This blog is all about me......I come here for respite in between caring for JoJo (our Daughter who has Special Needs)......I am addicted to starting new projects......I am becoming a fabric-a-holic... I love to try out recipes... take a beach walk and breathe in that salty blue air......love to have coffee...sip a glass of champagne......read a book......I am Queen of the Armchair and am inspired by all the wonderful blogs out there!!!

Monday, February 20, 2012

~It's All About JoJo...La Scala Restaurant or The Phantom Mask~

We had an unexpected trip up to Canberra a few weeks ago...
JoJo had been looking at this Restaurant sign for months...
Everytime we went there...it was full...or the kitchen had just shut so this time I made an effort to get there at mid day...
What attracted her was the masked signage...
She calls it The Phantom Mask and she was so excited this time that we were on time!!!


Signage before entering...


Even though it wasn't Christmas it didn't stop JoJo wearing this tshirt...


Looking from the back of the restaurant to the front...


Our table was the end one at the back...


All around the room were these masks...which added to it all...
JoJo loves masks!!!









The menu...




Some of the wines on offer...


JoJo had King Prawns wrapped in Bacon...finished with Garlic, Wine, Cream and a pinch of Chilli...
Served with a Thimbal of Saffron Rice...
She looooves Prawns...


I chose Scallopina La Scala...
Veal Scallops with Bacon, Garlic, Chilli and Cream...
Very very tasty!!!



Chocolate Ice Cream for JoJo..


Casino Citrus...
Grand Marnier flavoured Ice Cream topped with Pistachio Nuts...
served with an Orange and Grand Marnier Sauce...
All so delicious!!!



We had a wander around and found there were many rooms to this Ristorante...
If I'm correct it was named after the famous Opera House of Milan......(above)...




Gorgeous dark setting...




A great idea JoJo......I think we'll have to do this again...
perhaps for somebody's birthday!!!


And check this out...
My Sister gave us a Frangipani cutting 2 years ago......(after we had bought an expensive one which didn't make it) and it has flowered...
just beautiful with a lovely 'beachy' smell...

And stay tuned...we have just had the most amazing week...

A Wedding in Sydney......Congratulations Damien and Thanh
A Roger Waters Concert......Thank you so much James and Danelle

A very special weekend (just the 2 of us) at Rick Stein's at Bannisters with James and Danelle giving us a bit of respite so very much needed...
how wonderful to just be able to laze about.......and enjoy being a couple...walking at our own pace......doing things when we are ready
And generally enjoying some 'freedom'......Something so very rare for us 
We rarely get away just the 2 of us...
I would be happy with a weekend away once a year!!!

Thank you so very very much James and Danelle...
We absolutely loved it...
This was a gift from James and Danelle for Mr Armchairs 'big' birthday last year which was glossed over as I broke my arm right in the middle of it...

I'll be back with pics of it all...

Monday, February 13, 2012

Looking Through A Glass Onion...John Waters being John Lennon~~~

Last month we were lucky enough to have been entertained by John Waters (with Stewart D'Arrietta) one of Australia’s most recognised and respected television, film and theatrical actors at our local club...





JoJo in front of the stage before the show...


I was lucky enough to get his autograph and pic taken with him...


Of course JoJo had to have a t-shirt to add to her collection!!!

Back in 1990......10 years after John Lennon had been shot John Waters thought rather than mope about the loss we all had suffered he should use his abilities as an actor and a rock star to breathe some kind of life into the memory of John...and this he did, sounding eerily like John Lennon...

...Just being there, delivering the message.  Keeping the spirit alive. Rocking on.  Giving peace a chance ~John Waters~

Looking Through A Glass Onion......John Lennon in Words and Music
A fabulous show and highly recommended for Lennon fans!!!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Block E...A Gardener's Journal...and Faerie Kisses

Just before Christmas I completed Block E of A Gardeners Journal by Anni Downs...
This quilt is part of Stitch-a-long hosted by Chookyblue...
I have used lots of paisley and flowery prints in this quilt and it is starting to look really lovely now!!!




It's starting to come together really nicely...
Thank you Chooky and all the gals over at Stitch-a-long for your encouragement in this quilt!!!


I have also completed the next step in Faerie Kisses by Helen Stubbings of Hugs'nKissess


I have attached beads instead of doing French Knots...







The Shakespeare verse is on the border now...I'm getting there!!!


If you see a faery ring 
In a field of grass,
Very lightly step around,
Tip-Toe as you pass,
Last night Faeries frolicked there
And they're sleeping somewhere near.
If you see a tiny faery Lying fast asleep
Shut your eyes And run away,
Do not stay to peek!
Do not tell Or you'll break a faery spell.

William Shakespeare
Now I better get a move on...I've got heaps to keep me going...
amongst other new projects!!!

Excitement, excitement...we have got tickets to view The Harry Potter Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney..and I'm really looking forward to it!!!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

OPAM...2012...Little House On The Hill!!!


Been a bit slow on the stitching front here...but luckily enough I did manage to finish a project for OPAM (One Project A Month) for January...
I have joined for the 3rd year this year...and I'm sure I wouldn't even be completing 1 project if I wasn't in this!!!
OPAM is hosted again this year by the lovely Kris and Peg...Thank You So Much Gals!!!


A little hand painted house button which was a project for one of our Stitching Days hosted by Fiona and Sylvia...This was so cute I thought...I fussy cut a few little  houses and stitched them back onto the  fabric in a couple of spots...




I couldn't find a frame for the little house and fabric so Deb (no blog) suggested I just add a piece to the ends and sides...she quickly chose one from my stash...



and all framed up now and fitting nicely!!!
Thanks so much Deb!!!

Welcome To My World

Hello, my name is Dzintra Ingrid ... have been known as Ingrid and since our Sea Change I have started to use Dzintra ... pronounced without the D ... (but still known as Ingrid, I know, it's confusing ...)

Welcome to my world ... a journal of our Sea Change ... Mum to three wonderful children ... bringing up a daughter with a disability and seeing life through her eyes ... being a new Nanna ... photos ... inspiring quotes ... taking on a cookery course ... the odd recipe ... and trying to get some stitching done amongst all this ...