Thundery showers and rough weather...

Rain rolling in over our neighbours house.
*

We are expecting some rough weather today. Gale warnings for the coast and thunder storms.
Bring it on!
*

(Views over my back fence, apologies for the straggly garden)
Our rain water tanks are full so each time it rains it just goes on the ground *sad sigh* but at least the tanks are full! This time last year, I think we were only half full. It's not real cold today, expecting a high of 16C, but it does feel nice and wintery.
*
Today is the last day of our financial year so I am up to " pussy's bow " (as Kath Day-Knight would say!) with wage, superannuation, WorkCover and Payroll Tax reconciliations. Joyous!
*
Stay warm,
*
Cheers - Joolz
*
Added: I think we escaped the storms although Adelaide and other areas have been hard hit. Hope everyone is okay.

Olive Paste & Parmesan-crumbed Cutlets and Pear & Rocket Salad...

OLIVE PASTE & PARMESAN-CRUMBED CUTLETS
*
12 lamb chops/cutlets
salt & fresh ground pepper
2 tblspn black olive paste (we used 'Always Fresh' Black Olive Tapenade)
2 tblspn seasoned flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 tblspn snipped fresh chives
8 tblspn dried breadcrumbs
1 tblspn fresh grated parmesan
olive oil for frying
baked potatoes in their jackets & sour cream to accompany
*
Season the chops with salt & pepper. Thinly spread the black olive paste on both sides, then dust very lightly with seasoned flour.
Whisk together the eggs, chives and a little seasoning. In a separate shallow dish, mix together the bread crumbs and parmesan.
Dip the floured chops in the beaten egg, then coat well in the breadcrumb mixture, gently shaking off excess crumbs.
Heat a little olive oil in a fry pan and gently cook chops until crunchy and golden and cooked through. Turn chops carefully to keep coating intact.
Serve chops with jacket potatoes, sour cream and the following salad.
*

PEAR & ROCKET SALAD
*
Salad:
2 pears (cored and thinly sliced. Skin on or off, your choice)
2 large handfuls rocket leaves
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup shaved parmesan cheese
*
Dressing:
150mls walnut oil (we used olive oil)
50mls balsalmic vinegar
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 tblspn lemon juice
2 tspns wholegrain mustard
*
1. Place all dressing ingredients into a screwtop jar.
Shake vigorously to combine.

2. Arrange rocket leaves in a bowl.

3. Arrange pears, walnuts and cheese through rocket leaves.

4. Drizzle with dressing.
*
Enjoy!
*
Cheers - Joolz

Fleecy rug...

I MADE this rug last weekend. Don't fall over in shock - I have actually produced something! This is Brianna's so I made it to suit her purple room. I plan (more like I'm bracing myself) to make another one tonight for Kirby - she chose chocolate brown and coffee to suit her quilt in her bedroom. I'll take photo's of all the steps - it's simple to make but unless you have a large table (eg table-tennis) then it is back-breaking work, cutting the fringing while kneeling on the floor.
*Two layers of snuggly micro-polar fleece, knotted together - so easy!
*

In other news around the house (this is rivetting isn't it?), my fridge had a clean-out on Wednesday. I will not go into detail of what I threw out and the science projects that I found in there. Green whiskers, hmmm? I did discover we had 4 jars of capers (all opened and some mouldy!) - cannot remember what we would have used them for! Actually, all the sauces in the door still need to be sorted through. Why do they put stuff in such big bottles and jars? If they were half size, you would probably use it once or twice then it would be gone. No waste.

*

This is our main bathroom - sparkling, eh?
*

*
Kirby comes home tonight after a week of Uni exams. She did not enjoy the experience. Add to the stress of studying and doing the exams, the task of getting to the exams each day through peak hour traffic. Very stressfull! We have netball tomorrow morning at our home club so not much travelling then tomorrow night we have a 30th Birthday party to go to. Bri is off to the Mount to stay with her friend, Madalene and catch up with new BF Porpy!
*
Have a nice weekend,
*
Cheers - Joolz

Good Luck, Kirby!

WITH YOUR EXAMS, KIRBY!

Kirby has the first of her Uni exams tomorrow. She has Accounting, Micro Economics, management and Marketing to get through this week. She's been home this past week, head in the books, eating home cooked food, sleeping in and generally refreshing herself for this week.

*
So, we've got our fingers crossed!...
*

... So has this old duck. No, it's not her Nana!
*

Good Luck!
*

Bonne Chance (French) , buona fortuna (Italian), Kali tihi (Greek), Hao yun (Chinese),
Ganbatte kudasai (Japanese), Bahati njema (Swahili), Chuc may man (Vietnamese) & finally ...
*
'Fingers & Toes, love! (Kath from Kath and Kim)
*
Love from Mum, Dad & Brianna
XXXXXXXXXXXX

Birthday lunch in the Coonawarra...

It's Angus' birthday tomorrow so we took a drive to the Coonawarra for lunch today. A beautiful sunny day, green grass, bare vines and delicious food.
*

Kirby kindly acted as designated driver for the day. Bri kindly provided the comedy.
*

Lemon berry cheesecake to share. Mmmm!
*

Sun streaming through the window at the restaurant, overlooking the vines at Hollicks.
*

Sun setting early over the countryside.
(picture taken while driving along)
A snoozy drive home.

*
Happy Birthday, Angus
*
Love Joolz (Crowsfeet)

Favourites on Friday...

Holiday destination - Bora Bora, Tahiti... when do we leave? I can be packed in 3 minutes!

*

Perfume -Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf ...it smells like fairy floss.

*
Beverage - Strawberry Daiquari ... preferably partaken on the pool deck, watching the sunset, on Bora Bora!
*
Animal - fluffy kittens, any kind. Awww!
*
Soothing indulgence - Body Shop Cooling Foot Spray - great for after shopping to soothe burning feet. Do they make one for burning, smoking credit cards?
* Spode China - just love it.

*

Flowers - Yellow Roses...yes, please!

*

Vehicle - Mini Cooper S - I owned an old Mini in 1980. Wish I could have another one, husband will never let me. Nightmare, mechanically.

*

Hope you enjoyed my favourite things, I have many others. Enjoy your weekend,

*

Cheers - Joolz

(All images were obtained from the Web)

Tablescape Thursday...

We had Shepherds Pie for dinner tonight and yup, no photos. We ate late because of netball training so this was the table at 9.15pm. Not very glamourous, I'm afraid. The girls were sitting discussing Bri's Maths homework, hence the laptops. Dishes not done. What's new. I hunted for a Christmas table photo that I KNOW I have but couldn't locate that album. Will try again for next week.

*

Bri's not having a good week - her laptop was knocked off a cupboard at school yesterday so the casing is cracked and will need repairing/replacing. She can ring the Dell hotline and sort that one out. Today she came home and said she had lost her mobile phone (I allow her to take her mobile to school because she is a bus student). Fortunately, an honest person handed it in at the front office so she can collect it tomorrow.

*

The nights are very chilly at the moment so I'm going to turn in early.

*
Sweet dreams - Joolz

Can't think of a title...

*
I bought this ring when we were away on holidays. I saw it in a second hand/antique shop at the Fremantle markets. I tried it on, it fit, it was $95, I loved it, I bought it, that's how I shop! It has a pretty filligree design on the sides (and yeeees, I know the photo is blurry - I could not get a clear picture) and it has cubic zirconias. I didn't really look at the box until days later and saw the gold lettering - J McD Jewellery . My initials are J McD! Is that spooky, or what? I wonder who it belonged to and how old it is?

*

*
This casserole is now bubbling away in my slow cooker (round steak, potato, carrot, celery, onion, pumpkin, green beans, few grape tomatoes and a Continental Beef & Red Wine Casserole flavour base ) - sad, because it is destined for our Netball Club tonight. They have casserole teas every so often as an ongoing fundraiser for the club - $6/plate for all you can eat.
*

Don't know what we will have for dinner (we don't stay for the teas) - so far this week we have had Chicken Tacos/wraps, Pasta Rigatoni bolognese & Beef satay stirfry. Tonight I don't have a clue - my girls don't like casseroles (I love them) otherwise I'd wack another one in the crock pot at 1pm ready for tonight. Oh, cripes and it's Tablescape Thursday again - need to fish out some photos of Christmas past.
*
I am thinking of a couple of my blog friends who are having a rough time with sad things happening in their lives at the moment and wish them peace and happiness and I am thankful for my family and I am counting my blessings.
*
- Joolz

Nostimini - a handy spice mix...

*
This spice mix is called Nostimini - the tastiest flavouring for Meat, Poultry and Seafood.
Made by Gaganis Bros, 9-13 Bacon St, Hindmarsh SA 5007
(for all you Adelaidites)
*
I use it to do potato wedges (and sweet potato too) - place cut up spuds in a freezer bag, drizzle in 1 tblspn olive oil and 1 tblspn Nositmini - shake well then place spuds on tray with baking paper. Bake about 30 mins at 180C.

*
You can also sprinkle it on steaks or chicken or fish - a very versatile flavour. If you can find it near the salt and pepper in your supermarket, give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
*
- Joolz

Fish Cakes with Cucumber & Mint Chutney...

*
Fish cakes a la' Angus
*

*
Angus made Fish Cakes with Cucumber & Mint Chutney for dinner last night.
*

*
The prepared fish cakes, dusted with flour, ready to be cooked.
*

*
Fish cakes, shallow frying in a small amount of olive oil.
*

*
We had the fish cakes with the Cucumber and Mint Chutney, potato and sweet potato chips and tossed green salad. The chutney was especially delicious.
*

*
It was my job to make dessert.
I prepared the Chocolate Fudge Brownies according to the packet. I melted 1/2 a block of dark chocolate and 1/2 a carton of cream in a saucepan until thick and gooey.
*
I plated it up like I was on MasterChef (with French Vanilla Icecream)!
...it was gooooood!
*

*
Fish Cakes
(recipe from Women's Weekly Healthy Eating Barbecue - Mini series)
*
1 small carrot, finely grated
500gms white fish fillets (we had orange roughy)
1 tblspn fish sauce
2 tspns sugar
2 tspns chopped fresh coriander
1 tspn sweet paprika
1 tspn grated lime zest
2 cloved garlic, crushed
2 tspns fresh ginger, grated
3 green onions (shallots), chopped
125gms green beans, finely chopped
plain flour for dusting
oil for shallow frying
*
In food processer, blitz fish, sauce, sugar, paprika, rind, garlic, ginger and green onions. Transfer to a bowl, add carrot and green beans. Divide mixture into 8 patties, shape and toss in flour to coat. Heat oil in frying pay and gently fry until golden, turning gently to keep shape.
************
Cucumber & Mint Chutney
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
2 tblspns sugar
1 small cucumber, finely chopped
1 small red capsicum, finely chopped
1 tblspn fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
1 tblspn lime juice
1 small onion, fnely chopped
*
Combine vinegar and sugar in bowl and stir to dissolve sugar. Add cucumber, capsicum, mint, juice and onion. Mix well.
*
Cheers - Joolz

Ugg Boots ...

*
These my (international) friends, are Ugg Boots! They are made of sheepskin with lambswool lining. They come in many styles, sizes and a rainbow of colours.
*

These are my yummy warm 'ugg boots'. We travelled to Glencoe for netball this morning. It was sunny but only about 10C. Unfortunately, Bri took a tumble in the first quarter and came off after that. She has a lovely bruise on her hip and is limping. She is miserable with a cold so it was best that she came off and rugged up for the remainder of the game (I forgot to take game photos).
*

*
This is what is inside the ugg boots. Beautiful, soft, warm lambswool. My tootsies were snuggly warm all day!
*
Cheers - Joolz

A good man passes...

*
Professor Chris O'Brien passed away earlier this month, after a 3 year battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
*
Chris first came to note as the jovial and very talented 'brain surgeon' on the reality TV programme R.P.A (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney). It is quite ironic that he should succumb to the very disease that he helped so many people to survive.
*
He can be remembered as a gifted clinician. Fellow surgeon, Charlie Teo said
"I think Chris, to many, epitomised what a doctor ought to be like and he was a great gold standard by which doctors judge themselves....It is a huge loss for not only medicine but for Australia....People face death in many ways but he faced it with such dignity and tenacity...he taught me some great lessons in life."
*
Professor Chris O'Brien was laid to rest after a state funeral held at St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney on Friday, June 12, 2009.
*
Vale Chris O'Brien - A true Australian role model.
Thank you.

*
Joolz

Cute teacup cakes...

I couldn't help myself! I saw these cute creations over at A Bite of Country Cup Cakes so I just had to make some. Now, anyone with little girls in their family should attempt these for their next birthday or tea party. My big girls thought they were too cute!
*

You will need:
.
1 packet of Arnotts Tic Toc iced biscuits
1 packet pink & white marshmallows
1 stick of musk LifeSavers
small amount of icing made from icing sugar and drizzle of milk
coloured sprinkles and choc sprinkles
.
Stick the marshmallow to the Tic Toc with icing, top marshmallow with icing and dip in sprinkles of choice. Halve the musk Lifesavers carefully with a sharp knife and 'glue' to cup with icing.
Voila!
.
The ladies at netball will be very impressed with morning tea tomorrow.
*
Cheers - Joolz

Sky Watch Friday...

*
This was the sky in my corner of the world at 7am this morning.
(Lower SE of South Australia)
*

Have a lovely Friday, won't you?
*

Added - Cathy has some similar pics of her sunrise this morning, too.

*
Cheers - Joolz

Tablescape Thursday...

Dinner after netball practice - chicken schasliks, tossed salad and carbonara noodles. Very simple. I marinated the chicken skewers in sweet chilli sauce, lime juice, honey and soy sauce then cooked in the fry pan.

*
I bought these place mats in Target for $12.00 and the napkins today in Spotlight for $7.00
*
The days are very cool and crisp at the moment with more cold, wet weather for the coming weekend. Just what we want for netball - not! Better drag out my ugg boots and scarf and gloves! Best thing is that we can be home by about 1.30pm.
*
Cheers - Joolz

Pip's prize...

Pip received her prize from my 150th post giveaway. I sent her 2 fat 1/4's, two cute note pads and some of my homemade sugar dusted shortbreads. The shortbread didn't last long apparently! ;)
I also found out that I am completely colour/fabric illiterate. With over 400 FQ's to choose from, my brains nearly came out my ears trying to decide on these 2! ;{
*
Bri's gone to the circus that is in town tonight. Just when I thought she was growing up...!
I'm home alone, surfing, thinking I should be crumbing those lamb chops for dinner tonight. Crumbed chops, baby baked potatoes, pumpkin & peas - delish!
*
Cheers - Joolz

To answer a question...

*

Lis from http://www.alteredcutlery.blogspot.com/ asked how we cook the pizzas in our Weber kettle bbq.

*

Angus bought a Pizza Stone and spatula kit from a Ray's Outdoors store for about $40. It is a round ceramic stone which you heat in the Weber. Ours is a little stained now but thats okay.

*

Prepare your pizza on baking paper trimmed to the size of the pizza base (round), scoop up pizza using the big spatula and place it on the stone. If you have good heat in the bbq, cook for 7 mintues then carefully lift up pizza and pull our paper. Keep baking and checking at 5 minute intervals until your pizza is done. Remove with spatula and enjoy.

*

Hope this explains it. It is a bit of trial and error. Do build a good fire with the heat beads then you should be able to cook about 3 pizzas before the heat 'goes off'. Keep the base fairly thin, don't over load the pizza, especially with too much sauce or it may be soggy.
*

Give it a go,

*

Cheers - Joolz

Cold, wet and loving it...

*
Well, it looks like the rain has set in for the day...
*

*
...this is what M.O.T.H. (Man Of The House) will be doing...
*

*
...oooh, I love the rain...
*

*

...I'm gonna settle in and do some cross-stitch.
*
Cheers - Joolz