Kate&Co

Gillian Hirst is a well-known chef around town and has started her own restaurant. I didn't know anything about her, but luckily Christine is au courant with where to go to have a delicious lunch. I had crispy crab cakes

Christine had the three bird pie (chicken, duck and quail)

Neither of us could go past the chocolate cheesecake - as you can see I hoed into mine before I realised I hadn't taken a photo

Hang on a minute - what's THAT doing on the table?

When was the last time you saw a pepper grinder on a restaurant table? We must have looked like responsible diners - we were allowed to grind our OWN pepper - as much as we wanted!!! Hey - some would go all silly with the power, but we were appropriately restrained, befitting the great honour bestowed upon us...

Avid Reader

I think the smaller independent bookshops will continue to grow in the current retail climate. They offer wonderful service and some interesting events. I went to Avid Reader on Tuesday night to hear Dan Akst talk about the modern crisis of self control. Paul Barclay was asking questions and Dan was responding thoughtfully - such a good night. It will be broadcast as Big Ideas in the next few weeks.

Nope, books aren't going to be dying out any time soon...

Valentine's Day Dinner

Bronte and I met in Toowong and had dinner at The Ceylon Inn. She was surprised that the person taking the booking guessed that she wanted a table for two. It only dawned on us afterwards what day it was!
The decor is lovely - here is the window from the outside

Inside was a day bed for two strewn with rose petals...

Yo-Yos

I've taken to making yo-yos (suffolk puffs) using the Clover yo-yo maker.

Here's my first one! (I only need about 1500 for a quilt top!)

Stella Star

The original 2QAQ Committee met at Stella Star in Coorparoo for lunch on February 13 to officially thank Sue for her work, to catch up, have lunch etc etc and hand over the art pieces.

I have eaten at Stella Star when it was in Lota (actually, the restaurant is still there, but the chef has moved to Coorparoo). There was no doubt that the food is the star here -

Jan's entree as main

Suzanne and I had the boar in a puff pastry parcel

Jane's creme brulee

My tiramisu

There were other meals of course but I didn't want to sprint around to everyone and photograph each dish - some people don't understand and actually want to EAT what's in front of them without any distraction!!
Then came the presentation following a few words from Suzanne

Sue was genuinely surprised and pleased, and we all wanted to see th epieces too as we didn't know what the others had done. Here are the 8 from the others (the ninth was to be done by Sue to make a 3 X 3 grid of canvases - Suzanne generously made an extra one so Sue could take her time making the 9th).