Sunday 29 September 2013

September 29th A Spider or A Stamen?


September 28th It's An Outing..

I was fortunate  to win a voucher for a Degustation Menu for 2 at Cocoro Japanese Restaurant, Ponsonby, Auckland.  It is George's birthday weekend, so we decided to utilize the voucher for a lunch, which the restaurant were happy to do for us.  And as it was too windy after lunch to venture to any outdoor pursuits we decided a trip to the Auckland Museum would be grand -  I haven't been since I was 10 years old, which was mumble, mumble years ago.

Here are some photo highlights of the day............

It didn't take long for these to fill - we were the first and had a cosy nook


Slow Roasted Duck

Soy Sauce flavoured Ice Cream, sitting on Pannacotta (Beautiful!!)

My George is world famous in Ponsonby

This floored me - on the floor in the Pacific Exhibition

Still looking fearsome after being murdered in 1936

I have a great body, and I will bowl you over

Time out on Waka Duty

Peek A Boo - I See You

The End!

Saturday 28 September 2013

September 27th Irene's Sausages

When your little sister has a recipe, and swears by it, and it goes by the name of 'Irene's Sausages' - it has to be yours. But I can never remember making this in my entire life. So of course I had to get the recipe for 'Irene's Sausages' and give them a go.

Here is the recipe 
and here is the final result:


This one might have to be a keeper. However now it is going to bug me forever after as to not only where I got the recipe from, but when did I make it?  Alzheimers anyone?


Friday 27 September 2013

September 26th Isis and Osiris?

My wooden salad servers from Zimbabwe are supposed to be elephants. And it goes without saying every elephant lover has to  have Elephant Salad Servers. However mine looked quite sinister last night and bore more than a striking resemblance to Isis and Osiris. What do you think?


Thursday 26 September 2013

September 25th Storm Damage

Blossoms on the deck!

And that was it for us. Everything shook, rattled and rolled and our roof sounded like it was lifting and I could make like Dorothy and fly off to Oz. Yet this was the end result

Wednesday 25 September 2013

September 24th She Wanted Dreadlocks

We soon put paid to that desire and cut out the start of one. Sorry Minnie, I've got news for you and it's all bad - you are not having a dreadlocked tail!


Tuesday 24 September 2013

September 23rd Tulips

Tulips in Amsterdam  Hamilton

Spring has Sprung
The Grass has 'riz
this is where our tulips is
(with lots more to come still)



Monday 23 September 2013

September 22nd Marketing at it's Best

Isn't it wonderful how these miniatures are made to scale. And now everyone in NZ who knows a little girl is rushing to collect the set.






Sunday 22 September 2013

September 21st Kahawai

Some people catch a Kahawai and they say why
they look at it troubled and give a sigh
If George goes out fishing, out in the deep blue sea
A Kahawai is a blessing, to be shared with me
Into the smoker or pan fried, we will do one or the other
This little beauty will be dinner, oh brother!


Saturday 21 September 2013

September 20th RIP Joy

It is always a sad day when you have to attend a funeral. I got to know Joy through her daughter Jo, and then also in a professional capacity. A lovely, lovely lady and I only wish I had met her more, as the times I did were always an absolute pleasure.  RIP Joy and condolences to Jo, Rob and other family on the loss of a lovely lady


Thursday 19 September 2013

September 18th A Frilly Lady

The first of our Tulips has made an appearance, and look at the lengths she went to for her debut. I am not surprised the more plain ones let her be first


Wednesday 18 September 2013

September 17th Dinner Is In the Oven

Said no one about this lot!!  Some lovely pellets (hickory smoked) which got a tad damp and we are drying them out in the oven. These are used for cold smoking - and definitely not for digesting. This takes the cake (pardon the pun) for 'Weird Things You Can Use Your Oven For'

ps ignore the dirty oven - fortunately it is self cleaning, but moi has to remember to set it to go!

Monday 16 September 2013

Sunday 15 September 2013

September 14th What Happens When You Don't Use Sun Block??

You peel!  Here are the before and after photos of what happens when you expose yourself to heat

BEFORE


AFTER


Saturday 14 September 2013

September 13th Buffalo Soldier

Everytime I look at this wee plaque I have in my kitchen (ie numerous as it's above the kitchen bench), the below song comes to mind. But these are Lions and this is from Africa



Buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta:
There was a buffalo soldier in the heart of america,
Stolen from africa, brought to america,
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.

I mean it, when I analyze the stench -
To me it makes a lot of sense:
How the dreadlock rasta was the buffalo soldier,
And he was taken from africa, brought to america,
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.

Said he was a buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta -
Buffalo soldier in the heart of america.

If you know your history,
Then you would know where you coming from,
Then you wouldn't have to ask me,
Who the 'eck do I think I am.

I'm just a buffalo soldier in the heart of america,
Stolen from africa, brought to america,
Said he was fighting on arrival, fighting for survival;
Said he was a buffalo soldier win the war for america.

Dreadie, woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy,
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy!
Woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy,
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy!



 © EMI Music Publishing

Wednesday 11 September 2013

September 10th Egg-Sac-tly

Why did the chicken cross the road?
Because she didn't want to put her eggs all in the one basket - so she put them into one carton instead.

What else did you expect from an old chook?
It's not an egg-sac-ting science is it?



 These are true free range eggs from a lifestyle block. And dated not with a Best Before or Use By, but with the date they were processed



Tuesday 10 September 2013

September 9th Hospital and Pizza

Yes, that is what my day comprised of. Definitely not many photo opportunities.

 A Polyp rhymes with a Scallop
However a Scallop tastes better with a dollop
or for dinner a Domino's Pizza, which we had for the first time ever
and actually was tasty and the decision was clever!
 

Sunday 8 September 2013

September 7th One New Thing a Day?

'They' say you should try one new thing every day of your life. Good for rejuvenating brain cells, good for longevity and good for blah de blah de blah. So today I took that advice on board. For the first time ever for my pumpkin soup, I used a Butternut Pumpkin. I feel so emotionally fulfilled just by doing that one new thing a day. I must adhere to this mantra more often!




Saturday 7 September 2013

September 6th We Went to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo

We went to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo
How about you, you, you,
Nana took Havana to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo,
We had a good time to, to, to.

Thank God I have such a fantastic boss (ie myself), played hooky from work today and Havana and I headed to the Zoo

White Rhinoceros - and did you know a Rhino's horn is actually made of Keratin, which is the main component of hair & fingernails

Nana, my legs are sore - can we sit and rest them please?

Oh look it's Patrick Peacock giving his ass a bit of a wiggle on

Patrick Peacock was later joined by Peppa Peacock

My legs aren't sore any more Nana. I can go down this slide for at least 100 times in a row. Just watch me - weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Friday 6 September 2013

September 5th There is always a positive side

The chef responsible for this very slightly charred offering said "at least it's well done on the bottom"

Thursday 5 September 2013

September 4th A Bunch of Drips

Don't you dare complain about the quality - it was raining and this was taken through the bedroom window. You didn't really think I would venture outside and get my hair wet just for a photo of the day did you?

Tuesday 3 September 2013

September 2nd A Girlie Outing

Havana was exclaiming how wonderful the fluffies were here, and the best she had ever tasted



Monday 2 September 2013

September 1st Ebony and Ivory

Played together in perfect harmony
Benny was also here which made for dogs by three
So we had Minnie, Storm and Benny
and then we also babysat kids times three...





Sunday 1 September 2013

August 31st The First of The Freesias

Spring is about to Spring
The Grass is about to riz...
and look how beautiful
our first freesia is
(wish I could include the smell with the photo - stunning!)