Back on the farm

Powerhouse

Years ago, when I was probably Jack's age, my Dad took Craig and I to the powerhouse museum. The only thing I remember is going to a talk entitled the 'plastic woman'. I had envisaged someone like elastagirl, a stretchy superhero and was disappointed when faced with a static plastic dummy, even though she was see through. That is until her boobs lit up. Craig and I fell about laughing but my father was not amused. Obviously things have changed since then and Jack really enjoyed the visit. Especially the anti gravity chamber in the space exhibit. He was also quite taken with the tinsel in the Collette Dinnigan display but we scuttled away after he got busted for hiding in it. How could you not? And I was reunited with an old friend. 

ding! 

Busy morning in Northbridge

Northbridge is one of our favourite places to visit. It's a little grungy but it has the best street art and the best yum cha. S and I have been working our way through all the yum cha restaurants to find the best one which has been quite frankly tough. 

Now Jack and I know Northbridge has great bakeries and barbers too. We had a very productive morning which was so satisfying. Yum cha twice in one week? Don't mind if I do.  

Jack getting the 'executive contour' treatment at Westons

Puffs and Tarts at Chu BAkery Northbridge

Dim Sum at New Moon

I think he likes his haircut (though he was more impressed with the pool table)

Street art

Hippocampus by Amok Island

One of the things that we noticed as soon as we arrived here was the incredible street art. Jack and I love finding new works and get sad if any get damaged, though remarkably most are left alone. I keep on hearing stories about Perth being dull, but seriously with stuff like this going on I find that hard to believe. I'm not sure who all the artists are but I'll try and add their details. These photos are mostly from Fremantle but also Northbridge but there are other areas with great murals too. We just haven't got there yet. FormWA, the people behind 100 Hampton Road are also behind these works and provide maps so you can do a walking tour and check them all out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kraken by phlegm (Jack's favourite)

Zebras by Anya Brock

Work in Progress by Amok Island

Cheeky Sam

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch at 100 Hampton Road

As a result of the cake stall we were really overwhelmed by people's support and gratitude. FormWA invited us to lunch at 100 Hampton Road (or the seahorse building as we like to call it). Unfortunately we weren't able to make last week's lunch but we could this week.
Jack and I arrived bearing what Sonya calls a friendship loaf and were soon put to work (once some helpful people showed us where to go). We were put on flatbread duty with John and could smell the most amazing smells (Goan chicken curry and dahl). Jack and I helped make the dough, shape the flatbreads and then cook them on the barbecue and then we all got to sit down together and eat.
Jessica, who is an ex-masterchef contestant was there too, not filming just chatting to the residents and cooking the curry. She was lovely.
Jack and I had a great time. The residents and staff were so friendly and welcoming and we got to see the new kitchen which is huge!
I will be popping back soon to give some starter and the recipe for my pumpkin bread to one of the guys.
We felt so honoured to be invited to share lunch and so pleased to hand over the money we raised from the cake stall.

Cake!

Near where I work there is usually one homeless man called Michael. Sometimes he has company. Lately it's been a guy called Wayne who has a great laugh. During winter we felt sorry for these guys and were providing them with the occasional hot meal. That was until our employers told us to stop as it would only encourage them to hang around (repeat after me they are people not seagulls). I was very sad about this, as was Jack as he had come with me to work during the holidays.
We came up with the idea of having a cake stall to raise money for the homeless. We talked it over and decided to go with two awesome charities, Shortbacks and Sidewalks who provide haircuts (and a whole lot more) for homeless people and formwa's fundraiser for 100 Hampton Road called Pitch in for a kitchen.
FormWA are such an amazing organisation, funding some of our favourite street art, but also doing wonderful things at 100 Hampton Road which is not far from us. The building is social housing but there is a shared kitchen with the plan for residents to come together to make chutneys and jams and bread that can be sold to the community.
So we worked out a day, did a letterbox drop and hoped for good weather.
I baked for days. The fridge was full of proving dough.
Jack made posters and put them up.
The day was beautiful and sunny and we had fantastic support from our neighbours and friends. We sold out of all the bread in the first half hour and made $400.