I sneaked away to the country for the weekend to glean from a bunch of freelance photographers and writers, willing to share their craft and ways at a Photography and Writing Workshop. It was a stretching exercise for me; put on the spot with many writing exercises, plus the requirement to then read your work aloud to the whole group.
Read MoreWhen Mr G voiced his plans to visit California for two weeks on a business trip in June, I offered up a generous suggestion, 'I could make myself available to accompany you!'
'What will you do in California while I'm working? he asked. My response 'I could eat!'. Just like Julia Child (in my favourite flick 'Julie and Julia') said to her husband Paul, when they first relocated to France for his business commitments. 'What will I do in France?' His response 'Well, what do you like to do?'. 'I don't know' she said as they sat at a French restaurant eating bread together. 'You do like to eat!' Paul said. 'Yes' Julia said, 'Yes I do!'
Today was a special day, a significant moment in the life of our family, a day to celebrate mum! We gathered together as a family to eat, drink and be merry, at a shared table for her 80th birthday day. Mum is not overly keen on people knowing she is 'that old', so much so that she wanted to pop the balloon that screamed '80' at the top of the table cluster!
Read MoreSeemingly out of nowhere just a couple of months ago, this welcoming little cafe The Nook arrived on the landscape of the community-minded suburb, and strip of local shops, that is Elanora Heights. Suddenly we have a place to eat and drink, that you'd be more likely to find in Bondi or Avalon.
Read MoreWe baked our little socks off today....but not before we gobbled up a late breakfast of poached eggs, tomato and sourdough. Coupled with endless chatter, shared laughter and deep discussions between Michelle and I, on the journey of writing recipes and books. What followed was the swift rolling of pastry for the Eccles Cakes, flour stuck to our faces. Whipping up of sponge cakes, ovens bursting with activity. The making of chocolate wheaty biscuits from scratch, whilst the smell of Spanish Tortilla bubbling away on the stove filled the room.
Read MoreHave you ever had a moment when you thought to yourself,I think I'll move to the country, where life is slower, people are friendlier, the grass will be greener and my life will be simpler? Maybe you have gone one step further and looked at rural real estate online.... road tripped the coast and country dreaming of a sea change or a tree change or both!
Read MoreNever have I spent two full days focusing on developing my photography and in such a visually rich and giving environment, it was all quite surreal. Sophie and her friend Pip cooked us three meals a day, plus morning and afternoon teas for all. Once the food was more than amply photographed, by all sixteen budding student photographers present, we devoured it's deliciousness, most gratefully.
Read MoreAfter a couple of days in the Huon we moved on again and met up once more with our three offspring in Hobart. Together we headed up the East Coast to stay at a small coastal town called Swanwick. It was just ten minutes’ drive from the well-known east coast town of Coles Bay and near the renowned Wineglass Bay, located in Freycinet National Park. Swanwick was a gorgeous place to base ourselves for ten days together.
Read MoreBack at the farm house kitchen, our evening began with a cheese board and local wine, along with a starter of mussels cooked in tomatoes, garlic, white wine and parsley, with fresh bread for dipping. This was just the beginning of our feasting.
Read MoreHobart really is such a pretty place, and the many similarities found me likening it to the city of Wellington in New Zealand. Both cities are wedged between extensive mountain ranges, with older style houses and shacks sprawled along the hillsides, lots of hipster cafes and a bustling city market, with a stunning harbour and waterfront taking centre stage.
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Come join me for a Cooking Classes or 'Afternoon Tea with an Author' event in my Palm Beach Kitchen, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
