Winter warmer

Winter is definately starting to show itself here.  Its getting harder to brave getting out of bed in the mornings and the evening chill starts to set in around 4pm.

With the cooler weather upon us, its a good excuse, well for me anyway, to fix some good old family favourites in the kitchen.  Wholesome, filling, tummy warming recipes that are just too much to eat in the Queensland summer and have a special place in our home in the cooler months.

I've been super busy, and perhaps getting a little carried away, in the kitchen this afternoon after picking up some very well priced vegetables at the fruit shoppe today.....how could I not stock up on pumpkin at only 29 cents a kilo!!

The kitchen has been a buzz with 5 recipes underway all at once.....and let me tell you the house smells delightful!  A traditional lasagne, vegetable lasagne, pumpkin soup, banana cake, caramel cakes....mmmmm yum!

What I am most looking forward to though is a slice of that fresh banana cake with my cuppa tonight when I snuggle under the douvet to watch my favourite shows, Greys and DHW.

Banana cake was a childhood favourite in our home.  I always remember looking at the bananas starting to get a little past their best and excitedly thinking...oh shame, now mum will have to make a banana cake!  I look forward to sharing our favourite recipe with you tomorrow!

Until then enjoy your evening and keep warm!

Tash

Winter beauty

I haven't much time to blog this week I am afraid, so thought I'd share another post I came across in my blog travels.

Winter is just about here.  I was hit with that reality today when our beautiful Queensland temperatures plumeted down to 20 degrees (celcius) today, 10-12 degrees lower than we have had in Autumn so far this year.  I admit, I HATE winter, I am no fan of the cold at all.  However isn't there something romantic and magical about beautiful pine forests and crisp white fallen snow!  Although we won't see too much snow here in Queensland this winter, I was immediately inspired by the magical atmosphere of beautifully creative winter photo shoot. 

I love the crispness of the freshly fallen snow, the splashes of colour in the styling and the whimsical feel of the setting.  and I do admit...it almost makes me wish we were going to see some snow this winter afterall.

Check out more of the shoots stunning images at JL Designs blog.

my favourite things - Pretty blooms

One of my most favourite things happens to be something I only get to enjoy in my least favourite season...Winter.  I openly admit I am really not a fan of the cold weather and little luxuries like snuggling in front of an open fire; delicious hot homemade soups and georgous winter clothes just simply are not enough to make me like it any more!

But right in the middle of the misery I call winter, something beautiful pops up and makes it far more bareable, Cream Jonquils.

I'm not sure if its that they are a sign that spring is on its way; the simpleness of each stem blooming with multiple flowers; the stunning purfume that bursts from the bouquet and fills the house with its beautiful fragrance; or that they simply remind me of my late Nana who also liked them....No matter what it is I know I get a little excited when I finally see carefully bunched blooms of Jonquils sitting in a bucket at the local florist each winter.

And thats what happened just the other day.  I scooped up 5 bunches as soon as I saw them.  Now they adorn the lounge room buffet and the house has a hint of spring in the air.  Simple, fragrant and eyecatching...definately one of my favourites!