IrrOWLsistible Photo

My husband recently retweeted this photo by romain guy - I think this is an absolutely incredible photo! 

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I've just finished reading this New York Times best seller and loved it. It's written with such spark and intelligence. I found myself laughing quite a few times at the dry wit of Major Pettigrew and shaking my head over vagaries of a small English village. Helen Simonson captures the romance and local dramas so beautifully.

My overall feeling is that this is a book to be read in a sunny nook, with a steaming cup of tea and some sort of accompanying yum - aka biscuit or chocolate or cake or anything else that takes your fancy.

This is Helen's overview of the book from her website.

When Major Pettigrew, a retired British army major in a small English village, embarks on an unexpected friendship with the widowed Mrs. Ali, who runs the local shop, trouble erupts to disturb the bucolic serenity of the village and of the Major’s carefully regimented life.

As the Major and Mrs. Ali discover just how much they have in common, including an educated background and a shared love of books, they must struggle to understand what it means to belong and how far the obligations of family and tradition can be set aside for personal freedom. Meanwhile, the village itself, lost in its petty prejudices and traditions, may not see its own destruction coming.

Happy Mothers day

I hope all mums had a wonderful day and felt cherished and loved - because you are. x

A little bit posh

How cute is pocket puzzle book? I found this for my mum for mothers day - a stylish addition to anyone's handbag I think. I just loved the patterns and diferent covers you could get - made my iPhone look a little plain even though it does have puzzles too. I found this posh little puzzle book in the Buderim Book Store, but maybe a little Book Nook near you stocks them? You can buy them online too. Check it out.

A little Mother's Day idea

When I was growing up, it was our tradition on Mother's day to create some sort of wondrous (?!) breakfast in the kitchen (usually bacon and eggs and fresh squeezed orange juice - often leaving a huge mess) and bring it to her in bed.

As I was thinking along these lines, it popped into my head that a delightful thing to do this Mother's day could be to take your mum down to the local farmer's markets, buy the freshest seasonal ingredients, and the make her a scrummy brunch. Maybe pear/banana pancakes (pears and bananas are in season in Australia) or scrambled eggs with fresh tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach...What a lovely way to spend a morning.


Or maybe you could buy the ingredients to put together something sweet for afternoon tea. These apple and almond cakes from MindFood look particularly irresistible.

Image source (source: William Meppem) via MindFood

Chocolade Kettle

My Omey (Oma is Dutch for Grandmother) recently gave me this exquisite "chocolade ketel", that she received from her favourite Aunty 'Tante Jet' when she was a little girl.  They use to make the most delicious hot chocolate in it (and we all know how much we love chocolate on this blog!)  We worked out that this is over 150 years old!  I am in love with this beautiful piece of history, and am looking forward to making my dear Omey a nice hot chocolate and pouring her a cup and sharing these memories with her!

Handwritten notes in the mail

I'm a bit of a sucker for beautiful stationary. I have been known to disappear in large newsagencies or paper shops for hours at a time! Lately I've started hoarding cards for all occasions in the third drawer of my desk to use whenever needed starting with a pile from Pink Blossom Tree.

As Mother's day is approaching in Australia this weekend (9th May) I'm on the look out for something for Mum and I know she loves stationary as much as I do.

Today I've found the most beautiful set of Cavallini & Co. vintage postcards on Paper Avenue. Aren't they pretty? And they're presented in a tin - just too good to be true! There's something a little special about receiving a handwritten note in the mail. I'm resolving to send more to friends and family this year.

Tins for every occasion

I've rediscovered tins for storage. Tupperware containers are out...tins are in! This is my mother in law's and I love it. I'm really starting to form the opinion that tins have a little more character and I'm on the look out for something new.

Since I like to indulge in a little chocolate every now and then (or maybe every day) I think my first tin purchase will be an elegant storage solution for my little chocolate blocks of joy. I found this tin on insideoutliving.co.uk. So irresistible.

Perfect Puppy

Dogs are truly amazing companions.  They look at you with these wise and loving eyes, following your every move.  I just love this picture of my dog Toby - who was just sitting there, calmly, taking everything in.  He is the perfect puppy - and truly irresistible!

{Amy} Best coffee...ever

You are looking at the best coffees...ever. I mean this is how a coffee should be, it's the perfect temperature, the perfect frothiness of milk and the perfect flavour.

My husband and I love the the Pioneer Coffee Roastery in Yandina, Sunshine Coast (Australia) and make it a point to visit as often as we can - like this Saturday just gone. The barista Tim is award winning as is their roasted coffee and I can guarantee you will have the perfect cup. Check out the photo below of Tim's latte art. Amazing - right?