{making} zakka

ok, so i've said it before. but i'll say it again: i love tea cosies. i just think they're... well... kitsch & comforting. there's something very homely about a tea cosy, don't you think? so when a good friend of mine gave me this book for christmas i was very excited. this book takes the humble tea cosy to a whole. new. level.

it's called Zakka Sewing, zakka being a japanese term for something handmade that is for around the home. think the squirrel tea-cosy, slippers, fabric book jackets, pencil cases, aprons... all done in a tasteful, quirky and beautiful japanese-inspired way. lots of luscious linen fabrics, wool felt, and hand sewn embroidery. the book gives you detailed instructions for 25 gorgeous projects... take a peek at some of the beautiful photos of what you can make.

 images :: STC Craft

if you like your home crafts, this is definetly a book for you! something a little different, and a little special. all of the projects would make great gifts if you can bear to part with them.

but first, i'm off to make one amazing squirrel tea cosy...i wonder what my grandmother would have thought of it?

The Adventure :: counting down!

...only 53 days until we head on our little jaunt around the world, aka The Adventure! excited, much?!

image cred :: flickr

and... it's going to be here awfully quickly! there's so much to do!

...read travel books

...start packing (sadly, i am obsessive compulsive when it comes to this)

...learn french (oui!)

...freak out about tipping in New York

and a must-do: buy some shoes! but what shoes to wear?? stylish yet comfortable, warm yet light. oh the dilemmas!

what do you love & hate about travelling??

a new year...

bonjour! 

 & happy new year!

how did you see in the new year? josh & i were on the radio for new years eve, with a special request show. we partied with the whole of brisbane!

but 2010, oh am i happy to see you! 2009 sent a lot of challenges my way, but 2010 just has that lovely even ring to it, and feels a lot like a clean slate. i am looking forward to a lot of things this year...

... The Adventure : Chicago-New York-London-Paris-Rome. Say no more!!

... some good food (and hopefully some of it home grown!)

... a chance for me NOT to fill my every waking minute with something/someone. i need to bring quality, not quantity, into my diary...

... some refreshment. a chance to stop and just think about my life ahead. i want to be a better wife, a more caring friend, a cleaner house-wife, and a more faithful follower. 

... and maybe a bit more time to play that piano of mine.

 so, here's to 2010. i hope you're looking forward to something promising this year!

image cred : how clever is eloise?! she took this wonderful fireworks pic! find more fabulousness on her flickr page

{cooking} for christmas

growing up, christmas was more about the food than it is about the presents (still is!). there are a few staples that i have to make, for it to really feel like christmas... both these recipes come from my mum. i use the same recipe, but mine never turn out exactly perfect like hers does! don't be deterred, they are always crowd pleaser's!

shortbread 

...the ingredients

250g butter, chilled, cubed

2 heaped tablespoons rice flour

1/2 cup icing sugar

2 cups plain flour

method...

place all ingredients in a large food processor and mix until mixture begins to form into a ball.

press firmly into well greased small patty-pans, or into one large lamington tray.

prick with a fork in a decorative pattern.

Optional: get extra fancy and push a walnut or pecan into the mixture.

bake in a slow oven (150degrees celcius) for 45 minutes.

cut in the tray when still warm and allow to cool in the pan.

rum-less rum balls 
(so as not to feel guilty about eating these for breakfast every day in december, i usually omit the rum... hey they have weetbix and sultanas! that's a totally healthy breakky, right?!)

...the ingredients

12 weetbix, crushed finely

400g can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup coconut

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 cup sultanas

method...

Combine all ingredients and mix well

roll handfulls of mixture and roll in extra coconut.

chill until hard.

what goodies make up your christmas?

a little festive cheer...

 

a little hand knitted plum pudding...

a plywood evergreen... i have an adversion to plastic green chistmas trees.

nothing personal if you have one, but they're just not my cup of tea.

Noel... a french word for christmas... makes me think of beautiful carols like the first noel, carol of the bells, Handel's Messiah...

there should be a lot of love at christmas...

and lots of mum's shortbread. mine will never be as good as hers!

how have you got into the festive spirit??

blog this challenge :: festive

a lovely film

tonight i saw a lovely film...

you've probably heard about it :: bright star. jane campion, writer and director, has made a this beautiful film. it's so vivid, so full. so dreamy. the cinematography is breathtaking: so captivating. it makes me want to visit hertfordshire in the spring...

have you seen it? what did you think?

a little trip

oh friends, i am just too excited! we're going on a holiday... a wonderful holiday! the flights are booked, so let the planning begin!

one glorious month, just the two of us...  

chicago. new york. london. paris. florence. rome.

image :: etsy

tres exciting, non??

if you know where to find some travel inspiration, let me know! maybe you've blogged about your trip, or know of a great website to visit. maybe you've been there and know that exact restaurant i should go to, and which photo opportunity i should not miss!

i have been following peonie's latest posts on new york with much anticipation!