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

~A Welcome Home Dinner....and a Book Win~

Phew, here we are into February and just starting to get back into Blogland....

When I came back from Paris and Latvija Hubby and JoJo offered to take me out for dinner to celebrate.......Well that was back in October and the dinner happened in January lol

I didn't take any photos of the dinner but I did afterwards

We went to a local place Starfish Deli and really enjoyed the views

Starfish deli is situated on the pristine waters of the Clyde River

Last weekend we had some Foie gras de canard entier that I brought home from Paris

I couldn't resist purchasing this on the banks of the Seine River at a Friday market

I had never had any before and probably never will again

Oh so delicious together with some Brillat Savarin Affine Fromage......a triple cream cheese from France .......oh so very very creamy

Imported by Calendar Cheese Company, Port Melbourne.

Also just before I went away I was lucky enough to win The Chocolate Promise and The Tea Chest by Josephine Moon.  The Chocolate Promise is set in Paris and Provence......2 places I was lucky enough to go to......

Thank You Josephine

I've realised this is my 500th post so I think a little giveaway is in order
I'll be back soon with that

One more day till the weekend woo hoo
Enjoy.......I think I'll be going down to the beach as it's been so hot!!!

Have a good one......Dzintra xo

'Le Tour De France......With A Twist' and a Postcard from PARIS

Recently at The Batemans Bay Writers Festival I came across the above little brochure for 

'Le Tour with a twist'

and all without a bicycle in sight

I hung onto this gem for a couple of weeks and thought on the morning of 27th June I'll go to that

So organised Mr Armchair to watch JoJo (after he dropped me off at the venue of course) so I could partake in the Wine Tastings

We don't often attend events together spontaneously due to caring issues etc so a lot of the time one of us only get to go

On arrival on every table was a map of Le Tour

and I thought this is going to be so good

and it didn't let me down.......it was such a lovely couple of hours there

talking........tasting........eating........talking.........tasting

A little plate and French Flag on the table

Not long into the slides it was time for our first refreshments hence Drinks Station 1

I didn't partake in the Beer Tasting as I was not sure if the Beer had gluten in it as it often contains Barley/Malt but I did try the Cider

I did think of you here Fiona at Bubz Rugz lol

These little sweets were apparently made by accident back in the day and turned out to be very popular hence they are still made today

Oh time for Drinks Station 2

The next Taster......very nice too

All wine served in petite glasses, of course

This Malbec was particularly delicious

I don't have the paperwork for the next Drink Station but it too was very nice

mmmmm the whole night just flowed so smoothly and I'm so pleased I decided to go even if it was by myself

 The following week my Sister-in-Law made a day trip down to visit and brought a bottle of French wine and cheese to share

I'm looking through Shannon Bennett's Paris book as well at the moment

Meanwhile a postcard arrived for me all the way from Paris from my Friend Lindee

Thank You so much Lindee........I was so excited to receive this

I'm spending less and less time here in Bogland due to my upcoming *Paris* holiday with my Son

I'm still reading everyone's blogs but just a tad pushed for time to comment on all of them

JoJo's had some health issues........I've got stuff happening but that's typical isn't it when something big is happening

But I will get there!!!!!

4 weeks and 4 days to go........

Love Dzintra xo 

~Cook Up With donna hay and Irina~

Just before Christmas saw me do another Cook Up with donna hay and Irina

from donna hay magazine Issue 76 Aug/Sep 2014

Menu for the evening was

Chicken in White Wine with Lemon Potatoes (recipe over here)

Rose and Raspberry Trifles (recipe over here)

and I couldn't resist trying the

Cherry and Cardamom Pound Cake

Instead of Dry White Wine in the Chicken I used Dry Cider

The Chicken just about ready

Instead of Artichoke I used Snow Peas from our garden and some Sweet Potato

All dressed with Parmesan Cheese

and very tasty indeed!!!

The Trifle in an Eiffel Tower glass

Looking down into it

The Cake in the background

I couldn't stop at 1 Dessert to make I had to try out the Cherry and Cardamom Cake

After all it would be good for the next day's Morning Coffee, right?!

Well we couldn't resist just a little piece lol

Better get cracking as another Cook Up is waaaay overdue!!!

Bon Appetit........Dzintra

~Our Christmas Food......and a New Year's Eve Wish~

The lighting was all set

Bon bons in place (that we forgot to use at mealtime)

Men folk at the bbq

We had our Christmas just the weekend before

And in the kitchen from Australian Good Food Magazine I was making a couple of salads

Fruit and Nut Pumpkin Quinoa with Yogurt Sauce

Roasted Beetroot, Carrot and Walnut Salad

And then from donna hay magazine

Orange and Mustard Glazed Ham

one of the wines sampled

I managed to make a quick bunting a few days before......blog post over here

Our Christmas tree

and the sweetest sight

whilst everybody was out the back the 2 little grandies found their little chairs and popped themselves in front of the tree

and finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JoJo made something at her day programme and then stuck labels all over the gift with family members names all over it

And check this out...JoJo's gift to me, this cool sewing basket with the Eiffel Tower all over it......

On Christmas morning, from the same Good Food magazine I made a gluten free (yes gluten free) Spiced Stollen (a traditional German cake)

The mixture was a bit 'wet'

I did shape it but it spread

Next time I will try more of a loaf pan

There will definitely be a next time

Absolutely delicious.......I haven't had a traditional European bread like this for years

We took a walk down to the beach on Christmas afternoon

It was an overcast, breezy type of day

Seeing it's New Years Eve tomorrow (who can believe that......this year has flown by) I'd like to raise a glass to all my Bloggy Pals and Readers and wish you all a Happy and Safe New Year with all good things for 2013......2013 holds for me a huge birthday and a huge wedding anniversary...
Gosh where does the time go???????

This pic of Sydney Harbour Bridge New Years's Eve Fireworks 2010 taken off the television

New Years Eve post from then over here

HAPPY NEW YEAR......Dzintra xo