Where Has Our Beautiful Weather Gone?

In the past 4 minutes we have had 4mm of rain. No joke. I'm not smiling. 4mm in 4 mins!

Our weather radar is back to looking like this...

...and I'm sick of it!!

See all that darkish blue stuff? It represents rain.

I wish I could send it down south where they desperately need it. We aren't desperate for water up here, after all it is the tropics.

But c'mon, where are those glorious blue sunny skies gone? I haven't seen them around here for weeks. I am in need for some serotonin from the sun....

URGH! This is not the wet season, it is supposed to be the dry season.

Huh!?!

Small World

Last night we headed up to Port Douglas (again) for dinner with some friends, who are up this way from down in Victoria for a bit of work. We didn't stay the night, I drove home after our meal and a 'catch-up'.

Our friends were staying out of town. (In Mossman in case you were wondering, which is about 10 kilometers north of Port Douglas! They are helping put up tents in a secret location - but I can now tell you where - as Steven Spielberg is filming a big mini-series up here with Tom Hanks in the leading role. All outdoor scenes are being shot up this way and all indoor shoots are going to take place in Melbourne.) They were still some time away when we arrived so we stopped in at a 'bottle shop' to buy a '6-pack' (of Stella Artios in case you were wondering!) Monet and I waited patiently in the car whilst Lyndon went into the store.

When Lyndon returned to the car he brought along someone with him. The guy we used to rent a house from in Rye (on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsular) back when I was 4 months pregnant with Monet. Lyndon worked with 'Jason' for a number of months when he was doing his carpentry apprenticeship. 'Jason' had this grand plan on renting out his lovely beach side house and travel up the coast to 'maybe' work in Port Douglas. Over three years later he is still there. Small world.

We only rented his house for about 7 months before we moved back to Melbourne, as we missed the city-life too much. But we still talk about how much we loved that Rye house.

And we wonder each time we visit Port Douglas if 'Jason' still is up here. Well, we found out the answer last night. And funnily enough, 'Jason' works for a building company that is currently working at Lyndon's work site.

Speaking of small worlds, I remember when I was backpacking around the UK (alone) in 1996/97 I was staying at a little hostel in Edinburgh, off the lovely Royal Mile. One of the girls who was in the dorm with me was taught by my father at one of the schools my dad taught at during his career. Small world.

Have you had any 'small world' experiences, like mine?

*smile*

I need to do a post about my love for Monet.

Soppy, I know, but I honestly did not think it was possible to love her more than I did yesterday. Or the day before that. Or the day before that.

But I do.

Today.

Each day I simply love her more.

I just needed to tell you that.

*Ahh*

Over the past week, we've noticed big changes in her. And not just the length of her legs. (She is going to be one tall girl). Or the size of her feet. (She is now moving into children's size 10 shoes!)

She has become very loving. She now greets Lyndon at the door or in the street (if we go and visit him at work) and gives him the biggest hugs and says "I love you!!"

She's constantly giving me hugs and saying the same to me. "I love you Melody!!" Then she puckers up those lips and gives me a kiss.

Her manners are impressive, along with her intelligence (and I'm not just saying that because she is my daughter). She is so funny at times and she constantly is making me smile. Her tantrums seem to now be a distant memory, but I know they are still bubbling under the surface! (She isn't perfect!!) She is still incredibly shy (believe it or not) and takes a while for her to let people into her inner sanctum. She is defiantly a girl's girl. Trust me on that. She warms to females a hell of a lot faster than males. GOOD! *Heehee*

Life can be very good, when your child is behaving and being a little angel. I hope this phase lasts.

I'll milk it for all it is worth.

*Ahh*

Jam Donut Muffins

These are rather yummy, a cross between a jam donut, a cinnamon donut and a plain sweet muffin! I made mini-muffins which I found to be the right size for these little treats, because you really only need a mouthful or two, otherwise I could imagine them being a little 'too-much', if you know what I mean. I usually freeze my baked goods (muffins/cookies) and each night we nibble on a muffin (or cookie) with our 9pm cup of tea. (Lyndon and I are like a couple of old folks!) These jam donut muffins are perfect for freezing and perfect for eating with a 9pm cup of tea.

*Taken from Red Dirt Mummy's blog*

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups self-raising flour

pinch of salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup caster sugar

1 egg

3/4 cup milk

raspberry jam

Method

Preheat oven to 180C. Lightly grease a mini muffin tray.

Sift the flour, salt and cinnamon together into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the oil, caster sugar, egg and milk together. Add to the flour and stir until just combined.

Half fill the prepared muffin tins with the batter. Add 1/4 tsp jam to each muffin, then cover with more batter.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until risen and golden. Remove from oven.

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter. In a small bowl, mix together 3 tablespoons caster sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. While the muffins are still hot, dip their tops into the melted butter and then into the sugar and cinnamon mix. (I actually brushed the melted butter over the tops when the muffins were still in their tins just as they exited the oven. I then sprinkled the tops with the sugar and cinnamon mix.)

Place on a rack to cool.

Makes 24

Mediterranean Burgers

Simple to make and nice to eat...

*Taken from Murdoch Book's 'Fast Food'*

Ingredients

1 large red capsicum

500g lamb mince

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 small onion, grated

3 cloves garlic, crushed

2 tbs pine nuts, chopped

1 tbs finely chopped fresh mint

1 tbs finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp chilli sauce (I used sweet chilli)

1 tbs olive oil

4 Turkish or pide bread rolls

1 cup (220g) ready-made hummus

100g baby rocket

1 small Lebanese cucumber, cut into ribbons

chilli sauce, to serve (optional) (I used sweet chilli)

Method

Cut the capsicum into large pieces, removing the seeds and membrane. Place, skin-side-up, under a hot grill until the skin blackens and blisters. Cool in a plastic bag, then peel and cut into thick strips.

Combine the mince, egg, onion, garlic, pine nuts, fresh herbs, cumin and chilli sauce in a large bowl. Mix with your hands and roll into four even-sized balls. Press the balls into large patties about 9cm in diameter.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the patties over medium heat for 6 minutes each side, or until well browned and cooked through, then drain on paper towels.

Halve the rolls and toast both sides. Spread the cut sides of the rolls with hummus, then lay rocket leaves, roasted capsicum and cucumber ribbons over the base. Place a patty on the salad and top with the other half of the roll. Serve with chilli sauce.

Serves 4

Spur of the Moment

On the spur of the moment on Sunday, we decided we'd go up to Port Douglas for the night, a 40-odd minute drive from our abode. Looking on our favourite last-minute accommodation website, wotif, we got a great deal staying here.

After arriving, we wandered the main shopping-strip of Port Douglas, stopping in at the local Irish bar for a cheap (but rather ordinary) lunch washed down with a schooner of Pale Ale. It was so busy in the main street, mainly for the fact it was a) a Sunday and b) a long weekend (Queen's Birthday Weekend). We were glad we were staying down the road and not right in town like we did last time we stayed in Port Douglas (or Port to us locals!).

The resort was lovely, with boardwalks through the trees which the majority of the resort were built around. The lagoon style pool looked beautiful with a swim-up bar. But, for us northerners (!) it felt a little chilly, even though there were people in there swimming. We chugged down a beer whilst people watching and looking at the serenity the pool offered.

Being a little out of the main town, the resort sits a quick 2 minute walk to the famous 4-Mile Beach. It was a hive of activity there too.

The sand at this beach is like powder and Monet had a wonderful time running, spinning and rolling around in it. It was nice to see her enjoying herself. Yet again.

We decided for dinner to catch the bus into the main street, as we were going to meet up with a friend who was staying the night at Port too.

Our meal at the Courthouse Hotel was delicious and pretty inexpensive and I would definitely go back there to eat. And drink too of course. The Stella Artios went down a treat. And like usual, Monet was very well behaved. She sat next to me and entertained herself, not once wanting to get off the couch and run around. People are always telling me how good she is when she goes out. I guess it is because she is used to it. And I always have in my bag an assortment of items to keep her entertained. (Stickers have been a big hit for awhile now, along with her trusty 'Little People')

We were back at the resort by 10pm (I think) and we were were all out like a light. The three of us all tucked in the King size bed.

Monday morning saw us enjoying sausage rolls from the local bakery and another walk and play along the 4-Mile Beach. We were back home by 11am.

I love spur of the moment getaways. In fact, anything spur of the moment is usually pretty good. When was the last time you did something spur of the moment?

Cold Snap!!

This is going to sound ridiculous. I know. I grew up in rural Victoria and lived in Melbourne for a good 12 years. I know cold. I know freezing cold. I know all about winter mornings and cold snaps. I know all that.

But when it hits 12 degrees Celsius overnight in the tropics of Cairns - man, THAT is cold. To us, it felt like it was about minus 2 degrees. We even tried to see if our air-conditioners are reverse-cycle. They're not. There is (usually) no need for heaters up here. It is unheard of to have such cool weather in the evening.

Even the current 21 degrees seems chilly. We've all got long pants and long sleeves on today. I'm sitting here with a sniffly nose.

The weather is doing bizarre things across this continent.

I can't wait till Friday evening when the low is meant to be back to 21 degrees.

Caramel Pork and Pumpkin Stir-Fry

I was a little unsure what this recipe would taste like but when I say "Oh. My." you know it must be good. It was so very delicious and if I had of served it up in Asian Takeaway Plastics then you would have sworn it was from a restaurant. Yep - it was that good. It kinda tasted like Cantonese food. I will definitely be making it again, especially because Monet liked it so much, along with her father!

The recipe calls for a pork fillet, but I used butterflied pork steaks (?). To thinly slice raw meat for Asian-type meals, what I do is partially freeze the meat as it makes cutting so much easier. Trust me on this. I didn't use my wok either. I used my ever-trusty large frying pan. I also cooked my Asian greens in my steamer I use in a saucepan, rather than the method stated here.

*Taken from the Murdoch Book 'Fast Food'*

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups jasmine rice

500g pork fillet, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2-3 tbs peanut oil

300 g butternut pumpkin, cut into 2cm x 4cm pieces about 5mm thick.

1/3 cup (60g) soft brown sugar

1/4 cup (60 ml) fish sauce

1/4 cup (60 ml) rice vinegar

2 tbs chopped fresh coriander leaves

1.25 kg mixed Asian greens (bok choy, choy sum, gai larn)

Method

Bring to the boil, a large saucepan of water. Add the rice and cook for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain.

Combine the pork with the garlic and 2 tsp of the peanut oil. Season with salt and plenty of pepper.

Heat a wok until very hot, add 1 tbs oil and swirl to coat. When just starting to smoke, stir-fry the pork in two batches for about 1 minute per batch, or until the meat changes colour. Transfer to a plate. Add the remaining oil to the wok and stir-fry the pumpkin for 4 minutes, or until tender but not falling apart. Remove and add to the pork. Keep warm.

Combine the sugar, fish sauce, rice vinegar and 1/2 cup (125ml) water in the wok and boil for about 10 minutes, or until syrupy. Return the pork and pumpkin to the wok and stir for 1 minute, or until well coated and heated through. Stir in the coriander.

Put the mixed Asian greens in a paper-lined bamboo steamer over a wok of shimmering water for 3 minutes or until wilted. Serve immediately with the stir-fry and rice.

Serves 4