Stars..

stars

I never knew the stars could rise up under my feet.

To lift me into the night sky, where all love and dreams seem possible.

Amongst these rapturous stars, where their shine is blindingly bright.

I feel like I am falling, lost in their glow.

Xx

Pancake Day

I woke up this morning and it felt like a Sunday.  Probably because seeing as we've had five days in a row off for Easter, (seven for me.. school holidays!) everyday feels like a Sunday.  Although today especially, because I felt the need to make pancakes.. Yummy, fluffy pancakes.. Mmmmm...

Even though I'd like to think of myself as a sometimes successful baker.  I seemingly have always fallen back on the old ''I can't make pancakes like Greens pancake shake mix can."

Today I tried though, and how easy are pancakes to make!?! I had no idea they were this simple!

Pancake Batter 

• 1 cup Self Raising Flour
• 1 cup Milk  (or buttermilk for that creaminess)
• 1 Egg
• Dash of Vanilla Essence (because I have a super sweet tooth)

Mix it all together and cook! It will look lumpy, but it doesn't really matter, they cook out.  Easy Peasy!

I have always burnt my pancakes too (did I say I was a baker?? I take it back) so today I turned the heat right down and cooked them slowly. This may seem obvious to some. But it's the first time it has occurred to me.  Like the time I finally realised that instead of squashing every single tomato I cut, I could halve them, turn them over and cut them without mutilating them. Yeah, total chef.

Anyway! For today's pancakes I set the table with raspberries and maple syrup. Plus my old favourite of lemon and sugar.  Such a yummy happy start to our day!

Pancakes 

This link has a little recipe for cinnamon berries... Next Sunday we'll be trying that! 

Xx

You Are Beautiful

Your Are Beautiful 

I would love to be walking down a path, or through a forest and stumble across this.  It would make me smile.  Sometimes we just all need to be reminded..

Xx

Happy Easter

Easter Bunny

I hope by Sunday morning this little bunny finds you too.. 

Xx

Family Dinner Night

Wednesdays have become a little tradition in our house, where we all sit down to dinner and actually talk to each other. Initially I tried to make my boyfriend Sam listen to some Jazz, but seeing as Family Dinner Night has gone from two people to five. I've given up on that now and compromised with the radio... Wednesday nights now also gives me a chance to bust out new recipes I've been dying to try.. Like!

Roasted Fish, Tomatoes and Capers

This yummy combination of oven roasted sweetlip snapper, with double roasted cherry tomatoes and capers.. It's such a simple and effective dish, just throw it all in the pan and it's on its way! Roasting the tomatoes and capers first, then adding the fish after half an hour or so.. Serving our entire household plus one scared me a little - so I served it with some spiced couscous and salad. It was light and flavour full!


For a dessert treat we had frozen banana bites.. Banana pieces dipped in melted chocolate and peanut butter... YUMMMMMMM!! When frozen, the banana tastes like ice-cream. So really, it's a treat - but it's also kiiiiiiinda healthy!!

Frozen Banana Bites

Win win really.

I love how our household is so busy and full of people. I honestly sat back at the dinner table tonight and smiled, looking around at our city family and the crazy conversations we have. It's so nice to be surrounded by happy people that you love..

Xx

Coffee Love

This past weekend seemed to me like it was five days long not two.. We accomplished so much over such a short amount of time!  Somehow cramming two houses worth of possessions into my teeny little place.. Enjoying Margaret River Reds, browsing the Vintage Markets, early coffee and breakfasts with the team, (the first and most likely LAST time I mention an early breakfast!!) afternoon naps and garden plotting! It's such a nice feeling when you look back and can see all that you've achieved..

My Sunday morning coffee, I love that they can warm you right down to your toes..

Xx

Moving Day

Today is an extremely special day because my oldest bestest buddy is moving in with me!  I look forward to her quirky house ornaments, fantastic old school kitchen table bench, which seriously helps seeing as I only own three chairs.. Her fantastic toast making skills, wine drinking capabilities, and wonderful, wonderful company.

The Fear

Also - her hilarious fear of birds, which although I may laugh at her for,
 I share completely...

Love you truckloads bon. 


Xx

I Love Love..

I love love. All things romantic and whimsical just sweep me off my feet and into a dreamy world where my heart beats faster, my breath is caught in my chest and my hands fly to my heart.  I love all the little romantic things people do for one another, flowers of your favourite colour as a gift.. Organising picnics as the sun sets.. Baking favourite treats for people.. Leaving love notes for the first time.. Or all the time! All these little things just melt my over imaginative heart.

Although I do realise Disney is completely isn't real.. I can't help but love it to pieces and wish wish wish upon a star, that three little fairies will come and tell me I'm really a Princess too...  Maybe I need to go berry picking in the Forest first.....

The words to this little song are just too sweet not to be shared... 

X

Every Little Thing..

Honey and Lace

Sometimes we have sad days.. Or we have to watch the people we love have a seemingly, never ending run of bad luck. Sometimes our exhaustion from sadness can run so deep we think it'll never end... Yet at the end of the day, no matter how sad we are, or hurt, or sure that this feeling will never end.. We pick up our heavy hearts and keep smiling. Somehow, all the while truly believing, that soon enough - every little thing is gonna be alright...

Xx

Sunny Lemon and Raspberry Muffins

On a working day, I dread breakfast. I either have to get up early to make myself a 'decent' breakfast... Or I hit snooze for far too long, and then am forced to eat a piece of toast while driving - or more frequently, skipping breakfast altogether.

Weekends are a totally different matter, going out for breakfast is my favourite meal of the day!! Long lazy brunches and one too many coffee's are the PERFECT start to a glorious weekend...

Lemon Zest

But seeing as midweek this is not an option, I am generally stumped for a healthy breakfast that doesn't include yoghurt..

Enter - the healthy breakfast muffin.

Raspberries 

For these muffins I decided to use wholemeal self raising flour - as I generally can't stand the taste of bi-carb soda. Plus I figured wholemeal is healthier than white flour! Also the amount of raspberries you use is up to you, I like the tangy taste of raspberries, so I use allot! I have written about Raspberry and Lemon muffins before, as I am slightly obsessed with the flavours.. Although this time I have attempted my own version! My recipe is super easy and took me about 10 minutes to mix together. Joy!

Sunny Lemon and Raspberry Muffins Recipe:

• 2 cups of Wholemeal Self Raising Flour
• 1/2 cup caster sugar (it probably needs 3/4 cup of sugar - but I was being health concious!)
• 1 twist of salt
• 3 eggs
• A splash of Vanilla Essence
• 1 Lemon Rind finely grated
• 1 cup of low fat buttermilk
• As many raspberries as you like (I used around 2 1/2 cups)
• As much Muesli as you like ( I used about 1/3 a cup per muffin)

In a larger bowl, place the flour and sugar (dry ingredients). In a smaller bowl gently whisk the eggs, vanilla, lemon rind and buttermilk (wet ingredients) together. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and add the raspberries.  Mixing together very briefly, so not to turn the mixture purple like I did.  Scoop mixture into muffin tins until 3/4 full - top with muesli.

Bake in a preheated oven at 180degrees for 30minutes.  Hopefully they turn out yummy AND healthy.

Xx




PS.. I may or may not have added one teeny white chocolate button in the centre before baking......... A little bit of sneaky chocolate can't hurt.... right???

Margaret River

Weekends away with your besties are the type of days that make us happy.

Well, they make me happy :)

Rivermouth

Our little getaway just happened to coincide with the Margaret River Masters. Which meant Margs was bustling with tourists, surfers and accidental viewers like us. Who were pretty much douth down south to enjoy copious wine tastings, delicious chocolates and good company!

We headed down late Friday arvo, busting out to some Mumfords and giggling about anything and everything.  Marvelling at how bright the stars are away from the city. That night we stayed in celebrating one very special birthday!! With wines and home-made pizza's, we warmed our toes by the fire whilst indulging in birthday cakes and celebrations..

The Taste the South team played tour guides for the day on Saturday - although really we're no strangers to the region. It's always nice to have someone else drive you around to taste wines all day! And that we did! By far our favourite stop of the day was at Knotting Hill Winery where we indulged in some Reef Knot Red whilst taking in the sunshine on the gorgeous deck and strolling along the jetty..

We could have happily spent many more days down in Margs, yet on Sunday, we all clambered back into our cars for the drive back to sunny Perth. Not until though, we had spent time searching for the perfect breakfast...........and settling on bakery treats!

The Grove Winery

To me there is nothing more precious than spending time with your girlfriends. They fill my life with so much happiness, love, joy and hours upon hours of giggles.  I know how incredibly lucky I am to have such friends..

Very happy with my wine purchase - although I seem to have lost half a leg.

Thanks for a wonderful weekend Lovers.

Love me

Xx

Autumn

Today felt like Autumn really started.. The weak sunlight peaked through clouds in between the fall of light raindrops.. And all the while, the leaves were blowing and twisting through the air.  

Autumn Leaves

Although I am sad to see the end of this gorgeous scorching summer.. I'm so excited to think of the chilly but sunny days ahead.. Stretching into a winter full of jumping in puddles and warm cosy scarves.


X

A Letter from the Unicorns..

Unicorns

I choose to believe this letter to be true..

Owl

A hooting owl stared back at me.  His wise clever eyes bore down on mine, reading right into my soul. The gentle curve of his wings ruffled as he shifted ever so slightly, to continue his monumental gaze. I sidestepped softly so not to disturb him and began to wonder if he lives here, or was just stopping by. To watch the comings and goings of the city life..

Tawny Owl Portrait

For my very far away friend, Karen.

Xx