BIG Month of dining out

Well we have had a great month so far. We have tried a few new restaurants and went to Opera in the Domain on Saturday night.
First cab off the rank was Tabou restaurant on Crown Street in Surry Hills. Fantastic food and service. Tried pigs trotters stuffed with quail, YUMMY. Rene had duck terrine. Mains I had duck breast and Rene had boudin noir. I tried the boudin but not my cup of tea, it was nice very fluffy rather than firm.
Next to try was Doyles at Watson's Bay. We had heard a few bad reports aboutDoyles but we have been wanting to go for a long time and that night we wanted somewhere with water views so that decided us. Seafood platter for two ($98) cheap as, with a nice bottle of Louis Roderer champagne. Big surprise was that not only did I eat the seafood I do like(prawns, lobsters, calamari) but I also ate the very fresh fish and the crabs. Still not keen on smoked salmon but ate it anyway(prefer gravlax). Great night, great service and great food and the champagne wasn't too shabby either(actually it was fantastic and a reasonable price).
Then we went to one of our favourites Wood and Stone in Surry Hills just for some nice gourmet pizzas and a bottle of the sparkly stuff.
Australia day saw us trek into the city. We saw lots of lovely vintage cars at the NRMA motor fest in Macquarie Street. Walked down to the rocks couldn't get a table at another of our favouries The Waterfront, so we kept walking and ended up at Nick's Seafood at King Street Wharf. Food was good but a tad on the high priced side for what you got. Wine was an okay price but it was one of our favourites(Tyrell's Vat 1 semillon if you must know), service was a bit so so, decor and ambience made you feel like you were in an up market fish and chip shop. Glasses were a bit of a let down. If you are going to have a $65 bottle of wine you really want some good glassware to dink it from, not something that looks and feels like it comes from Ikea.
Saturday night we saw Turandot under the clouds in the Domain. Wonderful night with our picnic and a bottle of wine. We had wanted to see Turandot last year before we left for our holiday but unfortunately they were booked out but we finally got to see it on the weekend. Tried Dutch Poffertjes which are like a little pancake, you select a topping(played it safe and had maple syrup) and cream or icecream, YUMMY. It was a bit chilly during the evening so Rene poked a hole in one of the garbage bags and put it on like a poncho, I just sat there and braved the chill. Next year we will make sure to throw jackets in just in case.
Last night we trekked over to Manly. First time we have actually driven over there. We had a lovely dinner at White Water restaurant on the beach front. This has to have been one of the best value meals we have had in a while.2 entrees, 2 mains, dessert to share and a bottle of wine $150(and that includes Sunday surcharge). Everythign about this restaurant was fantastic, food, ambience, service etc. We will definitely be going back again!!
Anyway that's enough for now.
Ciao, and catch you soon!!!

Sunny Saturday in Sydney

Well here we are again. It is looking and feeling a bit more like summer today. Not a cloud in the sky, just blue and more blue.

Thought I would post some photos of jewellery I have made over the past few months.

Let's start with things I have made Mum.......

Rutilated quartz, Sterling and Bali Silver...


Rhodolite Garnets, GF wire and a little bit of 18K chain...


Nan......
Antique brass and amethyst coloured czech crystal...



And other bits and pieces for me and for other people...

Pearl's Garden, Serpentine, Quartz crystal drops Bali silver and sterling silver...


Sodalite and Black nickel chain and findings, with a few vintage clear crystals...


Lisa's...
Cinnabar beads and black nickel, one of the first sets I made...


Then Lisa had a friend who wanted the same style but blue stones. This one I called Mermaid warrioress..Black nickel, Blue Chalcedony, Blue Calcite and Vintage clear crystals...



My first go at stringing, onyx beads with a glass starfish...


Any way I think that is enough for today. Now I have to get ready to do my real job that finances my hobby. Have a great weekend!!

Ciao till next time.
Viktoria

my first blog post

Well I have finally got my very own blog.
Had a good christmas and a quiet new year's eve. We went to my Nan's for Christmas day and surprised her as she was not expecting us. We made up for my parents not being able to make it. Was really looking forward to seeing Mum and Dad as we didn't get up the coast to see them last year. Maybe this year we will get there. Christmas eve was spent with my sister in law and her husband on the central coast. We celebrate in the European tradition on Christmas eve and then have usually have an Aussie Christmas on Christmas day.

Here are some photo's of jewellery I made for christmas presents:

Nan...amethyst rounds, antique brass components, resin butterfly cameo



Nieces, Yvonne and Sue...Sterling silver chain maille with Swarovski Crystal Butterflies



My cousin Zeeane...sterling silver bali hearts with Swarovski Crystal bicones



My nephew Kyle...PVC necklet with Soo Chow jade axe



My niece Jerry-Lea...Tiger eye drop, sterling silver bail, PVC necklet



Yvonne's big present( the earrings above were stocking fillers) Antique brass and Swarovski Crystal


That's it for today. Now to catch up with a friend for some coffee. Catch you soon!!!