Every 4 years I come alive!

Day 15, photo 16 Esse

My beautiful cousin (and MOH!) recently went to an Italian festa and brought back one of my favourite treats for me. Esse! Well, I don't know if that's the proper term but it's what I've always known them as. Hard, chewy biscuits with a distinct honey flavour. I love them!

Regarding the World Cup, it's nice to hear other people's opinions and to know that there are other crazies out there like me that have a strong emotional response to a game that happens once every four years.

I texted Travis the other day to say that I was downloading the World Cup schedule. His response was 'who are you and what have you done with my fiance?'. To explain, I am not usually a sporty person. However, I've always been a World Cup fan. But I realised that Travis and I weren't together at the last World Cup so he's never seen this side of me before. It came as quite a shock to him! Plus it's funny to think that Travis hasn't always been around yet now I couldn't imagine my life without him.

Has your partner ever surprised you with their hidden habits? Or have you surprised them with something supposedly out of character?

Cat x

A disappointing start

Day 14, photo 15 The beginning of the end?

Germany 4; Australia 0. Not exactly the flying start we'd hoped for.

I went back to sleep after the early morning game only to wake up much later than planned. I've still got a load of washing to do (it's on as I type) plus I'm feeling a bit sore and sorry for myself. Given that I only have a couple of hours to kill before SATC2 I decided to skip the painting today. I promise I'll make up for it next weekend! Promise!

Meanwhile I'm going to have a leisurely browse through some lovely blogs and let my body relax after the hectic weekend I've had.

Enjoy this beautiful Queen's birthday holiday.

Cat x

Mid weekend update including choc-hazelnut cake

Firstly, thank you for all your lovely comments. I hope my work situation improves soon too or at least my attitude to it. Anyway, onto more interesting things. My weekend has been pretty manic - painting, my cousin's 16th birthday dinner, an unfruitful search for a lounge and a visit to a very special little boy. I'm having a quiet night tonight in preparation for another mammoth day tomorrow.

Here are my photos for my June photo challenge:

Day 12, photo 12 Chocolate & Hazelnut Ice Cream Cake

This is such an easy cake to make and an all round crowd pleaser. I've included the recipe if you're interested. It's from Recipes+ magazine (Jan/Feb 2008).

250g packet (6) mini chocolate rolls
6 egg yolks
1/2 cup caster sugar
220g Nutella (or other choc-hazelnut spread)
600ml thickened cream
1/3 cup roasted hazelnuts, chopped

1. Line a 22cm springform pan with plastic food wrap, extending it 5cm above the rim. Cut each roll into 6 slices. Stand a row of slices upright inside of pan at bottom edge. Use remainder to completely cover base, breaking cake as need to fill spaces.
2. Place yolks and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat until thick and creamy. Add Nutella; beat until just combined. Beat in cream, then beat mixture for 5 minutes or until thickened slightly (mixture will still be runny).
3. Pour the mixture into pan. Sprinkle with hazelnuts. Cover with more plastic wrap, making sure it does not touch filling. Freeze overnight until firm.
*Serves 10-12* *Stand dessert 15 minutes at room temperature before serving* *Refrigerate egg whites airtight up to 4 days or freeze up to 6 months* *Enjoy!*

Day 12, photo 13 Sweet Sixteen

Day 13, photo 14 Potential Dining Room Light from Freedom

Not entirely sure about this yet but it is very pretty. Think I'll wait til my dining table is actually in the house though before I make a decision.

Hope you're enjoying this beautiful long weekend and let me know if you're getting up tomorrow morning for the World Cup game. It will be nice to know I have some company! Go Australia!!!

Love,
Cat x

Is this what boredom looks like?

Day 11, photo 11 phone doodling

I'm not a big fan of work at the moment. Lack of stimulation combined with frustration with my colleagues makes for some very long days. Luckily though it's the start of a long weekend! I've got some busy days ahead...painting, Ikea, family stuff, Australia vs. Germany (!!) and SATC2. Are you up to anything exciting? Whatever you're doing, I hope you have a lovely weekend :)

Cat x

Am I too bright?

Day 10, photo 10 my new coat

My new coat arrived in the post yesterday. I bought it from eBay and there's always an element of fear when ordering something online. Admittedly it was a lot brighter than I thought it was going to be. I was expecting jacaranda purple; I got hot pink. But I ventured out in my new coat today and the colour has grown on me. It definitely stands out! And, more importantly (??????) it is warm!

Have you had any online shopping disasters?

For the record I'm much happier today. I went out for lunch with a lovely group of colleagues. Beautiful weather (albeit very cold!), great company and an excuse to get out of the office...what more could I want?

Cat x

Bounce Back

Day 9, photo 9 - collection of gifts from colleagues

Have you ever had one of those days where you hear one bit of bad news in the morning and it completely ruins your mood for the rest of the day? That's the day I had today.

One tiny work-related piece of disappointment totally destroyed my outlook on life for the entire day. When I think about it, my day was actually ok. I heard from Travis, I caught up with a good friend and my beautiful aunty and I made a break through with the wedding plans (FINALLY sourced teacups and saucers for my kitchen tea). But my dark mood clouded everything.

Some primary schools are running a program called 'Bounce Back', teaching kids about resilience. Part of it is encouraging kids to think themselves out of negative thoughts. In otherwords, to bounce back.

So this is a message to myself:
BOUNCE BACK CAT!

Hopefully that's done the trick and I'll be back to normal soon. In the meantime, where's the chocolate?

Cat x

my daily vista

Day 8, photo 8 view from my desk (War Memorial at Hyde Park)

Even though I grumble and groan about work, I think I'm pretty lucky to look at this vista every day. At least I get to gaze out the window whenever I need a break or to assist with my day dreaming.

I just noticed the reflection of the coat hanger...I didn't plan that very well!

What's the view like from your desk?

Cat x

happy little mushroom

If you've been in NSW any time in the past week you'll know the weather conditions have been decidedly WET! Although the sun did come out on the weekend, which was lovely. Anyway, the conditions have been perfect for some...like this little guy I found in our backyard. He's one happy little mushroom :)

Day 7, photo 7 backyard mushroom

Happy Monday!

Cat x

a quick note

I've got 10 minutes while I'm waiting for my washing to finish so thought I'd shoot off a quick note to say hi and to upload my picture of the day.

I could have taken a photo of the depressing scales (why is putting on weight so much easier than losing it?) or my declined card at the service station (where is all my money going, I wonder...oh yes, to paint and petrol) but didn't think evidence of my disastrous morning needed to be photographed. Instead, here's a picture of something that makes me happy when I see it. I went to a hen's party a few months ago, where we were given these as our name tags. I think it's adorable and it's a nice reminder that I'll be the bride in a few months too. On really crazy days it also helps me remember my name ;-)

Day 6, photo 6 hen's night name tag

I hope your Sunday morning is a bit more successful than mine currently is. On that note, my 10 minutes is up. I'm off to hang out my clothes before heading over to my house to prime my walls. Looking forward to the end of the day when I can collapse on the couch with my pick of Sunday night tv.

Ciao,
Cat x

Can I tempt anybody?

Day 4, Photo 4 - part of my little collage at work

Another weekend of painting ahead of me. Any takers to join my little working bee? Mum will supply homemade lunch and snacks (think Italian style treats).

Come on... I know you're tempted ;-)

Cat x

An unusually pleasant day

Day 3, photo 3 - view from my morning train

I was lucky enough to be working closer to home than usual today so I got to have a lovely little sleep in. Much more civilised than my usual 1 hour plus journey to work each morning. Plus I had time to have breakfast at home, which was a luxury. I actually don't mind the travel too much...I get to catch up on my reading and day dream about lots of lovely things.

I'm very excited tonight...Travis is travelling to Cairns tonight, which means I get to call him on his Australian mobile so we can talk for much longer than we usually do...I can't wait! Plus I can probably sneak in a phone call from work tomorrow. Another luxury!

Ooh, speak of the devil, he's just pranked me! Yay!

Have a lovely night (I know I will).

Cat x

Buona Festa della Republica!

Ciao belli!

Today marks the anniversary of the unification of Italy. We have a fair few people of Italian descent at work so thought we'd celebrate by inviting everyone to an Italian morning tea. Biscotti, florentines, tiramisu and fresh coffee were abundant. As were the decorations and the Italian music in the background. It was lots of fun!

I believe my shoes were the star of the show! I even treated everyone to a mini tarantella in them! At the very least, they were amused!

Day 2, Photo 2 - my now infamous Italian dancing shoes

Arrivederci,

Catarina x

Day 1 Photo Challenge + Almond, Cranberry & Coconut Florentines

Day 1, Photo 1...a delicious Almond, Cranberry & Coconut Florentine

Day 1 of my June photo challenge and my first photo is, of course, of food. Not just any food either. A very yummy homemade almond, cranberry and coconut Florentine. I know the styling isn't great but just imagine the crunch as you bite into it, then you get the sweet surprise of a juicy cranberry and the decadent taste of dark chocolate....mmm... If only I could eat them all but I actually made them for work tomorrow. We're celebrating the Festa Della Republica, i.e. National Italian Day!! Wait til you see the shoes I'm wearing tomorrow. I haven't worn them yet as they're a bit far out but if I'm going to break them in, tomorrow's the perfect day. You'll see what I mean ;-)

Here's the recipe for the Florentine's, adapted from SMH, Good Living (Tuesday May 11, 2010)

Almond, cranberry and coconut Florentines

vegetable oil
3 egg whites
1/3 cup caster sugar
230g flaked almonds
50g shredded coconut
50g dried cranberries
200g dark chocolate

Heat oven to 160 degrees celsius. Line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper and brush lightly with vegetable oil. In a mixing bowl, whisk egg whites lightly then whisk in caster sugar. Add flaked almonds, coconut and cranberries and gently mix until combined. Place by the tablespoonful on the trays and flatten with moistened fingers to flat discs of about 6cm diameter. Bake for 10 minutes then turn each tray 180 degrees and bake for a further 10 minutes or until golden. Leave to cool on the tray (they will harden as they cool) then arrange flat-side up on a wire rack set over paper (to catch the chocolate drips - I re-used the baking paper). Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of hot water, stirring. Pour a spoonful of chocolate on each Florentine and spread over the base. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set then store in an airtight container between layers of baking paper. Keep in a cool place or in the fridge.

Makes 18.

Enjoy!

Love,
Cat x

Monthly challenge

Unfortunately I can only dream of taking photos like this everyday.

I recently read an article in Marie Claire magazine where people were given a challenge to do something every day for a month. The challenges ranged from wearing red lipstick every day to doing 10 push ups a day. It got me thinking about whether I could commit to doing something out of my usual routine every day for a whole month. I'm very much a 'phase' person, meaning I enthusiastically jump into something for a few days or even weeks but then inevitably I lose interest and look for my next amusement. Health kicks, beauty routines, attempts at avoiding swearing or whingeing have all made their way in and out of my routine at some point.

I'm also very easily dissuaded, meaning I can think of a million excuses NOT to do something. If you want to feel better about not going to the gym or breaking your diet or just generally avoiding something, I'm the girl to come to. I will make you feel fabulous about doing absolutely nothing.

So thinking all this through made me realise that maybe, just maybe, it would actually be a good challenge to take up. I wouldn't want to do something awful or unrealistic but I thought I should choose something that I enjoy doing but don't do as often as I like. Wearing red lipstick did come to mind but it's not that realistic for me as I drink a lot of water during the day which would either a) ruin my lipstick and I'd have to keep reapplyin, which I don't have time for or b) result in me not drinking water and possibly suffering from dehydration for the whole month. I thought about it some more and have come up with this...

The challenge I have set for myself is to take a photo a day. This might sound easy but I think it will still be challenging for me to find something interesting to take a photo of every day. I love taking photos but I don't see my day to day life as something that warrants or inspires photo evidence. However, my attitude is changing and I'm hoping it might give me a new perspective on some of the sights I take for granted every day. Starting from tomorrow and going until 30 June, I will keep my little camera on me and aim for at least one interesting photo a day.

I hope you'll join me on my little adventure. I'd also love to hear if you've done something similar or if you have ideas for future challenges.

Love,

Cat x