Nikki's Honey cookies

At one of Di's Sunday Salons we had a cooking experience last time. Her Greek Neighbour offered to show us how to make honey soaked greek cookies called MELOMAKARONA, but we will call then Nikki's Greek Honey biscuits.
Nikki had limited English but the universal language of cooking and measuring was no barrier Rosemary took notes adjusting it as Nikki added 'a bit more"

Nikki and Di in her workroom

The usual suspects that attend. Rosemary busy scribing 

Mixing the dough into little ovals and roughly marked

The baked biscuit 

The Honey mixture soaking

Scattered with chopped walnuts Verdict? DELICIOUS.
 Not as sweet or honey tasting as expected 

The day is always interspersed with wine and snacks as well as discussion of the pottery that they ahd done last time As well planning to go to new Zealand for WOW. Phillipa will hear in July if she is a winner.
The RECIPE (with all the estimation of the good cook!)

Nicky’s Greek Honey Biscuits

Preheat oven. Fan forced 175C, or thereabouts.

Into a mixing bowl add:

2Tbs lemon zest

2Tbs orange zest (a smaller T than the lemon T)

2Cups extra virgin olive oil. Can substitute other oil.

1Cup orange juice

1t baking powder

2t cinnamon well rounded. Vanilla optional.

1/3 Cup sugar

Mix by hand or whisk to combine

More than 1kg less than 2 kg SR flour added slowly and mixed by hand.

Incorporate 2T brandy or ouzo.

Knead until firm. Cross the dough for a blessing.

Break off small portions of dough and roll into fingers.

Place on baking paper on a baking slide.

Flatten with a fork. Remember that you must have an imperfection.

Cook until not much soft.

Honey Syrup (extra can be frozen)

1C water

1C sugar

Warm in a saucepan until sugar dissolves.

Chop walnuts while you wait, or ask Michele nicely.

500gm honey into saucepan

1t cinnamon well rounded, sprinkle over walnuts. Vanilla optional.

Place cooled biscuits a few at a time UPSIDE DOWN into the

honey syrup. 

Then turn over. 2 mins each side.

Place biscuits into a bowl and sprinkle with walnut mix.

House Repairs

Celia and I have decided to downsize

So I am in the middle of decluttering and repairing the house. Some of the things needed were a bit mind blowing, but the builder Marko,(son in law of friend Jo) when I showed him the two major problems (The gap between the wooden house and the single brick wall, and the rotted Pergola joint) he said Yes OK ! and added them to the list!

The gap at the back of the house 

Can't find the pic of the rotted pergola but it now looks solid!

I have a file of before pics as well, will take the afters. I had to do a big clear out when I had the floors and fires and stumps down a few years go but still have so much clutter!!! And I can't just blame Celia as she has been away for 10 years!

But I had list of emails and pics sent saying 'Do you want this?' and I even threw out all her snow domes (lots taken from the nature strip!)  Turns out it was not as brave as I thought as she has dozens more in NY!!

But nothing I have put out has not been taken, so will have less to get rid of after the sale.

We are looking for a 2-3 bedroom (study) Unit Townhouse Villa in the close West. West Footscray Altona seem to be the best options 

We have been following the House Staging bible so that means packing up bookshelves and other surfaces. I am now on first name terms with the guy at Savers (recycle store) (Dale) and the rubbish collections, both recycle rubbish and green waste have been full each week. 

Bridie took all the baskets!

What's in this?

The time line is that when I get back from Scotland July 10th I will  book a cleaner, Storage, gardener rubbish removal,  then contact an Agent that Andrew will pick for me from the local companies. (He has a real estate license so can get a deal I gather ) I have a Conveyance guy lined up as well. Also had to sort out if the Power Of Attorney I have for Celia, is OK for the Sale and purchase.
I had done the bungalow up as a work room for Celia (and me)  and now she won't get to use it. But it was pointed out What if I had to do all that work as well!

I had already down the bathroom cupboards
An inspiration one day 

And the garden path was another project.
The plants have grown on the right so looks good 

Marko will stain the deck and verandah when I (and Spencer) are away.