I packed, I went, I conquered

Once again, I head off to Santa Barbara, Land of the Free, Home of the Brave? Its called this because before you can be free, you must be brave enough to pack.

First of all I had to gather all things which I wanted to pack. Good. Easy. Next.

Next task was to run around like crazy and gather all the things I'd forgotten about, desperately needed to take and simply couldn't live without for 3 months. Oh dear. This sitatuation was getting worse by the minute.

Then comes the hardest task of all. The culling. And really - I mean removing 2 of everything, then removing 2 more. Its less painful to do it that way - it doesn't feel like I'm getting rid of so much all at once. What probably makes this even worse was that I did "pre-culling" by taking 4 bags of stuff to an op-shop!!!! Yes, I am consumer-whore-hear-me-roar.

But you know what - I did it. 2 medium sized suitcases. 17, and 15kgs each. Awe-some. Leaving enough room to bring stuff home in.

...Well so long as I leave half of it here, and Murray packs lightly, there will be enough room to take my shopping home in.

Yea, It's a party in the USA!

In the words of a wise (drunk) man - Skittle Bombs are Awe-some!

Skittle Bomb = Redbull + Cointreau. Scull.

Funnily enough, tastes just like Skittles! And in the words of Miley Cirus - Yea, It's a party in the USA!

We decided to torture our friends with the best and worst there is of American food. Cheeze Whiz - cheese in a can, also comes in "American Flavor" Mmm. Go on Fliss... you know you want it.

No doubt this was taken after some kind of Soda-Pop. Hard to tell if it was the 100% Vitamin C Hawaiin Punch, or perhaps some Root Beer? Anyway, a picture tells a thousand words.

But to make up for the worst of America we also made some delicous slow cooked smokey bbq pork ribs. *drool* and not to mention mini hotdogs!!! (Ok, they weren't as good as the masses of ribs)

There was also Twinkies (worst of America) and Reeces Peanutbutter Cups (Best of America). And a few inbetween things - Tortilla chips and salsa, 'slaw, Mike and Ikes and Pretzels (these Pretzels are making me thirsty!).

Maybe when we return we should make up for all the sugar we pumped into our friends and have just a ribs party. Everyone bring a rack of ribs. Ooo, perhaps a Tri-tip roast too. And some kind of pie? Mmmm. Pie. (Take careful note of cool USA Plates and plastic cups in photos!)

Emma and Clints wedding

You may now kiss the bride.

Must have been some kiss! Look how happy she is!

The wine tasting between the ceremomy and reception was a great idea. Not to meantion LOTS of fun too!

Ice Hockey - Melbourne Ice v Adrenaline

Monday-itis

Happy 30th Birthday Gazarooni!

Hidden laneways, hidden delights

Murray and I had a great weekend checking out our own home city. There's so much to love about Melbourne, yet we never get out and experience it.

We started the weekend off with a bit of Pitch and Putt Golf. This was great, until about after the 4th hole and my beginners luck had worn off. Still - I'd be willing to play again. Although I don't think I'd be able to hit the ball far enough for "big people golf". We got a bit of a discount because some holes you had to mind the cracks on the dry dry greens that were almost deep enough to swallow your leg.

After this we headed into the city in our mystery hotel thanks to whereis.com.au. Turned out to be rather "grand" and in a perfect location for us. After a bit of shopping, we'd built up a bit of a thirst and so headed to the The Carlton roof top bar. The only thing better than a few drinks, is a few more while eating Dumplings. Then after this we headed back for a disco nap, followed by a movie - Zac and Miri Make a Porno... honestly - its not as bad as it looks. Pretty funny in a *groan* kind of way.

Hard to believe that it was still only Friday night! We'd done so much already, and still had a full weekend ahead of us. Unbelievably I hadn't even taken a single photo yet!

Saturday morning we headed into the fabulous Degraves St for breaky to fuel up for an audio podcast that we'd downloaded - Melbourne Laneways.

Through coffee heaven Degraves,

To teeny tiny Centre Place,

And checked out the nooks and cranys of Center Way...

and through the Block Arcade, Royal Arcade, past Gog and Magog,

And up to the Burke St Mall. Up through the GPO,

Little Bourke St, on the way to Niagra Lane, we passed Warburton Lane, where we spotted one of the 2007 Laneway Commissions. Look down the alley, past the rubbish bins, and upwards.

In Niagra lane is where we spotted the first of the City of Melbourne 2008 Laneway Commissions. #1 1. Organisation for Future Good Steps. I'm going to make a point to find more of these treasures.

From here it was all the way back down Hardware lane, past all the warehouses which come alive at night.

We made our way down to Howey Place which I'd walked past a million times, yet never seen. Through the Capitol Arcade, and down through Manchester Arcade and Lane. All very trendy. Last stop was Scott Alley which I loved as its home to the Matt Irwin Gallery, which i never knew. A terrific walk, and I'd recommend it to Melbournites and visitors!

We of course stopped off at Union Lane, where I finally heard one of the Laneway Commissions I'd heard so much about #4. The Speed of Sound Nau Interactive Bells.

After all that walking - we *needed* a chocolate fix - so back to the Royal Arcade to Koko Black, where Murray niavely asked if it was worth the wait for the table. There was iced chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate chip shortbreak, 2 handmade chocolates, the best chocolate mousse we've ever had, and chocolate ice-cream. Sorry we weren't able to save you any...

And in Melbourne, its always amazing what you might see when you just look up.

Welcome Callan!!!!

A big huge congratulations to A&D and a big huge welcome to the next sports superstar - Callan Scott! He took his time joining us out here in the world, but he's totally worth the wait! Cute as anything, and A&D are just perfect parents.

Just days old, he already has his first footy, and a little pair of sneakers. He's strong and healthy and full of beans, I'm sure it wont be long until he's being scouted by the Pies! But for now... there's just lots of cuddles!

Black Saturday... Red Sunday?

Saturday 7th February will be remembered as Black Saturday. Australia's worst ever bushfires, and greatest loss of life in peacetime on Australian land. The whole country is still stunned by the inferno. Read Murray's Blog article about the day.

The sky on Sunday night was an eerie red colour, even here in Berwick were we were some distance from any major fires. The red sky was like a warning for the horror that would unfold during the week.

Hot Jam Donut Cupcakes

Really, does anything else need to be said? Hot + Jam + Donut + Cupcakes! Thanks Emma for this receipe!


Makes 18

1 & 1/4 cups self-raising flour
1/2 cup caster sugar
125ml milk
2 eggs
1 tsp natural vanilla extract
1/2 tsp dried yeast
1/2 cup raspberry jam
20g unsalted butter melted
2 tbsp cinnamon sugar

- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees
- Line 18 standard muffin holes with paper cases (I only used 12 and I think 18 will be too small)
- Combine the flour and sugar in a bowl, and make a well in the centre.
- Put the milk, eggs, vanilla and yeast in a jug and whisk to combine
- Pour into the well and whisk until smooth
- Divide half the mixture evenly among the cases. Top each one with 1 teaspoon of jam, then cover with the remaining mixture
- bake for 10-12mins or until skewer comes out clean
- brush a little melted butter over each cake, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar

serve warm - yum!!!!!!!!!!!!!