This past Christmas, Duncan and I made the trip back to Canada. I was there for a total of a month, and Duncan for the last 2 weeks. This was the first time that we had all been together as a family for Christmas since 2003 – even before Sam, Katy, Brooke and Autumn were on the scene. Sam decided it was therefore a good opportunity to get some family photos taken. She arranged it with her photographer friend Jenn Best. And so it happened, that a cool and blustery day, on the sea wall near my parent’s condo, we had our photoshoot.

I think you’ll agree that the photos are fantastic! The full set are password-protected, but Jenn very kindly put together a slideshow of some of the best.

Her: http://www.smh.com.au/world/exotic-pets-advocate-mauled-to-death-by-tiger-20100112-m3qc.html
this is called irony

Me: haha
no kidding
someone should give the article to alanis [morisette for those that are perhaps of a different generation]

Her: why?
does she keep tigers?
oh
irony
haahhaha
oh dear, that one deserves a blog post

Me: wow – could hear the wheels turning on that one

Friday, @urbanfoodmarket tweeted that he was conducting a blind tasting of grass-fed wagyu beef at his offices. They had three cuts – scotch fillet, sirloin and rump. He asked the twitterverse what we thought the ranking of each cut was. I replied with 1. rump, 2. sirloin and 3. scotch fillet – and I was correct! As a prize, @urbanfoodmarket offered me a free cut of each, which he delivered to my work today – in an esky I might add, which was much appreciated as I neglected to bring anything of my own.

So as to enjoy it at it’s freshest, we cooked up the rump tonight for dinner. We served it with organic zucchini from David Ross and organic corn from Jo Cremona – both delivered by Lettuce Deliver today. It was fan-tas-tic. The steak was bbq’d simply in some Montreal Steak seasoning, worcestershire and olive oil and had fabulous flavour. The corn and zucchini were very nice accompaniments.

Thanks @urbanfoodmarket!

We probably chose the next-to-worst possible day to go peak at sculpture by the sea. We went the final Saturday – on a glorious sunny day. The worst was actually the Sunday – the last and an even glorious-er day. Though we had to fight the crowds at certain narrow bits of the walk, we did manage to have a good gander at what was on display. Full sculpture by the sea pictures on Flickr.

It’s been a long time since our last mini-break. When we first arrived in Australia, we were quite good at planning weekends away. House, dog, renovations, have made many of our weekends too busy. So our weekend to Dreamcatcher Lodge in Picton was long overdue. We booked into the cheese making workshop number 2 – Waxed farmhouse cheddar, sour cream, labna (yoghurt cheese), mozzarella, hand-churned butter and fresh buttermilk.

I wasn’t sure what to expect – but the weekend was great! Fantastic setting, wonderful food, enjoyable cheese making, lovely wine – that turned out to be exceedingly cheap and we had to stop at the winery and buy some on our way home. A highly recommended weekend away.

View all pictures on Flickr.

Lemon Myrtle Cheesecake

Cheddarella – we mistakenly combined the cheddar and mozzarella recipes…

First morning breakfast – you get to choose from a lovely menu

Breanne and I were returning from Kristy’s staguette. We had about a half an hour drive from the bar back to Breanne’s home in Airdrie. Nearly home, we get stopped by a check stop. (An RBT for any Aussies reading.)

Cop to Breanne: You have anything to drink tonight?

Breanne: No thanks!

Insert quick intake of breath from both Breanne and I. But maybe the cop has heard this before as he doesn’t even flinch.

Cop: Where are you heading?

Breanne: Home – in Airdrie.

Cop: Where have you been?

Breanne: At a staguette in Calgary.

Whoops! Kids take note. Sometimes less information is more.

Cop: Whoa, whoa, wait a second. You went to a staguette and had nothing to drink??

Here’s where Breanne avoids answering the question and deflects the focus onto someone else – in two words.

Breanne (pointing at me): She’s pregnant!

Well done Breanne – apparently that was the right answer! As we were shortly back on our way once more.

I have not been back to Canada in over 3 years and yet this year, I am going back twice. Forget the money – think of the time spent in an airplane. Pregnant. Twice. Good thing it’s worth it! I just got back from the first trip – the main purpose of which was for my friend Melissa’s wedding. The added bonus was spending time with my family – and specifically my 3 nieces: Katy, Autumn and Brooke.

And even if you are immediate family, you can be forgiven in not finding this post all that interesting.

Mozza Ball in 2D

Mozza Ball in 3D

Me Week 12 (excuse the clothes – Sunday is clean-the-house day

Week 13

Week 14 – can you see the difference? I can!

Her: what’s for dinner
Me: not sure
Me: maybe tortellinis and pesto
Me: you?
Her: oo cow bums
Her: hello
Her: cow bums
Me: mmmmmmmmm cow bums
Her: you’re having cow’s bums
Her: J said he was making dinner so I don’t know
Me: yes i am
Me: i know
Her: you know what
Me: ah ok
Me: i know i am having cow bums
Her: *g*
Her: we have the BEST conversations
Me: LOL
Me: yes yes we do

Friday night was a farewell for a fellow colleague at Plan B in Kings Cross. Feeling quite tired, I left around 9 to head home. I got all the way back to work and realised in my desire to travel light, I’d left my entry card in my purse. At my desk. In the office. One of those times a phone comes in handy. A co-worker who was still at Plan B agreed to come and let me in. It’s a good 10 minute walk, so while I was waiting, I stood out front of the office, leaning on the railing. Enter old Latino guy.

Him: Waiting for me?

Me: Uh. Not really.

Him: I make love to one hundred women today! You be number one hundred and one?

Me: Hm. I don’t think so.

Him: Oh? OK then. Have a good night.