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.

newcastle writers festival

There's something fabulous headed to Newcastle in April - the inaugural Newcastle Writers Festival. Yesterday I was thrilled to attend to the launch, in the Lock Up Cultural Centre in Newcastle East. Here, the program was unveiled, and we got to hear the story behind the festival and how it came to fruition. I was thrilled to hear that the delightful Miriam Margolyes is opening the festival with the keynote address on the Friday night (April 5). Every time I've ever seen her on screen, Miriam has delighted me - so I am brimming with anticipation at seeing her in person.

Here's the festival organiser, Rosemarie Milsom. Like many of these events, The Newcastle Writers Festival started as a mere glimmer in Rosemarie's eye last June. But now it's a fabulous reality. I can't even begin to imagine the hard work behind it, but when you see the program, you start to get an idea.

So far nearly half of the program has been released and the 16 ticketed events went on sale yesterday. I've already got my tickets to four events, and I'm now just trying to juggle which of the others I need. There's so much on offer that I want to stuff my greedy, literary-loving face with them all.
Head to their extremely well-executed website www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au for details on the lust-worthy program and ticketing.
But, for a hint, here's a few things on offer:
• Guests including: Anita Heiss, Robert Drewe, Stuart Littlemore, Jane Caro, Richard Fidler, Kerri Sackville, Amanda Hooton and David Marr.
• Topics are diverse: True Crime, The Sea, Women and Social Media, Pride and Prejudice, Sport, Romance, War.
• Locations: The Lock Up, Noah's on the Beach, The Tower Cinemas, Newcastle City Hall.
The festival opens on Friday April 5 and runs on the Saturday through to the Sunday April 7. More events (free events!) are being announced on March 9 in the Newcastle Herald.
Quick. Snaffle up some tickets for what's bound to be the first of many great festivals.
Thank you so much to all the volunteers behind this - you're legends. See you at the festival.

French word of the day: je t'aime (zh tem) I love you.

how sweet it is

I don't eat enough fruit - which is crazy, as it's the ultimate sweet treat isn't it? Actually, I'd eat more fruit if they were like these English strawberries - check out the depth of colour - no erky white interiors with these.

I like things that offer on the inside what they promise on the outside. Don't you? Whether it's people, books, bottles of champagne - I want goodness through and through. Life's too short to bother with those who're sweet on the outside, but bitter inside.

That's why I'm so lucky to have found such lovely, lovely friends. They make me smile.

French word of the day: Intéressant - (an-ter-ess-on) - interesting.

I'm meeting my new netball team this afternoon. I'm co-coaching this year with a 13-year-old who I've coached for the past five years or so. She'll make the most awesome coach, but needs to be mentored for a few years to build up confidence - and the skills to deal with parents (the toughest part of coaching by far!). On to new adventures!

and breathe

A quick one today - just so I can quickly share one of my fave shots of lavender fields in Provence - and the French word of the day: courir - (cou- reer) run

Have a lovely day

meal planning monday

Okay, deep breaths, I honestly do not know how I'm going to get through this week - busyness is amped up to the max. Eep! But it's all (mostly) good. Ready? Strap yourself in:

Monday: I'm grading the 15 year olds at the netball courts at 5pm tomorrow. They'll play for an hour, then we'll have to form them into teams. Wish me luck. Oh, and my gal goes back to ballet too - so she won't be home till after 7pm. Cheaty butter chicken and rice with garlic naan from Coles tonight it is.

Tuesday: I love my daughter, but her teeth drive me (and her) bonkers. See, they won't fall out. So every tooth so far, except two, has to be extracted by the dentist. Today it's a molar. Eeep. I'll make her some soothing homemade chicken noodle soup tonight to take the edge off. Might have a bowl myself when I get home from burlesque.

Wednesday: Burlesque class again. I'll make steak and salad for dinner tonight.

Thursday: It's Valentine's Day and hubby and I are going on a date night to Lizottes to see Baby et Lulu - and have a two course dinner. Romantic! My in-laws are coming down to stay with our gal, so I'll make them Nigella's greek lamb chops and salad for dinner. I can throw it in the oven when I get home from work, and my mother-in-law can just serve it when it's done.

Friday: Nothing planned. Woo hooo. Now, two separate people have RAVED about this recipe on Twitter so I'm going to cook Nigella's Pasta Risotto with peas and pancetta. It's from Nigellissima.

Saturday: Okay, please, please cross your fingers for nice weather as my friend C and I are off to Nobby's Lighthouse for a spot of open-air cinema tonight. We'll take some picnic food, cheese, crackers, bread, fruits - and sparkling wine.

Sunday: all three of us are off to Sydney to see Sarah Blasko in concert at The Sydney Opera House. Woo hoo! We're staying in a harbourview hotel on the northern side of the harbour, so we'll catch a ferry to circular quay and have dinner at Opera Bar before the show. So excited. It's my gal's first concert and she adores Sarah Blasko - what a first concert!

And that's it. You as exhausted as I am at the thought of this week?

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

hey, hey it's sunday

Morning. Hope you've got something lovely planned for today. I have a pork belly that's crying out for a slow cooking today - and to be served with apple and radish coleslaw.

Oh, and by the looks of the blue sky and temperature there will also be swimming.

French word of the day: Frais (frays) - fresh!

Have a fabulous, fabulous Sunday.

pretty spring fleur image from housetohome.co.uk