Summer has ended and Winter is here but the Garden keeps giving.....

Well it certainly has been some time since my last post. I have been caught up with photo shoots and life with children. The very exciting 21st birthday of my twins which we hosted over 50 people at my house and catered for ( a post on this will come soon). One of the things we have really loved through summer and Autumn is working in out Potager (vege garden). My husband has done the most amazing work in our garden this year and we are so proud of our heirloom tomatoes which we are still harvesting- partly due I think to our unseasonally warm Autumn and to the amazing ability of my chief gardener (Shane my darling hubby).
I would like to wet your appetite with some shots of the tomatoes which I might add- yes the pics are not lying- two tomatoes weighed 1kg! You can also click here https://www.facebook.com/pages/Corrina-Tough-Photography/604832219534359

for some of my still life photo shots featuring our produce as well xx Corrina.

Great Give away from Rachel Khoo

If you seriously love cooking and the use of fresh produce, or a life of farming, Rachel Khoo is having a wonderful give away of a book that encompasses farming, with gorgeous illustrations and information on anything from growing to machinery click here http://www.rachelkhoo.com/on-my-bookshelf/on-my-bookshelf-farm-anatomy#comment-7819

Hope you all have a wonderful week full of inspiration and fun. I'll be back on the blog track soon- right now we're preparing for a double 21st (my twins) busy busy busy xx Corrina.

The Little Paris Kitchen

I am so excited about the new cooking show with a twist now airing in Australia on SBS on Thursday nights.
The wonderful Rachel Kwoo cooks up a storm in her minuscule kitchen in Paris (all authentic!). Due to lack of space and a desire to tweak ever so slightly the traditional French fare, she comes up with amazing dishes anyone can make at home- big or small kitchens alike.
Her eclectic sense of style and love for food and ingredients makes it a delight to watch- while  Paris turns on all its charms in the stunning imagery that can only evoke those moments that dreams are made of.
Celebrating her first anniversary since the publication of her book 'The Little Paris Kitchen" Rachel is holding a give away that I am only too happy to promote- go here http://www.rachelkhoo.com/news/the-little-paris-kitchen-book-anniversary#comment-7706

Hope you all enjoy a look over on her foodie blog xx Corrina.
 

Honouring our Anzacs and the story of the Wilson Brothers

Just for a little detour from my posts about Senlis in France, I would like to take a moment to honour our Anzacs past and present defense force for their sacrifice they have made and make for our country and for their families who release them to serve our country.

The Story of the Wilson Brothers (My husband Shane's great uncles)
George and Isabella Wilson moved to Australia from Ireland for a better life. They started in Braidwood in NSW but after having several children moved to Portmacquarie on the north coast of NSW to start a business in the timber industry.
Three of their sons, Eric-21, Samuel- 29, and Jim-17,  were inseparable and all enlisted together to fight in World War 1.
Three weeks after arriving at Fromelles France they joined the 53rd Battalion  and  the boys were part of one of the bloodiest battles in a 24hr period in Australian War history. Samuel and Eric were last seen charging together and were both killed on 19th July 1916. Jim was shot in the neck almost killing him and was found later in an English hospital.  Eric and Sam were buried by the Germans in a mass grave alongside hundreds of other soldiers, at Pheasants Wood Fromelles and with that began a 94 year mystery as all those soldiers remained under ground in what was an  unknown  location, therefore the families never had closure over the missing dead.
Fast forward to 2009 and the mass grave was discovered, relatives were asked by the Australian Defense for DNA and in 2010 Samuel and Eric Wilson were positively identified- they were buried together. Their mother died before Jim could return home- some say of a broken heart. Jim did return home and went on to live a full life. The soldiers were buried in a new cemetery purpose built at Pheasant Wood, right near the place they were found, and not far from where they lost their lives.

When we traveled France last year we were able to visit the cemetry and other memorial sites in Fromelles as well as visit the museum in the town Marie which had an incredible collection of war items and photos including a huge photo of the Wilson brothers (the largest one there) which was incredibly emotional. I felt immensely proud to be an Australian, it is clear the French have a huge love and respect for us because of the sacrifice our soldiers made. Here are some images to Honour the Wilson Brothers and the Battle at Fromelles France.

Senlis France Part 2

I was really smitten with Senlis. As I said in the last post the cathedral was a mini Notre Dame without all the tourists! The day we went to the cathedral there was a vintage car show on right out front which added to the feeling of being in a past time. After you visit the cathedral there are museums and beautiful tea salon in the town centre. Not to mention patisseries and boulangeries and other eateries. Here are some more shots I took while there.

All Images Copyright Corrina Tough Photography
2013

Senlis Cathedral France

Senlis is a beautiful village about 40mins from Paris. My only disappointment was we were only able to stay one night. We stayed in the ancient part of Senlis which is choc full of cobblestone streets, ancient buildings, beautiful cafes, patisseries and tea salons. One of the highlights is Senlis's version of Notre Dame Cathedral complete with gargoyles and amazing stainglass windows.
The town of Senlis is famous for an artist ' Seraphine' who unfortunately went into an asylum and died before she truly saw the fame of her art. Her art was inspired by the the windows in the cathedral and is truly amazing. The image below was taken inside the cathedral, here you sit on french rush seated chairs, surrounded by stunning stain glass windows and solid stone pillars, a place of peaceful repose and truly beautiful workmanship. Senlis is a real must if you are visiting France and are near or in Paris, A two day stay would be ideal

Image Copyright Corrina Tough Photography

Capturing life in Sydney

Carrying on from my last post here are some more shots from Sydney. Now I am the first to admit- (and I bet most photographers would) to being a bit of a voyeur. I just love watching and capturing people- people fascinate me. Really old, really young, ethnic, .... you get the picture. Anyhow, these shots show that even the  voyeur can be come the voyee ( is that a word?), here are some shots by me of a guy taking shots of people. Loved his hat and urban clothing and whopper lens! xx Corrina.

Something a little different

Hi all, I've been out and about doing lots of photography and I thought I would do a series with a difference-
I love the sculptural element of a city's architecture as well as its people and goings on. It really fascinates me, especially as I live in a rural/coastal part of Australia which has it's own beauty too. The city is a real contrast for me so over the next few weeks I'd like to share what my eyes and heart found, focused and captured.


               Industrial lights outside Entertainment Centre Sydney

                                                     
                                       Monorail Haymarket

                                Monorail Haymarket

Paris in style

Being in Paris is an unforgettable experience and getting around the stunning city of love can be done in so many ways... here is one super stylish way of getting around the narrow streets and finding a parking spot-even on the footpath if necessary !

Finally.... Time for Dinner

Now that everyone has a beautiful table to complete the atmosphere I love to have candles throughout the house and keep lighting to just lamps with the candles for a soft glow. My hubby and I love music and I think this is an important element of a dinner party. If it's too full on you can't talk and relax so I keep it low enough to talk but at a level that is audible. We have so many styles but for this evening we played the soundtrack to eat,pray, love while canapes were being devoured out on the deck and then when we came inside for the meal, jazz and Edith Piaff.

What are we eating you say? I have a couple of rules when I cook for dinner parties and I have learned the hard way

1. Never make something you haven't cooked before or are at least familiar with
2. Never make something extremely complex- it just adds stress
3. If you cook with seasonal ingredients they're always at their best
4. Try to have at least a few elements that can be done in advance so the day is not too stressful
5. I have a principle I have for the entirety of the menu- have at least one really stand out thing- so if you are going to do something complex I usually choose the desert for wow factor and because mostly it can be done say in the morning and out of the way. For entre or canapes I try to keep it simple but quality, and for the main have one element very simple and one very special (it may be a stand out ingredient like lobster!)
6. I try not to have every element needing to be cooked
7. Clean up as you go ! You'll appreciate this later.

With all this in mind the menu for this dinner party was as follows

 Canapes : Drinks- Gin and Tonics with fresh lemon and plenty of ice
                 Small bowls of olives, cashews
                 Parmesan biscuits with pesto ('What Katie Ate' page 116)
Main    Spit Roast Whole chicken ala naturale
            Marinated green bean salad
            My  roast pumpkin, pine nut, rocket, fetta and pomegranate salad
Desert   : French Chocolat Gateaux with preserved plums and cream
            :  Lemon Brulee Tart

We couldn't decide which desert so I just did both. Now I do have to apologise as because I was chef, host,  etc etc it was a little hard and not really appropriate to be snapping everything we ate as I served so I am lacking in pics fo rhis post. What you get is pics of my salad I made this recipe up a few weeks before and photographed it then.
All images copyright Corrina Tough Photography