I’m back! I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. Personally by body is suffering a little bit from over-indulgence but I’ve had a fabulous time at the coast with my family and some friends and the weather, unlike years past, has been perfect. Ok well it was perfect until today. As I write this I can see another wall of rain heading in from the horizon.
My only complaint about the holidays is that the week has flown by. It seems that December 31st came about a lot faster in 2011 than other years. It could be because 2011 has been a rather exciting year and I hope it’s not because the older you get the faster the years go by, as my parents have been telling me.
2011 has definitely held some highlights so in the true spirit of New Year’s Eve, it’s time for a little reflection on the year that was.
January - The Queensland floods
2011 didn’t get off to a great start in my part of the world. The Queensland floods brought with them devastation and destruction. Thankfully I wasn’t directly affected but watched the awful events first hand.
January - Feeding the volunteers
Although the floods were heart-breaking to watch, the show of spirit was unbelievable. The photo above was taken at 6am on a Sunday morning. All of these people had given up their weekends to help with the clean up. I’m not very useful physically, so helped to feed the volunteers. That’s me in the middle standing behind the 4 wheel drive and my mum leaning into the car. The other lady standing next to me had gotten up at 4am and driven from the Gold Coast to feed the volunteers with baked goodies that she and her friend had spent the entire day before baking.
April - The Eagle Farm markets open
April was very exciting for me with the opening of the Eagle Farm Markets just up the road. Every Sunday I make the short walk with my grandma trolley in tow and stock up on fresh produce and a few little treats for the week.
Nigella fajitas
In 2010 I was given Nigella Kitchen for Christmas so 2011 featured a lot of her recipes. The fajitas were delicious but also high on the list were:
- Devil’s food cake
- Risotto bolognese (one of my favourites)
- Lemon polenta cake
July - A Fijian sunset
July marked a family trip to Fiji, an early celebration of Dad’s 60th Birthday. It was just me, mum, dad and my sister and Will was home alone for the week.
July -We're engaged!
It turned out leaving him alone was a great idea because the night I got back he proposed! This was definitely the highlight of 2011. No I’m not a little tipsy, I cried happy tears from the moment I knew what was happening. We have less than 4 months until the wedding!
Lots of bread making
I baked a lot of bread in 2011 and the best recipe goes to hot dog rolls. These rival any store-bought version. Other bread-making quests included:
September - an Asian adventure
In September, Will and I jetted over to Asia to visit his sister and her boyfriend in Shanghai then holidayed in Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Singapore and Ria Bintan.
Paella
One of my proudest creations of the year was my first ever paella. I hope I did my Spanish aunt and uncle proud!
October - The Queen
Only hoping to catch a glimpse of Her Majesty, I was thrilled to get so close to the Queen on her visit to Brisbane in October. She’s such a lovely looking lady.
October - Claire K Creations turns 1
Later that month it was Claire K Creations’ 1st Birthday. I couldn’t believe how fast a year went. I’ve loved every minute of it.
Cheese from scratch
I made a lot of dairy products from scratch in 2011 but it all started when I made my first yoghurt. Like lots of my creations, my first Greek Yoghurt was inspired by Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial and since then I’ve made labneh and ricotta from scratch too.
November - Meeting George and Gary
In November I headed off to the Good Food and Wine show and saw George and Gary on stage. The following night I was out to dinner and who should walk in but George and Gary. They were so lovely and George gave me a few tips on food blogging.
December - A Christmas challenge
My last achievement for the year was my very first gingerbread house. It was a bit of a nerve-wracking experience but well worth the effort.
Yes 2011 was quite a year! I can’t wait to start 2012 off with a bang and look forward to all that it brings. I’ll be dining out and welcoming the year of my wedding (as it will be known to me) with my fiance and then celebrating the first day of the year with our traditional lunch at Noosa with family and friends.
I wish you a wonderful New Year’s Eve and a healthy, happy and well-fed 2012!
I am Claire & I love food. Here you'll find my favourite recipes, tips, tricks, restaurants & plates full of frivolity with the odd crafty post. New inspiration posted daily.
What a year it has been Claire! Full of excitement and great food. here’s to a fantastic 2012!
To you too Lorraine!
What a great year you’ve had! I was only thinking this morning about how this time last year we awoke to the news of the floods, fingers crossed we sail into 2012 on a high. Loving all your recipes Claire, thanks so much for sharing and doing what you do and congrats on the engagement too! xx.Erin
I have a good feeling about 2012. Thank you for reading Erin!
Great wrap up Claire! Happy new year for 2012!
Thanks Lizzy. Happy New Year to you too!
I’m super-excited for us both, I can’t wait for our wedding day!
Congrats on an amazing year of blogging, I’ve loved getting to know you through your food and recipes.
Wishing both you and Will a happy New Year! xox
We’re getting married this year Katy! How exciting. I’ve loved ‘meeting’ you this year and look forward to 2012. x
Wow! I’m impressed. What a great year you’ve had Claire. I love the photo of the sunset in Fiji. And how exciting to arrive home to a proposal! And you met George and Gary! And got really close to the Queen! So many highlights. I hope 2012 is just as exciting.
We did have a wonderful year. I hope 2012 is a fantastic year for all of us.
I’m so glad we’ve gotten to know each other this yea,r sweet Claire! You’ve had quite a year – so many great accomplishments and things to celebrate and along with learning great culinary skills! I love the way you’re such an adventuresome little chef – not afraid to try anything!
It looks like 2012 will be exciting for you in many new and wonderful ways – praying for God’s richest blessings on you!
Thank you lovely Chris. I’m so glad to have ‘met’ you last year. I’m looking forward to another year!
It’s been great spending the year with you, Claire! All the best for a truly amazing 2012! And since there’s a wedding on the cards, I’m sure it will be!
xxx
It will be indeed Celia. I can’t wait to read about more of your inspirational adventures in 2012.
What a fantastic year Claire!!! Congratulations again on your engagement (it must have been the year for it). I’ve loved getting to know you through your blog. Best wishes for 2012.
It did seem to be a popular year for engagements! You too Jen I’m looking forward to another year! Happy New Year
A great picture of the Queen and I’m so jealous you met George and Gary. What a fantastic year. GG
It was a rather special year when I looked back at it.
Wonderful round up! Look forward to seeing more of your creations this year!
Thanks Michelle. I look forward to sharing them!