Australia Day

We celebrated Australia Day in style, and perhaps some photos of the day are a good way to get back into the swing of blogging. My sister bought Ruby a bandana to wear on the day. We couldn't work out the best way to get it on her so I made an elastic waisted skirt by cutting it in half. She looked every bit the Vegemite kid!

We had friends around for a bbq and of course listened to Triple J's Hottest 100. Unlike a lot of people I wasn't too unhappy with the countdown. I hardly listened to any radio over 2009, but we've finally got the sound system in the lounge hooked up, so I intend to rectify that this year.




It has been a long time since I've been regularly posting, and we've been up to all sorts of things around here. We had our trip to the United States for five weeks and Ruby's 1st Birthday the day after we got home. Christmas came quickly as did New Year's and then I find myself at the end of January. How does that happen?


Cake by my sister Alyssa


Some US highlights:


1. 1st ride on a carousel, 2. Pina Colada, 3. Hoover Dam, 4. Cathedral Rock, 5. Making cake for Issy's Birthday, 6. Cold Love, 7. Ohhhh can I do it Mum?, 8. Ruby's What Not, 9. Rockefeller Centre, 10. Lincoln Memorial, 11. The White House, 12. On the Way, 13. Cathedral Rock, 14. Yum, 15. Still taking a break, 16. Taking a break, 17. Times Square, 18. Jacqui O Reservoir, 19. Detail, 20. Rockefeller Centre, 21. Baby it's cold out there..., 22. Independence Hall, 23. Mr Barack, let me in!!!, 24. Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, 25. Capitol Hill


I didn't write a long list of resolutions for 2010. I do have some goals for this year though, rather than resolutions.

- I'd like to supplement my current $0 income with some crafty things that I enjoy doing.
- I want to continue spending as much time with Ruby as possible, exploring the wonderful world we live in.
- I want to continue meeting regularly with other parents, exchanging ideas etc, but also some time without the little to explore some crafty ideas (oh to live in Melbourne and be a Brown Owl!)... note to self - have just discovered Adelaide Brown Owls, which I missed by a day - must keep my eyes open (apparently I have been under a rock)...
- To cook lot's more!! ... new recipes!

I also want to get involved with a few not-for-profit endeavours, the first I've come across is being organised by Lizzy, and I have to say I am very much looking forward to participating in Project Patchwork.

Here's to an action packed 2010!

Melbourne Wedding Weekend

A great friend of mine got married last weekend. I went over to Melbourne for the nuptials and had an absolute ball (albeit a little teary for leaving Ruby and DB in Adelaide).

Inta has been a dear friend, we first met in 1995, during our first year studying Interior Design at Uni SA. Although she's spent a number of years overseas (where she met her lovely husband, Danny), whenever we see each other we are able to take up where we left off. Her sister Daina is a good one like that too. So what a treat, a wonderful weekend with two old favourites, and getting to know Danny, whom I'm sure will fall into that category as well!

I flew out of Adelaide on the Friday afternoon. I went straight to Inta's, Danny's and Daina's from the airport and Daina and I glammed up and went to the Melbourne Supper Club for pre-dinner drinks. Then it was on to Cutler & Co. for a sumptuous dinner. My menu: Artichoke Soup with Scallops, Flathead served with saurkraut, oyster mousse and bacon, followed by an ice cream sandwich. Oh my, how amazing! Everything was delicious and the company was great. The space is fabulous, I particularly liked the bathroom 'pods' at the end of the restaurant. Fabulous!

On Saturday morning there was a wedding breakfast at a Cafe in the Abbotsford Convent, called Handsome Steve's House of Refreshment. The setting was lovely, the weather perfect. Danny and I decorated the balcony a little, whilst Inta bought some food from the Slow Food Farmer's Market, to add to the croissants, coffee and sparkling wine at Handsome Steve's.




Unfortunately Danny's family who live in Brighton, England, were unable to attend the wedding. Danny set up a web cast so that his Mum could be involved which was lovely. After the breakfast I met up with some other fab friends, Sarah and Simon. We wandered around the city checking out Ghostpatrol & Miso's Open Studio, Craft Hatch at the City Library and Hello Sailor at the Carlton Hotel. It was great to spend some time with the two of them and our activities were very inspiring. They were also lovely enough to accomodate me Sat night.

Sunday morning I met up with Daina and Danny and we went down to the Heritage Gardens at the Convent to decorate and set up. We decorated the rotunda and organised the web link up to Danny's family. The ceremony was lovely, followed by drinks and croquembouche. Perfect.



The whole wedding weekend was a perfect reflection of Inta and Danny. Relaxed, intimate, unpretentious, fun and a little quirky.

I finished the weekend with brunch at Birdman Eating with Sarah, Simon, Marg & Jon, a quick walk up Gertrude St, Fitzroy and then on to the airport... where I missed my flight. Arrgh! Fortunately they were able to put me on the next one, so I only had to wait an hour or so before my flight home to my lovelies.