Elaina is our newlywed member of the month for April.

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Firstly…briefly about you. Who are you, where are you from and what’cha do?
Well, my name’s Elaina. I grew up in Albany, Western Australia and am half Aussie, half Austrian. I’m volunteering a lot at the moment while I figure out what to do next. I volunteer for CCF, WI and I’m a Guide Leader – I love them all!

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What are your hobbies/what do you enjoy doing?
I absolutely love to cook! And eat, and grow food, and forage for food…etc. I’m also an avid bookworm (think Fantasy and historical romance novels), and I love crafting, hiking, and camping. My husband’s also getting me into frisbee – glow in the dark frisbees are especially fun

 

Isn't that dangerous?
Well, the frisbee lights up with LEDs, so you can see it. But yes, dodging quick is essential!
….ok I have to ask then. Have you boomeranged?
Yes, I have ‘boomeranged’! Not for ages, but when I was a kid my brother had one.
and do they come back?
Yes they do…as long as you don’t hit a tree!

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So, we had our bake off this month. What would your all time favourite cake recipe be…either for making or for eating?
An absolute favourite from childhood are ‘Chocolate coconut fudge bars’ from the Australian Women’s Weekly. They’re super indulgent and really easy to make…they’re very dangerous to have in the house!

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If youre into cooking-do you have a favourite celeb chef?
Oooh, that’s hard. I’m inspired by so many people! I’ve not eaten a huge amount of Middle Eastern food, but what I have had I absolutely love. So Ottolenghi, definitely. I also really like Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Nigel Slater. Not only do they cook delicious food, but they also promote local and seasonal eating – something that I’m passionate about.

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Finally, what got you into the Ladybirds?
Alana! I work with her at CCF and she told me she was going along to this new WI that was starting up. I really like the movie ‘Calendar Girls’, but didn’t know much more about the WI than that. I thought I’d go along and see what it was all about – and what a good decision that turned out to be!

 

Thanks Elaina!