Lost Aussie on the loose

Thoughts About Blog Stuff....

Star Dreaming
© Marie Otero 2013

Next month my Blog will be 8 years old!!  WOW!!

I started it in way back when I lived in Charlotte (NC) the first time, 2005 .  Since then I have seen my boys back to Australia to take on High School, seen them graduate and now ensconced in University.
I have moved house (not counting the moves in Australia) THREE times.
I've launched (and closed) a boutique Rubber Stamp Company.  Taught at Art Retreats,  exhibited at art galleries in New York and various other Global locations, created a bunch of online classes and along the way caught the Photography bug which has lead me to spend the better part of a year entering International Photography competitions with, latterly and thankfully, a modest degree of success.

Having said all that, I think it's time for a CHANGE!

Facebook, sadly, is eroding the Blog world and as much as I try to resist, perhaps the "FB Page" is the way to go.....

Whilst Typepad has been a good and honest and good soldier for me, I really want to consolidate my efforts into one (or two) arenas and need to figure out the best way to do that.

I won't be closing this Blog in five minutes flat but I daresay it's on the horizon.  It might just morph into another website in a seamless way or something, I am not sure yet.

Regardless, I hope you will stay with me for the ride and continue the journey forward.....

A "Fruitful" Day

It became apparent over the weekend when looking for toppings for toast and finding little in the (post move) pantry that something had to be done! 
So I enjoyed a computer free day today and spent a little time cooking up some Summer goodness in the kitchen, namely some Marmalade and Chutney.

After what is now become an almost daily routine, swimming 40 laps at the local aquatic centre, I headed to the grocery store in search of jars, fruit and sundry other items to simmer and preserve.

I ended up choosing to make Marmalade (a rather "British" garnish for toast) and while I was in the mood decided to make some Chutney as well.  Peaches are plentiful hereabouts and were an obvious choice to include on the menu.

I'd flicked around on the 'net to find some suitable recipes and as is fairly typical, picked a few as guides and then just had at it.

My marmalade ended up being done with oranges, lemons and ginger and is tangy, bittersweet with a little bit of kick (from the ginger), lots of peel and lots of texture and a few dried cranberries thrown in at the end as a bit of a surprise ....yummy!

The chutney was more or less off the top of my head with peaches being the main ingredient, some mangoes for good measure, red and green chillies, onion, raisins and a good dose of warm Moroccan spices.  Then about 10 mintutes out from being done I added some freshly cut off the cobb corn kernels to add a little extra sweetness and crunch!

I ended up with six jars of Marmalade and seven jars of Chutney .... so I guess we will be in good shape for toast and cracker "fixins" for a little while now....

Out And About In The Carolinas

Inbetween thundery evenings DH and I have been traipsing about the Carolinas this weekend.

We headed back to Dupont State Park to visit Hooker Falls again.  Little did I know that in the Summer time it turns into a watery playground and less of a spot for tranquil photography adventures....

Nevertheless there were a few interesting photo opportunities and the summer frolikers to watch....

Like the kids jumping off Hooker Falls , the ones creeping behind the falls and then the ones careening down "Sliding Rock" at Pisgah ....

 

Then today we snuck off to the Carolina Raptor Center, which is not that far from our house.

There were lots of lovely feathery creatures there to take pictures of ..... the English Barn Owl, and a few more to boot...

The last pic is of a Bald Eagle that was part of the "educational" presentation.

He was a magnificent creature despite the fact that he was securely tethered to the handler's glove... and he seemed to be quite keen to participate in the event and was even taking questions afterwards.... at least that is what he looked like he was doing....