Milk for Tea

Dark........

2011-02-01T03:00:00.000-08:00

D.A.R.K days. I can't snap myself out of some very dark and consuming days at the moment. Things aren't going right and each outcome seems hopeless. There are no answers.

L.I.G.H.T days are what I wish for right now, even just a glimpse, a twinkle, would be enough to help take this weight from my chest so I can breathe easily again.

Something that sneaks happiness into my life when I most need it, my family. And I am forever grateful for them, just to hear them say 'good morning' is enough for me to get up everyday and just to see them smile gives me the energy to move, step by step. Boy do I LOVE them............

take me here

2010-09-26T03:57:00.000-07:00

Everyday, I'd love a day like today:

early start, a few hours spent at my little shop, setting and sorting and then walking out to leave it to the girls for the day
coming home to my family - tim laying new turf, tilly helping in her gumboots and fletcher running out on the deck when I arrived home, 'morning mumma'
the temperature, just right with a slight breathe of wind
a few hours spent at bunnings buying manure and other bits for the garden
a stroll through the markets topping up on fresh fruit, veg and some pastries for afternoon tea
back home to spend some quality time as a family in the garden with the dogs by our sides
kids bouncing, laughing, tumbling, swinging, making up games and playing in the cubby for hours
sitting in amongst the veggie patches enjoying a coffee in our bison latte bowls with our pastries from the markets.

Honestly. I. Love. Today. It was a really happy day and now I feel tired, really tired, but it's a soul reviving tiredness. Sweet dreams...............

hello pretty garden

2010-09-06T03:31:00.000-07:00

I took a stroll around my garden today after a weekend of wild weather here in Canberra. I wanted to make sure there wasn't too much harsh damage done to my pretty little blossoms that have started to appear.

Wow, I felt like a child walking through a far away land. Not for one second did I feel like I was in a suburban back yard. Everything has grown so much and I found bits and bobs of all sorts, and they all took my breathe away. From the fruit tree blossom bulbs, to the massive amounts of new growth on our newly planted Daphne, to the little white snowdrop flowers. I have no idea where the snowdrops came from, but I am so happy they have come to live in our garden.

The pot I planted with bulbs has come to life and smells as sweet as sugar. Last week I spent a couple of mornings putting cow manure all around and I cannot believe how much our carpet roses have come to life since doing that. A little poo, goes a long way! We have our first purple flower on our new pots of rosemary and the verburnams are still in full flower. The mop tops will be a while off yet, but seeing them covered in buds gives me something to look forward to.

It's now time to weed, mulch and just soak it up. All the hard work, finally comes together. There is still so much more to do, but what a lovely start to an exciting and flower filled spring.

growing, changing

2010-08-18T02:42:00.001-07:00

I've had a tough year on a personal level. It's been a challenging, deeply gut wrenching and soul searching time. I've had to change direction and approach things differently as I am forced into a more independent way of life. Funny how life throws things at you when you think you aren't ready, but in fact, I am ready.

I've had days where I feel so alone and so empty, that it feels like I'm lying in a full, warm bath and then suddenly, someone pulls the plug. You know, that feeling that you are slowly being sucked down a plug hole - it's pulling, it's draining and the noise, it deafens me. But then, by natural response, you pull yourself up and lift yourself out of that bath and you move one more step forward.

I've had to totally change the way I think, the way I respond and the way I deal with different situations. It's often a selfish response, and it's not something that feels right, but I have learnt to build that wall to protect my vulnerable mind. I'm learning, slowly, that I can be ok and that I am going to benefit from these changes. It is going to free my mind, allow me growth opportunities and it is going to teach me some life skills that I never thought I would have. The changes are exciting, self boosting, scary and unknown just like this cherry tree lane. It's winding, blossoming and who knows what is at the end of the road?

a birthday celebration

2010-07-31T03:58:00.000-07:00

Last week we celebrated a friends birthday with a little morning. I had so much fun putting together a sweet little 'desert table'. We sat, drank tea, ate mini cupcakes and lemon tarts, read magazines and opened lots of lovely and handmade presents. Nothing else was needed, it was just right!

something about tea

2010-07-01T02:14:00.001-07:00

The other day I went and visited a friend for her birthday. I took her a jar of fresh black tea and a bunch of flowers. We sat around the fire and sipped tea and ate cupcakes with sugar flowers on top. It couldn't get more simple of more satisfying than that.

What is it about tea that allows your mind the time to really think about things? Is it the aroma as the hot water infuses the leaves? That warm leafy, hearty smell that makes you want to savour every mouthful before it runs out. Is it the gentleness as it warms your throat, or is it sipping from bone china cups that makes it feel like a fantasy?

My Grandma LOVED tea and she loved it strong (and that love has now made it's way through 4 generations). I always looked at her as the 'queen of tea'. Through my little people eyes, she was the expert, she knew so much, she knew how it should be made and how it should taste. I will never forget one time when she came to visit and I made her a cup of tea. I can still hear her words as she took a sip 'that's a good cup of tea'. As a child I could have burst with excitement that the 'queen of tea' thought my tea was alright!

Whatever it is about tea, it's what I love more than anything. I. Love. Tea. I love the way it makes me feel and I love how it always makes me slow down. And more than anything, I love that it brings everyone together.

See those photos.............

2010-05-18T04:19:00.000-07:00

they make me so happy! I have a couple of friends, two friends, whom I adore for a number of reasons. You know how you have people in your lives for a reason and sometimes for only a short time? Well I really hope these two friends are in my life forever.

We always celebrate our birthdays together and yesterday we celebrated mine. A divine lunch in the most beautiful little house, with an open fire place (which I claimed as mine!) and a beautiful table setting with a menu that consisted of roasted root vegetable salad, rolled chicken and little pear tatins with mascorpone cheese. It was amazingly delicious, homely and just what I wanted - and a little more.

We have this little thing going that when it comes to the gifts we have to hand make one of them. This is the gift that I cannot wait to see, it always excites me and it means so much more when it's something created just for me. One of those handmade gifts was a black clutch (which I note, I have been wanting for months now) lined with Mary Jane shoe fabric and finished with a Mary Jane shoe badge on the front - it's just so me and I love it. The other handmade gift was the best biscuit jar (I have to admit, I have an addiction for jars) from the Donna Hay General Store, filled with handmade 'Nigella' double chocolate cookies - oh my, they lasted about 24 hours in our house, they were so, so delicious.

Thanks girls, I'm so happy right now. Love ya both, bring on our trip to the White House in Daylesford :o)

Miss Potter

2010-04-26T05:44:00.000-07:00

"There's something delicious about writing those first few words of a story. You can never quite tell where they will take you. Mine took me here, where I belong"

I adore the movie "Miss Potter". I could watch it over and over and during winter it is a Sunday must! What a fantasy, to lead a life like that....................

A lonley day with anxiety

2010-04-26T04:53:00.000-07:00

From the age of 17 I have suffered an anxiety condition and at times, this little gremlin has managed to consume and debilitate my life. It's an awful condition to live with for a number of reasons but the main being, the unexpected habit of suddenly appearing in my life without warning, the ability to suck me up and consume all of my being, and the emptiness that comes with it because no-one can see the physical symptoms, therefore making it very difficult for anyone to understand.

It is a silent condition that is hidden from all those around me but on the inside, it deafens me. It screams at me, it squashes my chest so much that I feel like I can't breathe in, it takes my breathe away, it makes my heart beat so fast I feel like I can't keep up, it makes me sweat and it makes my hands and feet tingle, putting one foot in front of the other brings a feeling of falling over and passing out, it makes my limbs and jaw clench until it hurts and it can train my brain into thinking I am dying. It can rule my life and make me so scared that I withdraw from all those around me. I've even spent 12 months tucked inside my house, riddled with fear that if I step outside it will get me.

When I gave birth to Fletcher (my first child) an ability to stop that anxiety gremlin was also born. Fletcher was my saviour, he gave me back my self-confidence, my strength and the ability to stay focused on what is important. And that was to care for my newborn baby. After my darling boy was born, I went years without an anxiety attack but recently, they have been creeping back into my life. No idea why and of course, unexpectedly? I'm working on my fear and tying to free myself and my mind of this awful condition but it is exhausting, it sucks all my energy and it makes me angry that I have to deal with this sometimes, on a daily basis.

But here, here in my little home, I have found happiness that helps free my mind. It gives me creative freedom to express myself and give me the warm and fuzzies! I love this little house, it's my home, it's where I feel safe, warm and so happy and in love. It's funny how I look at all the magazines and goo and gar over what's inside. In actual fact, what I have IS beautiful and it's not just a picture in a magazine, I am actually living in it, with it and surrounded by it. It's simple really - this little house, with my little family, is all I need to make me happy.

Honestly

2010-02-02T17:27:00.001-08:00

how can you not just LOOOOOOOVE Bison? It brings so much colour and joy to our home. I wouldn't know how to explain the happiness within me when I eat or drink from my Bison :o)

Thank you Brian!!!

This garden..................

2010-02-01T02:51:00.000-08:00

This garden. This garden brings me a sense of who I am and total contentment of how I have grown and who I have become. I can't describe it, I don't think I need to describe it. It's between me and this garden.

I am loving

2010-01-24T13:50:00.000-08:00

Our beautiful tomatoes - very proud!

Our very first cucumber - once they appeared they grew so fast

The beds

After a request from me, my lovely husband went to work back in October last year and built us 2 raised vegetable beds. He constructed them from corrugated iron and filled them with all sorts - cow poo, sheep poo, hay and soil! We chose to build them high for 2 reasons - so we don't have to bend our backs and we needed to make them dog proof so the dogs wouldn't eat the produce! I'm so glad we decided to go high, as they are so easy to maintain and they were an economical way to fill an empty spot in our VERY large garden.

New to all this we planted lots of seedlings and to my surprise, I couldn't believe the veggies didn't just grow over night! It took 3 months before we were able to eat our first cucumber! We patiently watched as each seedling started to establish itself and day by day they started to get bigger. We have been through cucumbers, carrots, baby beetroot and best of all herbs at my fingertips. Oh herbs, how I love them so much - the smell, the greenery and the need to want to add them to all our cooking simply for their rustic fragrance and pure flavour. The tomatoes took their time (4 months) but we now have the sweetest, juiciest tomatoes ever.

I am so excited about this addition to our garden. It has given us so much as a family. The joyous cries from the kids as vegetables started to appear, the responsibility of making sure the grubs weren't putting holes in our leaves and the coming together each day as we inspected each and every seedling. Then of course, the amazing way the kids started to eat veggies they wouldn't normally eat because we grew them. Somehow they tasted GREAT!!!

There is still so much to learn but I have started keeping a veggie journal so we know for each season when things should be planted. We have now done our winter seedlings - pumpkin, beetroot, zucchini and leeks which will be ready for harvest in time for lots of soups and bakes.

Oh Christmas!

2009-12-01T02:41:00.000-08:00

Star light,
Star bright,
First star
I see tonight

I wish I may,
I wish I might,
Have this wish
I wish tonight.

Wow, today is the 1st of December and I haven't been to my blog in months. Life just gets away and sometimes I feel that I just do what I have to do to get by each day. But today is always special in our house, and I make sure there is always time to fill all of our 1st of December traditions.

The lights went up around the outside of the house, our joy and noel words are placed on the shelves, the Merry Christmas bunting is up in the family room and the fabric garland is hung. The fruit cake was baked and filled our home with the magical smells of cinnamon, ginger, fresh nutmeg and cloves. The fruit is soaking ready for the steaming of the pudding and 3 batches of gingerbread dough are in the freezer ready to fills jars with gingerbread gifts.

And last but not least - our beautiful Christmas tree went up with Christmas carols playing. The kids do such a great job and at such early ages, know that the decorations need to be placed with care and balance!!! My obsession but glad they have learnt young! The lights were then switched on with the hum of 'YAAAAYYYYY' from all our us!

So wherever you are and no matter how busy your life - may you always have the time to live your Christmas traditions with your family because the memories are created by us and will remain with them for a lifetime.

The cubby

2009-07-12T23:32:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's taken some time (only a few years) but we have nearly completed our cubby house! We still need to paint the floor and put in a few bits like floor cushions, blankets and chairs but it's looking adorable! When the kids are over it, it's going to be my little retreat. I think a sewing room with shelves full of fabric, bobbins, buttons and ribbons will be perfect.

Oh and the pikelet recipe.........

2009-07-12T15:52:00.001-07:00

Pikelets
1 cup self-raising flour
¼ cup caster sugar
Pinch of bi-carb soda
1 egg lightly beaten
¾ cup milk

Put flour, sugar and bi-carb soda in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Make a well in the centre and add the lightly beaten egg and a small amount of the milk. Whisk together until the mixture has come together. Then gradually add the extra milk whisking well in between each addition to make a smooth mixture.

Heat some cooking spray in a frying pan over a low to medium heat. Add large spoonfuls of mixture to the pan. When bubbles start to appear flip and continue to cook for approx 1 minute or until browned lightly and cooked through.

Cool slightly or completely and enjoy with butter and jam or jam and cream for a real treat.

Happiness is not in things, it is in us

2009-07-12T05:06:00.000-07:00

And we love spending time at home together during the school holidays. Most people complain about having the kids home for the holidays but for us with the not so 'normal' lives, it's so nice.

Today we

slept in until 9am and stayed in our PJ's until 1.15pm!
made the yummiest pikelets and ate them with lashings of butter and jam
went to the garden nursery and bought some colour to put in our pots on the deck
planted the colour and cleaned up the deck while Fletcher kicked the footy out the front and Tilly bounced on the trampoline and swung on the swings
got the stinky dogs in trouble for digging holes in the garden beds
made an old fashioned dinner that consisted of oven baked rissoles, the sweetest baked pumpkin and creamy mashed potato. Of course, served with tomato sauce
the cupboard is bare so it was warm frothy hot chocolate for desert while watching Master Chef

It was the laziest, most relaxing day we have had in such a long time. It really was perfect.

My love for Cherry Seed

2009-06-24T02:18:00.000-07:00

2 years ago I opened my dream - Cherry Seed. A small vintage style cupcake shop. It has been the biggest challenge of my life (apart from my two beautiful children) and I have thrown my heart and soul into this big life altering venture.

I've had my ups and downs and the hardest part has been not letting my heart rule the business side of the shop. It's so hard because the shop embraces everything that I value and believe in but it is a business, not just a hobby. I have made it such a personal little place with lots of character and homely 'bits' This was an important aspect for me because I rarely go to places that are of franchise style. I much prefer a homely, unique atmosphere with lots of talking points and items of interest with loads of character. And there is nothing better than being served beautiful homemade style food with a personal, friendly service. Elephant Boy in Bowral is one of my favourites for these reasons.

Sometimes I get lost by the running of the shop and just getting by on a daily basis that I forget what the shop looks and feels like from the outside and through people's eyes when they walk in. Robeccer from Adori Studios (http://www.adoristudios.com.au/) has managed to capture this for me on two occasions and I thank her so much for making me stop, and realise what has been created. I love my little shop at Gold Creek, it makes me proud and it look so delicious! This is a glimpse at our new 'Lolly Land' party theme.

Simple things........

2009-06-22T05:23:00.001-07:00

2009-06-10T04:57:00.000-07:00

This gorgeous little fabric idea has been on my list of things to do for about 12 months now. But of course I haven't done it! After seeing this beautiful picture on another blog, it has inspired me to tick it off my list. I have just ordered some sweet fabrics off Etsy, so I really don't have an excuse anymore. The sewing machine, scissors etc have been getting plenty of use in the last couple of weeks and is still set up on the dining table ready to go. I'm not really sure where I will fit them on my walls but I'm sure I'll find some space. Loving!

Slippers please

2009-06-01T05:14:00.000-07:00

The one thing I dislike about winter, are our tiled floors in the family room and my cold feet! I did the rounds of the shops in the city today and with not much to choose from, I ended up with a pair of slippers from Peter Alexander. They aren't what I really had in mind but I just can't have cold feet anymore, it sends me crazy!

So can someone please make me a pair of slippers like these?

A day in

2009-05-18T20:33:00.001-07:00

It's not often that we have a full day at home. To be honest, I struggle to stay still and I think that comes down to not wanting to waste my days off and trying to fit way too much in. But I crave being at home, I love what we have created and want to be amongst it. So today we have done that, I've cleaned, I've washed, I've changed Tilly's room around, I've read books and I made melted cheese on toast for lunch. I had forgotten how good melting, oozing cheese on toast is!

Winter Love

2009-05-14T05:01:00.000-07:00

You can have the heat, I hate it! My favourite time of the year is autumn and winter. I love being cosy, being able to snuggle under blankets, layering my couches with cushions, comfy warm PJ'S, sitting in front of the fireplace and immersing my thoughts as I watch the flames, wrapping my hands around my latte bowls full to the brim with coffee, my dad's curries and I especially love the choice of winter food. Cooking and eating in winter is so pleasurable unlike cooking and eating in summer. The choices are so much more exciting.

I have all my inspiring cook books out and have been writing lists of what to buy each week, to try some of the hearty recipes. Tonight I baked the most amazing apple and blueberry crumble out of the darling book 'Apples for Jam' by Tessa Kiros. I used a combination of apples - fuji's, granny smiths and gala. This mix was amazing and left explosions of sweet and juicy flavours swirling through my mouth!

I always thought my Aunty Glen made the best crumble but I think I am now in the running!

Today I.........

2009-05-13T05:17:00.001-07:00

today I feel really tired and hate that it is Wednesday - please be Tuesday

today I wrapped my hands around my bison latte bowls and enjoyed my coffee on the couch

today I read a book called 'the wonderful weekend book -reclaim life's simple pleasures'

today I ate french toast drowned in maple syrup

today I went to Willow Park

today I planted 6 beautiful camellias

today I celebrated my newphews 7th birthday and had dinner with my beautiful family

today I yelled at the kids, tucked them into bed and said sorry and told them I loved them

today was bliss............

Comfort of Baking

2009-03-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

I just love to bake, it my most favourite thing and where I feel totally at home. It defines who I am - a real home body who has enormous appreciation for the simple things in life.

However, since opening my little cupcake shop 18 months ago, the drive to bake at home has somewhat faded! Now that we have a new baker sharing the load, I am not baking as much at the shop so in the last week, I have had that baking urge again. I've had all my baking books out, sitting on the couch with a coffee, just lusting over what I can create!

Last night I decided to get Belinda Jeffery's beautiful Mix & Bake book out. Her book is divine, a collection of family recipes. I inspire to write a 'family traditions' book one day. After I found the 'most beautiful orange cake' recipe, I decided to turn the oven. Probably not such a great idea because it was already 9.30pm and by the time it cooked and cooled it was midnight!

But it was worth it - a quick and easy mixture to make and boy did it rise! It's a really big cake but oh so yummy - I love a good citrus cake.

Relaxed and inspired

2009-03-09T17:28:00.001-07:00

My husband and I just spent 2 days roaming the Southern Highlands and oh my, it would have to be my favourite place on the planet! It truly is so beautiful and a place I would love to live and work.

The sweet change in the landscapre when you turn off the highway has a remarkable calming and memorising affect on me. The pastures are so different and even the trees seem to grow and stand happier - so perfect. The horses and cows are fat and round because they are in paddocks full of lush green grass. The landscape is just amazing. We both love Bowral - here are some of our favourites.....

Darling 'My Home Bowral'. This was a divine little house divided in to little rooms. It was all decked out with fabrics from Moda & Amy Butler, quilts, buttons, cushions, aprons, stationery and the list goes on. Could have quite easily moved in and made it my home!

This was a sweet little town called Burrawang. It was recommended to us by the host at the guesthouse that we stayed at (Links House) and we are so glad we made the trip. Nothing much in the village except for a general store, a village butcher and this amazing hotel/pub. But the village sits at the top of a hill and has the most amazing outlook. This hotel was done to perfection with the most beautiful 'backyard' with views that took my breath away.

And Bowral's sweetest Country Florist Shop. Doesn't the entry say it all? This blew me away, it was rustic and charming inside with antiques everywhere. The bunches of flowers just sat on big wooden tables in old jugs and vases scattered randomly. I loved the warmth and originality of this shop, it confirmed that having your own style and just putting things together without being structured, really works.

The guesthouse that we stayed at - Links House, was also divine. Perfect gardens and sitting rooms by open fireplaces overlooking the Bowral golf course. Struggled with sitting in one of the big arm chairs, sipping champagne and reading my favourite magazine! A perfect getaway, one we are sure to do again soon.

Pick of the litter

2009-02-12T02:24:00.000-08:00

This is the 'little guy' who I can't wait to see when I walk in the door of an afternoon. He is Murphy! An English Mastiff puppy who has just turned 8 months old. Weighing in at about 65 kilos, he is proving to be a very big boy!

I have many words to describe this guy and breed but the best way to describe him is - the best! Yes, he is BIG, he snores, he drools and he eats alot but what a temperament. Loving, goofy, lazy, happy, calm, even, soft, gentle, itelligent, responsive and extremely obedient. And even though he weighs 3 times the amount of my daughter, he has the most amazing intuition with children - a loyal gentle giant.

So if you are thinking of getting a dog and not sure of the breed - GO THE ENGLISH MASTIFF! If you can handle their size, you will have yourself the best family dog in the world.

Obsession

2009-02-07T02:27:00.001-08:00

Cute prints with quotes - what is it that I am loving? And why do I spend endless hours on Etsy searching for more to add to my growing collection? Maybe it's the love of red, the gorgeous vintage stamps that are used to create the words, the clean simplicity, or the need to fill my life with quotes that I relate to? Whatever it is, I LOVE and here are a few of my favourites at the moment!

Ordered and likely to go in the hallway alongside family photos and my son's framed artwork?

Another one ordered and is the first for my new print wall in our little cupcake shop!

And this I just LOVE because it is soooooo true. Can't you just picture those happy little birds at the half empty tables in cafes - classic!

Curtain Call

2009-02-04T02:47:00.000-08:00

Who said hankies were just for blowing your nose on!

I have finally created a hanky curtain for my laundry. I didn't want a curtain as such, just something to prevent people from seeing in but not to block out the light. Created with a stack of vintage hankies by Moda, it's the cutest little curtain ever and a great talking point!

2009-01-29T19:30:00.000-08:00

Afternoon tea in our household often consists of yummy room tempertaure chesses, spicy dips and fruit - grapes or very ripe sweet strawberries. It's first in best dressed! Yesterday I dished up spicy capsicum dip, vintage cheddar, tilba sundried tomato cheese and VERY ripe strawberries with rice crackers. It took all of 5 minutes to be consumed! All displayed on our beautiful new Dandi eco friendly bamboo chopping board - delicious!

2009-01-27T21:52:00.000-08:00

2009-01-27T20:19:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Milk for Tea! I've created this blog for inspiration and to share ideas and information about home and food.

I have a passion for vintage inspired stories and ideas and love filling our home with character and warmth.

We have a little house that we have turned into a 'home' and I love nothing better than lighting a beautiful scented candle, opening the blinds to let the light stream through and then sitting on the couch surrounded by inspirational books, full of ideas and stories about home and food.

A home that holds a true reflection of the people that live in it, is what I truly love. Creating your own character and style is what it's all about. If you like it, it will work!