photography – Page 18 – helenthura.com

November 12, 2008

Lush

Some of you will know that over the last couple of months I have become a bit of a fan of Lush, in fact just about everything I use in the skin/shower line is Lush. My face is the clearest it has ever been thanks to Herbalism, my hair is a lot more controllable thanks to Godiva and Jungle. I have even found a moisturiser that doesn’t leave my skin feeling really gluggy thanks to Enzymion.

Tonight the stores launched the Christmas goodies with a VIP night so I popped along to the Brisbane store on the mall for my first ever Lush VIP night. We were all given cute little sample bags when we walked in filled with assorted samples and then I won a Marzibain bubble bar and a piece of Snowcake soap. I also picked up some goodies I had been wanting, chatted to a few people, had a good laugh and am very much looking forward to going to another VIP night.

November 11, 2008

Vidya and Abhi, continued

A little later than I expected to post these photos but better late than never. As per usual I pulled out the trusty assistant cap for Vidya and Abhi’s wedding with Tim at the start of the month. The wedding/reception/celebration took place at a new function venue run by the Logan City Council on Clarks Rd, we then moved on to UQ where Vidya and Abhi’s relationship blossomed. Here is a selection of my photos, I still smile when I think about all that colour!

You can have a look at the rest of the photos in this set on Flickr

November 8, 2008

Photos with a little girl

I spent a little time this arvo taking some photos of Madi, who is the daughter of Amanda, one of the girls I work with. From day 1 at work, outside of the Medical girls, Amanda has probably been one of the people I have had the most to do with. So the other week I got a call from Ms Manda asking me if I could take some photos of Madi, I just couldn’t say no could I? We spent a little time taking photos by the pool before Madi decided she would much rather be in the pool. A change of clothes later and little drive down the road we arrived a gorgeous little tract of parkland that I had eyed off on they way over for a few photos, a little searching for lady beetles and a photo or two more.

And a last one to share, Mama and Bubba together.

November 7, 2008

the simple things are the sweetest things

This post is so long overdue it is not funny and Ange I hope I do you justice. The other week, ok a few other weeks ago I received a package in the mail. The package contained a CD. A CD that made me smile when I opened it. A CD that I had been looking forward to for quite some time and I am pleased to say it most certainly exceeded my expectations.

That CD was Aniseed Tea by Ange Takats, a collection of 9 charming songs.

First I smiled at the CD cover of a woman with parrots climbing over her, then I smiled at the linear notes. Then I put the CD in the stereo and I smiled at hearing the first strains of My Song. It is rare for me to stumble across a CD that takes all the best things from a live performance (obviously what I enjoy most) and makes it a 1000 times better. This CD is like that, the production, the “noise” is just jaw dropping. I have played the CD countless times over and every time I love it more. The instrumentation is understated and serves with the whole purpose to accentuate the fragility and gentleness in Ange’s voice. The voice that won the Lis Johnston Award for Vocal Excellence at the National Folk Festival this year.

One thing I have adored about Ange’s songs is that they are simple songs telling the tale of life. Songs about temptation, longing, individuality and living. Just plain simple songs with meaning, love and a tune.

Of course one reason I love this CD is also the fact that on one of my photos grace the CD booklet.

Go to Ange’s Myspace and have a listen or pick it up on iTunes or catch her live at Woodford (I can’t wait till Woodford)

November 6, 2008

Hippeastrum memories

I took this photo of Hippeastrums in the back yard at Mum’s the other week and came across it just then whilst going through some photos. Hippeastrums are probably the flower that reminds me the most of Grandmum. I wouldn’t say I have memories of Grandmum holding a bunch of Hippeastrums but for quite a few years the flower beds at The Farm have always had Hippeastrums in them. In fact these Hippeastrums were split from a Hippeastrum clump at The Farm. Grandmum died just over five years ago and in some ways I miss her more now than I did before as there all these things I want to share with her and show her. I would love to know what she would have said about the dress of hers that I wear fairly regularly or what she thinks about something. In saying that though, I also can’t imagine how the last five years would have been if Grandmum was here.

November 5, 2008

Stuffed Eggplants

I picked up a bag of eggplants for a steal at the fruit barn on the weekend and for the last day or two I have have the idea of stuffed eggplants running through my head. We were given an early mark at work today and on the train home all I could think about was that bag of eggplants. Dinner was great tonight and I am so looking forward to leftovers for lunch the next two days.

Stuffed Eggplants
4-6 medium eggplants
olive oil
1 onion
3 cloves garlic
3 anchovies
1 carrot
2 eschallots
1 capsicum
100g diced pancetta
1 large field mushroom
1 large tsp pesto
6 sage leaves, torn
3 sprigs thyme, leaves picked
2-4 tbsp tomato passata
1/2 cup white wine
breadcrumbs and a cheese of your choice to top (my choice was pecorino)

Slice the eggplants in half lengthwise. Using a paring knife, slice/scoop the flesh out and dice into 1cm cubes. Finley dice the onion, carrot, garlic, capsicum and mushroom. Slice the eschallots. In a large pot, heat the olive oil and sweat the onion and garlic. Then add the carrot, capsicum, eschallots and sautÃ© for 4-5 minutes. Finely chop the anchovies and with the pancetta add to the pot and continue to cook for a few minutes before adding the mushrooms, pesto and herbs. Cook for a few minutes before adding the wine, allow the wine to cook off for a moments before adding the passata. Allow to cook for a few more minutes. Spoon the filling into the eggplant halves, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and grated cheese. In a moderate oven bake the eggplants for roughly 30 minutes, serve with polenta and salad or just by themselves.

After stuffing the eggplants I had a good amount of filling left over so I roughly chopped up another capsicum, carrot, mushroom, more pancetta and a zucchini and added them to the pot with more wine and pasaata. Season to taste. I brought the pot to a simmer and allowed to cook for a good 30 minutes before freezing into portions to be used for a quick pasta dish.