Tipple trip-ups

I went to a cocktail party recently. The host was a proud peter-pan, recently tamed into cohabitation with his lady-love in a grown-up house with toilet paper in the bathroom and knives in the drawers. The invite proclaimed there'd be mango daiquiris. High summer, definitely mango season. Eager anticipation. When we arrived, there was a tray of mangos. A blender (borrowed). Some booze, random. Some lemons and one mug of sugar syrup, still warm. No surprise, the two bottles of bubbles we'd brought quickly disappeared among thirsty guests while the hapless host greeted and meeted but didn't mix any bloody drinks. Of course, guess who ended up elbow deep in mango pulp? Moi.

If you're going to put drinks on, make it SIMPLE. This beautiful tray of mini mojito-y things are perfect - they were brought by a guest to a dinner party recently (sounds like we actually socialise now, don't it?). He brought a bottle of premium vodka, a shaker, muddling stick, a bag of brown sugar, big jar of lemon juice and a bunch of mint. The host had just returned from travel in north Africa and brought out the tray and glasses. We took turns making rounds and it was just perfect, fresh and strong and unifying.

Pork sausage and chargrilled eggplant lasagna

Mr B brought home some fabulous pork sausages from the markets - these babies were the real deal. I sweated them down with onion and white wine and one solitary ripe tomato, then layered it up with béchamel, fresh pasta sheets (cheat) and eggplant slices I'd chargrilled the day before. It was soooo so sweet and rich and yum.

It was the House! It was the House that did it!

Mr B took a Friday off work just after we got back from holidays, (keeping the dream alive for as long as possible). It was a beautiful sunny day and we walked in to the South end of the city, to check out a new Thai joint, the little sister of very popular and much loved by boys, Spice I Am. Its name? House. Staffed by gorgeous Thai girls, attached to a pub selling cold Singh beer, spicy for Mr B, sweet for me. Kop khun ka!

Hostessing with the mostessing

On Sunday we hosted an engagement party for some friends. Oh I do like a hostessing moment, right up until the point when people arrive. The best bit is when everything's laid out and pretty and empty and Mr B has just put the music on. 

The main project: cupcakes. After much interwebs research, made recipe from Crabapple Bakery - apparently a dubious business, but a great cupcake. Iced 'em with chocolate buttercream and lemon/sour cream. Only sent Mr B on three trips for forgotten ingredients.

We also had chicken wings, wedges and yummy dips from Sultan's Table. Decorations courtesy of my supply of washi paper masking tape.

Juno had cuddles with lots of Aunties and good sleeps despite the racket, and the lovely couple hung around into the evening... 

Success.

Wet but wonderful

The rain, the rain... It shows how engaged I am with the outside world that it didn't seem crazy to walk up to Redfern with The Berry, The Boutz and Mr B. It was wet. But wonderful. Took The Berry in her Hug-a-bub sling and she slept the whole time as we ate brekkie at a tiny chilly outside table, with the dog huddling under our knees, doing a very good job of looking pathetic:

I had gingerbread hotcakes with pear, they were yummy, but could have been a bit lighter? I know gingerbread's supposed to be kinda fudgy, but... I'm taking inspiration to maybe try something similar but, well, better.

They came from Baffi & Mo, here's a pic taken in sunnier weather, nicked from Pia Jane Bijkerk (proof that the cafe is super-cool)