A Love/Hate Meme

I generally don't do Memes (doesn't everyone say this?) but Deana tagged me to do this one and something about it appealed to me.

I love to eat; warm, crusty bread with butter - a freshly made meal not made by me - a good, quality resturant meal - food on holidays!

I hate to eat; mushrooms - seafood (bar fish) - a bad meal cooked by me - sushi (I know!)

I love to go; to the hairdressers and the hairdresser cuts my hair like I ask - to places I have never been before but have seen pictures of - to the airport to pick people up or for me to take off somewhere

I hate to go; grocery shopping when the cupboards are empty and Monet is grumpy.

I love it when; there is beer in the fridge - my house is spotless - my car is full of petrol - Monet's in a good mood - plans work out!

I hate it when; Monet is naughty - I feel angry - it rains day after day after day - trains/planes are delayed - I have 'blogger block' *ahem* - you're waiting for someone to ring and they never do - you can't find a carpark

I love to see; Monet doing her best - laughing - Monet dancing and singing - kids having a wonderful time - surprised faces - Moet Champagne on special - a parcel in the mail - areoplanes landing/taking off - nature at its very best - the sun shining in a bright blue sky

I hate to see; Japanese slaughtering whales in Australian waters - young kids doing stuff they know they aren't meant to be doing (ie smoking) - women who don't wear bras but should - gstrings/thongs showing outside clothing - foolish people - people driving and talking with their hands at the same time

I love to hear; a song I haven't heard in ages which I adore - children laughing - Lyndon's keys opening the front door

I hate to hear; arguing, anywhere, anytime - cars speeding - young kids out on the street after midnight - my car not starting (not that has ever happened to me *Melody goes and knocks on wood*)

I'm not going to tag anyone but if you'd like to do this one, let me know and I'll pop along and have a gander.

Minestrone

Nothing better to warm the soul than with a hot cup of soup. Not so good in the tropics of Australia (made us sweat!), but it was cheap, tasty and easy to make. I didn't cook the macaroni first, I added raw macaroni towards the end and let it cook in the soup.

*Taken from Murdoch Books, 'Australian Family Favourites', pg 15, published 2007*

Ingredients
80g (1/2 cup) macaroni
1 tbs olive oil
1 leek, sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 carrot, sliced
1 boiling (waxy) potato, chopped
1 zucchini, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
100g green beans, cut into short lengths
425g can chopped tomatoes
2 litres (8 cups) vegetable or beef stock
2 tbs tomato paste
425g tinned cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 tbs chopped flat-leaf (italian) parsely
shaved parmesan cheese, to serve

Method
Bring a saucepan of water to the boil, add the macaroni and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until al dente. Drain.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large heavy-based saucepan. Add the leek and garlic and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.

Add the carrot, potato, zucchini, celery, green beans, tomato, stock and tomato paste, Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Stir in the cooked pasta and the cannellini beans. Spoon into bowls and garnish with the parsley and parmesan cheese.

Serves 4 - 6

Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a pretty basic salad to make and there is probably got a zillion recipes out there to make it, but this one tasty. I don't always add the red cabbage (a bit pricey at times) and when I took this photo I didn't have the parsley added, nor the red cabbage. I have to say, the Food Processor gets a good work out in this recipe...
*Taken from Murdoch Books, 'Australian Family Favourites', pg 143, published 2007*

Ingredients
1/2 green cabbage
1/4 red cabbage
3 carrots, coarsley grated
6 radishes, coarsley grated
1 red capsicum (pepepr), chopped
4 spring onions, sliced
15g chopped flat-leaf (italian) parsley
250g (1 cup) whole-egg mayonnaise

Method
Remove the hard core from the cabbages and shred the leaves with a sharp knife. Place in a large bowl and add the grated carrot, radishes, red capsicum, spring onion and parsley.

Add the mayonnaise just before serving, season to taste and toss ntil well combined.

Serves 8-10 as a Side Salad

Banana Cake

I'm always on the hunt for goood Banana Cake recipes, as I've *always* got excess bananas in my freezer department of my refridgerator. The toasted coconut on the top was a nice addition. The recipe states to bake for an hour, but that was far too long (in my oven at leaast). I baked mine for 40 minutes, so make sure you keep a close on the the time.

*Taken from Murdoch Books, 'Australian Family Favourites', pg 401, published 2007*

Ingredients
125g butter
125g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp natural vanilla extract (I used 2tsp vanilla essence)
4 ripe bananas, mashed
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
125ml (1/2 cup) milk
250g (2 cups) Self Raising Flour

Butter frosting Ingredients
125g butter
90g (3/4 cup) icing sugar
1 tbs lemon juice
15g (1/4 cup) flaked coconut, toasted (I used shredded coconut)

Method
Preheat oven to 180C. Brush a 20cm round cake tin with oil or melted butter and line the base with baking paper.

Using electric beaters, beat butter and sugar in a small bowl until light and creamy. Add the eggs gradually, beating thoroughly after each addition. Add the extract and mashed banana and beat until combined.

Transfer the mixture into a large bowl. Dissolved the soda in the milk. Using a metal spoon, fold in the sifted flour alternately with the milk. Stir until all the ingredients are just combined and the mixture is smooth. Spoon into the prepared tin and smooth the surface. Bake for 1 hour, or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the centre of the cake. Leave in the tin for 10 minsutes before turing onto a wire rack to cool.

To make the frosting, using electric beaters, beat the butter, icing sugar and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Spread onto the cooled cake, sprinkle with toasted cococnut flakes.

Ave A Good One...

Today is Australia Day. Our national holiday, though because January 26th has fallen on a Saturday the Public Holiday is on Monday. (So, it is alongweekend this weekend.)

To celebrate, I have made a typical Aussie dessert, just for me. Because I can and because I felt like it. I know Ms. Mac would love to be here helping me devour this...

...Pavlova with Peppermint Crisp on top.

Deeeelicious! (I used this recipe for anyone interested.)

Happy Australia Day everyone.

Enjoy a frothie later 'ron. Say G'Day to every shelia and cobber you know. She'll be right, chins up and throw a snag on the Barbie for me. Bewdy mate.

Fajitas

(Sorry, the photo doesn't look that appealing, but don't let this photo put you off. This is so work making!)

Oww...these were delicious. I set all the prepared ingredients in the center of the table and everyone helps themselves... I cooked the meat on the BBQ - which was quick, easy and smelt out the neighbourhood (mmm!). Instead of using beef you could easily use chicken and the result would be just as delicious. There was a lot of meat (for 4 adults) so you really didn't need quite so much)

*Taken from Murdoch Books 'Australian Family Favourites' published 2007*

Ingredients
185ml olive oil
2 tbs lime juice
4 garlic cloves, chopped
3 red chillies, chopped (I used 2)
2 tbs tequila (optional) (I omitted)
1 kg rump steak, thinly sliced into strips
1 red and yellow capsicum, thinly sliced
1 red onion, thinly sliced
8 flour tortillas
guacamole, shredded lettuce, diced tomato and sour cream, to serve

Method
Combine the oil, lime juice, garlic, chilli, tequila and some pepper. Add the meat, cover and marinate for several hours or overnight.

Drain the meat and toss with the capsicum and onion.

Just before serving, wrap the tortillas in foil and warm them in a 150C oven for about 5 minutes. (Alternatively, you could 'zap' them in the microwave) Cook the meat and vegetables in batches in a hot heavy-based frying pan until cooked. Put the tortillas on a serving plate and sit in the middle of the table with the meat, guacamole, lettuce, tomato and sour cream. Let everyone assemble their own fajita.

Serves 4

Gone

I'm finding it a bit ironic that Heath Ledger was found dead in his apartment on, what would have been, Michael Hutchence's (48th) birthday, USA time. Why do I say that? It is because Heath has always reminded me of Michael- the swagger when he walks, his personality. Something. And he was rumoured to be in line to play Michael Hutchence in an (apparent) movie about the man. I remember saying to Lyndon that I thought Heath would play a perfect Michael, rather than Colin Farrell, who was also rumoured to wanting the leading role.

I think the Australian media has gone into a frenzy today, with the news breaking here at 7:45AM (Queensland time). My SIL text me as she saw the news breaking on one of the morning shows here in Australia. Because Queensland is an hour behind both N.S.W and Victoria, we get programs recorded live in these states an hour later. I quickly flipped the channel over to Sky News on Austar. It is hard to sort out the 'true' facts when news is breaking and filtering out in bits and pieces. All I know is that the world has lost a handsome, young and talented actor (who happened to be Australian who 'did well'). His latest role in the new Batman movie has been said to be his best yet. I've 'Google'-d images from this movie and he looks very, very creepy. *shudder* They are saying he plays 'The Joker' better than Jack Nicholson did in the first Batman Flick (when was that movie - 1989?)

Today I am wearing my much loved Shem Watson T-Shirt. My designer t-shirt I bought off the actual designer whose studio was in the 1st story of a Chapel Street (in Melbourne) building. He was one of Heath's best mates.

I remember seeing photos of Heath with (then girlfriend) Naomi Watts, wearing 'Shem' designed t-shirts. Heath was photographed many times wearing this t-shirt, in support of his designer friend, apparently one of his closest friends. After doing some of my own research I walked into the designer's studio in Chapel Street (we were living in close proximity to here, back in 2002) with determination I was going to buy one of the t-shirts, no matter at what cost.

I wasn't actually expecting to meet Shem, but I did. It happened that he was working on that Saturday morning in his studio. He introduced himself and I felt star-struck. Silly, I know, but I did. He shook my hand, asked how I knew about his designs ("Heath of course") and tried on some t-shirts. He told me how he did the t-shirts, each one was individually screen printed. It cost me $90 but I have worn it so many times over the past 5 years, it is only now starting to feel a little sad with some holes appearing around the neck line. It is one piece of clothing I don't think I will part with.

Rest in Peace Heath.
*sigh*

And We're Counting...

I was 23 when I got my first passport. It was my 'ticket' to go and explore the United Kingdom, something I had dreamt of for many years.

Monet is 3. Her first passport application is in. It is her 'ticket' to 'London' and our other destinations we have carefully planned out. I feel really proud to be 'opening' up her world with this passport at such a young impressionable age. She is going to see some things she'll never forget and experience a lot of things that adults dream about doing, but never do. I know she will learn so much when we visit cities in Europe and I'm sure we'll be hearing about them in times to come.

Her eyes light up when we talk about our impending trip. They really do. She has a map she points to and the world globe. She'll point to where she lives (spot on) and where abouts we'll be going. I don't know if she knows just how a 'huge' trip it is going to be and what it all entails, but I know she kinda 'gets it'.

She's been talking so much of seeing Auntie Kim and Uncle T, big red double decker buses, the 'big clock' (Big Ben), the 'huge Ferris wheel' (the London Eye), black taxis, 'the queen' (her home anyway!), the 'tallest tower' (the Eiffel Tower), the merry-go-rounds (Paris' carousels), let me tell you, the list goes on.

She's been talking about what clothes she's going to take, because she knows it going to be a lot cooler there than here ("I'll need my scarf, my hat, my gloves, my coat") and which actual teddy bear gets the privilege of travelling half way around the world with her (and that would be 'Pickles the Bear')

We've begun to book our accommodation and I'm busy organising our 'schedule' (coordinating train travel with city accommodation).

Can't believe it is three months today to we fly off in our Cathay Pacific Plane headed to LHR via a Hong Kong stopover. How wonderful.

How old were you when you got your first passport? (If you have one that is!)

(Another) Sunday Outing...

Another Sunday, another Sunday drive!

Yesterday's drive took the three of us south of Cairns, to the foot of Queensland's highest mountain, Mount Bartle Frere which stands at 1657meters above sea-level. Every time we've driven past, it is rare to see the top of the mountain, it's head is *always* in the clouds. Yesterday was no exception.

We visited Josephine Falls. I had been wanting to see the falls since I first spied the sign post off the Bruce Highway about 20 months ago.

The falls were pretty spectacular, thanks to all the rain we've had over the past week or so...

There were a few tourists who were keen for a dip in the pools there. I'm sure the waters were cooling but I'm too much of a wimp to go for a swim (let alone a paddle) in rivers/falls/creeks around these parts. (I think I research stuff too much and read about people dying in waters such as these because of water flow or crocodiles.)

By the time we walked back to the car we were wet through. Not from the rain, nor the falls themselves, but because of sweat. Urgh. *I know!* The humidity that comes with the rains sometimes is unbearable.

Our next stop was for a picnic lunch by the seaside! Sounds nice doesn't it? And to tell you the truth, it is because it was nice, bar a little too windy. The beach we visited was Branston Beach, about 17 kilometres off the Bruce Highway at Mirriwinni. (Love the name Mirriwinni, not to keen on the actual 'two-bit' town though!) We weren't expecting much at this beach but we were pleasantly surprised. Don't you love that when that happens?

The main street of Branston Beach (yes, there was a little town there) was lined with holiday homes which lined the beach, along with one little shop-cafe which seemed packed to the rafters. The beach was lovely, bar a little rough, but it was quiet and the outlook from our picnic table was lovely.

We left after our picnic lunch and headed to Babainda Boulders. For a fleeting moment I think we considered 'not going' but I am so glad we did. The Boulders were lovely and quiet a busy little spot, nestled in the mountains, surrounded by tropical rainforest. Gorgeous stuff. So green and the boulders in the running river were gigantic...

To give some perspective on the height of these 'rocks' there is actually a guy on the big rock on the right hand side. He is standing. I wonder if you can spot him?)

There was a track which ran alongside the river, through the lush green forest, lots of little spiders (and some big ones too!) were to be spotted, along with lizards, butterflies etc.,

Since 1959 over 15 people (mainly young men apparently) have drowned at the Boulders, held under by strong currents. Or maybe they were doing this...

Can you spot the boy jumping off the boulders into the gushing water below? Sure, looks like fun but you would never (ever) catch me doing something so foolish. We didn't watch them for long, couldn't stand watching them, in case something 'happened'. They were jumping at least 3-4 stories high, between the towering boulders into the green waters below...

By the time we walked back to the car we were all wet through (with lovely sweat again). I swear I have never felt so 'sticky' before. So here I am complaining and Lyndon says "This is how I feel everyday". Whoops, forgot the young man in this house works on construction sites.

We were home mid afternoon, driving home through some of the heaviest rain we have ever driven through. Amazing stuff.

All up it was a great Sunday drive, thoroughly enjoyable and visiting some (more) wonderful places that this corner of the world had to offer us...

When was the last time you went on a Sunday drive?

Sausage and Egg Salad with Anchovy Dressing

A bit of a bizarre salad, but really tasty, great flavours and easy too. What a combination hey? Kind of like a 'throw-it-together' meal... I used Beef and Cracked Pepper flavoured sausages.

*Taken from Murdoch Books, 'Tossed', published 2006*

Ingredients
4 eggs
250g green beans, trimmed and halved
2 tbs olive oil
4 good-quality sausages, cut into 1cm slices
2 thick slices crusty white bread, crusts removed, cut into 1cm cubes
200g mixed salad leaves
150g roasted red capsicum, sliced

Anchovy Dressing Ingredients
1 garlic clove, crushed
3 tbs olive oil
2 tbs lemon juice
3 anchovy fillets, finely chopped
2 tbs shredded basil leaves

Method
Bring a small saucepan of water to the boil, add the eggs and cook for 5 minutes. Add the beans and cook for a further 2 minutes. Drain and rinse the eggs and beans under cold water, draining the beans well. Crack the egg shells slightly and leave to cool in cold water.

Meanwhile, heat half the oil in a frying pan. Add the sausage slices and fry over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until golden and cooked, turning once. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and set aside.

put the frying pan back over medium heat and add the remaining oil. When the oil is hot, add the bread cubes and fry, turning now and then, for about 2 minutes, or until golden on all sides.

Put all the anchovy dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Mash the anchovies well, mix thoroughly, then season with black pepper and set aside.

Once the eggs have cooled, peel them and then cut them into quarters. Put the sausages, beans, salad leaves and capsicum in a serving bowl. Add the dressing and toss gently. Top with the eggs and croutons and serve.

Serves 4

Flecker Botanical Gardens

You may remember last week I took my visiting parents to the Flecker Botanical Gardens in Cairns? If you're ever in this section of the world it is certainly worth a visit. The first time I visited with Monet it was not long after Cyclone Larry had visited the city so the gardens weren't looking too good. Last week was a different story though. The Gardens seemed to be flourishing.


I'm not one to know names of plants so I have no idea what most of these are called. All I know is that they all grow in tropical climates. A lot of the plants are species from Papua New Guinea and Asia but I do have to say, most of them are lovely...

Check out the flower on this plant...

My mum ohhed and ahhed over that flower, after all, it's not everyday you see something as magnificent!

(That's my dad taking photos and my mum probably pointing to some plant she's never seen before!)

One thing with tropical 'flowers' is the majority of them are fabulously bright, especially against the lush green leaves (bar the above 'dark flower')...

The next flower we thought was a tropical kind of 'Waratah'...

The Gardens looked so healthy, so green and best thing? So quiet! Except for the roar of airplanes taking off from the airport across the road every 10 minutes! *heehee* There weren't many people around so it was like having the tropical oasis to yourself. In fact, it was so quiet it was like you were in someone's personal tropical backgarden.

I need to visit there more often. Monet *loved* it. She loved reading the little description plaques beneath the plants and making up what they read.

"If you catch a Butterfly, catch it and let it go"
"If you see Dora say 'Swiper no swiping'" (you need to know Dora the Explorer to understand that one!)
"Tell Boots that Dora's catching butterflies"
"If you cross a bridge, find a butterfly"

Sure they didn't make sense but we all got good giggles out of them.

If you're ever in town make a special outing to visit these Botanical Gardens, you'll find them fascinating. Just take some Insect Repellent with you!

Your Turn!

Did you realise that I live with a Hairdresser? Well, I didn't either until yesterday.

Monet had her teddies lined up against the lounge wall and I heard her drag her little step chair from out of the bathroom to near her bedroom door. I saw her grab a 'blankie' and her 'blunt-as-they-come' paper scissors.

"Okay Molly, time for a hair cut" I heard. Oh dear, I thought.

But after watching (and photographing) I knew there was nothing to worry about. Those scissors couldn't even really cut paper even if I tried!

But then I got all worried when Monet said to me, "Your turn!"

"Me?"

"Yeah, c'mon. Take a seat".

So I squatted down on the chair. And like a true professional she put the 'blankie' around my neck and started...

(Notice all those beads around her wrists and neck? Can you see what else we've been up to?)

I shouldn't have worried. She played a very good hairdresser. I even got a hug after my haircut!

The last few days we've had an Ice-Cream shop in our house, along with a Grocery store and now a Hairdressers. As long as she doesn't want to play 'Butcher Shops' we should be right!!! *heehee*

No Messy Ice Cream Eating Around Here...

I remember months ago, Kikimiss blogged about these holders for ice creams for 'little hands'. I thought they were a nifty idea but never did anything about actually buying one. Pretty typical of me, I must say.

Last week, when out with my parents at one of the local shopping plazas, we stopped to get a 'milkshake' each. (That's what you do with your Grandparents don't you? Go out and buy milkshakes?) Anyway, as we sat at the shop slurping away, I noticed they were selling ice-cream cone holders for a measly $2. They are along the same line as the Dripstik ones, which is why I purchased one.

It got put to good use on Sunday.

Sunday saw us all pile in Lyndon's car and drive up to Port Douglas for a look around and some lunch (which we had at the ever-faithful-good-value-for-money Courthouse Hotel, the big white Hotel on the corner, if you know Port!) After playing at the park at The Point (again), the only way to get Monet off the play equipment was a promise of an ice cream. A big chocolate ice cream. (Yeah, I know all these reports have come out saying parents shouldn't bribe their children, but hey, everyone does, don't they?) Perfect opportunity to use the ice cream holder.


Do you think she enjoyed it? You'd be correct in thinking yes, she did.

And did the holder work? Yes, it did.

She might have got ice cream on her face but there was no dripping onto her clothes, legs etc.,

Two bucks well spent I'd say. Even if I forget to take it with me ever again (which is possible) at least she used it once and it worked.

With a Splish and a Splash...

You know the 'wet season' has begun when it rains solidly for two days straight. And you have thunderstorms for two nights straight. Cairns received over 300mm in 48 hours. I can't believe it hasn't rained this morning but the forecast for the next week is more and more and more rain.


We are making the most of today's non-rainy-day (so far), by Monet going on her bike to the local shop. She rode around like she owned the place and had been riding for years. Besides not knowing exactly how the hand brake works yet and not quite being able to ride up slight little hills, she's doing really well and we get lots of smiles and waves from people.


Yesterday when it was slightly drizzling, I took Monet over to the park to do some puddle splashing...



To be a little kid again right?

The playground was flooded but Monet didn't mind splashing around in the puddles and playing.



When we returned home we had awful trouble trying to pry her gumboots off. Her foot was suction cuffed into the gumboot and we laughed and giggled for about 5 minutes twisting her boots off. When both feet were finally free I tipped the boots upside down to discover that both boots had about half a cup of water each in them! I think I might invest in a pair of these Croc Georgie wellies for her at some stage...


...as the little Target brand Size 10's seem to be getting a little tight. Literally.

We did lots of beading yesterday too. Monet loves threading the beads onto the elastic/nylon strings and making stuff. I was lucky enough to score a necklace yesterday made with her loving hands. We'll be making more later today I predict. Thank goodness for $2 shops, though up here those $2 shops are more like $2 Warehouses, they're huge!!


I predict that we'll be doing a bit of baking in the next few weeks (months??) too, along with colouring in, glueing, cutting (or 'snipping' as Monet calls it - Thanks Grandma!), stickers, eating, play doughing, painting, drawing, indoor picnics, blackboard games, card games, library visits, television watching, you name it!!!!.... Now, would someone like to come and do my housework?

A Wet and Rainy Last Day

Yesterday was my parents last day up here. We had grand plans to do a few things but when we woke in the morning it was raining...and it didn't stop raining. In fact, over 30 hours later it is still raining and my parents are now gone....

In the morning we decided to visit one of the local shopping plazas (as you do) then, after coming home and having some lunch, I thought that Cairns' Crystal Cascades might be a nice place to visit. I was right.

The cascades were flowing and everything looked alive and well and green and tropical. A lovely place to visit on a wet and rainy day, believe it or not.

The Cascades lie in a little valley behind Cairns and it is a quick and easy drive to get there. It is about 20 minutes from my house.

Monet had a brilliant time in her gumboots and holding her umbrella. She splished and splashed, laughed and sang. Oh! she thought it was the best thing she had done in a long time. (She wants to do it again today!)

My dad enjoyed taking photographs, bar getting a little wet (no umbrella for him!) and mum enjoyed the walk and seeing everything look so green....

It was a nice way to spend an afternoon before my parents left, headed back to country Victoria, a good 3 hour plane flight south. It was nice to have my parents up here over the Christmas break and I am sure they had a relaxing time. It was nice for us to have them here to entertain Monet! *heehee*

Not sure when our next relative visit will be. It will probably be us visiting Kimbofo in good old London town!

A Friday Tour

Maybe I could make an income by being a tour guide. Na, only kidding. But I have done this tour a few times now.

Yesterday morning, with a picnic basket in the back, loaded with cool drinks, ham, cheese, lettuce, gourmet tomato spread and fresh crusty bread, along with the picnic essential (ie. potato chips), with Monet and Grandma in the back and Grandad beside me, the Subaru was off through the Kuranda range and headed towards Atherton.

Our first stop was the little place called Rocky Creek, not far before Atherton. There is situated a War Memorial Park and knowing that my dad is a World War Fanatic I thought he'd appreciate the stop there. I appreciated it too. It was so peaceful and picturesque.

The site was originally a hospital used in 1943-45, where patients were bought here from the South Pacific battles. The area of the Atherton Tablelands was the biggest military base in Australia and by placing this memorial park where it is, is a great reminder...

A couple hundred granite rocks with plaques on them dedicated to mainly military units, but also other units who are remembered in the World Wars (Salvation Army etc.,). One of the plaques bears the inscription of "You are here today because of where we were yesterday". Those words could not ring more true.

Here, Monet enjoyed "map reading" once more...

If you are ever on The Kennedy Highway between Atherton and Mareeba it is certainly worth a stop. And you never know, you just may be spied upon when in the toilet by one of these, like I was...

Talk about give me a fright, right at the wrong moment! *heehee*

From there we visited the Cathedral Fig Tree (again) and then we went up to Lake Eacham for a picnic lunch, much to Monet's delight! My girl loves picnics!!

We walked around a little after our picnic, watched the young locals jumping into the lake (something I could never imagine myself doing at that age!)...


...we walked to the Turtle Viewing Platform. By the looks of it there were turtles below...



There was, but they were too hard to photograph so I gave it a miss... But it was nice to actually see the turtles swimming about since last time we visited the lake we couldn't see any.

Back in the car we drove down to Millaa Millaa Falls, which was showing off. Loads of water and only a few other people there. Monet was very keen to take her shoes off and paddle in the water by the creek after she spotted a group of 4 Japanese tourists doing the same.

The 150 kilometre trip back to Cairns, via the Bruce Highway was good. The road was quiet and the weather started to turn. We had done our tour just in time. Phew!

Even though we were gone for over 6 hours and I drove about 315 kilometres (something I hadn't done in a long time!) I found myself not to be at all tired like I thought I would be. I even came home and cooked a Roast for dinner, which was enjoyed by all.

Maybe the Red Bull which I had in the morning really worked for me. *yeah, right!*

Grandad's Birthday

Today is my father's birthday.

This morning (whilst Lyndon is at work) we went into Cairns for a cool drink (of the milky variety, not the alcohol variety) and for a little stroll along the marina. It was nice to do this for a change.

We even saw one of the helicopters that take people out and over the Reef, something I hadn't seen in quite awhile, so it was nice to watch this...


On the way back home we detoured via the Flecker Botanical Gardens...


I'm not sure who enjoyed this more. My dad, the photographer, or my mother, the mad gardener, or Monet, using her Dora-like skills reading maps and following paths and the like. I'll blog at a later date about the Gardens, it deserves a post all to itself.


Once home we had a little lunch party for Grandad (party pies, sausage rolls, cheezels) then sang Happy Birthday...

I made the Baked Banana Cheesecake late yesterday and I've posted the recipe here. It was delicious and a nice change to eating birthday cake, like we did on Lyndon's birthday 10 days ago...

Nice hat!

Happy birthday to not only my dad, but Lyndon too, who was disappointed I didn't blog about his special day. I hope this post makes up for it...

Baked Banana Cheesecake

I made this, a first for me. A baked cheesecake. Pretty easy to make and full of flavour. I made it on the occasion of my father's birthday...

*Taken from 'The Australian Women's Weekly All Time Favourites' published 1997*

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups (225g) plain flour
1/4 cup (40g) icing sugar mixture
90g butter
2 egg yolks
1 tbs water, approximately

Banana Filling
2 x 250g packets cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
1 1/2 cups mashed banana (approx 3 large bananas)
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tbs vanilla essence
1 tbs rum, optional

Method
Grease 22cm springform tin.

Sift dry ingredients together; rub in butter, add egg yolks and enough water to make the ingredients cling together. Press mixture into a ball; knead on floured surface until smooth. Cover with plastic; refrigerate 30 minutes.

Press pastry evenly into prepared tin to cover base and sides, trim edge, lightly prick base with fork. Cover; refrigerate 30 minutes.

Cover pastry with baking paper, fill with dried beans or rice. bake in moderately hot oven 10 minutes; remove paper and beans, bake 15 minutes or until browned lightly. Cool.

Pour filling into pastry case. Bake in moderate oven about 1 1/4 hours or until set; cool. Cover cheesecake; refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.

Banana Filling Method
Beat cheese and sugar in medium bowl with electric mixer until smooth; add remaining ingredients, beat until smooth.

Serves 8-10

Ellis Beach

Today I took my parents up the road to Ellis Beach, which is Cairns' furthermost beach. It's not far from where we live and is quite lovely and quiet too. It is rather long and nice to stroll along to collect shells, or rocks in Monet's case...

The beach has a great outlook over to Double Island which is off Palm Cove. The island is only for the 'very well off'. It helps if you are famous too. When Keanu Reeves was in Australia filming The Matrix series he 'rented' the island for an astronomical amount. You can only imagine.

There weren't many people about but I think that is the beauty of Ellis Beach. I swear each time I've driven past (on our way to Port Douglas) it seems quiet. Except on Sundays. The little village there 'pumps' with cars, bikies, surf life-savers and 'nippers' (ie. Little surf life-savers!)

Monet enjoyed collecting her rocks and Grandma enjoyed collecting shells. Grandad enjoyed strolling up to the beach end and taking photographs (we call my dad the paparazzi, always camera in hand and people say I'm bad!!) I enjoyed doing all three activities. Including watching...

Grandad showed Monet that the wet sand is like one giant art easel, so she began drawing everyone.

This one is me.

I should go up there more often, afterall, it is only a quick 10 minute drive north from where we live.