Easter Baking

Good friends of ours moved into their new house over Easter.  James had a hand in the design so we were keen to see the finished result.  Hence we decided to pay a visit with afternoon tea in hand to have a sticky beak and also offer them a brief respite from all the unpacking and cleaning.  I baked a batch of scones followed by a coffee walnut tea cake to take with us.  One of the advantages of having a longer weekend is definitely the chance to do some baking and then to enjoy the resulting goodies with friends...

Tuesday Touring

Making the most of our Tuesday public holiday we packed a picnic hamper before heading off for the Brisbane Valley.  We meandered our way through the lush Brisbane Forest Park stopping for morning tea of homemade scones and tea atop Mt Nebo.  Then to Esk via Lake Somerset for a late lunch.  The striking scents of the forest, the birdsong and the lakes made for tranquil surrounds.  Our destination for lunch was a park where the old Esk railway yard used to be, the old station a great centre piece.  For lunch we had pasta and tea cake for dessert.  I love fresh pasta and this one, prepared with asparagus, tomato and zucchini from the Saturday markets, was definitely a favourite.  I didn't think to take photos of lunch... too tasty.  Anyway, having enjoyed the last patches of warm sunshine we returned home before late afternoon showers washed the day away.

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Bilinga Beach

We managed one more trip to the beach this weekend and it possibly may be the last swim we get in before the weather cools down much more.  There was definitely a chill in the air as the late afternoon sun tracked across the sky.  I admit we are so lucky to be able to enjoy the beach into late Autumn here and I really do think we have some of the most beautiful beaches.

The annual Anzac Day parade through our city is about to start at the top of our street.  It's a day of remembrance for those who fought on another much more distant beach 95 years ago...

Market Days

As you probably already know, I love market days at the Powerhouse especially when it's a clear crisp Brisbane morning.  Jan Power's markets have been established for over a decade now and apparently Gourmet Traveller recently ranked the markets 22nd in Australia and 1st in Queensland in their Top 100 Gourmet Experiences poll.  Whenever I can I try to get there every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, but you have to get there either quite early or rather late as the mid morning crowd surges to the point of barely being able to move an inch or two at a time!

What I love is that there's always something new that catches my eye; a new stall or display, the changing produce coming into season and then there are always the favourites to return to.  The first image is of the French Sin stall which I find the most tempting with it's beautiful marquee and freshly baked viennoiseries.  One particular fruit and vegetables stall which is a favourite goes to such effort to display everything on lovely old crates, worn timber shelves and rattan baskets.  Yesterday James and I left laden with fresh vegies, an armful of lilies and of course our mandatory pain au chocolat and pain au raisin.  I would love to know if you have similar markets where you live and what they're like!

I hope everyone is enjoying a lovely Easter.

Spots & Stripes

Another birthday is coming up... mine!  We had lots of fun last night making invites for a lunch we're holding in June.  I found these cute envelopes and mini paper lanterns yesterday from Typo that were perfect.  We got out the vintage Olivetti typewriter my brother gave me and made many typos ourselves trying to tap out everyone's addresses with a glass of bubbly by our sides.   James was convinced he was doing an efficient job but I was not agreeable!

A French Garden

I love our little city apartment but I do daydream about the possibilities of one day having extensive, sprawling gardens. Only the hardiest plants survive the drying conditions of being up high so pretty, delicate flowering things are basically a no-go.  We stayed at a hotel called Le Pigonnet during our visit to Aix en Provence and when we weren't out and about, being able to wander through or sit and read in their beautifully kept gardens was one of the loveliest things about the hotel. It made me want a large, leafy garden even more.  It was winter and nothing was in flower, many of the vines were bare but there was a wonderful tranquility and stillness to the garden... especially in the wintery late afternoon sun.

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Time for Reading

Last night I finished reading Paul Johnson's biography Churchill which I thoroughly enjoyed.  While a short read it really does capture the liveliness of the man and has made me want to learn more.  I picked up this book at Changi Airport having just finished Perfume, my travel companion through France. Helen gave me Tender is the Night as part of my Christmas present which I enjoyed but found rather sad.  Much in the same way as I felt having read The Great Gatsby I suppose.  But all have been well worth the ride.  I do feel a little sad to have parted with the characters I met in these books.  My old boss travelled a lot and almost always had a book with him.  He once said to me that books are a friend you take on your journey.  Now I look to find a new one.

Beautiful Film

I watched Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon again recently.  The film is based on Thackeray's novel and it really must be one of the most visually stunning films ever made.  Every scene is like an 18th century painting and Marisa Berenson is so luminescently beautiful as Lady Lyndon.  The lighting, set design and costumes are all a feast for the eyes not to mention the score.  Has anyone seen this film and love it as much as I do?

Market Days

I love sunny Saturday mornings spent wandering about the Powerhouse Markets.  It is so refreshing after a week spent in an air-conditioned office and the fact that the skies cleared enough for a little sunshine to appear made me all the more glad to get out and about.  While James caught up with Stuart for breakfast at Lady Marmalade, I met up with Caroline for a market breakfast of my favourite pain au raisin from the French Sin patisserie stall and a Merlo coffee to clear the cobwebs before meandering our way through the produce stalls.  Fresh figs, basil, rosemary, mushrooms, garlic, semolina pasta and big bunches of pink asters were my picks.  The flower lady called her asters recovery flowers as they were the first plantings to bloom after the Queensland floods.  After posting about Parisian macarons during the week I was reminded to try the local market macarons... and they did not disappoint! Tiramisu, Lavender and Pistachio, yum!  Oh dear...

Laduree Windows

You may already know I have a bit of a macaron obsession... I haven't indulged since we arrived back but only because macarons aren't quite as readily available as they seem to be in Paris... just as well for me I suppose because I can never seem to stop at just one!  These photos were taken when Laduree changed their display windows after Valentines Day.  I wish I had stocked up on some of their tea in the pretty green cannisters... I wonder what these lovely Laduree windows are displaying at the moment...

Herringbone on the Harbour

On the weekend we went for a wander through the city and I noticed the new Herringbone campaign.  Herringbone is a Sydney fashion label and I am especially taken by the current nautical, relaxed style of their Winter collection shot on the Harbour.  However what struck me most was that the very charming garçon in the second image has a very similar profile to dear James...  Especially the furrowed brow!

Serge v Françoise

I decided to pick up some Serge Gainsbourg and Françoise Hardy records to help us keep cool over the weekend.  A couple of weeks ago I purchased a copy of the film Gainsbourg.  We haven't had a chance to watch it yet so this was the prefect opportunity to brush up on his style.


Image source unknown

Friday Lilies

Or rather last Sunday's lilies from afternoon tea... but they've opened up so beautifully that I just had to take a few photos to remember them by.  The weather has been cool over the last week so hopefully we'll be able to enjoy them for a little longer yet.  The lilies in the last photo are from Caroline and I love them in the cloisonné vase given to me by my mother.  Happy weekend!

Vintage Espresso

A couple of weekends ago we were looking for somewhere to have brunch on the Gold Coast that wasn't embedded in the tourist strip.  I spotted this retro little cafe in a handy local guide and we were not disappointed.  The interior was furnished with all sorts of vintage mismatched bits and pieces that captured our interest.  The menu had cute graphics printed on brown card and of course the food was delicious.  It was such an unexpected and refreshing find...

Hinterland Views

Today I drove up north to Maleny in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland to visit a client.  It was a tough day at the office...  This is a view south towards the Glasshouse Mountains, one of many panoramic views from the Blackall Range.

High Tea with Friends

James and I were delighted to host Angela's birthday high tea on Sunday.  Angela and I have been great friends ever since meeting in the eighth grade of high school and we've been close ever since.  James and I have held a number of afternoon teas over the years but Angela had moved to Melbourne some years back and had missed them.  Hence I wanted to hold a high tea especially for her on a very special birthday and I wanted everything to be perfect!  James transformed our little city balcony into a leafy oasis and I baked up a storm to fill the table with scones with jam and cream, cupcakes, the most enormous birthday cake with chocolate mousse icing and ribbon sandwiches.  Everything was blue and white, the lilies from the markets opened up and Caroline bought along lots of bubbly with delicious hibiscus flowers.  It was great to finally meet all the friends Angela had mentioned over the years and everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves over the never ending pots of tea.  Happy birthday Angela!

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