It's a week and a half away from the exhibition opening night! Frantically trying to get things in order.. finally finished my last painting, (I wanted to fit another one in between now and hanging day- a week away. But I don't think time permits). Sent and handed out most of the invites. Going to hit the art schools today... but thats about it. I'll attach a small version of the invites for those of you who are overseas and can't come :( But know that you are very welcome to come, if you can fly over! :) All the paintings have hooks on them and now just trying to figure out what order Im going to put the paintings on the wall.


Apart from that I have been baking again, this time apple strudel muffins. They have a crumbly top of brown sugar and cinnamon.. YUM, Phil is devouring them quite quick.

Did I say in my last blog entry that I have been having allergies to things on my lips and finally after some skin tests, I found out I'm allergic to chicken? We tested in twice and the result was still the same. Can't believe it. Also Im a wee bit allergic to garlic and soy!!! Soy of all things. What am Im going to do being a Chinese and all? Apparently, Soy sauce, like red wine has a lot of histimine in it so its not uncommon for people to be allergic to it. Although the effect may be mild, so one wouldn't really notice it. Hope I grow out of this soon. I'm such a foodie! Sometimes I wish I never found out!

I found a great recipe for cupcakes on the net and decided I was going to make it. Bit of work for someone who has never made any cakes before. (Although I've made some other desserts and friands). I learnt not to substitute baking powder for the internet recipe for making your own baking powder (baking soda and cream of tartar), as it turned out a disaster. BUT, encouraged by Phil, and this time with his help, we made another batch.

The cupcakes I made was "Peruvian Caramel Filled Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream and Coconut". It is one sweet cupcake! If anyone ends up making this, I suggest you make mini ones, as the sweetness is "an assult on the tastebuds" (quoting phil). I also learnt by simmering a can of condensed milk for two hours, you end up with a very delicious caramel!

So here's a snap of my end product.. the raspberry buttercream on top is divine! I was eating it out of the bowl...

Okay, they look a bit home-made, but still very yummy. The cake was a bit dense, but you don't notice it after you add all the filling. So if you're interested, here's the recipe: http://cupcakeblog.com/index.php/category/themes/peruvian-inspired/

A visit from Phil's mum recently, meant a trip to the Barossa Valley on a cold and wet day. Still it was fun, although I didn't do any wine tasting, as I have an allergy (and not sure if it's to do with alcohol yet.) Went to the whispering wall, not a whole lot of whispering going on as it was raining so much, but still interesting. And of course, visits to a number of wineries! (hrmm I don't look impressed there, perhaps its because its the third freaking pic Phil was trying to take of me since I got out of the car when we arrived at Penfolds!)

Went to the wildlife park "Warrawong Sanctuary", there we patiently waited for ages to see a platypus, but it never surfaced! At least we got to see a koala climb the whole length of a tree and make some scary noises, and some lazy ass kangaroos :)

Am pretty nervous about the upcoming exhibition, only two a bit a weeks to go! Still painting and trying to get everything in order. Think I'm going to chicken out in speech (me + speech= speechless) and get the girl who's helping me organise it to do it for me!