Birthday, Family & Friends

Yep, you guessed it - the birthday dinner!

Having my birthday on St Patrick's Day makes it difficult for the family to forget. Lucky for me! The Gold Coast family (Ret, Pete, Tony & Yudian) travelled to Ballina to help me celebrate along with our Ballina family (Murray, Gem, Bill & Aunty). My eldest son Benn also flew in to spend a few days. His visits are usually bad news for my liver, but I take the punishment and just enjoy every moment! Just as we did last year, he took me to a local riverside restaurant, plied me with champagne & oysters and we spent several hours just chatting and appreciating the way our lives are unfolding. Kim did a Skype from Copenhagen and my youngest son Mark rang from Darwin. My birthday dinner was at our favourite Chinese restaurant, and as usual, we had a great evening, with our aunt regaling us with a typically Irish tale - although this one was a true story experienced on her last visit to Ireland along with Gemma & Bill. The birthday celebrations didn't stop there...a few days later Murray & I joined my eldest brother Tracy and sister Rosemary for brunch on the Gold Coast. Once again, another few hours passed very pleasantly and we had a chance to exchange family news.

Benn, Oysters & Champagne

Tracy, Me and Rose

That same day I boarded a train in Brisbane, and after a 5 hr journey North, I arrived at Bargara, near Bundaberg - famous for its Bundaberg Rum. I was met there by Heather, a nurse who joined the Air Force on the same day as I did, 25 years ago this November. I had arranged to spend 3 nights with her. Murray had a few friends to call in and spend time with on his way up, and he arrived to join us on my last day - and was in time to cook us a delicious BBQ dinner! Heather & I had a most enjoyable catch up - we went out to lunch for several hours with a few of her friends, another day we had coffee at the botanical gardens, and also spent hours chatting and looking through photo albums of our time together in the RAAF. It was great for Murray & I to see her two children growing up into delightful young adults. Trying to capture our time together, we asked Murray to take a photo of us on a hammock - pity the wood had rotted underneath which caused the whole thing to collapse and we got tipped out - we had our laughing medicine quota that day. The drive home looked so lush after the rain the area has had in recent months - the sugarcane & banana crops looked very healthy. 

The Hammock Collapsed!

Heather on left and me on right of photo - taken our first year in RAAF

 Healthy Sugarcane Crops

Lynne & Cuddly Friend

The week before my birthday I had my girlfriend Lynne come to stay for a week while she recovered from shoulder surgery. Lynne & I worked in Labour Ward at a Private Maternity Hospital on the Gold Coast for a few years before I joined the Air Force. While Lynne was here, she joined Gem, Bill, Dympna and I at the opening ceremony of a friend's Art Exhibition here in Ballina. 

Since getting back home we have been to see the movie "The Exotic Marigold Hotel' with Judi Dench. Quite entertaining. My other enjoyment has been reading the book 'French Women Don't Get Fat'. A friend lent it to me and it has been an interesting read. The book has some very down to earth concepts that I know we have all learnt in our lifetime, but I, like many others, have failed to adopt them. The way the author (CEO of Veuve Clicquot champagne) explains them has hit home to me. Thanks to the book I have quadrupled my water intake per day, and taken stock of simple improvements I can make in other areas such as incidental exercise and posture. I have also ordered the book for myself so I can re-read it whenever the mood grabs me and lend it to family & friends - as well as try several of the recipes included.


Murray & I are about to go and have a hit of tennis, and all going well (i.e. no rain) I will play tennis socially with about 4 others this evening. Tomorrow night we have dinner out with friends at a restaurant in Lennox Heads, and the next day, Friday, I fly to Sydney with my younger sister Ret for 2 days to join in the celebrations of her grandson's first birthday. Who said retirement was boring????

Eldest Brother Turns 70!

Scrumptious chocolate & white chocolate mud cake

Tracy & eldest son Greg

Sons Greg & Matthew with Tracy

Me with my nephew Mark

Jen, Richard, Ret & Peter

Kate, Rose, Carolyn, Dale & Isaac

Mark's wife Tanya (due to have 3rd babe in 3 weeks), Kate, Mark & Greg

Tracy's daughter Carolyn & his youngest sister Ret

Tracy & University mate Lew

Dympna & Tracy

Dympna & eldest Grand-Nephew Greg

Tony & Yudian

Tracy's eldest daughter Jen

Tracy's 2nd eldest son Mark

Tracy's daughter in law Carolyn & her & Matthew's children Stephanie & Marcus & daughter Carolyn

Tracy's youngest daughter Rose with husband Isaac

Murray with Tracy's son Matthew and friend Lew

Rob & Cathie

Trish, Matthew, Ret & Tracy

Table seating

Table Seating

Ann Landers said: 'Inside every 70-year-old is a 35-year-old asking "What happened?"'. I am sure my brother Tracy must be asking himself the same question today on his 70th birthday! Mind you, having 7 healthy & successful children and 6 of them with children of their own, he sure has a lot to be grateful for. He was born the day after the bombing of Darwin - where more bombs were dropped by the Japanese than were dropped on Pearl Harbour. Amazing when you think of it.

We had a wonderful family dinner this Saturday, on the eve of his birthday. It was attended by 6 of his 7 children (the 7th was caring for his few month old baby - his wife is a doctor and was on a double shift at the hospital). 3 of his siblings were there, as well as a friend Tracy has had since his University (College) days, and also a niece, Kate, and Cathie, the sister of our brother- in- law Bill. Plus all of our partners of course. It was a great family catch up. I'll let the photos tell the story.

Our eldest sister Gemma was in Darwin for the Bombing of Darwin commemoration so she was unable to make it to the celebration. Our sister Rose was also unable to make it, but she had lunch with Tracy during the week and again today - on his actual birthday. Our youngest brother Chris is in Japan and was also unable to make it. It is his birthday tomorrow, so Happy Birthday Chris. I hope you & Mandy are having a lovely weekend. Our thoughts are with you.

70th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin

Murray & I enjoy a night in Brisbane before my flight to Darwin

Ah, back to my roots in Darwin - Fannie Bay

Gem & I with Angel showing bomb raid damage (see angel story below)

This angel was in the church our parents were married in when she was hit

Bill Gem & I packing jerky - although Bill seems to be enjoying his coffee instead of weighing the jerky

Uh oh - Nick noticed Bill slacking off and pulled out his big stick "I told you & told you"...

My invitation to Bombing Luncheon

1000 of us comfortably seated in Darwin Convention Centre

Bill Gem & I having a great time at luncheon

3 Cousins: Anna Nick & Mark at dusk

Gem & I proudly pointing to a photo of Dad

Gem & I on our childhood beach with mangroves behind us

Gem & I pointing to Fannie Bay sunset-a bit late methinks!

This is what I am talking about...the photo doesn't do the sunset justice

Although our dad was in Darwin when it was bombed 70 years ago this Sunday (19th Feb 1942) he never mentioned any details of it in my hearing, but then much of the information was classified under the Secrecy Act. Mum told us how she was evacuated out of Darwin (as were all women & children) as a Japanese attack was imminent. She was helping the Matron out in the hospital in Broome when she went into labour and had my eldest brother Tracy on the day after Darwin was bombed. I am flying back to Brisbane tomorrow to attend Tracy's 70th birthday. Hard to believe that I have a sibling who is 70 years old. Ann Landers says: Inside every 70 year old is a 35 year old asking 'What happened?'

Getting back to the bombing - the City of Darwin held a luncheon today for 1000 people, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the bombing. All those people who could validate they were in Darwin during the bombing or were a descendent of someone who was in Darwin at the time, were able to secure a ticket. The response was so great they had to limit the attendance to one ticket per family towards the end. Anyway, my sister Gemma, her husband Bill, and I were able to attend. At the end of the dinner we were all given a copy of the book "Battling Territorians & Their War". I didn't plan to attend, but at the last minute I had the opportunity to help my nephew out in his 'Blackmarket Beef Jerky' business, and it so happened that the week I was up here helping him, the luncheon was on. It was a wonderful event and the people who talked about their experience and the short videos they showed were powerful. Although I was born here in Darwin, like many Australians, I was unaware until recent years that during the period between Feb 1942 and August 1945 there were 64 bombing raids on Darwin and 243 people were killed in the area. Around 400 - 500 were injured. The valuable role played by the indigenous people during the war was highlighted today, and I think it gave a whole new respect to those early aboriginals.

The rest of my week here has been a mixture of helping out Nick in the jerky business, and visiting childhood haunts with my sister Gemma. Nick sustained a nasty cut to his right hand, and as he had recently suspended his operation to upgrade his facilities, he had a backlog of jerky orders to catch up on. I spent several hours a day weighing, bagging and sealing jerky bags for posting and local contractors. Once your nephews get married and have a few kids you rarely get to have any time with them, so this was a great opportunity to enjoy Nick's company. It was also a week that I got to see my son Mark every day. His workplace was down the road from Nick's factory, so at the end of each day, Mark would walk to the factory, freshen up (he kept a change of clothes there) and he ended up joining me in the jerky packing. We spent a few hours each work day together. Even after I leave Mark has arranged to come in and help Nick a few afternoons a week after work. Maybe even sometimes on a weekend too. Depending on Nick's backlog.

In between jerky business, I took time out on a few occasions to join Gemma & Bill for lunch to break up my work day. It was so nice to try out various venues, but also to do some side trips while we were out. We visited East Point where a photo of our dad is proudly displayed along with his other Army mates. We had fun checking out the beach where we used to play as kids. The tide would go so far out you could see no water, but be careful if you were anywhere near a cave or rocks where you could be trapped when the tide came in - it sometimes would sneak in around you, and your access back to the beach would be cut off. We used to play in the mangroves too, and loved squishing the shoots with our bare feet. We were surprised that the number of mangroves had diminished from the numbers in our memories. Our favourite Cheeky Plum tree has gone too...sigh. The sign of progressing years. Thankfully some things never change - such as the magnificent sunsets over Fannie Bay. I don't think there is a better place to see a sunset in the whole wide world. Gemma & I did a bit of the American Lewis & Clark pointing act during our trip - take note Marie & Eric! We sure gave that action a work out during our Alaska trip didn't we?!

In the morning Nick will drive me to the airport for my 6.30am flight. Arriving into Brisbane at 11am. Hopefully I will get a quick nap in our Brisbane motel before Tracy's 70th birthday dinner kicks off at 6.30pm. What a lovely life!

The World's Smallest, Smartest Kitchen

Bronwyn & Aunt Dympna

Bronwyn with Gem & I and our new gadget

Chick Pea Soup (with spinach leaves) note pizza in rear of photo

My first home-made butter

Before I flew up here to Darwin, my sister Gemma & I had an exciting delivery - our brand new Thermomix. You may recall from the previous blog that our Aunt Dympna purchased one for us to share - given that I am in America for six months of the year, that should work well. So long as Gemma & Bill can part with it on my return!

For those of you unacquainted with Thermomix, just click on the link and check it out. Mind you, this is the Aussie site but if you are in America, there is sure to be a site just for you! Just google it. The appliance is the most popular selling item on bridal registers in Europe, and 3rd on the list in Australia - but that is likely to change as Australian's are only just getting to hear about it.

Anyway, my ex-sister-in-law Bronwyn made the trip down from Tambourine Mountain to make the delivery. She bought her own Thermomix down as well, as I had plans for her & I to create a dinner party for 6, using the new kitchen appliance - having two on hand would make things faster. To kick start the dinner party we had chick pea soup (made from dried chick peas) served with rosemary & garlic pizza (the pizza dough made in machine but cooked in oven), Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice for the main course, and Sticky Date Pudding for dessert (mixture made in machine and baked in oven). It was all so easy that I didn't want to stop 'playing' with it - so while Bronwyn was there I got her to guide me as I made my own vegetable stock to use in soups, casseroles etc. When you notice the vegetables in your crisper are starting to look a bit limp, blend them up in the Thermomix & simply add fresh herbs (we grow basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano & mint) and add salt (for preservative) and it keeps in the fridge for ages (thanks to the salt) and can also be frozen. Two dessert spoons of stock is equivalent to one stock cube. I intend to make up an ice tray full of 2 dessert spoon lots and freeze. Once in a ziplock bag in the freezer, I can just pull a cube out for my soups & casseroles. I will also make enough to give a bag full to my sister & Aunt. I had read where you can make your own butter, so I wanted to give that a go too. Using 600ml pure cream (makes about 300ml butter) you blend it until butter has formed. Pour off the buttermilk (save for making scones, cakes or soups) and pour in chilled water with some salt added. Rinse off again and then I added a bit of olive oil to make it spreadable. Too easy. I compared the cost of making it compared to buying it - and saved a few dollars on each tub of butter. But the best part of Thermomix cooking is that fresh ingredients are used and there are no additives such as dyes and preservatives that are found in shop bought foods.

Most weeks Murray makes up a week's worth of vegetable soup to have some each lunch time. It is his way of keeping his cholesterol under control by having lots of vegetables. He usually fills a crock pot with vegetables and stock & cooks it for 8 hrs on low. However, he ran out of time last week (golf & fishing take up time you know) and his vegetables were left sitting on the bench waiting for his attention. So I decided to make it in the Thermomix. I roughly chopped the veggies (pumpkin, potato, carrot, parsnip, turnip, onion, sweet potato) added some fresh herbs from the garden and 2 dessertspoons of the stock I had just made - in just 20 mins his soup was ready. He said it was delicious. Usually he also adds a few cups of soup pea mix, so I will add that next time too - might increase the cooking time by about 15 mins, but well worth it for the added bulk/fibre & goodness they give the soup. All helps with cholesterol lowering.

I don't get back home to Ballina for another week, and I am looking forward to playing with my new toy when I get home. Something to look forward to...meanwhile I am having a great time here in Darwin catching up with my son Mark and my nephew & 3 nieces - not to mention my sister Gemma & Bill are up here too. We are here to share in the Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin. Details will be in the next blog in a week or so.

January 2012

Bron doing Thermomix Demo in our kitchen

The Amazing Thermomix

Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks on mash

Dympna & Kath on eve of road trip

View of Coogee Beach just around corner from Benn & Daina

View from Hotel

Sam, Pete, Riley & Jethro

Daina with Jethro

Murray with Jan and her Indonesian feast

Home grown eggplant (aubergine)

Thanks for the reminder Kim! 2012 has kicked off with a busy but very enjoyable first month. Murray is enjoying having time to practice his golf swing, and I have enjoyed catching up with family & friends. Bron came down from Tamborine Mtn to give us a Thermomix demonstration. If you have never heard of it (like me), then this link will give you a better idea of the 'world's smallest, smartest kitchen'! My sister Gemma & I are the proud owners of one now, thanks to the initiative taken by our aunt to purchase one to share between her 'restaurants'. I am away six months of the year so Gem has it to herself then, and once I am home, perhaps it will reside with me but with sharing rights as needed! We are looking forward to giving it a workout!

Gem & Bill were flying off to spend most of this month in Perth in Western Australia (for my US friends). Other friends of ours were also heading interstate for a holiday, so we invited the four of them over for dinner before they all left town. I cooked Rogan Josh Lamb Shanks in the slow cooker. Yum. We gave a slow cooker to Benn & Daina for Christmas, so I hope they get as much pleasure and tasty meals out of theirs as we do ours.

My aunt turns 88 this month and is keeping well. So well in fact that she went on another road trip to Dubbo with her friend Kath - they went on two road trips at the end of last year as well. They took my aunt's car and took turns driving. The night before they left they came to dinner (chicken, peach & macadamias) at our place - it was lovely to see them chatting out on the swing while Murray & I served dinner up. Yes Jan B - still a lot of eating going on here! Dinner parties are our favourite social event - good company, good food & lots of laughs - life doesn't get much better.

Our USA visas needed to be renewed, and you can only have them processed in Sydney, Melbourne or Perth. Yes, you need to attend in person. Although now they have our fingerprints, we may be able to process them online in future, but they have the option to call us for an interview if deemed necessary. It is a very streamlined process - you fill in an online application, pay a fee at the post office and then make an appointment, also online. A one year visa (you can still only stay a total of six months in any 12 month period) costs $145 pp, but for an extra $25 pp you can have a 5 year visa instead. A no-brainer that one. The visa appointment meant a trip to Sydney, so we turned it into a great opportunity to catch up with family & friends there. We drove down, as Murray had arranged to spend several days golfing with a mate from his RAAF Butterworth Malaysia days and my son Benn had purchased some furniture here in Ballina that needed to get to Sydney. Unfortunately Benn was in LA while we were in Sydney but his girlfriend Daina hosted us. We had an enjoyable evening with pizza, red wine and watched a good tennis game on TV - The Australia Tennis Open is on at the moment. Federer is still in it...

The next day we moved into a city hotel to make it easier to get to our Visa appointment during peak hour. Our hotel had a lovely view of Sydney Harbour. Before we got to our hotel we had a delightful lunch with my nephew Peter, his wife Sam and the two boys. Riley is 9 and was enjoying time with his dad before heading back to mum in West Australia. Baby Jethro gave lots of kisses and cuddles and as usual drew everyone's attention. The night before our appointment we were invited to dinner at my friend Jan's place in Woollahra. Jan & I worked together (with Judith who called in to visit us in Ballina a few weeks ago) back in Canberra, and we both retired in 2007. We have been ladies of leisure for almost 5 years now, and can't believe how we ever had time to work. Jan cooked us up a storm of Indonesian delicacies, taught to her by an Indonesian housekeeper during her visits to that country. Delicious. Her apartment block has a fabulous view of the Sydney Skyline - day and night - during the day you can see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but sadly it is closed for renovation of the road surface at the moment, so there were no lights to see that night.

We woke early to have a hot breakfast before walking to Kings Cross Station (reminds me of a Monopoly Board) and we only had one stop to travel into the city. Too easy. We renewed our visas with no problem and they said to expect them in the mail before this week is out. Hurrah! Another 5 years to enjoy our American travels. I just had a phone call from other Aussie friends who have a different US visa. They can stay for 2 years, as Bev has been offered a full-time job in San Antonio where they have a house. Bev has just suggested that Murray & I visit them on our next trip and have a chance to catch up with Randy & Wanda as well. Hmm. Perhaps Texas will be added to our itinerary for this year's travels. Decisions, decisions...

Murray is still in Sydney playing golf, but meanwhile Brisbane environs and Ballina are having torrential rain. We have had 4" or 102mm since I went to bed last night. And it is still raining out there, with more predicted for the coming days. I am very content inside, playing on the computer, iPhone, and enjoying eating the tasty tomatoes and eggplants from the garden.