Christmas in the Tropics....Hastings Street, Noosa Heads

  Noosa is a wonderful spot.   Safe, white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, stunning blue skies and balmy weather, a haven for lovers, families, retirees and tourists.   This is the Hastings Street 'Christmas Tree'.   Sure, she's not very traditional, but this year, she is bathed in Ballet Pink fairy lights and she looks a treat.   Fairy lights twinkle and sparkle in the trees overhanging Hastings Street at both ends, and driving into it is reminiscent of driving down a miniature Champs Elysees`.   Stunning.   If you're in the area, pop down to Hastings (as it's fondly called) and see the very French inspired Christmas lights for yourself.   While you're there, you can feast at one of the many restaurants, have dinner at the Surf Club (honestly the best seat in the house along there), indulge in a Gelatissimo, a coffee, or just fish and chips at one of the picnic tables along the foreshore.   There's something for everybody and every budget.   We love Noosa :)   ...Mimi...  

Each day is a little life....luxury at the dinner table...

  These are my Mother and Grandmothers serving spoons. I love them so much and they are so beautiful, that I tie them with this organza ribbons and hang them on the wall when they're not in use.   I've taken them down today for their annual polish up for Christmas. We often use them, but in their tarnished state, which I find oddly comforting and homey.   But for Christmas, they must be shiny, so shiny they will be.   I long ago eschewed nasty plastic serving implements. Not good for the soul.   In the absence of heirloom serving spoons, even dressing up your normal cutlery with a bit of double satin ribbon, can make mealtimes extra special...  

  ...Mimi...

How badly do you want it....Week 3...

 

Well after doing a lot of sitting on the North Shore at beautiful Noosa Heads on the weekend, I decided to add hills to my walk...

 



 

This may not look like a very big hill to you, but I can assure you that if felt like Mt Kosciuszko when I was walking up and down the thing. I waltzed down the hill, wheezing my way up the other side, only to realise that I had to do the same to get back home. Three hills later, I stumbled home, cursing my years of inactivity. I used to run up those dang hills.

 

After doing that, 20 crunches, 20 lunges, and 10 minutes of stretching, then buffing the bod with a gorgeous body scrub (the scrub was gorgeous, I was most certainly not), and dressing in decluttering gear, lunch was required...

 

Here's my super tasty Quinoa, Walnut, Coriander and Chilli salad....

 

You'll need:

 

1 cup Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wa)

1 1/2 cups chicken, vegetable or beef stock

 

Bring this to a simmer, then cover with a tight fitting lid and switch off, leaving it on the hot plate. It will cook itself in twenty minutes, so long as you don't peek! So peek at your peril! If you cook with gas, you may have to give the Quinoa another blast of heat after about ten minutes.

 

Then chop or dice:

 

2 large red chillies

A large handful of fresh coriander (cilantro)

A large handful of walnuts

 

And measure out:

 

1/2 moist coconut flakes

1/2 minced onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

 

Toss it all together once you've fluffed the cooked Quinoa.

 

Voila!

 

Tasty, healthy, yummolicious lunch.

 

...Mimi...

 

 

Each day is a little life....always have something beautiful in your day...

Limoges teacups and a single rose.

I've wanted these gelati Limoges cups for many years.

Now I have four of them, gifted by my adult sons.

I use all four, each and every day, and they bring a smile to my face every time.

Today it's Peach tea, tomorrow French Earl Grey, then perhaps Chamomile and Ginger.

 

A singular pleasure for me every day.

 

...Mimi...