I had a COVID-19 test last week. On a scale of one to 10, I'd rather have a pap smear. I didn't want to have a COVID-19 test and I didn't mean to get one, but I was talked into it. I hate letting people down, which means I've said "yes" to many things I... Continue Reading →

I think it's a measure of how much I love editing drinkstrade.com.au that I almost laughed up a lung when this picture arrived in my inbox yesterday: I'm not sure it's quite so entertaining for people outside the drinks industry, but ... Carlton & United Breweries has launched The Pub Reopening Ceremony, a pub crawl... Continue Reading →

A lingerie store called Honey Birdette sends me saucy emails each week. The latest one was entitled "Going down?" It was ostensibly referring to the prices in its current sale ... Honey Birdette is a bit naughty. It's also a bit expensive, so the emails it sends to me are usually not money spinners. However,... Continue Reading →

Reactions to the photo of my shattered oven door have been fairly whoa. "I've never known anyone to break an oven like that," said my mum's bestie. "Insanity - never heard of that happening," said a friend. "Ohh god, that's not good," said the youngest. "I Googled it and that almost never happens," said the... Continue Reading →

I finally cooked the recipe my sister in law recommended - British Pork & Cider Casserole - last night. It's from a website called Spruce Eats and it's INSANELY good. You start off by browning the meat and softening the veg on the stove top, then you transfer the casserole to the oven to slow cook... Continue Reading →

The youngest has cooked three dinners this week because I've been too busy. It’s been a crazy whirl of school drop offs, Asahi officially acquiring CUB and various other developments in the drinks world. As a result, I've been still tapping away well past dinner time. Thursdays are always pretty intense because I need eight... Continue Reading →

I’ve always regarded myself as being fairly self-aware. Especially so during my post-marriage years. I know my strengths and my weaknesses. I am hyper-vigilant, anxious, sensitive and stubborn. But I am also kind, intelligent, lively, strong and imaginative. I was surprised recently when someone told me that I lacked curiosity and initiative. I've always considered... Continue Reading →

I felt like such a mother yesterday as I insisted the eldest take a ham sandwich and a warm sweater to school and a #blacklivesmatter protest. The warm sweater was a tough sell because apparently none of the eldest's jackets matched his protest outfit. I pointed out that the protest was being held after dark and... Continue Reading →

I finally hit the jackpot with my sunrises yesterday. I’ve struck out lately with rain or too much cloud, but I scored a breathtaking one this time around. You can tell it’s going to be good when scarlet streaks start appearing in the sky just after 6am. When we see those streaks, we race through... Continue Reading →

I predicted on Friday that something fun would happen over the weekend and that I'd make a pork casserole. I got it kinda right and kinda wrong. Saturday went by in a total blur, with me creating a website for a friend. I chose a free WordPress template to keep the costs down and its... Continue Reading →