A French Parcel from the USA...

I love getting surprises in the mail.  Not surprises as an unexpected bill (hate those!), but parcels or cards or letters.  

Imagine my surprise when I collected from the post office a parcel, especially for me, from the lovely Katherine over at Kitten's Lost Her Mittens.  It just happened that I posted a comment on her blog and ended up being the lucky recipient of a prize she was giving away.  It arrived on Monday.

It is a gorgeous French (oh to be french!) Marie Claire magazine full of ideas on making, sewing and decorating for little kids.  Katherine was also kind enough to include a pack of (much appreciated) 10 Claude Monet postcards from his Waterlilies collection.  

My Monet recognised the Claude Monet paintings straight away saying they were paintings from her garden! (So she says!)  I guess she can say that, after all, I did make her stand on the famous Japanese bridge that goes over the waterlily pond!  

It really made my day, so thank you Katherine.  I felt very lucky.

Speaking of parcels, Auntie Kimbofo, there should be something heading your way in the next week or two!  (I just bought it on the net and is getting delivered straight to your place.)

When was the last time you got a nice surprise in the mail?

Urgh...

Two words for you.  Bloody.  Optus.

This morning I was without a mobile phone, a home phone and (God-forbid) INTERNET.  With Lyndon down in South-East Queensland on business, I was worried that he wouldn't hear from me and wonder if I was okay.  Lucky I could make local calls on the home phone as I needed to make a doctor's appointment for my 'night-coughing' daughter.  

Apparently a major 'Optus' fiber optic cable had been cut on the border of New South Wales and Queensland, cutting our state off from the rest of Australia, those who use the Optus systems.  You can read the whole story here.  

It just made me wonder what did we do in the days before we communicated via phone and computers.  Did I actually go and buy a paper to read the headlines?  Probably.  Did I write letters to family back home and friends around the corner?  Probably.  

My phone isn't accepting phone calls, but I can text now, after five hours of No Service.  The Internet has only just come back on line (lucky I already knew The Pope had hit Sydney *snigger snigger*) and Lyndon rang the home phone about an hour ago to see how we were.  

Bloody Optus.  But at least they've given me something to blog about after a week of blogger's block.

Love Comfortable Shoes...

Don't you?

When we were in London recently I was on the hunt for a new pair of Mary Janes.  My KMart ones just weren't 'doing' it for me and my old Wittner shoes had given up the ghost about 18 months ago.  Just by chance, when browsing in a Camper Shoe store I saw a pair of shoes I loved.  Exactly what I was after, but with a hefty price tag (typical!)  

After consideration of forking out such dosh and knowing in Australia they were nearly a third more expensive I handed over my KMart numbers in the Knightsbridge Campers store for a pair of these comfortable Camper shoes.  

I regretted that evening throwing out my KMart numbers because my left foot rubbed something shocking when I wore my new Mary Janes.  *Oh the pain!*  But after a week of healing (yes, it was pretty bad) I didn't look back.  They put my comfortable Birkenstocks to shame, comfort wise.  If you have never worn a pair of these brand shoes I recommend you consider them for your next purchase.  You won't look back.

Love good shoes.  Especially comfortable ones.  

Hype

It may be hype, but I still want to see this...



You coming with me?

Because She's Beautiful In My Eyes...

Even when she annoys the crap out of me somedays, I will always love her.  How could we not?

(Minnie Mouse-like dress has been worn practically everyday since we bought it!)

I Got The Baker In Me...

I've done a bit of baking over the last few days.   

I enjoy spending time in the kitchen and eating the fruits of my labour.  I must thank my mother for teaching and encouraging me to bake on cold, wet, wintery Saturday afternoons when I was much (much) younger.   I have myself a little helper here who helps sift, pour and lick the bowl...  For a bit of cross promotion I do have a recipe blog where I share 'successful' recipes.

I really love fresh bread, especially when I have baked it myself.  I know how to make crispy baguettes and Turkish Bread but had never tackled 'normal' bread, until last week.  I used to think making bread was a scary thought, but it can be quick and simple, once you find the right recipe.  I think I might have found it.  (The recipe can be found here.)

I have even made it early one morning last week and was baked in time to enjoy for lunch.  Gotta love that.  

One of my favourite desserts would have to be Pavlova.  Love it.  Meringue, a touch of marshmallow, freshly whipped cream, fresh strawberries - what's not to love?  I never made Pav until about 18 months ago when I thought I'd give one a go.  My mother always had me convinced that Pavs were always hit or miss.  She claims they aren't easy to make and blames her oven!  Hmm.  I've promised to make one for my parents next time we are down their way (whenever that should be!)

Yesterday afternoon, feeling the need for Pav for dessert, I whipped one up.   For a twist, I used Balsamic vinegar instead of White Vinegar and the result was tasty indeed.  It looked so irresistible, even my 'I-don't-do-desserts' husband even helped himself to a slice.

Can you blame him?

I used this recipe, remembering I did the 4 egg method and replacing the balsamic vinegar.  Try it.  

I think mini cupcakes are on the menu sometimes this weekend.  Expect photographs.

Basic White Bread

Oh this bread is lovely - trust me.  Mine turned out great, so much so I am making it again as I type.  I use my mix master with the kneading attachments to do the kneading - takes about 8 mins or so.  I usually cover, first the yeast, then the dough with cling film and leave it on the floor in our spare room which is always warm.  (On hot humid days here in Cairns I tend to leave the yeast/dough to do its thing outside.)

*Taken from the Women's Weekly publication, 'Cook', published 2006, page 480*

Ingredients 

3 tsp dried yeast (7g packet)

1/2 cup (125ml) warm water

2 tsp caster sugar

2 1/2 cups (375g) plain flour (I use 00 flour)

1 tsp salt

30g butter, melted

1/2 cup (125ml) warm milk

Method

Whisk yeast, the water and sugar in a small bowl until yeast dissolves, cover; stand in warm place for about 10 minutes or until mixture is frothy.

Sift flour and salt into large bowl; stir in butter, milk and yeast mixture.  Turn dough onto floured surface; knead about 10 minutes or until dough is elastic.  Place dough into greased bowl, cover; stand in warm place for 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size.

Preheat oven to moderately hot (200C/180C fan-forced).  Grease oven tray.

Turn dough onto floured surface; knead until smooth.  Roll dough to 18cm x 35cm rectangle; roll up from short side like a swiss roll

  Place on tray; cut four diagonal slashes across the top.  Cover; stand in warm place for about 20 minutes or until risen.  Bake, uncovered, 45 minutes.  Turn onto wire rack to cool.

Where Were Zig and Zag?

In 1982, when my family was holidaying in Coffs Harbour, we visited the Circus.  I can't remember too much about it bar the clowns who *freaked* me out a little, but I am sure I enjoyed it.  

Yesterday I took Monet to the Circus which hit town on the weekend.  

I wasn't too keen on going myself but when a child sees the Big Top and bangs on (& on & on) about it, my best bet was to take her.  She had a choice of seeing Kung Fu Panda at the cinema (which I would love to see), the Cairns Tropical Zoo or the Circus.  We all know what she chose.  

We went to a morning show and actually pretty much enjoyed all the performances.  

I always find it cruel to see performing animals *sob* and a part of me felt terribly guilty paying to see performing Lions, Ponies and Monkeys.  *guilt, guilt*  The lions, I have to admit, were absolutely gorgeous and Monet thought it was hilarious to see a monkey riding a bike *oh the guilt*.

Monet loved the two clowns and I agree, they were pretty funny.  Since when have clowns been in their 20s?  I must be getting old.

About 45 minutes into the show Monet declared that she wanted to leave.  Typical.  I wasn't leaving after forking out about $40 to go.  Was she kidding?  

It got so terribly hot under the Big Top.  Because Cairns is a naturally humid place to begin with, the heat inside was unbearable at one stage.  I'm glad I took with us a one litre of water because we both kept drinking from it.  I was also grateful for the break at half time where I swear everyone flaked out on the grass saying they needed fresh air.  

So that was our Circus experience.  It was nice to see Monet's face light up at certain points in the show and it was nice for us two to do something like that together. At least I know when the Circus hits town next time we won't have to go.  

:-)