Sorry! I Ran Out of Time, But I'm Baaack!!!!

I wish I could make these pictures larger for you, but I've had so much trouble as it is just getting them to this point, I dare not fiddle around any more as I've hardly any hair left after this morning...I've wasted so much time as it is! Don't ask me what I'm doing wrong as I have no idea and I'm not in the mood right now to go into any further detail! (Have you guessed yet that I have little patience when things don't go according to plan?)....Duh! If you click on the paintings, you will get a larger version thereof!

Anyway, the painting are by me. "Reflections In Blue" (which is self-explanatory, I believe) I completed late last year. "Sunrise" was completed last week.

These two I intend keeping. The last few paintings I've given away. If I keep going along that path, I'll have none left for myself. It's difficult giving paintings away, I find. Like poetry, they are a personal expression, and are unique to the creator.

When I first began cheffing, I suffered similar anxieties and feelings of "loss" when seeing plates of my food disappearing out the kitchen doors in the hands of the waitresses. So much of one's self is put into the preparation of a meal. I used to become so anxious of what could happen to my "baby" once it left my hands to meet its final destination, the diner! (Nope...there's nothing wrong with me....one in three psychologists would definitely attest to that!)

Time has been my enemy these past few days. It's been playing "hide 'n seek" with me and has been disappearing with no intention of ever returning.

Take this morning, for example...because of all my fiddling around with my digital camera and computer, most chores (pleasant chores) on my planned list of things to do this morning are still on the list, unattended!

Saturday came and went in a bit of a blur. I had guests for a wonderful lunch of duck. As mentioned previously, the entree was a delectable feast of fresh prawns with diced avocado, vine-ripened tomatoes, diced, Spanish onion in dressing made from seeded mustard mayonnaise and Italian dressing on a bed of Mesclun. I marinated the duck overnight in soy and hoisin sauce, brown sugar, a splash of brandy, crushed garlic, a few sprinkles of chilli flakes, crushed ginger, Chinese five-spice powder and a dribble of honey, then roasted it in the oven, periodically basting it with the marinade.

For the dessert, I finally decided to make a peach, apple, chopped crystallized ginger and plump raisin strudel, served with hot custard.

Our day commenced with champagne, followed by Rosemount Shiraz for the red wine drinkers and Rosemount Show Reserve Chardonnay for the white wine drinker in our midst, to be completed with Mexican Coffees (Kahlua and brewed coffee, topped with cream).

Much laughter and debate flowed throughout my cabin as we grazed over a long and leisurely lunch. It was fun.

A new week is underway during which I'll try to harness some time. Bear with me, I do promise you I will finish my "Italian Invasion" tale.