Brighton beach

Who would have thought, that just a few kilometers south of Melbourne city, there would be a whole other world. Yes, I'm talking about Brighton Beach. I've known about Brighton beach and its colourful beach huts for ages. I finally had the opportunity to take a visit this last weekend. It didn't disappoint.

It really was a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. I braved Melbourne public transport and hopped the Sandringham line to Brighton Beach train station. Always on the search for a picture I headed straight for the beach and a short walk north later stumbled across the most beautiful view of the city. The sun had finally decided to make an appearance, and the gorgeous blue sky provided a bright and cheery backdrop for the Melbourne skyline, and for the vibrant quirky beach houses. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Our picnic lunch tasted amazing on the verandah of a vivid blue, yellow and red beach hut. The sea gulls were hilarious...zooming in like SAS bombers from afar at the very hint of a crumb. I realised quickly not to mess with the gulls....those creatures are vicious when it comes to fighting for food. Their ardent favor quickly waned once the food was gone.

Some burnt limbs later, we wandered back to the road. Amazingly, while down on the beach, you couldn't hear the traffic, but once back up, reality hit again. Weary, we headed back to the city on the City Circle line. Such a wonderful day trip...and such a different world!

Definitely put Brighton Beach and its colourful beach huts on your 'to do' list next time you head to Melbourne. It is definitely worth it!

xxx

 

 

Melbourne in B+W

I love the look of black and white photography but seem to have difficulty editing my photos into black and white. I shoot what catches my eye, and it is often the colours which grab my attention. So I thought I'd do somethng a little different and try my hand at B+W street photography from my time in Melbourne last weekend. They break all the rules of good photography, but I love them. I hope you do too.

This weekend, how about challenging yourself to shoot something just a little bit different. Who knows, you might find yourself a whole new genre you just love to dabble in!

xxx

Melbourne Christmas Cheer

This time last year I was excitedly putting the last remaining traveling necessities in my suitcase and dreaming of a white Christmas. I didn't get a white Christmas, but I had just the most amazing time soaking up a northern hemisphere Christmas wandering the streets of Manhattan. That city really knows how to put on Christmas! I loved the cold, being bundled up in scarves, beanies and gloves, taking photos of so much Christmas cheer.

So when I decided to meet a friend in Melbourne last weekend for a girly shopping weekend, I had no idea that I would be transported back to NYC, right in our own backyard. I've only been to Melbourne one other time. It was in winter, and I ran a half marathon. It was grey, cold and beautiful. The weather wasn't actually all that different this time around! Gotta love Melbourne!

It was the energy, the bustling, busy excitement that was seen in both adults and kids, that reminded me so much of NY. Wandering around at night time, when the city comes alive. Shops adorned with twinkling lights and promises of Christmas bargains. Street vendors selling their wares. Carolers caroling. The only thing missing were chestnuts roasting and about 10kg in clothing layers.

I had such a wonderful time soaking it all in.
If you ever get a chance, spend a long weekend in Melbourne at Christmas time.

Merry Christmas. I hope you have a happy and holy day.
Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season.

xxx

A trip down memory lane...

Have you ever looked back over your Facebook timeline? I had the opportunity to last night ( read, I was procrastinating sleep) and I realised something. I may not have bought a new car, had a bub, gotten married or done a million-and-one other amazing things that my Facebook friends have done. I may not be the best photographer, or the best cook, or even the best friend, but I have had an amazing couple of years.

I know fb posts usually lean towards the positive end of the emotion spectrum, but it found though my posts a fair share of rants and grumbles. I found pictures of wonderful friends, of magical weddings, and of fantastic once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I was reminded of so many little moments that I had found important enough at the time to document and share with (let's be honest) a bunch of strangers (and a few friends!!).

But the thing that struck me the most (yes, I am aware I started a sentence and paragraph with a conjunction) was the way my time line really did encompass me. I know that seems intuitive (some of you are slapping your heads saying 'duh' right now) but bear with me...

...in the olden days people used to quilt using any scrap of fabric; And the quilt used to take on the history of the one by whom it was created. The green patch in the right corner came from a favourite childhood dress, while the red patch was from little Tommy's overalls, which lost both knees due to the rough and tumble play of a male toddler....well in a voyeuristic way, trawling through my timeline felt a bit like that.

So I guess it shouldn't really surprise me that my Facebook page was so "me" but it did. And you know what else? I like me :-) I like the gumby, triathlete-want-to-be, annoying-wedding-guest-who-insists-on-taking-copious-photos, 10km-running, wildlife-kid-and-flower photographing, tea-addicted, yoga-attempting, crocheting, fringe-sporting me. I'm not everyone's cup of tea, but that's ok.

I encourage you all to take a trip down memory lane and have a look through your timeline some time. You may just be a bit surprised...and encouraged xxx

Apple, Walnut and Sultana loaf

This may just be my favourite 'go to' recipe. So simple, so quick, so tasty, and so amenable to being changed!

I love this recipe.
You can even convince yourself that it is healthy. It is, after all, predominantly fruit :-)

I found this when I was in NZ, in one of their fabulous cooking mags. They had a section called 'you asked for it', and in it, they published a recipe that a reader had requested, from a cafe or restaurant. This comes from Shadehouse Cafe in Rotorua. I never got to go to taste the real thing, so I have no idea how close this recipe is to the original, but it doesn't bother me, coz I love this one!

Best enjoyed with a cup of tea.
Bon appetit!

Shadehouse Cafe's Apple, Walnut and Sultana Loaf

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups peeled, cored and diced apple (I used 1 apple and 1 pear in this one)
1 cup brown sugar
100g butter, melted (I used dairy free spread)
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups flour (I used 1 cup wholemeal and 1/2 cup white, coz I ran out of wholemeal, but you can definitely use all wholemeal. I suspect it would be too crumbly if you use gluten free, but I wonder what half gluten free, half almond meal would be like...hmmm, something to try for next time!)
1/4 teaspoon salt (I actually forgot this)
1/2 teaspoon each of baking powder and ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon each cinnamon and baking soda
1/2 cup of sultanas and 1/2 cup walnuts
icing sugar for dusting

And this is where the fun starts. That is the original recipe. I change it up depending on my mood.
Now, I"m a more is more kinda girl. I usually add more nutmeg, and cinnamon and add a good heaped (um....tablespoon) ground ginger. I also add chopped Buderum ginger pieces if I add ginger to the spice mix. I usually add sultanas and walnuts, but have subbed dates before. I almost always add vanilla as well.

Instructions
Preheat oven to 180deg C. Lightly grease a loaf pan (this makes you feel even more virtuous. Its almost a healthy bread if it is in this shape!)
Combine apple, brown sugar, egg and melted butter and mix well.
Add dry ingredients and sultanas/walnuts etc and mix well. It will be really quite chunky. It is best to sift, especially if you're baking soda is a little lumpy. Believe me, biting into a lump of baking soda really ruins the whole experience.
Bake for 40-50 mins or until a skewer comes out clean. My oven is about 40 mins.
Cool, then turn onto a cake rack. Dust with icing sugar ( I must admit, I don't think I've ever done this!)

It is so yummy warm or cold.
It apparently stores for a few days in an airtight container. I have never challenged it :-)