Lasagna anyone?

We had eight people for supper- a mix of vegetarians and the just plain hungry. Most of them under 20. Lasagna ticked all the boxes. Eight fitted easily around my new-ish kitchen table; no leftovers. Fruit salad for pudding. No leftovers there either. Lots of washing up.........

New eyes

We have some visitors staying from Hong Kong- friends of one of my daughters. They have visited some of the iconic beaches around town and all the usual sites- Opera House etc. Today we took them on a tour of the south Sydney beaches. The tide was very high and so was the surf- not good for a swim but made good photos. We stopped for coffee at Bronte, fish and chips at La Perouse and an ice cream at Clovelly Kiosk. It is good to see Sydney from another perspective.

Gazpacho!

It's hot, humid and the skies are dark. I don't feel like cooking, but the kids are beginning to circle the kitchen, prowling through the pantry. Check the fridge- we have sourdough, tomatoes and fresh herbs. I feel a Gazpacho coming on!
Chop 6 ripe tomatoes, one cucumber, a handful of olives, add a splash of olive oil, a dribble of balsamic, a handful of both parsley and mint, a little basil, a garlic clove or two.
Grind some black pepper to taste.
Grab the Bamix and whizz.
Pop in the fridge for an hour if you can wait that long.
Serve with warm sourdough and some plain yoghurt to plop on top. Add some ice cubes if it is a really hot day.

New Year's Resolutions

We do not usually try too hard with Resolutions. Most of them are fleeting attempts at self improvement. However this year we are moving into a very busy year so we are all trying to become good flatmates- of the house, of our community and our planet.
Stacking and emptying the dishwasher, cooking family meals, volunteering and supporting local charities, slashing our electricity bill, shortening showers.......watch this space to see how we get on.

Christmas 09

Christmas is a time for Karma: thinking of other people for a change, loving relatives despite their foibles, giving thanks for their love and concern over the last year, watching some of that love flowing back towards you. All mixed up in the guise of eating, drinking and pressie exchanges. It must be fun because we keep coming back for more. This year was a particularly good one for us, with lots of visits from Aunts and Uncles, and a Special Guest Appearance by Grandma.

Alec turns 12!

My youngest child and only son turned 12 today. He spent the day with School friends at Camp, went to the beach for a brisk swim in the surf, then had dinner at his top choice Italian restaurant Bill and Tony's in Darlinghurst. Home for Nigella Lawson's Awesome Brownies as dessert. Then he asked for some antacids! Oh to be twelve again.

Home at Last

After 25 years away from Sydney we have finally returned- via Vietnam and Laos (more later...). Having left Australia with a couple of backpacks, we have re-entered with a 40 foot container, 4 kids, 3 cats and a large dog. We have moved in to a rambling house near the city, found places for the kids in Universities and schools, and a great Job for the MOTH. (Man of the House). The kids a enjoying discovering Sydney, and we are revisiting old haunts and friends, and delighting in new ones. Summer is here and life is good!