Making IT Easy

Life out of Lockdown

Making IT Easy Blog

Book Reviews

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

“In 1901, the word ‘Bondmaid’ was discovered missing from the Oxford English Dictionary. This is the story of the girl who stole it. Esme is born into a world of words. Motherless and irrepressibly...

Wandering Vinos

From Bordeaux

Cru bourgeoisChateau Tour PrignacMEDOC Grand vin de Bordeaux  2015  Showing some age on the outer rim Forest fruit stew on the nose and plum compote quite rich and soft but earthy with chewy tannins M-acidity m=bodied ...

Recipes

Amah’s Vegetarian Sausage Rolls

From Lyn Harper These are delicious. This quantity makes 2 dozen mini rolls. Equally good warm or cold. Warning, you may not return to the meaty ones again. Ingredients  3 eggs 1 onion 3...

Wandering Vinos

A Taste of Spain

CAMPO VIEJO RIOJARESERVA 2014  Tempranillo graciano mazueloComplex well balanced oak driven and simply delicious  What a delightful drop.Ripe red fruits pepper spice clove oak vanilla and a long cherry peppery finish  Total ageing 3 years;...

House/Pet Sitting

Housesitting on Hold

I retired early in 2019 and spent the first half of the year working out how to spend my new life. I made new friends by joining a free Tai Chi/Qi Gong exercise group...

Wandering Vinos

Viva Las Vegas

These photos were taken in 2014 on a trip to Las Vegas as we travelled the Americas, Alaska and Mexico! YEP MASSIVE TRIP  This wine photo (sorry it’s blurred – fun night) got me...

Recipes

Alfred’s Pasteis de Nata

My husband Alfred made these for my Mum’s birthday. The recipe comes from the Leite’s Culinara website. It’s a 2 day process but well worth it as they are fabulous. Though I have to confess...

Wandering Vinos

Two Weekend Wine Tastings

Paranga red 2017 Macedonia Kir-Yianni Greek for Mr John Merlot 50% xinomavro 25% syrah 25% Quick overview Charming aromas of red forest-fruits and cherry are enhanced with fine notes of rose petals. The palate shows...

Lockdown Stories

Full House

In the middle of 2019 we sold our family home in Williamstown and bought a property in Heathcote, 2 hours north of Melbourne.  So we have 100 acres of beautiful Australian bush, a large country...

Travel Stories

A Day with the Pandas – September 2016

This was a once in a lifetime travel experience. I was lucky enough to spend a day as a volunteer at the Dujiangyun Panda Base Rescue Center in Chengdu China. It was expensive, as...

Wandering Vinos

Italian Wine Samples

I was fortunate enough to try these Italian samples the other day. Here is my take on these medium to high priced wines. This is first entry and, as a novice wine enthusiast with...

Recipes

Mini Christmas Puddings

Fun to make and decorate with the help of children.  Ingredients 1 dark fruitcake approx 800g (a cheap one is fine)  200/250g block dark chocolate 125g butter  2 tablespoons of rum or Grand Marnier...

Recipes

Truffle Devils

These easy to make treats are very popular at Christmas time Ingredients 1 Frosted Red Velvet Cake (Woolworths) OR 1 Pkt Red Velvet Cake Mix Small quantity brandy (or other spirit) 2 Lindt Dark...

Recipes

All Purpose Spray Cleaner

You can replace many of your commercial cleaning products with this economical spray cleaner suitable for both kitchen and bathroom. It works better than just vinegar and bi-carb. Ingredients 1.5 litre water (1 cup...

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Travel Stories

A Vivid Experience – May 2018

Three friends and I visited Sydney in May 2018 to experience the fabulous Vivid light festival. I had been to the White Night Melbourne Festival held annually since 2013 but this festival had never...