One Year On…

It seems a little odd that only a year ago we were living in Canberra, and waiting eagerly the arrival of friends and family as we prepared for forthcoming nuptials. Sunday was our first anniversary, and we celebrated the weekend in style by spoiling each other and doing little of anything else! We found a cute little French restaurant inside walking distance from home, and had lunch on the Saturday. Saturday night was reserved for the rugby, with both the All Blacks and the Wallabies getting out for a trot. Sunday was the actual day, but we did gifts on the Saturday night (it is true- I just couldn’t hold out any longer!). I bought Jane a book on farming pigs (future inspiration), and then departed a little from tradition. I got her paper patterns for knitting (and a VERY handy how to guide), and needles and wool to go with it, as well as chocolate (she deserves it) and a very sexy top (because I deserve it!). Jane went very traditional, and got me a box full of paper- a fabulous baking text, baking paper, note paper, and a lottery ticket. All round, a box of winners except for the ticket!

Sunday was a bit of a lazy day, and I cooked. I did a twice roasted duck with balsamic glaze, set on savoy cabbage and glazed baby carrots. As a side, I did Lyonnaise potatoes, using Tony Bilson’s recipe from this month’s Gourmet Traveller. Just gorgeous. Steamed potatoes, sautéed with garlic, onions and thyme in butter and duck fat. Rich, unctuous, glorious, and screaming celebration!

Dessert was the mud cake we had for the wedding. Jane asserts she never had a chance to try it, so she made it again yesterday. We served that with a warm chocolate ganache and new season South Queensland strawberries.

A dinner like that needs a good wine, for which we must thank Boris. Old, red, lots of gongs and expensive was how he described the 1997 Orlando Lawson’s Padthaway Shiraz. Definitely at it’s peak, but a very nice complement to the duck. We were very happy when we went to bed!

We got lots of congratulatory cards and calls, for which we are thankful- Good friends and family are hard to come by, and we are certainly grateful for the ones we have.

Us- One year on, and still a couple of very happy little vegemites!