The Hills ~ 3 things I like about you

I love where I live and I thought it would be wonderful to share what I find so inspiring and peaceful about this beautiful part of the world, the Adelaide Hills.

1. Charming country gates

2. Rustic beauty

3. Quaint cafes

Stay tuned for more...

Lust

Went driving today and I happened to remember my camera which is a lovely thing. Captured lots of photos which I'll share with you over the coming days. I drive past this house every weekend and just adore the old recycled red bricks they've used to build an extension to the house and the entrance gate, paired with a modern looking letterbox. I also LOVE the camellias in wine barrels either side of the gate.  You can't tell in this photo but they are white camellias which look absolutely stunning when in flower.

Pretty

Amazing what floral displays you can come up with when you don't think you have anything flowering in the garden. Pretty. Beautiful lunch today with family.

Final burst

Summer's giving us a final burst of warm weather this weekend. Hope you have a wonderful weekend whatever you have planned. Now fighting fit, we have another weekend of birthday parties to attend. Fun times ahead.

Delayed celebrations

You wouldn't believe it... I have been down and out since Saturday night with a nasty bug which meant I had to cancel my daughter's birthday party at the last minute! Such a shame as it was shaping up to be a fun afternoon which I spent in bed instead of the pool. It also means that I can't share pretty pictures taken from the day so I have borrowed one instead. All ok now though... just in time for a little celebration at home tonight. Happy Birthday little girl. x

Image from Pinterest 

Baking... macaroons

Hope you are having a wonderful start to the weekend! I am baking today for Amelie's birthday party tomorrow and having a ball. Everything is going well so far. Making macaroons for the first time and they are turning out well. Thought I'd give you a sneak peak. I am filling them with a fresh raspberry icing mix. Can't wait to eat them! Ahh Saint-Émilion I feel like I am with you again.

Bunting complete

I mentioned the other day how I was going to make a party bunting, and I am happy to report that it is complete and I LOVE IT! I am now inspired and want to make another one for my little friend Lucy. I went to our local fabric store The Patchwork Apple this morning and bought some more gorgeous material, so watch this space.

Tea time... Sensational Vegetarian Lasagne

I have to tell you how wonderful it was to come home from work today to find my husband in the middle of making his sensational vegetarian lasagne. Not just any vegetarian lasagne, but one which has been passed down from his Uncle who hails from Calabria, the toe of the Italian Peninsula. I have to tell you at this point that we have never actually ever been given quantities of ingredients... we estimate as we go along depending on the crowd we are feeding, but what I have written down works. It is so simple and so incredibly tasty. I took additional photos as he was layering it up which might also help when putting this masterpiece together. 

Vegetarian "Eggplant" Lasagne

Ingredients

3 large eggplants

2 packets of fresh lasagne sheets (the thinner the better.. we like Latina)

5 x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes

plain flour

olive oil

garlic

150g of Pecorino cheese, grated finely (can substitute with Parmesan, but it's not quite as tasty)

Place tomatoes in saucepan with garlic, a little bit of olive oil and a good pinch of salt. Reduce over medium heat, until it forms into a nice thick sauce consistency. While the tomatoes are doing their thing, slice the eggplants thinly, pat both sides of each eggplant round in plan flour, baste (or spray) with olive oil and fry or grill for a few minutes each side until tender. Place onto a plate as you go until you are ready to layer up.

Once the tomatoes are ready you are now set to layer up your lasagne. You might want to turn your oven on at this point to 180 degrees. 

Now, grab a dish and start by placing a light layer of sauce on your dish, then layer with lasagne sheets, top with a light layer of eggplant followed by a light layer of sauce and a sprinkling of cheese, then repeat, pasta, eggplant, sauce, cheese for a few layers (depending on the size and depth of your dish). The final layers include pasta topped with a light layer of sauce and a sprinkling of cheese. Hope that hasn't confused you. 

Cover dish with al-foil and cook for 30 minutes in a pre-heated oven of 180 degrees. Then remove the al-foil and cook for an additional 15 minutes to brown the top. Serve with salad and savour the moment. 

Party Bunting

I think I have bitten off more than I can chew this week, but I am giving it a red hot go. Work, study and party planning are consuming me at the moment and then I decide that I want to make a 2.5m bunting for my daughter's party on Sunday. Madness, but fun madness. I'll hopefully share some pictures soon. Time to rest my weary eyes.

Image from Pinterest

Happy Valentine's Day

Crazy I know

Lighting the fire in February during an Australian Summer... I can't quite believe it. It is normally 35+ degrees this time of year. The Hills now have a distinct Autumn feel to them, even though we are told we will have some warmer weather back again next week. I do hope so as I have planned a pool party for my daughter's 2nd birthday. I can't complain though, I am looking forward to a cosy night in. Have a great weekend.
By the way, I have finally got with the times and you can now follow me on Twitter @notthebigthings

French style by the seaside

I am absolutely in love with this book by Sebastien Siraudeau. One of the best French Style interior books around... I have most of them and am always inspired when I open the pages. Thank you for yet another stunning addition. 

Top photo from here

Picture walls

I have been searching for some examples of picture walls with frames that do not match. The majority that I come across I do not take to for one reason or another, but I am enjoying the variety and the layout in this one. I am usually a matching frame kind of girl but I am branching out. I have a number of different pictures and belongings I want to frame and display in my bedroom, and rather than re-frame, I think I can make it work with what I have. Time now to get started. Some of my precious items include a piece of art my Gran painted which I had framed, a birthday card my late brother wrote to me, and a photograph of me when I was pregnant to name a few. I'll keep you posted. 

Image via Pinterest

Too fast

Where has this week gone? I can't believe it is mid week already, and another pizza night is nearly around the corner. We have had lots going on in our household this week, hence why this is the first opportunity I've had to jump online. I mentioned on Friday that I would share my pizza craving... smoked salmon and capers wins for me every time. Keeping the toppings simple always works in my book. Hope you are having a great week. I am focusing on getting my first assignment in for my Interior Design course this week.Enjoy whatever it is you are up to.

Love is in the air

It's my daughter's birthday soon and although I had great plans regarding her invitations I have left it all a bit late and so ventured to kikki.K and bought some gorgeous little ones which will be perfect. I also purchased 365, a diary to note something down everyday for a year, which I am excited about.
I absolutely LOVE this store, but what made me grin the most was the "You give me butterflies" card. It's in their Valentines Day range, but I hope they keep it on indefinitely... I think it would be better placed as an anyday card to give to a lucky someone when ever you get that magical fluttering feeling.

Red Door Alert

I had a productive weekend last week and finally finished painting our picket fence in front of the house (only taken 4 years) and I also gave our garden shed door a coat of red paint. By looking at the photo I just posted I realise that I need to perhaps give it another coat. I like the rustic trend but I think it would look better as well as protect it from the weather... it is actually an inside door, not treated pine. The other red door is a lovely specimen I drive past most days.
Have a wonderful weekend! It is pizza night at our place tonight, so I will share my favourite toppings with you over the weekend. x

Good vibes for 2012

Feeling the need to sink my teeth into something creative for 2012 I have just signed up to do a Diploma in Interior Design and I am a little bit excited. Working on my first module now. Bring it on!

Image from here