A NEW BEGINNING...

On March the 20th I  took over my very own business.. Once a partner , now my very own... Very scary.. I have many dreams and plans but also need to be aware of my new market.  My holiday time was spent renovating , mostly new counters and decorating. More wonderful things to come, but what has been done certainly makes a difference.  Now it is more personal and feels like home away from home. Just the ambience I was hoping to create. Hope all my new and old customers think so too. I will be keeping on with updates of new menu and changes.. I have a brand new Sri Lankan chef. "Buddi" who has plans for a nice goat curry for our specials board.. Keep a look out.. !!!

Friendships

 Yesterday I spent a wonderful afternoon and evening with my closest friend who now lives in Dubai. She is also home to visit family and spend Xmas with her children and grandchildren.  We took a short drive to Noosa and lunched and shopped and chatted and tried to fill in the months since we last had time together.  It is amazing how we pick up our lives and just go on as if the last 18months didn;t happen... It has been that long since I last saw my friend , yet, after a few hours, it seems like yesterday. The gaps are filled in and you settle into that comfort zone that one gets when  spending time with people we love.  Xmas time is a wonderful excuse to socialise and spend time.(something we don't always make time for )with our friends . Two nights ago I had 8 close friends over for Christmas drinks and light supper ,we sat around the lounge room and ate on our lap and drank and laughed and had a lovely time. I am grateful for these moments and the friendships I have forged with these guests and  it makes me realise how lucky  I am. From Boxing Day onwards for 3 weeks I am very  busy with my work so I have enjoyed the time to relax and enjoy   their company. . Today is Christmas Eve and I am supposed to be cooking, so I wish you all a Very Merry Xmas and may we all find peace in the New Year...................MERRY XMAS.............

FARAWAY FRIENDS.......

OH for modern technology. Last night I spoke for over an hour on Skype  with my dear friend who is travelling  Europe for 12 months. How wonderful to be able to actually  SEE her laugh,  cry , pull funny faces as she  tells tales of her travels .. Just as if she was sitting here with me.. She is at a "safe house" for Xmas and New Year ,her brother lives in England and she has gone to be with  her family for Xmas and to take stock and plan her next adventure.... Of course, we have either had 33 degrees heat or rain.,rain and more rain, while she freezes in -12 degrees and snow falling outside.  All the world looks like a page from a fairytale when it is blanketed by snow and I am sure, as a Aussie, she feels likes just that ( living in a fairyland) Having said that. no one wants to actually have to go to work or pick up kids from school in that sort of weather.  We are all guilty of thinking " how nice"  without  thinking how hard  it is to cope on a daily basis with all the ice and sludge and melting snow.   Once again. I applaud her for her bravery embarking on such a journey but I know she is accepting of all the changes it is bringing her and the self discovery that comes from going "solo". . Take care and have a very Merry Xmas Jude and may the angels watch over you............................

MONKEES ON A FENCE..........

Today I had my 2 little monkeys to watch over while Mum went to pick up Xmas presents (away from prying eyes.) and as usual they had to 1st ,a swim in the pool then a "treat" . This is usually in the form of  a mueslie bar which is OK I guess, at least better than chocolate..??  They like to perch up on the window sill and chatter away while they eat their" Treat" and watch out over the canal.  Life is so simple and innocent for them and everything is an adventure.  Next Morpheus  ( my small dog) gets to go for a long walk and explore the bush along the walking tracks. I work evenings, so never get to have them for a "sleep-over" but I cherish these little adventures we have , because like everyone., we forget how quick they grow up and these moments are lost forever. . I hope these small interludes leave a memory for them also to think back on when they are all grown up and life has become complicated and the pace is fast. I know, my own daughter ( their Mum) remembers her little adventures as a child of that age , spent with her nana...........History repeats...........

My Friend.......Lucky, Lucky, Lucky

 This morning I recieved an e-mail from my dear friend who is travelling Europe for 12 months.... She is now in Budapest............. Oh, how I envy her... 1st , because this would be my dream and 2nd because she is following hers. . The only problem is, I am an earth person and have to be grounded for balance.... Oh, how I would love to be able to travel for 12 months, but I know, after 6-8 weeks anxiety would set in .. I need to be home..... I wish for that wanderlust but know in my heart my trip would have to be broken into short trips  to each country . For now I will have to be satisfied with my 3 week trip planned for March.... She has made such a brave choice to go for this long time. no security of work, a whole year away from her beautiful children , friends , family and everything familiar to her.      . We all say... "oh . lucky you" but I am sure there are days she would give anything to be safe at home surrounded by  the ones she loves..... So Jude, this is for you.... I send you love and hugs to keep you safe and warm on those lonely days when .I am sure , you wonder if  it is worth it..... AND    , we, all your friends, look forward to the book you should DEFINITELY write on your return..... May the angels watch over you and keep you safe ..............

the Rock Wall

I awoke this morning to rocks crashing and noisy machinery in my backyard... I have been on a mission since Boxing day last year to fix a faulty rockwall on the back of my home leading into the canal..It had collapsed forward and was very dangerous. As usual, dealing with high profile companies and the council it has taken 11 months to get done. ( and only after many , many letters and a TV appearance by me ) Now . of course, I am stressing ,because the young men helping  have NO RESPECT for my lovely garden and have completely.damaged my beautiful plants.. Oh well, as they say ,you have to make a mess first to make something beautiful ...eg., renovations.. I am sure you will agree. Unfortuneately I am of the type that lies awake all night thinking about  how I am going to fix it....... My grandson is probably the most excited,  he was very impressed by the "large digger" in the water and was trying to convince me to let him climb aboard.... What seems a nuisance to us  can be completely changed around in the eyes of a child..... We should not forget that.    Hopefully by Xmas all will be finished and my lovely garden will recover , I am sure.... Speaking of Xmas I think I will have to invite my 2 beautiful grandchildren over to decorate my tree with me..... It is almost that time and even though after they have gone, I redo all the trimmings., how could I not share that excitment with them... Miss Moo is such a fusser and everything has to be 'just right"... I wonder where she gets that from.?.Spunky Monkey is more excited about getting the lights flashing.... must be a boy thing.  I shall look forward to this shared time together and I will have to start thinking Xmas food and drinks with friends..... Another year has passed and in a blink we almost miss it..... I hope everyone takes time to be thankful for our healthy children and lovely family and friends , and make sure you say ;'I love you"  at least once every day to someone close to you.... we can get so caught up in our own little problems that sometimes we forget 3 little words can 'make someones day" when it comes from the heart. .

SPANISH NIGHTS.

Tuesday night was the eve of my Spanish Dinner Party. and what a fabulous night it was. 19 of my friends and family .lots of wine , music and "the food" . 5 - 6 hours of cooking  to some people seems a chore, but to me, this gives me pleasure and it is all worth while when I see  everyone enjoying the fruits of my labour. This was a new experience for me as I haven't cooked spanish before ,and I now have a few new favourite recipes that will be very handy with Xmas coming up...... Roasted marinated peppers. Chorizo in apple cider ( a real winner) and absolutely yummy with sour dough bread for dipping.Everyone was relaxing catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. What a wonderful night with people who are special to my heart and one that leaves memories for all of us to share. "Buenas Noches"