Category: Melbourne

I should have known

/ Renae / Leave a comment

As I mentioned, it was Hubs’ birthday yesterday (and still currently his “birthday week”) so I had planned to take him out to dinner here. The place had been recommended to us by a couple of people, with the main attraction of “cheap pizzas” ie $4 pizzas from 7-11pm Mon-Thurs. Hubs likes pizza, and we like being cheap, so I thought it would be a great place to go! I was expecting a dodgy little place with mix-matched couches and a casual vibe which would have been perfect, especially since I had my walking shoes on (we had walked the 1.5km from home) and was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. This is not the place that greeted us. Instead, it was this rather trendy, though still relaxed, bar and restaurant that wasn’t really “us”. We stood at the bar for about 5 minutes and looked around for a spare table, of which there were none. After not being served for a while, we had a quick discussion and decided it wasn’t really what we were hoping for, so we left.

We started walking down the street looking for something else, and I asked Hubs what he felt like. Then I mentioned the B word. Burgers. His face lit up and he looked at me in his “I’m so cute I know I can get what I want if I look at you like this and talk to you all sweet-like” way and said:

“Honeeeeeeey. You know what I’d really love? If we went home and you cooked us some roo burgers.”

I should have known.

You see, my Hubsband is a man of simple pleasures. As I’m sure I’ve mentioned, he is easy to please, but difficult to impress. This goes for most aspects of his life, but in particular, with food. Of course I was happy to oblige. So we swung by Coles and picked up some salad stuff, knowing I had the main makings of the burgers at home. And with a few mushrooms on the side, they really hit the spot. I’ve been making roo burgers for over 2 years now, and I think I’ve pretty much perfected them! Not that I like to brag or anything. We devoured the burgers and topped off a great meal with leftover cake and ice cream, while watching the last episode of The Hollowmen, and a ep of Daria.

Hubs’ take on the evening? “Best birthday dinner EVER.”

And who am I to argue?

(Someone’s looking like a tired little bunny…)

Showered with love

/ Renae / 1 Comment

Last weekend was a big one and on the Sunday, a couple of my friends had asked if I wanted to catch up for coffee. It was in my diary, but by about 1:30pm I was so tired and had put my neck out, so I had a little lie down on the couch with Hubs. *sigh*. It was lovely. The thought crossed my mind to cancel coffee, but then I thought better of it – we’re leaving Melbourne soon and I really wanted to make the most of my time here with my friends. So my friend swung by and picked me up around 2:30pm. We were meeting our other friend at her place (for whatever reason) and when we got there, she opened the door and…..

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!! My friends were hosting a surprise baby shower for me!! Needless to say, I cried. It was so thoughtful and touching and it really blew me away. They had been planning it for a few weeks and Hubs was in on it too! We had a lovely afternoon eating cupcakes….. (how gorgeous is the plate!!??)

…and other delicious food…

…playing fun games like “guess the ingredients in the baby food”…
…and opening presents!!
So you can imagine how glad I was that I didn’t try and cancel!! Although, Hubs would have changed my mind. I really had no clue whatsoever and I love surprises so much! I’ve been missing my gal pals back home lately, and it really was so special to be reminded that I’ve met some wonderful, thoughtful, caring, beautiful women down here who have welcomed me into their lives. Thanks ladies – you really made this time in our lives even more special  x x x

Chocolatey goodness

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Last night, I headed out to Blackburn on the east side of town, to my Chocolate Making Workshop. It was SO much fun. It delivered everything it promised, and then some. Our teacher, Sylvia, was fabulous – so knowledgeable and a lot of fun. It really was a jam-packed 4 hours, and I’m SO glad she gave us a booklet at the end with all the info we had learnt. And of course, now I want to be a chocolatier. You know, like Juliette Binoche in Chocolat (hubba hubba). Sorry. Getting side-tracked.

We started out with Sylvia explaining the history of chocolate and the cocoa bean and its composition. Then we learnt about “confectionery” as opposed to chocolate and how chocolate has to contain a certain % of cocoa bean to be classified as chocolate (i.e. Nestle White Melts are actually a confectionery as they contain 0% cocoa bean) so I’ll be keeping my eye out for the “good stuff”. I controlled myself and didn’t purchase any equipment there and then, but you can be sure that I’ll be looking into it once we move to Wang! Here are some photos from the night:

The little chocolate cups we made using oranges and the chocolate leaves (so going to try these again)
These were our little chocolates in the process. We made ones with hazelnut praline, Cointreau liqueur, caramel, lemon lime genache, and another one that I can’t remember! We also filled some truffles which were scrumptious!

This was our little work area, and the other 3 participants with Sylvia (2nd from left) our expert

The attention to detail was lovely!

And oh so very delicious! Hubs had one when I got home and loved it! I really would like to buy some basic equipment and give this a go – just for fun! I’ll add it to my wish list for when we move to Wang. Who knows? You might benefit from it one day!

Thanks for the prezzie guys – it was just brilliant   x x x x x x

An explanation

/ Renae / 1 Comment

So I promised I’d explain these photos, so here goes. Hubs likes free stuff – who doesn’t!? – and he likes to help people out – what a man! – so when he saw an advertisement at uni by 2 photographers starting out, asking for volunteers to pose for couple photos, he jumped at the chance to volunteer our services. And I was happy to oblige. 2 hours posing for photos and smooching with Hubs? Where do I sign!? In return for our time, we have been emailed 8 photos that have been “touched up” (as if we need any “work” done) to look nice an professional. Pretty sweet deal huh!?

The 2 gentlemen who were our paparazzi for the afternoon are getting into the wedding photography industry, so they just wanted some couples to practice on. I think they did a mighty fine job! Although, with subjects like us…. well…. you know….

We were given instructions such as:

“Look lovingly into each other’s eyes.” Easy.
“Hubs, give Wifey a little kiss….. Uh Hubs, you can stop now…. HUBS!!!” hee hee! Gross!!!
“Here’s a water fountain. Do something spontaneous.” After I splashed Hubs with water and he tried to get me back, I think the photographer regretted that instruction…

Another one of my favourites:

It was a fun afternoon and really, quite easy “work”. I don’t know what all these super models complain about. I mean really.

I’ve chosen my own adventure!

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As I mentioned previously, my cousins and aunty and uncle gave me a red balloon voucher for my birthday in January, and I’ve finally booked something in! It wasn’t even on the voting list I blogged about! This is what I went with: (Quoted directly from the website)

Chocolate Making Workshop

Chocolate Making Workshop
What is the Experience?
This chocolate-making workshop is all about chocolate-making in a dream setting. You’ll make gorgeous hand-made chocolates in a fully equipped commercial Melbourne kitchen. Under the guidance of a professional chocolatier, you’ll be preparing ganache filling, chocolate curls, and more!
Professional foodies and chocoholics alike will simply love this beginners’ chocolate-making workshop. To begin with, Sylvia, a professional chocolatier, will talk you through the process of turning cocoa beans into a block of chocolate and give you some tasty information on the history of chocolate. Then you’ll be ready to temper the chocolate and turn it into chocolaty delights!

Correct tempering of chocolate is the key to perfectly-made delicacies. During the workshop you will work with only the highest-quality Belgian couverture chocolate, which averages over 64% cocoa. You’ll make ganache filling, choose your own flavouring, and pour into moulds that are the same as those used by the world’s top chocolatiers! You will also get to call on your creative side when making little curls and other decorations for your chocolates.

Throughout the four-hour class you’ll make a variety of chocolates and decorations – all of which you’ll get to take home with you afterwards! Everything is done to the highest professional standard and the atmosphere is all about fun.

One of the best things about this class is the size. With no more than six participants in the group you will all work together and receive all of the attention you need in order to bring out your innermost chocolaty creative flair!

This course is ideal for the chocolate-lover who wants to learn about the intricacies of chocolate appreciation and learn how to make goodies for themselves, or as gifts for others. Any professional cook or patisserie chef who wants to hone their skills in chocolate-making will also benefit greatly from this workshop. Whatever your motivation, you will walk away from this workshop knowing all about the full potential of chocolate and with a box full of chocolaty treats. This is a fun-packed four hours that you won’t forget!

Oh yeah. I’m just a bit excited. The course is in a couple of weeks so I’ll let you know how it goes. I might have to wear my stretchy pants! Tee hee!!

Skype

/ Renae / 2 Comments

Okay, so I’ll be the first to admit, I’m often a little behind the times when it comes to certain things. Sometimes it takes me ages to give something new a go. And then when I try it and love it, I want to tell everyone how amazing it is.

Take Skype for example. Now, I know that Skype has been around since about 2003 (thanks Wiki) and it’s been something I’ve been meaning to set up, but just never got around to it. Calling cards from Australia are always so cheap so I’ve never bothered much about other forms of communication. Until the stupid calling cards, in their infinite wisdom, changed the validity of the card from 12 months to 6 months, and now 3 months! I went to call my dear friend in the States a couple of weeks ago, only to be told the $8 remaining on my $10 card (my last 45 minute phone call had cost a mere $2) had expired a week before.

Enough was enough. I asked Hubs (very nicely of course) if he could please install Skype on our computer (well, one of them). And it was done! A week later (yesterday), I was chatting to my dear friend in the States and it was as if we were in the same room! We were only using the voice function as we don’t have a webcam, but that will change soon, as Hubs is on the case!

So the verdict: Skype is awesome! You should give it a try some time!!!!*

*Expected response to this last statement: “Uh yeah Wifey, we’ve been using Skype for 5 years dude. Weren’t we the ones who told you to try it ages ago?”

Breakfast in bed

/ Renae / 2 Comments

I remember reading in a magazing years ago (in the Doctor’s waiting room – I wouldn’t waste my own money!) and I came across an article about the then happily married couple, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills. It stated that they shared breakfast in bed every morning, and vowed that it helped them to stay connected and have a great start to each day.

Although it didn’t work out so well for them, I loved the idea of breakfast in bed with Hubs every day, so it began. I’m not sure when exactly – maybe February last year? In any case, it’s been going on for over a year now. And it’s great. I get up a wee bit earlier, go and make us brekky (only cereal – toast is too crumby!) and a cup of tea for Hubs and glass of juice for me, and bring it back to bed. And sometimes Hubs does it for me too which is so nice. It’s just the best way to start our day. We can discuss our plans – what’s going on at work (usually not much), what Hubs’ uni timetable is looking like, whether he has any exams, and whether or not he can meet me for lunch at college that day.

It really is such a special “tradition” that I hope to continue for a long long time.

Jersey Boys

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We went to see Jersey Boys – the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons – last night, and it was just fabulous! In retrospect, I  realised that we had the understudy for Frankie Valli, but you wouldn’t have known! He was incredible! And to think that there are 2 people out there with Frankie’s voice!?

We sang along (quietly to avoid too much embarrassment) to songs like Sheree, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man (fave!), You’re just too good to be true, Oh what a night, and more! It really was an entertaining show that I would highly recommend.