Taking It Big Easy

It may just be the best Christmas present ever! With a combination of intrigue and suspense, Amanda surprised me with a series of clues that led me toward the identity of my gift.  I learned that an adventure was coming my way … a trip … one that involved flights no less.  I learned that we would be eating at the restaurant of a Top Chef Master and would be exposed to cuisine that includes turtle and alligator.

I’ll admit I was stumped, and therefore incredibly surprised to learn that Amanda has booked us a trip to the Big Easy.  That’s right, we’re heading to New Orleans, to the French Quarter, to Creole & Cajun cuisines, to the home of  Mardi Gras and the Sazerac cocktail.  Amanda showed me the hotel we’re staying at, all the incredible bars and restaurants we’re going to and the myriad other activities that she’s been researching in recent months.  I tell you I simply cannot wait.  I love going new places with Amanda, but I am really looking forward to this one: a long weekend away in New Orleans in just a few short weeks.  Best! Present! Ever!

Christmas Brunch

We’ve both received a few emails asking what we ate for our Christmas meal this year, so I thought I’d better post it.  There are no pictures of the food, as it was cloudy, so the lighting was awful.  Besides, I had my hands full and didn’t have time to take any.

Everyone wanted to do something different this year- something lighter and more relaxed, so instead of Christmas dinner, we did Christmas Brunch with a mix of traditional Southern and more modern dishes.  I did the bulk of the cooking (though Scott did the hashbrown casserole & pancakes all by himself!), and it was all delicious- if I do say so myself. 

Here’s the nommy menu:

* Potato & Boursin Frittata
* Eggnog French Toast
* Hashbrown Casserole
* Cranberry Mousse with Fresh Cranberry Sauce
* Honey Baked Ham
* Smoked Salmon with Capers, Onions & Aioli
* Broccoli & Cranberry Salad
* Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes

Maybe one day, Scott will learn how to use my camera so I don’t have to take all pictures of me myself.  I no longer remember what my left eye looks like. . . 

Happy Christmas!

Call My Bluff

Yesterday we headed to downtown Chattanooga – more specifically the Bluff View Art District.  While Amanda was getting her hair done, I set out to explore this picturesque little area right in the heart of the city.

There are a lot of nice things to see and do on the Bluff, which has great views of the Tennessee River as it wends its way through the city.  The area is dominated by the Hunter Art Museum (which has a surprisingly decent collection), with the oldest and newest buildings both striking in their own way.

There are many interesting sculptures placed around the district which I passed on my way to my first destination: Rembrandt’s Coffee Shop.  This was Amanda’s favourite coffee shop when she was at school, and I can see why.  It was very nice to sit and enjoy some good coffee and a delicious almond croissant while reading the New York Times in such a relaxed atmosphere.  They sell all manner of other goods as well, such as fresh bread from their artisan baker neighbours and VERY nommy wares from their in house chocolatier.

Warmed up nicely I headed towards the heart of downtown Chattanooga.  It was awesome because everywhere I went I was reminded of the first Winter I spent here with Amanda six years ago: the places we ate and the places where we drank; where we walked, and where we talked. I will always love Chattanooga for this – I have so many very happy memories here.  It was the best possible way to spend the time.

After this I went back to the spa for a few complementary nibbles while Amanda was finishing up.

When she was done, Debi joined us, and we headed to Tony’s for a delicious late Italian lunch.  Serving wine in tumblers is a little strange, but otherwise it was a pretty nommy meal (special shout out to the bread we were served, namely the Roasted Garlic Ciabatta from the near by neighbourhood bakers).

Bluff View is a beautiful little area.  We should really head there more often.

Trimming the Tree

Finally Back

Due to some severely wet weather in Atlanta, we were a little delayed making it home, but we still made it home at a reasonable hour.  However, that was some time yesterday, and we have only just this afternoon been reunited with our bags.

Delta lost just one of our bags returning to Sydney in August, but that wasn’t too bad since, obviously, we had all the rest of our clothes there.  This time around, however, the situation left Amanda and I with just the one set of clothes each – and summery Australian ones at that!

I’m not going to go into too many details – not least because I’ve used up my rant quotient for the day – but suffice it to say the combined incompetence of Delta and the baggage contractors at Chattanooga airport dicking us around left us (literally and figuratively) in the cold all day.  To make matters worse, when we opened our cases (after having to retrieve them ourselves), our clothes inside were wet (and had been for 15-20 hours)!

Someone is going to pay for this; you mark my words!!

The Bargain Talisman

On the way back from a lovely meal out just now (Thai, just fyi), we stopped into the supermarket to pick up a few essentials for the flight (cheese- to go with our crackers and quince paste).  While perusing the aisles we came across a number of incredible bargains – the best of which were the $4 whole organic free range chickens, a few of which are now nestled together in our freezer awaiting our return.

There are often bargains like this when I shop, but there are ALWAYS such things when I shop with Amanda.  It’s great to shop with Amanda because she’s my good luck charm on the path to super savings!

Last time we went to the store before a long trip, we had 8 items on our list.  I kid you not that every single one of them was on special in some way.  An even better example – I have two pairs of sunglasses (Prada and Dolce & Gabbana) which Amanda has bought me for $60 each.  The original retail value of these is somewhere close to $1000.  It’s some crazy voodoo she’s working – and I like it.

What’s also crazy is that it’s 10 o’clock in the evening.  We just had a lovely evening out, and we still haven’t packed.

Don’t worry though.  It’s on the list. 

Tablet Assembly Line

A Final Effort

Tomorrow is my pampering day (having my nails done, getting someone else to straighten my hair in the hopes that it stays straight for more than four hours, etc. . .), and the day after that we’re off on a plane, so today is D-day really.  All cooking, cleaning and administrative tasks must be done by nightfall.  Did I mention that it’s warm and quite humid?

Well, no matter I suppose because I’ve already finished the most pernickety task of the day, which was making this Scottish Whisky Tablet:

I have no idea if they taste right or not, as my official tablet taste-tester is still at the office.  I used Talisker 10 year old for the whisky, mainly because that’s what Scott’s drinking (and very much enjoying) at the moment.  I felt really bad about it too because when I asked if I could borrow a few tablespoons, he asked how I was planning on returning them.

Stingy, stingy. . .

Now I just need to box them, tie a pretty bow, and make hanging tags.  Of course, if they don’t taste right, we’ll move on to plan B, which is to make something else tonight (I might have just enough time to do Champagne truffles), so if that happens, and they don’t make it out of the house then I hope you’ll all just forget that you ever saw this post.

Kthanx. 

A Sunny Sunday Afternoon

We’re heading to wintry Tennessee at the end of the week, so today we decided to do something that we won’t be able to do for some time – go to the beach. We headed to beautiful Balmoral where we walked, sat and enjoyed the bountiful tranquility that Australia has to offer.

Don’t get us wrong – we’re really looking forward to our time at home.  But it’s going to be different (meaning cold), and we just wanted to say farewell to the summer for a month and make the most of the day.

After the beach, we made a stop in Neutral Bay at a lovely little wine bar for some tapas.  A very relaxing Sunday afternoon was had by all.