bananas bananas bananas

If you are an Australian you know all about the great banana glut at this time of year.  Well there is an alternative to banana muffins and banana bread or cake.  Hey, how about some crispy delicious banana pooris?  Just hit the RECIPE tab under my  blog title  to get ingredients and directions.
Pooris are a deep fried Indian bread.  Adding ripe bananas - the riper the better- makes them quite irresistible.  Beware this is not something for those trying to restore the figure after the seasonal over indulgence.  Pooris travel well as picnic food but I prefer them puffed up and piping hot with a dusting of castor sugar.
How's that for someone who claims to not have a sweet tooth?  
Soooooooooo hop on up to my RECIPE tab and rummage around until you find it!! 

Diamond Python

Late last night we had a visitor.  Well Bec the young lady who has come to share my house did.

Bec was in bed with her pet lap top typing another chapter in her forthcoming novel.  Pausing to seek inspiration, she looked up and found herself face to face with a fair sized Diamond Python (also called carpet snake).
Now what I have failed to mention is that Bec has two pet rats, Mindy and Anya, that live in a cage in her room (when they aren't in bed with Bec and the laptop)....She pleaded with me to get them and I admit am learning to quite like them. If you aren't familiar with Australian fauna you should have already clicked on the link above and learned that these python's favourite food is rats and mice, although a rather large on once tried to consume a friend's chihuahua puppy.
There is a hole in the roof in Bec's ensuite where an extractor fan once belonged.  Mr Python had probably come down via this hole sniffing out Mindi and Anya. (I beg to add that Mindi and Anya are kept in pristine conditions and do not smell unless you have the olfactory epithelium of a hungry diamond python)

Mindi and Anya were fast asleep in their quarters oblivious to the impending danger, and python was draped over the empty rat travelling cage which was proving to be a merciful decoy.  However I am sure if Bec had been asleep and Anya and Mindi had woken for a midnight spin in their treadmill, Mr Python would soon have been onto his midnight snack.  Bec told me how these snakes, being solid muscle, could easily prise open the bars of the ras' home.
Well although we both knew these shames are nonvenomous neither of us was game to remove it.
It was time to call a friend......
Fortunately these particular friends stay up very late, and despite only hours earlier being washed into the sea and shredding his toe on the rocks, my gallant friend Peter limped to our rescue.  Because of all the excitement our python had by now retreated to behind a cupboard,  but it wasn't long before he was retrieved and safely relocated.
. . . . . . . . . . . and

Mindi(L) and Anya(R)

yes the hole in the ceiling will be fixed.  On reflection maybe our python has relatives living up in my roof and maybe they would be big enough to get my littlest dog Tati.........think about something else.

AUSTRALIA DAY- 26 January

Australia Day commemorates the landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and is a public holiday for all Australians..

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In my town celebrations take place on the banks of the Manning River. ,
The day kicks off with a free breakfast at 7.30. Entertainment includes a talent quest, rides and amusements, market stalls and a gymnastics display. The Wingham Bagpipes and Drums also strut their stuff..
Early birds can grab a seat under the shade of the marquee,  those who miss out sit in the sun and try not to die of heat stroke.

 All stand for the National Anthem as the Town Band plays. Those who only know the first verse and do not have a programme look a trifle embarrassed. The mayor is there in his hot outfit complete with gold chain, and the local member of parliament puts in a flying visit.  Many worthy locals are presented with Australia Day Awards,  and immigrants become Australians in a Citizenship Ceremony. ( I suddenly feel a bit disloyal as I  remember that I have been in the country nearly 40 years and am still an alien, better change that)

Then there are the "Mullet Cup" races where home made rafts propelled by manpower compete. Foul play is involved and the fire brigade take shots at the competitors with high powered hosings.  It is a lot of fun.

And for those who want to know all the verses here they are with some great pictures.

and here is the disputed "missing verse"*

With Christ our head and cornerstone,

We'll build our Nation's might.

Whose way and truth and light alone

Can guide our path aright.

Our lives, a sacrifice of love

Reflect our Master's care.

With faces turned to heaven above

Advance Australia fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing Advance Australia fair.

* Awakening, a Christian movement in Australia, have claimed that the anthem has a missing verse with a distinctly Christian message. The first recent performance of this verse was during the Global March for Jesus in 1998. The verse was also sung at World uth Day 2008 There is however no evidence that this verse was a part of Peter Dodds McCormick’s original work, and its origin is uncertain.

Happy Birthday Robert

Today is my younger brother's birthday.  Let's not talk about how terribly old he is as I am even older.  Brother number one was born the day WW2 was declared,  brother number 2 the year it ended,  I come in between.  Sometime along the way he changed his name from Robert to Jamie,  but I still know him as Robert. He is an artist and muso and hosts painting holidays at his 18th century farmhouse in Gascony. Find him here at  Gascony Painting Holidays.
If you happen to pass this way Robert let me wish you a very happy day.  I know you are in Kerala, India right now and perhaps you will go on line to see if anyone has remembered.

 That's him above when he was still Robert.
The happy trio on the right.

And on the left a recent shot.  Still kinda cute!!!

Shalwa Kameez

set of fabrics as supplied

When I was in India, I bought a few outfits to wear at a wedding.  Many of the ladies from Australia bought beautiful Sarees,  but I am a bit too practical and decided I wouldn't get the mileage out of a saree after I got back to Australia so I bought several shalwar kameez

...long tunic tops worn with either baggy or calf hugging pants and a flowing scarf.  This style is so comfortable I could live in it.(except for the scarf or dupatta which I kept losing.  I noticed even schoolgirls and nurses wear the scarf but often have loops on the shoulders to keep it in place) 

dupatta or scarf.

Border of pants fabric

As well as buying outfits I also bought fabric which includes the scarf and 2 lengths of fabric in coordinated patterns or colours, one for the pants and one for the top.  The fabric has borders for edges and necklines.  Yesterday I cut out and today I plan to start sewing.  Usually sewing pants poses the problem of having the correct fit and ease on the bum, however having the tunic to cover the area means no fitting is required except for the length.

the tunic showing border print

Sweet or Savoury

I don't really have a sweet tooth unless it comes down to dark dark chocolate or an apricot pie where the tartness of the apricots goes so well with a shortcrust pastry and  a dollop of cream .
I wouldn't be tempted to raid your pantry if it was full of cakes and biscuits but I would find a jar of anchovies and some cheese and olives quite irresistible.
Seems strange then that my first recipe I have posted here under the RECIPES tab is for a Chocolate Cherry Almond cake.
I was just throwing out some old magazines and the recipe caught my eye.... when I see a recipe I can already taste the result just as some musicians are able to look at a music score and hear a symphony in their heads. ( something I find quite amazing.  I mean poor old Beethoven was stone deaf and he could still compose,  and he was German so he would probably like this cake).  But I digress...Anyway this cake tasted good as I read about it and I am trying to increase my repertoire of sweet stuff to satisfy my sweet toothed friends.  It got a 10/10 from the first tasting panel so I urge you to give it a try.