Squeakers

Lest anyone think that I've been all play and no work lately...

I've been quietly working on a few things for my next market, including these cute little squeaky owls.

I had planned on making a few wheat bags today, but apparently there is some sort of wheat shortage going on, as none of my local stores have any in stock....suppose I'll have to finish off some bunnies instead.

Escape

Back in June I decided I needed to take a little time out, and check out of my life for a couple of days. With a little bit of organising, I had myself a weekend away in Sydney with a friend who lives up that way. We met three years ago in the US and catch up every year, even travelling across the US again together last year.

 

So Friday afternoon I packed my little suitcase up and headed off to the airport, excited at the thought of a girls' weekend and a spot of warm weather. And it lived up to expectation!

 

We checked into a gorgeous 5 star hotel right in the middle of the city, primped ourselves then headed out for the evening. Friday night we spent in Darling Harbour, where one of my favourite little restaurants does cocktails by the litre. Some yummy food and a few drinks, then we grabbed a bottle of wine and headed back to the hotel for some good girly gossip.

 

Saturday morning we wandered down to Circular Quay for breakfast; pancakes with a view of the bridge.

 

Then onto a ferry and across to Tooronga Zoo for the morning. The view up there is spectacular, and it was such a gorgeous morning. I particuarly enjoyed seeing the tigers (my favourite big cat) and the giraffes, who were equally interested in us as we were them.

 

 

 

Once we were done, it was a quick ferry trip back to the city, with lunch at The Rocks, and a browse at The Rocks Markets, where we both bought a few bits and pieces.

 

 

Back at the hotel, we enjoyed a little more wine and some down time, before dressing up for another night out. We had earlier spotted Jamie's Italian (a Jamie Oliver restaurant), so that was the plan for dinner. We had to line up to put our name down, then wandered to a local pub to wait for the call. Dinner was divine! We had some gorgeous spaghetti fritters, pasta, a proscuitto salad, then finished off with a brownie and some tiramisu.

 

 

Last stop for the evening was a bar right at the top of one of the city hotels.  Not quite the view we were hoping for (couldnt quite see the bridge and opera house), but it was a bit of fun and the cocktails were yum!

 

  

My friend had to leave early on Sunday so I had a quiet morning. Though I did make time to pop into the Adriano Zumbo patisserie for a few macarons to take home. Then I spent a bit of time around Darling Harbor enjoying the sunshine before it was time to fly home. Another weekend away might be in order, and sooner rather than later, as it did the world of good.

Mystery BOM Block 3

"Weather Vane"

Chocolate Ripple Cake

We had an International Food Day at work last week, and one of the girls asked me to make Chocolate Ripple Cake, as she'd never had it before. I was suprised how many people didn't know what it was; it's such a classic Aussie dessert!

You'll need a pack of Arnott's Choc Ripple biscuits, and a 500ml bottle of cream. Whip the cream (a spoonful of icing sugar in it will just sweeten it up a little, otherwise a dash of vanilla is nice). Then spread some cream on a biscuit and sandwhich the next one on. Repeat using about 1/3 of the cream until all the biscuits are joined. I do two rows for mine.

Then cover the whole thing using the remaining cream. Lather it on nice and thick. Then put it in the fridge for at least six hours, or overnight if you can. The biscuits will go all soft and cakey. Then when you serve it, make sure to slice on a slight angle (about 45 degrees), and you'll get nice layers of biscuits and cream.

Not only was the whole thing polished off in record time, but I came second in the favourite dessert vote.

Excited

Am I the only one counting down till the end of winter? For the record, there are only 18 days to go! I don't mind the cooler weather, but a month or so is more than enough for me. I love being inside listening to the rain on the tin roof, but hate being outside in it. I loathe spending the day in wet shoes because the work carpark has no gutters or drains; it turns into a river every time it pours.

But I love the little signs that spring is on its way. First the daffodils make their appearance.

Then the cherry blossoms start blooming, and I know for sure that winter really is almost gone. The only downside is that the rain and wind usually batter the blossoms pretty quickly.

Only a little bit of sewing going on here this weekend. I'm hoping to get back into markets next month, so I've started putting together a few bunnies...still faceless but getting there.



Almost....

I snuck in a little sewing time over the weekend and got those Hopscotch rows stitched together.

It was easier than I thought; most seams butted up nicely, though I needed to flip a few. It seems to depend on the orientation of the first block in each row, after which every block is oriented to fit.

 I'm pretty sure Bella does her best to get in my photos where possible...

Just need to trim it square, then get it basted and quilted!