Luxembourg

--This post is from before Christmas--

I knew little of this little country before I got on a train and headed there not long before Christmas. I spent three days there, discovering its charm and learning of its history... and on the third day it snowed. Sadly I didn't take any pictures of the snow though, I thought there would be many more opportunities and I was worried about my camera getting wet. But I regret it now, because it was beautiful.

In Brugge

-- This post is from before christmas --

From Brussels we took a day trip to Brugge. A beautiful little town that is the perfect place for an afternoon stroll, with lots of warm little shops and cafes to nip into when the weather turns cold.

Innsbruck

On our way from Rome to Verona (about a five hour journey by train) we shared a cabin with a lovely young couple from Innsbruck who were returning home after a romantic weekend in Italy. They were surprised when we told them that we were planning to spend two nights in their home town, but they invited us to meet them for a drink none the less.
Well, not long after arriving in Innsbruck we started to fall in love.
We loved the old town, the mountains and the endless grey skies. We loved the markets and the beautiful Christmas tree decorated in fairy lights. We loved our accommodation, a small room just above the best cafe in town, where we made sure we had a hot chocolate and a pastry every afternoon. And we loved meeting our new Austrian friends on a cold night in a cosy bar for a drink. But we'll have to let them know that next time we come, we'll stay three nights.

A Day Trip To Venice

In the lead up to our trip to Europe Tess and I heard a lot about Venice. And it's not surprising really as these days Venice is visited by on average 50,000 tourists, per day. So it's busy and there are shops everywhere selling everything you would expect to bring home from a trip to Italy, leather bags, scarves, shoes, pasta, there was was even a store full of Italian souvenirs for your pet.
However despite all this I still found Venice to be charming and was glad to have visited.

Our Weekend...

Hi lovelies,

How was your weekend?

 I hope you have been enjoying this glorious August weather.

The boy and I were lucky enough to head to the Hunter Valley for the wedding of a gorgeous couple from our church.

It was one of those simply beautiful weddings held in a tiny stone church, followed by a dinner at a delightful little champagne house (yum!). Everything was completely gorgeous and adorable and I was so excited that I had been asked to make their wedding cake.  

I knew you would want a peek, and believe me I had to fight the photographer guy to get some photos  (you can see him in the reflection). I got the feeling he wasn't happy with me prancing into the closed-off reception area before guests were invited in.

 But I just had to... beacause doesn't the cake look adorable next to the little jar of baby's breath?

... speaking of babies. 

A little birdy just told us that we have a brand new nephew... so new he doesn't even have a name yet.

I am already completely smitten.

x

French Toast

I have been a university student for the past three and a half years next week I am about to start my very last semester. 

I have loved my time at university and I almost cannot believe it will be over so soon. 

While I will certainly not miss the assignments, deadlines, exams or the commute.

I will miss the mid-week sleep ins. The days when I can wake up whenever I like and if I choose

 ...spend the morning making french toast. 

French Toast

4 pieces of soft white bread

2 eggs

4 tablespoons of whole milk

1 teaspoon of caster sugar

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla essence 

A knob of butter

Strawberries

& Pure Maple Syrup

{to serve}

Whisk eggs with milk, sugar and vanilla.

Place the slices of bread in a dish and pour over egg mixture.

Heat a little of the butter in a fry pan over a medium heat. 

Cook the bread slices for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. 

Dust with Icing sugar and cut into triangles. 

Serves 2

Note - if you are making a large batch, the french toast can be kept warm in the oven.

Anniversary Gifts

www.amandamac.net 

Today is the anniversary of our wedding....

It is two years today since I walked down the isle to meet my darling boy and we promised, with the LORD as our strength, to love each other forever.

I was twenty when we got married, and plenty of people told me I was crazy, and far too young. But, I can honestly say so far it has been the best decisions I have ever made.  

The boy and I  have so much fun together and I don't know how exactly, but I feel like I love him more everyday. 

Anyway to celebrate the occasion I gave him a shovel (not so romantic, but I promise it is what he wanted). And he gave me a weeks accommodation in Paris for our trip in November (we are going to splurge on a lovely lil apartment, close to the Louvre).

However I also received this other delightful gift. Amy finished working on my amazing new web page. Isn't it gorgeous? She is incredible, and I am so happy with it. 

Thank you gorgeous girl.

And thank you darling boy... for the most wonderful two years as your wife.

I look forward to many more.

x

Cucumber Sandwiches

About a year ago my lovely sister-in-law asked me if I would make a cake for her wedding.  I also offered to make one for another dear friend who was to marry the weekend before my sister-in-law.

So in my two week uni holidays last september I spent over forty hours in our tiny little kitchen. I made 12 separate cake layers, used over three and half kilos of white chocolate and I am sure almost my own weight in butter. 

But the truth is, I had so much fun. 

...and now, a year later, I am going to get baking again for two lovely sisters who are both getting married this year.

On the weekend, I had the girls and their partners over for some cake tasting and afternoon tea, including some delicious, fancy tea sandwiches.

I was given the recipe by the lovely Amelia Ruby from The Tea Parlour in Sydney and believe me they are simply divine.

{Cucumber Sandwiches}

Six slices of soft white bread

One telegraph cucumber, thinly sliced

cream cheese spread 

Dried Oregano

Salt & White Pepper

Spread the each slice of bread with with a generous amount of cream cheese spread.

Place cucumbers pieces on three of the slices of bread. 

Sprinkle with oregano and a little salt and pepper.

Cut into triangles and serve with some hot tea

... and a slice of cake of course.

xx

Dreaming of Paris...

Images from the lovely Jordan Ferney

Hello again, 

I am so sorry it has been so long since my last post. This last month, I seemed to attract any bug or virus that came my way. 

Instead of cooking, I spent lots of time getting to know my pillow, my hot water bottle and my local GP. And now that I am feeling slightly better, I have found myself amongst a thousand university lectures and readings that I must catch up on before my exams next week. 

However, in the time, since we last spoke, one very exciting thing did happened. 

The boy and I bought two aeroplane tickets to travel to Europe at the end of this year. I can hardly believe we are really going in just 6 months. 


In order to prepare myself I have been reading up on some lovely blogs including Jordon Ferney's Oh Happy Day where I found these beautiful pics of a Parisian bakery/cafe.

And now, when I really should be studying, all I can do is sit here, staring out my window and

... dreaming of Paris.