Kiwi capers...

It's been a kiwi kinda day!

 

 

Christmas 2014

This year we ventured away from my home town for a Christmas with my huz's side of the family...

Just before Christmas, this sweet little Angel of Peace found her way to me. It was sent to me by my dear blog friend, Kim from Serendipity Cafe. She has pride of place on my mantlepiece. Check out Kim's lovely blog here...

http://theserendipitycafe.blogspot.com.au

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We left for Melbourne on Tuesday...

We took all the presents with us and even had a little tree to sit them around...

Our dinner that night was at Tutte Bene at Southbank - delicious Italian. This is Rabbit lasagne....

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For Christmas Day lunch we dined at a lovely hotel with Gus' mother, his auntie, brother, sister-in-law, her father and his partner and our two girls...

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Entree...

Turkey for main, so delicious...

Steamed pudding, brandied fruits and custard for my dessert - but look what else was on offer!

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A beautiful meal, enjoyed by all.

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Dinner that night, back at our room, was this simple fare...it was quite a day!

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On Boxing Day, we went to the cricket to watch Australia vs India - the Indians added some interest to the game with theie drumming and whistling each time they got a wicket...

We enjoyed a few beverages...

The Melbourne Cricket Ground is a spectacular venue!

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On Saturday, we ventured to O'Connell's pub in South Melbourne for a rather long lunch again!

This definitely not regular 'pub food'... These are some of the entrees we shared on the table...delicious tender quail...

Prawn and chicken fritters...

Cauliflower...

Arancini balls ...

Mains - pea, mint and ricotta ravioli...

Veal schnitzel with Italian slaw...

Cone Bay (Western Australia) Barramundi...

Paddock reared, great ocean duck breast...

Eye fillet steak with fat chips and mushroom jus...

Desserts - berry Eton mess...

Raspberry creme brulee...

Churros ...

Lyn and Kirby having serviette fun - Jean Paul Gaultier style...

And cats ears!

It was close to 7pm before we finally left - such a great day!

Sunday, it was time to head home - lunch in Ballarat!

So that was our Christmas in Melbourne!

Cheers - Joolz xx

 

Posted by Joolz with Blogsy

Merry Christmas 2014

 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas - peace, love and happiness!

Joolz xx

 

Posted by Joolz with Blogsy

Christmas Baking and goodies...Pt 1

I spent all day Saturday in the kitchen, from 8am to 6.30pm. I was bushed the next day with an aching back and very sore feet!

Peppermint fruit roll...

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Then it was on to baking sugar cookies...

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...and gingerbreads.

Frosting them is the part I like best! I use royal icing which drys quickly and hard so you can package up the cookies fairly quickly.

Royal Icing

1 egg white, use electric beaters to whip until frothy

1 to 1/2 cups icing sugar

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

- once the egg white is frothy, add in the icing sugar by the spoonful, beating in between. Add in lemon juice and whip until it resembles meringue mix.

I use a solid piping tube then I just drizzle the icing over the cookies. Work quickly to add your decorations before the icing starts to dry.

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I decided to cut my fruit cake and was very pleased with it. Its rich and full of fruit!

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I made Rocky Road...

...and this Chocolate Tiffin Cake from Marie at

http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/chocolate-tiffin-cake.html

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I have given nearly all of these goodies away to friends and family. I have a few odds and ends left which I have packed to take away for Christmas.

Cheer - Joolz xx

 

Posted by Joolz with Blogsy