You had me at molten

It's so hard to get out of bed on a rainy day like today, and even harder to force myself to stay out after work rather than running straight home to my snuggie, but the lure of tapas and wine is also hard to resist.

Who can say no to duck & shallot pancakes; zucchini fries; pork belly; bread & butter pudding with lemon curd; a big, warming glass of pinot noir from the Mornington Peninsula and molten chocolate fondant? Needless to say, I'm very looking forward to my next visit to Firefly in Neutral Bay.

In the summertime...

Today feels like it's going to be a hot one so I woke up and cut myself a big hunk of watermelon. But you know what I really felt like?

This watermelon ice-block mama and I discovered in Harajuku and ate while wandering around Yoyogi Park - a sweet watermelon ice-block with chocolate chips for seeds. Sure ice-blocks and choc chips sound like an odd combination but they were delicious! Here's hopin' the Japanese are a little more understanding when it comes to ice-blocks and eating while walking, otherwise we made a nice social faux pas. Let's be honest, I'm sure I made plenty...(blowing my nose in public... look I'm sorry but I'd just finished an awfully sad book!)

Pretty and delicious

This cookie wreath is one of the projects from the girl called e baking and craft day. Unfortunately it didn't last long because one night later I got home a little bit tipsy and ate the whole thing in one sitting. I can confirm though that the decision to use vanilla bean paste (instead of vanilla essence) in the cookies, made them very very tasty!

With mustard or ketchup?

I don't think I really need to explain why I want this miniature dachshund, do I?

(Photo from Bourke's Backyard Magazine)

Love is...

a big, fat jar of Brunette from Le Pain Quotidien. Thanks Ma and Pa!


Forget Nutella, it just won't do after this. This praline spread is just hazelnuts! And a lot of sugar of course... but no chocolate, which of course seems blasphemous to all our inner-fat children (or in the case of mine...outer). But trust me on this - it's better without it.
(Photo found here)