Culinary inspirations....

"How I would love to be transported into a scented Elizabethan garden with herbs and honeysuckles, a knot garden and roses clambering over a simple arbor."

- Rosemary Verey

My friend Jenny is  an inspiring gardner and cook. Her herb garden has a rich array of textures and scents.



 

Amazingly this herbal oasis was a bland piece of lawn 10 months ago!



Jen's garden 10 months ago

On my last visit Jenny filled my arms with bunches of herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme & sage.  The pungent bouquet had to be put to good use so the herbs were liberally added to the nacho bean mix I made that night  -  my daughter said it was the tastiest ever....the next day I made a pasta bake & threw in a generous sprinkling of herbs - presto extra taste ....the following night we made pizza and put in extra herbs ... so much more flavour!

After discovering the strong and vibrant flavours of fresh herbs - my next project will have to be a herb garden!

Hello 2013!

As its already mid February its time to break the hiatus and write the first post for 2013!


My hope is that 2013 will be filled with:


Bright skies and lush vistas

Views while bush walking in the Blue Mountains

Refreshing moments



Leura Cascades

Special visitors

A Frogmouth visiting our garden

 

Creativity and beauty

 

 

 

Serenity

 

 

Merry Christmas

A twig becomes a Christmas tree with the help of my daughter.



If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator.

If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer.

 

But our greatest need was forgiveness,

so God sent us a Saviour.

---Roy Lessin

 

 



Every year I make Rocky Road

 



 

Finders Keepers Market

My daughter was really keen to go to the bi-annual Finders Keepers Market at the Carriage Works last Sunday. We managed to fit in a visit between a head ache, piano lesson, a three hour shift at the shop and evening carols. The market was fabulous! After a fews hours of browsing we left quite satisfied with a haul that included retro inspired shorts and quirky handmade gifts.

Some pics to entice you to visit the next Finders Keepers Market near you.

Even the food van was attractive.

Only 16 days to Christmas....

There is so much 'busyness' once December hits! Year end school activities, piano recitals and exams, pre-christmas markets, birthday dinners and Christmas celebrations ... the local mall is in a frenzy ....  sadly we all seem to be suffering from this rush!  A dear friend texted that the week seemed the busiest of her life and the teachers in my life are flat out marking and doing school reports till all hours! 

So why don't we stop and take a breath and focus on what is important this holiday season!

My daugher's piano recital was a lovely interlude, the pieces were based on taking a walk around New York.



 

Take stock of all we have achieved - I'm wrapping up a rewarding year of candle making.

 



 



Caroline Kennedy got it right when she said....It's true, Christmas can feel like a lot of work, particularly for mothers. But when you look back on all the Christmases in your life, you'll find you've created family traditions and lasting memories. Those memories, good and bad, are really what help to keep a family together over the long haul.

What do 150 Arum Lillies look like?

 

At last I can download the pictures I took with my phone on the day I sold bunches of gorgeous Arum Lillies at Gordon Markets.  We picked the Arum Lillies at my sister's property on Saturday night so they were fresh for the Sunday Market. They got LOTS of attention!

 

I had to guard the Arum Lillies as people would touch the petals to confirm that they were'nt fake!

Close ups of the elegant creamy flowers

 

The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,

The humble sheep a threat'ning horn:

While the Lily white shall in love delight,

Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.

William Blake
 

 

Can't forget the candles!

A pretty two tone pink and green candle in a punch cup.

The 'mock Tudor' candles

Road trip to Orange

During the school holidays we went to Orange to visit my sister.  I had been promising to visit her for quite some time. So my mother, daughter and I made our way westward over the Blue Mountains. We fortified ourselves with coffee, hot chocolate & cake at Wentworth Falls Village - I never miss an opportunity to enjoy the Blue Mountains!

We were warned that it would still be very cold in Orange... but were greeted with balmy spring weather (the cold snap and snow hit a week after our visit).

Orange surpassed my expectations! Its such vibrant & attractive town with the friendliest people!



We stayed in a 100 year old country cottage

 

  

Admired my sister's new property

 

 

 

 

 

On the way back to Sydney we stopped at the gorgeous historic town of Millthorpe.With a much needed coffee in hand strolled the streets admiring heritage buildings, charming houses and cottage gardens.

 

 

 



Can't wait to visit Orange again!