Sunday, May 17, 2009

formal



phalaenopsis orchid wristlet and buttonhole. backed with a woven mini flax leaf mat. the buttonhole was secured with a magnet, and the wristlet consisted of two mats glued together with a single white ribbon in between - and then left free on either side to tie onto her wrist. a little 'garnish' of ficus root diagonally across the back as well.

from 2008

Saturday, May 16, 2009

green 2



green is a very great colour. I may have mentioned this before, but its one of my favourites in the spectrum.
and.. it inspires some great paint names. gecko, frappe, peppermint fresh, blade green, frisky, honeydew, lime parfait, dinosaur, tendril and mint circle.

dinosaur!? who invents paint names... I want that job.

Friday, May 8, 2009

mad with joy!



“People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.” – Iris Murdoch

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Chocolate Fondant



Well, I would love to say this is what my fondants looked like ... however I forgot to take a photograph-how eager I was to taste them! So, full credits to my recipe book for the photograph, and of course, the recipe.. from "Decadence" by Philip Johnson.

Chocolate Fondants (shown in picture with mint vodka ice cream, which I wasn't game to try to make just yet!)

You need:
200g of good quality chopped dark chocolate (couverture is best)
240g unsalted butter, diced
4 eggs
90g or 1/3 cup of caster sugar
30g or 1 tblsp of plain flour

icing sugar to dust.

you will also need 6 8x4cm metal cooking rings, OR 6 small ceramic souffle dishes (185ml)

So, if using the rings, grease and line the metal rings with baking paper on a greased tray.
Using souffle dishes, grease and dust with small amount of flour, shaking off excess. (i used souffle dishes and it worked well)

Put the chocolate and butter into a dish over saucepan of simmering water and melt, stirring frequently, until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until they are thick and pale (mine didn't go noticeably "thick" but they where definitely thick-er than usual!)
Fold in the cooled chocolate mix, then fold in the flour.

Pour into the prepared rings or dishes and refrigerate for 2 hours (this helps the fondant's retain their gooey centre)

as 2 hours is nearing, preheat oven to 200 degrees - bake the fondants for 10-25 minutes, or until set on the outside. they should be cooked and cake-like consistency on the outside and the centre will be runny chocolate saucy goodness. if you used metal rings, transfer to a serving plate using a spatula or serving knife, removing all the paper and rings. Souffle dishes can be served as is, with a dollop of ice cream or cream!

Yumo! ...reallyy yumo!

Monday, May 4, 2009

les Tilleuls posy

road side posy gathered in southern france. ...oh how I wish I could, easily get on a plane and go there right now!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

outlook


two posts for today!
this was the reflective positions of some surfers on the noosa coast.

tulip fever


obsession and desire consumed early tulip appreciators. they spent their fortunes for the privilege to own and witness a bloom in growth.