Sweet Peas

Time to plant your sweet peas! Well in South Australia anyway, although I am sure it would be the same in most parts of the Southern Hemisphere with a similar climate. I already have some seedlings sprouting from where I had mine planted last year. My Mum has traditionally planted her sweet peas on St Patrick's Day, March 17, however when my brother died we vowed to plant them on his birthday every year. Unfortunately I wasn't prepared enough for that this year as I returned home from Sydney on the same day, but there is no time like the present. I just got off the phone from a friend who has ordered some navy blue sweet pea seeds on eBay. Who knew they even existed. I am intrigued and inspired now, so tonight I will be soaking my seeds to plant in the morning, and longing for the fragrant posies to grace my lounge room and dinner table in the spring.

Image from here

Country Style

Loving this month's Country Style mag featuring Nicki from Pony in Charleston.

Image via

The Hills ~ 3 things I like about you

1. Vistas on my way to work

2. Delicious desserts at Woodside's newest cafe  - Avalon

3. Up close and personal with the koalas at Cleland Wildlife Park

J'adore... a wonderful week

Well what a week it's been. I left for Sydney on Wednesday with a friend to see Lenny Kravitz live in concert. What a wonderful experience. I have to say support act The Cranberries were outstanding. We shopped (mainly just trying on clothes and putting them back for me), ate out, walked a lot, had ice cream in the beautiful Sydney sun, dinner at a stunning Japanese restaurant in Surry Hills with an old friend, more perusing the shops and then homeward bound. Managed to see the film My Week with Marilyn on the plane which just topped off a lovely few days away.
Then a busy weekend including a sensational crab lasagne Saturday night which I'll share with you soon, and a morning at the inspiring Bowerbird Bazaar today. Exhausted, but stoked with my little Rebecca Roth rose earrings, and lovely to see KD. I was thrilled to see the stunning Grandeliers on display too. I vow to buy more for the one day renovation. You can see mine here. Have a wonderful week!

Happy Birthday

Today is a special day. My brother was born today. He would've been 32. We lost him two and half years ago, and I miss him everyday... especially today. Sending lots of love. xx

Spaces I love

Welcome to the weekend! I am getting a little excited because I can feel our 'one day' renovation getting closer, although still a while off. I am now ramping up the inspiration folder with kitchen and bathroom ideas. I love the colour combinations used in this small kitchen space. White marble and timber veneer cabinets. I also love the fact that it comes from a loft apartment in Paris which makes is sound all the more inviting. Have a great weekend! My Real Living mag arrived in the post yesterday, so I am hoping for a quiet moment to have a cup of tea and ponder the pages.

Photo from marie claire maison

Reminiscing

It's our Wedding Anniversary today. Three years. Here are some of my favourite pics from the day.  

Photographer Brett Sheridan from Blue Razoo

Fig and Roast Almond Jam

Last week my friend gave me a bag of delicious figs, and we couldn't eat them as fast as they were ripening, so I decided yesterday to make some fig jam. I love Beerenberg's Fig and Almond Jam and so I tried (successfully) to replicate it. I looked up quite a few recipes, but then decided to just keep it simple. Here is my recipe:

Fig and Roast Almond Jam

Ingredients
Figs
Sugar
Lemon
Mixed Spice
Large handful of Almonds (we just happened to have roasted ones in the pantry)
Medium sized jars, washed and labels removed (I only needed 4)


Cut the stalks off your figs and then weigh them. Add figs into a bowl (or the saucepan you are going to cook them in) and cover with half their weight in sugar (I had 1.2kg of figs and so covered with 600gms of sugar). Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bring fig and sugar mixture to the boil and simmer until sugar has dissolved and the consistency is thick (Put a spoonful of mixture onto a saucer and place in the refrigerator to set to determine whether it is ready) - I think I had mine on the stove for about 40 minutes. While the jam is simmering place almonds in boiling water, then peel their skins off (or buy blanched almonds). Roughly chop almonds and place into mixture  along with about a teaspoon of mixed spice and the juice of half a lemon. Alter amounts to what you prefer. If you like your jam chunky (I do, yum!) scoop your figs out with a slotted spoon half way through the simmering process, simmer the syrup and then return the figs to the mixture at the end.

Now you need to sterilise your jars. Rinse jars and lids with water. Place in a warm oven, just on the racks to dry completely. While jars and jam are still hot, carefully pour or ladle your jam into the jars and seal. Then when cool cover the lids with pretty fabric, label them how you wish and enjoy or give to friends. YUM!

2012 Sagrantino

We had a wonderful day yesterday and it was gorgeous weather in McLaren Vale for picking grapes. My husband and his father were picking Sagrantino, so we offered a helping hand. I have pulled up a bit sore today but I also had a hit of tennis last night (first hit in years), so that could be the other reason. Little Miss A slept for the first little while which was helpful and when she woke she was out in force helping with her plastic green secateurs. Too cute. I think she ate more grapes than she put in her wheelbarrow, but it was all good fun. The only downside is we (the adults of course) won't be able to drink the wine for at least 2-5 years!!

Restful slumber

I haven't had time to share much this week and the madness is about to get even crazier. We are picking grapes tomorrow for my husband's 2012 vintage. He's trying his hand at a Sagrantino. We'll see how we go with toddler in tow. Until then...

Image from the sensational Fryd + Design

J'adore...

How wonderful would it be to snuggle up in front of this! Stunning fireplace just floating.

Image from My Scandinavian Retreat