St Andrews Market...

Today I went to St Andrews Market with friends, it was interesting and colourful.

the large 'Latte' was really large,
 seen here with my purchase of silver spoons.

A bit of Vintage.

It was a lovely day.

Friday Flowers...

Pretty aren't they?...

Dinner For One...

I made something from my left over Risotto last night...

Giant Arancini, stuffed with ham and cheese, on a bed of salad.

Garden Update...

Remember when I started a bit of a garden out the back?.
Well... This is what the foam boxes of herbs look like at the moment.

Sage and Oregano.

Basil and Oregano, with one little lettuce poking through
(apparently the possums don't like herbs)

I've got them on the deck at the back door and it's so handy for cooking, I'm enjoying them a lot.

Snack Time...

Some Jindi Double Blue on a cracker.

To go with the Chicken and Mushroom with Blue Cheese Risotto, I'm having later.

The First Book...

Last week I was pretty excited to get a copy of the book I put together using photos from the big trip...

the cover looks a little like this.

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/2274963/1df1a7688e736fdd16c2e8ad47430e519907b472?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget

Press on the above link to have a preview.
This one is just a first attempt, and I'm excitedly doing another version, so I'll keep you posted.

Oranges and Lemons...

A tea light in an Orange,
 and
 Chocolate Dipped Dried Orange Slices

Clever Marj thought up the idea...

They are all easy to make (if you've got access to a dehydrator)
and they taste delicious.

Happy Monday...

Hope your feeling 'fresh as a Daisy'.

Apple Candles...

Just cut a little cup in the top of the apple,add some cloves, cinnamon or whatever you like.
Then pop in the tea light and you've got a beautiful decoration.

The New Project...

I've started making a book, and today I've been working on the title pages....
And everything is in a mess.

Paper and paint.

Old Books.

The dining room table.

Getting closer

The final product.

What's For Lunch?...

Or any excuse to take a photo.

Any excuse to use Peach Chutney.

All together now.

Today I made Peach Chutney...

It's made from Peaches that I bought home from Swan Hill.

It also contains Ginger, with a hint of Chili, Oregano and Black Mustard Seeds.

I had some  with my tea and really enjoyed it.

Yum.

Day Off...

It's my last day off, and it feels so nice to have a leisurely breakfast, on a sunny bench.

Toast, Eggs and Tomato with Spicy Oregano.
And of course Coffee.
(I love having my camera back)

She's Back...

My dear camera 'Genevieve' is finally home....

I couldn't resist having a play.

Update...

The Pickled Cabbage has been in the fridge all day and I just tried some in a nest of salad.
It's delicious, kind of hot, sweet and sour.

Flowers On My Bench....

Beautiful Nasturtiums', and Spicy Oregano.

Daises and Pelargoniums'...with love.


Sometimes when it's been a bit of a tough day,
 there's nothing like fresh flowers on the bench to give you a smile.

Random Recipes....

I'm starting a new category called 'Random Recipes', where I pick a recipe book and  highlight one of the recipes.
Todays' guest is Belinda Jeffery's and her cook book '100 favourite recipes'.

That's the cover.

And we're making 'Chinese  Pickled Red Cabbage and Ginger.

750gm of Red Cabbage, finely shredded, 3 tea spoons of salt, 1 cup caster sugar, 1 cup of vinegar,
2 tablespoons of finely chopped Ginger and 1 finely chopped red chilli.

Mix the cabbage and salt, and leave for at least 3 hours in a collander, over a bowl.
Cover with a weighted plate.

Mix the Sugar Vinegar Ginger and chilli, stir until the sugar has disolved,
Mix the dressing in with the drained cabbage,
and refrigerate over night.

Put it into an airtight container and it will keep for months.

This is how it looks all combined,
 mine has to go into the fridge, so I'll let you know how it turns out.

Just The Thing For A Hot Night...

Today it's been sweltering, so I didn't really feel like cooking.

So I just made up a small platter of, Kalamata Olives, Dill Pickles, Red Pepper,
Lettuce, (from Margs' garden) and Marinated Mushrooms.


With the Mushrooms, you take a large teaspoon of mustard,
about a third of a cup of Vinegar and also of White Wine.
Put it all in a pot, just simmer  and add whole button Mushrooms.( I used about 500 gm)
Stir for about 10 minutes, you want them to heat up and release a bit of fluid.
Then put them in a bottle in the fridge, they'll keep about a week

Just on some toasted Sourdough
 that's been rubbed with the cut side of a small Garlic Clove.
Oh, and of course some Blue Costello.
Simply delicious.

Lunch And A List...

If  possible, in the course of the blogging year, I hope to inspire you to enjoy simple pleasures.
Particularly if you find yourself alone and it all seems too difficult to make a meal.
Having said that....

This is lunch and a list,
Green Tomato Pickle, Cheese and Basil toasted sandwich.

Lemon Water with ice, and a cold Nectarine,
(I bought back from Swan Hill).

Delicious, and now I'm about half way through the list.

Tea For Two....

Sometimes it's just nice to share a cup of tea....