~Girls Day In The Country 2014~

We are back from a lovely Girls Day in the Country hosted by the gorgeous Kerry 

from Cottage on the Hill at Nundle

The 2 first things I packed were my sewing basket and JoJo's suitcase

Then off for an overnight stay with my 2 little grandchildren

After  10 hours of driving with stops Mr Armchair, JoJo and I finally arrived at beautiful Nundle!

This is what the road 30k out looked like.......a storm had been and there was a rainbow

Welcoming signs in

We pull up at the cabins and JoJo says 'Mum's friends (aka Girlfriends)

First stop in town was the delightful Odgers & McLelland Exchange Stores established in 1891 full of vintage style cookware, real brooms, enamel etc.......with not a plastic item in stock......suits me right down to the ground LOL!!!

I also bought an Ostrich Feather Duster

something I have been wanting for years and years

I also ended up buying a coffee pot very similar to the ones above except taller

I call it my 'Dances With Wolves' coffee pot

perfect on the stovetop when there is a blackout

Some enamel bakeware perfect for Shepherd's Pie

(pics with kind permission from Odgers & McLelland)

One of the first Girlfriends I saw was Shez

and Chez!!!

After that up to Kerry's shop

and for you Geo (no blog)

Wooden table in the shop

Timber Basket

Cute birdhouse

Cattle grazing

Also treated myself to a lovely felt hat

Chookyblue hosted a Make It, Fake It or Buy it Swap

and she opted to have JoJo for a partner

above is what JoJo received

a pencil case, milkbottle lollies (her favourite), some stickers and fluro wand

Thanks so much Chooky!!!

I received from Gail a hand towel embroidered with Grub Roses and soap from Goondowindi

The gift I gave was Buy It.....a book received by Lynda

Finished by Dinner for us here at The Peel Inn......we use to live at Peel outside of Bathurst so nice memories at the sound of this name.  

More of the actual day coming!!!

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

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

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

The Menu was

~Watermelon, Raspberry and Coconut Liqueur Granita~

~Hummus with Spiced Crispy Chickpeas~

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

~Caramel Floating Island Cake with Caramelized Peaches~

Delicious fruit ready for blending

Granita after some hours in the freezer

Donna's version

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

Just different glasses

Very delicious Hummus

The Zucchini Salad

had Char-Grilled Corn tossed through it

Donna's version

And a few of my versions

A bit of dressing on these Cutlets

Peaches Caramelizing

And this extremely delicious Caramel Floating Island Cake

together with half a peach

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

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

If anyone would like to join us drop me a line

All easy-peasy

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

Bon Appetit,

Dzintra