Yummo!!

My commitment to blog and photogragh the meals I cook from the new WW cookbook (Cook Basics) continues.  I did cook the Vegetable Pasta Bake on Saturday night but was way too hungry to get out the camera. It was very, very nice.  As I tend to do, I launched on the recipe, and realised I didn't have all the ingredients..but being resourceful, used what I had in my pantry.  The borlotti beans turned into cannolini beans..and I left out the spinach leaves (didn't have anything to substitute - and felt pretty certain that iceberg lettuce would not quite cut it).  But will definitely make that one again.  And there are leftovers in the freezer.

It has been years and years since I contemplated cooking (or even eating) sweet and sour chicken.  For some reason I was drawn to page 23of my new cookbook.  So tonight was the night to put the recipe to the test.  Well, I just loved it.  My only change to the recipe was the additon of celery which did add a crunch to the texture. 

 There are so many recipes in the book I want to try.  Can't wait.

Sunday Flowers and a Beautiful Autumn Day

Granny's orchids in full flower:

 And some pretty bouganvilla:

 A beautiful pink camelia (which I remember buying about 12 years ago)

 Another camelia which has been around the garden for years and years and is always forgiving of the lack of care:

And lastly a day lily..beautiful one day..gone the next:

A New CD

I was listening to the Music Show with Andrew Ford the other Saturday morning and heard an interview with Tim O'Brien.  I liked his music and I liked what he had to say.  It was an archived interview from the Blue Mountains Folk Festival.  Not having bought a new CD for a while, I had no hesitation in checking out Amazons..had a bit of listen to the samples..read a few reviews and clicked on 'pay now'.  It arrived on Friday and has been delighting me ever since.  Pretty well a 'love it' from the start and that is always a good sign. 

Just had to share the blurb on the CD: 

" I called some friends together and we played this stuff without a lot of thinking.  It felt good doing it - whatever else happens is gravy.

My dad's gone but I see him smiling"

And another little quote:

"Dedicated to the memory of Frank A O'Briend Jr who often said "I have never had bad ham.  I've had some that's better than others, but I've never had bad ham" 

Bit like life, actually.

:

You've got to love technology!

Just enjoying Saturday night at home..listening to some beautiful music..enjoying a nice glass of wine..text message telling me to go to Orange and log in and put in a password and voila...this gorgeous photo of my darling daugher comes up.  Here she is sitting in Liberty of London, one of our favourite London haunts.  Thanks to Bek for taking the photo.

Weight Watchers @ Work

I am sure everyone has heard of Weight Watchers..the most successful weight loss program there is. I have been so lucky to have been part of Weight Watchers @ Work conducted at my workplace, the Queensland Teachers' Union.  It all came about following an informal conversation with me friend Jann. We are in our second session at work, and eventhough I am a life member and really need not attend, I just love our little sessions on a Thursday.  Brian, our leader, from Weight Watchers, has been amazing.  I really don't know how he comes up with so many little inspirational tips to keep our little group on track. Anyway, today I said I would photograph my dinner and put it on my blog.  Well, I have a favourite at the moment and it is from the Programme Cookbook..Japanese Chicken on sushi rice.

Well I think I need Donna Hay to help me out with my food stylist skills.  But it tasted good eventhough I forgot to include the sugar snap peas (I discovered them on the bench later). But I did add some capsicum for colour. I went a bit crazy with my camera then and couldn't resist taking some shots of my seahorses (a gift for my 60th from a my dear friend Ivan).  They are on the wall behind my 'photo shoot'.

By then, Addy thought I should include a photo of her.

Isn't she gorgeous?

Parks and a Poem

Addy's need for a 'wee' break on our drive home from Holmwood forced me to stop at a most delightful park at Walloon.  The Henry Lawson Bicentennial Park is home to the moving "Babes of Walloon" memorial which commemorates Henry Lawson's poem about the tragic drowing of two young sisters.

The beautiful poem is even recreated in part on the toilet block:

And to think I would never have discovered this beautiful park if it wasn't for my little dog.

Sunday at Holmwood

 On Sunday, I took a drive in the country to visit my friends, Anne and Gary, who are about to move to their new home on their property at Thornton, about 20 kms from Laidley.  Their new home, designed by Gabriel Poole is just about finished.

 It looks sensational.  Anne's mum (Jessie) is moving to Holmwood with them and has her own little part of the house. 

Anne and Gary are growing lavender on the property...and maybe the sign down the road is an indication of what they will turn their little bit of heaven into.

As well as this gorgeous house, Holmwood also features:

 

 a pizza oven!

a swimming hole (or a paddling one at any rate!)

and self-contained accomodation for guests (meaning me!)
 Continuing with the lavender theme, I couldn't resist buying them this door mat from Peter Baker Finch at Annerley.  

 Anne and Gary on the lavender mat:

Me (and nearly Addy) on the lavender mat!

Addy had a wonderful day and rather fancies herself as a farm dog now.

Needless to say, a super day was had by all..and I wish Gary, Anne and Jessie loads of happiness at their new home.