The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
“In 1901, the word ‘Bondmaid’ was discovered missing from the Oxford English Dictionary. This is the story of the girl who stole it. Esme is born into a world of words. Motherless and irrepressibly...
Monthly Archive: October 2020
From Bordeaux
Cru bourgeoisChateau Tour PrignacMEDOC Grand vin de Bordeaux 2015 Showing some age on the outer rim Forest fruit stew on the nose and plum compote quite rich and soft but earthy with chewy tannins M-acidity m=bodied ...
Amah’s Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
From Lyn Harper These are delicious. This quantity makes 2 dozen mini rolls. Equally good warm or cold. Warning, you may not return to the meaty ones again. Ingredients 3 eggs 1 onion 3...
A Taste of Spain
CAMPO VIEJO RIOJARESERVA 2014 Tempranillo graciano mazueloComplex well balanced oak driven and simply delicious What a delightful drop.Ripe red fruits pepper spice clove oak vanilla and a long cherry peppery finish Total ageing 3 years;...
Housesitting on Hold
I retired early in 2019 and spent the first half of the year working out how to spend my new life. I made new friends by joining a free Tai Chi/Qi Gong exercise group...
Viva Las Vegas
These photos were taken in 2014 on a trip to Las Vegas as we travelled the Americas, Alaska and Mexico! YEP MASSIVE TRIP This wine photo (sorry it’s blurred – fun night) got me...
Alfred’s Pasteis de Nata
My husband Alfred made these for my Mum’s birthday. The recipe comes from the Leite’s Culinara website. It’s a 2 day process but well worth it as they are fabulous. Though I have to confess...
Two Weekend Wine Tastings
Paranga red 2017 Macedonia Kir-Yianni Greek for Mr John Merlot 50% xinomavro 25% syrah 25% Quick overview Charming aromas of red forest-fruits and cherry are enhanced with fine notes of rose petals. The palate shows...
We deserve this moment. But don’t forget who helped and who hindered.
OCTOBER 20, 2020 WRITTEN BYDAVE MILNER TWITTER: @@DAVEMILBO You’re a legend. You genuinely are. Thank you for all you’ve done for my little family and the 1.8 million other households across this bruised, existential crisis of a...
Full House
In the middle of 2019 we sold our family home in Williamstown and bought a property in Heathcote, 2 hours north of Melbourne. So we have 100 acres of beautiful Australian bush, a large country...
When coronavirus forced me to home-school my daughter, learning through play was the answer we both needed
By Rachel Parker Posted Monday 27 April 2020 Like many children across Australia, my daughter greeted the prospect of schooling from home, or “Mummy School”, as I called it, with tears which escalated into screaming. My teenager emerged...
A Day with the Pandas – September 2016
This was a once in a lifetime travel experience. I was lucky enough to spend a day as a volunteer at the Dujiangyun Panda Base Rescue Center in Chengdu China. It was expensive, as...
Victorians have done our bit to suppress COVID. Premier, have you done yours?
By Virginia Trioli Posted 17/10/20 So, esteemed members of the Victorian Government: We’ve done our bit, have you done yours? We’ve locked down and stayed inside. We’ve kept kids at home and stayed away...
Opinion: This Is What It Feels Like to Live in Melbourne Right Now
An open letter to the rest of Australia. Published on 08 September 2020 by KATE LANCASTER A friend sent me a text last night, wondering how I was feeling after the announcement of the Victorian government’s extension...
Melbourne is not a city in revolt. The truth is far more incredible (and far more boring)
SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 WRITTEN BYDAVE MILNER TWITTER: @@DAVEMILBO Yesterday, parents of tiny children across Melbourne lived their best day in months. The ropes came down. The sun shone on the top half of our faces. And playgrounds...
Italian Wine Samples
I was fortunate enough to try these Italian samples the other day. Here is my take on these medium to high priced wines. This is first entry and, as a novice wine enthusiast with...
Wandering Vinos (Errantes Vinos)
Salude! Hi, we are Lindsay and Matt traveling the world… We work in our own business in theatre and entertainment. Well not at the moment as we are in intermission because of Covid 19....
Mini Christmas Puddings
Fun to make and decorate with the help of children. Ingredients 1 dark fruitcake approx 800g (a cheap one is fine) 200/250g block dark chocolate 125g butter 2 tablespoons of rum or Grand Marnier...
Truffle Devils
These easy to make treats are very popular at Christmas time Ingredients 1 Frosted Red Velvet Cake (Woolworths) OR 1 Pkt Red Velvet Cake Mix Small quantity brandy (or other spirit) 2 Lindt Dark...
All Purpose Spray Cleaner
You can replace many of your commercial cleaning products with this economical spray cleaner suitable for both kitchen and bathroom. It works better than just vinegar and bi-carb. Ingredients 1.5 litre water (1 cup...
