Things That Amaze Me

"I'm having one of those "it's an amazing world" moments. You know when you forget for a while then something makes you remember again? Yeah."
- me, just then, on Twitter.

Kinda just inspired myself to write this list! In no particular order...

Google Street View
Being able to take a virtual walk through a faraway city you've never been to. Google kindly provides some recommendations if you don't have a globe handy to spin and plant your finger.

Shazam
You know the app that listens to a few seconds of a song and then tells you what it is?

I <3 my iPad & purple headphones!

Apple
My MacBook, iPhone, iPod, iPad... I know it's shallow to place so much appreciation on material objects, but they truly improve my life. Pretty much all of them. It seems particularly relevant today with the passing of Steve Jobs. What a brilliant man.

Google Goggles
Have you tried this? Take a photo of something and Google figures out what it is. Actually I suppose it's visual Shazam, huh? I know it's the second Google mention, but it's worth it. Trust me.

So I'm really saying, modern technology amazes me (among other things!). If you're reading this, you're in the 30 percent of the world population with access to the Internet, which is pretty damn amazing too. Consider yourself lucky.

In closing, I think everyone should listen to Louis CK's take on the modern world, just for a little perspective: "Everything's amazing, nobody's happy".

Goodnight x

High Noon

Street festivals are fun, aren't they? Something about the road being closed and a bunch of people in one place. This was the High Noon festival in Northcote last weekend. I spent most of the day just walking around, but something about it was just... nice.

Guilty pleasure

I'll admit it, I'm excited to hear new Florence & The Machine.

Oh, Japan.

I've just come back from Japan, and this has to be one of my favourite photos from the trip...

DON'T DEATH, LET'S HAPPY!

It was some kind of street art poster in Tokyo. I've also put up a few Fuji Rock photos on my Japan blog, and will probably update that with more tidbits over the next few weeks.

The only problem with going on an awesome holiday is that it makes you want another one. Immediately.

Blue Valentine

I watched Blue Valentine today - it tells the story of a relationship over a number of years, showing both its beauty and dysfunction. I'll warn you, it wasn't a rom-com but I really enjoyed it.

<- MOONCHILD ->

I'm rediscovering my inspiration, starting with this. I like the mood of the film, but for a better look at their clothes go to the Fall/Winter Collection ♥


Moonchild - E.C.H.O.E.S (FW 11-12) from moonchild on Vimeo.

Leave of Absence.

Not really posting anything here at the moment. Can't stop thinking about the impending trip back to Japan! Started another blog about that for me and my fellow travellers: Yeah Japan. Might get back to this one soon, not really sure.

Huevos Rancheros

Ingredients:

• 8 eggs
• 8 plain tortillas
• 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 small brown onion, chopped
• 1 small clove garlic, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp vegie salt (similar to vegie stock; use regular salt if unavailable)
• Grated cheese (to taste)
• Jalapenos (to taste)
• Tabasco sauce (to taste)

Method:

1. Fry the onion and garlic in a little oil until soft, then add the kidney beans, tomato, paprika and vegie salt.
2. Cook until heated through then divide the mixture evenly between the tortillas.
3. In the same pan, fry up the eggs.
4. While they're cooking you can place the other ingredients on top of the bean mix (sliced avocado, jalapenos, grated cheese and tabasco).
5. When the eggs are cooked, placed them on top of everything else.

Serves 4 hungry people, or 8 less hungry people.

One time when I was feeling particularly motivated I made the tortillas from scratch using this recipe (well worth the effort).

Thai Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1 tbsp red curry paste
• 4 cups chopped pumpkin
• 2 cups vegie stock
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup loosely packed Thai basil
• 3 kaffir lime leaves, finely shredded

Method:

1. In a saucepan, heat the vegetable oil with 1/2 cup of the coconut milk.
2. Add curry paste and stir over low heat for 5 minutes.
3. Add pumpkin and stock and simmer until pumpkin is cooked.
4. Cool, then puree in blender (or with a Bamix) then transfer to a saucepan and season with sugar.
5. Stir in Thai basil and remaining coconut milk, then divide between individual serving bowls and garnish with kaffir lime leaves.

Serves 4 as an entree.

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Bread Bowl Dip

This one's quite the party favourite. Having made it again for a party this weekend I thought I should record the recipe somewhere... this blog seems to have turned into my recipe archive so here it is!

Ingredients:

• 1 large cob loaf
• 1 packet frozen chopped spinach, thawed but not hot
• 1 jar artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup grated tasty cheese

Carve out the top of your cob loaf to make a well in the centre (careful not to cut through to the bottom). Put the loaf in a metal oven tray, with the leftover bread around the outside.

Combine all other ingredients in a saucepan and stir until well mixed and warmed through. Place this mixture into the well in the bread, and put the whole thing in a moderate oven for 15-20 minutes (the bread should be warm, but not too toasted).

Leftover dip can be put in a separate bowl to serve with corn chips or cracker biscuits. Turkish bread is great to serve with the bread bowl dip too.