Perchy McPerch comes to stay

A trip to the fish markets was always going to be a treat for the senses - the sights of the fresh seafood laid out for sale, the smells of the sea, the sounds of fresh ice chips being made and vendors yelling out their specials. But I found myself growing more excited by the minute as I deliberated over what to buy for dinner. After much wandering and weighing up, I decided on a whole fish - and Monsieur Perchy McPerch was the lucky winner.

Once home, I filled him up with basil, tomatoes, onion, lemon slices, green chillies, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. I threw in a few cherry tomatoes from the jungle that is tomato season in our garden, wrapped him up in foil and baked him for half an hour. Oh my - the tastiest fish I have had for quite a while.

We ate him with steamed asparagus and sugar snap peas. Dessert was a lovely refreshing Lemon Sorbet. Unfortunately that did not rank highly enough to be photographed, and seeing as Penny of PocketCarnival requested it, I feel obliged to provide this alternative online dessert - a fantastic paper buffet! Hope it satisfies!

Intervention Required

I just keep finding the cutest fabrics to make things for babies. I am in serious danger of fabric overload seeing as over the last two weeks I have bought too many fabrics to deal with at once! Seeing I don't have a sewing shelf, let alone a room, this is a serious problem. The only way I can forsee to solve this issue is to make LOTS more Etsy goodies, which I have been enjoying immensely.

I will soon have some of my items for sale in "My Poppet" a gorgeous shop in Caulfield full of the most delectable baby and children's wear and nostalgic, clever toys. I am excited and proud to be included in such a classy store. The manager also has a great blog which I have thoroughly enjoyed reading.

I am afraid I have fallen foul of spoiling my fish. Fretting that he was too cold, not interested in life, about to leap out of the bowl and end it all - (I have a bad habit of bestowing my creatures and plants with far more emotional intellegence than they may well have) - I decided to spoil him with some brine shrimp as a treat to cheer him up. Didn't he just gobble those down with gay abandon, and now someone's tastes are far too posh for lowly old pellets and he refuses to eat anything else. I know, it's my fault but surely a fish has no right to be so uppity about his food? Help! Anyone?

It's been getting colder around here recently and I have been indulging in some baking - the ultimate comfort food. Not only is it delicious and homely, it also serves to warm my house up while the oven is on, so no need for a heater. Hurrah! Recent experiments have included Chicken Pie that I made up as I went along, with leeks, stock, and other yummy veggies... and a DELICIOUS greek spanakopita or spinach and fetta pie from this great blog called Souvlaki For The Soul full of lots of other yummy treats. Highly recommended!

Fish Frenzy

My new sewing machine certainly had a workout last week, and my little fabric box is growing by the day and threatening to overtake my flat, like someone pouring soap powder into a fountain.

It is exciting to be making things that I like so much. I have just received a delivery of eco-friendly tote bags to sew my designs onto, so hopefully they will be on Etsy next week.

I mentioned that I started a fish bowl last week. Well, I have discovered that I have an extremely mean fish. He scared and chased the other two little ones (Dave Grohl held out slightly longer than Josh Homme) and I think the poor things died of heart attacks. Mean old Jack Black is on his own now, and I hope he enjoys his cruelly-won solitude. He is very pretty to look at but I think he has a very miserly attitude.

Recipe culling 101 is going well but slowly. It is too taxing to cook unknown meals every night. Sometimes you just crave something familiar and requiring no thought whatsoever. Good old curried sausages have had a whirl, as has spaghetti bolognese and chocolate mousse (served in the cutest dishes ever, look -)

- amongst the marinated steamed salmon (a winner, 8 out of 10) and the pesto chicken gnocchi (JUST acceptable, too heavy, 6.5 out of 10.)

By the way, I have discovered that I make a mean sangria. Mmmm Mmm MMMMMM. I got so inspired by the fruit I took a photo of how pretty it looked.