Matt Dobson 
Douglas Vale Historic Vineyard Portobello (previously Isabella Ruby Port) Winter is upon us and there is a definite chill in the air which is only satisfied by a fireplace and delicious port to finish the evening meal. The Douglas Vale port is a fortified wine which is produced using the Isabella grape variety hence the … Read more
In case you haven’t yet heard the Coffs Coast is playing host to “WinterSun” this year! At 25 years young, Winter Sun is Australia’s longest running Retro Nostalgia event. It is held over ten days and features cars, music and lifestyle from the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. Each year the venue changes, but it’s an … Read more
Sugar and Spice and all things nice, that’s what little girls are made of. My gorgeous “little A” celebrated her 5th Birthday last week. She invited 10 other little princesses to share her special day. For the first time in almost a month the sun was shining so our planned indoor party was taken outside … Read more
Roses Vineyard at Innes View Roses are Red 2007 With the first hint of winter in the air, the order of the day is warming comfort food, and a full bodied red wine to match. Made from the chambourcin grape, the Roses are Red 2007 vintage shows strong tannins and a deliciously spicy flavour. This … Read more
Good morning to everyone on this important Australian day. This morning I will be attending the pre-dawn breakfast as a guest of a friend who has recently returned from Afghanistan. In Afghanistan she was called upon to fire a rocket launcher (bazooka to lay people), and needed to take a loaded rifle to the toilet … Read more
The weather has turned, and I have felt myself craving something warm and comforting. Over the last week I have been thoroughly obsessed with the life of Katniss, a character from “The Hunger Games.” I have lived and breathed the three Suzanne Collins novels which depict the fictional life of this seventeen year old girl … Read more
Happy Easter! I hope the Easter Bunny was kind to everyone! Just in case you would like to indulge a little more I have a delicious Easter Cake Pop recipe for you. These would make the perfect gift wrapped in cellophane paper and finished with a bow.
Cassegrain Verdelho – 2011 Make the most of the fading weather with this crisp, fresh white wine. It presents as a delicate pale yellow colour, with vibrant fresh citrus aromas, and the flavour of tropical fruits. Refreshing, and easy to drink, it’s a fun wine which will remind you of the summer just past. A great … Read more
I have chosen the Shiraz Sangiovese blend from Cassegrain Wines to review this month for focus magazine and Gourmet Getaways readers because it has been my preferred red lately. I am off on holidays at the moment, so it is strictly cocktails by the pool for me. This is a brief intermission from my Pacific … Read more
“Oh my God” I say to Mr GG and I melt into the sumptuous puffy layers of bedding and linen. “Bed is good!” I am sure I do not spend nearly enough time in bed. At the moment it is 11.30pm and I have just turned to jelly as my tired body, fresh from a … Read more
What do you do when your child turns 21? Maybe a party? Perhaps reminisce over a job well done with your husband and those significant in your life. What do you do when that child isn’t with you anymore? This is something I have never known. Do you grieve even more horribly than before? Do … Read more
So I have made some Nutella & Banana cupcakes for my baby’s first day of school today. She is my baby because she is my last little one to toddle off to big school. Her siblings all started last week, but kindy at our school starts a week later. So will it be a sad … Read more
Longpoint Vineyard Duet 2007 This wine takes its named from the perfect partnering of the Chambourcin and Cabernet grape. The Cabernet lends the wine depth, complexity and a full flavour, the Chambourcin lightens the finish and allows the fresh crisp notes of that grape to shine through. Perfect for this hot humid weather, it is … Read more
As the rain comes bucketing down and even our “Plan B” for Australia Day celebrations are cancelled I comfort myself with the knowledge that this means I can happily lie in bed all day and not feel the least bit guilty. As we speak it is now 10.25am and I have my computer in bed … Read more
I don’t know about you but all my original plans for Australia Day have gone out the window. The weather is playing games, and camping on the beach no longer seems like a really good option. Even with the lousy weather I am always up for an Australia Day BBQ with friends. So the Australia … Read more
Happy Chinese New Year! We are now in the year of the Dragon according to the Chinese calendar. This is the most powerful of the Chinese signs, and symbolises strength and good fortune. Chinese New Year is a time of celebration and feasting. Our family is very fortunate to be hosting a Chinese student by … Read more
When chef Joel McCulla from Zulu’s Restaurant in Coffs Harbour asked me to be a party to the creation of a new dish there is was an overwhelming mixture of feelings on my behalf. Naturally I was honoured and excited, there was a huge amount of curiosity, but I have to say there was an … Read more
Some like it hot – and – some – sweat when the heat is on…. Oh how I am showing my age now! Robert Palmer straight out of the 80’s! So keeping with the retro theme, I have a retro recipe, and old fashioned Chilli Jam. With all this rain and humidity, lately my garden … Read more
Happy New Years Eve! I don’t know about you, but I have had a fantastic year, full of fun, friends and family. I want to thank you all for reading along with me and sharing my food finds, holidays and recipes. I have enjoyed reading all your feedback and I look forward to chatting with … Read more
Merry Christmas Everybody!! I hope Santa was good to you and filled your stocking to the brim! I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to all my wonderful readers, fellow bloggers, sponsors and advertisers, it has been a wonderful year, full of the most amazing experiences and you have all helped … Read more