Season Envy

What's wrong with me......?
It's not that I don't like Autumn which is well and truly upon us here in Australia (in fact I might go so far as to say that it is my favourite season) it's just that I want what you've got! You lot in the Northern Hemisphere. Or perhaps it's a case of the grass seems always greener. I have loved seeing Spring photographs on others blogs and imagining a Summer in England. Maybe I'm homesick or feeling sad at the thought of not being around during the long holiday break from University that my daughter has just begun.
So in the hope of "snapping out of" this melancholy - here are a couple of Autumn photographs I have taken over the last week.... Above - our skinny latte and skinny flat white coffees we had last weekend at the market in South Melbourne. Excellent coffee place called Padre. And I love the pottery earthenware - that struck me as very Autumnal. And below, also snapped at the same market :

Fresh walnuts in huge sacks. They looked really beautiful - what could be more "seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness" I wonder ? Maybe this below - a photograph taken a while back when I was in UK - my English Apple cake :

For the recipe which I posted on the blog then please click HERE.

Enjoy your Season which ever one you are experiencing!

Trying to shed a few pounds

Mr SE and I are on a health kick....
Which roughly translates as moderating our intake of things like wine, cheese, crackers etc. (or rather cutting out completely in the case of the cheese and crackers) keeping an eye on portion sizes etc. and adding more vegetables, salads and fruit to our diet. And for me, I have added a daily brisk power walk - of around 3 to 4 kms. Also going for healthy choices such as the breakfast below: This is not a hardship as this bircher muesli is quite DELICIOUS.

I loved the glass jar but when it is finished I will make up a batch myself. The ingredients are as follows : Rolled oats, sultanas, almonds, sunflower kernels and dried apples. You could make up a batch and add dates, or apricots to I would imagine......

You have to be organised and make up the bircher muesli the night before. So, to one measure (1/3 cup) of the dry mixture you add the same measure of milk (I use low fat) and then 2 to 3 tbsps of yoghurt. Cover with cling film and leave in the fridge overnight. In the morning you can add fruit of your choice - grated apple is wonderful.....

See below my breakfast this morning....

And here is the view for my walking route... Gorgeous Autumn colours and even better when the sun shines.

Initially we (decided by Mr SE) are doing this for a period of 5 weeks and Mr SE has printed out a chart to map our progress - apparently there is a prize for the winner he said! We are nearly 3 weeks into our "regime" and so far I have lost 4 pounds and Mr SE 1 pound . (and for those of you who deal in Kgs that is around 2Kgs for me and 1/2 Kg for Mr SE).

Shall I start planning my prize yet I wonder or will it be a case of the hare and the tortoise?

Meanwhile back in the land of Oz

Whilst I have been away in England, Autumn has truly arrived in Australia and this is the view outside our house in Melbourne. Looking up to the right of the house.

And, below looking down towards the local shops, railway station etc.

Such amazing colours. Mr SE and I went for a walk at lunchtime and stopped at a cafe and partook of large mugs of delicious homemade soup. Just right for the weather.

A great weekend to one and all...

I am happy to report that so far my jet lag has not been too bad this time and I had a great flight over with dear old Qantas - 4 seats all to myself - and as you can imagine I stretched out and took advantage of making myself my own 'business class style bed in economy'!