Wendy's 25th

When: Saturday 26 May, 2007

What: Wendy's 25th

Where: Allan's

During the week I received an invite from Allan for a surprise birthday party for Wendy, I hadn't seen his new apartment so I was quite excited to check it out + catch up with people.

I thought that the party would be KFC or steam boat but boy was I in for a surprise....Master Chef Allan had put together a 12 course sit down menu. I've known this guy since I was 16 who knew he could cook!??!

I have no idea what the names of the different courses were so I'll just make it up - ha!

Salmon sashimi marinated in an onion and vinegar dressing, finished with 2 slices of ginger

Fresh Tasmanian? Oyster with a slice of lemon

The dressing that Allan made for the salmon sashimi was spectacular! He could give some of the fancy restaurants a run for their money.

Phyllis' 'Wendy' salad mixed with a Japanese dressing (own creation) and topped with the all important Japanese Mayo.

Salmon and Tuna sashimi

I am going to get Phyllis' dressing recipe off her...it tasted really good, similar to the one they make at Masuya that is on the salmon and avacado salad.

Prawn toast

Soba Noodles served with shallots and a Japanese soup

Prawn and vegetable tempura

Crumbed potato and mince balls

Frozen Sake granita with a hint of lime

I didn't get to stay for the last two courses because I had to rush out to the city for Dinner and the ballet. I have volunteered to host the next get together but Allan has well and truly set the bar for the next time we eat.

Happy Birthday Wendeeeee!

Happy Birthday Nikki!

After Jordi's birthday picnic I headed over to Sarah's to celebrate Nicole's 19th birthday, I actually remember when Nikki was inside Mrs Westwood's tummy...now look at her!

We're seriously getting really good at throwing high teas.

Thanks to Beli I now own 2 cake stands, a 2 tier and a 3 tier one featured here.

Katia made her famous peanut butter and chocolate butter cake...so bad for you but sooo deliciously good!

Look at all these gorgeous cupcakes that Sarah made!

Birthday Girl and friends

Our Road trip

Did someone say Lindt chocolate sale?!?! We're there!

About 2 weeks ago Jill received a flyer for the Lindt Chocolate sale at Eastern Creek, after seeing Helen's haul last year Jill, Sarah, Belinda, Rods and I were quick to formulate a plan on how to get there. This morning at 8am we all met up at Sarah's, the four of us (minus Rodna) set out on a little road trip to Eastern Creek. This was a pretty good effort for me because I didn't sleep till 2am after going out for drinks last night.

Eastern Creek is about 1 hour away, the place isn't too hard to find but we still managed to get lost! At one stage there was just bush and grass all around us, so we pulled out Beli's 2001 road map.

The trouble was, this whole area was only built in the last few years, so her map showed a big empty space of nothing! Jill finally pointed at the map and said "Look there's a sign with Lindt chocolate sale!"...I can't believe I looked =P

We eventually made a right turn following some dirt tracks left by a truck (that should have been a warning sign) it lead to another dead end. We realised that where we needed to be was on the other side of the footpath, with a tall pile of concrete and rubble in our way Sarah encouraged Beli to "Just drive through it!". Jill and I looked at each other and said "are you guys crazy! reverse! reverse!".

We could just imagine the headlines 'Girls missing in bush in search of a chocolate sale'.

We eventually found where we needed to be

The sale started at 8am and by 9am the line was from the warehouse door all the way outside past the gate and beyond. We waited in line for 1 hour, it wasn't too bad because there were 4 of us so we stood there talking about our travels and meeting up when we're all in London.

10am.....we were in!



Lindt Lindor Hazelnut Balls usually $10.00 a box, today it was $4 each or 3 boxes for $10.


packs of chocolate 3 for $10

chocolate blocks $2 each or 3 for $5, there were also some really cute tinned ones at $6 each, some boxes of the deluxe variety at 2 boxes for $10 and plenty more! I was a little disappointed that there wasn't the bag of pack-it-yourself Lindt this year, I think I could have given Helen a run for her money =P

When we finally stocked up, the line at the cash registers looked to be another long wait. The funny thing was, everyone had the biggest smile on their faces and just looked super pleased with themselves.

When we left at 11:30am there was still a massive line outside


This is what we bought between the 4 of us, yes we plan to eat it all....don't say it we know


Chocolate shopping is tiring work, the local Rotary club was throwing a sausage sizzle


We were starving and this was the best $2.50 sausage sandwich that I've ever had!

It turned out to be a really fun morning and this is what I came home with (I stuck with my favourites):

6 boxes of 12 Lindt balls @ 3 boxes for $10
6 tubes of 3 assorted Lindt balls @ 6 for $5
3 Bars of dark chocolate in various flavours @ 3 for $5

based on the prices that I found on Coles online shopping this would have cost me $83.84, everyone loves a good bargain!

Belinda's Homecoming High Tea

Our friend Belinda just moved back from London after 10 long months away. To welcome her back Sarah and I decided to throw her a homecoming high tea at my house. To prepare I stayed up the night before baking biscotti and making a tiramisu, I even bought a 2 tier platter for the occasion (it looked so cute!).

The menu for the day

What's a high tea without a selection of teas and finger sandwiches. The teapot was a gift from Jacky's Mum and went really well with the theme of the day.

Also on the menu was....

Semolina cake, Almond biscotti and shortbread (all homemade). On the right - french onion dip with carrot sticks (Joel I made good use of your little dishes)


Chocolate truffles & creme brulee hot out of the oven


Jacky was really sweet and cut up some strawberries for us to have with our champagne


After the tiramisu and creme brulee we were too full for pavlova, we left it sitting in the oven


Welcome back Beli, thank you for the housewarming gift and thank you Sarah for helping me get everything ready!