the way to a man's heart...

Those of us who love to cook agree that there's nothing better than the sight of someone obviously enjoying the fruits of your labours in the kitchen. I've always thought that there was more than a degree of truth to the adage, a way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and now it's been confirmed.

Undoubtedly the most unexpected sex symbol to have taken many hearts firmly is his grasp is MasterChef judge and food critic Matt Preston. Now, I'm always a fan of the Oscar Wilde floppy hair brigade, so he already had a point in his favour. And, must say, a snazzy dresser with individual style will also catch my eye. When I found out that he started wearing cravats at 18 to cover his lovebites, the sense of the bad boy appealed, but oh my, his passion for food? That closes the deal.

Most fans will have viewed the crikey.com video ode to Matt, and nodded their heads in agreement, sighing all the way through. I don't think he's quite inspired Robert Pattinson rioting in the street levels yet, but I imagine anyone finding themselves in a restaurant in the vicinity of Mr Preston would soon uncover scenes akin to the time Samantha goes to seduce Smith at Raw, competing with many lascivious women licking their lips, revealing more cleavage and enticingly biting on asparagus.

I wonder if he's free for dinner any time soon? I'll happily import a container of truffles for his masticating pleasure...

tv times

I've always been addicted to television. Even as a youth I spent a disturbing amount of time glued to the screen - not that I can work out how as my brother and I were out riding our bikes or roller skates until the streetlights came on every day after school.

I'm still addicted. Last night I was squirming in anticipation of MasterChef followed by Talking Bout Your Generation {mainly so I can be a smug girly swot and answer every question correctly - that's my kinda show} and rounding off my evening with Australia's Next Top Model. They're a treat for all the senses.

So it's no surprise our daughter's also a fan of the box - but of course, these days, with Foxtel any time's children's programing hour. She's still active, gets all her homework done, plays with friends, so really, I can't see why I should stop her. TV hasn't rotted her brain, turned her into a brat or distracted her from any other childish pursuits. And hey, when she grows up she too can be a pop culture show-off and be the team member all trivia teams fight over.

finally tagged

It's really simple. I love how every photo tells a story. Some short stories, some long tales. I want to know what is your favourite photo of yourself. Everyone has one. The photo they look at and smile. It reminds them of something, some time, some place. A moment in time.

So share the photo, share the story and then tag three other people. I want to see photos and stories all around the blogosphere.

Chantelle from fatmumslim.blogspot.com tagged me yonks ago - but my technological incompetence stopped me from posting. Damned if I can work out how to post her pretty pic, and text, plus mine - so I chose mine and her text. Get it? Plus, the tag is a doozy. See, I've got a gazzilion fave pics of my daughter, plenty of my hubby, but me? Well, that's a tougher call. I think I first started getting self-conscious about having my picture taken when I was in primary school - and it's persisted. However, a few years ago a friend mentioned something that was a revelation. When she was asked why she always looked fabulous in photos she replied "Because I like having my photo taken" and it's true.

Look at photos of children - they always look beautiful, and totally like themselves because they're just open, honest and happy. They're not standing at the perfect angle, holding their chin up, sucking their tummies in, holding their arms out so they look thinner... Nope, they're just themselves.

Anyway, I finally understood what I had to do just before my 40th birthday party and in every single shot I look happy, and, well, like me. It was also the perfect, perfect party. Everything was decorated in pink and red, I had a digital jukebox so we danced the night away, yummy food and lots and lots of lovely champagne. I was surrounded by so many wonderful friends and laughter is still ringing in my ears. Oh, and on my feet were my new Manolos... Sign

So here's one of my fave photos from that night. I look happy, I'm anticipating the fun that's to be had, and, I look, well, like me. Here goes the blogging anonymity!

screen time

If the story alone doesn't impel you into a cinema, or the knowledge that Tim Burton is directing, or even the exquisite casting of Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter, take a look at Anne Hathaway as The White Queen and tell me how you could possibly miss Alice in Wonderland on the big screen.

using my loaf

Okay, the sour cherry, walnut and coconut loaf was a smashing success - here it is in all its soft focus {oh, alright, outta focus} glory.

Here's what I put in it - remembering that I barely measure stuff, relying on what I think looks good. It tasted good though - moist, crispy outside, and yummo if you got a whole cherry in one of your mouthfuls.

In a bowl sift one and a half cups of self-raising flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp of baking powder together. Then add about 1/2 cup shredded coconut. To this add one beaten egg, about 1/4 cup warm milk, 1/2 cup melted butter and about a cup of frozen, pitted cherries. Then sloosh in a couple of tablespoon's worth of sour cherry jam and about a cup of really fresh walnut pieces. Barely mix it together, using a butter knife like you would for a scone mix. You want a barely moist mix.

Pop it in a greased loaf tin {I used my 8 million dollar tupperware silicon loaf tin} and sprinkle the top with more chopped walnuts, some brown sugar and a little cinnamon. Bake at 180 degrees for around 40 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean when poked in the centre.

Serve dusted with icing sugar, and if there's any leftover, toast it and serve it café style with a lump of melting butter and a dusting of cinnamon.

And "I'm it"

Oooh, the lovely Liss at Frillsinthehills.blogspot.com tagged me, bless her frilly socks - so here goes...

The rules:

1. Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, add one more question of your own.

2. Tag eight other people. So, I'm not tagging 8 other bloggers, 5 will do.

What is your current obsession?

I love a good obsession. I'm obsessed with shoes - in a vicarious way as I'm not spending at the moment. I love a good cup of coffee and you can't tear me away from reality tv shows like MasterChef and ANTM.

What are you wearing today?

A long, black cotton/lycra dress from the salvos, a grey floral cardi from Vinnies, green glass beads {multi-hued}, black opaques and black patent and leather Nine West Mary Jane flats.

What’s for dinner?

Pasta with roughly chopped pesto. I love pesto that's not blended, just leaves roughly chopped, chunks of pine nuts, a good slug or five of olive oil, shaved parmesan and plenty of roughly chopped garlic. Strewn through a bowl of spaghetti it's a bit yum. That'll be our last vegetarian meal, as my parents head home tomorrow - so tomorrow night it's a big plate of beef!

What’s the last thing you bought?

Croissants for my daughter's lunch - easy monday! But on Saturday I finally caved in a bought a white ceramic Donna Hay colander - this one won't rust out like my metalic ones.

What are you listening to right now?

My cat howling at the backdoor, refusing to acknowledge he's an indoor cat.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

Paris, Laduree where I'd fill suitcases with Macarons... before dashing to eat one at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Which language do you want to learn?

French, naturellement... But I'd love to be multi-lingual and also able to speak Italian and Spanish.

What do you love most about where you currently live?

Everything! My house itself, it's ever-so-pretty. My location, it's ridiculously central to everything I need. My backyard and pool - long longed-for, forever enjoyed. My front garden with its roses and cottage blooms.

What is your favorite colour?

Pink, every shade.

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?

My red suede vintage Charles Jordan Mary Janes. Always stylish and add a sense of je ne sais quoi to every single outfit.

Describe your personal style?

I'm a frock girl. The only time you'll see me in pants is on the netball court, or when I'm exercising. I love vintage, a splash of colour and think almost every outfit can be gussied up with a pair of heels.

If you had $300 now, what would you spend it on?

Really amazing French champagne if I was horribly impractical and it was just 'mad money'.

What are you going to do after this?

Eat lunch with the family and friends.

What are your favorite films?

Ooooh, lots. Retro-wise there are many that float my boat. I too am a big fan of Fast Times at Ridgemont High {classic dude}, I adore Amelie and Chocolat, Waitress tickled my glee bone, I always sigh at Fried Green Tomatoes and if Ferris Bueller is screening, I'm watching.

Your favourite books?

I'm a re-reader, probably because I tend to forget the plots of books and am pleasantly surprised upon re-reading. I love laughing out loud when I read. I'm really visual and there's always a film accompanying the book in my head. That's why I adore David Sedaris, Maggie Alderson and Augusten Burrows {who, in person was NOTHING like the lead actor in my head...} I'm also fond of books that take me to France along with the author. I'm re-reading and enjoying The Sharper the Knife the Less You Cry at the moment, and will probably do so again next year. I'm also besotted with Adriana Trigliani and all her books. Oh, and Big Fish - love, love, love that book. As a kid? Dr Seuss and What The Witch Left by Ruth Chew - made me who I am

Do you collect anything?

Apparently anything with a floral motif looking around my home. Dust bunnies too - apparently I have quite the collection of those. I used to collect gorgeous glass ware, till I ran out of space. Oh, and as I have a chandelier in every room {including the one by the pool...} I'd say those too. Ingredients and meal ideas - I collect those in my head. I'm always dreaming up new taste sensations...

What makes you follow a blog?

If I identify with it, chuckle or nod along to it, or just sigh in admiration...

Do you like to comment on blogs or just lurk?

I adore my comments so I try to return the favour - but only if I have something to add. I can't just say "Nice Post" although I am a fan of compliments for all occasions.

What's one thing you dream of doing?

Living in France for an indefinite period. I love my home here, but my heart is continually tugged across the oceans.

What is your biggest regret?

I don't do regret. I'll muse for a bit, then move on.

What's your most loved/loathed household task?

I adore cooking, obviously, and am also a big fan of pegging out a load of washing. Swooshing my floors with nicely-scented water makes me feel happy. I'd much prefer I had some staff to perform the following tasks: putting away the washing, cleaning the bathroom, putting away the washed dishes.

Who am I tagging? Whoever's interested really. But also, if they're so inclined...

Hannah from unjolievoyage.blogspot.com

Sara Rose from chatterboxsara.blogspot.com

Annets at meanderingthroughmotherhood.blogspot.com

Rita from sourcedfresh.blogspot.com

I've also got another meme I'm working on - still ploughing through my pics to get it up and running - by the end of this week for sure!

monday monday

After a lovely weekend it's time to start the week off. As you know, I'm no longer grumping into the week as I'm embracing Mondays, rather than huffily putting up with them.

So today, we've got guests coming to lunch - my step-dad's cousin and her husband. My step-dad's roasting up vegies for a frittata and I've put together a sour cherry and coconut loaf. Now, if it's a success I'll post the 'recipe' if not, we'll be having hot trifle with the results... I couldn't find a suitable recipe, so instead, cobbled together something - usually a no-no when it comes to baking. But so far, I like the texture, so finger's crossed it'll work out just fine.

I've got a few things on the to-do list this week, but I'm just going to slowly chip away at them. If I achieve just one decent thing each day I'm going to be mighty pleased.

smells like team spirit

Ten games in and my gorgeous little netball team still have yet to win a game, or come close. It's hard ranking at the bottom of the grade, but they're such a divine team that there's still a fighting spirit and enthusiasm with each game. We played two games this weekend, and in yesterday's game we actually won the fourth quarter four goals to three. My girls didn't give up.

It's hard losing week after week, but they are becoming much better players for it {although it's a tough concept for nine and 10 year olds to grasp...} They play like winners though, every single game.

The graders game around to watch the game yesterday and I expressed a wish for my girls to stay together as a team next year. They've bonded so well, have developed lovely friendships and have a team spirit that'd rival the Australian Diamonds. Every week I watch each player do at least one exceptional thing. I spend most of the game calling out praise - and it's not tough to find something to praise - these girls put their all into their game.

I consider myself blessed to have the opportunity to coach such a lovely team. They've taught me so much this year. Go HotShots!

many hands

Having my mum and step-dad up has not only made for a spot of lovely family-time, it's also meant we've got heaps done around the house. Because my mum's taken on full-time 'taking care of grandchild' business and done a lot of cleaning, and as my step-dad's paving and working out drainage by the pool room and up the side of the house, it's meant I've been able to get the odd job done, while my husbandarooni has been an utter legend and has weeded all the front gardens and pruned, fed and mulched the roses - a mammoth task!

So, to celebrate, we're off to dinner tonight. Our gal's going out for dinner with one of her bestest of friends {and her family, naturally}, so we'll wander down to a local eatery with a nice bottle of red or two and nibble on some of Newcastle's finest. Now, if there's soft shell crab as a starter I'll be putting my hands up for that. And a nice rare steak for a main? Don't mind if I do...

Tomorrow friends of my parents are coming for lunch. I think a nice frittata, salad followed by sour cherry and walnut bread with coffee is the way to go.

They're headed home on Tuesday, which will be sad. The only consolation in them living so far away is that at least when they do visit - it's intensive.

weekend aw bless moment

I came home from netball this morning to see a card and a little gift on my front doorstep. Opening the card I saw it was from the lady who ran into my car last week, hoping I was okay and thanking me for being understanding.

Bless.

I got all teary - and still do just thinking about it. I think I'll have to write her a letter next week to return the thanks and well wishes. Accidents happen, and the wellbeing of others is always far more important than a few bits of metal.

snow business: blogthis challenge

When I was growing up I was jealous of my cousins for two reasons. Firstly, my uncle was a sales rep for Cadbury so visiting their home felt like popping in to Willy Wonkas - there was confectionary everywhere. Secondly, they went to the snow every year.

See, in Australia, snow is an almost mythical beast. It seems foreign because for most of us it's soooo far away, so expensive and, seemingly, for the affluent few.

So when we decided to go to the snow a few years ago I was thrilled that my daughter would get a chance to see the pretty white stuff close up.

On the two occasions I did visit the snow as a youth I didn't get a chance to ski, but went on a toboggan, in a pair of tracksuit pants sprayed with waterproofing spray - imagine how well that worked...

We went down for a magical week in 2006 and were on the snow for my birthday - which happily coincided with the friday night ride and a fireworks display. Woo hoo! I also snowboarded which was a damned fine activity. Our gal was six and had the time of her life. Every day she went to the Milo Kids Club and would do activities interspersed with skiing and eating. I wasn't sure how she'd react, but she adored it. The first time I looked up and saw her sitting on the chair lift, little skis on her feet, beside two total strangers, my heart welled up. Next thing I knew I heard "Hi Mama" and watched her weave her way down the slope looking like a seasoned skiier. I, of course, spent half the time on my butt, the other half flat on my face. But a schnapps at the end of the day cured all ills.

We haven't been back again, since my husband had a knee reconstruction, but next winter I'd love to sneak back down again. Snow angels, snow men, the first sight of falling snow, all of these make for some pretty spesh memories.

I love a good family holiday - and every single one of ours has spawned some glorious memories. I'll never forget the way my breath caught when I first spied the Eiffel Tower and the sheer joy I experienced just being in Paris. A trip to Italy with my sister- and brother-in-law and our two nieces was unforgettable. Venice, was, as expected, utterly magical, Rome, bellisimo, but it was on the trip to Tuscany where I experienced pure joy. We'd been out to dinner at a glorious restaurant where I tasted my first black truffle {mmmm} and the meal was concluded with a frosty glass of limoncello {double mmmmmmm}. As we left the restaurant and walked down the slope to our Fiat, I noticed dancing, flickering lights that I realised were fireflies. Fireflies!! I'd spent my childhood enchanted by the notion of fireflies, and to actually see them in real life was a life-enhancing moment.

Staying in a Chateaux complete with turrets and centuries worth of family heirlooms in the Dordogne in South West France was beyond divine. Tasting teeny strawberries the size of a pinky fingernail at the moments will never be forgotten. My heart always remains in France.

But I don't need grandeur to make a holiday memorable. Each year we take my husband's parents away for a few days: to the Blue Mountains, or the Southern Highlands. We'll stay in a house together and just potter around and it's just lovely. I love how our daughter gets to spend this one-on-one time with her grandparents and I like sharing the holiday experience with them. We're headed off to Mudgee with them next month for four days and I know we'll have a fabulous time there too {and we'll get to load up the boot with wine and gourmet goodies}

Holidays are the perfect chance to relax, to strengthen bonds and to create memories that'll last a lifetime. What's not to love?

frugal friday

Wow, really, another week? Goodness me. I've had my mum and step-dad up this week, testing out my frugal skills by cooking vegetarian for them {and testing out my brain: 20 years of vegetarianism - three years of avid carnivorism = a brain designed to come up with meat-heavy dishes...} That said, we've had pizza, where the broccoli, marinated mushroom and blue cheese number was a winner. I made individual shephards pies - with a french lentil and veg mix for the vegos {leftover shredded seven-hour lamb for us} and last night caramelised onion, pumpkin, feta and pine nut pasta {soooooo good}.

I've bought very little, been able to use ingredients in my cupboard and am happy to make-do where possible. For example, last night there weren't quite enough pine nuts to roast, so we threw in some shelled pistachios as well. Mmmmmm.

I've also been hunting down bargains. I just bought a loaf of heavily seeded, light rye sourdough for $3.60 - rather than the ridonculously expensive $6 loaf I tend to go for {it does last for days, so at least cost per meal is cheap...}

Last night I sat down and went through our Entertainment Book, bought as a fundraiser for our daughter's school. Obviously the big attraction is the meal vouchers at restaurants around time - buy one main get one free is always a good idea - but I'm also checking out the other offers to see where I can save.

We're also co-opting anyone into slavery we can. While my parents are up my step-dad's laying down a concrete path around the side of the house to be paved over once we save for the pavers, mum's doing some sewing, cleaning and plenty of one-on-one time with my gal. My mother-in-law mended one pair of hubby's work pants that were beyond my rudimentary sewing skills and father-in-law can polish school shoes and trainers so they look like new.

This week we also found a fabulouso accounted who's taken care of our tax and given us some really good financial advice. Yay!

spin me right round

You're never too old to ride a carousel in Paris...

sensible shoe of the week

Because I'm pretty sure that it's forecast to rain, pour, bucketdown or sprinkle for the next foreseeable future I'm thinking I may need to invest in a pair of gumboots. Normally, when it's raining, and because I don't want to ruin any of my suede or leather shoes, I'll wear a pair of havaianas - even the other morning when it was eight degrees. That's just craziness.

So I may go wellie shopping on the weekend. Chances are that as soon as I have a pair sitting by the front door we'll be in for a long dryspell - which is just dandy as far as I'm concerned!

shoe of the week

Why thank you Bottega Veneta, don't mind if I do. Any time is Mary Jane time and these are just what I need for a pair of everywhere shoes. I could wear them everywhere, with anything, with a grin spreading across my face. If only my bank account would agree...

going off

I just went one hour and 23 minutes without an internet connection, which promptly made me realise I was addicted to the damned thing. Seriously, if I'd turned on a tap and there was no water I'd shrug and realise that it'd come back on eventually - but my internet? Oh, I refreshed, checked mail, re-started, pushed in every single plug that seemed remotely connected to my mac, and had more than a small whizzy.

It's back now, so I can settle down. Whew.

rear window

The precipitation we're currently experiencing brings new gravitas to the phrase "bucketing down". It's not just raining cats and dogs - it's pouring elephants and rhinos. This is the view from my kitchen window where big fat raindrops the size of baby's fists are hammering down on the surface of the pool - which is about 2mm from overflowing.

Since the Newcastle floods a few years back it's hard not to experience anxiety when the rain is so harsh and unrelenting. Luckily we don't seem to be experiencing the king tides at the beach which fought with the rain trying to escape the storm water drains.

The romance of the sound of rain on a tin roof is sounding a bit hollow these days...

motorin' mama

I'm unusual for a girl in that I really like cars. My head will swivel at the sight of a cool set of wheels - particularly vintage ones, with fins. Despite this, since having a child I've gone all sensible with my wheels. When hubby and I met he owned a cute little Morris Minor and I was restoring a pale grey and white vauxhall cresta {it had fins, whitewall tyres, red leather interior and was a hydromatic - you know, like Greased Lightening...}

So, here I am, a bit of a rev-head yet our two cars are teeny little silver sensible numbers, a hyundai getz and a holden astra - five and eight years old respectively. And I was fine with that. Until today. Today I went to pickup the hire car I'm entitled to under my car's policy {yay Aami!} and emitted a 'kwoar' of delight when I spied what I was driving - a brand new, black Holden Astra.

Oh my.

Anyways, I got behind the wheel and am pretty sure I looked just like Ferris when he slid into the driver's seat of Cameron's dad's car. Sweet.

That's it, I'm smitten. I'm now in new car love, and am pretty sure there will be a petulant pout on these lips when time comes to hand back Black Beauty {yep, already named her} and get back into Old Grey Mare {my new name for my old silver car...}

I'll just enjoy it while it lasts I guess...

to doodle doodle do

For some reason, between yesterday and today, strange things have been afoot. For example, yesterday, if you'd asked me, I would have said I had things pretty well under control for my interstate visitors. Today, when I'm leaving to pick my mum and step-dad up at 1pm from the airport, I'll actually realise that there's a helluva lot to do before they get there.

The sheets for the guest bed are in the washing machine - and will be going in the dryer as it's raining. The guest room needs a good straightening after the sleepover on the weekend. There's paper ALL over the house as my husband's been working on three years worth of my tax for the past week. {I know, a shocker, shan't be doing that again}

So, a plan's in order. I'm going to quickly wash my hair and then start in the kitchen and work my way back through the house. 15 minutes full-on tidying in each room should do it - leaving me free to have a coffee before I leave.

Ready? Set...

easier than opening a pack

Call me odd, but I do like making things. The other day, as I had some sausages I knew I wouldn't use, puff pastry in the freezer and kids coming over I whipped up some sausage rolls. It was as simple as slicing a nick in the end of the sausage casing, peeling it off and laying it on a piece of puff pastry I'd sliced in thirds {three chiplatas per row}. Then I rolled them in the pastry and pushed down the edges to seal. A quick baste with plenty of beaten egg and they went in the oven for 15 minutes - a lot quicker than the frozen ones. Plus, if you've got a butcher you trust, using sausages can work out easier than mixing up your own filling. Served with a big bowl of tomato sauce that's some pretty satisfied kids!