Friday, October 22, 2010

PINK RIBBON DAY...LET THEM EAT CAKE...NEW ARRIVALS JUST IN!...ALEGRIA IN BRISBANE...EGGS!...OUR FAVOURITE ASIAN MUSHROOM OMELETTE & THE LA STUPENDA COCKTAIL...R.I.P DAME JOAN...

PINK RIBBON DAY FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WEEK

This week, we did our bit to support the Breast Cancer Awareness Cause. 
Besides prettying up our gorgeous Francesco Urns in the front window with some pink ribbon, we are also donating a percentage of sales to Breast Cancer Research.

Cath schooszhing the urns.....


The finished look...

Jens daughter Brooke got into the swing of the cause too this week...she was in the paper to promote the Breast Cancer Awareness Cocktail Party at the Victoria Park Golf Course.  We might be a bit biased but we think that Brooke is just gawjussss....


HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO COLETTE!



A big Happy Birthday to Colette on Wednesday of this week.  We do love it when there is a birthday because everyone seems to win!  Look at the cake we all got to share in...Turkish Delight centred cheesecake with velvetty, blood red rose petals (fresh...real ones...) on top.  And, it tasted soooo good.  Cath says that she made if from a very special recipe.  According to her, she was up all night crafting this masterpiece and  apparently the rose petals are from roses organically grown in her courtyard garden....yeah right...and I'm the next Miss Beachgirl Contest Winner!!  Thank you Jocelyns Provisions for another bakery masterpiece!

WHAT'S NEW AT CHARCOAL?

We are continually refreshing our stock and this week is no exception with some gorgeous new arrivals.

Our new French Style Washed look Urns....these look stunning either in an inside or outdoor application. You will love them!


Our European style Wooden Lanterns...these come in Large, Medium and Small.  Great as a centrepiece on the table...amazing around the pool and on and on...so many uses for these gorgeous Lanterns.  Come in and check them out for yourselves.  You will love the rustic tonings to the wood.

This beautiful little Rustic Console has had quite a few admirers this week....she is destined for a new home, so be quick to snap her up :-)

FOOD...GLORIOUS FOOD!

At a recent dinner out at one of Brisbanes newest and sexiest Restaurants...Alegria http://www.bistroalegria.com.au/  there was discussion about what we all ate for Breakfast.  Surprisingly amongst us all, the popular choice for breakfast fare was the humble egg.  Packed with goodness and vitamins, the Free Range Egg is most definitely a versatile character...good for salads in the hard-boiled style, or scrambled, poached, fried and perfect to construct a healthy Frittata or Omelette as in our recipe this week, the Asian Mushroom Omelette.

ASIAN MUSHROOM OMELETTE

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 8 free-range eggs
  • 1 small red chilli, deseeded, finely chopped
  • 6 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 100g button mushrooms, sliced
  • 80g snow pea sprouts, trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 1/3 cups steamed jasmine rice, to serve

Method

  1. Break 4 eggs into a bowl. Add half the chilli and half the green onions. Whisk with a fork.
  2. Heat a wok over medium heat. Add half the oil. Swirl to coat. Pour in egg mixture. Swirl to cover base and run 1cm up the side. Sprinkle half the mushrooms over egg mixture. Cook for 30 seconds or until base is set. Fold omelette in half. Tilt wok to allow any uncooked egg to run to edge. Cook for 30 seconds. Turn omelette over and cook for 30 seconds or until light golden (omelette should still be moist inside). Transfer to a plate. Cover to keep warm. Repeat with remaining eggs, chilli, green onions, oil and mushrooms.
  3. Cut omelettes in half and place on plates. Top with snow pea sprouts. Drizzle with soy sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with rice


    DAME JOAN SUTHERLAND...R.I.P

    Dame Joan Sutherland was the epitomy of Diva, but not as we know them today. She would put the likes of Mariah Carey to shame.  She was a gifted singer beyond compare and a true lady along with it. Shunned from the school choir as a girl for drowning out the other singers, Joan went on to work as a secretary, but all she really wanted to do was sing.  At age 19, Joan won free singing lessons, time went on and as she started singing more and more in public, her popularity and demand for her vocal style grew.
    One of the most remarkable female opera singers of the 20th century, she was dubbed La Stupenda by a La Fenice audience in 1960 after a performance of the title role in Handel's Alcina. She possessed a voice of beauty, power and extraordinary agility. Her friend Luciano Pavarotti once called Sutherland the "Voice of the Century."
    Sadly, the end of an era has come with the death of Dame Joan after a long illness on the 11th of October, 2010.  We couldnt let her passing go, without some kind of recognition from the team here.  She was a lady of true grace, a wonderful ambassador to Australia and a talent beyond compare.

    THE 'LA STUPENDA' COCKTAIL...IT'S COCKTAIL FRIDAY FOLKS


    After a bit of research, it is clear that whilst Dame Joan was a supremely cultured woman with great taste and grace, she wasnt really one to indulge in the cocktail scene.  I mean we cant really see her down at the local imbibing on a Cosmo or two.....but...we do think that if she did have the occasional clink, it would be to a La Stupenda!  And so, we bring it to you today.  A simple and very attractive cocktail that is pearlised in appearance and super delicious to the remaining senses.


    Ingredients:

    1.  1 1/2 oz rum

 2. 1 1/2 oz passionfruit vodka

 3. 1/2 oz triple sec

4. 1/2 oz lemon juice

5. 2 dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters

Preparation:

  1. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  2. Shake well.
  3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 
Next week:  Offspring Inspirations, Wallpaper wisdom.

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Wishing everyone a very happy Friday...great weekend and until next week its goodbye from us...The Charcoal Girls xxx

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