All the colours of a......cushion

These are the cushions my husbands mother hand-made for us. I love them enormously.

Gandhi

The other night we re-watched the movie 'Gandhi' and WOW what an epic 3 hour movie. What a powerful and inspiring message of peace and hope. I watch this movie maybe once a year and every time I do it reminds me of what an incredible person and moment in time that was. It was the first time we watched the movie since travelling through India, and I think, now that we have actually been there, the movie has become much more poignant and meaningful. During our time in India we met some amazing Indians and had some unforgettable moments. This is a country that touches your soul the moment you step of the plane; envelops all your senses instantaneously in the most powerful way.  Gandhi taught us that anyone can accomplish great things and without resorting to violence, anger or resentment. He modelled such self control, patience, understanding and love and proves to many that this is a way of life we can all aspire to. If you haven't seen this movie- watch it. If you have seen it before-watch it again!
Peace.

Hump Day Happy

Vintage Owl Ceramic from my Grandma (I think it's probably meant to be a spoon rest, but is now hanging on our kitchen wall).

Rainbow helping his daddy on the laptop.

Junk Bar - Ashgrove

Our Local.
Stepping inside this bar you might be mistaken for thinking you have stepped back into the 70's.  Tempting you with a list of cocktails as long as my arm (my favourite is the Junk Cherry- try it, honestly, its like sipping cherry heaven) and a turntable that plays from an infinite record collection will simply blow your mind.
I love it.

Making Pizza like an Italian Mama

Ooh I love a good pizza! I especially like pizza with a home-made base. My husband makes the best pizza base - thin and crispy. I also love watching him knead that dough (is there nothing sexier then a man in the kitchen?). We topped it with heaps of leftovers from the fridge - zucchini, mushrooms, feta, rocket, pumpkin and corn. Sounds simple? For most it is - unfortunately we forgot the pizza was in the oven and got it out a little late - resulting in a slight singe. It was delicious regardless. You can tell this by the photo below.

I heart Brisbane

For all its wonderful vintage markets! I found this beautiful bird in a cage necklace at Southbank Markets.

And found these unique 1930's hand-painted canvas's at a vintage shop in Annerley. Needless to say, they are already hanging on our wall. Clearly I am going through an animal phase.

To sew or not to sew

Yesterday I began sewing a new dress - a 60's shift design using vintage fabric I found at an op-shop. Aside from the neckline, it is almost complete, which makes me happy. However (there is always a however) upon showing the dress to my sister in-law, she promptly replied 'just come from Africa, have you?'. There was also an unfortunate incident last night. As I was trotting off to the kitchen to get a glass of water I saw something on the floor and called out to my husband ' Uh-huh I think Rainbow has just vomited on the floor'. He replied 'no sweetie, that is actually just a scrap of your dress material'. And it was.

Let them eat cake!

I decided to surprise my husband with a chocolately treat for lunch so I made organic chocolate cupcakes with pistachio ganache topping. And oh. my. god. they were delightful. As we couldn't eat them all I froze some and then discovered how awesome they are when you nuke them in the microwave - melting the ganache and making it all gooey and warm.

PS: Doesn't it take a massive amount of control not to just eat the ganache with a spoon as it cools? I actually had to put the bowl in another room to stop myself. Seriously.

Hump Day Happy

Egg cups with rabbit from Thailand and flying birds from Paddington Markets

Sunday

While Husband did this

Wife did this

Afternoon Tea

Nothing is simpler to make nor more delicious to eat then the humble quiche. I made two kinds: vegetarian and meat. For the vegetarian I used asparagus, spring onion, red capsicum, broccochini and corn. In the other; bacon, mushroon and broccochini. Oh and a multitude of cheese.

To market, to market

Saturday morning sleep-in was marred slightly by tiny children building a fort in their yard (conveniently located beneath our bedroom window!). Nonetheless, what a lovely morning, check out this blue sky from our study window! Hubby and I grabbed a hot beverage from our local Vegan/Organic cafe and continued on to our Farmers Market where we picked up a box of goodies. Later today we are having a friend around and I decided on making some mini quiches for afternoon tea. Unfortunately I could not find organic puff pastry or cream, but the rest is entirely organic (thanks to our market-run). I love Saturdays.

Art Project Completion

So proud to say- my first Art Project in Brisbane has been completed!

Breakfast today

Rainbow escaped last night through the study window just as a storm began brewing outside, needless to say, I was beside myself. I spent 3 hours standing on the back patio calling 'Raaaaaiiiinnnnbbooowwww!' - much to our neighbours annoyance. I was so worried about him that I slept on the couch all night listening to the wind howl and the rain bucketing down- waiting for him to come home. At about 3am he staggered in. So, after last nights events (hubby slept through the entire thing) I was a tad tired this morning. For an extra energy boost I made beetroot, avocado and feta toast sprinkled with Chia seeds, a splash of fresh lemon juice and some cracked pepper. Afterwards I went for a slow stroll through our quiet streets only stopping to play on the swings (a big child, I am!)

Feeling Creative

Being unemployed for the first time in 12 years (I am.... 26), I suddenly have all this time to start and finish projects that I have otherwise been too busy to do. Of cause it is my aim to find employment in Brisbane but.... I can't help but be excited by all this free time and have already created a ridiculously long list of fun projects.
Yesterday, I took some photos of tree branches as a storm approached and have used this as a backdrop for some fun vintage fabric bird art. So, after writing this post I am off to make the little fabric birds to sit on the branches.
Let's hope finding work takes longer then expected :)

Hump Day Happy

Pink flowers from Hubby and homemade owls on a stick

New Beginnings

My husband and I have finally made the move to sunny Brisbane. It has been a long and arduous journey (ruined furniture in the interstate move, lost antenna on car sent by train, adapting our cat to his surroundings etc) but now that we are more settled, I can take the time to enjoy our new state, The weather has been warm and we have been able to sit on our balcony most nights for dinner. Heaven. So far I have planted only the essentials; Basil, Rosemary, Coriander, Dill and Rocket. It is only tiny (as our balcony is only small). Next step will be to create our own compsote material and begin to get our winter vegetable garden sorted. Much to do :)