Dairy House dreaming and the perfect stranger

I've never met Adam but I want to run away for a weekend with him to a perfect getaway cottage in Healesville in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. You see Adam sent Kim and me a link to his flickr set of a recent stay at the Dairy House at Harvest Farm. Gorgeous weekender and gorgeous setting. And Adam? Perfect. You see the man knows food, really really knows food. Can you think of a better companion for a weekend in foodie heaven?

Not just new years day

Today is a special day each year. Not just because it's the first day of a new year, but it's also my mom's birthday. This year though was a extra special one, although one my mom was not looking forward to whatsoever. Today my mom turned SIXTY. Yep, a SIX followed by a ZERO. She made us swear we wouldn't make a big deal out of it. We all (my sisters and our significant others and the grankids) went to my parents house and had an amazing fondue. I just wanted to post something for my mom because she's awesome, and she reads the blog all the time. She's pretty proud of me for my part in what Jo and I have accomplished with our wee blog. :) And I'm proud of her because she's one hot looking mom. She was hit on by many of my guy friends in high school. It was hilarious. And she's still hot at 60. She might kill me if I post a recent photo of her, so I'll just post a couple of really old ones (these were all I could find). One when she was pregnant with my twin sister and I, and one when we were 2. Happy birthday Mom. You don't look a day over 30. I swear.

WE MADE IT!!!

OMFG! Jo and I are VERY honoured to be among the top 8 blogs nominated for Apartment Therapy's The Homies. Not only are we honoured but also surprised at how far we've come in 2 years. Thanks so much for the nominations everyone, and though we don't usually like plugging ourselves I'll make an exception for this. We'd LUV your votes so if you think we are worthy, here is where you can vote. We're seriously just stoked to be among the list of such amazing bloggers. It's a great way to start the new year. So on behalf of myself and Jo, have a rockin' New Years everyone!!

(Below was supposed to be a photo of me with the cats but that was too freaking difficult to manage by myself - getting 6 cats in a photo is tough enough. Of course, I had to bribe them with some salmon which is why they are all looking at the floor).

Merry Christmas!

Image by Nick Carter

Kim and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families peace, hope and joy these holidays. The world is getting smaller and smaller and people from all parts of the globe are meeting and mingling on blogs like this. Not all our readers, we know, come from Christian based cultures but the message is still the same. The world is too fragile for anything but love and friendship.

We won't be posting on Christmas Day but we'll be back randomly after that. A post here, a post there and lots of holiday reading guides. Take care all and thank you so much for your continued support. It means so much to us.

Paradise is coloured blue

Blue. It's the colour of paradise. I never knew that until this morning when I was turning the pages of a magazine and drinking coffee. I saw an ad for one of the Great Barrier Reef's latest resorts Qualia, world-class luxury, situated on the secluded northern-most tip of Hamilton Island. With winter setting in in the Northern Hemisphere I dedicate these blue soaked shots of paradise to all the northern readers watching the thermometer plunge. Wicked of me to tease you.