Street Par-tay

Yesterday we attended a 'street party' in the honour of nothing or no one.  Surprisingly, we all enjoyed ourselves.  

Our 'street' in the compound, is a 'dead-end' one with 26 villas lining it, 13 on either side.  The eight villas, up the end, have been occupied by the tenants (most people have the rent assistance as included in their work contracts and it seems the only owners of villas in this compound are owned by Nationals), for about 8 or so months.  The remaining villas (of which there are 6 vacant ones - we have no one living directly on either side of us) are occupied by people who all work for the same company Lyndon does.  We all arrived around the same time, from September to December.  It is a case of the street being split in too - that end and 'our end'.

It was someone from one of the tenants of 8 months+ who decided it would be a nice idea to get everyone together from the street and meet the ones they wave to.  (ie - likes like me)  We know quite well the people from 'our end' of the street, mainly because we all come from the 'southern hemisphere' and our husbands all work for the same company.  

I learnt yesterday that our street has residents from France, Spain, Belgium, Scotland, England, New Zealand, USA, Australia (hel-lo!), Jordan, Norway, Sweden, Canada, India.  We are multicultural are we not?

I befriended an older French couple, mainly because the woman produced some wonderful salads and desserts for our BBQ late lunch/early dinner.  Oh my.  How one does love french cooking.  The lady gave me the recipe for these fabulous vegetables she produced onto the table to eat.  So very tasty.  Mmmm....  (Hopefully I can remember it when I decide to make it.)Her crepes were to die for too!  *heehee*  They were a lovely couple (he was a French Seaman after all) and it is now nice to know who I am waving at when they drive past my front door (if I happen to be outside!)

Monet had a good time, mainly playing with her little friend Holly from down the street.  

Someone had organised a clown to attend to play some games which got all the kidlets involved.  I have to say, she was rather a bossy clown, but dam it was hot yesterday so I am thinking that running about and trying to organise kids, whilst wearing a big clown suit would have been 'horrid'.  Glad it was her and not I. 

 

We had chats with neighbours, met a few new ones, enjoyed the ABBA dancing from some 'European' dads and the children from the street (very humorous, let me tell you!)  

I think everyone is keen for the next street-do, but with the heat being turned up over the past week, I don't think it will be happening for quite some time.  

Curried Leek and Kumara Soup

A quick, easy and very tasty soup to make.  I only used about 1 litre of chicken stock and 3 large kumaras (about 1.4 kg) and 1 tablespoon curry powder, instead of the required amount.I also didn't add the yogurt for lack of any.  Apparently a good soup to freeze, before adding the bacon pieces...

*Taken from Women's Weekly cookbooks 'Meals in Minutes', page 72, published 1998*

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 medium (150g) onion, chopped roughly

2 large leeks, chopped roughly

2 tablespoons curry powder

4 large (2 kg) kumara, peeled and then chopped roughly

2.5 litres (10 cups) chicken stock

2 bacon rashes, chopped finely

1/3 cup (80ml) yogurt

Method

Heat oil in large pan; cook onion and leek, stirring, until leek softens.  Add curry powder; cook, stirring, 1 minute.

Add kumara and stock.  Bring to the boil; simmer, covered, about 15 minutes or until kuara is just tender.  Blend or process mixture, in batches, until smooth. (Can be prepared ahead to this point; refrigerate overnight or freeze.)

Cook bacon in small heated dry pan, stirring, until browned and crisp; drain on absorbent paper.

Cook soup in large pan until heated through; serve topped with yogurt and sprinkled with bacon.

Honey Chicken

Very nice indeed this recipe.  Pretty easy to whip up, even though I don't have a wok (I used my frying pan).  I used chicken breast instead of thigh fillets and I omitted the snowpeas because of a lack of having any!  

*Taken from Murdoch books 'Australian Family Favourites', page 56,published 2007*

Ingredients

500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into cubes

1 egg white, lightly beaten

40g (1/3 cup) cornflour

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 onions, thinly sliced

1 green capsicum, cubed

2 carrots, cut into batons

100g snowpeas, sliced

90g (1/4 cup) honey

2 tablespoons toasted almonds

Method

Dip the chicken into the egg white, then lightly dust with the cornflour, shaking off any excess.

Heat a wok over high heat, add 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil and swirl to coat the side of the wok.  Add the chicken in tow batches and stir-fry each batch for 4-5 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and just cooked.  Remove the chicken from the wok and drain on crumpled paper towels.

Reheat the wok over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of the oil and stir-fry the sliced onion for 3-4 minutes, or until slightly softened.  Add the green capsicum and carrot, cook. tossing constantly, for 3-4 minutes, or until tender.  Stir in the sliced snow peas and cook for 2 minutes.

Ensure the wok is still very hot, then pour in the honey and toss with the vegetables until well coasted.  Return the chicken to the wok and toss thoroughly until heated through and well coasted in the honey.  Remove the wok from the heat and season well.  Serve immediately, sprinkled with the toasted almonds.  Serve with steamed white rice.

Serves 4

iMe

It feels like I have a brand new computer to upload my photos onto.  

We've had our MacBook now for over two years and on Friday we went out and purchased new upgrading software for it.  It feels like a brand spanker, especially with the introduction of iLife'09.  I am in love with iPhoto even more so now, as I can click on one of four icons, 'iWeb', 'Email', 'Facebook' or 'Flickr'.  As I use both FB and Flickr, my photos can now easily be uploaded to these accounts.  So easy peasy and I am very happy!  Along with new 'cleaning spray and cloth' for the MacBook, not only does our computer feel brand new, it also looks brand new...  

I have decided that my oven is a great baking one.  See what I made on Thursday...

Can I tell you that it taste as good as it looks.  My neighbours can too confirm this statement.  For the recipe, click here...

I do enjoy baking and cooking, but one thing I simply cannot stand is washing those bloody dishes one uses to produce goods.  Well that will be changing tomorrow, with the arrival of this...

I am one lucky ducky.  No more feeling awfully hot, hand washing the dishes.  My kitchen should now look constantly clean (as compared to having dishes lying about all.  the.  time.)  There will be more items being cooked and baked in my kitchen with the introduction of our new dishwasher tomorrow.  Yippee....  

And the best thing?  When we leave this villa, whenever that shall be down the track, and when we leave Abu Dhabi, the oven and the dishwasher come with us.  Now, we just have to keep our eyes open for some property in Melbourne...  (All in due time you realise people, all in due time!)

Easy Sponge Cake with Strawberries and Cream

When I first made this I thought, nahh won't make that again, due to it sinking a little and part of it fell apart.  But after decorating it and then finally eating it, I can say that I would make it again.  It is delicious!!!

*Taken from Murdoch Books 'Australian Family Favourites', pg 366, published 2007*

Ingredients

30g butter, melted

60g plain (all-purpose) flour

60g cornflour (cornstarch)

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

4 eggs

170g caster sugar

2 tablespoons hot milk

300ml whipping (pouring) cream

1 tablespoon icing sugar, plus extra for dusting

2 tablespoons strawberry jam

500g strawberries, hulled and sliced in half

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C.  Grease two 20cm round cake tins with the melted butter and line the bases with baking paper.  Dust the sides of the tins with a little flour, shaking out any excess.

Sift the flour, cornflour, cream of tartar and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl, then repeat the sifting twice more.

Whisk the eggs and sugar in a large bowl for 5 minutes, or until pale and think.  Using a large metal spoon, carefully fold in the sifted flour mixture and the hot milk until they are just incorporated; take care not to overmix.  Divide the mixture evenly between the two tins, then bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the cakes are golden and have shrunk slightly from the side of the tins.  Leave in the tins for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

Combine the cream and icing sugar in a bowl, then whip until soft peaks form.  Place one sponge cake on a serving plate and spread with jam.  Top with half the cream and half of the sliced strawberries.  Cover with the second sponge cake.  Spread the remaining cream over the top and top with the remaining strawberries.  Dust with icing sugar and serve immediately.

Scotch Beef Carbonnade

This was quite a hearty meal and was quite rich tasting.  It said to make the Garlic and Herb Croutons to serve with it, but I had some Garlic Focaccia and served it with that instead.  Not needed to be served with a side dish, just a bowl of this was fine.  (Though you do need bread or croutons etc.,)

*Taken from 'Hello' Magazine, Middle East edition*

Ingredients

700g lean Scotch Beef braising steak, cut into 1cm cubes

50g flour, seasoned with black pepper

1 tbs olive oil

2 onions, peeled and sliced

1 glove garlic, crushed

1 tbs tomato puree (I used tomato paste)

1 tsp English Mustard

300ml stock

1 tsp brown sugar

1 bouquet garni

Freshly ground black pepper

2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

2 parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks

For the garlic and herb croutons

25g butter

1-2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tbs fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 French Stick, sliced into 8 even chunks

Method

Preheat the oven to 170C.  Toss the beef in the seasoned flour and shake off any excess.  Heat the oil in an ovenproof casserole, add the beef and cook to brown all over.  Add the onions and crushed garlic to the casserole and cook for 2-3 minutes, then add the remaining ingredients and bring to the boil.  Cover, transfer to the preheated oven and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Just before it is ready to serve, make the croutons.  Mix the butter together with the garlic and parsley.

Lightly toast one side of the sliced bread, then spread the garlic and parsley mixture on the other side and toast until golden.

Serve the carbonnade piled into warm bowls with two croutons on the side.

Serves 4

Sixth of Sixth...

(Post 450!)

I have been tagged by my lovely UK mate Bob-Kat.  The idea is to go to the sixth photo in your sixth folder of photos.  Then you are to explain the photo and say why you took it and why you've kept it.  

I know why I took this photo.  It is because I am trigger happy when it comes to taking photographs.  When I feel like taking photos I do have my own model to take photos of, not so much these days, but back in 2007 I did have a model.  

I love the way Monet is peering out from behind her 'fairy pillow'.  It kind of makes me melt this photo.  I didn't edit the photo, I took it in Black & White.  Look at those once chubby legs.  And that cute little hand....  I am baised of course...

I am now meant to tag 6 people, which I will.  If you choose to do it, go right ahead, if not - no worries.  

I am tagging the following;

• Tracey from Peppermint Patcher
• Kikimiss from All About Kiki & Co
• Stacey from Sheeps Clothing
• Kim from Kimbofo
• Ms Mac from Ms Mac
• Lani from Me & Boo

Sandy Times

There have been sand storms around this neck of the woods lately.  They aren't like how I expected a sand storm to be - well the ones we've had lately anyway.  It is just your visibility is low, you can't see the sky for the sand (looks kind of like fog) and the sun has a funny moonlight glow about... (Photo taken from our bedroom balcony)

This photo is looking up towards our pool - very strange colour indeed...

If only the sand was washed away by a proper rain storm I'd be happy.  Instead you get a layer of sand covering everything outside and god forbid you had your window open because your tiled floor would be covered in sand.  You should see the state of our car! 

Not everything around here has been doom and gloom however.  

I had my first ever pedicure on Saturday.  There is no stopping me now.  I will be back for more.  A couple of neighbour ladies from the villas opposite, (all our husbands work for the same company in half of this street and most of the husbands work together on the same job!),  organised a couple of ladies to come out to the compound and do pedicures.  I wasn't the only pedicure virgin in the group - out of the seven of us, four of us were first timers.

People think that because you are in the UAE (being a tax-free country) that life is easy.  It is nice, I will say that, and Lyndon and I are close to being debt free now (besides the mortgage of course).  Sure, we have bought ourselves some well deserved gifts and furniture, but there are times when we look at each other and admit that a part of us does miss our home in Trinity Beach.  

We are used to being away from family and our close buddies in Melbourne but at the end of the day, we know that life is precious, time goes quickly and life plan structures are a necessity for us.  We know what we are working for and why we are here.  It isn't a 'forever' move.  We've had a daughter who struggled initially moving from our home in FNQ (ask my parents!) and then moving here to the middle of the world.  We have had shocking moments coping with her.  Whilst Lyndon and I 'moved on' easily, as we always have, she struggled.  But our old Monet returned to us a few weeks back and she's the happy-go-lucky Monet we have always loved and adored.  

I hope the lives you are currently living are getting a little brighter too after the devastation over the past week.  Things have to look up at some point or another don't they? (Melody being ever the optimist...)

Trying to Cheer Up Charlie

There has been so much sadness this week in my life (and it seems in a lot of yours as well)  and I have been feeling so low, I thought I would post a couple of things that have cheered me up somewhat.  If only momentarily, they still brought smiles to my face.

The pool.  Monet and Lyndon had a blast in the pool together the other day.  If only you could hear the giggling coming out of Monet's mouth in this shot...(and yes, that is a hat on Lyndon's foot!)  There is something about being in the pool or watching people in a pool which makes me happy.  Maybe it is all about the calmness of it all.

I will leave you with this, from a favourite of mine, Dom Jolly.  This makes me laugh out loud, no matter how many times I have watched it. (Please mind the 'F-word' within the first 25 seconds and towards the end.)  It is so outback Australian, it isn't funny.  If you enjoy a drink once in a while, I am sure you'll enjoy watching this clip.  I hope it makes you smile as much as it makes me...  

Gutted

What a weekend it has been.

Even though I live halfway around the other side of the world, I cannot help but feel effected by the devastation of the bushfires in country Victoria.  The number of lives lost is shockingly high and that is just the human lives.  I hate to think about all the livestock and other animals and birds that have also died during the past few days.

I grew up and have spent most of my adult life in Victoria.  I love summer, I always have, but there were always things I did not like about summer, especially growing up in the country.  My first fear would be the number of snakes you might see out in the garden basking in the sun (a little too close to the house), the influx of Huntsman spiders inside the house (*shudder*) and the constant threat of bushfires.  As our family home is in an area where there is 'bush' aplenty,  the smell of smoke or the sound of the local fire alarm whining would send shivers down one's spine.  

I remember one dreadfully hot summer (back in like 1980 or something) when there was a roaring fire directly down the road from our family property.  There was an immediate threat to our home and I remember my mum packing up the car (Datsun Sunny?) with photographs, our new doonas (!) and the family pets.  Just in case.  

We were well prepared for bushfire season from that summer onward.  My dad would do his best to clear out the gutters regularly (a brave feat for a man who is scared of heights - sorry dad, spilling the beans there!), long grass was no longer an issue around the house, hoses were always on standby and the photo albums waited in a blue crate.

Fingers crossed that the area I know and love is never affected by bushfire.  

My dad is a CFA (Country Fire Authority) volunteer, so any bushfire and he is usually there.  He has the full kit (including the braces) and tries his best to be on standby most times.  In times like these he is there doing the hard yards, with the thousands of other CFA volunteers across the state.  These guys honestly risk their lives, this I know you know.  

Reading article after article and watching on the television about the fires in Victoria is so very sad and shocking and I have shed many a tear.   

If the shock and devestation of these stories filtering through wasn't enough to make me cry, (including the loss of Brian Naylor, old TV anchorman), the email I got in my inbox this morning was.

Remember a couple of weeks I mentioned that one of my cousins had taken his own life?  Now I find out that on the weekend my younger cousin did a 'copycat' suicide.  (Not a brother of the previous cousin, but a cousin like me.) I feel gutted, shocked, beyond words.  I cannot understand this selfish act and are more upset for his parents, with whom we were once very close with (growing up wise).  I know my sister too is upset and we are all in shock.  My thoughts are currently with too many people, but especially Ron, Rae, Kate and my cousin's ex-wife, child and current life partner.  :-( 

Hug your child a little closer tonight.  Thank our lucky stars we are all safe and well and pray (even if I am not the praying kind) for the victims of the Victorian bushfires.  

A Dubai Weekend

We decided on Friday morning to head north to Dubai for the weekend (remembering the working week here runs from Sunday to Thursday.)  We booked a room at the Premier Inn and off we went.  Monet was very excited - for her the prospect of a night away in a hotel is like Christmas for her!  (She's very hotel savvy, let me tell you!)

But before the hotel room beckoned, we had decided to visit Dubai Mall, which lies underneath the Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world.  The Mall itself is home to over 2000 shops and restaurants and is one of the largest shopping malls in the world.  It seriously was an amazing place.  The below photo was taken before the crowds hit.

Where else could you find one of the world's biggest bookshops? (It kept going on and on and on....)

An ice rink?

An indoor waterfall?

An aquarium? (Now, that was amazing!)

It honestly blew us away but it is so big it is actually too big.  There is still a lot of shops to be opened in the near future so honestly, if you can't find what you were looking for here, you must have your eyes shut.  

By the time we had lunch (in the most amazing food court ever!), walked around, did a touch of shopping (not much but I did buy a couple of good cookbooks!) and on our way to find our hotel, it was past 4:30pm.  

Dubai roads seem to be a series of ring roads, on and off ramps, bridges and roundabouts.  After (finally) finding ourselves heading in the right direction I caught this snap of the Burj Tower from a distance with the sun setting...

The Premier Inn was great (we'll stay there again down the track I am sure).  It was relatively inexpensive, had a great little bar and a restaurant there and a coffee shop.  The room was not too dissimilar from the one we stayed at in London (which gave us good feeling - same prints on the walls and everything Lol!!) 

After breakfast in the morning we headed to the Emirates Mall for a wander around there.  We left a little while later to head home.  (Over shopping, but surprisingly, shoppers didn't annoy me, which usually happens!) 

Next time we head to Dubai, we have decided we'll go out onto Palm Island and explore some of the amazing architecture on foot, rather than doing drive-bys.  

Flashback Friday - Jeff Buckley

Now, this bloke could sing.  Not only could the exquisite Jeff Buckley belt out a tune, he could belt it out live on stage...  (Please watch as you will certainly know what I mean after watching!)

I own the above concert on DVD and no matter how many times I watch it, it *still* sends shivers up my spine.

I was so very (very) fortunate to see Jeff Buckley play live in early 1996, at Melbourne's Palais Theater. (Sometimes it is my claim to fame, considering that he died a year later.) If you happen to know the Theater, and have ever been in the upper half of it, you would know that they are not normal chairs. The front half (which I was like 3 rows back from) are more like comfortable lounge chairs. Blissful, especially at a Jeff Buckley concert. I think I spent half the concert (and it wasn't only me!) who had their eyes shut. Jeff was mesmerising with his singing. I will never forget.

Never.

*sigh*  

What a Friday Flashback this is for me.  

A Wander Around The Streets

My neighbour friend, Monet and myself caught a taxi into the city this morning.  We had a little business to do (visit the post office to begin with.  Abu Dhabi only has two or three post offices here, believe it or not.  But that is another post altogether.)

It was a good opportunity for me to take some snaps of some buildings.  It is an interesting city bar the stupid footpaths (up and down, steps, not very pedestrian friendly) but is nice to get out and see some more of the city.

There are some amazing looking buildings in some glorious colours...

...and then there is some typical city scenes of low-lying buildings, not a lot of sky-scrapers in the city parts yet!  (There are a few and the future plan for this city looks pretty impressive.)

We ended up walking to Al Whada Mall for a few bits and pieces, including a well deserved Starbucks drink and Maccas for lunch!  *heehee*

Now excuse me as I go and make a salad as we're off to a neighbour's tonight for a BBQ and a Guitar Hero show-down!

(Any of these photos can be enlarged by double-clicking. My new camera works wonderfully with snaps like these.  Hope you can see how clear they are!)

I've Updated My Other Blog.

Well, blow me over with a feather.

I have updated my Recipe blog after six long (long) months of it being neglected.  I mean, I have that flash function on my camera called 'Gourmet Food', so I have no excuse.  *snort* (The function is mean to represent true colour, and yeah, I can officially say that it does.)

I baked some savoury-type muffins today for lunch...

...and for dinner tonight I cooked a lovely Chunky Vegie Soup...mmmm....

For the muffin recipe, click here, for the soup recipe, click here.

:-P

Chunky Vegetable Soup

This is always a firm favourite vegetable soup in our house.  I have been making it for years and always satisfies.  Thick and hearty.  Enjoy.

*Taken from Family Circle's 'Comfort Food', published 1999, pg 57*

Ingredients

50g butter

1 leek, chopped

1 celery stick, chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

1 large potato, chopped

1 parsnip, peeled and chopped

1 swede or turnip, peeled and chopped

225g sweet potato, chopped

1/2 cup (115g) soup mix

2 litres vegetable stock or water

1 cup (155g) frozen peas

125g green beans, chopped

and the two ingredients I always forget;

1/4 cup (15g) chopped fresh mint

1/3 cup (20g) chopped fresh parsley

Method

Heat the butter in a large heavy-based pan and cook the leek, celery, carrot, potato, parsnip, swede or turnip and sweet potato, stirring for 5 minutes.

Add the soup mix and stock or water.  Bring slowly to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 1/4 hours or until the mix has softened.

Add the peas and beans and cook for a further 10 minutes, or until tender.  Stir in the chopped mint and parsley.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Serve hot.  Delicious with crusty bread.

Serves 6

Bacon and Herb Muffins

*I know*  It has been ages.....

Here is a recipe for some savoury-type muffins.  You could really put anything in them but these were nice, warm with a spread of butter on them.  Mmmm....  I had no fresh herbs so used dried instead and no Parmesan here either.  I used English Tasty Cheddar.  Okey dokey?

*Taken from Women's Weekly 'COOK' published 2006, pg 509*

Ingredients

6 Bacon rashes (420g), rind removed, chopped finely

3 cups (450g) SR Flour

60g butter, chopped coarsely

1 tbs coarsely chopped fresh basil

2 tbs coarsely chopped fresh chives

2 tsp coarsely chopped fresh oregano

3/4 cup (60g) finely grated Parmesan 

2 eggs

1 cup (250ml) milk

Method

Preheat oven to moderately hot (200C/180C fan-forced).  Grease 12-hole muffin pan.

Cook bacon in heated lightly oiled small frying pan, stirring until crisp.  Drain on absorbent paper; cool 10 minutes.

Sift flour into large bowl; rub in butter.  Stir in bacon, herbs and cheese, then combined eggs and milk.

Spoon mixture into holes.  Bake, uncovered 20 minutes.  (I cooked for 30 mins).  Turn onto wire rack to cool.

Makes 12

Appointment time? Tooth-Hurty. True.

I never told you about Monet's latest tooth trouble have I?

Now, those of you who have been reading this blog for a past couple of years may just remember this post and this one too.  We thought the dodgy tooth/teeth issue was all in the past.  Much to my displeasure, it was not.

Back in August Monet began complaining a little about having a sore tooth when eating sometimes.  Not all the time, maybe every few weeks it would bug her and she'd say something.  I just knew it was one of those bloody back teeth.  I rang around the dentists in Cairns and got her into one, though it was something like 3 days away.  

We finally went and the dentist informed me that he wanted me to take her to get x-rays taken of the back right tooth (all others looked well) as the abscess on her gum was still present and was flaring up.  Since I was pregnant at the time I couldn't take her and then a week or so later all the trouble with my pregnancy happened and the last thing on my mind was getting Monet's tooth seeing too.  Yeah, Mother of the Year Award stuff, I know.  

As I said before it only flared up once in a while (say once a month for a couple of hours at a time) and in the back of my mind I knew I had to get it seen to.  The guilt, oh the guilt.  

It wasn't until we moved over here and Monet complained and I knew I just had to get her seen to.  No excuses this time.  She had complained early one Sunday morning (just before Christmas) when I heard her crunching on something.  WTF?  I got Monet to spit in my hand what she was crunching on.  It seemed like it was a filling of some kind.  Gee, didn't I feel good?  I looked in her mouth.  Oh F***!  Her back right tooth's filling wasn't there.  There was a big gaping hole.  F***!

I rang Lyndon in a panic and being the wonderful man he is, he rang around and got her into see a dentist that afternoon.  Now, we know that would not have happened in Cairns.  (Getting into a Dentist straight away!)  

We took her in and the lovely female dentist was very grateful we had brought Monet in as soon as we could.  (Not that Monzie was in pain, I think I was more in pain than she!) They took an x-ray then and there,  examined the rest of her (healthy) teeth and explained that the dentist in Cairns, 20 months before hand had not got rid of all of the infection when he filled her tooth.  Arrrr.  

The cost of the 'emergency' consultation, not forgetting that x-ray, came to like $60AUD.  True.  

We went back two days later to have the tooth extracted.  Not nice but necessary because the tooth was not worth saving.  The root system had basically disintegrated so this had to be done.  Monet was very (very) brave, enduring three needles followed by the pulling out of her tooth.  

The cost of this I think came close to $200AUD.  

We returned for a check-up last week.  The cost?  Nothing.  Zip.  Nil.  Zilch.  

"No payment today" we were told as we went to the counter to pay.

"You sure?" we asked.

"Yes, no payment".  

We just about fell over on the spot.

We have to return in a few weeks time as the first of Monet's adult teeth (yep - she's an early one!) is just beginning to rupture.  It is the back molar, so when this comes through we have to return so the dentist can make a special loop of some kind, which allows the adult tooth to grow  through and leaves room where the extracted tooth was, for its new tooth to grow in about 5 years time.  This will save the new tooth growing on the wrong angle and causing us grief in the future.  

Let's hope all works out as planned.  (I hope I don't see myself blogging in 10 years time about Monet needing braces!)

Noo Camera

Yesterday, it was out with the old...

and (lucky for me), in with the new.  (Above pic of the old, taken with the new.)  Lyndon gets my hand-me-down Sony Cyber-Shot that has done me very, very, very (like 16k+ shots) well over the past four years and I get a brand spanking new Sony Cyber-Shot. 

 

(Thanks Google images)

Of course it has a zillion functions but I am very impressed with its 'Gourmet Food' setting!  *heehee*  (You all know how much I love to photograph food...along with beer!)

I never used the view finder with my old and this one does not have one at all.  (A function I know many of you out there don't like in the digital cameras of today.)  The whole back screen (3.5 inches) is a 'touch screen' and comes with an internal 4GB memory.  As a bonus my camera came with a slim holding camera bag plus a 2GB memory stick.  Gotta love that.  

If that isn't an excuse to take more photos, then I don't know what is.