Caloma Lookout at Goobang National Park in NSW

After much discussion, lots of eye rolling,  we dragged the kids out for an adventure.  Just over an hours drive is Goobang National Park and this look out.   They didn't think it was so bad once we got there. 

 We stopped at The Dish on the way home for lunch at the cafe and some picture taking of the beautiful sunflower fields near there.  I have friends that know the farmer and we asked permission a couple of year ago to go in the field and take some photos.   This year the field is right next to a lane.  I still felt guilty stopping though without talking to them this year. 

Christmas Week 4 - 2015

Started off with a very hot Sunday...

 Then it rained for two days and cooled off.  Which I love!

 We patiently waited for Santa while colouring Christmas colouring pages. 

 Watched the Christmas lights at night. 

 Then Christmas morning was here.  And we have a teenager!!!  She would have slept until 11am if the super excited youngest didn't wake everyone up at 7am. 

 A mine craft Creeper fight started off the morning. 

 Then the lego building began. 

Ending with Boxing Day bubble photography play.  

Third Week of December 2015

 School has ended this week and a feat in itself.  All three kids got awards this year.  Ciara picture above got Grade 8 First in Maths,  and CWA award for Academic Achievement. Owen, got Achievement in English and Math as well as his Silver Merit Pennant. Hannah got Parkes Arts Council award for Creative Arts and her Gold Merit Pennant. They have all passed and move on to the next year at the end of January.

 We celebrated by making gingerbread houses and lots of Christmas baking.

 Now for a little down time or maybe not........  Big Splash Water World came to Parkes for a week.  They had a 3 hours ticket for $20 and you could ride the 5 different blow up waterslides as much as you wanted.  The biggest slide has three slides and was 55ft tall.  Scarey!!!

We also got to go to the movies this weekend in Orange and shopping at Harris Markets that always has groceries from home that I miss getting.  We found woodear mushrooms and made this recipe:

Broccoli Shiitake Mushroom Stir Fry Noodles

Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 3 bundles whole wheat noodles
• 1 tablespoon extra light olive oil
• ½ medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 4-5 fresh shiitake mushrooms
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• A small handful black wood ears/black fungus, soaked 2 hours
• 5 fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon Himalayan/sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (don’t add if you don’t like spicy)
• ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
• A small pinch red pepper flakes
• A few sprinkles ground pepper
• A few sprinkles white and black sesame seeds (garnish)

Instructions

1. Be sure you’ve soaked the black wood ears/black fungus in water for at least 2 hours, then have it drained well.
2. Chop the onion into medium or small sized strips. Dice the garlic into small pieces and put both of them in the frying pan with a tablespoon olive oil.
3. Turn the heat on medium high (5-6 or 6) and saute the onions for about 10 minutes. At that stage, the onions should be turning a little golden.
4. Meanwhile, remove the stems from the shiitake mushrooms and slice them into small pieces. Break the broccoli stalk into small florets and measure a cup, tightly packed. Get five fresh basil leaves and slice them up.
5. While the onions are cooking boil a saucepan of water and cook your desired noodles according to packet instructions. Usually by bringing it to a boil, add the noodles, let it boil for 5-10 minutes until the noodles are hot. Be sure to drain the noodles!
6. After cooking the onion for 10 minutes, add the shiitake mushrooms, broccoli, wood ears and basil.
7. Immediately after, add the sesame oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, salt, cayenne pepper, ginger, red pepper flakes and ground pepper. Stir and fry the vegetables for about 5 minutes.
8. Once the noodles are drained, add it into the frying pan with the veggies, stir a lot to let the flavour seep into the noodles. Serve with a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top.

Second week of December Happenings

Year 6 Graduation Dinner

Year 6 almost done and dusted.  Had a dinner last night and the awards will be next week.  

Last week of November

 A little of what happened the last week of November.  My morning glory vine started blooming!!!

 Eric and some of his fellow work mates went on a White Ribbon walk to stop violence against women.  (photo credit to the White Ribbon walk team in Parkes - not mine)

 I tried to get my really friendly cows, to like Santa Hats.  (they love being petted not so keen on the red hat) 

 Our only eucalyptus tree slowly fell over and Eric got out my dad's chain saw.  Note keeps the bugs away but fuel starts to boil when temperatures are near 40C. 

 Put the kids to work.    There was a few spats.

 This girl has power. 

  A quick cool off before some ice cream. 

I got out of it all by helping to decorate both the Year 6 grad hall at the school and gathering some branches to make a Christmas wreath.    My black eyed susan vine is starting to look good well at least the left side is.. 

End of the Week in Photos

Birthday

So Birthday dad.  We won't tell you his age as it doesn't matter anymore.   Found this recipe for Lemon Meringue Cake and it was pretty tasty.  Have a go if you like lemon meringue pie.


LEMON MERINGUE CAKE 
1. Preheat oven to 160°c. Grease two 20 x 5cm-deep round cake pans and line bases with baking paper.2. Combine flour, sugar, almond meal and lemon rind in a large bowl.3. Whisk butter, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and lemon juice in a bowl. Add to flour mixture and stir well to combine. Divide mixture among cake pans and smooth tops. Bake for 35 minutes or until cooked when tested in centre with a skewer. Stand for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.4. When cakes are cold, slice each in half horizontally, to make 4 layers in total. Place 1 layer on an oven tray and spread with 1/3 of the lemon curd. Continue with remaining layers and curd.5. Preheat oven to 200°c. Using electric beaters, beat egg whites until frothy. Gradually beat in extra 1 cup of caster sugar, 1 tbs at a time, until thick and glossy. Spread meringue over top and sides of cake, creating swirls and peaks. Bake for 10 minutes or until meringue is light golden. Stand for 10 minutes before transferring to a serving plate. 

Ingredients

2½ cups self-raising flour

1 1/3 cups caster sugar, plus extra 1 cup

1½ cups almond meal

1 large lemon, rind finely grated, and 1/3 cup juice

200g butter, melted, cooled

1¼ cups buttermilk

3 eggs and 4 egg whites

2 tsp vanilla extract

420g tub lemon curd

Lake Wyangala

 The Wyangala Dam is the second oldest dam built for irrigation in New South Wales and was one of the last dams in the state where a railway or tramway system for construction purposes was utilised. It is the only dam on the Lachlan River system, which feeds the Murrumbidgee River, and in turn feeds the Murray River.  Built in 1935 it created Lake Wyangala.   This past weekend.  The tech services department at the mine had their annual Christmas family party.  It seems to get bigger and more fun as the years go by.  This year it was decided to go to the Lake Wyangala and options of camping over were available.  Which is what this family decided to do.  We drove down Friday night and stayed two nights.  The second night the group pretty much took over one whole camping area.  Here are some of the photos from the weekend.