~My Birthday and * P A R I S * Update~

This is what I woke to yesterday on my phone

17th April......My Birthday

which co-incidentally happens to be the same as Monica McInerney's so I found out just a little while ago......how cool is that!!!

A new little sparkly phone cover.......in gold of course

Even the bed is getting into the swing of my upcoming PARIS trip

(You might recall that my Son is taking me over later this year while Mr Armchair cares for JoJo)

We had a Paris clock on the wall which recently broke and after looking around in my small coastal town I couldn't find another

Then my Cousin Katy sent me this clock........and she had no idea about my clock!!!

Thank you so much Katy......it's perfect!!!

After JoJo left for her programme Mr Armchair and I thought we would go out for a Birthday Breakfast at the newest and hippest place in town 'Against The Grain'......an all Paleo Cafe/Restaurant

Paleo suits me down to the ground being gluten free which means I can have anything on the menu......no compromises at this Cafe for me

This Cafe has all organic and free-range food

I ordered a Cappuccino with Coconut milk which came with a small glass of sparkling mineral water

How perfect is that as I always have water after coffee anyway

Mr Armchair had Scrambled Egg, Paleo Toast, Sauteed Kale, Bacon and a Sweet Potato Rosti

The Birthday Girl Omelette with Pulled Pork, Avocado, Cress and Apple Coleslaw and 

Sweet Potato Rosti

JoJo will also be able to order freely here as she is Lactose Intolerant so it's win/win for us

I know she is looking forward to Pancakes here.......and Coconut Cream

Sounds delicious

On Thursday afternoon I caught up with Asta for a Hot Chocolate

and she gave me these very lovely fabrics and threads

Thank You so much Asta......they're gorgeous

I joined a Fat Quarter Birthday Swap hosted by the lovely Chez

These are the little packages so far with 2 more to come

this is the little stack so far

I'll be back when the other 2 come in

Friday afternoon when JoJo came home we had some Persian Love Cake and Coffee

Before heading out for dinner (yes it seems like we ate all day)

I had some Cuttlefish to start with and Mr Armchair had Scallops

 JoJo had some Pasta and Prawns

One of the Desserts here is Popcorn Custard and Banana.......very interesting!!!

And just to finish off I scored a Gold *grin* Travel Wallet at a super duper price!!!

In between dreaming of PARIS I've been quilting Forty Years of Light and getting there!!!

Happy Weekend everyone......love Dzintra xo

A Catch Up Post

Mr Armchair is having a few issues with his leg at the moment

Blood tests are clear as is an x-Ray so it's off for an MRI to see what is going on

This means double-duty caring for me along with JoJo

But nevertheless we had some respite care booked for night out at our local Indian Restaurant so he hobbled along to that

I couldn't have the Nan Bread as it isn't gluten free but was very happy with my Pappadums......so crisp and crunchy

Only 2 gluten free Entrees so I chose this Lamb Mince Roll with A Mint Sauce......very, very tasty!

Beef Rogan Josh for him......Chicken for me and Sultana and Saffron Rice

No Dessert for me......they seem to put Wheat Flour into everything......this time in the Mango Purée which is behind the Cream and Wafer.  

We thoroughly enjoyed a few hours off and was inspired to go here after seeing The Hundred Foot Journey.

Couldn't resist this little pic of my gorgeous Great Nephew Connor

And in my sewing world I am working on my Faerie Quilt and enjoying collecting my Aurifil Thread Collection from Sarah

I'm having a bit of trouble keeping up with commenting on everyone's blogs but I do read them all......it's how I start my day before JoJo's up and when she is it's Game On along with Mr A as well.

Have a great week Dear Readers......Dzintra

~Birthday, Easter and Special Visitors!~

It's been quite a while since I have blogged

A lot has been happening and slowly things are getting back to normal

(till the next play anyway LOL)

and JoJo also requires time and effort on our part to just simply be and be able to participate in all her activities which leaves me having to juggle things around a bit

Following on from my birthday post Mr Armchair took me to lunch unexpectedly to The River Moruya......a 1 Hat Establishment

I was especially excited to go there as one of the girls I went to TAFE with is working there and her name is Megan

Megan and I got on well at TAFE and now I am friends with her Mum Asta who is new to blogging

The Lunch Menu

For Mr Armchair.....

Pork and Grain Mustard Rillettes, Celeriac Remoulade, Crisp Fried Free Range Egg and Truffle Vinaigrette

My choice

Boullaibaise, Crushed New Potato but missing the Bread due to being gluten free

Pan fried Salmon, Truffled Mashed Potato, Buerre Cafe de Paris and Lobster Veloute

For Dessert the Mr had a Chocolate Brownie and Vanilla Ice Cream

I opted for the Maffra Red Waxed Cheddar with Sweet Mustard Pickles and requested some apple slices or something instead of the biscuits on offer (due to gluten issues)

A very delicious meal.......thank you so much for the surprise dear Hubby!!!

The day after my birthday was Good Friday and I did the Latvian tradition of colouring eggs

This time I chose grape leaves and onion skins

Wrapped them together with string and boil

and voila, gorgeous coloured eggs

They can be shinied up with some bacon fat

JoJo was excited that Easter was here

She just loves all occasions and celebrates with gusto!!!

Breakfast on Easter Sunday

Eggs and Chocolate

Above a pic of Daughter Jacqueline and Bill (DH) and my Brother and Wife Erin 

This was a very special time as my Brother has serious health issues and we just love it when he comes to visit

Jacqueline modelling the Snood that I knitted up and she put together

JoJo and God Father Uncle Charlie

And we had a rather busy week looking after the 2 little Munchkins Ryan and Lidija

I haven't been able to get around and comment on everyone's blog as much as usual lately

Thank you to everyone that pays a visit and also to those who do comment

So very much appreciated by me as I do read every single one!!!

Enjoy Sunday

Love 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!!!