Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Blooming Reds

Glorious Red roses.

The following are two of my favourites blooming at the moment. Hopefully I will be able to use them to create a special arrangement for Christmas.
On the left in both pictures we see New William Shakespear by David Austin, a more crimson red.
On the right there is Red Pierre, a cupped climbing rose brought out to replicate the success of the climbing pink rose Pierre de Ronsard.


What's been on the Menu 7



Lasagne












Flake and Parsnip pattie















Chicken provencal
















Nashi Pear & Chorizo. This Spanish Chorizo is from a shop in Johnston Street Carlton which sells imported food from Spain and local food produced in an authentic Spanish way. This chorizo, though made here in Victoria has the taste most like the choizo you can get in Spain.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

King of the Parrots

...... or better known as the Australian King Parrot. We have a small flock of one male, two females and three juveniles that must live nearby because they are daily visitors to our busy observation deck. Their arrival is announced by the males piping whistle, not too loud as to be annoying. I can make a fair imitation with pursed lips and he seems to respond, with this conversation going on until some wild bird seed arrives at the feeding table. Lovely for me to be to converse with wild birds.












Male and Female King Parrots





They are a very friendly, trusting parrot and will after a short time take seed from your hand.











Mature Male KIng Parrot


These photos do not do justice to the brilliant flame red of the males' head and chest, nor the stripe of irridescent aqua along their wing....very striking in the flesh err ...feather.









Female King Parrot










Juvenile Male King Parrot

Monday, December 8, 2008

Dessert: Pears & a good Blue




Pears in red wine, with a local Gippsland blue veined cheese called 'Shadows of Blue' and maybe a few grapes makes a delicious lunchtime dessert

Sunday, December 7, 2008

What's been on the Menu 6

All the following show an Asian influence.




Cha sui Pork

















Stir fry vegetables

















Spicy Duck fillet with stir fry spinach and pickled ginger .

The Footscray Market is now selling these filleted duck breasts. Marvellous. Duck panckes will be on the menu more often now with a few of these in the freezer.







Tom Ka gai (not to an original recipe)











Samosas

Where are we?

Callignee is situated in the foothills of the Strezlecki 's in Gippsland, Victoria.