Alabama Chanin

 One of my new books from Alabama Chanin I am in love with this woman, Natalie Chanin, her web site is inspiring.  I have dreamt of owning one of her pieces for years and now I can.  This lovely woman has now written three books sharing her knowledge and expertise and showing us how to create one of these wonderful works of art, for that is what they are.  All of her garments are made with love and take time to produce, I am sure this is then transmuted into every fibre of each lovingly made piece.  I have been haunting her journal page for some time now, where she shares her daily pleasures in her surroundings and the wonderful people in her life. Natalie's generous sharing of knowledge, ideas, ideals and experiences are a breath of fresh air in this world of commercialization.  I adore her ethos and her creativity.

 I have started my first dress from her third book Alabama Studio Sewing + Design.  I have made the dress from a wool/acrylic mix jersey I picked up from Spotlight for $5 a metre that way if it doesn't fit or looks awful I haven't wasted too much time or money.  Somehow I don't think this will be the case as I am so excited and enjoying every moment that spend making this dress, I know it will work, I am loving it and can't wait to finish and start on the next project.

Stay tuned for a photo of the finished dress, as well as the start of the next piece of loveliness, thank you Natalie Chanin 

Brisbane City Museum

 An prison escape rope made from sheets could be an idea for an art work I think?

 I love religious art works this is stunning the work involved is amazing and the jewels fabulous.

 I want this piece though a little macabre a necklace made from teeth

 Another stunning religious art work

Peter the dog, stuffed as he was integral to a legal case last century as a witness?

Brisbane City

Another glorious winter day in Brisbane walked through the city and along the beautiful South Bank Park Lands.  Wouldn't guess that the floods tore through here 18 months ago.

Izzy's Blanket

Well here is Izzy's blanket well under way now.  I didn't get around to taking photos any earlier as I am on a mission to finish it so I can take it down to Sydney with me next time I go down.  Unfortunately, I am not sure if I will finish it in time as I have run out of the bright pink wool and need to find somewhere else that sells it as the craft shop I bought it from is closing down. A real shame as it is very handy at lunch time when I am at work. They say business is bad, I would love to get my hands on that place I am sure I could get it pumping.  It is such a funny little shop, really old fashioned like something from the 70's.  I think I will have to become more and more organised as all the craft store are becoming further away so no quick trip down to the shops anymore.  I suppose I will have to start buying on line, it's just not the same as touching and seeing the products.  

So where did I find this pattern?  On the attic24 blog I love, love, love this blog she is amazing I don't know how she fits it all in.  There are free tutorials with clear instructions and pictures and how to's.  Well worth a look.  A big thank you Lucy.

Cleaning Up The Back Yard

Here is Mark cleaning up the back yard and burning off some of the rubbish. Frankly I think he is a bit of a fire bug and will use any excuse to light a fire, he is always on the hunt for something to burn.  The yard needed a good tidy up anyway, since the chicken run change around there have been little piles of palm fronds and branches all over the place.  The clean up will allow me to make more gardens around the outside of the chicken run.  These will be more vegie patches, food for both us and our girls.  More pictures to follow so keep your eyes peeled.

Our Beloved Neighbour

I know I have been away ignoring my blog for a week or so, unfortunately Evelyn the old dear next door, has been ill and has since passed. Both Mark and I will miss popping in and seeing her everyday to have a chat, it is strange to look out the window and not see her light on we will miss her and so will our neighbourhood. 

Cream Cheese

Here is the resulting cream cheese made from kefir it is delicious, soft and creamy with a little bit of tartness and very good for you too.  

I made stuffed mushrooms with these beautiful large mushies I bought at the local markets.  Yum yum with baked potato and kumera what a treat.  Below is the recipe 

Stuffed Mushrooms

1 quantity of cream cheese or 1 packet of cream cheese, softened

1-2 cloves of garlic, crushed

1/2 teaspoon of dried dill leaves or 1 teaspoon of fresh dill

1 egg yolk

6 large field mushrooms

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Method

Wipe down mushrooms to clean any compost that may be on them.  Remove stalks and chop finely.  Place the cream cheese, stalks, garlic, dill, parsley and egg yolk in a bowl and mix well.  Divide the mixture between the mushrooms and bake in a hot oven for about 15-20 minutes.  Note: thyme or other herbs may be used instead of dill and smaller mushrooms may be used and presented as finger food, enjoy.

Kefir Creme Chees

Here I am making another batch of kefir creme cheese.  It has been very successful and tastes wonderful as well as being very, very good for you.  I will make a dip from this lot the previous batch I stuffed mushrooms with and they were amazing. No photos of the mushrooms as it was a little too dark.  Stay tuned to see what other kefir kitchen capers I get up to, maybe something sweet next? 

Chicken Run Redesign

Here I am half way through moving the three compost heaps, getting ready to move the chicken run.  I am wanting to redesign the layout so that it is surrounded by more vegie gardens.  The compost heaps will need to move to other areas of the garden. 

While digging the compost I found these in the bottom of each pile, they were huge the largest I have ever seen.

They are called curl grubs and can do some damage to the roots of some plants in the garden.  Needles to say they were not going to stay at my place any longer so they were dispatched to the girls immediately.  The girls had a wonderful time they must of had around four each!  I couldn't hold one in my hand for the photo as the slow pulsating movement made me feel sick.  Mark had no qualms whatsoever, the bottom picture is him with one of the larger curl grubs in his hand.  YUK!

Rain Forest Walk

Tidied the rain forest walk in my garden today at last.  It was something I was wanting to do for ages and my lovely girls (the chickens) gave me the perfect reason.  They little darlings had all escaped, apart from one, and ran rampant through the garden.  The mess was amazing they had a wonderful time and dug up two of my ginger plants!  Not too happy about that.
  So off I went and caught all the girls, which was no easy task they were having a great time and did not want to go home.  Then I started to tidy, well one thing led to another, I started to rake, then I started weed, prune and thin out all the ferns.  Four hours later with a beautiful garden and a pile of garden waste almost as tall as myself I felt very pleased and tired.  All I need to do now is load the van up with all the waste and take to the recycle dump.  It's great to feel the earth between my fingers, and under my nails!  

Home Made Pasta

The first and second attempt at pasta making the ones on the right kept breaking the second lot turned out a lot better.  I think it may have had something to do with using wholemeal flour.  Breaks apart a lot easier though it did taste amazing and can't wait to make another batch on Friday before I go down the coast to see my boy for his birthday.

Here I am with my new pasta machine I love it best investment I have made since the food dehydrator. I think I need to have a big pasta making session so I can eat some freeze some and dry some.  Can't wait doesn't take much to get me excited now days.

All of the girls went into Wauchope town over the easter weekend.  My old stomping ground where I did my growing up.  Has it changed! There are some really funky shops in town now, beautiful dress shops with great clothing, awesome accessories and beautiful handbags. My favourite store was the one above "outlier" www.outlier.com.au there were the most amazing and interesting bits and pieces I could have spent all day there.  I couldn't help myself and bought a new (old) rolling pin, I love it I have already used it to make the base of a quiche, it worked a treat.  

Happy belated Easter, had a wonderful time with my family, Sisters, Brother, Mumsie and a smattering of Nephews and a Niece. Went to the Mid North Coast of NSW onto my Sister and Brothers property.  Amazing time, great food, wine and happy memories.

Table set ready for one of our family meals.  All the girls glammed up and ready after spending the afternoon in the kitchen laughing and cooking amazing food.

The sun has set and the moon is starting to rise we are all wandering around with a glass in hand waiting for another amazing meal to be shared with family and friends.

The next morning cup of tea in hand looking out from the dinning room onto this beautiful corner of the world.  I am lucky.

Is this not heaven?

Mia's Baby Shower

Just finished Mia invite for her baby shower all very exciting looking forward to the arrival of the new member to our family

New Vegie Beds

Mark finishing off my raised garden beds and I love them.  After 3 years of trying to build up my sandy soil I have decided to spend the money and make raised garden beds.  I am hoping to do away with the heart ache of my herbs and vegetables not thriving even though I lavish them with love and attention worm juice and mulch.

Here I am just checking for any errant weeds before I start planting my seeds and mulching with straw.  They are going to look amazing full to the brim with home grown produce.

The Amazing Mr Fox

Introducing Mr Fox.  He is for my youngest grandson Benji, made from an old wool blanket picked up from the op-shop and scraps of left over fabric.  I have enjoyed making him and will be sad to send him off to his new home in Sydney, though I am sure he will be loved and enjoyed.