home sweet home

No, it’s not my house, it’s Gina Lollobrigida’s villa on the Via Appia Antica (National Geographic, June 1970). I love the fact that, although she had been in at least 50 films in 20 years, she has a passion for being behind the camera – which became a career in photojournalism. Look closely, and you’ll see she is sorting her own pics…If you haven’t seen any of her films, you may recall her role in the 80’s series Falcon Crest.

After 2 early shifts, I’m loving being at home, spinning Patsy Cline and Peggy Lee on the turntable is certainly helping. Tonight’s task is to put the rest of my cd’s through audiograbber, and make a few playlists for the i-Pod. I seem to have become music person at work, and am aiming to have 5 lists done, each lasting 7.5 or 8 hours (have done 2 so far). If anyone knows how I can get my vinyl onto computer (and no, I don’t want to pay someone else to do it) please leave a comment.

If you haven’t listened to Peggy Lee’s Black Coffee LP, or anything by Patsy Cline, it’s high time you did. Two very talented ladies, who aren’t with us anymore.

hey-la, hey-la, my boyfriend’s back!

Yes, jetsetting Joffa returned Sunday morning. Apparently he won’t be going overseas again for another 4-6 weeks. To celebrate, we had a damn fine brunch of Red Hill Cheese’s amazing Paradigm Log, home made quince paste (thanks Cath), and Alcheringa Nathalia cheese, on thinly sliced sourdough. This morning, it was sourdough toast with lemon butter, and smalll bowls of poached quinces and Greek yoghurt. Yes, I’m still head over heels in love – can you tell? Life is full and rich and joyous. There’s Commodores on the turntable, and pasta ready to eat, so must fly…

have a blog and smile

It’s always fun to meet another blogger…one of my fabulous colleagues has been posting for years, so she’s positively old school – not like moi, who only got typing a few months previous. Anyhoo, go check her out here.

If you’re reading this Miss E, thanks for swinging by and the sweet link…

food glorious food!

I came home from work tonight laden with culinary goodness: my dinner tonight was beef sausages with rough 7 winter vegetable mash, accompanied by a half bottle of M. Chapoutier Mount Benson Syrah. I also have a generous serving of caramel banana pudding with coconut rice and cream on my kitchen bench, a loaf of sourdough bread, and a bunch of radishes. Freebies from work, you’ve gotta love that… If you feel like swinging by for dessert tonight, give me a call!

I can thoroughly recommend this South Australian wine – great with red meat dishes, with a smoky/earthy feel, and yes, it’s organic…those of you who know where I work, come see me to purchase some of this wondrousness. We also had Tangletoe organic cider on tastings tonight, which is beautiful.

My doggybag was prepared by Lucinda MacDougall, a top bird who runs cooking courses at William Angliss. She saunters by to hang with us one Friday a month,when we present her menu matched with our wines/beers, all ingredients available on-site. We usually kick off around 4:30, on the 3rd Friday. If anyone’s interested, leave a comment. Will post recipes here tomorrow nite if anyone wants them.

the science of sleep

“Tonight I’ll show you how dreams are prepared, love,friendship, relationships. All those ships.” I saw this film with m1k3y and Mia last night, and just loved it. Charlotte Gainsbourg and Gael Garcia Bernal (Amores Perros, Y Tu Mama Tambien ) are brilliant as Stephanie and Stephane, and the legendary Miou-Miou appears as Stephane’s Mum. The soundtrack is beautiful too: Velvet Underground, The Strokes, Lou Reed, White Stripes, Kool and The Gang, Death Cab For Cutie…and did I really see the album cover for How Soon Is Now pinned up above Stephane’s bed?

The styling just blew me away, as did the intense but whimsical storyline. I’ll be buying this one on DVD, that’s for sure! If you haven’t seen it, or would like to be reminded how good it is, click here, and here.

future’s so bright…i gotta wear shades

Vetti’s world is good again, now that I’ve banished the bad ju-ju that pounced on me. Big thank you hugs going out to three very special people, I couldn’t have done it without you.

Anyhoo, here’s an Italian hipster chick. In shades. In 1970. In National Geographic (June 1970).

Now all I need is Joffa to come home (his plane arrives on Sunday), and everything’s tres peachy.

love hurts

Normally at this time on Monday I’d be with my Aunt K. She’s having problems with her medication at the moment, it’s reducing the pain, but it’s sapping her energy and making her want to sleep too much. We spoke last night, and it was difficult, but manageable. Today, she’s not coping very well, and asked me to not to visit. Her message on my answering machine was heartbreaking. Part of me longed to be there, but I respect her wishes and will stand by them. As I spin vinyl and clean my house, she’s never far from my thoughts. This post was going to end with me saying how much I want to hold her and tell her things will sort themselves out somehow. Now I realise I need someone to hold me…

don’t just cook it – bernard king it!

Ah, Bernard King, the brutal honesty, the flamboyance, the signature jewellery, the witty one liners – tv just isn’t the same without you! Here’s a classic ad from Family Circle (6/5/82).

He’d be 72 now, if he was still with us. I like to think there’s a cabaret bar in heaven where he can throw marvellous cocktail parties, have all the men he wants, and star in the best tv cooking show ever.

If only I could find a copy of this book…Looks like a cracking read!

new kid on the block

Sing to tune of Copacabana: His name is Gizo, he’s into homebrew, with fumes of pilsner in the air, he’ll be drinking beer so fair…

I’m not sure he’s up to doing the merengue or the cha-cha, but hope I’m on the VIP list for tastings (hint hint)

Go visit him here.

amigos de julio

Today I staggered out of my Northcote abode seeking coffee and what happens? Livebird and Miss Annette are just sauntering past, on their way to brunch. We went to Julio, home of good food, fine coffee, and a small shrine to Mr Iglesias. My sourdough with manchego cheese and quince paste was truly wondrous, as was Livebird’s saffron fruit toast. The sort of place you want to sit at all day and eat everything on the menu! These sweet folks are on Miller Street, North Fitzroy. Pay them a visit, you won’t be sorry…

I went to Dixon’s for my weekly vinyl fix, and found some Stones, Diana Ross, Commodores, and Lionel Ritchie. And this:

Think it will be a nice addition to their decor, don’t you?

Amigos de Julio is apparently the name of his international fan club, which operates out of a PO Box (or did in 1984) in Florida.