tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221857707373508082024-03-13T14:23:43.530+11:00jossie lovesRandom chat about city and country living, food, family and whatever else takes my fancy ...Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-70955190431065965522015-06-28T20:30:00.000+10:002015-06-29T17:17:25.546+10:00Besties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These two clowns are bffs. They've known one another since they were in Prep together, aged 4 years old and over the years they have hung together, despite CJ changing schools during primary school. now they are back together again at senior school and they spend a lot of time together.<br />
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It helps that their parents are bffs of ours too - funny that!.<br />
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Remember Miss Mary? Yep - CJ's mother!<br />
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CJ is hanging with us during the winter break - and we celebrated his 15th birthday yesterday while his wayward parents carried on celebrating her birthday ... in Turkey ... lucky ducks.<br />
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CJ is my other son from another mother and father - and pretty much is our first born as Moo came later. (Sorry Moo - but it is what it is)!!!<br />
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We went over to Bendooley Estate for lunch yesterday to celebrate Js big day and then later that afternoon they set up their cave in the snug, ready for their marathon watching of House of Thrones.<br />
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They are still in there now - it's been a v quiet day here for me today - I've been baking and gardening and am about to get some writing done for a client.<br />
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I was looking through pics and found these of the two besties - they have had some fun together over the years.<br />
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Happy birthday CJ - can't wait to see what else you do with your life.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ANZAC Day 2013- themed cake baking which took years off my life watching them create it<br />
- but man they did a fantastic job of this beauty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood whittling April 2011 - no idea what they ended up doing with their tools but they had a ball dong this. <br />
Shame about my kitchen knives!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter Show 2011 - Mary and I found the champagne and prawn bar and<br />
were beaming happy like these two!!!! I even bagged the prawn scraps so I could make stock later -<br />
poor chap thought I was a breath of fresh air (OK) deluded!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl Beach just after Easter 2010. A week of hilarity complete with daily surfing up at Avoca.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While they surfed what were we to do but have a smart lunch, each and every day we were there?! <br />
Would have been terribly rude not to. April 2010 - fun times!</td></tr>
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Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-55345388413019652802015-06-22T10:19:00.000+10:002015-06-30T10:24:15.598+10:00Winter in ParadiseThis time last year we were over in the US spending time with friends in Chicago, The Hamptons, NYC, Cleveland and Laguna Beach. What a fantastic holiday that was.<br />
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This year? Exeter - and I couldn't be happier. I love being down here anytime of the year but for some reason this late autumn/winter is even more special - the weather has been stunning so far.<br />
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Long days of winter sun and as much time as we like to potter in the garden - getting jobs down ready for spring madness.<br />
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Moo has been helping on the big jobs too, which makes it far more enjoyable when pottering about.<br />
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We spent half a day clearing a mass of weeds that had morphed out of control in the south garden nearest the gate. There is no doubt about it - there is nothing more satisfying than pulling weeds as you see all your hard work coming to fruition so quickly. As soon as we had cleared the area Moo got to work lugging bark chips over and spreading them throughout the existing lavender, buddleias, hydrangeas and snow flakes.<br />
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Haha - one pic of me doing the last load as Moo collapsed in a heap off camera in exhaustion - he had worked hard! The whole garden looks so much better now - tidy and happy nestled in the bark chips.<br />
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Now I am off down to the bottom meadow to lift a whole bunch of violets that are growing wildly all about the meadow as they'll be so much happier nestled up here.<br />
I wonder if I can convince Moo to help?!<br />
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<br />Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-26167397056838406402015-06-09T17:04:00.000+10:002015-06-29T17:05:31.471+10:00Festival of Mary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy birthday to one of our most gorgeous girlfriends. (The Festival of Mary has been underway for a couple of weeks or so now - it was her husband Doug's who we celebrated with in Chicago this time last year.)<br />
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A year forward and it's Mary's turn!<br />
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We started the long weekend with an Indian inspired dinner - warming butter chicken, riata, spicy dahl and spicy basmati rice was the order of the night. We finished it all off with a frozen lemon cake - an old recipe of B's mums that has always been a favourite - and was perfect after the spice of the curry etc.<br />
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B then became the DJ and we had a dance-athon that cleared the room of the two 14 year olds. We didn't even need to put on Rick Astley - clearly enduring their parents dancing was enough for them to call it a night!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Moo and CJ went out into the garden earlier that day to forage and came back to <br />create this stunning setting.</span></td></tr>
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The next day saw the preparations of the long lunch unfolding. Again the boys went foraging for foliage and then crafted up this stunning setting. We had 11 for lunch - so the table was laden. It was such a beautiful afternoon celebrating with new and old friends. We started out by wandering the garden drinking bubbles then after more drinks and yummy cheeses we came in and sat down to a divine lunch of very<span data-reactid=".d7.1:4:1:$replies10152937909498067_10152939259313067:0.1:2:$comment10152937909498067_10152939540233067:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> slow cooked balsamic lamb/mammoth shanks (they were massive and i cooked then for two days!), mushroom bourguignon, gratin of potato, Gruyere and thyme, winter salad of spinach, home grown peppery rocket, orange, fennel and the best Turkish feta. Desserts were by Ohn Nom Nom (vegan, raw spiced fi</span><span data-reactid=".d7.1:4:1:$replies10152937909498067_10152939259313067:0.1:2:$comment10152937909498067_10152939540233067:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">g cheese cake and passionfruit bites) plus divine poached quinces brought by a guest and a basil, milk and lemon sorbet made by Moo. </span><br />
<span data-reactid=".d7.1:4:1:$replies10152937909498067_10152939259313067:0.1:2:$comment10152937909498067_10152939540233067:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span data-reactid=".d7.1:4:1:$replies10152937909498067_10152939259313067:0.1:2:$comment10152937909498067_10152939540233067:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Delicious and divine - it was such a gorgeous way to celebrate a very special bestie's birthday. Yes we all tumbled into bed super early on Sunday night! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long lunch table setting - these lads could go intro business down here!</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Sadly her gorgeous daughter couldn't join us as she was busy in the city - but she crafted up this amazing raw vegan, gf, super yummy cake - which was divine. She has started a cake business with her bestie - and their cakes and bliss balls are beyond delish. The boys took the cake out into the garden for some arty shots - I love this one with the wheelbarrow in the background!</span></div>
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May the Festival continue! Happy birthday Miss mary - you are one in the kind for sure - so glad we met up when our boys were 4 at Prep - best 11 years of memories ever! Here's to many more!</div>
<br />Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-76432813265019105072015-05-05T21:00:00.000+10:002015-05-14T05:04:07.177+10:00Meal of the Week - Organic Chicken, Sweet Potato, Red Onion, Pea and Lemon Risotto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The all-time-no-argument-ever-about-it-favourite-meal-at-Palazzo-Josamina-is ... risotto. <br />
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No matter what flavour combo I come up with - it's a winner with all of us hand's-down. Thank God rice is not laden with gluten - that would have been way to cruel to cope with when Monty and I finally had our coeliac diagnoses confirmed!)<br />
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As I have been away for almost two weeks, I knew it was just a matter of time before I needed to whip one up. I managed to get to day two of my return to the kitchen before M begged for one for dinner.<br />
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This combo was a winner, if I do say so myself.<br />
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I pulled together left-over roasted organic chicken and sweet potato from dinner the night before, added in some home-grown organic Exeter Meyer lemon juice and zest*, home-made organic chicken broth and some baby peas. (As a rule I ignore the memo from B that he is not a fan of peas - I figure if I just keep adding them into meals here and there, he'll be broken down eventually!) <br />
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Big call - but I believe peas add an extra flavoursome dimension to almost any dish - just as basil complements tomato with such finesse. (Just saying so you know ... I would never partner up peas with mushrooms - ew - that would just not work!).<br />
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I love making risotto - it takes time, love and patience. You need your stock to be bubbling away ready to add ladle by ladle to the bubbling risotto as you stir, stir, stir it in slowly.<br />
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Here's how I stirred this one to life ...<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">4 tablespoons coconut oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">3 organic chicken breast fillets, trimmed, cut into 2 cm pieces (I used
the equivalent amount of shredded left-over roasted organic chicken)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">1 large red onion, cut into thin slices<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">300 g sweet potato (kumara), cut into 1.5 cm cubes (I used the
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">400g Arborio Risotto Rice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">2 garlic cloves, crushed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">1 cup fresh organic baby peas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">½ cup finely grated Parmesan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, warmed through<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Zest of 1 lemon</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">¼ cup chopped fresh continental parsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Salt & ground black pepper, to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Heat half the coconut oil in a large heavy based
frying pan over a medium heat and cook the chicken, onion and sweet potato in 2
batches, turning occasionally, for 5-10 minutes or until browned and just
cooked. Remove and keep warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(If using
leftovers, heat through gently and set aside.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Bring the chicken stock just to the boil in a
separate saucepan. Reduce heat and keep stock at a gentle simmer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Add
the remaining coconut oil, rice and garlic to the frying pan and stir over
medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until the rice is well coated with the oil and
looks slightly glassy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Add
a ladleful (about 1/2 cup) of the simmering stock and stir over medium heat
until the liquid is absorbed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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to add simmering stock, a small ladleful at a time, stirring constantly and
allowing stock to be absorbed before adding more. Start tasting after about 18
minutes - it will probably take about 20-25 minutes to cook. Cook until the
rice is tender but firm to the bite and risotto is creamy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon
juice, lemon zest, Parmesan and half the parsley and then season with salt and pepper.
Gently fold through the chicken, onion and sweet potato.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Serve immediately, sprinkled with remaining
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<br />Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-44658593484524507512014-12-21T13:25:00.000+11:002015-06-29T13:26:34.388+10:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another year is rapidly coming to a close and Christmas is upon us once again. <br />
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We had an early Christmas celebration with friends down in Exeter as we spent the actual day this year back up in Sydney with a group of friends, hosted by Georgina and Ben who treated us all to the most amazing day.<br />
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I may never eat again!<br />
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Down in E we cooked up a storm and enjoyed a gorgeous Christmas dinner - as it was too hot during the day to even think about eating.<br />
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Instead we set up the deck chairs, grabbed our books and read the afternoon away.<br />
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A perfect summer's day in Paradise.<br />
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Merry Christmas.<br />
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Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-32631177895344361392014-11-24T13:14:00.000+11:002015-06-29T13:15:21.024+10:00Omori, Lake Taupo<br />
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How stunning is this view? Lake Taupo from Omori - the opposite side to Taupo. <br />
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It's god's country in every sense of the description.<br />
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Very special friends of ours live here and we have stayed with them several times over the years - and each time it takes my breath away just how truly, madly, deeply I love this part of NZ.<br />
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We were over visiting them to celebrate Rat (Russell's) 70th birthday. Can you believe this darling man is 70? Doesn't look a day over 60. What a party it was too - a gathering of special people to celebrate this very special man (Monty's fairy godfather) and his gorgeous wife Lizzie.</div>
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He is a gifted musician amongst other things and while we all enjoyed the most amazing dinner overlooking lake at Waihi, he joined the band and played the sax well into the evening.<br />
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Judging by his energy and form, 70 is the new 50! Happy birthday Rat - we need to get back over and see you both again soon - you love in a special slice of heaven for sure!!!!Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-4425072737614529852014-09-08T09:32:00.000+10:002015-05-21T05:52:25.790+10:00Salad heaven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kq1SQOZ1MqU/VVkjyEdpIBI/AAAAAAAAAvc/KeeQe3a6Eoc/s1600/IMG_3771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kq1SQOZ1MqU/VVkjyEdpIBI/AAAAAAAAAvc/KeeQe3a6Eoc/s320/IMG_3771.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Doesn't this look divine? The best salad combination, ever. <br />
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Big call but true.<br />
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This winner is a heavenly marriage of red capsicum, charred corn, asparagus, avocado and tuna.<br />
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Yum. Incredibly delicious and so good for you.<br />
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Next time I think I'll add some black beans and lime juice. How good would that be?!<br />
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Often the cleanest, simple ingredients make the most delicious meal and this salad did not let me down. It's as un-fussy as a salad can get - but ohhh so moreish, healthy and crunchy - I could eat another bowl of it for dinner. And, you know what, I just might!Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-20707357535754185932014-08-07T20:30:00.000+10:002015-03-28T08:39:04.051+11:00Best friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These two - almost joined at the hip - they spend most of the day right beside one another - either snoozing or playing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is so gorgeous to see just how close they are now - Woody wasn't quite so keen on her when she first joined the family - man she was mad as a cut snake that one. Sooki often has her 'baby' with her - she loves that toy - she carries it about and gives it a good old tug and toss in the air.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her favourite thing to do is grab Woody's leash and yank him about whenever we put them on. Suffice to say it is not his favourite thing for her to do - he loathes it - so I have to be quick to grab his lead to stop her doing it - she is a little minx.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still despite being annoying, Woody does love her - and they pretty much hang together 24/7. </span>Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.comSydney NSW, Australia-33.8674869 151.20699020000006-34.711976400000005 149.91609670000005 -33.0229974 152.49788370000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-46129181954344912082014-07-22T12:47:00.000+10:002015-06-29T12:49:04.940+10:00Fun in the sun in the USABest holiday ever? Pretty much.<div>
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We've just returned from nearly four weeks in the States. Chicago, The Hamptons, NYC, Cleveland (!) and finally Laguna Beach in the OC to chill out before heading home.</div>
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We loved every last nano-second of the trip and each city/area wooed us with just how divine they all were.</div>
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<b>Chicago</b> ..</div>
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We started out in Chicago to celebrate our great friend Doug's birthday. Three days of the Festival of Doug included much hillarity, gorgeous lunches and dinners, shopping with the girls and attending an obligatory game of baseball to watch the Chicago Cubs in action. Dinner at the Rancic's RPM Italian was a highlight as were our many visits to Eataly - what an amazing food emporium it was - please open one in Sydney!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Mamas actually!</td></tr>
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<b>The Hamptons ...</b><br />
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After saying a fond farewell to our Sydney buddies we headed to The Hamptons for a few days. What an amazing area it is. I so understand why people rave about it, it's such a pretty part of the world.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our abode for the time we were there - so divine.</td></tr>
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Everyone was in total 'get ready for July 4th weekend' mode. Gardeners were working all over the area with interior decorator trucks parked outside many of the mansions - it is a massive weekend for sure.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hedges were clipped into a cm of their lives - some were worked on every day we were there - over and over! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful blooms everywhere - made us miss our own garden.</td></tr>
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We stayed in East Hampton, in a gorgeous BnB, which we loved. I'd leave the boys snoring away and go walking each morning, strolling down the different lanes, admiring just how beautiful the village was. The BnB had a huge kitchen area where you could help your self to their array of homemade organic lemonades and iced teas, not to mention six different types of cookies they baked each morning. They were so sweet - and had bought in some gorgeous gf ones for Moo and I from the local deli - and they had a hamper of our favourite drinks and cookies ready for us when we left to drive up to NYC. Such gorgeous hosts.<br />
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I think I counted four different Ralph Lauren stores along the main street - huge in the Hamptons!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner in the early evening sun at Sag Harbour</td></tr>
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An afternoon strolling on the beach admiring the gorgeous houses was the perfect way to end our time there. I hope we get back there again sometime soon as I loved the area so much.<br />
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Next stop ....<br />
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<b>NYC ...</b><br />
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Amaze alright!<br />
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Wow - I have NO idea why I had never managed to get to the East Coast before - especially to NYC. I fell deeply in love with the city the moment we arrived as did B and Moo.<br />
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We walked and walked and walked Manhattan - from dawn to dusk we were out and about exploring the different areas and sampling the most amazing gf food wherever we went. Ohh and a spot of shopping and art gallery dipping in and out of. Not to mention sitting in parks just taking it all, enjoying hanging with the locals throughout the city.<br />
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Foodie highlights started with The Butcher's Daughter in Nolita, which a blogger I adore, Anna Watson Carl from The Yellow Table had mentioned many times on her blog as she lives next door and eats there regularly. <br />
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We LOVED everything about it - the menu, the atmosphere, the gorgeous staff - I wish we had a chance to return as it was soooooooo yummy and divine. Sadly Anna was out of town when we were there - cooking her way across the country to publicise her amazing cookbook that she self published!<br />
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Risotteria in the West Village was a gf foodie's idea of heaven, with its extensive menu of amazing risottos and gf paninis and pizzas. The gf bread sticks were out of this world and we loved it so much we returned the very next day - if only they were in Sydney too. David's Teas across the road was divine as well and yes we bought loads of tea home - I'm sipping his Queen of Tarts right now and regretting I didn't buy more as we have nearly finished it already - it is so divine.. Eataly NYC was pretty amazing as well (but we thought Chicago was better - sorry NYC)! ABC Kitchen was also a firm favourite - what an amazing place and the store along from it was pure heaven.<br />
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It went without saying that we spent many hours exploring The Stand - what an incredible bookstore!!! I think we managed to pop in there at some stage nearly every day! Needless to say we needed extra luggage to get us home as we bought such a swag of books. The three of us are as addicted as one another to book shopping!<br />
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Leaving NYC was hard - we could have easily stayed another week. Moo us already planning how he can go to college there - B and I would move for a year or so in a heart-beat, although leaving the dogs and Exeter behind would be a struggle. We need to think that through some more!</div>
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The silver lining on the dark cloud of moving on was out next stop - Cleveland Ohio.</div>
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<b>Cleveland ...</b></div>
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Our travel agent did a double take when we mentioned going to Cle - it's not on everyone's 'must must must visit' lists after all. No - it isn't however great friends of ours had moved there from Sydney and we were on our way to see them and explore their new city.</div>
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It was so lovely to spend time with them, go to yoga, which I had been missing dreadfully and slow down to a leisurely pace - no up at dawn to explore the city all day etc.</div>
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Sara took us up to Amish country for a visit which was incredible to see and explore. Such a different way of living and the quilts the women made were incredibly beautiful. I bought an Amish bonnet which I keep threatening Monty I'll wear around Sydney or to his school for his teachers' meetings to really wind him up! I haven't yet - but there is still ample opportunity to spring that on hi!</div>
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Monty loved hanging out with Patrick, Belle and Tildy and the trip to the theme park went down a treat no end.</div>
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Our visit went too quickly and leaving was so hard and sad - Cle is a v long way from Sydney - and it's hard when you miss your friends so much. Luckily they were planning on coming down to Australia for our summer over Christmas so I know it wouldn't be too long before I saw my BFF again.</div>
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The last leg of the trip was upon us and B had smartly booked for us to spend some time down at ...</div>
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<b>Laguna Beach ...</b></div>
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Right in the heart of the OC - it was such a contrast being back on the West Coast after so much time of the East. The colours are so bleached out - and the pace down in the OC is so much slower - a perfect way to end our jam-packed holiday.</div>
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We lay by the pool, swam, went for coastal walks and I popped to a yoga class or two. It was such a lovely area and yes, we saw three of the Real Housewives looking not so very real! Hysterical!</div>
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Leaving was hard in some respects but not in others - we were looking forward to being back home and to seeing the hounds again. They had been on holiday with a mad older couple who adore them to heaven and beyond down in the country near our place in Exeter. It was their first time having Sooki stay - and man did she princess it up for them. Apparently she would only eat if sitting on Rae's lap and she liked to be hand fed!!!</div>
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Little minx - that came to a crushing end for her on her first evening back with us. Bootcamp 101 Jossie-style!</div>
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Woody rolled his eyes in disgust at her i am sure! Then again - he sleeps on their bed when he stays with them - he is one of their favourites - so I guess that's his version of a Princess moment too!<br />
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Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-63933001818350602262014-07-18T06:51:00.000+10:002015-05-21T11:25:53.165+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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'Amaze' pretty much sums up our trip to the US. Chicago, The Hamptons, NYC, Cleveland, Laguna Beach ... as you do!</div>
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We packed a lot in and have memories to last a lifetime!</div>
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We started out in Chicago, celebrating the Festival of Doug - our dear friend was having a special birthday and it would have been rude not to celebrate it! And celebrate we did! Three days of activities - including hanging with his wife - my bestie - Mary. Hot Mamas we were - !<br />
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Doug and Mary took their festival on the road while we high-tailed it to the Hamptons and explored the area for a few days. It was stunning - we were there just before July 4 so we witnessed foffing on a major scale - think meticulous hedge pruning, catering preparation and party planning!<br />
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We stayed at the most divine B and B which I wanted to retire to. The bed was one of those types that you absolutely sink into it and struggle to get out - which is a big call for a hard core insomniac such as myself! The home-made iced teas and lemonades were out of the world, as was the travel pack they gave us for our drive up to NYC - Hampton's hospitality at its best.<br />
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NYC was ok.<br />
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We heart NYC, big-time - what a city. We walked the streets of Manhattan from dawn to dusk, exploring every nook and cranny we could. I had a list of gf-friendly eateries to try - and try them we did. We ate so many delicious dishes. Monty and my favourite was gf stalwart Risotteria. OMG - we swooned to gf food heaven and loved it so much that we returned the next day for another lunch! Their gf breadsticks were beyond heaven!<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">It's s shame it's a mere 20 hour flight to enjoy the pleasure! Look at how good this </span>menu is. </div>
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We also loved the Butcher's Daughter. I remember reading about it on one of my favourite NYC food blogs - The Yellow Table. Anna lives next door - the lucky duck - and we were wandering by when we were in Nolita, so we popped on in.<br />
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OMG - yum! Everything about TBK was beyond. The food, service, staff and decor - all memorable. If they could open up around the corner in Woollahra my life would be complete! I have been stalking them on Instagram, pleading that they take me seriously. So far, no TBA but I feel it in my bones that they are scouting for a location!<br />
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Top of the list for all of us was a visit to The Strand - NYC's largest bookstore. We had high expectations and it delivered on all levels, and then some. I think we probably ended up visiting 5 or 6 times as we could not get enough of the place.<div>
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Needless to say an extra travel bag was purchased and we returned to Sydney laden with literary treasures!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If it weren't for the fact next on our travel list was a visit to gorgeous friends who had moved from Sydney to Cleveland, Ohio two years ago we would still be in NYC! It was the only thing dragging us to the airport as we had more adventuring we needed to do, including visiting Brooklyn, which we didn't quite manage.<br /><br />While at the Greens we drove up to visit an Amish village, which was a complete and utter contrast to where we had been for the previous week or so! You sure don't see horse drawn carriages, quilts for as far as the eye can see and such conservative attire in The Hamptons or NYC. Chicago? No. Not there either!<br /><br />Sara and I bought bonnets - and I am still threatening Monty I'll waltz into one of his school functions wearing my one - she is a corker and I look extra special in it. I'm sure he'll dig it out and toss it one day soon! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spending time with Sara and talking the day away was a tonic. We miss one another dreadfully and Skype is a poor cousin to the real deal. We explored the city together, sipped may cups of tea, went to yoga and sipped more tea! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It makes such a difference to see where they now live and to have a visual snapshot of their new city. You need a visual context to truly understand friends' lives when they move away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leaving them was hard, so thanks be to B that he added in one last travel diversion in the name of Laguna Beach in Orange County for a few days r and r before the long flight home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The contrast between the urban vibe of NYC (where nearly everyone's accessory seemed to be a small cute dog) to Laguna Beach (where no-one hurries, everyone was in beach attire and the accessory of the moment was a yoga mat) did not escape us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We lazed by the hotel pool, swam, read from the massive pile of Strand books, and I went to yoga. Perfect!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking back, we packed a huge amount in during our time away and had such a great time together as the tight three - everytime I look back over the photos I smile at the memories. It had been a few tough years leading up to going away - too many funerals and not a lot to laugh about. We all desperately needed to get away, re-charge and find new inspiration and this trip ticked all those boxes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coming home was a treat too. I'm not one to ever think the grass is greener anywhere. Life is what you make of it - so appreciating what you have and where you I've is as equally important as travelling and adventuring overseas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No surprises that those hounds of ours know how to give a rousing welcome! They couldn't decide who to lick to death the most so gave all three of us a jolly good going over. Sooki kept running around in circles in excitement, while Woody tried to play it cool, but then broke into joyous barking and lickety licking again! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They had a gorgeous time down in the country staying with the elderly couple who sometimes look after them. True to form, Sooki milked it for all her worth and would only eat if sitting on Ray's lap while being hand fed! She is the limit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can tell you with my hand on my heart she has NEVER been fed that way by us. Man she knows how to milk it when she thinks she's onto some special treatment. She was born a flirt and has worked tirelessly at perfecting her art. That all came to a crashing halt when she was offered her first meal back at the ranch! She tried to slouch away from her bowl but Woody gave her a nudge and a growl, clearly giving her his stern, big brother routine. "The party is over stupid - it's back to boot camp so make the most of it - eat up or she'll take it away and then we'll see who is cute?!!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wonder if she has managed to send a smoke signal to Ray and book in a return visit ASAP?!!!!</span><br />
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Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-12284360413718833962014-05-30T07:34:00.000+10:002015-05-18T05:10:18.667+10:00Quiet time, gentle living<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been a sad, gentle time of it here - as I've been taking things quietly and spending a lot of time right here in my favourite spot, the kitchen/dining room where I tend to do most of my writing, reading, planning, working and studying… plus a lot of thinking and remembering my wee mum.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Usually the dogs are sitting right there on their bed curled up into each other - but they have just dashed off to chase a pesky bird that swooped into the garden!!! They have been a constant source of company and each day we are thankful we still have Woody with us - that has been the miracle of the year - even our vet can't believe he survived his illness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Endless cups of tea have been sipped here - some work done, study completed - I'n nearly done with the course - only a few modules to go so the end is in sight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have decided on a whim to take off to the States for a break in the school holidays coming up. We are all well overdue for a major break and are in much need of a complete change from the year we have endured so far.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm getting quietly excited about our trip - it involves visiting a much-missed friend who upped sticks and moved to Cleveland - I cannot wait to see her and her fam-damily! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I better get some work done and trip planning organised - we are so lastminutedotcom with these sorts of trips - which makes it all the more exciting in many respects - but the list of chores-to-do is huge. Best I get stuck in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, I'll head off to yoga - I need some gentle namaste to get into the day!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D122185770737350808%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D1228436041371883396%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dpostname&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-b5qXxwZNlHk%252FU9Q40UixgcI%252FAAAAAAAAAs8%252F-Lgjkmz-pC4%252Fs1600%252Fphoto.PNG%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 195px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 108px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D122185770737350808%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D1228436041371883396%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dpostname&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-b5qXxwZNlHk%252FU9Q40UixgcI%252FAAAAAAAAAs8%252F-Lgjkmz-pC4%252Fs1600%252Fphoto.PNG%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 195px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 108px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-42266650061731855552014-05-28T08:20:00.000+10:002015-05-21T06:00:29.012+10:00Autumn and winter in Sydney<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It never ceases to amaze me just how divine the autumn and winter is in Sydney. Crisp starts to the day often translate into beautifully sunny days, with a warm glow and the temperature is not too chilly. It can still be quite balmy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bondi Beach first thing in the morning is so gorgeous - the best time to walk the hounds with hardly anyone on the beach, which is a rarity and not how you see it during the long summer months. Autumn and winter are my favourite times to be down at the beach for these very reasons. This year particularly I have been down here a lot. Walking, thinking, missing my wee mum, taking solace in just how beautiful and calming the beach is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, the harbour view is just as gorgeous. This is where we wandered later the same day - along the foreshore of Double Bay - where a lovely friend (Woody, Sooki and Monty's stand-in 'mother'/friend and carer) is lucky enough to live. We've spent many hours sitting out on the grass watching the sun go down while sipping wine and solving the problems of the world!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It never ceases to amaze me just now beautiful Sydney is. While it can be busy, loud and madcap, there are so many places where you can escape away to and just be. Being on the coast, the water views are breath-taking - so many gorgeous places where you can escape away to and wallow away the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favourite thing to do at the moment is get out early with the hounds to watch the sun rise up - the promise of a new, better day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How beautiful was this one recently at Bondi Beach? Stunning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-33078496610341724462014-02-28T08:51:00.000+11:002015-03-28T08:25:15.193+11:00My wee mum, June<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On top of our worries with Woody, my poor wee mum took a dramatic and sudden turn for the worse and sadly died in February.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monty and I spent a week with her in January which was a blessing as we got to spend lots of quiet time with her which made her smile but we knew something wasn't quite right - she seemed so frail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She had no idea how ill she was poor love - none of us did. It happened so suddenly and right to the end she fought hard but the poor thing was riddled with cancer - it came back with a vengeance after so many years of great health.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only solace I have is that she is (hopefully) with my two brothers. I am not a strong believer in any shape or form but I do have some faith and hope that this is the case.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She missed them both so much - and John's death four years ago really was the start of her demise. She became very reclusive and just plain sad. It was too much for her - to lose Stevie was hard enough, but John as well was unthinkable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May she rest in peace and be gardening as she loved to somewhere beautiful. Every time I step into my garden I think of her.</span><br />
<br />Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-5190520884776861862014-01-04T08:35:00.000+11:002015-03-28T08:25:05.256+11:00Woody Woo<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've had a horrendous Christmas and start to 2014 sadly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Poor Woody is very, very ill. He collapsed at the end of Dec and has been living at the vets since then. We bring him home at night as he needs constant care to be carried to go anywhere or to eat or drink as he is so weak. So far he has had six blood transfusions to try and get his protein levels up as they are dangerously low.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The poor pooch is miserable - and so is Sooki - she has gone into a depressive decline without her brother by her side. She won't come out of Monty's bathroom when Woody isn't here and is too scared to go for a walk without him. Poor little love. She's allowed to sleep on Monty's bed at night since Woody is downstairs with me keeping an eagle eye on him during the night, She comes down in the morning and gives him a little peck on his nose - it is so sweet. She knows things are bad and is being gentle - a first for her as she is still so puppyish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for us - we are all basket cases. The idea that we could lose him is too much to bear. The vet has called in a specialist who thinks he could have an autoimmune disease that is destroying his gut. Poor thing. We are starting him on serious meds to see if they can help stop the decline and help heal his gut.</span><br />
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Fingers and toes are crossed.<br />
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(Footnote - the meds worked! Woody has made a dramatic recovery - and has put on some weight and since April he has been up for going for long walks again. He is on meds for life which is a small price to pay as he is with us - and healthy again. As for Sooki - she has made a dramatic return to being seriously cute and naughty at the same time!!! She remains his partner in crime and best friend and sticks to him like glue. Super glue in fact. She has also taken a turn for the worse when out walking as she growls at any dog that even looks at Woody - she's super protective but it is a tad embarrassing when she makes a major fuss - and a worry when it's a massive dog she's taking on. Woody and I are not too happy with this turn of events. Hopefully she'll settle down! So a ray of sunshine in a pretty grey cloud that has been 2014 so far sadly).Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-7006173108170194552013-12-06T20:11:00.000+11:002015-05-18T06:04:06.273+10:00Where has the year gone?!!!!!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oppps….. I seemed to have stopped playing about with this blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not quite sure why as I was enjoying blogging and friends asked about the hibernating snoooooore that became terminal over here?????</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life got busy I guess with very little time to do much else but get on with living this past year….</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Highlights since April in a nutshell - we stumbled across and bought an amazing place in Woollahra just after my last post and then spent most of the year working on the move - due to the longest settlement in the history of property. We moved in finally late October - after doing some minor renovations on the place and we LOVE our new digs. The house and garden exude a very zen energy which we adore. (Yes another garden to add to the large ramble down at Paradise - this one is a lot easier to manage thank the lord!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The dogs love to dart about the book stash here - they run about for ages and then fall over in a heap - best exercise ever!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kitchen has been my favourite place to hang out, as always, and I have whipped up some culinary gf magic here. Thelma the Thermie and Ken the Kenwood have helped a lot in our adventures!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pooches have settled in and have been super relaxed in their new abode - long may that continue!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On top of getting ready for the move and making changes at the new house, I decided to add some study into the mix and started in July with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in NYC. It is a part time course that you complete online as well as having coaching calls with a small group of students. It covers a whole range of different nutritional theories so is right up my alley. I graduate in July 2014.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been loving the course and have met some amazing people through it - which has been an added bonus. Some live here, some in NZ and a lot in the US - so it definitely has an international flavour to it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And in between study, freelancing, life and all that stuff we have taken any slim chance we have had to pack up the car and head back down to Paradise…..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It never ceases to amaze me just how beautiful Exeter and the surrounding areas are - not to mention the Old Nursery - we have been so lucky to discover this slice of heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The air is so clear and crisp down there - as soon as you get to the gate you feel life's stresses melt away and you can't help but relax … and then face the ivy, periwinkle and forgetmenots. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hard to forget them when they multiple rampantly throughout the place, along with the rabbits, possums and wombats. I won't mention the snakes - too much for some to handle! At least they stay away and leave the dogs alone - the seem more scared of them which is hysterical as Woody and Sooki don't do scary well - both too cute for that caper.</span><br />
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<br />Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.comExeter NSW 2579, Australia-34.6161203 150.31581989999995-34.7206573 150.15445839999995 -34.5115833 150.47718139999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-52021153638005838322013-11-11T18:00:00.000+11:002015-05-21T05:49:04.662+10:00Quiet weekend stroll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OMG - my feet hurt and I am losing one of my big toe nails.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No biggie. We didn't have much on over the weekend so decided to walk 60 kms. (Actually we walked 66 kms as we were one of the first teams out and the route wasn't marked properly so we went the long way.) Again, no biggie!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why the weekend stroll? To raise money for a very important cause - the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Sydney. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All up 1,214 walkers raised over $3.4m for the In Patient Care Programme at the Lifehouse through their fundraising efforts. Such a staggering effort and achievement and I for one am so proud I was part of this event. And I am very proud of my team members - we were fierce and strong - and determined to get the job done as a glass of wine was waiting!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our team was a hoot - a mix of women brought together through two sister-in-laws, Georgina and Bonita. During the months leading up to the weekend event groups of us met up and we definitely got to know one another completely and utterly during that time - walking and talking our way through the streets, lanes and beaches of Sydney. We'd pick a meeting point and simply walk, walk, walk. Those lucky enough to join Georgina and I always got a tea stop - being the nanas we are, we had to stop at some point for our English Breakfast tipple!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Boy oh boy, were we fit by the time we stepped out on Saturday morning...fit, toned and ready to take on those 60kms! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weekend itself was full of highs and lows - with many injuries. The weather was not kind - it was searing hot on the Saturday and pouring with rain on the Sunday. Best of both worlds I guess? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the best feeling arriving at camp on Saturday afternoon. A hot shower, cup of tea and massage later and we were ready to collapse on the grass in the shade and rest up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The organisers were amazing -it was a very slick camp site - and the afternoon and evening merged into one. The dinner was delish and the entertainment hilarious. Our ever resourceful team laid out a feast of the most beautiful snacks and wine - which went straight to our heads and forced us off to our tents!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We slept soundly and were the first team out at the crack of dawn. (I was the cheeky first walker through the gates - having endless early morning smart-arse energy!!!!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 30 kms back seemed quicker - as a return journey always does. The rain didn't worry us - it was such a relief after the searing heat the day before. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our immediate group were fit as a fiddle and returned home in record time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the others were travel sore and had injuries the poor loves, so they hobbled back, but we all crossed the line in some shape or form.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just thinking about crossing that finish line makes me teary. All our families were there, cheering us across the line. We all cried - it had been such an emotional time - plus we were all pretty drained and had-it! We all waited for the last of our group to come through - and man did we holler them in - it was such an achievement and the last of our group were pretty injured with twisted ankles, blisters and bleeding toes. Glamorous? No.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then the ultimate - Georgina and Bonita's darling husbands had their boat moored at Darling Harbour and a few of us plus our families climbed aboard and sailed off into the harbour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The champagne and water view were equally stunning! What a way to end an amazing weekend - in true Sydney style with friends and family out on the water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perfect! When we finally got home I sunk into a hot bath and fell asleep! Thank God B yelled out to me - it could have been a fatal end!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will I do it again next year? Probably not. The effort involved to train and raise the money - $2k per person - is massive. It is a lot for one person and I just don't see how I could put the training time in again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will definitely do it again however - it was such an amazing event - and such a special time training and walking with true friends - I just need a year or two in between weekend strolls!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's time to launch back into other work and life projects - between the cookbook the year before and then the charity work - life at the ranch has been on a back burner. It really is time to focus on other projects, hang up the serious walking shoes and hope my big toe nail doesn't fall off. Ohh and unpack - we only moved house the weekend before - again, no biggie!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Post-script ..it did - wwwwwwwww!!!).</span>Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-1086489686289387892013-09-06T09:22:00.000+10:002015-05-18T09:24:06.572+10:00Meet Blossom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How divine is my birthday present? I adore her and have called her Blossom as I love listening to Blossom Dearie while working and the name seemed perfect for such a gorgeous girl.<div>
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We've been out for a spin around Centennial Park first thing - and she was very well behaved! Blossom is going to make me a very happy cyclist - as long as I stay out of the way of road ragers.</div>
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Part of me wonders if she should really move down to the country as she'd be perfect for riding down the country lanes and it would make sense to bring my not-nearly-as-gorgeous Trek mountain bike up for city riding. For the next few weeks I think she needs to stay close by so we can go for city spins as often as possible. Perhaps she will relocate when we are down in Exeter for the summer break?</div>
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We tried Sooki in the basket but she was not impressed with the concept one iota!!!! Fair enough. She can stay grounded!<br /><br /></div>
Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-29312938863207918312013-04-07T19:30:00.000+10:002015-05-18T05:24:01.574+10:00Bliss in Paradise<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three days straight gardening down in Paradise and I am one pooped Jossie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So are the dogs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">B has headed back to the city to work while the dogs and I are staying until next Friday. Friday - a whole week in Paradise!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moo has gone off to boot camp for a week so I'll head up to the city to meet him off the bus then we'll turn around and head on straight back down for two more weeks sifting quietly in the country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been so divine here and now that it is a bit cooler we have been busy in the garden to catch up from a severe lack of effort due to the hottest summer ever and the enticement of hammocks and the Christmas stash of books to work our way through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two days of pulling ivy out (it's wildy rampant) and even the dogs were pooped. (Not that they helped - they just darted about chasing one another 24/7. If only I could train them to dart back to the house and whip up a much needed pot of tea!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How funny are the two partners in crime last night? Woody was snoozing vertically on a cushion - he couldn't be bothered moving to get more comfy. (Hard to see in this shot - but he was pretty much butt down head up!). Even when I got up to re-acqaint myself with the kitchen he couldn't find the effort to follow me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Big call for the white stalker. Usually he is right on my heel, following me close behind Sooki was comatose - not a murmur from her until we all headed to bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took a break from the garden this morning and headed into town for supplies and a tipple of tea or 5 with a gorgeous friend who lives nearby. We solved some world problems over that pot of tea let me tell you! Add in some yoga afterwards to stretch out some crinkly muscles - ahhhhhhhhh!!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Namaste xxx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About that pot of tea Woody?</span><br />
<br />Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.comExeter NSW 2579, Australia-34.6161203 150.31581989999995-34.7206573 150.15445839999995 -34.5115833 150.47718139999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-57689875137957920512013-03-14T16:48:00.003+11:002015-05-18T05:19:10.621+10:00The woes of caramel slice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is something incredibly funny/sad/wrong about my baking experience in the kitchen of Palazzo Josamina today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Considering I spent last year and most of this year toiling away on a cookbook, today's chapter suggests /confirms I am a foodie fraud.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If it wasn't so damn funny I wouldn't even write this - but even I can see the humour in the fail of today. Fail. Fail. Fail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here's how it goes - I put my hand up to whip up some gf baking for Monty's sports day at his new school. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three loads of caramel chocolate slice to be precise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided to use my (newish) Thermomagic to weigh all the butter - we were talking about 50,000 grams for three slices - so I dug about in the fridge and got all the odds and ends of butter out. Perfect, I had just enough. I left it sitting there and got on with something else - involving a cup of tea and gossip with a gf if I recall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back to the slices. The base requires coconut. Monty abhors coconut (so he says). The fact he'll eat anything cooked with coconut cream etc makes his aversion in my eyes all a bit 'whatever, talk to the hand' if you ask me. I got out the coconut.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided to be smart and whizz up the shredded coconut until it was so super duper fine so that he would not even detect it in the base - so with 'I am so smart arse' abandon, I threw it all in the thermie (not so) magic and hit whizz.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 sec later (they really are amazing machines) I took off the lid and said hello to a strange gluggy sludge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shite - slap in the head - I forgot to take out the butter... the butter that was still wrapped in paper and foil.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shite. Shite. Shite.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the idea of walking down to the shops upon me, I decided to be whizzy myself, and melt it all down then sift out the paper. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Massive fail. And massive stoopid idea. I ended up throwing it all out.</span><br />
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Then, faced with melted butter all over the kitchen I reached for my trusty at the ready cleaning spray and gave the entire area a good old spray down with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hmm - that's a funny smell. Checked bottle - had used the puppy's 'pee inside eradicator spray' by mistake!!! Nice one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cleaned kitchen again w cleaning spray.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then headed out to the shops to acquire more butter - wilted but still determined for a tidy result.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Home. Nice one - locked myself out with oven still on. (I hope Capt Security B is NOT reading this).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks be to God for a neighbour being home. I clambered over the gate to start afresh. (Yes Cpt Security - I left the back doors open to the courtyard!!!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note to self - surprisingly those docile ditzy do-dah dogs do bark at intruders. That's a good thing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feeling the need to get this thing done - I went to make the caramel. Duh - forgot I needed butter for that too and #@# I didn't think to buy enough of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back off to the shops I dragged myself (with keys) this time. Success. It'a all done and looking fabulous.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really hope that boy of mine appreciates the effort I have gone to, making his gf slice - wow betide if he detects coconut in it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The good thing is I am also starting to like the aroma of the pee eradicator spray in the kitchen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Could someone please tell me how on earth I survived the year of the cookbook?!!!!!!</span><br />
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Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-72874686352119598592013-02-22T16:00:00.000+11:002015-05-21T04:59:24.073+10:00A labour of love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The fruit of last year's major labour has finally arrived! <br />
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Yes, that's her - Cuisine du Coeur - featuring nearly 400 pages of delicious recipes, photos and anecdotes. Truth be told - after all that work, blood, sweat, tears and loud snorting laughs, it seems weird having a copy in my hands after all those hours toiling away editing and agonising over every last detail.<br />
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Here's a cute pic of Monty tucking into some divine mango sorbet. He had a ball on the photo shoot - as did Georgina's and Bree's kids. It was a good thing they are all so divine and got along so well - the six of them spent many hours together after school as we got closer to the wire and had to put in so many extra hours proofing, editing and re-designing the pages.<br />
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It was a pretty amazing project to work on. We learnt a lot and each of us fell into our beds from sheer exhaustion at the end of most days.<br />
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(Another) truth be told, it took up many many, many more hours than I ever thought. We all disappeared from life as we knew it for most of 2012 but it was also a lot of fun with great snorting laughs along the way. The core group of us are a tight little team. Battle weary sure but tight - and that says a lot - these projects can ruin friendships.<br />
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Here we are - Georgina, Bree and I with our gorgeous pressies at the cookbook launch - and we were even smiling (thanks to the bubbles before the photos...hic).<br />
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And for the record, Nope. Nada. No way jose. We have no intention of working on a sequel or on another cookbook for a very long time. It's time to get back into the lives we previously had and maybe/actually start cooking again. We have some new recipes to put through their paces!<br />
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Bon appetit!Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-31065009359721762622013-01-26T22:30:00.000+11:002013-01-27T08:10:07.084+11:00Happy Australia DayWe had some fun today!!! As we were up in the city and not down in paradise this weekend, Moo was up for the Havaiana Challenge at Bondi Beach (where you purchase a giant inflatable havaiana and take to the water to try and beat the record for the most bodies on floaties linked up out on the water. Bondi missed out on the record by a few bodies but bet it's own record - so all was good in the beach world.)<br />
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Bondi was a sea of people, bands, and of course giant yellow and green inflatables - it was hysterical!<br />
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We stayed on the beach for a few hours with friends then wandered off to the obligatory mecca for all things frozen yoghurt - Twisted - Moo's favourite place in the world hand's-down (for the moment).<br />
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Salted caramel frozen yoghurt with baby M&Ms on top pretty much rocked his socks. (Did it for me too when I begged for a taste).<br />
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Then we ventured home to sort out the doggies and to pretend we were staying to play (sorry dogs - we had a bbq to go to - at Scooby Doo's house).<br />
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Scooby was beyond excited to see us - she clearly remembered her weeks in paradise and wondered where the treats were? Also her pint sized wrestling mates - she kept sniffing about to see if they had come as well. Sorry Scooby - their dance card was full!!!!<br />
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(We will have to organise a play date for them all again sometime soon....maybe....they all go mad - i need to take some multi-vitamins to gear myself up for it!)<br />
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I have woken up to a very odd - and not often heard sound this summer - rain! Thank you God - it is so much cooler and so incredibly divine to hear the pitter patter of big fat thirsty droplets falling outside.<br />
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I think I might potter about home today and then re-discover that old friend of ours down the road - the Verona Cinema. We have a list an arm's length long of films we want to see - so might as well get stuck into crossing some of them off. It'd be rude not to.<br />
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Enjoy the weekend - we plan to!<br />
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<br />Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-27894311808373850522013-01-25T05:14:00.000+11:002015-05-21T04:53:06.261+10:00Doggie tales<br />
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Usually when I creep downstairs early to have that first words can't describe how good it is cup of tea for the day, Woody is right on my heels, following me down, only to collapse at my feet and snore off into some sort of doggie bliss.<br />
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Say goodbye to the lazy life, my friend.<br />
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A month on from that day we fell truly, madly, deeply for Miss Sooki (Soukeeee) and life has changed as we knew it. <br />
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There is a whole lot more action around these parts. She completely 100% adores her big brother and her favourite thing to do is follow him about, copying his every action and she wrestles him to the moon and back. (They're doing it now). And the good news is he has had a change of faith. In those early days he left the room or headed for the hills if she came near him. Now he goes looking for her as soon as he is up and he appears to be rather fond of her - although - typical male - he plays his cards close to his chest most days.<br />
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(Note to self - so ironic for me that she stalks him so stealthily considering he stalks me 24/7. Make that 25/8 - he stalks me in his sleep I reckon. The flip side to Sooki being smitten is that as soon as I move - I now have two fluffy body guards on heel. Nothing beats coming out of the bathroom door and falling over them both! Dang dogs.)<br />
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Back to doggie life - Woody's napping days are over - they wrestle the day away and then both collapse after their dinner - snoozing from sheer exhaustion. It's hysterical. It also means Woody no longer prowls around at night - he is one pooched pooch and snores a good eight hours. She often sleeps with her paws over her eyes - perhaps she needs an eye mask as all princesses do?!<br />
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Our past month has been fairly low key - a lot of lazying about in paradise in the heat that soared beyond any temperature i can ever remember. Keeping the dogs in check - and we had three as we were looking after Raffles who I am convinced was working under cover and really was Scooby Doo (the name sticks). The three pooches had a ball - the trio wrestling was a sight to see considering Scooby was three times their size. </div>
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We're back up in the city now as Moo has returned to school - and that's a whole new story - a new school so some big changes afoot but it all seems fine so far - he even plans on doing homework this am - and it's Sunday - wonder if he'll remember last's night's declaration when he stumbles down?!!!!!</div>
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As for me - today I plan on teaching Sooki how to walk like a real dog on leash. She's pretty good as it is - but then has a hat trick of grabbing Woody's one near his neck and pulling him up the street while he tries to put the brakes on. She gets him in a neck lock and tugs her heart out. And she doesn't let go without a fight.</div>
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Poor Woody - looks as if she is going to be a bossy one - he is so used to being loved and adored and now this tyrant has entered his realm. We might have to build him a man cave - he's going to need it!</div>
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Still - how could you not adore that little face? She is pretty damn cute. Smitten? We all are, even Woodster in his own way.</div>
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Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-67609952668469078202012-12-25T06:39:00.001+11:002012-12-25T06:52:17.604+11:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's that time of year again - how on earth did that happen? It feels as if we just sat down to a table laden with food and surrounded by fab friends down in paradise this time last year.</div>
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I know I'm not the only one who feels as if the year has zipped past in a blur - it has been so crazily busy - I can hardly begin to work out just where all the time has gone. The blur definitely explains why I have been pretty ho-hum about posting regularly. I just haven't had time in the past few months to sit down let alone write.</div>
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I'm looking forward to some relaxed weeks ahead down here in paradise again before we crank things up and get stuck right into 2013. <br />
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There are lots of changes coming up. Moo starts a new school which will be a huge change - but a good one - he's ready for it. (Not sure if I am - it seems as if it was not so long ago he was that little bitty 4 yr old starting prep!).<br />
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And we have a new pooch added to the mix as of this week after a relentless pleading campaign from Moo for pretty much the past year about getting a puppy. <br />
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Meet Sooki (as in Suki) - the most adorable little puppy ever. Still very much in the super dman cute stage - and she does cute extremely well, let me tell you. Not sure what it'll be like when she hits the 'naughty into everything stage' - I'm taking it one day at a time while giving Woo lots of love. As to be expected he's showing a healthy dis-interest in her after his sojourn as top dog around here. We've managed to snap the odd pic of them together where it seems a happy marriage - let's hope we get to snap a whole lot more as he warms up to the idea of being a big brother!!!! <br />
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Merry Christmas everyone!<br />
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xxx<br />
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<br />Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-56519389064786395502012-11-24T07:35:00.000+11:002012-11-24T07:35:13.092+11:00Sssssh - I'm hibernating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ok, it's been pretty quiet around here lately - I know. Since getting back from holiday (it was lovely thanks - we had a great time away) I have been head down buried in work and it has not let up one minute.</div>
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We finally signed off on a huge project that was eating up most of my time this week and I am shaking from sheer exhaustion. Literally. </div>
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So, no surprises here, the plan for this weekend is pretty much spending as much time as possible lazying about. Catching up on some sleep to start with.</div>
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Then maybe a bit of gentle swaying while reading something that doesn't involve work, of any sort, at all. Nada.<br />
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I'll then wander on over to join Moo on the couch for a movie - he is laid up with another twisted ankle, poor love, so the couch is his friend, as is a packet of icy peas and some TLC from Nurse Budge. Woo has had to move off from his favourite spot and is trying to be gracious about it but I can tell that pooch is none too happy and is trying to work out how to re-claim his territory.<br />
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Good luck old boy.<br />
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And this afternoon, if the mood takes me, I might just wander back upstairs to climb right on back into bed. I am a big fan of the Nana Nap (siesta if you feel a tad European). There is nothing better than curling up with a book and cuppa then having a good old snooze. Perfect (and probably compulsory) for a strung out insomniac such as myself!</div>
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zzzzzzz xx<br />
<br />Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122185770737350808.post-55519926117898219252012-09-28T18:50:00.000+10:002015-05-18T18:53:54.522+10:00Bali bliss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Relaxing by the pool, looking out at this view each day was hard. (No-one ever said!).<br />
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Talk about the most chillaxing place to just be in and for stress and worry to melt away.<br />
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Our hotel was amazing - the chef came out to see us each morning at breakfast to ask what gf food we'd like to try that day. He had three types of gf pancakes for Monts to try on our first morning as he wanted to perfect them! Monts was in heaven and so were we as it makes the world of difference when people make a fuss over a child with allergies - it made it so easy to eat without any worry and Monts got to feast on treats that many places don't make gf.<br />
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Luckily there were two other families staying nearby who we knew from Sydney and Monty's school so we all had pals to hang with during the day and over dinner at night. We ate at some amazing places throughout the area we all stayed in with them all - you are definitely spoilt for foodie choice in Bali.<br />
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We hired a driver and headed up to Ubud for a day. It's such a contrasting landscape up there - the rice paddy fields are breathtakingly beautiful.</div>
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Monts got his elephant ride and we had monkeys climb all over us - hysterical! </div>
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All up - what a great holiday - we had a ball and came back super relaxed.</div>
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Meanwhile Woody was pampered beyond and back - a huge thanks to Kelly, who adores him and probably spoilt him rotten, day in, day out. </div>
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She soon found out he is a creature of habit - he heads to bed when I do - and as i rise so early - I am not a night owl. She is the complete opposite to me so had the death stare and glare from him several times when he thought it was time to nod off. </div>
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Apparently he would potter off to his bed then come back out and give her the full glare! Too funny - he is his own hound that's for sure!</div>
<span id="goog_1268507144"></span><span id="goog_1268507145"></span><br />Jossie loveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743023126230010539noreply@blogger.com0