Brisbane Festival

I love the number of festivals etc that we have in Brisbane. there is always something to go to and very often free of charge. From the Brisbane Festival, Budda's Birthday, Greek Festival, and the Italian Festival to name just a few. There are also numerous film festivals including a new one I heard about on Friday - a Korean Film Festival. I noticed some lovely looking girls walking up Albert Street in costume, they were handing out leaflets to promote the festival dressed in traditional costume.

I just loved the lanterns in the South Bank forecourt over the past month.

Such a pretty sight

We saw these on our way to eat Spanish Tapa's and drink Rose wine at 'The Sardine Tin' before coming back and watching the laser light show from the river bank.

Taken from the Victoria Bridge

Budget meal

I have been very interested in preparing nutricious meals on a budget. I really believe that with careful planning and smart shopping this can be achieved. Of course taking the time to shop and knowing how to cook are the 2 biggest advantages.
I purchased beef cheeks from the supermarket approximately $3.95 for a packet that holds 2. Enough for 2 meals.

The other ingredients

1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 piece of garlic, 3 juniper berries and some home made chicken stock - another story.

Finished meal

I served this with roasted broccoli, parsnip and potato. All items bought from the 'sale table' at my fruit and vegetable shop.
The other piece of beef cheek can be frozen in its gravy for another meal.

Great use for an old building

The Masonic Hall in Sandgate has been turned into a coffee shop/cafe.

Great looking building 

New name

It is now called Matthew Thomas.

Some of the furnishing/wall hanging etc have been made from masonic memorabilia.

Framed ledger

From what I can gather this is pages of the old financial ledger giving the members names and the dates they paid their fees.

Red leather chairs

The red leather chairs look like they are originally from the building.

Sandgate

A friend of mine returned from a trip to New York etc and suggested a catch up at Sandgate. I haven't been here for years and have been drawn to it because George Christie's (my Grandfather) lived there at one stage. I must try and find out where and for how long.

This house?

There are some delightful old houses over looking the water. This one took my eye. To me this is a Sandgate house.

View to the walkway

There is a great walkway along the waters edge.

Another view

Monday morning fishermen

Further around in Shorncliffe there is a little park right on the water. Easy access for fishing, and then further along for sailing.

Out on the bay

Since working less days per week it constantly amazes me the number of people who 'do' things on a Monday or a Wednesday. Not restricted by 'work'.

I still love chickens

Ever since Slacks Creek I have loved chickens. We grew up with the smell of chickens all of our child hood. I have chased then them, collected eggs, treated them with Dad's weird potions when they were sick, plucked and gutted them, but most of all eaten them.
I have thousands of ways to cook a chook.

I always have home made chicken stock in the freezer. I even buy china chickens.

Blacks chooks are my favourite

This is a cutie

I have more things of chickens, but will post them later.

Mexicans from Cornubia Street

I am still coming across times that I inherited from Cornubia. Billie had a little collection of Mexican items. I already had a small 'sleeping mexican in Sombrero' and no one else wanted these.

I am sure that we had one of these at Slacks Creek.

The whole group

These all look good on one of my corner kitchen shelves.

1950's plate

Another one on the 'plate' theme. I found this fabulous number in a thrift shop in Dunedin New Zealand. I love thrift shops in other countries.

A favourite

Carol and I flew to Dunedin on the first leg of a holiday to walk the Queen Charlotte track. I also found in a different shop the perfect rain/wind proof jacket to wear whilst trekking. It cost a whole $10 and was and still is the best investment - another story...

This plate also sits on my kitchen bench top, usually with a bottle of red wine on it. I enjoy this plate every day.