Chikalicious ... thanks Don ...

I was elated to see a few hours after posting about 'Chikalicious', owner extraordinaire Don, hubby of Chika, posted a comment on my previous post ...

For that they deserve another plug with pics ...


Here's a peek at the delectable creations of Chika from Prix Fixe menu that awaits you ...

Left to right is the genius behind Chikalicious ... Chika, Don and Donna Ryan (hope I got that right) from a photo by Laura Morriss of Pastryscoop

If only they'd come downunder to tantalise us ... my taste buds are screaming ...

'Chickalicious' 10th Street New York

One day, I'm taking a trip to New York!

A dear friend asked me 'why'?

Well here's one very good reason ...

Today on Martha Stewart, as part of her 10th street restaurant tour she took us to 'Chikalicious' ...

Est. 2003, Husband and Wife team Don and Chika Tillman feature fresh,
fun and innovative individual desserts, as served in NYC’s top restaurants.

This intimate, 20-seat eatery is built around an open kitchen where the chefs
and sommelier work and serve customers directly.

If you are passionate about food, here is your chance to enjoy fabulous
desserts while watching both their preparation and plating.The 3-course Prix Fixe menu, described as American desserts,

French Presentation and Japanese tasting portions (guests wishing a quantity
based “brimming at the seams” experience, are encouraged to order additional
or “add-on” desserts @ $7 per), is $12; and includes an amuse, dessert of
your choice, and assorted petit fours.

They also offer a select list of wines, dessert wines, ports, and champagne,
along with organic coffees and teas.

The menu provides suggestions for the best pairing for your dessert.

Proving so popular they've opened across the Dessert Club Chickalicious check here

To top the Martha segment off Chika demonstrated how to make the delish and delicate Vanilla Port Bosc Pear ... recipe here

If this isn't one of the best reasons to go to New York then I don't know what is ?

I'm on a mission to locate more New York must see, must have ideas ...

Dad's made a comeback ...

Yesterday Dad was transferred back to the twilight zone aka nursing home ... but sent me into crackup mode when he "lost" his watch.

In the over thirty degree temperature with a nasty hot wind blowing I traipsed to buy him a watch.

Dad believes the more you pay the better it is - so I selected a $99 Citizen watch ...

As I returned, hot and bothered, at the nursing home gate I got a call to say the watch had been found ... in his bed.

I was livid ... yet another a useless excursion ... I was so over it!

As I stood beside his bed listening as he critised the watch. I cried like a big girl and through my tears I proclaimed "I can't do this anymore, you're a full time job, nothing I do is right or ever enough, I get no thanks from you" ... I flounced into the bathroom blubbing with the image of his eyes like saucers, at my performance, in my brain!

Did it shake him back to reality ... who knows ...

They did a mini psyche geriatric test on him before leaving the hospital ...

Dad scored 15/30 ... so does that mean he's only there half the time ?

We arrive as babies, why do so many people leave as them too?

Dad has a watch on each arm ...

I'm having a rest day today no visit till tomorrow ...

I'm tired, fed up and want my life back ... situation normal ...

Please don't let me do this to my girls ...

My new diary ... courtesy Rebound Books

In December while browsing the Finder Keepers Market at the Carriageworks we discovered Rebound Books.

Natalie and Ben turn old books into timeless treaures ... diaries, journals or notebooks ... I was enamoured.


For years I'd lugged round a Golden Book, apparently for this very reason.


I contacted the wonderful Natalie and Ben, yes send your book they said and today it arrived back to me as my 2009 Diary ...


I am ecstatic, can you believe this gem ...

The introduction inside the first page tells the story of Rebound. Each book is printed locally using vegetable based inks on Australian made, 100% recycled paper ... wait till you see what they do with the spine of each book

Next comes a page for New Year resolution notes and the Auslan alphabet ...

Next 2009 and 2010 calendars ...



Then the beautiful introduction page from my Little Golden Book ... yes the story from my cover book is included ...


Every page from the original book is sprinkled throughout the diary ...


... as well as a blank page for notes or whatever take your fancy ... bliss.

I've told you early enough to start and plan for gifts throughout the year. Be the first to give these beautiful gifts.

Natalie and Ben came up with this brilliant idea and deserve optimum support in another step to saving our planet with their recycling, ingenious, invention ... gotta go and fill in my diary ... Yayyyyyyyyy

I'm Rebound Books number one fan ... check them out here

Sydney temperature today ...

Sydney temperature today was 41 degrees celsius / 106 farenheit ...

a southerly buster has hit ... the melted bits are taking shape ...

Photo Hunt ...Hats ..

The Photohunt topic is HATS ...

While revamping these lampshades they were popped on a head or two for effect ...

"Nice hat" ... "Love ya hat" ...

A Dad update ...

Dad's still battling on!

Battling with me, the nursing staff, the Geri Docs who he told to "Piss Off" and anyone in sight or earshot ... he's become and angry man.

He's had 'seizures' as well as mini strokes ... which may have some bearing on his changed nature.

After 12 days visiting, sitting while he sleeps, I'm taking a couple of days off.

On Thursday he was sitting out in one of chair beds. When I arrived he grunted and went promptly back to sleep.

A short time later he opened his eyes and said, "There's no need for you to be sitting there every day".

OK ...

My Dad report and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital / RPA ...

Walking though the same 1884 entrance at RPA Hospital is always like a step back in time.

On Sunday, we were astonished to step through from one time to another ...

Through the gorgeous historical entrance, with stunning

leadlight windows, Italian marble floors, timber

ballistrades etc to come upon an eight story atrium

with a white marble stairway flowing through is

splendiferous.

Easily visible are the remaining, restored, surrounding, older buildings

A beautiful architectural mix of the old and the new.

There is now a Heritage Centre -open every Wednesday 10am - 2pm. Entry is free.

Today the Geriatrician said Dad's condition is 'precarious'. Dad is eating soft food, grumbling, sleeping a lot. The swelling in his feet and ankles has subsided. He's on oxygen permanantly, they're monitoring his kidney function, they say he'll be in hospital for at least another week ... I'll keep you posted while taking each day as it comes.

My Dad ...

My Dear ole Dad's was taken to hospital on Sunday. Heart attack, pneumonia and generally in a poor condition. He's had flu for three weeks but had everyone in the nursing home believing he was fine ... things were looking very grim till today, he's back from the brink ...

I'm in Dorter mode ... my blogging pledge is on hold for a few days ... I'll get back to you shortly. xo

My New Years Resolution ... what's yours ?

My 2009 resolution is Purge, Create, Finish.

In any order these will allow me space to design and flourish and not be afraid to part with the beautiful things I've gathered.


2008 was the year of purging but 28 March put a stop to that so here's to taking up where I left off. With a concerted effort I'll be creating this year like never before.

Love to hear your New Years resolution?

Sydney 2008 Fireworks theme 'Creation' ...

Look at what you missed ... at the midnight fireworks display over Sydney.

The fireworks theme for 2008 - 2009 is 'Creation'. Despite the cost of $AUD 5 million smackeroonies the theme strikes a personal cord of creative new beginnings after the chaos of 2008.

Spectators witnessed a skywriting aircraft disputing the theme ... obviously someone displaying how interpretation is always left to each and every individual ...

"CREATION" is the family theme round here in more ways than one ... watch this space ...

Happy New Year Darlings ... smooch, smooch ...