After the break
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2009 - the year everything happens? Hopefully.
The end of 2008 was so stressful that 2009 must be better (well, I am expecting stress over the next 6 weeks as we try and get floorboards sanded, stained and polished, electricians in to do stuff, and install a kitchen. Not to mention painting an entire house).

So the big question - is anyone going to Hellfire this month? We are looking at going, but are worried we'll be the only queers (again). Hehehe.

Oh, and another gratuitous house shot ;D. Wow, the grass is huge, good thing The Boi bought a lawnmower....

More photos are here....

Put an offer on a house in Punchbowl (a house!) and it was accepted. We sign the contract tomorrow - so stressful. But exciting too. House warming in February some time?

YAY!

Yay! Finally finished! A month of knitting but totally worth it.... The Boi likes it too (hy has something against knitted clothing, so thats rare praise), i think i'll have to find an excuse to wear it everyday this week hehe.
  

The pattern is Jenny, from Rowan 37. Bendigo Cotton 8ply in black for the body, 8ply Spotlight Cotton for the pink edging.

If anyone is interested (and can deal with their attitude) - They are training a new piercer, all piercings will be supervised. Offer valid for weekdays only - except Tuesday. You have to make an appointment on 9516 2266.

I believe the jewellery is 25% off too.

Phroar - The Boi makes a hot Sweeney Todd...

Yay! I got offered a job in Customer Assurance and Compliance - and area delightfully named BackFlow. It pays more, the work is more interesting and, well it pays more.
The money will come in useful if The Boi and I try to buy a house at the end of the year.

Right now i'm at the 'shram, missing Under The Blue Moon but helping The Boi stay sane. In return, he must take me to Gurlesque on Sunday and get me intoxicated. And then take advantage of my drunken state (its a win-win situation hehe).

On Thursday a bunch of us went to see Risky Lunar Love - it was great! I would recommend everyone queer/kinky see it, except it finishes tonite - sorry! I cant get "Strap On Love" outta my head... :D

Case in point - tranny bois. You want the facial hair, you deal with the rest that comes... ;D

Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson has flown to the rescue of holidaymakers left stranded abroad after Britain's third largest tour operator collapsed, newspapers have reported.

That would be hilarious - "Good morning passengers, this is your captain speaking. Prepare to rock!"

Well, yes I can!

The Boi can tattoo... 2 more weeks to refine the skills and I will be a very happy grrl. (although, I admit it, I did get a tattoo while I was there from the woman who runs the course - she's brutal!!!!! i'd take a photo but my camera died).
His teacher told me that he is a natural, and is really quite good - his first tattoo (on a real person) was better than expected for a beginner and the line work was nice and even.

I'm in Darwin at the moment and The Boi comes home in just over 2 weeks :(.

We've all been there...

Ala Maggie Beer, i've been trying to mature my tastes (I havent progressed to VerJuice yet, but that stuff is expensive!).
I always hated pumpkin when I was a kid - but a couple of months ago I bought some and gave it a go. I've realised that a lot of my food dislikes came from the way it was cooked - boiled pumpkin IS horrible. But roasted, with maple syrup and pepitas? Yum.

I've since rediscovered a love for Brussel Sprouts. My mum used to boil them and they were awful and bitter, but they can be sweet and delicate tasting when done right.

So I present: Brussel Sprouts, Broad Bean and Saffron Risotto - 4 serves
(I polished it off before I could take a photo - it is YUM)

- 1 small onion, diced
- 7-8 brussel sprouts
- 2 tabs of butter and 2 of olive oil
- 2 cups of aborio rice
- 1/3 cup of white wine vinegar (or white wine)
- pinch of saffron threads
- 1 cup of (frozen) broad beans*
- 1 cup of chopped mushrooms
- 4 cups of hot stock
- half a cup of really good danish fetta, crumbled or chopped (not the low fat kind!)
- 1/3 cup of chopped parsley
- salt and pepper to taste

Cut across the base of the sprouts about 1cm in, and peel off the outer leaves. Slice vertically into 5mm thick slices. Heat big saucepan with oil and butter, and fry sprouts until they soften. Remove sprouts and pop in onion (add more oil if needed), fry until translucent. Add rice, fry for a couple of minutes until rice is translucent also.
Add white wine vinegar and saffron to deglaze the pan, stir til liquid is absorbed.
Add 1 cup of stock and the rest of the vegetables (incl sprouts), stir and let liquid absorb.
Add remaining stock 1 cup at a time, letting it absorb before adding the next.
When the last cup has been added, drop in the fetta and parsley and stir through.
Risotto is ready when its soft to your liking, and wet to your liking (some people like soupy risotto).
Add salt and pepper to taste.

The sprouts are sweet, and not bitter at all.

I love risottos so much, I make it at least once a week (and try making a different one each week too). Best bit is its enough to feed me and The Boi and still have leftovers for lunches.

*Apparently broad beans are some kind of vegetarian super food.
In one cup, there is:
10g of protein (20% of your daily), 11% of your daily iron, 5% of your calcium, 47% of your folate, as well as heaps of other vitamins.
1 cup of Brussel Sprouts has 126% of your vitamin C and 195% of your vitamin K (hehe).

LOL!

Checking out the hot tattooed brides over at Offbeat Bride.  
Really love this one - plus sized, in rock n roll getup. Shes gorgeous.
I asked The Boi if we could get married, I just want to wear a beautiful dress and have people fuss over me... dont we all? hehe.

Its 3 weeks til my little sister's wedding - i'm madly knitting a weddind shawl for her (about 70% done) its literally the hardest thing i've ever made.

The Boi and I also volunteered to make her wedding cupcakes - much cheaper than $350 she was quoted and The Boi makes awesome ones...