28 July 2018

It was worth it.

Getting up at 5:00 am to watch this ....


Total Eclipse
Totally Worth It!





27 July 2018

Vic Quilt Showcase 2018 - 25th Anniversary

It is Craft and Quilt Show in Melbourne, and my favourite time to renew old acquaintances, stock up on necessary 'Quilty' products and pat the beautiful fabrics before succumbing to their charms.

Weaving my way through the maze of Vendors I arrived at Quilt Showcase and Two hours of White Glove/Quilt Angel duty.
Apologising that I couldn't give more time I was told -"If everyone could spare just two hours it would make a huge difference."

The Quilts were many and varied - I didn't have a quilt finished for this year and (I couldn't resist taking this photo) maybe I was missed?

It was a temptation to add a sign "Reserved for YOUR Quilt 
next year"

Without Quilts to put on display - There would be no Quilt Shows.

And at just 92cm x 134cm "The Apprentice" by Julie Adamson proves that it does not have to be a BIG Quilt to win Best of Show.

Congratulations Julie!





25 July 2018

The Rest of July ...

has been taken up with some Quality Time in the Kitchen.

I have finally conquered my Nemesis which is Pastry!

All I needed was the right instructions and I was making Lime Tarts with Italian Meringue and Candied Citrus, Pumpkin Pie - Aussie Style and Blood Orange Tarts.

I also learnt to make Singapore Orchids at a Special Cake Decorating weekend with Guest Demonstrator Helen Dissell.

I am looking forward to her visit next year, when we are planning on doing an entire workshop on just colouring flowers.


While looking for something in the Pantry I came to realise I have too much Honey left over from last year's flow - so I made a large batch of German Gingerbread which barely dented my supply.

And - of course - July sees us at the 'Business End' of Masterchef Australia.  

This year we have been treated to some wonderful contestants and I couldn't resist making Sashi's Apple Pie with Cinnamon Ice cream (of course my version is Lactose Free.)

The recipe is available on the Masterchef website. It was surprisingly easy to make and the Ice cream was SO velvety smooth.

And with the leftover Apples - I turned them into Apple Crisps by dehydrating them in the Oven when I had finished the days baking.  

They took less time to disappear than to make, but isn't that the case with most things?


Well, that just about catches me up with July. Apart from today, which saw me heading to the Airport to collect a special visitor, who just happened to time her trip from TX-USA in time for Quilt Showcase!




 

24 July 2018

What Happened to July? Part Two

July also saw us making a mess in the Back Yard.

Our Bungalow - which had at one point in time been renovated as a sewing space for me, desperately needed the foundations replaced.

So I had tradesmen in and out for 2 weeks while I watched the concrete dry.

And when we were given the "All Clear" to go inside ...
Oh dear - so much for being told we didn't have to empty the room.

These shelves along with a large bookcase had to be stabilised and put back in position.

On the bright side of it - although I really did not have the time - it was the perfect opportunity to do a LOT of culling of the stuff that ends up in the 'Spare Room'.

Which means there will be a few trips to the Op-Shop,  And I was exceptionally pleased to discover the Local Council had this awesome Recycling Station at the Library.

Somewhere to get rid of all those CDs and VHS tapes!!!!

Now all I need to do is Paint the Outside, Redo the Guttering, Replace the back fence AND put the Garden back......


23 July 2018

What Happened to June and July ?

I went to add another item to the Calendar today and realised there wasn't any more of July left.  So what did happen in June and July? What did I do? Where did it go?

June is a time for Birthdays - my Mother turned 78 and mine? Well I stopped counting a long time ago.

Our D-DIL invited us to see her Performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre.  I wish I could show you photos from that as it was a most interesting night.

They did an Original Composition in collaboration with Thereminist and experimental artist Miles Brown.

After the Performance we were in the right spot at the right time to see the Melbourne Art Centre Spire light up for the evening.

And being such a beautiful night we just couldn't resist indulging with something decadent from 'Damon Bradley' Desert Cafe in Southbank.

Belgian Waffles with way too much Chocolate!

Then happily strolling back along the River to Flinders Street Train Station.

It is not often I get to play "Tourist" in my home town... It was a lovely evening and we should do it more often!