RSVP Blog

Sorry heart2heart this years festival was on the weekend of the 23/24 August. But hopefully they make it an annual event as it was a lot of fun (and the Tiramisu from Grossi Florentino was the closest i've come to an out of body experience for some time)

Posted by: moniquen at September 7, 2008 4:15 PM

Posted by: moniquen at September 6, 2008 4:56 PM - Ooooo.. that sounds interesting. When is it on?

Posted by: heart2heart57 at September 6, 2008 5:23 PM

Homeforgood mentioned the Taste Festival at the Exhibition buildings which I actually did attend and which was excellent. I think I tried one dish from each restaurant (although that much rich food in one sitting means that all I wanted the next day was green tea and toast.)

All the restaurants were excellent and the Saturday morning session was surprisingly uncrowded which meant we could always find a seat and properly enjoy our food.

I'll definitely be on the lookout for it next year.

Posted by: moniquen at September 6, 2008 4:56 PM

Posted by: vanillla at September 6, 2008 1:13 PM - Ok ok... so I'll do the 'wine' thing too. Um... do they serve wine in half-litre Steins???

(oh... I can already feel a mongrel of a headache coming on... LoL)

Posted by: heart2heart57 at September 6, 2008 1:51 PM

Yes, but I'm not sure mere Beer Goggles would do it... lol

Posted by: vanillla at September 6, 2008 1:13 PM

Posted by: vanillla at September 6, 2008 9:08 AM - That's what the Beer Goggles are for... :)

Posted by: heart2heart57 at September 6, 2008 11:44 AM

Either that or get totally smashed yourself... Then you won't notice as much :-)

Posted by: vanillla at September 6, 2008 9:08 AM

Posted by: vanillla at September 2, 2008 5:26 PM - Better bring my bestest "Beer Goggles" then, huh? :)

Posted by: heart2heart57 at September 4, 2008 11:00 PM

Posted by: heart2heart57 at August 31, 2008 10:31 PM - and at the end of the day, that's what it is all about... If you like people watching, you'll have a blast....

Posted by: vanillla at September 2, 2008 5:26 PM

Posted by: vanillla at August 31, 2008 2:30 PM - Guess I'll just have to bite the bullet, fork out some hard-earned and 'suck it and see' (pun and no pun intented)...

Posted by: heart2heart57 at August 31, 2008 10:31 PM

heart2heart57 - that is possible but I think it is more likely that there isn't a winery in the Yarra Valley not crowded on that weekend!
It's fine if you know what you're in for and can sit back and laugh a bit.

Posted by: vanillla at August 31, 2008 2:30 PM

Posted by: vanillla at August 30, 2008 1:12 PM - Thanks for your report - that's what I thought it might be like now, as it was heading that way the last time I went. I'm in two minds now whether to go or not next year. Still, maybe the smaller wineries might not attract the big drunk crowds?

Posted by: heart2heart57 at August 31, 2008 11:25 AM

I went to the Grape Grazing festival about 2 years ago - first half was great, still... it seems to have been taken over by 20 yo's and watching them walking back to the buses, carrying their shoes and covered in vomit was funny - but I don't think I'd go again!

Posted by: vanillla at August 30, 2008 1:12 PM

Well if you like food & wine shows, Melbourne is having its first tastings show on the weekend of the 22/23rd August. This is the first of its kind in Melbourne (Europe has a number) and you can try tastings from all the best Melbourne restaurants.

Indulge, its worth it!!

Posted by: homeforgood at August 16, 2008 8:16 PM

On the topic of food & wine shows, I remember a mate of mine inviting me to come along to a food & wine show in Melbourne. I'm pretty sure it was one of those 'Industry Only' shows, but it was sensational. Great wines, and an ample spread of delicious food - gravelax, KI Brie, and all sorts of mouthwatering goodies.

Now those kind of 'tastings' I could grow to like :)

Posted by: heart2heart57 at August 16, 2008 12:42 AM

Has anyone here gone to the Yarra Valley Grape Grazing festival in recent years?

I went when it first started, and it was great. Decent food, great wineries, fantastic music, and a not too savage sting in the pocket.

I went again a couple of years later, and it was basically crap. The food had really dropped off, and the prices had sky-rocketted. I can remember having 'Thai Noodles' at De Bortoli's, which was basically soggy muck in a carton - digusting. The music wasn't too bad, but the crowds had at least doubled. You had to queue for everything.

I was thinking of giving it another go next time around, but I'm not sure what to expect. Anyone got any suggestions?

Posted by: heart2heart57 at August 16, 2008 12:39 AM

...and some take out curry and half eaten pizzas...and old, limp vegies...what's in yours?

Posted by: istj54 at August 13, 2008 8:05 PM

I have a nutrition book that states that chocolate is a vegetable. Anyone wanna borrow it? LoL.

Posted by: heart2heart57 at August 13, 2008 8:00 PM

Chocolate is one of my staple foods...I always have a block in my fridge along with a good wine, cheese and nuts...and maybe some greens.

Posted by: istj54 at August 12, 2008 10:15 PM

mmmmmmm - chocolate. Jen

Posted by: jenniferhi at August 12, 2008 9:26 PM

Uhuh - it's supposed to hit close to the 'sexual' pleasure centre in the brain. No wonder there's queues at the chocolate shops... :)

Posted by: heart2heart57 at August 12, 2008 9:12 PM

Lindt Chocolate from Switzerland is one of the best in the supermarkets here but in Switzerland it is just that... a Supermarket Chocolate and surpassed by any that you buy from the specialty chocolate shops. One of those with a coffee is bliss!
Women I think have a hormonally/emotionally driven need for chocolate. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! (Regardless of the chemical effects H2H LOL)

Posted by: waternymph47 at August 12, 2008 7:00 PM

*Darn*. And here's me thinking all this time that chocolate's alkaloids theobromine and phenethylamine can whack the hypothalamus and cause a tryptophan spike, thus driving an increase in serotonin and resulting in this warm and fuzzy feeling. Not too much mind, coz we don't want to trigger a melatonin conversion, and somewhat 'deflate' the situation. Well I guess that's all been shot down in flames now :) Maybe it just tastes good ???

Posted by: heart2heart57 at August 12, 2008 12:24 AM

Twoeyes - sorry, you said the film Willow! Sorry, I "read" Chocolate! Maybe chocolate does have a psychotropic affect? hehe. Yes I saw the film Willow and enjoyed it :)

btw, just got a box of choccies from the RSL for guest speaking at their agm. There must be someone up there *looks skywards*.

Posted by: willow29 at August 6, 2008 11:29 AM

Thanks Malsie; virtual choccy is minus calories too. Accepted gratefully!

Twoeyes- I keep meaning to see it - maybe is the best time :)

Posted by: willow29 at August 6, 2008 10:28 AM

well said willow..................thats exactly correct about choccy. There is one other thing and thats the darker the choccy the better the masking effect on the misery. Whittakers from NZ have a great 72% cocoa solids on the market that I find about the best at present.

And speaking of willow have you ever seen the movie of the same name???????????Great story

Posted by: twoeyes at August 6, 2008 9:50 AM

willow29, if you're currently in need and I was able to send it, I'd do so in abundance to help fill those cracks - here, have a virtual tonne of it (minus the nausea!) :)

Posted by: malsie at August 6, 2008 9:45 AM

Hi all, I've made a scientific breakthrough on chocolate. It was previously hypothesised that it was the chemical anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid found in the brain, that caused the feeling of "well being" when chocolate is consumed.
After extensive research last night (I am a qualified scientist!), I have come to the conclusion that chocolate actually blocks the holes in your heart caused by breakups and the ice that grips your heart when broken, hardens the chocolate and fills in the cracks. Moreover, the nausea felt after a chocolate overdose, masks the misery and pain of heartache.

Please send more chocolate.

Posted by: willow29 at August 6, 2008 9:07 AM

Hi. I am new to this category, and I have not gone through all the comments to this topic. So pardon me if someone has already mentioned the Taste of Melbourne Event being held on Sunday 24 August 2008. It is a great event for Food Lovers! So if you are going, enjoy!

Posted by: warmcreation at August 3, 2008 8:18 PM

starryeyez at July 26, 2008 9:16 PM

enjoyed that starryeyez..glad you had a good time!!..will be checking out Cos...

it's a pity this Topic hasn't taken off..had the potential to be interesting..oh well..

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at August 2, 2008 9:11 PM

One thing I did find at Tassie Food and Wine festival each year ... was a delightful honey mead ... hard to find other times of the year.

This afternoon I made some double choc chip Gluten Free Muffins .. and never one to stay at the basic recipe ... added chooped walnuts and dates to half a dozen and almond slivers and chopped dried apricots to other half dozen . Mmmm very yummy .. not sure which I like best .. so one more of each perhaps with a cuppa now!

Posted by: waternymph47 at August 2, 2008 7:23 PM

Still reckon Tassie(Hobart) has one of the best Food and wine shows every year. Maybe just the fresh air and the excitement of the yachts arriving in the annual Sydney to Hobart Race add to the atmosphere. Been a few years since I was there tho(10) so maybe it's changed. I also remember the pleasure of Salamanca Markets whenever I had a free Saturday to wander there with my daughter .. followed by a Caesar Salad in Salamanca Cafe where the young waiter always thought it so cute when my (gorgeous model) daughter asked him to make sure it had none of those "little furry fish in it"!

Posted by: waternymph47 at August 2, 2008 7:18 PM

My Adelaide Gastronomical experience....as promised :)

First night was a a restaurant called Cos. They do an authentic Ceasar Salad, gooey poached egg, real anchovies, GREAT dressing. After that we had a lovely Scotch Fillet, with a Brandy Butter sauce and seasonal vegies. My friend brought a bottle of wine, Dead Arm Shiraz 2001, wonderful !!!

Next night, it was off to North, a restaurant next to Sky City Casino. Fabulous Red Hog Pork Loin, served on sweet potato, with Kale, dates and yoghurt. Wine was a Peter Rumball sparkling Shiraz...WOW !!! Where can I buy this wine? (goes off to google Peter Rumball...LOL)

Last night was The Brasserie at Adelaide Hilton. This is where famous, clebrity chef (th chef and the cook ABC Simon Bryant has worked for many years. Great Seafood dish followed by a cheese platter, Semillon Blanc and a wonderful, Jazz Band

Lastly it was an all day Barossa Valley tour. 5 wineries, 3 course lunch, great times !!! (There's a new photo of me...errr enjoying the wine...lol)

Posted by: starryeyez at July 26, 2008 9:16 PM

Willow, thank you. Working on the sending now. rgds grego

Posted by: grego7 at July 24, 2008 3:32 PM

Grego, all ready to send! You'll just have to let me know where.

Posted by: willow29 at July 24, 2008 1:39 PM

Haha Grego, you havent tasted it yet! Reserve your judgement :)

Posted by: willow29 at July 22, 2008 2:31 PM

Posted by: willow29 at July 22, 2008 11:46 AM

Willow, excellent. thank you. rgds grego

Posted by: grego7 at July 22, 2008 12:41 PM

Ha, Waterlily, l doubt that my son would let his boss take a job at our place.....
Although he has recently fixed a hole in the wall that he impetuously put there in a fit of anger one night...Finally...................K

Posted by: auntykaz at July 22, 2008 12:00 PM

Grego, the new mixture of orange, grapefruit and lemon marmalade will be cooking tonight. Tri-fruit from the tri-state border! There's a jar with your name on it :)

Posted by: willow29 at July 22, 2008 11:46 AM

waterlily58 @ 2:20pm - Maybe you could trade a skill!

Posted by: willow29 at July 22, 2008 10:40 AM

iaminperth at 11:04 PM: Hi doll. You really do need to read more carefully what other people post.

She'd had an appetite-depressing strong black coffee immediately before, and the bit of fish and 6 chips needed to fuel her for only exactly 2 hours talking to me (by her watch), not nine and a half. That was someone else, a coupla months ago, which did lead to a second date, the very next day.

Yes - your Barbie'sGran status guarantees that no-one will hit on you in real life, unlike the experience of the real women that I meet and talk with, and listen to on these blogs.

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 22, 2008 9:46 AM

I have been to some beautiful restaurants for lunch and for dinner and have never had anyone demand repayment for kindness. I think a lot of people are talking a load of hot air here and maybe they should be a little more selective in who they go out with and how they behave when they are out. 9 hours on a shared bit of fish and 6 chips and a glass of water, you gotta be kidding.

Posted by: iaminperth at July 21, 2008 11:04 PM

oldergent at 7:35 PM: I'll let you into my secret. First-time single girls are looking for a fat pay packet, to feed them and the kids while they're out of the workforce.
They expect to be wooed and feted, and use the cost of the meal as a gauge of the man's ability to pay, further down the track.
Recycled-single girls have a different agenda:
1 They're sick of all the fellers wanting to shout them a decent feed, so they can demand repayment in kind-ness, on the way home.
2) So they're motivated to avoid that trap in future, by going Dutch.
3) As soon as you're going Dutch, you only want as much food as you need, to keep your strength up. You're paying for yourself, so there's no-one to impress with your generosity.
4) The purpose of the meeting is to check out the bloke's nature, not his wallet.
5) So the food is only fuel to maintain our blood sugar, during a long tete-a-tete that always runs for at least 2 hours, averages 3 to 3.5, and has gone on for as long as 9 and a half hours, in one legendary recent first date.
That marathon needed the lunch at kickoff to be followed up with coffee at quarter and three-quarter time, and dinner at half time, which she cooked.

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 21, 2008 10:29 PM

Posted by: auntykaz at July 21, 2008 7:57 PM

Son didn't have much choice on this job - it was his boss I contracted to do the bulk of the work!

Posted by: waterlily58 at July 21, 2008 10:11 PM

I have never tried any of the restaurants around Rockingham Waternymph, but I did drive via there on the way back from the Margaret River one year. I was surprised how nice it is and the views are beautiful. It is still a fair hike from Perth though and Cott and City Beach etc., are right on the doorstep.

Posted by: iaminperth at July 21, 2008 9:06 PM

I would have thought that most builders / plumbers would be too busy fixing other peoples things to have time to do anything else.....
I know my son who is a third year builder's apprentice is too busy to do stuff for his poor old mum........ Ho hum..........K

Posted by: auntykaz at July 21, 2008 7:57 PM

Timewarp @ 2.04 pm.
You will have to tell us how you finangle the finances on your dates. My last 3 dates, just the coffees have cost me that. Also how do you get the fish n chip eaters, costs me at least a roast dinner or steak and the trimmings. I did get one talked into a home cooked meal of corned beef with mashed spuds and cabbage au grautin with the white sauce. big mistake really it cost more than a club meal. Then the coffee was cheaper though, (I have my own machine)
Then again I have a lot less dates than you so I suppose it evens out.
Goodness a lot of you people rave on about the wines in your regions, but they are usually blends, while us poor honest people of the hunter with our straights, because of the costs of ours the plebs can't afford, so you do not get to taste the delight (notice that, not delite) of them.lol
Cheers OG

Posted by: oldergent at July 21, 2008 7:35 PM

Waterlily I think you'd find the average builder or plumber too busy to find time for the "love" jobs LOL

Posted by: iaminperth at July 19, 2008 5:55 PM
One of the best restaurants I enjoyed most while in WA was Betty Blue Bistro right on the waterfront at Rockingham. Excellent food, wines and service and not overpriced. Just sitting staring out at the view was priceless

Posted by: waternymph47 at July 21, 2008 5:48 PM

committed2commitment at July 21, 2008 12:47 AM
I,m one who generally leans towards south australian old vines,

C2C...you would probably love the Rockford wines then?..nw

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 21, 2008 3:09 PM

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 21, 2008 2:04 AM Renovations are fun!

This house rebuilding has been like a new beginning!

It has been fun. My eldest son is doing a building apprenticeship, so he has done a lot of the work, with me as his offsider. The older neighbours have given heaps of advice on what the old place used to look like. dad arrived yesterday with a load of bush rocks and rough-sawn timber off the farm for the gardens, so stage 2 is about to start.

Now it's just up to me and the bank - come to think of it, maybe I should have been a bit more flirty and become 'engulfed' with one of these builders or pumbers that have been in and out of the house for all this time?

Posted by: waterlily58 at July 21, 2008 2:20 PM

tallerthantom at 12:55 PM: No mate. She'd be about as far off target, give or take a bit..

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 21, 2008 1:47 PM

Cheap date Bil.Will you date the sister as well?

Posted by: tallerthantom at July 21, 2008 12:55 PM

Marcus at 2.05pm yesterday: Thank you for the good advice. My business is a shop that stocks and sells a range of standard products, plus an extra service - if people need something that doesn't exist yet, I design it for them, get the non-standard parts made locally, and then assemble them myself, now that I don't have 5 full-time staff like the 1980s.

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 21, 2008 12:37 PM

waterlily58 at July 19, 2008 5:01 PM: Renovations are such fun!

Joan (my Ex.) bought a run-down investment house with money from her parents' estate, and getting it cleaned up and fit to rent was our only noticeable togetherness in our last 6 or 8 dreary years together.

We'd both go there separately from work every second night and work till midnight, with quick stops about 8pm to scoff a shared takeaway chinese, and a coffee or two, now and then. One of the happiest memories of my 27-year marriage.

Back to the $15 first date: She'd got there 15 mins early and was finishing a coffee when I arrived 2 mins late.

We talked and drank free water from the bar for an hour, then had a big piece of crumbed cod each and minimum chips to share (half of which went in the bin - 8 chips is my ration, and 6 hers.) Total cost $14.80 on a rectangular cardboard plate to eat in the 'beer garden' area right beside the sea wall.

Her sister had just been out on an RSVP first date with one of those Brisbane blokes that we were just talking about in the flirting blog.

Fed her a nice dinner and some booze, and then expected to be repaid in kind-ness on the way home. Got cranky when she said "No way Jose." "But I've just bought you an expensive dinner!!!"

As a result my date was determined to go Dutch, and gave me her $7,40. So the date cost me about $13, including the petrol to drive about 40km to Cleveland and back from Mt Gravatt.

Lookit the time - gotta work in the morning. Seeyez all.

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 21, 2008 2:04 AM

I,m one who generally leans towards south australian old vines,however I,m presently drinking a 2004 Buller durif ,which is as full-bodied as mclaren vale shiraz.And I thought they could only make good fortified wines.

Posted by: committed2commitment at July 21, 2008 12:47 AM

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 20, 2008 1:04 PM

love a verandah..nw

The irony of my 'new' veranda, both open and enclosed, is that we have spent months ripping off the old 'sleepouts' that had been added on over the years by previous owners, hence reclaiming the original wrap-around veranda that was in tune with the original house...So with all that extra outdoor space, and much less indoor space, it seemed to make lots of sense to screen off the back, with bifold screens at each end to open up if needed, to have a lovely area for living/eating outdoors, without the flies and mozzies in summer. We also put in drop down blinds for rainy days, ceiling fans and a brazier - contingencies for any weather. The old dining room is now the 3rd bedroom (having sacrificed 3 so-called bedrooms by ditching sleepouts) and we have put a dining table and chairs in the giant hole that used to be a really ugly kichen/laundry!

Yep, I love my veranda - think I will live there!

Posted by: waterlily58 at July 20, 2008 7:04 PM

Good explanation poochesinperth walking in hot water would be much more dangerous The coals are quite cool and are a very poor transmitter of heat, unlike say metal.

Motivational speakers and books don't tell you anything about your product, they fire you up. If Warped is doing something entrepreneurial he needs to have something, service or product that works that is available and get it to market. He has talked about chandelier service hoists a while ago.
Cheers Marcus

Posted by: laughsandtalks at July 20, 2008 2:05 PM

waterlily58 at July 20, 2008 10:58 AM

oh wau waterlily...sounds fantastic...who said life is too short to stuff mushrooms!.. don't know what their missing out on... I like to baste them with a bit of liqueur and cream...enjoy your enclosed veranda..love a verandah..nw :)

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 20, 2008 1:04 PM

Sunday Brunch for one.. Sausage , egg, and a smashed potatoe, with grated carrot, beeetroot and chopped green olives on the side ..finished off with a coffee.. most likely consumed at PC or in front of TV if I can find a decent movie to watch ....

Posted by: waternymph47 at July 20, 2008 12:58 PM

The firewalk people don't actually use coal. It is a type of wood which is put over the coal and it's quite thickly spread. It burns thru but none of the heat is retained. Although it appears that the underside is red hot, which it is the actual part you walk on is in fact very cool. You are always schooled very precisely at the start to walk with flat feet so in reality the walk itself is just walking on warm wood and can be quite pleasant. It's all a bit of fun but I don't think too many people take it too seriously any more. It's supposed to conquer fears and show you you can do anything in this world. Would be far better to keep your own money in your pocket and be working a full time job as I have always found the secret to earning is quite easy - Get a full time job !!!

Posted by: iaminperth at July 20, 2008 12:54 PM

TW, do these guys that you see tell you anything that you do not know, as in are they just affirming how to be positive, fire you up with a go get 'em attitude???

I am supposing that they are motivational type speakers, is that correct??

Cuious is all..................K

Posted by: auntykaz at July 20, 2008 12:17 PM

Sunday lunch for the family: stufffed mushrooms with green salad and a bottle of Brown Brothers Reisling, sitting out on my newly-finished wrap around veranda, with screen-enclosed alfresco dining area!

Posted by: waterlily58 at July 20, 2008 10:58 AM

I'm cooking a lovely chicken marsala curry for tonight. It's a beautiful day today but still cold. We had quite a bad storm last night and we haven't any damage but there are plenty of branches everywhere and the garden is a complete mess. I'm hoping for a bit of sunshine for a while now and a little bit of warmth. It wasn't nice yesterday and a lot of damage done and a few injuries. Riverside Drive which is one of the main routes into the city was flooded again and plunged traffic into chaos as usual. So tonight is stay home, nice chicken curry and a glass of wine or two and an early night with the cat. I watched Sweeney Todd on DVD the other night but might find a different one tonight to fall asleep to, that was a bit too gorey for me. especially after eating curry !!!

Posted by: iaminperth at July 19, 2008 6:12 PM

Is it my imagination but are more people smoking today. I work in West Perth and the amount of people walking along the street with cigarettes and standing on corners smoking is astounding. A lot of the major mining companies head offices are in that area, maybe they are just totally stressed out, or maybe I am just noticing it more, but sometimes the whole street seems to smell of cigarette smoke.

Posted by: iaminperth at July 19, 2008 6:04 PM

I can't think of anywhere in Perth, even Kailis outside which is very economical and on the water. The Fish Cafe at Cottesloe which is now owned by Meads has a fabulous Oyster Night on Monday and Tuesday each week where you get a dozen oysters for $12. They are absolutely delicious, expertly shucked but then if you want a glass of wine the price is huge. By the bottle is a shocker and I think you can only get bottled water, not sure on that one though. I suppose some of the fish and chip shops way out of town would be a lot cheaper but anywhere between City Beach and Freo is expensive.

Posted by: iaminperth at July 19, 2008 5:55 PM

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 19, 2008 12:32 AM

How to do a first date on $15 or less! Ha-ha! Need to remember that one, now that the last of the renovations are being completed, the bills need paying and we only ran about 10 grand over budget!

Posted by: waterlily58 at July 19, 2008 5:01 PM

iaminperth at 8:01 PM: $15 is no sweat, doll, because I'm not in Perth, and nor are you, eh?

We're having fish and chips on paper plates and going Dutch, so the $15 also stretches to a glass of Chateau Cardborde or a coffee. And several glasses each of House Water.

The food is just to keep our blood sugar up, while we talk for yonks. Not a yuppie demonstration of our 'conspicuous consumption', as Galbraith called it.

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 19, 2008 12:32 AM

Junebaby57 @ 7.57 am

On the contrary, I agree with the others, I enjoy reading about how people spend their day and if TW feels comfortable letting us into his private moments, then why should we berate him for doing so. Most of us I imagine, are in gainful employment and work alongside colleagues and friends with whom we share just the kind of thoughts TW is sharing with us. Many people in TW's situation eg. working from home, unemployed, single (as are most of us), no close family around or just don't have any friends, need an outlet such as this. On the other hand, some people are just plain chatty.

Keep it up TW, I love your stories.

Posted by: maestrac at July 18, 2008 10:59 PM

NW, malsie and willow29: Thank you all for your ongoing positivity, and especially for your posts lodged around lunchtime today.

I too see it as light relief from the deep and meaningful and then the savage and spiteful that are our readers' main diet.

Marcus at 12.18pm: I paid this time last year for myself and a so-far-unspecified other to walk the coals in Sydney on Sept 19-22 (2-for-1 offer.) Last time it'll be in Australia - more money in Asia now, so he'll move his western-Pacific venue there after Xmas.

And yes - they have already messed with my head very helpfully in Brisbane and Sydney last year, including removing my lifelong all-enveloping chronic fearfulness.

My current distrous financial situation would have had me jibbering in useless terror, a year ago. Now it's just a rather-demanding left-brain adventure that's occupying me about 14 hours a day.

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 18, 2008 10:26 PM

junebaby57 at 7:57 AM:

1) I'm intrigued by your value system, eg how can calling a person 'cranky' possibly have a gender dimension?

The only perjorative adjectives with a gender content that I can remember are

slovenly and misogenous against men, and
slatternly and misandrous against women.

Can you explain please?

2) I was also interested to see that you are Very happy to hear about anything to do with bloggers' (and even their puppets') after-work lives, but the work that funds it all (or miserably fails to) is a forbidden topic. Verboten! Verboten!

Your actual reason for this profound dichotomy would also be very interesting to hear.

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 18, 2008 9:59 PM

TW why don't you try to concentrate on what you are doing instead of being so self absorbed all the time, then you might actually achieve something to sort out your finances. You seem to have muddled around for the last 40 years doing little else than feed your own ego and it really hasn't worked for you. Instead of just doing the same old same old do something different and then you may get a different result. $15 to take someone to lunch, what would you get for $15. You wouldn't even get a decent sandwich hardly in Perth at the moment and if you did it would be to share with a glass of water.

Posted by: iaminperth at July 18, 2008 8:01 PM

willow29, I agree with you. It's what creates the bonds of friendship and makes people "real" rather than a collection of facts, statistics and intellectual debate, that can sometimes become tiring with nothing emotional behind it to draw you in.
Mind you, some people's intellectual debating skills are a bit of a marvel, and they can be enjoyable to read too, in their own way, but I wouldn't like it to all be taken up with that.

Posted by: malsie at July 18, 2008 12:58 PM

timewarp1 at July 18, 2008 1:49 AM

Mate. Rich in a month, in jail in a year.

Be carefull. These hot coal walkers can mess with you.
Cheers Marcus

Posted by: laughsandtalks at July 18, 2008 12:18 PM

I actually like hearing about people's lives - that dashing off to get a roast chook, the lizards sunning themselves in the backyard, the rescued dove. I think it adds warmth and friendliness to the site :)

Posted by: willow29 at July 18, 2008 12:12 PM

timewarp1 at July 18, 2008 1:49 AM

good luck TW...look forward to hearing how it went it one month from now! :) nw

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 18, 2008 11:32 AM

Just catching up..........TW....you never read my post of a week ago properly....I am not cranky, and it is very sexist of you to suggest that.

WE/BLOGGERS/ on this dating site do NOT need to know the minute detail of your daily life and finances. It is a dating site, not your diary or journal. Talk about the dating, relationships, pets, places, food and wine, music....BUT not every detail about work and money..........jewels

Posted by: junebaby57 at July 18, 2008 7:57 AM

Hi all. Feeling really fired up. Spent all day Wed and Thurs at an NLP seminar with Dr Topher Morrison. Better than Tony Robbins. Even better than Chris Howard.

Helped me finally sort my mind out. Plan to be as rich soon as I've been poor for the last 40 years. A really good feeling. Plan to crack the Bubbly one month from now, if it has worked. Thats a half bottle between two. Don't want to overdo things.

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 18, 2008 1:49 AM

naturalwoman08 at July 15, 2008 10:14 PM: Thanks for your concern, but you guessed wrong. It's not that I'm too busy. The reverse - too short of work bringing money into my business.

Down to $2 in the bank tonight, plus $15 in wallet for Sat. lunch date, final demands for electricity and phone payments due Friday, and no income expected till next week. It'd bug me quite badly if I wasn't such an optimist.

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 17, 2008 12:56 AM

Yar cautious....how honourable are these men?.... I used to find that too...even with my partner around!..but..change the paradigm slightly..as in you have a child and not a partner and ...where are they then??! :)

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 16, 2008 6:48 PM

The town I lived in used to have a harvest festival. Lots of food, wine, and jazz. One year my husband left early and I stayed. I was surprised by how manny offers I received that day. They all new my husband but needed to be reminded that I was very married. It didn't do the ego any harm!

Posted by: cautious08 at July 16, 2008 5:46 PM

Martymqb: very good!

Home time for me, the blog night shift must be coming on soon. Unexpected trip to NSW tomorrow, (for work) so have a good couple of days everyone. xx

Posted by: willow29 at July 16, 2008 5:11 PM

Well, the French eat cheese, the Germans sausage, the Italians pasta, Russians drink vodka, Greeks love their olive oil, tell you, it isnt the food that gives us heart problems, its speaking English!

Posted by: martymgb at July 16, 2008 4:11 PM

We had family over for dinner last night.
Fresh sardines seasoned and deep fried, fresh tuna curry, steamed rice, water cress stir fried with garlic, steamed okra in viniagrette, roasted pork belly in soya sauce. My humble contribution was lasagna and I made a trifle for dessert with strawberries and my mums preserved apricots.

Posted by: egernia at July 16, 2008 10:25 AM

jogalonga at July 15, 2008 10:53 PM

oooh..and mine jogga!

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 15, 2008 11:15 PM

Interesting comment from a french cheese merchant tonight.

he said the French eat cheese daily, like religion and yet their cholestrol levels are lower than any other country.
Why? asked the out of her depth Mav.

Replied the cheese man

Because of the wine we drink with it !!!

he's won my vote .

Posted by: jogalonga at July 15, 2008 10:53 PM

auntykaz at July 15, 2008 8:29 PM
......five elements sound interesting...have tried so many but seem to go back to the nag..unless I'm in Sydney and head up to a manchester/homewares shop in Paddington that sell the most exquisite incense made in france from cedarwood......lol..the things we do for a bit of scentuality!
as for feeling unpsyched about cooking during winter..that's why one pot cooking is so wonderful and versatile..not to one-note..but tonight's pot roast was delicious..I had to substitute the lamb shanks for lamb chops as the butcher had sold out of shanks...we had to laugh as at one stage they couldn't get rid of them at 99c a kilo..and now..they are selling at $4 EACH..sheesh..and they sell as quick as they produce them..at only two shanks per sheep that's alot of sheep...enjoy your madras and saffron rice tomorrow night!..when making rice I always pop in a few cardamon pods....
TW......makes my heart glad to know you are taking care of yourself with good food and enjoy the making of it..but not good that life is tough at the moment..sounds like you have too much on??..take care eh?
martymgb at July 15, 2008 3:30 PM
......always find it looks so 'romantic' having pots of flowers and herbs on landings..good on you! need nature around you..no matter how small..
misspriss01 at July 15, 2008 12:13 PM
......how's the lamb shank and pearl barley soup MP?..lerve pearl barley..mm mm..went to a chinese banquet recently and they stuffed a salmon with pearl barley and some rather unrecognisable offerings!!..delicious though..
willow29 at July 15, 2008 10:51 AM
......love baked beans..my convenient choice of a nutritious snack food....vitamin pill in a tin..home-made are the best!..and barra..lots of it in PNG and crocodile..mm mm
good eating all nw x

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 15, 2008 10:14 PM

Posted by: tassiedude1 at July 15, 2008 3:22 PM

Right on haha.

Troy

Posted by: troyohboy at July 15, 2008 8:55 PM

Posted by: waterbombe at July 15, 2008 3:11 PM
Read his post original post WB, you are a bit of a space cadet at times.

Troy

Posted by: troyohboy at July 15, 2008 8:53 PM

NW at 7.34pm: I heartily agree. Just cooked up a heap of piquant vege curry and then ate half of it very slowly. The rest's for tomorrow night. Mainly kumera, celery and cabbage, plus a bit of 4 other veg.
My life's specially tough at the moment, but just now I'm beautifully tranquillised. Cheerful trad jazz on Redland Bay community radio is helping, and I don't need a glassa.
Deciding to miss tonight's free 3-hour seminar in the CBD also took a lot of the pressure off. I've got another one 9am-7pm tomorrow and Thursday, and enough's enough.

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 15, 2008 8:40 PM

Not so bad yourself there NW, l have changed from nagchampa to the five elements brand, and am burning water and wood, 2 different sticks that have heady scents individually and mix together well....
Not really into cooking terribly much during the warmer months and have really had to get myself psyched for Winter cooking.
Often we take it in turns to cook but of late l have been into it...
Tomorrow is possibly going to be a lamb madras curry with saffron rice, or maybe a casserole. Depends on how l feel in the morning before venturing to the shops.....
l grind the curry spices in the mortar and add lemon juice and olive oil to make the paste, then add other bits and peices.
However l am not averse to someone else cooking so if anyone is making something nice l will be over later for a little bag to bring home...........K

Posted by: auntykaz at July 15, 2008 8:29 PM

Fish and chips my way...thick cut chips and sweet potato sprinkled with sumac, baked for 10 minutes in the oven, then add a snapper fillet for five...serve with thinly sliced fennel salad (with mayo and capers) and fresh tomatoes with basil. I resisted the dessert tonight...rare!

Posted by: venus234 at July 15, 2008 8:16 PM

auntykaz at July 15, 2008 6:37 PM
as usual..your nightly offerings ALWAYS make me drool..I love that you love traditional style cooking..you must have a very contented family..at the end of a 'merde' or wonderful day ..I don't think much compares to sitting down to a dose of expectant smiling faces.. soul affirming good simple food and a glass of wine.. the warmth of a good family meal if possible ..in this fast world....or if alone....one should really make the time to do it..I think there is something quite sensual and happy making about preparing food especially if you love it..corny I know..but convinced it releases feel good endorphins in me.. lol..maybe I'm just weird..no comments!

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 15, 2008 7:34 PM

well..food and wine lovers..the nagchampa is smouldering ..yar..I know..what a bohemian..the fire is crackling.. lamps are moodily competing with flirty dancing candles..julia lester's melifluous voice and abc fm doing its magic in the background..meanwhile the kitchen smells drunk..as the tannic smell of a full bodied red simmers lazily inside a pot of lamb roast.. as it simpers salaciously in its own juices .. all that's left is to sip the glass of red that didn't make it into the pot and a mini cigar..kidding! but if I did smoke.....and sit by the fire and wait..
simply wait... mmmmm.....nw x

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 15, 2008 7:10 PM

Tonight's offering....
Home made chicken and veg soup, followed by a frittata of streaky bacon, grated zucchini, spring onion and macaroni......and some nice soft bap rolls for the soup........K

Posted by: auntykaz at July 15, 2008 6:37 PM

waternymph47, I grow my herbs and tomatoes on my back landing in a big pinch pot, the ones with the places on the side to plant in, Tomato in the middle, staked and then a cylinder of wire mesh that is a firm fit in the top of the pot. I always have a supply of basil, mint, onion grass and lemongrass handy as well as tomatoes. The pot is mobile, convenient and in Brisbanes climate always full of fresh forage!

Posted by: martymgb at July 15, 2008 3:30 PM

Posted by: troyohboy

Hi Troy
I used to like Northcliff. Great steak sandwich, good burger with the lot as well. And yes all reasonably priced.
One thing you couldn't pay for was the view. People walking up and down the beach. Guys and gals frolicking in the water and surfing. All silhouetted buy a thunderous storm and lightning show 20 or 30 k's out to sea. Certainly don't get to see that everywhere you go.
As for dude. Just a little old school.... dude.
Cheers mate.

Posted by: tassiedude1 at July 15, 2008 3:22 PM

Posted by: tassiedude1 at July 14, 2008 10:22 PM..."That's where you made your mistake fella... Do people still use the term dude? Guess so haha.Troy" Posted by: troyohboy at July 15, 2008 8:49 AM

Come in, Troy....where are you? The Wild West???

Posted by: waterbombe at July 15, 2008 3:11 PM

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 15, 2008 1:38 AM

NW... yummo! I "lerve" Lamb Shanks Casserole lol.. I also add some green pitted olives to a similar style of lamb shank casserole - although I cheat a bit and don't cook it for as long, about 3 hours... I can't wait the 5 hours... before gobbling it up lol!

I'm actually going to make some Lamb Shank and Pearl Barley soup (maybe this afternoon) - last day of the hols for me today :-(!! Back to the grindstone tomorrow.. oh well, I;ve had a very productive wekk and a bit - out in the garden pruning and propagating!!
Have a lovely day all! Am very much enjoying this blog too - crept out from my hidey-hole to say a few quick words, then am scurrying back to safety lol! Have been reading the blogs still regularly. Hello to all the regulars and newcomers:-)!
Ciao,

Jacqui

Posted by: misspriss01 at July 15, 2008 12:13 PM

misspriss .. I grew up on Yorke Peninsula on a propperty sizeable enough to have goats, geese, chooks and loads of fresh homegrown vegies. We used to get sent down to my Aunt for the day when dad had to slaughter .. either a kid or a chook .. as tender hearted me could not stand to see a 'playmate' being assaulted.
I was smart enough not to think too much about the end product that was on the plate(or I'd get into strife if I acted up at table)
We always put on a pretty good spread for guests and I recall one Uncle saying he would not eat any of the lovely roast goat we were having so Mum offered hom some of the cold"Lamb" she had in the (kero) fridge. He wolfed it down and asked for more and utterly enjoyed it all with of course some of Mum's fruit salad and Cream Sponge for dessert. As he was sitting back sipping a cuppa afterward .. my Aunt asked him how he liked the goat he'd eaten. He still vowed and declared long after that it was Lamb he enjoyed not goat!
When I left school and moved to Adelaide to work I was delighted to be part of a wonderfully cosmopolitan atmosphere with such a wide variety of foods in the delis and corner shops and such a multitude of culture and the ability to pick up a few words in Greek, Italian or German. I found the German basics and smattering of Italian to be helpful when I moved to Switzerland for 8 years .. many years later. Ive seldom had room for a garden in my travels at least not to extent of what I grew up with but can always find room for a few herbs and tomatoes.

Posted by: waternymph47 at July 15, 2008 11:56 AM

Ha Marcus - Ive done that with Barramundi - when you had to fish with a shotgun because the crocodiles tried to grab your fish off the line and then you get the hell out of there. "67 Landcruiser.

Posted by: willow29 at July 15, 2008 11:42 AM

On traditional cooking.
When I lived up the bush the go on a long trip was to carry some spuds and an onion or two. If you hit a rabbit or hare or even a small wallaby, you whipped out the knife, skinned the unfortunate animal wrapped it in silver foil with the veg. and placed it on the car's exhaust manifold. The art was then getting the temp right to cook it fully before you reached camp. Sometimes we had to drive the FB Holden at 75mph to get the heat into it. Sometimes you would need to drive to Broken Hill to cook a wallaby when you only wanted to go to Stawell to see the gf.
Hmm.
Cheers Marcus

Posted by: laughsandtalks at July 15, 2008 11:05 AM

ERAL: Good choice -cooking for friends and family is much nicer than cooking for a crowd (believe me!).
More and more people here are selling produce on the roadside here. Just pop your money in a tin :)

My mum had images of me eating baked beans from a tin when my hubby left. I dont know why - I've always loved good food - making it and eating it!

Posted by: willow29 at July 15, 2008 10:51 AM

Willow, please reserve me a jar of your next marmalde with the grapefruit. rgds grego

Posted by: grego7 at July 15, 2008 10:35 AM

Posted by: willow29 at July 15, 2008 8:58 AM

The enjoyment of good food is, and always has been the great leveler of society.
As a migrant myself, i have to agree with the huge change in the quality of foodstuffs within the last 20 years .
Thank god the days of white 'bread', devon and pickles ,and kraft plastic cheese slices have finally been replaced with artisan breads, prosciutto and rocket and sundried tomatoes, and goats cheese.

Actually, I almost pursued the study of the epicurean arts, but 12 hours at a stove, and dishing up grub to 100 people a night just isn't me. Still, i've nearly completed the LeCordon Bleu @ home course, own a rather excellent herb garden, and have unlimited access to a extensive organic vegie garden just up the road. I eat rather well, but have to watch my weight these days.

Frequenting the local fruit and veg markets is always fun, the cacophonous haggling by the new migrants, the wonderful variety, and the great prices; even the preserving of the boxes and boxes of of fruit and veg you always end up buying is rather hilarious.
well sort of...

I always feel a little disgusted by the attitudes of these hagglers, after i was told by one of the 'old school' market seller, how the markets work.
A agent buys the 10kg box of veg from the grower for a set price of lets say $6 a box - yep thats all ! - and the deal is, he expects to sell it for $12. If he sells it for less, lets say $10, then the difference of $2 is be deducted from the growers $6.
Worse still, if the box doesn't sell - then thats $0, AND the grower will be charged for the disposal at say $2 a box.

AND that happens all the time !
Imagine that ! - you work hard to grow and harvest the very stuff that keeps the country alive , and you end up having to pay them !

These "salt of the earth" growers of OUR food are the most mistreated workers in Australia. Add to that drought, disease, mortgages etc and its no wonder they go to the wall !

Keep that in mind the next time you buy tomatoes for $6 a kilo at Coles/Woolies.

Posted by: eatsrootsandleaves at July 15, 2008 10:07 AM

starryeyez @ 7.29pm yesterday

Your descriptions sounds delicious. Not sure about the smoked Camel though :-) Burghul is cracked wheat as used in Tabouleh.
What is the name of the rice dish with sultanas in it? Is that Biryani?
Can anyone help with that?
There's a show on SBS Food Safari with Maeve O'Meara learning to cook traditional ethnic foods with locals in restaurants and in their homes. Last week it was Lebanese. Fascinating the amount of herbs and spices, usually 10 or more, that went in to the dishes. The meat on skewers, and the bread, was cooked in a tandoor oven.

Posted by: egernia at July 15, 2008 9:44 AM

This is a lovely blog - lots of nice memories and wonderful food. NW - sounds like a nice recipe - I often go home at lunchtime and put the crock pot on for tea.

Misspriss - I remember - $2 a box for tomatores at the Central market. I love that place!

Starryeyes - did you go to the El Hafla in Perth a couple of years ago (organised by Keti Sharif).

Posted by: willow29 at July 15, 2008 8:58 AM

Posted by: tassiedude1 at July 14, 2008 10:22 PM

That's where you made your mistake fella, there is only one good restaurant in Surfers, which, by the way, happens to serve the delightful sea urchin I recently experienced. Surf Clubs may be a little frenetic but you can't beat the value or views and accept them for what they are......perhaps you should have tried something other than the deep fried fishermans basket:-) No offence taken, ummm, these are all just opinions to which we are all entitled.
Do people still use the term dude? Guess so haha.

Troy

Posted by: troyohboy at July 15, 2008 8:49 AM

nw's cooking corner..lol..now laadies and gennelmen..

simple no-fuss slow cooked lamb shanks..

chuck some lamb shanks in a roasting pan..don't bother browning..
throw in your favourite veg ..don't even bother peeling..just scrub..chop.. and throw them in..pumpkin..potatoes..parsnips..onions..
carrots....whatever..plenty of garlic or the whole scrotum..of garlic that is.. herbs..whatever you've got..(2 bay leaves..rosemary)..salt and pepper.. tablespoon soft brown sugar..pour tin/s crushed tomates over top and ..splosh bottle good red to cover.. top with water or stock if necessary..cover.. too easy..

slow cook minimum five hours or until it smells fantastic!..in slow oven at around 160 -180 ..depends on your oven..remove shanks and thicken juices with cornflour if needed..and serve with crusty bread..

tip..if you throw it all together after lunch you will have a dinner to die for and your dog will love you for the juicy bone after..or maybe a whole lamb shank to himself..!

ofcourse..if you have the time you can extra fuss with marinating the shanks..or brown shanks..onions ..carrots and garlic..add wine..sugar..cupla cups stock or water..gently bring to low boil and pour over shanks..but optional...and then invite me over to dinner! :) nw x

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 15, 2008 1:38 AM

misspriss01 at 10:46 AM: SORRY, DON'T GO FOR THEIR LIME. MORE INTERESTING THAN OTHERS' ORANGE, BUT NOT ENOUGH BITTERNESS FOR ME. JUST HAD SOME OF THEIR REAL OLDE ENGLISH STUFF (sorry - caps lock on from last job) on toast for supper.

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 14, 2008 11:46 PM

Sorry troy have to disagree with you slightly on that one. I spent seven years is Surfers and I found the food mostly orientated to the seasonal tourists. Off season wasn't too bad and even though the surf clubs are always great fun I found the food rather fast and furious. Couple of exceptions the little lane way in the Dolphin Arcade had some great Vietnamese restaurants. Mind you you could alway rely on the kebab dude in Cavil for a mean kebab.
No offense dude just an opinion.

Posted by: tassiedude1 at July 14, 2008 10:22 PM

starryeyez, thanks for that. I am a great fan of chickpeas (and hummous) actually, and some of the other things you mentioned... all sounds great. Lovely to meet you too :)

Posted by: malsie at July 14, 2008 9:59 PM

Slow food - love it! Mum slaving over a wood burning stove in the heat of summer putting a totally inappropriate Sunday Roast on the table! I grew up in the wheat belt of WA and that roast would feed us all week - sliced cold for sandwiches, chopped for stew and, if it were mutton, minced with onion and bread and served up as shepherds pie...Yes, kurli, thanks to all our fellow immigrants who widened our culinary perspective beyond 'meat and two veg'.

Posted by: martymgb at July 14, 2008 9:29 PM

One of the best ideas I have been shown lately is to put a finger or two of water in a tumbler, then freeze in the freezer. Result is a chilled glass with an ice cube that lasts all night. Ice cold drink - perfect for whisky!

Posted by: martymgb at July 14, 2008 9:06 PM

"Food glorious food"
Aren't we blessed with the fantastic selection available to us in OZ!
As a kid,I remember "dead boiled veges" and dry fried meat served up by my mum.........I will not consider the dried out dishes over a saucepan for when I finished nursing shift./whenever.
(Thank god for fresh fruit)
Then.......oh happy day! I learned of Italian, Malay,Chinese,Japanese and Indian..........and more recently Turkish........thank you to all Australia's recent immigrants for saving me from stodgy uninteresting tasteless pommy food.

Posted by: kurli at July 14, 2008 8:49 PM

NW I'm wondering HOW you cokk things on the move......(a double barrelled shotgun perhaps?) ROFLM.
kurli at July 14, 2008 4:07 PM

oh God..stop it..can't stop laughing..omg..

troyohboy at July 14, 2008 4:07 PM

LOL...well maybe it was wishful thinking..wink! wink! lol..and lovely story about your kind hearted neighbours

misspriss01 at July 14, 2008 6:51 PM

oh wau...weird isn't it..how one relates to many pleasant and unpleasant experiences with food..chocolate crackles and tinned pineapple did it for me..ate so much of both one day when a few years old..was so ill..and same..can't go near them..my poor deprived son never had chocolate crackles at his parties :(

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 14, 2008 7:57 PM

Hi there Eatsrootsandleaves (oh my I just worked your name out...hahaha..I'm a bit slow on the uptake) Anyway no lover for me, to picnic with...but would be just as nice to do it solo...thanks for the tip.

Willow and ...Maggies Beers is on my list now...thank you for that.

Aunty Kaz...yummo back at you!!! Can I come over to your place for dinner...sounds heavenly!!!

Malsie Arabic cuisine, uses so many different spices in the meat dishes. Also things like chickpeas...we use that in dips such as Hummous...but they are also used in salads and other hot dishes. We make stuff Zuchini, a variety of Kibbe, which is meat with burbul (sp?) cracked wheat and a variety of herbs and spices. This meat is served cooked and also served raw, similar to the French Steak Tartar. Meat is cooked on skewers, similar to the Greek Souvlakia. Lot's of dips...Baba Ganouje, Tsatsiki. Lot's of unleven flat bread. Different cheeses, loads of pickles, olives, oooh and Bastourma, smoked Camel ;) This list goes on

NW thanks for the info of the other winery...and that jam sounds like it's to die for !!!

Kurli hopefully I have given you some tips...but if you want more just yell out :)

Lovely to meet you all !!!

Posted by: starryeyez at July 14, 2008 7:29 PM

Posted by: willow29 at July 14, 2008 11:11 AM "I love how the italians make tomato sauce as a family affair - lots of chatting and gossiping in the kitchen full of family warmth."

Hi again Willow,My cultural background isn't Italian (English/Irish) but I did grow up with many italians and greeks through my local primary school.My childhood was very happy and of a similar feel to the Italian culture.. lots of home cooking and boisterous laughter and conversation.
Your current lifestyle (in Ballarat?) sounds idyllic. Brings back lovely memories of my childhood here in Adelaide suburbia (I guess Adelaide is still very much a larger "country town" in comparison to our Eastern state counterparts, but that's what I love about our fair city, very liveable).

My mum and dad were very resourceful as well as "watching the pennies" when we were young children - as I'm sure many other bloggers can relate to.

We had about half a dozen apricot and peach trees (for preserved fruit in the Vacola jars) as well as a small vegie patch.We also grew strawberries and raspberries for mum's jams,the yard was overrun with pumkin and zucchini etc, so we always had lots of pumpkin soup and scones, zucchini slice,zucchini soup, zucchini cake, zucchini pancakes lol (I fortunately still love zucchini)! Dad would get lots of bargains from the Central Market (including cases of tomatoes for mum's tomato sauce).
It's amazing how much could be grown in the average backyard back then.
I think I would be fairly accurate in saying that most of us on the blogs grew up with this lovely lifestyle of wholesome home cooking, preserves etc. The predecessor of the "slow food" phenomenom of today!

kind regards

Jacqui

Posted by: misspriss01 at July 14, 2008 7:17 PM

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 14, 2008 11:42 AM

Thank you for your best wishes regarding my late father :-).

NW, I have one particularly vivid (and rather traumatic) memory of the Central Market from my childhood. My father would visit the Market every saturday morning to get the bargains etc. as well as to give mum some respite from the children and get some housework done,my 2 brothers and I would also get carted along each saturday. (I remember the little chickens in the glass cabinets for sale too !).

One particular saturday (I was aged about 5 or 6 yrs old) I was in my usual reveree (ie daydreaming) while waiting for dad to do his usual "bartering" for a better price on some vegies etc. Apparently he was calling me impatiently to get a move along but I was dreamily sitting in front of the stall, totally unaware of him calling me.To cut a long story short, he walked off with the boys, I snapped out of my day-dreaming and went looking for him, very distraught. Two very kind elderly ladies found me and brought me to the police on duty,meanwhile plying me with musk sticks and lemon cordial. I remember vaguely hearing over the PA a public announcement regarding my disappearance, just before I was reunited with a very upset Dad and the boys! I now cannot stand the sight smell or taste of musk sticks or lemon cordial lol!

kind regards

Jacqui

Posted by: misspriss01 at July 14, 2008 6:51 PM

starryeyz@2.50pm: I wish you lived closer to share some of your yummy anti pasto recipes.
Greeks,Turks,& Arabic cultures are MADE for OZ......we NEED to progress past the burnt offering! :-)
Please add hints.

kurli in seQ

Posted by: kurli at July 14, 2008 6:47 PM

starryeyez at July 14, 2008 2:50 PM

hello there.. if you have time when visiting the beautiful barossa..call into Maggie Beer's at Nuriootpa for a cornucopia of wonderful produce to throw into your picnic hamper..and Rockford Winery is full of splendiferous atmosphere..and sell one of the most delicious jams I have ever tasted..a grand marnier and almond apricot jam..bon appetit...nw

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 14, 2008 5:37 PM

NW - you would have to be unlucky to get dengue fever in Darwin.. willow29 at July 14,

thanx willow..but I tend to be a bit of a mosquito magnet!! anyway..will do it one day :)

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 14, 2008 5:16 PM

I've spent a little time travelling around Oz for meetings so will give my two cents on yummy stuff I've enjoyed, can't remember names...mostly;
Breakfast in Fremantle at a cafe on a corner, perth it took up the whole corner and the streets are at a 45 deg. angle so it's skinny, Chilli beer at a pub in Freo...sensational, Margaret River wines yum, and Voyager Estate just beautiful. Evans and Tate nice....have they gone broke?
Adelaide ain't much of a city, yeah yeah you guys it's my opinion, but some really good restaurants. My favorite would have to be the one on the side of the mountain...Eagles Nest??? just beautiful upstairs as the sun sets. Lots of nice cafe's too but did my ass at the casino at 5:00am so Adelaide downgraded.
Melbourne is really good, nearly as good as Melbournians think it is! If Melborne was on the Gold Coast it would have a population of 30 million!! However it's out of Melbourne I've enjoyed the most gastronomic delights. How good is the Yarra Valley!! I stayed once in a place that only had 3 rooms, all of which hung out from the side of the valley and looked in one direction to the local racecourse and the other up the valley....maybe that was the eagle place? It had a restaurant and, as we were staying there, we had dinner but could not fit desert. We went back to our rooms and desert was bought to us an hour later....very decadent and wow, what a night hehe.
I'm from Sydney so can cite too many places except to say, if you have the time, try a Sunday arvo at the Newport Arms on a summers day.
Gold Coast has lots of great places but it's the surf clubs that stand out. Only place in Oz that you can head to 50 different places serving cheap food and drink right on the beach. Currumbin, Coolangatta, Southport...sensational. And the food is exellent if not 5 star. Lucky up here we have the hinterland as well.

Well, my longest ever post and I hope you founf it interesting.

Troy

Posted by: troyohboy at July 14, 2008 4:55 PM

When I lived with my wife and small son in the first house we were buying our neighbours on one side were from Sri Lanka. They were the lovliest family, just mum, dad and daughter who was 10 or 11. Multicultural Sydney was good for that unlike the coast which is lots of kiwi's, some southerners and fewer originals. Surprisingly few sheep, but I digress. Mum was stay at home and loved to cook. Each night I would arrive home from work to the delightful aromas wafting from her kitchen window adjacent our front door. I mentioned to them once in passing, whilst enjoying a quick chat in between edging and mowing, what a delight it was to be greeted by these delectable aromas each night. From that day until 7 years later when they moved to Perth the mum provided to us, each fortnight, a home cooked traditional meal with all the trimmings to delight the senses. Her mum even used to grind and blend her own curry powder so it was just right, made all the chutney's, naan's etc to go with it. They would never accept anything from us, we were rather struggling in those days. The husband, George, loved his cricket and to this day I have a soft spot for the Sri Lankan side....still want us to beat them though :-)
We do meet some wonderful people in our lives and would love to see them again to tell them what it meant to us.

Troy

Posted by: troyohboy at July 14, 2008 4:23 PM

Hi, starryeyez, and welcome...
What sort of food is Arabic cuisine? I lived in Aden when I was a child for a couple of years, but we only ever ate standard English stuff we'd have picked up from the RAF stores. My father would have never eaten anything he would have (charmingly) referred to as "wog" food.... what a lot of things he missed in his life...

Posted by: malsie at July 14, 2008 4:16 PM

starryeyes, pickled beetroot, yummo !!

My offering for the troops tonight is fairly standard fare for us on a weeknight....

Butterfly roast lamb with garlic, roast potatoes, roast carrot, cauli and brocolli with cheese sauce and baby peas.....not terribly out there but nice on a winter's night......and it all gets eaten................K

Posted by: auntykaz at July 14, 2008 4:13 PM

Posted by: starryeyez at July 14, 2008 2:50 PM
The Barossa is really beautiful, so don't forget to pack a picnic basket ( filled with the 'german' small goods, and other excellent produce from the area) and find a secluded hilltop overlooking the valley, preferably next to a vineyard, and enjoy a romantic alfresco 'lunch' with a lover over a couple bottles of local plonk... ( ohh right - the lover - errr maybe ask a local for a corkscrew? ohh wrong topic - conversation starter...)

Posted by: eatsrootsandleaves at July 14, 2008 4:12 PM

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 14, 2008 3:31 PM

Yeah right hahaha.

Freudian slip?.....maybe.

Troy

Posted by: troyohboy at July 14, 2008 4:07 PM

NW I'm wondering HOW you cokk things on the move......(a double barrelled shotgun perhaps?) ROFLM.

pore Greg0......overcooking boiling water.....did you burn the kettle dry??

Waternymph@ 12.54.....I'm not a lover of sweet wines either,I enjoy my Redstone Ridge Verdelho regards of what the
wine buffs decalre it to be

Posted by: kurli at July 14, 2008 4:07 PM

Kurli, I would love to know how to do it in the microwave. Please tell!

Kaz - isnt it surprising how much MESS you can make? hehe

Grego- I'll happily send you a jar from the next "improved" lot. This one tastes a bit like orange toffee marmalade - unless you like really sweet? I've decided that I'm going to put grapefruit in the next lot. I know just the tree I can scrumpy it from.

Starryeyes; Welcome. Don't forget to go to Maggie Beers in the Barossa!

Malsi (re golliwogs) Does that date us? :)

Posted by: willow29 at July 14, 2008 4:01 PM

naturalwoman08 at July 14, 2008 12:34 PM

cokk just about anything that can't be held down!!!..

oops!..not a line for the faint hearted....omg..ofcourse I meant cook..eek!

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 14, 2008 3:31 PM

Have been reading the Blogs for a while now...but too shy to come in and say hello. So Hello RSVP'ers.

I love to cook and have a passion for Greek and Arabic cuisine due to my heritage. More often than not, I also prepare my own pickles ie Beetroot, Bell Peppers etc Olives and other little Antipasto type fare.

One thing I am looking forward to, is visiting the Barossa Valley later this month for a Wine Tour....yummmm !!!

Posted by: starryeyez at July 14, 2008 2:50 PM

Stephanos is a bit like that - you have a set menu -5 or more courses and wine to match. You dont know what you're going to get and at the end of the night, you get a signed menu. People come from all over Australia just for a meal.

Posted by: willow29 at July 14, 2008 1:48 PM

I own a vineyard and a restaurant it runs off my kitchen.
Guest get to choose the wine but not the food.
I think as chief cook and bottle washer I should have that privilege

Posted by: jogalonga at July 14, 2008 1:16 PM

.have you tried any of the W,A. label MADFISH?? lovely drop!
Posted by: kurli at July 12, 2008 8:39 PM
Kurli I do believe I did try a glass with a meal at Mandurah Marina but have to confess I dont remember it's taste LOL.

I dragged out my Vin A La Box from the fridge to check the label .. The Verdelho Ive been enjoying is seemingly not sweet after all, but seems it to me.
DeBortoli Premium Reserve .."Our Premium Reserve Verdehlo displays varietal characters of lifted topical fruit and honeysuckle on the nose and palate. This alternative dry white table wine is an ideal accompaniment to grilled seafood or Asian style food."
I guess because I'm not a lover of sweet wines this one could be described perhaps as the "dry white wine drinkers, sweet wine"? Nice drop tho for Chateau Cardboard and very affordable for the discerning pensioner LOL:-)

Posted by: waternymph47 at July 14, 2008 12:54 PM

Willow,
Home made marmalade. Yum! Keep some for me.

I am probably stating the obvious but high sugar mixtures such as toffees, jams etc absorb huge amounts of heat and can inflict very bad burns so they need to be treated carefully.

Kurli, microwave is no doubt safer but ever since I almost burnt my mouth out on a microwaved jam donut I have been wary of microves and jams.

Ladies, this info is supplied by a male who has never made jam in his life and has been known to over cook boiling water.

You,therefore, know that it is superb advice.
rgds grego

Posted by: grego7 at July 14, 2008 12:50 PM

kurli at July 14, 2008 12:13 PM

ooh kurli!..could we have recipe please..mad about cooking..cokk just about anything that can't be held down!!!..except freak when it comes to making jams etc..made a batch of mulberry jam once (from our mulberry tree)..felt incredibly proud of my unexpected success..only.. to put it mildly..'stuff' it up when I accidentally dropped the dishcloth into the deep purple volcanic sticky goo..and with heavy heart threw it away:( friends told me that wasn't necessary but somehow couldn't get my head around eating dishcloth jam..! lol nw x

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 14, 2008 12:34 PM

Willow, l recall one hot summer's day, my son wanted me to make apricot chicken, his favorite when he was 5 or 6.....

So rather than make it in the oven l decided to do it in the microwave.....
Okay, went well, and l decided to add a mango to it so cut one up, popped it in, put the casserole dish back in the micro....

The micor was on top of the fridge we had at the time, and as l went to get it out, my grip on the dish slipped, casserole dish went crashing to the ground, onto tiles, shattered into a thousand peices and covered the floor with sticky sticky sauce.

My son looked at me and said "oh mum, the mango", and burst into tears......That took me a few good go's with the hot water and mop, so my plan to have an easy dinner ended up with me all hot and sweaty cleaning the kitchen floor several times.

Don't think l have cooked apricot chicken since............K

Posted by: auntykaz at July 14, 2008 12:21 PM

willow29 - wow, yes, the golliwogs from the jam - I used to love those (would be seen as totally racist now, of course). You saved them up, sent them away and got badges or something, as I recall? That's an old, old memory I hadn't thought about for a long time...

Posted by: malsie at July 14, 2008 12:14 PM

Willow @9.22am
Re burning marmalade...Girl! Use your microwave! I've been making jams,marmalades,pickles,& chutneys in M/W for over 20 years.....BRILLIANT!
Better colours.and if phone rings STOP cooking and restart later.
NO problem :-)

Posted by: kurli at July 14, 2008 12:13 PM

misspriss01 at July 14, 2008 10:46 AM
It woulds also be a lovely (romantic) venue for a date with a potential partner (hmmmm... :-( !!)

LOL..maybe we could work on it and go as a chic foursome!..LOL..

..a Kir Royale to begin with followed by a leetle bit of friendly 'french kissing'..lol.. aaah..kissing..who needs conversation!..lol..nw x

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 14, 2008 12:07 PM

Egernia - and potency no doubt! *vbg*

NW - you would have to be unlucky to get dengue fever in Darwin. The mosquitoes tend to favour the overseas tourists. The Thursday night markets are unmissable!

Posted by: willow29 at July 14, 2008 12:05 PM

Willow, my dad used to make his own wine. We would all take it in turn to stomp the grapes with our feet. All the neighbourhood kids would rock up and want to have a go. Dad's vino was quite famous
amongst the locals for its pungent aroma and full bodied taste.

Posted by: egernia at July 14, 2008 11:51 AM

kurli at July 13, 2008 10:12 PM

how fantastic!! THREE times..the mind biggles..er boggles er bloggles!! I think I'd be experiencing technicolour yawns by that stage..lol

Willow29..have heard about mindil beach..sounds beautiful..definately on my list of what to do..only trouble is having lived in PNG and contracting dengue fever..not nice.. apparently have to be careful not to be bitten twice!..could have disastrous consequences:(..

aaah..the Central Market..well..popped along to a favourite stall selling Russian food..pierogies..salads etc..for my Russian salad fix...just LOVE it..noticed new owners..asked for a take-away of Russian salad..and she looked at me blankly and said.."they're all Russian salads"..lol..knew then that these people were not genuine Russians..and didn't make the traditional Russian salad..so..another favourite stall bites the dust:(..but there is a Russian cafe at Semaphore that makes the best genuine salads)..mm mm!

and Happy Bastille Day to you too Miss P! and to the memory of your father..:)

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 14, 2008 11:42 AM

Jacqui - I love how the italians make tomato sauce as a family affair - lots of chatting and gossiping in the kitchen full of family warmth.

Making things in the winter definately has advantages over summer crops!

Anyone remember the golliwogs you used to get when you collected the tokens from Robinsons jam?

Posted by: willow29 at July 14, 2008 11:11 AM

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 13, 2008 11:50 PM
Yes, NW, I may see you there at the French Festival :-)!! (yummo, macaroons...!). I generally go with my mum and other family members. It woulds also be a lovely (romantic) venue for a date with a potential partner (hmmmm... :-( !!)
Anyway, Happy Bastille Day to you to! (I never forget this day as it is my late father's birthday!).

Hi Willow, I made home made tomato sauce during the last summer holidays (my mum's recipe... she hadn't made it for years and so I was missing my "fix"). It turned out really well, and judging by the recipients of my produce I will be making more next summer lol. It's very "hot" work especially during mid summer. Glad you were able to salavage most of your marmalade jam. TW, I agree with your choice of commercial marmalade too ("Roses" brand) - I happen to also love their Lime marmalade...mmmm. yum. I also love the St Dalfours jam (it's a french brand NW lol!).
On hols at the moment.. enjoying some domestic engineering before heading back to the chaos of school life lol!

kind regards

Jacqui (Miss P)

Posted by: misspriss01 at July 14, 2008 10:46 AM

I miss the Adelaide markets too. I used to love going there in my student days. And on a cold afternoon, a vindaloo from the food halls. Another market I miss is the Mindil Beach markets in Darwin. I lived less than 1km from them and the atmosphere and range of foods was fantastic. Most people end up sitting on the beach with an assortment of exotic foods and watching the sunset, while the lanterns and music start up.

Jogalonga : sounds delicous

NW: Gotta get those stilletos happening in the sales (j/k).

On another note; after reading the first posts, I went home and made pumpkin soup and damper. Then my sister and her family from Sydney popped in for a surprise visit.
On Sunday I made marmalade - first time since high school. I have some great tips:
1. NEVER take your eyes off the marmalade, even to pop on a load of washing.
2. Marmalade burns tea towels when boiling.
3. Marmalade also scorches wooden floors
4. Burning tea towels set off the fire alarms....
5. Wailing fire alarms set off the dogs....
6. Marmalade on floors takes FIVE hot soapy washes to remove.

I did get half a dozen jars though :)

Posted by: willow29 at July 14, 2008 9:22 AM

Fo my birthday this year I was treated to a fine dining experience at 'The Press Club' Flinders St, Melbourne (2 chef hats).
We chose the Kerasma (sharing) menu which consisted of Chef/Owner George Calombaris' signature dishes. It was an expensive evening but well worth it.
Dinner out last night with friends at Villa Romano, Lygon St.
Delicious handmade pasta, but not as good as my mums.
Living with a Chef, I'm becoming quite an expert at washing the dishes.

Posted by: egernia at July 14, 2008 8:53 AM

misspriss01 at July 13, 2008 8:24 PM
thank you for your wishes!..this is the first time that I was nonplussed about my birthday...normally I milk every bit of enjoyment from it that I can..for a couple of weeks or so..then look at my bank balance and my waistline and regret it..lol..but we have been feeling off lately so taking life slowly..

yes! can't wait either for the festival..infact.. La Guillotine Restaurant is celebrating Bastille Day tomorrow night with many special things..musicians.. decorations and menu..their house speciality is rabbit with dijon mustard sauce..I remember my mother making a similar dish once..so simple and memorable!!

aaah..lyndoch lavender farm..had a property and vineyard at one stage nearby..

anyway..must get back to watching the 'tour de france'..what a treat that is!..just wish the race was alot slower so as to have longer glimpses of the villages..lol

oh..may see you at the festival and share a wine and a petit macaron or three :)

goodnight to all nw x

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 13, 2008 11:50 PM

waterbombe
i pinch most of my ideas from restaurants I visit which means it could be anywhere from

Paris,Giverney,London, San Francisco,Las Vegas,Vancouver,Narita,The Hunter Valley ,Newcastle ,Sydney,The Yarra Valley,Toorak...............love the pastries in Acland St.
I do believe one of our not to frequent bloggers fathe rowns a pub in Richmond some garage or something like that.

The last meal i had I Melbourne was at Radii in the Park Hyatt......2 chefs hats I believe .

Posted by: jogalonga at July 13, 2008 11:08 PM

naturalwoman@7.30pm:Dunno about outflying Biggles,but the THREE flights I had were fantastic! I'm hooked!

Posted by: kurli at July 13, 2008 10:12 PM

Woo, Longjogger, I'll try that....sounds delish. Have you tried Interlude, Cautious007? It's in Brunswick St....same thing as Vin, wine by the glass, and the most amazing food. Pricey though...about $250 for two. But if you save up it's well worth it .

Posted by: waterbombe at July 13, 2008 9:49 PM

jogalonga....which state do you live in?

in Melbourne,I think maybe in East St Kilda or nearby(a suburb which has many Koscha shops) there is a pastry shop which makes pies,pastries...everything with sourdough..Maybe one of the Melbourneites can refresh my memory on the suburb.

Posted by: musicteacher at July 13, 2008 9:43 PM

Cautious8, Donnini's in Carlton is good, run by the Donnini family who all live in Carlton and have done for many years....Give that a try............K

Posted by: auntykaz at July 13, 2008 9:30 PM

Hi Joga. I think any OCD would be hard to live with, however, having said that I guess it depends which one it is and how it impacts on your life. I have a friend who can't touch door knobs, keyboards or anything else. She is married and somehow they seem to get around all the problems. Having said that, he is one of the most laid back people and just seems to go alone with anything she says. The process he has to go thru ever night just to go to sleep with her in the same bed would be enough to drive me mad night after night and anything else more or less takes up the whole night with all the cleanliness that goes on. However, they seem happy, he is accepting so it all depends on the situation I guess. My little cat crawls in bed with me looking for warmth and my big puppy lays beside it so that would knock me out of any the OCD stakes I think. Oh well, I shower every day, sometimes twice and when I am tired I climb into bed with my Explorer Sox on. I am sure she looks a lot better, however, I am sure I get a much better sleep.

Posted by: iaminperth at July 13, 2008 8:25 PM

Posted by: waternymph47 at July 13, 2008 11:48 AM &
Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 12, 2008 9:02 PM

Hello WN and NW, I very much enjoy your posts :-).

Happy Birthday too NW, I hope you enjoyed your special day.

I'm also an Adelaide girl and love our Central Market - we are very fortunate to have such a wonderful array of fresh and unusual produce at our fingertips, as I am sure many other cities around Australia do too. WN, I'm very sorry you feel so homesick for SA. I know I would feel the same way if I had to relocate from our lovely city.

NW, as another "Francophile" (although I'm afraid I'm unable to speak a word of French except for "oi" and "Merci" and a couple of swear words lol!), had to let you know (or you probably already do) about the French Festival that is held bi-annually at our wonderful Carrick Hill. It is on again this year and I just can't wait!! (14th,15th,16th November).
"Mulots" patisseries, Lyndock Lavendar Farm products, organic wines, to name but a few wonderful gastronomic delights to be devoured! The whole atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed and everyone is immersed in the French/Gaelic culture.
Each Festival celebrates a different region and this year the region celebrated is
R�gion Provence Alpes C�te d'Azur-Conseil G�n�ral des Alpes Maritimes (as quoted from the Adelaide Alliance Francaise website.

Have you also been NW? Would love to hear about your experiences of the French Festival.

Regards

Miss P (Jacqui)

Posted by: misspriss01 at July 13, 2008 8:24 PM

Here's a little appetiser for you.

When i make pizza dough , I make it like a bread and generally have some left over.
Take the pizza dough make it into small balls, roll it out, add finely chopped shallots,crushed garlic and triple Brie with out the rind.
Form back into balls with the filling in the centre , bake in oven and remove and serve as mini bread rolls instead of garlic bread.

Posted by: jogalonga at July 13, 2008 7:50 PM

Please forgive the spelling mistake of Leeuwin Estate. I had been enjoying the fruits from another region at the time.
I would love to hear of any restaurant recommendations in the Melbourne region. Personally I have enjoed Taxi, The Botanical, Da Noi, Vin, Mirka. There are many others. These all have great wine lists. Vin is different as they offer vine by the glass to suit each individual dish you order. It is a great experience.

Posted by: cautious08 at July 13, 2008 7:46 PM

Please forgive the spelling mistake of Leeuwin Estate. I had been enjoying the fruits from another region at the time.

Posted by: cautious08 at July 13, 2008 7:37 PM

kurli at July 12, 2008 8:45 PM
and last night I was treated to a really great Gorgonzola! YUM!

hi kurli...cheers for your good wishes..love gorgonzola too! except the last time I bit into a tasty morsel..(another french number)!..had a weird allergic reaction...my tongue began to swell in bulbous undulating patterns across my freaked out tongue..it was scary..and I was soooo looking forward to it...but it was exceptionally 'bitey' ..overdosed on penicillin(mmm..these unsuspecting foreigners)..will stick to the local varieties from now...lol

hope you outflew biggles today! ( x ) nw

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 13, 2008 7:30 PM

I have just discovered a bakery specialising in Sourdough in Morpeth 3 minutes away via car.
Guess wher I am heading tomorrow ?

Posted by: jogalonga at July 13, 2008 7:28 PM

iaminperth
I hope this one gets posted .
i did reply to you about the compulsive disorder in detail.
nothing infammatory, just a straight out explanation that i never even got to hold hands just to put you straight.
But it all got cut..............

Posted by: jogalonga at July 13, 2008 7:22 PM

waternymph47 at July 13, 2008 11:48 AM

isn't it funny how we sometimes think the grass is always greener on the other side..often I think of living in other places for many different reasons..which doesn't make for feeling settled in your birthplace..a bit of the gypsy in me I think..anyway...I hope you settle in quickly...central coast sounds gorgeous..they have wonderful markets too..home can really be anywhere..especially when family are near..I am sure you will eventually find your niche..I lived in PNG a long time ago..loved the musty smells..the tropical fruit..paw paws..mangoes..bananas..and so on..
warm wishes..nw x

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 13, 2008 7:07 PM

Lovely drop Kurli Madfish and also fifth leg, both are really quaffable and friendly wines. Some of the goundry wines are also delicious. I also like Barking Owl, but a bit hard to come by at times as it is a very small winery but very nice also. Not knowing enough about wines I tend to sort them by friendly wines to sip away on with good company in large happy surroundings and then there are the really serious ones to ponder over with good company but maybe in a more serious setting. I do especially like the WA reds though and now some of the whites, Evans and Tate Classic white is a stunner with seafood or wherever a crisp white is required on a hot day. yum, may have a little red soon methinks!

Posted by: iaminperth at July 13, 2008 6:09 PM

Love Sourdough...especially toasted.

Alas....I am not a connoisseur of wines,and don't drink much alchohol....except maybe a few straight vodkas on the rare occassions I go out these days.

I am however fussy about the food I eat....

seeded bread,tuna almost daily,raw nuts,kalamata olives,Bulgarian fetta(from the sheep,not goat),Extra Virgin Olive oil,brown rice,prawns,Beef steak...nice and rare,Tuna steaks,prawns and clams....and rocket,,,yum yum....and once a month,a 200gr slab of chocolate with whole hazelnuts.

Can I also suggest...Frangelico on ice with lemon juice...."the lovers' drink" apparently.

Posted by: musicteacher at July 13, 2008 3:27 PM

Couldn't leave the Margaret River without purchasing a couple of bottles of Nooky Port. Lovely smooth port for late night in front of the fire, or without a fire actually. Before anyone stops laughing at the name, it comes from the Woodynook Winery and, yes, it's pretty famous.

Posted by: iaminperth at July 13, 2008 2:24 PM

Natural Woman I do love and miss the Central Markets .. and everything else about South Australia. Yes the market smells are a delight .. even the cheesey and fishy ones LOL
I moved up to NSW Central coast to be closer to daughter and Grandson .. and even tho I'm still not seeing as much of them as I'd like to .. cant go back to SA as much as I'd love to ... Can only hope to find something similar here! For now I just wander up to local shops inhale the aromas of the Bakery on the way past to the Newsagent, pick up a few neccessities and walk home along the edge of the lake.

Posted by: waternymph47 at July 13, 2008 11:48 AM

oh..and a little bit goes a long whey...hehe

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 12, 2008 9:15 PM

There was no hope of a great starter conversation followed by a date then?
amberlight58 at July 12, 2008 7:41 PM

LOL amberlight...definately not! something to remember when I buy it again..it will be the LAST thing I buy at the market before going home...never happened before..it puts 'Ever bumped into 'potential' whilst taste-testing cheeses or educating your palette'? into another paradigm...I think one has to rub shoulders and bottoms with other cheese addicts simultaneously as a sort of territorial cheese dance of mutual acceptance and desire of the whey things are...say cheese :) nw x

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 12, 2008 9:02 PM

......and last night I was treated to a really great Gorgonzola! YUM!
Must dig out my sourdough recipes while the weather is coolish.
Tonight I have been enjoying a yummy Pea/ham soup with sippets.
bon appetit mes amis........Monday I will enjoy a pot of Vichysoisse (:?sp)

Posted by: kurli at July 12, 2008 8:45 PM

Waternymph@ 5.21pm.
I have also been recommended to try out SIROMET.Unfortunately altho Mt Cotton is an old stamping ground,living on the north side of the river makes things a little difficult for me to get there,and drive home safely after.
One thing I need to query.......you refer to Verdelho as being sweet.........I've been buying Redstone Ridge(Hunter Valley) Verdelho's for a while now.....and I thought I was enjoying them for their dryness!

I'm also finding it more difficult to buy Semillon Chardonnays than anout a year back.

Having said that.......have you tried any of the W,A. label MADFISH?? lovely drop!

Posted by: kurli at July 12, 2008 8:39 PM

Trou de Cru has a name that sounds a lot like 'Trou de Cul' which is french for a certain part of the rear anatomy.. perhaps it is a play on words :( pheeuuwww)!

willow29..thank you...have had to celebrate rather quietly but happily as 'Son With Bad Timing' has been ill past few days :(

the day got off to a weird start..off to shop for birthday present to myself..woman in bookstore shortchanges me by ten dollars..ugly scenes trying to retrieve money that was rightfully mine..lol..next shop.. another woman grabbed a pair of boots I fell in lust with.. right from under my arms..I had just put them down for a second to get another pair of boots ..too polite to say anything which I deeply regret now... even more weird.. I was the only one in this tiny shop until she appeared from nowhere...and bought the last pair..grrr!..the day continued to be a joke..third try..bought a book called 'Paris Interiors'..only to find when I excitedly opened it at home.. that it was almost entirely filled from cover to cover with interiors by mostly gay designers with questionable gaudy and way over the top tastes..(sorry gays with good taste)!..but you know what I mean..how many gaudy gargoyle's ..deer heads and gold can one person live..let alone sleep with!..lol..anyway

it was a bit of a 'merde' day actually..'mama said there'd be days like this':) ..

a good night to you all..nw x

by the way..speaking of gays..good to hear your opinions on the blogs..??

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 12, 2008 8:32 PM

Naturalwoman,
How embarrassing (and funny!) There was no hope of a great starter conversation followed by a date then?
Hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Posted by: amberlight58 at July 12, 2008 7:41 PM

what a strange coincidence...here's an exciting visual for the voyeurs out there...have just sat down with a thick slice of sourdough bread with cream cheese and prosciutto and a glass of leftover fizz from last night....only to be tantalized by posts from lovers of sourdough bread..how wonderful!..

great palettes think alike!

Waternymph47 would appreciate the unique adelaide central market...at times overwhelming but such a colourful buzz...that is where I buy the most stinkiest and tastiest cheese ever ..a Le Trou du Cru..God...it smells...last night whilst I was buying chocolate clusters with macadamia nuts and others with apricot and almonds...and for a special treat glac'e apricots..(all this soul food from another time) ..) I stood waiting for my turn and was overtaken by this 'orrible stink...I looked.. defensively at the person standing next to me..as you do..stepped away..lol.. and mentally blamed him for the offensive..gaseous sewage smelling stink that had me gagging uncontrollably...only to discover later when at home..that the same smell was permeating the kitchen...and eventually it dawned on me it was the CHEESE! and HE must have been thinking it was ME...lol

Posted by: naturalwoman08 at July 12, 2008 7:01 PM

Margaret River has some fantastic wines, but with so many wineries to choose from it pays to do some research.
My favorites are Cullen, Leewuin Estate, and Voyager. Hard to go wrong.
Enjoy

Posted by: cautious08 at July 12, 2008 6:36 PM

Posted by: waterlily58 at July 12, 2008 12:00 PM. Sounds yum...
What about a home made chicken and vegetable soup with sourdough.....warms the cockles it does..............K

Posted by: auntykaz at July 12, 2008 6:17 PM

If you like a sweet wine may I suggest you look for a Fruity Lexia or a Spatlese.'Spatlese' means late picking(german) so there is more sugar in these grapes because they have been ripened on the vine longer. I'm no expert but I did date a Wine Maker for 6 months and I also speak german LOL.
Some of the Semillon Sauvignons are relatively sweet as is a Verdelho.
Viognier is another soft fruity white but that varies depending on the blend by the winemaker. Chardonay is crisper and dryer but you can also get a Semillon Chardi which is a softer one. I just kept trying a few to find out what I like but I'm no big drinker. Just nice to have a glass of wine with a meal at times

Posted by: waternymph47 at July 12, 2008 5:21 PM

Posted by: auntykaz at July 11, 2008 10:28 PM

A hot, thick, chunk of sourdough bread, with thick and creamy, homemade pumpkin soup, with a dollop of sour cream with shaved spring onions and peppercorns. Quick, easy, absolutely delicious and so warm on cold winter nights!

Posted by: waterlily58 at July 12, 2008 12:00 PM

Posted by: thelynathdiary at July 11, 2008 11:26 PM

Have you tried baked brussel sprouts?

Posted by: troyohboy at July 12, 2008 11:57 AM

Posted by: junebaby57 at July 11, 2008 10:14 PM
I also prefer the sweeter wines. I'm just getting to know some of the wineries around the Bris/SEQ area. The Stanthorpe wines are a nice, sweet, fruity little drop. Not too bad on the budget, either.

We had dinner last night at the Siromet Winery, just south of Bris, to celebrate my 50th. They offer a great dinner package, with selected wines for each course. Not too badly priced @ just under $100 per head, all inclusive.

The Siromet Reds are just to die for, and I'm not usually a Red drinker, preferring a light White.

They also do Sunday afternoon Wine & Cheese tastings, for groups and individuals.

No, not being paid to advertise for them, but maybe some of the Bris-based bloggers would like to know that this place exists, and is not too bad on the pallette!

Posted by: waterlily58 at July 12, 2008 11:56 AM

Posted by: junebaby57 at July 11, 2008 10:14 PM
I also prefer the sweeter wines. I'm just getting to know some of the wineries around the Bris/SEQ area. The Stanthorpe wines are a nice, sweet, fruity little drop. Not too bad on the budget, either.

We had dinner last night at the Siromet Winery, just south of Bris, to celebrate my 50th. They offer a great dinner package, with selected wines for each course.

Posted by: waterlily58 at July 12, 2008 11:51 AM

Waterside dining is always great and there never seem to be enough places wherever you go. Mandurah(WA) had a few good ones but parking and getting to them was often difficult.
Adelaide .. well Glenelg is a big seaside social hub but really it's a bit like Melbourne .. near the beach but nothing really on the beach .. Henley Beach was my favourite with several great waterside/beachside places to dine. Living nearby was a great asset of course as I had great venues for coffee, lunch or dinner or night time entertainmant all 3 blocks from my home and felt totally safe walking there at all hours.
I still love South Australian wines and reckon they are the best .. was not as impressed with those from Margaet River as I'd have liked to be. I managed a day trip in the Hunter Valley with my daughter 2 yrs ago and came away with little more than a nice(adequate) lunch in my belly and no wines I felt like carrying back to SA . Fleurieu Penisula has some great wineries easily accessable and generous with their tastings so I always took visitors on wionery tours there ending up in Victor Harbour for dinner or Lunch at one of their waterside restaurants.
Then of course the maginificent selection of wineries and restaurants in the Barossa Valley are 'Legend' and none of it far from the the city of Adelaide for day trips! Sigh .. am getting homesick now so will stop!

Posted by: waternymph47 at July 12, 2008 10:56 AM

I love sweet wine. Here's a free tip for you. If you also like sweet wine, and the wine your sipping isn't sweet enough, just add sugar. Simple. Mind you, I hardly ever drink wine, and I'm far from a wine connoisseur. But when I do...

Posted by: lovemuzik at July 12, 2008 10:16 AM

Tonight is a first for me. I am back in Melbourne for my eldest sons housewarming. I have no jobs to do, no food to cook and no cleaning up... gotta love the x geners. They have caterers, and waiters. Some of the culinary delights are oven cooked bits of stuff and deep fried other stuff. I ofered to make my delictable finger food and home made dips but I was told to just eat drink and be merry. Sounds like a plan to me. Sheez it is cold here after being in sunny Queensland for 4 months.

Posted by: eastofcbd at July 12, 2008 10:13 AM

Malsie: boyfriends, it must be said.... come and go, a dog is around for as long as they live...)

You are so right! My mum said to me, "you'll never find a man who is going to accept your dogs in the house". Well, the dogs are always happy to see me, protect me, play, snuggle up for a cuddle in front of the fire and love my cooking. Makes me wonder if I actually need a bloke after all.

Auntykaz @10.28 - Yummo!!! spot on.

Posted by: willow29 at July 12, 2008 10:11 AM

Kaz at 10.28 pm: It's gotta be Roses Olde English marm, with chunky peel and the robust bite of seville orange juice.

I worked for Golden Circle in the late 1950s and most of the 1960s, but even their 'seville orange marmalade' was boringly insipid by comparison. But it was only 50% seville juice - the rest was lolly-water ordinary orange juice.

Is anyone still making cumquat jam? That's also got some flavour.

Posted by: timewarp1 at July 11, 2008 11:59 PM

When the time draws near for husband and family to arrive home follow these steps to success....
1. Turn on oven
2. Place an onion on a tray and place in oven.
3 Get back to your interesting novel.
4.When the tempting smell of homecooking has them ready to eat. Throw a few frozen dinners in the microwave.and serve on the 'good china'

Posted by: thelynathdiary at July 11, 2008 11:26 PM

Great, a food and wine topic after the brussel sprout discussion has happened...
Maybe we can talk about our favorite foods and which drinks suit better......
How about thick hot sourdough rye toast with marmalade and a huge mug of strong white tea, no sugar........yummo........K

Posted by: auntykaz at July 11, 2008 10:28 PM

iaminperth, one of my girlfriends from school now lives in Perth. Last August, 4 of us flew over to help her celebrate her Birthday...we had a great time. And the wine was really good. I am a white drinker, and there was a lot of choice, and I think mostly they came from Margaret River. We went to this lovely cafe on Cottesloe beach, like it is right on the beach front, the veranda was only abot 30 metres from the surf...it was in a blue building, and it was a stormy day....I love stormy beaches, it was one of the best lunches ever!!!!

And, I am off to lunch at a local Canberra winery tomorrow. The whites in Canberra are usually dry and not very sweet....I prefer sweeter wine, but I haven't been to this winery before, so maybe I will find one I like!!!!
Sleep well all....jewels

Posted by: junebaby57 at July 11, 2008 10:14 PM

iaminperth, years ago I told my father I wouldn't ever visit my parents again if he went ahead and got a German Shepherd dog, as I was so scared of them.... anyway, he got one, and I did go to visit despite my misgivings (I was 17). He sat behind me in the car on the way home when dad picked me up from the bus station and barked and barked at me. "What a stupid dog" I thought.

When we got home, we kept our distance from each other, and occasionally glared at one another. Then my mum suggested I throw the ball in the garden for him (Bruce, his name was!) and make friends. Begrudgingly I did. After that, he became my best friend and adored me better than anyone in the family. He got so excited when I got home late from being out with boyfriends, and even as a grown-up dog would twirl round and round in excitement and pee all over the floor! He didn't let any of my boyfriends come too close to me if they were in the house, and once put his nose under a boyfriend's hand and nudged it away from mine! He turned out to be the best chaperone my parents could have ever envisaged (I couldn't put him in the kitchen because he'd bark so much and disturb mum and dad).

I had a whole new love and respect for the GS breed after knowing and loving Bruce (not so many boyfriends, it must be said...but hey... they come and go, a dog is around for as long as they live...)

Posted by: malsie at July 11, 2008 9:25 PM

I love the WA wines, the whites are particularly good in the summer and the reds are now just coming of age I think. The food is quite different from Qld where I hailed from in 1995 but absolutely beautiful. I think because the climate is kinder here at times it lends itself to long lunches with soft breezes blowing and the enjoyment of delicious food and wine. I love the Margaret River area and it is so much fun meandering around checking out all the new places for food and wine. The city needs so many more nice waterfront restaurants, we have so many places here on the Swan River and also on the oceanfront that haven't been developed as yet, but I suppose that will come with time. I walk my dog at Cottesloe Beach and then wander down to the Fish Cafe at Leighton and sit outside and enjoy a dozen oysters and a couple of glasses of good wine. It's enjoyable and friendly and they always bring a bowl of fresh water and some little nibbles for my wonderful companion pooch. She also gets a lot of attention as not a lot of people know too much about german shepherds and how friendly and docile they actually are. It's all good and very enjoyable and wouldn't miss it for the world.

Posted by: iaminperth at July 11, 2008 8:27 PM

Sorry i have had too much to drink at the moment and can't comment.
The waiter is just about to remove my laptop from Roberts and here i am half way through the white New England Rabbit..........what does a man do ?

Posted by: jogalonga at July 11, 2008 7:15 PM