A cherry blossom

My cherry blossom tree has been looking bare for months, now suddenly it's come full bloom! All this sunshine isn't helping me stay indoors for tea and craftiness, but it's super pretty so I don't mind...

An elephant

I was out near Mooroolbark yesterday and hardly believed what I was seeing when we drove past an elephant behind a circus tent. There were actually two of them, and a couple of camels, with a flimsy plastic fence. I'm totally against animals being used in the circus, but didn't realise it still happens in Melbourne. I must be so naive.

A grand station

Yes, it's another building but it was one of the most amazing structures I've ever seen. This is inside Grand Central Station in New York City. It's just like the movies!

>> Last one of these posts I promise :)

An old ad

The last of my building shots for a while, this old ad was nestled amongst the newer and repainted structures of the city. It's nice to keep a piece of the past.

>> I haven't been too consistent with the blogging and/or crafting this week, maybe even last week, and instead of making excuses, I think it's just part of my flow. Hmm.

On my desk

I almost forgot to post for On My Desk today! As it seems to be the thing to make lists, so here's some of the projects on my desk, either for starting or finishing:
~ my tax return (blurgh)
~ photographing my matchbox collection
~ sewing cushions for my kitchen chairs
~ joining all the granny squares i've crocheted
~ practicing harmonica (still in very early days)
~ a handwritten journal of inspiration and project ideas... so far it's helping!

A city building

The text on this building reads "The City of Melbourne Building", which sounds like it was of much importance at some time. I love seeing these beautiful old buildings amongst the newer ones in the city but the street level is all modern shops, which is why I took the photo looking upwards - seems to be a trend for me at the moment.

A hot tip

Arty types will love this gallery - it's a recycled cardboard house of cool (otherwise known as Lamington Drive), and they're opening their second show "Makingdoo" this Thursday 18 September from 6-9pm. Don't be a square (ie. be there).

A roast vegetable salad

I seem to be in the kitchen a lot at the moment. To make this roast vegetable salad you'll need:
~ 2 potatoes, peeled & chopped
~ 1/4 pumpkin, peeled & chopped
~ 1 sweet potato, peeled & chopped
~ 1 capsicum, chopped
~ 1/2 bunch celery, chopped
~ 2 tbsp olive oil
~ A handful of pine nuts

It's super easy, here are the steps:
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees celcius.
2. In a bowl, put the chopped potatoes, pumpkin and sweet potato (pieces should all be roughly the same size) a drizzle with half the oil.
2. Put this all on a tray into the oven for about 40 minutes, or until vegies are almost cooked (this will depend on the size of the pieces).
3. In the same bowl, put the capsicum, celery and pine nuts, then add the remaining oil and combine.
4. Once other vegies are almost cooked, put the second lot on a separate tray into the oven and cook until pine nuts are golden.
5. Put all the cooked vegies & nuts in a large bowl and combine before serving.

>> It's good with tabasco sauce! You can substitute other vegetables like zucchini or carrot - whatever you've got in the fridge. I just submitted this one to WhyVeg.com hoping to win a basket of cruelty-free goodies... wish me luck!

A loaf of fresh bread

This isn't really a recipe, since all I did was pour in the water, flour mix, yeast, then pushed start, but it was the closest matching tag. I'm in love with this bread making machine, definitely don't want to give it back in a few weeks like I'm supposed to!

A bean salad

Bean salad is a delicious easy snack, or side. I made this one by putting all the following ingredients in a large bowl & mixing:
~ one can of chickpeas, rinsed
~ one can of lentils, rinsed
~ one can of four bean mix, rinsed
~ one can of corn, rinsed
~ half a red capsicum, chopped
~ some spring onion, chopped
~ 1 tsp cumin
~ 1 tbsp olive oil