pink poodle in paris party

Okay, first step to success involves making Nigella's Red Velvet Cake. We doubled her Red Velvet Cupcake recipe from Kitchen and made a large rectangular cake {and by we I mean, my gal, she does love her baking!}

Next, we found the perfect poodle pattern on-line. This was the basis of my decorating.

Um, yes I did.

The finished product, complete with very french pink and cream stripes around the edges. And lotsa glittery stuff. And pink patent poodle shoes {smarties}. And licorice eyelashes!

The inside story. So yum!

Pink, black and cream themed streamers on the back veranda.

And helium balloons bobbing on the living room ceiling. {one for each gal to take home - and a few extras just in case of pops!}

In this neck of the woods no party's complete without a swim. And thankfully the weather put on a rather beautiful show for the day!

The girls played Pin The Bow on the Poodle with sometimes hilarious results {when Madame Poodle became Monseur} My very talented niece drew the most amazing poodle and these gorgeous glittery bows for all the girls. They ended up sticking the bows to the balloons to take home. Then we had French Trivia, with teams proving their french knowledge {captains were gals who'd been to France} and then some Wii Dance. Sustenance was next.

The food was either pink, or French-inspired. Look at these macarons I found at Woolworths!

Mini baguettes to butter and fill with ham and brie.

I found some pretty fairy dust in the cake aisle at Coles, so I had to make some fairy bread. They're off to high school next year so it may be my last chance. It was gobbled up in seconds, proving that really, you're never too old for fairy bread {a piece may have dived in my mouth too}.

Pretty and nutritious.

Washed down with pink grapefruit, sparkling water, and iced water.

Then it was presents and party bags before home time. And that's it. A great party for my gorgeous gal. 12 friends, two and a half hours and lots of giggles. What more could you ask for?

happy new year lovelies

So, the Pink French party yesterday was a success - now I just have to upload some photos. The poodle cake was ooooohed over and tasted pretty damned good - so success! We took around 5000 pictures of it, trying to find the perfect one to tweet to Nigella.

We've got our English relatives staying, so there's been lots of swimming taking place. Tonight it's celebrating new years by the pool with champagne, beer and tapas. I decided that a bbq style tapas is the easiest way to go {I know, I'm odd}.

Here's to the end of 2011 - an odd year. Had some amazing times {OS holiday, new job, great times with friends and family} and ended with a bang {or a crash, when my husband came off his bike}.

Happy new year my lovely friends, here's to a fabulous 2012 xx

simple summer pudding

Now, it's not just because she's my new best friend {see post below - squee!} but I do tend to follow Nigella's advice when it comes to plating up desserts. Simple can still be spectacular. This recipe is one I've adapted to much applause from a Jamie Oliver recipe I caught out of the corner of my eye. And oh, it's so simple. I'm repeating the recipe from the other day - it's always better with pics isn't it?

There's no baking involved, just assembly. All you need to do is buy two packets of mini chocolate sponge rolls, 2 litres of good quality vanilla icecream, frozen raspberries, and your favourite dark chocolate (I used Lindt Passionfruit Intense). Soften the icecream, stir in as many raspberries as you like, cut the chocolate into long shards and mix chocolate and raspberries together through the icecream. If it's an adult's only dessert add a liqueur like Cassis, but if not, add some Monin Rose Syrup, or stir through some extra vanilla extract.

Unroll the mini sponges and use them to line a pudding basin {don't bother removing the icing, but place the icing side facing inwards}. Overlap if possible, otherwise bits of icecream seep out {which I don't mind - looks pretty}. Fill with icecream and top with sponge. Cover with gladwrap, weigh down with something {I used a packet of arborio rice that I had in the freezer to stave off weevils} and refreeze for at least two hours - but this keeps for days, so do it as far in advance as you need.

Remove from fridge around 10 minutes before serving. Using a butterknife, go around the outside edges of the sponge, easing it away from the bowl. Sometimes you almost have to 'pull' it away using the knife. Invert it onto a large plate and pull off the bowl to the gasps of your guests.

Now, you can sprinkle it with icing sugar and grated chocolate if you're feeling fancy. Next, cut it into wedges and serve.

Yum.

You could also add a raspberry coulis or chocolate sauce if you were in the mood to up the decadence factor. Also, you're only limited by your imagination. I've chopped up Picnics, used poached peaches and nectarines with a vanilla sponge, and thrown in some nuts as well. It's so simple, and yet looks so impressive. Give it a go.

i die.

Nigella_Lawson Nigella Lawson 

“@LindaDrummond: Baking @Nigella_Lawson red velvet cake for my daughter's birthday. It will become a pink french poodle on the day! Show me

1 hour ago 

Oh yes, I have a retweet from my culinary hero. 

Dying.

mmmm mason jars

Look at this glorious image I found over at Pinterest. Don't you just adore Mason jars? The colour, the shape, the iconic font. I think I need to indulge myself in a few...

So, how's the post-Christmas weather treating you? It's hideous here. Cold, windy, kinda rainy - and of course we have the in-laws and overseas relatives coming for a bbq tonight. No swimming for the kidlets this afternoon. Oh well, I'll make it up to them with some yummy food. Am making my favourite icecream dessert tonight - lining a pudding basin with chocolate sponge cake, then filling it with softened vanilla icecream mixed with raspberries, rose syrup and some shards of dark lindt chocolate. More sponge goes on the top, it's covered with gladwrap, weighed down and frozen again. I turn it out onto a large, round dish and sprinkle it with grated chocolate and a little icing sugar. Serve cut into wedges.

Yummy.

a very french christmas

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

oh christmas nails

Hello Santa hat fingernails! A bit slapdash, but CUTE!

it's christmas eve eve!

I have one excited gal here who can't stop singing Christmas carols. Bless. We do love a celebration in this family - and if singing's involved, well, got to love it more.

Tonight's plan involves driving around to look at Christmas lights, while tomorrow involves baking brownies and making caramelised onion and goat curd cigars for Christmas Eve supper at my in-laws. We always have dinner at my in-laws, with my mil's slow roasted beef quite the family favourite. I don't have to cook a thing, so I like to do something for supper that's a bit different. I'll also be making cocktails - pink christmas {champagne and rose syrup - yum - served in a pink-frosted martini glass!}

Enjoy your festive season, see you in a few days xx

only three more sleeps

Oooh, it's nearly here isn't it? Do you feel all Christmassy? My gal's in the kitchen making cute Santa cookies from upside down lovehearts {the tip forms the hat and the bumps form his beard when iced - cute!} and we've finally finished wrapping. Our tree is a delight of red and white wrapped pressies. I mayn't do a themed Christmas tree, but I do love a themed wrapping.

We've also finally got my gal's birthday invites printed and ready to drop off tonight. We've told everyone to save the date so it should go okay. Fingers and toes crossed we'll have sunshine so the girls can do some swimming.

Enjoy your week x

meal planning monday

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - isn't it? Eep! With that in mind, here's what we're eating this week.

Monday: Hubby was feeling a bit yuck tonight, so requested Thai takeaway. I'm with him - when I feel blah, thai always cheers me up.

Tuesday: Our gal's up at her grandparents with her cousins so it's only the two of us. I have some pork schnitzel from Aussie Farmers. I might crumb it with panko, sage, and lemon zest don't you think?

Wednesday: Our gal's back home, and my dad and step-mum are stopping in for dinner. I'll do a bbq - or I'll ask Dad to do a bbq. With a vietnamese-inspired coleslaw.

Thursday: Spaghetti carbonara?

Friday: So close to chrissy. Shall cook up some fish and salad.

Saturday: Christmas Eve! Squeeee! Supper at my in-laws. I'm taking something - goodness knows what. Savoury hot things perhaps?

Sunday: Christmas - have a merry one!

phew

Well, it's been quite the week here.  We already knew we were having a big week as it was our gal's last week of primary school, but on Wednesday morning I received a call from a Dr saying that my husband had an accident riding his bike. Thankfully it wasn't on the road, but he was taken to hospital in an ambulance where we had three pretty harrowing days. He was wearing his helmet {thank goodness} but still sustained quite a blow to the head, along with the broken collarbone, numerous severe grazing and general pain that comes from being thrown off a bike.

He's home now, and still in a lot of pain, but he's okay.

That's all I wanted for Christmas.

Makes you stop and think doesn't it? This time of year when we're racing around, striving for perfection. Really, good heath kind of covers it.

I managed to spend time with him in hospital while he slept and also got to all the beautiful events my daughter's school had organised for her final week. I'll miss that school. She was blessed with some incredible teachers, many friends and a staff who genuinely care for the students. That's rare. Let's hope her transition into high school is as successful.

My gal's at a birthday party today. Hubby's dozing and availing himself of all the sport channels on foxtel, and I'm going to try to get as much Christmas stuff organised as possible. Thank goodness I had most of my shopping done.

Merry Christmas everyone. I wish you, and your loved ones good health. x

arty farty

There are many things awesome about Newcastle. This LiveSites night at the Art Gallery last weekend was one of them. Australian masterpieces introduced to a new audience in novel ways.

Here's my gal sketching her version of Dobell's The Strapper who just so happened to be celebrating his 70th birthday.

Bless.

have yourself a merry little christmas

I need some adorable wee snow-topped Christmas trees to line all my window sills {although I imagine that a fat, fluffy kitty cat paw would have a rather splendid time knocking them all off...}

Adorable or what?

meal-planning monday

We had a lovely week and a half visit with my mum and step-dad up from Melbourne, so I did a lot of vegetarian cooking {they're vegos}. They left this morning, so it's back to the usual. And, as it's a super-busy week {my gal's last week of primary school - eek!} I'd best plan down to the last detail.

Monday: it's cold, I'm feeling a little poorly, and I can't possibly cook another thing. I've sent hubby off to Coles for food. Let's see what he comes back with.

Tuesday: We've been invited to a neighbours across the road for Christmas drinks - bless. She's putting on some food, but I may take over some savory nibbles. Then I'm off to the Surf Club to help decorate in readiness for the Year 6 luncheon on Wednesday.

Wednesday: We have to have a good sit-down meal to celebrate that my gorgeous gal was awarded a prize for academic excellence on monday. In English bless her socks - she sure does have a way with words and a love of writing. She can supplement her dancing around the world with the odd article perhaps... I'll make her fave meal - duck confit.

Thursday: It's the school christmas night - please let the rain stop. We'll either have an early dinner if I'm organised, or, if not, a dinner of cheese, cold meats and breads - surely that's all the food groups covered.

Friday: My gal's last day of Primary School {hold me!} I think we should go out to dinner to celebrate this. I'll see if I can make a reservation at our fave special restaurant, Bistro Tartine.

Saturday: I'll be baking up a storm in preparation for a girls-only High Tea. My sister-in-law and her two gals are out from England for Christmas so I'm inviting all the girls in the family here for High Tea.  Dinner may be a very easy bbq I think.

Sunday: Well, we'll be full from High Tea. Hubby, not-so-much. Best make him a roast dinner to end the weekend before the rush into Christmas{!!!!!}

sweet saturday, seriously

Hey, how's your weekend treating you? Mine's good. Got up early and baked an apple and cinnamon teacake as my aunt and uncle were coming in for morning tea and damn, it was good. Shall have to post the recipe, but it was just a simple tea cake and I fanned the top with finely sliced apples and then sprinkled that with brown sugar and cinnamon and added a few dobs of butter.

Yum.

I'm off to the supermarket in a tic to buy my turkey {fingers and toes crossed that they have a fresh one for me!} I think I'm going to cook in on the bbq, rather than the oven. It's a big bugger with a hood so should be perfect.


Enjoy your weekend.

flowers for friday

I found the most massive bunch of pretty pink peonies at Coles on Wednesday - anniversary flowers! And can you see the pretty pale green and pink roses just in the background of that second shot? They were an Olive Tree Market purchase on Saturday.

Fresh flowers are a necessary luxury don't you think?

Ps; review coming next week of Subo - the new restaurant we chose for our anniversary dinner last night. Can you say to-die-for? Absolutely sublime food, enthusiastic, friendly and professional owners and staff - top notch. Newy people must attend, and if you don't live in Newcastle, you must come to visit - just for Subo - seriously.

glee does grease

Seems like the perfect match to me!

happy anniversary to US

It's our ten year wedding anniversary today - awwww bless. To celebrate we're off to our gal's ballet concert tonight then going out for dinner tomorrow night to Subo - Newcastle's newest restaurant. We were tossing up between the beautiful Bacchus {where we've been a number of times} or the new and fabulous sounding Subo and hubby had the casting vote. I'm thrilled he chose Subo. I do like to try something new and I'm glad he does too.

meal planning monday

Apologies for my tardiness - it's been quite the weekend. My mum and step-dad are up from Melbourne so we've been hanging out, having an early Christmas together and just doing stuff. Then last night I had some gal pals and their kidlets over for a few Christmas bubbles, that turned into a lot of Christmas bubbles... Whoopsies.

So here's what we've eating this week - vego meals as my parents are vegetarian.

Monday: My step-dad's plucking some corn from my garden and making corn and sweet potato fritters with avocada salsa {mmmm}

Tuesday: I'm going to cook roasted beetroot risotto - why the hell not? And stud it with goat cheese.

Wednesday: It's my gal's ballet concert at 6pm - we might just have a quick toasted sandwich dinner and supper afterwards.

Thursday: It's our 10th wedding anniversary on Wednesday night, so we're going out to celebrate tonight. Tossing up between two restaurants: Bacchus or the new kid on the block Subo. I might ask Twitter to help me decide.

Friday: It's my hubby's work Christmas party - woo hooo. I think I might wear my green Leona frock with a red rose in my hair {I do like to dress to a theme!}

Saturday: Last night with my parents, might cook up a vegie Japanese feast to celebrate.

Sunday: Having Sunday Christmas-esque lunch with my dad and step-mum. I'm determined to roast my first-ever turkey. Wish me luck!

flowers for friday

It's grey, drizzly and 15 degrees. Oh, and did I mention it's the second day of summer?

Sigh.

So here's a picture of Tourtour in Provence, taken from our pool, rimmed in lavender.

Sigh.

I think I would like to go back again...

on the first day of christmas

Tee hee.

One of my friends shared this on Facebook and I had to spread the love.

One for all the television-addicted children of the 70s.

ready freddie?

Last night I watched the most awesome documentary {words you do not usually hear coming from me}. It was part 1 Queen: Days Of Our Lives on ABC2, and it was beyond fabulous. I've always had a soft-spot for Queen. I remember being entranced the first time I saw Bohemian Rhapsody on Countdown - it was so unlike anything I'd ever heard, and Freddie was just the most magnetic frontman I'd ever seen.

So I loved hearing about their history, how long it took them to finally make-it and make money and how all four of them played a role in creating their songs {yes, four. Are you like me and think Freddie, Brian May, Roger Taylor and, um, the bassist?}

What intrigued me was the history behind some of their hits. For example, Freddie created Bohemian Rhapsody by rushing from studio to studio to add bits and pieces, before putting it all together. At the time it was extraordinarily long and had no chance of being released until Kenny Everett stole a copy and played it eight times in one weekend on his radio show and it became the hit it was. {See, Kenny Everett, not just a comedic genius}.

I found out that one of my fave Queen numbers, Don't Stop Me Now, was inspired by Freddie's immersion in the US gay scene. I also discovered that their biggest hit is Another One Bites The Dust - written by the bassist, John Deacon. Oh, and guess who encouraged them to release it as a single? Michael Jackson. I know - fascinating stuff.

So, next week it's on ABC2, 9.30pm Wednesday - but in the meantime check out iView for last night's episode. If you're a Queen fan you'll love it. If you're a music fan you'll also adore it.

Now, if you'll excuse me I need to hunt me down a Lego Freddie Mercury...

oh christmas tree

My gal will squeal so loudy when she spies this. It's the Eloise Christmas Tree at the New York Plaza, unveiled by Betsey Johnson no less. I love that it looks like a pink fairy's exploded all over it. I do like a fabulously gaudy Christmas tree. Beautifully colour-coordinated trees are much like an all-white room, while I love looking at them, in real life, for me, they just don't cut it.

My gal and I decorated our tree on the weekend, sneakily early, but hey, it was the first day of Advent... Our tree is a green plastic one {wish is were pink and sparkly like my friend Sara Rose...} as I can't do real trees - they play havoc with my allergies and asthma. Ours is covered with decorations that all have a special meaning. Each year my gal gets a new ornament, and when she leaves home she'll have a big box of memories to take with her and start her own tree. There are home-made items, baubles that we've had since we first moved in together 17 years ago, and various bits and pieces added to over the years. I love a tree that's decorated with love - while Christmas tunes play in the background.

Ooh, speaking of Christmas tunes, there is an AWESOME cd out this year: Now Christmas 2011. It has 43 songs on it - including some classics and my all-time fave Christmas tune, "Christmas is the time to say I love you" by Billy Squier. I bought that single when I was a teen and played it over, and over again. Every Christmas I tried to buy the CD version, without luck, so I was stuck with playing it over and over again on YouTube. Can you imagine the squeal when I saw it was available on iTunes this year {it was massive, dogs in nearby suburbs covered their ears saying "Love, quit it with that high-pitched noise will ya...}

Is your tree up or are you saving it for this weekend?

marriage equality

I am genuinely bemused by Julia Gillard's stance on equal marriage. I honestly don't see why she wouldn't want to take the brave step of being the Prime Minister who goes down in history as allowing all consenting adult Australians the right to marry. More than 60 per cent of the electorate agree that equal marriage rights is something we should have in Australia - that's more than a majority - and certainly a higher figure than the 'majority vote' that sees labor as the ruling party.

It's not like it's breaking with an age-old tradition. It was only in 2004 when the Howard government inserted the clause "Between a man and a woman" into the marriage act.

Why Julia? Why deny people in love the right to marry and express their commitment to each other? You've chosen not to marry which is excellent, and your right, but what of all those who would love the right to marry but it's just not theirs?

Next week the Labor party will be having a conscience vote on this issue. If you, like me, believe that this law needs to change you need to let your local federal MP know how you feel. I've already emailed my support to my local MP - one of the fabulous ones who's spoken up in parliament in favour of the amendment.

After watching Ides of March last night I was reminded of the sad fact that the vast majority of politicians don't allow their conscience to be their guide. They're guided by numbers. And votes. If they think that the majority of voters in their electorate feel strongly about a certain position - they'll vote for it - even if it goes against their own views.

Here's how to find your local MP and send them an email. Just a simple one: "Hi, I live in your electorate, I vote and I am in favour of marriage equality, kindest regards, A Voter." That'll do.  Go here to find your MP and let them know how you feel. Our Prime Minister's email's also on there if you'd like to double your influence. I've sent Julia Gillard an email expressing my views, and am hoping she'll take them into consideration.

Let's be the generation that just doesn't sit back and watch history march backwards. I believe in love. That's all. It's that simple.

harper seven: very squishy

I do love a bub with squishy cheeks - so obviously I ADORE Harper Beckham. PS: Am loving Posh's long locks. Sigh. And those boots...

sweetie! darling! sneaky peeky!

Okay, apparently they're screening on ABC1 early in the New Year: see here for more details {squeeeaaaaallllllll!}

meal planning monday

Wow, what a weekend. Packed with so much fabulous. I got to catch-up with Kerry from Tranquil Townhouse who is just as lovely, fabulous and gorgeous in real life as she is on her blog. We went and had a coffee at the new Merewether Surfhouse where the dolphin pod I'd organised earlier put on a lovely display right outside our spot {magical non?}.

My lil fam also shopped till we dropped at the incredible Red Lantern Night Markets. Oh, what a night.

Now, for normality {or what poses for it in our house}. Here's what I've got on my meal plan this week:

Monday: Caramelised pork, bok choy and noodles {Aussie Farmers keep giving me bok choy in my mixed fruit and veg box, best use it as something other than compost this week}

Tuesday: My gal's requested burritos to sustain her after one of her last ballet lessons before the big concert.

Wednesday: I think I'll do a thai beef salad tonight.

Thursday: Glazed salmon on the bbq with a salad.

Friday: Kebabs on the bbq with salad.

Saturday: pistachio dukkah crusted lamb on the bbq. Yum.

Sunday: Hmmm, think I might round off the week with a roast on the bbq.

And that's it. Ps: how cute is this pic from housetohome.co.uk? I need me a reindeer head in my house. This is the second one I've spied this week and now I have a hankering...

PPS: Whoops, just hit publish instead of schedule. Please pretend you're reading this tomorrow. x

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

Well, it's the weekend. And it's a tad on the soggy-side here in Newcastle. Apparently the rain's set to abate this afternoon in time for the Red Lantern Markets {fingers and toes crossed!}. My gal has a pal over for a sleepover, and they're still asleep as I write {at 9.52am!} They had a busy few days at school camp, with lots of late nights thanks to other girls chattering. Bless. When they do wake we're off to the movies to see Arthur Christmas. Then it's off to the markets tomorrow and putting up the tree and decorating the house tomorrow {how much do I want to decorate like this room above? Oh, a LOT!}

I'm also catching up with the gorgeous Kerry from Tranquil Townhouse on Sunday which makes me very excited. Don't you love meeting a blogger in real life?

oh miss haversham!

Am loving this shot of Gillian Anderson from the upcoming Great Expectations {even if her gorgeous titan locks are covered}.

If this shot's anything to go by the film should be visually sumptuous.

Also, I think I need that frock.

on my christmas wishlist

A bottle of piper in faux-crocodile wrapping? And only $38.90 from Dan Murphy's? Oh yes please.

PS: How on earth do I find out about deals like this? On twitter of course - source of everything. You could follow Dan Murphy's here and be in the know too ;)

dita von teese for target!!!!!

I know where I'm going to be next February - lining up at my local Target store to stock up on the new Dita Von Teese lingerie line.

I can only imagine it'll all be twenty billion shades of fabulous.

meal planning monday

There is no way on earth that I'm going to complain about how busy I've been. After all, I've had the most beautifully social weekend with the most fabulous people on earth, and now I'm busy in a job that I {mostly} love - so who can complain? Not this little black duck. But I'm not letting busyness get in the way of being organised. Here's this week's odd meal plan:

Tonight: I took some bolognaise sauce from the freezer and have cooked up some pasta. My gal's at her ballet concert theatre rehearsal from 4.30 to 8pm so she'll be starvin' marvin when she gets home. Fast, satisfying, easy and frugal.

Tuesday: It's my gal's last night at home before she heads off on her Year 6 retreat for three whole days! Best make her fave cottage pie for dinner {shhh, don't tell anyone we're having mince two nights in a row...}

Wednesday: Child-free, and we're off to see Seeker, Lover, Keeper. Perhaps we could call in at Bar Petite for nibbles and a champers before the show.

Thursday: I'm in Sydney and off to a snazzy wine bar with my workmates. Bliss!

Friday: My baby's home! She'll want another special meal to welcome her back. Salmon on the bbq I think.

Saturday: The Red Lantern Night Markets are on for one-night-only. I donated a little bit on Pozible to ensure this happened this year so best eat there to support the traders!

Sunday: Roast chicken - we haven't had a roast chook for a while.

Phew.

we had a ball...

Me and my gals - love them to bits.




My gorgeous hubby and me - and a few stray sunbeams...




A view of the dance floor from our table. I spent far too long dancing the night away on that there floor - so much so that my knee's currently propped up on cushions with an icebag on it. Oh well, can't have pleasure without a little pain.

I think I have a few more shots of the preparations on my camera - shall have to check and update.

stage 1 ball preparation

Left on my fingers, right on my toes. {A rather fabulous green and an uber-deep purple}

yes, you shall go to the ball

I'm a wee bit excited as tonight I'm off to a ball. Yep, frocking up, taking the Manolos from their box - foofing up my hair and dancing the night away with friends.

Good times.

I wish I were wearing a bunny mask like Candace Bergen at Truman Capote's infamous black and white ball {if I could time travel, I'd go there, and then stop by the Algonquin round table - and to check out Hemmingway in Paris - seriously, how sexy was that man in Midnight In Paris...}

Shall try to sneak off some shots - it's at Fort Scratchley in Newcastle, a place I've never been - but it should be M.A.G.N. I. F. I. C. E. N. T. Love a good location. I've spoken before about how the atmosphere when you first arrive at an event has to offer something special - and I'm pretty sure that tonight it will.