tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31293212024-02-20T09:30:51.931+10:00Missives AnonymousA blog of sorts.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.comBlogger1855125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-36984798939951533232011-01-14T16:57:00.001+10:002011-01-14T16:59:14.370+10:00<b>Weathered</b><br /><br />We're safe. We're tired. We're about half a block from where the river peaked.<br /><br /><iframe align="center" src="http://www.flickr.com/slideShow/index.gne?set_id=72157625799622352&" frameBorder="0" width="500" scrolling="no" height="500"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12416452156949154635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-67904812611979828922010-10-08T18:19:00.003+10:002010-10-08T18:27:00.057+10:00<b>Hit It</b><br />My mind has just been blown. Every now and then, it becomes so apparent that my husband and I are from different worlds.<br /><br />I cannot believe I just introduced him to Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock. Even if you don't know the names, you know the songs, right? (Unless you grew up in Australia, I guess.)<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vsxsyZqmmlQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vsxsyZqmmlQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GKbY-62Pg3c?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GKbY-62Pg3c?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12416452156949154635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-32097080790221199252010-10-03T16:22:00.000+10:002010-10-03T17:19:58.801+10:00<b>Kitchy</b><br />Ahh, remember when I thought I was recommitting to blogging more regularly? Well, my life has changed dramatically since then, and I can no longer commit to that:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/5046725682/" title="Kitch by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5046725682_d2b42e399b.jpg" width="500" height="336" alt="Kitch" /></a><br /><br /><b>5-Year Ausiversary</b><br />As of last week, I have been in Brisbane for five years. FIVE. YEARS. I believe that this takes the record as the longest I've been in any one spot since high school.<br /><br />I've found it a bit funny as I've tried to reflect back to my feelings at the time. I was in love and excited about the adventurous possibilities. I couldn't wait to explore and settle in and pick up the accent. I looked forward to warmth and tropical weather and ocean and kangaroos. I couldn't wait to be with my future husband and his family and make friends who might find me to be as exotic as I found him in America.<br /><br />Wow, I could hardly have been more disillusioned, and culture shock is a real b*tch.<br /><br />[NOTE: That's the extent of what I've had saved in draft for over a week now. I was going to try and elaborate a little more on how things have changed, but I don't really know what to say. Things here are good. I am pretty much enjoying myself daily.]<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/5046720838/" title="Me & Him by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5046720838_296c782df5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Me & Him" /></a><br />(Us at the beach on the Sunshine Coast. There's also a cute photo of me & Tash from the same day <a href="http://flickr.com/gp/hidanielle/31g6BR">here</a>.) :)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12416452156949154635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-17515012659356222572010-09-22T15:20:00.001+10:002010-10-03T17:23:26.955+10:00<b>Impressed</b><br />Dear <a href="http://www.pressingletters.com/">PressingLetters.com</a>, how you distract me. In my dreams, I have the ability to make my own beautiful letterpress creations. In reality, I just need to read you more often. Love, Danielle<br /><br /><b>Everywhere Anemones</b><br />While looking for a photos of anemones, I came across this <a href="http://www.csnlighting.com/Robert-Abbey-S1305-rab2165.html">anemone light fixture</a>, which I think might be really amazing in the right space. I, however, do not have any such space, but a girl can dream.<br /><br />Edited to add a photo of my own anemones against my photoshopped wall color, because my real wall color makes me sad in my heart:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/5046725576/" title="Anemones by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5046725576_98a9d8f170.jpg" width="336" height="500" alt="Anemones" /></a></center><br /><br /><b>Wishes</b><br />I'm pretty much in love with these <a href="http://www.finnishdesignshop.com/lettinauha-tights-p-4703.html?language=en&country=241">Merimekko Lettinauha Tights</a>. There's also these <a href="http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Heart-Suspender-Sheer-Tights/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1011390&cid=7657&Rf-100=Hosiery&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=-1&sort=-1&clr=Black">ASOS Heart Suspender Sheer Tights</a> -- and while they're a little saucy if you're wearing them with a mini, I'd like them as my own little secret with my longer skirts.<br /><br />And what's new socks without new shoes... I think I'd like <a href="http://www.kurtgeiger.com/online-shop/1892-carvela-anemone">these cute little numbers</a>. I am such a sucker for shoes that tie with ribbons.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12416452156949154635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-34893364259897898202010-09-20T14:43:00.003+10:002010-09-20T14:48:36.033+10:00<b>Recent Discoveries</b><br />♥ <a href="http://www.smaggle.com/">Smaggle</a> - Inspiring good style and great living.<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://www.lushlee.com/">Lushlee</a> - Ooo, she links to beautiful things. Like <a href="http://www.cabbagesandroses.com/">Cabbages and Roses</a>... I need a bigger wardrobe!<br /><br />I'm having an exceptionally bad Monday, so I think I might tuck into the archives of those two for a while!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-59389237783645904872010-09-14T11:49:00.004+10:002010-09-14T13:09:06.085+10:00<b>Happy Blogiversary to Me?</b><br />Last night I was finally changing my wall calendar over to September. (Hey, that's my life lately.) And I realized that I missed my blogiversary. I don't know if this past year should really count, and I haven't been very committed to it... but here's to 9 years.<br /><br />That's sort of part of my secret from the last post. I have a domain that I'm not using. I'm planning on packing up shop here at some point and starting up over there. But life is happening, and I'm obviously in no rush.<br /><br /><b>Back to Life, Back to Reality</b><br />Some fun things I've been experiencing lately in no particular order:<br /><br />* Pyrophone Juggernaut @ the Valley Fiesta - We were just walking through Chinatown when this giant metal ship came to life with music. It was mesmerizing.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WTeS2-IAb0c?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WTeS2-IAb0c?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />* Pocket<font color="white">l</font>Music<font color="white">l</font>at<font color="white">l</font>the<font color="white">l</font>Mana<font color="white">l</font>Bar - Saturday was a whole day of 8-bit computer game music. (Video montage <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=3as2BsmIjKw">here</a>. That's me in the white tights against the left wall at about :26.)<br /><br />* <a href="http://www.twtwb.com/"><i>Tomorrow When the War Began</i>: The Movie</a> - My North American people probably won't know about this one, but hopefully it will be released there sometime. This movie was based on a book that is apparently part of the curriculum at many schools here in Australia. I knew nothing about it, but I have a total soft spot for stories where teens band together to kick some butt. (<a href="http://teleport-city.com/wordpress/?p=562"><i>Band of the Hand</i></a>, anyone?)<br /><br />I haven't enjoyed a movie so much in a long time. We've seen a lot of good films lately, but in terms of mindless enjoyment, this one takes the cake. I hate spoilers and don't want to give much away, but this teaser trailer below does a good job of setting the mood without giving away all the major plot points like <a href="http://www.twtwb.com/official-trailer.aspx">the official trailer does</a>.<br /><br /><object width="500" height="306"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qxb8rgq_Un8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qxb8rgq_Un8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="306"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-37481070941778266072010-08-20T16:53:00.005+10:002010-08-20T17:03:20.750+10:00<b>Sew What?</b><br /><br />I finally replaced my sewing machine in this past year. I can't remember when exactly... because I haven't actually USED it. It's criminal really. I was so gung-ho, and then I lost my motivation to do everything. And there it sits. In its box. At the foot of our bed. The cat uses it as a step to get up without having to needlessly exert himself, so I guess it isn't a complete waste.<br /><br />Well, I came across this blog today, and I must say that I am inspired. It's called <a href="http://newdressaday.wordpress.com">New Dress a Day</a>, wherein Marissa makes a new outfit from a thrifted garment. All for less than a dollar a day.<br /><br />She turned this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://newdressaday.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/day-84-281-days-and-277-left-to-go/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMO9o3WyTFexTZSaQVDNggNqylI4YWVR3zTAL2y_hLdgGlruwppxxscv5zFBqY11i7w0FEQ-p9CBNMNqy9M7LLTQggT07psp41EX-o1cqQf25F5sreD03Ud_izAWrNb4LL6fW/s320/dscf3336.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507383160100286546" /></a><br /><br />Into this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://newdressaday.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/day-84-281-days-and-277-left-to-go/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 164px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLddiRVknpVe0kbNMdX6Hn4jsuWICdCBE5I88n5kEnGuWVI_efbkVlcIc-lw68Kuoi6V4Pbw20qb8EoqsBt3KhIlf7Z1n01DOFc3levtxH8egDRc4Ityqz4-DndKq77hV1FQH/s320/dscf3477_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507383504943369906" /></a><br /><br />I mean, wow.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-17966190706310288282010-08-10T15:17:00.001+10:002010-08-10T15:18:42.930+10:00Well, it sure has been a while, huh?<br />I was in a bit of a funk, if you will.<br />But I've got some plans now and hopefully there will be some changes around here.<br />It's time for a bit of redecorating.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-68822526489354304422010-02-19T13:14:00.002+10:002010-02-19T13:49:17.631+10:00<b>Links for Later</b><br />I've been hanging on to these for a couple weeks while looking for inspiration of classic illustration for a project at work.<br /><br />DESIGN<br />♥ <a href="http://stickersandstuff.blogspot.com/">Stickers and Stuff</a>: lots of great inspiration and illustration<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://www.miehana.blogspot.com/">Kevin Kidney Blog</a>: Long-time Disney designer<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miehana/sets/72157600004461957/">Kevin Kidney Portfolio of Sorts</a> flickr set<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://one1more2time3.wordpress.com/">Animation Treasures</a>: Blog of Hans Bacher, animator of 40 years. What I love is he'll analyze classic animation background plates and colour choices.<br /><br />HOME<br />♥ <a href="http://www.remodelista.com/">Remodelista</a>: Sourcebook for the Considered Home (I want a house, I want a house, I want a house.)<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://hindsvikvintage.com/">Hindsvik Vintage</a>: "Daniel & Valeria are a young couple who run an online vintage store called Hindsvik. Renovating and redecorating their 1940s home on a budget, they share DIY ideas, design favorites and spaces with shop updates in between."<br /><br />MOVIES<br />♥ <a href="http://www.departures-themovie.com/"><i>Departures</i></a>: We've been on a foreign film kick lately, and this has been one of the best. Such a beautiful movie.<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1249966/Lord-Rings-fanatic-reaps-fruit-labour-self-funded-prequel-Born-Of-Hope-scores-500-000-views-internet.html">Lord Of The Rings prequel made by a fanatic using her £25,000 life savings scores 500,000 views on the internet</a>: Need to watch this when I get some time! (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qINwCRM8acM"><i>Born of Hope</i> YouTube link</a>)<br /><br />♥ Not long know until <a href="http://peoplevsgeorge.com/"><i>The People vs. George Lucas</i></a> makes its debut at SXSW. CANNOT wait to see that one! (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/peoplevsgeorge#p/a/u/1/Aoc3roT81nU">YouTube Trailer link</a>)<br /><br />♥ We received a free pass to <a href="http://www.daybreakersmovie.com/"><i>Daybreakers</a></i>, so we'll probably go see that this weekend... if only to see the Brisbane CBD on the big screen.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-13849983589010243162010-02-11T20:04:00.002+10:002010-02-11T20:37:12.716+10:00<b>Oh Canada...</b><br />I'm getting ready for our Vancouver Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony dinner on Saturday night. It's probably the most excited I've ever been about Canada.<br /><br />For the Beijing Summer Olympics, I put together a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/sets/72157606700362732/">stir fry and made fortune cookies and paper lanterns</a>. It was hard to come up with a Canadian theme, but I'm quite pleased with what I've got to work with this time. There are some surprises, but I will say that there was paper-mâché and also flowers...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/4347406649/" title="Flower Flag by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/4347406649_b7096d5bf7.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="Flower Flag" /></a><br /><br /><B>Once Upon a Time</b><br />I used some of my Christmas money to purchase <a href="http://www.familytreemaker.com">Family Tree Maker 2010</a>, a genealogy program. With it I got a six-month subscription to <a href="http://www.ancestry.com/">Ancestry.com</a>.<br /><br />I had been doing a little research and was using <a href="http://geni.com">Geni.com</a>, which has a great interface. However, the more I looked into doing genealogy "for real", the more I realized I needed to keep track of my sources, which isn't something that Geni does well if at all.<br /><br />So over the last month, I've spent most of my evenings pouring through the resources that Ancestry has available... censuses, vital records, and my favourite, the newspaper archives. It's amazing how the society columns in the small-town papers were like the Twitter of today. <i>So and so visited so and so on Sunday afternoon.</i><br /><br />I found the wedding announcement of my parents' wedding in the local paper. I also came across this one of my Great-Aunt & Uncle from 1936. (Love her shoes!)<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9sm25a4ArQ7sEHix7jTqDkIPzmHTfz5GRLY8LgvoOruiDptoBZXx6BngAI_8CgHmVw5BJAVYqM141Q7w93az_7-WljVNrr2YA9wMkozYXKwfmzxuYhohtaTiq3XUDGk-wlPMEg/s800/VERMEER%20Priscilla%20&%20GEELS%20Andrew%20wedding%20-%20Boyden%20Rep%2019360507.jpg"><div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-21218700413131911592010-01-23T11:24:00.004+10:002010-01-23T11:29:50.759+10:00<B>Breakfast Sausage Cravings</b><br />I think I've mentioned our lovely butcher staffed by a dozen Eastern European women with varying degrees of patience. The other day I bought some sausages without casings that looked just like sausages you'd get in a pair along with two scrambled eggs, two strips of bacon, and two triangles of toast off any breakfast menu back home.<br /><br />Australians don't seem to do breakfast sausage though, so I went on a hunt for a recipe of spices to add to my meat. <a href="http://www.regensblog.com/2008/11/01/homemade-sausage-patties/">This one</a> posted by a couple of Americans in Germany was the one I went with, and it turned out great. The red pepper gives that perfect lingering heat. I fully endorse it.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-49346466057163673152009-12-31T14:28:00.003+10:002009-12-31T16:09:53.406+10:00<b>Links for Later</b><br />I've been saving the tabs on this browser for the better part of December, so in an effort to clear the slate before the new year, I thought I'd do a quick link post.<br /><br /><i>Food-Related</i><br />♥ <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1906286">Fresh Corn & Avocado Salad</a>: I made this one for our Boxing Day get-together, and it was really nice and super easy. I used verjuice for the Champagne vinegar and squeezed a bit of lime over the avos to keep them from turning brown before we ate.<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/8780/beef+and+cabbage+stir+fry">Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry</a>: for future reference (via <a href="http://web-goddess.org">Kris</a>)<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/12/eat-for-eight-bucks-black-eyed-peas-and-green.html">Black Eyed Peas & Greens</a>: Probably isn't going to happen as a New Year's tradition this year, but I'm curious to try the recipe.<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/12/homemade-peppermint-patties-from-scratch-recipe.html">Homemade Peppermint Patties</a>: Seems do-able and sounds good.<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://www.sunset.com/food-wine/holidays-occasions/quick-bread-in-a-bottle-00400000015937/">Quick Bread in a Bottle</a>: I made these jars for my in-laws for Christmas this year. I admit I haven't actually tried the recipe yet, so I hope it's good. Just ran out of time. I found milk bottles at <a href="http://spotlight.com.au">Spotlight</a>. Hans<font color="white">l</font>designed the fold-out directions with detachable recipe card. (Email me if you want to use it.)<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/4218190731/" title="Bread Jar Gifts by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/4218190731_d505763172_m.jpg" width="240" height="202" alt="Bread Jar Gifts" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/4218191047/" title="Bread Jar Recipe by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/4218191047_ef0921ebaa_m.jpg" width="161" height="240" alt="Bread Jar Recipe" /></a></center><br />♥ <a href="http://www.freezehappy.com/2009/03/real-whipped-cream-on-go.html">Real Whipped Cream on the Go</a> at <a href="http://www.freezehappy.com/">Freeze Happy</a>: Put whipped cream dollops on wax paper and freeze to use later on desserts or in coffee. But the real reason I've saved this link is the hilarious aside at the bottom about make-shift piping bags and the kitty-poo-like results they produce.<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://alineamosaic.com/">Alinea Mosaic</a>: I first heard about the restaurant <a href="http://www.alinea-restaurant.com/">Alinea</a> when the owner was interviewed on one of my NPR podcasts about this time last year. Since then, I've been intrigued by molecular gastronomy. This has also been fueled by the chemists on Top Chef. From what I can tell the Mosaic sight has a forum about a book they must have released, but the topics are fascinating. They are surprisingly transparent with their techniques and recipes. See also: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/512533@N25/pool/">All Things Alinea</a> Flickr Pool for some mouth-watering photos.<br /><br /><i>For the Locals</i><br />♥ <a href="http://www.sublimephotography.com.au/talk.htm">Sublime</a>, Photography & Coffeehouse: One Saturday we were traveling from the Rocklea markets to the Moggill Markets and passed this place in Graceville. They just opened a little coffee stand out behind their studio. It's a really lovely place, good coffee, and relaxing spot to read the paper.<br /><br /><i>Cute, Crafty, or Otherwise</i><br />♥ <a href="http://retrorenovation.com/">Retro Renovation</a>: "your daily dose of mid century renovation resources... design inspiration... fun finds... and a growing community of people all interested in restoring, preserving and cherishing their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s homes."<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://www.tonicliving.com">Tonic Living</a>: Amazingly beautiful retro fabrics. Love, love, love.<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://melissaesplin.com/home/2009/12/2009-christmas-candy-box/">2009 Christmas Candy Box</a>: A downloadable template for a cute little gift box. Check out the '08 & '07 editions as well.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-29887619057190010272009-12-29T19:25:00.000+10:002009-12-30T19:59:23.575+10:00<b>Tales of Christmas</b><br />It was hard for me to get into the Christmas spirit again this year. It's just too hot to feel like going through all the trappings of the season.<br /><br />Instead of hauling out the tree, I ended up buying a couple bunches of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuja">arborvitae</a> branches, and put them in a vase with some red pom-pon looking dries flowers. Decorations = complete! All the gift bags from America fit underneath.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/4218189401/" title="Christmas Loot by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/4218189401_9e6ef72032_m.jpg" width="161" height="240" alt="Christmas Loot" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/4218188519/" title="Christmas Table by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4218188519_2ddb00d986_m.jpg" width="161" height="240" alt="Christmas Table" /></a></center><br />A couple days before Christmas I raided the 50%-off holiday bins at <a href="http://spotlight.com.au/">Spotlight</a>, Australia's equivalent for <a href="http://michaels.com">Michael's</a>. I came home with some placemats and "peace" candles.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/4218956434/" title="Table Candles by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4218956434_74a36215ca.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Table Candles" /></a></center><br />I didn't feel like doing our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, because it was too hot to have the oven on all day. So we opted for a fresh <a href="http://tastyplanner.com/recipes/2012-broccoli-salad">broccoli salad</a> and <a href="http://tastyplanner.com/recipes/2891-rice-cooker-risotto">risotto with mushrooms and peas</a>.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/4218956622/" title="Christmas Dinner by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4218956622_6eccd33ed0.jpg" width="500" height="196" alt="Christmas Dinner" /></a></center><br />It was lovely. Gift highlights include a sparkley ring and earrings, lots of goodies from <a href="http://anthropologie.com">Anthropologie</a> from the US givers, and the parasol of my dreams. ♥<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-65552975279019202862009-12-27T23:29:00.002+10:002009-12-27T23:52:10.596+10:00<a href="http://xkcd.com/680/"><img src="http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/december_25th.png" width="500"></a><br /><br />My love spoiled me completely though, so I can't complain. Woke up Christmas morning to a birthday card with tickets for us to see James Taylor in April. I cried. Couldn't be more thrilled!<br /><br /><b>Scampers</b><br />We've found a stray kitten. Well, it found us. It was at the end of the driveway behind a bin last night mewing in the rain. He's maybe three months old, not too scrawny, but has fleas a-plenty. He had a couple cuts on his rear that we wiped clean, and then we reluctantly put him back in case he has a home to get back to. <br /><br />But this morning, he was outside the kitchen door waiting for a hand-out. We left for the day, and he was still there when we got home tonight. <br /><br />We'll get him a flea treatment and call the shelters and put up signs at the local shops tomorrow. However, I'm happy to take him into our home if no one responds. He really has a sweet disposition, and we'd been talking about going to the shelters after Christmas to adopt anyway.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/4218188925/" title="Scampers by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4218188925_19e175b49b.jpg" width="496" height="500" alt="Scampers" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-40395527469455882902009-12-21T17:26:00.002+10:002009-12-21T17:47:04.221+10:00<b>What's Cooking?</b><br />Seeing as I'm not exactly a cake fan, I didn't really think about making a cake for<font color="white">l</font>Hans's birthday last week until I came across this recipe for <a href="http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/1408/ale#comment-4267">Gary Rhodes's Guinness chocolate cake</a>. A cake with beer in it? Sounds manly, right? I had a piece and didn't actually mind it. It's really rich. (I chopped up a 100g bar of 70% dark chocolate and stirred it in just before pouring into the pan.)<br /><br />I topped it with a yummy Irish Cream Cheese frosting:<br />4 oz softened cream cheese<br />1/2 cup softened butter<br />1 cup sifted powdered sugar<br />2 Tbsp Irish cream<br /><i>Blend cream cheese & butter together with a mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar and finally Irish cream. Lick beaters.</i><br /><br /><b>More Recipe Goodness</b><br />♥ <a href="http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/cookies"><i>Gourmet</i>'s Favorite Cookies: 1948-2008</a>: via <a href="http://web-goddess.org/">Kris</a>. I don't love making cookies given that I only have one cookiesheet that fits in my abnormally narrow oven, but a few of these have almost tempted me. <a href="http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/1970s/1971/12/saint-nicholas-cookies">Speculaas</a>, <a href="http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/1970s/1972/03/dutch-caramel-cashew-cookies">Dutch Caramel Cashews</a>, and <a href="http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/1970s/1976/04/lemon-thins">Lemon Thins</a> remind me of Grandma.<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1182844">Greek Almond Tea Cakes</a> I think we're going to make these for my birthday treat this week.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-3096847138907465582009-10-10T07:24:00.002+10:002009-10-10T07:28:38.984+10:00<b>UrbanMAX</b><br />We're off to do <a href="http://www.maxadventure.com.au/urbanmax/">UrbanMAX</a> this year. (I heard about it from <a href="http://web-goddess.org/">Kris</a> last year.) It's sort of like doing <i>The Amazing Race</i> except just in our city. We have recruited a couple of people after our glowing tales from the last time. Hopefully we don't get too sunburned. This is a little photo of us kayaking in shark-infested waters (aka the Brisbane River) last year.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/3970516843/" title="Urban Max 2008 by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2487/3970516843_80d0087f47.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Urban Max 2008" /></a></center><div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-70446496490310460102009-10-04T17:46:00.002+10:002009-10-04T17:53:24.710+10:00<b>Making Coffee</b><br />Two weeks ago, I noticed that the coffee tree out back was filled with bright red cherries. After a little bit of online research, I thought it might be fun to give homemade coffee processing a try. (In hindsight, "fun" is not the word I would actually use anymore.)<br /><br />You can see each stage of the process in my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/sets/72157622387058529/">Flickr set</a>. My thumbs are raw from taking off the parchment this afternoon. I hope to roast next weekend.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/sets/72157622387058529/" title="Making Coffee by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/3978793467_85411fc74f.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Coffee Cherries" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/sets/72157622387058529/" title="Making Coffee by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/3978796015_2964797207.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Deparchmented" /></a></center><div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-58819157764570469432009-09-21T16:18:00.002+10:002009-09-21T16:24:19.851+10:00<b>Links for Later? Yes, Please</b><br />♥ <a href="http://mousenotebook.blogspot.com/">Mouse</a>: Pretty photos, lovely handmade things. Will have to look through archives later!<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://kaylovesvintage.blogspot.com/">Kay Loves Vintage</a>: Jealousy-inducing photos and inspirational ideas. And proof that Aussie IKEA is <a href="http://kaylovesvintage.blogspot.com/2009/09/ikea.html">completely missing out on the good stuff</a>.<br /><br />♥ <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/_handmade_typography/">Handmade Typography Flickr Group</a><br /><br />♥ <a href="http://blog.michaelnobbs.com/2009/06/22/start-to-draw-your-life/">Start to Draw Your Life</a> & <a href="http://blog.michaelnobbs.com/2009/04/20/75-ways-to-draw/">75 Ways to Draw More</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-6037285988095545502009-09-13T14:38:00.002+10:002009-09-13T14:40:06.774+10:00I shot two photos in RAW the other day. First time. I hate life now. It's like Paris Hilton getting to release an album. Talent optional. That is all.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-77348508921412743812009-09-03T20:52:00.002+10:002009-09-03T20:56:44.030+10:00<b>The Goat Rescue Story</b><br />For those who haven't seen my story on Facebook...<br /><br />One cold and rainy winter morning, the horses in the paddock next door were racing around playfully.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/3882204077/" title="Mystery & Gossamer by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/3882204077_162267bc28.jpg" width="500" height="286" alt="Mystery & Gossamer" /></a></center><br />From the middle of the horse stampede came the cries of a little lost goat named Penelope. She could not find her mama and was very sad. <br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/3882997862/" title="Penelope by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3882997862_f9a25c7c4f.jpg" width="500" height="336" alt="Penelope" /></a></center><br />Our hero jumped the fence and carried her through the paddock back to the herd.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/3882997192/" title="Hans & Penelope by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/3882997192_c462d55a59.jpg" width="336" height="500" alt="Penelope" /></a></center><br />We like to think Penelope's mama was very grateful that we sacrificed getting to work on time in order to save her kid. The End. <br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/3882996626/" title="Mama Goat by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3882996626_dd887dc8c3.jpg" width="500" height="336" alt="Mama Goat" /></a></center><div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-72428222507102333312009-09-01T12:46:00.003+10:002009-09-01T13:12:22.642+10:00<b>Links for Later</b><br />Time to restart Firefox clean, but I've been hanging on to a dozen tabs I keep thinking I'm going to look at later.<br /><br /><b>Photos</b><br />♦ <a href="http://rubyslippersbride.blogspot.com/">Ruby Slipper Bride</a>: South African Wedding Photographer<br />♦ <a href="http://www.oncewed.com/">Once Wed</a>: Another pretty wedding photography place<br /><br /><b>Food</b><br />♦ <a href="http://www.exclusivelyfood.com.au/2006/07/banana-cake-recipe.html">Scrumptious Banana Cake Recipe</a>: I may have posted this before, but this one is SO yummy and SO easy.<br />♦ <a href="http://www.recipegirl.com/">Recipe Girl</a>: Recipes including how to make <a href="http://www.recipegirl.com/2009/04/05/how-to-make-marzipan-carrots/">adorable marzipan carrots</a>.<br />♦ <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com">Urbanspoon</a>: Restaurant guide<br />♦ <a href="http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/recipes/soup_sugarsnap.shtml">Sugar Snap Pea Soup with Parmesan Cream</a>: from my hero Lynne Rossetto Kasper<br /><br /><b>Craft</b><br />♦ <a href="http://thehandmadeexpo.blogspot.com/">The Handmade Expo</a>: Ipswich crafty show blog<br />♦ <a href="http://www.mypapercrane.com/blog/">My Paper Crane</a>: Super-fun, crafty person's blog<br />♦ <a href="http://tubbypaws.blogspot.com/">Tubby Paws</a>: Cute papercraft<br /><br /><b>Other</b><br />♦ <a href="http://virb.com/mimickingbirds">Mimicking Birds</a>: Good music. Free downloads.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-89289888949744787862009-08-29T13:14:00.002+10:002009-08-29T13:17:40.823+10:00<b>No. No, I Didn't.</b><br />Thesaurus.dictionary.com thought I was looking for something else:<br /><br /><center><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/3865873081_9861334b09_o.jpg"></center>Like we don't have big enough complexes from childhood as it is...<br /><br /><b>Move in the Right Direction</b><br />I've sort of got it in my head that I want to move everything over to my own domain. But I can't for the life of me think of anything that summarizes me enough to want it to be the domain. So I'm stuck.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-52127765565589003382009-08-17T15:45:00.003+10:002009-08-17T15:47:03.369+10:00<b>Live and Learn</b><br />So next time we go away for two months, I'm going to throw away all the food in the pantry BEFORE we leave. That will save me the trouble of doing so when I get home. Mmm, yeah. We had some uninvited housesitters. Nasty.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-56879251225492061492009-07-22T04:51:00.002+10:002009-07-22T05:05:17.180+10:00<b>We're the Kids in America... Woah</b><br />The roadtrip was great fun. Since then we've been taking it easy in NW Iowa. The sweet corn season is just starting, and let me tell you, you haven't had sweet corn until you've had it fresh-picked that morning from an Iowa cornfield. It's like candy.<br /><br />But now my friends from Des Moines have come up to see us, so we must go drink some more coffee.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hidanielle/3743746428/" title="Mammoth by hidanielle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/3743746428_e3f146a0a3.jpg" width="326" height="500" alt="Mammoth" /></a><br /><i>With the Woolly Mammoth in Indianapolis</i></center><div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129321.post-65584966929798331272009-07-12T04:56:00.002+10:002009-07-12T04:59:54.172+10:00<b>Music City</b><br />We made it to Nashville after a week-long roadtrip via Des Moines, Iowa City, and Indianapolis. It has been weird making it a leisurely drive. Normally, I would have been on a mission to get from one home to the other and would only stop for gas. Now we have the liberty to pull over and see anything that piques our interest. It's good.<br /><br />I've got so many photos to upload, but I don't think that will happen until we get back to AU. Eeep. I should have brought my own laptop along.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><meta name="ICBM" content="-27.321088;153.031965" /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813421251973787572noreply@blogger.com1