meal planning monday

Just once I'd like a Monday to arrive without thinking "What? Really? Monday? Again?" Wouldn't it be nice? My week's busy this week, with a gazzilionty films this weekend at the French Film Festival - and the Shout Film Festival. Eep! Here's what I'm going to aim for:

Monday: my gal has millions of tests this week at school (well, three) so she's skipping ballet this afternoon (as it's two hours!) so she can study. Not what we'd normally do, but we had my sister-in-law and her two gals down this weekend which was unusual, so you've gotta roll with things. For dinner I have pork schnitzel from Aussie Farmers. I'll crumb them with panko crumbs, parmesan and lemon zest and serve them with mash and roasted brussell sprouts.

Tuesday: my gal has netball training. I have burlesque. Spaghetti with chicken meatballs I think.

Wednesday: I have a butterflied chicken I need to bbq. Best do it tonight.

Thursday: it's my mother-in-law's birthday so I think we're popping up to say "Happy Birthday". Early dinner of chickpea and pumpkin curry I think.

Friday: opening night of French Film Festival. I'll snack on the wine and cheese available - and a bucket of popcorn (healthy). Husband and child will make pizza.

Saturday: another film. I'll whip myself up a tuna nicoise salad. Husband and child going to in-laws for the night to see sister-in-law and two gals before they go back to England on Sunday.

Sunday: three films today, starting at 11am. Husband and child taking English rellos back to airport. Lordy knows what time I'll be home - but I'll grab Sticky Rice takeaway on my way home. And rest my rectangular eyes...

You?

cute pic from housetohome

fabulous friday

Ahhhh, Friday, you saucy minx you. How GOOD is a Friday? Well, must say that mine's particularly good when it starts with a walk with a friend along Merewether to Bar Beach AND you see a massive pod of dolphins frolicking. Cuteness!

This afternoon I'm catching up for drinks with some of the lads from my old workplace, THEN I'm off to a games night with some of the gals. Yep, boardgames, drinkies and giggles. Sounds good to me.

PS: this pic? Lunch the other week at Le Petit Deux - gotta love a rose and a glass of vino.

Have a fabulous Friday x

so, you want to join a bookclub

As you probably know, one of my 52 New Things that I wanted to do this year was to join a book club - and I did. Hurrah! With the help of Twitter there's a bunch of us who get together each month to chat about books. The first book, Little Bee, went down a treat. It was short, sharp and interesting. The second book, Anna Karenina pointed out to us the modern-day dilemma - no matter how beautifully a book is written, if it's over 900 pages and written in teeny, tiny font you are going to end up watching the movie version before book club.

And that's fine.

We managed to watch different versions - from the latest with Keira Knightley in the lead (weird casting. I can kind of get it considering how expressive Anna's eyes are meant to be, but she doesn't carry what she needs to for such a role) to my version with Sophie Marceau (beautiful) to the original with Vivien Leigh!

What I love about bookclub is that I need to make the time to read a book. Which I'll totally do with the next one: David Sedaris Let's Explore Diabetes in Owls (he's probably my fave male author). And I need to think about it. With Anna Karenina I didn't have time to think - I was too busy trying to speed read, or feel guilty that I wasn't reading!

I love how my friend C has set up the club. She emailed out a list of books: classics, modern classics and new releases and asked us what we really wanted to read. Then she set up a schedule (allowing extra time for Anna Karenina, ha!) and we organise to meet at a local wine-serving cafe on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Are you in a book club? What's your fave book? Have you finished Anna Karenina? (I haven't, I got 1/3 of the way through and I've naughtily moved on to Caitlin Moran's Moranthology...LOVING!)

a visitor-ready home

My aim is to have a visitor-ready home. You know, so if someone pops in I can happily invite them in and make them a cuppa.

My home at the moment is far from visitor-ready.

Events are conspiring against me.

Here's a room-by-room tour.

In my hallway is my new vacuum cleaner in a box {YES! I bought a Dyson!}, a box of recyling and my husband's second bike.

In my study is my husband's main bike, my old vacuum cleaner which finally died of {pretty much} natural causes, a filing box with a big stack of 3 years worth of bills to be filed next to it, a box with my daughter's old books in it, a stack of magazines I used to work on that need to be filed and random miscellaneous stuff.

These things are all out as I searched through the closet in the study for a receipt. Didn't find it, found all those things though...

The living room isn't too bad. But there are two phones that I bought to replace our old ones that are the wrong ones and need to be re-wrapped and placed neatly in their boxes to be returned. I've given up so everything's on the living room table. There are also shoes. Many of my daughter's shoes. Sigh.

Kitchen. You cannot see the kitchen island, it's chockers with paper that needs sorting. The sink is filled with freshly washed dishes as my dishwasher is broken!

Wah.

The bedroom has three piles of folded towels at the foot of my bed, a box of netball stuff that was dropped at my house five weeks ago and needs to go to the club, a big bag of badges for player of the match for every team in the club (70) and piles of wrapping paper from hubby's birthday last saturday. Plus more, I'm not game to look.

Let's not discuss my daughter's room. Let's just say that if you're looking for a towel that is not folded in a pile at the end of my bed it'll be in her room.

Gah!

Help!

Now, the reason it's like this is hubby was crashed into on his bike last week and his fingers are all mooshed up so he can't carry boxes. Hence the box in the hallway. The bikes? No idea - perhaps he thinks it's decor? My gal's been busy with school assignments, and apparently changing shoes every 15 seconds... And I've been flat-out with work.

So, power clean? 45 minutes per room between now and when my sister-in-law and her two gals arrive on Saturday afternoon? Can I do it?

Wish me luck.

In the meantime I'm going to close my eyes and imagine that pic above is my house - with perfect vignettes of pretty glassware rather than teetering piles of paper.

meal planning monday

Hungry? See that pic? It's the slow-roasted lamb shoulder (covered with herbs, garlic and orange zest and juice) that I cooked for four hours on a bed of onions. Then I served it with pomegranates and a butter bean, parsley, garlic and lemon salad. Delish.

Here's what we're eating this week.
Monday: netball training for me until 6.30, ballet for the gal until 7.10. So I'll whip up some homemade burgers when I get home. Lots of salad on them and on the side.

Tuesday: I'm back into burlesque. Honestly! So I'll make spaghetti bolognaise for dinner.

Wednesday: butterflied, marinated chicken on the bbq with salad tonight. And a warm lentil salad on the side.

Thursday: I think we need some ribeye steaks on the bbq. With a green salad (with watercress) and a warm potato salad (lemony mayonnaise dressing).

Friday: Salmon on the bbq. With salad.

Saturday: My sister-in-law from England and her two gals are coming down for the night. I'll cook up chicken pot pies with mash and steamed vegies. Both her gals love that dish.

Sunday: Mother's Day - who know WHAT my family will whip up for me. Or perhaps we'll go out to dinner, we'll see...

Have a fabulous week x

my birthday boy

It's my lovely hubby's birthday today - so I handed over coaching duties of my under 10s netball team to the manager and my gal and I made him breaky in bed and we gave him his pressies. It's a family tradition - can't break that can you? Even the boofy cat jumps up on the bed to get in on the game.

We're about to head down to my gal's netball game, then we might just call in at the Olive Tree Markets for some lunch/cupcakes! Then, tonight, we're off to Restaurant Mason for dinner - cannot wait!

Have a fabulous day x

fabulous friday

Today's been quite the week for reflection. My brother-in-law's funeral was on Tuesday and yesterday Newcastle's much-loved Police Officer Tony Tamplin was laid to rest - with what seemed like the whole city coming out to show their respects. It makes you want to ensure that you're living your life as best you can.

So when I saw this poster, I thought, yep.

Love some wise words.

a special delivery indeed

I received something marvellous the other day. A big, black hatbox tied with a hot pink ribbon. Inside were some pretties so fabulous I gasped, then applauded. It was an Everything's Coming Up Roses gift box - have you ever seen anything prettier?

It was from The Special Delivery Company - a rather glorious company that I think I'll be using regularly in future. There's a range of beautifully hand-picked and stunningly presented pressies for her, for him, for babies and for gourmands. I'm in love with the range on offer, filled with items that aren't readily available in regular stores.

And the packaging? Oh MY!

Quick, go to their website now. There's free delivery Australia-wide and you will absolutely swoon at what's on offer. It's such a beautiful idea, and so well executed.

ps: any of those gift boxes with the Papinelle sleep shorts also seem to have my name on them (if you're reading this hubby!)

meal planning monday

Goodness, it's already Monday. I swear my meal planning went out the window last week. I tried, but life conspired against me. I still have two lamb shanks in the fridge as I didn't make the soup I'd planned last week. I had no days when I was free to start cooking at 3pm. So that's today's meal. Oh, see that steak, frites and bernaise? Plat du jour at Le Petit Deux last friday with my friend C. That amazing meal and a glass of wine. Divine.

Here's what we're eating this week:

Monday: Lamb and chickpea soup. Really.

Tuesday: we have a funeral to attend. Sadly my husband lost his brother last week and we're laying him to rest tomorrow. It was a life cut short way too soon. We'll stay with his parents and family after the funeral and organise some dinner up there.

Wednesday: spaghetti and meatballs. I'd like to get back into burlesque classes again, so it's back to pasta on that night.

Thursday: poached chicken breasts in a vietnamese style salad.

Friday: salmon on the bbq with salad.

Saturday: it's my hubby's birthday - so we're headed out to Restaurant Mason for dinner. Hurrah.

Sunday: I have bookclub this afternoon, so I'll need something I can whip up quickly when I get home. Prawns and chorizo on the bbq will do nicely.

And breathe x

fabulous friday

Aahhh, last day of the school holidays. Bless. My gal's still asleep, despite getting back close to her regular bedtime. Bless her sleep socks. I've got a rather lovely day planned. Bit of work, lunch at Le Petite Deux with a fabulous friend, then more work. Bit of hanging out with my gal as well.

How pretty is this living room above? Don't you love how squishy and inviting that couch is? And that reading chair? To die for.

Have a fabulous friday x

someone's a bibliophile...

I came back from our holiday in the Southern Highlands with a couple of new books. Well, more than a few. See, Berkelouw in Bowral was closing down (insert sad face) and they had a 50% off sale (insert OH MY FREAKING GOD face). What's a gal to do?

Some of these authors I know and love (Siri Hustvedt, Adriana Trigiani, Augusten Burroughs) while others I'm keen to explore and rediscover (Colette and Sophie Dahl). There's light reading, a little art, and some mind food. All for just over $100.

I know.

I keep smiling and stroking them gently.

My precious.

Do you love books as much as I? Are you a one-book-at-a-time person or do you like to have a range on the go?

meal planning monday

Ahhh, there's no place like home is there? We had a fabulous holiday last week, but we're home again and I'm looking forward to cooking again in my own kitchen. So here's what we're eating:

Monday: It's school holidays, but we still have netball training. After last week's rich holiday meals I'll make simple grilled steak and steamed veg for dinner tonight.

Tuesday: It's soup weather now, well, just. I have an idea for a soup: chickpea and lamb shank. It'll have a base of beef stock, lots of vegies and a tin of tomatoes. Lots of garlic, some herbs and a couple of browned lamb shanks. It'll have to simmer for a good couple of hours to let the lamb fall from the bone. Then I'll add a tin of drained chickpeas and some baby spinach or baby kale at the last minute. Yum.

Wednesday: I'm going to flatten out some chicken breasts and marinate them, then I'll grill them on the bbq. I'll serve them with wilted greens and french lentil salad.

Thursday: It's Anzac Day so I've plenty of time to prepare something yummy. Perhaps beef and guinness pies?

Friday: Baked fish tonight. With lots of vegies and a salad.

Saturday: A chorizo and white bean bake. With kale salad should be nice.

Sunday: Roast beef. And veg. And yum.

bliss of the bucolic type

Yep, looking at this view is no hardship. I'm now 1/8th of the way through my bookclub book. And loving it. Today we're off for lunch at Mt Ashby vineyards followed by a spot of shopping at Bowral. Ahhhhh, bliss.

and away we go

We're about to hit the road, so I'll say farewell for what may be a week. I'll be sitting in this sunroom over the next week, reading Anna Karenina - and probably a few more books for good measure. It's a reading-a-book-kinda-room don't you think?

I love a good holiday, and boy, it's been a while since the last one.

Have a fabulous week x

{faux} meal planning monday

It's not really meal planning monday as we're off on holidays tomorrow and the only plan I have is to cook as little as possible! We'll be driving up that tree-lined-drive tomorrow to fave getaway place. A holiday house we've been visiting with our friends since 2009! The only plan we have is for a duck confit and champagne night on arrival, locals pizza night at the pub on Thursday - and a dinner at Eschallot in Berrima on the Wednesday or Friday night.

Aside from that we'll wing it.

Bliss.

Bring it on Burrawang.

and relax

While I do have a busy morning of netball planned, I do not have anything special to do this afternoon. So one thing that's on my must-do list is to sit down and devour this magazine. When you're busy it seems that putting things like lolling about and just reading goes right at the end of the to-do list. It seems selfish. But oh, how important is it to just relax and do something for yourself?

Very.

So I will.

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