Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Here comes a candle to light you to bed......


I am sitting here, wondering what to tell you about next in my busy little life. I am putting off the inevitable, going to bed!! It is 10.59 pm, I have been to my Gospel Choir this evening, we are rehearsing bigtime for the Festival of Voices which happens in Hobart in a couple of weeks time. I really enjoy my singing, and our leader Jane is such a lovely lady, she makes it all such fun. She cons us into thinking we have the most wonderful voices, but enmasse - even though I say it myself - we don't sound bad!

Now - why don't I want to go to bed, well last night I woke about 3 am with the most awful cramp on the inside of my left thigh, which is a very painful place to get cramp, as you can't really stretch it out like you can if it is in your foot, or your calf. The pain is so intense that I feel as if I am going to pass out (and once I did, on the bathroom floor, much to Ken's consternation) At least if you faint all your muscles relax and the cramp actually goes, but last night it went on for quite a while. I must have been dehydrated so today I have made an effort to drink more water and have kept up my electrolytes and had a double dose of my magnesium tablets.

By the way, the Tomato Chilli Sauce I told you about was 'awesome' as were the Spices Pears I did next, I was so proud of them that I attach a photo, definitely too good to eat. My Pantry shelves are beginning to look quite attractive with all the bottles and jars amassing on them. Should keep us going through the winter AND provide enough to give away to friends. Wish you were nearer, you could have some!!

Magpies in waiting.

It was a beautiful sunrise when I went for my early morning walk
The magpies were ready for breakfast, waiting patiently for the window to go up.
Oh No, not bloody stale bread!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Hollywood has nothing on Hobart!!!! We now have our first Star, commemorating Errol Flynn, who was born right here in Hobart in 1909. They are very proud of the swashbuckling hero who was well known for his swordfights and womanising. Yesterday would have been his 100th birthday and the plaque was unveiled by his daughter Rory and grandson Sean.

The Star is right outside our favourite cinema, The State, in North Hobart where we went today to see the latest Michael Caine film "Is Anybody There?" It was a great film, and I would thoroughly recommend it. It just goes to show that the Brits still make the best films, there was nothing fancy about this film, it was very thought provoking and beside Caine, there were a few old familiar faces like Lesley Philips and Sheila Sims. Funny in parts, sad in others, I had to keep Ken under control as he has a habit of laughing out loud and when you are in a cinema with a maximum of twenty very comfortable seats, it is like sitting in your own loungeroom, this can be very embarrassing.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Chilli Tomato Pickle

Its a chilly winters day but the house is filled with the beautiful aroma of Chilli Tomato Pickle, a first time aroma for me, as usually I hate chilli but I have this new book called "A Year in a Bottle" by a local Tasmanian lady and am gradually getting through some of her recipes for Pickles, Chutneys, sauces, etc. This one is for Ken mainly, as he is a Chilli fan (having said that, he actually burned his mouth while he was on holiday as he mixed chilli with pineapple and apparently that is not good.)

I love cooking, it cheers me up when I feel down, and it is always good to do something new. Now, on my walks around the district I scrump (i.e. steal, pinch, take) banana passionfruit from along the footpaths which I tread. They are hanging there in ripe profusion, just for the picking, and they have a bad press, not as good as round Nellie Kelly Passionfruit which Tim and Mandie grow (so there is no need for me to steal these, I can have as many as I like.) On Tuesday I made a delicious Banana Passionfruit Curd (with fresh eggs supplied by grandson George, and butter) Yesterday I made a bottle of Passionfruit Syrup, oh how I wish I could give you a taste, and the colour is beautiful, a sunny yellow colour. Good to pour over icecream or plain yogurt.

As for the Chilli Tomato Pickle, I will let you know if it knocks our socks off!!
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Sunday, June 7, 2009

What a Bummmer (or in English) How Annoying!!!


A funny thing happened on our way to the Forum
should read, on the way to the Theatre we came into contact with a LARGE Four Wheel Drive and our car ended up looking like this, whereas theirs was almost unscathed.

It almost sp0ilt our evening, BUT we have a lot to be thankful for, we were unhurt and the car is still driveable (though it is booked in for Wednesday and we hope we won't be without it for long.

I would hasten to add that it was not our fault, or my fault, I was driving, these three scatty girls went over a red light, luckily we were only going quite slow, as the lights had just turned to green for us, otherwise it would have been a lot worse. Phew it can be scary out there!!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Who would like a cup of Tea?
I love the description, 'rich and robust' don't you?

The best of British!!

He is home from the Gold Coast and just to prove that once a Pom always a Pom is correct, look what he brought home with him!