The life and times of Libby Withnall

Okay, I warn you now I’ll be sharing lots of PHOTOS over the next few weeks (then even more once we go overseas) as I’m on a VERY steep learning curve with my DSLR. Yesterday I took the dogs and headed down to the lake to work on aparerature priority photos.

Of course, since I had the dogs with me I managed to get quite a few photos of them as well.

This one is my favourite.

Just when I was getting ready to photograph the ducks the dogs took off into the pond. Poor Bailey had his first proper swim as he was attached to Rosie.

Another Thursday, another BIG walk with the dogs. The rain was on and off all morning so I decided we’d stick close to home today. We still had to wait for a break in the rain but when I saw the sun come out we decided to head off.

As you can see the rain clouds where still threatening.

This is the same HUGE lake we always walk near but this area is the other direction to what we normally go.

We follow the path..as you can see this part is very new…

stopping to take photos….

Oops…I think they missed a spot…

Nevermind we keep on going….until the end…

Then we turn around and head back. Hmm…those grey clouds are right where we’re headed…

Look a rainbow…

It amazes me how gorgeous the lake is even on a yucky, overcast day.

Almost home…what’s this..some rain…

That’s our street at the bottom of the lane…we’d best get a move on…

We were about 5mins to late getting home and did get rather wet.

Mind you by the time I’d dried off the dogs and gotten changed, there was a sun shower out the back door.

well the city bush anyway. This morning I was feeling well enough to get out for a walk, but instead of braving the cold before the sun was up I decided to wait until after I dropped Amy off in town (for another excursion). The pups and I embarked on a walk that I haven’t done in around 15 years!!. We started off near the beach and headed off. After about 10mins on the cycle path you head off on the boardwalk..

which eventually gives way to a bush track..

Following along we come to some beautiful views…

You can see the buildings in Wollongong in behind the trees.

Towards to escarpment. Hey, we just walked across that bridge..

Onwards…letting the dogs find the trail…let’s hope those rain clouds stay out to sea…

Ducking under some low branches…hope the dogs know where they are going…

Um…no they didn’t…turn around and go back…looking back towards Wollongong again… that big building is the Novotel where we got married (many, many years ago)…

Onward we trek…back the way we came…eventually taking a wider path…

Then finally the end is in sight…

Oh, no, now we have to turn around and go ALL the way back….

One hour and 10 minutes later and the car is in sight. I’m not sure who more pleased to see it – me or the dogs…

It was seriously a lot of fun (and a great workout). Can’t believe I have NEVER bought the girls here. The poor dogs were so tired. Bailey even feel asleep in the car on the way home .

Those of you who are friends with me on Twitter and Facebook might remember me asking about pots a few months ago. I was sick of tefal getting scratched off the bottom of the pans and having to replace them. I was interested in cast iron. But never made any decisions either way as it was all too confusing.

Fast forward to last week. I was shopping in town and decided to go check out the pots. Wow – I had no idea the cast iron would be so heavy. Definitely not suitable when the girls like to cook. So I went and asked for advice and Scanpan were suggested. I recalled that they had been recommended to me and thought, yep, that’s what I’ll get. Oh, that set of 4 looks nice….oh, but not the price…$1100!!!! Hmm…I’ll come back when they’re on sale and will save at least 30%.

Then when I got home I thought I’d check out Peters of Kensington. That same pot set….. $330!!! SOLD to the lady wanting to buy some pots. Holy moly someone is making a LOT of money.

Fast forward to today and I arrived back from the gym to find the delivery man blocking my driveway (talk about good timing as he was about to leave with my box).

Aren’t they lovely?? I’ve been cooking with them today and am just thrilled with them.

Of course, when ordering from Peters you just have to take advantage of their special deals…. some food prep bowls, a big chefs knife and don’t you just love the babushka doll tea towel? I couldn’t resist it

I also got a new quilt cover for half price (Bailey ripped ours). Why I shop in department stores I don’t know. I certainly won’t be for kitchen supplies any more.

Here’s a photo of my new toys…taken with my old toy.

The Nikon isn’t really mine but Kevin has loaned it to me.

He bought me the new Canon yesterday. Isn’t he a sweetie?. I wondered why until I saw the difference in photos. Both these photos were taken in the same place at the same time of night without a flash…

That’s quite a difference isn’t it? And certainly good news for anyone who reads my food blog.

This is totally the fault of Heather and Rachel who introduced me to Whittard China/Ceramics. Love it! And I found a shop in Australia. Unfortunately they only have a small range – but that’s probably a good thing .

I got a two cup teapot…

a jumbo cup and saucer – I had no idea it would be quite so big…

to give you an idea of it’s size….

a trio of dip bowls….

and some teaspoons…

All together….this makes me so happy…

I can’t wait to visit a real shop in the UK and buy a few more pieces – or at least make a list to order online .

We had a quiet weekend at home. But I did manage to find some time to play with a Digital SLR that Kevin has let me borrow and learn to use.

Started work on some wrist warmers for Christy…

Washing my new napkins and placemats…

Don’t you just love the colour of my new Crocs?

Lemon cookies (with white choc on top)….

And finally, my sweet little Rosie…

Firstly – just a quick THANK YOU to all your wonderful comments on my blanket. I’m very pleased with it but it meant a lot to hear you all loved it too .

Todays post is about one of my very favourite things – TEA!!! However much as I love it I’m a pretty boring tea drinker – black, English Breakfast, and an occasional chai tea.

However I recently discovered this Scottish Breakfast (which is rather nice) and the Christmas Tea (which is rather different for me). The container with the orange scoop contains Chai Tea and my everyday tea is in the glass container (which is stored in a dark cupboard).

I like to buy Fairtrade where possible but on our cruise last year I discovered Daintree Tea – which obviously is from Australia.

I quickly finished off my holiday supplies and ordered more online – both looseleaf and bags (for travel). I recently spotted this tea in Woolworths but I bought a year or twos supply so I’m good for a while .

Now in addition to the tea we also have the things needed to make tea.

I use the little teatime rocks pot all the time – perfect for one cup of tea. The larger pots are used when more than one cup is being made. The ball-thing is used for chai tea (though we do make it in a pot as well). For many years I had tea bags – and occasionally still will but tea tastes a whole lot better when made in a pot – maybe it’s the ritual, maybe it’s the brewing time – I don’t know but I just LOVE making MANY pots of tea throughout the day.

Have you enjoyed a cup of tea today? What’s your favourite?

Having “another” bad afternoon with the girls so too stressed to write a post. Instead here’s a photo of three things that made me happy today – learning the crochet granny squares and my two loyal buddies.

Tomorrow I’m hoping to start a series of travel posts – which have been a VERY long time coming – I think Ailsa‘s been asking me for over a year !

1. South Esk river, Braedownie, 2. Fields of Gold, 3. Worth the wait, 4. Let’s see who gets it first, 5. La Jolla Sunset, 6. Untitled, 7. reflection, 8. Poolside, 9. bend, 10. Untitled, 11. T.4.1, 12. My kitchen corner

Created with fd’s Flickr Toys

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Where do you all find inspiration? Inspiration to live a full life, inspiration for craft, inspiration for your home, etc?

These days I find much of my inspiration in my computer .

My main source being the blogs that I follow. All my very favourite ones are listed on the side bar but there’s a few I find especially inspiring that I’d like to share with you.

Beauty that moves

Sunlight and Simplicity

Happy Jansens

Molly Irwin

Attic 24

Then of course I get loads of inspiration from Flickr.

Away from the computer I find inspiration in nature…

and in my favourite magazines…

and catalogues from shops like Target and Pottery Barn…

There is inspiration all around if we look for it. I’d love you know what inspires you – especially any blogs for me to check out .