What a day!

As I write this I'm relaxing on the couch, with laptop, rug and one sleepy black pug on my lap. On the other couch sleeps a larger fawn pug. Don't ask how I did it.

Wow.

Last night was our first dining experience at Cafe Fidama (I know I know, we took our sweet time didn't we?). Well they are certainly not wrong when they say 'Nothing they do is ordinary'. We were seated at a cosy seat next to the window, a rarity apparently but this is one of the benefits of eating out on a Sunday night. Ronnie our waiter made us feel welcome straight away and we began with their famous homemade ciabatta as well as delicious saganaki, accompanied by fresh lemons and plump juicy kalamata olives.
Travis chose the special duck breast with orange infused polenta, while I went with the harissa marinated lamb ump with spiced chick peas, sesame spinach, grilled eggplant and tahini yoghurt with a local Del Rios Pinot Noir. It was all just delicious! We both struggled to finish our mains, could have had something to do with the side of shoestring fries we also enjoyed...
Of course we were feeling confident enough to look at the dessert menu - not difficult when the pastries, ice creams, shortbread and chocolates are also made in-house. Trav had the renowned slow cooked lemon tart and I chose the orange and dark chocolate creme brulee. We had such a fantastic evening and left with a hot tip to find an excellent bakery down a Trentham laneway on our trip to the country the following day. We could have rolled home - we don't seem to have learned yet - there is such a thing as too much of a good thing!

This morning, after a rude awakening to the unexpected jingle of a collar and a strange pug on our bed, we got everyone out the door and were heading towards fresh air by 11am.

On the way our conversation turned to plans for our dream house. I love so much that we are both so sure about this! I started researching suffolk sheep and straw bale displays on the web and as we followed the road from Kyneton to Lauriston a house under construction caught our eye. 'Nah, that looks like mud brick' I said but Trav persisted and did a u-turn - the signs out the front said 'Strawbale Spaceship' and 'Professional Straw Bale'. One more u-turn and we dared each other to go down the driveway! We could see 2 pairs of legs through a doorway and soon we were introducing ourselves to Mark of Professional Strawbale! He was working on this bachelor pad and happily spent some time with us discussing the process and benefits. He encouraged us to research, research, research and to keep in touch. Well that was meant to be!
Soon we turned into the back entrance to Lauriston Reservoir, Travis proudly saving us $2 but also cutting off access to the 'facilities' since they've blocked access across the dam wall. We parked on the water's edge and Rossi and Dudley proceeded to run in various circles and sniff various trees. It was a crisp but still 8 degrees, with a pocket of blue sky here and there. Our roast pork rolls were delicious, washed down with Holgate Mt Macedon Ale, and followed up by super sweet strawberries and yummy shortbreads. My man can shop!
After a stroll around the right banks, we made our way across to the pine forest. There was no chance of anymore 'king of the forest' photos, as neither of us was keen to lay down on our bellies - let alone try to get both dogs to stay still and look in the same direction!

We headed out through Drummond and Denver and soon arrived at Trentham, we found Red Beard Bakery easily and soon were enjoying piping hot coffees and fresh scones while we pondered the build-your-own wood fired oven books. I was also delighted to realise that they attend the weekly farmers market at the showgrounds and this more than made up for the fact that their bakers have Mondays off.

Down Time

Call off the search

One last ditch effort and I've found that evasive little pug. No the website isn't a man's name. Yes the price was right! And yes they are book ends! I think I first came across Brown Button Trading through a wedding blog and apart from some lovely ribbons I found these two darling pugs!
I won't lose them now! They are most definitely saved in my delicious - apart from having their own mention here... now to buy or not to buy? And which colour?

It's delicious, but it only works if you use it

I just love delicious - when I remember to use it! I think we've all seen something on the web that was interesting, then we've disregarded it and went on with our surf. That happened again to me a couple of months ago and now I trawl through the www in search of nothing less than what I remember as a little white porcelain pug statue. I think he's sitting. I also think I found saw him on a decorating blog. He might be a bookend. I remember that the website where you can purchase him was a man's name. I'm pretty sure that he was around $39 (don't know what currency tho!).

Of course, I haven't found him again yet but I have found these little guys on eBay...

If anyone spots anything fitting this description you know where to find me!

Pugville Success!

I know I know I know I’m backtracking – last week was so flat out that I’m only now able to collect my thoughts!

Have to tell you about what a hit Pugville was. Rossi and I got to the park 10 minutes early and our faithful friends Matt & Kat wandered down for moral support. Well they could have slept in because soon Pugs started arriving – 1 then 2 then a couple more… we hit a grand total of 11 pugs!

I’ve forgotten some names but there was Rossi, Dudley Einstein, Jezebel, Gobbla, Dudley, Porky, Buddy and China. It was fantastic to meet so many locals and their pugs and Rossi had a brilliant birthday! We enjoyed the green grass under some shady trees for about an hour and a half before we all headed our separate ways, Rossi and I enjoyed brunch at Gravy Train before heading home – where he snored his head off for the rest of the day! Feedback from our new friends was great and we hope to see all of them again often.

My favourite day is Sunday

Sunday was glorious. We woke early after a big day at Mum's Garden Party and I walked Rossi to the bakery to pick up breakfast and the paper. The morning began lovely and cool - a relief after all the sunshine yesterday. it was a lovely cool morning We took Rossi to see his friends at Pugwood and he well and truly conked out on his bed for the rest of the day.

Trav and I made the most of the beautiful afternoon and rode to Williamstown Beach to enjoy fish'n'chips (You might be lucky enough to read my review on Footscray Food Blog in the near future!). If only I'd been clever enough to put on sunscreen and now I'm sitting here with a very red neck and arms. When will I learn??

When we got home Trav enjoyed the cricket from the couch and I put my feet up in our courtyard. Then I started making a new dress which –if successful- I’ll wear to Andrea & David’s wedding in March. I’ve already named it ‘Ebony & Ivory’ and will start sewing it together this week I hope.

First Dog on the Moon strikes!

Looks like Pugville is getting some extra promotion - my neighbour saw this blog update on Twitter from our local cartoonist First Dog on the Moon!

The question is - will Firstdog make an appearance?

Pugville!

With the amount of pugs we meet around our neighbourhood we think it's high time that Pugwood came to the west. We already have lots of puggy friends at Pugwood North in Ascot Vale and on Sunday 7th February we're heading to Yarraville Gardens to meet some new friends. It's also Rossi's 4th birthday! We hope to see you and your pug there!

Almost perfect...

I try not to believe in the word perfect. But some things come pretty close. Like sharing the sunset on Four Mile Beach with Travis on our 5th Anniversary.

Today was almost perfect too. I woke early, teared through my to-do list including a ride to highpoint to pick up my repaired purple bag, and my try-out of the Pashley - VERY VERY NICE (I just need to pick a colour now).

Sometimes you may have things planned so carefully, to be changed at the last minute - out of your hands. I had one of those moments this morning, Deborah called to say she was unwell - I told her not to worry about dinner tonight.
I made the lasagne anyway and Rossi (our prodigal son) and I spent a glorious evening on the couch together watching Charlotte Gray. It was warm, cosy, comfortable. It was almost perfect...