Exploring the 'hood' - a good week

I have been walking every afternoon getting to know my new area. So much to see. Lovely old workers cottages some have been restored, others not. I love peeking into the back yards of old houses in Spring Hill. It is like looking back in time. Lovely old fashioned plants, hills hoists, and old tank, and tropical trees.
Yesterday I walked to the Old Museum. They were having a vintage fair called 'Finder's Keepers'. The whole place was packed with people buying hand made craft and fashion and picnicking in the garden.

Lovely spot for lunch

Museum garden

Friend Paul C came for morning tea. He has been on 2 sea cruises since I saw him last. Always good for an adventure tale.

Veggie muffins

I made a batch of my good old stand by muffins. These are great served warm with sour cream and tomato relish - I still have some left from my December batch.

Pumpkin and feta pie

Made this other old recipe to have for lunches. Nothing beats roasted pumpkin and feta.

Bacon, egg and leek pie

This is my first bacon and egg pie. I have always wanted to make one after I tasted one in Auckland years ago. I wanted something for a picnic plus the Griffins were going to Lamb Island for the day. A perfect portable lunch.
Friend C and her dog Val and I drove to Bribe Island for a picnic and walk on the beach in the winter sunshine.

Val had the best time

Gourmet picnic

C made individual lemon sago puddings for us to eat with greek yoghurt. After dessert we drove to Bongaree and bought coffee to have with her chocolate slice. It is a good thing that we did a very long beach walk.

Cyclamen to add colour for winter

Morning winter light

For a few minutes when the sun is in the right spot it shines through the red glass over the front door and bathes this area of the lounge room in this lovely light.

5 months in Spring Hill

I haven't done many posts this year so far but have been busy settling in the new apartment.

I have cooked some meals and also had a short holiday with some favourite people.

Rainbow beach

I am much more organised in the kitchen and have cooked some of my good old favourites.

Easter pie

Chicken and feta rissoles with cabbage and broccalini

Friend C wanted to escape her home one morning as the builders next door were making such a noise. I already had a chicken in the oven so invited her over for lunch. I was very please with what I pulled together within an hour.

Impromptu lunch

Sister J painted the entry so now it looks even better so fresh in the sunlight and very pretty in candlelight

Garden at the entry

Great Grand Daughter A visited while her father serviced my car. She was fascinated that there was a family behind every door in the upstairs apartments. She lives in an old Queenslander style home and has been know to tell the odd person that she lives in a 'castle'!!!

I didn't even try to explain that this impliment was for cutting the foil on a bottle of wine. Bit obsolite now anyhow, but I always loved it.

I raided the garden at Carramar Street in fact have been bring back herbs regularly. We now have the start of a good herb garden here now so will soon be picking our own.

The lavender needed trimming

Afternoon tea for a lovely Indian couple before their return to India

Found this lovely cushion

I have started walking the suburb and intend to venture further before winter is finished. I did trek into the valley a couple of weeks ago to check out one of the new laneways. I found the best chocolate brownie in a fabulous little shop.

A real treat

Over 5 months on and I am enjoying my new new home more every day.

Last Friday night

Opening the wine with a sabre

I attended a dinner party hosted by G and B, in their home,  whom I managed during their modelling careers in Brisbane in the 90's. They lived in London and travelled extensively until now with 3 children they have settled back in Brisbane. G took over my job when I retired.
The party was a get together of 'old' models and partners to see good friend K who now is living permanently in London. She is visiting with her 3 children at the moment.

The beautiful setting was  in front of their house on the river. All lit with hundreds of candles.
As K follows the Paleo diet this is the food that was prepared.

Beans with pine nuts and asparagus

Roasted vegetables and behind a beetroot salad

Monkey with cinnamon
This was the tequila set up. K's husband an American loves tequila and taught us all to drink tequila with orange and cinnamon - not the usual lemon and salt

We had a wonderful evening catching up with old friends

The plate of healthy food

Little Spring Hill kitchen

One month ago today I made a move into a studio apartment in Spring Hill. A big move and change for me after sharing a house with G for 22 years.

I have a much smaller kitchen than I am used to so am getting used to working in a small space. It just takes some careful planning.

My cook books are close at hand

I didn't realise how many cook books I had until I put them all together on one shelf above the kitchen cupboards.

My favourite little pieces look great here

The violets on the shelf under the bubble glass window are loving their new home. One plant has 3 new blooms already.

Smaller stove

So far the stove has cooked very well. I am getting used to an electric cook top. My favourite french baking pan JUST fits in the over phew!

My largest working space

I have learned that my big wooden chopping board fits over the sink so I do serious chopping etc there. As I also have a garbage disposal in the second sink it is so easy to just scrape the peelings into the sink. Just a new way of doing things.

White bean dip

I made this dip today as friend C is coming over for a drink. A whole head of roasted garlic and a can of white beans - so simple.

My entry

I am very happy with this entry. It looks so cheery and welcoming. Also the plants are doing so well.

Dining area

The plants in the dining area are still looking happy as well.

So far I have cooked chicken in the oven, a lamb pasta bake, a lentil soup, grilled fish and tonight I am making a curry. A few more practice runs before I do a serious dinner for guests.

Christmas gifting

As per the last couple of years my Christmas gifts to family and friends, and hostess gifts has been food. It is a much more economical venture, it can be consumed at will or shared with family and friends.

I loved the Worcestershire  sauce Granddaughter G made last year. The best little touch to go into gravy for a roast.

This year I made Tomato relish again as it goes so well with cheese, crackers and muscatels.

Ready to go

Of course I made Lemon Syrup, the best thing on a hot day served over ice with sparkling mineral water.

More refrigerator friendly bottles this year

While I was away in Tasmania the basil plants went crazy. No matter how much I water my plants, a few good showers of rain and suddenly 'boom' they grow.
I made pesto for 2 friends. JG who lives on board her yacht so has limited kitchen space and appreciates things that can make a fuss free meal. And S who lives in a 3rd floor apartment and works mostly 12 hours per day.

Pasta and pesto - a simple meal

Of course I made the cranberry and pistachio biscuits. Not are these simple to make but with the red cranberries and green pistachios they are the colour of Christmas. I made 5 batches of dough and rolled them into logs wrapped in glad wrap and popped them in the freezer. I did this in the air-conditioning on one of the crazy hot days when only 'mad dogs and English men go out in the midday sun'.

Soothing work

Always better toasted

Then when there is a day when it is slightly cooler like at 5am, I have a baking marathon.

Cooling waiting to be packed

I have done most of my Christmas catch up's now.

The first round was delivered

All ready for Christmas Eve

I have 2 dinners next week one on Tuesday that I will make smoked trout pate for and on Christmas Eve I am schedued for a light fruity dessert. I love my foodie friends, we all speak the same language. On Christmas Day I will 'assemble' one of my favourite salads. Will keep you posted.

A lovely week in Middleton

I had a lovely week in Tasmania visiting with some favourite people. The weather was so different to home - cold but refreshing.
It really does the soul good to see rolling green paddocks, lawns, and flowers. Plus the sight of mist on the mountains and rolling in from the sea.

I have visited here before, so I know how lovely friend M's garden is, but it still surprises with new plants etc.

Honeysuckle

The honeysuckle on the side fence looks wonderful.

Yellow daisies

This is the largest daisy plant that I have seen. I would love this in my garden.

Side gate

This gate is behind the house and leads down the side of the garden. I just love the look of this.

Unique park bench

This bench is a definite one off. It looks so right here.

A lovely path

This will look wonderful when the agapanthus are in full bloom.

Of course the garden is full of potted plants and collected memento's.

We have to have lavender

The perfect garden accessory

Tish the wonder dog is very at home in this garden and knows every inch. Such a lovely place for a dog, also the humans.

Tish's beach

On sunny days Tish has her own private beach to have a play and go for a swim.