Christmas with my family

Spring blooms in my garden...

I didn't know Japanese Maples had flowers! But there they are - tiny & beautiful.
My children were very excited to see the dragon fly visiting our purple lilac tree.
I wanted to lable each picture but I seenm to be uable to put text between my pictures at the moment??
Most of you will know what they all are anyway :O)

Neighbourhood Blooms

While walking my children to school this morning I couldn't resist taking pics of some of the many lovely blooms...











The comfrey and blossoms are from my own yard. The birds are obviously not blooms but I thought it was lovely to see a rosella mum teaching her baby the ways of the world - the baby is the scruffy looking one.

First show of SPRING

Oh, I looove Spring...and Autumn, not quite so fond of the other two. There is finally evidence of Spring scattered all about my garden.

My 'baby' & her Birthdays

When she was FIVE

I always find Phoebes birthday a challenge - partly because she is my sweet, sweet baby and she keeps getting older but mostly because it is smack in the middle of winter, we have a small house and accomodating a little girly party inside the house is just no fun for anyone.

Last year for her fifth birthday we decided to give her a proper party, we booked a tram ($50 for 2 hours – came complete with driver & conductor), made all the compulsory party food (including the best EVER cup cakes, recipe below) and invited a few friends. It was a Princess Party and the tram was he royal carriage. It was REALLY lovely, the weather was even okay enough for the girls to have a little run around near the lake.

I quite enjoy playing on photoshop so even her invites were a bit fancy.

Best EVER Cupcakes

165g softened butter

3/4 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/2 cup light sour cream

1 1/4 cup SR flour

Rind of one orange

1/2 cup white choc bits

*preheat oven to 190 c

*beat butter & sugar until light & creamy

*add eggs, stir in sour cream

*sift in flour

*spoon mixture into paper cupcake pans

*sprinkle with choc bits

*cook 15 - 18 min, until golden brown

Fruity frosting

90g softened butter
1 1/2 cup icing sugar
1 tbsp orange juice
*blend
I like to make it pink but that is not essential.

ENJOY!
These cupcake are seriously delicious - they tast as good as they look!



Now she is SIX

This year when I tentatively asked (there is no way I could top last years effort) what she would like she said “I want to stay in that hotel you know, the one with the pool” Instead of a party??? We had not been away since early last year – so, why not? A treat for the whole family. So this year for Phoebes sixth birthday we stayed in Melbourne at the Mantra Southbank. It is a fantastic location, so close to everything with beautiful views. Thank You Phoebe, my sweet little angel, for such a lovely idea. We even went to the aqaurium to see the penguins.

Home Beautiful at Melb Home Show 09

I attended the home show in early April and have finally got a moment to upload the pics for you. Everything there was much the same as the previous year (and the year efore that) except for the GORGEOUS Home Beatiful section. They get a number of designers to create a room each then the pulic get to vote for their favourite. I love the one with the three ball chandeliers and the ecosmart fire place.

Central Victoria - Daylesford

Daylesford is a beautiful Goldfields town in Central Victoria, famous firstly for the mineral springs in the area - it has become a great weekend escape for Melbournians. It has many lovely shops, day spas, scenery AND a yummy chocolate shop.

This is Koukla Cafe they make fantastic breakies and coffee, it's next door to Frangos & Frangos.

I absolutely LOVE this picture (above). These images are photo's I took of art work David Bromley did on the wall in a shop he once owned in Daylesford - It is now called The Hunters Mistress and is sparcely furnished with the most beautiful furniture, paintings and treasures.

We gat some tasty spuds from the side of the rod on the way.

Central Victoria - Trentham

After walking St Erth Garden we needed to eat - so off to Trentham to the fantastic Red Beard Bakery for lunch...

The best looking BLT sandwich.

The most delicious veggie focachia I have ever had! They even make their own focachia in the massive wood fired oven out the back.

I love a rope swing in a big tree.

This wall above and below is an awsome example of reuse - repupose - recycle.

This image (below) is taken from the cafes web page - SO beautiful -http://www.redbeardbakery.com.au/