Pavlova time!

Beach and pressies

Went to Coogee this morning for a catch up with nana.  She is bAck from 2 weeks at her parents farm fown by the Victorian border.  

we had breakkie at our favourite place, lots of chatting then went for a swim.  Niiiice! 

The nana was generous this year and brought back loads of avos from the farm plus a lot of local produce. I love it!  She always brings bAck the olive oil gor me as she knows i love it. This year though I got a whole goodie bag woohoo!   Especially looking forward to trying the muesli. Also, please note the home made chilli jam - 'for Jon' she said.  Thanks nana!! 

Flat white

Flat white at Moore park waiting for Baby Bunting to open... 

Getting a belly bar for the pram for Oliver today.  

Excursion

Went to Stanwell Tops this morning for a little outing. It is about an hour 10 min from the city and you're in another world! 

Had coffee at the Scarborough Hotel which was really nice and has a view to die for!

Cuddles

Frida gets some cuddles with the master of the house. 

Boxing Day and Happy Birthday Frank

Boxing Day was spent at Dom and Emma's house , eating , drinking and being merry. It was Frank's birthday so loads if people , kids, dogs and general wonderful chaos ! 

Last birthday for Frank in Oz as they sadly are moving back to the UK....

Brunch

Brunch in trendy Surry Hills with David and Bianca. Rainford Social was nice , busy but not too crowded - and lived the decor ! 

Was great to see B - have not seen her for ages! 

Pizza

Tonight  - home made pizza! 

Dough from fancy place in Bondi. 

Home made tomato sauce on onion, garlic (sweat for quite a while) , add oregano and good quality tomatoes, add water and a tiny bit of wine and balsam vinegar.  Let reduce.  

Salami 

Red capsicum

Mushrooms 

Mozzarella on top. 

Bake on pizza stone for 8 minutes - perfect! 

Morning treat

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! 

Had a lovely day on the 25th at Claire and Graeme's.   

Lots of fun things for the kids, nibbles and drinks. 

Rained a day but was still a great day!

Cheese

Oh bring it on! 

Fridge

Finally it starting to look like Christmas.... 

Gingerbread houses and humidity ....

....don't mix.....

Recipe for knäck

For all of you who thought image saffron bread this morning ... Wrong.. My upload did not work yesterday so it appeared today.  They were yummy though. J was naughty and had one for breakkie hehe.  Oh and all swedes should be warned - he had butter and marmalade on his saffron bun!! - blasphemous hey?? 

Now on to the knäck we did yesterday. 

2 dl (not cups!!) sugar

2 dl syrup 

2 dl cream ( not thickened ) 

Bring to boil - in Teflon saucepan if you have) and boil vehemently (not simmer) for circa 15 min

Put cold water into a small bowl. Using a teaspoon take some of the 'dough' out and put immediately in the water. If hardens immediately then ready. If not then a couple of more min on stove until this happens. 

Take off the stove and add 1 table spoon of proper butter and 3 table spoons of crushed almonds. Stir. 

Pour into tiny cup cake cases ( or whatever they are called) . They need to be tiny though so they're just a mouthful. 

Let cool. Enjoy!!! 

God Jul

Christmas Eve starts in bed with coffee , tea (and formula for his lordship ) and opening of first presents.... 

Lovely start of the day ! 

Saffron bread

Saffron bread - done!! 

Kokar knäck...

J is helping me to cook Swedish knäck. 

Spiced peaches

We are having a day of cooking here.  Made ginger bread already!! Now onto the meatballs! J made Nigella's spices peaches to go with the cheese over the holidays.  Looking good !!! 

Lucia and tree

My nephew's daycare they have a lovely traditional Lucia on 13 December. They all gather outside and he children sing the songs and all the proud parents stand around. (Think my parents had a little tear even!! ) 

Oh look at the tiny tots , adorable ! 

Also look at sis's huge Christmas tree!!

Lovely!  

BBQ

We usually do a BBQ on Fridays. We didn't last night so tonight's the night.... 

Lamb chops on the barbie.  They have been marinating all day on rosemary, garlic, red wine vinegar, grain mustard and Worcestershire Sauce.  Looking good!!! 

Whilst J is BBQ-ing Frida waits patiently on the lawn , hoping he will throw the toy for her....

Pet Day At Work

On Thursday J's work had 'bring your pet to work day'... 

Frida went with him , she was one of 23 dogs at work that day ! Total chaos but really nice at the same time. 

They made a huge effort and you got a goodie bag with you home.  So cute! Look at all the Girly things for Frida. ! 

The Artist

The other day when I picked up Oliver from day care they gave me a folder with 'his artwork'. I thought it was ambitious of them to call a one year old's drawings 'artwork'. But I did not say anything. 

Then I had a look. ... 

Turns out he is a brilliant artist and yeees - this is his artwork !! 

Breakkie at CYC

Had breakkie with Debbie and Kirk at the CYC in Rushcutters on Sunday - in the 'Sydney to Hobart' room.  Dad , you wouldhave loved ut!! 

Lovely down there! 

Lamb

Lamb night tonight. I got a lovely organic leg of lamb the other day. Tonight J bbq'ed it. J is serious and uses a stop watch whilst bbq'ing these days. Haha. 

To this we has a salad of fresh baby spinach, walnuts and grilled haloumi.  And some garlic bread of course.... 

Really yummy ! 

Lucia

Happy Lucia everyone!!  

Yes I know it was yesterday for me , but in Europe it is still the 13th!!!

Lucia is the most beautiful Swedish tradition according to me. I love love love it!  

The downside is that I always get so emotional and have a little cry at the end of the day.

 I manage all day, I'm excited and uplifted. Then at the end of the day I always watch Lucia on Swedish television.  ( the one that basically all swedes watch on Lucia at 7 am) 

This year no different. I watched it and loved it - whilst having a few tears....

This year it was from Olaus Petri church in Örebro.  

Watch it here; 

http://www.svtplay.se/lucia

Cuff links

J got these gorgeous cuff links for his birthday from his parents. They are monogrammed as you can see. JES , his initials.  Aren't they just so beautiful ! 

Very funny

It was Jonathan's birthday last week and I will write more about that soon , and show you some of his lovely pressies. 

Anyway over to the fun part.  My sister and her wonderful family sent J a present last week. Included was a card from them that my nephew Walter had painted. It is clever and so funny. Check it out and read Sasja's comment below.  I laughed out loud! So cute! Love it!