The Women

This morning Janice and I went for our 6 wkly hairdressing appointment.   I’ve been going to Maddie pretty much as long as I’ve been here.   She used to live near Janice when she was growing up and so when she became a hairdresser Janice started going to her.   Since having children she set up her ‘salon’ in their garage, but she’s got everything there – all the right equipment, mirrors, etc and she is sooooo cheap!!   I pay $10 for a haircut and $40 for my ‘frosting’ and cut.   To me she seems to really understand hair and styles and I don’t think I’ve ever had a cut or colour done by her that I haven’t been happy with.

We usually are her first clients for the day and as we were early today she was still in her pj’s but that’s ok – doesn’t matter what she wears she still does her job well.

Usually when we leave we have a smile on our faces too, because she can be quite funny just with what anecdotes she shares or things she tells us.   Today she told us about a movie that she went to last night and said it was the sort she could see again.   She told us a couple of bits from it and it sounded so funny.   Anyway as Janice and I haven’t been out on a Saturday night for ages I suggested maybe we could go to the movies.   Turns out Janice had a couple of free tickets anyway, so that’s what we did.

Well I’ve just come home and am still chuckling about some of the things.   It really was very, very funny.   There weren’t many people at it, but everyone was laughing.   Good out loud laughter.

The point of tonight’s post is to say – “if you get a chance go and see it.  It’s a really funny movie that will leave you feeling good”

Forgot to tell you what it’s called, although you might have worked it out anyway from the Post Title.   It’s called ‘The Women’.   Why?    Because it’s about women – some top actresses are in it, Meg Ryan, Bette Midler, Cloris Leachman, Carrie Fisher and so the list goes on.   There is only one male in the whole movie.

They have the power

I found out that my eldest grandson wants anything Man U for Christmas, being an avid Manchester United fan.

Well I know that at the markets here you can buy all sorts of football gear, so decided today that I’d head off in search of something suitable.

I haven’t been to Parklea Markets for ages, and as it’s one of the biggest markets (that I know about) in Sydney, that’s where I headed.   I used Tom (Tom) to be sure of getting there, although I did know the general direction I was to head.   As I said, this is one of the biggest markets covering acres, but I still had to join the other hundreds of drivers trying to find a park.   Mission 1 achieved.

I made sure I checked out which entrance was closest (8) to where I was parked as I was worried I wouldn’t find my wee bubble amongst the other cars when I was ready to go home, and headed off on my main mission. 

Starting with the closest aisle on my right off I went.   Past all the electronic gadgets, kids clothing, handbags, kebab stands and eventually came to the first stall with jerseys.   There were dozens hanging from the walls and I looked from one to the next, etc trying to spot a Man U jersey.   I knew it was red, but so are a lot of other clubs.   Eventually someone asked if they could help and as soon as I said Man U he shook his head.   Okay, off in search of the next stall only to get the same result.   Hmmm, popular! was my way of thinking.   Eventually I came to a stall that had all things for football supporters.   Caps, Clocks, Mugs, Magnets.   Ahh, I thought – if not a jersey then the clocks looked great.   One, two, three . . . twenty-five, twenty-six but still not one that had the Manchester United logo.   What’s with this club?    Well I was soon to find out.  

OK – all ‘labelled’ clothing apparently is licensed, and we all know that when you go overseas you can buy really cheap Nike, Rolex, Diesel, etc etc that aren’t the genuine thing, but we usually don’t mind as long as it looks genuine and is ‘cheap’.  

Seems though that the owners of Manchester United don’t like imitations to such an extent that they have employed someone in NSW to random check the markets to make sure they aren’t selling something as a Man U item that isn’t, and there are hefty fines for those that do.   They obviously have the money which gives them the power.

Oh well Cameron – I tried 😦

A foodie weekend . . .

Well not really, but as I have two separate food items I thought that’s what I’d call the Post.

Lobster Mornay

Yes, I’m back on my favourite food.   I think I mentioned that Dooley’s Club were offering this as a special for the month of October.

Last night Janice, John and I joined Neville and Tess to help them celebrate their 3rd wedding anniversary.   Wow, it doesn’t seem that long ago that we were at their wedding.    Anyway, this is their stomping ground, so that’s where we went.   We arrived at 6:00pm but the guys wanted a drink before dining.   I don’t know anyone over here that stops at ‘one’, so several beers and one and a half hours later and they decided it was time to move through to the dining area.   Hmmm, everyone else had decided to make the same move at the same time and so the queue was long.   We placed our orders only to be told there was a 45 minute wait before we would receive our meals.

We managed to see the entertainment ‘entree’ before our buzzers went off, being a group of 4 ‘cossack’ dancers.   I call it an entree as they were only on for about 10 minutes.   Apparently it’s so strenuous that that’s all they can cope with before exhaustion hits them.   If that’s the case, I don’t know how the visiting teams of dancers from Russia manage, but I guess for them it’s their full-time employment so they can perform for a couple of hours at a time.

Anyway we finally got ‘buzzed’ and collected our meals.   Four of us had the Lobster Mornay with Neville opting for Steak & Kidney Pie.   Must admit that looked very nice and he said it was too.   Well all I can say is, ‘Does it get any better?  I think not’.   It was much nicer even than last time and was so delicious I’m still drooling just remembering.

Marshmallow Slice

The call went out.   Who has the original Edmonds Recipe for this old-fashioned slice that I used to make when the children were small.   Wainuiomata days as I recall.   Anita was very quick to respond, although as I replied to her, it didn’t seem to be quite as I remembered.   I decided to do what I should have in the first place and ‘google’ it.   There was one entry there where someone else had asked if anyone had the recipe and only one reply, but it was exactly the method that I remembered.   (More like the ‘jelly’ recipe only using gelatine instead of flavoured jelly crystals)  

Anyway today I got started.    As always I want to make it when I’m ready, not when the ingredients are, so butter straight from the fridge being too hard, I nuked it.   Too long.   Runny butter.   Oh well, surely it would cream quickly.   Unfortunately, whether my hand-held beater isn’t strong enough or not, but I always have trouble creaming butter and sugar together.   I gave up and carried on with the rest of the process and fortunately it didn’t seem to matter.   The base came out of the oven looking just right.   The recipe indicated that the beating of the gelatine and sugar could take some time.   It did!!   Still, the end result was totally worth it and the marshmallow was what memories are all about.   I did pop it in the fridge as it was extremely hot here today and I didn’t want it melting down again.   I cheated with the icing.   You can get cans of Betty Crocker frosting over here – chocolate or vanilla (which I guess you can flavour to whatever you want).   I’d tried it for the first time last week on the Banana Cake I made, and as it was successful, I thought I’d finish the can up on the Marshmallow Slice.   I did thin it down so it would spread easier and it worked a charm.  

Of course being Marshmallow, it’s very sweet, so the normal sized piece needs to be cut in half again, but all I can say is – ‘Yummmmmmmmmm’.

BTW – don’t know what happened to the photo.  My camera usually takes really sharp photos, but I think maybe I adjusted the setting to ‘scene’ at some stage and have forgotten to change it to ‘macro’ which it recommends for close-ups.  Anyway, I’m sure you get the idea.

Brunfelsia II

This post is going to be short and sweet.   Short as in the size of the post (and I guess the plant could be classed as short too)  And Sweet?   Well as advised on the flower tag, the flowers do smell sweet.   As I discovered when I opened the gate when I was coming home the other night.

Anyway, just to prove that my Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow does have flowers, I took a photo.   Unfortunately it’s not as abundant as the one in the photo I copied from the web, but after 2 years at least it does have flowers.   There are flowers on each side of the plant, but of course I can’t take a photo of all sides at the same time, so this is what you get.

Lobster Mornay

Technorati Tags: Dining Out

Those that know me know that this is my all-time favourite meal.   Obviously due to the cost, I don’t get to eat it very often and I think having it for my birthday dinner recently, was the first time since relocating to Australia.

In last week’s local paper, Dooley’s (and for the uninitiated that means ‘Catholic’) Club were advertising a special for the month of October of Lobster Mornay for $14.95 for members ($19.95 for non-members).

I know that Janice’s husband John is a member there, so this afternoon I asked was he going to partake of the offer before the end of the month.   He said no time like the present (or words to that effect) and promptly phoned Janice to say they were going to Dooley’s for dinner.   And I was joining them.   Well John being John, (and those that know him will understand) when we got to the restaurant John went up with his member’s card and ordered 3 Lobster Mornay.   The fact that neither Janice or I are members didn’t come into it.   So, 3 Lobster Mornay at $14.95 each.    And the month’s not over yet, so from comments made, we’ll be back next week 🙂

Another advantage of being a member of this club is that members get everything at a discount.   Even normal meals are cheaper for members than ‘guests’.  

And, I pass this club every day on my way home from work.  

And, membership is only $5.50 per year – so why wouldn’t you join?  

Well maybe because they take your photo to put on the card?   And it’s a black and white photo.   And I was wearing a black and white striped top.   Hmmm, visions of convicts spring to mind.

Brunfelsia

I always thought the common name for this plant was ‘Morning Noon and Night’ but when looking for the photo I discovered it’s common name is actually ‘Yesterday Today and Tomorrow’.

I’ve already mentioned I’m no gardener.   A couple of years ago I bought two fragrant shrubs to put either side of my door.   One was a Gardenia and the other the Brunfelsia.   Unfortunately I didn’t take into account the fact that my door faces the hot midday sun, and also it’s sheltered by the roof overhang so get’s no rain.   Being the ‘slack’ gardener that I am, I didn’t keep up the water so the Gardenia turned up it’s roots and died 😦  

The Brunfelsia lasted a little longer although the leaves were very yellow.   As also mentioned recently I had bought a few perennials and some potting mix.   I finally took pity on this poor example of a shrub and re-potted it.   That showed up one major problem.   It was root-bound.   Anyway, I got that issue sorted out and gave it some of this new mix and within days I could already see the difference.

Here we are, only a few weeks later and it has started to flower.   As you can see there are three different coloured flowers on the plant (no that’s not my shrub, but a photo from the web).   As it starts to flower it comes out in a deep purple, gradually changing colour through a lavender shade to white.   With the flowers coming out at different stages the shrub can have all three colours at the same time.    So far I haven’t been able to get any fragrance from it, but as my variety is called ScentSational I can only assume that it will have a high fragrance to it.

Oktoberfest

We are now into October (to state the obvious) which is the month that Germans from all around the world hold a festival to celebrate something that I have no idea about.

Ok, I’ve done what I should have done in the first place, and that’s to ‘Google’ it.   Here is the link if you are interested.

Anyway, in Sydney there are several festivals held by the German communities that live here.   Janice and I had been to one previously and decided to go again this year.   We hadn’t actually seen it advertised – just knew that it was on and where.   We arrived about 10:00am assuming that’s when it started, but got it wrong.   We still had an hour to wait.   Because we were early, we got in without needing to pay the entry fee and also got a park only about 4 away from the main entrance.   We strolled around the area to check out what foods would be offered once they officially opened, although one or two were already ready and serving.   We got ourselves a coffee to drink as we checked out what was available.   It seemed a little strange that they had stalls offering Olliebollen (which I thought were from Holland), Kebabs (which are definitely Lebanese), Krispy Kreme (from America). Churro’s (South America), Coconut Milk (Pacific Islands), and other foods served at fun fairs, etc.   Amongst this selection though were some genuine offerings from Germany – Pigs Knuckles, Sauerkraut, Wurstel (sausage), Knodeln (Potato or Bread Dumplings) and other foods that I can’t remember.   Eventually they started serving from the rest of the stalls so I decided to try the Reiberdatschi (Potato Pancakes) [this was my breakfast] which are basically Hash Browns but round and the size of a ‘regular’ pancake.   I asked did you just put Tomato Sauce on them, only to be surprised by the answer.   Normally they would be served sprinkled with sugar and with apple sauce over the top.   My astonishment must have registered as they laughed, but confirmed that yes, on the POTATO pancakes they would use sugar and apple sauce.   Well I guess I’ve heard of some worse combinations so decided to try it the genuine way, but did put Tomato Sauce on the first one.   I have to admit that it wasn’t as bad as it sounds.   OK, I wouldn’t prepare and serve it that way myself, but I survived the experience.   There were hundreds of tables and chairs set out down the centre of the ‘bierhause’ or beer tent with a stage at one end.

Eventually the entertainment started by way of a ‘German’ band playing various types of music, but the obvious polkas and German dances were very evident.   There were only one or two couples up dancing, and occasionally some little children joined in.   There was one man who obviously enjoyed dancing, dressed in genuine German costume of Lederhosen, but you could tell that his wife was unable to keep up with him (as I found out later, she has severe arthritis), so he invited other ladies to dance with him.    He eventually came over to Janice and I and asked if either of us would like to dance.   Janice giggled and said no, but I thought ‘why not’ it looked like fun, so off I went.   And it was fun.   For some reason the band would play something totally out of keeping, like a tango, so we sat down at that point.   I ended up dancing three times before Janice and I decided that it was time to leave (I still had to do my main supermarket shop, not done yesterday).

and it Oooozed

Last weekend I was taking Anita and Mark over to Birkenhead Point which is where some of the Outlet Shops are.   I thought it might be nice to have breakfast at a nice cafe and had remember there was a shopping precinct on the way, but couldn’t remember what it was called to be able to set it into my GPS.   I called John as he is usually the driver when we go to the golf course that we have the annual Guys and Gals game at, which the place is also en-route to, but he couldn’t remember the name although knew exactly where I meant.   A while later Janice called to tell me it was Concord which I had thought might be the place, but this confirmed it.   Anyway we set off and with my friend Tom (Tom) [or was it Dick or Harry?] we found our way to Concord.   Sure enough there were several ‘outdoor’ cafe’s and we settled on one that already had a few customers (always a good sign that the cafe is ok).   Mark chose Pancakes, Anita Poached Eggs and I had the Eggs Benedict.   When we were served, the eggs looked decidedly solid and this was proven right when Anita tried to cut into hers.    Because I had the Benedict, I wasn’t too worried, but just plain Poached Eggs need to be runny so Anita had hers returned and eventually received another lot which still weren’t the runniest I’ve seen, but were better than the first serve.

Much shopping and some good bargains particularly with their cases although as it turned out all the add-ons were no longer relevant as they couldn’t claim the GST rebate on these after all as they were going into the hold and you have to have the purchases with you to claim.

Anyway, when I next saw John he asked why we hadn’t gone to the old Biscuit Factory for breakfast as it has plenty of outdoor cafe’s.   The old Biscuit Factory?   What old Biscuit Factory?   Seems that Arnotts had a bakery somewhere between Homebush and Breakfast Point, much closer to home than Concord.   Since it’s closure it has been converted into a precinct with several cafe’s, bars, restaurants and apparently ongoing conversions which will include boutique shops, etc.

Today I decided I needed to check this place out.   Sure enough there were several eating places along this cobbled strip of road.   I settled on one place that looked nice and the staff were certainly very friendly although maybe the guy was a little over the top calling me ‘Senora’ but I let that go.   Like Anita last week, I decided on the Poached Eggs requesting they be ‘lightly’ poached.   When they arrived I looked at them a little suspiciously as the white looked quite firm, but I put my knife to the test into the yolk area and it oooozed out over the toast and down onto the plate.   Yummmm!!!!    Yep, will definitely go  there again as they can take instructions.  

The only down-side was a couple with their precious little daughter who decided she didn’t want to do as she was told and let out an ear-piercing screech which was worse than a fingernail down a blackboard.

The BIG Day Has Finally Dawned

Yes, this was it.   The day I turned 60.    I didn’t get to sleep in (in fact thinking about it, I didn’t get to sleep in once during my time off) as Brian was calling in on his way to work.   Woo Hoo – I’ve been very patient but finally I got to open my present from him.   It’s been here for several weeks and the number of times I was tempted, but never gave in.   (More about it later).

I was so spoilt with all the gifts I received.   A beautiful silver belcher necklace to match the bracelet I already had, from my wonderful family, an Elizabeth Arden Revitalising Gift Pack and specially made coasters with Irises on them from Pat.   Lois had bought me a book on Kiwiana and also had enlarged and printed on canvas a photo of the two of us from our holiday in Fiji.   Janice called in between clients and had this huge parcel – a (not sure how to even describe it – sort of basket shaped but in a cream/silver vinyl with a silver strap-like handle) container for my magazines, Frangipani Diffuser and a DVD from the first series of Upstairs Downstairs.   (Janice knew I’d been looking for this for such a long time, but it’s only just been released over here)   Bevney had sent me over a Quartz Pendant and Teddy Bear Brooch.   Oh, and Brian’s present?   A Tom Tom (GPS) which will allow me to travel wherever I want and not get lost!!

Anita went out for her training session (I can’t remember was it a swim or a run) and when she got back we all headed out for breakfast at the Novotel at Olympic Park.   It’s not The Casino, nor the Crowne Plaza but it didn’t do too bad at all on the variety stakes.   Several types of bread, Danish and French pastries, fruit compote, fresh fruit and berries, juices from pineapple, oranges, tomatoes and apples, cereals aplenty and then the cooked section (BTW – they had a little screen set up either side of the buffet with a scrolling description of what was available.  Very smart) – sausages, bacon, tomatoes, baked beans, mushrooms, roast (?) potatoes, scrambled eggs.   And if that didn’t satisfy then you could ask for eggs to be prepared especially for you – poached or fried.  Of course to finish there was tea and coffee.   We sort of waddled out of the hotel knowing we wouldn’t need anything else until dinner.

We went from there to Parramatta Westfield where we spent several hours and for some, much more than several dollars.

Finally time to head out for dinner.   We were dining at the Platform One restaurant in Bankstown Sports Club.   Two train carriages set out as dining facilities.   We were at the back of one carriage which had doors which could be closed to separate us from the other diners.  There is quite an extensive menu, so I had thought that everyone coming would be able to find something they liked, and was therefore disappointed to see that there wasn’t a pasta dish, which I knew would be a favourite for Anita.   Sorry Anita.   The majority of us had seafood of some description – oysters, salmon, prawns, lobster (no prizes for guessing who had that), and then there were the steaks.   I had already had a quick look at the dessert menu, but no need.   The waitress bought out a beautiful Tropical Torte which was my surprise birthday cake.   Thank you so much!!!   I think everyone enjoyed it – it wasn’t heavy, a light sponge type cake and the fruit in it was lovely – pineapple, strawberries, passion fruit, etc.

What a wonderful, wonderful day made all the more wonderful by having family and friends to share it with.

For those unable to come – I missed you and wished you could have been there, but totally understand that it’s not always possible to be somewhere other than where you were.

The sad part was, not one of us had remembered to take a camera, so no photos to look back at 😦

and then there were five

I worked on Monday and Pat spent the day relaxing – something she doesn’t do often and finds hard to handle, but it was much needed.

I had planned to have this Tuesday and Wednesday off since last Christmas.   Anita and Mark were arriving early Tuesday and so I was to spend the first two days of their stay with them and then back to work for two days before the weekend.

Late last week Gail asked if I’d like the whole week off to spend with everyone.  I decided to still work the Monday, as Gail had a Trade Fair to go to, so I would stay and do what was needed while she was out.

Tuesday morning (not much sleep the night before – excitement was creeping up on me) I headed off to the airport for the second time in just a few days.   The traffic was definitely heavier but I still made it to the  airport before the expected arrival time.   Turns out their plane had landed, but as usual it takes time to get through customs and quarantine so I still had to wait what seemed like ages for them to come through.

The previous week Lois had decided that she was going to come over after all, even though they had a shift over the weekend, and after a couple of changes to schedule, she too was arriving on the Tuesday morning (although AirNZ, whereas Anita and Mark had flown QANTAS).   We probably had another half hour wait and then Lois too was here.

I felt so happy to have both family and friends who were prepared to travel from NZ to help me celebrate my birthday.   Oh yes – that’s what the celebrations are all about.   I never thought that 60 would be something I’d want to celebrate but although I don’t feel that old, I do have to admit that I’m pleased to have gotten this far.   I only hope there are still lots more to come.

Have I mentioned my little car before?   I’m sure I have (2 beds and 2 mattresses).   Well once again we were putting my bubble to the test.   1 driver, 3 passengers and luggage.   Lois had only bought her cabin bag and another carry on, so they should go on her knee, but Anita and Mark had a large suitcase and backpacks and a computer bag.   Hey – no sweat.   With a little bit of juggling we got it all in.

On the way home, we decided to stop in at Bankstown for a quick stop to get some Creamy Creamy Caramel popcorn – an all time favourite of the Palings.   Hmmm, who can ever have a quick stop at a shopping mall?   Well it was one of the briefest stops but it was still nearly lunch-time before we got home.

Unfortunately Lois had come down with the flu so she had a rest when we got home and with everyone having had an early start to the day and losing 2 hours in the time-zone change-over, it was just a quiet afternoon/evening.   Still good to be able to catch-up on what’s happening over the Tasman though.