Less serious things

Going through my photos from Daylesford (all the ones I took so I could blog my country life but then was overcome by listlessness between the taking of the photo and the putting the memory card in my machine).

Sky blue nails! I actually didn't notice they matched the sky till I looked at the photo today.

Breakfast at Wombat Hill House, they are still yum but not quite as good as they were. The french toast and other things seemed like they had been cooked in advance?

My pesto, which was amazing and lasted forever. I ended up freezing it in the ice block tray. Planning to make some more soon.

Coffee and a  brownie at Wombat Hill, love the flower though it was kind of a tiny brownie for $4.50, though on the upside they had free wifi and I downloaded quite a lot of stuff so I guess fair is fair.

Gorgeous sunset from my friend Tammi's farm.

The salad that Roey made. Was delicious and a proven hangover cure.

General Daylesford views, I miss this, it refreshes my brain when I've been at the computer all day.

My amazing green shoes. They are slightly battered now from tramping up and down hills, and partly due to obvious cheap Zara construction. Still amazing though.

The view at Woodend station where I wait for the city train and wonder whether I could actually live in the country full time.

Lunch in the sun

A nice bonus of housesitting is being able to invite people over for lunch as I just don't have the space at home. Dad excitedly set up the outdoor 'table' (it's a door on two old trestles) and food was a collaborative effort, I made a burghul salad with roast almonds, avocado and cucumber (and lemon zest), my sister made gazpacho, mum bought sacks of delicious bread and cheese.

For dessert we had apple cake, which I made with some apples I picked in the garden, served with cream.

Around the garden

House sitting again in Daylesford. Feeling very moochy and not very inspired. I always imagine that alone in the country I will become a powerhouse of productivity but it never really happens that way, not that surprising really as productivity never just unfolds effortlessly like a filmic montage, it takes effort.

I spent quite a lot of time watering earlier this week as it was so hot and I find watering soothing and contemplative, I also 'accidentally watered myself a few times to cool down.

Prosecco with raspberries from the garden (I must pick some more before the birds get them all).

Pan in the evening sun.

Champagne with campari and wild strawberries with a geranium for matchiness.

I let the dragon join in on cocktail hour.

Another view of Pan.

Blackberries.

General garden view. Such a lovely garden, I feel so lucky to get to stay here now and then.

Poppies!

Artichoke flowering.

Spring

Things I am doing in Daylesford.

 Drinking delicious coffee at Wombat Hill House (and having breakfast but I didn't take photos of that, just ate it.)

 Trying to start some new research, this book has been on my to read list for months.

Enjoying the views, and the sun, although it has been pretty cold here apart from the weekend just past. Temps of -1 at night, brrrrrrr.

The garden is looking lovely, I can't take credit, I am just minding it. It looks tremendous, don't feel too sorry for the owners missing it, they are in Portugal and Spain.

 These magnolias are so beautiful, I stop and look at them every time I walk past.

 The cat is well. Though right now he is behind the couch hiding from the thunder.

Eggplant and potato pie

Look at this pie I made last  night! It came to me in a flash of inspiration after I realised that I had nothing to serve with the eggplant curry I had planned.

I cooked a tomato sauce with onions (chopped not too finely) and garlic, lots of chill flaskes and a can of tomatoes in a dish that could go in the oven. Scooped half the sauce out and layered thinly sliced eggplant, then a layer of spinach leaves, then a layer of thinly slice potato then a few eggplant pieces on top and covered with rest of tomato sauce and baked at about 200 degrees for about 35mins, then added some grated cheese and cooked for another 10 mins. DELICIOUS.

I ate it in the shivery cold of Daylesford in front of a roaring fire.

I am cat sitting again and have to stop myself taking photos of the cat all day. He is so funny. Here he is reading the epicure:

And the sports pages:

Easter

I am going away on Tuesday for 6 weeks to the UK, which will either mean I blog more as I feel my life is super fun and exciting and shareable, or less cos I have no internet or I am spending too much time frolicking in country gardens. Anyways I thought I would post some picture of my easter.

I spent good friday packing and tidying and editing and eating hot cross buns with lurpak butter and then a bit of apple to keep it all healthy.

Dinner in Daylesford, we had a curry festa. here is the autumnal centrepiece. I can't really take credit for it, but I did rearrange it a bit then realised my rearranging looked awful so I put it back the way it was.

Centrepiece with candles.

Centrepiece with candles and dinner guests.

My favourite beaujolais was in attendance.

As was some most delicious Chateauneuf de Pape.

And this slightly strange wine, which was like a sherry but without any sweetness. I wasn't entirely sold on it to be honest but it had a good bottle and a good label. 

My friend Nero the cat. He showed his affection for me by attempting to sleep on my bed and therefore suggesting to his owners that I was some kind of weak-willed-cats-on-beds type person, which I might be, or I might not...

Panforte remnants. Good plate.

Caravaggesque apples from the fruit trees in the garden.

Turkish delight.

I started making a tally of bottles the next day, not too bad really considering there were 8 of us.

I did need a recovery hot cross bun from the Himalaya Bakery and The Age crossword.

Lindt bunnies seem to be the easter chocolate du jour this year. Bloody nice they are too.

Sunset. My little camera can't really capture it but it was very beautiful.

Desserts at The Perfect Drop on Sunday night. I love that place. We also ate cheesy fritters, saganaki, potatoes with harissa and the meat eaters ate some duck and stuff. T 

 Drinks with friends after dinner with the iPhone DJ. they were linked to the stereo or some smarty pants shit. Note the empty bowls. Yes I had second dessert.

 Reidel wine glass. I love this so much, must buy my own.

A nice easter, though one of those ones where you feel like you need a day off after your holiday. So that's what I did. Now I need to start packing and keep planning for the UK.