Queens Park

While I was at my parents place we took Ray for lots of walks in Queens Park. It was all lovely and Autumny there.

We fed the ducks.

And went to the playground.

Saw some animals …

… and birds!

We went into the hothouse too.

And Ray had a good time on the swings.

Llama Llama

The Llama Blouse from Obus: I would like this for my Autumn wardrobe.

While everyone in the Northern hemisphere breathes a sigh of relief at the end of a tough Winter, I am rejoicing in the cool change here in Melbourne. I love these months in between the extremes of Winter and Summer, and Autumn is my absolute favourite. I love being able to layer up in tights and cardigans!

Home at last!

The wee dugong has been home with us for four weeks already, boy has it flown past. I don't think I need to say how great it's been having him home where he belongs. Thank you so much to everyone who has sent kind thoughts our way during this crazy rollercoaster journey we've been on!

Mr Meet-cute got to take 2 weeks paternity leave, and my lovely Mum has been staying to help out for the past week and a half, but she flew home this morning, so now it's just me and Ray at home, the real deal! We've managed a few exciting outings since he's been home - even just getting out to the shops is extra thrilling now with the wee dugong in tow! Apart from that, Winter has really set in, so I'm happy to be hunkered down with Ray at home with the heat on, wearing my comfies all day.

This guy seems pretty excited about being home too!!

Autumn Eats

Since discovering Sarah Britton's My New Roots website, I've been inspired to start eating a lot more from the 'legume family'.

Such as chickpeas! As in this bowl of chickpea, eggplant and pumpkin, with a tahini, yoghurt and sweet chilli sauce.

It hasn't all been healthy eating though (far from it). This was back at the start of Autumn in Auckland, when it was still sunny.

My birthday cake! Made by Mr Meet-Cute. This was over a month after my birthday, by the way. Not that I'm complaining.

Amazing whitebait fritters. Now that it's dark in the evenings my dinner shots are all turning out weird like this. It looks like the plate is on it's side - magical levitating fritters!

Mr Meet-Cute tried out this new technique for cooking eggs. It was a bit fiddly but worth the effort.

It's hard to go back to regular poached eggs once you've tried this version.

A delicious meal at Abla's was ended with these treats: coffee, baklava, turkish delight and halwa. I've had halwa again since this with some friends and no one else was into it. Which was great for me because I love it. Like eating delicious sand.

Snacks at home: hummus on toast and eggs on toast, tea on the side.

Takeaway treat from Milkwood.

Bibimbap

Eggs benedict, smothered in hollandaise, in Auckland. I love how kiwi cafes always have eggs benedict on the menu.

Cauliflower fritters topped with salmon for lunch, also in Auckland. I rarely go out for lunch, it's usually dinner or more likely breakfast. I'm pretty lucky to have some fantastic breakfast options in my neighbourhood. I'm mulling over doing a post that will round up some of my favourites. Stay tuned foodie blog readers!

Weekend Markets #2

Finders Keepers was on a week or so ago. It was huge! And much fun.



Beneath The Sun had a great stall, I loved this kitty pillow.

This is what it was like outside. Autumn was going crazy.

And this is what I bought - some lovely Beneath the Sun cards …

… a Stampel Studio vase, which is my new favourite thing.

And the new book Owl Know How by Cat Rabbit and Isobel Knowles, which has now been gifted to a three year old birthday girl. I hope she likes it as much as I did!

Weekend Markets #1

I had such a good time on Saturday at the Fitzroy Market.

I didn't buy much stuff, but I did get some good eats, like these amazing cupcakes.

And these Picket Fence Pops blew my mind! So. Good. I had mandarin, vanilla and mint. Lucky I got in before they sold out.

I also went along to Finders Keepers, but I'll save that for another post.