The Rivoli Cinema to see 'The Help' Movie

There's a lot to be said for spending time with your friends, having a girlie fun time and yesterday was no exception. We met for a late lunch at a restaurant near to the cinema. Whilst getting updated on our news since we last met, we ate some really tasty food. Multi-tasking at its best, eating, drinking, laughing, chatting and breathing all at the same time. Oh yes and listening. The poor waiter had difficulty getting a word in edgeways as you can imagine.

Once sufficiently satisfied on both the culinary and conversation side, we heading into the cinema. Whilst I waiting for some of the girls I thought you might like to see this incredible Art Deco building. I was there poised for quite a time because so many people were walking about and cars passing plus a coach pulled up just outside, but with some determination I managed to get my shot. 

The Rivoli has had over $16 Million spent on refurbishing, enhancing the art deco architecture.

If your interested in seeing more, take a look at The Rivoli

Here's the Grand Staircase....

The staircase features the original banisters that are one of the many surviving unique features of the theatre and evoke the grandeur of the past.

And then there was the film....

I'd enjoyed reading the book so much, so was a little wary that I'd be disappointed with the film, but thankfully it was so well done. I laughed and had a tear which I thought I'd masked, but then I realised that we all had become emotionally involved and there were a few moist eyes. Some of the characters were spectacular.

I'm looking forward to our book club meeting to discuss in detail both the book and the film. It'll be fun hearing all the other girls views. Aren't Book Clubs wonderful? I'd love to hear what your currently reading or if your in a book club, what you get up to? We're needing idea's for our next read...

Happy Reading Everyone :-)

'Water For Elephants'...Girls Movie Night

 Brrr....this morning we woke to really cold temperatures here in Melbourne. I heard reports that it was only 3 degree's! But there again it is the first day of winter. The funny thing is that its supposed to reach 19 degree's later??? Crazy.....I wouldn't doubt it though, because you learn to expect anything here, weather wise. At least Muffin walked at a brisk pace trying to keep warm on our walk. Yes, I know I could have put her coat on, but sometimes you can grow old waiting for her to finish checking everything along our walk.

So it was good to get the blood flowing, especially after having a great night out last night with a few girls from our book club. We went to the cinema to watch 'Water for Elephants' We have read the book by Sara Gruen and thought it would be good to review the movie at the same meeting when discussing the book.

As you can see I purchased a copy on my Kindle. The vintage photographs were such a pleasant surprise too, but then I've always loved old black and white photo's.

I loved reading the book on my Kindle, especially at night with the little light.

I fell in love with 'Rosie'. I think she was definitely the star of the movie too. 

The Kindle is certainly proving an asset with my book club recommendations, although as I've mentioned before, I could never completely replace real life books. I just love books!

But with using the Kindle, I can now read so many more and then decide whether or not to purchase a copy for my bookcase.

I've always had a soft spot for h'efalumps (as my daughter used to call them)

Here's one little family we've had since 1994....I know elephants have a good memory unlike myself - I only know we've had them that long, because they have the date on them ;-)

From left to right let me introduce the family.....Melody, Marigold and Mum Elsie and Dad Lenny.

I'm really not so sad that I name my ornaments - I only know their names because they have them under their foot!

Chocolate Dessert Cake - chocolishiousness

As promised here's the chocolishiousness recipe....and remember if you bake it on a Tuesday there's no calories involved. Recipe below....

I know....but with that much chocolate whose going to be thinking about the butter???

 I have a theory that I like to bake because there's no one to fight over licking the spoon or cleaning the bowl...whoops did I really confess to that? I remember back when my kids were small and after a baking session I turned to them all excited and said "Who'd like to lick the spoon?" Their faces were a picture. Horror and shock as to why they would want to do that....their faces just said....."we'll just wait for the cake to come out of the oven thanks". Maybe its just a different era thing, but I remember fighting with my sister and brother over it and being the youngest I didn't often win....

Nowadays there's always bars of chocolate, and sweet things on hand whenever....so who needs to eat uncook baking mix?

Chocolate Dessert Cake (many many portions - its rich)

125g Butter, chopped,

375g Dark Chocolate, coarsely chopped or broken up

1 cup (175g) Brown Sugar

1/4 cup (35g) plain (all purpose) Flour - sifted

2 tablespoon Milk

1 cup (120g) Almond Meal - ground almonds

5 Eggs

Cocoa, for dusting

Preheat oven to 170 degree's C (325F)

Grease and line with non-stick baking paper (base and sides) a 22cm round spring form tin.

Place Butter and Chocolate into a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Make sure that the bowl doesn't touch the water. Or use the microwave in short burst but I don't seem to be able to perfect this technique.

Add the sugar, flour, milk and almond meal and mix to combine.

Add the eggs and mix well.

Pour the mixture into a baking tin.

Cover the top of the tin with aluminium foil and bake for 40 minutes.

Uncover once removed from the oven and cool whilst still in the baking tin.

Remove baking paper and dust with cocoa and serve with cream and berries. Or whatever your preference might be.

I also bought these very girlie cupcakes for anyone who might not like chocolate :-O

 (not home baked I admit) 

So cute

Yum yum....may have to have another with a cuppa.

Well they won't keep!!!

Girlie Night Book Club

I need a break from all this moving madness...so I'm hosting tonight's book club. I thought it best to host this month, as heaven knows how long it may be before I'm straight or settled again.
I've baked too, but can't show you the outcome yet, because I can't cut into it before my guests get here.
I'm sure they won't finish it all off tonight...but you never know.
I must remember to tell them that this cake has NO calories because it was baked on a Tuesday!
The boys are banished whilst the girls are here - which is just as well, because all they talk about after the meeting is how loud, giggly and chatty we were. I don't understand - isn't that's what girlie nights are about?But we do take our books seriously, and settle down to the discussions, questions and answers sessions, and reviews etc but only once our catchup gossip is out of the way. The boys are only jealous anyway.

Here's a hint about today's baking....its chocoliciousness yet again. How good does this look....and the smell....Mmmmmmm...

I'll hopefully get back to blogging tomorrow to pass on the recipe...oh and obviously the verdict from the girls

Must get on, the wine needs chilling, final prep to complete etc.

Muffin's ready, she's bathed and conserving her energy for the time being, until her guests arrive, then it'll be full on 'Here I am to meet my guests' bring on the pampering!

A Book Christmas Tree

Well I now know that I have a problem.....yes I'm an addict - to my laptop! It became apparent to me when my son accidentally sat on it and all the lights went out. I cannot describe how traumatic it felt. The following morning I rushed to intensive care and they hit it full on with the paddles and whoosh it thankfully came back to life. Ahhhh....

So that's the reason for the delay in my postings and here we are in December already.

How can that be? Surely its only about April? Going by today's rain showers here in Melbourne it could well be. The calender tells me its December, so it must be true.

So with that in mind, I thought I'd send out my first Christmas card today.

This is for all the book lovers of the world.

A Christmas Book Tree

I have to confess I saw one similar in the Sunday Age Magazine and just had have a go.
Happy Reading

An inviting quiet corner

Life has been so hectic lately for everyone and with the run up to Christmas madness and all the preparations looming, I just thought this quiet corner looked so inviting. It's where I like to read.

I just love the way the light falls in the late afternoon. Ahhh....sigh.....

Books, Books, Books,

Books, books, books, I just can't get enough of them.

When I was young, it suddenly dawned on me that I would never be able to read them all, no matter how much time I spent reading. That was a hard fact to take in at a tender age.
Even at the age of eleven, I took myself off to join the local library and was devastated when I couldn't join, but after obtaining an adults approval and signature I left with ten books weighing me down.....sheer bliss.

So its not surprising that I've always wanted to join a Book Club.

Previously the timing has never been right for one reason or another but upon arriving in Melbourne, I was invited to join a Club.

(incidentally it took me ages to choose which book's would feature in this photo. Some you can't even see but they're there....)

Not only has it been fantastic in providing great idea's and recommendations for books - some I certainly wouldn't have chosen for myself - I've met some lovely new friends.

Gossip, giggles, and generally great girlie nights with fantastic books to boot!

I can't recommend joining a Book Club more, although sadly I'm aware you probably won't find one as good as mine.

Happy Reading....