Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Remembrance Day...

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, 1918 hostilities of World War 1 were formally ended with the German signing of the Armistice. It became known as Remembrance Day. A day to honour the fallen and those still serving our countries at war.
*
"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
(taken from the poem "For the fallen" by Laurence Binyon)
*
Joolz

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

We're having a heatwave....

South Australia is experiencing a record-breaking heatwave - a week of temperatures over 35 degrees Celcius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). The last time we had extreme heat like this in November was 115 years ago.
*
It is extremely important for people to take care of themselves when we experience heat like this.
*
You wouldn't want this to happen to the Mr Whippy van, would you?
*
I hate hot weather - anything over about 24C is hot to me!
*
This is what I looked like last summer while working at our dealership - fortunately we have installed air conditioning and used is for the first time yesterday. It was lovely and cool!
*
We might go to the beach tonight for a barbecue. We did that a few times last summer (after Christmas).
*
If you're in South Australia, I hope you can stay cool, it's gonna be a long week. These are the temperatures and expected temperatures for Adelaide this week (my town is in brackets - we are near the coast so temperatures are slightly cooler)
*
Sunday 36.7C (33.7C)
Monday 37C (35C)
Tuesday 38C (35C)
Wednesday 39C (34C)
Thursday 39C (35C)
Friday 39C (36C)
Saturday 34C (30C)
Sunday 29C (22)
Monday 28C (19C)
*
Stay cool friends,
Cheers - Joolz

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Batgirl and friends...

Brianna went to a 16th Villains & Heroes party last night. She was Batgirl (she lasted about 5 minutes in those heels!), then we have Sailor Jupiter, Fairy Godmother, White Rabbit from Superman, the birthday girl was in a fantastic WonderWoman costume, Wolverine and Collingwood Footy player(?).
Other characters were: The Joker, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Thomas the Tank and friends, Austin Powers, PowerPuff girls, Cruella Deville and some Gangsters.
*
Joolz :D

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Oopsey's coming for a visit...

Caroline at The Simple Things (click link to follow Oopsey's travels) is allowing me to host Oopsey, the cute little green Care Bear (the other blue bear looks a little bit mean and grumpy!). Oopsey has been to some fantastic places in the world so far - Canada, California, Florida, Ohio and England and now she will visit me in
South Australia. It's summer time here so Oopsey may get to see the Southern Ocean and some sand hills! Stay tuned.
*
Cheers - Joolz

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Our time on the River Murray at Echuca, Victoria..

This was our luxury accomodation for 5 nights on the Murray River, Echuca. We were lucky to be invited with 3 other couples to sample this fine vessel. Indulgence is the largest commercial houseboat in port. It has a full kitchen, 42" plasma TV, large loung room, 4 rooms with ensuites, spa and second kitchen on the upper deck. Every little attention to detail was made.
*
This beautiful arrangement greeted us when we boarded the Indulgence. It is all artificial and cost AUD$1,000! (the owner told us so). There were also other lovely fresh arrangements on board too.
*
This is the Thong Tree at the Port of Echuca. Not sure of the history - maybe the workers who find odd thongs, nail them to the tree.
*
This is the wharf where boats tie up. Our friends from Echuca have seen the river right up to the top of the wharf (big floods back in 1992). At some point in time, it will rise that high again.
*
This is the Emmylou - you can paddle up and down the river and enjoy a great meal aboard.
*
Some of the local houseboats have funny names...
*
...there was Slakaz also...
*
... this is the Ivy-May - a dear little paddle steamer...
*
...they come in all shapes and sizes, big and small...
*
The drought is having a terrible effect on the river with lots of erosion - bare tree roots all the way along.
*
*
Eventually, these shacks will be forced to move back or they will end up in the river.
*
I got some good sunsets...
*
...such a peaceful time of day...
*
*
Boats go whizzing by all the time with skiers, knee boarders and kids on floaties.
*
Now to the food - as you can see, we had oysters, prawns...
*
...beautiful fresh crayfish (Southern Rock Lobster) from our region and crisp Cape Jaffa Unwooded Chardonnay...
*
...tasty salads...
*
...did I mention crayfish, oysters and prawns...
*
...another meal on the upper deck...
*
...cheese platter and wine...
*
...rack of lamb on mash with carrots and green beans and a redcurrant & orange glaze...
*
*
...lasagne and salad...
*
When it was our turn to cook we had Wagyu fillet steak, salad of rocket, pear, parmesan and walnut with sweet mustard dressing and roast baby potoatoes...
*
*
There was a bread maker on board so I made bread rolls and a french stick...
*
... I did a bit of this...
*
... Angus did a bit of that ('another G&T, daahling?) ...
*
... we watched boats and people all day long. Some of the boats are very expensive (one was estimated to be AUD$80,000) ...
*
... fishing for trout with Mozzarella cheese as the bait...don't ask, it works!
*
We had really warm weather so we swam a bit but you must be careful of the current - it can sweep you away. Hope you like my pics of a very beautiful place in Australia.
*
Cheers - Joolz

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Rollin' on the river....

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Awaiting Amazon...

I hopped on line today and ordered my copy of Ree Drummond's 'The Pioneer Woman Cooks' - it comes out at the end of this month in the USA so my copy may take a while to arrive.
*
Now, some may think I am wasting my money, but I also ordered the 4 seasons of Alf - remember back in the 80's when Alf came into our living rooms? Gordon Shumway from Melmac - he was a Phlegm car salesman with a penchant for all things feline (as long as they were served on a plate, with fur on the side!). I've never seen this available in Australia so I just had to order it. It was a firm favourite way back then.
*
A lazy day spent here today, tidying, laundering, making bread rolls and salads for dinner tonight. Beer can chicken is on the menu. Angus' mum (Nana Mac) is joining us for dinner and has bought out her famous never fail chocolate sponge cream cake for dessert. I've got strawberries marinating in sugar and brandy to go with it.
*
Hope you had a nice weekend too,
Joolz