Sunday 25 January 2009

Her Sadness


Unfortunately, my camera is not the greatest and it's made the colours too light and bubbly. It's much darker in real life. I like the rocks in this one. Not sure what to do with the face yet or maybe nothing at all.

Sunday 11 January 2009

Cupcakes Painting

As suggested by a friend, I have painted a picture of the other great love in my life - Cupcakes.


Saturday 10 January 2009

Midlife Crisis


At least these guys are owning up to it :) I hope I will be as honest in a few years.

Friday 9 January 2009

Trip to see The Three Sisters


G + I spent the last few days of our Christmas and New Years break in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains at the lovely hotel and spa, Lilianfels. Apparently I was last there 27 years ago but it was all new to me. I wondered why they were called the Blue Mountains and that was answered when we arrived on a beautiful sunny summer day to see the amazing blue haze that colours all the mountains. Very pretty. G took many amazing photos which I can only mirror with my non-DSLR compact Canon point-and-click :)

If you head out from Sydney, the drive takes only 90 minutes and consists of one long 90km stretch that runs under spaghetti junction (the M7), through Penrith and then right up to the sleepy hamlets of Leura and Katoomba.

On the drive up, we stopped in Leura for iced chai frappe and flower pot scones. Yes, the scones are cooked in cute little flower pots and served with homemade jam and cream. The shop that served these was called WayzGoose and is worth the visit. They did forget our order for a berry tart so don't feel the need to tip them.

On the first day in Katoomba, we took the 2 minute walk from our hotel to The Three Sisters lookout and took a lot of photos. It's a beautiful scene and one that you should take the chance to see at least once. There are many reasons to visit again but be sure to see The Three Sisters on your first visit. They'll call you back again.

The rest of our trip was spent relaxing around the hotel. There was a fancy schmancy meal at Darley's, which I will blog about soon. Stay tuned for why I think they should lose a hat.

I'd certainly visit Lilianfels again. Like their big sister hotel The Observatory, it is a classy hotel that makes you feel very at home and relaxed. With the spa and the food, you don't even need to go out and do the touristy things. Stay in and order the wagyu burger.

My latest paintings

I have been painting a lot in the last few months. It's going up and down. I'm not sure what I want to paint so I'm trying lots of ideas. Mainly what catches my eye at the time. Getting fine lines has been the biggest challenge. Working with metallic paints has been the greatest joy.

Painting is something I really enjoy and will keep doing. Hopefully it will improve :)


Night view from our window


Lotus flower and palm leaf

Champagne party

Burning Heart

Turtle Disaster

Thursday 8 January 2009

The best way to eat oysters


I lie, the best way to eat good oysters is au naturel with maybe a squeeze of lemon. My second favourite way is make a Japanese style sauce and pour it over the oysters. You can serve them in the shell or in Asian soup spoons. Be sure to pour all the liquid from the oyster in to the spoon too as that is where all the taste is. Do not cook the oysters. Pour the sauce over the oysters just before you serve them.


A Japanese-style sauce for Oysters
(for one dozen oysters)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Garnish with chopped chives.

1 tablespoon of salt reduced kikkoman soy sauce
1 tablespoon of mirin
1 teaspoon of brown sugar
the juice of one lime
1/2 teaspoon of crushed fresh ginger
finely chopped chives