Greeks Bearing Gifts

The EasternMax family may be of Anglo-Celtic heritage but we are a bit partial to Greek Sweets. In particular we love Koulourakia (in our house we just call them Greek Biscuits). Traditionally made for Greek Easter these biscuits are neither hard nor soft and have just a touch of sweetness - perfect with a cup of tea.



Yesterday, on our way back to Sydney from Melbourne, the kids and I met up with Domestic Goddess, and her kids in Goulburn for lunch. They are currently visiting their (Greek) grandparents in Canberra. I was thrilled that Domestic Goddess's mum (Yia Yia) had been baking and was there to hand over this bag of Greek Biscuits:

See how the Koulourakia are wrapped up with ribbon? We Skips would hand biscuits over on a plate - and then ask for the plate back.

The EasternMax family doesn't beware Greeks bearing gifts - we open our arms wide and wait impatiently for the next visit.

Only in Melbourne: Scotchie Pants

If you live in Melbourne's private school belt and are aged 9-19 then there's a good chance that you've begged your mum to stop at traditional uniform supplier Dobsons

and buy these: the Scotchie Pant

They are so-named because, in red, they are the Scotch College track pant. Scotch College boys would lend/give their track pants to their girlfriends to wear; I guess as a token of "going together". And a trend started.

Note the correct footwear that our model (Queenie) is wearing (although to be totally correct they should be Havaianas).

Yes, I know they're baggy; Yes, I know they are not flattering for your bigger boned girl (our model is reed thin); but clearly love has no bounds and now a generation of girls are wearing them. They now not only come in school colours but in "fashion" colours as well (the fashion colours are more expensive).

Once you know about them you notice teenage girls wearing them everywhere. Horrifyingly, we even saw a mum wearing a coral-coloured pair at the Observatory Cafe, South Yarra, last week.

They are a best seller at Dobsons. I bet they can't believe their luck.

They look comfy, but would you wear these (in public)?

The Clock on the Silo Says 8 Degrees

As former residents of the Great Southern City Firegazer and I hold this famous local landmark in high regard. This is "the clock on the silo". Or the BTR Nylex sign. It lives on Punt Road next to Hoddle Bridge which connects Richmond with South Yarra.





Not long after relocating to Melbourne in 1996 we were driving up Punt Road after an AFL game at the MCG while listening to Paul Kelly's song Leaps and Bounds:

I'm high on the hill
Looking over the bridge
To the M.C.G.
And way up
on high
The clock on the silo
Says eleven degrees

As these lyrics blasted through the car sound system we looked up and saw that, like the song, the clock on the silo said eleven degrees... So Leaps and Bounds became our "Melbourne Song". Still is.

We are now Sydney-siders visiting our former town. So today as we drove along Alexandra Avenue we looked up at the silo and played Leaps and Bounds (loudly).

Only this time the clock on the silo said eight degrees. Brrr.

Welcome to the Blogosphere Farmdad and Jenborg

Are you curious about the day to day life of a family on an Australian farm (AmE "ranch") - from the farmer's point of view? Are you interested in how a young mum copes with MS while living in a rural area?

You might like to check out the thoughts of Farmdad and Jenborg.

Just wait until I convince them to post pictures of their gorgeous pet lambs!

Restaurant Review: A Certain* Club, Albury

Thinking of driving straight through from Sydney to Melbourne? But no! Stop for the night and treat yourself to the best that club food has to offer by taking the family to A Certain Club* smorgasbord in Albury.

As you swipe your driver's licence, and sign in as a visitor, you know that you are in an establishment that cares about your safety. Proceed up the stairs and line up to receive your own plate and cutlery wrapped in a napkin before settling the children and lining up for your food.

The gentleman announces over the PA: "Children under 12 must be served by an Adult".

A sign above the Bain Marie reminds you "PATRONS MUST USE THE SERVING CUTLERY PROVIDED". It's five star all the way.

I treated myself to a meal of roast meat (beef?), potatoes, peas and gravy followed by Chocolate (?) Mousse and what was reputed to be Cheesecake. I'll let Fairlie explain further, however one member of our party was heard to say "I just hope this is not my last meal, because that would be a tragedy".

Actually, it was more animated than that but I don't want to risk my G rating.


* real name hidden to protect the innocent that actually like this food