all i want is you

music from the movie juno ♥ 

if i was a flower growing wild and free
all i'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee.
and if i was a tree growing tall and green
all i'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves

if you were a river in the mountains tall,
the rumble of your water would be my call.
if you were the winter, i know i'd be the snow
just as long as you were with me, when the cold winds blow.

if you were a wink, i'd be a nod
if you were a seed, well i'd be a pod.
if you were the floor, i'd wanna be the rug
and if you were a kiss, i know i'd be a hug

if you were the wood, i'd be the fire.
if you were the love, i'd be the desire.
if you were a castle, i'd be your moat,
and if you were an ocean, i'd learn to float.

all i want is you, will you be my bride
take me by the hand and stand by my side
all i want is you, will you stay with me?
hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.

sticky date

one more for my day of food posts, this time sticky date pudding.

we were going to make this tonight but we opted for an apple danish instead.

courtesy of sara lee as i was too exhausted from our marathon bike ride!

i made sticky date a few times in melbourne for grandma and grew to love the homemade version. not hard, i know! i recently wrote the recipe in a 'my recipes' book that i gave to carly so she can make it too. 

tonight my aunt rosie gave me a cute idea that i hadn't thought of before.

to bake the cake part in a cup cake tray instead of cake tin so that everyone gets a perfect round serving.

i imagine it would look something like this, i will just have to scout the opp shops for some floral plates!

homemade aioli

last night we had a super yummy dinner of freshly caught fish, homemade chips, aioli made from scratch, beer battered onion rings served with wedges of lemon. 

here is the aioli recipe we used... 

1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup olive oil

combine first 6 ingredients in a food processor (or blender in our case a blender), and process until well blended. with food processor on, slowly pour oil through food chute; process until smooth.

next time i think we'll try home made tomato sauce like the one in this picture. so delicious looking! 

cake imitating life

how simple and adorable is this cake! i love birthday cakes like this. 

my primary school friend kat had a swimming pool one for her birthday one year.

it was so detailed with people swimming in blue jelly water and a chocolate pool fence.

matt had a football field cake for his twenty first, it had grass, goal posts and a little football.

i think i may have mentioned on here before that rach was the birthday cake queen in our family.

she would bake these amazing cakes for each of our birthdays every year for almost ten years.

i wonder if i should bake this one for dad's birthday tonight, i think he likes horses...

he is born on the horses' birthday after all! or perhaps i should get the australian women's weekly birthday cook book out for some other fun ideas! rocket ship shaped sponge cake anyone?

baking

it is my wonderful dad's birthday tomorrow and i really want to attempt to bake something other than my packet mix chocolate mud cake, which by the way i am close to perfecting! i might ask him what he feels like or get out the cook books for inspiration. i certainly won't be doing anything as difficult looking as the cake below but i might try a cheesecake or another delicious baked treat that takes my fancy. 

bike riding on the beach

we just got back from a big bike ride!

matt, mum and i decided to make the most of this beautiful day.

we went 15 kilometres to coolum along a path that winds through the trees

and then we came back along the beach at low tide with the wind behind us. 

we stopped for a break at coolum for a fresh juice which was so good. 

matt and i had watermelon, pineapple and orange with mint 

and mum had apple, pineapple and mint. 

it almost felt like summer!

along the way we saw a heap of amazing big kites flying.

it just goes to show that you never quite know what to expect when outdoors. 

we would never have seen it had we have stayed at home.

now i am freshly showered and feeling really content after such a long ride.

it made for a great day and left us wondering why we don't do it more often! 

starting sunday

morning world!

how is your day starting?

i am off to have a coffee and bite to eat with matt. 

not quite on a romantic little balcony such as this,

but down at the river mouth which will be just as nice. 

i don't have many plans for today but the sun is out,

it might be refreshing to take a walk and have an ocean dip.

today i'm also going to try and do some posts about food!

i'm feeling all inspired and have some pictures to share!

i ♥ cameron

ahh cameron, how i want to be you!

all blue eyes, long legs and blonde locks. 

you are stunning, rich and famous.

oh and you dated justin.

i think she is amazing, on and off screen.

always so gorgeous and funny in her films. 

we saw bad teacher last weekend

her character is hilarious. and hot. 

these photos are from instyle magazine last year.

and these ones are all the way from the year 2006.

tea cup boquet

cute alternative to a vase

flowers in the office

on wednesday my wonderful friend from work anna turned twenty five.

she was given the most stunning smelling flowers in purples and white.

it made for a nice change in the office and i loved the fragrance in the air.

when i was younger i thought for a little while that i wanted to be a florist.

some people don't like flowers because they don't last long but i love them.

i'm helping mum out at the markets in the morning, i might pick up a bunch. 

drawings and words

shack

today alice brought in this book to show me. with stunning images and beautiful descriptive writing, this would make the perfect addition to any book shelf. it reminded me of the stories my dad has of when he lived in a shack with his mates during the off season at falls creek. i imagine it looked similar to the one on the front cover. you'll love it before you even open it just by reading the back...

in australia shacks have become our protest against the brick veneer, the place where we unwind on holiday, the workshop that feeds our soul.

photographer simon griffiths has travelled the countryside, from jericho in tasmania to the remote coast of broome, to bring us images of shacks that are both familiar and exotic. we meet the shack dwellers – a mix of artists, environmentalists, fishermen, homebuilders and socialites – and experience the pleasure of inhabiting spaces that are at once monuments to self-expression and symbols of old-fashioned common sense.

beautifully put-together, shack is a book that takes us back in history, out into the remote reaches of the famous australian landscape and inwards to connect with our common desire for retreat and renewal.

cake days

 

beth recieved this beautiful book from a friend in london as a housewarming present. the humingbird bakery is a trendy bakery there and i can see why. how beautiful are these pictures, not to mention delicious looking.

ahoy cute cards

now i will never be the stationary queen that kahli is - just go to her blog to see what i mean - but how cute are these! i like the cat one best. i love to write cards and letters and am always buying cards when i can.

i found these in the frankie newsletter. the always have cute things and links to cool blogs. here is this the latest! 

hi and bye

hello!
just a quick post to check in. i'm sorry i am so absent these days. we should have the internet this time next week which i am super excited about. i have been keeping mental notes on all the things i want to write about, i have a lot of catching up to do! good thing i'm not still trying to do the post a day thing because i would be failing miserably of late! i do feel guilty when i don't get to blog though, plus i miss it!
anyway, not much to update on really, other than i am high on a new health kick. i'm only two days in but so far so good. i've been to two classes this week, one was instructed by naomi at her gym which she did an awesome job at. i was so buggered by the end which is always a good sign. i did a grocery shop straight after too which is the best idea ever. the temptations just appear disappear altogether, including my weakness for the occasional tim tam. i did buy some organic dark chocolate though, but only for the anti-oxidant benefits of course. i haven't broken into it yet which is a good sign that i am dedicated to this particular attempt at getting fitter and healthier. i've also been taking my daily multi-vitamin and trying (but usually failing) to get to bed sooner. i just want to look good when summer rolls around, there is no escaping shorts and dresses and togs now that i am back in queensland!
well i must run (in the leaving sense, but i probably should go for an actual run!)
bye!

sir richard

not this week but the one before i was lucky enough to meet sir richard branson!

our work held a night called 'dinner with richard' where partners and kids could come along and have a casual dinner and drink along with the possibility of meeting the guest of honour. 

soon enough that evening richard arrived in his helicopter and we watched from the window of our floor as he made his way through the masses of people, each one asking for a photo or autograph. 

ever since i started working at virgin i have hoped i would get to see him and this was my chance!

a few of us made our way into the crowd and positioned ourselves in a spot near him.

after a few minutes he turned our way and the two german exchange students that i was with jumped on either side of him for a photo.  

because they had forgotten their camera the plan was for me to take a photo on mine and then for us to swap. that all went smooth enough however when it was my turn things started to get complicated!

the first attempt at taking a photo of the lovely richard and i revealed that my memory card was full. 

much to my horror i quickly deleted one photo and jumped back into position.

with richard's arm around my waist and a big smile ready to go they tried to take a second photo. 

this time it worked however because my camera can sometimes do a double flash they lowered the camera too soon and actually took a photo of our bodies instead! 

while this photo was still pretty cool i knew i couldn't leave without an actual one of us.

so i deleted yet another photo and finally we got a good one, thank goodness!

he was lovely throughout, we exchanged a few words and it was quite funny by the third photo attempt. 

plus it meant i got a bit more time by his side which was very cool. 

i didn't look around at any faces in the crowd though as i'm sure people would have been thinking what is this girl doing, get her out of the way so we can have our turn!

the whole experience was fast but amazing and it certainly got the adrenaline going. 

i know he's just a person like the rest of us but he is so successful and he is the reason i have the job i do. 

it's not everyday you get a photo op with someone this famous and i wasn't going to miss out.

we all felt slightly bad for him though, the way everyone (including us!) bombarded him for photos. 

but it really does mean a lot to the staff and it's wonderful that he gave up his night to make ours. 

here are three snaps, the first is the one of just our middle halves, the second is probably the closet i'll ever come to looking and feeling like a celebrity and the third is my favourite. 

where art thou?

i wish it was summer so badly.

it's confusing having these beautiful cloudless sunny days.

the sun is out but i'm wearing long pants and a long top to avoid the chill.

i have big plans for this summer.

sundays

my day started with sunshine and fresh oranges at mum and dads

mum and i are about to go to the farmers markets for some fresh ingredients for a vegie and lentil soup

then later we are going to see two adorable german shepherd puppies at a friends house

love sundays!

no words

thinking of the family and friends who laid halley to rest today. there are simply no words and my heart goes out to them.

you are my sunshine

i've always loved sunflowers. they make me think of summer, sunshine and the warmth of the sun.

i associate them with happiness, not just because they are yellow but because they are so open.

i recently found a packet of sunflower seeds in a box of keepsakes i have. 

i bought them when i was in high school with the intention of growing them.

i have no idea where that would have been and i certainly wouldn't have 

been allowed to grow them in the backyard of our family home at the time.

i don't know that i'll ever get my sunflower garden but i still hold on to the idea. 

am i happy?

kahli posted this a little while back and it's 

been pinned to my wall at work ever since.

i am yet to work out what that something is.

thinking

with this book (and my safari apron)

i think i would be successful in the kitchen

(i think)

iris & mary

how lovely are these aprons

i am wanting the safari one

they are made by the lovely gemma

a friend of mine from melbourne

she now lives in brisbane and is following 

her dreams, creating and selling vintage aprons

her business is named iris and mary

after her grandmother and great grandmother

visit her gorgeous website here

or see them at the powerhouse markets

i'm hoping to get there this weekend!

out at sea

we all carry these things inside that no one else can see

they hold us down like anchors, they drown us out at sea

be the one to guide me

but never hold me down

white lillies

our office is filled with the fragrance of white lillies at the moment.

birthday flowers are so lovely.

eat drink chic

during the week my cousin erica told me about this blog eat drink chic.

then tonight i saw that my bestie kahli had also blogged about it.

so i have taken a look and i officially love it. hopefully you do too.

it's filled with all kinds of cute things. right up my alley!

goodbye harry

i never thought i would say this but i really want to see the last harry potter film.

it is the end of an era. i still remember kahli reading the first book in grade eight.

highlights

well hello my blog reading friends.
sorry i've been so absent of late. it drives me crazy when i don't get the time to write.
work has been busy and life has been busier. plus i still haven't found my internet usb thing.
lots has been happening so here are some snippets of the last week.
i had my review at work which went swimmingly! very happy that they are happy with me.
i've settled into my new home. still using a camping chair for our couch but not for long!
beth is using her painting prowess and renovating a lounge for us.
i got to meet richard branson! the full story and pictures coming soon.
matt and i had dinner at the german club with jason. so much fun. great food and lots of laughter.
my friends got engaged. in new york. with a tiffany ring. i got all teary when they told me.
i exercised. once. but am going to go again this week, and may even start walking.
i lost my keycard thanks to too many pure blondes on friday night at the waterloo.
on saturday matt, beth and i went to ikea. matt complained the whole time.
so we left him in the food court and then sent him to the car.
he says he's training us for when we have kids.
we think he's doing a very good job.
this morning matt and i went for a walk on the beach in coolum.
he looked for seaweed and i took pictures of the ocean.
i can't remember the last time i went for a dip. hurry up summer.
we ate like royalty at matt's house. roast pork, sticky date, cooked breakfast, chicken soup.
thank you janet for taking such good care of us as always!
my dad helped me fix my car, yet again. i don't know what i do without him.
he saves me so much money. i owe him big time.
i had a lovely catch up with jen.
aromas hot chocolates, a citrus tart and far too much talk about work.
got to see rach, cris and meg. we all had chocolate cake and strawberries for lewis's birthday.
even though the birthday boy wasn't there! he was at his dad's but we celebrated anyway.
now i'm staying up late when i should be in bed.
i have to get up early and drive from noosa to work in brisbane.
it always seems like a good idea at the time. then 5am comes.
at least matt is joining me on the journey. even though he should be driving his own car back!
we are so bad at doing the sensible thing.
anyway, at least that's a small update.
lots more went on of course but these are just some of the highlights.
(well, one low-light, why do i loose things so easily??)

yes?

yes!

well one day.

but two of my best friends will be soon!

big congratulations to joshua and lucinda.

they became engaged on their last night in new york.

romantic much? 

yes!

bonjour bastille day

happy bastille day everyone.
today we had croissants and nutella to celebrate.
i wish every day was bastille day. and that i lived in france.
alice, my friend from work, is wearing a beautiful red, blue and white striped ribbon.
i also wish i had one of those.
so much wishing.

life is like

i fell in love with ferris wheels and carousels while

overseas. they were everywhere we went.  

how pretty are these two? there is something

nostalgic, magical and romantic about them.

i read some words in my frankie the other day

that i really liked. it went something like...

'life is like a ferris wheel, we all have our go

at the top and the bottom'. so true.

don't go weekend

where have the last three days gone? i'm so sad the weekend is over already. it's been really hard to blog of late without the internet at home and with so much on. i promise that i have been busting to though! friday night was spent at ash's place. we now live only a few minutes away from each other which is extremely exciting. we had pizza and wine and talked about relationships downstairs while her husband john and his friend shaun were upstairs no doubt talking sport and cars (see below post). saturday i had a sleep in, trying to recover from an exhausting week. then it was off to get a pedicure, find an outfit for kahli's birthday drinks and get my hair done. difficult stuff i know. if only it was a weekly occurrence! i had a great night out at newmarket hotel with all of our friends and the birthday girl looked as gorgeous as ever. a few too many drinks led to a bit too much time on the dance floor, both of which i am paying for today. my dinner consisted of some chips and chicken nuggets shared with matt from maccas at 1am. i still managed to get up at a decent hour thanks to him... before 7am after a night out is not ok for the record though! today we drove to noosa after another visit to the same mcdonalds at my demand, this time for breakfast. because it was such a nice day we decided to have it at kangaroo point however that was a decision we came to regret when everyone started to jog by us all fit and healthy like. so today matt spent the day diving while i busied myself at home with mum and rach. mum baked choc chip biccis while i cleaned my car and proceeded to find more storage space for all my unwanted goods in the house. i must go, dinner has just been served. beautiful, freshly caught mangrove jack with baked whole along with roasted vegetables. it smells amazing and is well worth the wait. i hope you all had lovely, sunny weekends.

opposites attract

i've started reading the book men are from mars, women are from venus and already i am obsessed with it.

the below is a little of what i read last night. it is certainly true for my relationship. i am all about the feelings.    

life on mars

men value power, competency, efficiency and achievement. they are always doing things to prove themselves and develop their power and skills. their sense of self is defined through their ability to achieve results. they experience fulfilment primarily through success and accomplishment. they are more concerned with outdoor activities, like hunting, fishing and racing cars. they are interested in the news, weather and sports and couldn't care less about romance novels and self help books. they are more interested in 'objects' and 'things' than people and feelings.



life on venus

women have different values. they value love, communication, beauty and relationships. they spend a lot of time supporting, helping and nurturing one another. their sense of self is defined though their feelings and the quality of their relationships. they experience fulfilment through sharing and relating. they are more concerned with living together in harmony, community and loving cooperation. relationships are more important than work and technology. personal expression, especially of their feelings, is very important.

'in most ways, their life is the opposite of mars'