sunday lovely sunday...

Yesterday here on the bay was stunning and in my little world... inescapably pink, pink pink! 

across the street...

my lovely new shopper...

just baked rasberry & ricotta muffins yum! 

in my garden...

afternoon sweeties with friends. extra yum!

Hope your weekend was just as gorgeous...

local finds & friday night tunes...

Came home with some little beauties today...

couldn't resist this cutie from The Collective Store

vintage fun from Aid for The Blind Store...

the original WW Birthday Cake Book, Red Cross Wynnum

While doing the rounds of local op shops in the rain this afternoon, I came across this little jewel... The Collective Store in Bay Terrace. This sweet store is like a boutique craft market.., chock full of gorgeous pieces, all handmade by Australian artisans. 

Certainly not what I was expecting to find in super low key Wynnum...

Lastly, it wouldn't be friday without a little music... I've had this catchy number in my head all week, it's called Cameo Lover by Kimbra. 

Enjoy and have a great weekend! xx

hello autumn...

We're a week into April and this morning felt like cooler weather may finally be on the way... Woo hoo! I'm totally a winter person so this is pretty exciting!

To celebrate I've begun the annual sort through my winter wardrobe (to see if anything still fits), dug out anything fleecy and generally started thinking about cosifying the house...

This also means Thom will at last get to enjoy his beautiful patchwork blanket!

His very clever great grandmother knitted it for him before he was born and it's been folded away for safe keeping ever since... It's made from the softest lambswool and each square is a different type of stitch. 

on my table... teal & yellow

Just pulled this recent op shop purchase off the clothes line this morning... It's so wonderfully cheerful, it inspired this little vignette.

little bowl of sunshine

A leisurely Sunday breakfast at a favourite cafe is a rare treat these days... Our six month old is yet to appreciate such things.
Lately I've been missing this little weekend ritual and craving a breakfast menu staple, a good drop of bircher...

So instead of denying myself until our next breakfast out (whenever that may be), I made some myself.  I found a recipe on lifestylefood.com.au by Neil Perry to use as a starting point and adjusted it suit my taste. So simple and yummy,  wished I'd made some sooner...


The night before -

• Soak 2 cups of rolled oats in 2 cups of freshly squeezed orange juice (I used 'Daily Juice Company', much less work).
• Cover and refridgerate.

In the morning fold through the following ingredients -

• 1 cup of creamy natural yoghurt (greek style works well)
• 2 cups of freshly grated apple
• 4 tablespoons of honey (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

Spoon into bowls and serve with a dollop of yoghurt, a dusting of cinnamon and top with fresh or poached fruit. (serves four)

grand design indeed...

Last night I caught the new series of Grand Designs on Lifestyle (new to Australia anyway). As a serial renter with aspirations of 'one day' building our own little dream pad, I've always been a big fan of this show.

Last night's episode 'Lizard Peninsular', was probably the most inspiring yet. It featured the home of Kathryn Tyler, a talented young interior designer based in Cornwall...  I just loved it! The modernist/scandi vibe is right up my alley.

Kathryn's use of white painted brick, oak joinery and polished concrete reminds me of the work of  Brisbane architects Owen and Vokes...  Here's a couple of examples of their work below.

They're in my 'dream house file' too...

music to make chutney to... (persimmon update)

A week's gone by and I'm finally getting around to doing something with the persimmons...




After googling all things persimmon and consulting a couple of my favourite cookbooks for inspiration - Stephanie Alexander's 'Cook's Companion' (or 'the Bible' as my mum refers to it) and 'Jamie at Home',  I've decided on a (make it up as you go along) spicy persimmon, apple & fig chutney type thing...
My dad will appreciate this approach, he's not big on following recipes either.

And to get me in a 'chutney making mood',  I'm listening to this sweet little tune by up and coming Melbourne band, Husky. Perfect feel good Friday music...

Back to the chutney...

I pretty much used whatever I had on hand, ingredients wise, so it made quite a small quantity. 

4 persimmons, peeled & roughly chopped (I didn't peel mine, but would next time)

2 granny smith apples,  roughly chopped

2 brown onions, roughly chopped

1/2 dozen dried figs (definitely optional but added a nice stickiness)

1 cup of white wine vinegar (cider vinegar could also be used)

1 cup of brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon of ground clove

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (a cinnamon stick would be preferable)

2 teaspoons  of ground ginger

1 teaspoon of chilli flakes

1/2 teaspoon of Curry Powder

Salt & Pepper

• Add all the ingredients to a large, heavy based saucepan and bring to boil, while stirring occasionally.
• Reduce the heat and simmer covered for about 45 minutes.

one pot cooking

                                 

• Check every now and again and stir to avoid the mixture catching on the bottom (mine did and my         saucepan is still soaking).
• Spoon into pre-sterilized jars to store or allow to cool for immediate consumption.