The Encyclopedia Of A Particular Miss K

A Winge

2008-07-29T13:59:00.003+10:00

I just needed to have a bit of a winge (or whine) about something I encountered today.

So...I went to buy a zucchini to make a zucchini slice for the boys I care for, and do you know how much that zucchini was? $2.39!!! Two dollars and thirty-nine cents for ONE zucchini. Are you serious? Honestly. Since when does a zucchini cost that much?

Polaroids Rock My World

2008-07-29T13:42:00.003+10:00

So I have a bit of an internet crush on this girl Jen Gotch. I discovered her through her blog "my polaroid blog" (which I discovered through another girl's blog that I have an internet crush on as well). Jen's postings and polaroids brighten my day when it has gone a bit grey and spreads a bit of daily inspiration. She's amazing. Focusing in on bits of the day that you tell yourself to remember or take note of but you never actually do. She wears a sheep head. Inspiration I tell ya! Inspiration!

Crafty Crafty

2008-07-28T18:20:00.003+10:00

Honestly...do you get much better than a website that teaches you how to hew a log and turn it into a clock? Knitting, crocheting, patterns and other crafty desires all found here at Crafty Crafty.

Frankie and Johnny

2008-07-27T18:25:00.007+10:00

One good thing about being back OZside is frankie Magazine. She's like a best friend, frankie. Honestly do not know what I would do without her sometimes. Being OZside and not Stateside can make me so incredibly homesick sometimes that I thank God for frankie. Something to curl up with in the cold dreary Melbourne winter months and also something to show/teach me all things cool. Through frankie I found Trixie Delicious (maker of incredibly cool "vandalized" plates), through Trixie I found felt.com.nz (incredibly cool New Zealand based website that sells all things handmade and therefore cool), and through felt.co.nz I found Sweet William (maker of this adorable Lady Madonna cushion and teacup print). Oh thank you frankie for showing me the paths to creative geniuses!

The Way We Were

2008-07-27T17:24:00.004+10:00

Ahhhh! It has been ages since I last signed on! Last wrote a post! One excuse (the main excuse) is that I went home to the States for 4 weeks. But woe is me, my other excuse that I was jut in too bad of a mood to want to please anyone with little Miss K thoughts. I am back in Melbourne although with still a few "woe is me" thoughts wondering through my head. It is winter and I had to say goodbye to most I love. Have found a few things that make me happy to be an ex-pat in the southern hemisphere...The most recent issue of Frankie Magazine and some new handmade website I have found (via Frankie of course). (Pictured: Edwardo enjoying a day in the sun in San Diego and some random Seattle street art).

Nothing Day

2008-06-01T21:11:00.003+10:00

One of those shit days where everything felt like nothing and nothing was anything. Feeling like I don't care and nobody else cares. Where I just say blah blah and hopefully tomorrow will feel a bit better. I probably need to do the pigeon.

Sex and The City Shoes

2008-06-01T20:52:00.003+10:00

So I had intentions not to hop on the Sex and The City band wagon, figuring there is no way the movie can be as good as the show, because like with books they usually are not. But it has happened. I have caught Sex and The City fever and am anticipating the Australia release next weekend. You Americans don't tell me! Australia's a week behind! I am breaking it down to the fashion being the reason for my heart flip flopping as the days go by. Perhaps it is the fever or perhaps it is the fact that I have been eyeing these shoes for a couple of months now. But either way I bought them this week and I have never been so excited over a pair of shoes (I am kind of lying though. There were some vintage inspired heels a couple of years ago in San Francisco that did cause a similar fluttering effect). Yes, I will stumble into many a wall with these bad boys on but at least I will stumble with flare!

Doin' the Pigeon

2008-06-01T20:51:00.000+10:00

Working with children, I've come to love the shenanigans of Sesame Street (as if I didn't already!) and came across this song on a CD I have been playing regularly. Bert singing about his favorite feathered friend the pigeon. How can one not think that Sesame Street is made for adults as well when Bert sings "oh I'm grooving now?" I needed to share this with everyone to bring a bit of cheer to their day. I myself love to spectate a good pigeon spectacle and perhaps you will as well. Watch the whole youtube video as Bert talks a little bit in the beginning.

Dog Rescue

2008-05-21T20:05:00.004+10:00

Flynn is a special older boy - a pure Afghan looking for a new home. Flynn has lived with Farah since Farah was a puppy. Ideally we would like them rehomed together but we will separate. Flynn is a former show dog but has been a family dog for some years before being surrendered. Flynn doesn't like cats.Flynn is affectionate and loving and desperate for family life. He would like to spend his remaining years as part of the family. He will be happy to be a couch potato apart from some exercise once a day. Can you give an older boy a chance?Flynn has been shaved completely so is not looking his best at the minute.Afghan hounds can be clipped back once a year in summer and that is basically it for their grooming needs. If you are interested in Flynn, please download an application from http://www.victoriandogrescue.org.au/

Farah is a pure Afghan looking for a loving new home. Farah has been with Flynn since she was a puppy. Ideally we would like them rehomed together but we will separate. Farah is affectionate and loving and desperate for family life. She would love to find a forever home where she will be treated as part of the family. Farah doesn't like cats.Afghan hounds can be clipped back once a year in summer and that is basically it for their grooming needs. If you are interested in Farah, please download an application from http://www.victoriandogrescue.org.au/

Where's Thanksgiving?

2008-05-21T19:26:00.002+10:00

I was walking down the street with piles and piles of crunchy leaves anticipating my excited step. A nice cool bite in the air, crisp blue skies, yes! Autumn is here! Then, for a split second, I thought to myself "Here comes Thanksgiving!" Then, "hmmmm...it's May..." Blah! This is what it feels like to be an American in the southern hemisphere. It's May. It's autumn. And Thanksgiving and Halloween are nowhere to be seen! I feel like the only American south of the equator. Oh the tragedy, oh the despair!

Oh Duck!

2008-05-15T21:12:00.004+10:00

Honestly. Does it get much better than a bunch of ducks waddling around you begging for your peanut butter and banana sandwich? Quack Quack Quack. Spent the day at the children's farm with a little boy that I care for and nothing could brighten my day more than the waddle and quack that these guys provided.

The Precious Little Exhibition

2008-05-07T21:35:00.005+10:00

I read about this event in my Frankie magazine of a husband and wife team that travelled around South Africa, Tanzania, and Kenya visiting schools and having the children draw pictures. These pictures will be on auction May 8th-11th at Gallery Fourtyfour, 44 Little Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney. How I wish I was in Sydney this week! But those of you around can take advantage of this wonderful event! Take a little bit of Africa home with you. Your money for their gorgeous drawings will go straight back to the schools in Africa. For more info click HERE.

Hot Chocolate Cupcake Goodness

2008-05-07T20:54:00.005+10:00

Well on Sunday I committed a bit of my day to the baking of what I consider some darn chocolaty and marshmallowy yumminess. Just wanted to leave behind a helpful hint: no need to place marshmallows on all cupcakes and roast all at once. Do it as you want one. Heat the cupcake in the microwave for 20 seconds and then place a marshmallow on top and put it under the grill until desired burnt consistency. These are so yummy! I personally find it hard to find anything better than a roasted marshmallow. But, add the warm chocolate greatness of the cupcake and it could be close to heaven.

Next time...Smore cupcakes!!!

And with the cold weather comes hot chocolate...cupcakes?

2008-05-03T15:56:00.003+10:00

Well the weather outside is finally a bit frightful making staying home on a Sunday to bake cupcakes very delightful! Tomorrow I shall hang around in my favorite cozy pants and bake (and I'd be silly not to consume) these yummy Hot Chocolate & Marshmellow Cupcakes from my Cupcakes Galore cookbook.

Eat warm to get full effect!

Makes about 12 cupcakes

240g dark chocolate

250g unsalted butter, room temperature

4 eggs

200g sugar

120g plain flour

1 teaspoon salt

60g mini-chocolate chips or grated chocolated

Marshmellows or mini-marshmellows for decoration

1. Preheat oven to 180 C/350 F/Gas mark 4. Melt chocolate and butter in a large bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until just melted (do not cook). Set aside until just warm.

2. Cream the eggs and sugar together until light and foamy. Add flour and salt and mix. Pour in the chocolate mixture and beat until batter is smooth.

3. Spoon batter into 12 cupcake papers. Sprinkle a teaspoon of mini-chocolate chips of grated chocolate over each cupcake and bake for 15 minutes. Remove cupcakes from oven. They will be very moist inside.

4. Place a marshmellow or several mini-marshmellows on each cupcake. Put cupcakes under grill for a few seconds until marshmellows start to brown. This will only take a second so be very careful. Remove from oven and wait for about 5 minutes before eating sice the marshmellows will be very hot. These cupcakes are best eaten while still slightly warm.

Yum Yum!! Enjoy!

Bettie & Odie Need A Home

2008-05-02T22:02:00.005+10:00

I so wanted to throw this post out there, not only to find Bettie and Odie a home but also to help show everyone how many pets are out there in need to be rescued...in need for new homes! Bettie and Odie's owners are giving them up because they cannot provide them attention, but...they NEED to be placed together because they are BEST friends. It breaks my heart to see how many pets are out there needing new homes. So if you are interested in Bettie and Odie (and in Australia) check them out here. Or alternatively find other pets at Pet Rescue.

Cards do not get much cuter!

2008-05-02T15:26:00.001+10:00

A girlfriend from home in California just started up her own little card company and is now selling her adorable creations! Check her out at crazy for cards!

A Change of Season!

2008-05-01T13:24:00.000+10:00

Finally Melbourne has started to cool down! The tip of my nose is frosty and I have never been so excited for autumn before! I never thought it would be one of my favorite seasons. But, after two years in Melbourne it is official that autumn is the season. Such a relief after the hot, hot summers. The days are still nice with just a little bite in the air, enabling me to where my treasured knit hats. Oh how I have missed you! My treasured knits hats! I now anxiously await the leaves to change into fiery colors waiting for me to collect for thoughts on preschool arts and crafts (purely for myself). And the crunch! Oh the crunch. Better than a Nestle Crunch Bar the crunch of autumn leaves under my foot. Find the first two drawings in Frankie.

Angus & Julia Stone "Wasted"

2008-04-29T13:59:00.000+10:00

Experience some more Angus and Julia love here.

I never get tired of this love story

2008-04-29T12:18:00.000+10:00

Could I love this movie anymore? They advertise it as a thriller but by god it isn't! The best love story (not to mention soundtrack) you will ever have the pleasure of taking time for. I still get flip flops in my stomach at the ending.

2008-04-29T01:09:00.002+10:00

And so my day shall begin with a kiss to get my bell a jing jing jingling.