Far too much chicken on the menu tonight

I should have ordered half that much chicken from the Marrickville Vietnamese Butchery.
Brrooookkk.

Mind you.  Chicken breast meat is low in fat and high in protein.  With a litle Smoked Garlic Salt and pure Peanut Oil, it was delicious.  Matched with North African Peas & Corn Potato Patties, and Refried Beans, me and Cam had  an awesome supper tonight.

Looking Forward to the Bledisloe Cup 2nd round in AKL tomorrow night,  will be watcing it from the TV though.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend ahead.

Mid to late night TV

Watching Fargo on SBS One  TV Guide

Filling the Bunk Bed Frame with Something Comfortable

Buying Bunks for children has taken a little research (from said parents).  We've been to Harvey Normans, Ikea and a couple of other stores, before we decided on the style and price that suits.  Some units are $1K or more and the styles available read like a Chinese menu.

I even scoured eBay, as we like recycling.  Missed a great set in Rose Bay. We settled on a practical set that was reduced in price, but fitted our requirements, looked strong and will last 10+ years I reckon.  (Harvey Normans Clearance store in Alexandria/SYD).  I wont mention the price, but lets just say it was reasonable.  Item manuf in Indo, and appears to be very good strength and quality.

Once we had the sale, we/I needed to pick it up from the local HN warehouse in Alex, staff were very helpful.  Incl only the day of purchase, transit and assembly of the 3 packaged flat packs, my time totalled 5 hours.  (Which was fine, everything is flat packed, isn't it?)

At this time, please appreciate this post is not heading towards the negative, far from it.  I've done a 12 hr day,  but wanted to log this before I hit the couch.

In half the bed buy situations, a mattress is not included in the sale, so the presents the unplanned task of more local research to buy the mattresses...

I wont go into the extra stress, but head swiftly towards my final paragraphs.

We made some internet searches and a couple of local dealer visits in Annandale and Marrickville before finally reverting to a I had retained in my head, for some reason.  A quick search on the internet for Rockdale Mattress Factory leaded us to a phone call,  where we got over the phone assistance and a quotation.

The quotation was same or higher than the shops we had visited, but because of the excellent over the phone service we decided this morning to move on with the sale.  Trailer hitched,  I headed off.

The sale process at the factory/showroom was the best customer experience I have had for a product for a long time.  We went through any last minute product choices/apprehensions and agreed on a sale, paid, despatched product, all within 25 minutes.

We even received a Price Match/Discount for buying 2 x units.  Well done Rockdale Mattress Factory, we will be returning again and recommending your service. 

Stosur Ivanovic

Who thought of this amazing game called tennis.  Cannot keep my eyes of the TV for this match.

Internet Speed NY14

Internet speed is abs' crap tonight.  Anyone else finding this?

Prince Alfred Park Pool

Saturday afternoon (yesterday).  I had seen this newly reopened pool on the local Channel Nine TV news about a week back.  Loved it as a spot about ten years back.  Not sure if I can be writing this,  but  "Thanks Clover".
Really nice,  there's a great café onsite too.  We'll be back.

Oh,  and I seemed to see a notice there that it's Free Entry for casual visitors until November!  Check it out!! Pool Website

Tandaco Dry Yeast Packets from Woolworths - Pizza

Every couple of weeks we make Pizza at home on a Saturday.  We had mixed  results in making enough dough to cover a basic square tray for our domestic home static oven.  Usually we just use one of these packets, some warm tepid water and milk,  some oil, and 1-2t sugar, flour, pinch salt.

This time we used 2 packets (after watching Fast Ed's tips a couple of weeks back)  and the results were much better.  The dough proved better,  and the end result was great.  Really happy!

Horsemeat EU

Whats in our food?  Would I be upset if there was horse meat in my Lasagna.  Probably not.  It's just another animal.  Psychologically,  it would budge me for minute, but it would not be the end of the world.

Lunch @ Coast89 Cafe - Toowoon Bay, NSW 2261

Colouring in for the little ones, separate area for waiting and childrens toys, magazines,  Water and drinks service came fast as we walked to our reserved table. 

The place was full of diners, so I expected a wait, but we were delivered with on time meals. Open Steak Sandwich, Fish and Chips w/salad, Fried Chicken w/salad, Tomato Bake with Pea Salad, Salt & Pepper Squid w/dipping sce etc & loads of items and specials to choose from,  BYO and Licensed,  (which we took advantage of both options),  Full icecream chest of flavours for afters and sweets,  but we didn't have room.

Second time we have been there in the last 2 months.  Greats lunch and service guys, keep up the good work,  we will be back...  http://www.coast89.com/ 

Weekend Plans

Looking Fwd to starting work on the new Sydney Bokashi Factory

Breville 900W Blender Unboxing

Unboxing is a term used largely in the IT sector for showing off new hardware products.  I guess this can be the same for cookery equipment...  Bought it on points, late last year and it's been sitting in a spare room since then.  Need it tonight to (strangely enough) finish a meat sauce (il Bolagnese).

Will let you know how it goes...

Food, booze and shoes: Yum cha to order at Golden Century

Food, booze and shoes: Yum cha to order at Golden Century

Ping Pong

Thinking about all sorts of things tonight while listing to this music.  But I guess I won't be able to get anything down until tomorrow.  It's far too late tonight to start writing a list.  All god thoughts though,  tomorrow will be great,  I might even make Saturday a work day!  http://ondemand.fbiradio.com/index.php?show=sunset-with-simon-caldwell

Weather

How sticky is it tonight in Sydney?

Sydney, Fine Food 2011

Great morning this AM, at the show.  Found some chutneys to go with cheese plates and cold meats.  Kirkfood, thanks for the information provided. 

This was a big show, filling out all the halls for 4 days.  Might have to get back there tomorrow.  Well done organisers.  http://www.finefoodaustralia.com.au/

6 x Garlic Prawns

Tapas size Garlic prawns dish,  with bread to mop...

Update, New Tapas WineBar - Sydney

Have prepared the opening menu, testing the recipes, confirming the suppliers. 
Loving it... More to come.

Kiama Produce Markets (with Kiama Council)

Another great weekend and sold out all the Bokashi Buckets from Kiama Council.  Stayed at The Sebel Harbourside.  Nice central spot and good rooms.  Loved the markets

Where to get a pub lunch: Balmain

Quiet business or social lunch in Balmain, mid to late working week? 

Previously I have been known to have lunch  as much as 4 times in one week at the same place [Monkey Bar].  Yesterday we drove up and down Darling Street and agreed on The Town Hall Hotel.  As we entered, great bar service downstairs (draught cidre), then upstairs to the diningroom/balcony seating.

Good: Gotta say,  The meal came in goodtime.  I had chargril beef rumpsteak with frenchies or salad and pepper sauce.  My partner had steak sandwich with the same options.
(Incidently, Rump or Chook Schnitzel Special $12.xx)  I was glad to see the pepper sauce was fine in consistency and plenty-awash with palatable green peppercorns. 

Bad. I know this is essentially a pub bistro,  but guys, put some condiments out at the cutlery station so I don't have to ask you for sauce for my "pommes frites"

The balcony was nicely sheltered from the sun at 2.00pm with a soothing breeze coming up off the inner harbour.  I'll be coming back next week to enjoy another lunch.

2GB Radio says some rain coming East

From Dubbo tonight.  In spurts.  Possible thunder and hail.  If you are going to the Parramatta Speedway tonight,  take a ponco.