A Gardener's Journal...Block F

Woo Hooo....Block F complete!!!

 Finally all the stitcheries are done...

and put together...

Progress so far on the quilt...only 3 blocks to go!!!

Even though it's taking me a long time to put together I am having so much fun doing this quilt...

especially choosing the fabrics and putting them all together...

I'm loving all the florals and paisleys in this!!!

Back to the drawing stitching board for me now...Dzintra

My Birthday Week...

Just finishing up on my birthday week...

Here's a cheers to you all for my birthday wishes!!!

Mr Armchair took JoJo and I out to dinner at Monet's just before the weekend...

Scallops here...

Sushi...delicious!!!

The wine...

The meals...lamb above...bouillabaisse below (a traditional Provençal fish stew originating from the port city of Marseille)

Chocolate Mousse...

The 3 of us...

The next morning our Daughter Jacqueline and her Hubby arrived to leave our little Grandson Ryan for us for a few days for the school holidays...On Sunday morning we went our for breakfast...

Here is Ryan with his little Sister Lidija sharing a milkshake...

how cute are they!!!

Ryan love his trains...

he called us to come and look at the beautiful train track he made...

when he grows up he wants to re-instate the train tracks throughout the country...How cool is that...and all from a 6 year old...he actually said it when he was 5...

We had pancakes on Monday morning and JoJo set the table...

she laid out the jams and syrup...and Ryan's water bottle...

Good thinking JoJo!!!

Ryan lined up his trains...I thought we would watch Harry Potter together...

he didn't make it through the movie...it all got a bit too much for him...

will have to watch it another time...he did like the train and the owl though!!!

We went out for birthday lunch on Tuesday...

Ryan loves to be in photos...

On Thursday I met my friend Asta for coffee at Starfish Deli...

and she had a surprise gift for me...

this little stitched bag...isn't it gorgeous...

beautiful warm colours...

together with a little Anni Downs notebook and a lovely card...

Thank you so much dear Asta...loved the catch up...we'll do it again soon!!!

We spontaneously took a drive up the little historic village of Milton on Saturday...

had to pop into My Patch and bought some fabrics...this lovely modern funky paisley...

OoLaLa Charm Pack by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda...

and a fun 1930's Jelly Roll...30's Playtime "Chloe's Closet"...I've never bought anything like this before...

I entered a swap...

Pic found on internet

And to finish off the week...

Mr Armchair commutes to work 2 hours each way...

due to all the rain we have had Clyde Mountain had a landslide and it took him 4 and half hours to get home...I understand the engineers are working on it amongst others to clear it all...

And due to this Ryan isn't coming here this week!!!

Have a great week everyone...Love Dzintra xo

Rick Stein at Bannister's...A Break For Us!!!

February seems so long ago now...

We had a very very special weekend thanks to our our Son James and his Partner Danelle...

Last year for Mr Armchair's very significant birthday they wanted to give us a weekend away INCLUDING having JoJo whilst that was happening...

And blow me down we started to plan it all and I broke my arm...

this put me out of action for weeks...

Mr Armchair was run off his feet caring for me and JoJo...

and 12 months later we were finally able to have our weekend away...

And what a time it was...

but I must admit it took getting used to just being a couple a while...

JoJo is with us full time and we are her Carers...

for us to be able to enjoy a few hours together of just chatting and going out requires planning for Respite Care...knowing when we are going out...when we are coming back...

nothing is spontaneous for us...

sometimes is is just easier to stay home and not stress about it all...

The place we all agreed on was Rick Stein's at Bannisters...

James had to approve our choice as he wanted somewhere really nice and special for us...

After we arrived we headed off down to the pool area for a drink and a bit of lunch...

pic above is at the pool area...

Driving into Bannister's...

Ocean view from our room...

On the balcony...

Caesar Salad...

Chips and Aioli...

Some swimming in the edge pool...

It started raining in the late afternoon but it was still nice and warm...

Inside a corner of the Restaurant where we had dinner...

The wine...

I had informed the Restaurant a couple of days before that I was on a gluten-free diet...

The menus are quite large and they are printed every day on thick paper with a copy of the fish below on the other side...

I wasn't made to feel any different from the other guests which can often happen in various places...

the Restaurant had printed up a gluten free version...

I thought that this was the most thoughtful gesture...

Every attention to detail was attended to...

We were chatting with the Hostess at Front of House and told her why we there and when we sat down we were presented with complimentary champagne...

The most unusual butter...a fishy one but oh so delicious...

together with gluten free bread...they just did it!!!

 Braised Fillet of Cone Bay Barramundi with Truffle, Slivers of Potato, Mushrooms and Truffle Oil...

Chips and Melange of Vegetables...

During the evening...

Both desserts had Happy Birthday on them as the dinner was a celebratory birthday one for us both...signed by Rick's Head Chef.. Julian Lloyd

We were so full but still managed to fit in breakfast...eggs for Mr Armchair

and bruschetta for me (on gluten free toast)...and they remembered!!!

A light shade made of small bottles...

Entrance into the Restaurant...

Took a walk down to the beach and came upon a dedication...

Cocktails...mocktails...we certainly ate and drank!!!

And then it was dinner time again...

Fig, Prosciutto and Rocket Salad...

A salad of Lobster, Avocado, Green Beans and Foie-Gras...

Bannisters Fish Pie...Salmon, Snapper, Blue Eye Trevalla, Scallops, Mushrooms and Prawns in a creamy Fish Veloute Sauce with Truffle, gratinated with Breadcrumbs and Parmesan...

Indonesian Seafood Curry with Ling, Skate, Kingfish, Squid and King Prawns...Served with Green Bean and fresh Coconut Salad and Steamed Rice... .

And of course we had to have dessert!!!

Many Awards on the walls...

We even bought some fabulous books...Rick is coming back next month and I think I will take them up there to be signed by him!!!

A little collage I made...prior to the evening meal olives are served!!!

We love olives and regularly do this here at home too now!!!

Thank You, Thank You so much James and Danelle...we had a ball!!!!!

We have little Ryan coming here for a few days in the holidays...

tonight I will cook Pork Belly...

So here's to a wonderful weekend of family and celebrations!!!

I am so Blessed!!!

Bon Appetit...Dzintra xo