Look Who's On My Bench...

A trip down memory lane, the doll on the left was made by mum many years ago
and the dress she's wearing was actually worn by Alex when she was a baby.
The one on the right is handpainted and made from Calico... I made her years ago as well.

Making Spice Essence...

I've been watching "the spice trip" on SBS, and it's inspired me to make something really spicy.
Take some Whole Nutmeg, All Spice, Star Anise, Cloves and Cinnamon Quills..and give them a good bash in the Mortar and Pestle.

Put this mix into sealable bottles.

Top the bottles up with Brandy,
 then store in a dark cupboard for a couple of months...

Same story just used Vanilla Beans...
Letizia says it makes the best Vanilla Essence she's ever tasted.

Croque Madame Muffins - Little Paris Kitchen - BBC

Croque Madame...

I've been watching Rachel Koo...and this is a bit of a tribute to her take on Croque Madame...

To accompany Mushroom and Black Lentil soup.

They are just delicious, (mine have Sun dried Tomato instead of Ham) and even though the egg yolk was solid,
the creamy Béchamel makes up for it.

Friday Flowers...

The Wesleyan Church In Ross...

A view from the outside.

Looking across at the surrounding countryside.

The Steeple.

A memorial stone.

The pinnacle of the steeple.

Old fashioned Gas light fittings.

Looking up the central aisle.

One of the stained glass windows.

Carved detail on a column.

Detail from the baptismal font.

More Beautiful "Tassie"...

These photos were all taken while visiting the village of  Ross last weekend.

Lovely winter landscapes...

Lunch At The Ross Bakery...

Last weekend on the Tasmanian expedition...
we drove to the town of Ross and had lunch at the bakery.

Such a quaint and charming village.

The view from the dining room out onto the street.

Iain and I had the Scallop Pie...
apparently a Tasmanian tradition...anyway, we enjoyed ours.

Couscous For Lunch...

Leftovers from last night.

Corn Couscous with caramelised Onions, Sun dried Tomato, Black Olives, Currants, Roasted Pumpkin and Potato.
With Mediterranean spicse and a twist of Lemon.

Preserving Lemons...

Just cut through the Lemons, (into quarters) almost to the base.
Place them into a jar and put a desert spoon of rock salt into the middle...
repeat until the jar is full.
Fill up the spaces with squeezed lemon juice and store in the fridge.
Turn the jars upside down every week for a month and then you have Preserved Lemon.

A fun job for the long weekend.

"Bethany Clare" Cake for Breakfast

It's an Orange Syrup cake...yum!
Bought it from a market in Olinda yesterday

With cake for breakfast, it can't be all bad.

More Beautiful Tassie...

Catching The "Spirit Of Tasmania"...

Driving onto the boat.

Dinner on board (thanks Shane)

Breakfast At Anvers...

First thing after disembarking from the boat, we made our way to Anvers for breakfast...
such a charming place.

Lib and I had Stollen with Butter, Chocolate Spread and Fruit,
Iain and Anna had Croissants with Bacon and Poached Egg.
Along with Coffee and Juice.

It's famous in Tassie for it's Chocolates...

Evandale Market....

On Sunday we went to the Evandale Market... it was a beautiful day and there was lots to look at,
this stall was particularly quaint and intriguing...

Hand carved wooden dolls made by Mathew Simms...

Weekend In Tasmania....

So much to see and do...
 We had a look at the charming little town of Ross.

The river, the bridge and the landscape, were all beautiful.

We were even blessed with lovely weather.
Thanks Lib, Iain and Anna ... it was such a special time.

Memories Of Ha Long Bay...

Just thinking about last time I was on a boat, and wondering how the trip to Tassie will go...

Friday Flowers...

Hellebores...

I know it's not the season, but they're so beautiful.

Lunch...

Eggplant ratatouille with Olives Danish Feta and Egg