Never on Saturday ...

We never do lunch on Saturday but today we did. Today Stephen baked lamb, beef, potatoes, pumpkin, carrots and turnips with gravy for the meat and mushroom, white, wine gravy for the greens. A day of firsts. Saturday roast, hmmmm. Turned out a good idea because it feels like Sunday and when I wake up tomorrow I'll still have one day of the weekend left to relax and enjoy ... Flowers for my birthday made a great centre-piece for the table. A bottle of bubbles, a small platter and we sat to smell the roses (metaphorically speaking.) Helen, John, Katherine, Christopher, Nan and Maire gathered to break bread and chat. Dessert - individual, rhubarb puddings topped with a cinnamon and sugar crust; courtesy of Helen. Must also mention the dollop of double cream on the side for good measure. Weather this weekend was expected to match the horrific flood situation of June, 2007. So far so good. Even a condemned man has his choice of last meals. Hopefully today's lunch won't be our last. Skies are very grey and showers have contributed to the dam levels almost all week. We'll just have to wait and see what eventuates tomorrow. We have enough leftovers from today's lunch to feed a large gathering so I expect that we'll manage. Early this morning the bom radar site was an amazing array of colour showing where it was raining rather heavily. We spent 12 hours last time the weather broke bucketing water until we were so cold that our skin burnt from the extreme cold. We even put in a call to the SES for assistance just before midnight as we were so exhausted and could do no more. We'd decided to let whatever happen, as our efforts had proved fruitless against the relentless storm and wind. Water ran like a river from our driveway across the entire front of the house. I sent Kate and Stephen to bed while I sat up all night bucketing water in the pool room; 10 lites every 7 minutes until 6 am the following morning. That was the time when we made a decision to buy a water tank and pump. The tank to take away the excess roof water and to reduce the risk of flooding in the house and the pump to redirect the river-like, flood waters that made their way to our house. Everyone in the Hunter has vivid memories of that weekend.Warnings have been issued for tomorrow but in a more southerly location. I expect or hope to miss the worst of it here in the Hunter. Now,on a cheerful note the flowers that were sent for my birthday I've uploaded, just because I could.

Today's tomorrow has arrived... It is really windy this morning and clouds are appearing on the horizon. Could the warnings possibly be true?

Patterns - Colder Afternoons

It grows colder each day. Air conditioning cranked up. Stephen plattered (is that a word?) cheese, crackers, pate, apricots and figs for an afternoon snack today. A little glass of 2008, (a young one) Borgo Cipressi, Italian red that we buy online from Montepulciano (loved the little man in its bell tower.) I almost felt like I was on holiday in Europe but then I remembered that when we were in Tuscany the temperature was a pleasant 24 to 27 degrees for the entire two weeks that we were there. Cooler than that here. None the less, today was a great day, as our neighbour, John, the keen recycler, visited our old horse shed and collected all that could be recycled. In the clean up we discovered that our Webber is in pristine condition. I don't know why I doubted its integrity. Years of neglect in the horse shed would have soured my view on the world but not so our Webber. Next weekend we shall probably test its merit as we barbecue for a gathering of family. Soon it will be time for dinner as we missed lunch due to our gardening and clean up activities. Picked a stack of lemons too. Dinner tonight is another of Stephen's quick dinner delights. Take a sheet of puff pastry and load it with you favourite toppings and voila you have a tasty Sunday night dinner. Checking dictionary for viola. Please be patient. I must away to help with dinner.

Muffins and ...

I had cleared the walks of Autumn leaves and swept the porch. I was cold, so something warm for lunch hmmmmm. Stephen had already baked blueberry muffins for morning tea. Katherine had visited the muffins as they sat cooling on the wire rack. A light, warm lunch seemed like a good idea as we were to be dining out tonight. I'd picked the Major's Lane restaurant at Lovedale as it cooks my favourite dish, just the way I like. Sadly, I must wait for that duck until tonight. Back to lunch arrangements. Red onion was diced and truss tomatoes chopped. The mixture was gently combined with oil and mixed before being spooned over the bread rounds that had crisped in the oven. Every time I eat this for lunch I am reminded of Italy and lunch at the abbey and all the other days after that that I chose Bruschetta from the menu. Simple, quick and tasty. Cappuccino, soon,not yet. I'll wait.

Winter's Coming

Comfort food is what we seek as the weather grows colder and the nights seem darker; especially without street lights. I wanted a pie for dinner. Quick email to check if we had enough meat defrosting at home. Yes, the immediate response. So planning was underway. Arrived home much later and was set to start prepping for the much longed for pie. Stack of vegetables awaiting the chop so to speak and I began in earnest. Peeled and diced carrots until Stephen begged me to stop. Onion, mushroom and potatoes were next to feel the blade. What's that? Telephone and it's for me. Vegetable mountains arranged according to colour couldn't hold my attention. The phone was ringing loudly. What's that, you want me to log on so that Dad can talk to me online? You've organised all of the technology at that end. Okay, can do. Did do. Laptop connection was a little slow and signal weak so their connection kept dropping out. I kept sending chat messages but not many answers checked back. I can hear the onion frying, meat too. Stephen is busy in the kitchen. Returned to the kitchen post technology intervention to see Stephen carving the pastry decoration for the top of the now blind, baked, pie pastry filled with meat and vegetables. Sesame seeds sprinkled on top. He'd spared no expense. This was to be a night of comfort food pie. I wanted a picture for my blog. Could he organise that too? What a good man! So blog here is my pie. Are you hungry? Hoping that there will be leftovers for tomorrow night.

Family

This is my dad, Owen. He is sitting in our dining room enjoying a 'cuppa'. Dad grew up and worked in Bexley. Bexley is a suburb in Sydney. The second picture shows Dad's late, brother and his wife, Berril which was taken when we visited Queensland some years ago now. The next pictures show Stephen's mum, June and thence his dad, Jack. Both pictures were taken during visits to Maitland a while ago, now. June was visiting over the ANZAC weekend and she is playing 'two-up' with our neighbours. The 'two-up' currency used on the day was a huge collection of metal washers shared out by our hosts. Jack was snapped as he sat under our old pergola.

Getaway

Yesterday Stephen and I went to Newcastle where we stayed at the Crowne Plaza overlooking the harbour. Prior to checking in we stopped for a quick lunch at ... Jack's, outside, at the seafood co-op. Interesting ambiance sitting outside watching the moored boats and people who walked the boulevard along the docks. We waited for our number to be called just like at the deli counter in Coles or Woolworths. It was certainly a popular eatery. Lunch was hot and tasty. Yes, and we didn't feed any seagulls. The sign posted at the cafe clearly stated that diners were not to feed the seagulls so like good diners we respected the request. The seagulls were hovering expectedly hoping that some diners might ignore the signage but none dared whilst we were there. Soon we checked into valet parking and so too our room. We'd stayed at the Crowne on numerous occasions so as usual we were not disappointed with our suite. This time it was directly above the pool and also with a clear view of the comings and goings on the harbour. Tugs and helicopters provided interesting spectacles throughout the afternoon as they harbour pilots to ships entering and leaving port. The huge ships glided effortlessly up and down stream. No sound just gentle giants making their way from port to port. The headland beneath Nobby's featured tall, fan-like, white sprays of water as the waves crashed into the rocks. Even from the distance one could appreciate the foamy peaks rising and then pounding the headland. To add to the afternoon's relaxed mood we opened a bottle of Major's Lane Shiraz and sampled the cheese, dip and crackers as we took time to drink in the ever changing view. By 5:30 we were on our way to the canapes and wine in the Executive Lounge. Not necessary to dress up. Relaxed yet again as platters of salmon canapes and sushi were served to the gathered guests. Stephen had a few lagers whilst I tried the Bimbadgen red. Both of us pleased with our choices I must say. Thence, we returned to our suite. I love the room service dinner as we are able to sit and gaze at the harbour lights as they illuminate and outline the city's skyline. The palms across the harbour from our room were brilliantly lit with lights of every colour. Stockton Bridge rose in the far distance while the foreshore shone for both residents and visitors alike. Knock-knock. Room service. Stephen had also ordered me some citrus tart for dessert. A fine surprise.

Some Days You Just Get Lucky

Once upon a visit to Melbourne I was walking down the main street when what should I see? You guessed it. Carriages! Big carriages, little carriages, old carriages like new. "Want a ride?" asked the man. "But I don't have any mice or pumpkins," my muted reply. "Not a problem," he said. How much I was thinking to sit in that carriage and ride through the night. He read my thoughts and suggested, "Fifty dollars for you." Off to the ATM and back in a flash with a fistful of cash. Too bad Cinderella didn't have the same options. I sat and grinned as we travelled that night, up the street, round the block and back to the start. This picture a memory that story book fantasies are better when true.

Chocolate - Not The Movie

For Mothers' Day Stephen baked me a special tart. Katherine and Christopher call it Chocolate Death. Add a healthy spoonful of double cream to your serving platter and you can hear your arteries grinding to a halt. The pastry is lovingly made the day before it is needed and half is frozen in the expectation that someone survives to eat another day. The recipe includes: star anise, caster sugar, 200g of dark chocolate, full cream milk, cup of double cream, egg and lastly, cocoa powder for dusting. This chocolate tart is a family favourite but certainly not for the feint hearted. A small portion is recommended for the intense richness of the tart more than satisfies the palate. The dark, chocolate tart invites comment from all who sample it. There are leftovers today. PS. I have just noticed that the recipe highlights variations for well being. Not recommended for those with a dairy intolerance. There are gluten and lactose intolerance substitutes and even IBS suggestions and I was worried that this was a recipe without care for well being. Sometimes you just get lucky. Does this make my tart healthy after all?

Mothers' Day Torture

Coffee and poached eggs made for a good start to my day along with the freshly cut apricot roses. Such a sweet perfume from the delicate roses. Table set for lunch. Browsed through my gift from Stephen and identified some of the bird life that frequents the trees in our garden. Ventured past the spare room and thought that I'd spend a little time on the walking machine. Calm warm up; okay! Feeling good when I spotted a button on the console. Wonder what it did. It was clearly labelled Wellness. Pushed the button. Things started to whirl; incline ramped up to 10. Speed shot up to 6. Timer began counting backwards. So this is the Wellness button's torture. Just when I had accommodated speed changes, incline changes little red bars danced up and down at the top of the screen. Wondered what they indicated but since the Wellness button surprise I did not press anything else just in case. Not one to give up I stood there for the long haul. All thirty minutes of the machines erratic mood swings. I lied. I just remembered I did press another button - Fan. It had a high and low setting which was good as I was beginning to melt. Obviously this was a machine of mass destruction; necessary to elicit a sense of well being or I should say Wellness. Stephen interrupted my torture to seek my interest in his freshly baked blueberry muffins and a cappuccino outside in the sun. Managed to nod briefly while scanning the machine's screen. Count down to zero almost complete. STOP. Oh, now I understand. It's not until you press STOP that you finally enjoy a sense of wellness. There are three other buttons but I can wait to discover what surprises hide behind those technological curiosities. I did however achieve a massive 203.5 calorie burnoff. Hope that is good. Not sure. So I'm off to eat a blueberry muffin. Just a small one.

A man with a chainsaw ...

Stephen contoured and reshaped the tea tree beneath the new window in the ensuite. The pruning revealed a view that we had not shared for some years. Now it is surprising to look out the back door and gaze upon the pool and the surrounding gardens. How blue the water appears, even in the dull morning light. Unfortunately, it's too cold to swim in at this time of the year but it is pleasant to sit and watch the bird life come and drink at the pool's edge. On Saturday while we were working outside an exhausted homing pigeon with a little green band drank and rested by the pool for some time before travelling on. We've transplanted a grevillea that had self seeded too close to other plants. If you look beyond the pool you can catch a glimpse of the courtyard behind the pool too. In the second picture you can see the newly installed ensuite window. It won't be long now and I'll be able to sit in the bath and soak in the view along with the bubbles in my bath. I don't expect that the neighbours will look more than once. If the first time they see me in the bath doesn't scare them then nothing will but I doubt that they'd bother with a second glance. A blind is planned for the window but that will not be ordered until necessary. Tiles arrive for the ensuite tomorrow so the window dressing is not yet a priority. We need a tiler and a plumber. A gardener wouldn't go astray either.