Food Photos

Mini Beef Wellington With Green Beans

Chicken Dumpling Soup

The two previous dishes were inspired by Rachel Khoo. I'm a massive fan of hers and went through a mad phase of cooking everything from Little Paris Kitchen.

Salad, Fish & Crusty Bread

Think I might just pop in the kitchen and make something to eat now :)

Prepping For The New Year

So this is another reminiscing story. Back to New Years Eve. Just a couple food prep pics and cocktails, nothing too fancy.
Shopping Done

Veggie Sticks

Midori Illusion

Green Grapefruit

I thought I better throw this pic in for good measure too...
Daddy Getting His Nails Did By Noa

We're in July now, but... Happy New Year :)

Photography ~Leaf with Raindrops

Leaf With Raindrops

I took this photo on the Old Railway Line, heading out to Rum Jungle. It's one of my favourite dirt roads but can be impassable during the wet season sometimes.

"I Was Born With A Reading List I Will Never Finish"

Sweet Filthy Boy & Dirty Rowdy Thing

I loved these books and am desperate to get the third. I'm a massive fan of Kresley Cole and it was her review of them that even got me interested.

Sweet Filthy Boy, the first book, tells the story of how by chance, three girlfriends meet three guy friends. The story continues on, following Mia and Ansels journey (mostly in Paris merci), and how they fall for each other. Its a wicked story and good easy reading.

Dirty Rowdy Thing is the second book, following Harlow and Finn. They are a bit more complicated, but a lot more dirty. They both have big life changes going on and their interactions are unexpected and hilarious. Christina Lauren write so well.

I look forward to Dark Wild Night with Lorelei(Lola) and Oliver.

If anyone has read any good books recently, I'm always eager to add to my book list.

Orchid Crazy

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm crazy for my gardens. The massive mahogany in my back yard is probably my favourite feature. But I'm so mad for trees, plants and flowers that the amount of lawn to ratio of garden beds makes mowing, especially in the dry season, almost unnecessary. So when my partner asked if I would like to go out to Jenny's Orchid Garden, out at Howard Springs, I was up and in the car in no time.
Dark Purple Orchid

Dragons Head Orchid

There is quite a variety of other plants at Jenny's Orchid Garden. This I couldn't help but purchase too.
Bromeliad

I dare say I'll be back there in no time and will be posting more garden pictures soon.

Duke Street Adventure

So back in December 2014 we spent a day driving around Darwin city, looking for little hidden gems. Duke Street was the first spot we came across. In an area of town that is mostly car yards and industrial buildings, we pulled over in front of a shrubby area with a overgrown marker. Making our way through the vines and weeds covering the entrance we came into a much cooler monsoonal rainforest. Although quite abandoned, the path was visible and the few bridges were intact. It was spectacular.
Duke Street, Noa

 

The place was teeming with wildlife. Birds, bats, insects and more were singing in our ears as we walked through.

Duke Street, Moth

 

Even evidence of Cyclone Tracey 1974. Corrugated iron and other bits of steel were strewn throughout the forest.

Duke Street, Steel in the trees

 

 

So from there we found another park nestled between old houses. From where we parked on the street, you walked down a decent slope to the bottom. Buffalo grass was well maintained but the best part was the fig trees, lots and lots of huge fig trees. Off to one side in an overgrown section, bush chooks were nesting.

Fig Park, Noa

 

 

Last but not least. Doctors Gully off the Esplanade is a good spot for finding old bits of boats or things washed up and stuck in the mud. We've managed to find handmade copper nails, old bottles and even bullet casings. It's a nice spot down there and it is close to the fish feeding plus The Rock, a rock climbing centre built inside an old concrete water tank.

Boat Bones at Doctors Gully

 Rusted Engine

 

 

Not a bad day of exploring and adventure I think.

Til next time...



Food Photos

Balsamic & Garlic Marinated Chicken with Rice

Egg Cooked in Mushroom with Bacon

Oysters Kilpatrick

Salad With Salmon, Avocado & Poached Egg

So this would have to be one of my favourite easy salads.

My favourite three foods.
1. Salmon, which I cut into large chunks and pan fried.
2. Avocado, sliced into perfect strips.
3. Egg, poached, my oh my.
I like to buy the spinach & rocket prepacked bags at Coles or Woolworths, they're only $2.

So throw some leaves into a bowl, top with salmon, avo and egg, little salt & pepper. Voila.

I've made so many variations of this, add some parmesan, swap salmon for prawns or use crispy cos lettuce. Its all up to what you like or in my case what I'm salivating for. Enjoy.

Being Crafty, Family Fun and Reading ~ Catchup

So I have decided to attempt blogging twice a day for a little while. In the morning, to catch up on the last 8 months I have been absent from here, and in the evening to write about my current day. Is it too much?? Oh well, just have to see how it goes...

So I made this poster. Who doesn't like a quote from Peter Pan. Having two girls, one 12yrs and the other 5yrs, uplifting little notes like this are all over my house.

My partner and Miss Noa, enjoying themselves on the trampoline under the sprinkler.

 

Last but not least French Women Don't Get Facelifts by Mireille Guiliano. One of my favourite books about self help, if you call it that. I would recommend it to anyone wanting "the secret of aging with style and attitude".

 

Hope to see you again in about 7-8 hours.

 

Lets Start Again

I'm baaack!!
I can't remember the last time I was on here. Literally been without internet for what seems like forever. I don't even know where to start and I think I've even forgotten how to navigate the whole setup. Please bare with me until I can sort myself out.