Blowing in the Wind

We had the windiest wind I've ever seen in Sydney over the weekend.

And I mean WIND.

Real woolly tights and tuck your vest in your knickers stuff.

It started on Friday by blowing the roof off my son's school. I got the call just as I was about to have my pre-Coles shop sushi moment (never shop hungry people).  Off I went to collect him amidst a sea of police, fire engines and reporters, without my food shopping.  So to top off a 'no food for dinner in the house' situation we had a power failure.  Big excitement - HUGE.  Friends with no food and no power came over and we ordered pizza eaten by candlelight.  Stuff childhood is made off.   A power cut isn't a power cut without  murder in the dark and the sound of smashing things all over the house.  

I was not going anywhere on Saturday!  Him Indoors scored the double soccer whammy.

The Fairy and me hit the baking - hard.

I am completely knackered this morning, but loved the Olympic closing replay last night. 

Favourite?

Hmmmm - Madness.

You?

London I love you!

Looking forward to getting to bed on time, after 2 weeks of late nights glued to the TV - (and snacks).

Carmel

x

[Smashing things: Picture frame and tub of pencils]

My Creative Space

Lily's blanket.

Neopolitan with Raspberry Sauce

It's been posted and received and is much loved.  Phew, it was one of those ones I didn't think I was going to finish.

My Creative Space has moved since I last joined in.

It's here.

There is an assignment for this week.

Tips for Creativity

Hmmmm .....

I wish I could share something clever and really useful.

The only thing I would say is,

just crack on throughout everything else.

I'm prone to procrastinate and have to push myself to just

Make A Start

and the rest seems to follow.

Carmel

x

Shooting In The Kitchen

I've been practising a lot.  Shooting photos that is.  Anywhere I can, which is usually in the kitchen, because that is where I seem to be, a lot.  And of The Fairy, because that is who I seem to be with, a lot. Now I do not live in a show home, it is an OK house, but it is not an attractive house and there is nothing I can do about it because it is not ours.  The beauty of shooting in manual learnt from Tim Coulson and Scott McGale, is that I can make the kitchen all kind of a blurrrr, so you can't even tell - love that. And don't you think the green of the Palmolive on the window sill adds a certain something?

Back to the Olympics for me.

Carmel

x

Sunday

Four days back at school ...

and here we are ...

again!

Carmel

x

Op Love

A few lovelies making my day today.
Looking forward to high tea.

Carmel

x

Tim Coulson - The Nursery

Have you heard of Tim Coulson?

I discovered him through blogland a couple of months ago and was captivated by his images.

There is something about Tim's photos that speaks from the heart.

If you are lucky enough to meet him you can see why.

Last week I wound my way down the coast to take part in Tim's first photo workshop

The Nursery.

Tim and his beautiful wife Kesh opened their home

and hosted a wonderful day for a group of novices on how to take a good picture.

Those are mine above and obviously I've a long way to go,

but Tim has given me wings and now I feel inspired and unafraid to keep trying.

Tim is a special kind of guy.

He talked us through the emotional connection with his subjects and tips for bringing

that through into your photographs.  This is his talent and gift I believe.

Tim was generous in his advice and tips for making this happen

and I felt very honoured and excited, well totally over excited actually, just to be listening.

I've always driven a manual car, because it makes me feel more in control.
I've always taken pictures on auto, because I didn't have a clue how not to.
I'm now on manual - thank you Tim!
Not too much in control at the moment, but having fun.

We all had a fun time running around the trees taking pictures.

Tim took us on his weekly 'Belly' shoot of the lovely Kesh,

who is expecting their first child in two weeks.

What a great group of people.

Uber Cool and interesting

Click on Beth at Baby Mac

who does a much better write up

(and photos) than me.

***

Tim and Kesh have decided to run The Nursery around the country once

they are settled after the arrival of Baby Coulson.

If you get the chance,  jump in and book a place

before they all go.

  Watch his website for details.

If I had to sum the experience in a word?

*    JOYFUL    *

Carmel

x

Easter Treats

The Fairy has been home from school running a temperature.

Today she is on the mend and a bit restless.

We set to in the kitchen to rustle up some Easter yumminess.

If you are afraid of chocolate - look away now ...

For those interested in making some Easter Nests,

Here's a How To ...

Gather together:

3 x Shredded Wheat biscuits

375g Chocolate Buttons  

from the baking section of supermarket

(I used milk, but use dark if preferred) 

Bag of mini coated chocolate eggs (Big W)

line a cake tin with about 16 paper patty pans

I happened to have a fairy on hand today,

to melt chocolate in bowl over boiling water,

not letting the water touch the bowl

Stir until all melted

and lovely and smooth 

Scrunch up (can't think of better word)

the shredded wheats until completely broken up

 Stir shredded wheat bits through the chocolate

Scoop a heaped dessert spoon of mixture into the patty pans.

Use the back of the spoon to make a shallow well in the centre

forming a nest shape

While the chocolate is still wet, pop a few mini eggs into each nest.

The Fairy did this as she went along, and the eggs are firmly stuck in

the nest now the chocolate is set.

  

The obvious

Leave to set.

Ours were set in an hour out of the fridge in Sydney.

Further north may need to be popped in the fridge. 

Leave in easy to spot place

for admiring Oooos and Aaaaahs

Eat & Enjoy!

Carmel

x