Hoppy Place

I'm currently in rehearsals for a play, and I found the light-switch in the dressing room looking startled. There is a word for perceiving faces in random everyday objects (face pareidolia), but I'm pretty sure most people would have this reaction. 

Maybe the above face is a reaction to the cake we had at work for a colleague's leaving do. Last month the UK's food health and safety regulator warned that cake in the office was as bad as passive smoking. Employers are being encouraged to supply healthy alternatives, like fruit, when making celebrations in the office. So look at all those berries; nailed it!

Another month; another growing book pile. It is threatening to topple over and block out the light.

Bedside book pile for March

I was watching football in the early hours of the morning with Melantho and Penelope. Look how excited they are at the prowess of the Mighty Liverpool Football Club!

I'm not trig bagging this weekend as I have a number of other commitments to fulfill (including the aforementioned rehearsals), but I still managed to get out for a couple of walks and runs. Mt Painter is a favourite. 

Part of the weekend's business was to harvest our back garden hops. They are Chinook hops, which are known for their 'pine-like, spicy bouquet with robust flavours of grapefruit', and are going to be added to an IPA. I'll let you know when it's ready for drinking!

Bucketful (500g) of Chinnok hops from the garden

Adding hops to the boiling brew

This weekend's walk with the Walking Crew was around Lake Tuggeranong - the blue-green algae pongs and makes the lake unappealing for swimming, but it makes for good photos under the clouds.

And we finished with breakfast at Eighty/ Twenty, which we all agreed was very tasty. 

Granola Bowl

French Toast (with a side of bacon)

Purple Lady with French Toast

Design Diva with Breakfast Burger

The Luminosity with Granola Bowl

Raining Cats and Blogs

It's raining. Some friends visited from South Australia, and we had a wonderful evening of catching up and laughter. Leaky Lyn asked me to not let her forget her pocket raincoat that she was going to need for the weekend. The next morning I found this on our dining table so I helpfully took a picture and texted, 'don't forget this!'

It's raining, so Him Outdoors isn't keen to go cycling. He's got an injured Achilles tendon at present so he can't go running. So he did his other favourite leisure activity: brewing. Apparently this involves perching on a stepladder in the shed. 

It's raining, so Melantho and Penelope are confined indoors. Is there anything more gloomy than two kittens on a laundry windowsill staring out into into the garden? Inclement weather has curtailed their wanderings. Cur-tailed! Ha! I'll get my coat.

A study in gloom

Save the best till last?

Naturally, this time of year (as opposed to any other time of year, obviously) is all about eating and drinking. Good friends gave us a cheeseboard for Christmas - they know us so well - so we had to try it out. I am pleased to report that it is perfectly fit for purpose.

With a couple of free days to spend, my thoughts turned immediately to reading. I walked to the library to search out some non-fiction books I've been trying to trace. It was a very hot day - too hot for running (hence the walk) - and the library was closed, but I had a pleasant walk anyway and played with a photographic app which highlights shapes and shadows.

New Blood (Gateway Artwork) by Paloma Ramos

I went for a day of culture with a friend, which included watching a French film, having lunch in New Acton, and viewing an exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia.

Graffito in New Acton

New Acton greenery

We actually visited the gallery to see the David Hockney exhibition - more of which later - but I always make time to sit for a few moments in front of Monet's waterlilies, which fill my mind and soul with peace.

Waterlilies by Claude Monet

Detail from Waterlilies

The building itself is very stylish with lots of hidden passages and staircases. We ascended to the members' lounge to talk nonsense about art and other things, and to admire the view.  

The view from the Members' Lounge of the NGA

Chester also had a very busy day, as you can see. 

We didn't manage to get to Christmas Dinner with this particular group of friends this year, so we had a not-quite-Christmas meal with them instead.

Dinner at the home of The Luminosity

I finished off the year with a run around Umbagong District Park, which is a favourite spot and is nice and close.

 

Him Outdoors spent quite a lot of the week at the brewery making more beer, which makes him happy - almost as happy as drinking it.

And that's it for another year - have a great 2018 everybody!

Cooking and Brewing

For reasons which are far too complex to explain (she's insane), Calamity Sue has found herself catering a French themed event for 45 people. She's actually very good at this sort of stuff, even with my 'help'. 

Beef Bourguignon

Calamity Sue stirring the pot in her active wear

Chopping the onions in fetching eyewear

Warding off vampires

 

Lemon chicken casserole

Meanwhile Him Outdoors, not to be outdone, is brewing in the garage; milling grains on his home-constructed device, on his morning off work.

Him Outdoors milling grains for Manuka Smoked Porter

Chester had lost his name-tag, so he has received a new one - in Liverpool red of course. He looks mighty handsome, of course.

Lord Chester

Brewing up with Him Outdoors

It's his second-favourite pastime, so we had a day of capturing the art of brewing in the garage.

Measuring malt grains

Pale, crystal and chocolate malts

The yeast strain

Grain selection

Low-tech equipment

Hops!

Mashing in

Helping out

Sparging or lautering (if you prefer to be German)

Spent grain

In the be(er)ginning

Receiving approval from the brewer's assistant