On a jet plane

We're off, you'll understand if it's a little quiet around here for the next month or so won't you? You'll come back and say 'hi' when I return, right?

We're headed for a brief stop over in Singapore and Malaysia, and will be spending the majority of our time in Vietnam and Japan. I cannot tell you how ready I am for this break. I want to eat Roti in Kuala Lumpar, sea kayak in Vietnam and glimpse Mt Fuji in Japan - oh and maybe shop a bit in Tokyo! Really, I'm just keen to experience worlds completely removed from my own.

So this will be my last post for 2009. I wish you a safe and happy 2010. I'm excited for what the new year brings. I'm looking forward to reviewing my '9 things in 09' and thinking of my '10 things in 2010'. Happy holidays!

Merry

The table is set and ready for feasting. May your Christmas be a merry one, however you spend it.

An early present

I won this post holder in Yardage girl's giveaway exactly 10 days ago. I should have blogged far earlier, but you know, that time of year. I particularly love the artichoke fabric. Christmas did indeed come early for me.

Pep talk

My boss is sapping my Christmas cheer like you wouldn't believe. I'm doing my best to spread it by cooking Blondies with white chocolate, walnuts and cranberries for my workmates and preparing a delicious lunch of Cajun seared tuna rolls for Mr T and myself. A day an a half to go. I can do this.

'Til You Drop

I spent a satisfying afternoon in and around the city, making necessary purchases before the big trip. Without the accompaniment of Mr T, I had the luxury of stopping in at the State Library to check out the artists at this week's Craft Hatch. Then it was off to the Library's 'Til You Drop Shopping: A Melbourne History. Which was full of nostalgia, the old maroon Georges bag bought back a few memories.

I'm not sure if I should have taken a photograph, I did ask the security guard, he said he thought it was ok, providing I didn't use flash. But I think the sign on the door may have said otherwise. Oops.

Because I had bags of shopping, I didn't linger as long as I would have liked, it's on until October next year, so another venture, with Mum in tow may be on the cards.

A week of things in the advent calendar - 05

This only appeared in the calendar this morning and by far it's a favourite. Because why shouldn't everything taste like bacon?

A week of things in the advent calendar - 04

Strangely enough, many of the gifts given haven't exactly fit in the 375mL jars I've been using - which probably goes against the whole grain of the advent calendar, but eh.
Little notes have been used to point Mr T in the right direction. This one downstairs to the coffee machine. I'm the functioning one in the morning, so I make coffee. Except for Fridays. I get the day off coffee duty, it's just kind of the unwritten rule that we both abide to. So the note wasn't unexpected, but the two bags of coffee were. We've only tasted the Espresso blend so far, and we're impressed. Makes a very nice cup indeed.

A week of things in the advent calendar - 03

Still with the travel theme, these accompanied a bigger present in the form of a travel pillow. There's a lot of train and plane travel to come.

A week of things in the advent calendar - 02

With our upcoming overseas jaunt, these toothbrushes were the perfect advent gift. Bonus that they came in green & red. Initially a nose was turned up, but once the practicality was fully appreciated they got a full thumbs up.

A week of things in the advent calendar

There are a lot of households in our street that hang lights come December. We indeed are one of them, our lights aren't nearly as impressive as our neighbours - seen above. But we've joined in nevertheless.

Messing around near boats

The grey skies of this morning cleared and we headed to Williamstown for a stroll along the piers. We finished the day with Heston's Feasts. Currently my fave show on tv.

Others on the job

No busy bees here, took it very very easy today after a full week. Plenty more where that came from this week. Should fly! The count down to holidays is on.

Ho ho ho

Photo: Courtesy of Variety Santa Fun Run

So this is what Mr T and I did last night - that's us at the very back, we were late. Surely no better way to make a running comeback in the pouring rain especially when charity's involved. Sign me up for next year. Too much fun.

My Creative Space

...has taken over the living room floor. I'm slowly finishing off our Christmas crackers. Come the 25th, it will be interesting to see if the snaps work, I fear they were glued in a little too enthusiastically.

Studded with jewels

The deliciousness of pomegranates was only made clear to me last Christmas when my contribution to the table called for one in Nigella's Festive cous cous. More recipes were sourced to make the most of them. Though more often than not I was happy to enjoy the crunchy sweet seeds swirled through greek yoghurt. So very glad that the season is upon us again.

Last night I took the opportunity to make Pomegranate Ginger muffins. Using self raising flour and adding some lemon juice and a couple of tablespoons of yoghurt were my changes. I like 'em. I like 'em a lot.

This week in the garden

Yet another harvest. I sowed some more seeds. Here's hoping the weather stays mild and doesn't kill off this lot of seedlings like it did with my last lot.

Christmas crackers

This year Christmas is at our place. It will be a small gathering of my family and Mr T's parents. Previous years there had been talk of making our own Christmas crackers, but the sheer number of guests meant it was a bit daunting with everything else that needed to be done. Not this year though.

The crackers will be filled with chocolate, scratchies and jokes that made Mr T and myself laugh out loud.

But wait, there's more

It's been six months since I've run by the river, I love what's appeared since I've been gone. Mentally the break has been good, physically it hurts like hell. But it's good to be back.

Drifted in

With classes over for the year and time running at great speed, I've not a chance to put pen to paper for Sketch Saturday. Instead a study of a seed pod that made its way into the garden this week.

Tasty treats

Last night I whipped up a batch of Smitten Kitchen's Pepita Brittle, it must be noted that I was conservative with the heat after a failed attempt at honeycomb earlier in the week, so it took a little longer to develop into a golden brown. But it was certainly worth being patient. This stuff is good!

I presented a couple of bags to the neighbours as a small thanks for hosting the pre-Christmas cheer get together last night. As a result there were additional requests. I'll be making deliveries tonight.

Sick of seeing the scalloped edge stickers yet? Unfortunately I'm not.

This week in the garden

The harvest continues. Every couple of days another one or two strawberries is ripe for eating. They seem to be sweeter than last year.

Saucy

I have found my sauce for cold noodle salad. It's based on Nigella's, but I replace a tsp of honey with mirin, because I love the flavour.
Sauce • 2 tsp rice wine vinegar • 5 tsp soy sauce • 1 tsp mirin • 1 tsp honey • 1 tsp sesame oil • pinch of chili flakes. Omitting the tahini like in this recipe, means the noodles don't stick together quite so much.