Cobram

Matt and I went away this weekend to visit Barry and Laurel in Cobram. It's about a three hour drive away from Melbourne and Matt put me in charge of finding somewhere fun to stop along the way. I actually found quite a few things that would be fun to see. We decided on Locheilan Farm in Wunghu and Cactus Country in Strathmerton.

We knew we found Lochleilan when we spotted a neon cow shaped sign. Bruce and Sue McGorlick established a small cheese factory on their farm after 30 years of milking cows. Until then, there were no cheese makers in the Goulburn Valley despite being the largest dairying area in Australia. When we arrived Bruce brought out several cheeses for us to taste. My favorites were the Wunghnu Soft which is a Camembert style and one of the new blues that Bruce is making. YUMMY!!! Sue let us know that Bruce was in an especially good mood because they just won the gold medal in Brisbane for their Kaarimba Soft. He even made the front page of their local paper.

Bruce packed up our cheese purchases and was nice enough to tell Matt and me a little bit about the surrounding attractions. We mentioned that we wanted to go to Cactus Country but Bruce recommended going there around November when all of the cacti were in bloom. He told us about Ulupna Island where tons of wild koalas lived. This was a perfect suggestion because on the drive up I was whining that I had never seen a koala in the wild. The cows were coming in and Bruce had to go milk them so off we went to try and find some Koalas. We followed the signs until we found one going left saying 4km to Ulupna but when we got the the next sign it pointed back towards the right saying 5km. It was getting dark and the gas light came on so we decided to look the next day.

We had a great night hanging out with Barry and Laurel. The next morning we headed to the strawberry farm to have breakfast with Laurel's sister and her family. I did not know we were going to the home of the BIG strawberry!! Australians seem to be big on their giant fiberglass tourist attractions. I have been lucky enough to experience the giant koala, the big arch of victory and giant Ned Kelly but have yet to see the big banana, big macadamia nut, big pineapple, big barramundi, big bull or the big cassowary. Trust me...the list goes on and on. The Big Strawberry restaurant makes every kind of homemade jam you can imagine.

After breakfast we all continued our search for Ulupna Island. We ran into the same problem with the signs being all screwy but forged on down many a dirt road. We read on one sign that Ulupna was part of Barmah State Park so we continued on when we saw a sign posted for Barmah. From here on we were in a sign free zone but also in a beautiful forest of red gum trees. We came up on the Murray river which is the state line between Victoria and New South Wales. We decided to pop out of the car and see if there were any koalas around here. Not five minute out of the car and Laurel spotted the first one propped way up in the top branches of a gum tree. I don't have a great zoom on my camera and the koalas were WAY up in the trees so my pictures aren't so great but here they are anyway. We spotted eleven over the next hour. Most of them were sleeping but one guy was swaying in a branch grabbing on to another branch to grab some eucalyptus leaves. I was so excited. I have never been one for camping but I could have wandered around these woods for days. We did have to be a bit careful not to walk directly under the koalas since they don't exactly excuse themselves to the restroom. We never actually figured out where Ulupna Island was but found koalas so that's all that mattered.

It was a fantastic weekend getaway especially the koalas!!! We stopped for one more picture on the way home. This is really just a business that sells rock and gravel but it looked to me like a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Kiva.org

So, I had a bit of an Oprah moment yesterday. I'm not trying to rope anybody into charity stuff but I think this organization is pretty awesome so I just wanted to share info. http://www.kiva.org/ provides small business loans to entrepreneurs in third world countries. I felt a soft spot for this fellow in Bilasuvar, Azerbaijan because he was selling car parts just like Matt, granted on a much smaller scale. I, in all of my geographical wisdom, had never even heard of Azerbaijan but found it's right next to Armenia. I did find the country's participants in EuroVision on youtube and it's worth a look. http://youtube.com/watch?v=d8wjcMus_m4 For the Americans who don't know what EuroVision is it's a song competition that brought us such artists as ABBA and Celine Dion. Check out other clips on youtube...great for a laugh! But I digress, I have my organizations that I love and just wanted to share with you guys!

Elliott

Matt and I have made a decision to become foster parents to a furry boy named Elliott the koala. He unfortunately doesn't get to come live with us. He stays in the Ballarat Wildlife Sanctuary where Matt and I first met him a year ago. In fact my first post on this blog was about meeting Elliott. He is a lovely little fellow who loves to cuddle and eat eucalyptus. The foster program isn't as much about taking care of Elliott, he is well taken care of in his home, but helping save his wild koala cousins and their habitat. You can read about the koalas at https://www.savethekoala.com/. There is also lots of info about Logan aka "Frankie" who was born with fantastic blue eyes. This is a rarity in the koala world and he has become quite a popular sight at his home in Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. I am looking forward to going back to Ballarat to visit Elliott soon.

Treaty Oak

I have expressed my love of trees on this blog before. There are so many beautiful varieties in Australia especially the Moreton Bay Fig but my favorite tree in the world (so far) is right in my hometown of Jacksonville. I don't remember ever going to see it as a child but I do remember the Oak in the Cummer Gardens. I took Tonette to see the gardens last February. In the gift shop there was a painting of a massive tree which I thought was a painting of the tree in the garden but the lady working behind the counter said it was the Treaty Oak. Tonette and I took a happy detour to visit the most majestic tree I have ever seen. The Treaty Oak is around 200 years old, with a trunk that is 25 feet in circumference, it rises to height of about 70 feet, and its crown spreads over 145 feet, with twisting branches that bow to the ground and curl back up. Treaty Oak was given it's popular name by a fervent journalist who was intent on saving it from developers. This journalist fabricated a story about a treaty being signed underneath the tree by Native Americans and early European settlers.

On this last trip home I wanted Matt, Haley and Skyler to see this wonderful tree. We went over to MOSH (Museum of Science and History) first. After we watched an alligator snapper eat his lunch, toured the land of oversized bugs and took part in some lightening experiments off we went to see the tree. I think they liked it as much as I did.

Southern Representation

So Australians may not be familiar with the southern icon, Piggly Wiggly, but they may well be familiar with Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Not due to teaching the history of the civil war in the U.S.A. but because of this...

We were leaving the grocery store yesterday when out of the corner of my eye I spotted the rebel flag. Confederate Bourbon!! I couldn't help but laugh. The finest Kentucky bourbon made right here in Australia. Who would have known? It's just another reminder along with golliwog dolls that I am not at home. Much like the word "sheila" which is offensive to many Australian women I have talked to but the American restaurant chain Outback happily slaps on the bathroom door. As similar as Australia and America are there are various cultural differences for sure.

5 wasted minutes

I was all excited to go to an art opening with Matt last night. I even made a new skirt. I had read about some artist run galleries and longing for my Charcoll friends I looked happily on the event. I think from the time we parked the car, went in the front door, thru the gallery and out the back door we were there for five minutes...ok, maybe seven. Matt's quote, "I have never seen such a high concentration of wankers in my life." Another five minutes of life wasted looking at boards painted black and leaning against the wall and sequined fabric draped thru a noose. Not that anyone was even looking at the work. What has happened to the art world? Maybe I am the simpleton wanting some level of craftsmanship and skill involved and god forbid something be aesthetically interesting!! It's all very upsetting. I miss Zsofi and Elizabeth!! I read the artists statement and it was full of the usual talk. Funnily enough the morning of the show my Mom and I were talking about art buzz words that make us cringe. I can't stand "existential" and she has problems with "fluid". He wins points for using fluid in his statement. I blame it all on Jackson Pollock!!! I CAN'T STAND JACKSON POLLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!! I have looked at the galleries website and it looks like they have had some good shows in the past so may be will try again sometime but must do more research on the artist before. So, that's my little rant. Matt took me and my new skirt out for gelato on Lygon Street so the night ended up just lovely anyway.

Onion Goggles

I couldn't resist!! Matt received some very special onion goggles for his birthday. I have been using them and they really do work. I am sure I look much cooler than my husband when I wear them. Maybe not. I don't think that the onion goggle rage has caught on here in Australia but you can use the swim or ski variety. They work just as well.

Yoshitomo Nara

So I know art would not be considered a nessicity by most standards but sometimes I can't help myself. I was walking down Elizabeth Street today back from the Vic Market when I passed Outre Gallery. They had lots of cool tattoo/rockabilly infulenced art that I enjoy. They were selling little framed prints by Yoshitomo Nara. There was one of a little frowning girl holding a paint brush. I wanted it....so I bought it. YAY!!! I went to a Nara show at the MCA in Chicago in 2000 and loved it. That was the only show I saw at the MCA besides Cindy Sherman that I liked.

I saw this work Nara did for an album cover for Shonen Knife. I haven't listened to Shonen Knife since college. Yay for banana chips!!

Paprikash and Chalk

I was out buying fabric when I saw a sign with the work paprika in it. I instantly thought of my Hungarian, Zsofi, and went over to look in the window. Smash my face against the window would be a more honest description. Wouldn't you know there is a Hungarian restaurant just minutes from my new neighborhood. Since becoming friends with Zsofi and the whole Otvos family I have been interested in anything Hungarian especially after visiting Budapest for Ric and Zsofi's wedding. I mentioned wanting to go about 3000 times to Matt so after rallying Mick and Bec we went to Malvern to try out Paprika Hussar. FABULOUS!!!!!!! Everything was so good!!!!! And perfect hearty hot food for winter. I had a delicious paprikash but Matt's dish was my favorite, a Transylvania goulash. I wouldn't recommend the goulash if you have a hot date within a 48 hour period since the fragrance lingers for quite sometime but it is well worth it if no kissing is in your immediate future. I read a review in the Age that said "I imagine a guillotine descends from the doorway if you try to leave without having dessert". Too True!! On the first Tuesday of every month they have live Hungarian folk music and a special five course meal. Anyone who lives in or remotely near Melbourne should try this place. http://paprikahussar.com/

Matt and I went downtown to do some shopping last weekend when we came across this man doing chalk drawings. They were lovely and of course my mind went straight to Mary Poppins. There was no popping into the painting to see dancing penguins and ride carousel horses in a derby...unfortunately.

Art on the Streets of Melbourne

I have loved graffiti art for a long time. The first gallery show I ever worked on was a graffiti show Mai Lei and I put together in college. I hung two pieces I kept from that show in my new kitchen. Let me stress the word "art" here. I am not a fan of random scribble or acid thrown on windows but I am a sucker for a well executed piece even if it is on a stolen wall and a little bit illegal. Here are some I have seen on the streets of Melbourne that I like.

Matt and I saw this piece when we were walking around downtown Melbourne checking out the life in the laneways. This one is just of Glenferrie Road in my new neighborhood. I couldn't get a good photo of the whole piece unless I stood in the middle of the road. Drivers here aren't too considerate of pedestrians so I opted just to take photos of small sections. I saw this piece a couple of times at the Burnley Train Station. I got off the train just to take a picture.

New Neighbors

Matt has made two new friends in the neighborhood. He has been feeding apples to two baby possums who show up every evening in the tree in front of our front door. They are SO cute!!!
Correction: I have been informed these are not babies but Ringtail possums which are smaller than the Brushtail possums that live in Fitzroy Garden. Thanks Dave for your insight into native Australian animals.

A Very Special Gift

Clicker has been my sister, Judy's, great friend for many years. She also was my art teacher in middle school. This was before a different art teacher told me I talked too much and should find a another outlet to express myself. Thank God for theatre! Clicker gave Matt and me a very special wedding present. She took a photo of the sunrise at 6:28am the morning of our wedding in Florida. She painted this sunrise on our invitation. I Love It! Thank you Clicker!!!

Wedding in Florida

Matt and I are waiting for more pictures to arrive but I will put up a few of what I have from our big day in Jacksonville. Everything was so beautiful. It's sounds pretty cheesy but I really felt surrounded by love. It was so awesome to have so many people there from so many different parts of life. One of my favorite bosses ever, Joseph, came and my friend Shantell with her little girl who I haven't seen in nine years. It was wonderful to meet the children of people I have known since I was a child. And of course everyone welcomed Matt into the family. The ladies of the Croft/Jones families started off the celebration with a lovely luncheon for the girls. Everything was perfect!!

The day continued at Singleton's Shrimp Shack for some seafood and karaoke. There were some stand out performances that night. My sisters really broke it down with Aretha Franklin's respect and Britta, per Matt's request, sang 99 luftballoons, in German.

Our actual wedding day was just beautiful. For some reason I kept opening my mouth really wide for pictures. Hmmmmm?? Matt and I were having such a good time I guess I just kept giving the big smile.

I, of course started crying again when we said our vows. The great thing about doing it all again is the first time I was pretty nervous so I didn't think as much about what I was saying. This time I really did and I truly meant everything I said in my vows. I want to be with Matt forever.

Sarah Grace was our flower girl and Sam was our ring bearer. They both did a fantastic job. Sam took the aisle at more of a run.





We had many, many fantastic cakes made by both Mom's friends and my friends. Mom's friend, Ute, made Matt a very special cake, a traditional Australian Pavlova. Matt gave me very clear instructions not to smash any cake in his face.

Our first dance was to Magnetic Fields, It's Only Time. Everything was perfect! When we get some more pictures I will post them along with more of my mushy, happy, love stuff!!!

Australian Wedding Pictures

So before I put up Florida wedding pictures I thought I should finish posting pictures from Melbourne. The day was absolutely perfect. I stayed with Cheryl the night before and Matt's sisters came over to watch girlie movies. Al and Matt stayed down in our new place and got up to no good I am sure. Cheryl drove me in my Captiva wedding chariot the next day downtown to the registry office. We parked in a parking garage and went to take the elevator. We had Cooper in his stroller and the elevator was pretty full but a friendly man waved us in. He was very friendly and oddly familiar. I was a nervous bride and was barely paying attention to the conversation Cheryl and this happy man were having until I realized who he was. As we got off the elevator he called out congratulations. I had been congratulated by Kenny aka Shane Jacobson. He is something a film star around here and was appearing in a production of Guys and Dolls up the street. What a great beginning to a fantastic day!!

The registry office was lovely and Matt's family and friends were all there. I finally got to meet alot of his friends from work who were all fantastic and it is great to finally put names and faces together. We called my Mom and Dad right after the ceremony even though it was around 1am in Jacksonville.

There is a park next door to the registry office so we went over there for photos. This is Matt and me with Luke and Natarsha. I had never seen the horseshoe tradition before. They are pretty goodluck charms given to the bride to carry. They are really pretty and I carried them in Australia and America.

This is Matt's mom Sandra, Luke, Rebecca, Tracy, Matt's brother in law Nick (who gave me away), Matt, Me, Matt's dad Barry and Matt's step-mom Laurel. I had lots of family memorabilia on as well. The shawl was my Great Aunt Hank's who has been like my grandmother most of my life. It was really special to have something of hers with me. My parents gave me the pearl earrings I wore when I graduated from high school. I wore a beautiful broach that belonged to Matt's great grandmother. I also wore some decorative hair pins that were given to me by Amy (Sam's mom) and her family that had belonged to her grandmother. Amy and I have been friends forever and her family is really special to me so that was great too. Cheryl did a great job putting my hair up for me.

Matt's three best friends Pete, Mick and Al, all did readings at the wedding. It was wonderful to have everyone involved. After the ceremony and photos we all went down to the European Bier Cafe for some drinks and cupcake cake.

There was a bit of a late night crowd which continued on to the Geebung (a pub just down the street from our new apartment). There was some dancing to Sweet Home Alabama which made my night complete.

Back from Jax

So I have been a big, blog slacker for the past month while I was in Florida but now Matt and I are back safe and sound in Australia. We were so lucky to have a BEAUTIFUL wedding in Jacksonville. I am the most fortunate girl getting to marry Matt, twice!!

The time leading up to the wedding was lots of fun! I got to spend time with my godson, Sam. Amy and I took him to Atlantic Beach one day and there were tons of starfish washed up on shore. You can see one on Uncle Mike's foot in the picture. Even though most of the starfish had gone along to starfish heaven, Sam was very sweet and methodically returned them to the ocean sending them back home. He is such a wonderful little guy!!!

I roped Matt and my sister, Judy, into a pet project at the beach. Since I was little I have dug up donax in the sand (small, edible saltwater clams known as pipi or goolwa cockles in Australia) and it was an old Florida tradition to make them into soup. There was even the Donac Shell Tea Room in the Atlantic Beach Inn in the early 1900's famous for their donax soup. My grandmother showed my sister how but I had never tried it. Judy and Matt helped me collect 100s of donax. This was especially appreciated since Matt has a great aversion to sitting in the sand because the sand always finds it's way into his shorts. We boiled the miniature clams and then the tedious work began. The clam bodies are teeny, tiny and have to be picked out of the shells. Judy seemed to enjoy this process but I was quickly losing interest in my project. We did manage to make a tasty donax broth. Donax soup has lost it's popularity in Jacksonville but I did find a recipe along with Alligator Pilau and Old Swamp Cabbage in Millen's A Taste of St. Augustine: Recipes of the Ancient City which is fitting since St. Augustine was virtually built with donax. Donax are also called coquina shells and were a vital building material.

Matt got to experience lots more southern cooking. There (of course) was lots of Sticky Fingers BBQ. Dennis made his speciality, beer-butt chicken. Chicken on the grill with a can of Guinness in the afore named place adds lots of flavor!! Chris and Elizabeth made a pit stop on their way down from New York in South Carolina at a crawdad farm. In America the little freshwater variety lobster type crustacean is referred to as crayfish, crawfish or crawdad as opposed to Australia where these are yabbies and crayfish refers to the saltwater spiny lobster. After a joyous stay at the $25 a night Swamp Fox Hotel Chris and Elizabeth arrived in Jacksonville with a car full of crawdads. I must admit I felt really guilty dumping these mini-lobsters into a boiling pot after the little guys put on a such a show of prowess waving pinchers in the air like a prize fighting boxer but into the water (with a little Old Bay Seasoning) they went. Dennis did spare a few crawdad lives and built them a pond in the back yard.

We definitely swam in the ocean alot but poor Matt forget to put sunblock on his legs the first day out on the beach and he turned the color of a tomato. Dennis cut up his aloe plant to try and help Matt out a little but he burned pretty bad. The peeling a week later was a sight to see. He sat around on the beach with a towel over his legs for the rest of the trip. Friends and family started to arrive from all over the country and even Ireland and Germany. We toured around a bit as we got ready for the big day. I am scanning in pictures of the wedding now. We are waiting for some more to arrive but will put up some that I have of the bridesmaids luncheon, rehearsal dinner and wedding in my next post.