Paper! Tele...!!!!

I remember, as a child growing up in outer Brisbane, going in to the "city" and hearing the old guys on the street corners yelling out "Paper! Tele!!" beckoning for people to buy the Newspaper. Apart from watching the 6 o'clock news it was the only way for the public to keep up to date with the goings on locally as well as globally. It was a social staple to buy the paper and read the news, be it trash or treasure!  Sadly the newspaper is a dying commodity and the happenings of the Fairfax and News Limited companies over the past few weeks is testament to this fact.  People are just not buying print when they can get the news online when it happens.

It has been a very stressful 4 weeks in the Kitchen Kitsch house as Mr. D, a newspaper printer since High School, was told that as of July 1 he may no longer have a job.  He has had to reapply for his position as a printer employed by one of the "big ones" and we have been trying to fathom how we would be able to continue paying for the school fees of Miss H and Miss M who are nowhere near the end of their schooling as well as keeping up the simple pleasures that we have become used to.......like bottled wine!  Thankfully as of last night Mr.D has been told he is one of the lucky ones and his job is safe for the next 2 years or so. Celebrations and sighs of relief!!! Technology did not get us this time around.......

People! Get back to grass roots, enjoy the smell of ink and the blackening of fingers as you thumb through your local rag.....please.....I don't want to drink cask wine......! (It really is all about me, isn't it???!!!)

xxMs.K

It's Been a Long Time Between Drinks......

.....and so much has been going on.  Since my lovely week end in Melbourne with two fun friends I have hit the ground running but in the mean time completely neglected my posting. So to give an insight into what's been happening (I will only bring your attention to the NICE things) I have a few snaps from Miss M's school fete for which I was the convener of the Sweets and Jams stall, appropriately called "Hey Sugar!" It was my first attempt at any thing of the sort and I was lucky to have my co-convener and fabulous friend Mrs S helping me through.....well, Mrs S and many cheeky vinos!

I used some of my collection of Kitchen Kitsch-enalia as props and I must say I was pretty well satisfied with the outcome given that all we started with was a few standard issue Cath Ed trestle tables.

.....you get the idea! Anyhow, a fun day was had by all and we raised a fistful of cash to boot!

After a busy week of extra shifts at work I'm now looking forward to a Sunday drive up to beautiful Maleny to check out a property where two lovely friends will be wed in October.  The exciting bit is ....apart from their impending nuptials......they want me to help with the decorating using my vintage collection of treasures....that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!!!!  Can't wait!

xxMs.K

Up, Up and Away

Looking forward to spending a weekend in fabulous Melbourne with some gorgeous ladies! Weather people say 10-15 degree temps and heavy rain....ahhh....quintessential Melbourne, wouldn't want it any other way! Just wish I could pack my smalls into this gorgeous suitcase....Bon Voyage!!

xxMs.K

Brisbane's Biggest Morning Tea

Brisbane's Biggest Morning Tea

Follow this link to find out what the lovely Caryn from My Life. My Style. is doing to raise funds for the Queensland Cancer Council. She's a real goer and a fabulous woman, to boot!!

xxMs.K

Mother of the Year?

It's all systems "go" at the Kitchen Kitsch house at the moment. I have put my hand up to convene the Sweets and Jams stall at Miss M's school fete this year so I've been busy writing school newsletter articles, collecting jars, handing out ingredients and wondering why the hell I took this on.....
I thought I should start putting my two cents worth in and got cracking with some serious chutney making over the week end. Here's what I made:

               Apple and Cranberry Chutney                

700g Granny Smith apples

250g dried cranberries

1 onion

350ml Apple Cider vinegar

200g sugar

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

2 tsp salt

Peel, core and chop the apples into cubes, dice the onions, whack the whole lot into a large pot and simmer quickly for about 45 minutes or until the mixture has thickened and the fruit has softened.
Spoon into sterilised jars and screw lids on tightly. Store in a cool dark place.

Seriously easy, seriously good!!

Et Voila! Complete with cute little hats.....Fete style!  Remember me when you're voting for Mother of the Year.

xxMs.K

To Pick or Not to Pick???

........I'm not talking noses here, but if I was the answer would be a definite "yes"!! What??? No, I'm talking about my Garden of Neglect. Here is my latest creation.....

My very first Gerbera, my fave flower of all time, the bloom that featured in my bridal party all those moons ago. I don't really know why I've never attempted to grow these before but by Jove's they are a hardy bunch.  This is the pot that, weeks ago, housed my huge harvest of basil that I made my pesto out of. It grew spontaneously and I thought all would be lost for my Gerbera who was trying to share its home with the pushy basil. I must say I focused more of my attention on the basil as I thought it had more of a chance.  So proud.....but now, not sure if I should pick my single bloom as a prized treasure to put on my table for Mother's Day or leave it flourishing in its own beauty in the garden. Oh the decisions......"without further adieu" (don't you love, yet hate that phrase?) I wish all the fellow Mums out there, especially my wonderful Mum, a very happy Mother's Day tomorrow, and I hope you get all you wish for.....read: a day to yourself without the hubby and kids....!!!! Oh behave!!


xxMs.K

PS. Apologies for the hiatus, I didn't realise how long it has been since my last post....(feel like I'm in the confessional with Father Bernard.)

Refurbs

Alot of busy-bee action has been happening at the Kitchen Kitsch house lately. I've been madly stripping, sanding, painting, stuffing....no, not myself......my furniture!!

Refurb Nombre Un:

Dining room pendant light

Et voila!

Fabulous fabric from Fabric Traders

Refurb Nombre Deux:

3 old dears from Ebay, $10 a piece

Et voila!

Ahhh....that's better

Refurb Nombre Trois:

x2

These have been in my family for yonks so I hope I haven't offended anyone by doing this to them:
Et voila!

Oh the fun!!!

Here's a snippet of a new project I'm working on.  Some of my collection I'm lending to a friend for her Vintage Inspired Wedding in October....

xxMs.K