Monday, January 26, 2009

our home is girt by sea*


What is one to do, when one finds oneself in a foreign land on the occasion of one's National Day?

One attempts to whip up a batch Lamingtons, of course.

In the process, I discovered a new found admiration for old-school, no mixmaster/kitchenaid cookery. Creaming butter and sugar by hand is a bitch.

How I longed for my old trusty Sunbeam Mixmaster (ca 1960). Ours was a multi-generational machine. When we left Australia I bequeathed it to my sister, so along with the family silver it has become a bit of an heirloom piece.

There was something about the way it sounded when it was cranked up to 10, something about the way it smelled - like machine oil and burning sugar - it always reminded me of a fairy floss machine. Most importantly, there was something remarkably pleasing about the way it creamed butter and sugar together without me getting a tired arm.

I'll admit, they are not the world's best Lamingtons, but not a bad first effort.



*Possibly the most ridiculous line in any national anthem - ever.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Snow


Blossoms in the snow
Originally uploaded by heliospheric
It is well below 0°C and forecast to remain that way for the next few days.

The novelty of snow has definitely not worn off.

Perfect weather for curling up on the couch and reading a book and drinking cups of tea.

Heavenly.

Monday, January 05, 2009

Resolving

New Year Checklist:

Cupboards reorganised....check.

House tidy...check

Navel gazing complete...check.

Right, must be time to do that resolution thingy.

I was fairly specific last year with my resolutions and that worked fairly well as I had a number of specific things I wanted to achieve. I'm in a big picture frame of mind at the moment, so I've developed the following mantra:

"Positive, Active, Creative." [repeat]

Chuck in a few well placed "ommmms" and I could start my own Ashram.

What are your resolutions?