Welcome 2012

So the year of us has finally arrived, only 4 years in the making, but I am sure it will be well worth the wait. I have almost finished booking everything now adding to my giant file yesterday; accommodation in Liverpool and Glasgow and a hire car for Scotland. Paul is busy reading through the New York City travel guide and telling me all the places we can visit. I think the hotel choice was an accidental winner:) In the Theater District, it is close to Broadway and Central Park and the underground train system is only a short walk and will whisk us away to all the New York essentials. I can't wait.

So enough dreaming of the months to come and lets finish of 2011. We walked Carine open space Friday morning with the dog in tow. (Couldn't possibly leave him behind, the video is testament to his fondness of the word WALK)

Carine open space is home to Rainbow Bee Eater birds. They have beautifully coloured feathers and burrow in the sand. Certain areas are marked off to protect the nests. I didn't even know these birds existed, but there seems to be quite a colony of them at the park. 

Of course Yogi was run off his feet as usual. If we didn't stop throwing the ball I am sure he would keep going til he fell down!

Last night's New Year celebrations were low key though it did start well with a yummo Cooke cocktail. We saw in the Sydney New Year and watched the fireworks on the TV before calling it a night. Gawd how old are we!

So the 1st of January 2012 is now here and we have spent much of it in the kitchen. With a surplus of zucchini we have had to become creative with recipes. Today we cooked up Picalilli, fancy Jamie Oliver term we learned on Friday night for  a spicy vegetable pickle mix.  There were plenty of jars made that I am sure they will become offerings from the Cooke's Kitchen. I also put together a zucchini slice and a zucchini chocolate cake. Yes a cake and we have just eaten our fist slice which was delicious, even if the middle was underdone and sloppy. The outside was crusty. All round thumbs up on that one.

We spent time in the yard wih the crazy chickens. Unfortunately Honey is now a moody cow (broody chook) and has taken to attacking poor old Yogi, who is just not sure how he should handle the menacing chicken. He seeks refuge with us which doesn't always pay off. 

We now also have a flock of red tail black cockatoos in the neighbourhood park. I have only ever seen them in the zoo before, so it is great to seem them in the suburbs, tho I am not sure why they have chosen to take up residence round here.

and on that note, it is time to sign off on this 1st day of January 2012. Looking forward to seeing you all soon :)