Damper

Mark burnt a couple of pallets down at the back yard fire place we have (It is made from some old 4x4 wheel rims and works a treat). I know my daughter in-law will be a little unsettled by that as she has been hinting at pallet furniture for her front deck for ages and Mark has yet to come up with the goods. However, he had a rip roaring fire out there over the weekend and decided to try his hand at damper making again, using a caste iron camp oven he found and cleaned up. Above is the damper on the ashes slowly cooking. He has a new recipe and I think it is a bit better than the one he has been using. Unfortunately he is still burning the base of the damper and has yet to perfect the art of damper cooking. I must admit though this has been his best damper yet, very tasty with cheese mixed through and a lovely golden crust on the top, it was a little more golden brown than what we would like on the base but delicious none the less.

Embroidered Dress

At long last I have finished my dress from the Alabama Chanin book. I am very happy with and and thought I couldn't wait to wear it. Unfortunately I have somewhat enlarged since I started making this some 12 to 18 months ago, therefor, it looks a little tight. So it looks as though my jogging and yoga are not enough and I will need to look at other aspects of my life style that need adjusting. Damn was looking forward to wearing it this coming weekend and somehow I don't think I will be losing 5kg in the next few days or so......

Winter Breakfast

I must admit although I am not very fond of winter I do love porridge in the mornings. This morning I have nuts, banana, mesquite powder, chia seeds and honey. Yum yum in my tum tum. Tomorrow I may have macadamia seeds with coconut or maybe dates will see how I feel.

First Apple

The first apple of the season from the tree next door. Well after a little care and a bit of water the apple tree next door finally bore fruit. Here is a sample of a perfect little sample, little being the operative word here. So I think I will feed it well cut it back very hard and see what happens. So fingers crossed it will bear next year. I have heard it is too warm here to have much success with apple trees, however I will give it a try as we have had 3 frosts so far this year and a few mornings below 4 degrees. Although the days are warm and sunny I have faith that maybe we may have something more than a mouthful next season.

Cleveland Art Gallery

Went to Cleveland to visit my chiropractor and always pop into the Cleveland Art Gallery to have a look at what they had this month. I love this gallery it such a beautiful space. There are two weavers with an exhibition there at the moment and one in particular I was very much inspired by is A

Yogafest Brisbane

Into the city again this last weekend to attend the Brisbane Yogafest what a fantastic weekend. Came home totally exhausted though very happy. Had a massage and also a Ayurveda consultation with the wonderful Vicki from Eumundi Medicine Man. It was held at the beautiful Old Museum again and the weather was sublime. Very sad it finished though what a finish it was with a concert held by a new group, can't wait to find out when their next concert will be although their name escapes me at the moment stay tuned, as I am on a mission to find out their name and where and when they next play.

Finders Keeper Market

I know it has been a week or so since I last wrote. What a lot has been going on in Brisbane the last 2 weeks. It all started with the Finders Keepers Market Brisbane at the beautiful old Museum building. I went with my wonderful mother in law Val, to show her a bit more of Brisbane, the beautiful old building and all the amazing creative people we have here. What a surprise to bump into a very talented friend of mine Lisa, her sister Linda and Linda's daughter from Northern NSW with their stunning ceramics Pebuku Pottery. If you every have the chance to go to one of the Finders Keepers Markets in either Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne they are well worth it. They are always held in the most beautiful settings, have amazing store holders delicious food and great live music. I came home extremely excited and wanting to get into something creative. 

Wedding Portrait - Finished

Finished portrait and reasonably happy with the end result need a little more practice with water colour and starting to think I may start doing a small painting a day to get my head around water colour. Rachael is over the moon with the end results and really that is all that matters.

Coconut Lime Steamed Puddings

This was an absolute surprise. I have a glut of limes at the moment so making Indian Lime Pickles, Lime Marmalade and anything else lime I come across. This is one of the recipes I thought I would give a try and it was amazing. It is a Donna Hay recipe and you can never go wrong with anything in her books, though I must admit this is one of her extra ordinary recipes. I served it with home made vanilla yogurt which was a great pairing with the tart fresh lime and the sweet coconut. Below is the recipe 

Steamed Coconut Puddings with Lime

175 gm unsalted butter

85gm caster sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

3 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup of self raising flour, sifted

100gm of desiccated coconut

Lime Syrup

1/2 cup of sugar

1 cup of water

3 tablespoons of lime juice

rind of 2 limes, shredded

3 cardamom pods, bruised

Place Butter, sugar and vanilla in a bowl and beat till light and creamy. Add eggs a little at a time and beat well between each addition.  Fold in flour and coconut and pour into six 3/4 cup well greased ramekins.

Cover mixture with small circles of greased paper or baking paper. Place in a steamer and steam puddings over rapidly simmering water for around 40 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.  

To make syrup, place sugar, water lime juice, rind and cardamom pods in a small saucepan and stir over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Allow syrup to simmer for a few minutes or until it has thickened slightly.

To serve invert puddings onto serving plates and pour over lime syrup. Serve with cream, ice cream or my personal favourite vanilla yogurt.

Wedding Portrait - On the Home Stretch

Have almost finished the painting just need to do the background and finishing touches not sure which way to go so ended up consulting with Rachael so it won't be a surprise. So watch this space to see what the end product will be........

Beginings of Wedding Portrait

I have now transferred the drawing to watercolour paper and started to paint. I am not very familiar with watercolour and find it a challenge after oil and acrylic. I do like a challenge though, and again I am amazed how much I enjoy painting, the time just flies and I am always a little put out when I need to put my brushes down as the light is going and I have to start thinking about dinner. Oh life does get in the way sometimes.

Sketches for a Portrait

Starting a new portrait of my daughter Rachael and her husband Patrick as a sample for my new venture of custom wedding invitations and portraits. Will let you know how it is progressing and will link up to the web site when it becomes live so watch this space......

Vegetables Romonie

I love this recipe and never tire of it. It is the one thing I buy cabbage for as I am not a big fan I find the taste a tad too strong and I always have wind after eating it. However, this is a great winter warmer real comfort food and worth the wait. Below is the recipe so give it a try and enjoy.

Vegetable Romanie

Prep: 30 mins

Serves: 4 large servings
Cooking time: 35-45 mins

1/2 cup of macaroni

2 fist size potatoes, thinly sliced

1 large onion sliced

4 tablespoons of Olive oil

1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon of dried basil

2 teaspoons of cumin

125gm of pumpkin, thinly sliced

2 zucchini, thinly sliced 

2 sticks of celery, sliced

1 carrot sliced

125 gms of broccoli, cut into florets

1 cup of cabbage, shredded

3 large cloves of garlic, crushed

1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup of sour cream

Salt and pepper

1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese

Paprika

Cook pasta until al dente, drain and set aside. Preheated oven to 200 degree Celsius. In an ovenproof saucepan heat oil and cook onion, potatoes, herbs and spices on a moderate heat until onion is golden and potatoe is starting to soften. Add pumpkin, celery, zucchini, carrot and broccoli and sauté for a few minutes. Stir in cabbage  and allow to cook for a few more minutes adding water if needed. 

Mix sour cream, Parmesan, and garlic together season with salt and pepper. Remove veggies from heat and stir in cream mixture and the macaroni. Top with grated cheddar cheese, sprinkle with paprika place the lid on and pop in the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes(test the vegies making sure they are cooked) removing the lid for the last 10 mins to brown the top. Enjoy.

Finished Bambi and Olive Portrait

Finished the painting of Bambi talking to her pet rabbit Olive. This will be the picture for her invitation to her second birthday. Of course her party is fairy themed as all little girls love frills and flounces and fairy wings. There will be fairy cake and wand making I'm sure there will be much fun had by all.  
I will also frame it and send it down to her so it can be hung in her new room. Of to scan it and type out info then print and send the whole lot of. Very pleased with the results so far.