as well as like that, it was all over. As we force the box of designs box back into storage for one more year as well as the last of the pine needles gets sucked up the vacuum cleaner, we show on the Christmas as well as NYE just gone.
Early January is always a funny time of year, isn’t it? difficult to get the motors running again, however with all the aspiration as well as expectation of a brand new year pushing you on at the exact same time.
To assist with this dispute of energy, we like to look back a bit before going forward. It works a bit like one of those pull-back-and-go toy cars.
So here’s a recap on what’s been going on with us from Mrs Romance’s birthday just before Christmas up until now.
Jim & Christina xx
December 18th comes around as well as it’s a scorcher. Amidst the boiling warm of mid-morning, we run for cake as well as cover at Café d’Yvoire in Balmain.
The food as well as service right here is amazing, the coffee’s on point (especially their iced lattes) as well as – most significantly of all – they make their own cakes here. as well as they’re quite special.
As it’s Christina’s birthday, she’s well within her rights to select the most opulent as well as outrageous cake in the shop. This incredible chocolate mousse log with meringue trees, silver spheres as well as a reindeer is perfect for the time of year.
It’s likewise so delicious.
For me, this lemon meringue tart is all I might desire for. It almost feels like it’s my birthday we’re celebrating!
Lucky for Christina (and for me), her birthday falls almost completely into the Australian peony season. They’re the perfect present for her as well as I make additional brownie points for discovering pink ones as well as white ones.
I likewise discovered these lovely ‘50s mixed drink glasses in a regional antiques store, which I believed would make a excellent present for my martini queen. She seems truly happy with them as well as with the bottle of Applewood gin I bought to go with the glasses.
Applewood’s an Australian distillery – Adelaide really – as well as their gin is bright as well as citrusy with some great flavor from the native botanicals, with a healthy dose of juniper of course.
A bit later we roam around the city for a while up until we settle on the Chef’s Gallery. at first we have our eye on dumplings, however the choice right here isn’t excellent as well as they’ve run out of prawn gow gee.
We turn our interest to what Chef’s Gallery is truly great at: their noodles. You can really watch these guys making fresh noodles in the kitchen, as well as the result is something else.
I have no concept what Christina’s eating – mainly since I’m truly into my beef brisket noodles… though I don’t believe either of us thought about the weather condition as well as exactly how full we’d be afterwards.
The day ends with a lovely sunset over the city.
It’s one more hot day right here in Sydney as well as Christina starts it off with a swim. The only issue is our pool is already as well warm, so she decides a dip in the harbour is a much better idea.
While I’m on shark watch from our balcony, Mrs romance relaxes in the great lapping waters under the furrowed brow of the city.
In spite of her swim, Christina is still as well hot – as well as so am I. We trip out to Artarmon where our good friends Pete as well as Rickie have opened their own ice cream shop.
No much better method to beat a 370°C day than with a cone of tasty from Gelatissimo.
To get prepared for the up as well as coming festivities as well as celebrations, we’ve decided to do a Facebook online vid speaking about a few of the champagnes, proseccos as well as sparkling wines we love.
There’s something about cheers-ing with a glass of bubbly – so right here are some suggestions as well as some geekoid facts on sparkles.
Click right here if you can’t see the video. noise high quality is bad unfortunately, so we suggest headphones as well as lots of volume.
Next thing we know, Santa’s been as well as gone as well as we’re round Christina’s sibling Mary’s location to celebrate Christmas Day.
Mary only just recently bought this place, so according to the legislations of the household, she gets to hold Christmas this year. I didn’t understand about this rule, however obviously it’s a thing!
Presents all opened as well as just before we delve into the feasting, Christina grabs a quick shot of the lovely setting for Christmas lunch. It’s a stunning outlook – I half expect to see an Ewok swing past.
To get the sphere rolling, Christina provides our offerings for the table: an olive tree dip!
We’re almost as impressed that it turned out so well as people are with exactly how it looks as well as tastes. I’ve no question we’ll be sharing the recipe for this soon, so keep your eye out. It’s a genuine crowd-pleaser.
It’s truly not an Aussie celebration unless you have a pavlova on the table. It’s appearinglike a genuine shindig this Christmas though: we’ve got 2!
Christina’s mum knocks up a excellent traditional pav with strawberries as well as passionfruit, however this clearly wasn’t sufficient for Chris. Her pavlova (on the left) features blueberries as well as homemade lemon curd!
I don’t understand what’s come over her – previously bit rate of interest in the kitchen area has suddenly turned into a towering cheese tree as well as world-beating pavlova.
Watch this area for the recipe for the lemon curd by the way. It’s magnificent.
Our nephew’s new dog Raven is still bringing us a significant amount of pleasure. She’s such a adorable puppy with a lovely nature too. A household good friend has likewise got a Labrador puppy that seems like a overall nightmare, so I believe Mary’s done well with this one.
The traditional post-Christmas-feast walk is much cuter however likewise much slower this year. Raven isn’t rather huge sufficient to walk far yet, as well as she’s likewise extremely thinking about everything!
Back in the city it’s time to see in 2018. happy new Year!
The fireworks this year are incredible – though we’re missing most of them thanks to a strong easterly wind. The smoke is so thick that by the end of the display, the city as well as the Harbour Bridge is totally obscured, as well as people are left blinking bits of ash as well as firework out of their eyes.
As long as it doesn’t go in my champagne though, I don’t mind!
2018 starts hot as well as relaxed here. We’ve decided to take getting back into things slowly, so there’s been a great deal of reading, napping as well as the occasional walk.
Christina is truly making the most of it. She as well as her Kobo have ended up being firm good friends this summer, as well as this new sun cream we’ve discovered smells so much like a piña colada it makes you thirsty!
But the shade of a palm tree, a Cuban hat as well as a finish of 50+ can only get you so far.
It’s not long before Christina is taking the plunge.
Great type by the way.
It’s not been a fun Ashes series for England as well as it’s been tough for me to go outside, however when our good friend Paul invites us to the very first day of the Sydney test, we jump at the chance.
The rain as well as clouds remove up just before midday when we arrive. unfortunately the England batsmen’s timing isn’t rather as great as ours. I believe they’d have been happier if it had kept raining.
As the sun climbs in the sky so do the temperatures. It’s a scorcher. It’s difficult sufficient sitting in the stands with the sun on you, let alone playing sport.
Come Day 4 of the test, the mercury pop the 40 mark; it’s times like that when you’re happy not to be a expert sportsperson!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this catch-up as well as that your 2018 has begun well too.
Cheers – Jim & Christina