Friday, September 30, 2011

presenting...


Earlier this month was my birthday, & along with lots of love & yummy cake, my awesome family gave me a wonderful collection of handmade presents...


First up, another* awesome, hand drawn card - artwork by my lovely brothers...


then, a super cute kitty brooch, made by Kathryn...


a beautiful soft, swishy skirt, from Zoe Chen...


this lovely coin purse, by Seventh Sphere...


a gorgeous pendant from David Eris Loong (his shop is literally the first I ever favourited on etsy)...


& as if that wasn't enough, this gorgeous print by Yellena :)




*this is the third year they've made my card - 2010, 2009

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Not-Banana Bread



Recently I've started following some food blogs (I blame pinterest & all the gorgeous food photography) & rather than just looking at the pretty pictures, I want to actually try some of the recipes.

Not too long ago I came across this delicious sounding recipe for banana bread. Bananas are ridiculously expensive here at the moment (I think they're 'down' to $15/kg) so a little adaptation was necessary.

We had some cooked fruit stashed in the freezer, so the first batch was plum & apple, followed by plum & nectarine, plum & peach....you get the picture. This batch is a mix of peach & apple (tinned pie apple to be exact, cooked with a bit of cinnamon & mashed).

I made a single batch the first time....every one since has been a double mix though :)

So,  this is super easy & delicious. Moist, fruity, full of cinnamon & spice....& if it lasts long enough it's rather nice toasted, with butter (under a grill though - I wouldn't put it in a toaster).


Not-Banana Bread
makes one 9×5-inch loaf
recipe adapted from Joy the Baker


1 cup stewed fruit – such as: apple, plum, nectarine, peach, apricot
1/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup vegetable oil, (I have used either olive or grapeseed)
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup unbleached spelt flour
1 cup wholemeal spelt flour
1 teaspoon baking soda (as in bi-carb)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon mixed spice
Generous pinch nutmeg
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup desiccated coconut

Preheat the oven to 180C. Lightly grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.

In a large mixing bowl, place the stewed fruit, sugar, pineapple, and oil and whisk briskly to incorporate.

Sift in the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Use a wooden spoon to mix until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined. Fold in the coconut.

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. The top should be lightly browned and a skewer inserted through the centre should come out clean.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 20 minutes before transferring out of a pan and onto a wire rack to cool completely. Slice generously to serve.

*I usually make a double batch, adding a couple of tablespoons extra fruit to help it stay moist. Also, the spices (except for the cinnamon) are approximate; I do them slightly differently each time.



Sunday, September 25, 2011

S.I.S.T.E.R.


This year we - Kathryn, Amy & I - tackled the whole (12km) City-to-Bay. We even made special t-shirts with our team name - S.I.S.T.E.R.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day - although it was a bit hot when the breeze disappeared - & we were amongst a crowd of nearly 35,000 people.

The run definitely wasn't easy, but it did feel good (especially at the end.....when I got to stop :P ). I was also pleased with my time of 1 hour 41 minutes.



Friday, September 16, 2011

take it or leaf it



new listed on etsy: you're so vein, fine silver leaf pendant




post title is courtesy of Amy...she encouraged the pendant title too :)

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

wishlist wednesday...

a selection of beautiful necklaces this week...

Truth & Beauty necklace by belindasaville

eastern holiday necklace by elephantine

Skeleton Key necklace by Vintette

 Perlin necklace by nervoussystem

 Ingrid Necklace by Osier

partly inspired by the fact that one of my birthday presents was a gorgeous pendant...a post on that - & my other presents - soon :)



Sunday, September 11, 2011

earthsong...




a beautiful selection of earthy, autumnal beads - I just love the colours in this :)



Friday, September 9, 2011

blossoming...


It's well & truly spring in our garden, the fruit trees are full of blossom & the weather has been beautiful (although, in keeping with it being spring, today was cold & windy).


...so here are some spring blossoms, & sunshine for you to enjoy.







Monday, September 5, 2011

serenity...


or 'so-dalightful' as my sisters wanted me to call them :)

...fine silver, sodalite & sterling earrings.