eat your greens

I'm determined to make more use of the array of vegies available to me. At the market today I bought three beautiful bunches of baby asparagus, some baby leeks and some english spinach - all for $10. For dinner tonight I bought a Greek marinated butterflied leg of saltbush lamb which is going straight onto the bbq. With the leeks, I've been inspired by watching Jamie at Home last night. I love that man.

He sliced leeks and set them to saute in some olive oil, before pouring on 1/2 cup of white wine. Then he covered the leeks in the frypan with a 'cartouche' of panchetta to stop the steam escaping and to infuse the leeks with the flavour of the ham. After around thirty minutes, he took off the crispy pancetta to reveal the softly caramelised leeks below. He then chopped up the pancetta and spread it through the leeks. Now, he tossed this through tagliatelle which was then topped with breadcrumbs blitzed with porcini mushrooms {salivating} but I think this will make the perfect green accompaniment when served with roasted potkin pumpkin and my lamb. No?

to market, to market

Happy Easter everyone! We got up early at 6.40 for the traditional easter egg hunt. The poor bunny couldn't hide a single egg in the garden because of the rain - but hurrah for all our covered areas and window boxes. There's one happy lass who found 20 eggs, including the Hello Kitty egg she had her heart set on. Then hubby and I went back to bed for an extra snooze and I've just finished my delicious breakfast of hot cross bun, lashings of butter and a bowl of coffee. Mmmmmmm.

We're off to the Farmer's Market this morning. My husband's finally coming along to check out the topiary buxus they have on sale {cheaper than at the nursery}. So I'm planning on loading up on seasonal fruit and veg and buying some saltbush lamb for a traditional easter dinner. Mmmmm.

Yesterday's trip to Singleton was a success. We bought two gorgeous jars topped with a wee birdy {pics to come} and found this fabulous iron wall hanging that's perfect for a bare spot on our back verandah. It's just the right size and has places for two pots - that I'm going to plant out with violet odorata. Delish. Once I've got the flowers, I'll post some images. Perfect.

We also had a yummo lunch at Worn Out Wares {so worth the drive to Singleton}. Three of us fell in love with a pumpkin, bacon, feta and pinenut tart. The most delicate, nutty shortcrust-ish pastry {very thin, very browned - but perfect} was filled with layers of sweet, thinly sliced steamed {!} pumpkin, crumbled feta and deliciously browned bacon and pinenuts. Served with a pile of dressed greens this was simply scrumptuous. I would never have thought to have steamed the pumpkin but it was soft, yet held its shape and allowed the natural taste of the pumpkin to shine.

How's easter treating you?

country roads

We're headed out to the country today to Singleton to visit Worn Out Wares. I have an itch for shopping and am chuffed that we'll be eating a rather delicious lunch is their gorgeous cafe when the shopping is complete.

We'll be stopping by to collect my husband's parents on the way, and then on the way home a trip to Dan Murphys, and our fave nursery Heritage Gardens is on the cards.

Hope everyone had a fabulously good friday - it was lovely to see all the blue-themed posts for Autism awareness.

Hmmm, hot cross buns for breakfast - dare I?

a whomping good time

You know where I really, really, really, REALLY want to go? Here.

Butterbeer, a lifesize whomping willow, dude, seriously! I always thought New York would be what forced me to go to the US, but now the nerd in me is being called. Best jump on the Hogwarts Express...

bathing beauty

Spend a lil bit of time this weekend doing something especially for you. Whether it's soaking in a rose-scented tub, painting your toenails a pretty hue, or striding out somewhere special - enjoy.

good friday

Hey everyone, slightly hungover in this neck of the woods after much delicious Brokenwood wines and some damned fine Bacchus food {duck and foie gras terrine - I heart you so}. Husband and I have refreshed ourselves with an omelette {thanks for the idea Beth! Sadly, I had to cook the damned thing myself} and a strong coffee.

I'm wearing blue today and have illustrated this post with some blue eggs to help raise awareness for World Autism Day. Parenting sure throws some challenges at us, and for those raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorder a whole new range of challenges are faced daily. I know some of my readers deal with this daily, so I'd just like to let them know my thoughts are with them and those mighty special people they're raising.

Have a lovely easter weekend everyone. Let's all find something to be grateful for, hold it, cherish it and relish it. xx

eye candy

To take us all into the long weekend I'd like to share some vintage Cher - all feathers and fabulousness.

kitchenalia

I seem to be obsessed with kitchens at the moment. Currently floating my boat is this picture-perfect room. Me likey. Me likey very much indeed...

walk this way

Why is it that when you're busy something's always got to give and for me, it's exercise. It's ironic as I write about health and fitness so not only do I know that exercise is essential - I also feel so amazing after something simple as a walk. It's even worse because I live a five minute walk from this beautiful beach. Just walking by it lifts my heart. On twilight the light cast over the ocean baths can tend to bring a tear to my eye - and at this time of the year? Well, I'll be lucky to hold back the tears.

So from today I'm back into it. I'm going to go for a long-walk pre-degustation. What's more important than my health and well-being?

wee birdies

Some things just make everything better. Bows. Feathers, and, of course, the home of feathers - birds. Whack a bird on something and I'm going to love it {oh, but not Fabio's face - remember that? Damn!}

Anywhoodle, I'm loving this wallpaper - that cutie lil birdcage and absolutely everything about this image. Cuteness! I think it stems back to my fave Christmas decoration - a pretty pink metalic bird that clipped onto the branch of my Christmas tree. I loved it so much I squealed when I saw its doppleganger in David Jones a few years back and now she always goes front and centre on our tree.

I'm counting down the minutes till our degustation dinner tonight. Thankfully it starts at 6.30 so I don't have too long to wait. Five courses, matched with delicious Brokenwood wines in gorgeous surroundings. Mmmmmmmmm.

pink of perfection

If I had a fridge as pretty as this pink Smeg number I'd keep it ever so clean and only stocked with the finest Perrier Jouet champagne.

Probably a good thing I have an old, white Fisher & Paykel isn't it?

utterly essentials

Busy, yet calm, that's my mantra for today. The to-do list is long, but do-able. The roses are fertilised, the towels and a load of my husband's sport and garden clothes are washed {with a cup of white vinegar added to deal with the sweat - he's been working hard}, I've sent off one piece that was due and plan on starting the other at 1.30. I also need to tidy the living room and kitchen and fly to Coles for the makings of dinner.

Best get on with it then.

what is love?

My Sex and the City post inspired a little debate or even declarations on men, love, marriage and lust {well, internally it did}. See, I've watched every episode of SATC, quite a few times over, and seen the film a few times too. And despite this, I don't get the Big thing. Sure, he's sexy with the whole "Abso****lutely" thing, and I love his penchant for Moon River but I don't consider him a keeper.

I guess it's because my ideal man has changed over the years. Now that I've been with my ideal man for nearly 18 years, I've realised that my dream men always seem to share attributes with my husband {awwwwww}. See, I love, love, love, love Aiden. He's my ultimate fave - sexy, sweet and with a killer line of pet names. Harry also does it for me. His love for Charlotte is unquenchable. Steve {despite his dalliance in the movie} also has a sweet, cute side and a love for Miranda that defies all odds {seriously, apart from her hair, how could you love Miranda?} Smith also did it for me for a while, and no, it wasn't his looks {although they helped...} it was how smitten he was with Samantha that rocked my boat.

I also have a thing for Hugh Grant - but only in character. Real life Hugh Grant doesn't cut it - but his lovely characters {"In the words of David Cassidy..." le sigh} cause my knees to weaken and heart to melt.

Any remaining vestiges of affection I held for bad boys have been killed thanks to Sandra Bullock's husband.

I want a man who knows what he wants - his significant other. Give me a nice guy, a sweet guy, a smitten guy - and I'll return his love and double it.

You?

rain dance of joy

I'm not a patterned tights kinda gal, but these lil pretties from here could well change my mind. Hello, cuteness incorporated!

It's still raining here and while I'm sad that it means I'll have to cancel my gals netball training this afternoon, I'm attempting to accentuate the positive. I've already been out and sprinkled dynamic lifter under the roses and this afternoon I'll be slow-cooking up some lamb shanks. I'll serve them with Jamie Oliver's braised lentils du puy and some mash and all will be well with the world.

I also snuck a peek at the degustation menu we're being offered tomorrow night and am a little bit beside myself that we're being served venison. That's one of the few meats I've yet to try and knowing it'll be prepared by one of this town's best chefs has me squeeing with excitement.

teasing on a tuesday

Spoiler alert!

Now, you've probably already heard, but John Corbett has confirmed that he's filmed scenes for the new Sex and the City film. Of course nothing else has leaked but fingers crossed that the script writers spied my old blog post written before the first film.

A refresher, updated to bring in what I know of the current plot.

Aiden's wife has died in a tragic accident. He sadly soldiers on, bringing up his young son, Potato Head, as a single parent. Then, he jets off quickly to Abu Dhabi for a furniture expo where he bumps into Carrie who finally realises that she was a complete and utter nincompoop for letting this man go TWICE and they rekindle their love affair, marry, and live happily ever after.

C'mon - who wouldn't want to see her reunite with Aiden? Absofrickinlutely!

goody two shoes

I know that yesterday was officially Shoe of the Day but I couldn't help it - I fell in love. And when I'm in love I'm one of those share it with the world types. Yes, chances are there'd be public displays of affection, endearing {to us} pet names, lustful gazing, petting, stroking...

Ahem, I've calmed myself now.

However, these Louboutins I spied with my gleeful little eyes over at net-a-porter have set my heart aflutter. I also gazed adoringly at a delightful Alberta Ferretti lavender frock in the most exquisite chiffon - but I couldn't place both of them on here - it'd be sensory overload and I'd need smelling salts and a good lie down.

avoir soif

In cause for celebration we had the final french lesson last night and after one semester I'm starting to feel confident. It's taken a while, but things are finally starting to sink in and I'm learning to think french. Hurrah. I went to the Monday class last night instead of my usual Thursday, but luckily one of my fellow classmates also attended. It's amazing how quickly you can bond isn't it? After nine weeks I feel like I know these people - mainly because we have a love of all things French in common.

We were asked to bring along foods and drinks to share last night so I took a bottle of champagne and a bottle of cassis - along with a few glasses and was amazed that I was actually introducing a few people to the delicious aperatif Kir Royale. A splash of the blackcurrent liquer cassis in the bottom of a champagne glass not only makes it look ever-so-pretty it's a rather festive way to start off an evening. I think I created a few converts last night.

Tis pouring today. My towels are still on the clothes line from yesterday, so I'll need to bring them in and spin them before moving the clothes line undercover. The rain is giving the garden a much-needed drink though. If it holds off for a moment I'm going to dash out and throw some dynamic lifter under the roses - I'll give them precedence over the towels.

Enjoy your Tuesday! {oh, and translation of my title - I'm thirsty - which I am after looking at that piccy - however, 11.34am may be a teensy bit early for kir royales...}

ou est la piscine?

Summer seems to have decided to go out with a bit of a bang this year. This weekend we had temperatures in the 30s - and it's meant to be autumn! At least we're getting the most out of our swimming season. I am looking forward to a change in temperature and the shift to cozy flannelette sheets from crisp cotton. I'm also keen on ditching my 'jeez, I've worn this stuff to death' summer wardrobe.

This week's started out well. This morning started with some more work and responses to an email interview were exactly what I need to finish off an article. Thursday night we're out to dinner with friends for a degustation with Brokenwood Wines at Bacchus, that lovely restaurant we went to a month or so ago. This weekend's easter and we're just going to loll back and relax I think. Saturday we're heading up to Singleton to check out a gorgeous store, Worn Out Wares where I intend to buy a few choice items before we have a lovely lunch in their cafe. We'll collect my in-laws on the way - they like a day trip.

Sunday our gal will wake to her traditional easter egg hunt - must say that I'll be the Easter Bunny finds the options much more pleasurable since our backyard's been completed - and doesn't have to leave eggs hidden on verandas!

Okay, off to learn my french numbers to 100 - apparently we're playing bingo tonight - a game I've yet to master in English... Wish me luck - bonne chance!

tie me up

Doesn't everything look prettier with a bow? These Valentino shoes caught my fancy this morning and it wasn't just the crisp black and white patent that set my heart a'flutterin'. Adding something a little bit quirky to an item is essential as far as I'm concerned. And the bow detailing on this lover-licious pair of shoes really does it for me.

Busy day today. My lil' netball team has umpiring training this year so I'm going along to help bolster their confidence. My first ever umpiring episode ended in tears {my own!} so I don't want that for my girls. If they're confident and well-supported they'll do just fine. Then, tonight, I have my final french lesson for the term. We're all taking along some french food or drink and having an end of season celebration. Sante!

girl talk

Catching up with the gals really soothes the soul. I'm back from my weekend away refreshed and relaxed and in the mood to continue to effect positive changes in my life. It's nice to step outside of your usual zone and look at your life from a different perspective. After a few days away I'm feeling inordinately blessed with my life. Lovely hubby, gorgeous daughter, lovely home, fabulous friends, great working lifestyle. Bliss I tell you, bliss.