2016......the ones that got away

Welcome 2017......let's hope this year doesn't fly by like the last one!!!

I like to do a catch up post in January of the previous years' photos that just didn't make it on to the blog for one reason or another.....

To kick off January I had a go a making some Mozarella Cheese and it turned out really well

We were all really happy with it!

Just need more practice at making smooth round balls!

February sees me going up the Hill to the National Gallery Canberra 

to view Australian Artist Tom Robert's Exhibition

Oh my how stunning it was!

Artwork is 'The Golden Fleece' painted at Newstead North Station, near Inverell, New South Wales and Sydney 1894

Oil on Canvas......purchased 1894

My Friend has a Tapestry of this and it is just beautiful

The further away you stand from it the further into the Shed you go!

I made this little cushion 10 years ago for my Sister and finally took a photo of it

It's being used as a little brooch holder

Original design by Cathy Penton

April sees me off to a Book Signing with Fleur McDonald and Josephine Moon
Fleur writes about Rural Fiction and Jo writes Foodie Fiction
Pic here with Fleur but the one with Josephine has vanished and luckily it did make it to Instagram at the time.
 Im having Lots of trouble here with the photos......
Blogger won't talk to my Photo Library here and I think the Photo Library keeps changing the photos around!

In May we were still getting Cherry Tomaotes from our garden

In June I was lucky enough to win this Book hosted by Gail Pan Designs

Thank You Gail!

In July I was the first to finish a Book Challenge hosted by our local Bookshop

August sees JoJo's Birthday......the day she waits all year for

Here she is with a John Farnham cake

In September I was reminiscing about my Paris trip and how I scored a visit into the Kitchen of 

Alain Ducasses's Jules Verne Restaurant in the Eiffel Tower

Oh my....................

In October I went to Manu Fieldel's Book Signing

Here I am with him......sigh

November saw Mr Armchair cook a meal from a recipe

Beef Sirloin Steak with Rocket Salad and Balsamic Onions

Very delicious too!

And Christmas December 2016 saw a Spit in the Backyard

Here we have JoJo's Sister Jacqueline and her little one Lidija

So ends a quick trip through 2016

Wishing everyone a Happy, Content and Peaceful 2017

Dzintra xo

~An Evening with Rick Stein~and new boots~

I have been thoroughly spoilt again......

this time my Son gifted to me for my birthday a weekend at Rick Stein at Bannisters for an

~Evening with Rick Stein~

A little corner of our very generous rooms by day......the sun was shining brilliantly on this cool Winter's day......

Above pic is the Sun going down over the ocean taken from almost the same spot

The main room

This very special Event featured a long table dinner on the Sunday night hosted by Rick

Rick actually came along and greeted each table.

The evening started with Canapes and Champagne in the Garden Room followed by a 4 course meal of delectable seafood at the Rick Stein at Bannisters Restaurant

We went down to the Pool Bar and had some oysters shortly after arrival

I might mention here we ate all weekend.......

Above and below 2 of the wines for the Evening......all perfectly matched

To start we had a Salad of Lobster, Avocado, Green Beans and Foie-Gras

The texture of the Foie-Gras was as smooth as velvet

This was followed by Blue Eye Trevalla and Mussel Chowder with Celery Herb

and OMG check this out......A Meuyrette of Silver Dory with Caramelized Eschallots, Bacon and Mushrooms

Chocolate Mousse with Hazelnut Dacquoise and Raspberry Sorbet.......the Sorbet was perfectly nice and tarty!!!

Next afternoon we walked up the hill to Rick's place for a cooking demonstration from his latest book travelling and cooking his way through India

Upon entering the house we were greeted with a glass of bubbles and then offered a water bottle during the afternoon.........the Perfect Host!!!

We watched and had 3 samples of his cooking

The first one was 'My Breakfast Bhaji'
A mixture of Potatoes, Carrots, Onions and Tomatoes and various Spices
Served with a Fried Egg

followed by 'Hot Smoked Salmon Kedgeree'......Rick used Smoked Trout from the Snowy Mountains in this case

and then last but not least 'Madras Fish Curry of Snapper, Tomato and Tamarind'

And here's Rick with me and Mr Armchair signing books and menus for us

This time I bought Rick's Seafood book and the Mediterranean Escape one

After Rick's we went down the end of the road through a walking track which overlooked Mollymook Beach

Another sunset shot

Next night for dinner we had

 ~Warm Shellfish with Parsley, Chilli, Olive Oil, Garlic and Lemon Juice~

Clams, Prawns, Mussels, Oyster, Scallop, Scampi and Blue Swimmer Crab

One of the best if not the best Seafood Platter I have had......

Followed by Whole Fried Snapper with a Chilli Sauce, Crisp Basil and Cashew Nuts

Dessert 

A couple more scenes

Afterwards we met DS James

He and his Partner Danelle gave us much needed respite and had JoJo for 2 nights with them

She had a great time.......we had a great time and ate out way through the whole 2 days!!!

And I got to wear my new boots that Mr Armchair gave me for my birthday......WOO HOO!!!!

THANK YOU so much James and Danelle for this utterly delicious weekend

and Thank you Bannisters and Rick Stein for looking after us!!!

I would love to think that we will go back again another time......I'm sure we will!!!

A Surprise Package from Rick Stein at Bannisters...

Boy how lucky am I...

Earlier in the year Mr Armchair and I were treated by our Son to a very special weekend at Rick Stein's at Bannisters...I did a blog post on our time away and then emailed Bannisters about it and thanked them for really looking after us...

and blow me down not long after this I received a signed copy of Rick's Book 'Rick Stein's Spain' which I will add to my collection of Rick's books...

Together with the most heartfelt letter from Mr Peter Bacon, The General Manager at Bannisters...

I'll put an excerpt from this letter on this post...

"We understand that as carers for a child with a disability you rarely get a chance to spend quality time together so we were really touched that you not only chose to spend this precious time with us but thoroughly enjoyed yourselves.

All our staff strive to provide a friendly and memorable experience and it is a great encouragement to all when we receive such fantastic feedback from our guests..."

On reading these words I just got all teary...

Thank you so much Peter...your Caring words truly mean so much..

Some delicious pics from the book...

Bannisters has cooking classes with Rick...I didn't get there this year but will try for another one...

I thoroughly recommend Bannisters for a total relax and best food ever...

I can honestly say I was addicted to seafood when we got back home...

so addicted that we went to our local fishmonger and bought up!!!

Now I'm all hungry talking food...

It's a cold, rainy, wind, wet day here on the South Coast so I'm off to make Pumpkin Soup now and a Spice Slice with Lemon Icing...

Bon Appetit...Dzintra

Rick Stein at Bannister's...A Break For Us!!!

February seems so long ago now...

We had a very very special weekend thanks to our our Son James and his Partner Danelle...

Last year for Mr Armchair's very significant birthday they wanted to give us a weekend away INCLUDING having JoJo whilst that was happening...

And blow me down we started to plan it all and I broke my arm...

this put me out of action for weeks...

Mr Armchair was run off his feet caring for me and JoJo...

and 12 months later we were finally able to have our weekend away...

And what a time it was...

but I must admit it took getting used to just being a couple a while...

JoJo is with us full time and we are her Carers...

for us to be able to enjoy a few hours together of just chatting and going out requires planning for Respite Care...knowing when we are going out...when we are coming back...

nothing is spontaneous for us...

sometimes is is just easier to stay home and not stress about it all...

The place we all agreed on was Rick Stein's at Bannisters...

James had to approve our choice as he wanted somewhere really nice and special for us...

After we arrived we headed off down to the pool area for a drink and a bit of lunch...

pic above is at the pool area...

Driving into Bannister's...

Ocean view from our room...

On the balcony...

Caesar Salad...

Chips and Aioli...

Some swimming in the edge pool...

It started raining in the late afternoon but it was still nice and warm...

Inside a corner of the Restaurant where we had dinner...

The wine...

I had informed the Restaurant a couple of days before that I was on a gluten-free diet...

The menus are quite large and they are printed every day on thick paper with a copy of the fish below on the other side...

I wasn't made to feel any different from the other guests which can often happen in various places...

the Restaurant had printed up a gluten free version...

I thought that this was the most thoughtful gesture...

Every attention to detail was attended to...

We were chatting with the Hostess at Front of House and told her why we there and when we sat down we were presented with complimentary champagne...

The most unusual butter...a fishy one but oh so delicious...

together with gluten free bread...they just did it!!!

 Braised Fillet of Cone Bay Barramundi with Truffle, Slivers of Potato, Mushrooms and Truffle Oil...

Chips and Melange of Vegetables...

During the evening...

Both desserts had Happy Birthday on them as the dinner was a celebratory birthday one for us both...signed by Rick's Head Chef.. Julian Lloyd

We were so full but still managed to fit in breakfast...eggs for Mr Armchair

and bruschetta for me (on gluten free toast)...and they remembered!!!

A light shade made of small bottles...

Entrance into the Restaurant...

Took a walk down to the beach and came upon a dedication...

Cocktails...mocktails...we certainly ate and drank!!!

And then it was dinner time again...

Fig, Prosciutto and Rocket Salad...

A salad of Lobster, Avocado, Green Beans and Foie-Gras...

Bannisters Fish Pie...Salmon, Snapper, Blue Eye Trevalla, Scallops, Mushrooms and Prawns in a creamy Fish Veloute Sauce with Truffle, gratinated with Breadcrumbs and Parmesan...

Indonesian Seafood Curry with Ling, Skate, Kingfish, Squid and King Prawns...Served with Green Bean and fresh Coconut Salad and Steamed Rice... .

And of course we had to have dessert!!!

Many Awards on the walls...

We even bought some fabulous books...Rick is coming back next month and I think I will take them up there to be signed by him!!!

A little collage I made...prior to the evening meal olives are served!!!

We love olives and regularly do this here at home too now!!!

Thank You, Thank You so much James and Danelle...we had a ball!!!!!

We have little Ryan coming here for a few days in the holidays...

tonight I will cook Pork Belly...

So here's to a wonderful weekend of family and celebrations!!!

I am so Blessed!!!

Bon Appetit...Dzintra xo