Shelly Beach, looks like Italy

After a 30deg day of incredible heat we went out for dinner on my son Connors 1st day back at school. While most buckle down for the school term of early dinner & early to bed, we opted for a walk along Manly Beach in a salty mist that almost hung along the shore line. As we walked I found this gorgeous door & wall that seemed like it should of been in Italy or Greece.

The rustic paint has been left by the new Cafe owners that create a well loved look.

Hope u like it as much as me.

Side Tables

Today its over cast & it's time for a jiggle and reshuffle of the furniture in my office/lounge. I have become sick of my black printer crowding my space visually. So I swapped the office set of drawers & put the drawers closer to the lounge & have created a nice little side table. I've gone for my favorite look of seaside bleached chic.

My 'Collection' of Flowers

Barbequed Ocean Trout

 Yes it was the family coming to dinner.

And it was 'oh so easy'

These vegetables are a mix of home grown and bought. You can create you're own mix to 'stuff' the trout but this is what we did....

Sliced a large leek

Then we sliced a large red capsicum

We added plenty of sliced Australian garlic

Sliced up half a red onion

Squeezed in lemon juice

Added a handful of lemon thyme

This Ocean Trout weighed approximately 3.6 kilograms. We placed the fish on foil with leeks on the base. We then cooked in a 'medium' heated BBQ for 40 mins. It was sensational - a real crowd pleaser. 

Note ... friends cooked a salmon about the same size in a pre-heated BBQ but with the heat turned off. They said it 'sat' in the BBQ for 45 minutes and cooked to medium rare and was delicious. 

Oh so Pretty in the Country

 Some of the homes that I have passed in the last few weeks are picture perfect.  Living in the country is a sensory delight of space, the colour green and prettiness. I hope not to get in trouble for photographing peoples houses. Sometimes I'm not even getting out of the car to take these beauties. By the way there are some horrors... but I'll leave them for another day.   

Balinese Doors - Balgowlah

Source: Uploaded by user via Lisa on Pinterest

I captured these magnificent Balinese doors 2 streets away from my home. There solid and rustic looking that add a stately yet earthy look.

Its wonderful living in a beach side suburb, where frangipanis and Hydrangeas fill the gardens. Cars drive by with surf boards,  and kiddlets walk the pavement after school for board training at Nippers. Australia has a Asian feel, and these doors confirm that when you come home form work - that paradise awaits.

Rose Frill Cake

Source: maggieaustincake.com via Sarah on Pinterest

If I was a cake, this is what I would look like. I love the delicate frill and how pretty it looks.

• 250g butter, softened
• 3 cups white sugar
• 7 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
• 3 cups plain flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 250ml (1 cup) sour cream

Preparation Method

Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 1 hour

• Preheat oven to 160 C. Grease and flour a 23cmx30cm cake pan or a 25cm Tube or Bundt pan.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla.
• Combine the flour, baking soda and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix until all of the flour is absorbed.
• Finally, stir in the sour cream. Mix for 1 or 2 minutes just to be sure there are no lumps. Pour the mixture into the choice of prepared pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a fine skewer inserted into the centre of cake comes out clean. 

*The above recipe makes one Cake, if your are making 2 Layers, Reduce the Ingredients by 1/2 and bake in a smaller tin.

Suppliers of Gumpaste and Fondant in Sydney -

http://www.sydneyessential.com.au/essential-guides/cake-decorating/all-pages
http://bakingpleasures.com.au/

How to make - Fondant Roses

Fondant Ruffles

Create the Ruffles as in the Video below, and add the Ruffles upside down.

French Baskets

Today I went to Fox Studios Farmers Markets & saw these divine French Baskets. The morning was blessed with glorious sunshine & as i strolled through the crowds, every body seemed to have big bunches of flowers wrapped in earthy brown paper. You must go in early as by the time we were there at
10:30am there were only a handful of suppliers. The French lady who sells the Baskets also sells Duck Fat and Duck Pate. Yummy, but duck fat seems to be a annual special for the roast potatoes at Christmas.

If your after one of these baskets visit 2 Ducks Trading http://www.2ducktrading.com.au/

I have one & it is fabulous & smells earthy from the leather handles & woven grasses.

You just need a blue & white stripy top & a fresh baguette hanging out of your bag in your Capri pants & ballets flats to be the essence of French chic shopping in a village market... Ahhh to dream & recreate a simple life in the south of France in a Paddington Market.

Enjoy the dream girls.. I did for a wee moment.

Angelic & White

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Starfish

Source: Uploaded by user via Lisa on Pinterest

We love Starfish and add them around our home in Fairlight. They give a bowl of Seashells a splash of fun. We often see living Starfish in Sydney at Clontarf, though there small and are red in colour. I would never dream of collecting anything unless is was dead. It just does not seem right.

I photographed this one on my Rustic Table that has become the home of many new objects I love collecting and photographing with my son's camera.

Shabby Chic Roses

Source: lesapeamusings.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Shabby Chic Roses, simply added to a old Tin. This is so beautiful and feminine.

Pretty Old English Rose's

Source: justcallmegrace.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Beautiful William Morris David Austin Old English Rose's, just so so beautiful.

French Tables

Source: alifeofbeautyandgrace.tumblr.com via Astridchristine on Pinterest

The collection of White chairs with this French table are exquisite. Simple and fresh suitable for City or Country living.

Rustic Candles

Source: minlillaveranda.blogspot.com via Astridchristine on Pinterest

Finding old furniture and giving it lick of fresh white paint will turn any old table into a Shabby Chic dream. Adding candles and a pile of magazines creates a Chic Beach look. I love this Shabby Chic Scandinavian style..Using lots of neutral colours creates a elegant feel.

Country Settings for a Lady

Source: louboosandshoes.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

White Rustic Tables

Source: hereiamloulou.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: abeachcottage.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Beach Chic Table Settings

Source: 79ideas.org via Lisa on Pinterest

I love the soft creams and whites in this gorgeous Beach Chic Table setting. So easy to achieve.

Blueberries and Yoghurt

Source: adeline535.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

There is nothing nicer than fresh Yoghurt with Blueberries with a sprinkle of your favorite Toasted Museli.

Tofu & Scrambled Eggs with Soy

Grilled Firm Tofu

Cut Tofu into 2cm Slices, this should give your around 4-5 slices .
Lightly cook Tofu in a frypan with a small drizzle of olive oil.

• Sauce
• Soy Sauce
• Grate frozen Ginger
• 1x Garlic - grated
• Small drizzle Sesame Oil
• Cut 1 x small Chili
• 1 x stem of green Shallots

Scramble Eggs

• 4 x Eggs
• 100ml of Shape Milk
• Mix eggs & milk well & pour into a lightly coated Teflon fry pan.
• Fold eggs-gently, don't over stir.

Serve Eggs with Tofu and a sprinkle of Chives. Drizzle cooked Tofu with Soy & Ginger sauce mix.

Very high Protein Breakfast

Garlic and Chilli

Chili - A divine way to add some spice into your life..

Source: Uploaded by user via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Lisa on Pinterest


I love Garlic, and cant live a day with out it...

Source: Uploaded by user via Lisa on Pinterest

Jindyandy, Greenwell Point Road, Pyree

Jindyandy is situated near Nowra on Greenwell Point Road. It's very close to Terara which still has some of the old buildings and houses from when it was the original site for Nowra. Jindyandy is a  little mecca of country shopping at it's best. There are antique treasures, pre-loved furniture, true bric-a-brac and bits of what some might call junk. Along with the old are shops selling sustainable products, lollies, coffee and iced chocolates.  

 The historic Jindyandy Mill was built by convicts in 1830 and is set amongst lush surrounds of pasture lands.

Serious shoppers and general browsers are able to explore Jindyandy from Wednesday to Sunday 10 to 4pm. I could have stayed longer but I went with a 'non-shopper' / 'non-browser'. But there was a chair for him!

Japanese Basa Fish fillets

• 1 x piece of Basa Fish
• Shallots
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil

Serve with Blackened Capsicum & Broccoli.

Floral Beauty

My breath is often taken away by the sheer beauty and tranquilly of flowers. There soft & delicate feminine petals remind me of an embrace of a friend, the petals invite you in & make you point your fingers delicately to touch the sheer tender & velvet dress of their veils delighting you in with intoxicating fragrance.

A Beach House Contrast

Today is 'day 17' of living on the South Coast. I dropped the 10 year old off at a Sport and Recreational Camp and off I went with camera in hand. This adorable gate is situated at Werri Beach, Gerringong just near The Lloyd Rees Reserve. The bird was there for a fleeting moment. The non-existent path leads to a house in keeping with the gate. 

 This house is next door to the little beauty with the rustic gate.

This is Werri Beach

Now which house would you prefer?

Longreef Point

Longreef Point is the most beautiful way to spend an afternoon peacefully discovering seashells & driftwood amongst the small rock-pools. If you walk back around to the north there is a deserted beach that has a fabulous sand dune that is great for kids.

It feels like Bryon Bay, & you forget your in a city. We saw Sea Eagels, hang gliders soaring in the sky.

Take a boogie board so the kids can slide down the sand dune. And bring a bucket to collect shells & scattered twigs. A day worth discovering.

Location: Drive up the driveway past Long Reef Golf Club and park at the top of the hill.

Tuna and French Bean Salad

Mix of Spinach & Butter Lettuce

• 2 x Cherry Tomatoes
• 5 x French Beans (2 mins cooked & cooled)
• 2 x heaped tablespoons of low fat cottage cheese
• 1 x Chili cut w scissors
• 2 x Olives cut into 4
• 1/2 Can of Sirena Tuna

Moss Nest

Moss Nest is the 'new kid' on the block. This new venture is housed within the old Berry Printery, with white washed walls and exposed rafters it has a wonderful charm and the feeling that you will discover ... and you do!

 The theme at Moss Nest is 'flotsam and flora for nature lovers'. The floristry at the front of the old Printery leads the way for a discovery of art works, clothing, homewares, recycled furniture, special gifts and other unique finds.

Moss Nest is literally the talk of the town.