Queenscliff...Music for Listening & Dancing

Jazz Australia and the La Trobe Memorial Appeal are presenting a wonderful evening this coming Saturday 18 October.

The Society Syncopators .....  This jazz ensemble is one of the best classic jazz bands in the world.  They are feted in Europe where they appear annually and have done so for many years and where their concerts are always booked out.  Celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, and led by trombonist Chris Ludowyk, this is an all-star band with six of Australia’s leading jazz musicians and arguably the hottest jazz trumpet player in Australia in the front line, Peter Gaudion.  The band plays vintage jazz and are superb entertainers with their vocal harmonics and great stage presence.  This will be the first time they have performed in Queenscliff and it’s a huge treat to have them here.

 

This is also a major fund raiser for the La Trobe Memorial Bronze Bust, to be sculpted by the eminent sculptor Peter Corlett OAM.  It will become a huge drawcard for Queenscliff for generations to come and is long overdue recognition of the major contributions La Trobe made to the Bellarine Peninsula and Queenscliff in particular, where he is considered the Founding Father.  All profit from this concert will go to the Appeal.

The Queenscliff Museum

presents

AN EVENING with

 THE SOCIETY SYNCOPATORS Music for listening and dancing!

 featuring vocalist Hetty Kate

 Tickets $50 per head, tables seat 10 

 Saturday October 18th, 2014 8pm

 the Queenscliff Town Hall

 BYO supper, drinks & a glass

Bookings, tickets and enquiries Diana Allen 5258 3936

La Trobe Memorial Appeal Fund Raiser Dress up!

No need to book a whole table, single tickets are available.  

Hurry or you will miss out...Enjoy!.....Wendy

October holiday weekend in New South Wales ..... If you are in New South Wales this weekend, here are two very different, creative and very interesting events to attend....... Festival Des Métiers Hermès, Paris artisans in Sydney

Festival des Métiers is in Sydney this Long weekend! An exhibition showcasing eight Hermès, artisans, all at their work-benches demonstrating their incredible skills, just as they would in the Hermès workshops in France. October 2nd to 6th from 11am to 7pm. Foundation Hall, Museum of Contemporary Art, The Rocks,   Free admission and secondly ...a bit further south/west of NSW in the town of Boorowa is the Irish Woolfest Everyone's heard of the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, but in an Australian town called Boorowa, NSW you can enjoy the spectacle of the "Running of the Sheep" Beautiful Australian woolly Merino sheep are shepherded down the road by Farmer Ashly on his four wheel motorbike and his trusty Kelpies. A magical and creative country festival with a myriad of activities.  Something different to enjoy if you are in New South Wales........Wendy   Images - Coty Farquhar, Styling Magazine

Hats for the Spring Carnival.....

I do love this time of year with the fashions, the talk of which horse is getting set to win the Caulfield Cup, The Cox Plate or the Melbourne Cup....it's always so exciting and here we go again...can't wait for the Caulfield Cup which I love and seeing all those lovely, lovely hats.

Images - The Essential Hat, 507 HIgh St, Prahran East, 9530 2266

The images above The Essential Hat.... my favourite milliner , a specialist hat shop stocking a comprehensive range of everyday and special occasion headwear for ladies.
I think the service is second to none and the expert ladies at The Essential Hat are only too happy to spend time with their customers getting the right look....go to their website and you will be tempted, I am sure...Here

Image - The Essential Hat

At the Caulfield Racecourse this Saturday there is a new event where a Carnival Milliner's Market is happening.... here is a brief overview of what is happening at the Caulfield Racecourse in relation to hats....Melbourne Racing Club

Carnival Milliner's Market

Don't miss this unique opportunity to meet with milliners and get all the finishing touches for your race day outfit.

 Located in the Fashion and Entertainment Precinct, is a new event for the Caulfield Racecourse.  The market is the perfect place to be inspired by the runway action, and then to find a piece to complement your spring outfit....here..Melbourne Racing Club 

Carnival Preview Day - free entry

Entry into Carnival Preview Day is free for all ages. Be sure to sample the new designs for this racing season while taking in all the action on stage in the Chadstone Fashion Stakes. 

Click on to the website to find out more about the Fashions on the Field and the Racing Days and times...here

Enjoy the shopping for a new hat.....Wendy

Abode Living.........SALE

This is one of my favourite Melbourne shops for excellent quality linen, towels, and all things for the bedroom and bathroom Made in Australia and here is their sale which is on for the next week........excellent value.....hop on to their website......Here 

1 WEEK ONLY | The original Egyptian cotton waffle

I always enjoy shopping at Abode and I hope you do too......Wendy

This Saturday, August 9th is National Bookshop Day.

I was reading this terrific blog by Australian Janelle McCullough and I would recommend her blog to you A Library of Design...her article on books is very revealing and from my point of view, very true.

I thought you might like to read this excerpt, so here it is for you with her photography:

"It's the day when we should all support our favourite bookstores. I know many of us buy a lot of our books online but it's more important than ever to buy books from stores too, especially considering the very real danger that Amazon may become a monopoly distribution channel. (Imagine one company having control over all the books in the world? Imagine if they hiked prices sky high, which they're already starting to do?)

Many of us do continue to buy books in stores. Avenue Bookstore (my favourite Australian bookstore) told me that last Christmas was the busiest sales period its had in decades. (I know: I saw the queues.) The Strand in New York (another great bookstore) said last Christmas was the busiest it's ever had, in its entire 87-year history. There's nothing like a bookstore to browse in, whether sunny or wet, morning or night, alone or with book-loving company.

I can't imagine a world without bookstores. Let's hope there's enough people who think that, and continue to split their book purchases between online and in-store.

Buy a book from a bookstore this weekend. Here are a few lovely ideas from our library to inspire you..."

[All books from our home. Please excuse the poor quality photographs.}

What do you think?  Will you continue to buy books from the book shop or will you go online?  Would love to have your comments.....A Library of Design here

A quick browse through Janelle's books certainly whets the appetite and who could resist now going off to your favourite book shop and purchasing a good read?...Wendy

Winter necessities...Wool, Alpaca, Cashmere

 on Sale....

It has really been very cold here in Victoria the past few weeks and the snow is falling heavily in the resorts and it got me thinking that I really need more 'winter woollies' as we say here in Australia.

Image - Creswick Woollen Mills
Don't you just love theses animals, at home at Creswick Woollen Mills!

I love the feel of wool and of course, for those of you who read my blog regularly, I have a passion also for Alpaca and Cashmere and such a bonus when the majority of Creswick's products are Made in Australia. 

At Creswick  the wonderful soft and luxurious natural fibres are ideal for this cold, cold weather we are experiencing.

However, best news, Creswick are having a SALE and there are some really good bargains! Wonderful Alpaca throws, womens and childrens wear.....I treated myself with a wonderful new throw.....sooooo warm!

Alpaca pillows and quilts, Made in Australia....excellent quality....see their website for details and the Creswick locations...here

Have you purchased any of the Creswick range? What is your preference? 

 Wool?  Alpaca or Cashmere?

Keep warm and enjoy!...............Wendy

Australian Salmon - Salt & Pepper Recipe

As my family and friends are aware, I am a lover of Australian Salmon, any time, anywhere, any meal, I just love it...and what's more it is good for me!  

So once again from the Tassal website, here is a recipe that is quick, simple and easy.  Tassal have many hints and recipes on how to cook salmon, and this is only one of many on how to cook salmon...here

Ingredients

• 4   170 g  Tassal salmon portions, skin off, cut into large pieces
• 3 tbsp cornflour
• 2 tsp flaked salt
• 3 tbsp rice flour
• 2 tsp castor sugar
• 2 tsp white pepper
• 1 tsp ginger, ground
• 1 lime, zested
• oil for shallow frying

to garnish

• 2 spring onions, finely chopped
• 2 red chillis finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, sliced finely
• 1 tsp oil

Step 1

Combine the cornflour, flaked salt, rice flour, castor sugar, white pepper, ginger and lime zest together in a small bowl and mix well. Place half the mixture into a large plastic bag.

Step 2

Place a Tassal salmon piece into the plastic bag and shake vigorously until the piece is dusted evenly in the mixture. Remove and set aside, repeat with remaining salmon.

Step 3

Heat a small amount of oil in a small frying pan and sauté the garlic, chilli and spring onions for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.

Step 4

Heat approximately 10cm of oil in a wok or deep frying pan over a medium heat until oil is hot but not smoking (approximately 180°C).

Step 5

Shallow fry salmon for 2 -3 minutes on each side until golden brown, remove and drain on absorbent paper. Repeat with remaining salmon.

Step 6

Serve salmon over a bed of salad leaves or stir fry vegetables sprinkled with a little extra salt & pepper seasoning. Garnish with sautéed garlic, chilli and spring onions and a wedge of lemon or lime.

I don't know if this accords with the restrictions of one of my favourite bloggers...Fructose Friendly Foodie...but there are sure to be some adaptations which would suit....

Do you like this recipe or do you have a salmon recipe that you would like to share and  comment on?   

Enjoy....Wendy

Jazz, Blues & Gospel.....Marilyn Keller

The great jazz, blues and gospel singer, Marilyn Keller, is once again being presented by Jazz Australia.  This is something we in Australia seldom have the chance to hear live and it will be a very special experience for all concerned. The musicians accompanying her are all unique in their own right and this collaboration with Marilyn will be something very special and not to be missed.

Marilyn, a majestic and beautiful woman with an extraordinary voice and riveting stage presence, has a spell-binding effect on audiences. Her incredible voice imparts honesty and depth of feeling as she reaches into the soul of her songs.

 MARILYN KELLER 

Jazz, blues and gospel – Portland, Oregon, USA

with 

The Stephen Grant Quintet;

 Stephen Grant, piano; 

Jonathan Hunt,

clarinet and sax; 

Matt Jodrell,

 trumpet;

 Michelle Scully, bass

  

Ian Smith, drums 

At

 St Andrew’s Church, 

 cnr. Church and New Streets,

Brighton,

On

Sunday July 6th 1.30 for 2pm

Tickets: Adult/Conc. $45 

Children free. General Admission

Refreshments will be served at interval and a bar service will be available.

ALL ENQUIRIES: JAZZ AUSTRALIA 5258 3936

Bookings can be made by credit card with Try Booking online at www.trybooking.com/86833 and  type in Marilyn Keller. 

Tickets will be supplied online.

Jazz Australia certainly engage wonderful artists...Enjoy, Wendy

Italian Masterpieces from Spain's Royal Court...NGV

The National Gallery of Victoria has a most wonderful exhibition at the moment of over 300 years of Italian art...Raphael, Correggio, Titian and many, many more.  This exhibition reflects the taste of Spanish royalty from the Museo del Prado....here

On visiting the website you will see that there are many talks on these beautiful paintings and it is worth the effort to go through the list and see what appeals....and there are a variety of talks which will certainly appeal to art lovers...

The Friday Night series commenced on 27 June 5.30-9.30pm... musical acts take to the stage in the NGV's Great Hall.  This is a rare opportunity to see these paintings and a wonderful opportunity to spend your Friday night with a difference.  For the Friday night series, tickets include exhibition entry talks and DJs, light dinner available at Gallery Kitchen and an Italian inspired bar menu in the Great Hall....what could be better on a winter's night?  See the website for details and bookings here

The National Gallery of Victoria is situated at 180 St Kilda Road Melbourne and the hours of opening are 10am-5pm daily.  The Exhibition finishes on 31 August, which seems far away, however, I would recommend you see this beautiful exhibition as soon as possible....there are always long queues as the closing of an exhibition draws near.......here

Certainly a  beautiful collection........Wendy

All images - NGV

Skin Care....Made in Australia

For the last four weeks, I have been using Alpha Keri products, which I have to admit I had never heard about until a recent email I received and so I thought I would give them a try.  

This is a therapeutic skin care brand with a strong heritage in pharmacy and hospitals for over 45 years and is proudly Made in Australia.....click here

It is stated on their website that the products are specifically formulated to relieve problems associated with very dry, sensitive and itchy skin, Alpha Keri is:

• Dermatologically tested
• pH balanced
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Scientifically proven
• Alpha Keri’s impressive moisturising abilities are because of its active ingredient lanolin. Lanolin is a naturally derived moisturiser that penetrates deep into the skin to replenish, repair and protect the skin. For more information on lanolin, click here

I love this clear wash, nice and easy and leaves your skin feeling thoroughly clean...I thought this was also a good buy...click here

As stated in the website, Alpha Keri can be used by anyone who suffers from dry, sensitive and itchy skin and after all my gardening lately, I can attest to the fact that the cream has been helping my dry hands!

I am not a lover of baths, however a member of my family has used it constantly and they think it is wonderful...keeps the bath clean also....click here

However, of the products I have tried I have to say I love, love, love their rich cream, just beautiful and a non oily feel...I can highly recommend this product to you, I'm sure you will also love it....good buying at the price I thought.....click here

Go to the website and see where these Made in Australia products are available...the usual chemists, Priceline, and online etc, not hard to find at all....

Made in Australia makes it even more worthwhile....Enjoy....Wendy

DreamWorks Animation:  The Exhibition


Now that I have sorted out the problems with my blog which has taken some time, it gives me great pleasure to tell you about DreamWorks Animation at ACMI here.... 

This is fabulous..... take a trip to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image...ACMI... at Federation Square, you won't be disappointed.  The whole family will enjoy this, it's not just for children, although they'll love it!

This is the biggest exhibition in ACMI'S history - a world first behind the scenes of celebration of 20 years of DreamWorks Animation!  This exhibition has been brought to ACMI from the award-winning studio that brought out the animated classics Shrek, Madagascar and the awesome Kung Fu Panda...here...

Featuring over 400 items including rare and never-before-seen concept drawings, models and original artworks, interviews and interactive display from DreamWorks much-loved and favourite animated classics.  

This is a wonderful and exciting journey from original sketches through to grumpy ogres and friendly dragons and experience the extraordinary characters, stories and worlds created by DreamWorks' award-winning artists.

I loved it and I am sure you will too.  Visit the website here....for all information on tickets, etc.   

Open from 10am-5pm until Sunday 5 October 2014.

I am sure you will enjoy this....it's fascinating.....Wendy

All images by DreamWorks