Herb Garden

From left to right : Sage, Basil, Spring Onions, Mint, Rosemary

My existing herbs are starting to give up on me and I decided to plant a new batch. CL drove me to Bunnings few weeks ago. Bought 2 long pots, organic soil and some herbs.

I didn't actually expect all of them to survive especially sage and basil. They look dying after a few days. But now they are all growing!!! Especially mint, I didn't except it to grow that fast!!! Need to start thinking whether should I replant some of them into the backyard after I settle down at the new house. I'm even thinking of getting a worm farm. Don't think I have enough space for a compost bin. Plus worm farm works faster. Got to do more reading up.

Carrot cake

I had craving for carrot cake for weeks or even months! I was kinda hoping I could end my craving during Singapore Day but left the event in disappointment.

So few weeks ago, I finally move my lazy bum and tried making some. I made the carrot cake on Saturday store it overnight and fried them up the next day.

CL's prefer the white style of carrot cake while I perfer the black. So I ended up frying two plates in each style.

Black carrot cake
White carrot cake with Mum's chilli

It was nice but the carrot cake turn out to be a bit too hard. I still can't figure out why. I did follow the recipe very closely. Steam it for too long? Over cook? The black carrot cake lack of sweetness, will have to add more ABC sauce next time. I will definitly continue to hunt for more recipe and try it again.

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes

I was watching Sex and the City movie when I'm suppose to blog. Now I'm blogging when I suppose to pack. *shake head* I do everything except packing!!! OH NO NO NO!!!

The house is full of boxes!!! On the left are empty boxes all stack up ready to be fill.



While on the right are boxes full filled with books, clothing, personal items. The 2 backpacks are full of CL's textbooks!!! It's damm heavy!!! Seriously don't think I'm able to carry it on my back at all.



I'm starting to wonder how many boxes I will end up with by Sunday night. Hmmmmmmmm

More Shopping & Packing

20 boxes + 2 full backpacks lying in the corner. We manage to do more packing in the afternoon and also came back home with a HUGE HOLE in our pocket yesterday.

We had a orientation from our new landlord yesterday morning. We are getting to know our new home. The house is really cool in the morning. It has a central vacuum system which I will be using so no more dragging the vacuum cleaner around the house and changing plugs. The heater had being service because it's giving out a bit of noise. I was prepared to give the house a clean before moving in but found out the landlord had actually started cleaning the place for us! He had all the kitchen cabinets cleaned, carpet vacuum. The only task left is to clean the floorboard. He planned to do it after we left but we told him don't bother as it will only get worst during the move. We will do it after that. Looks like a lot of cleaning is save :)

After the orientation, we went to the newly open Westfield at Doncaster. It's huge! We had a early lunch cum breakfast and started shopping at Myer, DJ looking at fridge, microwave, LCD TV. Next destination: Good Guys at Home HQ, Nunawading. We exit with a Sharp microwave and a F&P fridge. The offer for LCD TV wasn't tempting enough.

Since Harvey Norman is just next door, we decided to pop over and take a look. Amazingly the prices they offer are better than Good Guys which I never expect it. CL ended up buying a Sony 40" LCD TV and a Panasonic DVD recorder.

Freedom, Office Works was next as study table, study chair are still on the list. We will be setting up a room as study. Plan is to set up 2 study tables, 1 for him and 1 for me. So that I can have my own space especially when I need to work at home.

Still have to pop into IKEA to purchase the bookshelves. Our books are getting more and seriously running out of space.

I hope after this move, the next 1 will be into the house of our own. Because I'm not enjoying all the shopping + moving + logistic at this point of time. I bet we will be hibernating at home for weeks after the move just to recover also to save $$$$. heheh

MIA

I'm going to MIA(missing in action) even more. I was hoping to post some photos but I couldn't find my camera. CL must had left it in the car after bringing out last night.

I started packing last weekend. Spend 4 days, average 1.5hrs each time sorting out the clothes, packing etc. The house is in a total mess and I can't be bothered to tidy it. Lying in 1 corner are 10 boxes of our belonging and it's only going to get more hopefully after these 2 days.

Going to the new place later to take some measurement so that we can start shopping for some item. It's going to be a pretty expensive shift but can't be avoided at all (CL just got to work more...hehe).

Alright, I better go start showering and will try to post some food photos tonight if I'm free. :)

I'm MOVING!!!

I haven't being blogging much at all. I was busy with work, watching LaLa land drama etc. It's going to get worst because I'M MOVING! Finally we found a place we like and the owner (yes, this property deal direct with the owner instead of real estate) like us. hehehe. The place was offered us this morning. A lot of logistic has to be sort out for the next week for the move. When to move, get movers, PACK, clean both houses, terminate electrical/phone/internet, set up the new place, change of address etc. With CL working shift, it's not helping at all!!!

I looking forward to
- a bigger space.....I can have a area of my own
- do what I want and not afraid of waking CL up when he just knock off from night shift
- a quieter place......no more inconsiderate neighbours as the new place is surrounded by elderly

Hmmm but I don't think I will look forward to clearing. But if I maintain the place everyday and clean it every weekend, I guess shouldn't be that back right? hehe

Aya Japanese Restaurant

I was lazy to prepare dinner after work on Wednesday and CL was craving for Japanese food. Therefore we decided to head out for dinner instead but we had no idea where to go. We tried our luck at Shira Nui but were too hungry to wait till 8pm when the table ready. Flipped thru The Entertainment Book we had and decided to try Aya Japanese Restaurant.

Before I start on food, a little introduction on the book, it provides discount on restaurants, hotels, car rental, lesiure, travel, attractions, sport etc. For restaurants, it covers fine and contemporary dining, casual and family dining, informal dining and also takeaway. It cost me $65 but I have definitly earn back what I paid. CL even said we must get it again next year since we love eating so much.

Back to the food. We started with Entrees

Tempura
CL felt it's a bit oily...don't think the chef actually try to dip as much oil as possible before serving. Towards the end, the paper is soak with oil. This dish actually comes with squid tempura. Think it might me my 1st time finding squid in a tempura dish.

Next we had a main size of Sushi & Sashimi Platter

The serving dish is huge! but it's full of sushi & sashimi. The sushi roll was rolled very tightly which we like. CL was wondering did they pre-prepare the roll and take them out from the fridge as he didn't see the chef making the roll. The rice didn't taste fridge cold except for the ingredient so I guess not. There are a few different varity of sashimi served and the sushi only comes in one while most places serve in 2. Therefore me and CL had a bit of difficulty which 1 to have. Can't expect us to have half each.

Lastly we had Grilled Scotch Fillet (sorry no picture as the camera ran out of battery). CL discover that all their set menus comes with 1 beef steak dish therefore deciding to try. Turn out the sauce is too salty. Lucky we are able to use the mash potatoes to blend the taste.

We end the dinner with dessert at home. Because there isn't anything interesting to try + we still have my homemade green tea ice cream in the freezer.

Think we might go back for sushi and sashimi as it's value for money.

Op Shop

One thing I have learn while living in Melbourne is shopping at op shop. It's easy on my wallet...actually CL's wallet...hehe. Also it's kinda fun and exciting because you never know you will have in your bag when you walk out of the shop.

This morning I went op shop shopping near my place. Although I have stay here for more than 2 year, I didn't know the shop exist till few months back when CL happen to drive past.

I love the shop. Space is big, well organise. Although it doesn't seem to carry a lot of branded stuff unlike the op shop in St Kilda. But the place is neat.

I spend 2 hours going thru every section on display and walk out $26.75 poorer.


Book $2.00 each
Saucer $1.00 each
Bowl $1.50 each
Crochet and Knitting Needle $0.50
Leather Wallet $1.50
Levis Jean $15.75

CATS VS HAWKS

The game just ended. HAWKS won AFL 2008 Grand Final. It's all Victoria team for this year Grand Final and it's the talking point for the past 1 week. I though CATS has a higher chance of retaining the title again but I was proven wrong by the HAWKS.

Last year, I had my annual Grand Final BBQ but got to give it a miss this time as CL is working. :(

Another AFL season ended and we still have not watch a single game live!!!

Pizza for Dinner

I better post the photos before I knock out for the day or before I start accumulating too much photos. As if I don't have enough back dated entries that I need to blog.

Tonight dinner menu was PIZZA.

The dough turn out pretty good although it didn't rise till twice it's size. Hmmm maybe because the yeast had expired for 2 weeks?

Got most of the ingredients from fortnightly marketing at Victoria Market yesterday morning. I cooked the tomatoes sauce yesterday just I was free.

Salmon and Mushroom Pizza
This is suppose to be Chicken instead of Salmon but I had forgotten to defrost any chicken. CL suggested to use canned salmon/tuna which we had in the pantry. It turn out really delicious. I should have leave it in the oven longer for a harder crust. Both of us prefer it hard than soft.

Ham & Pineapple Pizza
I left this in the oven for more than 30mins. The crust was hard and crunchy. CL finished 3/4 of this alone! I used fresh pineapple instead of canned. Fresh pineapple just taste different.

I better go now...getting late. I still wants to read a bit before I sleep.