Golden hues down winding roads.

The boys and I stopped off for coffee at ONA on the Lawns in Manuka this morning.

 

 

 

While we were waiting for our babycinos and flat white, we made the impromptu decision to head out to Tidbinbilla for a play. Cause that's how we roll in school hols...spur of the moment road trips are our style yo!

 

Secretly...(OK, not so secretly, who am I kidding!)...I wanted to see some golden autumn glory along the winding road between Cotter Dam and Tidbinbilla. So...wagons roll!

 

I mean really...

 

 

 

It's just too beautiful to miss!

That big blue sky and those golden avenues of poplar and birch.

 

 

 

Not to mention these golden goofballs.

 

 

 

 

After much stopping along the side of the road to oooh & ahhhh at the view, we reached Tidbinbilla, said hi to the emus and the boys burnt off some energy on the flying fox and super high slide along with dozens of other kids.

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch was just down the road at the Space Centre where we decided we'd happily live if we could plop a cottage next to the satellite dish.

 

 

 

 

Another play in the Space Centre's new playground and then it was time to plod home, stopping off now and again to oooh and ahhh at more Autumn pretty.

 

 

 

 

xx Em

 

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Trufflicious

 

 

Winter is by no means a dull affair for foodies in Canberra. There are several festivals through July and August paying homage to Canberra's produce. The Truffle Festival is an impressive one. Last year's festival had over 350 individual events spanning 200kms across our region.

 

 

My lovely sister-in-law Margie and her friend Ali came to stay for a long weekend recently. One of the highlights of their visit was a truffle hunt at Tarago Truffles, a property just half an hour from our place.

 

 

 

Ali had quite a soft spot for the dogs who were the star of the hunt. The girls learnt about the Perigord Black Truffle from their hosts Denzil and Anne Sturgiss and loved the harvesting experience, including a fabulous truffle infused alfresco lunch at the end.

 

 

And the prize for wandering through rows of hazelnut and oak trees in the icy cold elements...

 

 

...these beauties!

 

Margie and Ali came home bearing gifts for us...a gorgeous Tarago truffle fresh from the ground, some moorish King Island Dairy Double Brie and a divine bottle of red.

 

Ermagawd!!! HEAVEN!!!

 

These tasty treats came with some fabulous recipes to boot.

 

For Truffle Brie take a good quality double Brie, slice in half. Layer finely shaved slices of black truffle on one half. Place the other half back on top. Wrap in foil and leave to infuse in the fridge for 2-3 days. Serve on crackers accompanied by a beautiful robust red wine.

The earthy flavour of the truffle really compliments the creaminess of cheese.

 

 

 

Truffle goes really well with butter, eggs, cream and cheese.

 

I whipped up some truffle scrambled eggs on sourdough toast for dinner one night. A simple but sumptuous dish using freshly laid eggs from our hens that were stored with the truffle for 24hrs.

 

 

 

 

Add a dash of cream and a little salt and pepper to the eggs, scramble them over low heat, serve on thick slices of Italian sourdough toast and finely grate truffle over the top.

 

 

 

 

Bellissimo!

 

Thanks Margie & Ali...it was Trufflicious!

 

The Truffle Festival Canberra Region is definitely worth indulging in.

It's a taste of Mid-Winter magic!

 

xx Em

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Visit Canberra

 

Oh Canberra, how I love thee!

 

I love capturing your beauty, your flavour, your creativity, your landscapes, your people, your passion and your style.

 

I love sharing you with everyone, I'm obsessed and proud!

 

So...you can imagine how chuffed I was that Visit Canberra decided to do a little feature on their Facebook page about how much I love you. Visit Canberra do a stellar job promoting your virtues, and they have their finger on the pulse when it comes to what's on in your gorgeous city & surrounds.

 

I hope that others are inspired by my images and come and experience all that you have on offer for themselves. Just sharing the love, and I do...love you...Canberra!

 

xx Em

 

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