A long overdue update

How. Time. FLIES!

I can't believe it has almost been one year since my last post telling you all about my little boy's first birthday! There is so much to catch up on I don't even know where to begin... There have been many many changes in the past year, and consequently my once well loved blog has fallen by the wayside. I apologise, dear followers, and will do my utmost best to bring it back to life with attempted regular care and attention!

Ahh, so where shall I start? Well, my family and I moved to Brisbane at the end of last year. We miss Sydney terribly, but the wonderful thing about being in Queensland is that I have family support here. As those of you with little ones will understand, sometimes having that kind of support is utterly precious! We have settled into life here in Brisbane's western suburbs, and although we do not eat out as much as we once did, have discovered some nice places for food and coffee here (which of course I have been meaning to, and most certainly will, now share with you through this blog!)

The second major change in my life, has been this beautiful little addition to our family - Ananya. The name 'Ananya' comes from Sanskrit and means 'one without equal'.

She was born at the Wesley Hospital in July. I developed a serious condition in my final trimester which posed a significant risk to her wellbeing, and so I need to be induced. Little Ananya arrived 3 weeks early but without any major issues. The care at the hospital was outstanding, and my obstetrician Dr Pauline Joubert was amazing both throughout my prenatal care and at the delivery. I can't believe our little girl is already three months old! She grows more and more beautiful by the day. 

The above photo was part of the newborn shoot we did with her when she was 7 days old. The photos are breathtaking... We had them done by Luisa Dunn Photography here is Brisbane. Luisa is one very talented lady, I highly recommend her if you are looking for someone to capture precious portraits of little ones.

Our other little person, Roman, is now two years old! We celebrated his birthday last weekend and I look forward to posting about that soon. He has grown into the most beautiful little boy. Very gregarious, inquisitive and loving, and so far a pretty good elder brother too!

So with an interstate move, a rambunctious two year old, and a new baby, there has not been a great deal of time left for myself, my blog or my cake work. However, where there is a will there IS a way, and I am determined to find a balance for myself. My two little ones will always be my first priority, but now more than ever I feel it is important to reserve some 'me time' for things that I am passionate about. Whether it be taking a long walk, cooking a healthy meal, or creating a beautiful cake for a client - these acts all feed the soul and give me the energy I need! Many of my followers are regular bloggers in their own right as well as mothers and working women - I take my hat off to you, ladies!

Please stay tuned for my next post with lots from Roman's second birthday party - it was a blast!

Anna x

A pregnant pause...

Hello dear readers!

As many of you already know from following Diary of a Ladybird, Mr Ladybird and I are currently expecting our first child. It is an exciting time for us, full of anticipation and excitement. We are expecting him/her any day now, so it is time for me to take a pregnant pause from a number of things while I focus on motherhood. In the meantime, I won't be working on my blog. However, I do expect to make a return once I have settled into a bit of a routine as Mama Ladybird. Stay tuned!


Ladybird xoxo

Lavender and Honey Madeleines

I've got to tell you, I felt a little tingle as I returned to my blogging this weekend. It really is great to be back! And what a glorious weekend it's been in Sydney... crisp Autumn air, clear blue skies and beautiful sunshine. On afternoons like these, I like nothing more than the opportunity to sit back and relax on my balcony with Mr Ladybird over a nice cup of tea and something freshly baked. I am also savouring such moments as I approach a big change in my life...

You see, while I've been away I have been doing a little baking of my own, and I am delighted to tell you all that I have a bun in the oven! Yes, Mr Ladybird and I are expecting our first child! We are absolutely delighted and can't wait to meet our little one in October.

So there you have it - there's my news... As my first recipe after my hiatus, here is a lovely recipe for delicious madeleines ever so lightly touched by the scent and flavours and lavender and honey - a winning flavour combination, I think :)

Lavender and honey madeleines
(Recipe adapted from 'Petit Fours' by Murdoch Books)

How many madeleines this recipe will make depends on the size of your madeleine moulds. My tray's mould's are quite large (8cam in length), and this recipe made 8 - just enough for afternoon tea with 2 or 3 people. These are best served the same day as baking.


Ingredients

30g (1 oz) unsalted butter
2 teaspoons honey
2 1/2 tbsp white sugar
1/2 tsp dried (culinary) lavender
30g (1oz) plain flour
1 1/2 tbsp ground almonds
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tbsp icing sugar for dusting (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degree celcius (350 F/ Gas 4). Use pastry brush to lightly grease madeleine moulds.
2. Melt the butter and honey in a small saucepan. Set aside to cool.
3. Place the sugar and lavender in a mortar and pestle and grind to release the fragrant oils. Sift the lavender sugar to remove the lavender husks.
3. Sift the flour, ground almonds and three pinches of salt three times. This will help to lighten the texture of the madeleines.
4. With an electric mixture, whisk the egg and sugar mixture until thick and creamy.
5. With a metal spoon, fold in the cooled honey/butter mixture, followed by the flour. Fold until just combined. Allow mixture to stand for 10 minutes.
6. Spoon the mixture into madeleine moulds until they are around three-quarters full.
7. Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until lightly golden. Carefully remove from the moulds and place on a wire rack to cool. Dust lightly with icing sugar and serve.

Note: As you can see from the madeleines pictures, mine are a little past being lightly golden, so take care not to overcook them.


Until next time, dear readers!

Ladybird x

Returning soon, please stay tuned!

Hello dear readers, old and new!

You may have noticed I haven't been posting for a few months now... Yes, I am still alive and well. Life has definitely got in the way of late but I intend on making a return to Diary of a Ladybird very soon.

So,why the absence? Well... for one, my day job has been a priority (ermm, as it should be I guess!). Mr Ladybird and I also adopted a puppy at the start of the year, and getting him settled in and trained was quite a commitment! Actually, make that a huge commitment!

Introducing our Labradoodle puppy, Henry...

I mean, really.. how could you say no to a face like that?! Anyway, he is now very much part of our little family and we simply love him to bits! He is such a lovable little fellow and is full of cuddles :)


And there's been something else that's been happening in my life since my last post too. I can't wait to share it with you all ... Stay tuned for my next post for the big reveal!


Love,

Ladybird xxx

Blogger Tag - Who, me?

When I was a child, I didn't really like playing tag - largely because I have 3 older brothers who always ran much faster than me, and who used to tag really hard! Now that I'm all grown up and have immersed myself in the blogging world, I was delighted to be invited to play along in this game of blogger tag. Nominated by Julie of Gourmet Getaway, I have been asked to reveal some information about myself in response to these questions:


1. List five foods you could you never bring yourself to eat?
Foie grois
Squab
Kopi Luwak - not quite a food, but rather a drink with an interesting method of preparation!
Century eggs
Haggis

2. Share your happiest food memory.
Oooh such a tough one - so many memories to choose from! I have many from my childhood growing up in a house with 6 kids. However, in my adult life one of my happiest food memories would have to be on my honeymoon in Paris in 2008. We had a picnic on the floor of our hotel room, just metres from the Arc de Triomphe. It was very simple fare including a bread stick, cheese and a few salads from a deli near the hotel. We ate and sipped on french red wine whilst listening to french radio. It was so simple and absolutely romantic that I will always remember it - a very happy food memory.

3. What would be your most embarrassing fashion moment?
In primary school I begged my mum to buy me a colourful sequin encrusted baseball cap and I thought I was sooo stylish wearing it. Looking back on it now, I cringe! My God it was hideous!!!

4. Finish this sentence, “It drives me mental when….”
I ask staff in restaurants about vegetarian menu options and they offer me fish. Vegetarians by definition do not eat any meat, including fish. People who eat fish are called pescetarians. It's not their fault though... a lot of people don't know the difference between the two, so I should be more patient...

5. Finish this sentence, “There is nothing better in life than…”
a warm hug, a hot shower, fresh bread, a nice cup of tea... and family :)

6. You find a magic lantern and are granted one wish from the Genie of the lamp, what would your wish be?
That I could become a full-time food blogger dedicated to trying out recipes, reading cookbooks, trying places to eat, and sharing it with the entire world!

7. If you had one hour of invisibility what would you do?
I would play cheeky pranks on people I know... I do have a mischievous side... hehehe ;)

8. What made you decide to share your life with the world via a blog?
I guess two things - I love to bake, and I am very passionate about changing people's perceptions about vegetarian food. It doesn't have to be nut roasts and mung beans eaten by people wearing tie-dye and excess body hair :P I want to show people that vegetarian food can be sophisticated, unique, nutritious and above all, delicious! And a quick disclaimer - I'm not a meater-eater-basher either... I have no issues with people eating meat (believe me, I was not always vego so I know exactly what it feels like to be preached to!).  I believe that if it's good food, whether or not it contains meat should be incidental :) I just want to share my foodie experience with others and I feel that food blogging is the perfect platform for this. I have met so many wonderful people along the way... the food blogging community is like one big happy family!


So there you have it - now you all know a little more about me!

So dear readers, why not reveal a random fact or two about yourself too!


Ladybird x