I've been cooking and it's good. Really.

Big news in Alice: I've cooked a few meals. And they were good. I was as surprised as Greg. I've been getting my recipes off Pinterest - which has been awesome. Who knew broccoli could taste so good when roasted with garlic and olive oil? Here are some pictures of my creations:

Hamburger patty with roasted onions, potatoes, carrots, garlic.

This was a big hit! Roast chicken with cream cheese, mushrooms, onions, parsley and sesame seeds inside puff pastry with roasted green beans. No Pillsbury Crescent rolls here, so I worked with real puff pastry.

We are still living off our welcome kit until our stuff arrives. We quickly run out of dishes and silverware! This is bacon wrapped filet mignon from the local butcher (Milner's), roasted potatoes, onions, mushrooms and garlic, AND cabbage/ramen salad that I made. I got way too much cabbage and have a lot leftover. Maybe I can roast that too!

Coincidentally, my mom sent me this beautiful cookbook by Mollie Rogers of Chimney Corners in Frankfort, Michigan. The recipes are from the 1950s, I think. The cookbook includes wonderful stories and commentary from the author (who has a grandchild with Down Syndrome) as well as pretty pictures.

My new Aussie friend Dot gave me this lovely housewarming gift. Always nice to be reminded of the Serenity Prayer.

Last Saturday we were invited over to the home of Bridget and Warwick (isn't that a great name?), who are both from Sydney, to watch the AFL championship game. The Sydney Swans won! I have no idea how the game is played, but I cheered when everyone else did and that seemed to work fine.

Warwick and Bridget in their festive backyard where we all watched the Sydney Swans win the AFL championship!

We were supposed to go to a bonfire/potluck out at the sand dunes on Saturday night, but it actually rained Friday and Saturday, so the bonfire was postponed until Sunday night and we were not able to go. The rain was refreshing and it dampened down all the dust. The weather has been clear and crisp and beautiful since it rained.

Knowing that I needed a kitty fix, my new friend Brittany asked me to look after her two kitties while she and her husband took a long weekend away. They are a hoot and so affectionate!

Now that we're settled in Alice, it's time to plan our first big trip - to New Zealand with the girls over Christmas break! We won't have a lot of time, so we are thinking of sticking to just one island.

We are settling into routines and are happy. Coming up: our broadband Internet should be installed this week so we can reconnect with loved ones back in the U.S. without getting cut off! And we got word our sea shipment has arrived in Australia and has cleared customs. With the exception of three pine cones, which we can either have destroyed or pay $750 to have them irradiated and sent to us. Can you believe that?? The custom regs are pretty tough. Cannot wait for our pictures, clothes and kitchen stuff to get here! Although it's been nice living quite simply with just a few things.