The month that was...

July was a busy month, Mum and I organised a Surprise 60th Birthday for Malcolm which went off superbly, he had no idea. Also plenty of food was baked, bought and eaten this month.

So here we go..

Saturday 20th July 2013

Today we were served lunch by Otis Frizzell and his wife Sarah at The Lucky Taco on Ponsonby Road, OMG what amazing Tacos, this is what we had:
Braised Organic Pork shoulder with ginger and chilli, with spicy avocado cream, red cabbage, lime, coriander and toasted sesame seeds with a spicy sauce on the side!

Mmmmm...Taco

Otis and Sarah

 Tuesday 16th July 2013

Today is Malcolm's 60th birthday.  We are having a quiet day today as we had "The Party" on Saturday (see below).We went to Pah Homestead for lunch and to look at the art work. The art works varied from lights, sculptures, paintings and glass, if you have never been it is well worth a visit.

Pah Homestead

There were some amazing works by Terry Stringer for example this one below is called 'Michelangelo Creates Adam' this is one piece of work but when you look at it from different angles the work is all different, incredible.

...and how about this for lunch!!!

in case you are wondering its raspberry coulis in the syringe.

The weather is also quite spectacular today, below are a few photos of what is flowering in our garden.

Waxeye on the Kowhai tree

Early Cheer

Early Cheer

Kowhai

Polyanthus

Today was also Nikita's birthday, and she was 2.

Not looking happy

Saturday 13th July 2013

The Surprise Party

Mum and I had been working on this for weeks and now was the time to see if it was a surprise.

I had told Malcolm the day before I was taking him out for a 'birthday treat', and he had to be ready by 4.30pm. I got Brent to text me as we were leaving home to let me know how many people had arrived, however I told Malcolm there was a problem at the Avondale Lions Hall (this was the venue for the party and he also does maintenance here) and Mum needed his help before we carried on for his 'birthday treat'.

Even when he walked in and saw a couple of people he recognised he still didn't click he just thought that it was a coincidence and that they were at a function there that night.

After everyone yelled 'SURPRISE' he shook for most of the night as he couldn't believe it.

A great night was had by all, with Malcolm catching up with some people he hadn't seen for about 15 years.

Photo Boards

Decorations

The cake

The birthday boy

Tuesday 9th July 2013

 My train station Britomart also celebrated its birthday this week it was 10 years old, there were celebrations with music, balloons and cake.

Sunday 7th July 2013

Today we went to the Deep Creek Brewing Co. in Browns Bay for their Famous Old No.7 Jack Daniels BBQ Ribs, and here they are!!! 

HUGE and DELICIOUS!!!!

The brewery is behind the bar

and they have some amazing craft beers, with names like:

Pontoon in a Monsoon
(309) named after the 309 Road in the Coromandel
The Dusty Gringo (great with the ribs)
The Leprechaun's Belle
Basilica
Little Armoured One

A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Saturday 6th July 2013

The baking for today...Caramel Tart, soooo rich, decadent, FATTENING!!!