Poppy : James – Page 7 – The Poppy Files

Category: Poppy : James

More Summer Fun

Sailing Ah … summer holidays, oh how I love them.

We have been spending more time out on the water and went sailing last Friday to watch the King of the Derwent yacht race … two brothers, two sister-in-laws, one uncle, one yacht, whilst four grandchildren were with two grandparents at home. Booom!

I reveled in the tranquility of being out on the water with just the wind to guide our way (and not worrying about James on board).

Sailing

Will & Tup

Larni & Tup

Uncle Rob

Me and Tup

Tup and I

Saturday was oh so hot and we escaped the city early in the speedy boat to meet up with Nick’s folks and his brother’s family for some good ‘ol fashioned beach time. Sand castles, collecting shells, frisbee throwing, swimming and the boys even went water skiing.

Early evening we popped down to the Taste of Tasmania for a Tea Cup ride, some fish and chips and a Big Bessie ice-cream! Yum.

Triworks

Sleeping in the speedy boat

Triworks

Taste of Tasmania

It has been so lovely having family in town, seeing Poppy play with her cousins and the best bit … getting to devour beautiful food and sparking wine!

Yum

Wednesday, 7 January 2015 1 Comment Short URLBig Bessie, Food, Hobart, King of the Derwent, Sailing, Taste of Tasmania, Yacht RaceBoating, Poppy : James

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2007 vs 2015

New Years Day - 2007

This photo of Nick and I was taken on the 1st January 2007 after we had just met. Eight years later to the day, we are still loving the vibe of Hobart at this time of year, but now have a couple of extra spectators in tow!

New Years Day - 2015

New Years Day 2015

New Years Day

New Years Day 2015

Friday, 2 January 2015 0 Comments Short URLFamily, HobartBoating, Poppy : James

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Happy New Year

2015

Happy New Year!

Another year has ticked over and we were out on the water in Hobart last night with Nick’s brother Will, his wife Tup and Poppy’s cousins Maggie and Lily. The sunset over Mt. Wellington was divine, as were the oysters and sushi we had on board! The fireworks weren’t too shabby either!

NYE

New Year's Eve - 2014

New Year's Eve - 2014 - 83

New Year's Eve - 2014 - 64

New Year's Eve - 2014 - 52

New Year's Eve - 2014 - 49

Over the past couple of days we have also spent time at The Taste of Tasmania, with and without Poppy and James. This is one of my favourite times of year in Hobart as we see our gorgeous city transform into a city full of yachties, travellers and foodies from all parts of the world.

The Taste

Comanche

Poppy and Comanche

Constitution Dock

Thursday, 1 January 2015 0 Comments Short URLHobart, Mt Wellington, New Years Eve, Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Tasmania, The Taste of TasmaniaPoppy : James

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Christmas Day Camping

I love Christmas Day. I love it even more now that we have two little peeps that also get super excited about this festive time of year! Poppy was up early, eagerly awaiting to see what Santa had brought her. Ah the thrill of watching them peer into their stocking to find exactly what they had asked for (fancy that) … a Barbie car, another Barbie and a mermaid. I also felt a little twinge of pressure as we are now locked into the ‘Santa secret’.

After the craziness of unwrapping all the gifts with paper spread all over the living room, we loaded up the car with two children, their new toys, camping gear, food and the dog and headed two hours north to my sister and brother-in-laws farm at Bracknell. We were hardly out of Hobart when Poppy and James were fast asleep – obviously the whole excitement became too much to bear!

We arrived to the welcoming view of Drys Bluff and a beautiful paddock of peas next to a flowing creek … it was a perfect setting for the gathering of the Gibson clan. The cousins swam, the grown-ups chatted and ate, we opened more presents, we laid in the sun, were intrigued by the drone, we pitched our tents, we ate again and sat by a fire sipping Baileys and telling yarns. It was a special day.

After a restless night (James apparently doesn’t like camping) we woke to another blue-bird day. After a hearty breakfast (more food?), totem tennis, frisbee and packing up, we returned to Hobart to set up Poppy and James ‘big’ present – their trampoline.

Boy oh boy – Poppy has almost bounced her way into the record books, but she sure has slept well! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas? xx

Christmas Day

Boxing Day

Christmas Day

Boxing Day

Monday, 29 December 2014 0 Comments Short URLBracknell, Christmas DayPoppy : James

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Merry Christmas

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Xxxx

Wednesday, 24 December 2014 0 Comments Short URLMerry ChristmasPoppy : James

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It’s a Wrap

Salamanca Market Book

I saw this poster on Facebook recently and had a little chuckle. Our Christmas tree definitely resembles “With a Toddler” and is looking decidedly sparse on the lower branches. I keep finding broken baubles scattered behind furniture and in other random places.

Christmas Tree

I haven’t been game to pop any presents under the tree as James would have a field day – placing them high on the sideboard instead, safely out of his inquisitive reach.

Here is my wrapping choice for this year – I love these colours together and should put me in healthy contention for the Wrap off this year!!?

Christmas

Tuesday, 23 December 2014 0 Comments Short URLChristmas Tree Decorating, Christmas Wrapping PaperPoppy : James

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Day Trippin’

I have finally found my Christmas groove! After the chaos of Christmas shopping last week, I loaded the kids in the car nice and early on Saturday morning and caught the 9:30am ferry to Bruny Island. My sister’s and brother-in-law were camping at Jetty Beach on South Bruny which provided a perfect day trip. Nick decided to stay at home and have a ‘sleep-in’ after his work drinks on Friday night.

I love day trips! The anticipation of getting out of the house, packing up all your bits and bobs that you need for travelling with wee ones and selecting the perfect driving tunes. My music genre has changed somewhat since I have two backseat drivers now and find Playschool and Frozen are often on high rotation!

We had a perfect drive to South Bruny, marvelling at the beautiful landscape and belting out a few nursery rhymes! We got into camp, had a cuppa and then ventured to the superb beach where Pops and James played for hours. A long walk and more cups of tea, I was back on the 5:30pm ferry with two sun-kissed, exhausted kids. It was a perfect escape from the pre-Christmas craziness.

Jetty Beach - Bruny Island - 56

Jetty Beach - Bruny Island - 07

Jetty Beach - Bruny Island - 12

Jetty Beach - Bruny Island - 25

Jetty Beach - Bruny Island - 35

Jetty Beach - Bruny Island - 41

Jetty Beach

Jetty Beach - Bruny Island - 53

On Sunday we had lunch with Nick’s parents on their boat at Triworks – a quick trip from Hobart. Nick and Poppy jumped in for a swim, we ate beautiful food and enjoyed the balmy conditions. xx

Captain James

Triworks Lunch - 05

Triworks Lunch - 04

Monday, 22 December 2014 0 Comments Short URLBoating in Tasmania, Bruny Island, Jetty Beach, South Bruny, TasmaniaPoppy : James

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Market Love

Salamanca Market

One of my favourite things to do on a Saturday is to experience the Salamanca Market. As Poppy and James are early risers (yawn) we scoot down after breakfast, which has the added benefit of avoiding the crowds and ease of parking.

We go to my favourite flower stall and pick out a bunch of the long stem lilies; have a baby chino/cuppa at Tricycle and are entertained by a range of buskers or bands depending on the week. Last week we were lucky enough to have a visiting ‘balloon artist’ from Taiwan, who whipped up a fab butterfly for Pops. We then had a little ‘highland fling’ with the bagpipes playing Christmas carols.

I love this time of year in Hobart – there is such vibrancy and cheer! x

Salamanca Market

Friday, 19 December 2014 0 Comments Short URLBuskers, Hobart, Salamanca MarketPoppy : James

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Giant Pavlova ♥

Bay of Fires Sparkling Nick and I love entertaining but unfortunately haven’t found our hosting groove much this year. Last weekend however, we broke out from our boring Saturday-night routine of watching Scott & Bailey and had friends over for several nights in succession. We are on a roll now … just in time for the festive season!

I made this Giant Pavlova which is one of my favourite desserts for a dinner party. It is out of my go-to recipe book at the moment Delicious. Love to Cook.

Delicious The dessert is called ‘divine chaos’. The idea is to put the pavlova in the centre of the table, give everyone a spoon and let them go for it! It works a treat every time.

Giant Pavlova with Berries & Salted Caramel

6 egg whites

350g caster sugar

1tbs white balsamic vinegar

1tbs cornflour, sifted

1/3 cup (50g) icing sugar, sifted

600ml thickened cream

500g mixed berries

1 quantity of salted caramel sauce (see below)

Preheat oven to 150°C. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
Place egg whites in the clean, dry bowl of an electric mixer and whisk for 3-4 minutes on high-speed to soft peaks.
Add caster sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, allowing each to be incorporated before adding the next, whisking until mixture is glossy.
Reduce speed to low, then add balsamic, cornflour and icing sugar, beating to combine.
Spread mixture over the baking paper in a round or oblong shape, making a slight indent in the centre.
Reduce oven to 130°C and bake meringue for 1 hour. Turn off oven and leave for 1-2 hours until cooled completely.
Remove from oven and place on a platter or serving board.
To serve, whisk cream to soft peaks, then spread over the centre of the meringue base. Scatter over the berries and drizzle with salted caramel.

Salted Caramel Sauce

2.5 cups (330g) of caster sugar

1/2 cup (125ml) water

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Increase heat to medium and cook, without stirring, occasionally brushing down the sides of the pan with a damp pastry brush, for 10 minutes until a golden caramel forms.
Remove from heat, then immediately pour in cream (be careful, as mixture will bubble then seize).
Return pan to stove over a low heat, add sea salt and cook sauce, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until smooth.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Pavlova

Christmas Cheer

Monday, 15 December 2014 0 Comments Short URLcaramel sauce, Christmas, Dessert, Entertaining, Giant Pavlova, PavlovaPoppy : James

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Just the Girls

I’m back! Poppy and I have just had a girls trip to Melbourne for a mini-break. It was so special spending time with just her … and so easy!

I finished up work for the year last Thursday and have been looking forward to ‘getting off the island‘ and immersing in a big city with my big girl. After the excitement of the plane ride we wandered around the city on arrival where I visited all my faves – Hunt Leather, Bassike, Zomp and Emporium Melbourne. I’m like a homing pigeon when I get to Melbourne – I am released and return back to the same old haunts!

We then met Bron and her boys for a play in Federation Square and that night we stayed with my sister/brother-in-law where Poppy loved playing with her cousins, Maggie and Lily.

On Wednesday morning Tup and I had a sneaky peek in the new Jardan showroom and ogled over all the beautiful furniture. I met my old friend Sarah at the National Gallery of Victoria where we were immersed in The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier. Oh my – what a fabulous exhibition – such intricate details.

Poppy and I had a little more shopping in the afternoon where she became the proud new owner of a pink pair of Birkenstocks and then a flight back home to our boys in Hobart! Lovely. Xx