Home in Australia

On our last night in Kansas City we had a very pretty sunset - the clouds gave it a beautiful effect, but obviously I didn't capture it in all its glory. We had an uneventful trip home, thank goodness, which means there were no delays with our Qantas flight and our baggage made it safely to our destination. I got a free upgrade to Premium Economy which was great (thanks Benn) and sat next to a delightful lady (Mandy) from my birth town of Darwin. Mandy teaches computer classes at the university up there - something I wouldn't mind teaching if I had to go back to work. 

After our 15 hour flight home it was fantastic to be able to order a skinny flat white coffee as we waited for our connecting flight from Sydney to Ballina. Ahhh, the small things in life that we take for granted. Hard to find any coffee to match it in America. But then, they have their Starbucks which they prefer. 

Skinny flat white coffee - thinking of you Sandy!

We had only been away from home for 4 months this time, but the garden obviously missed our loving attention. Some tomato plants self seeded in our absence, and we came home to three flourishing tomato plants. Once Murray staked them up they looked more respectable. I have been picking and eating tomatoes since we got home. Obviously a mild winter here. 

Tomatoes growing wild

Tomatoes after Murray staked them up

Tomato harvest

Room decor for the big party

Within a few days of us arriving home, we were wrapped up in a wonderful family celebration which saw 40 adults and six young children celebrating my eldest sister Gemma's 70th birthday, and one of her daughter's 40th birthday. All six of her children attended from far and wide. It was also my sister Rose's birthday, plus brother-in-law Bill's and nephew Peter's birthday. Phew. I know I forgot a few, but there are too many to record here. Our cousin Margaret continued her tradition and baked and iced 3 fantastic fruit cakes. One for Gemma, one for Rose and one for my Aunt Dympna (not her birthday, but a long story!). 

Back Row L-R - Brother Tony, me, sisters Gemma, Rosemary and Loretta and brother Tracy. Brother in law Bill and Aunty Dympna in front

Margaret made three cakes: L-R Gemma, Dympna, Rose

Dinner at our place

 As well as enjoying in all the parties, dinners, morning teas etc, Murray and I had a chance to get up close and personal with two of my nieces' children. Lincoln was 6 and Erin was 3 going on 14 years. Within 5 minutes I was texting the family asking where Erin's 'off' button was. They were too busy enjoying their expresso martinis to reply, other than to say that I 'need to pull her right pigtail 3 times'. While that act only seemed to excite her more, she did quieten down and play well with her iPad games after that. Those kids are so smart with how they use their iPads. Amazing. 

Lincoln and Erin play on their iPad and iPhone

While I am in America in the RV I don't have a chance to miss cooking with my Thermomix, but once I get home I can't wait to get started. On day one I made my home made butter and vegetable stock, as well as a large batch of vegetable soup. Next request was from my niece Bridgette to make a Lychee/Lemongrass martini. My nieces Bridgette and Rosie (and each with their youngest child) and their mum (my sister Gemma) and dad Bill, and my Aunty Dympna came here to dinner one night, so the martinis kicked off the evening beautifully. My next martini in the Thermomix will be an expresso martini. Since then, I have also made cauliflower rice, and today I made Clinker Rocky Road to take up to the Gold Coast tomorrow. Murray and I did a taste test on it after dinner tonight, and it passed the test with flying colours. 

Trish, Gemma, Bridgette, Dympna and Rosie with our lychee martinis

Rocky Road made with clinkers, chewy jelly raspberries, tiny marshmallows and peanuts