What have you been doing today?

[astarra]

So you should be, Mich!! 

Today, my washing machine died.  I tried allsorts but it would just turn on then straight off again. I finally give up and ask the MIL if I can take the wash up and do it at her place. DH comes along to try to fix it a few hours later....turns it on and it goes.   
Also had my twin nieces here, (9yr olds) who along with my miss7 picked 2 washing baskets full of apples off the tree - and that was just the ones they could reach!!! So am trying to work out how to one-handedly tackle that load...
Also went swimming in the school pool, a few jobs around the house etc.

[Bootobethin]

Astarra what about apple juice!

[Bedlam]

Wonderful Astarra, makes my basket full look sad!
Not easy coping without a working washing machine and typical for it to work for DH.
We had a family party for my MIL who turned 80 in the week.  DD 1 made her special salted caramel macarons and DD 2 custard tarts with glazed strawberries on top ( able cooks both of them, make me proud) I did a trio of dips, thanks to thermie. We managed to avoid the worst of the showers when outside. A rare occasion for her to have all her family under one roof so she was appreciative.

[obbie]

great Bedlam to have family around.

Astarra, apple pies maybee

[Cornish Cream]

It sounds as though you had a great time Denise celebrating your MIL's Birthday.

[mab19]

Bedlam, it sounds likeyour MIL enjoyed her party.

Wow that's a lot of apples Astarra.

[judydawn]

Nice to see you and your DD's spoiling your MIL Denise and despite the weather, I imagine she had a wonderful day celebrating her 80th.

[goldfish]

Denise - that would have been such a special day for your MIL!!  I'm sure she loved you all for it!!

[mab19]

Have just cleaned the shower base, will maybe do the rest later on today or tomorrow.  I can't bend for long these days as I have a bad lower back with one disc slipped forward and very little cushioning between the discs.

[judydawn]

That's no good Margaret, time to get a cleaner in to do the hard jobs?

[goldfish]

Mab - I can empathise!! Do look after yourself!!

My DD had given me a voucher for a Greek cooking class for my birthday.  We both went to a fabulous class given by Maria Benardis of Greekalicious  http://www.greekalicious.com.au/ - an amazing young woman of endless energy.  I'll leave you to read all about her on the website.

We made  lahanodolmades (cabbage dolmades) with avgolemono, tdf trilogy of Greek cheeses and leek pies in filo (which can be made ahead of time and frozen), baklava and the most wonderful cos salad.  When all that had been prepared and cooked, we all sat down to a fabulous lunch accompanied by a beautiful white wine.

I remembered I already had the book, "My Greek Family Table" that happened to be Maria's first book and which had been awarded Best Mediterranean Cuisine Book in Australia at the 2009 Gourmand World Cook Book Awards. - so that was a pleasant surprise!!


The next of Maria's classes will be in June, but sadly, those will be the last in Sydney (Bondi) as she is then moving her business to New York to teach there.  Maria is passionate about the nutritional value of good quality, certified organic, in season ingredients and a spiritual approach to food preparation.

If anyone in Sydney is interested, here is the link for information to those June classes.  I'd love to attend another class, but at the moment I can't go on those particular dates. Maria is so friendly, welcoming and accommodating we all left  feeling like family!!  http://www.greekalicious.com.au/greek-cooking-classes-calendar

Also came away with her next book together with Greek EVOO and vinegars and Olive Oil soap - produced in a monastery in Crete, the profits from which go to an orphanage there.

[Halex]

She sounds great GF, will look at website later. Shame to loose such great talent to NY.

We are just back from a nearly 3 hour family walk, stopped for 30mins for coffee. Now to cook the sunday roast

[obbie]

Goldfish, sounds a great cooking class.

[cookie1]

Bedlam it sounds as though you all had a wonderful time. Those memories are so important to make and cherish.
GF I wish I lived in Sydney. The classes sound such fun.

Astarra do you have one of those apple corners and peelers? That would help you peel and core the apples one handed. It leaves the apple as a spiral of flesh. I thought they were a waste of money but DD bought me one several years ago and if I have more than one apple to peel I use it. So good, quick and easy.

Goofed off this morning while DH went to learn more about judging concourse Model A's and then this afternoon visited Model A friends to collect more money from them that I need to deal with for the rally.

[Cornish Cream]

What a fabulous birthday present GF It's sounds as though you had a great day