Recipe Hunt & Keep Cups

 I am yet to find a recipe that specifically uses coconut oil. It sounds divine so might try using it to cook a stir-fry and some other fried morsels. Do you have a recipe that uses coconut oil?

My grandmother sent the children a Keep Cup each - perfectly sized to hold a babyccino so we can all be eco-conscious with our take-aways!

Spring in 'Full Swing' (in the capital).

 

I had a long weekend in Canberra last weekend. My best friend from high school (a student at the School of Arts) is exhibiting at the Belconnen Arts Centre in an exhibition named Creative Alchemy. I wanted to attend the opening so it was a perfect opportunity to see her work hanging and catch up with friends who I hadn't seen for some time. If you are in Canberra why not check it out?!

After the opening I stopped by to meet friends for a drink at Tilleys. Afterwards I happened upon my dear friend Heath who was playing at The Front with Chris Parkinson from The Yearlings. It was a perfectly intimate gig - laid back and ideal for The Front's gezellig atmosphere. It was such a stroke of luck to catch the gig and I am so grateful for my wonderful babysitter who urged me to stay out if I was having fun!


I also used the opportunity to catch up with and visit a few friends in Canberra and I managed to snap a few shots of blooming spring.

Spring has Sprung!

Citrus & Ceramics

My beautiful fruit bowl was designed and made by my dear friends at http://www.sugdenhamilton.com/ These two talented ceramicists have known me all my life. I was born on a sheep station where they also lived. I have a few pieces of their work including a platter, a wall hanging and a number of brooches.

Thank you Harvest Hub for the fruit. Our delivery arrives each week on a Wednesday. We pay $30 for the fruit and vegies which have been collected from local growers from the Flemington markets each morning.

A trip in to the city...

Thank goodness for a good brew this morning!

We hiked in to the city for a play at the park and to meet up with some friends from my mothers group. This is one of our favourite places in Darlinghurst where we lived when we first got together. It will always feel like 'home.'

Drawing on inspiration

A little sketch (Artist: David Holm) inspired my doodle.

Bunting

Here is the first project I finished using my new sewing machine....

 

I ordered a whole stack of organic cotton quarters from Funky Fabrix. The material is good quality and they have some great prints.

I don't iron. well- I RARELY iron. My husband needs to iron every day for work and I have been known to iron a shirt or blouse on the very odd occasion. Now, however, I have discovered that the iron is my friend when it comes to sewing....

 The finished product in my daughter's room. I added a few yo-yos to her bunting. My next post will include how to make yo-yos.

The finished product in my son's room.

I am going to use these for the kids' birthdays too (sling them between the branches of a tree or along our verandah). I will obviously have to add some extra bias binding to the ends of them so there's enough length to tie around a branch.

R U OK?

Tomorrow, Thursday 15 September, 2011 is R U OK? Day. It’s a national day of action which aims to prevent suicide by encouraging Australians to connect with someone they care about and help stop little problems turning into big ones.

On that day we want everyone across the country, from all backgrounds and walks of life, to ask family, friends and colleagues: "Are you OK?".

Staying connected with others is crucial to our general health and wellbeing. Feeling isolated or hopeless can contribute to depression and other mental illnesses, which can ultimately result in suicide. Regular, meaningful conversations can protect those we know and love.
It's so simple. In the time it takes to have a coffee, you can start a conversation that could change a life.

http://www.ruokday.com.au/content/home.aspx

To find out about the background behind the day you can watch Australian Story from this week on iview.

Spring Clean for the Wayside

I am not religious at all but I have signed up to receive an email each week from the pastor of the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross, Graham Long. Graham's emails are a weekly reminder that there are plenty of people doing it really tough in this world.

"The Wayside provides:

• Showers, low-cost meals and clothing for the most disadvantaged members of our community
• Referrals for short and long-term crisis accommodation and housing
• Information & advocacy services
• Referral services to health and welfare agencies
• Meeting spaces for self help and community groups
• Weekly onsite legal, health, and counseling clinics (we partner with experts in their field)
• Drop in activities – including sport, gym, photography & movies
• A judgment free space for those just looking for a chat,
  a coffee or a quiet place to think." 

The Wayside is an integral part of Kings Cross  and has, in the past, been associated with controversy. In the 1990's the church had its own 'Tolerance Room' - a place for users to inject in a supervised enviornment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayside_Chapel

Recently, as a family, we attended a Sunday service. It was the second only time I had been to church (the other was with my grandmother at Christmas many years ago). I wanted to go to show my support for The Wayside and the support they provide for many is society who've 'fallen by the wayside."

Within a few months Graham will be unveiling the renovation of their building, which was funded by government and private donations (debt free) and will provide such a boost to their services e.g. more/new showers and a new space for education facilities & programs & services.


http://www.thewaysidechapel.com/index.php

** The Wayside is always in need of towels and toiletries and today Graham has asked for donations.**

"The Wayside isn't much like a church which is good if you're not much like a Christian."

Child Protection Week- What Are You Doing?

September 4 - 11 is Child Protection Week.

The protection of children, the safety of children is everybody's responsibility.

Play Your Part!

No socks or jocks

Yesterday we celebrated Fathers Day. My husband has just taken up guitar after years of wishing he could play.  We restrung the two guitars in our house - a semi-acoustic and an acoustic. I must say he's doing well. The ABC Shop had these 'pucks' when I was looking for a suitably small gift.

Happy Fathers Day Darling!

Loacker Love

 I discovered these biscuits about a year ago at our local supermarket. Mmmm yum! They are just so delicious*. When I was pregnant I ate a LOT of these. I must say that, for a few months, I didn't buy any because I couldn't even stand the sight of them!


* Tips: They are best after a few hours in the freezer. They are best shared (because if you don't you'll eat the whole packet & then hide the packet in the recycling- its been known to happen.)