new look

hey y'all, as you can see it's been a blog-tastic day, and as I have recently hit my 100th post, I thought it might be a good time for a new coat of paint around here. Still working out a few kinks and not sure what the "565" thing is in the header, but it came with the template. There ya go.

The Big Winner, part 2

And, now for part deux of the post...I visited the Beach Burrito Company for a fourth time and found a real winner. After a mix of good enough (burritos) and disappointing (no-melt nachos) , I went back for the quesadillas. After a highly leisurely day and an afternoon swim, I found a menu in my beach bag and couldn't resist the lure of my dear friends chipotle, guacamole, and three cheeses.

After ordering, the guy at the counter said "Amy, right?" because they call out your name when an order is ready. I corrected him, but I think I might now be a regular, or else I have a Bondi doppleganger named Amy who likes Mexican food, too.

But the BBQ chipotle chicken quesadilla was sublime. The chicken had a great grilled taste, and the three cheeses did a fine job of melting. Plus, this is a lovely, filling meal because it includes chips, salsa (very fresh with coriander(AU)/cilantro(USA)), and guac. The chips, which I did give due credit to in my earlier post, are sooo good there - thick, crispy, salty, seemingly made on premises. Well done, and I quite enjoyed the dining music of The Smiths Best of.

Beach Burrito Company gets it right.

Pictorial proof:

The Big Winner, part 1

Darn Interweb. I just composed a sparkling, witty post detailing my birthday party Pub Trivia glory, only to have the new version of Blogger not save my draft even though I clicked "Save as Draft."

So, abridged version -- we came, we saw, we named the Golden Girls theme song. It was the big 3-0 and I thought I'd put to use my 30 years accumulated knowledge of tv, music, pop culture, sports, and some history and geography for good measure. My friends/revelers split into two teams, and after round 2, my team comprised of EMI colleagues (marketeers, no less) emerged triumphantly beating nearby clans of Lawyers and Accountants - this assumption based on crisp blue and white shirts and trendy eyewear. The jeans and tshirts record company peeps brought it. Who says it's a dying industry?

And to the victor, the spoils (cheap champagne, jugs of Carlton...)

Thanks to all for coming and for the happy birthday wishes from near and far.


Here are the pics:






The question was: How many (lawn) bowling clubs are there in the Sydney Area? Our answer below, was about 100 under the correct answer.










Foreground: Winner; background: looks like a sore loser


It's the winning pen!

enjoying the view

Skipped out of work yesterday a wee bit early and headed to the Big Day Out and enjoyed this primo spot to watch The Killers. Their songs are great stadium anthems, that's for sure and it got the kids a bit riled up. Hence, side stage is the place to be, esp when you have an in with the tour manager...



Going to see them again tonight in their own proper show at Hordern Pavillion.

Happy Australia Day!
tc

haydn's diner, coming soon

I think June and Ward Cleaver have moved into Bondi, with the arrival of our ebay-tastic kitchen table today, coinciding with our greatly-anticipated shipment of Fiestaware (it literally came on the slow boat to australia), plus the classic Johnston family line-up of cannisters. We're very circa 1957. Check it! So how did we celebrate? Why, with ordering Thai food and eating on our respective couches. June and Ward would frown upon this I'm sure.

This new, stylish kitchen seems perfect for Haydn's legendary breakfasts and flat whites, so I'm dubbying it Haydn's Diner on weekends. However, there are rumours circulating that Haydn's Diner might have a soft opening on Friday morning, Australia Day. But due to other work commitments, this means he will close the kitchen at 9:30am. So, it's the early bird special or nothing. I haven't confirmed if Moons Over My-Hammy will be on the menu. Stay tuned.



tc

Nachos, take 1

So with a lovely summer evening before me and a work week behind me, I thought it a good time to try Beach Burrito Co. again. The place was pretty busy, but not annoyingly so for a Friday. I went for the design your own nachos and put on rice, cheese, green chili salsa, and roja salsa. Chips: salty, thick, fresh. Roja salsa: good quality. Green salsa: thick, and a real treat to have the green kind. Rice: orange, but not clumpy. Cheese: hmm....this is where things went awry. They didn't melt it. Nachos, cheese not melted. I was tempted to ask them to throw it into the microwave, but couldn't be bothered. And then I started to get jealous of the quesadillas of the girl at the table next to me. So...here's what I'm thinking: stick with the burritos, maybe even the tacos and then add on some green salsa.

I just don't get the non-melting of the cheese. It was a ton of food tho and it looked lovely and my tummy is full.

And here you go:



happy weekend,
tara

back to back

The last two evenings were spag bol, and I must say it's pretty nice and easy to come home and take contents out of fridge and dump in pan. Heat. Stir. Serve. Kind of makes me understand those people who prepare dinners for a week on a Sunday. Kind of. Was even better night number two, tonight. Though last night was accompanied by the Golden Globes and a sourpuss Angelina and leathery Brad, a disheveled Renee Zellwegger, a misguided Sienna Miller. Helen Mirren was the babe of the night!

Leftovers in action!



later
tc

stocking up

It's been a pretty quiet weekend around here, in fact I did not leave Bondi nor did I get in a car or on a bus. So nice! We even went to the beach today with approx 20,000 other people.

But it's that time of year, almost time for another Big Day Out tour for Haydn. He's taking off on Tuesday to meet up with The Killers in Auckland, but first and foremost he had to make sure I was well-fed in his absence. So last night he made a massive quantity of bolognese sauce. We had some spag bol for dinner (thanks for bowls, dave!) and then I put the rest of the sauce into 3 tupperware containers for reserve. Here is the sauce in progress:



So I'm well looked after. And there are rumors that there could be a burrito fund left for me as well, so as to carry out further research at the new Beach Burrito Bar at North Bondi. Yes, folks, that's right there is a burrito place a mere 10 minute walk from the apartment. This is terribly exciting, but the burritos so far seem somewhat adequate, which is ok considering there are no other burrito places. I did quite enjoy a mole chicken burrito the other night, but I think the key to this place may be the build your nachos option. Further analysis to come...

tc

We're all 2007

Well, I think everyone is pretty much in 2007 now, except for maybe Hawaii. But I'm at the end of Jan 1 2007 and it's back to the routine tomorrow and work and all that, so here are some pics from the last week or so. Haydn and I headed north to Queensland and got some major quality time in at Straddie. This was when Haydn still liked Straddie and we ate big meals at night and fell asleep at 9pm (well at least I did, it must be the sea air...).

We headed to Brisbane for Christmas day, which was not nearly as hot this year as last when I thought I might melt away before dessert. But dip in the pool and a new baby, Avah, at the fesitivities made it quite a lovely day.

Boxing Day it was back to Straddie with Haydn's family and pretty much most of Brisbane, but oddly enough it rained Tues, Weds, and Thurs. Cabin fever didn't get the best of us and we soldiered on through our daily routine, fearlessly never missing a 5pm happy hour on the veranda.

The sun did come out on Friday and it was beach and sun and SPF. I was sad to leave on Saturday, with the kids still at Straddie for a few more days, but alas it was back to the big smoke of Sydney for us. And Haydn had already fired off a letter to the editor of the Stradbroke Island News about lack of friendly service and lack of services, so it was time to get back to the land where things stay open past 3pm and you can buy a steak from the butcher because 1) he isn't the only one and 2) it's not under renovation. But I do love dear Straddie for all it's quirks, but mostly for the time with our fam. I'm glad to say we made it up to Dover Heights for a spectacular view of the city (but not very spectacular photos, sorry) of the fireworks. Biggest fireworks display in the world they say, and I believe it.

And now our photo recap...

Haydn on one of our overcast days


Newest niece, Avah. Her brother Jack took the picture.


Haydn, Ella and Jack dancing to the Blues Brothers Soundtrack


Jack & Ella, enjoying the sunshine and its icy treats


Jack & Tara


Happy New Year!
tc

keepin it real

These pics are too good to not post. It was Amy and Leesa's "gangsta stylee" fancy-dress (love that term for any costume party) birthday party last night upstairs at the annandale, and i must say the effort put forth by party-goers was highly commendable. Everyone pretty much went to Paddy's Markets to find the appropriate gear. Check it out...











I tried to channel J Lo's MTV awards hair style from a few years ago when she attended with P Diddy/Puff Daddy/Sean Combs during that whole era.

I think Leesa and Amy had a great time, they looked hawt!

xo

the visitors from o'er there

The highlights are so many, beginning with ann, lucy, gregg, laura, and andy all coming over for beer and wine and segueing into a night in Bondi (re: Thai Ploy and BBs), with my bro and the incredible Jen announcing their engagement. There was makeup shopping at the Jungga, Target shopping at the Jungga, the big wedding day and the incredible dancing Johnston kids (my nieces and nephews). There was the Hunter Valley trek with my parents (and 2 Kiwis, and 6 Finns) and some very generous wineries. The Opera House tour was another highlight, as was the adorable, happy Norwegian baby in our tour group.

The afternoon at Manly brought the first ocean dip of the season as well as a delicious $5 ice cream cone -- makes me think of the $5 milkshake in Pulp Fiction. We trekked across the Harbour Bridge to Luna Park and its amusements. Laura, Andy, and I took in the Convict Museum and Laura and I tried out the hammocks the cons used to sleep in. (And we looked up our own last names in the convict data base).

There was a most spectular, elaborate cornucopia of Thanksgiving on Thursday at the beautiful Beach House. Three kitchens, 2 sweet potato dishes, and a table for 13 made for a glorious night in Bondi. All present: Mom, Dad, Tara, Haydn, Ann, Lucy, Gregg, Uz, Kathie, Sophie, Joeley, Andy, Laura. We didn't have football action, but we had Kath & Kim DVDs for post-turkey.

Oh, I'm so wistful now about it all, I can't believe my family and friends were here on my street, in my corner of the world, enjoying the breakfast spots of Bondi (Sun Cafe, Skinny Dip, Bondi Cafe, Baristas...). Most memorable times...




it looks like they're discussing world peace, but the topic was actually how to glue on fake eyelashes.


Ella and Ainsley


Tara and Laura striking a Young Hollywood Starlet pose


Either my dad can look pretty cool watching my mom's purse, or it was the shot of Dragon's Bite that we just sampled


Backdrop: Harbour Bridge


Backdrop: Opera House


Tara & Andy (nice shirt!)


Kathie & Gregg


Pa & the husband


The gang's all here


Ann in the warm glow of candlelight


Laura & I love to tour anything spooky and sordid: convict residence, check!


Much love!
tara

best day. ever.

It was a most lovely, perfect day and and a total ball at night at the beach.

ARIAs a bit late

Haydn and I went to the ARIAs last Sunday (Australian version of Grammys), and it was fun to get dressed up and gawk (one of the guys from Savage Garden sat at a table near us and he drinks beer and text messages just like the rest of us!). One of my faves, "Bob Evans won an award and Wolfmother won a bunch of awards of course. Gosh the pressure will be on for the "sophomore effort" so to speak.

But anyway, it was like 6 hours long and of course the dessert was the best course. And I guess the Veronicas are really short. And I need a best of Midnight Oil album bc so many of those songs are soooo good and they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame by Silverchair, who was introduced by the man, Bono.

And I just really like this pic of me and Haydn. His lips are probably a little purple from a few glasses of red. Hee hee.




tara

Jack O'Lantern

Happy Halloween and here is my dear little pumpkin, all come to life. I didn't have any trick or treaters, but saw a scattering of them in the 'hood as I walked home from Bondi Road tonight.

I wish this picture included my little favorite neighbor dog, who I have decided to call Reggie. He's an old dog who just hangs out in his yard and is docile and reliable, and I think he was sniffing things out when I took this pic.

I'm making my little playlist for the upcoming nuptials, so if you're coming this is your chance to make a request. And if you're not coming, this is your time to make your long distance dedication! Just remember, I have veto power. And so does our friend Adam who is DJing/curating the evening's music.

Happy Halloween,
tc

The Great Pumpkin

So, as I realized last year, Halloween is decidedly American. There are a few down here who get excited, some shop windows filled with fake cobwebs and whatnot. When I lamented that I miss Halloween, my Mom suggested that I just go out and find a pumpkin to carve so that I can have my own little observance. Good idea, Mom.

Haydn and I swung by the Fruitologist to check out the produce and while I thought I might have to carve a butternut squash, we spotted the Halloween Pumpkins and took the chosen one to the check out. Now, I think I found the Great Pumpkin that little Linus waited all through the night for...because this seemingly average pumpkin cost $18. Wow, that's some pumpkin! Can anyone share with me the going pumpkin rates in the U.S? Is this outlandish? Or am I just thinking in pumpkin rates of 1992?

Regardless, I'm so happy to have my pumpkin and will reserve next Monday for a carving session, then put it out on the balcony Tuesday night to let alert any random kids possibly trick-or-treating that there are fun size Snickers to be had at this residence.

Me and the pumpkin:



boo,
tara

on the green, nearly

After Friday and Saturday's heatwave, a wind blew in Saturday night and gave us a cool, overcast, sort of questionable Sunday. But not questionable enough to rain on Langer's birthday party at the Bronte Bowls Club. Yes, Bowls as in lawn bowling, as in the civilized pasttime of cold midis (half size beers), framed pictures of Queen Elizabeth II in the clubhouse, manicured lawns (not very green, I imagine bc of the DROUGHT), and good ol' friendly competition. Except don't ask Geoff (pictured below) about friendly competition bc the closest my bowl got all day to the jack and it was smacked aside on the last bowl of the game by the ruthless Geoff (in action, below).



I wonder if that is how good ol' TK Shakespeare, who dedicated the club in the 1950s would have played? I imagine so.



So, we grilled out sausages, little kids ran through the green as an added level of difficulty, and fun was had by all on a Sunday afternoon.

tc

New frontiers

It's late, I'm tired, my belly is full, but I thought it very important to report that we have joined the ranks of maybe a few thousand other people in Australia with our broadband hook up. We're a wireless family and when anyone comes to visit, feel free to logon to our network, the Johnstons, and I'll give you the password.

So, with the wifi in effect, we feasted on roasted chicken, potatoes and pumpkin tonight, thanks to Haydn's never-ending culinary talents.


Wow, this pic uploaded fast!

Good night,
tc

Inaugural

Hurrah hurrah, we ushered in the first bbq of the almost here summer. Sunday was a big blast of heat, the dissonace of a trip to Ikea way out in Homebush (only for the selected dresser drawers to be out of stock, 2nd choice please bc we were not coming back), and finally an evening of cooking out with Jimmy, Michelle, Emily, and Geoff.

Haydn manned the grill and there was so much meat one might think it was sponsored by Sam the Organic Butcher. Chicken wings, sausage, steak, hamburgers. Seriously. But Haydn was in his element, a true multi-tasker. We even capped off the meal with Moet and apple pie. Style, class, wholesomeness.







And for good measure...in addition to the dresser, we figured since we made the Burke & Wills trek, we might as well get a butcher block while we were at it.


(ok, slightly staged...)

So while it may seem to be all BBQs and power tools with Haydn around...whilst I write we're wrapping up an evening of Gilmore Girls and Project Runway...staying true!

--tc