One of the nicest things to find at the markets other than fresh vegies and fruits are wines, from different regions of Australia and cheeses. When I went to the markets at New Farm last saturday I picked up a packet of Australian made halloumi cheese. And a packet of fresh shitake and oyster mushroom, they went well with the beef stroganof that we had last tuesday evening.

 

Now from what I've gathered, this cheese is indegenous to Cyprus. Traditionally made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk. Allthough this particular brand was made with cow's milk. The cheese is white. with distinctive layered texture, similar to mozarella, and a salty flavour that I love! It is stored in its natural juices with salt-water, and can keep for up to a year if deep frozen. Often garnished with mint. Mint is supposed to add taste, some claim that it has natural anti-bacterial action that was traditionally helpful to increase the life of the cheese. Cypriots like eating halloumi with watermelon in the warm months.

 

 

When my father-in-law celebrated his 60th a few weeks back, I was asked to bring something for the fete. I made my potato salad and cupcakes instead of baking a usual cake. R said not to get stressed about dessert, we can always count on a fruit platter. I thought putting a little more effort on dessert would be ok, as it is for a 60th bday party. I ended up making 4 dozens of different kinds of cupcakes. Sorry, I'm not going to share recipe on these as I was told they tasted great and I can actually make money off them. LOL!  If anyone of you are interested give me a holler. Will see what we can do for you. Enjoy the pics.  They are (L-R Cupcake Galore 01):

 

Honey-Glazed Blueberry Cupcake

Chocoholic's Cupcake

Marmalade and Macadamia Cupcake

Peanut Crumble Cupcake

 

 

 

 

I had this snack last weekend at a kids party. I thought, it looks easy enough to make at home. I was right! I might serve this on P's bday fete.

 

 

 

I have been coming to this expo for 3 years now. And every year there is always something new. All the furnitures, clothes, bottles, and food for babies and children are in one roof.

 

Like Danishbydesign a danish company that sells furnitures for kids. I especially liked the Leander Bed, a round crib/cot that becomes a sleigh bed when the child gets older. A very innovative bed, if I should say so myself. The price is huge, since you use it for a long time it's worth the money. No hard edges on this one, plus the height of the cot is at your waist level. Which is very important when you've just given birth, and as our physio told us, the body is not meant to crouch down. It puts a lot of strain on your back. Therefore you have to use your ab muscles to counter act it. Unfortunately After giving birth your tummy mucles are not as tight as they used to. You need to be cautious when picking up the baby or lifting anything heavy.

 

Lyn Weston from the Billings Ovulation Method had a stand as well. This lady thought me how to use the billings method as an alternative for contraception. As their website suggest, they are the leaders in fertility education. I was told that when they started they used to teach the method in conjunction to the teachings of the church. Now they have separated themselves from the church and rely on volunteers to teach the method to other families who are looking for an alternative to contraception.

 

Brisbane Warehouse Shopping Tours offers the best way to hunt for bargains. They also do fund raising. I have yet to experience this. But I'm sure it would be great fun. What woman could resist shopping all day? The tour includes lunch, so you need not to worry about packing one for yourself.

 

I think there were at least 100 exhibitors on the expo. Every year I look forward to it. Hopefully by next year they would have heaps more to offer for older kids.

 

 

 

 

He's been back for more than a week now. We are soo happy. Yey!