Carnations.

Moving to a new country can be pretty scary. You know what helps? Having a vase of pretty flowers to wake up to in the morning. Coincidentally, pink carnations were the last flowers that I bought when I was at home.

{Here}

{There}

Inspiration.

Feeling inspired today by Margot Fonteyn.

{Found here}

{Found here}

And of course, one of the greatest partnerships of all time - Fonteyn & Nureyev.

Lunch time.

Asparagus in autumn! Who would have thought?

Going, going, gone.

Old friends, new place.

This month has been a month of transitions - from my childhood home to a new country. From being an unemployed undergraduate to a fully qualified optometrist. From being on holiday to working part time. It definitely needed a bit of getting used to, but I am glad that I could wind up this month with a visit from my friends Cass and Dan who were in Sydney for Dan's training. Makes it a bit of a full swing, I think.

{giggles at the accent of the guy who offered to take our photo}

Friday night lights

On Friday night we went to the China-town markets for dinner. Every Friday night, stalls line the streets and and restaurant-goers spill onto the little lane. It really does have a feel of Hong Kong (but not really China), even though there are just as many Australians as there are Chinese. Then we found ourselves wandering to Darling Harbour where the lantern display was still on from New Year. I really do love Sydney at night.

Chinese new year

A new years' celebration filled with glorious food, laughter and an excellent game of "Murder in the Dark". And you know when I'm using chopsticks, it's really quite a special occasion.

First glimpse of Sydney....

{Photo taken by me in Tokyo, 2008}

.....it sure does rain a lot.

Tropical-looking flowers

A surprise encounter on a rainy walk

The view from my hotel as I wake up

Old friend, new place.

My summer in pictures.

Boats

Sunsets

Beaches

Afternoon teas

Maze

Hawkes Bay.

The art of doing nothing.

As a firm believer of the phrase “every moment counts”, I try and cram as much activity into my day as possible. For the past five years study, work, friends, leisure and family have been haphazardly shoved together in the chaos that is my life.

This summer I resolved to try something new. A whole three months of no working or studying, but just….chilling. Sleep-ins and naps were permitted. Evening walks, long breakfasts and reading in the shade were encouraged. That’s not to say that I was idle – I tried new recipes, threw a garden party, painted, embroidered, taught and played music for pleasure. And I loved it. The brilliance of a sunset, the melody of a bird’s song and the stillness of an early morning could be admired wholeheartedly. In making myself available to enjoy His creation, I felt like I was being rewarded.

{Photo taken on our trip to Mahia, 2008}

Crepes

Crepes (aka. really thin pancakes).

1 cup of flour

1 egg

a pinch of salt

3/4 cup of milk

water

Mix flour, egg, salt and milk. If the consistency is too thick, add water. Chill for an hour. Then cook on a frying pan with oil, 'til both sides are browned. Serve with lemon and sugar, or strawberries with maple syrup and icing sugar, preferably in a cone shape.

Friends.

Follow the link the see some of my favourite memories of my time in Auckland.

Vanilla Cupcakes

Vanilla Cupcakes from the Edmonds Cookbook (a kiwi staple)

125 g butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1/2 cup caster sugar

2 eggs

1 cup standard plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup milk

Cream butter, vanilla and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour and baking powder together. Fold into creamed mixture. Stir in milk. Place 18 paper patty cases in patty tins. Spoon mixture evenly into paper cases. Bake at 190 C for 15 minutes or until cakes spring back when lightly touched. Transfer to a wire rack. When cold decorate as wished.

New England

I am a little bit obssessed with New England - I constantly dream of waking up in a sleepy cottage, exploring old lighthouses and doing patchwork in a rocking chair by an open fire.

Found here

Found here.

Found here

Found here

Old-fashioned chocolate cupcakes.

Old-fashioned chocolate cupcakes
50g butter
1/2 cup sugar
 1 egg
1/4 cup flour
 1/4 tsp baking powder
 1/8 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream the sugar, butter and add the egg. Combine the dry ingredients, and whisk vanilla and milk. Add 1/3rd of the dry ingredients and half of the milk + vanilla and beat into the sugar mix. Continue til all is combined. Spoon into patty-pans, 2/3rds full. Bake at 175 degrees Celcius for 20-25 minutes.

Once cool, ice as desired (I prefer freshly whipped cream and icing sugar) and refrain from eating all at once.

Garden party

Bright Star

This movie is so achingly beautiful and romantic...it makes me yearn for cottages and meandering walks in the countryside, and my very own dark-haired poet to write me love letters !