Winter has arrived

There is lots to love about winter in Queensland, sunny days and impossibly clear blue skies. However when the westerly winds blow we are not so in love.

To be fair it is only for a few days a year but when you are used to lots of still sun shiny days it can seem for ever. Especially as older houses have been built for the tropics with plenty of natural air flow. I actually had to leave my heater on for 2 days running and didn't open the windows. A definite rarity for me. I love fresh air and light.
Friend C gave me some tea that was selling out in a small supermarket for $1 a box.

My new winter friend

This is a wonderful drink after my daily walk. I make it adding fresh orange peel and cloves. Perfect for this time of the year. I did walk down Leichhardt Street on Thursday, a particularly chilly day, and was rewarded with having the Roma Street gardens practically to myself. Just the gardeners and the Ibis.

Decorative cabbages

They have introduced honey bees into the garden.

Such great idea

I walked home down Wickham Terrace past one of our oldest buildings

The old windmill

In the cooking department I made beef bourguignon when the favourite gay boyfriends came to dinner. We all love our food so these are always happy funny occasions. Fried D has recently returned from South America and then a trip on 'The Ghan'. Lots of stories and I forgot to photograph the finished meal.

beef before the bottle of merlot was added

Yesterday I made Karythopita (Greek walnut syrup cake) for a girls dinner tonight at C's place. She decided on a greek theme - needless to say more foodies.

Wonderful ingredients

delicious with yoghurt

Being winter I also made some poached dried fruit. This new recipe used half a bottle of white wine you just know that this will be good

With french toast and yoghurt

I made some other dishes like paprika chicken that we ate before I remembered to photograph. It was so good I will be making this again very soon.