Experiments with Marshmallow

Nearly Winter. A definite chill in the air. I needed warming up and fast.

Hot Chocolate was made....

And I got to thinking about marshmallows. Having recently seen similar marshmallow and chocolate spoons at an exorbitant price, I figured I would give it a go. Marshmallow from scratch is dead easy, and I love the way it goes from clear to white in the blink of an eye. 

Dollops were placed on birch spoons and left to set overnight.

These were then dipped in melted chocolate (I used Callebaut 70% cocoa) and decorated with silver cachous. 

Another batch was used to fill mini muffin pans that had been sprinkled with sugar pearls.

Super sticky. Super good. 

Eat More Dairy (Doctor's Orders)

Words cannot begin to describe my obsession with cheese. My recent trip to the Adelaide Hills had me bringing an excessive amount back with me by way of my onboard hand luggage. No trip to see my family is complete without a visit to Woodside Cheesewrights and Udder Delights. And if I was to be brutally honest, its possibly the cheese that keeps me going back.

 I LOVE cheese. All dairy really. And to say I was excited upon discovering a new fromagerie here in Melbourne is perhaps an understatement. 

La Latteria is a Mozzarella Laboratory. Oh. My. Goodness. Stepping inside made my heart beat just a little faster. What to buy? How much could I carry? Will I look greedy if I walk out with half the store?

I was restrained. Well not really. Considering I had just been to the market and bought Fior di Latte, Parmeson and fresh Butter. And I still had half a dozen beautiful cheeses home in the fridge. But how could I resist those words, artisan and handmade. And milk in a bottle. Always grabs me.

Anyway, a fair sampling has made it into our little home. Varieties I had never heard of. Diovoletta. Burrata. Scamorza Bianca. Buffalo Ricotta.

Lucky my cholesterol is low and my doctor's orders are to eat more dairy.

Just a few more outfits that I thought I would share....

A tuile spot and satin skirt

A Fleur de Lys cotton frock (with yoyo detail)

A cosy gown for those chilly nights

And a little broderie anglaise top to go with the pyjama pants.

And I think we are done. Grand plans for more outfits may have to wait until I catch up on all those other neglected tasks.

Ooh La La

After seeing these wonderful doll kits here, I just knew we had to have one.

Over the course of the weekend, I've made a pretty little sundress,

an A-Line skirt,

a sweet red linen coat,

broderie anglaise pyjama pants (with a top to follow)

and perfect linen drawers.

Next weekend I might tackle the pyjama top and make a dressing gown. Perhaps an apron for a spot of baking and maybe a ball gown (because you never know just when you might need one).

Anyway, pop on over and have a looksie at Erika's delightful blog. Full of all sorts of prettiness.

Quiet

All's quiet here.

You see, I've had a few days away, visiting the country.

A quick trip away. Counting fairy rings and picking mushrooms.

Saying hi to the cows (and enjoying a bit of Angus Eye Fillet).

And feasting on crumbles.

And loving the peace and quiet that you can only seem to find when you take a few days off.

I caught up with my reading, and sat very still, watching teeny tiny birds hop all around me. I'm all refreshed, and ready to tackle my growing pile of projects. New fabric has been bought and a cloth doll kit is waiting. Time to get busy.

My Day

Busy in the kitchen. Here's what I've done today.

Rabbit Rillettes

Filleted three Snapper

Made Fish Stock

Chicken Stock

Peeled Chestnuts

Roasted more Saddles of Rabbit

Cooked the most delicious Pine Mushrooms

Chocolate and Hazelnut Pudding

Made an alternative, kid friendly meal of Fresh Pasta

Also managed to find time to visit the market, then drive across town to swap my phone over AGAIN. Third iphone lucky. Dog is home from the vet, after more surgery, and sporting another buckety collar. Poor drugged up dog.

And to top it all off...a snuffly nose. Feet up now, and time for a glass of wine.
Oh, and the above photo? A totally unrelated shot. An apple frangipane tart I made a while back. Pretty isn't it?

Off to the Hills

Chilly mornings seem to be here for good. Winter is creeping in, and sunny days are being replaced by grey skies.

Still, some colours linger.

Autumn hips in hedgerows, wild mushrooms in forests and golden leaves on trees.

Today we braved the cold and headed up the mountain.

A quick walk around Lake Sanatorium, and then up to Mount Macedon for tea and scones. 

And this? Well I couldn't resist stopping and taking a photo!

Home in time to cook a nice saddle of Roast Rabbit, and a steamy pudding for dessert.

New Babies

I adore this book.
I am a Bunny, illustrated by Richard Scarry, written by Ole Risom.
I picked up a copy in the city last week. Super sturdy boardbook edition.

Together with these little bibs, they will make the ideal present for Poppy's ballet teacher.

Hopefully little Rose will get as much enjoyment from those beautiful pictures as I do.

More bibs may or may not make it into the shop, but I'm LOVING this fabric.

I picked it up and put it down about five times before finally biting the bullet and getting some. The photo really doesn't do it justice, but the colours are super vibrant and a lot of fun. 

The fabric is "Floral Tile" in the Russian Doll collection by Sugar and Spice Textiles.
They have been backed with a nice, soft flannel. Just the thing to soak up all those dribbles!

It was only a week ago that I was lamenting the lack of babies I have to sew for. All those gorgeous little things - bibs, booties, blocks. Fast little projects that are really appreciated.

A Flotilla of Walnuts

These little boats were the by-products of our recent Walnut Feast.

Fresh walnuts were carefully shelled, and set aside. While the Baklava was baking, these simple little boats were made using melted candle wax and toothpicks.

When the wax had partially dried, a toothpick was placed in the shell, and the shell then set in an old egg carton until fully set.

We used a mix of papers to decorate sails.

And then sent them out on the bay.

Our little flotilla numbers eighteen, of which three are teensy acorn top skiffs.

After their maiden voyage today, we have plans to take then out to the stream at Woodend for a wet weather activity.

Stitches and Craft Fair

Please excuse the crappy, indoorsy photos. Bad lighting, but great subjects.

The Stitches and Craft Fair opened here on Wednesday, featuring sooo much covetable fabric.

I really, really wanted to buy a lot more than I did, and sadly, restraint had to be the order of the day.

What I did come home with however was a great selection of fabric from Auntie Cookie, Pippijoe and Kristen Doran.

Also got to meet them. In a probably embarrassing, gushy way. Hope I wasn't too stalkery. Would have loved to have chatted more, but my usual social awkwardness had me mumbling a few words, buying a bit, then moving on.

Also bought these teeny wooden girls. At just an inch high and 50cents each, they are perfect for threading on a length of ribbon for a little kid necklace. Only wish I'd bought more, as they would be great for party favours.

The Pippi Longstocking display was also worth a visit. Very colourful, and a lot of fun. The felt food and crochet characters were very sweet.

Strangely, we were able to avoid paying the entry fee. We inadvertently entered via a side gate, and strolled right on in, then realised we had come in the wrong way. We also parked in a different car park area to what was sign posted and paid half the price. Same distance, just missed the turnoff for the sign posted one. Go figure. More money to spend on fabric is always a bonus.

People Watching

What a nice place to haunt. Pelligrini's Bar in the city.

After a perfect Cafe Latte, we wandered around to nearby Crossley Street to have a quick looksie at a talented friends' exhibition, and to peer in a few shop windows. 

Then on to the Crown for lunch at Nobu.

Nobu was great. Food was very clever, very modern Japanese. The people watching wasn't bad either. Always interesting trying to work out who the other people are, what their stories are. Certainly a high proportion of business lunches (after all, it is one of the fancier places around), ladies who lunch and romantic couples.

Then there's us. Every so quietly sharing sideways glances, knowing JUST what the other was thinking. The business men to one side of us all took off their jackets. Then their ties. Weird. Maybe a Japanese thing...but not so sure.

The romantic couple on the other side seemed to be having a very one way affair. He presented, rather extravagantly, a beautifully wrapped Hermes scarf. She rather insincerely gushed that she loved it...but wasn't so sure about the orange colour. I wanted to snatch it off her then and there. Even the box was gorgeous. She disappeared off to the ladies for a very long time. I actually thought she might not return.

Anyway. Aside from the people watching, as usual, we ate and drank far more than is reasonable for the middle of the day.

Luckily the weather was kind, and we walked back via some great art and architecture.

Always something new to see.

Mother's Day Cards

So sweet.

Hopefully their Mum's will be super happy come Sunday. 

Autumn Foods

Clockwise from top:

Walnut and Pistachio Baklava

Fresh King Valley Walnuts

Last harvest heritage tomatoes

Green tomato pickle

Cumquats for marmalade

Woodend Pine Mushrooms

Black Cypriat salt

Homemade quince paste parcels

Quince Tarte Tatin