Recently in Flowers Category

Sorry for the lack of posts... some of you may know that after returning from Hobart, I fell ill and have been in and out of the hospital...

I'm hopefully in my final week of recovery, so will start filling these pages up with Tasmanian eye candy soon!

Thanks to the Soapie team for these gorgeous flowers -

On Thursday, I turned 24. And while I thought I'd make it a quiet one this year, Zen managed to surprise me at work again with a delivery from Roses Only.

Here are a couple of photos, taken with my new speedlite (Canon Speedlite 580EX II):

This pic was taken at work (on my messy desk)... I was half-way eating a BLAT sandwich when the box arrived. In no time, the sandwich was back down on the plate as I whipped out the DSLR from my handbag...hehe... 12 long stem roses, Chandon Vintage, candle and chocs

Red roses peeping through the Roses Only box

Red roses...

Chandon Vintage, Lindt chocolates and a rose scented candle

Top view of 12 long stem red roses in vase

And more red roses...

Firstly, you'll have to excuse my watermark on the following photos. I'm experimenting with the watermark at the moment as I think this site is due for a design refresh... and looking at these photos just again now... they look ridiculously big! < rant > I wouldn't even need to use a watermark if people stopped linking to my images direct from the jenius.com.au domain. I don't enjoy paying for the hosting of my images on YOUR site!! < /rant >

It was only 2 weeks ago that we had attended Eugenia's Hens Night... and now she's married & off on the honeymoon! Saturday, 24th November was a day to remember...

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Tello!!! :-D

The food first; the reception was held at Liverpool Golf Club. We were spoilt with wall-sized window views of the golf course over sunset... and a delicious three course meal. There were starters for us to nibble on... calamari rings, samosa triangles and spring rolls, all goldenly fried.

Entree was a salad with cooked medium prawns, garnished with bits of dill. It was leafy and refreshing. There were alternate servings, so Zen had the second entree which was a tomato-based pasta dish.

entree of prawns and mesculan salad

alternate entree of penne pasta tossed in roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, spanish onion, kalamata olives with shaved parmesan

Then with the main course, some of us ate a tender pepper crusted sirloin fillet with crispy sweet potatoes and a side of herb and garlic potatoes and seasonal vegetables. I had the over-baked chicken breast with sage which was a little dry, although compensated with a creamy mustard sauce and the same hearty herb & garlic potatoes and vegies.

main course of pepper crusted sirloin fillet with herb and garlic potatoes and vegies

alternate main course of oven baked chicken breast with prosciutto and cream mustard sauce

Dessert at the Golf Club was underrated. I finished off the best pavlova I've ever had... craving for more. The meringue base was perfectly dressed with cream, fruit and a divine passionfruit sauce. I wonder if the same pavlova is served on a normal business day?

dessert of pavlova with fruit salad and passionfruit sauce

The alternate dessert were strawberries marinated in port wine and served with ice-cream. These were coincidentally similar to those at Machiavelli.

alternate dessert of strawberries with port wine and ice cream

Just look at this beautiful cake... I was a little too full to try any, but I'm sure it tasted as good as it looks!

And finally, working backwards... here are some pics from the ceremony and the early bits of the reception:

[L - R] Zen and I

[L - R] Richard, Zen, Brandon and Yaz

down aisle

back of bride & groom

bride at Camellia Gardens, Caringbah

[L - R] Rennae, Olivia, Sumali, me, Jenny, Jodie, Laurachel, Nora

the gorgeous bride & groom exchange rings

rose petals

the table

Zen's tag & glassware

group shot

spotlight on maiden of honour, best man and groom's sister

ribbon and chairs lined up

Zen & I with the bride & groom

newly weds cut the cake

first dance

descomp girls with the bride

full moon

See more wedding pics here.

On Saturday 17th November, Zen's sister, Lily got married to Simon. What turned out to be a warm sunny day, commenced at 8am with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony at both parents' residence... then we drove off to St Andrew's Anglican Church at Summer Hill where they were pronounced husband & wife. The big day ended at Maxims Reception at Bankstown... with live music and a delectable banquet... it was a gorgeous evening indeed.

Congratulations again, Simon & Lily.

suckling pig cold dish and fried mantao (buns)

deep fried crab claws

seafood stir-fry with snow peas

shark's fin crab meat soup

lobster braised ginger shallots

deep fried taro duck

deep fried taro duck with thick shitake mushroom and coriander sauce

steamed fish and soya sauce

deluxe fried rice

fried noodles

oranges and rockmelon

peanut cookies and coconut jelly

red bean soup

me!

roses

tea cups after morning tea ceremony

Zen's nephews, William and Jacky

stage inside the church

flower girl and boy

father walks bride down the aisle

bride and groom

family portrait

first dance

Zen's niece, Nina

Simon's sister and flower girl, Jacinta

The big cake!

Wanna see more photos? Click here.

So, still feeling the after-effects of my recent birthday, I thought I'd post up a few more pics:

Zen surprised me by sending this massive box to my workplace!

In the box were a big bunch of stargazer lillies, a rabbit, Lindt chocs, rose oil and pot pourri...

So, they started to bloom...

and here they are a few days later... sweet smelling & so gorgeous!

The day before, Sunny (sister's boy) bought me tixs to see Gwen Stefani! What an awesome present that was :-D

There would be more pics up... but I've decided to pause on posting personal photos. You know, with all the scams going on with Facebook and MySpace users...

You know you've grown older once you have attended the first wedding from your circle of friends...

Saturday afternoon was beautiful and crispy. The sky cleared up from Friday's rain and the sun was radiantly bathing us in warmth. We attended an awesome ceremony at the Baulkham Hills Hillsong Church... and later, hit the dance floor at Ambassador Lounge, Fairfield. Congratulations Sarah & David!

David waits at the alter

Bridesmaid

Walking down the aisle...

Hand in hand

Walking out as husband and wife!!!

Newly weds happily pose

Pretty flowers

The boys... Alan, Zen, Will Ly, Terence & Will Lieu

NJ & Alan

Maiden of honour & her man...

Me and Zen

Ooh... ahh... a Rolls Royce

With the bride and groom

Reception at Ambassador Lounge

Bride and groom cut the ribbon

Entree... chicken caesar salad

Starter - option one... Beef adana kebab with sweet chilli sauce, salad and rice

Starter - option two... crepe

Mains - option one... here fishy fishy fishy...

Mains - option two... chicken, prawns, potatoes with a cream sauce

Dessert! Apple and blackcurrent tart.

The cake

Group shot...

I can't believe the big day is over. Wonder who's turn it is to get hitched next?