Category Archives: Home

Some advice on switching web hosting

So, I previously wrote about why I switched from Site5 to Hostinger for web hosting. From what I can tell, Hostinger is reasonably priced, has excellent customer service and has good reviews. BUT if you are thinking of switching web … Continue reading

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How to refill a long lighter

(Originally posted 14 December 2017): Does anyone else have this problem? I’ve never liked cigarette lighters. I spin the little metal dial, get the flame up, and then when trying to light my tea lights (which is the main reason … Continue reading

Posted in Advice, Consumer, Home | 39 Comments

Sydney Food Diary: Casa Barelli’s Burgundy Truffles from Aldi

Newsflash! As of right now (28 June 2020), these truffles are back at Aldi. Maybe only this week! Run out and grab them if you like them. They’re $7 (seemed to be $8 in July 2018) and both varieties are … Continue reading

Posted in Consumer, Home, Home cooking, Sydney | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

COVID-19 lockdown cocktails

Um. We’re in lockdown. COVID-19. This would seem to be a good time to have a cocktail. Since what else are we going to do? (Rhetorical question: don’t answer it). So, the biggest success so far has been pre-mixed negronis, … Continue reading

Posted in Advice, Australia, Bar, Food n' Grog, Home | Tagged | Leave a comment

Home Cooking: Melissa Clark’s Lemony Pasta Kelp, Chile and Anchovies

I’ve been saving recipes for pasta right now, to take advantage of my new Philips Pasta Maker (which I love, my god, it’s so much fun). The New York Times, which is probably my favourite source of recipes, put up … Continue reading

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The annoying people of Gumtree

I hate the idea of things going to landfill. And I love the idea of putting things in their right place. I’ve always been like that. My Mom composted before anyone else did. Before roadside recycling, my parents bundled up … Continue reading

Posted in Advice, Australia, Getting Things Done, Home, How to live, Stuff | 1 Comment

Witches

I remember being in the car, one of the series of station wagons my father loved, on a family trip. I believe it was somewhere in the USA, to Seattle or maybe Spokane for the World Expo. I would have … Continue reading

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The Wonderful World of Water Kefir

One my better half’s friends, Marian, introduced us to milk kefir, a few years ago, and then another friend gave us some water kefir grains to try. I love the idea of kefir, strange little granules that make a drink … Continue reading

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A flowering cycad on our balcony

As a Canadian transplanted to Australia, my wonder at the weird flora and fauna around here is likely to never wear off. Since cycads are subtropical or tropical, I wasn’t familiar with them, nor expected to have them on my … Continue reading

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Home cooking: Ricotta and avocado on toast

I had my pal David over for lunch the other day and he said I should put it up on my blog. I mean, I can’t really say that assembling is home cooking: toast, ricotta, avocado and a sprinkling of … Continue reading

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