A new project!

Nat here.  Hello bloggers! It's been a long time between drinks, terribly sorry about that.  Rest assured there is lots to share..

Firstly, a new house project! Yep, the husband and I are going for round two on another house renovation. Not for sale this time, for rental, and subdivision down the track.  This one is in far worse shape than the last little project.  Do you want to see how bad?  Don't say I didn't warn you..

 This is where the real fun begins...inside!

 It's a shame that carpet isn't staying...

 Main Bedroom

 Second bedroom












There are a few more photos saved down which I'll post.  The toilet is the classic - carpeted!

Step one was removing all the things in the building report which were "dangerous" and let me tell you, there were a few!  The backyard which was once this...

Is now this..

The front porch which was once this..

Is now this..

I look forward to sharing the little improvements with you!

To end on something "prettier" the husband and I sampled Cornersmith, a well known breakfast haunt in Marickville Sydney on the weekend, they boast that their produce is all locally grown, literally, the oranges are written on the board as being from "Pete's uncle down the road".  I had the soft poached eggs with a side of ham and the husband had a delicious pumpkin loaf with caramel sauce and ricotta.  Highly recommend for a visit!

 

 Sunshine!

Catch-up

Nat here.  Such a lengthy absence! Let's catch-up...

Granny visited which was lovely, so tea was in order...

As was the obligatory trip to Balmoral, love that place..

We finally ventured to the fish market, can not believe it has taken us so long!! Lobster Mornay for $25, can you believe it? Delicious..

The husband and I went back to our honeymoon cottage at Hawke's Bay, hasn't changed a bit.  Had the most relaxing few days eva!

The husband played a round a golf at some "awesome" course, while I read for hours in front of the fire..bliss!

Our little cottage! Highly recommend Millar Road - cheaper than anywhere in Oz at the moment!

These were the definition of awesomeness..raspberry and chocolate injected donuts, oh yes we did!

How gorgeous are roses at the moment?

Still enjoying Sydney...day and night! 

Now you're all caught-up.  Hope you're enjoying the sunshine!  And the cold weather like we are by the fire!

Charming Berry and Bowral

Nat here.  The husband and I enjoyed a last-minute getaway this weekend through Berry, which is the cutest town in NSW (on the Nat scale that is), look at this tea shop!

 Seemingly every little shop was super sweet, with handmade soaps, hand sewn nighties and lots of country style homewares.  I could have stayed for hours!  We scored a last minute deal to stay at Peppers, Cragieburn so we headed into Bowral.    This was Cragieburn...

 Fitzroy Falls on the way to Bowral was beautiful...

We enjoyed a fab dinner at Milton Park Country House, look at the grounds! We're definitely heading back for lunch next time...

The husband managed to squeeze in two rounds of golf while I devoured all the weekend papers from cover to cover...

It's lovely to enjoy seasons coming from BrisVegas which seemingly has a long summer and short winter, look at the Autumn leaves!

No trip to Bowral is complete without a stop-off at the Bradman Museum and Oval!

Such a lovely weekend, and only 1.5hrs out of Sydney!  We are 20 minutes from the beach and 1.5 hours away from gorgeous country, I think NSW is starting to grow on me...slowly!

Have a great week!

Quick update!

Nat here.  Sorry for the absenteeism of late!  Here's a quick lovely to let you know I still care..

Source

We have been to lots of places recently, I just need to find the time to post the pics along with the stories! Don't you hate the new iPhone that doesn't let you just download pictures?!

Only 9 more sleeps until the Bourke St Bakery Cooking Class with Katrina, not that I'm counting....

CWA Goddess

Nat here.  Well, the fabulous A has done it again.  This year at the 54th CWA cookery competition.  Just look at her goodies.

Chocolate Cake...

 Fig and Applesauce Cake...

 Carrot and Ginger Marmalade

Of course there were prizes! A 1st for the marmalade and a 2nd for the Fig and Applesauce Cake.  The Chocolate Cake walked away without prizes - robbed, robbed I tell you!  Perhaps its presentation was too modern for them A?   I'm super proud of you!

Speaking of cooking, guess who's accompanying the fabulous Katrina to a class at Bourke St Bakery?! Woohoo! I can't wait!!

Creme Egg Sunshine

Nat here.  My favourite treat EVA (Cadbury Creme Eggs) in a pudding?!  Please go immediately to Katrina's recipe here if you are like me and need to pinch yourself that it's real!

If you need a visual...

Source: The Other Crumb

That is my definition of sunshine!

Mid-week greetings

Nat here.  Pininterest has been serving up the goods...

The husband and I are heading to a mid-week dinner party tomorrow night, Italian themed.  We were in charge of dessert, so I've whipped up a tiramisu, a chocolate version, I'll let you know how it goes!  Happy hump day!

Quick sunshine

Nat here.

Am loving this..

Unfortunately I can't find the source sorry, but I love!

Happy week everyone!

Sunshine birthday/valentine's and every day!

Nat here.  Well the big 3-0 was a couple of weeks ago.  I was spoilt rotten!  Look at my office....there are flowers from husband, Gem and Shaanie, Shaanie and Caroline (yes - same Shaanie!), P at work and Mum, H & G, isn't that amazing?  I didn't think the girls at work knew it was my bday but they proved me wrong when I came to work to find streamers/ballooons/birthday signs covering the office.  Let's face it, everyone loves a bit of fanfare!

I was also spoilt with some beautiful gifts, on top of the flowers!! Gem and Shaanie bought me the most beautiful dish, it looks stunning against all my pieces on display now!  Will take a photo!  I was also given some beautiful pieces of jewellery, scarf, earrings, tea-cups - enough said!

Tetsuya's was my special bday dinner with husband, everyone says it's spectacular and they do not tell one word of a lie...here is the signature dish....it was delicious, as were the other 10 courses..

T, B and Master S visited the weekend after my bday which was great.  Here is Master S, isn't he a cutie, in the first shot he is trying sardines at breakfast..and loving them!

We took him to luna park, or should I say he took us?

We tried Ms G's with the A family, you must try it if you ever come to Sydney.  Best food EVA!  And cocktails...served in plastic cups with sealed tops and straws...seriously the prawn toast is aca-awesome..

Husband couldn't leave with trying dessert when everything was so yummy, yes there is ice-cream and a banana fritter and mars-bar slice and bacon...all together...

I did some spring cleaning outside of working all weekend:( Look at this for a before and after...thanks Ikea!  Don't worry this was under our stairs, nothing usuually looks like this before shot that you can see!

The next big calendar event was Valentine's Day, which is celebrated with gutso in Sydney let me tell you!  It was the husband and my fifth anniversay.  He made (yes made) me a card, a girl at his work helped with the calligraphy but look at those little glitter hearts, that is all skill I tell you!  We celebrated with Thai and deep-fried ice-cream, what is not to love?!

I think that's a sunshine wrap! Happy week!