Okay, first things first, I’ve spent most of this past week with a head cold and my old friend asthma who always seems to arrive with his suitcases at the same time. It’s played havoc with my walking and my routines and while I’m well on the mend now, I did actually take a sick day on Thursday.
I normally get one head cold a year and this winter I’ve had two and a half. Given that I’m improving my health I can only put it down to trying to do too much, although to be fair each has also come after I’ve been in the office and surrounded by sick people.
Anyways, despite this there was still plenty to smile about last week.
Open letter to 17 year old Australians
This open letter from Air New Zealand to 17 year old Australians. In the last 17 years they have seen a lot – the first female Australian prime minister, 5 other prime ministers, a reality star becoming president, the rise of the smart phone, social media, driverless cars, 3D printing, drones, podcasts – but they’ve never seen Australia win the Bledisloe Cup. Sledging at its absolute best.
20 years for the Naked Chef
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since Jamie Oliver first bounded onto our screens. That first cookbook of his is one that I still regularly use. I’ll talk more about that later in the week.
Happy Birthday to my sister
If you’re reading this Lease, here’s another happy birthday for last week.
Congratulations to my writerly friend J F Gibson on the release of her debut novel. I’m reading it at the moment and wishing very much that a day job and an alarm clock didn’t get in the way of me finishing it last night.
Binge-watching
One thing about not feeling great is the opportunities for binge-watching.
This week I’ve been indulging in the sweetness and light that is Hallmark’s The Good Witch.
Utopia
It’s back on our screens. If you haven’t seen Working Dog’s (They’re the guys who brought us Frontline, The Castle, Hollowmen, and you work in an office, you really should take a look at this.
Tony and his team are nation building one white elephant at a time and are back for season 4 on ABC on Wednesday nights – or pick it up on iView.
All about bees
We ducked in at the honey shop in Eumundi on Saturday afternoon to pick up some, wait for it, honey. The bee lady stocks fabulous raw honey that tastes like honey should taste.
She’s also passionate about her bees and we ended up hanging around and chatting for a good half hour. We watched some bees being hatched, the Queen doing the laying thing she does and so much more.
Aside from the fact that her honey is great, we shop here for the conversation and education.
This meme…
Brekky in the sun
Saturday morning brekky – khorosan sourdough, fresh goats cheese and tomatoes picked the day before – all fro the Farmer’s Market and eaten outside in the sun.
Late winter in Queensland.
Saturday Kitchen
The theme “Italian” was drawn out of the decision bowl this week and everyone was excited. It did, however, end up being too much choice and as I wasn’t well I couldn’t be faffed going all out.
In the end, I made a loaf of mushroom and rosemary focaccia which we had with some slow-roasted tomatoes, then this sausage, radicchio and lemon gnocchi, and finally strawberries with a vanilla mousse that wasn’t really a mousse. Instead, it was some egg whites (from the freezer) whisked up and folded through some whipped cream. I crushed up some meringues I also had in the freezer and folded them through too. What we got was a light as air addition to the strawberries.
No photos because I couldn’t be faffed even attempting to style it.
My author website
With my latest novel in having the structural editing thing done, I finally got around to blogging on my author site. I also did a mini revamp on the look.
It’s time to get serious with this whole marketing lark so I’ll also be sending out newsletters once a month from October. Because I’m changing mail chimp accounts – the number of subscribers on my astro account is such that they’re going to start charging me – if you’ve already signed up I’m sorry, but you’ll have to do it again. If you haven’t already signed up and want to, here’s the link.
Okay, that was my week…how was yours?
And Anyways... 
I didn’t watch Utopia last week but plan to catch up on iView. Am excited it’s back on….
It makes me laugh so hard. How’s your week looking? Wanna set up a call?
Yes!
You’ve discovered Good Witch! It’s so lovely isn’t it? I’ve finished all the seasons now and miss my little dose of harmless nice viewing. I’ve moved on to a bit of sci-fi with Continuum that I can watch with my husband. I also just remembered that “The Rookie” is on catch up TV (I have a bit of a girl crush on Nathan Fillion) so I’ll be watching that next.
Hope you’re feeling better – I’ve had a lousy cold that I caught off my husband who caught it off the grandgirls – and I’ll be glad when we both stop coughing and blowing our noses – bring on Summer!
It’s such a lovely show. I’m pretty sure I got into it from one of your round-ups. Here’s to a fab week…& yes, I’m a tad partial to Nathan Fillion too…just saying…
It’s nice to think I led you in the right direction. And I’m LOVING the Rookie (and Nathan!)
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
Thanks Leanne. Enjoy your weekend.
I hope you’re feeling much better. You’re a dedicated chef to do all that cooking while not feeling well. #lifethisweek
Thanks Natalie, I’m feeling much better.
Thanks for putting me in the blog! The tomato toast looks good.
Hi, Jo – I hope that you are feeling better soon.
What countries do you have in your ‘Decision Bowl’.
I definitely think that you should put ‘Canada’ in there. I’d love to see what you all come up with? 🙂
There’s so much in there – Bali, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, Mexican, American, Kiwi, Dude Food, English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, France, Italy, German, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Scandinavia, Greek & the Med…and I’m sure there are more. What isn’t in there is Canada. But it is now. In researching it just now I discovered that the ham & pineapple pizza was invented in Ontario. There you go.
Hi Joanne, I forgot how Jamie Oliver came on the scene as the Naked Chef. Wow, 20 years ago. I hope the tomatoes tasted as good as they looked. My laptop contains a bit more drool after reading your posts. Not necessarily a bad thing:)
Those tomatoes did taste as good as they looked. Off to the markets for some replacements!
I liked your five things. Very nice. Those tomatoes look so lovely. #MLSTL
Hi, Jo – I’ve shared this on my social media. #MLSTL
Loved your round up – hope you’re feeling better soon though. Going to put The Good Witch on my list for viewing – thanks for that tip 🙂 Wow, was it that long ago that Jamie bounced into view? Love his simple recipes for maximum taste. Sad his restaurants have closed though 😦 #MLSTL and Pinned
Yeah I love his ethos too. Thanks for dropping by…
I do love Jamie Oliver – his work and his recipes and everything about him. I also like Utopia. Having spent many years in the public service, I can attest that it is scarily accurate about the ways things are sometimes done. I saw Rob Sich in the street once and asked him if they had spies, but he said no. I’m not sure I believe him.
I’m not sure that I’d believe him either because I’m sure he’s been in my office too…or at least his spies have been…
I pick and choose what I watch these days and it’s all on the ipad and Iview. I will have a look at Utopia. So like the way the ABC does subtle and Aussie-based humour….
I am sorry you were sick. It is annoying when it limits what we can do. Touch wood, I haven’t had a cold or flu (even though hub did) since a flu type virus in October 2017. Not a bad record I reckon.
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week’s optional prompt is 35/51 Share Your Snaps #7 2/9/19 and I hope you will join in. Denyse.
That’s an excellent record. I normally have one cold a year but this winter have had 2 1/2.
Hope you are feeling better, Jo at least you had Utopia to make you laugh. I just love that show but haven’t seen The Good Witch so will check it out! Beautiful photos of where you live always make my day and yes, I remember watching Jamie as The Naked Chef I can’t believe how young he was looking back now. Thanks for another 5 things to enjoy and for sharing at #MLSTL. xx
He looked so amazingly young. At the time it all felt so fresh and new and current.
Tomato and Goat Cheese? Yes, please. It’s the goat cheese that I love. This week looking forward to my husband making me my favorite pizza. Goat cheese, mozzarella, red onions, kalamata olives, and rosemary. I hope you’re feeling much better now.
That pizza sounds fabulous!
I have some fresh, natural honey that was made in Florida and it is SO tasty! So much better than what you can get at the store. I tried watching The Good Witch once and didn’t take to it right away…I’ll give it another shot. It’s always good to have a nice, friendly show as a go-to on my list! #MLSTL
Isn’t raw honey fabulous? So much nice than what you get on the shelves. I enjoy Good Witch because it is so nice, but do sometimes need a break from the sweetness too…
Hope you’re feeling better – you should make some tea with lemon and some of that delicious raw honey! I can’t believe that it’s 20 years since the start of the Naked Chef, Jamie has come a long way since then! I’m very excited about Jodi’s book, I will have to hunt it down but maybe I should work my way through the pile of books I have on my bedside table first! Loved the veggie meme – too funny!
That honey has been so good on my throat…especially with a wee dram. I really enjoyed Jodi’s book.
I hope you’re feeling better Jo. I’m glad you found so much to be grateful for this week even though you weren’t feeling your best. I loved the pics. Thanks for sharing. #MLSTL