~My Trip to Paris and Latvija~ Day 1, 31st August 2015

I'm back from my Trip of a Lifetime thanks to my Wonderful, Generous Son James

We got up at 3am on Monday 31st August to leave for Singapore to Paris

But first the day before we went up to James'

Leaving our front door

And yes I did get up in time

The plane at Canberra Airport

Early morning over the Parramatta River

Flying over Sydney Harbour

If you look closely you will see the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the centre there

Over Port Jackson

Much excitement as I spot our plane that is taking us to Singapore for an overnight stop

Showing our route to Singapore

Singapore by day

and by night

What a pleasure this city was

The people were very friendly, helpful and attentive as were the Staff at Singapore Airlines

Temple in the City

In town

Lovely green spots in the City

Red Dragon Fruit......I had not seen these before and have never tried one

Fresh Lychees on display

James took his bicycle over and took photos of bikes he saw along the way

Interesting but very nice......Airport meal

And a Cafe at the Airport.......a taste of what's to come?

After spending a day in this delightful place we were all set to leave for the Airport......

Next stop......PARIS

As for the stitching I took over to do (2)

I didn't touch it at all........in fact it never came out of my case!!!

I'm slowly getting back in the swing of life back here and getting around to visiting other Blogs

But it is taking a while due to internet slowness etc here over the school holidays and computer problems but I will get there......Dzintra

~Cook Up with Donna hay and Irina~

Phew, it's taken sooo long for me to get this post up

A cook up with donna hay magazine Issue 77 Oct/Nov 2014

As seems to be the case recently I couldn't decide which Dessert to make so of course I made both and we had them over the next few nights

The Menu ~all adapted for Gluten Free

Parmesan-Crusted Fish with Zucchini Salad

Lemon, Honey and Almond Cake

Peach and Vanilla Sorbet

First things first........prepare Dessert

Soaked Lemon Peel in base of cake pan for the Cake.

and ta da after not long at all the meal is all ready

nice and easy especially since it was a very warm night at the time

The fish was nice and light and the salad was lovely and tasty with no need for any starch

The salad was comprised basically of Zucchini and Baby Spinach leaves with a Zesty Dressing

The Sorbet hit the spot for the evening

The cake was excellent the next day and perfect with coffee

Here 'tis sitting atop JoJo's Wiggles Tray

And unbeknownst to me Mr Armchair took a snap whilst cooking one evening lol

Bon Appetit......Dzintra 

~Cook Up with donna hay and Irina~

I recently did another cook up from the donna hay magazine Issue 75 Jun/July 2014

Menu from the magazine was

Crispy Pork Belly with Cider Pickled Pears

Whole Spice Roasted Cauliflower

Kale Chips

Lemon and Goat's Yoghurt Cake

and I added Roast Potato

I use all Organic and Free Range if it all possible (and it mainly is)

All my meals are gluten free

Cauliflower in White Wine, Chicken Stock and Spices

and after Roasting

Kale Chips

The Pork

Next door's Lemons which I had frozen

And the cake (all gluten free) sprinkled with Thyme

And of course I forgot to put the Kale on for the photo

During the evening Mr Armchair took a photo unbeknownst to me lol

Recipes 

(Crumbed Pork with Apple and Potato Mash and) Kale Chips

Lemon and Goat's Yogurt Cake

The lovely Irina from America has joined me in the Cook Ups.......check her blog over here

I am 2 issues behind so I better get cracking!!!

Bon Appetit.......Dzintra

~Cooking with donna hay......and Irina~

A few weeks ago saw me doing another cook-up from donna hay magazine Issue 72 Dec/Jan 2014

above is one pic of the Watermelon, Raspberry and Coconut Liqueur Granita

The Menu was

~Watermelon, Raspberry and Coconut Liqueur Granita~

~Hummus with Spiced Crispy Chickpeas~

~Char-Grilled Lamb Cutlets with Corn and Zucchini Salad~

~Caramel Floating Island Cake with Caramelized Peaches~

Delicious fruit ready for blending

Granita after some hours in the freezer

Donna's version

This is my version along with the one in the top pic

Just different glasses

Very delicious Hummus

The Zucchini Salad

had Char-Grilled Corn tossed through it

Donna's version

And a few of my versions

A bit of dressing on these Cutlets

Peaches Caramelizing

And this extremely delicious Caramel Floating Island Cake

together with half a peach

Needless to say we all had seconds......to go with the Peaches of course!!!

Irina has joined me in these cook-ups and we are having fun doing them and eagerly awaiting to see what the other does!!!  To see what Irina has been cooking go over here

If anyone would like to join us drop me a line

All easy-peasy

just cook up something from the latest issue and blog it!!1

Bon Appetit,

Dzintra