And So I Don't Forget...

A Month of Me - Finally Day 28

I've been thinking all day what to do for my final photo. I was considering simply holding my camera up and grinning - nothing wrong with those quick and snapshots, I love them too! - but after my face photo yesterday I wanted to do something different. 

 
And then I thought of this.

Delanie, age 6 months, 1983 and age 28 years and 5 months, 2011. Then and now. Yesterday and today. What was and what is. It seemed a fitting end to the month.

So does champagne! We did it Rebecca - we made it to the end! 
Thank you so much Rebecca for joining me in this challenge/endeavour/exercise in vanity/crazy venture! I've loved looking at your photos, as I hope everyone reading has. I'm sure that I would have slackened off as the month drew to a close without being able to empathise over our shared challenges and difficulties and seeing your great photos that have both spurred my creativity and ego - I didn't want to be shown up! Thank you.

I am so pleased I have taken these 28 self-portraits. They're such a snapshot of me right now. Some very honest, some flatteringly cropped. Some were simply turning on the camera and snapping, some were planned and posed, trying angles and lighting. Some I like and some I absolutely adore. But there are all me. I am so glad that I did this.

And I'm so glad that I don't have to take a self-portrait tomorrow. I will soon, but not tomorrow. :)

A Month of Me - Day 27

 
I was planning for today's photo to be a silhouette but when I saw this one I couldn't pass up including my face. I wish I'd taken the photo before I was post-yoga ick but I still love the look on my face - so unintentional. I was meant to be looking straight ahead, not at the camera.

Rebecca has titled this (Sunday Afternoon) Daydreams of Summer.

 
I get the feeling she's a bit of a Nadal groupie! :)

I have one more self-portrait to take and post before I've finished my month-long challenge. I'd love to say I have some amazing idea planned but at this precise moment I'm coming up blank. We are all in for a surprise!

A Month of Me - Day 26

I'm jumping for joy - only 2 more days of self-portraits to go!

 
I think my skills at jumping photos could do with some improvement though!

Rebecca is head over heels that she has managed to take 9 days of self-portrait! 

 
Thanks for looking. :)

A Month of Me - Day 25

 
This evening I am relaxing on the couch in tracksuit pants, definitely not walking around in heels. Some of these self-portraits have been representative of what I've been up to - this ain't one of those! :)

My photo was definitely influenced by Rebecca's self-portrait for today.  

 This reminds me very much of a painting. I love the use of light and shadow that merely hints at an object. All that texture. Love it.

A Month of Me - Day 24

It's amazing the lengths that I will go to to bring you these self portraits!

Today this:

 
became this:

 
I forced myself eat that cupcake just for you. :)

I would like to point out, I don't normally get food on my nose when I eat. Promise. 

And Rebecca's self-portrait for today: 

 
After taking a few bath shots the other day I can confidently say that they are much harder than they look! Cupcakes and bubblebaths - I think we both had fun with this one. :)

Anyone else have a self-portrait they want to share?

A Month of Me - Day 23

Tonight Lucy, Paula and I headed to the Queen Victoria Night Market. I was dreaming of their cupcakes all day! Browsing the stalls, Paula noticed this badge.

 
It is a definition of the word authentic, my one little word this year. What a serendipitous find! :)

And I have another self-portrait from Rebecca to share. When she emailed the photo to me she wondered if I would like it.

Umm....hello!? It's a self-portrait of Rebecca by Rebecca that manages to be all about me. What isn't to love! :) Did you notice those thumbnail self-portraits in the background? Amazing attention to detail!  

Super Easy Chocolate Mousse

I had a few requests for the recipe for the chocolate mousse recipe that I made while camping so here it it.

 

 OLIVE OIL CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

200g dark chocolate

200 ml cream

1/2 cup olive oil

berries, to serve

 

1. Melt chocolate and allow to cool slightly.

2. Whip cream.

3. Combine chocolate and cream in a bowl. Slowly pour oil in, continuing to whisk until thick. I used electric beaters.

4. Spoon into serving glasses and refrigerate for 10 minutes or until ready to serve.

5. Serve topped with berries. 

 

It may sound unusual but it is a lovely and rich chocolate mousse. So rich you don't want big portions and this amount should serve 4 easily. It is best made shortly before serving as the olive oil taste intensifies as it is refrigerated.

Enjoy!

A Month of Me - Day 22

As I watched footage of yet another Christchurch earthquake this afternoon I wanted to stamp my foot about shout 'Enough!' Enough earthquakes and fires and floods and cyclones. Enough lives lost and lives shattered. It's just enough already.

My thoughts are with the people affected by this devastation and the other disasters that have already dropped from the headlines. I know they will be dealing with the consequences for months and years to come.

 
 

I also have another photo from Rebecca to share. My favourite element of this shot - you can see more of her hands in the reflection than straight on. That detail tickles my fancy. :)  

 

I hope you are enjoying these self-portraits and that we might have encouraged you to pick up your camera and turn it around.

A Month of Me - Day 21

With this photo posted I am three-quarters of the way through the month! As I went climbing after work and didn't get home until after 9pm, tonight I'm very glad there is only 7 days to go. :)

Are you going to join in for this lastweek? I'd love to see what you come up with.

My friend Rebecca has decided to play along and I was delighted to find these waiting in my inbox. Love them! They definitely made my morning.

 

 

Friday - Taken by tripod (really got to get me one of those!) through a chipboard barrier. Very inventive and arty!

 

Saturday - The subject of this photo is remarkedbly similar to mine. I saw these photos this morning but didn't take mine till this evening. Guess who gets the credit for the idea! Thanks Rebecca. :)

 

Sunday - Rebecca spent the day doing chores, prompting this shot. I love the reflection captured on something so unusual.  

 
Monday - This shot makes me want to hurry outside and take some macro shots of my plants. Mine don't look this healthy though.

Rebecca - I love them! Can't wait to see what you come up with for the rest of the week. Thanks for joining in.

A Month of Me - Camping Edition

I'm home safe and sound after two nights camping and although it's only 7pm, all I want to do is crawl into bed and sleep! But, as promised, I have some self-portraits for you.

Day 18

 
Can you see how dirty my feet are? Oih!

Day 19

 
Two for the price of one?

Day 20

 
I walked in the front door, dumped by bags in the hallway and headed straight into the bathroom. This was desperately needed! :)

I had a great weekend. I think getting away and doing something different was what I needed to recharge my batteries. 
 

We camped on the banks of the Major Mitchell River, near Mitchellstown. Or at least I think that's right. I got a lift there with Mike so luckily didn't have to find my own way. (Although as a trade off I did have to help load and unload the gear!) I took Friday off work and made it a long weekend. The weather was pretty great - it poured and poured with rain the first night with a stream of water running past our tents but it didn't start until dark and the rest of the time it was lovely and sunny.

Mike, our camping guru. He organised the date, place, menu, shopping, gear, everything really. Thanks, Mike - it is very much appreciated.

This is Keira who loves the water. We were also joined by Bella.

This is just a duck. :)

I was tempted into going swimming on the Friday but the mud that clung to my skin made that a one-time event. We played some Scrabble but discovered that it really isn't my game as I was thrashed.
 
Erica and Rungha. By the way, I love that I can link to her blog. She is my first, real-life friend who blogs like I do. It makes more ridiculously pleased. She also makes a great gin and tonic! :)

Our kitchen tent. We eat well on these trips. Chilli-beef burritos, steak and baked potatoes, pancakes, bacon and eggs. It's better than I eat at home!    

That's my tent on the left and in the background, our toilet block with drop toilet. That was BY FAR the worst part of the weekend. Yuck!
 
Ben, Mike, Chris and Tanya. There were a few attempts at fishing. 

Sitting around a fire, drinking mojitos, debating politics, religion and war, laughing, joking. There isn't many things that can top that. Add in some magnificent chocolate mousse made by me (my first time being responsible for camping food) and it's pretty unbeatable! :)

I nicked acquired these mousse photos from Erica. Hope she doesn't mind!

 
 
 
 

On the way home we heard a bit of a bang so while Mike was checking the load I took a few photos. 
 
 

This is definitely a favourite photo.

And this was the cause of the bang - two of the tie-down hooks broke. No harm done though. 
 
It was a great weekend. I never said it was a clean one.