flowers for friday

A friday as fabulous as this could only deserve the prettiest of parrot tulips don't you think? How gorgeous are they? Can you imagine them en-masse, say 3 dozen of them in a bowl? Oh my.

It's my gal's last day of school before the holidays today. Next week we're off to fabulous Burrawang in the Southern Highlands for a week. BLISS.

Tonight I'm off to French Fridays at The Tower Cinemas - French films via Alliance Francaise. Parfait. I'm taking my mum and step-dad tonight, trying to squish in as much quality time as possible while they're up here.

Have a fabulous weekend.

yes, perhaps i will...

Well, my heart's a little sad today. Last night Newcastle City Council voted 7 - 6 to halt work on the Newcastle Art Gallery. But there's a glimmer of hope in a motion that was put forward first. A working committee will be formed and they will lobby the state government for the $7million that we need. Newcastle asks for, and receives, so very little. I hope we can get this.

On a brighter note I'm taking my parents into the Art Gallery today to see the magnificent Macquarie Chest exhibition. The best thing that we can do as a community is show our council that we DO use this facility and DO need it expanded.

Meanwhile, how fabulous is this image and words. It was on the fabulous Cooks Hill Books and Records facebook page last night and made me feel better immediately.

Oh, and after the Art Gallery I'm taking my parents to my favourite place - the breakwall out behind Nobbys. Yep, that'll make me feel MUCH better.

meal planning monday

Oh boy, have I been gallivanting lately. I've been here, I've been there, and I've always tried to frock up appropriately. See that outfit above? That was for sunday's Newcastle Writers Festival. The first session was Pride and Prejudice so it just had to be vintage lace. And red patent mary janes. There is no other choice. The weekend was fab, but oh, my house is paying the price. There is washing piled on my bed, and in the machine waiting to be hung. The floors are a disgrace and are causing me to look upwards when I enter a room just so I don't see them. However, we do have meal planning to save the day:

Monday: tonight my parents have finished their trek north and back in the Kombi so thus starts a week of vegetarian eating. I didn't know this last night when I bought some chicken so I'll be making chicken with 40 cloves of garlic with soft polenta for us, and roasted vegies to serve with soft polenta for them.

Tuesday: I'm going to the Council Chambers tonight. The rescission motion to stop work on the Art Gallery redevelopment is being voted on and I want to show my support. We'll have mexican when I get home. Hopefully I'll be celebrating as the council votes to progress with redevelopment. SURELY!

Wednesday: I think I'll make a lovely spinach and feta filo pie with salad. Yes.

Thursday: I have a netball meeting, so I'll whip up a vegetarian pasta dish to have beforehand. Perhaps grated zucchini, lemon zest, garlic and persian feta.

Friday: We'll go out to dinner. To Merewether Bowling Club to Osteria.

Saturday: bbq - vegie and meat-lovers.

Sunday: pizzas!

And that's it. Sound okay?

be inspired

I knew I was going to love seeing Miriam Margolyes open the Newcastle Writers Festival. But I did not expect to fall deeply, head-over-heels for her. I didn't expect that I would soar to dizzying highs of hysteria, to tears of empathy, to clasping my hands together in sheer delight.

What a magnificent woman.

What presence.

What a voice.

What a face.

What a once-in-a-lifetime-experience.

When Rose-Marie Milsom, organiser of the Newcastle Writers Festival spoke she said: "Once I had Miriam, I knew everything else would fall into place."

No wonder. Miriam took us all into her heart, and had us eating from her palm. Speaking of Why Words Matter, Miriam said: "Voices and words are what truly connects us as human beings. Clearly words matter dreadfully; they express joy, anger and passion. Vowels carry the emotion, consonants carry the sense. So it's important to not mumble!"

My favourite quote was this: "The arts hold the soul of a nation which is why it is CRIMINAL to reduce their budgets. Let's get that into the heads of the government and councils." This was spoken to tremendous applause from an audience clearly in favour of the Newcastle Art Gallery Redevelopment, and still in a state of shock that some of our councillors don't understand its value.

What a start to a fabulous festival, all the product of one person's passion, and a powerful team behind her. Bravo Rose-Marie, and thank you for organising this rather fabulous festival. I can't wait to see what else it has to offer.

flowers for a fabulous friday

Look - peonies! Aren't they pretty? I'm in the mood for some pretty to help boost my happy mood even higher. See, tonight the Newcastle Writers Festival starts, and I am beside myself. There's so much awesome happening that I'll be skipping from fabulous to fabulouser! (why on earth is that not a real word? Honestly English language...)

Are you in Newy? There are still tix available for some events, including MORE tickets made available for the super-popular Pride and Prejudice session (so popular I'm wondering if they've got a wet-white-shirted Mr Darcy appearing...). Plus, there's lots of free, free, FREE sessions. Go here to check it out.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone. (ps: yes, I may have used up my 'fabulous' quota... oh, too bad, fabulous is as fabulous does!)

image from marthastewart.com

missing in action

Hi, well, how was that long-long-weekend hey? I appear to have made it a super-long one by not blogging - how rude of me! But I'm back now, and I just thought I'd fill you in on what I've been up to. What I've been up to is being outraged about Newcastle Art Gallery.

Do you have a cuppa? Settle down, it's a bit of a story.

Now, you may have noticed that I'm *quite* the champion of my hometown. I've seen it grow from an industrial town, to a thriving exciting city full of promise. There are people here who make things happen. So many new cafés and restaurants opening that even I can't keep up (and I try, oh my, do I try).

So I've been excited to follow the progress of Newcastle Art Gallery. It was opened in 1977 and has had very little done to it over time. No major upgrades, no increase in storage space to keep up with our $80 million collection, just the bare essentials. Over the years the Foundation and staff have lobbied for an upgrade, for more space, so they can showcase more than 1 - 2% of the collection. So they can host major touring exhibitions and attract more people to the gallery and increase revenue.

Excitingly plans were approved. A DA was granted in March 2012 and things started to roll. The new plans are detailed, not only is there more storage space and exhibition space - but there is the opportunity to raise more revenue through a café and an Art Gallery Store (don't underestimate the money-spinning abilities of these. Think of how many times you've gone to an exhibitions and wanted to take home a little something to remember it by).

So work commenced, plans were drawn up, funding was allocated - Newcastle Council has had $7 million set aside for a number of years, complete with between $1 million to $2.2 million raised by the community (these figures vary, I'm unable to track down an exact figure - but it's at least $1 million raised by the community). The Federal Government committed $7 million to the project and the final piece of the puzzle was for the NSW state government to chip in with $7 million. It's not much, the Art Gallery of NSW has plans at the ready for expansion - at the cost of $400 million.

But now all that work seems to be naught. We have a new Lord Mayor, elected under the premise to "Get the job done". Right from the early days he appears to have had an issue with the Art Gallery redevelopment. At the start of the year he raised an alternative proposal. Rather than redevelop the existing gallery, we should move it to the heritage former Post Office. It's just lying neglected. Brilliant! But Newcastle Council doesn't own the Post Office - it's owned by NSW State Government. And the University of Newcastle have the first option on the Post Office, should they wish.

Oh well, another solution. Let's merge the Art Gallery with the adjoining Library building. That'll give it all the space it needs. Here, I've had an architect draw up some plans.

Um. Great. And the library?

We'll move the library to the Post Office.

Um, the one we don't own? The one that's been lying vacant for years and will require between $6m and $15m to restore and bring up to standard?

These options rightly didn't fly. So did our Mayor do his civic duty and stick with the current proposal? No, he resigned from the steering committee, before seeing that the project had detailed drawings and was costed to within the $21 million budget and now he's putting a rescission motion before council.

Basically the rescission motion calls for all work to be stopped on the Art Gallery until the council "is in surplus and in a position to proceed". No date. No idea of when, just some time in the future.

Now, apparently the council is in a negative position financially and fiscal restraint must be applied. Fair enough, it's time to look at what can be done. But does it make sense to halt ONE project, one that has already commenced? One that's had money set aside for a number of years, including money from the community, and has raised $1m in interest on these funds? Are other projects, including McCloy's pet project of 'revitalising Hunter Street' also being halted? I can't find the answers to these questions.

This reeks of petty politics and I won't stand for it. Newcastle is sick to death of being treated as undeserving. We deserve this Art Gallery that the staff and supporters have fought so hard for. We deserve the tourism dollars it will bring in, and we deserve the cost savings that a new, energy-efficient building will create.

There is community support too. Have a look at this facebook page which has 293 likes in just over two days. This issue is not about fiscal restraint, this is about pitting us and them.

This is how the street outside the Art Gallery has looked for over a year.

Newcastle deserves so much better than this.

If you live in Newcastle, or you are a supporter of the Arts, please let our local councillors know. Here are their email addresses. The councillors behind the motion are Jeff McCloy, Lisa Tierney and Andrea Rufo.

C'mon Newcastle, let's get mad as hell, we're not going to take it anymore.

meal planning monday

Good afternoon! Sorry for my tardiness, we've been away at my in-laws and I'm just back on deck. Here's what's on the meal plan this week.

Monday: tonight I'm off to Movies in the Vineyards again to see Rocky Horror (so excited!) My friend S and I have booked a hamper, so I'll be supping on popcorn with truffle butter, gourmet sarnies and some kind of awesome dessert. I know, it's a tough life. I'm making a double-batch of bolognaise for the gal and my hubby.

Tuesday: it's my gal's netball training, so I'll make a pasta bake with the leftover bolognaise. Serve it with a green salad as a nod of my head toward health.

Wednesday: I'm going to make caramelised pork with udon noodles. Why would I not?

Thursday: I haven't made chicken schnitzel for yonks. Best. And serve it with lemon roasted potatoes and lots of steamed greens.

Friday: I'm off to an art exhibition at The Lock Up tonight. Homemade pizza is a good dinner option.

Saturday: I know there's something I should be cooking. Lamb shanks perhaps? With soft polenta?

Sunday: BBQ time. Squid and chorizo perhaps. With lots of salad.

And that's it. Woo hoo. You?

French word of the day: horreur (hoh- rer) horror, in honour of my fave film.

image from housetohome.co.uk

think pink

Of all the book publishers I think I love Penguin the most. Hey, I love the other ones too, particularly those that've published my friends, but I love how Penguin are always inspiring booklovers to fill their shelves with awesome.

Look at these! Pink Penguins! 12 classics with pink covers to help raise funds for the McGrath Foundation and breast cancer. Should I ever get around to colour-coding my bookshelf these would be first on my must-buy list.

French word of the day: bibliothèque (bib-lio-tech) - library.

fridays = fabulous

I always like to start a weekend off with something awesome on a Friday night, so, as it's a long, long weekend, it just had to be done on a Thursday night. So last night I look my gal, and two of her pals, along to Movies in the Vineyard. We saw the rather fabulous Oz the Great and Powerful on a big screen on the grass. It was awesome. Sure, it started to rain, but hey, we just had to throw our blankets over our heads and giggle a little.

I'm going again on Monday night with a friend. We're off to see my fave movie of all time The Rocky Horror Picture Show - weeeeeee! I've warned her that I'll squeal and probably clasp her arm every time Frank N Furter walks on screen (yes, still my original and best crush).

Today I'm off for a bike ride, then off to the movies again tonight with a friend. Indoors this time. My hubby's taking his dad to the football and my gal's off to a pal's for a sleepover.

Busy? Yep. Awesome? Always.

French word of the day: occupé (ok - you- pay) busy!

the write stuff

I've never been one to attend lectures outside of regular schooling, but lately I've found myself stumbling upon a few artist talks - and absolutely loving them. So I am super-dooper-beside-myself-excited about next weekend's Newcastle Writer's Festival.

I love knowing what makes people tick, hearing what inspires them, getting a glimmer of inspiration from them and soaking up just a wee bit of their creativity. It's like watching cooking shows; most of the time I'm just sitting there, being entertained, but every now and again I learn a tip that makes my life that little bit better.

I've got tickets to four events, including the opening with Miriam Margolyes. I'm a bit starstruck and excited about this. She looks like a woman with a life well-lived - that's what I want people to say about me. I'm just about to go check out the program and see how much more I can squish in around netball (it's the first playing day so I have my 10-year-old team I'm coaching AND my daughter's team playing!).

Are you in Newcastle? Check out the programme, I'm sure there's something you'll like. In Sydney? Come up for the day, or the weekend. Click here for all the details.

French word of the day: écrivain (eh - cree - vah) writer.

hidden gems of newcastle

I'm in love with cycling. More specifically, I'm in love with pootling* around on my bike just checking out all the awesome that my city has to offer. I've shared before about my favourite cycling route - but I took a few more shots the other day that I'd like to show you.

After pootling through the streets of Cooks Hill, and along the foreshore for a bit, I get to Nobby's sand dunes. Aren't they fabulous. PS: look what an awesome nature-painter did with the sky. I like.

Look at the fabulous shapes and structures that make up Nobby's breakwall. Aren't they just glorious? Oh, and that beach you see framed in the background is Newcastle Beach. Sigh.

Did I tell you that the breakwall is some kind of outdoor art gallery? Well it is. Look at this - stunning isn't it? There are also odd bits of graffiti, some a bit crap, but others quite magnificent. My favourite has been removed: "We will never again be together so young", but, like Eternity, it keeps popping up in different scripts, in different spots. It's determined.

I love to ride back by the harbour. I love the way the palm fronds frame the view. I also get a wee bit excited when I see tugs, either on their own or helping to haul in the bulk carriers.

Can you see now why I get itchy and twitchy when it's raining and I can't get for a ride?

*Pootling: riding along slowly, just enjoying the view.

French word of the day: équitation: (eh-qwi-ta-shon) riding.

meal planning monday

Helolo everyone, welcome to another meal planning session. (ps: helolo is how the cool kids are saying hello - sounds super-friendly non?) Here's what we're eating this week:

Monday: I have a friend up from Sydney tonight so I'll make paella for dinner. As I have netball training from 5.30 to 6.30 I'll sauté the chicken and chorizo and make the sofrito beforehand. Here's the recipe I'll (loosely) follow.

Tuesday: My mum and step-dad are calling in on their way up to Queensland for a Kombi get-together. Best make a nice, nourishing vegetarian meal for them. How's a roasted vegie frittata with lots of salad sound? Good?

Wednesday: panko crumbed pork chops and apple sauce, with salad.

Thursday: Hopefully we're going up to check out Oz The Great And Powerful at Movies in the Vineyards tonight. So we'll take a picnic dinner along.

Friday: Good Friday, so hey, we've gotta do fish. But maybe thai fish cakes with salad.

Saturday: 7 hour leg of lamb. With lentils, and roasted veg.

Sunday: Roast chicken and salad.

And that's it. You?

ps; the pic's from housetohome.co.uk - loving the colander light fittings!

French word of the day: égouttoir (ay-gou-twah) colander.

grey skies are gonna clear up

This was how I started my morning yesterday - with a big bowl of coffee. As you can see by the lip, I was too greedy to wait till I'd taken my shot before taking a sip. Look at it though - the siren song is irresistible.

We had our first bookclub meeting yesterday and it was a smashing success. My friend C did an awesome job of organising it, and it went so smoothly. We had great debate over the book, and bonded over things we had in common. There was only one person I'd never met in real life before, but, as we follow each other on Twitter we already *knew* each other.

Today I'm catching up with a friend for coffee, going to the farmer's markets, and going for a great, big, long bikeride this afternoon. And, as autumn's apparently decided to pass us by, I'll go for a swim too.

Bliss.

You?

moving forwards

Look what I bought! Wee fuzzy green bunnies! Aren't they just the cutest thing you ever did see? I saw them again at Essential Ingredient, and luckily they told me I could buy them just down the road at Blue Star Elements. So, naturally, I did.

And they bring a smile to my face whenever I enter the living room.

Bless.

I had a day of leisure yesterday. I've just finished up a six-month contract with a local company where I overhauled their online presence. I worked on the SEO, came up with a redesign for the website (that the very talented in-house designer brought to life from my dodgy drawings) and worked on their social media. It was a challenge, and I succeeded, so woo hoo!

Now I'm back to regular freelancing again, writing, doing what I love. And I am so looking forward to it. I've tidied my desk and cleared my mind and am ready to move forward. But I needed a little space before diving back into it. So yesterday was designated PPMJ's Day Of Leisure*.

It started with those Gaytime Cupcakes I mentioned the other day. Yep, I had one for breakfast. With a friend.

Life's too short, sometimes you just have to have a cupcake for breakfast don't you think?

And then if you feel like ribs from Quint Cafe, well, don't you think you should just go and have them? And if you should also drop in and see friends in local stores - and probably buy a wee pair of bunny earrings if you see them. For your daughter. For easter. Shhhhhh.

And perhaps finish up with a spontaneous dinner at the SurfHouse with friends.

Yep, that's the way to do a Day Of Leisure.

*PS: this is totally inspired by my friend C who was a Librarian of Leisure when she came back from her OS hols for a week or two.

Happy weekend everyone. Regular programming including the much-neglected French Word of the Day resumes next week.

it's friday

Friday is always my happy day. It's the start of a weekend with two whole days and three nights stretched out before us. It's full of promise. I woke this morning with a smile on my face, and when I saw this image that Blackbird Corner posted my smile spread so wide I thought I'd burst.

The Cure always take me to a happy place. Their lyrics are just so darned lovely. And if you can watch the video for Love Cats without smiling, well, I don't even know what to say.

What music takes you to a happy place?

life can be sweet and sour

What are your thoughts on the combination of savoury and sweet. I'm just asking because see those three little cupcakes all in a row? They're bacon maple pancake cupcakes.

I know.

Bacon.

On a cupcake.

And it's a little mouthful of heaven.

Seriously.

They're only available at Cupcake Espresso on Mondays and Tuesdays and I think they're something that everyone has to try once.

If you don't live in Newcastle perhaps you should come here for a holiday.

And a cupcake.

ps: They're bringing out Golden Gaytime cupcakes next. I know. I squealed.

pps: the bacon is candied and if you close your eyes, those cupcakes totally taste like a pancake. A great, big, fat American hotcake. If you come to Newy I'll come with to have a cupcake. I'm unselfish like that.

ppps: the other cupcakes in the pic? Well, since you asked, Lemon Meringue, Apple Pie and Vanilla.

meal planning monday

I'm feeling festive this week - so it's a party shot to plan meals to. Why not? Shouldn't every day be a celebration? Here's what we're eating.

Monday: my 10-year-old team's netball training doesn't finish till 6.30, and then my gal doesn't get home till after 7pm from ballet so I've got some honey soy chicken kebabs to serve with a rice salad.

Tuesday: my gal's netball training tonight till 6.30pm. I'm just going to cook steak and salad. Not on the bbq because the stupid gas bottle ran out about 10 minutes into cooking Sunday night's lamb shoulder. I discovered this about 45 minutes into the cooking time :(

Wednesday: I'm going to make salmon patties tonight. I have a tin of red salmon in the pantry, and can cook up some mash potato on Tuesday night. Easy-peasy.

Thursday: Homemade burgers tonight.

Friday: Lesley Taylor, the hatted chef from the former Restaurant Deux and head of Le Petit Deux is heading up the kitchen at my local bowling club apparently. It's an Italian-themed bistro Osteria. We'll go there tonight. It's a mere stroll from my house.

Saturday: we have nothing planned tonight. Nothing. Might cook up something lovely and slow. Osso Bucco? Lamb ragu? Whatever I make I'll serve it with soft polenta. Mmmmm.

Sunday: roast chicken cooked on a bed of French lentils. Yep. That.

You?

sweet sunday

On Friday I went out for my regular lunch with my friend A, with a Special Guest Appearance (yep, just like Heather Locklear in Melrose Place) by our friend C. We went to try out the ribs at Quint cafe (oh MY!) and as we walked through Essential Ingredient to the cafe at the back we saw these.

Wee fuzzy green bunnies!

We may have both squealed a little and said things like "ooooooh, lil green fuzzy bunnies" before pulling out our phones to Instagram them.

How cute are they?

How much do I need one?

Are they even for sale?

So many questions, and so much cute for a Sunday.

Enjoy.

And happy Saint Patrick's Day!

the kindest cut

This week two of my daughter's best-friends did the most selfless thing. They did the shave for a cure and had their long hair shaved to help raise funds for the Leukemia Foundation.

They're 13-year-old girls.

I can't help but tear up every time I think about it. What a wonderful thing to do - and how magnificent of their parents to allow them to do it.

If you'd like to donate to this cause or find out more, click here.

Kids these days huh?

Aren't they just wonderful?

flowers for friday

Excuse me, but how fabulous are these lil pretties? They're called Bells of Ireland and they were on the counter at III Bean the other day, making me gasp with joy.

I like unexpected beauty - and green flowers are the ultimate in unexpected don't you think? Normally flowers are about colour: pink, red, orange, yellow, white, purple... Green? Not so much. So green carnations, these pretties, green tulips or pale pink and green roses make my heart sing.

Happy friday lovelies - got anything fabulous planned for tonight and the weekend?

pop!

How fabulous is a pop of colour? I love how in the 50s every outfit was accessorised with a slash of scarlet lippy. Whenever I go out at night the last thing I do, even after a spritz of perfume, is apply a red lippy. It's the ultimate finishing touch for me.

Are you a lippy gal?

Do you like a pop of colour?

What's your must-have to feel-fab? Lippy? Perfume? Cute shoes? Do tell.

French word of the day: bouche (boosh) - mouth.

fluffy white loveliness

One of the #52NewThings I wanted to do this year was just make the time to look up and gaze at the sky.

Boy, am I glad I did.

Look at the Art Show nature puts on for us every day. And it's free.

How lucky are we?

French word of the day: plaisir (play-zeer) pleasure.

meal planning monday

Hi, how's things? All's pretty well in my world, just gearing up for a busy one. Here's what we're eating.

Monday: I'm coaching my new 10-year-old team for the first time from 5.30 to 6.30 today, so when I get home I'll throw some salmon on the bbq and whip up a quick salad. This should be ready for when my gal finishes ballet after 7pm.

Tuesday: my gal's netball team has training, which I'm helping out with. That's from 5.30 to 6.30 as well. I'm going to make Nigella's Greek Lamb Chops in the morning and put them in the fridge. Then, when hubby comes home from work at 6pm he can turn on the oven and pop them in and they'll be ready to eat with a green salad when we get home.

Wednesday: I have burlesque tonight - yay. I'm going to make a mince and pasta bake.

Thursday: First netball committee meeting in my new role as President - which means chairing the meeting. YIKES! I'll make chicken and avocado burgers for dinner tonight.

Friday: My gal and I are off to drinks at a friends with a few other mums and their kiddos. We'll take some nibbles and pick up thai takeaway for dinner.

Saturday: It's my last-ever Nobby's Lighthouse Cinema tonight. Last time my friend C made the most delicious zucchini slice - I'd best whip up something yummy to take along too.

Sunday: My gal and her team mates have a netball umpiring clinic in the morning, and we'll just catch-up on garden/house work in the afternoon. I'll make a butterflied leg of lamb on the bbq tonight. With a beetroot, walnut and feta salad.

Oh, and that pic above is from last week's spanish chicken - so easy, so delish.

how sweet it is

Look at this. I ate this yesterday. After my lunch of corn fritters. Decadent non? But I had to celebrate chefs who take the time to handcraft goodies like this each day. It's from Cafe Mason, the teeny little cafe next to the hatted Restaurant Mason - remember those chefs from my last Underground Epicureans adventure?

It was the latest destination on my friday lunch adventures with my friend A. We're doing our best to try out every cafe in Newcastle's inner city and surrounds, tough job, but we like a challenge.

We also like a laugh, which is one of my most treasured aspects in a friend. If I can laugh well with you - you're a friend indeed.

I've been thinking lately how blessed I've been to find fabulous friends in real life and now on social media. My close friends from Twitter are like some special, shiny gift that I really can't believe I'm entitled to - but hug close to myself in sheer joy. Finding people that you just click with can be tough, but when you do - oh, you should treasure them.

I've found friends to laugh with, to share films with, to bond over books with, to dance with, to drink in wine bars with and just to share one-liner jokes on Twitter with {and sometimes those lines contain no words - just emojis}.

I'm feeling spoiled. I have a lovely husband, gorgeous daughter, pretty house, live in the best city in Australia and have friends who sparkle like diamonds.

Life's sweet isn't it?

flowers for friday

Isn't the light just glorious at this time of year? I snapped this shot off yesterday, because my roses were craning their necks over the fence to say hello.

The blue of the sky is different too - softer.

Hello Autumn, and helllooooooooo Friday.

is it lunchtime yet?

See this? I had this for lunch yesterday. It's a slow-roasted lamb sandwich. That lamb just had to be cooked sous-vide as it was so tender it nearly made me weep.

Ps: how pretty is it? Look at those wee purple micro-herbs. You're probably not surprised to hear it came from III Bean. Love that place.

French word of the day: agneau (ong-new) lamb

meal planning monday

Hey, how's it going? Ready for another week of meals? Don't you wish you had that cream Aga in the image above? How good would meals be cooked in that little beauty? I don't have an Aga, but here's what I'm cooking this week:

Monday: Spanish chicken served with a green salad.

Tuesday: I'm off to burlesque tonight after missing it BOTH nights last week. So I'll make spaghetti bolognaise for dinner.

Wednesday: I think steak and salad tonight. Simple. Delicious.

Thursday: I need to make a chicken and leek casserole with herbed dumplings. I'll share the recipe when I've made it.

Friday: I'm off to check out Tim Rogers at The Cambridge tonight with friends. Will need fuel for dancing. Homemade pizzas perhaps?

Saturday: I haven't made a paella for 900 years, best rectify that.

Sunday: Slow roasted pork belly on a bed of green apples. With a green apple slaw on the side and some garlic roasted potatoes as well.

And that's it. Phew.

How about you?

Image from housetohome.co.uk

sunny {!} sunday

Guys! There's a little blue sky and sun!

What a difference a little sunshine makes. I'm washing up a storm and everything seems brighter again.

I also stumbled upon a movie yesterday that brightened my mood considerably. I hadn't seen it in yonks, and there it was, on my Foxtel. Sometimes serendipity places things in our paths that we need at just the right time.

Our gal went to a party sleepover last night, so hubby and I went to dinner at our local pub where I had a steak the size of my head. It was delicious.

So today, my mood is considerably brightened - and, thanks to my earlier blues, I'm appreciating it so much more.

French word of the day: nuages (new - ahj) clouds.

i'm back {ish}

Hi, sorry for my absence, it's been raining on my parade all week and I feel all soggy and erky. Honestly, when Newcastle does rain - it does RAIN. Relentless, sideways, damp-causing rain. I know that those of you in drought-affected areas would love some of it - and boy, would I be happy to send it to you.

It's been one of those weeks when I've felt like the wheels have fallen off and I haven't really noticed and I've been pedalling on regardless. But don't worry, shan't wallow.

We've been getting the house back in order today, wrestling some of those massive piles of laundry into the machine {and probably the drier, sob} and making everything look pretty again.

Oh well, you've got to have some down times to appreciate the up don't you? Before you know it I'll be walking on sunshine again and dancing in those puddles.

Have a fabulous weekend xx

meal planning monday

Hi, sorry I'm late. I slept in this morning and barely made it to work on time. Here's what's on the menu this week at Chez PPMJ.

Monday: I've bought a roast chicken from the supermarket and a family-sized microwave basmati rice. With these I am creating a chicken fried rice. Sauteed bacon, shallots, corn, capsicum, broccoli - added rice, soy sauce and stirred. Then I'll toss through shredded chicken and fresh basil at the end.

Tuesday: the 10-year-old netball team I'm co-coaching has grading tonight. It starts at six and ends goodness-knows-when. I have leftover slow-roasted lamb shoulder and french lentils from sunday night so I'll dice up the lamb, and make a sauce with beef stock, bacon and red wine. I'll mix in the lentils, pop these in ramekins and make some mashed potato for the top. Hubby and daughter can pop them in the oven when they're hungry and serve them with some corn and peas.

Wednesday: I'm making my new fave - Nigella's Greek Lamb chops, these things are addictive! Served with a watercress salad.

Thursday: Perhaps salmon on the bbq tonight? With salad.

Friday: Nothing planned - so we'll have a bbq. Steaks. Big ones. Salad. Big too.

Saturday: Hmm. Butterflied chicken on the bbq perhaps? With a salad. Perhaps that quinoa salad in the pic above with the duck confit? Yes?

Sunday: I'm going to slow-cook something tonight. Could be pork belly, could be roast beef, could be ribs... let's see where the mood takes me.

And you?

a soggy ol' saturday

Oh it's raining, pouring here in Newy. Again. So it's an inside kinda weekend. I have a gigantic pile of chuck steak to chop up and slowly cook with speck and red wine for dinner tonight. Yep, it's a beef bourguignon kinda night.

Tomorrow night I have a fabulous lamb shoulder that shall be slow roasted.

And now? I'm watching Mumford & Sons Road To Red Rocks on my telly, reliving the fabulous concert experience that was the Gentlemen of the Road tour last year.

Love.

French word of the day: Pluie (ploowey) rain.

fabulous friday

Yesterday this cranky-faced little beetroot tart popped into my Twitter stream, and I knew he must be mine. Look at that cutely-cross lil face.

He's a beetroot and blue cheese tart, and he was at Quint Cafe at The Essential Ingredient - until he was in my belly.

He was delicious.

Do you like silly things that make you giggle? They're my saviour. Especially when they're absolutely scrumptious.

French word of the day: pouffer de rire (pou-furr d rear) - giggle! 

I'm sorry, but I thought giggle was an awesome word until I saw the french word for giggle.

love is all around us

Sometimes it's really obvious, and other times we have to look a little harder.

Have a happy wednesday everyone.

French word of the day: amour (ah - more) love.

sydney sojourn for sarah blasko

So, we arrived in Sydney Sunday afternoon and checked into our hotel room. This was the view - not too shabby non? The harbour put on a rather dazzling display which we gazed at adoringly, before flopping on our beds to rest up for our big night.

We decided to walk down to the ferry terminal to catch the ferry to circular quay, which would have been a fabulous idea if it weren't far, far, away from our hotel.

One day my feet will recover.

But it was worth the walk as we got to see pretty things like this! Is there anything more fabulous than a Ferris Wheel backlit by pale blue sky and fluffy white clouds? I think not.

There were approximately seventy five bajillion photographers taking photos of the bridge, the opera house and the harbour. They had swish cameras on tripods. I had my iPhone.

We had a speedy dinner at the Opera House Kitchen - burgers all round. Before settling in to take our seats. Look how close we were! Row M - damned fine view.

The concert was brilliant. That made the fifth time I've seen Sarah Blasko live, and it was probably the best. The acoustics in the Opera House were magnificent for highlighting that incredible instrument that is Sarah Blasko's voice. And the backing by the Sydney International Orchestra?

Oh my.

Too fabulous.

There was a rousing standing ovation at the end of the performance. So well-deserved.

We caught the ferry back home again, and it went the long-way, via Balmain. We got to check out the pretty lights and night.

I also got to put my feet up. These shoes aren't made for walking.

I do love an iconic face. Couldn't resist taking a few shots as I hobbled along.

Look at this. Ahhhhh, pretty.

Sydney you're a damned fine photogenic beast.

And Sarah Blasko, thank you for the music. You make my heart sing.

meal planning monday

Well, obviously I survived the crazy-busyness of last week to blog another week. Just.

Guess what? This week is probably just as busy.

I know!

But hopefully Saturday should see the bulk of my busyness complete in my volunteer role as registrar for the netball club when all 600+ registrations are taken to Newcastle on Saturday.

Big. Sigh. Of. Relief.

Here's what's happening, and what we're eating in-between. Hopefully. I had toast a few nights last week. Well hey, vegemite is rich in B-vitamins isn't it?

Monday: We'll be coming back from a day in Sydney, to go down to the netball courts at 6pm to find out which team my gal's in (which, obviously I know as I'm registrar...) Then it's back here with a few other committee members to work out exactly what I need to get done before Saturday. We'll have Sticky Rice Thai takeaway after that.

Tuesday: Burlesque class tonight - hallelujah. After all the busyness I need some stress-relief and exercise in my life. Spaghetti Bolognaise for dinner.

Wednesday: it's the AGM for netball at 7pm. I can whip up some chicken pot pies and vegies to serve before that surely.

Thursday: nothing happening. Phew. I want to make caramelised pork, udon noodles and wilted greens for dinner tonight.

Friday: nothing planned (so far! I said that last week and ended up going to an art opening AND out for a drink with some friends afterwards. And home to toast with vegemite). I'm going to cook salmon on the bbq with plenty of salads alongside. A nice, crispy shredded veg salad would be good: beetroot, carrot, zucchini, baby spinach, toasted pinenuts. YUM.

Saturday: we're going to my in-laws for the night - maybe having dinner there?

Sunday: home for a roast chicken, salad and a warm lentil salad.

ps; that pic is the fabulous French camembert my from C and I dined on Saturday night. It's from the Essential Ingredient and it was seventy shades of fabulous.

French word of the day: moindre (mwadre) - smaller.

sweet sunday

So, we're off to Sydney today to see Sarah Blasko at the Opera House, but we've decided not to rush it. We're going to spend the morning pottering around (or sleeping in, in my husband and daughter's case!)  and then slowly head down to Sydney to check in at our hotel.

Why rush?

French word of the day: lentement (lon-ti-mon) - slow.

image from housetohome.co.uk

let there be light (and sun)

Okay, so we currently have blue skies in Newcastle - please let them remain. If they do I'll be sitting up there picnicing on zucchini slice and french cheeses, sipping on something cool and sparkling and watching a french arthouse film.

Please, let the weather smile kindly upon us.

French word of the day: s'il vous plait: (si vu play) - please.

c'est magnifique

Allow me to define magnificence.

Is there anything better than a truly magical live performance? One that resonates through your entire body and keeps you smiling the entire time? What about one that has you constantly trying to stop the tears of joy that keep springing to your eyes?

Well, that's how last night's performance of Baby et Lulu affected me.

You know I'm a Francophile. Anyone who has more than a cursory glance at this blog knows how deep my love for France is. And I have plenty of French CDs in my collection. But to hear beautiful songs sung in French up close-and-personal? Wow.

Once again credit for this discovery goes to Twitter where there was a conversation about a band Baby et Lulu. I quickly went to check them out online and found out that Abby Dobson, she of the amazing voice from Leonardo's Bride made up half of the duo.

Sold.

Lara Goodridge, a violinist and singer harmonises beautifully with the haunting majestic of Abby's voice. And then there's the band. A lovely bunch of blokes playing guitar, keyboards, double bass, flute, saxophone and, naturellement, the piano accordion.

With tunes ranging from Piaf, to Camille to Gainsburg to Bridget Bardot I was enchanted from the opening bars to the closing. And when Abby Dobson sang the Leonardo's Bride classic Only When I'm Sleeping IN FRENCH - mon dieu, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.
Go check them out here and buy the album if you're a Francophile like me. And if you have the chance to see them live please do. They're playing at the Byron Blues Fest later this year, and a festival in the Blue Mountains next Month.

If you're anything like me you'll go home singing. And keep that song in your heart well into the following days.

French word of the day: heureux (err- ro) - happy.