i took my camera to melbourne (i’m learning at last) but didn’t take a lot of photos.

i was having too good a time to stop and think about it!

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i had a gorgeous lunch with two melbourne soapmakers and then we hit the local IKEA store for simply hours.
they were very kind and indulgent, and let me browse and browse and browse and i picked up a lot of stuff for our workshop.
and we had a lot of laughs!

thanks for making the time to get together d0t and curlycoat2…. i really enjoyed meeting you both.
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this is a good place to record the party menu, for folks who like such details (i know i do):

to start:
42 below vodka cocktails and kir royales
oysters on the half shell, with gazpacho topping
nuts and antipasto things
homemade garlic bread

then we grilled:
excellent pure pork sausages
marinated lamb chops (lemon/olive oil/garlic/oregano)
thai bbq chicken breasts
marinated salmon (soy/vinegar/brown sugar/ginger/5 spice/sherry/chili)
tuna (finished with lemon and pepper)

salads:
kipfler potatoes in aioli, with spring onions and a lot of parsley
grilled vegetables (eggplant/zucchinis/capsicums/mushrooms) dressed with a balsamic vinegar redux
broccoli/snowpeas/asparagus, lightly steamed, with a lemon vinaigrette
tomatoes/kalamatas/red onions/basil
red mignonette with simple vinaigrette

accompaniments:
german mustard
warm onion marmalade
mixed herb aioli

to finish:
my favourite lemon sour cream cake, made with sheep’s yoghurt for a change!
and a lot of cream.

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photos from top:

elwood, my favourite cat in melbourne!

the domaine chandon vineyard in the yarra valley on a picture-perfect day.

a display of our soap at the perfect potion store in southland.

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and just a little while ago, the most divine bunch of flowers arrived with our local courier!
thank you, my dear liz and matt.
it was my pleasure. and i am overwhelmed.
look at these beautiful things: