and Open House Perth 2013

Open House Perth

Over the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of November, I joined thousands of other Perthites and visited some of Perth's most iconic buildings during Open House Perth. I was only free on the Sunday, so I looked on the website and made a small itinerary for myself. I decided on 3 places with time to visit any others that took my fancy on the way around.

My first stop at 10.30am was the Parliament House of Western Australia. Parliament House looms over the freeway and I always thought it looked like it was simply stuck on the side of a hill. From the city side, the building’s façade is from the 1960’s, showing modern lines with simple columns extending the three stores to the roof line. The façade facing Harvest Terrace is in its original form from 1904. The tour was run by one of the office workers and took us from the foyer, upwards to the second level and then around into the older part of the building. From here we walked on to the floor of the Legislative Assembly Chamber. The Perth chamber is the only blue chamber of its kind. Traditionally the colour should be green and the Legislative Council Chamber is red.

Ceiling in the Legislative Assembly Chamber.

After leaving the Legislative Assembly Chamber we walked through the members area and into the dining room and then back along the hall into the President of the Legislative Council's office.

The Presidents office.

That sketch is of the original façade concept.

We headed upstairs and into the viewing area of the Legislative Council chamber. Both chambers have beautiful original stained glass windows which used to open before the rooms where air-conditioned.

The next stop was the parliament library. I love the coffered ceilings and the pendant lights in this room. It felt very old English in this room, with a fire places at both ends and the dark timber throughout.

We then headed out the opposite end of the library, walking in a large loop towards the front of the building again, via the walkway around the courtyard. 

The back of the original building.

The last part of the tour was back in the new building and to the newly completed aboriginal meeting room. The glass above the wall was created by the women of the local aboriginal people, while the glass in the door was made by the men. It was a fantastic contrast to the original glass in the older section of the building.

After the tour finished, I completed a lap around the building to see the front and to also have a quick wander through the gardens.

Old façade.

New façade.

I walked back across the bridge over the freeway and around past Barrack's arch. The rest of the barrack was removed to create room for the new freeway.

From here I walked to Terrace Hotel for lunch, well in this case, all day breakfast. On Sundays only breakfast and a tapas menu are available as the Terrace Hotel also servers High Tea at the same time.

Tea for one.

Pancakes with honeycomb butter, strawberries and maple syrup.

Chandelier in one of the private dinning rooms.

Another private dining room with it's own wine cellar.

The third of the private dining rooms.

After lunch I walked to the Bishop's House, destination number 2, where I had a wander around the garden before heading for a walk towards the malls in the CBD until my next destination opened up.

On my way back up St Georges Terrance, I stopped in at Theobroma for some afternoon tea.

Cute little truffles and some macarons.

My next stop was the First Church of Christ Scientist, which is opposite the Barrack Arch. It is a cute Art Deco building which I have always been interested in, so I was so glad that it was open for the day.

Cute light in the entry hall.

We sat in the pews and listened to the organ player. My eyes kept wandering around the room looking at the features on the roof and on the walls. We were told by the tour guide, a life long member of the church, that one of the doors at the front of the church was actually false. They installed the false door to keep a symmetrical look.

We then headed out the front and learned about the construction of the building as well as a few facts about the garden that used to surround the front and how there is a road below the church.

From here I decided to add another stop into my trip around Perth. I headed over to the new development over the newly sunken train line between the city and Northbridge.

I had such a fun day walking around. By the end of it all I was pretty hot and tired. The last stop was definitely the killer. Standing out by the road and surrounded by all that concrete in the middle of the afternoon, I had defiantly had enough. I had also walked quite a long way, back and forth across the city. But, all in all, I had a fantastic time and ate so much great food!

Until next time.

Love, love Elle.

and Raw Vegan Chocolate Strawberry Silk Pie

Raw Vegan Chocolate Strawberry Silk Pie

After last years Raw Vegan Blueberry Cheesecake I made for my niece, Isabella's birthday, I had to find a just as impressive cake for her second birthday. I scrolled through the internet and found this one: Raw Vegan Chocolate Strawberry Silk Pie from Fragrant Vanilla Cake. So I got out my food processor and gave it a go, making a few tweaks and I also doubled the recipe. So here it is but unfortunately in all of my excitement I forgot to to take photo's of me making the crust.

Raw Vegan Chocolate Strawberry Silk Pie
Adapted from Fragrant Vanilla Cake
Preparation: Overnight plus 2 hours
Setting time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 3 1/2 cup finely shredded dried coconut
• 2 cup raw pecans
• 25 soft medjool dates, pitted
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup raw cacao powder

Chocolate mousse:

• 4 cups diced ripe avocados (about 6 medium)
• 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp raw coconut nectar
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract 
• 2/3 cup raw cacao powder
• 2/3 coconut butter, liquified

Strawberry Cream:

• 4 cup raw cashew pieces (preferably soaked overnight)
• 1/2 cup fresh coconut water
• 2/3 raw coconut nectar
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 Tbsp pure vanilla extract and seeds of 2 vanilla bean
• 3/4 cup raw coconut oil (warmed to liquid)
• 2 cup fresh strawberries

Decoration:

• Strawberries
• Raw chocolate

Method:

Crust:

1. Line a 22cm springform tin with baking paper.
2. Combine all of the ingredients in the food processor and process to a fine crumb. If the mixture doesn't hold together when squeezed between your fingers, add a few more dates and process until this is achieved.
3. Press the mixture into the bottom and part way up the sides. Use a glass tumbler to help stamp the mixture down and press it up the sides.
4. Place the tin in the fridge while you make the fillings.

Chocolate Mousse:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Pour onto the prepared crust. 
3. Slice a few berries and lay on top of the mousse.
4. Place the mixture back into the fridge while you make the cream.

All of the ingrediants.

Slice the avocados and add to the blender with the other ingredients.

Process!

Scoop on to the crust. (Note the sides to the crust.)

Smooth the mixture a little.

Arrange some sliced strawberries on top.

Strawberry Cream:

1. Add the cashews, coconut water, coconut nectar, sea salt and the vanillas into a food processor and process until smooth.
2. While the processor is running slowly pour the coconut oil into the processor.
3. Add the strawberries and process again until smooth.
4. Place the mixture into a bowl and into the freezer for around 45 minutes.
5. Spoon the strawberry cream onto the chocolate mousse.
6. Scatter some more sliced strawberries and the chopped raw chocolate on to the cake and place back into the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Add the cashews, coconut water and nectar into the food 

processor with the sea salt and vanillas.

Nothing beats freshly scrapped vanilla beans!

  

Slowly pour in the coconut oil and process until smooth.

Add in strawberries.

Process.

After setting in the freezer for 45 minutes spoon onto mousse.

Flatten top

Now chop up your raw chocolate and slice some more strawberries.

Decorate as desired.

Chill until your ready to serve!

This was my first attempt at vegan mousse and I have to say, I am defiantly a fan. Although I am not vegan, I love making different types of cakes for my loved ones. I also love challenging peoples perception of raw, vegan food. People are often afraid to try raw food thinking it's going to taste 'raw'. It does taste different, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Plus I know my sister is very grateful for all my efforts in accommodating others dietary requirements.

So if you haven't made anything raw before, give it a go. You never know, you may prefer it!

Until next time.
Love, love Elle.

and 294 is here to stay

Days 281-294

October is a very busy month for me. My mother, brother, a niece and a nephew all have their birthday in October. My plus ones father and his sister also have their birthday in this month as well. So a lot of celebrating has happen and is still to happen during the next few weeks. We then get a short lull in the celebrations and then it will all ramp up again for Christmas.

Day 281:

We have tried to grow tomatoes before but failed.

I found an all in one kit to try again.

Day 281:

I received my syllabus and I am happily preparing for my next grading. 

Day 281:

We had dinner at our favourite Japanese restaurant 

and my side plate was very cute.

Day 281:

Friday night was all about home made pizza and s'mores at our friends house.

Day 281:

My adorable nephew celebrated his 1st birthday 

with a small party in the park.

Day 281:

I had a quick little shopping trip buying a new work out top and a new purse.

Day 281:

Dallas waited very patiently for her dog chocolate and I waited 

just as patiently for my chocolate.

Day 281:

I decided to run through my French lesson before 

heading to bed so I wouldn't forget it.

Day 281:

We had a last minute, spur of the moment, rendezvous for

dinner across from my kickboxing gym.

Day 281:

I found these cute little pin-wheels at the shops. Perfect

 for our upcoming baking shoot.

Day 281:

I love my new apron. I brought it when I was on holiday in Queensland. 

Day 281:

My friend and I made this huge sprinkle cake. It is 5 layers 

of sponge with butterscotch buttercream icing.

Day 281:

One of my favourite things to do is to have a picnic. I love 

planning for them and eating them.

Day 281:

Monday night was all about relaxing with some leftovers 

and looking through my new book.

So that's it. That was my last fortnight. I am so happy with how the cake turned out. We were fairly nervous when we were moving it and rolling it around in the sprinkles. Here is a link to the cake instructions. Sprinkle Cake. We chose not to dye our cake but we made very colourful cupcakes to go with the 100's and 1000's.

Until next time.

Love, love Elle.