Category Archives: Home

Some advice on switching web hosting

Posted on 31 January 2023 by andyq

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

Posted on 16 January 2023 by andyq

(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 | 52 Comments

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

Posted on 28 June 2020 by andyq

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

Posted on 2 April 2020 by andyq

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

Posted on 18 May 2019 by andyq

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 →

Posted in Asian, Food n' Grog, Home, Home cooking | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The annoying people of Gumtree

Posted on 30 January 2019 by andyq

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

Posted on 7 June 2018 by andyq

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 →

Posted in Blogging, Creative Non-Fiction, Home, Writing | Leave a comment

The Wonderful World of Water Kefir

Posted on 27 April 2018 by andyq

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 →

Posted in Advice, Food n' Grog, Home, How to live, Stuff | Leave a comment

A flowering cycad on our balcony

Posted on 10 December 2017 by andyq

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 →

Posted in Australia, Home, Stuff, Sydney | Leave a comment

Home cooking: Ricotta and avocado on toast

Posted on 23 July 2017 by andyq

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 →

Posted in Consumer, Food n' Grog, Home, Sydney | Leave a comment