LOTR marathon

Thank you ladies for coming! I had a great time!! Photos are up on My photos.

LOTR extended took ages, but still it was shorter than I thought it'd be. So we had lunch of
- pseudo Caesar salad
- caramelised onions, beetroot, goat's cheese tarts
- egg, sundried tomatoes, olives tarts
- soy, garlic, chilli, honey chicken drumsticks
- Italian herbed chicken drumsticks
Because I'm a cheaparse and I love taking advantage of cheap half price Boxing Day sales, I got paper cups, plates, plastic bowls and 100 sporks! So many sporks...

So after FoTR, we went for a quick walk around the block where I persuaded Leach to wear my masseuse thongs. Hehehe funny.
So we watched Two Towers during afternoon tea, there were scones, home-whipped cream and raspberry conserve or Morello cherry fruit spread. Kat joined us just before deciding on pizza. Ate Dominos during the second half of Towers: BBQ chicken, Vegorama, El Scorcho, Supreme with anchovies and olives. Wooohooo! $3 each. I like. :)
Dessert of gelati and chocolate truffles at the start of RotK. So all up we finished at 0200, and Wong spent 20 minutes looking for the Easter eggs. Damn bloody hilarious! And eventually bunked down at 0300 after Wong stopped spooning Cat, Leach and I.
And breakfast of waffles, vanilla ice cream, maple syrup, watermelon, mangoes and Kat's T2 chai tea. Mmmm...Leach is currently lying on my bed, I'm of course typing this post up. Gonna have lunch soon before I drop her off in G Hall. Cheerio!

Days til work: 7 days

Recent purchases:
- TOO MANY SNACKS: chocolate assorted biccies, crostoli, muruuku, a large portion of French brie + crispbread x 2, 2 bags of chips, Anzac biccies, 1 doz. scones, bucket of peanut M&Ms and Stollen.

Merry belated Christmas everyone!

Hope you all had wonderful Christmases! And know the true meaning of it. ;)

So I went to the Carols night on the Eve and Christmas service in the morning. You know, I think I'm gonna miss Trevor as our minister, his and Ilana's last Christmas at St. Martin's. *sighs*

So I still need to give out one more Christmas present to Mike, Secret Santa gift. Oh Josh owes me $17, both Michelles owe me money, B owes me money. Angi you owe me $17. And Loz owes me $27 from way back when, I don't even remember what for.

Christmas was good. I spent it with the Morrins, had lots of fun, amused muchly. Had the traditional Christmas fare, turkey, pork, ham, peas, carrots, pumpkin, potatoes etc. And Christmas pudding (with tuppences etc.) with cream, or hard sauce. And munchies for later. And leftovers for dinner. Very stuffed. Thank you Morrins, and thank you Robyn. Also surprised with a Christmas gift from Robyn "His Princess" and 101 Promises. And Josh got me "Safe Baby Handling Tips", bloody hilarious, I love the sadistic bits, ooooh yea.

And later on Christmas night, when I got back, I messaged B and Michelle to come on over, we had a pyjama party and recorded interesting conversations in French. Such as:
"Prends moi" Take me
"Je suis a toi" I'm yours
"Je veux faire 'lamour avec toi" I want to make love to you
"Attache-moi!" Tie me up!
I'm sure we know my infamous Lonely Planet phrasebook collection.

So we went to see 'Casino Royale' tonight. Very funny movie, the funniest arse Bond movie I have ever seen in my life, Nemah and I were laughing out loud in the cinemas, and hitting ourselves. Especially at the torture scene!!! Bwhahahahahaha!!! Sackwhacking!!!
I like this one more than the others, no terrible naked women scenes, better opening titles, predictable but hilarious!!

Okay, LOTR marathon. Time to be organised but definitely at my house on Saturday. I may be inviting some church gals as well so it may get somewhat cozy. I need to stock up on food and drink before you guys come over. Otherwise I have wine and gin.

Truffles for church friends

Shell and I decided to save some money, time, energy and fridge space and made chocolate truffles as Christmas presents for church peeps. So we spent last week melting chocolate, mixing chocolate, eating chocolate...

So, we were planning on making chocolate moulds, but they didn't turn out right, so we made milk chocolate with the chocolate sprinkles on the bottom right. Peppermint creams which were just finished yesterday. And white chocolate and pistachio, and milk chocolate with peppermint crisp, both drizzled in 70% dark. Peppermint crisp truffles are really gooooood.

We had a good amount of truffles leftover so Shell popped an extra truffle in for Andrew (the orange box). Heeheehee.

Here's the 2nd Christmas pudding, I cut a portion for Shell and her mum and gave her a little jar of brandy sauce. Mmmm...

Other than that, went to Parra to redeem my complimentary voucher at Max Brenner. I got any 2 picks of the pralines. Mmmm... I chose Dark choc with caramel and whiskey, and Praline with cornflakes and pepper. Unfortunately the whiskey praline melted partly on the way home (meeep) but both are now sitting safely in the fridge.
Oh and Shell and I had lunch at Tomoodachi, do not go there, $$$, I had a seafood okonomiyaki. For that amount of money, I'd rather have gone to a Ichiban boshi.

Recent purchases:
- TOL light blue and white strapless dress
- white singlet top from Giordano - was gonna wear under the dress but now... it seems I don't need to...
- Phil's Christmas present

Arvo tea at Viv's

Ooops forgot to take photos.

Thank you for letting us invite ourselves over to yours Viv, I had a great time! Hope there wasn't too much cleaning up for you to do.

So Alex, Trees, Viv and I had afternoon tea of Christmas pudding (with double cream), Christmas pudding and Black Sesame gelato and cups of tea. General discussions about what's going on in our lives and we got to look at Alex's wedding photos! Yays! It wasn't boring at all Alex, I was looking forward to it muchly :D

And I will definitely pay for the jaffle maker, just give me the price you want for it and I'll come by and pick it up sometime ;) Otherwise, I'm looking forward to the Doubleday blog ;)

Yays for Trees trying new things! She kept picking and eating the pudding. And yays for Alex evening it out, hope you and Alan enjoy the little portion leftover ;)

So I've finished steaming the 2nd pudding and it's now sitting happily in my fridge surrounded by white chocolate & pistachio truffles that Shell and I are giving to church peeps as little Christmas gifts. Apparently I have to keep a quarter of the pud for my mum to eat when she comes back in February. Hmmm... first in, first served I say.

Finished one load of laundry this morning. Thank God I didn't hang it outside, drying nicely in the lounge. Somewhat a good thing we didn't have arvo tea at my house, prefer people not to see my underwear unless it's on me ;) ;P

Monday night was our last Yabs night for the year. Had our Christmas party, BBQ and all. I made cherry cheesecake (which I still have plenty of, it's a soft mess but still lickable). My SS was Veronica, who got me a little Mr. Wonderful. You know, that squeezable speaking man doll that you can get at ModCons (and other various novelty stores). He's sitting on my dashboard right now. Mocking me. Lol.

Anyways, have an early morning at Shell's to make origami boxes for the chocolates. Oh darn, I have to quenelle the choc peppermint truffles and cool. Then melt some more 70% and drizzle over the lot. Going to take some Panadol now before I start the chocs.

Recent purchases:
- 'Called to Care' - Nursing from a christian perspective. I've been looking for a book like this since I started my degree, meanwhile I didn't exactly have the luxury of heading up to Koorong anytime I wanted. Don't you hate it when Koorong has sales the day after you go shopping there. Happens every time...

I'm home (just in case Trees believes I didn't make it home and am a mess on the Hume Highway somewhere)

Thank you for inviting us to the Carols night Viv, I really enjoyed myself! Although now I feel like another sausage sizzle. Mmm... hungry now. Hoarse voice now. Still, currently have "What Child Is This" stuck in my head. Gaaaaaahhh... must stop...

What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant king to own Him,
The King of kings, salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

So went to Pure Gelato via getting lost going to Trees (didn't turn off Mitchell), Wong's, then up to the Spice Centre and bought some spices. Mmmm... currently have 5L of gelati. Chocolate, Mint Chocolate, Lemon, Peanut Butter Fudge, and a 1L mix of Black Sesame and Christmas pudding (which is basically rum and raisin with cassata pieces). Almost melted on the way home. Was somewhat tempted to stop by Ram's in Flemington, then I thought "Nooo... gelati doooomed."

So Josh invited me to watch Northern Lights last night. Had nothing to do. Thank you! Twas good methoughts, hehehe, I'm a picky person, what can I say? But yes as a very belated 21st present, it's true what Robyn said, running very close to the end of year.

So after waking up today due to the fluctuating temperature, finally got out of bed at 0950 with a lovely sore back (no matter what, I still love the Parra class). Did some crunches, decided to put on some more clothes... and started with brunch. Drove to Chullora to buy some bream (which consequently Trees' mum started slicing up before she realised "Oh that's Pun's" next time I should buy a chicken so she can start cooking it for me, totally fine with it ;) Mmm... chicken). Quickly picked up Trees so she could direct me to Leach's, dropped off some pud and brandy sauce, and headed back to Trees'.

I GOT INTO TREES' BEDROOM!!! I recommend everyone to see it, it's a bit of a mess but not bad at all, truly Trees, last week I had underwear everywhere, as in everywhere (all clean mind you). Now it's just all in one huge green Woolies bag, and my lovely church gals got to see what kind of underwear I wear. Isn't that just great...?

*Church gals grab hold of my underwear off my pile*
Pun: "Oi!! Get out of my bloody underwear bag!!"
*Church gals giggle, and slowly drop panties and bra*

TREES ATE CHRISTMAS PUDDING!! As an eyewitness, I wish I took photos, hmmm... I'll bring some on Wednesday, maybe I'll get some vanilla gelato to match the pudding, and another one to surprise you with Viv ;) But Trees ate pudding!

I like this one best out of all the ones I've made. This one has the right level of sweetness and not crunchy 'cause of the figs like last year's. I think I'll continue using prunes as the featured fruit. Dare I say it (blasphemy I know), it doesn't even need brandy sauce or cream *watches out for Cat's shoes flying at head*

*sigh*

I'm feeling lonely and cold, more so cold *switches on electric blanket* this blanket should not need to be turned on in December. Come over and entertain me! I'll pick you up Viv! And maybe Trees ;P Otherwise, I'll see you Trees at 1400 on Wednesday.

And my house is now open til 2nd January. I'm trying to organise a LOTR marathon for Saturday the 30th!! From let's say... 1700 onwards, I'll get some mattresses, a few drinks, some continuous grazing of hmmm... cherries..., white nectarines (Sooo yummy Trees!), melons, the usual suspects: cheese, crackers, Christmas pud plus sauce and cream, finger food for grazing. And then you know, when Leach is starving, I'll take out the big venison steak or maybe a gigantic chicken out of the oven. Serve with taters, carrots, greens, gravy (oh man I'm hungry now), have Trees make an Egg custard with one of my eggs ;) eat gelati, drink chocolate. Does this not sound tempting coz my stomach is growling right now??

Recent purchases:
- Michel Camilo y Tomatito - Spain Again. Leading on from the successful collaboration in 2001(?), their second album together is like the first, a fusion of jazz and flamenco. Very enjoyable to listen to, I feel like I should be sitting in a tapas bar somewhere, nah that's due to hunger.

Gals' night at my house

Other than waking early to pick Shell up and head to Koorong, went to Harris Farm pick up groceries, then to the Plaza, then to Shell's house, then back to mine. Gaahhh... so tired.
So basically I cooked Indian last night, with Shelly's help in the pappadums and Aloo Gobi area.
The dinner was:
- okra curry - mmm... I added less salt this time, much, much better
- Aloo Gobi - with 2 less chiles coz I had non-hot people for dinner. I need it to be hotter, it's not as tasty without a good amount of heat.
- Butter chicken - unfortunately I had no kasuri methi and forgot to add a little cream. I had a feeling I was forgetting something. But I think I have to cook it a few more times to get it right.
- basmati rice in the rice cooker
- fresh mango lassis
- cherry, chocolate gelato, cream, raspberry, spumante sundaes

No pics :(

I'm very full though, I now have a huge dish of aloo gobi in the fridge, and at least this fridge looks less full then it did this morning. Maybe I should make aloo gobi jaffles? Darn don't have a jaffle maker (the only time I feel like making jaffles is after cooking too much aloo gobi, and that's 3 times a year???). I need to heat it up with some chilli powder...

You know, the car, from far off: not bad; close up: not that great. *sigh*

Friday morning, I had the scariest experience of my life. Ever wanna see grannies and 40 year old women pretend to pole dance??? Go to Fernwood LPL for the 0930 class. GAAAAAAHHHHH!!!! The warm up was pretending to pole dance to "Sex Bomb" by Tom Jones. I. Have. NEVER IN MY LIFE. Felt. So. So. So. Dirty... As in I could feel shivers going up my spine and running down my arms and legs just listening and.... GAAAHHHHH!!!! Shell and I left after 5min, and drove to Parra for the blessed Hip Hop class. So much better.

Oh S***!

I bloody scraped and dented the car.
F***************!!!!!!!

Dammit, I was driving on an angle to get into the driveway but I turned left too early and scraped from the passenger door handle to above the back wheel. And it's dented now! And well, well, well scratched! F*****************************!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I can't do anything about it til my brother gets back. S***! S***! S***! S***! S***!

All I can say is lucky there was noone with me, and lucky it's a second hand car.

EDIT: Thank you Leach, you've calmed me down, I was so stressed before. Thank you for calling *virtual hug*. Okay, it's inevitable, P platers will have an accident of sorts some time and this will be mine. I've learnt my lesson (learning), I want to kick myself in the head, damn, stupid, all my fault, dammit.

I've been doing a lot more driving than I thought I would have...

Other than driving to the gym in Moorebank, I've been driving to Parra and Koorong as well. My parking is abysmal, even though Shell says it's not bad. So what's the best angle to turn into a parking spot (angle parking)?

I've been taught to aim for A, but quickly turn the steering wheel into X. But how about the rear-to-kerb parking into spot Y? My reverse angle parking could possibly be worse than my forward angle parking... *droops head*
Well, I'm home alone til the 27th. So my house is on offer for a (long-awaited) LOTR ext. marathon if ladies wanna come over. I suspect the 16th will be off limits though. Or just feel free to pop over when bored (and before 0000, I don't fancy having to start entertaining people when I'm walking around in underwear). I have juice! And soy milk! And an unhealthy amount of chocolate! And lambs and sloths and carp and anchovies and orangutans and breakfast cereals...

I bought some water spinach yesterday and I'm trying to discover ways of cooking it. Usually it's stir fried in veg oil, sugar, shrimp sauce and water. Do I add red chilli as well (for that kick)? Or maybe garlic? But that would be Malay style eh? I think I'll get a book on Cantonese cooking with this fabulous 20% off Borders coupon.

I need to test batch some chocolates as well, argh I need food colouring too. Darnit. Well, well, it's only 1230... I think I'll drive up to the shops and buy some, I wonder if there's anything else I need to get... but that means I have to get changed out of my sarong... and it's so comfortable in this... *sighs*

Argh, that reminds me, I gotta dust, vacuum and clean, and do the ironing, and pack my clothes into my drawers. A lot of dusting...

Recent purchases:
- Secret Santa gift
- Christmas gift for MichelleG
- Christmas gift for Josh
- Bday gift for B - Leach, how much do I owe you?
- 'SHE' by Rebecca St. James
- 'And She Lived Happily Ever After' by Skip McDonald. Let's see how these last 2 books fare, better than 'Captivating' I hope.
- a few chocolate moulds - Shell and I are planning on making chocolates for Christmas, from the 2 of us. Well I do have the house free and I'm not exactly doing anything eh?

Still need to get:
- other half of B's Christmas present
- Christmas pudding ingredients
- brandy for cherries?? Or maybe I should just eat them or cook them this time? Okay, if you guys come over, we're having cherries for dinner.

Don't mind me, I'm just brainstorming what I can do with the cherries
- brandied cherries - lol yea, (tasted like) there was more brandy than there was cherry
- cherry, chocolate parfait - bottom layer of cherries brandied overnight, then layer of vanilla icecream, then maybe chunks of pineapple, then dark choc mousse, then kiwifruit, then whipped cream with a little caster sugar, then chocolate shavings??
- cherry and almond muffins
- cherry juice and champagne
- cherry cheesecake/cake
- chocolate covered cherries
- crepes with brandied/macerated cherries
- Jamie Oliver style - from the bottom up: pitted cherries, creme fraiche, dark chocolate icecream/gelato, segmented oranges, creme fraiche, dark chocolate icecream/gelato, bashed Maltesers, top with Prosecco.

Alex and Alan's Wedding photos up on My photos!!

Unfortunately I had to delete some of the blurry ones and I've got 3 videos of the happy couple, but I can't pop those online.

Also, my camera ran outta batteries just after the speeches so I don't have pics of the cake cutting nor the cake. Now did anyone sleep with their sliver of cake under their pillow last night??

Leach dreamt of Naruto and I dreamt of... cake.

I GOT MY P'S!!!

Now to learn the start and end of every car trip... angle parking (and trying to reverse out of my stupid driveway). You know what, I'll just park on the grass everyday.

And my brother and dad will be in HK til after Christmas so I may recruit someone to teach me to angle park. If you read this before I see you tomorrow Cat, it's incredibly likely that I take you up on the Christmas offer in Canberra :)

So, I'll be cleaning up, packing a lot of stuff over the next month. Also that means free house...

And paying the bills, going grocery shopping (in a car!), going to the gym (in a car!), learning how to park (with a car!).