If you thought roasts were fussy things best left for Sunday lunches, think again. They can be an easy weeknight fix. Just chuck loads of veg in a pan, throw a few lamb racks on top and 40 minutes later, stress-free dinner is served. The recipe below is for the roast I made last night, but it's very flexible, so... Continue Reading →
Hug a Ginger Day
It ain't easy being a redhead. You are pale, you are freckly, your hair is a weird colour and people make fun of it. I have no idea why I was so thrilled when Sprog 1 was born with red fuzz on her head. I didn't think, poor little thing, you'll blister in the sun, you'll be called a ranga, you'll curse your tresses. I was totally besotted... Continue Reading →
The Mag I Bought This Week Award (19/3/12) goes to …
I was a bit torn at the check-out. I really wanted to know who Brad's secret family were, despite commonsense telling me it wouldn't be quite the dramatic revelation I was hoping for. But I wasn't madly keen to read the other New Idea cover stories. Then I spotted Famous with Posh: It's Worse Than We... Continue Reading →
Naked and alone with a woman
We'd been planning our rendezvous for weeks. Searching for a moment we could be alone together. Finally, we got our chance. Her husband was taking the kids to tennis on Saturday morning. I quickly drove to her place. She was waiting on her verandah. I ran up the stairs, she ushered me inside. She asked if I wanted to do it in... Continue Reading →
Sunday blessings
My blogging comrade, http://www.graceanddignity.wordpress.com, devotes her site to things that make her grateful. It's a beautiful concept, one that never fails to remind me of life's many blessings. Today I am grateful to have a sister who is always there for me, despite me not always being there for her. She is my best friend and I... Continue Reading →
My birthday disco
My sister had an '80s disco for her 40th birthday. I chiselled away at her until she caved. It was a bit like when we were kids and I made her run around and around the house while I timed her with a stopwatch. Each time she arrived puffing back, I'd say: "Now see if you can do it a bit faster, GO!".... Continue Reading →
My birthday wish list
It's my birthday today. I'm 44. I'm celebrating by holding a disco party for Sprog 2 and 15 of her friends in my living room. After uploading this blog I'll be icing a couple of butter cakes to - hopefully - make them resemble a handbag with a mobile phone, lipstick, blush compact and money coming out of it. Wish me luck.... Continue Reading →
Would I lie to you?
Of course not, I'm a journalist ... Every single word I've ever said/written about a celebrity is 100% true. Well, I've never been sued by anyone, so it must have been. OK, there was that one time with the muso and the Russian and the not-actually-his love child, but she'd signed an affidavit, how was I... Continue Reading →
Pins and needles
I made a dolly dress yesterday. Myself, with my own hands (and a sewing machine). It's for Sprog 2's birthday. Note that it's reversible. Very versatile. It needs a few finishing touches, like buttons at the back and properly stitched sleeves, but I ran out of time at my sewing class. My sewing class. Never thought I'd be using those three... Continue Reading →
Late-night read: Paranoid Portia
I've been searching for my old Cosmo feature stories, when I was a dyke on a bike and a judge at Miss Nude Australia, so I can post something that's not about kitchens and meat pies. I don't want all my new, hip, young Twitter followers - courtesy of @MiaFreedman - thinking I'm terribly suburban and dull. So I ratted around in the attic yesterday, but... Continue Reading →