Digella Emporium

Bump

2012-01-23T10:43:00.000+10:00

This time in 2010 I knew that 2011 would bring something big to my life. I never expected any of what happened in 2011 - I don't think any of us did!

Probably one of the more insignificant things I wouldn't have expected was my lack of almost daily blogging.

There are a few reasons for this:

Time
Energy
Lack of boredom
My laptop broke and I don't have a new one
But most of all I realised that when you gain perspective from a traumatic situation you see how frivolous many parts of everyone's lives are.

I am looking forward to more time for relaxed things in my life after baby bear comes along. Like cooking, baking, blogging, being home for the other children and spoiling them with baked treats and even a little bit of exploring and spending time with other mums.

So now to think of interesting topics to blog about?

Well I have a thermomix now. I'm in love. Its my in home personal chef and I have really been enjoying experimenting with lots of new recipes and hollandaise sauce at the touch of a button!

So enough of words. This was me the other week. This time next week it is likely I will be in two parts, holding little baby bear.

Meeting HRH The Queen

2011-10-26T13:07:00.002+10:00

What I wore.

Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?

I've been down to Southbank to visit the Queen.

Pussy cat, pussy cat, what did you there?

I shook her hand with a flower in my hair!

What a day!

When I received the official invitation a few weeks back, I was more than a little surprised.

The children’s brains were full of questions:
“What will you say?”
“What will you wear?”
“Do you get to touch her”

But my favorite one was this little convo:
Son 1 “Mum, is the Queen the old biddy one or the young hot one?”
Me “The older one.”
Son 2 “Which one is the one with the butt?”
Boys!

So the boys had the day off school, my daughter was more than happy to go to school. Which resulted in tears all evening when she heard us retelling the story.

So, my day was a busy one as Premier’s Office had put me forward as an official contact for media.

Up at 4:30am to be ready for Today Show live cross with Alison Ariotti, who is so sweet and fun to be with. Over the past nearly 11 months we have become friends and baking advice is being thrown around on twitter between a few of us, including Mel Kettle of the blog The Cook’s Notebook. I saw photos on facebook back in December 2010 of the reporting work Alison did on the flooding in Bundaberg and Rockhampton. I know these reporters and the camera crews work very hard away from their families when there is work to be done. It looks all glam, but there are long emotional days and nights behind those smiles. She hasn't stopped since then I think, well except to get married and begin wifely duties of baking this year ;)

Alison and me. What a sensational spring morning! And look, we match!

Then to breakfast at Lure on Latrobe. The Vego Big Start is the best! Then home to rest my back (I had a fall a few weeks back and still recovering but that’s another story)

Time to get ready, throw on the dress and accessories and off to Parliament House after the boys and I packed some home made brownies, lemon muffins and sandwiches along with their board shorts to have a swim after they had stood in the sun for hours waiting for the Queen.

After being dropped at Parliament house I met up with Alison again for the run down on my outfit and then off for security checks and a cold drink. By coach under police esort the group made their way to QPAC where the Queen was to be welcomed from the boat.

The crowd was huge, but this was as close as we got.

You may remember John and Kathy Mahon which I have written about before, their video story of being rescued from their roof can be seen HERE

I knew they were attending also and it was fantastic to catch up with them along with many other families and groups which Baked Relief helped during the year.

John and Kath Mahon at the cloak room where we handed over everything including phones!

It was a fantastic experience meeting the Queen and the Duke. I can not believe their ages and how great they looked! I couldn’t even stand up for as long as they did during their visit to Brisbane without needing a rest. She looked lovely and Premier Anna Bligh did an outstanding job of introducing people to the Queen and Minister Strutters to the Duke. (no photos of this as we had nothing on us!)

After the event, a catch up with Alison for a Royal debrief, meet up with my boys and I was ready to go home and put my feet up.My boys wanted to constantly touch my hand which the Royals had touched.

It was a highly emotional day and one I will never forget.

What was my favorite part?

With tears in my eyes that night I shared with my man: seeing the joy and excitement on the faces of those who had lost so much and even lost their loved ones was the most wonderful experience to share with them. Their happiness was contagious.

Say what you will about the Monarch, but those families who stood there on Monday will remember that day for the rest of their lives. Hopefully that can take a touch of the sting away from the pain they have been through in 2011.

Click HERE to go to the Today Show video and see the cutest couple from Fernvale who were very badly affected and how Lynette with the help of friends and neighbours put her outfit together. They were so lovely. When her husband John was asked what his favorite part of the day was he said "Seeing how happy my wife was." That made me cry.

The Queen's Handbag Hooker

2011-10-12T14:13:00.001+10:00

"Where is ones meat hook?"

What is in HM handbag?

I have often wondered what is in the Queen’s handbag, so we googled and www.hellomagazine.com came to the rescue.

In the book: What's In The Queen's Handbag: And Other Royal Secrets reveals that though the monarch doesn't carry cash, keys or a passport - since she doesn't own one - her bag is far from empty. Inside are:

Collection of good luck charms given to her by her children, including miniature dogs, horses and saddles.

Family snaps (I wonder if Fergie is in them?"

A photo of Prince Andrew on his safe return from the Falklands in 1982.

A make-up case, given to her by Prince Philip as a wedding gift 60 years ago.

An s-shaped metal meat hook which she places on the edge of the dinner table, from which to suspends her handbag, keeping it off the floor. (She was the original handbag hooker)

Secret Messages

If she places her handbag on the table at a dinner it signifies she wishes the event to finish in the next five minutes, whereas its presence on the floor indicates she feels the conversation leaves a little to be desired and she wants to be rescued by a lady-in-waiting. Gosh I hope that doesn't happen to Premier Anna!

Digella Curtsies

2011-10-11T16:42:00.000+10:00

What does someone wear to meet Queen Elizabeth II?

What I do know, I will not touch the Queen like Michelle Obama and our very own John Howard (even though he still denys it).

Oh the flurry of excitement of the Royal Visit!

Then in the near future I will be meeting the Queen of domesticity! Martha Stewart!! So lucky.

Too many royal visits, not enough smocks.

Five Dollar Friday Campaign

2011-10-07T13:34:00.000+10:00

If there is one person I know who doesn't like people feeling sorry for her, it's my friend Girl Friday. She has been quite sick in hospital over the last couple of weeks, but always asks how everyone else is and continues her support and promotion of the campaigns which she believes in.

This is one of them:

~~~~~
What is the Five Dollar Friday Campaign?
By Girl Friday at http://girlfriday4hire.blogspot.com/
Twitter @girlfriday4hire

I have a dream. That one day I will have taught the world to take only what they need and give a little when they can. I'm not silly I know I can't change the world, but if I can change just one person's way of thinking, they may change another's and so on and soon the world will know what I want them to understand.

The Five Dollar Friday Campaign was something I just started doing myself as a habit. Working full time I was one of those skirts who bought a coffee on the way to work, then again at morning tea. When you added it up over a week that was $40 a week just to drink coffee someone else made when I could make it myself. So I stopped buying that one cup in the morning most days, when it was practical I made myself coffee in a travel mug and took it with me on the train or in the car. I realised that not only was I saving money but it also left me with more to give.

I noticed that the place I bought my coffee from at morning tea each day had a money tin for donations to a charity that helped kids in hospital and their families. I thought for a moment, about when my son had an operation and the number of families we met in the childrens hospital who lost their jobs or slept in their cars because they had no money left while caring for a sick child and how lucky I was to not be in that position, but if I were how grateful I would have been for that help. So I took $5 out of my purse and put it in that tin. It was a Friday. I was spending almost that amount on coffee in one day anyway.

It became a habit. Each Friday I would put $5 in that tin while I waited for my coffee. On day the barista said to me, "You do the same thing every week, put a $5 note in that tin. It's very generous. Some people don't put anything in at all."

"It's less than what I spend on coffee each week. Not everyone gets that luxury. So it's really not all that generous."

"Still, I struggle to fill it up with coins. I put it here because my brother is on the board of the charity. Our sister had leukaemia and we watched our parents struggle trying to keep their jobs and make the trip to the hospital everyday. It's why we decided when we grew up we wanted to do more to help."

"Can I give you a tip?"

The barista nodded.

"Your prices are too even. Change the prices so they end in 50 cents or 40 cents or that kind, people don't like to lug change around. They'll keep dollar coins for the parking meters, but the small change they'll put in the tin."

"You my girl, are a genius."

I'm not really, I'm just logical. I know what I do with my money. That day I made the suggestion the tin wasn't even a quarter full. The following week it was almost full. Mission accomplished.

So I have since kept my habit. If you have a look on the counter of most places you buy food or beverages from these days you will notice a donation tin for a charity. Those loose coins, they seem like nothing to you but if we all put those loose coins together it makes a whole lot. Don't look at your one frame in the picture, look at all the frames together, you see, it makes a movie. Give it a happy ending.

People are happier on Fridays. It's something sales psychologists have been aware of for years.

So I started talking to people about the donations I made on a Friday. I started calling it Five Dollar Friday. It made me feel good to give. People started to follow my lead.

So that was how the Five Dollar Friday Campaign was born.

Once a week, I put some effort into sharing my philosophy of charity with people. Think of it as an investment, because you just never know when someone you love will one day need the services of a charity you've donated to.

Give it a try, I guarantee it won't make you feel bad.

Pass it on.
~~~~~~~

Boy, Girl or Lady Gaga!?

2011-09-26T10:04:00.000+10:00

The face or a boy or a girl?

Friday was gender day for the Digella Baby.

I wanted a surprise, but the children thought they could see a ‘doodle’ at the 13 week scan and now are convinced it’s a boy. This pregnancy was surprise enough I think, so we have decided to find out.

Do you know how hard it is to find unisex newborn clothes which are actually nice? Virtually impossible so after the scan its blue or pink buy up time!

I am nesting for sure. I have sketched garden beds, chosen paint, drawn up room plans and donated lots of clothes and toys.

I have lists and budgets and planning schedules. It is slightly over the top but I love order. I also love Howard’s Storage World.

Last week I decided to re silicon the sink, plant 10 climbing plans I purchased at Bunnings and scrub mould off the old timber at the back of the house. Remembering that mould spores are not good when you’re knocked up, and potting mix is not cool either, I focused my attentions back to the siliconing. At 9pm at night.

I have learned two things about myself during this process.

I am supremely crap at siliconing the sink.

I am superbly good at siliconing diamond rings to ones hands.

I also travelled to glamorous Rockhampton last week for work. If there is another thing I know I excel at its taking on too much at any one time.

Another thing about this pregnancy is my yearning for coke (as in the brown fizzy kind) oranges and Maxibon icecreams. Restricting coke to a few times a week and Maxibons to just weekends I have kept my weight gain in control so far.

So now we know the flavour of our baby but are keeping is still a little quiet for the moment just to let it all soak in and get used to the idea.

Yep, short listed names are picked. That was easy. One is Italian (my heritage) and one French (because we love it).

Nervous and excited!

R U OK? DAY

2011-09-14T13:47:00.000+10:00

Ironically, this month marks the point four years ago when I hit rock bottom. I was at a point of no return. It had to get better, because worse was not an option. I was blessed that the person who always made sure I was ok, and continues to ask "R U OK?" is my ex husband Mario. I owe my life to this man.

Not everyone has the support of someone to ask these questions. But you could change a life.

“In the time it takes to have your coffee, you can start a conversation that could change a life.
On R U OK?Day, who will you ask?"

-Gavin Larkin, Founder R U OK?

D and I having coffee. Something we often do for a chat.

Go to the website www.ruokday.com.au

U OK? is an independent, not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to provide national focus and leadership for ending suicide in Australia by empowering people to make a difference, encouraging open and honest communication and driving real connection. Our vision is for a society that can openly discuss suicide, and that has taken responsibility for maintaining the connections that prevent it.

We are all Modern Familes

2011-09-12T16:15:00.000+10:00

Modern Families are making different a lot more normal now days. What is normal?

Normal people are just the ones you don't know well enough yet.

This past weekend on Straddie makes me think about how important my family are to me. And friends!

Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.

And this is a story I really love:

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous "yes".

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your God, your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favourite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like; your job, your house, and your car.

The sand is everything else - the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean house and fix the disposal."

Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Please share this with someone you care about.

Mini Break Post #2

2011-09-11T21:55:00.001+10:00

Part of brunch this morning.


		Perfect weather and so great to hang with my cousins!

Mini Break #1

2011-09-10T19:27:00.001+10:00

This weekend eight of my of coolest family and friends packed up and headed for Stradbroke Island.

We got a great deal on a three level modern house overlooking the water. We love it and would love to come back, but more than one of us have commented on the issue of baby proofing the open staircase. I guess it will be a few years before we bring Baby Bear back after the crawling stage! So many things to get my head around again.

We have been eating, napping, beaching, walking and the others have been enjoying many varied alcoholic beverages while I sip juice.

We have eaten extremely well. We split the meals and everyone teamed up to provide a brunch or dinner. Last night was my night and I made duck curry and brought over the Hummingbird Three Layer Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting. SUPER YUM AND EASY! I put the word out on twitter for a good recipe and I have five tried and tested ones to choose from. I am going to try them all over the coming month or so.

Barge on way over (for those who dont know, Stradbroke can only be accessed by barge over Moreton Bay)


Walking to the beach... it was a long walk home!

First time Baby Bear has come to the beach. Dont worry, I did not swim. There were no hump back whales showed up on this occasion.

More to come after our planned feast tonight. There is something of pork belly, lamb rack and some prawn thing happening. I have heard lots of banging and cooking and BBQing and shopping going on. We also have a fish to cook which was caught on the beach this afternoon! Impressive hunter gathering going on there!

Bump and Booties

2011-09-07T18:37:00.000+10:00

Booties

For Baby

Along with everything else which has happened this year, the single biggest thing I never thought I would say is "I'm having a baby" ... well frankly I never thought I would be saying that again.

Digella Baby will be coming along early 2012. So far I have been loosing weight as its all going to the bump!

p.s. I promise to blog more now that I don't feel constant urges to vomit or sleep.

Christmas in July

2011-07-16T04:30:00.000+10:00

This winter between paid work and volunteer work, I have been taking time out to spend quite time with those I love.

My sister moved house to a delightfully vintage queenslander on the (dare I say it) Southside! I know, I am worried too. But I have made the trek several times to cook dinner, attend parties and light the fire.

So we decided to hold a Christmas in July, but it will be in August to allow everyone to attend. Its going to be super fun. We are considering going with a 70's Aspen theme. Maybe, maybe not.

Well hope everyone has been well, can not believe it has been a month an a half since I last blogged. THE SHAME!

Similar vintage to my sister's fireplace.

Bring back the Sunday Roast

2011-06-01T16:32:00.000+10:00

A few years back I got into the Winter habit of huge Sunday lunch picnic or I would cook a Sunday Roast

It was great.

So this past weekend I downed Baked Relief tools for a day and roasted a chicken and sat with the children and had a lazy Sunday lunch.

Give it a go. You will enjoy. Best thing, easy dinner on Sunday night.. cheese on toast!

This was our setting.

My poor boys are always surrounded by pink.

PJ Relief - Baked Relief Project

2011-06-01T09:14:00.002+10:00

Today Baked Relief, along with Brisbane Adoption / The Heart Army have launched the Warm a Child PJ Relief Project.

Brisbane Adoption / The Heart Army is working with more than 700 registered families to assist them to get their lives back to normal after the natural disasters in Queensland in the Summer of 2010/2011.

Baked Relief was a movement started in Brisbane initially providing food to emergency services, and volunteers and flood affect families during the early stages of the flood clean up.

These two groups have joined forces on the PJ relief project because the share the same ideals and values of assisting families in a nurturing way.
~~~~

We have spent time talking and supporting each other and talking about what we can do to help families more. Baked Relief has been working with Brisbane Adoption to target and meet any needs we can with regard to cookbooks, baking needs, kitchen appliances and anything kitchen or cooking related to help lift their spirits. This has been an amazing discovery! Those who love cooking and baking instantly smile when we take them a cookbook or some baking tins. But sometimes there is a little more outside our ‘kitchen scope’ we can do!

We have partnered with Brisbane Adoption / The Heart Army to get new pajamas for children to keep them warm in the cold. Go to their website HERE

About The Heart Army

The Heart Army is a collective group of passionate and determined individuals who have all come together to assist our fellow Australians after the wake of the 2011 floods and cyclones that devastated much of Queensland. Whilst The Heart Army work in conjunction with a number of wonderful charities, we are an independent charity who rely solely on the support of the public for donations of goods, services and monetary assistance.

How does a school get involved?

We are looking to team with schools (primary and high school) to advertising this project in their newsletters and websites. Arrange a collection period, a two week campaign is a good is a period of time to run this.

Encourage parents to purchase the size and gender that their child would wear. This ensures a good cross section for the children we are helping.

Email Danielle Crismani on danielle@bakedrelief.org and provide a contact number and we can get the project on the way for your school.

How can families get involved?
Purchase some new pjs, again your child’s size and gender and drop them at one of our collection points listed below or send them to:

Baked Relief PO Box 3175, Newmarket Q 4051

Victoria Lenton (Baked Relief) – 31 Percival Terrace, Holland Park.

ABC Brisbane – 15 Lissner Street, Toowong.

If you have been flood affected, please get in contact with us. We can offer you cookbooks, Pjs and put the call out for any kitchen related items for you! Also, go to the Heart Army website to register and they can help you start your life again!

I am off to do some very special deliveries today to some lovely ladies out in Oxley! YAY

Scone for 1

2011-05-31T14:02:00.000+10:00

I had been thinking during trips in my car and day dreaming about love and blogs and food... well that's all love really. Anyway, I was thinking about featuring a post from blogs I love and things I do or use from other bloggers.

Then, this morning when I saw Chantelle's tweet and read her post I was suitably impressed.

Fat Mum Slim is a genius

This is her blog

Why hadn't I thought of this?

I love Chantelle's blog. Always have been a fan. Now she has become an idol.

You see, she was craving scones and knew if she baked a whole batch she wouldn't stop at one. So, she made just one. One scone. A scone for one.

One Perfect Scone ready to bake (Photo from Fat Mum Slim)

Scone For One - By Chantelle / Fat Mum Slim

Ingredients

1/2 cup of self-raising flour

1/2 tablespoon icing sugar

2 tablespoons of thickened cream

Method

♥ Preheat oven to 180 degree celcius

♥ Place all ingredients into a small bowl

♥ Mix until all combined

♥ Knead a little {I did it in the bowl roughly because I didn't want to dirty a bench surface}

♥ Form into a nice round shape {about 5cm wide}

♥ Place on some baking paper on a tray

♥ Brush with a little milk

♥ Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown

♥ Enjoy while the baby naps, or before school pick-up, or as an after dinner treat {or whenever basically!}

This is Chantelle - Go and visit her. She is lovely :)

Chantelle, my newest idol.

PS~ IM HAVING A SCONE FOR DINNER TONIGHT!

Ideas Festival 2011

2011-05-16T15:53:00.003+10:00

On Sunday 22 May 2011 I will be presenting Blogs and Baking: How can food bring a community together?

We have a story to unfold which links our lives together and I am using photos to take everyone on the journey which has brought us to were we are now and how food and family and community grow.

Like Tess Curran quoted in the Baked Relief article in Peppermint Magazine …

“From the outpouring of kindness we can all take heart, and remember that even those who have lost everything have gained one thing: Community.”

It has taken days for me to put together the presentation. It has been an emotional time, to say the least. Just reliving all the photos, stories, hugs, laughs and tears. So much trauma, yet so much hope and inspiration.

Truly amazing.

If you come along, it will also be a chance to meet other people involved in the Baked Relief journey and hear their stories first hand.

Through twitter this week, I thought I would post a photo every day of one of the images I will share on Sunday. Keep an eye on the Twitter feed. @bakedrelief @digellabakes

To see a PDF of all the sensational sessions from the Ideas Festival, go HERE

I am also attending:
Big Love: Will Manogamy Continue to Prosper?
Extreme Architecture: Can Architects Future-Proof us Against Fire and Flood?
Inclusive Australia: Is There a Place for Profit in Social Enterprise?
Modern Trends: Can Fashion Drive Positive Social Change?
Predicting Happiness: Does Life Give Second Chances?
Surburban Tales: From Ordinary to Extraordinary (we will hear from Sue Kennedy from Heart Army!)

What a great State Government initiative, and all sessions are free!

Black and Spiro Annual SALE

2011-05-06T15:51:00.001+10:00

ITS A SALE!

I loved the Black and Spiro sale last year. Ran into the ex's ex wife (you might need a bit of time to work that out) anyway, thats always fun. This year I will be kicking it up with the Girlfriend Mafia and then onto lunch at 1889 Enoteca.

To read about last year's Black and Spiro Sale fantabulousness go HERE

Vintage Caravan

2011-05-04T11:32:00.001+10:00

Via Carol at Perennial Blog

For the longest time I have longed for a vintage caravan. Even before they were cool. And Australia's first very own Vintage Caravan Magazine has just been launched!

I have dreams of dressing it up and serving cakes, and going on long drives away from town for the weekend.

Current article in Australian Traveller got me really thinking again. I need to get on this boat before every other chick in the world wants to climb aboard too and there will be no vans left to purchase.

Australian Traveller

I am not averse to camping, I actually enjoy it.

Crystal and china and decent food required for all picnics and camping trips. Again, I am down with that. I am the only woman I know who can produce a three course meal from a fire including cakes. What can I say, it’s a gift.

So, back to the caravan. I would expect that I would have it weekend away ready on a constant basis with only having to trow in some clothes, food and wine. Baby Moses will LOVE it too.

Via Carol at Perennial Blog

So there you have it.

The time has come, I’m saving up. I am on the hunt for one.

What love can do

2011-05-03T10:24:00.004+10:00

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy.

Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that"

~~— Martin Luther King Jr.~~ - Author Unknown
Since found it is fake, but has Sarah says, nice sentiment and I still feel the same way.

Also, you can read more HERE

Love

2011-04-29T23:39:00.000+10:00

When you're loved up... you love seeing other people in love in a totally romantic blissful way.

They call this limerence. Enjoy it while it lasts I say.

Didn't she look lovely?

And how about Harry totally checking her out at the altar. And Dame Edna getting totally smashed...

It was so entertaining.

House Guests in a Martha & Nigella Combo

2011-04-11T15:11:00.000+10:00

I get text messages and emails about getting back to blogging. Yes, I know, I've been bad. So I have a little something to blog about and here it is

I love house guests.

Not that I have the time or the energy to really get into it all at the moment, but I always love it.

My guest lists for guests includes

Fluffy white towels (washed in warm water, vinegar in rinse cycle in lieu of softener, dried in the sun, with a soft burst in the dryer - try it, it works!)
The cute soaps,
The little glass water bottles for the bedside tables,
The sweet reading books also for the bedside table,
Some interesting magazines (I will have Country Style and Vanity Fair this time),
Little slippers,
Homemade cakes, or treats on the kitchen table for afternoon tea,
Handcream and a few little bottles of perfume if they are girls,
The fridge stocked with lots of good produce for impromptu cookups (which for me has been lacking in recent months, ironically the baking has been lacking too),
The whole house is dust free and little signs of comfort are out, like candles and throw rugs and magazines. I like my house to feel cosy, lived in, but kind of bed and breakfast style. 24 hours a day would be great!

I am so looking forward to the weekend and lugging pots of late night food Nigella style.

It's a love. Totally.

P.S. I also went to another Supper Club like THIS one. I will blog soon.

Watermark for Baked Relief

2011-03-31T17:25:00.002+10:00

“This is the mark that marks the point where the floodwaters peaked. It marks the day when ordinary people showed their iron will, giving to others when their own lives were gutted. It marks the spirit in this town and every town on the hard road to recovery. This is a day to mark in your memory. When people came together had a drink, a laugh and kept going.”

In the recent January Brisbane Floods, 14,972 homes and businesses were completely swamped and 18,025 partially flooded. Bundaberg Rum is organizing a state-wide flood relief event called Watermark that will be held simultaneously in pubs across the state on the 16th April to support flood victims and to help local flood affected businesses get back on their feet.

The iconic Fox Hotel in South Brisbane bore the brunt of the rising Brisbane River, the receding floodwaters revealing that their cellars and Main Bar had been inundated and left waterlogged and covered in sticky brown sludge.

The Fox has repaired and refurbished and is now wanting to host the biggest flood relief party Brisbane has seen to help their fellow flood-affected Queenslanders in the Lockyer Valley.

Sponsored by Bundaberg Rum and The Fox Hotel, WATERMARK is a tribute to all the victims of the floods and the heroic resilience of Queenslanders. Funds raised from this event will go directly to families in Helidon and Murphy's Creek in the Lockyer Valley. These families have been hit hard by damage to homes, property and infrastructure. As most families are only receiving 20% of the insured value of their homes, they need to rebuild with very limited funds. They are not benefiting from any of the Grantham Flood Support Fund-raising.

Baked Relief have provided brand new kitchen start-up kits, linen, cookbooks and vouchers for groceries so far, but more is needed. The Fox Hotel has teamed up with Baked Relief and now share the philosophy of providing practical, on the ground support to families by providing credit at local stores for the purchase of goods. The benefit of this is three fold. Firstly it empowers the families to make their own choices about products to suit their needs, secondly Baked Relief is financially supporting the local economy and thirdly we are supporting the local store owners, many of which have also been affected by flooding.

Money can’t buy prizes, will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The Grand Auction will be the afternoon highlight event, showcasing the hottest and most coveted items available in Brisbane right now.

Make sure you are at the Fox Hotel on Saturday the 16th of April and support those who have lost so much. Go to the facebook page for more information HERE

Post script: Thank you so much to everyone supporting Baked Relief. My life has been changed forever with this project. I am stressed, and oh so busy and the most stressed I have ever been in my life. But my children are happy, the house is (kinda) organised and I am continuing at work 40 hours a week. Hey, the bills keep coming. So blogging hasn't been a top priority at the moment. Normal transmission will resume in say..... 2012 ;)

Digella Meets Nigella

2011-03-15T10:55:00.000+10:00

I met Nigella!

The lovely @janakarex (from twitter) arranged the whole meeting with PR at Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.

The whole festival was amazing, and I will blog more about this soon as there is so much to write about. My good friend Julia and I had an amazing time. I can not wait until next year's event and Brisbane Food and Wine Festival in 2012!

So what was she like? She was even more beautiful in real life than on TV. She has beautiful skin, carrys herself well and has a lovely and sweet disposition (she must have watched a lot of Mary Poppins too)

I talked very briefly about how Domestic Goddess inspired me to bake only four years ago and now I love baking.

(The truth is: If I hadn't have turned into a baker I would not have started my blog, joined the wonderful Brisbane Food Bloogers Group and hence, Baked Relief would not have been formed.)

I gave her a tea-towel from Queensland as she writes in her most recent book Kitchen that she collects tea-towels from places she visits. I wanted her to have one from the area which benefited most from Baked Relief and she was genuinely concerned by what had gone on during the last few months as she had seen it all on TV.

I had the opportunity to take a photo at which time she grabbed her new tea-towel and said "We must get this in the photo"

When it was time to leave her to commence the book signing she said "Thank you very much, I am very excited about my new tea towel"

I really wish I could have got a photo of the tea towel before I gave it to her, but I am hoping that my lovely friend Peace from Connect2Mums http://connect2mums.com.au/ may pick me up a duplicate for my own collection.

If you would like to read another story of when a Nigella lover met her, check out the lovely Not Quite Nigella http://www.notquitenigella.com/2011/03/15/meeting-nigella-lawson-vegemite-spaghetti/

That certainly was a birthday to remember!

P.S sorry about the extended links, blogger is playing up!

Knit the Royal Wedding!

2011-03-15T09:25:00.000+10:00

A lovely friend just tweeted this and I had a good laugh.

It reminded me of this very old joke.

What is the difference between Dolly, Cosmo and Women's Weekly?

Dolly will tell you what an orgasm is, Cosmo will tell you how to have one and Women's Weekly will teach you how to knit one.

Hey, I didn't say it was a good joke, just an old one!

Check out the article HERE

International Women's Day

2011-03-09T18:55:00.000+10:00

Yesterday was a wonderful day for women.

It marked the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day.

I received a special invitation to attend the Premier's Event at Parliament House.

Ten women were presented with an award. I was one of them. It was amazing. I cried. I cried a lot. These other women were truly inspirational.

When all these wonderful women were being acknowledged, I turned to the lady beside me and said "I shouldn't be here, all I did was bake some cupcakes!" hehehe

But really, we have achieved so much with Baked Relief.

We have fed at least 10,000 people during sandbagging, flood clean up and those affected by flooding.
We have provided 100 families with essentials kitchen kits to start their life again. (Lockyer Valley and Tully Heads)
We have provided thousands of dollars of vouchers for Coles, IGA and Kitchen stores in local areas. The importance of this is three fold. 1. The families make their own choices and this empowers them. 2. We are generating local economy 3. We are support the store owners (many of them affected too)
We have provided home cooked meals to families in the Lockyer Valley.
We have provided power tools and assistance to rebuild the Lockyer Valley.
Parkview Aged Care worked with us and provided at least 100 families set back up in bed with new linen, pillows and towels all by donations by lovely staff and residents.
We have launched and provided support to Baked Relief NZ.

We have so many projects underway. One which is really exciting me is the Cookbook Drive to have those lovely men and women who love to cook back in the kitchen with books to drool over. Check back on http://www.bakedrelief.org/ to see more.

Sorry this has been yet another Baked Relief post, for the moment it is my life!

Me with the Honorable Anna Bligh, Queensland Premier and woman of the day!

A note from the Premier last night on twitter! I cried :)

Honouring my Pink Kitchenaid. She must be a woman too!

This weekend I have a very BIG surprise to post about. But its underwraps for now!

I am off to the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and to eat myself around Melbourne generally with people I love and people I am yet to meet! EXCITEMENT PLUS!

At Home with Australia's Governor-General

2011-03-05T16:06:00.001+10:00

I am trying to refrain from writing about my Baked Relief work here, so I will talk about the events and other stuff, not the hard work. That is saved for the site http://www.bakedrelief.org/

Anyway, because I was out and about working hard on Baked Relief, this arrived in the mail and by the time I took it out of the letterbox it was covered in mold. BIG SAD FACE!

But HOW EXCITING!

Then I got very very sick and we had to cross our fingers and hope the Doc was going to let me out of hospital to make it. I begged him and he did, as long as I was going to be very well taken care of if I did head to Sydney. And I was, very well looked after.

There were all sorts of well known faces of the political world.

Tanya Plibersek MP was there with her cute little baby boy which our G-G spent time holding and cooing.
Bronwyn Bishop was there too, she is short and had big hair and reminds me of an old school house madam!

Valentines Day!

The G-G has special Police

The G-Gs sitting room

Kay and me. I am drinking some pineapple, mango fruit thing, the G-G had the same as me!

Her beautiful outfit, she is always so stylish, and she had the most funky red wedges!

Our G-G has a love of teacups, as do I

These were Bronwyn Bishop's shoes, I do not like.

From the lawn. What an amazing house.

I love this sideboard. Can you see the coat of arms. Amazing.

Me in the garden. Was just beautiful.

Me with Kathy and John Mahon.

These guys are just amazing and we caught up with them in Sydney.

Resuced from their roof in Grantham, they have the most amazing story and with the Kerry Anne Show we organised a very special Valentine's Day treat for them.

You can watch it here. Get the tissues ready!

http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/flood-victim-s-surprise/x2k9fno

I have another big fancy smancy event this week to celebrate International Women's Day. But I am unable to talk about it because I was told it was 'under wraps' until the night. Not that I know any more than I am invited. Intriguing!

First Time Around Sydney

2011-03-05T13:27:00.000+10:00

Just when I thought I could take breath and spend a day in Sydney away from trauma, Cyclone Yasi hit. I was waiting at the airport ready to board the plane and I was mega stressed, we still hadn't got news if everyone I knew in Tully was ok and what exactly the damage was. But I tried to just take stock in the knowledge that when we knew, we would do what we could to help. So I decided on a media shut down.

All tv, radio, social media from 5pm until 5am the next morning.

I ate, drank, slept, listened to music, had long showers and indulged in general. It was still hard with the situation unfolding still in the back of my head.

I had some tasks to do while I was down there, so got into that. Then on the Saturday I was tour-guided around Sydney.

There is no airconditioning on most public transport.
It got to 44 degrees on the day I was there. It was still 36 degrees at midnight that night!
Its busy and crowded and has lots of people.
The harbour is beautiful.
I love Manly.
On recommendation we found this bar at the Sebel at Manly and stayed for hours, it was fantastic.

Sydney is where the doctors think I obtained one of the stomach bugs I picked up which made me very sick which was compounded by the ones I got in SEQ due to flood water etc. YUCKS!

I did get a chance to eat with an old friend at Rockpool. Was great!

I ate at a few other place too. Of course I did!

A little piece of my heart is held in Sydney now.

We had the most memorable afternoon here. It was 43 degrees!

Sebel Manly

Lilly-G Sale

2011-03-04T16:12:00.000+10:00

Be there or be under decorated!

That is all I have to say.

Well that and I am hell busy and still cant drink milk (coffee) or alcohol (wine), stupid flood bug.

Wife Porn

2011-02-28T15:38:00.006+10:00

Meeting lots of the Baked Relief team in real life has been a very fun, inspiring, joyous and emotional. I have been surprised at how well we all get along and really laugh together. We have bonded over something really traumatic, but together we have achieved something well beyond what we could have ever dreamed.

One of the things which has come up a few times in discussions and laughs with them has been my concept of 'Wife Porn'. During baked relief a lot of the husbands/boyfriends/slaves (hehe) have been taking a bit of extra slack for these women. It has been so nice and supportive, because then these (mostly) mums can continue to help out for a bit longer.

So, let me give you some current examples of 'Wife Porn'.

Exhibit A. Its New Year's Day and the morning after the night before. We all meet back at the scene of the crime for eggs Benedict, espresso coffee and some french we didn't find at 2am but are willing to crack it open now. We devour the breakfast, lean back in the chair and settle in for a bit of a chat.

Normally: You're a chick. You know you have about 20 minutes before you can not bare to see the table full of dirty dishes any longer and you begin the clear up. Normally the other women assist and then you retire to the kitchen sink with a few of them for the next hour while the men sit around talking about when they can open a beer. But not this day...

Enter 'Wife Porn'!

Wife Porn Style: About 10 minutes into the after meal chat one of the men begins to grab the plates and begins the clean up! And this is what I call 'Wife Porn'.

There is something very appealing about watching men do house work, washing up, folding clothes... what can I say? I am happy for this to be my fetish! hahahaha

A few of my twitter guys and girls are getting into the wife porn trend too. Its really a win-win situation guys. Just do it!

The Offices of Baked Relief

2011-02-12T22:18:00.000+10:00

Through the Brisbane floods and clean up I was on the run a lot. Lucky I like being a busy person.

I was in and out of flood affected areas, my car was covered in flood mud, my feet got dirty and once even some mud got splashed on my face. All in all it was gross.

The running of Baked Relief was required everywhere and all of the time. It was so fast moving, you would not believe it even if I was to try to explain. But my phone and PC needed to be with me 24/7.

Here are some of the spots Baked Relief has set up office in the last month! (yes, it has only been a month, but feels like years.)

The Digellamobile. (first Friday after the flood)

Westin Hotel Sydney (Friday last week)

Im stealing it back!

2011-01-29T07:05:00.000+10:00

Now that the website is totally up and running, I am stealing my blog back!

This will be the more personal journey of my Baked Relief travels, saving the website for the strategy and planning and direction.

I need somewhere to document my feelings and the other things which are happening in my life, as my blog did previously.

So there you go! What a ride it has been and its great to have so many people supporting my cause.

Now, so much of the things just 'happen' because of a wonderful team of volunteers which work together to achieve much more than I could have as one person.

I have met so many people during this time, and the hearing the stories of survival in Grantham will stay with me forever. These people could have easily died. I didn't understand until I got there and saw the destruction. And the comment from one survivor "If the water came while we were sleeping, we would have all died" and the little boy who said to stop from downing, "I just held onto the thing in the shower where the water comes out" (he meant the shower rose) That really shook me up.

These people are the inspirations in this story. They are the heros. It is my job to make them feel that.

So see the blog if you would like to know more about the ins and outs of Baked Relief, which I am continuing to work on full time (leave from work) for another month. I am so pleased about that, so much to be done, but a good chunck of time to do it.

On Australia Day at Suncorp Stadum. We had such a great morning together!

At this very moment I remember feeling this HUGE burst of pride to be Australian.

To be able to spread my message on the Today Show as part of the Australia Day celebrations is a huge highlight for me.

From that interview Baked Relief received enough money to provide another 25 Essentials Boxes to families!

The Current Direction - This week.

2011-01-24T05:12:00.001+10:00

In terms of food NOW, the message we are getting from the people at Goodna and Ipswich for tomorrow and future days/weeks is that they need:

meals in single portion serves (such as plastic disposable containers) that can be eaten cold or warm (such as quiche, rice dishes, pasta dishes, etc)
fresh fruit and vegetables
drinks - water, poppers for kids, soft drink (Coke is especially popular), small containers of UHT milk for tea/coffee
preferably no more cakes or sweet foods

Someone donated 200 small gas cookers which is GREAT but there is now a need for basic kitchen stuff.

DO NOT send something you wouldn't be happy to have yourself. So many times I am going into this evacuation and community centers and its like someone has just cleaned out all the junk they don't want, some broken too and just taken it there thinking they are doing the right thing. Some of these people have lost everything, but the one thing they haven't lost is their pride and we don't want to damage that.

A list of things needed includes:

Pots, pans, cooking utensils
Crockery and cutlery (even picnic or plastic at the moment is fine

Other things desperately needed are:

towels
sheets
pillows (new)
new kids underwear
rubber gloves
toiletries - shampoo/conditioner/toothpaste/toothbrushes/sanitary products
toilet paper
wet wipes/hand sanitised
cleaning products including white vinegar and 3-5 litre spray bottles (so that bleach can be sprayed on walls to prevent mould)
surgical masks (for when bleach is being sprayed)

Tomorrow there will be someone at Ballymore between 11am and 6pm daily to accept food and the other items mentioned. There will also be someone collecting these items and shuttling them out to Goodna/Ipswich every day this week, but at times to be advised each day.

Food and these items can also be delivered to Wayne Swans office before 11am every day (excluding today - Monday, as they are heading up to Helidon for the Morning Tea at 7am) He has people bringing things to Ballymore.

Feeding Lockyer

The Lockyer Feed-A-Thon will kick into full scale planning from tomorrow and with the offer of commercial kitchens around Brisbane we will be ready to engage people to cook, and get these meals sorted and out to families. These things take time, we cant do everything at once. It is important that we have a plan in place for these families LONG TERM. At the moment they are doing good, they are in the Evacuation Centers, they are being fed and clothed. It is when they get back into their homes, or into rentals, or if they continue to live with other people - THATS when we want to help. We are going to provide ongoing meals to them (weekly basis at this stage) so they can have one night off a week to relax and 'chill out'. There aren't take away stores in these towns, so we will not be taking any business away from the community, if anything we will be putting something back by purchasing as much as we can in the region ongoing.

It has been a HUGE 14 days for me and I am sure many of you feel the same. The emotional and physical drain which I have had is unlike anything else, and I am extremely lucky. The strenght of the families which have been flood affected needs to be supported.

With your wonderful help and support, Baked Relief is doing everything we can!

Helidon Morning Tea

2011-01-23T17:31:00.000+10:00

Tomorrow morning at 10am we are hosting a morning tea in Helidon for all those affected by the flood!

Joining with Floodaid and Sunny Mummy we are showcasing the best support we can possibly give.

With beautiful smooth coffee provided by Vanilla Pod's Mobile Van, Baked Relief from all the wonderful (best of the best) home bakers in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, pamper packs for every mum from Sunny Mummy, support from Floodaid, cheer from Treasurer Wayne Swan's office, and John Reyment from Rement Photos recording the day for everyone, we are set like jelly!

It is really our aim to treat these families, the volunteers, the police and the local businesses to a nice morning tea and show them how much we care about them and all that they have endured, provided and achieved over the past two weeks.

This is also when we will be officially launching the Lockyer Feed-a-thon.

So if you can make it to Helidon (allow 1h 45mins from Brisbane) along the Gatton Bypass for 10am tomorrow morning we would really love to see you there.

If you need help, please connect with Floodaid for assistance.

"Connecting those in need wtih those who can help"

http://www.floodaid.com.au/

Sunny Mummy

http://www.sunnymummy.com.au/

Vanilla Pod

http://www.vanillapod.com.au/

John Reyment

See some of his wonderful Baked Relief Photos: http://reymentphoto.com.au/blog/?p=3285

Baked Relief is going to ROCK Helidon tomorrow!

Helping Helidon

2011-01-22T18:26:00.002+10:00

Yesterday (Friday) I met with the ladies volunteering at the Helidon Community Hall. They have been working so hard looking after all the evacuees, setting up Internet cafes, arranging clothes, food and general support. They looked tired, like many of us are getting.

We sat and talked through what has been happening over the past couple of weeks and I offered the help of Baked Relief. These ladies have been doing an amazing job and I wanted to help them out as much as I could.

Helidon Community Morning Tea - Monday 24 Jan

I also wanted to talk to them about hosting a community morning tea for all the volunteers and local emergency services and of course those which have been flood affected. When I told them we were looking to bring Baked Relief (cakes etc) the amazing Stacey of Sunny Mummy who has been working with her team to pull together the most beautiful pamper packs for each mum! How cool is that? These will be rolling out all over South East Queensland over the coming weeks.

Also, the wonderful Floodaid who will be there to explain how they can assist getting these towns back on track with any help they may need. Treasurer Wayne Swan will be in very important meetings and is unable to attend, but is sending some wonderful people from his office to provide shade and goods to help as well. SO MUCH HELP!

So if you are looking to do some Baked Relief support on Monday, you should head out to Helidon (take the Gatton Bypass towards Toowoomba) and come and join us opposite the Community Hall in Arthur Street, Helidon.

Baked Relief Supports the Community Center

There are lots of local growers supporting them with fruit and veg, and companies supplying cold rooms; they have heaps of wonderful support. But they hadn't had any fresh bread at all, it had all been a couple of days old. Cold meats would be welcomed too as they had heaps of meat pies, but would be nice for some varity

So within 30 minutes Baked Relief had driven to Schulte's Meat Tavern at Plainlands and purchased:

10 loaves of fresh bread (Two fruit toast)
4 kg of smoked ham
2 kg of silverside
1 kg of salami
A few bottles of mustard and pickles.

It is really important to me to support each region we go into, so rather than try and arrange donations from Brisbane or large corporates at this stage, I have been focusing on spending money in the region and supporting local business as much as we can.

A Country Picnic

I know there is a lot to take in for one blog post, but another range of events I am committed to organise is something I will call for the moment, A Country Picnic where (down the track) we will choose a town, pick a date, bake up a storm and head with our families to these little towns to support them. We will get together as a Baked Relief team and commit to spend at least $10 each family in these small towns and then blog about our wonderful experience. Part of this idea came from a resident of Esk by the name of Deborah Hoare who quotes "if you really want to help this region, when things are back to normal bring your picnic basket and spend some money in the valley". To that I say "GREAT IDEA!"

Some of the devastation at Murphy's Creek. It truly is a war zone. The power of water!

But the army and locals are working hard to get everything cleaned up.

P.S. If you have something to offer or if you have a need, please go to http://www.floodaid.com.au/ and register. Do not underestimate the power of this resource!

Baked Relief in Lockyer Valley + My Boys

2011-01-21T05:55:00.001+10:00

SEE WEBSITE www.bakedrelief.org

Updated daily with locations and more information.

Last night I reached the Lockyer Valley with home cooked meals to distribute and begin the 'on the ground' strategy about how the Lockyer Feed-a-thon will be coordinated.

IT WAS FANTASTIC TO HUG THE BOYS - then they went to sleep after a big day running around on the farm.

This morning I am meeting with some key people around here as well as mothers in crisis to talk about their needs and provide solutions for ongoing support through Baked Relief and Floodaid.

I am glad that I arrived after dark because the vision of the devastation was restricted to the reaching of my headlights. This was a smart thing. As the sun rises this morning I am getting ready to face it though.

What matters most is that everyone on this farm is safe and was spared the worst of it. I will meet with other families today who have no possessions left.

Baked Relief is going to do great things here, I can feel it!

Baked Relief Lands on Esk

2011-01-20T07:13:00.004+10:00

SEE WEBSITE www.bakedrelief.org

Updated daily with locations and more information.

So much has changed since I last posted! SO MUCH.

The cause just keeps going from strength to strength. More people are baking and cooking up a storm! Everyone wants to help.

I don't really have time to go too much into the details, but I will in the coming weeks as things in Brisbane slow down.

Here are some facts about where I am at!

For more than four years I have owned property in Toogoolawah (near Esk)
My step dad works in the sale yards at Toogoolawah and has lots of friends in the community
I LOVE the sense of community in these towns, it truly inspires me
I want these towns to know that in Brisbane, although many people are working on clean up the city, there are many people wanting to help these towns too.
My mum and step dad live on the working family farm (near Helidon) which has been in our family for around 150 years. This is their livelihood.
I spend a lot of time in Esk, Toogoolawah and the Lockyer Valley and I really want to support them as much as I possibly can.
We guestimate there are more than 1,000 people in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Victoria participating in Baked Relief.
All money raised goes to the purchase of produce and / or directly to those affected by the floods in way of food.
As of Thursday 20 Jan, I have still not seen my boys, they are still at mums and I am hoping we can reach them this afternoon!

I was so happy that Channel 9 chartered a chopper to get Baked Relief to Esk.

I really needed to make the most of that opportunity and get in as much food as weight restrictions would allow. With the money provided by supporters I purchased:

Big box of Pink Lady apples
Big box of capsicums
A crate of packed cherry tomatoes
A few kg of bananas
A few kg of peaches
A heap of home baking from all the people who have been working on this project
A mums pamper pack.

Once we arrived and met with the SES (which are doing an amazing amazing job) they told us that the Caravan Park was badly affected so we headed straight there.

While I was there I met with residents of the Caravan Park which is very close to a creek. Some residents have had their homes washed away and now have nothing but a car. They are working together to support each other and I was so glad I could help them out. See the Channel 9 News story of my visit to Esk to help and promote the region on our website.

Beautiful Esk, The caravan park is to the middle of the photo. Click to enlarge.

Lockyer Feed-a-thon

I took down contacts for the project and will touch base with them in the coming weeks once the roads are open and we can get their safely.

In short, the Lockyer Feed-a-thon project will provide ongoing support to Esk area and Lockyer valley by way of home cooked meals. With the ongoing support of chefs in commercial kitchens, Baked Relief volunteers and chefs will be cooking and safely storing meals for transportation in refrigerated trucks out to these areas.

For as long as we have finances and for as long as I can run this project I will continue to manage this work. I am hoping for at least 6 months.

Providing a meal to a family affected by floods might not seem like enough, but it shows that we care and it gives them a night off from cooking.

As I always say "Food always tastes better when someone else cooks it"

If you would like to be involved in this project or our other project supporting the Metro areas called Adopt a Family, please go to the website and follow the links.

Some interesting posts I thought you might like

http://digella.blogspot.com/2010/10/country-happens.html

http://digella.blogspot.com/2010/08/farm-life.html

Remember go to website HERE

The Roads Ahead

2011-01-18T04:20:00.003+10:00

SEE WEBSITE www.bakedrelief.org

We are trending in the top 5 tweets in Australia.

This blog has had more than 8,000 hits in a week.

The new website www.bakedrelief.org had 2,237 hits on the first day.

Monday was a tough day. I will break it down.
I personally provided food for:

Alderley Police Station which is looking after the Looting Taskforce - LOADS of beautiful cakes provided by Jocelyns Provisions in New Farm who gave to Baked Relief. We are providing ongoing support to our Emergency services by local Baked Relief drop offs.

Drift at Corro Drive - a huge tray of mini quiches which they LOVED and matched swimmingly (pun intended) with the beautiful goods which Rachel (my Branch President) rallied to put together. They are still loving the shade and the support and love.

Turner Street, Fairfield - Lunch and afternoon tea to some residents badly affected.

Many random SES, Army, truck drivers around the place.

30 x 1.5 litre bottles of water to a BBQ in Goodna where a man who wasn't affected got his daughters together and they have been running BBQ, fruit and cold softdrinks there for the week. All provided by him and people he knows who wanted to support by doing something practical. He had totally run out of water. I have promised to get more water to him in the coming days. Along with lovely cupcakes (we left approx 40 on the table for the troups) He is a Baked Relief Hero!

I was getting closer to the Lockyer at least. It was around 2pm and I decided to make the treak to Esk for afternoon tea drop off and to gage needs over the coming days.

On the approach to Fernvale, I got this sinking feeling in my stomach. I knew that something was wrong, but I knew I had to push through. Jumped out of the car and began handing out wrapped treats and then I found myself smack bang into a HELL I never want to experience again.

In Brisbane I have seen some streets which can only be described as war zones. But I realised at that point that in Brisbane it was a war zone of environment, but in Fernvale it is a war zone of broken hearts. There is a very different feel there.

In Brisbane it seems there is an amour around people. Most have volunteers helping out, the army arriving, order restored, the council trucks, the hugs and smiling faces of unaffected friends who bring food, cheer and support.

In Fernvale that have NONE of this. I don't know what the percentages of those affected are, but it seems a HUGE number in relative terms to Brisbane. And there arent the line ups of volunteers out there.

They have a well organised camp kitchen set up outside, a second hand store for people to take from and posters and line ups and people 'taking a number' like at the Deli to get some salami, but they are lining up for government financial support.

What broke my heart was a young couple sitting with their number holding hands with the deepest sorrow I have EVER seen on someones face. The kind of sorrow that you think will always be in their eyes even if their mouth does turn up at the ends one day.

I offered them some Baked Relief and they declined. I tried to convince them to take it, they wouldn't. I asked "Have you eaten today?" They kinda looked at each other and mummbled "ummm, yeahhh,,,no....not....sure" I made them take some of the healthy slice I had and said "Maybe you will feel like it later"

When I got back to the car and began to drive out of Fernvale and onto Esk I lost it. I lost it for the first time in all of this. I had to stop the car to cry, and sob and grieve. I have nothing to grieve for compared to these people, but my heart was breaking. Then I continued on, still crying.

Only a couple of km along my trip to Esk, there was a 'Road Closed' sign. WHAT? Then as I turned the bend and headed down I was faced with this:

The road was totally flooded. That is a huge crossing and parts of it were running very fast.

Maybe I wasn't going to get to Esk. A little bit of my heart is in Esk Valley.

So I went back into town and found somewhere to buy maps (I had forgotten my SEQ maps, they are in the picnic basket, which is surreal now... so far removed from a picnic this is!) The only thing they had was this street directory that looked vintage. I just bought it, I needed something. When I got to the car and opened it up, I was surprised. This street directory was all hand written! Very vintage.

This street directory told me that although Fernvale is only just down the road, they are slightly forgotten, they are basic, get the job done people. They dont need big fancy coloured UBD (or Malways in the Southern states) or GPS systems. They have a hand drawn street directory to tell them where they are going.

I needed time to think about this. And I needed to brainstorm how I was going to get to Esk. I was very tired and very emotional so I decided to head home and spend the drive time reflecting on the sadness I found in Fernvale.

Everyone needs to know they are cared for. That they are important. I want them to have a bit of colour in their life though, I want to bring them something a bit special. Something to tell them that although they are down the road from Brisbane, we think, we care and love them.
Fernvale is just one of the towns which will be top priority in our Lockyer Feed-a-thon Project. As Brisbane's Mayor was quoted "This isn't a sprint, this is a marathon" and I want people to commit to feeding this community with food made with love for as long as they need it.

With Kay running IT, Mel running PR, and me being the CEO without the corner office, but in the best place I can be we are changing this world with team of girls coordinating their local areas and the bakers and the delivery people and the supporters which bring food and offers of kitchens and stock... WE COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU! But we are all doing it for free!

A special mention to Linda who is managing my emails and getting me up to date information I need! xox And to my sister Tammie for putting up with my 'Devil Wears Prada' boss style way!

We have also launched the Adopt a Family Project. We are data matching people in metro areas to cook a meal a week for someone who has been flood affected. Some of these people will not be returning to their homes for months and months and although I don't know yet where they are all going to go, what I do know is that we will find them and we will support them with home cooked meals delivered by a family who as adopted them for as long as they need it. For more information see Contact Us.

How we are going to do this once we need to return to work, I do not know. But the path will be mapped for and something will happen and it will all work out.

You are all doing an amazing job. Your support has been nothing short of extraordinary. Who would have thought so many people could bake and cook and wanted to get out there and NURTURE South East Queensland.

Volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.

Current Direction

2011-01-17T07:39:00.007+10:00

WE NOW HAVE A WEBSITE GO HERE:
http://www.bakedrelief.org/

For up to date requests and locations monitor twitter

@digellabakes and @melkettle

#bakedrelief

as requests are coming through all the time.

This blog was updated 7:30am Monday

~On Sun 17 Jan - #bakedrelief trended Number 4 for tweets in Australia~

Lets get down to business straight up. The Baked Relief Army is looking for direction.

Our Wonderful Emergency Services

I received a tweet from Qld Police Media yesterday "You're all doing a great job, please don't forget our hard working Police / Fire and Ambos"

So, if you are looking for somewhere to drop a whole cake and bring cheer see below some of the Police locations around affected areas who deserve a little Baked Relief. Look up your ambos and fire stations in your area and drop off!

Acacia Ridge - Chardean St
Alderley - 20 Pickering St - They are housing extra officers here and need #bakedrelief

Bellbowrie - 5 Westaway Crs

Brisbane City - 46 Charlotte St

Coorpooroo - 19 Knowsley St

Dutton Park - 150 Annerley Rd

Fortitude Valley - Brookes St

Goodna - 12 Church St

Hemmant - 35 Macedon St

Indooroopilly - 343 -347 Moggill Rd

Middle Park - Dandenong Rd Mt Ommaney

Milton - Baroona Road Shopng Cntr Baroona rd

Oxley - 1 Chapman Pl

Sherwood - 424 Oxley Rd

West End - 92 Boundary St

Where it matters - The residents

Today there are no HUBS to drop off your goods.. but here is what I need you to do:

Load up your baking, try and carpool to reduce traffic on the road.

Slap on some suncream

Have everything wrapped in individual portions (perfect for muddy hands)

Cold poppers have been REALLY well received!Fruit is KING at present. Wash and wrap an apple in gladwrap and take them down and hand them out. (I heard that Zone Fresh locations are well stocked with fruit)

Grab some serviettes and hand sanitizer

Go to an affected area and find a street of people working to clean their homes

Throw a big smile on your face and tell them you are bringing Baked Relief to help them keep going.

DONT UNDERESTIMATE HOW MUCH THIS MEANS TO PEOPLE!

These are the affected suburbs/locations who have specifically contacted me for help in the last 12 hours:

Fig Tree Pocket - Mandalay Street

Graceville - Nadine Street

Fernvale (desperate for care as feel they have been forgotten :(

St Lucia - Warren Street

Goodna - Spalding Street (these people are doing it really tough. they don't even have running water)

Indooroopilly - Boundary Road

Bellbowrie -flood affected streets need fruit, water and wrapped treats

Moggil - flood affected streets need fruit, water and wrapped treats

Karrana Downs - flood affected streets need fruit, water and wrapped treats

If you have only got a short time today, you can drop to the Graceville School tuck shop at Acacia Street, Graceville and they are doing all the Baked Relief deliveries for us! BEAUTY!

I am really working hard to get everyone running things here in Brisbane because a piece of my heart is in the Lockyer Valley and I really need to get out there to deliver some Baked Relief and assess the situation there. I will start making lists of families to begin preparing meals to get these people back on their feet. Even if they haven't been flood affected to their homes, most have been without power for 6+ days, have lost friends and family and are isolated due to bridge collapses.

My boys are STILL with mum, they have power now and some tinned meat and fruit --- eeewwww and there is just no fresh produce even if they could get out! So we really need to get some good home cooking out there to these struggling farmers QUICK!

I am still taking my scheduled annual leave as we cant go away anyway... BUT BAKED RELIEF NEEDS ME! I dont know what's going to happen next Monday when I am back at work. It breaks my heart that my passion for helping will be reduced dramatically... anyone want to sponsor me to keep going? haha

This is my direction today. I really want everyone to please look after Brisbane for me today.

I BEG OF YOU.... SPREAD YOUR BAKED RELIEF CHEER TO BRISBANE!

Head to the area, find people and give. If they already have enough Baked Relief, move to another location. We can help these residents and volunteers smile!

Baked Relief Hits the Streets - Sunday

2011-01-17T07:04:00.001+10:00

If you have photos of your Baked Relief efforts please email them to www.digella@live.com.au

This is what a couple of us achieved today.

Me and Rachel and Drift. There was a tweet "Drift at Coronation Drive needs #bakedrelief"

We were there within 10 minutes. That's quicker than Domino's Pizza!

Very quickly we realised there was no food, no bbq cooking and no shade. And 50+ people.

Within 25 minutes Baked Relief CEO(me) and Rosalee Branch President (Rachel) had much needed shade, beautiful savouries and sweets and lots of cheer to get them through the day.

HUGS AND TEARS ALL ROUND!

Meanwhile over at Mt Ommaney Kay and her friend were peddling their Baked Relief food and water to some hard working people in a shopping village. Many hadn't eaten all day!

I spread some Baked Relief cheer to these Energex guys. I traded them for access to the street which was blocked off.

One guy said "You're fucking awesome"

Which I believe losly interprets to "Wow, how delightfully fantastic"

And how about these Baked Relief Heros!

Baked Relief Sunday

2011-01-16T07:43:00.001+10:00

This blog was updated 7:30am Sunday

For up to date requests and locations monitor twitter

@digellabakes and @melkettle

Even better, look up #bakedrelief

as requests are coming through all the time.

~On Sat 16 Jan - #bakedrelief trended in the Top 5 tweets in Australia~

How can you help?
As the clean up is moving around the city and as each section is cleaned up, the crew move on, so unfortunately I am half a day behind on locations.

Or give to the cause HERE where we plan to provide ongoing food packs to families in need and in the Lockyer Valley where it is really needed. Many farms have lost all food due to no power since Monday.

Where it matters - The residents
I need my army (you) to travel to a suburb close to you which has been affected. Find some volunteers and / or some people who have been affected by the flood and are cleaning up and provide some baked cheer to them. I can honestly tell you, delivering a treat to those who have been affected has been the most FANTASTIC part of this project for my army. Don't be shy, just do it.
~~

Load up your baking, try and carpool to reduce traffic on the road.

Slap on some suncream

Have everything wrapped in individual portions (perfect for muddy hands)

Cold poppers have been REALLY well recieved!

Fruit is KING at present. Wash and wrap an apple in gladwrap and take them down and hand them out. (I heard that Zone Fresh locations are well stocked with fruit)

Grab some serviettes and hand sanitizer

Go to an affected area and find a street of people working to clean their homes

Throw a big smile on your face and tell them you are bringing Baked Relief to help them keep going.DONT UNDERESTIMATE HOW MUCH THIS MEANS TO PEOPLE!

These are the affected suburbs/locations who have specifically contacted me for help in the last 12 hours:
Fernvale (desperate for care as feel they have been forgotten :(

St Lucia - flood affected streets need fruit, water and wraped treats
Goodna - Woogaroo Street - flood affected streets need fruit, water and wraped treats
Bellbowrie -flood affected streets need fruit, water and wraped treats
Moggil - flood affected streets need fruit, water and wraped treats
Karrana Downs - flood affected streets need fruit, water and wraped treats
Rocklea - Specifically Ashover Street. These business have lost EVERYTHING Full list of suburbs HERE

Head to the area, find people and give. If they already have enough Baked Relief, move to another location. We can help these residents and volunteers smile!

HUBS
So these are the locations for Volunteering Hubs which you can drop off your treats too as well. Make sure it is already portioned!

ST LUCIA - Cnr Coldridge and Carmody Street

~~WEST END - cnr Melbourne & Boundry Roads~~ All the good work done! YAY

FAIRFIELD - vnr Venner and Fairfield Roads

YERONGA - The Esplanade (down by the river)

And there are more, but I just dont have the details on them at the moment and as you can imagine, this is a moving feast! Follow on twitter if you can :)

ME
I have the most amazing team of people working with me on this. THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Most I have never met, yet they are for the cause and doing the most amazing things. When I met Rachel (coordinating Rosalie/Milton and areas) for the first time I cried because what is happening here in Brisbane is so amazing.

Yesterday was possibly the most emotional day of my life. The loss, the mess and the smell. But the love and care I experienced while I cried with grown men about the spirit and the feeling here in Brisbane of everyone working together was heart filling.

We are also continuing to provide all meals to Volunteering Qld head office who are managing all the calls! 22,000 calls THIS WEEK! And Baked Relief is keeping them going.
Monitor twitter @digellabakes or @melkettle #bakedrelief as requests are coming through all the time.

Twitter is how I will update anything I know during the day. Tweet me if you know an area in need or if the area has enough and I will retweet it out to the army of Baked Relief crew :) Try to add #bakedrelief to your tweet too and help will come.

I am also working hard (well harder) to pull together care kits to take our to Lockyer Valley in the coming days. So many have lost everything and the ones who haven't or have minimal flood damage hav been without power for 5-6 days and lost all of their food as well as damage to their properties

FUNDS
We have raised over $1,000 towards this cause. I have lots of good ideas for this money. See
You can be inspired or be an inspiration...
WE ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO DO BOTH!
this post for how I spent the first bits of the money.
If you would like to give where we can make a difference directly to the flood affected with food give HERE.

Baked Relief Hits the Streets

2011-01-15T23:45:00.002+10:00

For up to date requests and locations monitor twitter

@digellabakes and @melkettle

#bakedrelief

as requests are coming through all the time.

This blog will be updated Sunday 8am

~On Sat 16 Jan - #bakedrelief trended in the Top 5 tweets in Australia~

As I was driving by the industrial area I thought they look like they deserved a little treat.

They loved it down in Rocklea!

They have a huge task ahead, the lady second from the left is the owner.

They have lost everything.

Great to see the younger ones getting into it too, lead by mum, but still got the smiles!

1st Purchase with Baked Relief Funds

I bought water. Water you may ask?

Do you know how many tweets I got today calling DESPERATELY for water? This is concerning.

2nd Purchase with Baked Relief Funds

While buying water I met a man covered in mud who has lost everything in the flood. They were renting with no insurance. Him and wife have 1 year old. He was buying a BBQ chicken, some bread and fruit at Sherwood Coles. With money from baked relief funds, I bought his food and threw in a $50 gift card for tomorrow to buy more. He gave me a hug! I cried!

Thank you everyone for your amazingly amazing job today. The tweets are coming in soooo fast with the hashtag #bakedrelief that I can barely keep up.

THEY ARE LOVING US OUT THERE ON THE STREET!

Baked Relief Update - Saturday & Sunday

2011-01-15T06:47:00.003+10:00

Monitor twitter @digellabakes and @melkettle #bakedrelief as requests are coming through all the time.

We are all doing an amazing job providing Baked Relief around South East Qld.

I have been operating on very little sleep. I am running Baked Relief and nothing else from 5am each day until at least 1am each morning. There are just so many emails, (150+ per day) tweets (1 every 2 minutes), phone calls (numerous) to answer.

My boys are STILL isolated, but they may be able to get out this afternoon. The water is gone, its the damage to the bridges which is the problem. My poor Mum deserves a medal! They are safe and have a bit more food now, electricity is still off (that's 6 days)
Our family holiday (first holiday in four years) was due today. But alas, we can not go because my boys are away. I am crying as I type this because I have spent 6 months planning this holiday with the children.
SLAP SLAP!
That was me slapping myself across the face!
I need to keep busy - and Baked Relief is doing just that!
But I just cant do everything.
I need to keep this movement going, but I need your help.

How can you help?

As the clean up is moving around the city and as each section is cleaned up, the crew move on, so unfortunately I am half a day behind on locations.

Or give to the cause HERE where we plan to provide ongoing food packs to families in need and in the Lockyer Valley where it is really needed. Many farms have lost all food due to no power since Monday.

Where it matters - The residents

I need my army (you) to travel to a suburb close to you which has been affected. Find some volunteers and / or some people who have been affected by the flood and are cleaning up and provide some baked cheer to them. I can honestly tell you, delivering a treat to those who have been affected has been the most FANTASTIC part of this project for my army.

I get many emails / messages of support and thanks, here are just a few from last night

From Volunteering Qld: "that meal was the highlight of our week"

From a New Farm resident cleaning up: "to a wonderful girl who gave us homemade scones when we were cleaning a flooded house in new farm: thankyou, you made our day! #bakedrelief"

From someone handing out Baked Relief: "Giving something so small and seeing the smile on the residents face was enough for me to survive for a week"

From a resident in Fairfield: "It is great to know we aren't forgotten, #bakedrelief made us smile on a very dark day"

~~
Load up your baking, try and carpool to reduce traffic on the road
Slap on some suncream
Have everything on disposable plates, already portioned. (very important)
Grab some serviettes and hand sanitizer
Go to an affected area and find a street of people working to clean their homes
Throw a big smile on your face and tell them you are bringing Baked Relief to help them keep going.
DONT UNDERESTIMATE HOW MUCH THIS MEANS TO PEOPLE!

These are some of the affected suburbs/locations who have specifically contacted me for help:

Moray Street, New Farm
Goodna
Rocklea
Yeronga
Fairfield
Chelmer
Fig Tree Pocket
Jindalee
Wacol

Full list of suburbs HERE

Head to the area, find people and give. If they already have enough Baked Relief, move to another location. We can help these residents and volunteers smile!

HUBS

So these are the locations for Volunteering Hubs which you can drop off your treats too as well. Make sure it is already portioned!

SHERWOOD - plumer Street, best access from southside via Fairfield Road.

WEST END - cnr Melbourne & Boundry Roads

FAIRFIELD - vnr Venner and Fairfield Roads

GRACEVILLE - Cnr White Street and Verney Road

YERONGA - The Esplanade (down by the river)

BUILIMBA - Oxford Street

And there are more, but I just dont have the details on them at the moment and as you can imagine, this is a moving feast!

ME
I beg that you refrain from emailing me with questions today (unless you really need support on a project we are working on together) Because I really need to get out there too and deliver some stuff to my friends who have been affected too. I also have a cold room full of stuff to coordinate the distribution of and will be away from the computer most of the day. We are also continuing to provide all meals to Volunteering Qld head office who are managing all the calls! 22,000 calls THIS WEEK! And Baked Relief is keeping them going. YAY! (if you can provide a healthy lunch or dinner for 20-25 people and drop to the CBD please tweet or email me as I am still working on getting these guys fed!)

Monitor twitter @digellabakes or @melkettle #bakedrelief as requests are coming through all the time.

Twitter is how I will update anything I know during the day. Tweet me if you know an area in need or if the area has enough and I will retweet it out to the army of Baked Relief crew :)

I am so sorry I can not email everyone back directly just at the moment, but I need to focus on what I can do. But make sure you seed fan mail, as we always love that!

I am sorry this email is all over the place... just relecting my brain at present. Please understand. I am doing the absolute best I can.

FUNDS

We have raised almost $1,000 towards this cause. I will let you know our plans for these funds in the coming days.

And my parting note today on our biggest Baked Relief day:

If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito...

Baked Relief Update ~ Phase 2

2011-01-14T06:38:00.014+10:00

~PLEASE CHECK LATEST POSTS FOR CURRENT NEEDS AND DIRECTIONS~

or
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER
@digellabakes with hashtag #bakedrelief

BREAKING NEWS::: Baked Relief has gone INTERNATIONAL on LONDON TV! And SKY News HERE!

If you want to help but cant bake or live far away, you can give towards ingredients for my helpers to cook and bake more and more over the coming weeks. Go HERE to give

Here is South East Qld we are moving to Phase 2 of this crisis - The clean up!

#1 Community Support

It you live near an affected area take your Baked Relief and some hand sanitizer down to the clean up crew! THEY WILL THANK YOU!

There are small communities setting up working bees around Brisbane and if you can find out where they are, take a table down there and set up some treats, this will sure bring a smile to their faces.

Some lollies for the kids, some fruit and cordial will all be very much appreciated!

#2 Clean Up Hubs Launch & Drop Off Locations

Clean up has begun. These are the locations being set up. Please remember tomorrow is the official DAY 1 of BAKED RELIEF. But they have started cleaning today, so check out what you can do. And check back here or on twitter for latest updates. NOTE: Take hand sanitizer with you, we dont want Volunteers to get sick!

YERONGA - 200-250 people today (Friday) cleaning up The Esplande, Yeronga, down by the river. Need food, drinks and this will be ongoing. Please help!

WEST END - Cnr Melbourne and Boundry Streets (table set up from Sat AM)

BULIMBA - Oxford Street

FAIRFIELD - Cnr Fairfeild and Venner Roads (best access via Ipswich road then Venner Road)

SHERWOOD - Johnstone Street

ROSALIE - Near shops, not sure exact location at this stage.

~

Through twitter I have also learned of these two locations for drop off to get to the SES and volunteers:

Nexus office: 151 Flockton, Everton Park by 5pm Friday or btwn 7-8am Saturday

Citypointe Church, Wecker Road, Carindale.

#3 Volunteering Queensland

This team of people are working hard and long to take calls for volunteers for the clean up. They are taking one call every few seconds from a small office in Brisbane CBD. They are working SOOO hard.

Through the Brisbane Food Bloggers group on twitter have coordinated hot home cooked meals for them over the weekend. THIS IS FANTASTIC!

If you can bake a morning tea / afternoon tea style food for 20-25 people and drop into Brisbane CBD, please contact me. Please also shoot me an email of any Baked Relief you have provided, I love hearing of the difference we are making, it keeps me going on hardly any sleep!

digella@live.com.au
@digellabakes

Love is kindness with its work boots on! (or is it gum boots? ;)

Words of Support for Baked Relief

TWEETS

From @dannnnn
to a wonderful girl who gave us homemade scones when we were cleaning a flooded house in new farm: thankyou, you made our day! #bakedrelief

From @visualabode
I've never heard so many adults yell out 'cookie'! #bakedrelief

From @monkylicious
Volunteering Qld office sooo happy to see REAL FOOD! they have some vegos, dairy and gluten free there too. #bakedrelief

From @davekerridge
People just keep coming to my door to donate food and drink for tomorrow!! so amazing!!! #bakedrelief
EMAIL

From Mark Creyton, Manager, Volunteering Queensland Inc.:
Wow !!! Danielle I think this evenings meal will be a highlight of the week for us – the sweet food in the morning was also awesome. Can you pass on our thanks M
From Louise:
We personally took the stuff to the people of West End and New Farm. We had steed capped wellos donated by my husband's work and myself, my 13 year old son and his mate braved the goop and made so many people realise that they are not forgotten.

From Tamai:
Hi there - I have a friend in Brisbane who was at a loss as to what she could do, but now is totally focussed, thanks to your blog and fantastic idea - if only I was closer I would be baking 24/7! - hopefully you/me & others can spread the word and help those that are in need! We live outside of Tenterfield in northern NSW and were flooded out of home for the week - but are grateful for the support, beds and home cooked meals we were provided while waiting to get back home. There is nothing like a home cooked meal and your own bed!!

I am getting approx 200 emails + tweets + Facebook messages every day. Dont get sad if I dont respond straight away. I am doing the best I can and I value everyone!

Baked Relief Update

2011-01-13T14:59:00.006+10:00

~PLEASE CHECK LATEST POSTS FOR CURRENT NEEDS AND DIRECTIONS~

or
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER
@digellabakes with hashtag #bakedrelief

I have hardly slept and only sat to drive from location to location and after a shower and a cup of tea I have sat for 10 mins in quiet contemplation about what has occurred in the past few days.

WOW! The support of bakers around Brisbane has been astounding. That is all I can say. My emotions are all over the place, I dont know how many times someone has made me cry in the past few days. Whether its an old lady who tells me "you have given me a purpose" or an SES worker responding to baked goods with "Really? You did this for us?" All the people out there who have baked... I APPLAUD YOU!

I have spoken with my Mum and boys and they are still isolated. No electricty (still) and no milk or basics. The boys ate steak for breakfast! Not sure when they will get out, but if the situation with food keeps up they will ask for a drop for sure. It seems our Stradbroke Island family holiday will not take place from Saturday as planned. But we will make that up later in the year for sure. So much pain in the Lockyer area and it just keeps getting worse. The Army are doing a great job now taking the hard work off the SES so they can grieve the loss of family and friends.

I have currently 178 emails in my inbox, 40 facebook and twitter messages and countless tweets.

If you would like to hear the podcast of the radio interview from yesterday click HERE (in the interview I had about 40 bakers, today I have had at least 100!)

We have moved to the second phase now. The clean up and support.

SES have basically shut up shop and are back down to the normal working crews.

Phase Two of Baked Relief

If you live near an affected area there will be people working hard to clean up. Make sure your treats are in bite sized, easy pieces. Take them down to the clean up zones with a bottle of hand sanitizer and offer around. Even cordial, a slab of softdrink or a bag of lollies will sure be welcomed.

Mel (a fellow blogger) suggested can you cook a double batch of lasagne or other wet dish, suitable for freezing to take to people who are looking after people who have been evacuated? Or neighbours who have been affected?

These people need to know we are all here thinking of them and supporting them. Some people just need someone to listen to their story. Give them a brownie and 10 minutes of your time.

These people are just friends we haven't met yet.

SES Stafford Sandbagging - Last night 11:30pm

SES Stafford 11pm last night (sandbags to the right)

A sobering thought. I took this photo in Grantham on Sunday afternoon 3pm

This is all gone now :(

Baked Relief

2011-01-12T15:59:00.014+10:00

~PLEASE CHECK LATEST POSTS FOR CURRENT NEEDS AND DIRECTIONS~
or
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER
@digellabakes with hashtag #bakedrelief

It feels like the end of days for some. My heart goes out.

My boys are isolated with my Mum at the family farm between Helidon and Gratham (the HOT spot) they are safe but have lost a lot. Members of my family have lost EVERYTHING. Some lives are lost too.

So while I was sitting here needing to do something I came up with an idea to begin a baked relief for our SES volunteers.

So last night through Twitter and Facebook I launched my Baked Relief hash tag and offers of baking help came flooding in.

These SES guys and girls are working hard through the night to make sandbags for preservation of homes.

I took up some supper to them last night at 11pm. Some I baked and some from people I had never met, only through twitter.

When I dropped off the baked relief the SES supervisor said "Really, you did this for us?" I was more touched that I have ever felt. They were so grateful.

Through my baked relief efforts other bloggers and friends and family have baked and delivered goods to the SES and our to the evacuation centers. And their lives have been touched too.

It has gone viral and I was contacted for a live interview on a Canberra radio station. They were touched too, by the work we are doing to bring cheer to this situation.

Here are a list of places to take baked goods.

~~
Guyatt Park, Bryce Street, St Lucia

Botticelli Street Park, Botticelli Street, Fig Tree Pocket

Hawthorne Park, Cnr Park and Oak Street, East Brisbane

Perrin Park, Josling St, Taringa

Darra Works Depot, Shamrock Rd, Darra

Morningside Works Depot, Redfern Street, Morningside

Newmarket SES Depot, Wilston Rd, Newmarket (in carpark off Erneton Street)

Zillmere Works Depot, Jennings Street, Zillmere

Stafford Works Depot, Turner Road, Kedron
~~
MORE:
Arana Hills

James Drysdale Reserve, Cnr Jinker Track & Bunya Road, Bunya

Bribie Island
208-224 First Avenue, Bongaree

Caboolture
27 Wararba Drive, Caboolture

Deception Bay
24 Old Bay Road

Petrie
3 Woonara Drive

Redcliffe
Portwood Street

CONTACT SES HERE to check other locations

If you can get there safely, please take some cheer to these hard workers. It will mean a lot.

Well I am off to bake another batch, boil some drinking water and eat some fruit while I still have some because I don't think I will be eating fresh fruit and veg for a while.

Also, you can email me on digella@live.com.au if you would like contact me direct.

Update 13 Jan 10am: My children and mum are still stuck in Lockyer Valley, no electricty, no milk, running out of food. Hopefully they will be out soon!

What can you bake?

They love brownies (cut them into little pieces to go further) piklets, scones... that comfort style food that makes you think of home!

Walk them around to the troops, they dont always get time for a break... you will hear "Thank you" hundreds of times over.

Also, we can direct our support to evac centers now too... lets bring spread our cheer EVERYWHERE!

"This might break our hearts, but it will not break our will" Anna Bligh 11/1/11

Cheating on Fashion with Wellington Boots

2011-01-10T12:20:00.003+10:00

Carrie in Sex and The City quoted "I am cheating on fashion with furniture" when Big and her moved into Heaven on Fifth.

What about me?

Well I am cheating on fashion and furniture with wellington boots and umbrellas!

It is really out of control. There is no other way to explain it.

A good friend who has been covering the floods on the ground as a news reporter (Channel 9 A Current Affair - Rebecca Bergh just in case you wonder the high level people I mix with ;) wrote on facebook:

"Summer... you have so far beeen a catastrophic disappointment"

I could not have summed it up better myself. I have been to the beach twice this summer. Once to Noooosa with Rebecca and family (post HERE) and to Bribie over the Christmas hols while the sun shone for an afternoon.

Mold is building momentum on the botched up 1950's add on area of my house and it is making me feel slightly ill. My puppy dogs smell like vomit. It really is disgusting.

Over the weekend I was involved with some sandbagging at my friends house. (see her flood story HERE) Well actually I was doing no sandbagging, I was just watching and pointing and oowwwing and aaahhhhing. Give me a break, I had just replaced one of the four pair of shoes which are now ruined and I took them out for an inaugural wear. I was not getting those sparkling babies wet! I did totally pimp her playroom though!

I am so worried for Gympie. Really worried. Pray and pray hard everyone.

So to lighten the mood I thought I would show you what I am lusting for.

Gina and May HERE for the online store and stockists.

"...boutique collections of rain umbrellas that speak to high quality and functionality..."

Hey Gina, you are speaking my language. I am boutique, and I am high quality and functional too!

These umbrellas are perfect for when the sun comes back because they are have a UPF protection factor of 25!

Carvival Long with hook handle and STYLE STYLE STYLE

Starlet Compact perfect for handbag.

Popsicles Long. SWEET.

Even manly ones.

How stylish. I love it!

Wellies Online HERE

I am loving these gumboots.

Carmel Hunter Style Gumboots on sale for under $100!

Pari Wellies

Love Gumboots

So as you can see, all I can think about is wet weather gear and combatting mold and how much my electricty bill will be with my clothes dryer going 10 hours a day.... when I just want to be doing something like this....

Caught in the Rain ~ No Pina Coladas though

2011-01-07T11:12:00.001+10:00

Well Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and all of that. If you are in Brisbane you will understand how sick of the rain we are all getting. There was a thunder storm, at 8am this morning. I was caught in it.

And the floods, horrendous. Really sad. I am scared of those swimming snakes.

Now, lets get down to business.

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

So much love and joy around me... which could be why I haven't baked or blogged for so long and the fact that I have been totally distracted.

Rebecca (my boss) had her little bubby... Olivia Harper on 23 December.

Then Tracey's boyfriend decided he should put a ring on it! And he proposed on Christmas Day.

Then a day or so later and totally in love Claire from Claire Lousie Bridal gets engaged! I can not wait to see what beautiful dresses (yes dresses plural) she comes up with.

Then, Bianca founder of Peekabook Magazine brought sweet and beautiful Heidi into the world yesterday.

So much love, so much joy!

And my heart has been touched. It is wonderful.

There is just so much to rabbit on about.... yet so much to be left unsaid.

But I take heed and caution in the wise words of Bridget Jones:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces.

I will leave you with favorites of my 2010 Christmas & New Year's Photo Collection from all Family Events. NB: Not in order because blogger is playing up with my loading pics.

Me and my little nephew at my sister's house Christmas Morning.

I dressed up like a Christmas decoration.. see!

My ex husband's wife and I exchanged gifts.

We each got a tea towel set and a kitchen utility.

I gave her Donna Hay, that's how I roll.

Ironic!

Boxing day in the home which has been in our family since the early 80s

Our Fruit Cocktails.... in jelly.

New Year's Eve we held at Bad Taste night.

My niece on the right, is 12. BAD TASTE!

My sister Lachana with my daughter Liana at the beach.

At the family home on Boxing day... look at the bubba's face, his name is Emile.

My Little Christmas cake.... Pink and Green. Just how I like it.

SO MUCH LOVE!

Panettone Triffle Cake

2010-12-23T10:01:00.002+10:00

Well this is how it started....

Earlier this month David Herbert from the Australian did a food story titled Festival al fresco in short is list of beautiful outdoorsy food suitable to an Australian Christmas, well outdoors. But we all know on the east of Australia at the moment the only thing going on outdoors is boating down streets and swimming to the letterbox!

Anyway, back to the story... so Mei Yen Chua the author of Brisbane's Budget Bites and my twitter and foodie friend tweeted about making a Panettone Triffle Cake and how yum it was. I was all over that like a fat kid on a smartie and got the details STAT! For any other wog or wives of wogs you will know that the dry cake which is Panettone is in ample supply at any festival, Christmas, Easter, Birthdays, funerals.

So I plan to action this cake with Mei's twist and a little twist of my own.

This is the adapted recipe.

Panettone Trifle Cake

This is based on an old family cake recipe, replacing the sponge cake with a panettone (Italian Christmas bread). Thick slices of this citrus-flavoured bread are brushed with orange syrup and layered with cream and raspberries (or strawberries, if desired), giving you an almost instant “trifle” cake.

Syrup
Grated zest 1 orange
Juice 2 oranges
3 tablespoons caster sugar
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or Cointreau

Cake
500g panettone
500ml cream
400ml custard (Pauls Premium Custard in tub is my choice)
Zest 1 orange
2 tablespoons caster sugar
2 punnets raspberries
2 punnets strawberries
1 Mango

To make syrup, combine zest, juice and sugar in a small saucepan over a medium heat and bring to boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Simmer for 1 minute then leave to cool. Stir in alcohol.

Remove paper from panettone. Slice off 3 rounds about 2.5cm thick from bottom. Save rest of panettone to eat later.

Brush or drizzle each of the rounds with syrup.

Beat cream, orange zest and caster sugar together until it forms soft peaks.

Place one of the rounds on a platter and cover with a layer of custart and whipped cream. Top with some fruit. Repeat with remaining panettone rounds, drizzling with any remaining syrup.

You will now have a three-layered cake.

Cover top and sides with custard cream, topping with remaining fruit.

Serve immediately, or chill for up to 2 hours. Serves 8

Mai has told me that it betters with age! I will let you know how it goes!

Posts script: It was amazing! Even better the next day. If you are going to use frozen berries make sure they are very good ones. My custard and cream variation was THE BEST!

Christmas Capers Issue 3 - Wrapping Mk2

2010-12-21T14:17:00.000+10:00

Carol! I love it. Inspired by Mary Poppins is Carol's low budget, high impact wraping theme for Christmas 2010. Go HERE to see more of her post.

I have gone with the similar theme. Brown paper but with crepe paper bows.

It just shows you do not have to spend a lot of money to get beautifully wrapped and themed gifts!

Christmas Capers Issue 2 - Pretty Decorations

2010-12-21T11:12:00.000+10:00

How sweet are these?! I found them at Creative Chaos via Daisy Pink Cupcake.

Go HERE for the tutorial. If I had a day or two and a sewing machine I would give it a go for sure. But for now I will just enjoy looking at them.

Office Secret Santa

2010-12-21T10:26:00.003+10:00

Today Santa came to the office and we all got a present!

Me with my present. My desk is a mess, that's how I roll.

I got a HUGE sifter. I am happy.

My new sifter

P.S. Ruth, we miss you!

Sugar Plums!

2010-12-20T12:16:00.001+10:00

Rhu was in a panic. She needed this recipe before a Christmas baking meltdown occurred! And you know what that means? MAYHEM.

Just kidding, Rhu wasn't panicked, she just put the call out to find the recipe and looking for an interesting distraction from the current stress, I took the call and made it my business to find it. What a twitter/food blogging / facebook friends for right? ;)

I have been searching high and low for this recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Mag.

Who came through with the goods and had the mag? It was Linda from Bubble and Sweet! She was able to email us the recipe. Linda is a baking wiz so get over there and pay her a visit.

Photo with permission from Alison at Guess What?!?

Go and visit Alison HERE to read about the Brisbane Food Bloggers

eating their way around Brisbane! Its a great post.

Sugar Plums
100g white chocolate, chopped
225g Madeira cake, brown edges removed
2 Tbsp rum
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp thickened cream
85 g pink coloured jelly crystals
Melt chocolate cool for 10 mins, crumble cake into medium bowl. Add rum, vanilla, cream and chocolate and stir until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 45 mins or until firm enough to roll.
Put jelly crystals in a small bowl. Roll 2 tsp of cake mixture into walnut size ball and roll in crystals. Pop on tray lined with parchment paper. Repeat with remaining mixture. If you like a thicker coating roll balls in jelly a second time. Chill for 1 -2 hours until firm.

I promise to be back to post more soon. I am taking my baby laptop on holidays because I am so looking forward to the time to catch up reading all of my favourite blogs and to post some more!

Christmas Capers Issue 1 - Wrapping

2010-12-13T10:31:00.000+10:00

I am stressed. I wont lie. I am normally so much more organised than this. Truly.

But my blogging, work, children, new friends, old friends and real estate happenings have distracted me a lot.

Saturday's storm in Brisbane caused local havoc in my 'burb. The rain came so hard and fast I did not have time to close all of my windows at the same time and all of my beautifully wrapped presents got soaked. (well all six of them, two for dogs and four for me. Yes as you can guess I am WAY behind.) But I didn't really like the style I first thought up this year, so that gives me a chance to change it.

Anyway, I am loving this idea over at Concrete and Honey and I think this wrapping and me can make Christmas pinkoful!

I am going to action probably the first one, because the second one looks far too complex for my current state of mind.

What is everyone else doing? Send me photos and links if you dare!

Sharnel Dollar and Oprah!

2010-12-13T07:06:00.001+10:00

My friend Sharnel Dollar of blog My Life My Loves and online store Sharnel Dollar Designs styled a baby shower for a Melbourne mum hosted by Oprah!

I am so proud of Sharnel. I probably could not have handled the stress leading up to the event that I would have slashed my wrists!

Run over to Sharnels BLOG and follow this wonderful lady of style through all of her party styling adventures.
I can not wait to see it air in January 2011.

Fijian Lovo Feast

2010-12-06T13:57:00.001+10:00

Ron and Tania (ex brother and sister in law) hosted a Fijian Lovo on the weekend. A Lovo is Fiji's verson of a New Zealand hungi.

The Frangipani tree grown from a cutting from Liana's school fete 2 years ago. Blooming just in time!

This is going in, can you guess what it could be?

So the pit is dug.

The river rocks are in.

The timber on top.

Now it needs to burn away to coals.

Only then will it be ready to add the food.

So all the food was put in and we have three hours until we can eat.

What ever shall we do while we wait?

Let's have some Kava!

Kava is a plant grown in the Pacific islands. In Fiji it is sometimes called yaqona.

The powder is made from the dried root. It is a mild sedative and is said to promote vivid dreams (more about that later) It is banned in some places / countries as it is said to be addictive. I don't know, it tastes like dirt!

The power is sprinkled into a calico cloth.

The cloth is then twisted off and water is poured over to begin the infusing

As the fibers start releasing more water is added

The cloth is squeezed over and over again.

Time to drink.

As you can see the traditional bowl is carved from once piece of timber.

Normally used to hold Ron's TV remotes!

So the deal is, right before you drink everyone claps three times.

Then you drink. Then everyone claps three times again. It is all part of the ceremony.

Oh! The Lovo is ready!

The digging begins.

Oh we have struck the hessian. And the steam begins to rise.

The hessian is folded back.

Then the banana leaves layers. Heaps of layers.

The FOOD!

Everything needs to be carefully lifted out of this hot earth oven.

There is that alfoil again. Oh what could it be?

Lifting everything out. Lamb, pork, potatoes.

It is all passed along up to the table where everyone is preparing to eat.

There it is. The alfoil present! A beautiful fish (which I now cant remember what)

Some of the food.

A coconut salad in a handmade Fijian bowl.

I got into the spirit along with everyone else.

And my niece actioned a bowl.

I hope you enjoyed that taste of Fiji. Well I tasted and it was amazing! You just looked. Sorry ;)

P.S. Oh and Corey (12 year old) had some Kava and I found him playing baseball in his room during the night while sleeping! Interesting vivid dreams all right!

Babes in Business Lunch + Business Woman of the Year

2010-12-06T10:56:00.001+10:00

Oh there is just too much going on in life at present.

I attended the December's bloggers dinner, which I will blog about soon. My eldest son graduated primary school followed by a dinner.

I attended a Lovo Fijian Feast! And drank Kava for the first time. I will post about this with photos soon.

But the biggest event by far was hosting 21 women to the Babes in Business Event. WOW! What an amazing day.

So where do I start?

Well it was a Holiday Glamour theme - think Sex and the City goes to Abu Dhabi. I struggled with an outfit as the dress I really wanted made me look 'wide' my friends told me. In the end I purchased something which caused the following comments from the children:

Son 11 yrs "Wow mum, you look like Lady GaGa"
Son 12 yrs "Mum, are you going to an 'Under the Sea' party?"

So sporting my new under the sea dress with hot pink patent clutch and new OPI nail polish to match I headed to Moda events at Portside.

It was a blind date with a few girls, so it was both exciting and scary. Some girls I felt I had known for years but never face to face. And others I had actually known for years!

So lets tell it it photos shall we, much easier than reading jargon from moi!

Tracey from Knack PR and HERE

Ruth is on witness protection so we cant reveal any more (just kidding)

Melissa from Taybian Designs

Claire from Claire Louise Bridal

Ruth

Samantha from Adarna Consulting

Mel from Mel Kettle Consulting and HERE

Stacey THE Sunny Mummy

Bianca from Peekaboo Magazine

Nim Alan from Cherry Pink

Me, Bianca and Nim

Bianca

Melinda from Lily G and HERE

Me (again sorry)

A 'Through the Glass' photo of a sweet cupcake!

There were also some new friends and some old friends who joined us, but there were cameras going off everywhere and I didn't get a photo with everyone!

So what was the best thing about the day? There were many amazing things.

1. I got to meet people I have known through blogging and business but never got to meet IRL (in real life) and it was soooooo great!

2. I nominated Stacey Sullaphen, the Sunny Mummy for 'Ultimate Babe of the Year' and considering she arrived in Brisbane only a week ago from Sydney, she was Highly Commended!

3. I nominated Biana Shugg, publisher of Peekaboo Magazine for 'Business Woman of the Year' and
SHE WON!

This is the current copy of Peekaboo. Grab it at wonderful outlets around Australia!

I am so proud of Bianca. But honestly, the best thing about the day, and when I think about it I get tears welling up.... women supporting women. Thoroughly. Completely. Without judgement.

What a wonderful day!

So grateful!

Hermes Brisbane

2010-12-01T09:19:00.001+10:00

I think it is about to open. I am surprised and alarmed that I am yet to receive an invite to opening night?

Through the Glass ~ Family Dinner

2010-12-01T09:11:00.001+10:00

I was born into an English / Australian family. My grandmother was an amazing baker, always served boiled vegies and no bit of food was ever wasted in our house, a legacy of living through the depression.

The foods I remember from my childhood are:

Jaffles - not the sandwich press ones, the ones which divide your sandwich in half and are perfect for tinned spaghetti.
Gelatin cheesecakes with Golliwog biscuit base - Always served up at family gatherings. I only ever ate the base and threw the rest in the garden.
Baked apples - Because the apples were about to spoil, cooked with sultanas and served with icecream.
Cups of brewed tea - At 5am when I got up at the same time as my grandmother and we would chat.
Chicken tonight - It was the early 90's and everyone was into it.

When I met my father's family at 14 years old I realised really where I had come from. That Italian food brought me to a sense of home! I always felt there was something missing, then watching the fresh herbs be sprinkled over the chicken cacciatore, I knew I had found that link.

Then I married a Croatian! On my first cook up I was deemed a failure. Thus began 5+ years of kitchen retraining before I was allowed to cook again for the parents.

Get to the point I am sure you are thinking? Ok, here is the point. I love family dinners, even better if someone else is cooking because it means I am not being criticised.

What we ate and drank at Bro and Sis in Law's Suburban:
Gin and Tonic
Villa Maria Sauv Blanc
Home made pork spring rolls
Roast pork
Roast potato and sweet potato
Light salad

So basic, so yum and so family! The realisation and dread of hosting Christmas lunch is beginning to consume me!

Peekaboo December 2010

2010-11-30T15:58:00.000+10:00

Here it is! December Edition of Peekaboo Magazine is out NOW!

I LOVE this page with all the contributors!

Couldnt wait to get home - I'm reading at my desk.

Sharnel Dollar Design's Christmas Inspired Cookie Bar

See BLOG and STORE

I really enjoy reading Peekaboo, Bianca does a fantastic job pulling this publication together and I especially love Sharnel's creative pages!

Pinkolicious Morning Tea

2010-11-26T17:19:00.001+10:00

If I posted about the week I just had, you wouldn't believe it.

Its one of those times when you think "wow, how much has changed in the last 24 hours" and it takes you a while to get your head around it all.

Change is constant.

Here is a little pic from our morning tea today. Miss P retired today. Imagine that?! Knowing you will never work a day in your life again! And Miss Bec goes on maternity leave (for the second time) so we hosted a morning tea with all things pink. I had no physical or emotional energy to bake, so I brought in the strawberry milks. They were a hit, everyone loves playing kids again.

Our Pinkolicious Morning Tea brightened a doom like work week.

Wrath of the Hungry Spawn

2010-11-25T11:41:00.000+10:00

After Christmas Carol night at my boy's school and the boys heading off to other activities with friends (yes they are getting so grown up I can not believe it) the little one and I headed to downtown Sunnybank for a bit of Asian persuasion.

Deciding upon Little Singapore we grab a table and the whining begins. "I'm starving." "How long is it going to be"

Unfortunately my little girl inherited my hungry cranks. When I haven't eaten I become a bitch.

My little angel turns into the devil!

She so pissed off she is trying to hide from me taking a photo of her.

No sooner could I put my camera away, our food arrived and she is happy again!

Little Singapore was good. Really good. In and out in 20 minutes and less than $25 for two. Perfect.

Through the Glass ~ Kim Thanh Celebrating 24 Years

2010-11-23T09:17:00.001+10:00

Last night Kim Thanh's restaurant celebrated 24 years in business. Bao (their son and apprentice chef) hosted a wonderful night in honour of his Mum.

Bao's Tasting Menu

Grilled Pork Rice Paper Rolls with Hue Dipping Sauce

Pickled Lotus Stem Salad with Prawn and Pork Belly

Master Stock Cooked Duck with Egg Noodles in Chinese Herb Broth

Wok Tossed Black Angus with Dalat Salad and Tomato Rice

Roasted Coconut & Lychee Ice Cream

Master Stock Cooked Duck with Egg Noogles in Chinese Herb Broth

Grilled Pork Rice Paper Rolls with Hue Dipping Sauce

I am sorry there are no more photos. The company was wonderful and I was so busy talking to all my blogging friends and enjoying myself. I love my food blogging friends! Here they are:

Gastronomy Gal
Chocolate, Cheese and Chips
Monkylicious
O_M_Gemma
Sensible Spice
Life at Tuna Ranch

And I met the author of Brisbane Budget Bites. Great book! Also Emma Daley of Black Pearl Epicure was there but I didnt get too much time to talk with her. I will next Tuesday at our exciting Brisbane Food Bloggers Dinner at Black Pearl!

So much fun and Bao did an amazing job working all day and not finishing up until 2am this morning.

P.S. I am having lots of probs with blogger lately... gggrrrr

Quick Quick Slow

2010-11-22T11:32:00.002+10:00

In the words of Nigella in her Nigella Express she has a chapter titled Quick Quick Slow, or something like that. Basically it means put it all together quickly and let it do its thing slowly.

Problem with my life is that it is quick quick, and no slow. As soon as I wake I am up, washing machine going, tea brewing, eggs boiling, shower running, hair drying, lunch making, car driving, and then working.

Not that I would change anything as I am enjoying my fulfilling life. It is just a good reminder that the faster things get remember to have some slow times too.

In something I am always reminded from Sunny Mummy, aim for the 8-8-8 rule.

8 hours sleep
8 hours work
8 hours play

At the moment my life is:
7 hours sleep (which is very good)
8 hours paid work, 5 hours home work (lucky I enjoy washing and ironing)
4 hours play (lunch with girls, tv, blogging, walking, wandering around shops as seen in photo)

When I started focusing on what I actually do in a day I noticed two things.

1. I waste so much time on crap which means nothing and doesn't fit into any of the three categories. ie stalking people on facebook KIDDING! but you get what I mean, just meaningless crap.
2. I feel far more organised yet calm if I focus on trying to aim for the 8-8-8 rule.

You can read more about this principle HERE.

Fresh Peonies at James Street Markets

Have a happy Monday.

Christmas Pudding Cookies

2010-11-19T08:42:00.001+10:00

Aren't these cookies so cute!

Linda at Bubble and Sweet has made them and provided a tutorial. Easier than it looks and I am going to tackle these with the children next weekend.

Go HERE for all the details.

And while you're over at Bubble and Sweet, check out the most amazing Wizard of Oz Party and Cake and say "Hi" from me.

Martha's Craft of the Day

2010-11-16T10:24:00.000+10:00

I love that 'handmade' is making a come back. Fantastic. But frankly this is a crap idea.

If you can say yes to even just one of the following questions then why not 'Turn a Bracelet into a Belt' Martha Stewart style:

Do you have so many bracelets you need to find another use for one?
Do you have a few hours of spare time on your hands to create a new belt?
Do you need more delicate and useless belts?
Do you have another $30 for supplies to make a bracelet into a belt when you could just buy one for the same price anyway?

Right, I didn't think so. So please Martha, I think this is up there with one of your most useless crafts.

Here are some more jewellery ideas which will not be on Digella's To Craft List.

There are not enough 'R's in wrong for this one!

Oh and I must apologise to you all, I seem to have lost my humour of late. Hopefully it will come back soon. Sigh.

Dream or Settle

2010-11-12T21:15:00.000+10:00

The Road of Life

Do you push for a big dream, or just settle with your current life.

Maybe we always strive for more and we never settle? Not sure.

Maybe some are just happy with what they have and have no interest in doing, having, aspiring to anything more. Could that be true contentment?

It is a tough one.

Off the drama and onto the comic relief now. How good is a girls lunches? If you haven't been on a girls lunch in a while can I tell you BOOK IT NOW. And if you are a guy reading this blog, and you're looking for endless entertainment BOOK A GIRLS LUNCH!

That is me tomorrow with three cool, funky, stylish, hysterically funny gal pals.

Off to a New Farm region's eatery for food, wine and laughs.

Well after housework, washing, gardening, decluttering. Sigh. Life. But I wouldn't have it any other way!

Carolyne Roehm & Workshopping Christmas

2010-11-09T08:24:00.000+10:00

Each Christmas I choose a theme and everything is teamed with that theme. Even my Christmas day outfit.

Green and Pink have featured once, and as I have explained in an earlier post, I think it might feature again this year.

A friend and I did a book swap a couple of months ago. I got the ones below to borrow for a while. I LOVE them. My favorite one is 'Presentations'. Carolyne Roehm creatively displays how to wrap any gift perfectly. I like that. You can visit Carolyne Roehm's website here. I have long been a fan of her stuff, and her new website is beautiful.

You know, I would prefer someone give me a beautifully wrapped gift with nothing inside, than a CD in a plastic bag. Its all about the WOW factor for me - that's how I roll.

Carolyne Roehm Books

So this friend doesn't know that I am going to drop this on her. But in a couple of weeks time I am descending on her house armed with the books to return, and we are going to sit and workshop Christmas ideas. She is going to hook me up like no ones business with what I am going to give the teachers, the work friends, the neighbours and I will be set like jelly.

Now what does she get in return? Well apart from the wonderfulness which is Digella, I will bring some cured meats, fresh produce and something sweet from Couquette I think.

I wonder if she will comment on this post. I haven't told her yet. How's Saturday 20th November looking?

Through the Glass - Flamingo Cafe

2010-11-08T15:42:00.003+10:00

After the Finders Keepers Markets, we headed to Little Jane Street store. And the most unexpected thing happened! We found Flamingo Cafe. Well I had never heard of it, but have since found out it was in Gourmet Traveller. I missed that too. Oops.

Oh well, I found it yesterday and have visited twice already. LOVE LOVE LOVE. It is funky, fun, relaxed, quirky, silly but most importantly YUMMY.

The coffee is delish, the juice divine and well... I will let the photos talk for themselves.

Frozen Mocha

The Laneway with Little Jane Street and the Cafe and markets

Mmmmm a hamburger stool

The Labna Avocado Tomato, lemon, salt, pepper toast topper.

It looked so good that I went back this morning and grabbed myself one! YUMMO

Flamingo Cafe

http://www.flamingocafe.com.au/

Open from 7:30am Mon - Fri and 10am on Weekends

5a Winn Street, Fortitude Valley

Parking is not in abundance, but you will find one within a short walk.

I will blog again about it very soon I am sure.

Finders Keepers Markets Brisbane

2010-11-08T10:46:00.004+10:00

How wonderful is my city! Well I think so. Brisbane is really coming alive. Or maybe it could just be that I am finally emerging from the cloud of 'young children motherhood' and into 'real life' again.

Being a teenage bride and mother has its joys and sacrifices. On one hand it is fantastic to be so young now with these fantastic and active children. On the other hand I never really got any adult life in Brisbane.

I AM MAKING UP FOR IT NOW!

Being in my 30s has been the best time in my life.
I have got through the baby making time and happy that I never have to give up soft cheese again.
Worked hard to achieve a good solid CBD job with fantastic conditions and a wonderful boss .
I know my sense of style and fashion. (yeah, it's not groundbreaking, but it's me)
I feel confident but not cocky.
I have good friends, but don't need to spend all my time with them.
My sisters are adults now (I am the eldest) and we swan about a lot.
I dont have to drink beer with cordial shots on Friday nights because I can afford good wine and even cocktails if I want to.
For all the tears I shed in my 20s there has been so much joy so far in my 30s.
Best of all, I like my own company. I am happy to date myself at least once a week. I take myself out alone or get 'the man' to take them out for a few hours.

Anyway, too many words.. lets get to the Markets.

It was held in the Old Museum. What a beautiful old building.

Brisbane's Old Museum

What a beautiful building. I would love a wedding here. Carrie, SATC style!

Inside the first hall. POM POMS!

Bespoke Letterpress Boutique BLOG and WEB

The most beautiful stall at the market.

They have bookplates, gift tags, limited edition wall prints, cards, invitations. I LOVE it all.

Some more of Bespoke Letterpress

Another lovely stall. The London Club

I am in love with their totes and little tea cup pot plants for herbs.

Look at these! Golden Books recycled into diaries!

Kewpie Dolls. Not for sale :(

Out in the garden, live music, smooth coffee and cold drinks.

I am falling more in love with Brisbane each weekend!

See Bespoke Press's post about the market HERE. Warning, beautiful photos!

Through the Glass ~ Cha Cha Char

2010-11-08T10:05:00.000+10:00

Well what can I say?

Saturday morning was like waking up in a Brisbane version of The Hangover. I didn't remember what had happened the night before so the first thing I did was check my SMSs and my camera. I never go anywhere without my camera and you never know when a photo opportunity will pop up.

Oh and MY did I capture quite a few 'interesting' photos. Safely I was the photographer so was not involved in any of the escapades.

So after a few buckets of New Zealands finest (thanks TG for that little quote) we headed to Cha Cha.

My blog must be up there in my thoughts because I still teamed with the theme and managed to take this shot.

Obviously we ate some rare steak. It was good. And I had some red wine. It was probably good too.

That is all I have to say about that.

Advice on Blogging

2010-11-07T09:15:00.000+10:00

One thing I have learnt about blogging; only ever share a snippet of your world, what delights you, what you love... but keep a lot to yourself.

What you see here is a true me, but just a part of me.

Always protect yourself and your heart.

A pic I took at Divine Flowers

Digella-lama ;)

New Online Mag - Ivy & Piper

2010-11-07T08:48:00.001+10:00

I think I am getting cynical as I get older.

As much as I love having things available to me with the touch of a button, I do prefer magazines I can touch and smell. Those glossy covers all stacked ready on my ottoman calling me to sit and flip after all the chores of the day have been ticked off. Glossy magazines on my ottoman are also a sign to me that I have made all the budgets tick, the car is clean, the lawns mowed and I have treated myself to that unessential but lovely item. I have spoiled myself.

So back to online magazines, here is yet another one, which does look lovely and the girls should be very proud as I wouldn't have the determination, skill or drive to do it. I cant help but think it is just Domino reincarnated. Is that a bad thing? Maybe not, but I am getting tired of seeing the same things over and over again. Is anyone else feeling the same way?

But here it is anyway. Go HERE to view the first issue of Ivy & Piper.

Hope you are all having a good weekend? I managed to have a blotchy memory of a great night out last night with loved ones. We tripped the light fantastic at bars, restaurants and clubs in Brisbane. The wine was good, the food was good but the company and laughs were best!

Market Mahem

2010-11-05T12:08:00.000+10:00

What a weekend for Markets!

This is what we have... I am sure there are more so let me know.

Finders Keepers Market in the Old Museum near RNA showgrounds

Mathida's Market at Eagle Farm Racecourse for beautiful children's things

Little Jane Street Jard Sale on Sunday

Jan Powers Mitchelton Farmers Market on Sunday.

And if that isn't enough the Good Food and Wine Show is on and Brisbane's first permanent food market has opened this week in the old Myer store called Coorparoo Markets with 275 stalls confirmed!

Tonight I am off to trip the light fantastic (sorry FF, been saying that for years too) with the crew as the redeveloped Eagle Street Pier has opened!

We have Grill'd, Bavarian Bier Cafe (with amazing river view) the Shingle Inn, Stellarossa and a few interesting looking Asian eateries. Along with the old favorites like Il Centro, Aria and Cha Cha Char we have a wine and dine MECCA here now!

So throw in a heap of housework which is overdue in Digella-ville and I have one very busy weekend ahead of me. Thank goodness I stayed up on Tuesday night to polish the silver (no I am not joking) as I would be feeling completely overwhelmed with work if I neglected to make a head start.

Spring Racing Carnival Dessert Table

2010-11-05T11:11:00.000+10:00

I am totally in love with Sharnel Dollar Design's Melbourne Cup dessert table.

Go HERE to read all about it, and make sure you leave a comment!

Summer Fashions

2010-11-03T16:16:00.007+10:00

Last summer I was totally digging orange and was worried that I had arrived late on the boat. I wore my orange everywhere all weekend because I didnt want it to go out of fashion before my cost per wear ratio had come down! I am so glad it is still on trend and I love the freshness of many of the styles around at the moment.

Check out these options from Seed Femme. So glad they have a little presence in David Jones Queens Plaza now too. Go online HERE to their site.

Here's me sporting a little orange scarfy thing I picked up at 'This goes with that' at Sussan.

And I have been wearing OPI Cajun Shrimp for years... even before FF was blogging!

To read more about Seed Femme Digella's way go HERE

And what do ya know? It goes perfectly with Veuve Champagne!

YARD SALE

2010-11-03T15:43:00.001+10:00

This is going to be fun!

Check out Little Jane Street's blog HERE

Also, hello to all my new followers. 12 new followers in a week! Hope you enjoy it here, and if you dont send me an email so then I can send you hate mail. JUST KIDDING xox

A present from Bubble and Sweet

2010-11-02T15:51:00.001+10:00

What a delightful and lovely unexpected surprise it was to have Linda from Bubble and Sweet send to me a little box of the most delightful macarons and chocolate cookies!

They are seriously amazing. The girls in the office actually squealed when they were delivered.

Let me tell you, those chocolate cookies are seriously the best I have EVER tasted. Linda has actually shared her recipes for these HERE.

The macarons are perfectly formed and melt in your mouth loveliness. I have decided I LOVE macarons!

Gosh some people are so talented and thoughtful.

So yummy!

Make sure you visit Bubble and Sweet. Thank you Linda xoxox

On a little side note. I have added this Feedjit thingy to my blog. It is so fun to watch. Would you believe that my blog is read in Niger? I do not even know where that is.

Oh and check this out! Shot this photo from my riverside desk today.

Pigs mightn't fly, but today on Melbourne Cup Day, horses do!

Strange things on Halloween

2010-10-31T18:03:00.000+10:00

Charlotte SATC2 crying in the pantry

Witches everywhere

Scary cookies

The Queen of Hearts, Charlotte and a Sunny Bee

A devil eating cupcakes

A sumo arrived too

A little owl came to visit too!

What a wild and wonderful Halloween 2010!

It's Sunny in Brisbane!

2010-10-29T15:43:00.000+10:00

When the Sunny Mummy and her Assistant come to Brisbane what is one to do?

I am talking them for a glass of sparkling at the Polo Club.

Then we will meet a heap of other Sunny Mummies at Cru.

And maybe a quick cocktail at Cloudland.

Its a quick tour.... I hope they are impressed!

A party in Heaven

2010-10-27T15:02:00.001+10:00

Today is my Grandmother's birthday. I called her Nan. I lived with her most of my childhood and everyone said I was her youngest daughter. She had four children, two of which died as babies. Her husband died in 1979 and she lived watching all of her other grandchildren be born and my son, her great grandson, and then went to Heaven in April 1998. I have missed her every day. But strange coincidences have followed me since she died. Some really strange things.

I met my second husband Mario on the anniversary of her death. My daughter was born and her birth registered on the anniversary of her death. Strange things always happen around her birthday, which is today.

Today the last of her siblings, Mary Pascal, we call her Aunty Peg, joined her in Heaven.

I was very sad. Then I thought... imagine if I had none of my siblings left. My husband was gone. All of my brothers and sister in laws were gone too, and I was the only one left? If I was 84, I would be looking forward to checking out too!

Strange thing: Liana (my daughter) look this photo a few weeks back! ...

My Nan's wedding day. Her sisters are by her side. Aunty Peg is the one right beside her.

This is what I know - They are all up there together now. Having a party. There will be cheesecakes, scones, caramel tart and Aunty Peg's specialty, strawberries and cream sandwiched with sponge cake. Tea and coffee and probably a bit of Champagne. Not much though, "Nobody likes a drunk" my Nan would say. Yet Aunty Peg loved a party.

What a wonderful, beautiful day to leave this earth and all of your pain and join that most beautiful party!

Through the Glass ~ Gastronauts Supper Club October

2010-10-26T11:26:00.002+10:00

Digella has been bad. I have been wanting to write this post for over a week, but had trouble with what I wanted to say. It was sooooo good and I just didn't want to do the night a disservice by throwing a few photos on here and some sloppy words to get it over and done with.

Alas, it is still not going to be wordy. I just want it to be a true reflection of the superb food and hospitality.

It was PHUCKING AWESOME.

Mint Tea - A Moroccan custom. A non alcoholic aperitif of sorts.

With some olives in home made harissa.

The tasting plate was DIVINE! Marinated lamb in a yoghurt dressing, grilled mushrooms and the most amazing salad of radish and orange. Refreshing and simple. We commented that we could even eat a whole plate of that!

Some Moroccan wine acquired by Mr Food Bling.

Sorry for the quality, I had a few wines.

This is the Spiced lentils with pumpkin.

Chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives.

Meatball tagine

All served with steamed couscous.

The meatball tagine with poached egg

Almond cream pudding -was deliziosa!

That's it. And I cant wait to do it again. I am considering a Croatian Themed evening. I might need to drag over the EMIL (ex mother in law) for some lessons.

Read about my other supper club post HERE

The Sun is Shining for this Sunny Mummy

2010-10-25T15:37:00.002+10:00

Sometimes you just need to paint your nails and go to Nooooosa!

My brunette friend Bec

I am all fixed now after a wonderfully sunny weekend. I am so glad to be over that mood. And now I can start working on my figure again. It sure took a beating last week with all those tasty dim sims and wine after work!

Now, while we are talking all things sunny! Did you know that Australia's very own Sunny Mummy is in Queensland! Up for the week from Sydney. She is hosting a 'Sunny Mummy After Dark' evening at Cru Bar (my fantabulous venue idea) this Friday (29 October 2010) perfect for those mummies who love to throw on a bit of bling and join a hip and happenin' group of other sunny mummies! More info on facebook HERE

If you are interested in attending, let me know as I will make sure you are on the door list!

P.S. One of the ~~occupational hazards~~ delights of having a personalised number plate is that people always see you out and about. Julie, a lovely reader introduced herself to me on Hasting Street as I was mid lecture with the children as they were hopping out of the Digella-Mobile into oncoming traffic.

I am so sorry I seemed a little scatter brained, but thank you so much for coming up and saying "Hi". I loved how your little girl yelled "Look Mum! Its Digella" I just wish I hadn't almost hit a pedestrian as I was pulling my car into my Rock Star status carpark right in the mecca of Hastings street as I would have been in a far better 'place' for talking to you!

By the way, I had been doing bogan laps for 20mins to get that baby!

Through the Glass ~ Conviction In Pictures {Second Coming}

2010-10-25T14:33:00.000+10:00

Second visit to Conviction Brisbane read more HERE

My last Conviction post was SUPER wordy, this is not.

Freshly shucked oysters, shallot and red wine vinegar

A special - Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

Beef Wellington, petit pois, foie gras with madeira sauce

No child's brain cells were harmed during this photo - its non alcoholic

Fillet of kingfish with oyster and mussel escabeche

Black and white linguine, fresh crab, tomato and bottarga

A special - Oven Baked Pink Snapper (TO DIE FOR)

This could have been the Wagyu - I has had a few vinos by this point.

Through the glass ... yep, it was getting messy.. we were onto the red

Lemon Tart with clotted cream

A special - Sticky Date Souffle

Creme Brulee with green apple sorbet and old fashioned tea cake

Chocolate salty caramel, peanuts and sour cream ice cream (TO DIE FOR)

Cheese served with fruit and bread

Then we moved to the Conviction Bar.

Adults drank cocktails, the kids mocktails and made fools of ourselves!

By Special Request: Dim Sim Location

2010-10-25T11:07:00.003+10:00

Everyone has been asking so here it is. Sorry if you are not in Brisbane. I would post some to you if I didnt think that the lag in time to get to you may cause food poisoning!

The place I devour the dim sims from is in Post Office Square. It is on the Queen Street side, just down the escalators on the right hand side. Near Subway, opposite the Tort place. Hope this makes sense, I do not know the name.

For $1.50 for a big fat dim sim and $3.00 for Gyoza you will be impressed! They also have a $5.50 meal special which changes daily.

Look, because you are all so keen on it, I might even make a special trip today to obtain the name and take a photo. You know, someone has to do it ;)

Check back this post later today.

Here it is:

Birthday Girl

2010-10-25T10:01:00.001+10:00

We are well into the swing of planning the Retrolicious Office Morning Tea for Tom (our departing token man in the office) What I can tell you is there will be a refreshing punch, some cocktail onions, a pineapple upside cake and some cucumber sandwiches on the menu so far. I am still unsure of what I am going to make. I need to dig out Mrs Beeton's book again and see what I can find.

Anyway, due to all this strategic planning of the Retrolicious morning tea, our friend R's birthday slipped through the morning tea cracks! So we used the best back up we could find at short notice (Shingle Inn) and held a little cake celebration for her special day.