Best Footrub Ever...

If you come across this brand...grab a tin it's magic...
love this stuff.

Afternoon Light...

Just noticed how lovely the afternoon light is
 behind my French Cherry Wood Chairs...
The room is just glowing.

Bulrushes...

Some of the Bulrushes growing on the side of the pond
at the Christmas Hills Raspberry farm.

What's For Brunch?...

Toast with Avocado, Egg and mini Roma Tomato....nice

Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm...

Looking out over the pond towards the original farmhouse.

The original farmhouse was built by Robert and Susannah Aspinall.
Robert was a convict who was transported in 1842 for stealing lead.

The Aspinalls' had 7 children so the school house was needed, it was set in a cherry orchard.
The Aspinall sons were big men who used to cut railway sleepers
 from the surrounding trees then carry them for up to 3 kms.

Lots of bird life on the ponds.

The surrounding countryside is lovely.

It's a lovely place to visit, we still caught some Autumn colour.

Lunch At The Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm...

When we were in Tassie we had lunch at the lovely Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm.

They had helpful tourist information,
 and of course lots of things made with Raspberries.

Iain had Bacon and Eggs with Raspberry Sausages

Lib had Roast Veggies with Bacon and Sour Cream.

I had slow cooked Pork belly with Tamarind and Asian spices.
delicious!

My Latest Book...

This is my latest book,
it's a collection of photographs I took in Paris in 2011,
when I travelled with Marg...
click on the link below if you want to have a look...
just remember to maximise the screen to get the best view.

                                          Looking Back at Paris

Friday Flowers...

Fabulous colour, sheer simplicity.

Frosty morning...

View from Kalorama this morning, snapped on my way to work.

Coming down Inverness Road.

Wishing You Love...

Looking back at some painting on crockery that I did last year.

It's based on one of my designs from....tension in the negative spaces

It's funny how love can grow from the tiny seeds of wishes.

Hope all your dear little "wish seeds" grow.

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...