HEY GIRLFRIEND

I’ve been asked to speak at a “Girlfriends-themed” High Tea in a couple of weeks, which has really got me thinking about what it means to be a good girlfriend.

Focussing on that question this week, I realised how blessed I am to have so many amazing girlfriends in my life.  In the space of just one week, I’ve had a few outings with both old friends and new ones.  Most of these outings involved food, cuppas, and even a bit of culture thrown in for good measure, with a visit to the Art Gallery of NSW!

The first outing was with my gorgeous cousin, who is also a treasured girlfriend – lunch at Luxe Bakery, Newtown (where they bake their own yummy bread on the premises!!!)…

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HIGH FIDELITY

To begin this post, I’m going to share a recipe I created this week for delicious Berry & White Chocolate Muffins.  It’s not the most exciting occurrence for my week, but my family devoured them and reported back with a “thumbs-up”, so I thought I’d get this out of the way before I share all my other exciting happenings.  I still haven’t found the perfect cupcake recipe, but I may have stumbled across the perfect muffin one?!  So here it is…





Berry & White Chocolate Muffins
Makes 12




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WORTH FAR MORE THAN RUBIES

Born on the 9th May 1931, she lived a joy-filled and mostly carefree childhood.  Her days consisted of playing with her siblings in their quaint mountain village, climbing trees, riding horses and picking olives and other fruits and vegetables from the family farm.

 

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FOR THE LOVE OF CHOCOLATE

Okay, I know I’ve already posted this week, but there’s something else I just can’t wait to share…especially for all you lovers of fine chocolate!!  You may have had enough of all things chocolate over Easter, but I personally, can never have too much of it!

So you can imagine my excitement when I was invited on my first official “food blogger” business…to attend the opening of a HAND-MADE CHOCOLATE CAFE in Balmain 🙂

Local Sydney-siders, Judy and Ian, officially opened their delightful cafe Sucre on Monday, but a few lucky people (including me) got to take it for a test-run the day before.

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TRUE LOVE REALLY DOES EXIST

Don’t you just love weddings?

Like so many thousands around the globe, my daughter and I were glued to the television on Friday night, to watch the Royal Wedding.  Such a beautiful couple, Cate & Will, and so clearly in love with each other!

A photo snapped on my iPhone

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LEST WE FORGET

I just love that when some people see cupcakes they think of me!  Over the last couple of weeks I had my niece send me photos of cupcakes in Macca’s at Champs Elysees, when she was in Paris on her honeymoon…

 

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THE POWER OF WORDS

Last week was the first week of school holidays and we had the wonderful opportunity of spending it in Thredbo!  Although we thought it would be a little too early for snow, we actually got to see some right at the top of Mount Kosciuszko.  This is a photo of my hubby and I with a glimpse of snow on the peak behind us….

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ALWAYS GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

Since my life-changing cancer experience, life itself has become so much more magical, and utterly precious to me.  In a way, there is a “pre-cancer me” and “post-cancer me”.  I now try to savour every moment and experience all I can, whereas pre-cancer, I always seemed to be chasing after something better, or bigger, or different to the life I already had.  I don’t know why, as everything I ever wanted was right there in front of me.

But these days, I know how amazing my life is.  I love my life and every person I share it with.  Nowadays, even the simplest of things give me great joy.  New experiences or trying something for the very first time is so exciting for me.  If I had to write a bucket list, there would be so many things I want to do and see before I die, that I don’t think I’d have enough paper to write them all on.  So here’s to living a very long life 🙂

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SHE WHO SPARKLES

The day my family has been waiting for finally arrived on Saturday…my beautiful niece’s wedding.  It was such a wonderful day and so worth the planning, stress and energy that inevitably comes with a wedding.

 
My niece and new nephew are now in Paris for their honeymoon, with the rest of us only wishing we were there too.  I know Rob & Liz treasured sharing their special day with loved ones, but somehow I don’t think they’d be too impressed if we followed them to Paris!
 
Following the big day, there has been a running commentary via phone chats, emails and facebook about the wedding itself, the ceremony, the food, the band, the dancing, the outfits, the venue, and the beautiful couple.  And thanks to my lovely husband, daughter, sisters-in-law and niece (M. Sunflower photographer), I have an abundance of photos to reminisce over.
 
But now to the most important question we all have when it comes to a wedding – “how did the bride look?”
 
All I can say is….OH-MY-GOODNESS!  See for yourself…
 

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MANNA FROM HEAVEN

TASTE OF SYDNEY FESTIVAL 2011 PART 2

This week, it’s my great pleasure to finally reveal my newly discovered favourite food item from the Taste of Sydney Festival.  As my post title suggests, the tasty treat was found at the Manna from Heaven stand…













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