I Love You, Brisbane

What an incredible week.

I don't even know where to begin. This time last week all of Brisbane was waiting for the world as we know it to end. And it did.

I'm sure you've heard all the details. Seen the devastation in Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley, Ipswich, Brisbane... Ive watched hours and hours of news broadcasts in the last week and listened to just as much radio coverage describing the destruction but nothing can prepare you for driving the streets and seeing people's lives on the footpath. Looking into the open front doors of house after house, street after street and seeing homes completely gutted, only their frames remaining.

What I also didn't expect was the abundance of incredible kindness shown by thousands of volunteers around my beautiful city, out there in the middle of summer in the essential long pants and shirts, gumboots and gloves, helping anyone they can. It is truly overwhelming.

I contributed on Saturday by supplying volunteers with plenty of homemade goods and drinks but got the chance to physically help out on Sunday. We were on the other side of the goodwill that day and the drinks and sausages (well not for the vegos) were so gratefully received. You dont have to do much. You just have to do SOMETHING and thankfully, a lot of people are <3

Incase youve been asleep for a week... A GALLERY OF THE CLEAN UP

Image from tripadvisor.com

Who needs butter to bake?

I used to do a bit of baking before becoming vegan but I seriously have never tasted any cakes more delicious than those I've made (or just eaten) using no eggs, butter or milk. Vegan baking is amazing!

If in doubt, please PLEASE try making this one at home.

My fab friend A came over for pre Christmas drinks with a case full of alcohol that she kindly left behind. For some reason she thought I like a nip of Kahlua in my daily coffee so a bottle of the good stuff was amongst the booze. Seriously, Im not at that stage yet but I certainly didn't say no to free alcohol.

Once I found out Kahlua was vegan, I jumped online to find some delicious recipes. And this is what we got. 

The recipe:
Chocolate-Kahlua Birthday Cake…

Oh. Em. Gee. This cake is freaking amazing. So incredibly moist, not too dense and just the right amount of chocolate, coffee and liqueur.


I think I need another piece...

Happy New Year?

I hope so.

2010 was probably the saddest year of my life. My grandfather passed away in May, just one month before the 1 year anniversary of my grandmother's death. Nana dying was by far the worst thing to ever happen to me. We we very close, even closer than my mother and I so it hit me really hard. I was still grieving for her when my Pop passed and the sadness and guilt of his death was magnified. Not guilt because I felt responsible but guilt because I didn't see him enough. I had meant to visit him for a couple of weeks before he died and only went to call him the day before he passed but forgot and I was so incredibly angry at myself for letting that opportunity pass. I hope he knows that I loved him, even if I found it hard to show him xo

2010 was also the year I 'lost' my best friend.  We had been friends since grade 8 in high school but past experiences taught me that she wasn't a person that could be relied on or even trusted and I guess I finally had enough. I have made some lovely friends in the last 12 months and even though we aren't really close, I found that I could rely on them more than my 'best' friend of 15+ years. It was incredibly sad to admit and she now knows how I feel so if the friendship is ever to be mended, the ball is in her court. I do miss her terribly but life is far too short to waste time on people that treat you like shit!

So moving on! That's the goal. I do have some resolutions and will hopefully be able to stick to them!

1. Save $$, don't spend it!
HA! I felt physically ill when I realised how much disposable cash we blew last year :S M and I could've easily taken 2 lengthy overseas holidays but what did we go? Nowhere! We have a few big things planned for the future so its time to curb the spending and start seriously saving!

2. Eat better - cook more!
February 2011 will mark 12 months of veganism for M and I. When we first started out, everything was new and exciting and I enjoyed trying out new recipes and foods. Fast forward 10 months, add a hectic work and social schedule and most of our meals consist of grilled vegetables on toast or potatoes! Seriously boring and not too nutritious. So this year, I vow to get back to being creative (or at least active) in the kitchen :)

3. Get more sleep
Most nights I work freelance after hours and it takes a little time to unwind before bed so we rarely go to sleep before midnight on a school night. This leads to 7:45am wake ups when we need to leave for work at 8! I'm sick of the rushing around in the mornings and would like a little more time at home so bed at 10:30 each night is the goal...

4. Read more
This seems to be a popular resolution for a few friends. I miss reading and getting lost in different worlds but rarely get the time. I'm going to try and spend less time online and more time with my nose a book. I closed my Facebook down just after Christmas so hopefully that will help. I do still have my Twitter though...

Goodbye Christmas :(

I know this post is rather late but I'm a lazy blogger. 

I'm one of those people who cant WAIT to put up the Christmas tree (I was a bit late this year and it didn't go up until the beginning of November) but once Christmas is over, I want it gone. So last night I packed everything away while Tallulah and Oliver (my Devon Rex kitties) watched sadly as their scratching/eating post/hideaway cave was taken down.

Here is what it looked like before Christmas.

 

I think this was taken on Christmas morning as the tree remained presentless until the night before. Lazy blogger AND lazy present wrapper!

 

Every year I collect new Joy and Noel sets. My Nana's name was Joyce and Poppy's was Noel so they're very special to me. This was our first Christmas without Pop and second without Nana. Our family is so small now. Very different dynamic...

 

One of the beautiful pewter ornaments that were my Nana's. I'm so glad I got these.

 

Little babushkas! Yes, there are smaller dolls inside :)

 

A few of the goodies under the tree for me :D

 

Nespresso! I really didnt expect to love this little machine as much as I do. It is a DREAM to make coffee in. So simple to do and even easier to clean. LOVE.

I know. Worst vegan EVER.

 

Dont laugh! I have the biggest celebricrush on Nicole Richie and the book wasn't totally horrible! Sure it's just a fluff book but it surprisingly reads wells and definitely kept me entertained.

 

Remington Total Curls. I have naturally curly hair but need a little help to overcome the frizz and my general hair rattiness.

MJ <3

Fairy Lights and Lovely Frocks

 

From Tim Walker

Jamie's Family Christmas

Christmas? Check.
Jamie Oliver? Check
Gorgeous set designs? Check.
Fabulous food? Check.
Cute kids with even more adorable names? Check, check.

How could I not immediately LOVE this show?!

Since becoming vegan (about 10 months ago), I havent been all that interested in cooking programs which I used to really, really enjoy. My love for Jamie Oliver however has never dwindled. He is by far my favourite chef and his love for fresh and healthy produce (his vegetable garden is to die for) means a lot of his recipes are vegetarian or vegan.

As a crazy Christmas freak you can imagine my excitement when I saw that he is putting together another Christmas special, this time making it a family affair with his bouquet of adorable kids (Daisy and Poppy - maybe Petal and Buddy Bear were off in the forest) and lots of other family and friends (yay, Gennaro!).

The 5 part series starts on December 15th in the UK (hopefully Foxtel will pick it up here) and you can see an episode rundown HERE.

In the meantime, check out Poppy and Daisy helping with JO's Christmas Pancakes.