Visiting : Ballarat Begonia Festival 2014

**Picture heavy post alert**

Ballarat’s tuberous begonia festival was in March this year. In the glorious (hot) days of summers. For my MIL, it’s a tradition to go there every year. For me, it was my first flower of any kind (I have never been to the Lalbagh flower show. I know, traitor!)

It was a beautiful day. A summer day. But then I repeat myself. It seems like I have forgotten what that means, looking at the grey-misty clouds now. Just enjoy the visuals and I hope it springs the summer back in your mind like it did to me 🙂

There was live music, food, wood works, activities for children, freebies for visitors and free tram rides on some really old trams. We made a picnic out of it and loved the day despite the parking 2 kms away problem! Seriously, what’s with Melbourne parking spaces? The cheaper ones are so faaaaar away and the nearer ones are close to $100 for 5 hours :()

Come in…We are only the start

 

See what I told ya?

 

My MIL…a pretty flower among so many others!

 

Aich! Another flower too! Modesty anyone?

 

Okay..time for a couple selfie 🙂

 

Our purchase!
Hubby is pointing to a HUGE begonia among others!

 

Hubby (in his mind) – How can her trip be complete without shopping?

Me – where/what do I shop for?

A souvenir purchase – a kangaroo by the Ballarat Woodworking Assoiation

Ballarat’s begonia festival also hosted a pine wood working workshop for kids and adults by the Ballarat’s Woodworking Association (I think I got the name right!). Hubby and I peeped into the tent and decided it was for people with kids, but then the usher outside said it was for everyone. We could choose between a bird feeder (we are I am not bird people), book case (maybe not, when we have eReaders) and a tool box. We chose the tool box because I found that easier than the others 🙂 +++ it was a free event! Thumbs up already!

Hammering away!

 

Hubby to the rescue and detailing!

 

Our tool box, isn’t it perfect???

 

I found a sand pit for the children. What a beautiful thing for the tiny tots to enjoy!

Camel shaped walkers 🙂
Entertainment!

We have covered entertainment, handicrafts, play. Now onto some food.

Sausages roasted on a car bonnet?

 

Tea House
A fancy place with the cutest cushions to sit

 

I picked the raspberry drink because it’d match my dress. My husband and the shop guy looked askance and gave it to me. Now that I recall, they nodded at each other. Something to the effect – women!

Cooling away in the sun!

And that’s a wrap! Thanks for the patience. If you have a chance, please do go! Its a beautiful day trip.

Steal : White and blue shoes

The pleasure of a steal is intrinsically linked to the satisfaction of watching someone drooollll (ew!) over my sheer genius purchase!

*so selfish*

When I stumble…like totally stumble upon “steals” I go ga-ga, don’t stop talking or obsessing over it until my husband says the 3 magical words – “go, buy it!”. Then I flash him a 1000-watt smile that he fell in love with and flash my card after grabbing buying the said “steal”.

When we went to Target @ Hopper’s Crossing last weekend to buy warm clothing, (winter is here…brrr) I glanced over the shoes section.

So this is Australia, the average shoe size is 8-12 as against my miniature 5 😦 and I was prepared to be disappointed, only lusting after the cute ones here. But what do I see?

Holy toledo! I rub my eyes and see my dream-worthy white-with-tiny-blue-stripes shoes. A bit of background, I am not an advocate of wearing  black shoes with blue jeans, no-no that’s a fashion faux pas in my books.

So what do I do when I find this? Turn the price tag ever so slightly to check the price. I swooooonnnn…it’s $5. I pinch myself, it’s $5 and its a size 5. I grab and run to the till. I have my card ready to paypass. The SA smiles and says $4. I am thinking in my head “is she nuts?” and smile and buy it!  I check the receipt and then realise there’s a 20% reduction on the $5 price. Ahh! Bliss!!!

Then I went back to buying warm clothes 🙂

Am I not worth it?

In my closet : Fossil rose gold watch

 

I’d nothing in rose gold, can you believe that? Nothing…zilch…nada! I couldn’t lament enough! Hubby decided to right the wrong…and I became the proud owner of this yummy watch for my birthday!

Isn’t it fab?

5 facts on the watch

1. It looks chunky but very light on the wrist
2. Feels cold during evenings! Weird…I know!
3. It is priced at $200 AUD (I think)
4. Available at Myer, David Jones
5. It’s mine! 🙂

Visiting : Yarra Valley Chocolate Factory

During the 26th January long weekend we decided we had to do something…something other than visiting a friend/attending a party/being invited for food/having someone over! Believe me, I love hosting and after coming to Mebourne I have met some really nice and interesting people, but my husband & I wanted a break from it for a weekend. My parents-in-law had work at Ikea and although I love…LOVE….that place my husband wasn’t up for spending a day at the store.

So off we went…to the Yarra Valley Chocolate Factory…what better place for a choco-addict?

We packed up a picnic of carrot sticks, dip (want the recipe?) and some yumm gnocci pasta…to feast on chocolates & ice cream!

My FIL is a genius in turning gnocci into a yumm pasta….check below 🙂

The ride to the Factory was about 1 hour and 30 minutes for us. It was a bright sunny day…and we made the most of my husband’s sun-top 🙂 The landscape of the place changes right in front of your eyes…from blocks of houses to farms…green and greener…to farms with animals….and then wineries as you enter the Yarra Valley region. The transformation of the place is breathtaking and worth a visit.

I’m mesmerized but looks more like annoyed…but seriously mesmerized!

A glass panel seperated us from the manufacturing unit but I was more focused on the chocolate goodies on sale. We picked up caramel fudge and a small box 6 chocolate truffles. We also snacked on ice cream and loved every inch of the trip.

Some pictures for you

Yummmm…aren’t they?

If you are in the vicinity, don’t miss going here. Wine aficionados can also stop off at the numerous wineries dotting the route!