Easter 2020 - COVID - 19

Easter is a special time for Christians as our Heavenly Father gave his only Son for us.
This Easter the world as we know it was very different.  This meant it was not able to be spent with loved ones but instead only with your exisiting household and homebound in an effort to contain this silent enemy COVID - 19 which had spread from China.

So we were able to spent Easter Friday at our home with our family Debbie and John.  We could do this as we could keep the 1.5 metre's between us.  We had lunch in our dinning room and it  was another opportunity to use our seldom used fine china.

Our main course was balsamic glazed salmon served over a warm citrus farra salad and a warm peach, walnut and blue cheese salad.  Debbie made the dessert which was a delicious bread and butter pudding.

Easter Saturday we enjoyed dinner at Debbie and John's home.

Another delicious dinner of woodfired pork, very crispy crackling and garlic flavoured vegetables.  Beverley provided dessert which was liquered poached pears.

It was a fantastic evening.

On Easter Monday evening this was the sky taken as we looked out from our front door.

We hope that next Easter all will be back to normal.
Cheers,
Beverley and Ross 

Debbie and John's 31 st Wedding Anniversay

On 1 April, 31 years ago our much loved friends/family celebrated their wedding and recently we hosted their anniversary dinner.

It was a fantastic evening and was such a privlige that they spent this with us.
This is our dinning room which we seldom use and it was wonderful to get out all of the good china and crystal glasses which were most fitting for this celbration.

The main course was cooked by Ross with assistance from Debbie and John.   This is normal as we all like to supervise and provide comment.

We started off the evening with a smoked salmon pate accompained by champagne.  This was our first effort at making a pate and it turned out great.

The entre was a gruyere and tomaoto tarts.  This again was our first effort and happy to say it was delicious.

Ross cooked the main course which was chilli prawn and lime pasta.  It was delicious.  He is a great cook.

Dessert was orange liqueur pears.  Another first time made.

                                                      

The happy group at  the end of the evening.

We wish them every happiness and may they have many more happy and loving years ahead.

Cheers, 
Beverley and Ross 

Birthday Party for Ross and John

Prior to living in North America for 10 years we used to have a party in Feb for Ross, John and several family and friends who celebrate their birthday this month.  We always use our place as we have lots of room.  We had planned for an outside event however, shifted into the garage as  rain was predicted.  For once the weather forecasters got it right and it was great to have the badly needed rain after the bushfires. Ross and John are great friends and Ross is the elder of the two by 5 days.  Debbie and I agree 1950 was a great year.

Here are the other birthday folks.

 It was great to celebrate this evening with family and friends.

Fred made great use of Ross's guitar so we were able to enjoy some great music.

The food was all homemade and was outstanding.

Good to see that everyone had a good appetite.

Here Debbie and Mary are putting together dessert.  These are small pavolas served with lots of fresh fruit and cream.  This provided the guests the opportunity to make their own dessert. 

What a splendid array of deliciousness.

 Debbie made this amazing birthday cake.

Both the boys received some lovely gifts and this is just one of Ross's gifts.

It was a top night.  Great food, drink and lots of good cheer.
Best wishes Ross and John for a fantastic year.  Love you both.
Cheers,
Beverley 

Ross's Birthday 2020 - Stage one

Ross celebrated his 70 th birthday on 13 February and it has been 10 years since we have been back in Australia to enjoy this day.

We enjoyed a great evening at Wild Duck.  Our good friend Jack owns this restuarant and it is located on the foreshore  of Lake Burley Griffen in Canberra.   We enjoyed a very good Penfolds's red.

 As usual Jack just feeds us with a range of delicious food.  This is a plate of Singapore style prawns with a great salad.

The final of the evening was a ginger greme brulee with szechuan icecream.  It was delicious.  Thank you Jack for wonderful evening.

Happy birthday my love.

More to follw.
Cheers,
Beverley and Ross 

Australia Day 2020

Australia Day 2020.

Australia Day is the offical national day of Australia.  Its celebrated annually on 26 January and it marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, and the raising of the Flag of Great Britian at Sydney Cove by Governor Arthur Phillip.
While its been 10 years since we have been back in AU to celebrate our National Day we enjoyed the day with dear friends.   Its also a day where new citizens who come to our country receive their citizenship.
In Canberra our National Capital, 29 people became Australian citizens.  They were presented their certificates by our Prime Minister, The Honable Scott Morrison.  The cermony was held on the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin. This same ceremony was held all around the country in many cities and towns around the same time.

We started off with rockmellon draped with prosciutto and drisseled with a balsamic reduction, warm croissants with home made apricot jam.  A cheese platter with salami, ham, fruit and nuts.   Following this we had BBQ sausages with scrampled eggs and a peach salad.  We also had a dried tomato and blue cheese tart topped with rocket.  Sadly I forgot to take some photos of the remainder of the food.

We enjoyed champange, wine and a good time was had by all.

 A small sample of the fine wines we enjoyed.

Cheers,
Beverley and Ross 

Weather in Australia

Australia is know for its droughts, floods and fires. Whilst bush fires still rage in many parts of Australia, on Monday we experienced one of the worst hail storms we have seen in our area.  We were returning from the gym when it started to hail and rain.  We just got the car into the garage when the hail truly started to batter our home.  The wind was so strong that the haill was blown to the back of our garage before the roller door shut.  This is a view from our front door.  Visibility was very poor.

Very quickly the hail was apon us.

This is a view of the side area of our home.

 The back yard.

This was just when the hail just started.

The hail shredded all of our greenery.

 Ross's grapes took a hiding.

The rose garden also got a haircut.

As did the Holly trees.

The Olive trees lost all of their fruit.

 A few days later we experienced a dust storm.

Following all of this it was time to give our car a makeover.  Thanks to Capitol Detailing at a cost of AU $300 we have a clean car once again.

Tomorrow we celebrate Australia Day so more to follow.
Cheers,
Beverley and Ross