Shopping Locally in Beechworth

It's no secret that I like to spend my spare time in Beechworth. I'm usually up there for my christmas break, and the odd long weekend as well. Easter is one of the best times to visit; there are markets, festivals, and lots of yummy food to eat.

I thought I'd highlight a few of my favourite places; spending money at local businesses is so important these days.

These beautiful pieces of pottery come from Kirby's Flat Pottery, just outside Beechworth in Yackandandah. We've been visiting the studio for years and have a nice little collection now. John's work includes some beautiful decorative pieces as well as lots of tableware. He is also well known for having his work in a number of high-profile locations including the Federal Parliament.

 I love all the fresh food available in the region. In summer there are lots of berries, including the strawberries above. These come from a farm just on the outskirts of town, where you can pick your own, or buy them already picked. There is nothing fresher! I also came home with a ginormous bag of Pink Lady apples straight from the orchard.

Last but not least; the wineries! There are plenty of big-name wineries like Brown Brothers (which I love), but there are also lots of smaller wineries dotted around. The above wine is from Amulet, a family-run vineyard with a lovely Rose and some gorgeous anti-pasto platters. We've been visiting for so long that when we order the bottle of wine, the owner knows we're there!

So that's my little tour around one of my favourite towns; hope you enjoyed!

Fruit Cake

I spent my Friday being a bit of domestic queen. Mostly I emptied out the bathroom and got rid of years worth of old soaps that had gone funny, and tanning lotions that were past their use-by dates. I can actually open drawers without things falling everywhere!

But I also snuck in a little kitchen time and made a good, old-fashioned boiled fruit cake. This cake is so yummy when its still a little bit warm on the inside.

From The Australian Woman's Weekly cookbooks.

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups mixed dried fruit

1/2 cup water

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

125g butter, chopped

1 tsp mixed spice

1/2 tsp bicard soda

brandy (optional)

1 egg

1 cup plain flour

1 cup SR flour

Method:

Combine fruit, water, sugar, butter, spice and soda in a large saucepan. Stir over low heat until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, then simmer covered for 5 min. Remove from heat and add a slug or two of brandy.

Cool to room temp (I often sit the pot in a sink of cold water if I'm in a hurry).

Preheat over to 160C/140C fan-forced. Grease deep 20cm cake tin and line with two layers of paper.

Add egg and flours to fruit mix, spread in pan, and cook for 90 mins or until cooked (I usually cut 10 mins off with my oven).

Market Wrap-Up and Brownies

All my markets are done and dusted for the month! I finished off with the Huckleberry Market last Sunday down in Mornington. With the easter egg hunt on, we had plenty of mums and kids through the door.

I went for a mix of fabrics and handmade, but unsuprisingly it was the fabric that walked off the table...

After Sunday's early start and a couple of days at work, today's day off was very welcome. I had a nice sleep-in, hit the gym, then headed off to a yummy afternoon tea with one of my uni friends.

Best chocolate brownie I've had in a while, and the hot chocolate was pretty awesome too.

Huckleberry Market

Tomorrow is the day!

There is even an easter egg hunt for your little ones, so if you are in the area, or feel like a day trip, come on down to Mornington.

Where Have I Been?

It's been a while, sorry! The last week has been crazy busy, but I do have photos to show for it.


On Thursday my mum and I had a lovely girls lunch at a favourite winery in Healesville. The food and wine are always divine, and we usually settle in for 3 hours or so.

The many things we enjoyed included a yummy caprese salad...

and I had a very yummy four cheese pizza.

Then on Saturday we had a champagne breakfast bridal shower to attend for a family member, then I was off to the movies with a friend from uni.

Sunday was busier again, starting with the Boutique Market at The Malvern Town Hall. The weather was much more comfortable this time, and I had a lovely morning.

Sunday was finished off with a family afternoon tea; lots of yummy cakes to be eaten!

 On Monday I started my new job! It's at a research institute, and while I'm not in the lab, its closer to what I prefer to be doing which is great. The group even had a welcome BBQ yesterday which was lovely, and a great chance to enjoy what might have been the last warm day for now.

And this coming Sunday is the Huckleberry Market in Mornington! For info click on the picture/link over on the right.

Little Ruby

The little Ruby quilt is finished. She's very cute.

I've backed her in the lovely blue swirly fabric. Bella has given her the sniff of approval.

I think I'll be bringing her to market this week...she was going to be for me, but she's turned out more child-sized than adult-sized.

I love the red binding.

The Good News

Ever have one of those weeks (or months) where everything seems to go your way? Apparently it's finally my time! I've been offered a part-time job, which I'm still thinking over...trying to weigh up the pros and cons, but I think I'll probably take it unless a better offer comes my way in the next week... It's not perfect, but something is better than nothing.

Things are coming along nicely in the garden; I think summer has left us now so it's time to start looking ahead to winter.

The zucchini glut is pretty much over; there are a few babies left still, but they don't seem to grow as quickly now that we aren't getting the hot weather.

The bok choy is in and growing; love this in my stir fries.

I have a couple of pumpkins growing too; after an attack by a whipper snipper early on (lost some fruit), the plant has bounced back well ('scuse the weeds).

The quinces seem to have ripened way earlier than usual; I already have quite a collection on my kitchen bench which I need to get poaching. They take a bit of time but are definitely worth it.

I've got two markets lined up for this month. The Boutique Market is on Sunday 18th March from 9-1 at the Malvern Town Hall. I'll have all my fabric and patterns there as per Mathilda's Market.

Then on the following Sunday, 25th March, I'll be at the Huckleberry Market in Mornington from 9-2 with a mix of fabrics and handmade goodies. Click on the links over on the right for more info on either market.