Would My Feet Look Big In These?

I'm not one to bang on about shoes. Or am I? I think this will be my second post about shoes in a matter of weeks. Sorry about that.... But anyway...

I saw a girl today wearing a pair of these...
...and I really like them. A lot. But I think I'd prefer the Chocolate colour...



I'm not much of a Croc fan myself but on the right people they look good. (You look fine Muzza, I'm not talking about you!) They seem to make the wearers feet look gigantic and I don't have small feet, so I wonder if they'd make my feet look big? I might have to try a pair on me thinks...

I hate seeing tourists going through the bargain bins at $2 shops and buying bright pink ones and wearing them. Shocking. They really do look shocking. Someone should tell stocky middle-aged women that bright pink shoes on their swollen feet isn't a good look. Only little girls can get away with bright pink shoes on. (wink wink) I sound terrible don't I? At least I'm honest. If they want to buy a pair, go for a colour a little less glow-in-the-dark. I also hate seeing families all walking around with Crocs on. What's the big idea there? I mean, I have heard they are comfortable but to see a tourist family of five, walking the streets of Cairns all with the same Croc shoes on, bar the colours, isn't really a good look.

But then maybe I should shut-up because Lyndon and I walk around with our Birkenstocks on, but at least the colours and the styles are different!!

Double Potato and Halloumi Bake

This is a very simple dish to make and would be delicious served with anything. To be honest with you, I could of just eaten a whole plate piled high of this. It was very yummy. And besides, I have a thing for roasted garlic...

You can replace the halloumi cheese with feta if you wish and I also added a carrot to the dish.

*Taken from Nigella Lawson's 'Nigella Bites'*

Ingredients

1 large sweet potato

1 large Desiree potato

1 red onion

1 yellow pepper

1 red pepper

1/2 head of garlic

4 tbs olive oil

black pepper

125g halloumi cheese, sliced as thinly as you can

Method

Preheat the oven to 200C/gas mark 6

Cut the sweet potato into rough 4cm cubes and the Desiree slightly smaller (2 1/2 cm) as the sweet potato will cook more quickly. Halve the red onion, then cut each into 4 to 6 segments, discarding any tough outer skin. De-seed the peppers and cut into 2 1/2 cm squares, and separate the cloves of garlic. Put everything into a large roasting tin and using your hands, give the vegetables a good coating of olive oil. Season with black pepper, but no salt as the cheese will make it salty. Cook for 45 minutes, by which time the vegetables should be cooked through and here and there tinged with brown. You'll need to turn the oven up to a maximum or light the grill for the endgame: so place the thinly sliced cheese on top of the bake, and put it back in the very hot oven or under the grill until the cheese has melted and turned slightly brown on top, about 5-10 minutes. Serve straight out of the roasting tin.

Serves 2-3

Unfinished Projects

One thing I do love about moving is the amount of stuff you get to throw out! I love to feel organised (obviously) and there is nothing like going through all your stuff to cleanse the soul (or something like that anyway!! Hehe..)

So this morning's pathetic wet weather, lead to me sort through my 'scrap booking' tub I have. Oh my I have a lot of items, all ready for scrap booking. I went through the coloured papers, through the assortment of stickers, photos, tags, cut-out shapes, paper frames and sorted them into little bags. (I love those little plastic bags with zip-tops!)

My aim at our new abode, is to actually begin scrap booking again. Or finish scrap booking. I'm not sure which. I need to spend less time here at this computer and finish off Monet's 'Baby Scrapbook' before she turns 21. I know, she will be 3 on her next birthday but Lyndon found a Cross-stitch I began in like 1991, and it still isn't finished. See what I'm like? I need to finish this for her as I have done over half already and it seriously is a lovely memento.
Do you have any unfinished projects at your place?

Anyone Around Here Would Think We were Moving!

If you could see our apartment at the moment the words "Oh My Gosh!" may come out of your mouth. We have stuff everywhere. Everywhere. But we have an excuse!

We're packing up and moving out!!! But you already knew that didn't you?

We have dedicated our bedroom the 'once-packed-in-a-box-it-goes-in-there' room. It's working well so far...

We moved with 'Kent' from Melbourne to Cairns and luckily we saved all those boxes. They've been stored in our storage shed downstairs. We knew they would come in handy some day. Monet's been having a great time playing in the boxes, you can only imagine. Must be something about sitting in a box watching telly, instead of sitting on a chair watching telly, that makes it just a little more exciting!!

So we don't move out to our new abode for another 2 weeks and 6 days but there is nothing like being and feeling organised.

Don't you agree? *grin*

Food Photos

I got some food photos I have taken, enlarged yesterday to 6x8s and I might get a few more done. I figure I will frame them and put them on a wall in my new kitchen (which we move into in 3 weeks time today!)

I got these ones enlarged...


Do you like them? Do you think there are other food photos I have on this blog worthy of blowing up and framing? Or do you think it is altogether a silly idea?

A Whinge About The Non-Stop Rain Band **UPDATED**

I am kinda getting over the whole 'wet season' thing here in Cairns. It makes it a bit difficult when it rains non-stop and you look on the weather radar map and see this...

...everyday. Bands of rain. That never seem to end.
No wonder people say how lovely it is here in Winter. They are right. I have now lived through both a 'dry season' and a 'wet season' here now and I know what I prefer. In the wet season it isn't the humidity that gets to you it is the rain. (Can you believe it is coming up to a year since we moved up here?)


From 7pm last night to 9am this morning we had something like 33mm of rain, where as the rest of the country is in dire need of rain we have excess rain!. Whilst reservoirs across the country are nearing the lowest capacities, the Cairns main reservoir is 100% full. Can you believe that?

Bloody weather.

**UPDATE** Last night we had 100mm of rain. Non-stop heavy rain for 12 hours. Can you see why I am whinging? Hehe...

Chorizo, Rocket & Red Onion Salad

This salad was delicious!!! I should have made more!!

*Taken from 'Super Food Ideas' magazine*

Ingredients

1/4 cup pine nuts

500g chorizo sausages, sliced

2 red onions, cut into thin wedges

1 tbs thyme leaves

100g baby rocket (I used baby rocket & baby spinach)

1 tbs balsamic vinegar

Method

Place pine nuts in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook, shaking pan, for 5 minutes or until light golden. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside. Cook chorizo, in two batches, for 2 to 3 minutes each side or until light golden. Transfer to a plate. Cover to keep warm.

Increase heat to medium-high. Add onion and thyme to pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 6 minutes or until onion begins to caramelise.

Add onion mixture, chorizo, rocket and vinegar to pine nuts. Season with salt and pepper. Toss until well combined. Spoon salad onto plates and serve.

Serves 4

Charley The Hobby Horse

There is a little shop down the road from where we live called 'The Green House'. It sells the most gorgeous items in there, from cards and books to children's wooden toys and clothing. In fact it sells lots and lots of gift items. It is a gorgeous little shop that I kid of forget about when I am in need of buying someone a gift! (Don't you hate that?)

However, Monet was a very lucky girl to receive a Hobby Horse, bought from this shop, from her visiting Nanma this week.


We've nicknamed him Charley Horse and Monet walks around the apartment trying her hardest to make a Clip Clop noise... Very cute. It is one of those toys that will get lots of use and will last. And the type of toy you keep.

This morning when Monet and I were out walking back from the library, Monet pointed across the road to 'The Green House' and pronounced very loudly to the world "That's where I got Hobby Horse from". She's an advertisers dream my girl, she really is. I must tell the shop keepers of the store this because she said it to a group of people waiting for their bus to arrive and they all seemed to look across the road to see what shop she was talking about! I wonder if they had an increase of Hobby Horse sales this morning?! Hehe...

Pasta Shells with Ricotta, Tomato & Basil

As fiddly as these were to make they were delicious. Truly delicious. They were meant to be made using Conchiglies (large pasta shells - you know those huge ones??) Well, I couldn't find any so I just used normal large size pasta shells that you can pick up in any supermarket.

These can be served at room temperature or you can heat them in the oven and serve hot with grated Parmesan on top. This is what I did. I put cheese on top then popped them into a hot oven for about 8 minutes in individual bowls for both Lyndon and I. Yummo!!!!

*Taken from 'Allegro Al Dente - Pasta & Opera'*

Ingredients

6 ripe tomatoes (I used Roma/Plum)

2 tbs olive oil

2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

salt to taste

1 tsp sugar

300g (10 oz) fresh ricotta (I used 200g)

salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 conchiglie (large pasta shells)

Fresh basil leaves

Method

Dunk tomatoes in a pot of boiling water for 30 seconds, then peel off skin, cut in half, squeeze to remove seeds and chop remaining flesh. Heat olive oil, add tomatoes, garlic, salt and sugar and cook until tomatoes are soft and sweet.

Beat ricotta with a wooden spoon until light, adding salt and pepper as you go.

Cook pasta shells in plenty of salted, boiling water until al dente. Do not overcook or they will tear easily when stuffed. Drain pasta, tuck a basil leaf into each shell, and half fill with ricotta. Top with a spoonful of tomato sauce.

Serves 4

As I used smaller pasta shells I found it easier to put the ricotta into them via the use of a piping bag.)

La Pappa Per Il Bebe

A simple sauce for the baby

I made this very simple pasta sauce for Monet last night. It took her some convincing to eat (she is very fussy!) but it was honestly delicious. I served it over dinosuar shaped pasta and topped with a little fresh grated cheese... Unfortunately, I didn't get to take a photo!

*Taken from the cookbook 'Allegro Al Dente - Pasta & Opera'*

Ingredients
3 ripe tomatoes
2 tbs water
1 tsp butter
1 basil leaf

Method
Dunk the tomatoes into boiling water for a few seconds, then peel off skin. Cut in half, squeeze out the seeds and chop remaining flesh to a pulp.

Combine the pulp in a small pot with water, butter and basil leaf and cook very, very gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add cooked pasta, heat through and serve.

Serves 1 toddler.

Never Can Say Goodbye.

There are a few things in life I have dreaded.

Maths exams in Secondary school. In fact, any exam, or any test for that matter. Work, on a Sunday evening and knowing you had to get up early on Monday mornings (boy I hated those days!) . Knowing when I was pregnant with Monet, that I had to give birth to a known big baby.
Saying goodbye to family members at the airport. I dread that the most.

It is exciting when you know that someone is coming to visit, but then as soon as they arrive I know they have to leave.

Like my mother did this morning. Gee, I dreaded it.

But we were okay at the airport, her and I. And Monet. Monet gave my mother the biggest kiss and the biggest hug she had given her, since she arrived a fortnight ago.

"Bye Nanma!!" Monet said cheerfully, turning to wave to my mother as we walked off, while I sobbed.

Yeah, after all at what life has thrown at me, the thing I dread and have dreaded the most are goodbyes. Especially airport ones.

How about you? What do you dread?

Chocolate Mint Carnival Bars

It is another wet and rainy day here in Cairns so Monet decided I should bake something. I thought I would give this recipe a try, considering I actually had everything in my pantry.. In the book it states that they are like a biscuit but I think they are very much like a Brownie. Delicious, especially when still a little warm...

*Taken from Philippa Vanstone's '500 Cookies'*

Ingredients
75g (3 oz) unsalted butter, softened
100g (3 1/2 oz) light brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp peppermint essence
190 g (6 1/2 oz) plain flour
2 tbs dutch process cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
100g (3 1/2 oz) choc chips (I used white)

Method
Pre-heat oven to 175C/350F/Gas Mark 4. Line a 23cm square tin.

Beat the butter and sugar, then add the egg and peppermint essence. Sift the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder and beat into mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Press the mixture into the tin and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Cool in the tin and then cut into squares.

Store in an airtight container for five to seven days.

Given The Final Nod

We received confirmation last night that our home loan was officially approved!! Yippee. We've been so stressed and worried and of course it all worked out well in the end. Phew. Please congratulate us.

Now we don't have to worry about the bank ringing up and asking for evidence of this and that. At least we had a good sort out of our papers and put them in order. And those old phone bills from 18 months ago are now thrown out. About time.

We took my mother to our (officially!) apartment for an inspection on Saturday. The tenants that were living there have now moved on, so the place looked bigger than it originally did. But awfully dull. Not as in natural light (there is an abundance of that!) but colour wise. There is none. The walls are white/creamish so we are looking forward to putting a splash of colour on some of the walls. Monet said she wanted a pink room the other day.

Then yesterday she said she wanted a green room.

I would like to paint a strip of 'blackboard' paint (ceiling to floor) near the kitchen so Monet can draw on it down the bottom and Lyndon and I can write notes up the top.

Anyway, now it is all rather exciting and we get to move in less than a months time. Saturday March 17th. Pencil that in your date books. You might want to lend us a hand. Hehe.

Whilst at our new suburb we visited the local pub for lunch and then had a frolic on the beach. To think that we can do that each day (not the pub thing - the beach thing I mean!) makes me even more excited. It truly is a lovely part of the world, our new local beach.

To celebrate our final approval, we went out for dinner last night. My mother took us to Mondo's - a lovely outdoor restaurant which is part of the Hilton Hotel. We sat partly indoors (it had been raining all day) and indulged in our meals which were all delicious. And we had a bottle of smooth tasting Semillon Blanc. Just lovely.

It's a pity you couldn't join us.

Lake Placid

We went for a drive yesterday afternoon when the rain finally stopped. Not that it stopped for long, but it was long enough for us to venture out in Lyndon's car to show my mother parts of Cairns she had not witnessed before.

Our little road trip took us to Lake Placid, not too far from where we live.

Not that there is much there. A lake, a river, some mountains covered with trees and a cafe/bar. Oh, and a lone singer/guitar player playing Lennon/McCartney classics. My mother thought it was all great. Lyndon thought it was boring. (Thank goodness there was a bar!) I didn't mind it either. Of course Monet thought it was fun.

Baking On A Wet Morning

Monet decided we should do some baking this morning, since it had been pouring with rain. She grabbed her apron and told me we were to do some baking. So we did. Vanilla Cupcakes. Monet enjoyed licking the bowl (per usual) and then eating the finished product.

To view the recipe, via my recipe blog, click here.

Vanilla Cupcakes

This is a very easy and tasty cupcake recipe. They are pretty irresistible and oh so light and fluffy, especially when you use an electric beater. Of course Monet thought the raw and the cooked mixture was delicious - it's hard to keep her little finger out of the mixture!

The original mixture asks for double the quantities I have here. I find this is enough mixture to make 18 mini cupcakes but if you were going to make large 'normal-sized' cupcakes, double the ingredients and you should end up with 18 large ones...

I iced mine using a basic butter icing recipe...

*Taken from Fergal Connolly's '500 Cupcakes'*

Ingredients

112g (4 oz) unsalted butter, softened

112g (4 oz) caster sugar

112g (4 oz) self-raising flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

Method

Preheat oven to 175C/350F/Gas Mark 4. Line muffin/cupcake tins.

Place all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and beat with an electric whisk (I used beaters) until smooth and pale, about 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon the mixture into the cases and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Remove the tins from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Then remove the cupcakes and cool on a rack.

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Lucky Me

I was lucky enough to have a couple of 'free' hours to myself on Wednesday. (It's nice to have my mother stay for a couple of weeks.)

So, whilst Monet was in the safe hands of her Nanma, I spoilt myself and indulged in a movie at the local cinema. Yes, going to the cinema is an indulgence for me. Once upon a time I went to the movies EVERY Friday night. But that was a lifetime ago.

The last movie I saw at the cinema was 'The DaVici Code', back in May of last year when both of my parents were up here in Cairns.

On Wednesday I went and saw 'Pan's Labyrinth' on the recommendation of both Kimbofo and Michele. (Please go and visit the official web page for this film, it is amazing!) And I am so glad I saw this amazing, beautiful, kinda scary film. It left me wanting to cry, really cry and sob but...well...I didn't. But half a chance I would have. The old lady in the row opposite me was. I wanted to sit next to her and cry along too, but I didn't!

It was a movie that has been described as a fairy tale for adults (kind of like Alice In Wonderland), because some of the scenes were really creepy, but it was just amazing, all the costumes and the set decorations and the acting was fabulous.

I must be maturing too. Once upon a time, I would never see a 'sub-titled' film, let alone say it was a favourite, but it seems now that this Spanish movie is one of my favourites, just like the Italian film 'Life Is Beautiful'.

It has been a long time since I have wanted a movie on DVD, but I think I will surely purchase this one. I loved it.

What was the last movie you saw and thought 'I must buy that on DVD'?

Fun At Muddy's

With the lovely weather we had been having, after all that rain, yesterday my mother, Monet and myself ventured up to Muddy's Playground. We hadn't been up there for a few weeks and I know the last time Monet and I went, she had a wonderful time. She had an even better time yesterday.

Once upon a time, she would stand back, not eagar to really run through the wonderful water fountains, or touch them for that matter. She touch one, squeal, then run off, eagar to continue exploring. We'd be there for about half an hour.

Yesterday we were there for 90 minutes. And she still didn't want to leave. She spent the 20 minute walk home in the pram whinging! Urgh. But anyway...

...Monet had a terrific time, running from fountain to fountain, from play equipment to play equipment. Simply great fun to watch her and those little legs running around and lots of squeals of delight. She tried to get her Nanma to run around too but that wasn't going to happen. The run around part I mean. I think my mother enjoyed watching her grandchild having a blast.

I love to watch children there. The looks on their faces when they cop a water fountain in the face (the water stops and starts spasmodically) or when they run through the loops of water. I enjoyed watching a family of four Asian tourists there yesterday. The two boys with their 'Rip Curl' rashies on and their parents each with a camera and video camera, recording their moves. The thing was, the parents both had a can of XXXX Gold (beer) cans in their hands, and it wasn't even 11am. That made me smile even more...

As I mentioned before, the walk home was pretty memorable for all the wrong reasons. Boy my girl can whinge! (She gets moody just like me! Hehe, at least I can admit it!!)

I think the next time we venture up there, before my mother leaves next week, I will definitely be taking my own drinks and food. (Even though there is a cafe on site the prices are, well, pricey!) I think Monet will want to settle in at Muddy's for the day.

A Seat At Monet's Table...

Monet thinks she's pretty good now, since her Nanma bought her a new table and chair. Just like what her mum and dad's. Except her chair is bright pink. Her choice of course.

It was meant to be an outdoor setting for her, which is was for the first day of it's new life, but now is indoors.

I think her highchair is now taking a back seat in the 'I'm eating dinner here now' stakes, as this new chair and table has taken the spotlight. Which is good. I've been meaning to put that highchair into storage...

So whilst Nanma bought Monet the new table and chairs, Lyndon and I bought this...


We've been meaning to buy a groovy big cafe -style umberalla for quite some time, and at a bargain price of $25 from Bunnings, how could I refuse?

Tuscan Chicken

(Post number 50!!)

This was delicious. Of course. Good old Karen Martini recipe once more. She suggests to BBQ the chicken pieces but I actually roasted the pieces in the oven with some 'smashed potatoes', 2 garlic clove heads and some big onion rings, which caused the juices to become a delicious gravy, once the pulp from the cooked garlic was added. I baked in the oven for 50 odd minutes at 230C. And I served it with a handful of mixed lettuce leaves. Delicious.

If using a BBQ, Karen suggests to serve this with a dressed lettuce salad and a simple potato salad (or baked potatoes). Either way, you will enjoy it.

*Taken from Karen Martini's 'Where The Heart Is'*

Ingredients

4 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped

2 sprigs rosemary, leaves picked and coarsely chopped

4 tbs Dijon mustard

1/3 cup (80 ml) extra virgin olive oil

2 lemons, juiced and zested

salt flakes and freshly ground pepper

1 x 1.5 kg chicken, cut into 8 pieces

lemon wedges to serve

Method

To make the marinade, place the garlic and rosemary in a small bowl. Add mustard, olive oil, lemon juice and zest. Stir well to combine and season to taste. Pour marinade over chicken, cover and leave in fridge for 40 minutes or overnight.

Preheat a BBQ to hot, then cook chicken, skin-side down, for 8-10 minutes. Turn chicken, reduce heat and cook for a further 8-10 minutes or until cooked through. Transfer to platter, keep warm and allow to rest for 2 minutes before serving with lemon wedges.

Serves 4-6

Spaghetti with Red Onions, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Balsamic Vinegar and Basil

Oh my this was delicious. Really delicious. So delicious Lyndon even ate it cold. I did add bacon to the basic recipe but I am sure it would have been just as tasty without it.

*Taken from Jamie Oliver's 'Return of the Naked Chef'*

Ingredients

455g/1 lb dried spaghetti

1 red onion, peeled and finely chopped

olive oil

3 bacon rashes, finely chopped (optional)

2 handfuls of semi sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped

3 tbs balsamic vinegar (I used 2)

salt and freshly ground pepper

2 handfuls of basil, torn (I used 1 big handful)

1 small handful of Parmesan or pecorino, grated

Method

While cooking the spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, slowly fry the onion (and bacon) in a couple of lugs of olive oil for 5 minutes until soft and tender. Stir in the tomatoes and vinegar and throw in your drained pasta. Season and toss together with the basil. Serve with grated Parmesan or pecornio.

Serves 4

Whoopee!

Q: What do you get when you mix one toddler, one grandmother and one whoopee cushion?

A: Lots and lots of laughs!!! (You have no idea!)

(Thanks to House&Baby for that tip a while ago!)

Monet in her Giant Strawberry...

...Here is Monet as a baby in her Giant Strawberry.

I used to get lots of comments when I was out walking with her in her 'berry which was in the pram. Of course Monet grew at an amazing rate so she didn't get to cosy on in there for long. The giant Strawberry turned into a nappy holder which hangs off her changetable.

This was probably one of a handful of gifts we recieved for Monet's birth that we actually still use to this day, two and a half years later. Good hey?

Food Obsession?

I think I might be getting a little too food obsessed.

If you read my other blog, you would know that I am after a pair of these shoes...

...yes, they are little strawberries on them. They are very adorable. You can get ones with cherries on them, but then, my daughter has a cherry dress....

...and a strawberry one too for that matter...



Both of those dresses were made by yours truly.

Surfing the net the other day I found some other items that seem too irresistible for someone like me.

A Cupcake t-shirt to begin with...

And a shopping bag, also complete with a cupcake on the front...


And then these gorgeous kitchen tiles that would not look out of place in my new kitchen...


No, I haven't ordered any because I know a shop in Cairns that actually sells the t-shirt, I doubt they have the tiles though...

Rest Assured...

...that the weather has been absolutely superb here today. Back to bright blue skies, a hot (hot) sun and not a cloud in the sky. Cyclone watch has been scrapped and Paradise is back to showing off. Cairns is a beautiful part of the world once more.

The supermarket shelves are brimming again, which is just as well. Even the produce in the supermarket looks appealing. Yum. But still, lucky we've got our ever faithful Rusty's around the corner. My mother went there this afternoon and came back with a bag full of tropical produce. Nice one.

Lyndon has flown down to Melbourne for the weekend. Our good friends (P&H) are getting hitched this weekend. Part of me wishes that I was going too, but I am happy to be here with my mother and my daughter.

We have had a good day today, visiting the new 'Smithfield' Centre, not far from where our new home will be. The beach at our new suburb was really showing off with golden sands and blue seas.

Life, well, its all good!

Have a great weekend everyone. I will be.

Mercy Dash

Our supermarket shelves are nearing empty in this corner of Australia. I went into the supermarket yesterday in preparation for my mother arriving. I know my mother likes her cereal in the morning but when I went to the cereal aisle, it was virtually empty. E M P T Y. And don't even think about buying any fresh produce. There isn't any at ANY of Cairns supermarkets. That is no exaggeration either. I'll definitely be hitting Rusty's Market tomorrow.

This is of course due to the crap roads up here. A tiny bit of rain and the major highway and lifeline to this city is flooded. Pathetic. The Bruce Highway is always flooded, but it is a crap road anyway. It is mainly single lane from Cairns to Townsville (340 k's south) and very difficult to pass cars that are slowing up the traffic...

I saw in the paper this morning that Police are escorting trucks from Townsville to Cairns, loaded with groceries. They are calling it a 'Mercy Dash'. Yes, it is getting bad up here. (Thanks to ex-Tropical Cyclone Nelson.)
I'll be off hitting the supermarket a little later, me thinks. Before the shelves are emptied again. But only if it stops raining...

Left Foot, Right Foot

I wear my Birkenstocks everyday. Repeat. Everyday. I have had them since August of last year and they have rarely left my feet.

(The only time I didn't wear them was for 2 weeks when we were in Melbourne because it was so bloody cold and my feet and toes would have snapped off!)
My Birkenstock Black Madrid's have served me well. And they still will once I get the rubber sole on the right foot replaced. (I have worn it through) I am planning on buying some new ones in the months ahead, same style, just a different colour...

Walking through Myer before I saw another pair of shoes I think I *must* have. They are soooo cute and not that pricey either. American brand Keds. I think they are cute. Yes. I think I must have them. Agreed? Good. Glad that is sorted. Well, my birthday is coming up....

Contemplating Her Future...

I love to sit on the beach and reflect. There is something about looking out into the ocean waters and thinking. And feeling good. The ocean usually makes me feel deep down good. And by looking at Monet looking out into the water there, it wouldn't surprise me at all, that she was feeling the same... *smile*

Boxing Jellies

Living in North Queensland is wonderful.

Except for floods, non-stop rain, cyclone warnings, crocodiles, box jelly-fish....

Box jelly-fish roam the waters of north Queensland and across the top end, to Broome, in Western Australia. They migrate down to the warm waters usually in October and hang around till April or so. During that time, people are advised not to enter the water (as tempting as the ocean may seem!) and only to swim in the patrolled 'Stinger net Enclosures'. They are patrolled by volunteered Surf-Life Saving operators and the huge nets are like 20 square meters or so, reaching from the shoreline into the water. They 'supposedly' stop the jelly fish from entering the water making it a safe place to swim in. These jelly fish are amongst the most dangerous animal (?) to roam the seas, believe it or not. Their tentacles can be as long as 100 metres all up! How amazing is that? I thought so anyway because that's a lot of metres!!!

I spied this this pole the other day after we took a stroll along one of Cairns Northern Beaches...

If you didn't come from this part of the world, you'd find this a little weird wouldn't you? Wouldn't you? A bottle of vinegar? Supposedly if you are stung by one of these jelly fish, the vinegar soothes the pain and helps get the tentacles off too (if they are still entangles around your legs/arms etc.,). Lovely hey. But you see these bottles of vinegar along most of the beaches around here so I don't think they are so weird (now!)

What would I see in your part of the world that I would think was a little weird?

Pasta with Creamy Cabonara Sauce

I have made this recipe so many times, I have lost count. I first got my hands on this recipe via Lyndon's mother. I am unsure where she got this recipe from but let me tell you that it is very cheap and very easy to make. I love that. I used Lasagnette pasta, but usually use fettuccine...

Ingredients
2 tbs butter
1 onion, finely chopped
3 rashes bacon, finely chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten
300 mls pouring cream
3 tbs finely grated Parmesan
500g pasta, cooked

Method
Melt butter in a non-stick frying pan. Add onion and bacon and cook until onion is soft and bacon is cooked. Remove from heat. Beat together the egg, cream and Parmesan.

Drain cooked pasta and place into pan with the onion and bacon. Add the egg mixture. Gently toss pasta and sauce together over a low heat for 5 minutes, or until sauce is just thickening. Serve immediately.

Serves 4

Rain...Rain..Yet (more) Rain

It has been raining here non-stop since this time yesterday. I'm not exaggerating either. It's true. Non-stop rain.

The Burdekin Dam, the largest water reserve in Queensland, which is in this corner of the country, is over flowing with over 1.86 million mega liters. Whilst most of Australia is on strict water restrictions and suffering from the worst drought on record, here in North Queensland we have had sooooo much rain over the past week, it doesn't seem fair.

From 9am yesterday, to 9am this morning, Cairns collected over 116mm of rain. Yesterday the rain was incredible. Even outside our window, down on the street below, the drains were flowing (we have really wide drains here in Cairns, due to rain like yesterday!) This photo on the right, taken from the newspaper this morning, was taken in a street just down from us!

Over the past week, Townsville (350k's south of here) have had over 500mm. The town of Ingham, about 200k's south of here, has been isolated, due to major flooding. Over night, they received 124mm of rain. And in one of the rivers north of the town, a 3.5 metre crocodile has been lurking in the waters.

So much rain...

...but we had to go out this morning. I needed milk. I live across the road from a Shopping complex and all I have to do is cross two roads. And two huge flooding drains. And of course Monet refused to get in her pram which meant we had to each carry our own umbrellas and she got to wear her raincoat. **NEWSFLASH - It's stopped raining! OMG!!** Now, have you ever tried to cross the road with a two year old, holding her own umbrella and trying to get them to understand NOT to walk in the drain but to jump over it? Neither had I until this morning. So of course she got wet feet and for that matter I did too. Oh well.

One thing though is that the rain doesn't bring the cool air with it. It's still warm and when the rain does stop the humidity gets turned up to like 99%. This is not another exaggeration.

My mother is arriving here on Wednesday for a two week stay. I wonder what she will think of all this rain?

Because I Can...

Can you believe this is my Monet Lulu on her actual birth day? Her dark hair has turned into blonde locks and she now struts around in a good Size 3, rather than a Triple 0.

My baby is growing...

Cool Treats

You know how I'm always banging on about the weather here (we've been having 99% humidity!) and about the abundance of cheap tropical fruit? Well, to keep ourselves cool and healthy I have been making my own icy-poles for Monet.

And sometimes I have one too.

Could you blame me?


At least I know exactly what is going into these icy treats as I'm never too sure about those bought ones for younger kids. At least I know they have no added sugar to begin with. Just fresh mango, banana, pineapple juice. Or milk. They are a big hit for Monet, she loves them.

And the best $2.50 I spent at K-Mart has been the icy-pole mould, let me tell you.
Do you want to come over and enjoy an icy treat with us? There is mango, banana and pineapple ones waiting in our freezer. Which one would you like?

Roast Spiced Chicken on Harissa with Herbs and Watercress

I made this for dinner last night and the chicken was delightful! (Sorry, not the best photo!) However, next time I do this chicken I won't necessarily serve it on the harissa and with the herbs and watercress. I would serve it with a green salad and roast potatoes. Lyndon liked the harissa (see recipe on previous post) with the chicken but it was too spicy for me. The chicken though, mmmm....

*Taken from Karen Martini's 'Where The Heart Is'*

Ingredients

3 tsp baharat*

2 tsp ground fennel

5 large cloves garlic, crushed

2 1/2 tsp salt flakes

freshly ground black pepper

3 sprigs thyme

1 x 1.4 kg free-range chicken, butterflied with breast bone attached

3/4 cup (180ml) extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup fresh harissa (see previous post)

Flat-leaf parsley and coriander or mint leaves, and watercress sprigs, to serve

Lime wedges (optional) to serve

Method

For the marinade, place baharat, fennel, garlic, salt, 10 grinds black pepper and thyme in a small bowl and stir well to combine. make horizontal cuts through flesh of chicken breast and legs. Rub marinade well into skin. Place chicken in a plastic bag and leave in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 220C. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Place chicken in pan and brown on all sides. Transfer to a baking dish and roast for 40-50 minutes or until cooked through and golden.

To serve, spread harissa on a platter, place chicken on top, scatter with sprigs of herbs and watercress and add lime wedges, if using.

Serves 4

*Baharat is a Turkish spice blend that combines pepper with any or all of the following: paprika, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, star anise and nutmeg. (I actually had most of these spices so I blended them together to make up 3 tsp)