Hasn't the sun and clear blue sky been magic in Sydney? People are taking to the streets in the afternoon again, on their bikes and skateboards, arm in arm or in their prams. I even smelled a barbecue this evening. I'm getting excited for spring / summer already. Have I got long to wait?
I am being a bit of a drama queen. I managed quite a few non work related activities including some home yoga practice (I can never manage more than 19 minutes on my own for the record) and a relaxing beverage or two. My dedication to Dry July has seen me resume that twentysomething friendship I had with Diet Coke and lemon. It seemed so sophisticated yet chilled out at the time and a decade on, not much has changed.
I did overcome my housework inertia enough to contemplate cooking dinner last night. My Donna Hay shopping list notepad was at the ready as I read a lamb cutlet with spicy chickpea hummus recipe from the magazine.
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You can another one to the tally of the number of times I've commented on the alarming price of lamb in the middle of winter. |
But I got to Coles and my lofty ambitions crumbled when I saw this lamb mini roast and these Continental Cook-in-Bag packets. I think these things happen when you walk to Coles in uggs and faded blue trackpants. It could just be me though.
It all turned out well in the end. I didn't even have to do much with the ingredients when I got home. Mr SSG took charge and we craftily used foil baking trays for the roasting, effectively halving the amount of washing up.
This is perfect if you're looking for a low maintenance lamb roast that you won't regret bailing on Tom Cruise for (is this refernce to 'mum's doing a lamb roast' even relevant to the kids of today?). Lots of flavour without the tell tale 'packet mix' taste you can get with some recipe bases.
The other highlight of the weekend was visiting baby X. Willow and Lotus, he has received many compliments on the Jumpie I bought him. There's something grounding and calming just holding a baby. I'm a bit nervous about protecting the necks and heads of newborns, but older babies are always welcome on my lap.
Before I go, I have news. A couple of wonderfully generous SSG readers have sponsored an exciting skin care giveaway that I will be announcing next week. It's a fabulous Australian certified organic cosmeceutical brand and I'm loving what I've tried so far.
So, the advice from the desk is to defer your skin care purchases until all is revealed.
