February

Well, here we are in February already! I came back from a brilliant break in January fired up and set to go for the start of 2013. Lots of ideas and plans going forward ...

.... and then over the Australia Day weekend in Brisbane, the weather turned from rainy (writing my last post) to cyclonic within a day as an ex-cyclone careened it's way down the east coast of Australia.  So many people were affected, and some in what sadly became tragic circumstances.

After the storm hit, as is usual in Queensland, the flooding took a couple of days before it caught up too.  And as the river breached it banks, the sun shone, and the humidity built to an oppressive level.

flooding Brisbane RIver outside GoMA on 29th January

But now there was no respite from fans or air-conditioning as power to hundreds of thousands of homes had been cut off in the storm, and so many had to swelter on in the heat! Thankfully only a couple of days for us, but for some even in central Brisbane suburbs it was up to a week!  And amid the chaos, the first day of the school year was to start, and the numerous after school activities!

And to think that this is all only one week ago!  So apologies for being 'absent from duty'; and as they say, we now resume your usual programming. 

I hope your last week has fared better than ours, 

More tomorrow with some great pics of hallways, and riding boots and wicker trunks.

Jennifer

x

Happy Australia Day!

Here in Brisbane we have had torrential rain most of the day today; the effects of the tropical cyclone which has been coming down the Queensland coast all week.  All the traditions of picnics in the park, camping trips and barbecues for Australia Day have been mostly rained out here!  However our extended family did manage a lovely day and a traditional aussie lunch on the verandah; complete with barbecued lamb chops, and dessert choices of pavlova or lamingtons.

Lamingtons image via Adeline and Lumiere

And if you are asking 'What are Lamingtons?' then have a read of Emily's Australia Day post on her blog Adeline and Lumiere.  Her recipe is a delicious and simple modern twist on the traditional.  

Lamingtons are basically a spongecake rolled in chocolate, and sprinkled with coconut and can be cut into smaller single serve squares of cake.  Yum!  

Lamingtons image via Adeline and Lumiere

As you know - it oftentimes does turn out that 'necessity' is indeed the mother of 'invention'.  So although there are many claims to the lamington's invention, to me the most plausible seems to be set right here in Brisbane. That the cook of Charles Wallace Baillie, Lord Lamington (governor of Queensland from 1895 to 1901), had nothing but stale sponge to serve at tea-time, to some unexpected guests.  

image via Gourmet Traveller

It would have been the late 1800's equivalent of TV show 'Surprise Chef' or 'Ready Steady Cook' where Curtis Stone or Ainsley Harriott would have to come up with something amazing from stale spongecake, cocoa powder and dessicated coconut - et voilà - the lamington was born!

Rain is coming down louder now, drumming on our tin roof, so much so I can barely hear!  Hope the weather is treating you a little more gently where you are...

Have a great Australia Day wherever you are!

Jennifer.

x