meal planning monday

Some weeks meal planning comes easily. Meals flow readily from my mind and everything's smooth.

Not today.

Today things aren't flowing. So I'm taking this as a sign and making this week's meals easy-as.

Monday: sausages, mash and peas. With gravy. Yummo.

Tuesday: My gal has late ballet, so I'll whip up my version of Nigella's spaghetti carbonara. It's so simple, and I don't add cream, just eggs and parmesan for a creamy texture.

Wednesday: Roasted pumpkin soup. Simply roast your pumpkin pieces with quartered onion, garlic cloves and sprigs of thyme. When cooked, blitz it with a blender and add stock (chicken or vege) to create desired thickness and season. That's it. Served with crusty rolls that's just about my fave winter dinner.

Thursday: We're off to the shopping centre to swap some of hubby's presents and shop for mother's day. We'll have dinner at the food court - Indian for my husband and child, Japanese for me.

Friday: Simple fish and chips. If I'm so inclined it will be so simple as to be bought from the fish and chip shop, if not, it'll be frozen beer battered fish and some regular frozen fries and sweet potato fries.

Saturday: BBQ. I have some garlic prawns with my name on it this week. I'll also cook up some potatoes and chorizo alongside. Serve it with a salad.

Sunday: Well, last week's lamb roast didn't eventuate as one of my friends on twitter had pork belly for dinner saturday night and that set off my cravings. So this week, seven hour lamb it is. Seriously.

What are you eating? Are you simple this week? Or cooking up a gourmet storm?

ps: how CUTE is that sign in the piccy above? Once again it's from Provence. I was obsessed with the cute metal signage and took snaps everywhere. I think this was my fave though.

mt washmore

All it takes is one busy week, and a couple of rainy days, and I start to feel defeated by Mount Washmore.  It's only 10.30 and I'm already onto my second load of darks, with a load of whites, and probably two loads of towels to go. Thankfully I've decided to switch back to Monday as clean sheet day - Sundays are too hectic.

See this piccy above? It's taken in the town of Tourtour in haute Provence when we visited last year. Many of the towns had these glorious "washing stations" {I've no idea what they're really called} where fresh spring water flows readily through old stone troughs. One day we saw a woman, dressed in beautiful white, flowing linen, bring a basket of clothing over to rinse here. I squealed in delight to witness such a glorious ritual, one that's probably taken place over centuries and generations.

And the view ain't half bad either. Check this out:

The only thing that I love more than an awesome view is one that's framed through something so beautiful. This glorious stone arch provided the picture-perfect frame for this shot. Can you just imagine living here? Can you?

Here's the town. Perched high on a cliff top. My husband chose the location purely for its proximity to the Tour de France route, and because he'd found a villa to perfectly accommodate three families. Not only was the villa spectacularly beautiful and absolutely perfect, this town is on my must-visit-again list.

See why?

Haute Provence is the road less travelled in this glorious area, but I've no idea why. It's just exquisite. So original and untouched. And look at the colours of that sky. I never tire of looking at them. It makes me want to pick up a paintbrush - no wonder it inspired so many artists.

Oh well, I'll keep washing with my lavender-scented wash pods and dream that I'm in Provence, and that my Fisher & Paykel is a washing trough with streaming Provencal water. Might help make tackling that pile a lot easier...

Enjoy your Sunday x

flowers for friday

I have a newfound love for carnations. I bought these the other day and they're just so pretty! And the scent! Oh my. As my first job was in a florist as a 13 year old, I grew tired of carnations very quickly as the most common request for for a bunch of mixed carnations, with one sprayed blue.

Nice.

No blue spray in this bunch - just a hyper-saturated pink {blame instagram - I had to mess with it}. I know that carnations have been heralded as making a comeback for years, but my prejudices blinded me. No more, I'm going to embrace these poor gal's peonies.

So, today it's my lovely husband's birthday. His 40th! {bless} He's having a sleep-in then I'm making him a bowl of coffee and bacon and eggs. Oh, and the pressies, let's not forget those.

Looks like Newy's turned on a nice day for it - hopefully he'll fit in a bike ride today too.

Enjoy your Friday x

le sigh

I know, two film reviews in two days... but I can't help it. Last night I went to an Alliance Francais screening with one of my fellow Francophile of the new Audrey Tautou film La Delicatesse. Oh my.

Before the screening we sipped on sparkling and nibbled petite croissants filled with ham and cheese. Bliss. And chatted about all things French {including my friend's DIVINE trench which she'd picked up in Paris. Oh my}.

The film itself was an absolute delight. Really sweet, with a lovely storyline and the ultimate shot of the Eiffel Tower {from a bridge, at night, in lights!} The soundtrack was provided by my favourite chanteuse Emilie Simon - and I shall be treating myself to that today. Oh yes I will.

Of course it's made me want to return to Paris. Everything makes me want to return to Paris. If you're a lover of all things French, Audrey Tautou or you just enjoy a really sweet story then I think you need to see this. There's some gorgeously understated acting - performed with just minimal facial expressions, or even with a bodily stance - very smart.

C'est tres jolie.

my night at the movies

I went to the movies with two friends last night and we caught the new Aussie film Wish You Were Here. Goodness. This psychological drama will sit with you for quite some time: it's harrowing, thought provoking and takes you on a very wild ride.

It's beautifully shot, paying homage to some gorgeous South East asian scenery, and Sydney's beautiful Tamarama - and so well cast. The plot's gripping, and causes your loyalties to waver throughout as the story weaves a magnetic web. There are some disturbing scenes, including one that brought out a phobia I thought I was well and truly over,  but I really enjoyed it.

It's raised so many issues that I'm keen to get together with my friends and discuss it again over coffee. Recommended viewing.

how sweet it is

Today I have a hankering for something sweet. This hankering began because I've been thinking about what kind of cake to bake for hubby's birthday on Friday and I can't get the delicate flavour of rose madeleines out of my head. Luckily I found this piccy of a batch I made for the school fair a few years back. Pretty sure that the only thing prettier than a plateful of madeleines is one decorated with rose petals and the odd pale pink rosebud.

meal planning monday

Hey, how was your weekend? Did it zoom by like mine did? Sheesh, seriously, time - slow down dude. We're pretty busy this week, and the weather's cooled considerably, so our meals this week reflect that.

Monday: a friend of mine mentioned Shephard's Pie on Twitter last night, and, as I'm the world's most suggestible person I knew I'd best make it for dinner tonight. Will serve it with roasted pumpkin - and peas cooked in chicken stock with some lettuce wilted through.

Tuesday: late night ballet for my gal. So I'll make spanish chicken. So easy. So good.

Wednesday: netball training. I think I'll make dukkah-crusted lamb fillets with roasted chickpea salad for dinner tonight.

Thursday: I have some last-minute shopping to do so I'd best make a hasty stir-fry. Chicken, cashew and noodles perhaps.

Friday: It's my hubby's birthday. Hurrah. We're off to dinner with all the family tonight so no cooking for moi!

Saturday: Something really light tonight. Let's say fritatta. Roasted vegies and chicken perhaps? With salad.

Sunday: It's got to be seven hour leg of lamb in this type of weather. Served with the lentils it's roasted on.

What's cooking in your house this week?

my new love

I fell in love last night.

With a cocktail.

See number four on the list? That's my idea of a heavenly mouthful. The sumptuous aroma of roses fills your mouth before the first sip. Oh my. My friends tried a Chanel No. 6 {dubbed new favourite drink} and French 75 {see a theme developing here?}. All went down very well indeed.

After writing about small bars we had to visit one.

So after dinner at the yacht club we moseyed on up to Bar Petite and snaffled a sofa with a wee marble side table. The place was filled with gorgeous peeps, and the most adorable girl was singing. Yet, we were still able to chat and hear each other.

Bliss.

Small bars. More please.

small bars in newcastle - one ace idea

When I was a wayward youth I loved nothing more than going out to noisy clubs where my friends and I would drink, dance and shout to be heard over the noise of the DJ. My knees and back were youthful in those days and I had no issue with standing for hours on end, only to race to the dancefloor when a New Order hit came over the sound system.

Now. Well, that's my idea of hell.

My idea of awesome is a small bar.

A nice place where you can buy wine by the glass, have a few tasty nibbles, sit around with other frocked-up or fabulous individuals and just enjoy the night.

Thankfully Newcastle finally has a small bar. It's called, appropriately enough, Bar Petite. And I'm happy it's here. I like it. I've found myself nestled in its French-style ambiance on a number of nights with a variety of friends. There's also Longworth House, which used to be The Airforce Club, where I used to mosh with my pals while the bands played on top of a pool table. Good times. Now it's classy, sophisticated, and the ideal spot to gather for a cocktail or nice glass of vino.

Would I like more of these places? Why yes. As a matter of fact I would. I'm greedy that way. I need variety.

So I was thrilled to see a petition calling for a rethink of our licensing laws, allowing more of these places to pop up. Sounds like the perfect way to help revitalise the city.

There's a petition here. Please sign it. They're aiming for 10 000 signatures by May 26, to take to council.

Of course, whenever there's a new idea there are always the naysayers. Those naysayers particularly like to raise the old furphy of new alcohol venues = more alcohol-fuelled violence. To those naysayers I like to say: have you seen the people meeting in small bars? They're not yobbos there to get drunk. They're nicely-dressed, nicely-spoken people who sometimes like to catch-up with friends over a drink. They're the type of people you WANT in your city.

So, if you live in Newy, know someone who lives here, like to visit here - or just think it's a damned good idea please sign the petition. And tell your friends. I'll buy you a drink in the next small bar if you do x

flowers for friday

We're in crazy cleaning mode in this neck of the woods. Next week a photographer's coming to shoot our house for the local weekend paper insert. Eep. Need to get it ready for its close up. So far the butler's pantry is ready... Guess what we're doing this weekend? Hubby's on outdoor duties, I'm on interior.

There shall be LOTS of flowers around the house. When in doubt, pop some flowers there.

Wish me luck. Lots of it.

on the rails

I'm feeling very clever today as I'm blogging ON THE TRAIN. I know. Clever.

I have a 2pm meeting in Sydney and as it was right in the centre of the city I thought it best to catch the train rather than drive and bother with parking. So I've packed my laptop, and my wi-fi dongle and I am SET. If I only had a portable coffee machine I'd be in heaven.

I painted my nails for this meeting last night. They're a kinda candy apple red and are making me happy. Much like all these beautiful Kate Spade nail polishes make me happy. And hello, talk about name dropping; they're Kate Spade, chosen by Poppy King inspired by Florence Broadhurst. Sheesh.

I do need them though - don't you think? Oh, and they're a travel set. Best plan a trip to accompany them...

for all the diggers

It's Anzac Day today and it's lovely to see so many people out supporting the diggers and their families. Lest we forget.

meal planning monday

School holidays are OVA. Oh yeah. I love my gal, but let me tell you how nice is it for life to return to normal. It's very nice indeed. So to celebrate, here's my week of meals that say "Hurrah - school's in".

Monday: there is chilli con carne bubbling away in a le creuset pot on my stove. After four hours of cooking it will be served with rice, guacamole and corn on the cob. Hello.

Tuesday: Late ballet night tonight. I'll make salmon patties with a salad for dinner.

Wednesday: Anzac Day. I was Thrifty McStingy Pants shopping this week and it was two packs of mince for $12. As I'm in savings mode I bought two, and shall make a meatloaf for dinner tonight. With homemade onion gravy and champ (mashed potatoes with sliced green onions).

Thursday: I'm down to sydney for a meeting. As it's in the city I'm braving the train (lovingly known by locals as the Shitkansen). I will have my laptop which will hopefully distract me from everything except my fave Brooklyn view. For dinner? Hubby and daughter can make me some home-made pizza.

Friday: I'm off to a gallery opening. Before that I'll make up some simple ham and cheese omelettes. I love these. Simple, delish and crazy cheap. Perfect light supper when served with a salad.

Saturday: I'm out tonight (again, I know, dirty stop-out that I am) with some dear ol' uni friends. Hubby and the gal are off to hubby's parents for dinner. I shall be dining at the Yacht Club - I'm posh that way.

Sunday: I bought some corned beef. I've never cooked it before, but shall pop it in the slow cooker with herbs, onion, carrot, bayleaves, peppercorn, malt vinegar and water and cook it on low. I have a jungle of flat leaf parsley in the vegie garden. I should make some kind of white sauce with parsley to serve with it shouldn't I? And lotsa yummy veg?

So, what's on your plan for this week? Yummy stuff?

flowers for friday

On my desk and making me very happy today are these gorgeous roses. A heady mix of apricot champagne and deep pinky mauve. Nice huh?

do you like nana stuff?

I am a bit of a nana. I have a crazy amount of cardigans, love a floral print and LOVE nana flowers such as hydrangeas. Sadly, I've yet to be able to grow hydrangeas here. For some reason they just won't survive the first season. But I NEEEEEEED them. I love their hues, and how they fade away to the prettiest shades.

I'm thrilled that it's coming into winter and the season for my other nana fave - pansies. Oh, the pretty face of a pansy - is there anything more delightful? I'm sure there's more. Tell me more.

What are your fave nana flowers?

subo = sublime

When I first heard rumblings about a new Newy restaurant, I was excited. The pedigree of the owners was impeccible, and I loved their community involvement on twitter. The bistro was small and perfectly formed and I knew I had to get there. Last year, we managed to snaffle a table on our 10th wedding anniversary. Oh my, it was divine. You know how sometimes you have extraordinarily high expectations? Can you imagine them being surpassed? At Subo, mine were. So I thought I'd best write up my Subo review. 

Arriving through an awesome timber door you'll be greeted by the gorgeous smiling face of Suzie. This is what front of house should be like. Being greeted as if you're a welcome friend you're seated at one of 10 tables and you know you're in for a treat. After offering a choice of tap or mineral water, then it's time to dive in and explore the menu.

Oh my.

This is Beau. He's the creative mind behind some food combinations that just need to be tasted. This is food that's an experience, but that is also an absolute pleasure to eat. Every plate is a work of art, every morsel a tastebud's delight.

Last night we had a child-free night, so I thought I'd try for a last minute table. Upon calling, Suzie delighted me with the news that yes - there was a space - hurrah for last-minute cancellations. I may have deafened her with my OHMYGODs.

Sunday nights have a tasting menu at Subo, something I'm keen-as to try on my next visit. But, as we'd been out to lunch earlier, I knew there was no way I could fit in more than two courses. So we checked out the menu.

We started with some gorgeous sourdough from a bakery in Dungog, served with house-churned butter. Hello.

I'd heard mention somewhere earlier about a new dish: sugar-cured salmon gravlax, something I'd been keen to try - and I knew this would be worth tasting. Was it?

On a bed of creme fraiche were the most exquisite cubes of salmon I've tasted. Topped with fresh and crispy roasted beetroot, dill and finger lime {hello, taste sensation} here is a plate you need to meet. See that little sandy pile off to the right? English Mustard Sand. Quite possible one of the best things I've ever tasted. It had all the flavour of mustard, but with a completely different texture, so it worked beautifully with the beetroot, salmon, creme fraiche and dill. I nearly cried as I came to the end of this dish.

Sublime.

Vegetables can be amazing.

Five hour carrots wrapped in hay charcoal and served with crispy carrot tops and so many other taste sensations that my mouth just didn't know what to do with itself. This was incredible. An experiment that went very right indeed. I really wish I had a copy of the menu to tell you all about the delicious range of flavours on this plate but let me just say, every flavour and texture you'd dream of was all nestled on this plate. Amazing. Just amazing.

Now, you know I love pork - and oh, this dish was like the essence of pork distilled into incredible mouthfuls. An indescribably rich pork sausage was grilled to perfection, and served with crisp morsels of crackling, green grapes, roasted parsnip and the most amazing roasted brussell sprouts. T'was so damned good. Food like this makes you happy. Very happy indeed.

My hubby had the chicken wing confit with hay veloute and the most melt-in-your-mouth beef the world has ever seen. He was in love.

We washed it down with a bottle of delicious De Iulius wine - at a very reasonable price and groaned that we weren't able to fit in dessert.

Throughout the meal our glasses were topped up with wine and water in an attentive and unobtrusive manner and every portion of every meal was explained with quiet enthusiasm by Suzie.

If you ever come to Newcastle book in early as this 20-seater bistro fills up with people who love good food. I'll be back for the tasting plate - I can't wait to sample all of what this amazing place has to offer.

use your kind words

I choose to use my words to lift people up, to make them smile.

When I was a freelance journalist I was lucky enough to choose what I wrote about. I'd choose to write about things I loved, things I was enthusiastic about - things I wanted to share with others. I wanted to inspire others to help make their life a little better. If I made a change in one person's life that would make me happy.

I've worked on magazines for over 20 years. I was lucky that I started in mags and didn't have to do the awful newspaper cadet route of ambulance chasing and dealing with people in their darkest moments.

I've always chosen to walk on the light side. I try to do it in life, and I do it on this blog.

Sometimes I think my blog's too light, too low on words. But then I hear from others that they like my pretty pictures and that my posts help cheer them up.

I'm happy with that.

I don't read magazines anymore. If I feel the need for sitting down with a mag over a cuppa I'll choose a home-style mag. The others don't speak to me.

Blogs speak to me.

I've been blessed to meet some of the most talented, beautiful and all-round wonderful bloggers that this country has to offer. I feel greedy for all that they've given me. I see their new posts in my blog roll or reader and I leap joyfully over to read their beautiful words, see their glorious images and feel blessed that I share the world with them.

Some people don't get it.

They never will.

More pity to them.

meal planning monday

Hey, how's things? It's the final week of our much-needed school holidays here and I'm revelling in it. It's also {surprise} another busy week for me - with not one, but two movie nights with friends {I KNOW!}. Here's what we're eating this week, where the nights are getting chilly, and I'm bringing out the slow cooker.

Monday: last night my gal had a sleepover at her nana and pa's so hubby and I took advantage and headed off to the jewel in Newcastle's glittering crown of dining - Subo. OH. MY. GOD. So good. I asked my gal what meal she wanted for her welcome home and she's requested duck. Yes, she is totally my daughter. So tonight it's duck confit, potatoes roasted in duck fat - and a salad as big as my head alongside.

Tuesday: I'm off to an early movie night so I'm going to make spaghetti and meatballs in a tomato sauce in the slow cooker. Yep, I am totally going to taunt myself with delicious smells all day. But it'll be worth it. Oh, I'm off to see Salmon Fishing in the Yeman with Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt. Bliss.

Wednesday: Why yes, I am off to the movies again. Chicks at the Flicks to see The Lucky One. Very early night, I'll be eating popcorn for dinner. Husband and child won't settle for popcorn for dinner so they can make homemade pizza.

Thursday: I haven't made chicken pot pies for a while. Time to make them again I think. Served with loads of vegies - particularly glazed carrots and lotsa greens.

Friday: You know what I have a hankering for? Pork chops. Guess I should make some with a mustard sauce.

Saturday: BBQ night. Fish? Yes? With salad? Sounds good to me.

Sunday: Standing rib roast tonight. With yorkshire pudding! And loads of roasted vegies.

Tell me, what are you eating this week?

ah sweet saturday

I have a feeling I've used this pic before, if so, sorry - but I just had to go with this pink and red geranium arrangement. See, I've finally filled the planter boxes on our living room window with planter pots filled with alternating red and pink geraniums. At the moment they're just cuttings from my mother-in-law's garden, but once they fill out they'll be transporting me back to France every single time I look out the window.

Bliss.

We might need to do some gardening today. I wanted to head off on a roadtrip, but we might save that for next weekend. Tomorrow it's my father-in-law's birthday and we're off to Maitland to go out to lunch - that might have to sate my roadtrip urge for the moment.

What's on your agenda this weekend?

flowers for friday

Shut.

Up.

Is this ombre trail of petals just the most divine thing you've ever seen? I am in love and am desperately trying to think of a situation where this could come in handy.

Thinking.

Desperately.