Lemons & Lisianthus

One thing that's good about all this chilly weather is the fact that cut flowers seem to last so much longer.  We still have the pale yellow Lisies from three weeks ago thanks also to regular trims and changes of water.  James' mum has a fruit laden lemon tree in her yard at the moment and we've benefited by being given an enormous number of lemons!  I had my parents, sister and brother over for Sunday lunch last weekend so I decided to bake snapper with lemon and basil pesto served with roast root vegetables.  We had a couple of snapper portions remaining so on Tuesday night I went with a favourite Chinese dish of steamed fish with ginger and spring onion pesto and soy dressing served with jasmine rice. Two different pestos, baked and steamed, two delicious and very satisfying meals! 

Country Drive

James and I were invited by Sandra and Wayne on a Saturday tour of the Scenic Rim located just over an hour's drive south west of Brisbane.  The scenery of rolling hills dotted with homesteads and country cottages made for pleasant touring.  I also loved the weathered timber and corrugated iron shacks that often stood forlornly with an abandoned air about them here and there.  We stopped off at a number of locations for a wander through the local shops, a bite to eat and to take in the panoramic views of the valley.  Queen Mary Falls was one of our last stops of the day.  The dappled light from the sun's last rays was so beautiful on the water. It was very refreshing to get out and about in nature away from busy city life.

Insalata Di Granseola

This week we celebrated Angela's birthday with an impromptu mid week lunch at Il Centro Eagle Street Pier.  Helen and Angela slipped away from work meanwhile I was lucky enough to arrive back in time having been on the Sunshine Coast that morning.  The food was excellent just as it has been the past few times we have dined there.  Helen ordered the Insalata Di Granseola (fresh crab and avocado salad with tomato gaspacho) which was certainly well presented.  The other dishes were just as scrumptious.

Perfect Pineapples

One last beach birthday blog, I promise!  I took these quick snaps around the place while we were at the beach house during the week.  I recently found new shades for our pair of vintage pineapple lamps and I couldn't resist carting them down with us (raised eyebrow from James)... but they were great to have as in my opinion one can never have enough lamps.. or pineapples for that matter!  James needed a latte...

June Project

This is the latest concept that I finished off while we were in Bilinga.  The project is mixed use including conferencing and exhibition facilities on the lower levels with tenancy space for cafes and retail, office space is located the mid levels with residential apartments on the upper levels.  On another note, Helen just arrived back from Whyalla!

Sunny Bilinga

Thankfully the weather reports were wrong.  The sun came out and today was stunning.  We've been inside though and not just because it's winter but because we have a couple projects on the go.  Anyway, this afternoon we indulged with an afternoon stroll along the beach.  The sun warmed our faces despite the cool breeze.  Helen is off to Whyalla tomorrow and I'm hauling our stuff (half our apartment) back to Brisbane.

Sea Change

I know it must look like all we've been doing is indulging in long lunches but it is well and truly birthday season... and this one by the sea would be mine!  We have escaped our city apartment for a blue and white beach house and were lucky to have a group of friends join us to celebrate my birthday over the weekend.  The sun decided to stay away but happily so did the rain.  The overcast sky made for chilly weather hence the shawls on the chairs indeed came to good use.  We cheated by indulging in catering and a chef to make things a bit less stressful... except I did bake the pink velvet birthday cake!  It was so wonderful to have shared this weekend with so many beautiful friends... and of course to have shared it with James who made everything even lovelier...

Sharing with:
A Beach Cottage

Garden Party

Last weekend kick-started a number of upcoming celebrations... and what better way to start than with a garden party!  James and I were invited to a birthday lunch last Saturday and the most glorious Brisbane weather made the outdoor setting all the more lovely.  I loved what our friends did with just a few little freshly potted herbs and some brown glass bottles filled with bright blooms. The food was deliciously fresh, there was plenty of wine and bubbly and a most decadent chocolate cake from Jocelyn's Provisions.  Of course it wouldn't be a birthday without plenty of presents to unwrap!  I knew Oi Lai wanted to begin a collection of scallop edged mirrors so I started her off with a couple I managed to track down. I couldn't help also picking up the vintage blue and white lamp base. It came up nicely after a clean and a new shade. Lastly, here is the peacock chair I promised to take a snap of. I think it has definitely found a happy home.

Sharing with:
A Beach Cottage