Aussie writers - HELP!?!?!?!?!?!?

Whew, as usual, my posts are about as neurotic as I've been lately, but here I am!  I think!  As you know we moved from Denver to Australia in January.  Then in June my husband decided he wanted to move back to the US, we packed up AGAIN and moved back to Denver.  Ok all is good, NOT.  After only 8 days in Colorado he once again decided to uproot us and return us to Australia so here we are!!
So now that we are here I've joined a group on Goodreads - my personal favorite social networking site (if that's what you want to call it) and joined a group of Australian readers.  That group does the best thing in that they have reading challenges to help me get my reading back on, and wow, does it work!  Their Winter Challenge, from June - July (funny since I'm used to that being summer) asked the readers to pick 12 books based on certain particulars and read them.  Lucky for me I have SO many books on my To Be Read shelf, I was able to read everything on my list except for one!  Fantastic!  Reduces my bookshelves and gets me reading too!  So in doing my homework picking the books for my challenges, I've learned that Australia does not import books.  In order for them to be sold here (at MUCH higher prices than I'm used too) they must be printed and published in Australia.  Not good for me since I'm not familiar with most Australian writers.  The newest Challenge for my group is asking for us to read an Aussie writer's YA novel.  Ok, first, I'm not overly excited about the whole YA phenomenon, yes I read Twilight and The Hunger Games, but I find that the overwhelming majority of most YA books involve vampires or werewolves, which frankly, just isn't my thing.  Nonetheless, I've read one, creepy as it is, called Doll House by Anya Allyn. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13565822-dollhouse 
 It was a really great read, but it is a trilogy and I'm not sure I'm interested in reading any more, but who knows.  So I'm asking for help of anyone who knows great Australian writers for me to explore.  I'm open to any and all suggestions, but prefer fiction to non-fiction and probably a little more believable than vampires and werewolves. 






On another note, I've just read one of my most all time favorite writers, Sarah Allen Addison's The Peach Keeper http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8546358-the-peach-keeper

and can not recommend it enough.  It is a most magical book that is just an absolute beautiful read.  She is an amazing writer and I can't wait for more.  For some reason, the only reason I didn't devour her books as soon as they were released was because I always want to have a great book on hand!  She is wonderful!

Happy Reading kids and hope to hear some suggestions from you soon!!!!

P.S. - This weekend is the first weekend of Spring in Australia - lookout beach, here we come!!!

Book Recommedation - Friendship Bread by Darian Gee

Ok, so as if moving from the US to Australia isn't crazy enough, but when it interferes with my reading habits, that's almost non-negotiable!!! However, now that we've been here for just over 3 months, I've settled in to somewhat of a routine and am able to actually sit down once and a while and read. Therefore, my first book is none other than what the title suggests, Friendship Bread by Darian Gee. Now, the weather is turning cooler here, so this book couldn't have been read at a more welcome time. It is obviously about 'Friendship Bread' which I was big in to a few years ago. I couldn't think of anything more welcoming than reading a book about baking! Now I haven't done much baking since I've been here, but I swear this book makes you want to dive right in and go get a bag of starter and get baking!
The book follows a group of women, unknown to each other initially, but then thanks to an anonymous bag of Friendship Bread starter grow to become fast friends that eventually change the entire town!
Not only is the book as delicious as the bread is, but it's full of recipe ideas and a website that leads to a plethora of Friendship Bread recipes that will undoubtedly melt in your mouth. So pick up a copy of Friendship Bread, start reading, and get inspired to make your own.
That being said, I think I may get busy on a starter of my own; and since I'm literally the new kid in town, get busy with sharing the goodness.
I'll keep you posted if the idea works as good as it did in the book. Ok, let's be honest, I'm not expecting miracles but a little Friendship Bread can certainly go a long way!!
Also be sure to check out the website: www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com
Happy Reading, and Baking!!!!

Move to Oz

Ok, so now after a bit of a hiatus (after last year's slump and all) I've moved to Australia, where I hope to only improve on this blog of mine and keep it more current.

Before we left, I was a knitting machine. I had a scarf bonanza, making 10 scarf in as many weeks for gifts; and more importantly I made 2 pair of felted clog slippers for my girls. LOVE them all! Don't ask how I had time to knit all of this while preparing for such a crazy big move, but not only did I do it, it's DONE!!

As of right now, it's a bit hot in Oz to knit, but I hope to get with the program soon. Also, most of my knitting supplies, including my yarns are somewhere in the middle of the ocean. So I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Let me know what you think about some of these and I can give pattern information if interested.

Happy Knitting!!!!!

On a Roll!!

So it's only the 4th of January, 2012 and I think I've already posted more than I have since this whole idea popped in to my head!!! So to add a little spice and variety to the show, I've decided to share the recipe I just made - that is LOVED by all of my family!! It's super easy and quite delicious!

Sausage, Peppers and Potatoes

Ingredients:
2-3 lbs Potatoes (amt to your liking)
1 Red Pepper
1 Green Pepper
(You can add other Peppers for Color and Taste to your liking)
1 Red or Yellow Onion
2 Rings Hillshire Farm Sausage (I use Beef, but Turkey is also really good!)
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
Chop Vegetables in to bite size chunks (you can either peel potatoes or not)
Place Veges on Baking Sheet covered with Parchment Paper or sprayed well with cooking spray
Drizzle Olive Oil over veges, then add salt and pepper to taste

Cook Veges ALONE for 45-50 minutes

Slice Sausage, and after Veges have cooked, add Sausage on top of veges and cook for an additional 20-25 minutes.

Viola - dinner is DONE and not many dishes to clean!!!

Enjoy!!!