On the streets of New York

A crochet bicycle! By Olek

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The trip was amazing. I had to pinch myself several times because I was in Europe. In Paris! Venice! Edinburgh! London! I'm looking forward to sharing some of the photos.

It's good to be back home. Even if it is to cold and rain. I can make my coffee just the way I like it. I definitely missed good coffee!

Bon Voyage

The plane leaves tomorrow. I have almost finished packing and I'm excited. I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my camera and generally taking in the sights, sounds and tastes of many cities.

I may or may not be blogging from afar, in the meantime, take care!

Time flies

In about 10 days I fly out to New York, then Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Italy and beyond! The last two weeks have flown. I've not done much else other than be caretaker to Mr T who had his appendix out last week and studied for an assessment I had today. Relief that's over! I give myself permission to get out and about again.

I did take some time out to bake this with the rhubarb that's growing happily in the garden. It is seriously delicious and goes so well with a cup of coffee.

Next week I'll do a whole lot of research in regards to the places I'm visiting, but if you have any recommendations for anything, anything at all, let me know!

Harvest

Prior to my work departure my new cubicle-mate offered me some of her home grown tomatoes. Never one to decline someone's harvest I happily took the bag knowing exactly what would be done with them.

Ricotta, Parmesan, lemon thyme + puff pastry + cherry tomatoes = a delightfully light dinner.

Reasons

There as been much reason to celebrate of late. My Mum's 60th birthday, Mr T's Mum's birthday, the arrival of a friend's healthy baby girl and the moment I thought would never quite come, my last day of work for six months.

Sights of summer

Who could blame me for opting to sit on the beach drink in hand rather than camera? Not I, but there was request (from my biggest fans; thanks Mum & Dad) for a change of scenery. That's exactly what I got as I spent two and a half weeks on the coasts. That mobile is the epitome of summer for me. It hangs on the porch down at Mr T's family beach house. We've spent plenty of time there of late.

The antidote

... to our hot weather is homemade icy poles. This one is mango, natural yoghurt and cardamon. Not too sweet, but so refreshing. Experimenting is the key.

11 things in 2011

10 things in 2010 could only be followed by you guessed it, 11 things in 2011.
A mix of personal, crafty, sporty, life-y goals. I like focus you see, oh and ticking things off a list.
Here they are, in all their glory
1. Gold Coast marathon. 42kms. Oh yeah.
2. Rejoin running group (see above)
3. Try kickboxing. It was on last year's list
4. Volunteer on a food bus. Or in any capacity really. Time to give back.
5. See some live music. I haven't done this in ages and used to go all the time.
6. Read 20 books.
7. Go camping. I've been bugging Mr T for ages. He's totally onside.
8. Knit socks.
9. Finish the crochet blanket
10. Rock red lippy for a week. Man that stuff is scary. I want to tame the fear.
11. Dare I say it - get a new job.

10 things in '10: Final update

1. Take French language lessons: Not done. But I do have plenty of listening material on my iPod. 2. Read 12 books: Done! 15 books. Nothing outstanding, but I do credit the Stieg Larsson Millennium series for getting me back on the reading wagon. 3. Climb the 1000 steps (left over from '09): Done, sans hangover. 4. Run something with the word marathon in the title (half or full - I haven't decided): Done! Half marathon ran in July. 5. Finish the large cotton crochet blanket started last year: Still going. 6. Rack up 10 hours of windsurfing: Not quite 10 hours yet, but summer's here and I'm keen to get out there again 7. Engage a personal trainer/run coach or join a running group: Joining a running group saw my times improve dramatically. So worth it. 8. Continue Botanical Illustration classes: I think I only did a term, but I did enjoy it. 9. *Insert Financial goal here* You can never really have enough. But I should be set for my six months off work including two months in Europe. 10. Master 5 fish dishes - including a whole fish. Not quite the five dishes mastered, but I do feel more comfortable cooking with fish (and meat as it turns out). This chicken satay dish converted really well to fish (see above) and of course a whole fish was cooked. I also had a go at curing fish.

Summer's here

Happy New Year, belatedly! The hat is getting a good workout at the beach. Hope there's time to wind down and relax where ever you are.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

With the impending OS trip, my family decided on a no presents year and Mr T and I decided that instead of Christmas gifts we'd treat ourselves to a night of decadent food and wines in the new year. Of course I'd bought a couple of gifts during the year before we'd made the arrangement, so there will be a present or two opened.

However in my household, no Christmas is complete without homemade food gifts. Beer & Chili peanut brittle and Irish Cream (sans almond essence).

I will not let the fact that on the eve of Christmas eve our olive tree was stolen for the third time (this time I reported it to the police). My neighbour noticed first thing this morning and gifted me another replacement tree.

Not long to go now...

It's been a big couple of weeks, sadly my Nan passed away, but we know she is in a much better place.
I caught up with the Girls for our Christmas breakfast and through a white elephant gift exchange I stole the gorgeous olive bowl.

I've clocked up over 10 years at work and while it would usually calm down at this time of year, it appears to be ramping up. Not helped by an office move. 20 years worth of stuff to be sorted and packed. It's daunting to say the least!

That said, from Thursday I have two and a half weeks off. And it's official, my long service leave has been approved. Six months leave starting mid February. It's no secret to those who know me that 2011 is the year of the new career! Exciting times ahead to say the least.

Stick 'o Hot Choc

These have totally done the blog rounds, but I thought I'd have a crack, because I think they make a nice little gift. I breakfasted with my girls this morning, and while we did do a Kris Kringle I wanted to give something a little extra.

Of course I had to taste test too. It makes for a pretty decadent hot chocolate.
I'm looking forward to experimenting with a more flavour additions (I added vanilla extract) but wouldn't mind trying cinnamon, orange, coffee and most of all chili.

Bubble tea

While shopping for wonton wrappers last weekend, I stumbled across dried tapioca pearls used in bubble tea. This household likes bubble tea. But making it yourself means you can dial down the sweetness.

First I made tea. Any black tea will do.
I prepared the tapioca pearls according to these directions.
For best results serve the tapioca pearls slightly warm or at room temperature. When cold they're hard in the middle, not soft like they should be.

• 1-2 tbs prepared tapioca pearls • 1 cup cold tea • 1 tsp sweetened condensed milk (low fat is fine) • 1 dash milk.
Add all to a glass and stir stir stir to dissolve the condensed milk. Drink the deliciousness wishing you had one of those fat straws to assist with eating of the pearls. Though a spoon will do and it's far more environmentally friendly!

More bunting

Oh and a little bit more bunting for the tree. Made with floss and Japanese making tape.

My creative space

A longer than anticipated visit to Bunnings on the weekend saw me come out with a stack of paint chips. I spray painted the back of them silver and they've been turned into bunting for our tree.

Beetroot wonton raviloi revisited

As requested, it's a little time consuming, but makes for a nice meal.

Start by roasting 200-250g beetroot wrapped in foil at 180C for ~50 mins.
At the 40 min mark, throw 2 cloves of garlic in the oven, still in their skin and a handful of hazelnuts. Roast these for 10 min.

Once done, process the beetroot, roasted garlic cloves, 200-205g ricotta, 30-40g Parmesan cheese, salt & pepper to a smooth paste.

Place a generous teaspoon of the beetroot mix onto a wonton and sandwich with another wonton wrapper, making sure to wet the edges so that they seal properly. I use a fork to press along the sides.

Cook 'ravioli' in rolling boiling water until they float. Or the wonton become translucent. It won't take long

Serve with a burnt butter and sage, and roasted hazelnuts

Hints and tips.
• You can use either yellow or white wrappers. I preferred the white, though they didn't seal as well as the yellow. Mr T preferred the yellow, he said they were richer.
• 4 per serve works pretty well, if you serve with a side of greens.
• They freeze beautifully, making for a super easy and speedy midweek meal

I might try steaming them next time. I'll update here if it works well.

Lemon passionfruit delicious

Oh yes. This will be made again. And again.
Two changes, I upped the flour to 1/3 cup and I cooked it in four ramekins for about 40 mins.
Light and fluffy on top, with a curd like consistency at the bottom. Delicious indeed.

Down time

Still loving the library. And making slow progress on my squares.