Saturday, 23 February 2013

Pig N Whistle Brisbane - Review


On a mini getaway with the family we got to eat in lots of yummy places in Brisbane, So I will share the Pig N Whistle experience first.
Great atmosphere situated on the Queens Street Mall Brisbane. Groovy, buzzing atmosphere created by all the people passing by and through the mall. With a lot of retail eye candy nearby as well. 
My husband order oysters kilpatrick for starter. Delicious ! Well presented, the sauce was perfect, temperature was great, as you can see by the empty plate. We also had garlic bread, just right. I ordered the Bug special for my
main and ordered the kids the lasagna main and a side of fries to share. I usually avoid the kids meals as they are mostly an after thought by most restaurants. At the moment a decent main and a side feeds my boys adequately. Husband had the bangers and mash.
We had some red wine and great service to go with these meals. Boys loved the lasagna, husband devoured the bangers and I immersed myself in the journey that was my bugs. Devine. I also loved that I didn't have to ask for a finger bowl or a scraps bowl.

Review on Urban Spoon

Pig n Whistle Queen Street Mall on Urbanspoon
 
It had been a couple of years since I had eaten here (we don't get into the city as much as we used to) And we were not disappointed. Atmosphere great, service great, food stunning - thanks Pig 'N' Whistle we had a wonderful night x
8 out of ten truffles for this one .


Friday, 22 February 2013

King of Kings yum cha Review

Still on our mini city break and we took the kids to yum cha in the Brisbane Valley. I used to go here all the time as a young (and not so young) adult. I loved the buzz, colours smells and of course - the food. It was a little disappointing though. The day we went was during the week, they didn't have a lot of people dining so they didn't have the trolleys going around, it detracted from the experience we wanted the kids to have, but the food was great. Toward the end of the meal the trolleys started coming as it got busier, so all wasn't lost.


Check out Urban spoon for this and more restaurant reviews King of Kings on Urbanspoon



I love my dim sum, so it would have to be pretty bad for me to not like it at all. Loved all the dishes we ordered and ate. We always order the Asian greens, kids love them too, so that's a bonus. Everything was as I remembered, even the decor, which was actually nice, sometimes you don't want things to change. Staff were friendly and accommodating, food was fresh and yummmmmy.



 
We also love the Chinese tea (Jasmin). It wouldn't be the same without a pot or two. Oh and of course we must have lots of chili sauce, steamed pork bun, steamed prawn dumpling and to finish the meal, custard tarts. What are your favourites when you yum cha ?


 
As you can see, we enjoyed it all. I give this 8 sun dried tomatoes out of ten. The entrance is a little dodgy and dirty, but everything else was just what I wanted it to be xxx
 
 
 


Monday, 21 January 2013

Mumford & Sons - Babel

 
 
Mumford & Sons, say no more !
Well I can't, I must go on and on. I haven't had music move me as much as this. Since coming across the amazing Nina Simone, many years ago. Don't get me wrong, there are lot's of other artists and songs that I love with much intensity. But. There is something about these lads, and I can't quite explain it. Not everyone in my house feels the same way - fools, (but do they?)
I say to My young lads, listen, listen to the words. Like poetry, a window to the the imperfect, yet perfectly normal man's soul. One in particular:
Hopeless Wanderer (and this is my interpretation)
" So when your hopes on fire
But you know your desire
Don't hold a glass over the flame
Don't let your heart grow cold
I will call you by name
I will share your road
 
But hold me fast hold me fast
Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer
Hold me fast hold me fast
Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer
 
And I will learn, I will learn
To love the skies I'm under "
 
^^
If we know this, if we know the (dare I say) soul of our lovers. As hard as it is sometimes, can we let them grow, can we let them go? Not to leave per say. But, to explore that inner part, that we may never understand. And, if we hold on fast, with understanding and love in our heart and maybe we too can grow old together. "Now, how I long, how I long, to grow old."
 
This can't happen when we feel bitter and angry. So maybe we don't get angry, maybe we let our self explore and let our lovers explore ? Knowing, that we will still be here for each other. We are all broken, we are all full of flaws. So in the end, can we ?
 
We will run and scream
You will dance with me
They'll fulfill our dreams
and we'll be free
And we will be who we are
And they'll heal our souls
Sadness will be far.
(Not With Haste)
 
There is so much more in the words of their songs, I just love them. I can listen, over and over again. And then some more.
 
Thank you, Mumford & Sons xx
 
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, 15 January 2013

Fast fruit - preparing for tomorrow

 
Last night we had a healthy taco dinner (which I forgot to photograph) . I always do my mince with a mix of chicken and beef mince. I just use Aldi's packet with all the ingredients. Its quick and easy, this is one of my other alternatives to getting take-out. I would normally rather use my own herbs without the fillers and no MSG, but I figure I still know pretty much whats in it all. Our accompaniments were: avocado, sheep's feta, Greek yoghurt, taco sauce (that came in the pack), roma tomatoes and lettuce. Very yummy.
For desert I cut up a fresh fruit platter (in the picky above)
I also separated off some of the fruit and cut it up for smoothies for breakfast. So the  smoothies I will be making over the next few days will have a mix of rock melon, banana and grape. I put this cut up mix into separate snap-lock bags an popped them in the freezer. This is going to be part of my "prepared for 2013" strategy. So I can be healthy and less stressed and hopefully lose some weight as a bonus.
Full smoothie recipe yet to come, with lots of pickies.
xx

 
 

Wednesday, 9 January 2013

50 Shades of Grey - Book Review

50 Shades of Grey - book review
Well I just couldn't resist reading this book any longer. I am usually a "late adopter" of things. It took me a long time to use handy cards (I still have a cheque book though). I was one of the last of my friends to move to smart phones ( I love a good old Nokia that you can throw and it doesn't smash). There are many other examples but I wont go on.
I do think this book will be one of those "cult" books. Lot's of references are already been made in every day goings on and I don't understand all of them. I can make assumptions about some of the comments. "Oooh, could do with a bit of "Grey" at the moment" etc etc and so on. But direct references to the "Red Room", I have no idea what people are talking about. My Mother has even read the book and can "knowingly" laugh at references to this cult affair !!
So I decided to put "The Fiery Cross" aside and jump in, so to speak.
I am going to do this review as I read the book and will just pick up each block that I read with a # rather than a date. I will try to make my thoughts flow as best as possible.

#So far it gets a big Snore Snore from me. The main character is a winging pain in the arse and I don't think I am going to be able to finish it. My mind is wondering all the time and I have to re-read paragraphs
#Starting to put my detective hat on! Why is Kate saying that she should stay away from Grey? That he is dangerous! Why do I feel this will have some significance later in the book
#The writing style is not my cup of tea, dare I say it, its a little sloppy. But, is that what will give the book it's charm in the end? I like this Mr Gray's calmness and control. Does this come with being a cajillionaire or are you like that before hand? OK, so now is about where I start thinking the characters are real people, it's how I bond with a story. I just let myself go.
#I find romantic much more sexy than raunch and as I get into the more juicy parts I am thinking I am really not going to like this book. I hate male review shows and poster pictures of hot men all over the place. Don't get me wrong, I totally appreciate a good body and face, but I have all I want at home (brag brag) so I'm not enticed by that stuff. This book is starting to give me that trashy ---- mag feel! (I also don't have anything against raunch, just not tacky)
#I am now finding Mr Grey very intriguing. I am instantly thinking he has mummy and or daddy issues and can't wait to find out more about him. She is still boring me, to the point where I keep forgetting her name.
#If she says "inner goddess" one more time I am going to burn this book !!
#I know this is pretty woman crap. What can I say ? I am a sucker for it. "I've never slept with anyone, never had sex in my bed, never flown a girl in Charlie Tango, never introduced a woman to my mother. ..." That stuff I love, I just find myself not liking that he has fallen for Anna !
#My first time was horrible - haven't we all been there? How do we teach our boys to be better with their women? Without all the details. I guess we just need to give the details, and get over ourselves and the stigma of what we share and don't share with our children. The real question is what age do we start talking to them? Anyway I have digressed.
#I probably shouldn't divulge too much more (for those that are yet to read the series). I do like the idea of the contract though. The details are maybe not my cup of tea, but the concept is good I think. Is that what marriage contracts were originally about?
# Even though I am a strong independent person, I quite like the concept of clear roles in a relationship. I don't think the roles need to be fixed, they can certainly change over time and different stages in the relationship life cycle. We do need to know what is expected of each other though, and that involves clear, and sometimes difficult conversations. I like how the book is really exploring this.
#I have checked out all the music references and music suggestions by the "Mr Grey" and I really like all the music. You tube   has some suggested play lists, with the key songs in them. Definitely worth a listen.
So in closing, I am on to book number two ! I guess that is a good thing (or not). I am intrigued to find out more about Mr Grey and it distracts me from everyday serious stuff. That's not so bad. It's my B105 book I guess. Everything I read has a purpose and those purposes are all different, neither good nor bad just more ideas. Everyone takes what they want out of every experience they have. I mostly choose to find some value or good in everything. With that in mind, I will not be persuaded by the nay-sayer's and I am enjoying the series (with all its imperfections). I recommend you persevere through until at least half way through, it gets better.     
Read the book xxx


           

Tuesday, 1 January 2013

New Years Resolutions !

 
Hi All
I have decided not to set a New Years resolution this year. They haven't worked for me in the past, so I think a change of habbit is long over-due. 2013 will be what it will be, my attitude in general is what I am going to shift. I mostly have a good positive approach to life (I think), but I am going to put a little bit of more ME in what I do this year, and see how that goes.
I like this from  Miss Millionairess
 

A lot more self-loving coming on this year. I am working on the premise that, if I look after and nurture me. In the end I will have more to give to others.
 
What have you got in store for YOU this 2013 ?
 

Wednesday, 26 December 2012

Boxing Day Dinner - creamy scallops

 
With a house full, I had ordered extra seafood for boxing day dinner. And it went something like this:
Fresh scallops
Fresh green prawns
Leek
Coriander
Garlic
Creme Fraiche'
Snow peas
Angel Hair pasta

Just toss it in the pan in the usual order and add parmesan cheese to serve x
Yummmmmy
All the kids ate it to, from age 6 - 15.

What did you cook for boxing day dinner ?