Return of Nic

Hiya! So it's been a while... A long while... So much has happened! My last post was from just before my recital which was November 2013 and yeah, it's been a while..

So many wonderful things have happened to me in this past year that it's almost a bit daunting thinking about all the catching up I need to do so I'll keep this post short and sweet (I've been called short a few times in my life...)

So right now I'm in the middle of a three month adventure in Utah, U.S.A. and it has been such an amazing experience and wonderful opportunity; the mountains, the minus degrees temperatures, the lights and especially the snow! I had never touched or even really seen snow before and I just so happened to be in the middle of one of the warmest winters Utah has ever had. Luckily we had our own Christmas miracle and were graced with a white Christmas! But even more than all of that, the most amazing thing in my life right now is the one we all call Nate. He has been and continues to be such a loving and supportive force in my life every single moment of every single day. I don't know what I'd do without him so let's not even think like that!

Here's a few snapshots of our adventures:

Top (L-R): The Anderson's front door @ Christmastime, snow covered tree in the Anderson's front yard, the view from Fairview after a long day of sledding, Temple Square Christmas lights, the Tree of Life in Draper, LOML and I out in the snow.

Happy times!

 

Nic xx

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Power Goes: Roaring 20s

So this year I was asked to sing for Port Adelaide Power's annual fundraiser at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre which was themed this year as Power Goes: Roaring 20s!

I was joined on stage by the lovely Rachel and Emily as we sang 'Thou Swell", "Night & Day" and "Orange Colored Sky" with the accompaniment of the Cornerpocket Big Band... This experience was amazing!!

At first the thought of recreating a 1920s hairstyle was quite daunting but after watching a lot of YouTube tutorials, I came across this one and created my hairstyle using these techniques suggested by Tony & Guy.  My hair is medium length and was the perfect length for this hairstyle, so it ended up being relatively simple to put together. The only thing I had a professional handle was my make up... I can't do my makeup to save my life... The lovely Sarah from MAC Meyer Centre in the city was the artist behind this face.

Top: Hair curled and water waves pinned to the side of head
Middle: The finished hair style! Side curls were pinned under to create a faux bob
Bottom: Side view of completed hairstyle

I love the way these curls sat, even before they were pinned into the faux bob- very 1940s! 

I would definitely wear this out to my next big event.

Here are some photos of the lovely ladies I sang with tonight:

Left picture: Rachel (left) Me (centre) Emily (right)

I love gigging and this was definitely one of the most memorable performances I've had the privilege of being a part of and can't wait for the next one!

Happy times!

Homemade Pasta: Cicadelli

Seems I couldn't get enough of making my own pasta (like Easy Ricotta Gnocchi) so it was time to get my hands dirty and make some more!

This time we made a pasta called 'Cicadelli', which I believe is dialect; you probably won't find any pasta in the shops with this name but it's similar to Fusili.

Wordless Wednesday -- Week 3, July 2013

Hi all! Short and sweet today: Wordless Wednesday!

I'm hoping this will provide a great place for photos that don't quite serve a purpose other than.. memory keeping, I guess (and there's nothing wrong with that)..


Here's my throwback to Summer:

From top left: Serenity now: Tongsai Bay Resort, Koh Samui, Thailand.
Trying a new hairstyle- I call it the 'Cleaning Lady'...
Drawing inspiration from my piano (photo & text edited with Phonto app)..
Middle row, from left: Iced tea from Bar 9, Frewville. Minnie mouse slippers!
Lunch from my favourite place, Argo On The Parade, Norwood.
Bottom, from left: My sister and I (photo & text edited with Phonto app).
A tasty burger from Jaimie's Italian in Sydney.
The Pug.

From top left: A pear and apple gallette (It was half eaten before I could take a good photo).
Tongsai Bay Resort, Koh Samui, Thailand.
Fluffy, tasty, homemade Italian Easter bread.

Middle, from left: My sister and I at our friend's engagement party.
My birthday dessert; Bombe Alaska at Press*, Adelaide.
My sister and I at Little Miss Mexico, Adelaide.
Bottom, from left: Iced Tea from Plant 13, Bowden. The Pug (Bokehful app).
Lunch at Little Miss Mexico, Adelaide.

**Photo grids were made using Picasa

Most of these photos are from the past summer which makes me feel a little melancholy now the current weather is nothing like those wonderful days...

I love my sister Maria and I love reminiscing. Because my Maria lives in Sydney, we don't get to spend too much time together so photos are such a great way for me to remember the fun times we do have when she comes down to visit.

Happy times!

Easy Ricotta Gnocchi (Authentic Italian Recipe)

I love food and I love cooking, so it made perfect sense to learn how to prepare my most favourite dish; Ricotta Gnocchi.

Anyone who knows me will confirm that I have a gnocchi addiction! Anywhere I go, if gnocchi is on the menu, then there's really no other choice for me. The end.
That being said, once I learned this quick and easy recipe, it made so much more sense to just make it myself, although it's now very easy (in fact, too easy) to have homemade gnocchi whenever I want....


HOMEMADE RICOTTA GNOCCHI
*The recipe below states all the ingredient measurements for ONE batch of gnocchi but the photos depict THREE batches... I'd suggest making single batches otherwise the dough takes too long to knead and may become chewy when cooked. But if you have some strong arms then go for it!

When I recreated this recipe at home, I was a bit heavy handed with the flour... I would recommend beginning with two thirds to three quarters of the flour and then slowly add the remaining flour, should you 'knead' it... see what I did there?

Welcome!

Hi! Welcome!

I’ve wanted to start something like this for a while now but really didn’t have the time. Finally I came to my senses and realised that it’s important to make time to document the wonderful events, adventures and everyday joys in my life.

There will be a few friends who will think this whole idea is ‘lame as’ but let me assure you, there will be plenty of Pug photos so, I guess that makes it worthwhile… right?

Anyway, thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy!

Nic x

PS: In case you don't know, this is Rosie (AKA 'The Pug'). I promised pug and I delivered. Enjoy!