tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33653131984921871552024-02-21T15:05:51.063+11:00Running ThreadRunning Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-16254378563348189932011-01-26T20:14:00.002+11:002011-01-26T20:34:46.027+11:00Aussie, Aussie, Aussie ...<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">My Australia Day began luxuriously ... with a sleep in.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">What a glorious start to the day.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUN1keaT69mJ7NvzIdnu01ZRfRABUocu6w6nT0qGsQzmex04OMfvQe4QQpfsGxLYq9RLcAfOFIgjjU2ikwiTAA4pE6UjNl7LHhiD0NhVMnYYe_VaKwONVAdUArf-RTtDcXEISeZjIw-jN1/s1600/IMG_3476.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUN1keaT69mJ7NvzIdnu01ZRfRABUocu6w6nT0qGsQzmex04OMfvQe4QQpfsGxLYq9RLcAfOFIgjjU2ikwiTAA4pE6UjNl7LHhiD0NhVMnYYe_VaKwONVAdUArf-RTtDcXEISeZjIw-jN1/s400/IMG_3476.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Then it was into the kitchen.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Eliza's new year resolution is to make every recipe in the Junior <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Masterchef</span> cookbook - a promise she is taking very <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">seriously</span>.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Today she tackled an Aussie classic - bacon and egg pie.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp22Ur-imrEFl8MJhAy8rtQDkSMlsmNOJn06AZbvGOfHAlrnEuv7AbpaxsVARWO9fzUJKCSlTbP4vXA56XW1iFmfDPjadDK_CB1ANpn8Smnp4fbWhMMgbYOmk0nO5o6lepgmRYw32-h0B/s1600/IMG_3454.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp22Ur-imrEFl8MJhAy8rtQDkSMlsmNOJn06AZbvGOfHAlrnEuv7AbpaxsVARWO9fzUJKCSlTbP4vXA56XW1iFmfDPjadDK_CB1ANpn8Smnp4fbWhMMgbYOmk0nO5o6lepgmRYw32-h0B/s400/IMG_3454.JPG" /></a> </div><p>She made the pastry from scratch and carefully cracked the eggs so the yolks didn't break. The recipe is one from Stephanie Alexander, so she's learning from the best.<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvP9FRhyFyE6ZjsdExgA_ZwTIpCQ_BctyEk9U8vZqMtfvRptQ13kCwjacHdzGIZd86c24r39tEVdWOrgvVXwOT9JSaSdmc74BEyNhnEdCVK6-fboOBbnwgXuUC3uZ6iMKwxzwSqSiQPac8/s1600/IMG_3462.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvP9FRhyFyE6ZjsdExgA_ZwTIpCQ_BctyEk9U8vZqMtfvRptQ13kCwjacHdzGIZd86c24r39tEVdWOrgvVXwOT9JSaSdmc74BEyNhnEdCVK6-fboOBbnwgXuUC3uZ6iMKwxzwSqSiQPac8/s400/IMG_3462.JPG" /></a></p><p></p><p align="center">And the result was scrumptious. </p><p align="center">Lunch was quickly followed by afternoon tea.</p><p align="center">Eliza was at it again. Fancy some chocolate fudge cake with chocolate icing and hundreds and thousands?</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8IqR1EQCjiHalOtshuY-sske3if464aJ5pIMY1qX2MtKkkK5uUSxbtZttfzBwjYSi3t_NQ1lyA7fc8IG0ECWnC1Vdm0SGqHCUiYR3E7UPhQSkXp4SoPEq6UqiNDR-gIdegxrK5V6WAGm/s1600/IMG_3474.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8IqR1EQCjiHalOtshuY-sske3if464aJ5pIMY1qX2MtKkkK5uUSxbtZttfzBwjYSi3t_NQ1lyA7fc8IG0ECWnC1Vdm0SGqHCUiYR3E7UPhQSkXp4SoPEq6UqiNDR-gIdegxrK5V6WAGm/s400/IMG_3474.JPG" /></a></p><p></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">What can I say ... It's fabulous having a 10 year old who loves to cook.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">In the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">afternoon</span> I finally put my Christmas decorations away, had a snooze and fixed some leftovers for dinner.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">Happy Australia Day.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-33685925226565755662011-01-24T22:14:00.003+11:002011-01-24T22:18:15.323+11:00Sew simple<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I love the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">simplicity</span> of cross stitch.<br />And I thought I'd try something new with a small, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">manageable</span> project.<br /><br />I took a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tea towel</span> and using some canvas webbing (there's probably a proper name for this material, but I can't remember what the lady in the embroidery shop called it ... but it means you can cross stitch on just about any fabric).<br />Anyway, I digress.<br />I followed an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">easy pattern</span> and cross stitched some red cherries.<br /><br />They look rather festive don't you think? </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBAMMppHDJF2PNv2RDIHML1GdbySfYQZSYh3bd5BaKS5T1LpL2i3kDSDpWHAfeewckkbtCCyWE_0F7Fg6zAow-QdKC9aaWRxeIvYjtxmtUsC8Faeuc1qd1CLRvs6QpmrbauZTFzEWBZv7/s1600/IMG_3437.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBAMMppHDJF2PNv2RDIHML1GdbySfYQZSYh3bd5BaKS5T1LpL2i3kDSDpWHAfeewckkbtCCyWE_0F7Fg6zAow-QdKC9aaWRxeIvYjtxmtUsC8Faeuc1qd1CLRvs6QpmrbauZTFzEWBZv7/s400/IMG_3437.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I've placed the cherries randomly on the tea towel, varying the pattern each time.<br />And I couldn't resist this ant ...<br />Maybe I'll cross stitch a slice of cherry pie nearby.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxGREy4h8SPaYTzwI1Ww3n2JXscrtZm3yRms2YDScQF0CgDoKQu_N51KrzEBpn1QUOcSyu796v2dL4_UcGccTwuuIkT9iEwOPCC3F0zHQj5bAcgAvbd4p2cs-LWR046ndtD07OIs4vuka/s1600/IMG_3436.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxGREy4h8SPaYTzwI1Ww3n2JXscrtZm3yRms2YDScQF0CgDoKQu_N51KrzEBpn1QUOcSyu796v2dL4_UcGccTwuuIkT9iEwOPCC3F0zHQj5bAcgAvbd4p2cs-LWR046ndtD07OIs4vuka/s400/IMG_3436.JPG" /></a> </div><br />The idea is when you've finished the cross stitch, wet the webbing to soften it and then pull out the canvas threads - leaving the tea towel with the cherries and the ant in tact.<br />Well , that's the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">theory</span>.<br />I'll let you know how I go. <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-23491369486101759582011-01-15T12:23:00.002+11:002011-01-15T12:47:38.658+11:00Home Grown<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Our little garden in the inner city is working overtime this summer. We've just picked a basket of white nectarines off our tree which produced exactly zero last year. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m6rKlyFhePYG_uUxm8D7j2jUQy2glJfEH7qFK4cqU8XlrlM3zvHAmbVSuOUnSem4n4-DQbkM2U25Er3FQYSFufaIZQNmKcY93MR9XCxf0QRTiL2k5lgplLS66_d-QL0_obYx2Wc9PxT4/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m6rKlyFhePYG_uUxm8D7j2jUQy2glJfEH7qFK4cqU8XlrlM3zvHAmbVSuOUnSem4n4-DQbkM2U25Er3FQYSFufaIZQNmKcY93MR9XCxf0QRTiL2k5lgplLS66_d-QL0_obYx2Wc9PxT4/s400/IMG_3439.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I love white nectarines .... and these are a juicy and sweet and fleshy and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">luscious</span>.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I love the way the juice runs down your arm and drips off your elbow. I've <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">learnt</span> from experience to eat them straight from the tree in the garden, or over the sink.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Last year summer was blisteringly hot and dry. So far, we've had a cool summer and lots of rain so the fruit is about a 4-6 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">weeks behind</span>. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">And there's lots more to come.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAZtY8caKdTQZir3HmyfWksgrn6NvyFy766Ddn0-5VMvdre0tI2gQT-Vyg0_UEPqqu3dIeQMXW-vDTLu52-2l2XOY7HaiNgW8UQPHCUeh6EGc4-eNOGaXBgG5V1YEgqzQZyAKBkMIxHmw/s1600/2011-01-091.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAZtY8caKdTQZir3HmyfWksgrn6NvyFy766Ddn0-5VMvdre0tI2gQT-Vyg0_UEPqqu3dIeQMXW-vDTLu52-2l2XOY7HaiNgW8UQPHCUeh6EGc4-eNOGaXBgG5V1YEgqzQZyAKBkMIxHmw/s400/2011-01-091.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">We've got a tree full of apricots not yet ripe, the olive trees are laden, our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tomatoes</span> are green but looking good, the lime and orange trees have set their fruit and we've got an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">abundance</span> of apples and crab apples.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I need to check out what to so with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">crab apples</span> (and what they actually taste like).</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">We planted the tree a couple of years ago - mostly for the spring blossom, but this year the tree is heavy with fruit so I need to think about what to do with it. I've heard of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">crab apple</span> jelly ... so I'll see what recipes I can find in my collection or on good old google. What do you serve <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">crab apple</span> jelly with?</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">So as summer <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">stretches</span> before us, we're looking forward eating our fruit ... and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">preserving</span> and bottling and making jellies and jams and curds. <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-76062403206235236852011-01-09T19:42:00.008+11:002011-01-10T20:23:04.504+11:00I love a listI love a list.<br />I've got them everywhere.<br />I make lists every day.<br />I make them about everything.<br />Work lists, job lists for home, shopping lists, gift lists ...<br />It helps me feel organised in my busy, busy day.<br />Sometimes I even get things done on my list.<br />What that happens, it's a happy day indeed.<br />I love ticking things off my list.<br />It makes me feel better if I tick things off AND cross things out on my list.<br /><br />When we were on the houseboat and James and I had the time and energy to have a conversation, we started making lists - people we want to catch up with, things to do on the house, family plans ....<br />It was nice to have the time to look ahead.<br />It was lovely to have time to talk.<br /><br /><br />Then I read that <a href="http://tinniegirl.blogspot.com/">Tinnie Girl </a>had put her own list together and it got me thinking about a list of things for me ... just for me ...<br />So I dived right in and created a list for me.<br /><br />In no particular order:<br /><br /><ul><li>I want to do more baking and bottling</li><li>Reconnect with my friends</li><li>Organise a weekend away</li><li>Worry less</li><li>Get back into walking </li><li>Lose those pesky kilos I put on last year</li><li>Feel less rushed</li><li>Plan a holiday </li><li>Buy a better camera</li><li>Take some sewing classes</li><li>Make stuff</li><li>Finish my awesome granny stripe rug</li><li>Get my back, neck and shoulder attended to</li><li>Feel less rushed</li><li>Leave the office at a reasonable hour</li><li>Do my tax</li><li>Be a good mother </li><li>Be a good wife</li><li>Be a good sister</li><li>Be a good daughter</li><li>Be a good daughter in law</li><li>Be a good sister in law</li><li>Have fun</li><li>Feel grateful about life</li><li>Plan a dinnerparty with friends</li><li>Find a cleaner</li><li>Breathe</li><li>See more of our neighbours Pina and Alfredo</li><li>Cook that saddle of venison in the freezer</li><li>Listen more</li><li>Judge less</li><li>Do some guerilla knitting and install it in my local park</li><li>Create my own calendar for 2012</li><li>Book a massage, book several</li><li>Take a chance</li><li>Organise the studio</li><li>Do more sewing</li><li>Finish projects</li><li>Start new ones</li><li>Take a moment</li><li>Feel less rushed</li></ul>How's that for starters ...?<br /><br />P.S. I should probably drink more water too : )Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-3897100334441858752011-01-07T16:31:00.006+11:002011-01-09T14:08:17.044+11:00River Rats<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">We're just back from a wonderful holiday in a houseboat on the mighty Murray River.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I'm not really a boat person, but the thought of an enforced rest, on the water, in a well equipped houseboat was too good to resist.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">And it was all that we imagined.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yN1t4LlTE0BjYhu-NEnfuRdzdaGqpBaWUaApvvQP1DS6n5pD78jocexG-8JUP9qnFKoKi3GSv8Pm7dbRR9_vk0HLI-VHvNT0x7f87nnEmC3ZSoomrjW2sf7aDLRxupO0R4nEzj9bco_4/s1600/IMG_3369.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yN1t4LlTE0BjYhu-NEnfuRdzdaGqpBaWUaApvvQP1DS6n5pD78jocexG-8JUP9qnFKoKi3GSv8Pm7dbRR9_vk0HLI-VHvNT0x7f87nnEmC3ZSoomrjW2sf7aDLRxupO0R4nEzj9bco_4/s400/IMG_3369.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">The house boat had every mod con ... including a spa on the top deck.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">We moored in a picturesque spot and easily slipped into the gentle pace of life on the river.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Cooking, reading, chatting, swimming ... with an afternoon snooze most days.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I even had time for some embroidery. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">And the weather was amazing ... while elsewhere in Australia was suffering with floods and torrential rain, we were blessed with blue skies and hot sunny days. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE1Nj1f5Ljhn7bT3YYb-wZMUfbmf6yYtbvuhjB96pWy4-wiuZKxbiQSYXVWNQShKHoxOUIe37TdEHnAcRIyGNHAVVowi9N4JIJTKecyQckoBhig1CX6xXW74McDmjt9mW_7ludDfGKXTb/s1600/IMG_3370.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE1Nj1f5Ljhn7bT3YYb-wZMUfbmf6yYtbvuhjB96pWy4-wiuZKxbiQSYXVWNQShKHoxOUIe37TdEHnAcRIyGNHAVVowi9N4JIJTKecyQckoBhig1CX6xXW74McDmjt9mW_7ludDfGKXTb/s400/IMG_3370.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"> We holidayed with James' brother, his wife and their two boys - who are very much into boats.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">They waterskiied every day and Eliza got into the swing of things very quickly. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKy5SCV6kVBasgwPSTFHto5s8Xc4QQWdLCfcDz57Fhs9kpHPvvPptBrRHGImTIzzULMW_Z9onmApekihZgcTzO55eYuQ-8HOERlPScGAiXV0LfHN1a_pqxS_X_1TE08XaFRNEGs_deE_9N/s1600/2011-01-071.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKy5SCV6kVBasgwPSTFHto5s8Xc4QQWdLCfcDz57Fhs9kpHPvvPptBrRHGImTIzzULMW_Z9onmApekihZgcTzO55eYuQ-8HOERlPScGAiXV0LfHN1a_pqxS_X_1TE08XaFRNEGs_deE_9N/s400/2011-01-071.jpg" /></a> </div><p align="center">And the Murray itself was beautiful. </p><p align="center">I never tired of looking at the view and the changing moods of the river.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5cLIYhsleAotRsVzjP9LsTCQRShYUQBTSzETqYjaXdBeqhnyGOO5YCkdTTwFHFESkwA5wPZSBufFwlX-Y63J9y_lfkXSPgItoht8MdRhkECysyBMRTsbtisG5QhMBo2CisvRHnTAjtNG/s1600/IMG_3385.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5cLIYhsleAotRsVzjP9LsTCQRShYUQBTSzETqYjaXdBeqhnyGOO5YCkdTTwFHFESkwA5wPZSBufFwlX-Y63J9y_lfkXSPgItoht8MdRhkECysyBMRTsbtisG5QhMBo2CisvRHnTAjtNG/s400/IMG_3385.JPG" /></a></p><p></p><p align="center">A relaxing and memorable holiday. We loved it.</p><p align="center">But .... it's back to reality now with work tomorrow and the piles of holiday washing! </p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-23888843479622258752011-01-07T16:16:00.001+11:002011-01-08T16:46:18.821+11:00Christmas - PHEW!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAzgQpcpuMUzMOtlHiSSdMBDLy_MFwODfTyFF6PfW8JAqDShIyTHDBMUtJ87ncNYxGyLdQx3ORNoivmoeGnit-LMHcN3QVsMgHUhqEibmWRrwhAUd1pmIgnwYJy8Kvp5gdYCVf6fENVh8/s1600/2011-01-07.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAzgQpcpuMUzMOtlHiSSdMBDLy_MFwODfTyFF6PfW8JAqDShIyTHDBMUtJ87ncNYxGyLdQx3ORNoivmoeGnit-LMHcN3QVsMgHUhqEibmWRrwhAUd1pmIgnwYJy8Kvp5gdYCVf6fENVh8/s400/2011-01-07.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Christmas </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Phew!</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">We made it </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">And it was a happy day for everyone.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I've posted a collage of Christmas at our house. We kept it simple this year, with no tree because of Ruby who has a tendency to chew, chew, chew ...</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and spent it with people you love. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">xxx</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-90550070281024734192010-12-22T22:13:00.004+11:002010-12-22T22:32:48.023+11:00Frantic and frenzied ...Dear readers, Life has been crazy busy for weeks!<br /><br />My blog has been in hibernation for a month. My work has been go, go, go at a very stressful time of year. I'm crawling (just) to the end of the year. I finish up tomorrow for 2 wonderful weeks.<br /><br /><br />Apparently it's Christmas (this Saturday ,I'm told) and apparently we're having 22 people to lunch and dinner on Christmas Day. So I need to get a few things organised .... and then ..... and then .... it's 9 blissful days doing nothing on a houseboat.<br /><br /><br />Hope you all have a happy, safe and peaceful <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Christmas</span> with people you LOVE.<br />Here's to a year of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">fabulousness</span> in 2011. I just know it's going to be great. <div></div><div></div>And here's to the glory of an Aussie summer.<br />Let's hope we get some sunshine.<br />xxxRunning Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-49447001303046677382010-11-23T23:25:00.004+11:002010-11-23T23:45:34.527+11:00Sew long<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUmZxyHbKYpe8hN7_t7ThjnA42oauzNLU8aajw6tY63I3tUXjRG8FcPEKvezKRW6rsFz2yS37owavaLB6xTVb9Ob4bkqLN7hWlelc5ewJWawwImCWni7vMu3CFXKbyhckaGBDwBlpUqzL/s1600/IMG_3265.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUmZxyHbKYpe8hN7_t7ThjnA42oauzNLU8aajw6tY63I3tUXjRG8FcPEKvezKRW6rsFz2yS37owavaLB6xTVb9Ob4bkqLN7hWlelc5ewJWawwImCWni7vMu3CFXKbyhckaGBDwBlpUqzL/s400/IMG_3265.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><p>It's been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">sooo</span></span> long since I've done anything remotely crafty so I made the most of a few hours on the weekend to crack onto a new project (I mean, why finish off projects when there are so many new ones to begin!!)<br />I raided my fabric stash and added some new fat <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">quarters</span> to make a summer picnic blanket.<br />I love the pinks, greens and yellows. Such pretty summer colours Don't you love the green and white spot?</p><p>I got the <a href="http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/2009/11/make-patchwork-summer-throw.html"><strong>pattern</strong></a> from the queen of craft Pip Lincoln at <a href="http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/"><strong>Meet Me At Mikes</strong>.<br /></a>I love her philosophy that when you craft it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">doesn't</span> have to be perfect.<br />I'm quite a fan of the 'wonk' ... and the end result is delightfully <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">wonkily</span></span> imperfect.<br />Will post some pics of the finished picnic blanket soon. Can't wait for our first summer picnic or a dreamy afternoon sleep when you need a little light cover.<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></p>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-1068363121636987402010-11-13T22:55:00.003+11:002010-11-13T23:05:20.750+11:00Dinner for One<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><br />I'm batching this weekend.<br />And loving it.<br />My time is my own while James and Eliza are on a father/daughter camp with a whole lot of dads and daughters from Eliza's school.<br /><br />Usually when I'm on my own I do something very simple for dinner - toasted cheese sandwich or grab a takeaway.<br />But tonight I thought I'd savour the serenity and whip up a little something for just for me.<br /><br />I started with 6 freshly shucked oysters ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA63WZ87Gnxkchx3cLdzlh16MhNhOU_2b9XRtEu1orxXgnE4TnQw_8tIEMeMXdncwQSWCOFcMgDYujZ_F0INAR_ClAhS3ivh7UCBx0xewXBVFx3oVBBQU-LlfFAaKezNhW_LmUDmsaMhU5/s1600/IMG_3286.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA63WZ87Gnxkchx3cLdzlh16MhNhOU_2b9XRtEu1orxXgnE4TnQw_8tIEMeMXdncwQSWCOFcMgDYujZ_F0INAR_ClAhS3ivh7UCBx0xewXBVFx3oVBBQU-LlfFAaKezNhW_LmUDmsaMhU5/s320/IMG_3286.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Earlier in the afternoon, I slow roasted a tray of tomatoes for about 4 hours at 100 degrees Celsius.<br />These are gorgeous.<br />Just cut in half, drizzle with olive oil, scatter some fresh herbs, a grind of pepper and some flakes of salt and into the oven.<br />They're so tender and sweet. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvprjXKkp0WJCXvNjxKFc1FPmFetqJimkBX46TFgbi4xOkAgRMByjI7QPAmN5gfXNIqPppYTCIHHoCcWxS3k140KlMusOhXahHCngs12zpJJEtXmpgi_BaCeyjfP0cFm_-xdg0kmcd97tl/s1600/IMG_3277.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvprjXKkp0WJCXvNjxKFc1FPmFetqJimkBX46TFgbi4xOkAgRMByjI7QPAmN5gfXNIqPppYTCIHHoCcWxS3k140KlMusOhXahHCngs12zpJJEtXmpgi_BaCeyjfP0cFm_-xdg0kmcd97tl/s320/IMG_3277.JPG" /></a><br />So what to serve with these little beauties?<br />I know ...<br />some quail.<br />Wrap the quail in prosciutto with fresh sage, a bay leaf, a bruised clove of garlic and some lemon peel in the cavity,<br />roast the quail for about 12- 5 minutes, turning after about 7 mins.<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3igg03psLn9Z6qVpHiss-zI-S8kInqawvQ_Lp02RlV1AJOOkCtz2yKCbfKjPuPtlvQmOZdeTf80LhSt4rSPoZ7bYTuv9vlC06ZDnOyvFTDpOzCR53yCWR8bJpkkRNfvZNEctaLP12yg-/s1600/IMG_3280.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3igg03psLn9Z6qVpHiss-zI-S8kInqawvQ_Lp02RlV1AJOOkCtz2yKCbfKjPuPtlvQmOZdeTf80LhSt4rSPoZ7bYTuv9vlC06ZDnOyvFTDpOzCR53yCWR8bJpkkRNfvZNEctaLP12yg-/s320/IMG_3280.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">I rummaged in the pantry for some special pasta.<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmLvF8OSQo1TSaHa6mxxZ0kSdzf5gxQuA25aDqmi_mbl9ShXuFRv-q_i0MylPLI0t8i8fRMMPW_NZviY6HJIfosDNX-aQGurFBl1RtMgEytG4oewl3IsXkwd_CB1Q3xnFKinBhHh_9nPC/s1600/IMG_3283.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmLvF8OSQo1TSaHa6mxxZ0kSdzf5gxQuA25aDqmi_mbl9ShXuFRv-q_i0MylPLI0t8i8fRMMPW_NZviY6HJIfosDNX-aQGurFBl1RtMgEytG4oewl3IsXkwd_CB1Q3xnFKinBhHh_9nPC/s320/IMG_3283.JPG" /></a><br /><br />So there you have it.</p><p align="center">Prosciutto wrapped quail with slow roasted tomatoes on hand rolled pasta .</p><p align="center">Sorry there's no picture of all the elements on the plate. I finished the lot before I realised I didn't have a photo.</p><p align="center">Trust me, it was totally delicious.<br /></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-3889659386506716672010-11-08T13:19:00.004+11:002010-11-08T17:33:43.421+11:00Getting Creative In Print!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px" align="justify">What a thrill to pop into Spotlight today - for a couple of reasons: </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px" align="justify">1. I'm enjoying a day off and don't have to be anywhere for anyone but me!<br />2. I never get time to really have a good old fossick around and Spotlight is one of those places where you don't want to be in a hurry<br />3. I was keen to see a copy of the new look mag - Get Creative<br />because<br />4. I'm in it !!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_eipxofPJSz6ZgVXNalUF2xX7oPvMKQy2EUakXlZdgZYI_hpGValp3rjKwqgPlgbx5LZR5_BNOSU5JgCthQ95W6v8Rg3QEn7mT2Ezm6Rjse7UAw-6XEq1_KgHxWudyW52ifAFFuI_Vrr/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_eipxofPJSz6ZgVXNalUF2xX7oPvMKQy2EUakXlZdgZYI_hpGValp3rjKwqgPlgbx5LZR5_BNOSU5JgCthQ95W6v8Rg3QEn7mT2Ezm6Rjse7UAw-6XEq1_KgHxWudyW52ifAFFuI_Vrr/s320/IMG_3254.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">I wrote a column about why I craft, and as I flicked through the magazine I convinced myself it probably hadn't made it to print. </p><p align="center">I couldn't see it .... but then a few more pages over<br />And there were my words staring back at me .... </p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG1i2GzipU2NikmwJ4G5qFbCeJEyjogD12RNmS1atPMsKEIC3j_9EZEbeUi5xXwE9sG5eHm9Q6Awqa4fDh9b5_xQGJfVs_llk7XggG-kiorW2YG0w_LkvHQn7lKQbepwd2-2RWo2Z1A9l/s1600/IMG_3255.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG1i2GzipU2NikmwJ4G5qFbCeJEyjogD12RNmS1atPMsKEIC3j_9EZEbeUi5xXwE9sG5eHm9Q6Awqa4fDh9b5_xQGJfVs_llk7XggG-kiorW2YG0w_LkvHQn7lKQbepwd2-2RWo2Z1A9l/s320/IMG_3255.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">I smiled to myself ... </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cHI3OediJVlABjZhTNub7A4MtAO-XYcaxHDREd8YktgvcxQgwVCrC4p1Ps3I0jrkKZEo2htJgIYBo9I4SfG6otUz2RULPaUBJm1Gxqh2TlyyIBKhevnEiaNzFVRsYgoMLP6IT-pQ6JOZ/s1600/IMG_3261.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cHI3OediJVlABjZhTNub7A4MtAO-XYcaxHDREd8YktgvcxQgwVCrC4p1Ps3I0jrkKZEo2htJgIYBo9I4SfG6otUz2RULPaUBJm1Gxqh2TlyyIBKhevnEiaNzFVRsYgoMLP6IT-pQ6JOZ/s320/IMG_3261.JPG" /></a> </p><p align="center">Then I spent at least an another hour choosing a few fat quarters for a summer project I've got in mind.<br />I came home (snuck past the sleeping puppy) and made a cuppa and settled back with the magazine.<br />It looks great. Lots of crafty ideas that seem pretty easy - which is absolutely my style.<br />If I can get my act together you'll see some of the projects on my blog over coming weeks. </p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-1863091762618360902010-11-07T22:01:00.002+11:002010-11-07T22:08:28.370+11:00Now ... where were we?<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">We've been busy.<br />Chopping, cooking, eating and drinking<br />and seeing the horses race past, occasionally.<br />And cleaning the house and entertaining<br />with more chopping and cooking and eating and drinking.<br />Then going to work and coming home and getting ready for the next day at the races<br />with more chopping and cooking and eating and drinking.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbxhyvwAhlGH3HM11CA9hyx-SH1RrlWF5FPWTkFLG8KlTblB3dgsPinliw-59RKmJoQwsPY2mvF8pWDIsW8uNcG9uZAr3qVG2mbIOhzl0ZcTtdjRDwLXQqDkuVo9ROBlVshqcyDgZRkn8/s1600/2010-11-07.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbxhyvwAhlGH3HM11CA9hyx-SH1RrlWF5FPWTkFLG8KlTblB3dgsPinliw-59RKmJoQwsPY2mvF8pWDIsW8uNcG9uZAr3qVG2mbIOhzl0ZcTtdjRDwLXQqDkuVo9ROBlVshqcyDgZRkn8/s400/2010-11-07.jpg" /></a> </div><p align="center">Phew!</p><p align="center">The <a href="http://www.melbournecup.com/"><strong>Spring Racing Carnival</strong> </a>is officially over.<br />Time to put the hats, headbands and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">hatinators</span> away.<br />And time to have a decent meal. </p><p align="center">All this finger food is exhausting!! </p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-24584997317593010852010-10-31T20:24:00.002+11:002010-10-31T20:32:57.497+11:00Trick or treat?<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Eliza and her friend Laura are at a Halloween Party tonight.<br />They decided against going spooky<br />preferring to dress up as geeks instead.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-7wPnjeActgJBlZ6_X2jqBLia8nmM9RS1cIMRvx_JYtwD17xRMfkmjI43u4ElP9_vrnexoovKVx_2KLtdByrtn8Agy8YAi955qGgJv9VJV4SuK6T74L3Xbc7tP7e3cleos_6ycUmxrBS/s1600/IMG_3220.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-7wPnjeActgJBlZ6_X2jqBLia8nmM9RS1cIMRvx_JYtwD17xRMfkmjI43u4ElP9_vrnexoovKVx_2KLtdByrtn8Agy8YAi955qGgJv9VJV4SuK6T74L3Xbc7tP7e3cleos_6ycUmxrBS/s400/IMG_3220.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">Taking their inspiration from <em>Beauty and The Geek</em> with a little bit of <em>Glee</em> thrown in ...<br />They did raided the Laura's brother's wardrobe for their 'costumes.' </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NusKLlo9tQJNRjXgElcN98hizUNnbXQ6Y7jJJZDohWodd0wBOK32YwQiGspoa2-r-aHRggzE7xMgshsYZHGgkkEU8_GxFP0rOkYD6Od587P64wO27J_6qUG-GHFe8Djpm7yKOOgyzEXo/s1600/IMG_3222.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NusKLlo9tQJNRjXgElcN98hizUNnbXQ6Y7jJJZDohWodd0wBOK32YwQiGspoa2-r-aHRggzE7xMgshsYZHGgkkEU8_GxFP0rOkYD6Od587P64wO27J_6qUG-GHFe8Djpm7yKOOgyzEXo/s400/IMG_3222.JPG" /></a> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28heaz4v9RSj56vIzCNvfe4ishSqLEWEt9prvAy9HFnC5hskHOE7yY3V5WigoXzZ0unIoc0wXqInuoF3q3_icGMT1kUpxwOqSgpg2hp17xnZ-Hvcevvc2W4Yj-q7aTC0q6XEWUU5-N4g5/s1600/IMG_3225.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28heaz4v9RSj56vIzCNvfe4ishSqLEWEt9prvAy9HFnC5hskHOE7yY3V5WigoXzZ0unIoc0wXqInuoF3q3_icGMT1kUpxwOqSgpg2hp17xnZ-Hvcevvc2W4Yj-q7aTC0q6XEWUU5-N4g5/s400/IMG_3225.JPG" /></a> </p><p align="center">The Geeks called themseves Rob and Bob and look pretty pleased to be going to a party.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOO8zXpVz2wg2A0tSRVOKwz1gC5z0MAc_rxw9rW1-LbsmFBpsBJ1lZstj2yOpcSm9lk9hGL9wmJILedjOQmltHOPpgFiqroHuu0vdoQzat2dGX9lsyPILi8FClcERyzZNg85n95Kr87wU/s1600/IMG_3221.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOO8zXpVz2wg2A0tSRVOKwz1gC5z0MAc_rxw9rW1-LbsmFBpsBJ1lZstj2yOpcSm9lk9hGL9wmJILedjOQmltHOPpgFiqroHuu0vdoQzat2dGX9lsyPILi8FClcERyzZNg85n95Kr87wU/s400/IMG_3221.JPG" /></a> </p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">More beauty than geek don't you think?</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-48628476681918083142010-10-30T21:53:00.002+11:002010-10-30T22:09:51.113+11:00A day at the Derby<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwxRsy6m7dgWnGN6CvyV4A2d0_ZmJv1gNanJhOsPqEabkKFGwGisgk_Ob0jie0LNuTMw0nxe8oT75t5uvPC_irFnBee3UbJET6RJZJcZIZQWInU3xUWyWevfCESPkzIkf34biUZZ8-URR/s1600/2010-10-26.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwxRsy6m7dgWnGN6CvyV4A2d0_ZmJv1gNanJhOsPqEabkKFGwGisgk_Ob0jie0LNuTMw0nxe8oT75t5uvPC_irFnBee3UbJET6RJZJcZIZQWInU3xUWyWevfCESPkzIkf34biUZZ8-URR/s400/2010-10-26.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="left">Well, we can't say we weren't warned!</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="left">A months rainfall in a day - that was the prediction from the weather bureau. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="left">And while the day started off with overcast skies, the rain started falling around midday, right on cue, and kept on falling and falling and falling and falling.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="left">We spent the day at the Derby (I think it's the most elegant day of the Spring Racing Carnival) . We made the most of the dry weather in the morning, actually getting to see a horse or two.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="left">Then the rain came ... and we retreated to the marquee and I donned my gumboots.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="left">If I'd been more entrepreneurial I would have brought a few more pairs with me and sold them off for a small fortune.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="left">The huge downpour all afternoon meant I didn't even put a bet on, so I saved a few dollars in that department.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="left">I left the track mid afternoon and got a train home.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="left">A hot shower and then into some comfy clothes with soup for dinner and a movie on the couch.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="left">What a day.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-6896638388554522622010-10-26T22:19:00.002+11:002010-10-26T22:25:19.722+11:00Soupa dooper<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">It was definitely soup weather on Saturday.<br />We came home absolutely soaking from netball.<br />I was secretly hoping it would be called off and we could all have a sleep in .... but no, we trudged out to the courts (Ruby and all) and watched Eliza play in the rain. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Ruby played in the puddles.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px" align="center"><br />After a hot shower I made a hot lunch.<br />Freshly baked bread using rosemary from the garden the some of the stuffed olives James bought at the market.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwMFewXtsajiGCp5w7eAd78vg_49fNNJ_pPND9hOmIL7I-WkqQ_KWHJTNiO6nQi7SJB5hKH22-JaiQg9M6LG-vB0yBF-cFajB99Ac2bleyo-0F2mu2B8DeV6p9EFQRveVdUobZ6Jw8kf7/s1600/IMG_3127.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwMFewXtsajiGCp5w7eAd78vg_49fNNJ_pPND9hOmIL7I-WkqQ_KWHJTNiO6nQi7SJB5hKH22-JaiQg9M6LG-vB0yBF-cFajB99Ac2bleyo-0F2mu2B8DeV6p9EFQRveVdUobZ6Jw8kf7/s400/IMG_3127.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">And oh the smell of the bread as it baked in the oven ....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-F0rOBlOFECxNL_FE4WKXFRcTIzRxWOpvoe9ISVw_Q_rOKMYuTbFBYyKyeNBsMw-2ixSRBU2uAMUJmyztPCOpvpnZITavEf78PTl6BiZB7LWcfz10JzQnWGnyFTL2o80c13J0GUwhfLBs/s1600/IMG_3137.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-F0rOBlOFECxNL_FE4WKXFRcTIzRxWOpvoe9ISVw_Q_rOKMYuTbFBYyKyeNBsMw-2ixSRBU2uAMUJmyztPCOpvpnZITavEf78PTl6BiZB7LWcfz10JzQnWGnyFTL2o80c13J0GUwhfLBs/s400/IMG_3137.JPG" /></a> </p><p align="center">Then a pot of pumpkin and potato soup ...<br /><br /></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTyUa6mhMKMGIev8F_wUmhd33eK9A1MlNQRdkVC8GZkSRDFaAVS3zQHgKtY2WNUG2jYfdQnt3-p2Fhi6Dd-SaWDvUBpP4zx4tX1kIPI1r2Tte08y2qdt3lUpe2-PmWV6kZ_GWDPtgDZjC/s1600/IMG_3067.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTyUa6mhMKMGIev8F_wUmhd33eK9A1MlNQRdkVC8GZkSRDFaAVS3zQHgKtY2WNUG2jYfdQnt3-p2Fhi6Dd-SaWDvUBpP4zx4tX1kIPI1r2Tte08y2qdt3lUpe2-PmWV6kZ_GWDPtgDZjC/s400/IMG_3067.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">topped with a drizzle of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">olive</span> oil and some cracked pepper... </p><p align="center">Sensational, even if I say so myself!</p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-89437750602241734712010-10-25T21:42:00.005+11:002010-10-25T22:01:48.216+11:00A hat trickWe're in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">middle</span> of organising a Melbourne Cup party next Tuesday, at home. Living in Melbourne means we enjoy a public holiday. (Isn't that so Australian where a public holiday is declared for a horse race!)<br />Anyway, it's a wonderful day to dress up, drink bubbles, eat lovely chicken sandwiches .... and wear a hat. <br /><br />While I'm still planning what to wear (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">eeeeekkkk</span>!) , Eliza has got her outfit sorted..... but what to wear on her head?<br />So, we scooted into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lincraft</span> on the weekend and made a couple of purchases - a headband and some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ribbony</span> bits and pieces.<br />The plan was to put it together with a hot glue gun at home...<br /><br />But then a lovely young lady approached me as I clutched my ingredients and asked if I knew about the free hat making service in store.<br />Well um no .... actually.<br />A few minutes later and the bit and pieces turned into a lovely headpiece for Eliza.<br /><br /><div align="right"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531932834310839826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwE52tbIO_CGEW5cdx4UlnWrieycQyJPm_JXe8qldcxqjfMCFrMDcWi16v7FTCiu0shAM51nSGqLWFMD_J201TN28Mtv4_Ncu19SOhmzpuSTVEUKhb7yL_mhqLto5DNkmCDGVsXCmJsM6/s320/IMG_3130.JPG" /></div><div align="right"> </div><div align="center">It's simple and lovely and PINK of course.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531932840748621586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnd-5bmmGVMXaFK-QpKW6ivnw4VIL9k-mWtrGPzsiCCvCAXAJdq8VLsNtrRMpMqBRNNOSakdFrjs1GnLkkEypjb-0TWgNlJAWOnjLZ2aA3n0AlpL7KD7qvnXBS-mKR1eXGqFY2LFjWRnh/s320/IMG_3131.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">The trusty hot glue gun did the trick and ta <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">da</span> .....</div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531932841651441650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CjjcQJ7oYId4EjP3BPF5oFdUEtMfsTJnOnW0f8v1tu1_86_06pu4NN1SNshoguG13pPr60gghjO5V7xk-ElE-RrCEE6bNvpYp5NpgfuKv3SB0kyJkES5jy-BMSCP5Enkw5eWn1JimcOQ/s320/IMG_3132.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531932849031258610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YPlOnujpI5ECu0AzpfnMKXhxxCoF5C33u1GI_DqUPt1EvnD0IPJCIiLQsme7Zma0IL3cpuuZ2z2T_bRjRWjfnJ1k7xB4OOW4tB7uoyzBkCDDdpJ_7LRqbIHSVMNDL6U1ii4jF4kB_QyB/s320/IMG_3134.JPG" /> She loves it.<br /><br /></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-84785123008916948302010-10-23T22:54:00.003+11:002010-10-23T23:03:42.179+11:00Words onlyMy photo program is not working at the moment<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Grrrrrrrr </span><br />Not sure if the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Internet</span> fairy will wave her wand tonight .... <br />But I hope it's back to normal tomorrow.<br />So watch this space.<br />I've pictures of a headpiece I whipped up for the races ...<br />And pictures of the olive and rosemary bread I whipped up for dinner<br />to go with the broccoli and potato soup I also whipped up ...<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Tomorrow</span> we've got guests for lunch and I'm poaching a whole salmon.<br />Pictures to follow ...<br />So please <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Picasa</span> fairy do your thing.<br />I've got so much to shareRunning Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-54291441931605488682010-10-21T21:43:00.002+11:002010-10-21T21:46:47.250+11:00Blooming beautiful<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">We hit 27 degrees today and it was all blue sky and sunshine in Melbourne.<br /><br />The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">crabapple</span> in our garden is in blossom.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R8Pa5z6EzQl595e5VJ0ho7VsdIm8SpkOia6atgtAtOYOhM6MLPWer5Vwf-Ob4TgC_gs0ZmD_sagFVJY_gi9x1Sz7FE0r3FFF4OzArFFjs4OqpFWw1EihyphenhyphentmwCjkDSEi_wObesXIMaRyu/s1600/IMG_3091.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R8Pa5z6EzQl595e5VJ0ho7VsdIm8SpkOia6atgtAtOYOhM6MLPWer5Vwf-Ob4TgC_gs0ZmD_sagFVJY_gi9x1Sz7FE0r3FFF4OzArFFjs4OqpFWw1EihyphenhyphentmwCjkDSEi_wObesXIMaRyu/s400/IMG_3091.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And the colours are gorgeous.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-XGZ-t9Z9GlaCQYGSNAe4shiELBHCIFhBB9ODzVbnzpwOzNSliRaAWq8DpyDhfcRsaTwx7hhwVxMtayUQ9uNCe1vNnqo87sqFle9e0cz2EZzIIPnhdjDH6mar1FWPBHu3-ZacWGYt73v/s1600/IMG_3092.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-XGZ-t9Z9GlaCQYGSNAe4shiELBHCIFhBB9ODzVbnzpwOzNSliRaAWq8DpyDhfcRsaTwx7hhwVxMtayUQ9uNCe1vNnqo87sqFle9e0cz2EZzIIPnhdjDH6mar1FWPBHu3-ZacWGYt73v/s400/IMG_3092.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">I love the pink and white combination and the way the sun shines on the leaves. </p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TlIJrc9Vd1COCATl0i1nEqfWRojO0DHen4S2cz3I2Ee1lfW91rip9iZtWFSSZ-1nuEuLM08o9mJwttpSYzDtNJ1yl_xjdcs4Pl-PXM57h-RXxivWJUHY9rvCduyghvnmz7V9hA3hQay8/s1600/IMG_3090.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TlIJrc9Vd1COCATl0i1nEqfWRojO0DHen4S2cz3I2Ee1lfW91rip9iZtWFSSZ-1nuEuLM08o9mJwttpSYzDtNJ1yl_xjdcs4Pl-PXM57h-RXxivWJUHY9rvCduyghvnmz7V9hA3hQay8/s400/IMG_3090.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">Daylight saving means it's still light when I get home. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yay</span>. </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEdPM_MoSRiRtuC0ofPvcCgOfqeuOQ5_veLA6BefcYmeNbEIOggkTkzy_WsiuZabSurVwPPANSoUCHHdngirp6nrHP3i0Xf0dRp0RK0q10XQeAM1OAarW9nhWZn3Q84CMYEpWc_3s4vwq/s1600/IMG_3093.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEdPM_MoSRiRtuC0ofPvcCgOfqeuOQ5_veLA6BefcYmeNbEIOggkTkzy_WsiuZabSurVwPPANSoUCHHdngirp6nrHP3i0Xf0dRp0RK0q10XQeAM1OAarW9nhWZn3Q84CMYEpWc_3s4vwq/s400/IMG_3093.JPG" /></a><br />Time to enjoy the garden with a glass of wine.</p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-11601199531364916262010-10-20T21:24:00.004+11:002010-10-20T21:30:45.917+11:00Vintage thread<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoWANc2cQLvxDFASN2sxHZpOwapPQZj7_BbLJpYiaN6xWQor8W9mtXtFPG0mgWcjznjJu0P0koox_FcV-c5cfqsfKhiKAbgqFvTzdou4MaSXkqxMQVB3-8aqalloU3PmaGILx62K68y0-/s1600/IMG_2401.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530072402292014050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoWANc2cQLvxDFASN2sxHZpOwapPQZj7_BbLJpYiaN6xWQor8W9mtXtFPG0mgWcjznjJu0P0koox_FcV-c5cfqsfKhiKAbgqFvTzdou4MaSXkqxMQVB3-8aqalloU3PmaGILx62K68y0-/s400/IMG_2401.JPG" /></a>Vintage cotton reels.</div><div align="center">The old fashioned kind.</div><div align="center">Wooden.</div><div align="center">Spools of jewel coloured thread.</div><div align="center">I fossick for more where ever I go.</div><div align="center">Pure pleasure.<br /></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-59077569230122156682010-10-19T21:26:00.002+11:002010-10-19T21:34:46.918+11:00I love a bargain<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I'm always on the lookout for vintage cookbooks<br />and I love a bargain.<br />So when the two come together, it's a happy, happy day!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodj3fc0Zz5WUNNYcIZEp_AG9JWWFlTRkhlkoKOBa_NVvDfgQslexuOlxzMMCNJ9zc61X8e3KUcJQB-hAumlQyN9BZRPEJsExYB2m_zv7llpaebamTi3Q6SGuvLpkeYxkkXOhH2sguY0h3/s1600/IMG_3104.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodj3fc0Zz5WUNNYcIZEp_AG9JWWFlTRkhlkoKOBa_NVvDfgQslexuOlxzMMCNJ9zc61X8e3KUcJQB-hAumlQyN9BZRPEJsExYB2m_zv7llpaebamTi3Q6SGuvLpkeYxkkXOhH2sguY0h3/s320/IMG_3104.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">I found this copy of the classic Ma Cuisine by the legendary Escoffier in a junk shop when I was on holidays in Queensland. I pounced it on straight away.<br /></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px" align="center">There was no price on it so I inquired at the counter ...<br />Did I hear it correctly? I asked again just to be sure.<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px" align="center">Then happily handed over $1 for this little beauty! </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyfg066jfykpEzoLxmWt155ezvdrie-YFDVr5MpGxPZlcs3B0jKuPnvYL8aP5PzCRMcUYLJYLl1D1TvhCg_vxShUeEYFD75aCCpuB49LoFuDBB2Q_10GOOie9ToZ2db-e-fwnfUrqXKLU/s1600/IMG_3106.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyfg066jfykpEzoLxmWt155ezvdrie-YFDVr5MpGxPZlcs3B0jKuPnvYL8aP5PzCRMcUYLJYLl1D1TvhCg_vxShUeEYFD75aCCpuB49LoFuDBB2Q_10GOOie9ToZ2db-e-fwnfUrqXKLU/s320/IMG_3106.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">I've been leafing through the recipes and I might have to give a couple of the classics a wide berth.<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhm3m-0xBQU07ernv3rxSvIgF4b4cO4ZRHb82jMeY4LNbeCLrpwRiLgMdH1fScFuQ2i2r9WDs-07TruYx80R6nwAye_tnbiNO0dcraUri6Ot-6-wopS1CVaLXMD-7QxjxjPSd87fDrRjxn/s1600/IMG_3105.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhm3m-0xBQU07ernv3rxSvIgF4b4cO4ZRHb82jMeY4LNbeCLrpwRiLgMdH1fScFuQ2i2r9WDs-07TruYx80R6nwAye_tnbiNO0dcraUri6Ot-6-wopS1CVaLXMD-7QxjxjPSd87fDrRjxn/s320/IMG_3105.JPG" /></a> </p>While I love a challenge in the kitchen , boning calf's feet is just a bit too much on a weeknight after a long day at the office. I mean first you have to catch your calf! <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-39581298784391130492010-10-18T19:56:00.002+11:002010-10-18T20:12:55.232+11:00First bath<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">The first bath is such a milestone.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">The parents are nervous.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">The newborn is blissfully unaware.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Cameras are poised to capture the moment ... </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">And so it was when Ruby had her first bath.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYF6e7HPMpBQsC-v0xpUOwZzHMc8RAE_kbKyEDENBQ6R8C7ypfjGbGNkwzjLxdXbdQcQve22J5ekac4fgYZsTctJ53R7RTEczGAb0Xz04Lud7phrgIOPdxxA8juXH04XiUDIjEwm6aDiNy/s1600/IMG_3117.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYF6e7HPMpBQsC-v0xpUOwZzHMc8RAE_kbKyEDENBQ6R8C7ypfjGbGNkwzjLxdXbdQcQve22J5ekac4fgYZsTctJ53R7RTEczGAb0Xz04Lud7phrgIOPdxxA8juXH04XiUDIjEwm6aDiNy/s320/IMG_3117.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">The dear little thing took it all in her stride. She's pretty placid and we took it slowly.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPJJzbLoye3rHVUz5q-UrB7FEKXWqmeQ1ahBnwuK2WpSYNub8JWncJpLMI5krykgwxATDlr_u3pka4bEaR8cuSsF7YXVGP-AWFzEhfTDLxSDpgcMKnzL3tM_KVWUSh0L3HkMdMy8wNxyD/s1600/IMG_3118.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPJJzbLoye3rHVUz5q-UrB7FEKXWqmeQ1ahBnwuK2WpSYNub8JWncJpLMI5krykgwxATDlr_u3pka4bEaR8cuSsF7YXVGP-AWFzEhfTDLxSDpgcMKnzL3tM_KVWUSh0L3HkMdMy8wNxyD/s320/IMG_3118.JPG" /></a> </p><p>She didn't bark or yelp or howl at all ... (unlike other experiences I've had bathing newborns)</p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfizoCH2DpYohd-y4Ft0hbWoOVTGowKIPrY0i2R8UpxGVWcV9cc0lHeL7FyXAg-HbjV9xEaxzvFXrukjUKCrtT6rRAZjqKr43DQnx8S5V8RKVuS_ThfWMDnPzE3VZYi1S5AgY7B1p59F3/s1600/IMG_3119.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfizoCH2DpYohd-y4Ft0hbWoOVTGowKIPrY0i2R8UpxGVWcV9cc0lHeL7FyXAg-HbjV9xEaxzvFXrukjUKCrtT6rRAZjqKr43DQnx8S5V8RKVuS_ThfWMDnPzE3VZYi1S5AgY7B1p59F3/s320/IMG_3119.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">She squirmed a bit and slipped a bit ... and wondered what on earth was happening... </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVatOihS_TMSkCey6XsOwhVdiTyD24Ko5LG4F8m-7WTtOXqkmx7_ErYWWko5JALiKYXtDusyzxSAMX1_LHbJBiHpkTHUhZzjvMDLDqZuXGN7ElhW-kVwcq7R7ZrjynWtMDuhyphenhyphenz-Qm2b8eO/s1600/IMG_3122.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVatOihS_TMSkCey6XsOwhVdiTyD24Ko5LG4F8m-7WTtOXqkmx7_ErYWWko5JALiKYXtDusyzxSAMX1_LHbJBiHpkTHUhZzjvMDLDqZuXGN7ElhW-kVwcq7R7ZrjynWtMDuhyphenhyphenz-Qm2b8eO/s320/IMG_3122.JPG" /></a></p><p></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">We rinsed her off with lovely warm water.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">The out of the bath and into a towel.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">She shook and shook and shook and shook and </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">raced around the house and around and around and around ....</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">Then she had a big long sleep.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">Zzzzzzzzzzzz</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">Not bad really!</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-11998840389012094662010-10-17T16:16:00.002+11:002010-10-17T16:24:39.962+11:00For dinner tonight<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">It's Sunday night and after another busy weekend, dinner will be something easy.<br />I'm thinking <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">scrambled</span> eggs ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE5NYc3p82NQnyjPK2Vhyp0m8RxDfiquCrTD399HZla7obsGgMIQ__rogxy6WS7mK_G606q-VWHmWaTrJOwBVyVP12pPy11TlSq0vBtK2WF64bGaVRCQ2OFzNjIXrwnbBk9Rnz5Z29FJn/s1600/IMG_3047.JPG"> </a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE5NYc3p82NQnyjPK2Vhyp0m8RxDfiquCrTD399HZla7obsGgMIQ__rogxy6WS7mK_G606q-VWHmWaTrJOwBVyVP12pPy11TlSq0vBtK2WF64bGaVRCQ2OFzNjIXrwnbBk9Rnz5Z29FJn/s320/IMG_3047.JPG" /> </div><p align="center">using these freshly laid, free range eggs - given to me by a friend who's girls oblige with two perfect eggs every day. </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKgaxhcLSfF1QIGFBcfCx3k8-jv1BbNrelpNgEKeFETsUCZpq6x47UpfMLvdZflxfpdDJ9I4wt-j8V68yU4Tj60sErwnW2JFxUKMqxzmx8CQmeK4Lyf8mPUH-iN_36NIRygDzWGwmpVNZ/s1600/IMG_3050.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKgaxhcLSfF1QIGFBcfCx3k8-jv1BbNrelpNgEKeFETsUCZpq6x47UpfMLvdZflxfpdDJ9I4wt-j8V68yU4Tj60sErwnW2JFxUKMqxzmx8CQmeK4Lyf8mPUH-iN_36NIRygDzWGwmpVNZ/s320/IMG_3050.JPG" /></a> </p><p align="center">So <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">scrambled</span> eggs, with some snipped chives from our garden .... and I'll pick some of our spinach and throw it in the pan for just a minute. I'll shave some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">parmesan</span> too.</p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguh-5pBuxDVRKt0IDZwVp8mPcykE3hU-RPNL1J1NfFhFYM9fEI1AEwwFJiG2P1CEZ5adOc8jSNFfvGwfzDQQty5yEMg4EdqeUIr82l1oYgKqE9QWdsqXMa6TtY41egaslV4_aXhE_ihZFn/s1600/IMG_3055.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguh-5pBuxDVRKt0IDZwVp8mPcykE3hU-RPNL1J1NfFhFYM9fEI1AEwwFJiG2P1CEZ5adOc8jSNFfvGwfzDQQty5yEMg4EdqeUIr82l1oYgKqE9QWdsqXMa6TtY41egaslV4_aXhE_ihZFn/s320/IMG_3055.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The spinach has been so easy to grow. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">We've picked quick a lot already and there's still lots more to eat.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7HkYVzejwvhJYfCXYhYULzQ5CsqlAy9jarm1d7AcZ5KCLd8vxdktuyGdGu8X41GPBtvyjP4xh1I6Fe7DLbgxWSj1FqDmh3QjndMpG9xf8Shf2iBRVDik_0cfKc-otVUo_ssTnJvi4BVZ/s1600/IMG_3056.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7HkYVzejwvhJYfCXYhYULzQ5CsqlAy9jarm1d7AcZ5KCLd8vxdktuyGdGu8X41GPBtvyjP4xh1I6Fe7DLbgxWSj1FqDmh3QjndMpG9xf8Shf2iBRVDik_0cfKc-otVUo_ssTnJvi4BVZ/s320/IMG_3056.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">So an easy, tasty dinner on the way. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Scrambled</span> eggs and wilted spinach - to be eaten before Junior <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Masterchef</span>. </p><p align="center"> What are you having for dinner tonight? </p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-965555518167612882010-10-16T10:03:00.003+11:002010-10-16T10:21:34.547+11:00Rain and wind and hail and cold<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">The rain , the wind and the cold! </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">We've even had hail.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Winter has returned in a freezing blast.<br />Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wKQEG4MHgNxLI1ZsGCtr7Aggc10l3oGN72JMyG6CcfZhce6tjRyK-9k65PTTp6ROdYcOzMeNLoT9jkueRaJVWihcvT3t14excfdM40D56WaX-RTD9JtLLDb0rruMCCO0cyyeLXtKQ5n0/s1600/IMG_3051.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wKQEG4MHgNxLI1ZsGCtr7Aggc10l3oGN72JMyG6CcfZhce6tjRyK-9k65PTTp6ROdYcOzMeNLoT9jkueRaJVWihcvT3t14excfdM40D56WaX-RTD9JtLLDb0rruMCCO0cyyeLXtKQ5n0/s320/IMG_3051.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Our back yard is a muddy mess of puddles.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDyg9KkZyRwd_nte07eGPOWUZN9OZL2Pp_Ze7ydWJi4yRGHdJjZ2CZcd_1LQHhHUFeAcKo-KS76KQgkJ-87NvA8LkA_ZJ0vf-NSeaJaReIlh4n_LKc1tfrCXmz4Src2I7XnJbzfs76MXz/s1600/IMG_3060.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDyg9KkZyRwd_nte07eGPOWUZN9OZL2Pp_Ze7ydWJi4yRGHdJjZ2CZcd_1LQHhHUFeAcKo-KS76KQgkJ-87NvA8LkA_ZJ0vf-NSeaJaReIlh4n_LKc1tfrCXmz4Src2I7XnJbzfs76MXz/s320/IMG_3060.JPG" /></a><br /><br />There's no question the rain is good for the garden.<br />Everything is looking fresh and lush...<br />It's just that the temp has dropped from 20 to 5 degrees.<br />And our heating isn't working so we're piling on the layers.</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgsdHUj_-JGuZ6TSMTQwkJXHeCgcQlRgPhyphenhyphenSo3Sgp4VMI61jVMrYhl3UdbphyphenhyphenAdBBJExr98akOJ6lfCq2pEHWVRPMJr9PYh88gGQTQlkVI6LEjTGjm818Tw0DsZteAouEO6NYbdyw5i6l/s1600/IMG_3062.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgsdHUj_-JGuZ6TSMTQwkJXHeCgcQlRgPhyphenhyphenSo3Sgp4VMI61jVMrYhl3UdbphyphenhyphenAdBBJExr98akOJ6lfCq2pEHWVRPMJr9PYh88gGQTQlkVI6LEjTGjm818Tw0DsZteAouEO6NYbdyw5i6l/s320/IMG_3062.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And Ruby is looking longingly through the window, waiting for the sun to come out.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-77561398672353227842010-10-14T21:14:00.004+11:002010-10-14T21:21:59.665+11:00Home grown<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">There's so much pleasure in eating something you've grown yourself and pulled straight from the garden.<br />We've got a small plot in a community garden, quite near our house in inner Melbourne.<br />Last year the garden didn't yield much because of the drought and the water restrictions. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">It was all a bit depressing.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">But this year ...</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Ta daaaaaa!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp14y00RRv8qFmADifLEPj5UhB3zaVHnOWJFG5sOaxqmuDSuukTNDSpRL0jG52krUgT0CwOQ-I_DkY9Kx0Dd94JdYVxYXpXoeQ4kYq7qRfGE_JYsPnTwrL7CMeOl8KBSMowt8LIo6IvIsQ/s1600/IMG_2933.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp14y00RRv8qFmADifLEPj5UhB3zaVHnOWJFG5sOaxqmuDSuukTNDSpRL0jG52krUgT0CwOQ-I_DkY9Kx0Dd94JdYVxYXpXoeQ4kYq7qRfGE_JYsPnTwrL7CMeOl8KBSMowt8LIo6IvIsQ/s320/IMG_2933.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">We've got silver beet, cabbage, beetroot and carrots with loads more to come. </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGYyQNoSScxyLFAIecLx2OTLXtG4XhCsTOuALT4d7Bw50WDS1mTWPO0aa9w7VzQyQcnuJeQ0bDZ7iU79sbyPtkxwUm2BcIJM4fwBTOesqDZfw6WPoMczwY6SsVhSWgOQVt22fHL6IVztU/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGYyQNoSScxyLFAIecLx2OTLXtG4XhCsTOuALT4d7Bw50WDS1mTWPO0aa9w7VzQyQcnuJeQ0bDZ7iU79sbyPtkxwUm2BcIJM4fwBTOesqDZfw6WPoMczwY6SsVhSWgOQVt22fHL6IVztU/s320/IMG_2935.JPG" /></a> </p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">Eliza loves these tiny carrots in her lunch box.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">Sweet, crunchy and delicious!</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">It doesn't get any fresher.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-85056625788751976302010-10-13T21:17:00.002+11:002010-10-13T21:21:45.862+11:00Somewhere ....<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">A shaft of light caught my eye on the kitchen wall ..<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAozRne9eOWmmDCfHnPe0muADG_g3lWZ-G6N_HqFMPmiHX8SOssjZxapOxHu04BNRlRfn0YJiuCV3wZMJxhHWXKCqzJrYT80WvipEA3WP-Ik97Rw3faGRepKOjb1oaavvbOZbfEPw_pkT/s1600/IMG_2997.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAozRne9eOWmmDCfHnPe0muADG_g3lWZ-G6N_HqFMPmiHX8SOssjZxapOxHu04BNRlRfn0YJiuCV3wZMJxhHWXKCqzJrYT80WvipEA3WP-Ik97Rw3faGRepKOjb1oaavvbOZbfEPw_pkT/s400/IMG_2997.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">I gasped ... </p><p align="center">My very own rainbow!</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgG1OU42Bkj0XGwrlJoaJCE29qMRu0i2CNYmYmUhID6gGlLCQYq1iC4B6T1KENxJJEFeYzqA8_lwgoXeLzfiVjhJHFfd7Whixw9dB0hbafZgQBnvur7ac6sgTChGDiyl2I5Qe53bWuzKo/s1600/IMG_2996.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgG1OU42Bkj0XGwrlJoaJCE29qMRu0i2CNYmYmUhID6gGlLCQYq1iC4B6T1KENxJJEFeYzqA8_lwgoXeLzfiVjhJHFfd7Whixw9dB0hbafZgQBnvur7ac6sgTChGDiyl2I5Qe53bWuzKo/s400/IMG_2996.JPG" /></a> </p><p align="center">It must have been a sign ...<br />Eliza's friend Ava wrote her a little love note today:<br /><br /><strong><em>"Your smile makes feel like I'm dancing on a rainbow"</em></strong><br /><br />Wow! Aren't they gorgeous words from a 10 year old.</p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" align="center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365313198492187155.post-89290348641637874732010-10-12T20:02:00.001+11:002010-10-12T20:04:10.162+11:00Getting arty with artichokes<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJMg4pZlHVJDWym5x_8KSUxd3ZfnNorixHy5zWq4bgTmC7qiPrR_ynSn7o7RDhasf1GjRBaiV1PfwM4IP0FMo8F5uHBJJDIfHLoocsMWpOYVqDaRRRymdCNH51Qn0PQXxRWasTMuDD8Od/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJMg4pZlHVJDWym5x_8KSUxd3ZfnNorixHy5zWq4bgTmC7qiPrR_ynSn7o7RDhasf1GjRBaiV1PfwM4IP0FMo8F5uHBJJDIfHLoocsMWpOYVqDaRRRymdCNH51Qn0PQXxRWasTMuDD8Od/s400/IMG_3002.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6DcaZsh5YNUVb7HKUzIlcRxlNE7n96CiEqHuEBb3AviIamdWbB3yIyKJuGuADqA11YY4iVc7XdGXhBdWtt0bhU_fPQe8ah3lylIu50qmvhaKTV22cTrxDLYhfufq8_-gapYZws8VvAaK/s1600/IMG_3005.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6DcaZsh5YNUVb7HKUzIlcRxlNE7n96CiEqHuEBb3AviIamdWbB3yIyKJuGuADqA11YY4iVc7XdGXhBdWtt0bhU_fPQe8ah3lylIu50qmvhaKTV22cTrxDLYhfufq8_-gapYZws8VvAaK/s400/IMG_3005.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgIo0wNnysUW-Ce0piT8Wl_hDWpqFQYLU8fjgH_agPy187bgm4k3lMV-P-DMWOOPGdTLqk-g5tlbgXH3mhixpaFkOo27laELoQCoEtMk2VtiAx1aeFEtUPl-_7TF6sBm-5MjQUoQMXOmb/s1600/IMG_3007.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgIo0wNnysUW-Ce0piT8Wl_hDWpqFQYLU8fjgH_agPy187bgm4k3lMV-P-DMWOOPGdTLqk-g5tlbgXH3mhixpaFkOo27laELoQCoEtMk2VtiAx1aeFEtUPl-_7TF6sBm-5MjQUoQMXOmb/s400/IMG_3007.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDm9ByFSlmfhep7FCec8MLFaDD1uBY1aK4ybpoIoF58T6UeoxtMhZD_zUUX9icY2etMyG82gP_rATVLcMhrjiHyKA0wi-K3Ds_2Jya-IaQslLKuAr9sSC0EbgeaBYwSzzliZ8mpkHGs7W/s1600/IMG_3008.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDm9ByFSlmfhep7FCec8MLFaDD1uBY1aK4ybpoIoF58T6UeoxtMhZD_zUUX9icY2etMyG82gP_rATVLcMhrjiHyKA0wi-K3Ds_2Jya-IaQslLKuAr9sSC0EbgeaBYwSzzliZ8mpkHGs7W/s400/IMG_3008.JPG" /></a> </div><p align="center">A feast for the eyes ...<br />Then steamed for dinner.<br />Delicious both ways! </p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Running Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08852236575656978489noreply@blogger.com1