Brett and I got a lot done this weekend (I apologize in advance for typos, I'm enjoying our special wine from our trip to Texas!). Here, the ABC's of our weekend:
A= Anticipation. We logged on to Skype multiple times trying to get in touch with Brett's Mom, to no success. But, perhaps things always work out the way they are supposed to, because it wasn't until after all those attempts that Brett and I had a good long talk and realized that the dates of the trip home he was trying to confirm might not be the best anyway (at least not if he wants a cute Texan to accompany him).
A=Academics. We got a lot, well maybe not A LOT, but definitely enough, work done this weekend. Brett was a great help in trying to get me back on track and getting a few of my major projects done.
B=Bilbies. I learned the difference between a bunny and a bilby. Apparently in Australia, the Easter Bilby visits all the children instead of the Easter Bunny (they must be very distant cousins). So, Brett looked up this native Australian on Wikipedia and showed me a picture and put up with all my silly questions about bilbies. Brett and I have decided we want to dye Easter eggs this year. Wonder who will deliver them...will it be the Easter Bunny (since we're int he U.S.) or the Easter Bilby (who looks after all the Displaced Australians, big and small...)
C=Chores. I washed all of Brett's dishes today. And did his laundry. It was part of a deal where he edited some of my writing and I did his household work. But it still made me feel very domestic. :-)
D=Dexter. I introduced Brett to the TV show Dexter this weekend. Yes, it's about a serial killer who murders other serial killers while holding down a day job as a blood splatter analysis for the police department (it's sorta a cult classic among the CLJ department). Brett seems to like it. I'm glad that he is able to see that there is a big difference between his brand of social-awkwardness and the "I kill people for fun" variety. Of course, we started with Season 1 and they are about to start Season 7 in the fall, so we have a lot of catch-up to do.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Smile Removal
Brett and I had a long talk tonight about his upcoming trip to Australia. Apparently there was a bit of a miscommunication about my availability this summer. Now, with the knowledge that I might be able to join him, Brett thinks he needs the services of someone who specializes in smile removal. I think smiles are appropriate and will prevent him from paying anyone to take away that facial expression I love so much. So, watch out Australia, this is one Texan who's ready to see what you're all about!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Australia Day 2011
Australia Day is January 26th. Every year since the Displaced Australian moved here, he has hosted a great Australian-themed party to celebrate his homeland and try to educate us ethnocentric Americans about the wonders of the Land Down Under. This year, Australia Day celebrations were a week later than usual, but Brett's invitation was as original and tempting as ever:
Hi all,
In cased you missed it, yesterday was a day of great historical significance. Every January the 26th we celebrate the discovery of the world's largest prison, commonly know as Australia. In celebration of Australia Day I am inviting you all around for a traditional Australian celebration. You will get to enjoy such Australian treats as pasties (it is a food item for those of you with dirty minds and incorrect pronunciations), sausage rolls, kangaroo meat, lamingtons and I will also be gently placing some prawns in a skillet (as opposed to throwing shrimp on the barbie). As it got such rave reviews last year, vegemite will again be available for the curious, mentally ill and those with no taste buds. As usual, there will be authentic Australian beer and an all Australian wine list.
The celebrations will be at 4:30pm Saturday the 5th of February at my place. Both significant and insignificant others are very welcome. To help cover food and beverage costs, I am asking for a $5 donation, or as we are celebrating a nation of convicts, you can simply bring over an item of value and leave it unattended.
There were 8 (I think) R.S.V.P.'s for the event, and preparations had been underway for weeks when the weather decided to be a party pooper. We had an ice storm the night before and day of the party and ended up having to cancel. I can't begin to say how disappointed everyone was. :-(
The upside was that Brett did get a chance to make some of his favorite Australian foods, learned that lamingtons made with boxed cake mix work in a pinch, and he has kangaroo meat and Cooper's left to enjoy another day.
Since I'm not much of a cook and (while learning) am not yet an expert on Australia, my contributions to the day involved cleaning the apartment and preparing the decorations. Some will be able to be saved for next year's Australia Day Party, others Brett think he might just keep up year round, lol. :-)
This little kangaroo isn't so little. About three feet tall and 16 inches across, I hand painted her and made the word bubble sign. In the weeks since the party date, the balloon has deflated, so I'll be replacing it with a paper balloon. Note from April-Brett complained that the balloon looked menancing in the darkness, and I'm suspicious about the fact that it is just magically started deflating-we had it since December and it was fine. Did he secretly put a pinhole in it so it's darkened shape wouldn't keep him up at night???
First, the size...this cardboard cutout is the size of a door frame. It's made so you can put your face in the holes and get your picture taken looking like a "real" Australian. :-) It took me hours and hours to color this in (the material sucks up the marker ink so it takes multiple coats). I even ordered a special set of markers so our color palette would be perfect. It came out so well. I only regret that I didn't get a pic of us posing in it.
This painting was actually already on the wall. A gift from Brett's family on their visit to the States this year, the "Not Australia" sign was my festive addition.
My sister Angela found this Australia calendar and gave it to Brett for Christmas. He doesn't really use a calendar, but it never hurts to have one up (this month happened to be another kangaroo, but other pictures are quite beautiful!).
The one thing that's a guarantee after Australia Day is how much I find myself thinking "It must be great there." Why is Brett *here* again? ;-)
Hi all,
In cased you missed it, yesterday was a day of great historical significance. Every January the 26th we celebrate the discovery of the world's largest prison, commonly know as Australia. In celebration of Australia Day I am inviting you all around for a traditional Australian celebration. You will get to enjoy such Australian treats as pasties (it is a food item for those of you with dirty minds and incorrect pronunciations), sausage rolls, kangaroo meat, lamingtons and I will also be gently placing some prawns in a skillet (as opposed to throwing shrimp on the barbie). As it got such rave reviews last year, vegemite will again be available for the curious, mentally ill and those with no taste buds. As usual, there will be authentic Australian beer and an all Australian wine list.
The celebrations will be at 4:30pm Saturday the 5th of February at my place. Both significant and insignificant others are very welcome. To help cover food and beverage costs, I am asking for a $5 donation, or as we are celebrating a nation of convicts, you can simply bring over an item of value and leave it unattended.
There were 8 (I think) R.S.V.P.'s for the event, and preparations had been underway for weeks when the weather decided to be a party pooper. We had an ice storm the night before and day of the party and ended up having to cancel. I can't begin to say how disappointed everyone was. :-(
The upside was that Brett did get a chance to make some of his favorite Australian foods, learned that lamingtons made with boxed cake mix work in a pinch, and he has kangaroo meat and Cooper's left to enjoy another day.
Since I'm not much of a cook and (while learning) am not yet an expert on Australia, my contributions to the day involved cleaning the apartment and preparing the decorations. Some will be able to be saved for next year's Australia Day Party, others Brett think he might just keep up year round, lol. :-)
This little kangaroo isn't so little. About three feet tall and 16 inches across, I hand painted her and made the word bubble sign. In the weeks since the party date, the balloon has deflated, so I'll be replacing it with a paper balloon. Note from April-Brett complained that the balloon looked menancing in the darkness, and I'm suspicious about the fact that it is just magically started deflating-we had it since December and it was fine. Did he secretly put a pinhole in it so it's darkened shape wouldn't keep him up at night???
First, the size...this cardboard cutout is the size of a door frame. It's made so you can put your face in the holes and get your picture taken looking like a "real" Australian. :-) It took me hours and hours to color this in (the material sucks up the marker ink so it takes multiple coats). I even ordered a special set of markers so our color palette would be perfect. It came out so well. I only regret that I didn't get a pic of us posing in it.
This painting was actually already on the wall. A gift from Brett's family on their visit to the States this year, the "Not Australia" sign was my festive addition.
My sister Angela found this Australia calendar and gave it to Brett for Christmas. He doesn't really use a calendar, but it never hurts to have one up (this month happened to be another kangaroo, but other pictures are quite beautiful!).
The one thing that's a guarantee after Australia Day is how much I find myself thinking "It must be great there." Why is Brett *here* again? ;-)
Freekibble.com
Everyday, the folks at freekibble.com (there's also a freekibblekat.com) pose a pet-related question. Website visitors guess the answer, and (right or wrong), every click helps provide pet food to animal shelters so pets in need have a little more kibble in their bowls tonight. :-) Today's question was about Australia.
On the island of Warmambool, off the coast of Australia, Two Italian Sheepdogs are being used to...
A. Catch fish
B. Protect the penguins
C. Guard the castle
D. Entertain the tourists
Do you know the answer...?
On Warmambool, two Sheepdogs, Eudy and Tula, are protecting a colony of Fairy Penguins (very small penguins) from foxes.
Eudy and a penguin chick
On the island of Warmambool, off the coast of Australia, Two Italian Sheepdogs are being used to...
A. Catch fish
B. Protect the penguins
C. Guard the castle
D. Entertain the tourists
Do you know the answer...?
On Warmambool, two Sheepdogs, Eudy and Tula, are protecting a colony of Fairy Penguins (very small penguins) from foxes.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Milo and Wings
Today, I was having a fairly lazy day and, as often happens when I am giving myself a day off, my thoughts turn to cooking and what inventive things I can make myself for dinner. After surfing recipe sites for a while and not finding inspiration, I decided to go to Wegmans to find inspiration there. While there I decided to try and make buffalo chicken wings, a food I have crave when I want something hot and spicy. Of course, none that I can find are quite hot enough, so I was determined to make mine extremely hot. Unfortunately, they had no fresh habanero peppers (or chili in Australian), so I was searching in the spice isles for something really hot. While in the Latin section, I happened to find Milo tins!
After completing my shopping (and not finding anything that looked really hot) I went home with my newly purchased Milo and immediately made myself some. It was................. interesting. Apparently, they have regional versions of Milo and mine was the Colombian version. It was definitely Milo, but different enough that after one spoonful, I had to go check the package. So, like the many times I attempt to recreate things from the homeland, I came close enough to remind me just what I am missing!
Oh, and the wings come out fantastically! Not hot enough for my tastes, but I would definitely say they were better than I can get most places.
After completing my shopping (and not finding anything that looked really hot) I went home with my newly purchased Milo and immediately made myself some. It was................. interesting. Apparently, they have regional versions of Milo and mine was the Colombian version. It was definitely Milo, but different enough that after one spoonful, I had to go check the package. So, like the many times I attempt to recreate things from the homeland, I came close enough to remind me just what I am missing!
Oh, and the wings come out fantastically! Not hot enough for my tastes, but I would definitely say they were better than I can get most places.
The Introductory Post
Since I am starting a blog, I may as well start it properly with an obligatory introductory post. However, since I have not written a blog before and those reading it either already know me or are lost in the internets, I am not sure what form this introduction should take. So, I will simply say, welcome to our blog and will quickly follow this post up with one of actual interest!
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