Neighbourhood walks

It’s a beautiful day in my neighbourhood!

Photobucket

Oh my! Where have we ended up?!

Photobucket

A patchwork fabric shop you say?

Photobucket

I may have finally realised that I could goggle “patchwork fabric Sydney” and discovered two of the best and most amazing shops are in walking distance of our house. I may have asked Himself if he wanted to go on an adventure. I may have walked away with quite the stash of new and exciting fabrics … But I’ll leave those for another post!

One of the things I love about where we live is the diversity of the street art. This piece has been moving me for quite some time when I see it on my walks, and today I had the time to photograph it and share it with you.

Photobucket

We tried out a new café. One again it was one which I had been wanting to try for some time, and today it was not only open but we managed to walk in at a point where we could have eaten from the breakfast or lunch menus! (handy!)

I ended up with roasted field mushrooms, with sautéed spinach, Persian fetta, dukkah, on toasted olive bread…

Photobucket

And Himself went nuts and had the French Toast, with grilled banana, bacon, and maple syrup!

Photobucket

I can’t walk past the local nursery without going in and having a quick wander and a browse of all the plants that are flowering.

Photobucket

It made me wonder if hanging my plants would protect them from wayward kitties who like to eat my beautiful plants and then barf everywhere! (*looks at Oscar*)

Photobucket

Just so you’re aware, we made it into two more fabric shops before heading home. But I’ll spare you those details and instead share with you one last piece of local street art.

Photobucket

I know they’re fighting each other. But did you notice that they’re watching you?

*grins*

When was the last time you walked around your neighbourhood?

Chicken Paella

Dinner time! Tends to be my favourite meal owing to how much time is able to be devoted to its preparation as opposed to other (slightly more rushed) meals. Today’s meal is all by Himself. He makes a mean Paella! He has also gotten extremely good with experimentation using this recipe as a base. The recipe is consistent in results, and therefore foolproof.

From this book.

Photobucket

This recipe.

Photobucket

The onlookers aren’t convinced. but what would they know?

Photobucket

Surrounding yourself with ingredients, makes for no nasty surprises later!

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Cooking, cooking, cooking …

Photobucket

And it went so well with knitting!!! 😀

Photobucket

Bon Appétit!

Lamb and Barley

This weekend I washed the curtains, sheets, mattress protector, towels, and all clothes that were waiting for a load of sufficient size to go through.

I have dusted, vacuumed, aired, bleached and scrubbed the interior of the house.

Saturday evening we went out to dinner at a friend’s house. *waves at the subscriber* We were fed Gumbo of Deliciousness, and may have shared the last of the snickerdoodles from last weeks baking whilst sipping down Black Russians.

I also found time to make this Lamb and Barley Stew on Saturday, for Sunday night’s dinner in the slow cooker.

Photobucket

I was a little worried that it wasn’t actually cold on Saturday, but I may have affected the weather by making this one, as Sunday was chill and raining! Perfect weather for this recipe!

The first step is a little fiddly, so make sure you have a sharp knife.

Photobucket

Then it’s all smooth sailing!

Photobucket

Photobucket

It may not look like much …

Photobucket

But it’s SO TASTY!

Photobucket

(Yes I could have ironed the placemats, but if I had you wouldn’t believe it was me)

I think the results speak for themselves!

Photobucket

Rubyos

Rubyos – Our favourite restaurant. Convenient to us just at the Broadway end of King St, we have never had a bad experience there. We were introduced to it by some friends several years ago now. The food is superb, the service exceptional, and the ambience is conducive both to a romantic dinner for two, or a gathering of friends.

In this instance we were given a thank you gift for a dinner to our favourite restaurant. Without hesitation we knew where we would be going, and thanked our hosts for their generosity, though the prices are by no means exorbitant!

We arrived late having had a small fubar with a taxi reservation, but arrived to be greeted with a smile and led to our favourite table; Front Window in the corner, watching the traffic and passers by.

We know the menu fairly well and had to pare it down to just what we would have the capacity to eat in one night! With wonders like Fried Haloumi, and Seared Kangaroo Fillet, this isn’t as easy as it sounds! We went for some old favourites, having had a mildly stressful day and wanting to be able to unwind at leisure.

Excuse my dodgy photography in this post please. Good Restaurant lighting isn’t the same as good photography lighting when you only have a small snappy camera on hand!

From the Grazing Menu we began with the Flash Fried Calamari (where the photography failed completely). Next came the Soft Shelled Crab.

Photobucket

Then some Moroccan Spiced Salmon.

Photobucket

And last (but never least) the Wagyu Beef Meat Balls.

Photobucket

If you have never experienced meat that has the ability to melt in your mouth before, then you simply have not lived! Each dish was an exquisite masterpiece of flavours, with the portions size just perfect to move on to the next course.

By the time we had finished eating, though the desert and cheese menus are rather spectacular, we opted for another favourite.

The Espresso Martini.

Photobucket

In short, if you’ve been looking for somewhere to go, look no further!
Bon Appétit!