Not really, since stumbling across the Story of Stuff last night, why can't this sort of message be splashed across my Yahoo News page instead of Lilo's fingernails???
Watch it!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, May 3, 2010
I live for weekends as sweet as this...
Ever have one of those days when you're feeling anxious for no reason? In fact, you've got a hundred reasons to be happy and excited? Well that was Friday. And the only was is up from there.
Ever had one of those days that is truly magnificent from start to finish - and it's not even your birthday? A day when you've had to change your schedule and you think it's a pain but it's actually created a much better day than you'd originally thought? That was Saturday.
We started our day 2 hours earlier than we'd planned - my hairdresser needed to change our appointment. Kimberley from Karma sorted both Trav and I out and I presented little India Rose with a pink Fairy Wand - the one I bought in SA to help support a family who's little girl Ivy is suffering from EB(Epidermolysis Bullosa). She couldn't believe her luck because she'd just broken her last one.
After a grey, gloomy week, we had brilliant blue sky and time to kill so we drove to Macedon and enjoyed a light lunch at Sitka in Victoria street. Mmmm lemon and Basil arancini and Dutch Beef Croquettes with fries. The little foodstore is a perfect blend of what I'd like to run one day. Not too big, cosy with mismatched tables and chairs, window seats to take advantage of the winter sun and a lovely range of gourmet products and books. We'll definitely be coming back to Sitka.
At the supermarket we bumped into the mother of friends I grew up with and I mentioned we might drive past my old house. She had just been visiting there and encouraged us to knock on the door - she was sure they'd welcome us in and show us around. !!!
Driving down the driveway was strange. I felt like I'd just been there again - recently in a dream maybe? Soon the familiar sight of our log cabin tucked behind the hedge and garage. There's now a basketball hoop out the front. Stepping out of the car, I looked around and saw Babcia's tree still stretching for sun in the front garden, the rose garden now holds conifers - including the one Michelle was given as a Christmas present one year. I stepped onto the verandah and tried to plan what I would say. The garden below was now 2 tiers of gravel - much more suited to a young family with 2 boys and a dog.
I knocked. Narelle answered and I made the introductions - she invited us straight in! We got to meet her husband and 2 boys (names have escaped me) and Digger the dog (how come I remembered his name?) and they showed us through the house. Well, it was barely recognisable - walls and doors had moved, all the pine was painted white and there were lots of skylights which had made an amazing difference. Narelle explained to the boys that I was Christie from the measuring pole - we went outside and sure enough - they have continued the tradition and are now marking their own heights on the pole - haven't caught me yet. There is a flying fox from the hill over the creek to the lawn and the boys love running around the bush as much as my sister and I did.
I felt so fortunate to have had this opportunity and it was an amazing set of coincidences that made it possible. On the way back we visited Emma and I noticed some of the writing wearing off her headstone, it will be 23 years old in December.
Travis dropped me off at my Bridal Shower - a truly magical afternoon - and came back after he finished work that evening, even though everyone was leaving and all he did was help clean up and sleep on the couch. Why am I marrying this guy again?
Ever had one of those days that feels so nice and long - but you didn't rush at all? Well, that was Sunday. We met up with 2 pugs at Pugville in the morning and were lucky enough to find Alice in Wonderland was showing at the Sun Theatre in the afternoon. I just loved the costumes - especially how Alice's changed throughout the film. After that I rode to highpoint to pick out Mum's birthday present and made a delicious pumpkin and dill sauce with pasta for dinner. Ahhhh I love Autumn days.
Ever had one of those days that is truly magnificent from start to finish - and it's not even your birthday? A day when you've had to change your schedule and you think it's a pain but it's actually created a much better day than you'd originally thought? That was Saturday.
We started our day 2 hours earlier than we'd planned - my hairdresser needed to change our appointment. Kimberley from Karma sorted both Trav and I out and I presented little India Rose with a pink Fairy Wand - the one I bought in SA to help support a family who's little girl Ivy is suffering from EB(Epidermolysis Bullosa). She couldn't believe her luck because she'd just broken her last one.
After a grey, gloomy week, we had brilliant blue sky and time to kill so we drove to Macedon and enjoyed a light lunch at Sitka in Victoria street. Mmmm lemon and Basil arancini and Dutch Beef Croquettes with fries. The little foodstore is a perfect blend of what I'd like to run one day. Not too big, cosy with mismatched tables and chairs, window seats to take advantage of the winter sun and a lovely range of gourmet products and books. We'll definitely be coming back to Sitka.
At the supermarket we bumped into the mother of friends I grew up with and I mentioned we might drive past my old house. She had just been visiting there and encouraged us to knock on the door - she was sure they'd welcome us in and show us around. !!!
Driving down the driveway was strange. I felt like I'd just been there again - recently in a dream maybe? Soon the familiar sight of our log cabin tucked behind the hedge and garage. There's now a basketball hoop out the front. Stepping out of the car, I looked around and saw Babcia's tree still stretching for sun in the front garden, the rose garden now holds conifers - including the one Michelle was given as a Christmas present one year. I stepped onto the verandah and tried to plan what I would say. The garden below was now 2 tiers of gravel - much more suited to a young family with 2 boys and a dog.
I knocked. Narelle answered and I made the introductions - she invited us straight in! We got to meet her husband and 2 boys (names have escaped me) and Digger the dog (how come I remembered his name?) and they showed us through the house. Well, it was barely recognisable - walls and doors had moved, all the pine was painted white and there were lots of skylights which had made an amazing difference. Narelle explained to the boys that I was Christie from the measuring pole - we went outside and sure enough - they have continued the tradition and are now marking their own heights on the pole - haven't caught me yet. There is a flying fox from the hill over the creek to the lawn and the boys love running around the bush as much as my sister and I did.
I felt so fortunate to have had this opportunity and it was an amazing set of coincidences that made it possible. On the way back we visited Emma and I noticed some of the writing wearing off her headstone, it will be 23 years old in December.
Travis dropped me off at my Bridal Shower - a truly magical afternoon - and came back after he finished work that evening, even though everyone was leaving and all he did was help clean up and sleep on the couch. Why am I marrying this guy again?
Ever had one of those days that feels so nice and long - but you didn't rush at all? Well, that was Sunday. We met up with 2 pugs at Pugville in the morning and were lucky enough to find Alice in Wonderland was showing at the Sun Theatre in the afternoon. I just loved the costumes - especially how Alice's changed throughout the film. After that I rode to highpoint to pick out Mum's birthday present and made a delicious pumpkin and dill sauce with pasta for dinner. Ahhhh I love Autumn days.
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