This blog is all about me......I come here for respite in between caring for JoJo (our Daughter who has Special Needs)......I am addicted to starting new projects......I am becoming a fabric-a-holic... I love to try out recipes... take a beach walk and breathe in that salty blue air......love to have coffee...sip a glass of champagne......read a book......I am Queen of the Armchair and am inspired by all the wonderful blogs out there!!!

Sunday, April 28, 2013

~The Birthday Food and Gifts......and Family~

Well it seems that I have eaten my way through my B I G birthday LOL


I opened up this card a week before my birthday from my dear friend Dot and out fell all these gorgeous little stars


Two days later we headed up through the historic village of Braidwood to our desination that evening for dinner


at La Scala Ristorante in Canberra


DD Jacqueline and DIL Danelle


Going left to right DS James, SIL Bill, GD Lidija, Mr Armchair, GS Ryan, Jacuqline and Danelle



Some of the food


Family pic


the cake......a gluten free chocolate mud cake


that Jacqueline decorated
all so nice and chocolatey......thank you so much for organizing this and the dinner!!!

 

The gifts......gorgeous necklace from my children


and a cook book from my SIL Liene
Recipes put together by a group of women who get together and cook on Mondays
I had heard of these ladies doing this but didn't realize there was a book



JoJo loved the table balloons


I received these glasses a few weeks before from my childhood friend Kerrie


My dear Friend Geo sent me these buttons by Lynette Anderson Designs


and this 1953 Australian three pence all set and ready to wear with a chain
Thank you so much Geo and Lloyd.......this coin made a flood of childhood memories come flooding back to me as I hadn't seen one for years.....and yes it was a little emotional too!!!


I had a cocktail when Mr Armchair and JoJo took me out for dinner on Birthday Eve to On The Pier


Sending a Cheers to everyone at the time!!!





More food......


The waitress came out with this Happy Birthday plate of a Mango Sauce that said Happy Birthday...
and it was all edible too......


And pic to finish off the evening.....



On Birthday morning Mr Armchair said let's go out for breakfast when JoJo had left for her day programme......yes please!!
We went to North St Cafe and Bar where they have the best Gluten Free food and cakes


I took a new glass that my Cousin Katy sent me and wondered if it was too early at 11am for some bubbles but Steph at the Cafe said no!!!


After that Mr Armchair took me to Georgie's Jewellers where we bought a new Pandora chain and a couple of charms.......I used some birthday money from MIL Velta to purchase the charm with the star on it as it reminded me of a sea shell and the beach that we are close too..... 



I came home to a gift from Nat
this lovely wallet purchased from Bangkok when she went for a visit back home there recently
Thank you so much dear Nat......it's great!!!
And Fiona you'll love this.....it's in your favourite colour orange!!!



And the biggest surprise.....an Ipad......how cool is this all in a lovely crimson cover as well
I first saw one of these at GDITC (Girls Day in the Country) when Susan had one at our table
It took photos as well and I was sooooo impressed
It's great and I just love it.....so now I will be able to be portable so will bring it next time to GDITC......



And guess what, Mr Armchair and JoJo took me out to dinner again.......this time at Isabella's
Funny enough the Chef here is one that was in my class when I did my course at TAFE 


After that we came home and had this delicious Chocolate Plum Ganache cake from North Street Cafe for dessert


 
And a pic to finish it all off
I've had a great birthday celebration
Thank you for all the birthday greetings and gifts
I've been thoroughly spoilt
Thank you to my lovely family

And I still can't believe I'm this age
But they do say 60 is the new 50 or some even say 40 !!!

Monday, April 22, 2013

~Cooking with JoJo's Day Programme (1)...Quinoa~



Recently I went to JoJo's Day Programme and did a cooking class with the clients
Above is a pic of the Middle Eastern Bean Patties with Yogurt and Mint Sauce we all made


Here are Angie and Alan......very keen to have lunch
they sat at their places not long after we arrived and patiently waited!!!


Eddie was a very keen worker


Renae......one of the care workers on the day


and now posing with JoJo


The patties all lined up ready to go


Trying to do a 'cheffy' pose here whilst thinking how would Matt Moran do this LOL


From left to right here.......Alan, Adam, Angie, JoJo, Mieke and me
A very successful lunch and I'm back again tomorrow to do another one......this time a Chicken Laksa


Before trying this with the gang I did a practice run at home
The Patties are from Cooking with Quinoa by Rena Patten

Quinoa - pronounced keen-wah - is a grain, but not just any grain. It is considered to be almost a complete food. It is very high in protein, full of vitamins, gluten- and wheat-free, cholesterol-free and usually organic. And it is simply delicious. This title shows you many different ways to use quinoa.

We have just discovered quinoa in our house and love it
These patties have become a firm favourite with us!!!


Uncooked Patties


Cooking


Served with Broccoli and a simple salad

* R E C I P E*

Makes 8-10....you could even get 15 patties.......they are a really good size
Gluten Free, Vegetarian and for Dairy Free omit Yogurt

~ 1/2C quinoa grain, rinsed and drained
1C water
2 x 400g cans red kidney beans - rinsed and drained
3 cloves garlic, grated
4 shallots or spring onions, finely sliced
1t ground cumin
1/2 - 1t chilli powder
3T chopped coriander
1 egg
salt to taste
2T olive oil

YOGURT MINT SALSA

~1/2C Greek Yogurt
1T finely chopped mint
1t extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

Place quinoa in small saucepan with the water.  Bring to boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer 10m until all water is absorbed.  Remove from heat and cool.

Coarsely mash kidney beans with fork or potato masher.  
Add cooked quinoa, garlic, shallots, cumin, chilli, coriander and egg.
Season with salt and mix until all ingredients are well combined.
Divide mixture into 8 or 10....but it will do 15 smaller ones and shape into round patties.

Heat olive oil over medium heat in pan.  Add patties and cook until golden on both sides, aprox 3-4 m each side.

To make the salsa mix together yogurt, mint, oil and season as desired.

Serve the patties with the yogurt mint salsa and a garden salad.

A yummy meal highly recommended.....

Bon Appetit......Dzintra




Sunday, April 21, 2013

~Thank You Friends in Stitching~


Thank You Helen and Friends in Stitching~


Hi everybody...
thank you so much for my birthday wishes,
I had an awesome day and was thoroughly spoilt by my Mr Armchair and JoJo and by my other 2 children on the previous weekend

I am part of an on-line stitching group, Friends in Stitching which I joined this  year.  2 requirements of this group are that we participate in a birthday swap and a Christmas swap

Above is the birthday swap gift all wrapped up that I received from Helen


and one for JoJo as well
how chuffed was she as I told her it was from some 'Sewing Girlfriends'
Girlfriends is the name she gave to the gals up at Nundle for Girls Day in the Country (GDITC) and it just so suits I reckon!!!




My card and message...


And look Angels holding up a Heart with a special verse underneath



Gorgeous, gorgeous little runner, just perfect Helen....it made the coffee table straight away LOL!!!
And I did specify that I like Anni Downs' designs!!!


And look here....the much coveted Friendship Tag...
I now have one too...how special is this!!!


But wait, there's more......not 1 but 2 Tags......not bragging or anything LOL!!!
A special one with JoJo's name on it...all in soft muted colours......


She's proudly holding it up here....




A handy little Anni Downs notepad and some chocolate.......


Mr Armchair took me out for breakfast and I brought along this special glass that I received from my Cousin and had champagne at 11.00 in the morning......that's not too early is it LOL???

Thank you so much Helen for my lovely gifts......they are just awesome!!!

So a big Cheers to all you Sewing Girlfriends......nothing like being 30 (again)!!!

Love Dzintra xoxo

Welcome To My World

Hello, my name is Dzintra Ingrid ... have been known as Ingrid and since our Sea Change I have started to use Dzintra ... pronounced without the D ... (but still known as Ingrid, I know, it's confusing ...)

Welcome to my world ... a journal of our Sea Change ... Mum to three wonderful children ... bringing up a daughter with a disability and seeing life through her eyes ... being a new Nanna ... photos ... inspiring quotes ... taking on a cookery course ... the odd recipe ... and trying to get some stitching done amongst all this ...