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.

Last September we went in halves with Sue and J in the purchase of half a Prime Angus Steer. (Which we are still enjoying.) Since then, ordering another half has proven difficult, as has locating equally well raised pork and lamb of any quantity.

Enter Feather and Bone. All of their meat is organic and/or free-range and of very good quality. They send a newsletter on the Monday. You order by the Wednesday evening. And it’s delivered to your door on Friday or Saturday. They also supply a number of the nicer restaurants in Sydney, including Red Lantern, where we just went for my birthday dinner.

With our first order from Feather and Bone, we have had the salami both as is and on pizza; used half the lamb shoulder in a Guiness stew; and more recently the pork mince in cabbage rolls. And as a bit of a bonus, we got this cute little guy. He won’t be featuring in any dinner any time soon.

Do you know what this is a photo of? No? Not even a guess? It’s bird poop. Bird poop in our house, on our hardwood floor. Now this is not just inside our patio door. The bird had to come through the door, through the family room, skirt the kitchen, through the dining room and halfway into our living room. Without startling the dog. Or us seeing it.

That is one balls-y bird.

I used to use a Facebook application called “My Aquarium”. Essentially you selected fish and other marine animals to gift to your Facebook friends. The other day I received an email from them that showed an … interesting and rather mystifying … about-face in business direction…

We have decided to focus on something more exciting. My Aquarium’s name and functionality will be changed next week to SpeedDate, a fun way to meet new people. Data entered into the original app won’t be used anymore. Feel free to check it out.

Thanks,
My Aquarium

WTF?