our new verandah

Well folks, here it is, our recently finished verandah. This was a February project that took a little longer than planned as we did not plan the hot water service to blow up, or leak profusely, nor did we plan the under bench oven blowing up (literally) either!!So, after a couple of extra thousand dollars spent elsewhere on appliances, may I present to you, our verandah:

Finished Verandah

Another view:

Finished Vernadah

Underneath the awning:

Under the new verandah

And lastly, from LA-Bamboo_Direct on eBay, our 'Lotus Rain Chains' in place of downpipes. His store is well worth a visit, as there is lots of good stuff there!

Verandah & Rain Chains

Sorry about the 'quality' of this last image, as we have had some rain and it is late this evening...

Ahh... the sweetest words (this time for me!!!)

This time it is for me...
Graduated with the award of Master of Agriculture (Turf Management)!
Alas, one Masters down and another to go... Best I get back to the study...
Except this time, there is no thanks from Jasmine, no no...
But this time, from Lady, whom I was told from a very reliable source, has been visiting the neighbours by going under the fence...
As if Cooper wasn't enough of a strain!!

pink sashiko

O wow! B is too clever, we have three columns and a new colour. It complements my Sashiko.

sashiko

I bought this Sashiko at a craft show last year and took it a couple of times, when I could remember, with me on work trips to Melbourne. Something like a fix for craft withdrawl. I only had a small section to go, and with a trip to Newcastle this week, that will include an overnight stay in a hotel, I thought it might be a good project to take with me and finish. That is, if I hadn't done a couple of stitches, and then a couple more stitches and finished it last night. Realistically I would probably have been too tired to do any stitching.

I really enjoyed doing this one, it was so easy to do, just follow the printed pattern. I am now itching to get another. I found this great site last night which should be able to help out here. The only thing is what to do with them when they are done. Any suggestions?

on the brink

of blogging oblivion. I am struggling to find the time, and energy to keep our blog going. I have a camera full of photos to share which I am commiting here to posting over the next week. Although with this next sentence I admit this is a shaky commitment as this week shall include more late nights for work in addition to a trip to newcastle which is going to be exhausting. Up and back in two days via Sydney airport*, to put in a full day of work reviewing/reworking a document that is one year stale. I had booked a day off this week but it is not to be.

So while time has been a challenge, the weather has not helped with the energy levels. It has been so hot, and HUMID. Yesterday, I put the last of the muraya's and clivia's in the verandah garden beds, and the wisteria's at either end. This ended with a 2 hour nap before racing to vote, followed by a trip to Borders. If we (B) can work out how to put in a third column, I plan to add in a what I am reading at the moment. I did get a copy of the Easter issue of Martha Stewart, sooo many good ideas. There was another magazine I would have liked, Real Simple but Yikes like Martha Stewart it had a price tag of $14.95, instead I had to be satisfied with a sneaky peak in store.

Martha Stewart Living Easter Edition

*My parents are flying to Melbourne for my brothers graduation, and I offered to take them to the airport. The drive from my place to theirs is about 45 minutes, their place to the airport about 30 minutes, from the airport to work about 1 hour 30 minutes, and from work to Newcastle 4 hours. I feel sick just thinking about it.

happy chinese new year

Happy Chinese New Year Dragon

I know this is a bit belated but I couldn't resist after taking this photo on a recent visit to Star City. Ya gotta luv a dragon, I certainly do especially having just finished reading Garden of the Purple Dragon, a charming little story for young people. The second in the series by Carole Wilkinson.

Chinese New Year Dragon

Meet the neighbours part IV, and the new deputy

Last night, all was going well with L making some homemade pasta, and I was at the lovely new oven preparing the sauce for the nights dinner. I went out to the vege garden to collect some fresh basil, when I heard some voices from the currently (newly sold) vacant house next door.

Over the last couple of weeks we have heard people next door, namely enjoying the pool, but as we knew who it was, thought not too much of it as at least they were not causing too much harm. However, the Street Sheriff (who shall be the subject of a future 'meet the neighbour' entry) had informed us recently that the vacant house had been broken into, and should we see anyone in the yard we should call the police. I should also mention that the Street Sheriff has had the opportunity to say a hello to the new owner when he called by last week, and that our new neighbour is Barry, amongst other details, but inadvertently he forgot to get a contact number for him.

So making pasta and pasta sauce, with voices heard whilst collecting basil, on the instructions of the Street Sheriff, call the police is what L did, at 6.54pm to be exact.

Well, after nearly 40 mins of L keeping watch through our kitchen window whilst putting fresh pasta through the little machine that rolls/cuts it, I was keeping watch out the front window to see if they were to leave and in which direction they were leaving (suspects looked like the same that were in there throwing rocks against garage wall and into the pool on Saturday) to the house across the street from us. L, who by this stage was becoming more and more aghast at the time police were taking in this matter called again. The officer who took the call (as did the first call 40 odd minutes earlier) mentioned to L that the sooner he got off the phone to her, the sooner he could escalate the call to officers out on the road.

About a further 15 mins went by, and by this stage lights were noticed on inside the house! Great, now they have broken in and the police have all but allowed this to happen!!! L, on a further call to the police told (ordered) them to get their act into gear and get here quick as they were inside... Police arrived some 5 mins later under lights and sirens and snuck around the side of the house (as viewed from my vantage point of the bay window at the front of the house). Some 10 mins later, both officers left without a person in cuffs, or anyone being escorted off the property to across the road for a discussion with the parents of across the road. Instead, under further surveillance by us, said accused were now out the front having a smoke and L was off to make a further complaint to the Police Assistance Line, not happy Jan... I got my car keys and went out to the car to go for a drive so as I could see who they actually were, and told L to call the 'Sheriff' to make sure he didn't have Barry's phone number.

I returned some 10 mins later to see the police car had returned, accused being questioned by police, and both L (the newly appointed deputy) and Pete (Sheriff) all out the front. L came, somewhat sheepishly, to me in the car and informed me that the accused was actually the new owner, and it might be a good idea for us to meet...

Welcome to the street Barry!

making hay

whilst the sun shines, well kinda. The verandah construction is continuing and we have worked madly in the spare time we have when not at work and it isn't raining. We have made significant progress thanks to family and friends; in particular dad and the favourite brother. We didn't get quite as much done as I had hoped this weekend, as I had to work yesterday and it rained heavily around 2pm today which put an end to today's efforts. Given we are in a drought I can't believe how much it has rained over the last few weeks, since we took the back guttering off.

Next weekend we should have the roof on. If I hadn't worked yesterday, we would have had the roof batons on for sure yesterday. Instead whilst it stormed last night, I was undercoating them in the garage and at 7am this morning back there giving them an enamel topcoat. This was not the smartest of moves, nor was giving the rafters a second topcoat, as neither dried all day, and created a sticky hazard for fixing the batons, and was a painful waxing technique for knees, trialled by the favourite brother who volunteered the job of fixing said batons to the rafters*.

We had aimed to have the verandah completed by the end of February, although the universe has clearly conspired otherwise. Apart from the rain, this month we also replaced the hotwater system, and will replace the oven. So in the sparetime we didn't have for constructing the verandah, we also did a fair bit of appliance shopping.

We won't know ourselves at the end of next week once the new oven gets installed (Friday), and the roof goes on. I might actually have time to do some craft, that is if I didn't have a work trip to Melbourne. So hey, you might not see us for another week!

*this task involved being up on the roof (ie the beam, rafters and batons), kneeling on the tacky paint, and hammering nails into the batons to fix them to the rafters. Hence waxed knees.

barnaby restaurant review

Why do you think I am writing a restaurant review? Especially, the 'highly awarded' Barnaby's Restaurant?
Well, you see, we have an Entertainment book, which offers all sorts of discounts from Mc Donald’s to attractions etc. We decided that, whilst we can't use the discount card on Valentines Day, we would hold off to the following weekend, to us, Saturday night.
After putting in a very solid day of work around the house, we were both tired, but still we scrubbed up and off we went on our Valentine date. We called ahead to book a table, and we were asked to sit in the bar as we were a little early, 10 mins to be exact. We had a drink and decided on what we wanted for dinner, Chicken and Vegetable spring roll, with soy and chilli dipping sauce for an entree, and the renowned seafood platter for a main. We were then escorted to the table where we were given menus and ordered straight away, time check, 8.20pm.
After about 45 mins, our entree arrived, and a couple sat down at an adjoining table about 5-10 mins later. It is needed to be said, that the entree was delicious, and gave a very real interpretation as to what the seafood platter will be, bring it on as we are HUNGERY!
Some 30 mins later, the above mentioned table who had not only ordered a seafood platter, but was having it served! Time check here, 9.40pm. I did ask a waiter nearby, about the delay (a recurring them on many tables around us) he went off, and came back a couple of minutes later and said it will be soon...
After a further 10 mins or so I had just about had enough by this stage, so I went up to the Maitre’d, to enquire as to the whereabouts of our meal. Another wait staff member standing nearby, to whom the question WAS NOT directed, came over to say that it will not be long now, and asked me to return to my table (I should have asked, ok smart ass, what am I having since you know where I am sitting???) but I was totally shocked that he simply butted in! I returned to our table and told L what had happened. Another of the 'Senior Wait Staff' came over to try and put us at ease, and offered us complimentary drinks, Great, Bourbon and Coke for me and a Lemon Lime and Bitters for L! It is at this point, I should point out, the table on the opposite side of us with two gentlemen on it had ordered coffees. Simple?? NO! They ended up waiting 40 mins for a bloody cup of coffee!!!!
Anyways, whilst we were being offered the comp drinks, the rude guy came to the table and told L that the chef had said it will be 10 mins more. Ok, we will wait...
And wait we did. 10 mins came and went, and at the 20 min mark I went off to the toilet and before I left, we came to the agreement that if it was not there by the time I returned, then enough is enough... it was not there, so we started to leave. The senior girl tried to stop us, saying that it will be there in 2 seconds, please stay... NUP, I was well and truly over it, it is now nearly 2 bloody hours!!! As we were walking up the door and register to pay for the entree, (do you think we should have had to pay for this???), a pair of waitresses were coming out of the kitchen with OUR dinner, but we were well and truly put off this meal for the delay we had to endure!
We paid our account and left! Never again Barnaby's, NEVER AGAIN!

Valet Uncle Joe

Last week, I received an email from my Aunty Pat in the UK, (Seaforth Liverpool to be exact!) with some very sad news. My uncle Joe, whom had been quite ill for some time, had past away.

I had only met Uncle Joe in 2005, but I had always heard about him over the years. On this occasion in July '05, Aunty Pat took me around to his place for an afternoon tea. I was amazed at his house, and whilst I observed oxygen lines all about the house, he was a very independent man indeed. He made the tea with a minimal of fuss, and insisted on it what’s more!
One of his many traits I remember was to go to the local pub for a beer. Even though he was ill, he made time to get down there and have a social moment, no doubt, with the boys.

Whilst it is 10.44pm Friday 16th February, I understand that it is 11.44am Friday 16th February, so the funeral would be happening soon.

For everyone over there in the UK, from everyone over in in Australia, our thoughts are with you all in your time of grief. We only wish that we could be over there for you all.

i heart chocolate

i heart chocolate

Happy Valentines Day to y'all.

I heart you too, B.

as forecast

the heavens opened.

syd radar 11022007

Having taken the guttering down from the rear of the house late Saturday in order to attach rafters to the eves of the house and stabilise our work, we woke Sunday to the sound of torrential rain. So much so that at 5.00am we were up scrambling for towels to slow the flow of water coming in under the french doors.

It continued to rain on and off through Sunday, although we didn't let that slow us down. With Mum and Dad's help and enough sunny periods throughout the day we trimmed the Bottlebrush, erected the remaining two timber posts, a beam and 2 rafters. It probably also helped that we didn't make one trip, let alone the five we did yesterday, to Bunnings.

It has rained solidly pretty much since we packed up last night. In fact it was a two bathsheet under the door night, and two beach towel under the door day.

verandah before and mid-construction

construction zone

the construction of the verandah is really happening this weekend, it is nearing the end of day one and the boys* are on their fifth trip to Bunnings. So far we have the two cast iron posts up and one of the cedar ones, with one of the beams temporarily bracing one cast iron post to a cedar post. I think I will share progress pictures when all posts, beams and rafters are in place. This means that there will be no pictures before the end of next weekend as we need to get more timber for the rafters, purchasing only enough to brace the posts and beams at this stage.

Next week we shall have to start sourcing someone to do the roofing and guttering. Tomorrow when we fix the rafters to brace the posts and beams we are going to have to remove the guttering from the rear of the house. I can guarrantee that the 'worst drought in 100 years' that we are experiencing will be broken, so I want to line the roofing and guttering guy up pretty soon.

Although we got off to a bit of a shaky start this morning with holes drilled in the concrete slab not lining up and the special dyna bolt thingys getting destroyed in the process (those little suckers are unforgiving, once they're in they're in and get wrecked when you have to force them out), it would seem like we are actually going to pull this verandah construction off.

Other items on the list for this house are:

• Convert laundry; completely gut, retile, waterproof, and rearrange layout to fit a toilet and shower.
• Fix plumbing in the bathroom; this is going to be a big plumbing job but will need to be done before the next task.
• Rejuvenate bathroom; if the budget is not completely shot by this stage, this will mean a new bathroom in keeping with the house (ie late federation-early californian bungalow), otherwise new vanity, mirror, showerscreen, and get someone in to reenamel the bath and repaint the tiles.
• Replace laundry and bathroom doors with the leadlight doors purchased at an auction last year. This will let more light into the hallway, with the added bonus of knowing if someone is already in the bathroom.
• New Kashmir White granite kitchen bench tops, new stove and rangehood, and retro SMEG fridge. All completely frivolous requirements at the moment as there is nothing wrong with the kitchen or the appliances at this stage, but I like to plan ahead.
• Rainwater Tanks; these are planned to be installed as soon as the laundry is converted.
• Repainting the outside woodwork, this is going to need to be done in the next five years, at which point we will hopefully have decided on a colour scheme other than the existing primrose and heritage green (boring).
• Install post for side gate.
• Fix cubby house, it is in dire need of help now, but, well as you can see there is so much to do already,

And, if this were a ten year plan, I would probably suggest that a new front fence might be in order, and somewhere in all this is a concrete slab for the spa which is becoming more of a necessity with each job.

*JF kindly offered his services, and we are very grateful. I am grateful it gave the opportunity to get out of the sun, heat and humidity occassionally.

don't call me auntie

some people (my family) can be so insensitive, and I can be self-centred....

My two sisters are having babies, due a fortnight apart, in August. I am really happy for them, really I am. I love babies.

B and I have been trying for a baby for a few years now, but I have a pituitary adenoma, and my hormones are stubborn. STUBBORN! And, I have recently been told by my specialist that I will have to start a routine of daily injections, if I am to have any success. SOOOOOOO..... can you blame me if I feel a little out of sorts by the following comments:-

Setting - my parents house this evening, for dad's birthday. Walking in from the backyard to the living room full of family (grandparents, mum, dad, auntie, brother, SIL, my two nephews, and my two sisters and their husbands. I am the childless /non-exectant one).

Grandmother (very loudly and over enthusiastically): HELLO AUNTIE.
Me (looking around, who is she yelling at, I mean talking to? me????): Hi Nan and Pa.
Grandmother (very loudly and over enthusiastically): HELLO AUNTIE, Aren't you going to have a busy year, this year? AUNTIE.
Me (feeling a bit confused, overwhelmed, and in my head saying to myself) STOP calling me that, and get me the hell out of here.

Retreating back outside to get some space, only to have ten minutes later, my grandmother join me and the conversation to go something like...

Grandmother: You're a bit quiet this evening, are you alright?
Me: Yes, thanks Nan, maybe a bit tired.
Grandmother: It is going to be a busy year. How many greatgrand children will I have this year? (not waiting for an answer)
Me: (please get my barren arse out of here whilst my grandmother painfully counts those greatgrandchildren up)
Grandmother: Ten, I will have ten greatgrandchildren, that's pretty good and something to look forward to, isn't it?
Me: Yes it is.

I don't mean to be self-centred, but, enough already. We were out of there as soon as the presents were open and the candles blown out on the cake.

aargh!

it is day two of no hot water at our place, and I am desperate for a shower. It is hot and muggy, and definately two showers* a day weather. I am lucky that I am able to work from home (I am on a morning tea break at the moment, ok), although it is probably luckier for my workmates that this is possible. I feel I stink!

The electrician and plumber are working away as I type. We are going from the rusty Rheem electric hot water storage to the Rinnai gas continous flow. I am quite excited as we shall be going from no environmental star rating to a 5.6 environmental star rating. We are environmentally minded, and had this on our list of things to replace in the future. However, with water gushing from our old unit discovered by B when it had got to the point of overflowing the overflow and via the garage was rushing down our driveway somewhat like Niagara Falls, the future became now.

Break due to power being turned off, and on....

1.31pm ~ I am showered, and it was good. But back to work, and strangely enough I feel far more productive!

*short ones, I know we are in the worst drought for 100 years.

January all but gone

January goings on

despite the photo mosaic (l just had to try this one out) not a great deal has been going on, well actually not a great deal of variety anyway. Except when it comes to food. We have been spoilt with Sri Lankan curries and rice thanks to our dear friend R. The photos show a seriously spicy beef curry (B's mouth was on fire, but I like it hot), potato curry, and the most delicious yellow rice I have ever had. Cooking classes have been requested because it was just too good.

We have gardened, stripping out the vegepatch and topping it up with cow manure which Macc has delighted rolling in, Harvested passionfruit daily, from which we have made icecream and more icecream. It is icecream weather here. Sanded and painted the wooden columns for the back verandah, Visited officeworks and discovered the eco bags with the cute designs, and the bag tag.

B and I have also had a few doctors appointments, in between which I did a bit of footpath loving, grazing and bruising my toes, ankle, knee, and elbow. But you would have already known about this, as the howling and sobbing was almost as spectacular as the fall itself.

We have also had quite a few trips to the hospital to visit a friend who could really do with our prayers, A (not of 'A and D' the one who just had a baby) but our other friend, has been paralysed down her right side (kinda like a stroke) for the last three weeks and has a six week rehabilitation program ahead of her. Unexplained and all very mysterious, and also kinda scary, that this sort of thing could be a pinched nerve one day and well paralysed the next. She needs our prayers.

And if you can spare a positive thought I have joined all the other fatty boombahs at Weight Watchers, cause we have big things planned for sure in 2007.

fabric express

fabric for 'Sophie's Quilt' from Patchwork on Central Park

thank goodness, this arrived in the post, if only to save me from having to see the chook (in the previous post) one minute longer. I was seriously on the verge of going vegetarian.

The fabric in the pile includes the front and binding, and the white dot on green that the pile is displayed on is the backing for Sophie's Quilt (see Jan 12 post). I can't wait to get started although I am trying to finish a x-stitch that has been a work in progress for too long now.

Not much crafting will get done at the moment either it is too hot, and is only to get hotter with temperatures of 38 degrees C on the weekend apparently.

The warm weather was much appreciated though on Monday night when B and I enjoyed The Queen at the Open Air Cinema at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney with the littlest sister and her friend from Broken Hill. The two times, in previous years, it has rained during the movies we have been at, so this was a pleasant suprise. It was also nice to share the experience with the littlest sister, who congratulations is 11 weeks pregnant. It was a little disconcerting though as she is terribly sick with it, and spent a good deal of the time with her face in a towel she carries with her to deal with the acid.

ethically eating

With words like ‘bum’ banned our newest culinary success is no longer being referred to as ‘chicken with beer up its bum’ but ‘drunken chicken’.

I like the new name it’s less confronting for the eater. After all we buy free range eggs round here, we care about the chickens.

Drunken Chicken was a great hit for dinner, when my parents, the favourite brother, SIL and kiddo’s visited on Sunday night.

Drunken Chicken
Put an opened can of beer up the cavity of a chicken and BBQ till cooked.

Drunken Chicken

We also tested our newest (sort of homemade) Banana and Passionfruit icecream on them. It too was a success. The Passionfruit Vine continues to drop more fruit than we can keep up with, so I guess more passionfruit icecream is on the way.

Proof Positive Dinner was goood!

It was a great evening, and isn’t that a happy face.

waterlily cups and saucers

And I had a happy face when mum gave me these waterlily cups & saucers from a Salvation Army Store. Too cute.

And just because I don't like the photo of the chicken on the beer can I end my post with a photo I do like.

"I'll remove those excessive neck hairs"

best wishes

just a really quick one (as I am at work) - best wishes to A and D who are about to be wheeled into theatres for the cesearean delivery of their first baby. Our thoughts are with you.

***Stoppress 1.34pm***

born 9.53am at 36 weeks, 50cm, 6.4 pounds or 2.8kg, a precious little boy Brody John, Mother and baby doing well.

Congratulations!

And carried away with the celebratory feelings I have ordered me 'Sophie's Quilt' from Patchwork on Central Park, as seen on the cover of the February BH&G. It has been eating away at me since our copy BH&G arrived in the mail earlier this week and as I was viewing this blog and her quilt when I got the news of A & D's arrival, I just couldn't help myself.

Sophie's Quilt

work (not) in progress

craft buddies

is this not a picture of tranquility? I managed to work on my L'ete cross-stitch most evenings last week however, this week is not off to a good start. My craft buddies have been present for most sessions. Today, however, we have a forced stop work as the site foreman was tired and felt it necessary to sleep where the principal worker was set up.

work in progress

my craft pursuits have taken a back seat to home improvement pursuits. For the last month a good part of my 'spare' daylight time has been spent stripping back a pair of cast iron columns that are intended for our back verandah. The columns are 100 years old or thereabouts and had countless layers of paint.

tin 1

Three tins of paint stripper, the first an environmentally friendly one (as far as paintstrippers go) although it killed the grass underneath, and two standard tins which did surprisingly little to the grass underneath and were as effective as the first tin in removing paint and half the price, metal brushes including an attachment for the drill (which I managed to burn out the motor this weekend, I guess 3 hours straight use will do that), and I think I am almost ready to paint them. There are still some stubborn bits which I have contemplated sourcing a blow torch, to burn that stubborn paint away. Although me and fire, are not always the best of companions, and I could end up causing not only myself some damage but my precious columns, so I can live with a few imperfections that I am sure will add to the character. Regardless, next weekend I shall paint. Due to the rain on Sunday, B took some time out from the thesis (which he submitted Sunday afternoon, Yay) and we made a trip to Bunnings and purchased the paint, and a cheap paint sprayer - for the fun of it, ahm that professional finish.

stripped

good read

The Master Pearler's Daughter

I have finished my first book for 2007. An enjoyable read, Rosemary Hemphill's memories of childhood, growing up in Broome with time also spent in England. Broome is one of those places I would love to holiday, and my fascination has been further fueled by 'The Master Pearler's Daughter', I also have a passion for pearls, and as the title reflects, this book explores , aspects of this industry. Recently B, gave me a set of south sea pearl earrings for finishing my MBA, he had bought them in 2006 as incentive for me to finish my last subject, and I was not able to have them until I had finished.

A friend from the past once referred to pearls as tears of the ocean, and this somehow seemed fitting as a graduation token, as many tears were shed over the last couple of years in obtaining this qualification. Rosemary, refers to her childhood in Broome as teaching her to be strong, independent and resourceful, I believe there may be some parallels to be made in doing my MBA. This was a lovely book to read, for me it celebrated the special and unique Australian environment, and that I have so much to be grateful for; family, self determination, and a garden.

meet the neighbours (part three)

meet the neighbour (part III)

(and farewell) our newest neighbour, Cooper. Visiting for 3 weeks, staying with the neighbours to the left, it has been somewhat eventful, with:

• lots of conversation* that investigated by Macc was quickly dismissed. An SMS or two from us, being neighbourly, asking if everything was OK with the little fella, and would the neighbours like us to check? Thinking the neighbours were out, but no they just needed some time to themselves, and Cooper whilst adorable is a little high maintenance in the attention department.
• a search party instigated when he had slipped his noose and gone walkabout. The one occasion we were pleased to hear his barking, as it meant we knew he was near, even if we couldn't find him, and he returned to homebase of his own doing, and
• a play day, in which he stopped with us for 1/2 a day and ran Macc ragged (Greyhounds are not known for their endurance).

till next time.

*translation - barking

sunbathing

sunbathing

I arrived home early this afternoon, B was busy working to a deadline to finish his thesis and Jas was stretched out soaking up the last of the days rays with sunscreen on her nose. I grabbed this photo whilst bringing her an iced drink.

edible garden

passionfruit harvest

behold our first ready to eat passionfruit. By todays standards we have a large yard, and have tried to make the most of it. When we first moved in we had a lemon tree (it fruits all year round), persimmon, locut, mulberry, and the biggest monsterio delicio I have ever seen, and that no one will ever see again, as it got removed with the privet. These fruit trees gave us the idea for an edible garden, we now have another mulberry (a weeping one), a mango tree, lychee tree, blood orange, kaffir lime, and bush tucker inspired lillypilly's, lemon myrtle, and finger lime. We also have as many varieties of scented geraniums as I could find including, lemon, ginger, tutti fruiti, nutmeg, rose, lime, and peppermint. Apparently, the geraniums can be used to infuse flavour into all sorts of dishes, and although I have not tried any yet, I have a few recipes to try out.

And herbs, thyme, rosemary, oregano, parsley, basil, chilli, chives, and coriander. A globe artichoke.

And newly planted strawberries.

Happy New Year

we welcomed in the new year with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, and Jude Law. With company like that we gave the fireworks a miss again this year. The venue of our New Year celebrations was the Macquarie MegaPlex Silverscreen Cinema, with our company starring in The Holiday, which was kind of apt given the movie finishes with New Year celebrations. So well planned, a nice little movie, and so us at the moment. What happened to the party spirit. We were home by 10pm and struggled to stay awake to watch the Harbour spectacular on TV.

My resolutions

Relax, don't stress

More craft, starting with (current for last 2 years) cross-stitch project

Join quilters class

Blog more regularly

Read more fiction

Go to the movies more often (this shouldn't be too hard)

Catch up with friends who have patiently waited for me to finish uni studies

Learn how to make scones

Make a baby god dammit

Change the world

Oh and to finish the year off in true burntofferings style - burnt lasagne, maybe I should add improve cooking skills to my resolutions.

new year burnt offering

welcome to the world

hope this post finds all of you having had a great Christmas.

We watched the Carols from Melbourne on Christmas Eve, midnight massed at our local church, celebrated with family (lunch at the next-sister-down's place), and especially welcomed Asye Brooke, born 21 Dec to our dear friends P & M, with two visits to the Mater in which P let me indulge in being a baby hog on both occassions.

another year, and other incidentals

The focus of the last few weeks has been Christmas. a Birthday and Wedding Anniversary.

We have a rule in our house, it is my rule that has been ‘taken on board’ by B, bless him. The rule is that no Christmas tree or decoration can go up before my birthday. This year however, I relaxed the rule, we have so much going on this month that the tree went up on the Saturday before and was actually decorated on Monday, my Birthday. I didn’t really care too much, we had a birthday dinner and opening of presents* at my parents on the Sunday, so I as pretty much over it by Monday. B was really late home from work so rather than cook my own birthday dinner, I opted for getting pizza, I actually felt like pizza, good pizza that is, but the good pizza place is closed on Monday’s and so it seems are the other independent pizza places in our area. So Dominoes it was. I don’t know how the chain pizza stores churn out a whole pizza for $6.50, it doesn’t seem right. Cheap ingredients is my guess. I am a pizza snob and proud of it. Disappointed that Al Pacino's is shut on Mondays and being another year older, decorating the tree was a nice diversion.

B was home really late Monday through Wednesday due to work, and although I was cursing him every minute for his absence, he more than made up with it with tickets to Priscilla on Thursday night. Priscilla was fabulous by ten. I want to go again, today, any day, it is just great.
Friday through Sunday, we managed to catch up with friends for lunch, meet A's whippet puppies, and the inescapable - do more christmas shopping.

And oh yeh! our wedding anniversary was Sunday. Happy Anniversary also to L and M with whom we share this day.

*I have a funny birthday story though, I know that one of my siblings will be getting cufflinks for their birthday or could it be Christmas, I am guessing the favourite brother will be the recipient of that one, and that another sibling will be getting a Halcyon Days trinket. I know this because I opened these two pressies which got quickly taken away and replaced with 'opps another wrong present' that is until I unwrapped a whitby jet brooch. Thanks Dad.

the sweetest words

"Graduated with the award of Master of Business Administration"

Thank you (not) Jasmine for the offering of a small bird ungratefully received upon our arrival home this evening.

gone to mush

at the moment I am reading the sweetest little story, which apparently is for Grade 5 - 9 readers. I was a little taken aback by this, obviously too many textbooks have turned my brain to mush. Anyway, B says there is nothing wrong with enjoying a young adult book, and I am really loving this beautiful and enchanting story so am sharing it with others as a good easy read.

Dragonkeeperhas won heaps of awards, it was the cover that caught my eye a few months back when we had our Chinese visitors with us, and the 2006 Books Alive Great Read Guide sticker. Not in the habit of reading for enjoyment I rely on these endorsements, and a third of the way through at this stage, I haven't been let down. If the rest of the story is as good as it is so far, I shall be reading the follow-on story and may even read the final in the planned trilogy.

The author also has a blog in which young readers are confirming their enjoyment. I don't think I will be leaving a comment unless I lie about my age. I could be nine, after all 3+6=....

Uni results are out tomorrow, fingers crossed.

still thirty-six

and still here. A quick update - the NZ commentary was ended due to some dodgy business with our internet connection. It was a problem at our end - an update or something meant we were unable to connect. We were also really absorbed with Rotorua to waste too much time with it. In the 24 hours there we managed the Polynesian Spa (SOOOO Fantastic, I dream about doing this again):

Polynesian Spa Rotorua

attending the Mitai Hangi, complete with dance performance, night time bushwalk and glow worm spotting:

Mitai Chief Rotorua

Hells Gate geothermal reserve:

Hells Gate Geothermal Reserve Rotorua

More of Hells Gate Geothermal Reserve Rotorua
This was just awesome, B and I also got to do a wee wood carving of our own:

Hells Gate Rotorua - woodcarving

This was a fun way to experience the Maori culture through craft, and to finish our stopover in Rotorua, a gondala ride:

Rotorua-from-Gondola

We then spent a night back in Auckland, well Parnell before returning home, and for me work the next day, and Kylie the day after.

Since then it has all been pretty much of a blur. Today however, was a chance to slow down and enjoy. Although I have eight more days of being thirty six, my grandparents took my Auntie and me, and the rest of the family out to lunch for the buffet at the Manly Pacific for our birthdays (9 & 11 Dec). This was really special because six months ago we were praying for my Nan's health and hoping she would hang in there for the next-sister-downs wedding. She has really improved and even managed to bake both my Auntie and me each a birthday cake. I am so lucky.

Catsablanca

Before we get kicked out of Esquires, we have been occupying the comfy lounges for a while now, I have to bring you a couple of photos from our afternoon rest stop before heading back to the hotel to push Zzz's.

We stopped in at Fred Ambler Lookout, Parnell, to take in the view and were pleasantly surprised by a colony of cats sunning themselves for the entertainment of tourists. We tried to count how many black ones, and tabby ones, and were amazed at how well they all got on. They didn't look feral, and we were amazed no one tried to take them home. I had picked a couple of favourites that if we lived here, would have happily taken home. It is one of the things we have noticed, New Zealander's seem to really love their animals, dogs in particular seem to be everywhere, in the gardens we have visited, just everywhere. I love it. It was nice to see the cats, they appeared well cared for, and we soon found out why. A lady came by to feed them with roast chooks. B couldn't help himself and went over to say hello, and was given a tour of the accomodation which apparently her dad had made. The set up was amazing, sort of tucked away, we wouldn't have known it was there had we not been shown.

Catsablanca

Catsablanca dining room


Anyway, what an amazing attraction, and good on the Parnell Cat Colony Feeders. Might I suggest a sign in this area to explain the good work of these volunteers.

Catsablanca accomodation

It is funny as a tourist, you miss your pets and being able to 'pat a pet' or at least appreciate one on your travels is somehow comforting.

Macc and Jas it is just 3 more sleeps till we are home.

Rainy day itinerary

this blog is made possible by Esquires Coffee House, Sky City Metro, Auckland. Gotta love these hotspots, and the food is pretty good. Tonight a chicken and peach croissant with brie and rocket, weird combination with the peach but great.

We are smashed, again so much packed into the day. We were up kinda early to get to Auckland's Biggest Garage Sale but got side tracked visiting Cornwall Park which was across the road from the Showgrounds. It was magnificent even though it bucketed down with rain shortly after arriving. We drove to the top of the park to take in the views but were unable to leave the car as it was too wet, and the rain made it virtually impossible to see much anyway. We had breakfast in the kiosk which was kinda upmarket, it was all crisp white tablecloths and french accented staff but I thought the prices were reasonable and the food fresh and delicious. We planned on going back for the high tea at 2pm but got, well.... sidetracked.

The Garage Sale was big, with lots of people most of the good stuff I guess had gone, it would have been good to have been to the preview the night before but we didn't know about it. There were a couple of items we would have liked but there would have been the problem of getting them home.

We hot footed it over to the Aotea Markets back near our hotel, hoping to dry off with the heater in the car, the rain had really set in, we were sodden from the walk to and from the car getting to the garage sale. We got even wetter as we spun around the markets, which were all but washed out really.

Having managed to complete two locations on the days itinerary we would not be put off by the rain, and instead of our planned visit to Ayerlies Garden we took in the Winterhouse in the Domain. This was perfection, especially the heated glasshouse, although we were wet to the bone getting back to the car.

Next, was a trip to Miriwai, the black sand beach. It was a straightforward trip from Auckland, even though we managed to get ourselves lost. And even though it was still raining (I don't think it stopped until we got back to the hotel this evening for a sleep), we were fascinated by the colour of the beach, it is amazing, and the waves were huge. We would have loved to have walked, and there was some that were, but the rain had won out. We headed back to Auckland via Devonport, the plan being to buy one of these by Maggie De Grauw, however, when we got to the gallery they had sold the one I had my heart set on from our visit on Thursday.

Tomorrow we check out of the hotel and travel to Rotarua.

photo album link

Back in the shoe box, oh sorry hotel room, here is a link to the photo album.
Enjoy!

thank god for starbucks

we have been able to escape the confines of our tiny (real real tiny, hot, non-airconditioned, fridgeless, bathless - although it does have a shower, and dated) room. Needless to say, we are checking out (early) Sunday morning. I do like to go off on a tangent, but thank god for Starbucks we can escape and through the marvels of wireless internet report whilst sipping frappuccinos, that we have had an absolutely brilliant day at the Ellerslie Flower Show.

After a rocky start, see previous post, we arrived at Auckland Botanic Gardens with an hour and a quarter to spare (someone didn't read the times). Anyway, we got a great parking spot, and they don't charge for parking, or seem to have toll roads, sorry off on that tangent again. The Botanic Gardens are awe inspiring, better than my memory of Kew, and they blew my mind at the time. Ellerslie Flower Show itself was better than I could have expected, it leaves Melbourne Flower Show for dead and I am sorry to say my favourite 'Show' the Royal Easter Show is shabby in comparison. I think one of the nice things about Ellerslie is that it is such a celebration of New Zealand. It is also really big, soooo many stalls, craft, art, food, more food (and lots of tasting), and of course garden displays. We have bought some seeds which we are hoping will pass quarantine, and some garden ornaments that (are heavy) were too cute to pass up. We were at the gardens till after 3pm, B's back and my foot were at their limit. We only got a cursery look at the Botanic Gardens so will probably try and get back there on Tuesday for brekky.

We had an early (5pm) dinner at the Seafood Catch at the Auckland Fish Market - fish and chips to die for. Feeling rested after our dinner we checked out the Victoria Park Market, we were there for less than half an hour, it was a real disappointment. Great building though so I guess not a complete waste of time, it also meant that we have more time for our planned market day, tomorrow, when we explore Aucklands Biggest Garage Sale, and the Aotea Markets a block or so from the hotel. And if we get through these without doing ourselves in, we have a garden to explore whose name escapes me.

Anyway, time to go, B promises photos in his post.

Oh and by the way, Sydney friends, it has been on average 24 degrees C, although yesterday we did have four seasons in the hour throughout the day.

New Zealand

After declaring myself a criminal with 12 months imprisonment, and B declaring he was importing prohibited goods (a wheat pack for his back) we were allowed access to New Zealand. No, polite Border Security Officer, I did not read the question properly. My excuse

• my sore foot, that I think may be broken after launching myself off a gutter on Saturday morning and has been strapped up until the morning of our flight across the pond,
• a scrambled brain from doing my last exam the day before,
• not sleeping well the night before my exam, and
• not sleeping well the night before the flight, for fear of sleeping in.

Making the most of our time here, we have hired a car, that way we can get from A to B more quickly and hopefully pack more in. So far we have managed to pack a lot in, although I can’t say that the car has enabled us to get from one destination to the next that quickly, we seem to get lost quite easily. Anyway today we have been to Parnell’s Rose Garden and Parnell Village

Parnell Rose Garden
Mt Eden Gardens,

Mt Eden Gardens
Devonport via the Ferry ,

Auckland from Devonport

Ellerslie to scope out where we needed to be tomorrow for the Ellerslie Flower Show, only to find out after driving around for over an hour or so, that the Ellerslie Flower Show is not actually in Ellerslie this year but at the Auckland Botanic Gardens about half an hour in the opposite direction, and of course we had to scope this out, adding an hour round trip to the end of the day. Needless to say we are having a great time discovering Auckland but are exhausted.

the long weekend

today I (hopefully) did the final exam for my MBA. I am a little unsure how well I will have done, not much study has been done in the last few weeks, and although I had a long weekend starting Friday last week and including Monday this week to study, not a great deal got done during this time either. The final bit of effort I had planned with a long weekend eluded me.

Douglas & Hope

A few dramas this weekend so a post I prepared earlier......

Douglas & Hope

Probably my most favourite shop in Melbourne, Douglas & Hope now apparently have three stores but still no website. I have only managed to visit the brunswick st store and this one in The Block Arcade in Melbourne CBD. This one is handy to the hotel I stay in, being less than 5 minutes by foot up the road. It is also open to 6pm which means I am generally able to drop in at some stage whilst attending my workshop. I made a couple of small purdhases, all Mozi designs. A teatowel, a card with a bird ornament, and a ham bag (I liked the design and with Christmas coming up, I thought B might find this useful). One day I will treat myself to one of D & H's cushions, if not one of their quilts. But for now I will have to satisfy myself with photos of their work.

Douglas & Hope window closeup

Douglas & Hope bags on display

Douglas & Hope Owl Accessory

Riverfest

Riverfest

Glowing Balls
this time last week we were at Riverfest, in Parramatta. It was not such a great day for this event, being wet and kind of cold. B and I had dinner at Wagamama's although if we had gone for a walk around the festival first we might have had dinner at the noodle market.

Riverfest noodle market

Looking towards Lennox Bridge

CH2

CH2

CH2 again
I am home today, studying for (hopefully) my last exam. I quite enjoy the view from my study desk looking out of the tiny window in our attic. I look down on the goings on in our street, admire our garden, and on a clear day like today, can see Centrepoint Tower. At work, my team moved office space. I have a bigger desk and can see outside, I can see trees and have an indication of the weather. I am hoping that I will feel less tired, as the lack of sunlight was becoming quite depressing.

Last week, I had the pleasure of experiencing the new office space of Melbourne City Council, CH2. It was a pretty funky looking building, nearly all glass with timber louvres that move to provide shading.

The offices are open plan with even Managers inhabiting a workstation.

office space
The building is green star rated to six stars, and I can attest that with a rotten cold that was getting worse in the airconditioning at the hotel was improved with the fresh air of this building. You could really feel the difference.

I was fortunate enough to get a tour of the building with the workshop I was participating in. There was so much information about the features of the building. How is this for a roof garden space in the CBD though?

roof garden

This is a model of the old/original council building. It is a really beautiful building and this model made of wire is great, it got me thinking whether I could make something like this of our house?

model of the original council building

Fifteen Melbourne

Fifteen Melbourne

I love tuning in on a Thursday for the latest developments at the Fifteen Melbourne restaurant. This is as close as I got to eating there. I planned to have dinner there on my first night but at $90 a head and bookings being taken for March 2007 at this time there was no chance.

Gotta go, with Jamie's Kitchen Australia about to start, I will make do with a virtual experience.