perfect for reading and baking. Hope to do both this weekend! My husband stumbled upon this and shared it with me. Thought you might like it as well!

29th February

Felt I should post today - given that it will be four years time before the opportunity arises. So, in this post I want to remember that on this day I was privileged to attend the launch of the Catholic Education Foundation. It has been set up to assist the poorest of our society, who are Catholic and want a Catholic education to attend a Catholic school.

Today I also want to remember how much I love my new job. I love the many challenges, the steep learning curve and the great responsibility. 

I also am sad for the people of Syria and Egypt. I pray for them each day and hope that when the next leap year comes around, that peace has come to these countries.

I also remember the it has now rained all day long. It was a wet, at times cooler summer.

Sunday morning cup of tea.

Inspired by Melinda's blogpost, I made a warming cup of T2 French Earl Grey Tea. I decided to photograph it using some new films and filters I recently downloaded for my Hipstamatic iPhone app.
Love Sunday morning. Am watching extended news coverage, reading news online and in print. So much happening in the world that I want to read about!

Birthday

I have had a lovely day today. After an early morning delivery and installation of my new oven, I spent a couple of hours at the day spa which was just wonderful. My husband was in meetings for most of the morning and early afternoon but he still managed to find time to buy me the most beautiful Danish watch. It is gold and is classic in style. Beautiful workmanship. Tonight was my cousin's wedding. His gorgeous bride also celebrated her birthday today - albeit she is about ten years younger than me!

It was a great evening spent among family, and when it comes down to it, I do love my extended family and really value the times when we do see each other.

I still have that most gorgeous Kitchen Aid mixer to arrive - hope it will be soon! Now that the oven has been installed, I can begin to bake!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Tomorrow I have a birthday lunch and a birthday dinner!

Vale my oven... you served so well.

I've had a great week at work. I love my new job. I love the fact that the travel time to and from work is equivalent to driving in one direction to my previous work. I love the fact that I am home earlier... particularly being home earlier to cook. It seems, however, that my oven has had other ideas. It no longer heats anything. I learn't this when attempting to bake potatoes. So, for the week I have made pasta and grilled food. I am beginning to run out of things to cook, particularly as I like to warm things in the oven and slow cook food. 

My oven was measured today and I look forward to the new oven which will most probably be installed on my birthday! If all goes to plan I should be receiving a bright red Kitchen Aid Mixer. I'll have to bake something and post some pictures!

I ate the most delicious ice-cream this evening. Maggie Beer's 'Burnt fig, honeycomb and caramel' ice-cream. It's absolutely delicious and a wonderful indulgence. I hope that you are having a great weekend. 

Calm

Today I visited Nan Tien Temple and Nan Tien Institute located in Berkeley, just south of Wollongong in NSW. I will blog about this experience in a couple of days, but for the moment I wanted to share a picture I took in their extensive gardens. I hope it inspires a little calm and tranquility for you!

Have a great week!

Wanda Beach... through three filters

This morning I met a close friend for breakfast at 'Wanderers' Cafe' at Wanda Beach. If you aren't from Sydney then you might not be aware that Wanda Beach is located in Sydney's south and is a really good surfing beach. My friend's young son is learning how to surf this week. I took these photos using my iPhone. I use an app called Hipstamatic. These photos were taken using different film, flashes and lens that come with the app. I love the different effects created. I hope you enjoy them. 

Finally... some reading for my Masters

Today I accomplished something that I was unable to do for much of last year... read the pile of academic readings I had not actually got to reading last year. 2012 is the year of accomplishing all that I had put to the side. Last year I spent a great deal of my time being present to a range of other things that I really didn't have the time or energy to commit to my studies. This year, I have taken the approach that I need to begin my studies in earnest now. I have just read three articles: "The End of Techno-Critique: The Naked Truth about 1:1 Laptop Initiatives and Educational Change." by Mark E. Weston and Alan Bain. This article was so insightful. I found myself nodding in agreement with the work of the academics. It was very much about how in order for the 1:1 laptops in classes to be effective in reforming education, that it needed to be integrated into the pedagogical paradigm within the school. Essentially it needs to become part of the schema. If it doesn't, it will follow the path of other, previous educational reforms.
I also read an article entitled "Identify, well-being and effectiveness: The emotional contexts of teaching." This article, by Christopher Day and Alison Kingston focused on studies conducted in England, of teachers and their perceptions of work, through various stages of their professional lives and personal lives. Primarily this article defined three dimensions of identity - professional, situated and personal. At any given time, two or more of these dimensions may compete thus experiencing tensions. That is, a teacher's personal life may impact on their work life. This sounds rather straightforward, but what makes this article interesting is how this affects their identity and ultimately how this identity can impact on system wide and school wide curriculum change.
The third article I read was titled "Interrogating 'Teacher Identity':Emotion, resistance and Self-Formation." by Michalinos Zembylas. This article considered the influence on pedagogy, dealing with others who may not share the same viewpoints on teaching and learning. Essentially, teacher identity and autonomy and connections with colleagues along with fulfilment in work all makes up the teacher self. Teacher identity and self perception can have a profound impact on school wide change.

I am so pleased I got the chance to read widely today. I have three more readings to read tomorrow and then I can work on my proposal.

Exciting times!

Adventures in my kitchen - salmon

Adventures cooking seafood continued this evening. I created my own recipe where I marinated some delicious salmon in lemon and orange zest, brown sugar and salt. I pan fried the fish and served with some delicious beans (grown in my mum's garden) new potatoes (baked in oven in olive oil - drizzled, and thyme and garlic) a confit of oranges (brought to room temperature in a pan with sugar and white wine vinegar) and a dijon mustard dressing (dijon mustard, olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice) There was nothing left! Served with a delicious, crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc. 

Summer Days...

The weather in Sydney is finally constant with what we would expect for the Summer season. It is hot, humid and the days are long and bright! Have just enjoyed a week of resting, relaxing and catching up with friends. I've continued the 'decluttering' process and my bedroom and kitchen would make Martha proud. I've also taken my decluttering to my laptop and organised files. I really think that my organising spree is just wonderful and am feeling better each day! Don't you love that feeling of satisfaction that you get after you've achieved a task that you've systematically put off for such a long time?

Tomorrow I am going to plan some wonderful dishes to cook over the weekend and next week! I've taken the time to get back into a proper exercise routine and to read. I visited the AGNSW and saw the Picasso exhibit. I was immediately transported into Picasso's world. How wonderful are his works? His experimentation with form and medium is just so impressive. I walked through each of the rooms and imagined which of his paintings would hang on the walls in my apartment! To dream!

Hope you have had a great day!

Happy New Year

I wish you a very Happy New Year! 2012 is a week old and I hope that the start of the year has brought some calm and opportunities for quiet, particularly if your Christmas and holiday break was filled with many gatherings. 

I have just returned after a week away on our state's mid north coast. The weather was beautiful. It was warm and sunny each day and I was able to get in quite a bit of swimming. It was an extended family holiday - with my husband and I, my parents, my sister and my niece. Travelling with family is very rewarding. We haven't travelled together since we were young adults, so it was a different kind of holiday - ensuring we did things to suit a five year old and a seventy five year old! I had the best time. I got to spend quality time with my family.

I have made some resolutions - one being to declutter my space and to cook more at home. I love to cook. I thoroughly enjoy hosting dinner parties and I was so pleased to be able to host a New Years Eve cocktail party at my place. I tried out recipes from a number of cookbooks I purchased during the year and was really pleased with my efforts. I made some champagne cocktails as well. 

Today I decided to refine my wardrobe - to throw out things that I had been holding on to. Items that are worn and old. Items that I held onto for sentimental reasons. I felt it was time to let go and I must say, after seeing my wardrobe with so much space, made me feel so much better. 

Tonight I am going to find some inspiration (Sunday suppers are so good) for dinner and think about really relaxing and decluttering my desk tomorrow. (It's actually not too bad, but it is holding a lot of stuff that could probably be recycled or put away)

I only ever seem to find the time and headspace to do such cleaning in the holidays, hence the reason I have made it a resolution to keep on top of things. I don't want to hoard stuff which is why I have begun this process! 

Hope you've had time to relax and enjoy the break!