Dreams Do Come True

I have been keeping it a secret...but can't help but externalise what has to be the best birthday present ever.  Gifted from a like-minded after-hours sifter ("to be worn only in the home" were the instructions), I was gifted a matching navy blue Juicy Couture tracksuit....complete with monogram, double hood, XL and only just fits (Hong Kong sizing).  It is like my very own soft toy suit - grips the physique - making me look very J-Lo or Madonna in the 90s.  I can't tell you how good couch times are with this new addition.

Summer (from the backyard)

Christmas Day Lunch

A fine day coupled with a beautiful feast for two...

Falling Waters to start - with Pacific Oysters...

 Salmon Capparccio with herbs and tomato,

 Some pea podding in preparation for the main course...

 And sauteed courgettes from our garden..

 to create a compliment a fresh, good square main meal for Christmas, all centered around a leg of lamb,  (with new potatoes and mint sauce of course).

Notre Chou-fleur

Meet Al's first home grown cabbage. What a tight wee number. Perfectly round, and really sweet.

We chopped her up into coleslaw with roast chicken and new potatoes.  Living is good...la la la la!

Watch Out Shirts....

Look what I got for my birthday. Its a Brabantia ironing board to assist in my ongoing obessession of ironing.  I no longer need to wrestle with a midget, wonky and wobbly board.  I now 'surf' over shirts, press corners like you wouldn't believe and generally feel like I am playing 'god' as I stand behind my new Dutch ironing deck!  Its even neutral in colour.  Thanks Al! xx

Sherbet and "beado"

Cycling home today (think, leafy ChCh streets, warm sunshine, and my mind relaxing on a Friday), I came across these 4 proud cuties flagging me down with their poster - fundraising for the Pike River victims' families.   For just $2 I am now home with home-made sherbet and a strange 'beado' bumble bee.  Beados are apparently a set of beads that interlock to make a pattern. Its a totally rad new concept for me.  The 'beado' bumblebee is too ugly to document. But the four below are not. They insisted on having their cat in the photo too. Got to love those smiles!

Hi Sydney, I think we can be friends...

Last weekend I made perhaps my 5th trip to Sydney.  I've never had the 'connection' with the city that many talk about. But this time - I started to get it.  The plants, soft pallete of colour and ease were some highlights...

 So was the lobster and crab angel hair pasta entree at Beppe - an old Italian restaurant (as in started in the 60s), and grandpa is still waiting the tables...

 We ferried to Balmain, my friend's ex neighbourhood, and it was nice to see how the central suburbs live..

 ..with an ever present queue for the cult bakery in every suburb. I love it how Australians are so into their food, that they will always queue - and there appears so little pretention. They just know its good!

 This pineapple, lime and mint freshly squeezed juice was an unbelieveable starter to a maroccan breakfast...

 Lamb mince tagine with poached eggs anyone? So good...

 We headed for Darlinghurst for some wine bar time in the lanes, and came across some good scenes...

 But it was the ever-present jackaranda in bright blue bloom that has really stayed with me...so spectacular just for November...and I was there!