HAPPY NEW YEAR!..WE ARE ON THE MOVE!!...OUR RELOCATION SALE, OUR CHRISTMAS FAMILY TABLE, AUSTRALIA DAY FARE..TOSS ANOTHER PIRI PIRI PRAWN ON THE BARBY!...AND OUR EXCLUSIVE BEER COCKTAIL...CHEERS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR...FRESH STARTS...

Firstly, a great big belated Happy New Year to you all.  We just know that 2011 is going to be a fantastic year for all...and what better way to start afresh, than to announce that we are moving premises.  We are going to be setting off into 2011 with a fresh, more intimate showroom, still focussing on our beautiful furniture, custom made range and most importantly our design business.  We look forward to sharing with you all the details in the coming weeks.

With every big move comes a big cleanse and we are having a Huge Relocation Sale, starting mid next week.  Our discounts will vary, and there will be some big savings to be had.  I am sure that over time there has been certain pieces that you have admired...well this could be your opportunity to purchase that item that you have only dreamed of having as your own!  More info to come next week.  Do not hesitate to contact us for pricing on anything on our website.

http://www.charcoalinteriors.com.au/

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

It seems like months ago, but Christmas is now a very distant memory, after the dramas of the rest flooding in Queensland, New South Wales and now Victoria.  Our hearts go out to those who were affected and most importantly to those who lost family members.  We were extremely lucky to have been spared from any water inundation during this time.  Every care was taken to protect our furniture as a precaution.  All items were taken to our Mezzanine level, so we are now very skilled at lifting using our legs and not our backs.  The next holiday will be spent sleeping for a week!

We did promise in our last blog for the 2010 year, to send on some pics of our Christmas Table Setting.  We had a great Christmas Dinner together as a family and Cathie spent hours preparing the table.  It really looked magnificent, resplendent with towering candelabras and our cute wicker reindeer to keep the little ones happy.

Cathie admiring her handiwork

Our Family Christmas Table

AUSTRALIA DAY

Nothing says Australia Day more than throwing a bunch of prawns on the Barbie!  This Australia Day we are celebrating with a beer and a barbecue out on the back deck.  I found this amazing prawn recipe that I wanted to share.  Its just too easy and the flavours are fantastic. This dish goes well with a green salad with mango and dill tossed through and a nice cold beer with a wedge of lime...preferably Fourex...because we have to keep it local cobbas!

PIRI PIRI PRAWNS ON THE BARBECUE

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 6 long red chillies
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 tbs paprika
• 3 tbs cider or white wine vinegar
• 100ml sunflower oil
• 24 green prawns, peeled (tails intact), deveined
• 2 tbs shredded mint or basil leaves
• Lime or lemon wedges, to serve

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C. Roast chillies on a tray for 8-10 minutes until soft and lightly browned. Chop (removing seeds for less heat if desired) and add to a small pan over medium-low heat with garlic, paprika, vinegar, 1/3 cup (80ml) oil and 2 tsp salt. Simmer 2 minutes. Cool slightly, then blend in a processor until smooth and cool completely. Toss prawns with 2-3 tbs sauce (leftover sauce will keep for 1 month, covered, in the fridge). Heat remaining 1 tbs oil on a barbecue hotplate or in a wok on high heat. Cook prawns, turning, for 4 minutes until cooked, then toss with herbs and serve with lime.

COCKTAIL FRIDAY....WE'RE BACK!

Not being a fan of beer on its own, I still do like the idea of sitting with a cold malted bevvy in the pool on a hot summers afternoon after work.  So, I was fortunate enough to have a friend make me this refreshing concoction recently...its a beer cocktail and it certainly hits the spot and is a twist on the old staple 'Shandy' that my Dad used to let me sip when I was a little girl.

AUSTRALIA DAY BEER COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups ice cubes
• 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
• 10 tablespoons (5 ounces) light lager, such as Fourex Light Bitter
• 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) fresh lemon juice
• 5 (1-inch) pieces peeled fresh ginger cut into thin matchsticks

METHOD

Fill Highball glass with ice cubes. Add ginger liqueur, beer, and lemon juice and stir until combined. Garnish with ginger sticks....we like it without the ginger sticks as it can be a tad overpowering, but each to his or her own. 

HAPPY WEEKEND

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.  We certainly have had a lot to be grateful for over the past couple of weeks.  Be sure to pop into the showroom and say hi as we are open Saturday and Sunday.  Ask us about our discounts on all items.  We are always happy to help and answer any questions you may have.

Cheers...Cathie, Colette and Jen