2012 Sydney Food Bloggers Picnic

A few weeks ago I went to my first food bloggers meet! This year it took place at Centennial Park. I was very nervous as I didn't know anyone. Got there and all went well. I had such a lovely time meeting lots of bloggers from blogs I had been already been following and new faces too. Plenty more blogs to add to my reading list.

Now for the food. As you will see from the photos, there was an enormity of food. Of course I tried plenty of it. Pig for life! 

Thanks to Suze from Chocolatesuze and Helen from Grab Your Fork for organising the meet. Looking forward to the next one!

I made these ricotta, cherry tomato and chive tarts. Recipe here. 

Lay made these wonderful pandan cupcakes. Loved them! Waiting for a recipe so I can make them myself. 

Gaby from Lateral Eating made these bacon wrapped goodies. Loved the dates wrapped in bacon. Yum!

Peanut butter cake with maple bacon by Rita from Spoon, Forks & Chopsticks. Didn't get to try this!

Katie from A True Love of Mine made these delicious caramel filled melting moments.

Simon from Simon's Food Favourites with his pop up bar. Definite highlight.

April from Polkadots & Chopsticks made these aniseed pork things in wontons. I love aniseed, so I loved this. She also brought these lovely chocolate pies that I didn't manage to take a photo of.

Thanh from Spoonfuls of Goodness made these feta and eggplant meatballs with tzatziki. Very nice.  

Simon from The Heart of Food setting up for the group photo

Group photo courtesy of  The Heart of Food. I am somewhere hidden in the back!

Tennis fashion through the years

In Australia it's that time of year again. Summer is the season of tennis down under. What better way to enjoy the Australian Open then to watch two Aussies in the second week. Unfortunate but expected outcome with Tomic last night. Looking forward to Hewitt's match tonight. 

I've always been a big fan of tennis. I had tennis lessons when I was young and although I received a trophy for "most improved" (my one and only) I pretty much suck at playing (and at every other sport while I'm at it). Before my husband and I started dating I told him I played tennis as a child and of course I went on about my beloved trophy that I won. I thought I had mentioned to him that I actually wasn't any good. When we went out on our first date we went to play tennis . Given my mention of "the trophy" he assumed I would be good. Oh did he assume wrong! He was very wrong. I still get teased about it until today. I would like to reiterate the "most improved" element of the trophy. I did not mention I was a champion. I did not even compete. Yes I sucked but I still love tennis. 

Watching the tennis, it's always interesting to see fashion through the years. Gosh there has been change. 

How cute are Evonne Goolagong's dresses. Check out the scalloping on the dress on the right.

Monica Seles, oh how I loved her. 

How hilarious is Agassi's outfit? Gosh he went through some style changes.  

Images via Vogue Australia Online and Google Images

Afternoon Tea for a Baby Shower

At the moment it really is the season for babies. Many dear friends of mine are pregnant. It's definitely an exciting time sharing in their joy. 

In Mr D & E's family there are no babies. His cousin Mrs M is pregnant and of course the family is very excited about a new family member, a baby girl. She is due in the next few weeks. Mrs M recently had a baby shower with an afternoon tea theme. There were desserts aplenty. In these situations I do not have much control and l love to try a bit of everything. How can one resist?

Love this floral arrangement. It screams out summer.

Assorted tarts from Pasticceria Papa.

Passionfruit and raspberry flavoured macarons

Mrs M's Carrot Cake 

Baked Ricotta Cheesecake from Papa's. One of my all time favourite desserts.

Paternal grandmother-to-be's traditional italian biscuits with chick peas

Cannolis from Papa's and some homemade biscuits - don't remember the type!

The baby's room. Too cute for words.

Short bread cookies from Polka Dot