Andrew's 29th Birthday Party

We went to Andrew's 29th Birthday last Saturday night. It was a really good night.

It was a fancy dress party. The guests had to dress up as the favorite character they had played in a musical or one of the characters Andrew had played in a muscial. Since we haven't been in shows Tom went as Frank from "Annie get your gun" and I went as Annie.

It was great to see some people we hadn't seen for a very long time and catch up with what they were doing.

Kat catered the whole party and even went to the trouble of doing special gluten and corn free meals for Cam and I. Which was very nice of her.

The band did a good job and there were lots of people dancing. Tom and I were too tired by that stage to participate.

Here is a picture of us in our costumes.

Wii Party

Last week we went to a Wii Party.

It was a lot of fun. We played golf, tennis and ten pin bowling.

Here are some photos a friend took of us bowling... (Thanks Cam)

Food poisoning

I got a mild case of food poisoning this week. Very unpleasant because I happened to be away from home in Canberra at the time. A couple of people I went to dinner with said they felt a bit queasy after eating the prawns - I scoffed at their sensitive stomachs. The next day another couple of people I was traveling with said they felt sick from the prawns the night before - I scoffed and let everyone know that I felt fine. Then at about 10 am I started to feel very sick. Very sick.

We were at the conference area of the CSIRO in Canberra. I sat outside the room for a while concentrating very hard on not vomiting. One of the ladies from CSIRO took pity on me and gave me some panadol. She arranged for me to lie down in one of their education rooms. They had lots of big cushion for kids to sit on when they listen to educational talks on science. I made the cushions into a bed and had a nice sleep.

I woke up feeling much better and by the time I was in the qantas club waiting to go home I felt well enough to eat a few too many sausage rolls. Thank goodness for that.

Birthday BBQ

It was my Birthday on Thursday and I had a great day.

We went shopping for antiques and plants in the morning. In the afternoon Tom and I had massages at Rainesforest Day Spa followed by a sauna and spa in our own private courtyard. It was great. I would highly recommend a visit to this place. They have an army of staff and are open from 9am - 9 pm every day.

We also went out to dinner with my parents, brother and Grandma to an Indian restaurant at Coorparoo. The food was great and I ate way too much. Gosh I love butter chicken and naan bread. Is there anything better?

Last night we had a BBQ to celebrate my Birthday. Not a big party just a few friends and family and some sausages and salads. ooh and some champagne. It was a great night. Below is a picture of Tom and I just before the masses arrived.


The dress and shoes were a birthday present courtesy of Tom's parents. The shoes (not shown here) are particularly fabulous. They are very very high and I was very very tall all night but surprisingly they were not too uncomfortable. My feet feel fine today and I could wear them again in a few days with no problem.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the evening and helped me celebrate my birthday!

A special thanks to my husband who slaved for days to get everything ready then ran around getting drinks and cooking food on the night. Thanks Tom.

Kylie concert

We went to the Kylie concert last night. It was the concert that was scheduled as part of her showgirl tour for June 2005 but because Kylie was diagnosed with breast cancer last year she postponed it til now.

It was a great concert and the costumes were fabulous. She had some really good dancers and although she couldn't do much dancing herself the show was really good.

My Birthday

It is my birthday soon.....

I am very excited!

I love having birthdays. I am sure I will outgrow that soon but for now it is great.

It is such a good reason to treat yourself.

Canberra

You know it is going to be a busy week when you wake up in one city and end up going to sleep in another. This week was one such week. After "working from home" on Tuesday I went to work on Wednesday with no idea that I would end up going to Canberra later that day.

I confirmed that I need to be in Canberra for am 8 am meeting Thursday midmorning and then had to quickly organise flights, accomodation, travel allowance and cab charges. Do some work then go home and pack. The qantas club was packed and the flight was very packed. At least I got a good seat. Thanks to qantas online check-in which is the best thing ever! It lets you check in up to 24 hours before your flight - which almost always means a great seat.

I think what I hate most about travel (and there is sooooo much to hate) is having dinner alone. The best idea is to try and travel at dinner time to save on eating out alone. Sure the plane food is ordinary but at least you are not sitting the hotel restaurant with a newspaper/magazine or worst sit eating in your room watching austar.

But enough of that - I am home now and very happy to be back.

Fish and Chips

I had fish and chips for lunch - Yum!

Hobart Trip

I went to Hobart this week with work.

It was really nice. I had fogotten what a nice outlook most of the houses surronding the Derwent River (that runs through Hobart) have over the river.

Tupperware Party

I had a tupperware party last week.









It was great. I invited about 35 people and about 14 came. Thank goodness they didn't all come. Heaps of people from work didn't come but bought things anyway which was great. The most popular item was definately the can opener of which I sold four. They are a great product.


In total I got $1600 in sales which meant I got about $400 in free stuff which is great.

The only pain was that some people who said they were going to pay cash didn't get the money to me when they should have. I have told them that I needed it by yesterday and two people still hadn't paid by 9 am this morning. The tupperware was delivered at 9:30 so I was rushing around trying to find them to work out whether I would have to go to the bank and get the money myself or if they were going to pay. Not really what I wanted to spend my morning doing.

Tom cleverly showed the tupperware lady my microwave jug that I had destroyed by heating copha in it. The fat just got too hot in the microwave and melted the top. Anyway she replaced it for nothing - what else would you expect from tupperware. They are always good with their warranty.

Vanessa is having a tupperware party in a few weeks (thanks Ness!) and I am looking forward to going to that one too. But what shall I buy........

SOLD!

My parents sold their townhouse at Noosa this week














With this view















60 day contract - they will be moving back to Brisbane soon. Which is great for us. But I think they will miss it....

Rocklea Markets

This morning we went to the markets at Rocklea to look for plants. There were some nice Cycads and some little mock oranges that were well priced.

There were a lot of people there this morning and the place had a good atmosphere - there was music and food everywhere.

I bought some navel oranges which look really nice and juicy.

It was a nice morning out.

mp3 player

I bought Tom an MP3 player while I was in Melbourne a few weeks ago. And yesterday I borrowed it to listen to on the bus. It was great. I listened to music all the way in and part of the day while I was writing some process documents.

Then on the way home I got into the audio books. I listened to half of The hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. It was awesome.

What a great toy.

Lost and Found

Well I must be getting old.

I have lost two things this year.

First was my Kylie tickets. I guess it was too much to ask that I could keep them for a few years without forgetting where I put them. I suspect I threw them out when I was tidying up.

The second thing was my copy of the journal my article was published in. Lost and gone forever.

must be getting old....did I say that already?

It gets worse

I like the wagon!

Citroen C5

The Citroën C5 is a mid-size car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since early 2001.

The C5 is available as a saloon/sedan or estate/station wagon, and replaced the Citroën Xantia in the large family car class. Power comes from by 1.8 L, 2.0 L and 3.0 L V6 petrol engines as well as 1.6 L, 2.0 L and 2.2 L direct injection Diesel engines with up to 136 hp (100 kW), capable of 127 mph (204 km/h) and a 10.2 second sprint to 0-60 mph (97 km/h). A comfortable interior and smooth ride are considered to be the C5's strongpoints, though customer satisfaction survey performances are frequently poor.

The C5 had a further development of Citroën's hydropneumatic suspension, now called Hydractive 3. The major change with this system was the use of electronic sensors to replace the mechanical height correctors seen in all previous hydropneumatic cars. This allowed the suspension computer to automatically control ride height: at high speed the suspension is lowered to reduce drag and at low speeds on bumpy roads the ride height is raised. Manual control of ride height was retained, though it was overridden by the computer if the car was driven at an inappropriate speed for the selected height. Certain cars also featured the computer controlled ride stiffness seen on Hydractive 2 Xantia and XM models.

In a major break with Citroën tradition, the brakes and steering were no longer powered by the same hydraulic system as the suspension. It has been speculated that the primary driver for this was the cost of developing electronic brake force distribution for the system when PSA already had an implementation for conventional brakes. Another factor may be the highly responsive nature of Citroën brakes, which some have found hard to adjust to on other hydropneumatic cars, though it is felt by some to be superior. It can be scary for a Citroën driver used to the instant reactions of an older hydropneumatic car to drive another vehicle and find an inch of pedal travel before any significant braking is achieved.

Unlike its predecessors, the C5 sedan is a "three-box" design, with a small portruding trunk. This form actually disguises a hatchback door, so Citroën has completely reversed design philosophy from the fastback sedan era of Robert Opron.

In 2004, the C5 got a major facelift (new front and rear ends; same centre section) to bring it into line with the look of the new Citroën C4. The car was lengthened from 4618 mm (182 in) to 4745 mm (187 in).

Second generation

The second generation C5 II is planned for the fall of 2007, which will retain the current concept of a sedan with a hatch. The range is predicted to include a V6 HDI version.

Yay, I am published!

I have had an article published in the Current Family Law journal!

Yes I wrote a law article. Yes me.

There is something quite exciting about having words you have written printed for everyone to see. I mean sure my article is very boring and I feel a little bit sorry for the legal types who have to read this sort of thing to try and keep up with current legislation but I wrote it.

So exciting!

Well I tried

I tried to make sultana biscuits for Tom....twice.

First time I put 3/4 cup of milk in instead of 2 tablespoons.

The second time I put 2 tablespoons of baking soda in instead of 1 teaspoon. Doh!

So I gave up and made a chocolate cake instead.

New Car?

I like the citroen C5s. The diesel engine is particularly efficent and the car is great looking.

Snickerdoodles

1 & 1/2 cups sugar

125 grams softened butter

125 grams copha

2 eggs

2 & 3/4 plain flour

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 200 degrees. Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, the butter, shortening and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Dip top of balls into cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on tray. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove immediately from tray to wire rack.

Caramel Mud Cake

Serving size: Serves 10 or more

Cooking time: More than 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

250g unsalted butter, chopped
200g good quality white chocolate, chopped
1¼ cups (255g) brown sugar
½ cup golden syrup
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups plain flour, sifted
2/3 cup self raising flour, sifted
300ml sour cream
60g unsalted butter, chopped
½ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons cream
(approx) 1½ cups icing sugar, sifted

METHOD

Preheat oven to 160°C or 140°C fan forced. Grease and line a 22cm deep cake tin.

Place butter, chocolate, brown sugar and golden syrup in a medium sized saucepan. Cook over low heat until chocolate is melted and the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Stir the mixture as it cools to ensure the sugar has all dissolved.

Beat in the eggs and the vanilla essence. Beat in the flour and sour cream. Pour into prepared tin.

Bake for 1½ hours, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Cover the cake with foil if it is browning too quickly. Cool the cake in tin before turning out.

To make the icing:
Melt butter in a saucepan. Add the brown sugar and cream and cook until butter melts Gradually add enough icing sugar to give a spreading consistency. Spread quickly over the cooled cake.

Chocolate plum puddings with Frangelico sauce

Prep: 10 mins
Cooking: 30 mins
Serves 4
20g butter, melted, plus extra to grease
1 large plum or 2 small plums, quartered, stone removed
1/3 cup (50g) self raising flour
1/4 cup (40g) plain flour
2 tbs cocoa
1/4 cup (55g) brown sugar
1 egg, lightly whisked
1/4 cup (60ml) milk
Double cream or ice cream, to serve
Sauce
1/4 cup (60ml) thickened cream
50g dark cooking chocolate, chopped up
1 1/2 tsp Frangelico

1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease 4 x 1/2 cup (125ml) ramekins with butter. Cut plum quarters into 4. Arrange over the base of the ramekins.

2 Sift the flours and cocoa into a bowl. Add sugar. Mix until combined.

3 Add the egg, milk and melted butter and mix. Divide the mixture over the plums. Bake in the oven for 25 mins. Set aside for 2 mins before turning out. (If the cakes dome, trim the tops to make a flat surface).

4 For the sauce, place the cream and chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until the mixture is smooth. Or, place in a bowl and melt in the microwave in 20 second intervals. Add the Frangelico and stir. Spoon the sauce over the top. Serve with cream or ice cream.

Christmas in July

Well it seems that everyone is having Christmas in July lunchs, dinners and parties.
I want in on the roast turkey, potatoes, yams and stuffing action.

I think I will start with eggnog

Foamy Hot Eggnog

• 4 cups milk
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg, plus additional for dusting
• 1 cup dark rum

Instructions

1. Heat milk in a medium saucepan over moderate heat (do not boil).
2. Whisk together eggs, sugar, vanilla and nutmeg in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in 1 cup hot milk in a slow stream. Whisk egg mixture into remaining milk in saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring, until it thickens and registers 170° F on an instant-read thermometer.
3. Blend in small batches in a blender until frothy. Divide rum among 8 heatproof glasses and top with eggnog. Dust top with nutmeg.

Yum!!!

Friday night live at Casa de Nisbet

Well here we are.

Friday is here at last.

Prom night

EAT THE VEGETABLES FIRST !!

Ok I know that the prospect of eating the vegetables seems kind of bland in comparison to the prospect of eating the beer battered chips and lamb steak but really it is the best option.

You see as I discovered tonight if you eat the yummy steak first followed closely by the delicious beer battered chips (purchased implusely after seeing them on the ad) and then what was left? the vegetables. And how apertising did they look after I have taken my sweet time to eat the rest of my meal? not very!

So my solution to this mamoth problem is to make yourself eat the vegetables first. Trust me it will make your whole meal better.

:)

Tom's chicken

Since it was such a sucess the last two times he served it I thought it was only right to let the world have access to it.

Chicken tenderlions with sweet plum sauce

1 kg chicken tenderlions
flour with salt pepper to taste
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup port
1/2 cup plum sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp seeded mustard

Toss chicken in the flour and shake off excess. Heat oil in a large pan then cook half the chicken at the time until golden brown. Remove from pan and keep warm. Add plum sauce, soy, mustard and port to the pan, scraping up the browned flour into the sauce. Cook for one minute and then add chicken back to pan and stir. Serve immediately with rice.

Winter Solstice

Finally it is Friday night and the weekend is here!

Wednesday of this week was the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year.
That sounds bad until you realise that it also means it was also the longest night in the year!! All that time to sleep.

I have been very sleepy this week and I am blaming all the night!! With that much darkness how could I not want to sleep all the time?

Speaking of which......zzzzzzzz

In case you have forgotten

I wasn't sure if you all remembered how beautiful my wedding dress was. So here I am as a reminder.

Some might say I went over the top. But I think it was just right.

The public urinals of Rothesay

These victorian fixtures are located at the pierhead "Public Convinence" at Rothesay, Isle of Bute, just off the west coast of Scotland. I went here with my Mum and Grandma on my holiday. We all crept into the mens to have a look at the famous toilets. It was hilarious.

Shoes for Ness

How cool are these?

Perfect for your collection Ness

still sick

the fish are still sick

I think we will need to go back to the vet to get some more drugs for them

:(

not happy Jan.

sick fish

:(

Our fish are sick. It is very sad

We had to go to the vet the other day to get them medication because it was a schedule 2 drug and not available over the counter. I have never been to a vet before but let me tell you it was strange to be there without a pet. We couldn't move the fish so Tom and I went to the vet by ourselves. Tom did a great job explaining what was wrong with the fish and the vet gave us three days worth of the medication. Sadly the medication hasn't worked as well as we hoped and the fish are still sick.

Sick fish. It is very sad

:(

Friday night

Thank goodness for Friday.

I love coming home from work and knowing that there is no work tomorrow - it is so energising. I mean I always have more energy to go out or stay up late on Friday than any other night of the week. Although having said that I still like to go to bed early where possible.

Tomorrow will be more work in the garden and afternoon tea with my friends. I am looking forward to it. Kitty is making chocolate brownies -Yum! And it will be great to see Ben he is walking and talking now - how quickly children grow up.

This weekend I am not going to spend as much money as last weekend. That won't be hard so long as we don't go to trade tools or Crabtree & Evelyn.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Thanks Tom!

Tom had a flex day today and bought me Rosewater Fine Linen Wash from Crabtree and Evelyn!



Thanks Baby! You are the best.

Tapas and Sangria

Tonight we went to a Spanish Tapas Restaurant in the Valley. We drank Sangria and ate beautiful tapas. A great night was had by all.

Here is a recipe for Spanish Sangria.

Ingredients

3 1/4 cups ( 26 fl. oz) dry red wine
1 tablespoon sugar
Juice of 1 large orange
Juice of 1 large lemon
1 large orange, sliced thin crosswise
1 large lemon, sliced thin crosswise
2 medium peaches, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks
1 cup (8 fl. oz) club soda

Preparation

Combine all the ingredients except for the club soda in a large punch bowl or serving pitcher, mixing well. Refrigerate overnight. Immediately before serving, mix in the club soda for added fizz. Ladle into cups with ice cubes.

Rain

Finally some rain for Brisbane...
It has rained all day today.

That means that we have not done any work in the garden today. Instead we went shopping at Carindale, Bunnings and Trade tools.

Thanks Tom

Tom bought me Lavender Fine Linen Wash from Crabtree and Evelyn today!

Thanks Baby! I love it.

Sultana biscuits

125 g butter

1/2 cup sugar

2 T milk

1 dessert spoon golden syrup

1 t baking soda

1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 cup sultanas

1 t vanilla essence

In a large saucepan melt butter, then add sugar, milk, syrup and soda, mixing until it fizzes. Remove from heat and leave to cool. Stir in flour, sultanas and vanilla essence. Mix well. Roll into little golf balls and place on a well-greased or baking-paper-lined tray. Press down with a wet fork. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 160C. Leave on the baking tray for one minute then carefully remove to a wire rack to cool.

Toast and heaters

There is nothing better than toast.
except maybe heaters....

I don't think I need to say anything more.

Gift Suggestions

In case I forget - these are five products from Crabtree and Evelyn that I want.

The Summer Hill handcream, Summer Hill hangers, Lavander hangers, the Lavender Fine Linen wash and the Citus Handwash.

Placemats

How nice are the placemats I brought back from Scotland??!!

And check out the beautiful roses Tom bought me!

Under the Coral Tree

In the back yard there is a big tree - a Coral tree. The photo on the left is how I want the area under the tree to look!

Cool hey?

Pizza Hut and Housework

Tom and I went to Pizza Hut today for lunch. $11.95 seemed like good value for all you can eat pizza. pasta and desert. But what I didn't factor was how crappy I would feel after eating all the junk food. I was in a bad mood all afternoon and continually tried to pick fights with poor Tom. Luckliy for me (and him) Tom was smart enough to recognise the cause of my bad mood.

Mental note: No more junkfood for Suse!

The only other thing I managed to do today was four loads of washing - housework sux.