Bagatelles & Co.

So I've been pretty sucky at posting on my blog lately (sorry!!!)

This week, I rediscovered one of my favourite blogs that was lost in a computer wipe out several months ago - 100 Layer Cake. But sorrow is no more, as I have their delightful posts being regularly supplied to my mail box once again.

As I opened today's post I was also 'totally smitten' with the clutches from Bagatelle & Co.

I can assure you that if I had a spare $100 sitting around, 

I would be purchasing one of them.

So enough talk - here as some pictures. 

It was really hard to limit the number of photos to upload - 

but my favourite one has to be the last one 

(although the first 2 are a tie for a close second)!

If you want to check their range out for yourself, hop on over to their etsy store.

Beautiful Flowers

Yes it's true. 

I love flowers. 

If you have read my blog at all - you should know that. 

So here are some beautiful flowers

 that God has used to brighten my days over the last week.

The only thing that would complete it would be a bunch of Forget-Me-Nots...

As I remember my Grandma...

One year ago she passed away - a true woman of God.

I still love her so dearly - and am so thankful for all she taught me and gave me.

Zucchini, Basil & Parmesan Soup

Pastadeli, my favourite cafe in Wahroonga, makes lovely soups in winter. 

My favourite one last year was Zucchini, Basil and Parmesan Soup. 

This year I decided to see if I could make it for myself and perfect the recipe!

And I have! 

It has been a great success, so here is the recipe.

Kate's Zucchini, Basil and Parmesan Soup
Makes 4 main meal servings (or 8 entree size serves)

Macronutients per main meal serve: 

Carbs: 7.1g

Protein: 5.6g

Fat: 5.5g

Ingredients
2 tsp olive oil
1 large onion
3 cloves garlic
1kg of Zucchini
1L of Vegetable or Chicken Stock
3/4 bunch fresh Basil
25g Parmesan Cheese


Method
1. In a large saucepan heat oil. Put in sliced onion and garlic, stirring occasionally until translucent.
2. Add diced zucchini, stirring ingredients together.
3. Add stock. For a thinner soup, add enough stock to cover the zucchini, for a thick soup, have the stock come up 2cm below the top of the zucchini. You vary the viscosity of the soup by adding between these two points.
4. Simmer (it is ok if gently boiling) with a lid on for at least 30 minutes.
5. Take basil, tearing the leaves and placing into the soup. Stir through and only allow to cook for a further two minutes.
6. Remove the soup from the heat source, and puree it (I use a kitchen wizz). There should be a strong basil scent.
7. Add the parmesan, puree a second time, and then put it back on the heat for a minute or two, just to ensure the parmesan melts well and spreads throughout the whole soup.
8. Serve!


Variations
Less intense basil flavour: add the basil to the soup with the zucchini in step 3.
Creamier & richer soup: add 50g of parmesan (not 25g)

Katy's Gold Bracelet

My cymbidium orchid has finally flowered. 

It is looking beautiful.

I also did the flowers at church on Sunday. 

I was very pleased with how the arrangement turned out. 

I used the beautiful willow twigs from last week, and added November Lilies and Bud Wax.

These are the snapdragons that were left over from last week's arrangement, with bud wax scattered amongst it.

These photos can't compare to the photos that Stephen took for me last week, but they give you an idea of how they turned out.

Flowers...

One of the things I've enjoyed doing over the last week 

was putting together the flowers in the church. 

My name had come up on the roster, so I went into the flower markets 

early on Friday morning to be inspired.

I enjoy finding something a little different to work with, but on Friday there was only one thing that stood out to me in this way. 

Bundles of willow twigs. 

Not just any willow twigs.

The colour in these willow twigs was amazing!!!

One side of the branch was firey red and the other side sunshine yellow! 

It made me think a bright sunset shining through an autumn-infused tree. 

If I bought these to work with, I knew that I would end up making an arrangement that was unusual - and probably not liked by everyone - but I couldn't help it! 

I just had to give it a go!

So after buying a bundle of willow and finding several shades of snapdragons to add to it, I left the markets; dubious as to whether I could make an arrangement I was happy with.

Here is the result!

(Grateful thanks must be given to Stephen Lau for taking these awesome photos for me~ you rock!!!)

So, what is your opinion on them?

This is my favourite photo!

Couple of photos

Well it's been a while since I've posted. 

I saw these photos on the SMH website last night. 

Nice shots!

Inspiration Daily

Creature Comforts is one of my daily blog reads.

I look forward to their Inspiration Daily, eagerly awaiting the image to be discovered and the colours found in it.

Today was no exception:

Isn't it sublimely beautiful.

I'm having such a hard time deciding what flowers to use for my Birthday party on Saturday, 

now I have another idea to add to the list!

Personally, Tarquin gives me inspiration of some kind daily. 

I am truly blessed to have him, and to have a rental flat that will allow pets!

Here is tonight's photo: Tarquin has spent most of the day in this fluffy blanket.

I love my old man!

Cuties

I've spent a lot of time window shopping over the last few weeks, 

looking for a dress for my birthday party and things to decorate it with.

These are a couple of the cute and interesting novelties I found in my travels.

Look at this Little Red Riding Hood Cup I found!

And these cute miniature games I found.

They had elastics, a miniature bowling kit and miniature croquet kit!

Another decade begins...

Well...

I turned 30 last week.

I had a wonderful day, walking the flower markets, eating brunch, spending time with friends and family... 

but even with all the love and friendship I experienced on this day, something wasn't quite right.

As I took time to pray later in the day, 

I found God showing me how I have been feeling this way for months, maybe even years.

I'm stuck.

Once I recognised this, I realised that I stand on the cusp of something new. 

A new decade in my life has begun. 

The last decade was disappointing in many ways, but this coming decade doesn't have to follow in the last's footsteps. 

And so, I made the decision to work through what my dreams and desires really are. 

To pray about them, 

and look at how they can come to pass. 

I don't have to force every door open, however, I believe that in recognising all that God has given me in my heart, 

I can prepare myself and be ready to see the door open. 

No longer will I be blind to God's leading and always survive on half hopes and dreams. 

I can have hopes and dreams that bloom full and lush. 

I can lay them at my Lord's feet in prayer and he will hear them and will guide me.

And so, as I sit with Tarquin on my lap, having loudly purred himself into a sleeping stupor, I know that I can start to pray and dream about my future - whole heartedly.

Purple Haze

I love purple... and this was the Daily Inspiration spot on Creature Comforts this morning. 

Just beautiful! 

It inspires me!

Flower loveliness

I've been desiring some flowers to brighten my day. 

There isn't much in the garden at the moment and I've no money to buy flowers. 

However I have been enjoying looking at flowers that have featured in several blogs that I follow. 

So I'm going to share some with you!

Enjoy!

Buddlea via Everything Fabulous

Magnolia love via Creature Comforts

Budding crocus

Muscari Hyacinth and Lily of the Valley posie via small stump + studio choo

Loads of blossom via Everything Fabulous (totally love the cushion on the ground)

Hmmmm... All purple, pink and white hues

So pretty!

Take a look @ a Meringue Bakery in Paris

Au Merveilleux de Fred: A Meringue Bakery in Paris

(post found via Hip Paris blog)

Garden Party Dresses

Last Wednesday, I went shopping to see if I could find something to where for my birthday. 

Over the last 5 months I've lost over 15kgs, and was looking forward to rewarding myself with a beautiful dress for my birthday. 

Problem was, nothing fit... still. 

It was massively discouraging... 

and now I keep thinking I won't be able to fit into something beautiful before my birthday. 

I really wanted to wear something lacey and feminine and it is really hard to find that in larger women dress-sizes.

Tonight, I thought I'd just have a quick look to see if there were any shops around with something like what I had dreamed of wearing. 

The first site google showed me, had 3 dresses I liked! 

Pity that their only store location is in Melbourne!!!

Anyway, have a look...

What do you think?

Choice one - because look at that lovely lace!

This would probably be choice two, because of the soft colour and long flowing nature of the dress.

Choice three... because of the gorgeous ruffles... this probably ties for second... the colour would look better on me.

Early Birthday Present!!!

Yesterday afternoon I taught my flute students before racing to dinner, before getting back to church to run a meeting in the evening. 

But I found an absolutely beautiful surprise at my first student's home. 

They had bought be a beautiful 3 tier high tea cake stand for my birthday! 

And I totally love it!!!

I can't wait until my birthday party (which is in early May...) to serve High Tea delicacies on it!

Thank you Sandra, Jessica and of course, Agnes!!!

It is absolutely perfect for me!!!

Hanging Decorations

I've been dreaming away about how I want to decorate for my birthday party. 

I love the idea of hanging decorations throughout the garden we will be in. 

I was looking on the Martha Stewart and look what I found. 

I can't have them all... 

but still love looking at them!

I love flowers, so these would be a gorgeous combination!

An occasional twinkling light, peeping through the tree boughs

I love the lacy edge to these. I'm so into lace at the moment.

And this just looks so bright and happy!

The best part about all these pictures,

 is that there are instructions on how to make nearly all of them on the Martha Stewart website! 

How fun!

A Walk in the Park

On Saturday I was invited to go to a concert held in the Sydney Conservatorium. 

Kaori and Yuki Fujii are Japanese sisters. One plays the flute, the other the piano. 

I heard what must be one of the best renditions of Clair de Lune and some stunning flute pieces that I haven't heard before. 

Quite inspiring!

Prior to the concert, my friend and I had a stroll through the Botanical Gardens. 

Have a look at this incredible lotus lily...

After the concert we went and had dinner at a pub in Wooloomooloo, 

and this was the skyline looking back at the city.

So, I enjoyed a lovely evening - experiencing some of God's wonderful gifts to me... 

creation...

music...

friendship...

Tarquin

It has been a while since I have made a consistent effort to report my God Sightings to you. Part of it is that I have been really busy, but part of it is that I'm really not paying enough attention to it. Other things have been consuming my mind. And in all honesty, I don't think it has been very healthy.

In the last few months, there have been things in my life that have broken my heart. But even in this, God has been walking with me. He blessed me with a cute flat to live in, which is so close to church, great coffee, good florists, is surrounded by trees, lots of beautiful bird songs can be heard, but MOST importantly allows me to have Tarquin with me.

I've treasured coming home to Tarquin's welcoming meow. Sitting on the couch and having him come and sit with me the next moment, having dinner with Tarquin beside me and even having his whiskers shoved in my face at 3am, demanding to get under the covers. Incidentally, recently he has taken to 'pawing' my face. He puts his whiskers in my face, but I've ignored them, so to make his point, he 'paws' at my face - right where the covers are! I'm always amazed how insistent, yet gentle he is - he could easily scratch me.

Anyway, enough ranting on about my treasure, Tarquin. The point is, he has consistently been a God Sighting to me over the last few months. I have regularly thanked God for him, allowing me to not be entirely alone.

Let me share some photos.

That is my leg that Tarquin is cuddled up against! That night, my leg was his pillow!

This is one of Tarquin's favourite positions. 

He crawls up as close to my face as he can, then finds a way to curl up.

Incentives

So, I'm still on the weigh-loss train. I've done pretty well... Since late October last year I've lost 13 kgs. Not a bad effort. But still more to come off.


A friend of mine suggested I should think of how I would like to celebrate my 30th birthday (in a couple of months time). As I've been weaving plans and dreams, it has offered me with the opportunity to give me some incentive to continue my weight-loss challenge.


Here is a poster that is currently stuck up in my kitchen, used to inspire me towards this goal...

Over the next couple of months you should see some more ideas and crafty activities that happen as I prepare from my birthday. Oh, and I really need to keep accountable to continue my weigh-loss journey!

In memory of Grandma

One of the dinner's that most reminds me of Grandma.

Corned beef and cabbage with white parsley sauce.

I love you, Grandma.

The Sky

I've been so lonely over the last few days. 

I'm tired of being alone. I want to be loved, to be in love and give love.

I found this on my phone today. A sunset that was a gift to me from God a few days ago.

It was beautiful. 

Unfortunately, it doesn't stop me from wanting to cry.

Good for a Laugh!

The Haunted Forest

A haunted forest was the closest words I could use to describe how I feel right now. 
It is pained with the thoughts that are haunting me...
I can't see how anything more can come after that...
Occasionally light glimmers through.
I feel small comforts.
But those comforts seem transitory. Only momentary until I go back to that existence that doesn't know what exactly is ahead.
Yes, I do miss him.
My heart aches for him.
I need to remember to trust... that not only will I survive, but that there is a beautiful future for me.
Somewhere.