Farewell 2010 and thanks for the memories

Well, there are but a few hours to see out 2010. At this time of year, aided by careful reflection and contemplation at Christmas time, I think about and give thanks for all the blessings that have been bestowed on me, my family and friends. I also think about the struggles and challenges and give thanks for the strength and courage of conviction, for wise friends and family and for faith.

I am not one to make resolutions for a new year and nor am I one to put such pressure on what a year can offer. By virtue of the fact that we are all human, all imperfect, it means that no year can ever be perfect. I think people put far too much pressure on themselves and on what a new year can entail. I do believe that hope and faith are the two aspects of life that I hold dear, day to day and year to year. If there is hope and faith, then the rest just works. It may not be perfect.

If I was to make resolutions I suppose the one resolution or mantra, it would be to never lose hope and to hold strong to my faith.

I hope that whatever resolutions you make, whatever hopes, dreams and aspirations you have for 2011 are fulfilled. I wish you well. I wish you joy and I wish you prosperity.

If 2010 brought you challenges, pain and suffering, then I hope 2011 is filled with hope and joy.

Holidays

Well we've (my wonderful colleagues and students) made it! Holidays have come and now it's time to revel in the lack of routine. No alarms or bells to indicate lessons or meal times. No phone calls or emails about grids and tables. Time to do what I want, when I want. Time to put other things first. Reading for pleasure. Blogging. Lots more exercise. Time - more time with family and friends. I love the Christmas holidays because it does bring people together. The summer days are bright and warm, which encourages and imbues a sense of happiness and warmth in others.

I must say that this Advent has been particularly good in the sense that the one thing I decided on doing better this time round, was reflecting. I have really spent a lot more time reflecting on the year, reading scripture and praying. It has made for a calmer and more focused lead up to Christmas Day. Each year I tell myself I need to pray more, to take time to reflect more... and this year, I have done that! It is a great way to meditate and relax. To learn a lot and to deepen ones' understanding of the gospel messages.

Today I was pleased to be able to spend a lot of time with my mum, sister and niece. We had a shopping day and had lunch together at our favourite cafe T2. Afterwards I caught up with my husband and close friends and their son for coffee. We decided to have dinner together at Micks Grill and Bar at Sylvania, followed by Ten Pin Bowling at Southgate. We had so much fun and it was a great way to relax and unwind!

I am also thrilled with my new relationship with the green grocer. This is excellent because I now have found a great green grocer and a great butcher. I look forward to making a list of recipes I would like to try and then go ahead and cook this week!

Many healthy salads are on the menu. I promise to photograph and blog my culinary adventures!

Now off to do some reading. Have a lovely weekend!

Quite a while between blog posts

Well, it has become a somewhat familiar catch cry for the opening of each blog post of late... how busy has this year become???

I think work has become increasingly demanding and busy this year. I can't really put my finger on it, but I know that things are busier... in a different way to last year. I know that our department has run more efficiently, but I think that we have also been asked to do a lot more and in a lot less time. My mind turns to the final examinations for year 12 - the HSC. Schools receive results on Wednesday and I am nervous. I get nervous each year at this time. There is a great deal of pressure on schools to do well. We are analysed to the absolute degree.... I receive at least about 10 grids, mapping out perceived expected results of students and whether we met those expectations, exceeded or failed to meet those expectations. It measures value.

These results are compared to other schools and it really makes for an, at times, unpleasant experience. Don't get me wrong. My school's results are consistently well above the state average. We perform to expectations, but there is always room for improvement.

The one thing that bothers me about all this data analysis, is the fact that they don't take into consideration many variables. For one thing, some students under perform and under achieve. Sometimes puberty hits and they are now more interested in pursuing a social life rather than applying themselves to their studies.

Other students become incredibly anxious about the final examinations and place so much pressure on themselves to achieve unrealistic results that they under perform. Last year, I had a student who was rushed to hospital the night before as a chicken bone had lodged into her throat. Her dad, on the way to see her at the hospital was involved in a car accident. She had been suffering with depression during the year and under performed in each assessment task. She was really hoping that the final examination would boost her overall result. Such is life, that it was not the case.

Her overall mark did not reflect her ability. It simply reflected her lack of motivation and how unwell she was on the day. 14 years of compulsory schooling summed up into a grid. I really think that we need to rethink how we measure and report on student performance.

Something that a colleague does well is an 'Anchor Task,' In short, the student is allowed to pick a topic and present it in any form. I was so thoroughly impressed with it last year that I asked for it to go into the program for this year and now for next year.

I believe that assessment tasks where students can work on it in class and at home, where they have more than two weeks to work on it, will really help to develop and give value to the kinds of skills and practices we want our students to take away from the classroom.

I value lifelong learning. I want students to see the value in learning for life.

Some food for thought.

Birthdays, parties, everything!

Well today was a wonderful day without any school work! Yesterday I spent marking and was tired and feeling the effects of the heat afterwards. Dinner last night turned my weekend around! My gorgeous husband and I celebrated with a friend, for our friend's 53rd birthday. Italian was on the menu and I began with an orechhiette pasta dish and then with beef and vegetables. Today my husband took me out to breakfast, at Cherish cafe in Sandringham. Mum made a delicious lunch and I bought a great cake for my dad's birthday. Dad's birthday was a lot of fun. My great aunt is visiting from Inverell and joined us for birthday lunch. My niece performed a medley of songs she has learnt at pre-school. How lovely it was to spend so much time with family.

Mark and I, so keen for me to start cooking again (can you believe that today was the first day that I actually did some tidying around the place!!) as we have both eaten erratically whilst I have been marking. We went to one of our favourite fruit /veg / continental deli stores in Sydney. Lots of wonderful fruit and veggies were purchased! Very excited about cooking some wonderful meals!

Caught up with a great group of friends this afternoon and then tonight I warmed a Chicken and Mushroom Arancini and made some steamed beans to accompany it for dinner.

Am now pouring over some wonderful websites to plan Christmas parties and prepare for some baking.

I hope that you had a weekend filled with family, friends and great food as well!

Another busy week

Well it seems strange that a whole week has just come and gone. No further thought has been given to anything to do with Christmas. I know, I know! With each passing day, there is less time to prepare all that I need to do. I anticipate things will quieten down by the end of next week, but then that leaves me in a predicament! I suppose I will have to try to find some time to start my preparations!

So much is happening at the moment and I feel as though I am in somewhat of a whirlwind, hoping that I will land on my feet! Lots of changes at work. I have been thinking about work quite a bit and am planning to make a few changes in the department next year, that will ensure the workload is shared more evenly among staff.

Lots of planning days to organise as well! So much to do and so little time!

Today is my only day off marking (well, today and Friday) so I need to do some housework, do some shopping, make some food, edit all of the year 11 reports and go to a family lunch and hopefully dinner with friends. I don't know that I will achieve all of this, because I would also like to go for a run or do some exercise. I feel very unfit at the moment and I really need to do some exercise.

It really is hard, leaving home around 7:10 each morning and then returning at 9:35 each night for three working weeks. It leaves you so incredibly drained! It is so hard to come home, particularly after marking so many papers and then focus on housework and the rest of my life! In any case, having an incredibly wonderful husband helps a lot!!

Well, there is so much to do and with so little time, I should probably get started. I should note that my wonderful husband is making us breakfast right now! Hope you enjoy your Sunday!

Today is Melbourne Cup Day!

I will preface this post by saying that I don't bet on horse races and I don't live in Melbourne, so there is no public holiday that comes with 'the race that stops a nation.' The race is one that stops most of the nation. Work finishes early in most places, where people dress up in race wear when they head into work. At some schools, children decorate hats and they have a hat parade which is innocent. It's actually a really convivial day but alas myself and a few others won't be indulging in the merriment that comes with the race day. No. We will be marking papers. You see, not everyone in the nation stops!

I did get to thinking though that there will be some distinct similarities between us markers and the racegoers. We all have to park a decent walk away from the car, so some markers will have lost their heels for thongs. In the anticipation for the end of the evening, markers are a little like horses at the barrier gate, waiting to begin the race to the car. You see, if you aren't one of the first few out of the car park, then you join a queue of cars and remain at the back of the pack.

I suppose the day itself is a little like a race, the markers, like jockeys remain abreast of their marking duties for the entire 4 hours. They don't wane and they come up as good at the end as when they started! A talented and dedicated group no doubt.

Well, that's my really ordinary blog post for this morning. I suppose I should get back to writing report comments and then get ready to go to a meeting! You should know it is raining in Sydney, has been all night. So the weather will indeed match the day.

Have a wonderful day!

Christmas is coming!

I am experiencing a very busy time right about now. Having had to step up to replace a colleague who took some leave, I am also embarking on marking our state's English papers for the recent examinations for year 12. It takes about three weeks to mark and while I do enjoy the experience, I am acutely aware that if I don't start planning for Christmas, it will be a rush when the end of the school year comes!

Given that I am also going to Japan for two weeks in January, I will also need to get organised for 2011! So much to do!

I am thinking about gifts for family, friends and colleagues at present! I love gift giving!

I have enjoyed a wonderful weekend and even though it was for only a day, I went to the Sculpture by the Sea exhibit at Bondi. It is definitely worth a visit if you enjoy Sydney, the coast, sculpture, etc..

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

One of my favourite movies about blogging and food

Well tonight I have settled in to watch 'Julie and Julia', directed by Nora Ephron (2009)

I absolutely love this film! It's amazing how this film just makes me want to cook up a storm. Right about now she is attempting to poach an egg for the first time! Reminds me of when I first poached an egg.

Anyway, I have made stuffed vine leaves tonight which were nice.

About to make a second cup of green tea. I love Sunday evenings! Hope that you have had a great Sunday evening.

I love blogging (am trying to do more of it) and food. In fact I might grab a glass of red and some French brie that I bought at the markets yesterday. Enjoy your evening!

Spring cleaning

Well this morning was wonderful. Personal training session was excellent. My husband officially opened the Oatley Spring Fair today! I was so proud of him. He delivered a great speech and it just added to the wonderful atmosphere on the day! I caught up with my soon-to-be sister in law for brunch and then did the grocery shopping.

I am now at the end of my 'break' as I have to do some spring cleaning! I have so many other things that I'd just love to do today but I also want a squeaky clean apartment! Ah the dilemma!

Has been a busy week so I had best get on to that housework! Time to crank up some music!!!

Hope you have a great weekend!

PS - the image is of cherry blossoms in Queenstown, taken almost two weeks ago!

A really long time between posts

Well it has indeed been a really, really long time since blog posts. I cannot believe how pressed for time I have been, in terms of trying to get time to reflect and post to my blog. I will write some good blog posts about my holiday to New Zealand. It was absolutely fabulous! For our fifth wedding anniversary, we decided to go to New Zealand. We spent our time on the south island. I strongly encourage you to visit this wonderful country.

More about New Zealand in a future blog post.

Well, the final term of the school year is just over half way into the first week. I am very happy that it has begun well. I am stepping into another role for the first 2 1/2 weeks of the term. I have had a very busy week so far, but I have really enjoyed the experience. I will say that I do miss sitting with my gorgeous colleagues in the staffroom. It is very quiet (which is fine to get work done, but I seem to be addressing people most of the time) and I miss the collaborative discussions.

I am really happy because today I have rented a brand new MacBook Pro. It is a 15" laptop and it has a widescreen and is just magnificent. It was definitely time for an upgrade. My MacBook had served me very well, but given that I rent laptops, there was little point in actually upgrading the ram in it.

In the holidays, my husband bought me my first ever DSLR camera. It is a Nikon D3000 and it is just wonderful! I am so keen to take a photography course. I have always loved taking photos and photography, so taking a course will be something that will help me to improve!

I hope that you have all been keeping well!

Happy days!!

Joyful Joyful!

So lovely to be able to spend the day pottering around our apartment. Housework now complete and plants tended to... fed and watered, I am feeling a little virtuous.

Feeling wonderful after a good weights session at the gym this morning and a long walk this afternoon. Am just sitting down and relaxing.

My wonderful husband helped to prepare dinner and is now clearing up... an early dinner because we have been so busy and had a very quick lunch.

A friend is heading over for drinks and dessert this evening. I am going to have a little nap before that... and watch an episode of TopGear. I have a thing for Aston Martins and Jeremy Clarkson.

Look forward to enjoying the rest of the weekend. Has been a busy week and just giving thanks for the joy that comes from doing simple things well.

If I can just get through this week

The phrase 'just keep swimming' to inspire Dory, that fish in Finding Nemo is my mantra at the moment. I have missed blogging. Have a list of all the things I have put off, in order to get my work done. Best get back to the grind. Look forward to some great blogging soon.

Today is my husband's birthday. Took him out to dinner to celebrate. Was a day of mixed emotions. A funeral to farewell one of my best friend's dad.

All work and little play makes something go something...

What a term! Four weeks into the school term, the beginning of semester two and I feel like I need a holiday! Our year 12 students have just sat examinations, the last before the state external examination, the HSC. I have just marked so many papers, but I still have a pile or so to mark!

I have changed my exercise routine. I am running 12km relatively easy now, but was losing some muscle mass, so now I have a strength training program with smaller runs during the week. The weights sessions are rigorous but just wonderful. Sadly, I don't think I'll be making it this weekend because I am sick. This winter has proven to be a cold one and has proven to play havoc with so many of my colleagues, friends, family and I. Just when I thought I was better and was well and truly into the exercise routine, I felt a sore throat and now I don't feel well.

Am getting a little tired of this and am really looking forward to Spring. My favourite season of the year!

I miss blogging. I find it a great way to reflect on the day or the week. I love reading other people's blogs and I am looking forward to setting up a separate blog to focus on teaching and learning.

Anyway, hope you are well and hope to be able to post something a little more interesting soon!

Busy days

Well it has been a while since I've posted a blog post. Have been so busy. A federal election has been called (four weeks from today) and I am working hard on a campaign so it occupies much of my spare time. I actually enjoy working on campaigns, creating strategies, meeting with people and finding out the issues that affect them and their families. I spent a few hours this morning campaigning, followed by a personal training session where I was put through the paces, running, boxing, lunging and squats! It was a little tough but I liked the challenge.

My favourite AFL team, Collingwood is playing now. The last time I got the opportunity to watch a game was when I went to the Swans v Collingwood match about a month ago.

The school holidays are well and truly over. The first week of term three is well and truly over. I have two piles of marking, some house hunting to do, not to mention housework and needing to buy groceries. At the moment all I really want to do is rest and watch the AFL match, but I have a campaign meeting to attend at 3pm.

Tomorrow should also be a good day. Looking forward to a really relaxing evening tonight! Reading and knitting. I must finish knitting a square for Wrap With Love. I look forward to starting something other than a square. I almost feel like donating blankets...

Planning for our holiday

My fabulous husband and I will celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary this September. We are both very excited and really looking forward to doing something special, in order to celebrate this wonderful moment in our lives.

We are going to New Zealand for 10 days. We will spend 5 days in Queenstown, staying at Villa Del Lago. The link to it is here: http://www.villadellago.co.nz/index.php

It is a small number of 5 star luxury apartments right on the Wakatipu Lake and looking out to the Remarkables. Am so excited! I have also booked a couple of nights accommodation in Christchurch at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, which is centrally located in the CBD! I am not sure where we will spend the last three nights, as I am attending the ULearn Conference and that part of the conference has been paid for.

I will share with you some of the details of my wishlist of things to do in Queenstown and Christchurch. The best part of this holiday, is that I am booking it all myself, creating the itinerary and it is a complete surprise from Mark! He only knows where we are going, not where we are staying or any of the experiences! He knows how much I love to organise holidays. Just a blissful way to spend a day of the holidays!

Holiday booked for September / October

Very excited that my husband and I will head to Queenstown and Christchurch for part of the next school holidays! No HSC trial papers to mark, few assessments to worry myself with... very, very exciting! Now to plan my holiday!

Needless to say, I am not wishing away my current holidays! Far from it! I have caught up with friends, attended a charity ball, read, pottered around my apartment, knitted more rows on the square for the Wrap with Love charity, completed my 08/09 tax return... it has been busy but enjoyable!

The thing I love most about these holidays, is that I have very little (other than a friend's birthday and a couple of catch ups with friends) planned. It is great waking up and wondering what I might do for the day! There is little stress and pressure this way.

I will post some pictures soon! Hope you enjoy your week!

Holidays

As Melinda so eloquently put it 'calloo callay' the holidays have arrived! Have enjoyed the most relaxing morning, moving at a very slow pace... such a joy!

I have no plans for today, except for a charity ball this evening! No plans - so wonderful!!

I do anticipate knitting a few more lines of a square that I am knitting for the charity 'Wrap with love.'

June

I have had a really busy working week so far - a whole day of it! Yesterday was a staff development day, with a focus on spirituality and reflection. The surrounds are always lovely at the retreat centre we visit, in the north of Sydney. It is set among bushland and is really picturesque. The chapel is beautiful with very high ceilings and I am always taken by the lovely artworks, some depicting religious stories and others are just beautiful pieces of art.

Last night was a most productive evening... I managed to clear out my part of our home office and it looks so good now! It was more about me putting away things, filing and recycling lots of paper. I often wonder what the whole point of printing lots of paper out, when all I do is seem to shred and recycle it! I think I need to be better at keeping the paper situation under control!

I wanted to inspire you with some photos of Sydney from Watsons Bay - one of my favourite places. Enjoy! I took these photos in late April. Looking at these photos inspires me to get through the editing of these report comments that I need to edit! 2 classes down and 3 to go!

The Queen's Birthday Long Weekend

It is long weekends like the one that is drawing to an end that make me give thanks that we are still a Constitutional Monarchy and are thus able to celebrate the Queen's birthday (even though the date of her birthday is in April, but is celebrated in June because the weather is better...or so I was always led to believe)

Whilst I did think about the Queen, albeit briefly, I did take time out to relax and that was wonderful. Mark and I decided to visit one of our favourite places, Port Stephens. We left on Friday evening so we were able to spend three nights relaxing. It was very interesting to leave Sydney and to actually realise how stressed and uptight I was in particular, particularly given that I am so relaxed right now, listening to Media Watch in the background, whilst updating my blog.

I didn't actually think I was really stressed or uptight, but it was very telling, in the sense that I had the worst neck and shoulder pains for a couple of days. Well, I wont go into detail, but after a two hour bushwalk through Tomaree National Park, right up to the Summit (a moderate bushwalk) to see magnificent views, left us feeling most refreshed and exhilarated.

We also took the ferry from Nelson Bay to Tea Gardens and had a delightful lunch. I will upload photos (I promise) once I finish unpacking and find the cable that connects the camera to the laptop!

We ate so many wonderful meals and spent so much time walking, talking and enjoying each others company. This morning we headed home and had breakfast on the foreshore at Newcastle, then took the scenic (or coastal) road to as far as Swansea, when we then joined the freeway.

Catching up with family, over the phone and having dinner with my inlaws was a lovely way to end the evening! It was indeed a wonderful weekend, a time for relaxation, recharging the batteries and letting go of the stresses and tensions of the very busy school term.

Finally, I couldn't finish without telling you about a wonderful homily delivered by this very wise priest. It was all about women of strength and women of faith. He spoke of Mary Ward, foundress of the Loreto Sisters (IBVM) Catherine McAuley (foundress of the Sisters of Mercy) and Mary Mackillop (Foundress of the Josephites and soon to be Australia's first Saint) and how they had to become religious in order to serve the poor. I mention this because looking at the Queen's Birthday Honour Roll, that there were so few women of real note on the list. Makes me wonder why as a society we are so hard on women, so hard on ourselves!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

A long time between blog posts

Has been a frantic couple of weeks at work! I promise I will update tomorrow! I feel as though I have had so much work to do. I feel as thought I have had little time to do anything else that I want to do. Hopefully tomorrow I will have a little bit of time.

Well, just in case you aren't in Sydney or in New South Wales, the weather has been just crazy! We had a couple of small tornadoes in Sydney and we have also had a very bad storm. The rain that fell today was more than we would ordinarily get in a couple of months. I will try to find some pictures for you to see.

I hope that the seedlings I transplanted to my pots are still alive... I don't hold out much hope.

Hope you have a good weekend planned!

friday follies

Well what a whirlwind of a week! Am beginning to think that this has become a regular catch cry! Examinations, assessments, marking, report writing and editing seems to be the de rigeur at present! Tonight was the fifth round of debating and our school won five out of six debates! A wonderful result for our students and their coaches! It has been a very busy week and I am looking forward to the weekend!

I was actually looking forward to a big run tomorrow, to clear the stresses of the week, until I took off my boot and noticed that my foot was swollen and bruised in part. Not sure how it happened. It felt a little sore today and now it really hurts!

I think I may need to see the doctor! Not happy! I love the exercise I do first thing on Saturday morning... but now I can't do it. Very disappointed. Perhaps I could ride a bike or something... or swim... something without the impact of running.

Whatever you do this weekend, may it be filled with much joy and relaxation... maybe a good time to start reading the book for my book club... 'Trust' by Kate Veitch... or perhaps finishing Steig Larsson's The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. After all, it's raining and is shaping to be truly an Autumnal weekend of cold weather!

It's Friday!

I cannot believe it is Friday! It has been such a terribly busy week but such is the life of a school teacher. This week our report comments for the year 12 (final year of high school) students were due. I had to edit all 134 comments in under 24 hours. I find that the pressures placed on subject coordinators to be at times unrealistic. Technically I should have had at least two or three days to edit them (but that is never the actuality given staff are always in a hurry to try to finish them)

I think term two is always the busiest term of the year, given the nature of the reporting that takes place for year 12. I know that next term will be the same, though things are getting easier as I know that I am becoming better prepared for these moments!

What do you have planned for the weekend? Well I hope to go for a long run tomorrow morning and then have a girly day with my mum, sister and niece. I think that we will go shopping together, take my niece to a bookshop and read her a book and then have afternoon tea "with pretty flowers on pretty cupcakes"

I also have plans to read, bake, cook and hopefully buy knitting yarn! Oh, and then there is the Womens' Health Magazine festival at Victoria Park in the city. I would also like to go to it!

Whatever you have planned, I hope that you enjoy it!

Mother's Day Weekend

Well what a wonderful weekend of sunshine, good times and many laughs. The week that past is but a distant memory and the weekend certainly lived up to the hopes of many.... firstly it was my father in law's 60th birthday party which was just fabulous! This was on Saturday night. Mark and I helped decorate the venue on Saturday morning (after my 7km run) and it really helped to create a positive and festive mood so early into the weekend! Buying gifts for my mum and sister for Mother's Day was a treat! I love spoiling them with something they would not ordinarily buy for themselves! The party itself was a blast! We had a jukebox and there were so many people from my father in law's life - various old work friends, family, friends all came together to celebrate! So many good stories were told; we even played celebrity head!

Sunday - today is Mother's Day and it is a day of mixed emotions in our home. My husband's mother died 16 years ago, so he always finds the day a little difficult. This sadness has compounded in recent years, as both of his grandmothers have passed away in the last five years and both of these women were instrumental in raising him and his brothers, helping his father when their mother died at a young age. After a delicious lunch with my mother and sister and family, then visiting a friend who recently became a mum for the first time to visiting the cemetry certainly had quite an emotional impact on the both of us. Dinner with my father in law and his wife tonight was lovely and to just relax together now, planning a New Zealand holiday is relaxing and enjoyable.

I hope that your weekend was relaxing, enjoyable and filled with happy moments with good people!

TGIF

Oh what a week! What a working week! No truer words that 'thank God it's Friday' were ever uttered! After a week that saw wonderful things happen in the classroom, to wonderful debating results and a great presentation, to disappointment after disappointment by people charged with responsibility (our debating draw changed mid competition and the convenor failed to notify us and I found out by accident on the day of...) to educators not supporting each other, rather the opposite... really left me feeling drained.

I'm not the only one... I don't know that anyone in my department left work this week feeling refreshed or otherwise. My trip home from debating was 73.4km according to my gps. To put that into perspective, I could have driven to Wollongong (south coast which is less than 73km from my place. I could have also driven to Palm Beach which is also closer than Emu Plains)

Don't get me wrong... I don't mind the travel but had I have known that I was travelling that distance, I may have made arrangements to stay in the mountains or something else... in any case I should stop being self indulgent, but having been sick this week has just made me look forward to the weekend!

I look forward to posting a blog post that is positive and reflective of a rested teacher!

Sans voice

Well yesterday I was at work at feeling rather lethargic. This was an extension of how I felt on Saturday and much of Sunday. I felt really tired but pushed through the day, as most teachers I know would. I felt as though I could fall asleep at school but thankfully I made it through the day.

This morning I woke up with a croaky voice and feeling not the best. I think for about fifteen minutes I debated the merits of going to work and staying at home. Why is it that school teachers find it so hard to take a day off when they are feeling under the weather? It is ridiculous and defies logic, but there I was, seriously contemplating how I would get through the day. Positively ridiculous but I seriously contemplated going to work. Better judgement prevailed.

It has been a largely uneventful day. I went for a walk this morning with my husband and then had a coffee. I spent the morning and early afternoon doing some marking (at the local library which is like a sanctuary) The rest of the afternoon has been spent on the lounge, sleeping and intermittently watching the food channel.

I hope to be feeling stronger to go to work tomorrow. I have hardly said a word and my throat does feel much better. I am a little less tired but I know I will definitely get an early night's sleep (as I have every night for the last five or six days)

Saturdays... lazy, lazy Saturdays

So how has your Saturday been? I knew that today was going to be a slow moving day because I had (for the first time ever) cancelled a training session because I was just too tired and my body feeling somewhat run down. I pride myself on living a very healthy and active life, though the start of this school term has really taken its toll. I can't really place my finger on the reason... it just seems to be very busy for everyone. I say this all the time (in fact I think I said it last year as well - I don't quite recall such a busy school year) but it just seems to get busier and busier. In any case I enjoy what I do, though I am somewhat alarmed that I have slept most of today. I do feel a lot better for it.

I did visit the day spa today and enjoyed a scrub and vichy shower. It was lovely just to be cocooned in this shower, with lovely soothing tunes as a backdrop to the lovely shower. It was a decadence I have for a while not indulged... possibly because I have been too busy. It was certainly a spur of the moment decision and I am glad that I took it up, because I came home, had lunch and then slept the entire afternoon!

I rarely sleep all day on a Saturday or a weekend. Not because I wont allow it, but I just don't need it. Needless to say I feel the day has been lovely and I do feel so incredibly relaxed.

I made a delicious chicken and vegetable soup for dinner which Mark and I just enjoyed.

I am going to do a little marking now, before retiring with a good book and getting more rest.

I hope that you have enjoyed your Saturday...no matter what you have done, whether it be slow or otherwise.

Prostate Cancer Research Ball

Tonight I attended the Prostrate Cancer Research ball. It was a 'Hollywood Glamour' theme and it was lovely to have the opportunity to have some fun whilst raising much needed funds into cancer research.

I wore a long black dress with what I call my chandelier earrings and some gold heeled, black patent leather high heels. I felt a little glamorous and my friend Samantha wore a vintage 1970's woollen dress. My friend Mireille was completely stunning in a long velvet black dress with a pattern down the side. She looked amazing!

There were Charlie Chaplin tribute videos, a myriad of entertainers singing the tunes of the 30's and 40's and early 50's of that Hollywood era.

We listened to a Professor and a couple of doctors talk about the important research that they do. I felt so privileged to be able to go to this ball and raise money. We didn't win any of the raffle prizes but that didn't matter.

Hope that you had a wonderful Friday evening!

Goodness... how time flies!

Well I have just survived the first week returning to work after the school holidays, and what a whirlwind of a week it has been! I feel as though I have been moving from one thing to the next, one thing to the next. Melinda blogged about not doing anything for herself this week. I concur. I have arrived home in the dark every night this week. I have plants that need tending to... houswork still not complete... it is a little disheartening, given the wonderful time I had on the holidays. Really, the only thing I managed to do for myself this week was to go to the gym a couple of times during the week and do a 10km run this morning.

I had a nice sleep this afternoon and just woke. I feel a lot better and have a couple of gatherings with friends and family over the weekend, so it should be enjoyable.

I will attend a dawn service tomorrow to commemorate ANZAC Day. I will remember that even though I haven't had the time do some of the things I love to do, that at least I am still better off than the majority of the world's population that don't have all of the lovely things that I do. Remembering that many people in the world don't have a roof to sleep under, don't have a job to go to or any of the luxuries and joy that I have.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Sunday Evening Suppers

Mmmm.... tonight I have decided to try a recipe I found in the Good Weekend Magazine - Chicken Tarraragon with Mushrooms. I have also made some brussel sprouts and some potatoes - boiled and then added to a creamy mustard sauce.

Hope you have had a lovely, nourishing Sunday supper! xx

Saturdays in Sydney

I just love Saturdays in Sydney! Today my husband and I spent the day doing things we would not ordinarily do on a Saturday. Firstly, my cousin is here in Australia on holidays so we decided to take him to Watsons Bay Hotel for lunch and for a walk along the promenade. Afterwards we took him for a walk along the Gap Park and then to Bondi Beach. Afterwards we played ten pin bowling. It is lovely seeing the city in which you live, through the eyes of someone who is experiencing it for the first time. Mind you, the day was just spectacular. There was not a cloud in the sky and there were lots of sailing boats out on the harbour. The warmth in the air was just lovely.

Well the day was magnificient, though I must admit I am a little tired now. My parents, sister and niece also joined us for lunch which was lovely.

I am actually looking forward to quiet tomorrow... I am not sure what I have planned, but I know there will be quiet time tomorrow.

Hope you have had a lovely Saturday.

Wednesdays

Today is a bright and sunny day in Sydney. I love waking up to a sunny day in the school holidays, because I can actually enjoy and savour the sun filling the bedroom with gorgeous, warm light. I have been spoilt because I can sit, sipping some delicious T2 Sydney Breakfast Tea (my favourite tea to prepare me for the day ahead) whilst working on a presentation that I will deliver to my staff on Monday, whilst taking momentary glimpses of the plants and trees on my verandah. The Bungalow Palm tree and Christmas Bush both seem to be doing well, though I am a little worried that the Christmas Bush might not be getting enough sunlight. It doesn't look sick or anything, but I will monitor it!

Today I am going to my parents' home to have a lovely lunch with my mother, family and some of my mother's extended family. Such a treat as I rarely see any of my relatives outside my immediate family. I suppose that is another reason why holidays are just so wonderful. Time. Time to catch up with friends and family. Time to read. Time to do nothing with a deadline attached. Time to reenergise and renew the senses. I hope that you are enjoying your Wednesday!

This is a photo of the ocean from Sir Lawrence Hargreave Drive, near Coalcliff, South Coast, NSW

Autumn Days

I really believe that Autumn is now quickly becoming my favourite season of the year. I love the way that everything seems to be slowing down just a little... or is it because I am on holidays? It is 5:20pm on Friday afternoon. I am drinking my favourite T2 Tea - French Earl Grey. I am not sitting in my car negotiating the traffic to get home. I am not thinking about all the housework that needs to be done (because I have done it!) and how I am going to fit a gym workout in the afternoon prior to going out to dinner (because I did that this morning as well!)

Today I went to one of my favourite stores in Sydney, Peters of Kensington. If you have not shopped there, then I suggest you visit the gorgeous pink building on Anzac Pde, Kensington. It has practically every kind of gift you would want to buy for an engagement, wedding, birthday, kitchen tea, bridal shower, housewarming, Mother's Day, etc etc. I love the store because of its array of cookware and cooking utensils, not to mention their collection of homewares and decorative vases and ornaments etc. Today I went there to buy an engagement gift for my brother in law and his fiance. I was successful and they will soon be the owners of a Royal Doulton cutlery set, Stanley Rogers Hostess set and two Scanpan stainless steel frypans.

I did pick up a couple of things for myself - a couple of pastry boards and two silicone egg cups.

This afternoon I spent a few lazy hours at the local library, reading about plants and gardening. In that time I think I had four daydreams where I imagined cascading roses and ivy, through to gardens made up entirely of succulents and ferns. They were beautiful, albeit fleeting dreams, but dreams that inspired me to think a little more about what to add to my garden next.

What plans do you have for this weekend? I am going to tend to my garden, go for a run, attend an engagement party and spend lots of time with family and friends. Whatever you do, may it be wonderful!

Engagement Cake in the Making: Part 2

Well tonight we finished the cake. The only thing remaining are the custom made letters R and P and the & symbol. I will get a picture of them on top of the cake at the Engagement Party on Saturday night. I was very nervous about placing the fondant over the top of the ganache. I was so worried about not having enough of it to cover the entire cake, but alas it did work well.

Let me know what you think of my first attempt - a combined effort with my soon to be sister in law!

Also had a lovely visit from a friend today. I decided to do lots of the tasks like deep cleaning the carpet in the high traffic areas and then decided to clean the leather lounges with the special cleaning equipment. Didn't leave me time to make a cake, so we had delicious T2 tea and a fruit platter. I offered her lots of Easter eggs. was still a nice afternoon. Have found some delicious recipes to try out as well over the holidays.

Enjoy the photos of part two of the cake making / decorating process.

Engagement Cake in the Making: Part 1

Everybody who knows me well, knows that I love good food. One thing that I didn't even know about me, was that I have some ability to make decorations for cakes. Let me explain for a moment why I have always held this opinion. I do not have a sweet tooth. I didn't, up until tonight, really know or want to know how to make decorations for cakes, however, my soon to be sister in law decided that she wanted to make her own Engagement Party cake!

Before I actually knew what I was saying, I had not only offered to help keep her company as she made it, but I actually suggested that it might be a good idea that I help her with it. So this evening, after spending the day in the city with my husband and the late afternoon doing a spot of shopping at a local fashion retailer, I headed over to her place filled with anticipation.

Below are some images of our endeavours. It is a white chocolate cake, that will be covered with a white ganache, topped with a lovely Magnolia made of fondant and the letters R & P, for Rebecca and Paul.

The outer perimeter will be wrapped with a blue 'Tiffany' ribbon and in the middle of that, a string of pearls. I will be sure to upload some more pictures as they come.

Tonight I learn't that I quite enjoyed making the cake, the ganache and the decoration. I learn't that I shouldn't be afraid to have a go at cake decorating. Mind you, I did feel the pressure (that I placed upon myself) in terms of wanting to get it as close to perfect as possible - given it was my first ever attempt, and this attempt is for an Engagement Cake for an Engagement party at which 150 people will be in attendance...

I also truly understood the meaning out of necessity, invention is born.

Catch of the Day

Today my lovely husband and I went to the Sydney Fish Markets for lunch and to buy some seafood. We started the morning at the Australian Museum to see the world winners of the Wildlife Photography competition. It was truly amazing and breathtaking to say the least. It showcased the diversity of photographic talent and creativity, as well as the majesty and beauty of the animals they sought to capture on film.

On our way back to the car we wandered into St Mary's Cathedral which is such a beautiful cathedral. It is a fine example of gothic architecture.

The Sydney Fish Markets was most certainly a bustling place to be. Below are pictures of our 'catch of the day' from our favourite fish mongers at De Costi Seafood.

Nursery visits

Today I took my wonderful mother and gorgeous niece to two nurseries. We visited Hargreaves Nursery and Swanes Nursery. Both are located in Dural, in Sydney's northwest. Was a wonderful day! I bought some pink flowering lavender and some fig and pear scented drawer liners. Mum bought me a lovely lavender room spray. I bought mum a couple of exotic plants and a gorgeous cushion. I am in the process of planting bulbs and seeds in time for a spring and winter harvest~

Cooked a delicious lamb roast and vegetables for dinner. So lovely to be able to relax and enjoy each minute of the day...

hope you have had a great day~

Easter Monday

Well I have to say that today was filled with much anticipation! Mark and I headed to Botany Bay which is a short 3-5 min drive from our place. We ran along the foreshore and it was so good to be out there and running again! I haven't run in a couple of weeks and have to say that I was feeling all the worse for wear because I hadn't run. The last active thing I did was a 'Revolutionary Cycle class' last Wednesday. I found that I needed to preserve what little energy I had, to push through that last couple of weeks of school - that and I had been interstate the week before!

I digress. In any case after the 5km run this morning in just over 30 minutes (which was good for me given I had a couple of weeks without running) made me feel so much better!

It was wonderful to see so many people out walking, running, cycling and out on the water.

Today my lovely husband Mark, my father in law, step mother in law and brother in law and his partner and I went to Manly. It was such a lovely day. We met at Circular Quay and caught the ferry across the harbour, out to the heads and to Manly.

It was such a great day to spend out on the harbour and at such a beautiful place. It was filled with good conversation and good laughs. I have included some photos below.

I tried Max Brenner chocolate today - in the way of an Italian dark thick chocolate. It was very rich and too sweet for me, which is disappointing because the service was great and the presentation was lovely. I find Lindt to be less sweet. At least I can say that I've tried it.

In any case, time spent with family was wonderful! My brother in law and his partner live in Dubai so it has been wonderful to spend the last couple of days with them.

It has been a truly delightful beginning to the holidays!

Happy Easter!

Dear friends,

Happy Easter to you all! I love the first Easter Sunday mass that celebrates the Resurrection! The bells were ringing loudly at mass this morning to celebrate! Easter is my favourite time in the Church's liturgical calendar. There is much that I love about today's mass. Something in particular is the Victimae Paschali that is the 'Sequence' read immediately before the Gospel reading. I have copied it below for you. I have taken it directly from this site http://tinyurl.com/yl3x2qz

I love this sequence. It fills me with joy everytime I hear it. I hope it inspires you as well!

I hope your day is filled with much joy and hope. I will be sure to post some pictures of Easter Sunday today.

Victimae Paschali

CHRISTIANS, to the Paschal Victim

offer sacrifice and praise.

The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb;

and Christ, the undefiled,

hath sinners

to his Father reconciled.

Death with life contended:

combat strangely ended!

Life's own Champion, slain,

yet lives to reign.

Tell us, Mary:

say what thou didst see upon the way.

The tomb the Living did enclose;

I saw Christ's glory as He rose!

The angels there attesting;

shroud with grave-clothes resting.

Christ, my hope, has risen:

He goes before you into Galilee.

Amen. Alleluia.

That Christ is truly risen

from the dead we know.

Victorious King, Thy mercy show!

Amen. Alleluia.

Chicken and Vegetable Soup

I can really empathise with those who talk about chicken soup as something that can nourish the soul. No wonder the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series of inspirational books and the various offshoots from the original have done so well in the popular book stores.

I made the following for dinner. I am sure you have your own version. I am always changing mine. It really depends on what is in the fridge at the time.

1 - 1 1/2 Litres of chicken stock

1 large carrot or 2 medium carrots

a handful of pasta shells or broken pasta (optional)

1 cup broccoli

1 cup green beans

1 cup cauliflower

1 cup celery

1/2 brown onion

1 bay leaf

1 chicken breast

salt and pepper to taste

1 shallot chopped

Bring the chicken stock to a simmer. Add chopped onion and bay leaf. Continue to simmer for 5 mins. Add chicken and allow to simmer until cooked. Remove the chicken and allow to cool.

Discard the bay leaf and onions.

Return the stock to heat and return to gentle simmer. Add carrots, followed by celery, beans, cauliflower and brocolli. Bring to a gentle boil and add some small pasta pieces if desired.

While this is simmering gently, shred the chicken into small pieces and return to the soup. Allow to simmer and add the shallots and pepper just before serving.

Serve with fresh bread. I chose to drizzle some sourdough bread with olive oil and place in the oven to become a little crispy.

Enjoy!

Holidays in Autumn

Well Thursday marked the last day of the first school term for 2010. I have to say that it could not have come any sooner as my wonderful colleagues and I were feeling quite drained. I kept insisting to my staff that they must rest these holidays... I don't think I needed to labour the point, given they had worked so hard and with such generosity of spirit.

In any case, I think these holidays are wonderful holidays because not only do they tie into the Easter celebrations, but they also allow for moments of quiet. The summer holidays, by their very placement encompass the busy Christmas and New Years celebrations. It is also the end of the school year. I must say that Autumn is becoming one of my favourite seasons.

I have begun to take stock of the myriad of tasks that need to be completed over the break. First on my list is to plant some seeds and tend to my plants. I love gardening, but sadly have not been able to get out there as much as I would like, except to water my plants. I have had no end of success in keeping the Tarragon well and truly alive! Not to mention that, my succulents are also growing quite well. The palm tree that Mark and I decided to have a go at growing seems to be going well, as does the Christmas bush and of course the Orchids.

I have a fern that is growing new fronds on what seems to be a daily basis and the lily tree has added another leaf. I think I need to buy some food for the lilly.

This evening I cooked a delicious chicken and vegetable soup, served with toasted, crusty sourdough bread. I will post the recipe in another post, if you are interested in trying it out! I find that soup really helps to warm the soul and nourish the body and mind. I have attached some pictures from my garden, of dinner tonight and of some pictures from our weekend in Adelaide last week, for a wedding.

Enjoy and Happy Easter!

A time to reflect and a time for new beginnings

Today is a significant day. Not only does it mark the first day of the school holidays, for which I and my dear colleagues are so incredibly relieved, but today is the second day of the Easter Triduum. The Easter Triduum is my favourite time of the liturgical calendar. One can easily forgo the incessant push for Hot Cross Buns and Easter Eggs (all of which are a lot cheaper than the rest of the commercial wares pushed during Christmas - which seems to begin a lot earlier than our Advent calendar would have us believe.)

In fact, I don't mind hot cross buns. They are delicious - quite simple in the flavour (I only like the traditional type made with fruit; you can keep the moccha or chocolate or plain ones....ewww.)

Given that I only really like dark chocolate, it is a nice time to give to others. Most people have worked out not to buy me too much at Easter which is good.

The Easter Triduum, for me, is truly a time to stop and to reflect. I find that the liturgies and masses at this time command a real reverence. It is one of the few times of the year that I think people actually stop and think about what the Easter message is all about.

I also love this time because today's reading comes from St John's gospel. It really reminds us to focus on the salvation of the word. Two simple words. "I am" from John's gospel really sum it up. I cannot even begin to fathom what it must have been like, to lay ones' life down for friends, for those who sought to destroy him, for us. I can only give thanks and remember that this season is all about new beginnings. The Way of the Cross and the Passion Liturgy are two powerful and moving parts of today's liturgies. I will certainly take stock of the messages imparted to us and will certainly reflect on what has been and pray for what is to come.

I hope that you find time today, or over the Easter weekend to stop and reflect. To think about what has passed, to be quite introspective in thinking about your life, the direction it is taking and if you need to make changes and then to be filled with hope for the possibilities brought about by the resurrection.

An ode to Saturdays

Thank you for the hope and energy that you inspire in me!

Thank you for the time, that seems to move at a much more civilised pace. Thank you for the lovely breakfast with Mark at Brasserie Bread. Thank you for the quiet moments in the day, for time to retreat and rest, for time to talk with friends.

Thank you for the sunny days, to run past ponds, creeks, airports and parks. Thank you for friends to meet for an afternoon walk along the bay.

Thank you for weekend papers...with thoughtful articles and inspiring fare to bake! Thank you for a comforting dinner, for Icy Poles and Frosty Fruits. Thank you for our Monopoly board that only ever seems to come out on a weekend.

Thank you for family, for friends and most of all, to God for blessing us with this day!

Saturday Mornings

Well goodmorning everybody! I know that you have probably been awake for some hours now (not my friends in the Northern Hemisphere) or maybe you have been resting. In any case it is a beautiful Saturday morning in Sydney. I have been for a 10km run - my first run in two weeks. I am pleased to report NO BLISTERS!! It was such a good feeling to just run, run, run through the streets and parks of Sydney.

After my run and my lovely husband's walk, we went to Brasserie Bread and Cafe in Banksmeadow for breakfast! It was a lovely morning where I got to spend time just chatting with my lovely husband and eating delicious food. I had sourdough pancakes with fresh banana and maple syrup. Mark had poached eggs, fresh trout with parsley and fetta salad on sourdough. We both had coffees and freshly squeezed orange juice.

The atmosphere at Brasserie Bread is light and lively. It is children and family friendly. They have baking classes on in a kitchen. We purchased some delicious bread to bring home... fig and walnut bread, caramelised garlic and balsamic bread and their traditional sourdough. If you have never tried artisan bread, you should. It is cooked using traditional methods, slowly and without the preservatives and sugars that fill much of the bread in grocery stores.

Whatever your Saturday morning holds for you...I hope you enjoy it!

Rest...finally, thank you Autumn!

Oh it has been a whirlwind of a week! I have been unwell and it has taken its toll. The stress and pressure to get things done at work, as well as deal with a range of requests and demands of people, whilst not feeling the best, has been a challenge, but one I can say that I got through! The main thing that has sustained me all week, is cooking delicious meals with loads of vegetables. There is something very calming about homemade soup. Whether it is nursing a mug of soup or clasping a bowl of soup, it is a feeling that is reminicient of warmth and feeling nurtured. Perfect for when one is under the weather!

Tonight I made some tuna patties and grean pea mash. It was a delicous albeit very simple meal to make. My husband actually pureed the peas, as well as clean the kitchen. He loves to help and it's great that we share the duties around home. I know this should be everybody's reality, however, it isn't and I am thankful for his generosity.

At present I am watching the food channel, about to fall asleep. It's amazing how food and the company of loved ones can settle ones' feelings and make other tasks seem so much more manageable.

It is raining outside. That lovely, soft, gentle and constant rain has provided a beautiful ambience. My plants on both balconies seem to be enjoying it. I look forward to blogging at some stage on Sunday. Have a wedding to go to tomorrow! I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Am having family over for dinner on Sunday... will let you know what I decide to cook!

Have a great weekend, the first weekend of Autumn!

Welcome to Autumn!

This is one of my favourite seasons! As a child I would firmly attest that Summer was my favourite! To a great extent it still is. I love water - I am drawn to the sea and love the fact that Summer provides bright sunny days and clear skies, so that snorkelling is fantastic. I love the long evenings for walks and tennis, and catching up with friends.

I have to say though, as I get older (and no, no melancholy here) I really am beginning to appreciate Autumn. For a while it was just one of those transitory seasons, but now, I am really coming to appreciate all that Autumn is.

I love the seasonal foods. Today I was feeling under the weather and made a delicious vegetable soup. I was actually craving vegetable soup all day!

I loved the fact that the first day of Autumn was autumnal in the weather as well! Such a relief from the stifling humidity of the weeks just passed.

On Sunday we bought a gorgeous palm tree. I will post some pictures of my balcony garden soon!

So happy to be cooking and gardening.

Have a great weekend!

Hope you have had a wonderful weekend so far! This morning I went for me weekly 10km run, though I sustained a very nasty blister on the bottom of my foot. Was a tad bit upset about it because I wanted to hit about 12km as that was the goal I had set for this weekend. I did make the 10km but will have to wait another week to try to make 12km.

In any case, I have been pottering around at home, doing a little bit of housework, interspersed with moments on my balconies tending to plants.

The lilly tree is growing - another shoot, another leaf! Very exciting.

I love it at home today - the roses I received for my birthday have filled the living area with the most beautiful fragrance, in addition to the red lillies, gerberas and greenery that has enhanced our lovely eating area.

What do you have planned for the weekend? Are you listening to anything particularly soothing? Enjoying the Crooners at the moment... a bit of Nat King Cole, bit of Bing.... and then there's a bit of Sade and a bit of Massive Attack (yes, they aren't crooners but that's okay)

Have a wonderful weekend, no matter what you have planned or whether you have no plans.

Friends

I really do thank God for my friends and family. I tend to do this moreso when I read about the lives of others who have encountered some misfortune in their lives, however, the purpose of this post is not to depress people.

I just wanted to blog about the lovely social afternoon and evening that I had today. Yes - it is the first day back at work for the working week, but something I have promised myself this year, is that I would make more of an effort to reconnect with friends and to nurture other friendships.

I have the tendency to retreat into my little world (as extroverted as people think I am) which means that I don't have a lot of time to do much else. I do this well because I enjoy my work so much - so it is easy for me to become consumed with the day to day aspects of my job.

This year I have decided to focus more on nurturing friends and family. I have also decided it is time to focus more on doing things that I enjoy, but for the past two years, have put aside because of work. I was acutally very surprised to see how much I have given up for the last couple of years. It made me realise that at some times, I was living to work, rather than my mantra of working to live.

In any case, after some reflection and contemplation, I decided that I needed to come to a better balance between work life and personal life... and I think I am getting there.

Today I went to a friend's place for afternoon tea. How delightful it was to see about 15 former colleagues all together! (Interesting to note that none of them were in my former department)

We talked about work, about life and just enjoyed each other's company. It was like I hadn't left. That is the second 'work' reunion I have had this year, so I am very pleased with myself.

Tonight I had dinner with a friend, with someone I work with at my current place of employment. We both love teaching and learning and we both love to talk about US politics and learning and behaviour theories. Pen is such a great friend too. We have got to know each other much better and meeting away from work means we don't need to talk 'shop.'

I have to say that I am pleased with my efforts thus far. I have had so many social gatherings (outside of the gatherings I would normally attend) In saying that, I have already begun to read more this year. I am not sure where this time has come from, but it is a welcome addition.

I hope that you find time to do the things that you love as well!

Valentines Day

Well today was a lovely day! My parents put on the most amazing seafood lunch for my birthday - which is on Thursday. It was wonderful to indulge in oysters - so big and delicious, smoked salmon and prawns. Mum made a beautiful salad that complemented the seafood and they visited a wonderful bakery for some great bread! Mum also made the birthday cake which was delicious as well!

After going to Church tonight, I made a lovely cheese platter for Mark and I to enjoy. Given we aren't fans of the commercialised Valentines Day - yes there was a St Valentine, we didn't really 'do' anything to mark the day. I did arrange the cheese platter. See the photo for the amazing cheeses. It contains some very amazing cheeses. Testun Pecora Chest Leave - is a delicious hard cheese with a very subtle taste. It is one of the most expensive cheeses I have tasted - at $120/ kg we bought just over 250 grams. Other cheeses that we bought were Lagrein and Comte Gruyere, both delicious hard cheeses and Fromage De Meaux which is made from cow's milk and is a very soft (at room temp) almost runny cheese. We love good cheese, so spending about $70 on some cheese was an indulgence more enjoyable a stuffed teddy bear or dare I say, chocolate...

I have been reading a cookbook this weekend. It is called Arabesque by Claudia Roden. It details recipes from Morocco, Turkey and Lebanon. I am copying some of the recipes in the hope of trying to recreate them for dinner at some stage this week.

I have also photographed something I love more than a bunch of flowers... well perhaps not more than orchids and lillies... but as much... a huge bunch of fresh herbs. All of these herbs came from my mother's garden. I don't think I have purchased basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, bay leaves or flat leaf parsely or mint ever!!! I have included a picture because it represents a very very small section of the produce from mum's garden. I am looking forward to making basil pesto (Melinda's recipe) and a few other things this week.