Looking back at 2011
My recall of events and experiences isn’t particularly great – once I’ve done something I mentally move on and it’s out of my mind. That’s why it’s nice to have a blog where I can look back and go: oh yeah! I did that!
So in that spirit, and since it’s the last day of this year, let’s look back at 2011…
Alastair and I didn’t really travel much this year (though he did swan off to Barcelona without me!), but in the beginning of 2011 we went to Nelson, where we had a wonderful few days hanging out with Alastair’s mum and stepdad. The plane ride to Nelson took us over the Southern Alps – so scenic.
We also spent a long weekend in Sydney. It was beautiful, as it always is. There wasn’t much notable eats on that trip, though we did go to Din Tai Fung.
In August I went on a cruise with mum, dad and Bro to New Caledonia. We ate a lot, drank cocktails, and just generally relaxed. It was so nice to get some warmth and sunshine in the middle of winter.
And finally, we went to Wellington. Okay, no we didn’t, but we did visit the Wgtn pop up restaurant which was almost as good.
Victoria-wise, we also ventured outside of Melbourne a few times.
Alastair and I spent a lovely weekend on the Mornington Peninsula.
Where we had a fab lunch at La Petanque.
We made a visit to Kyneton, where we had lunch at Mr Carsisi.
And a 3 hour round trip to Port Arlington, when we went to my favourite restaurant of 2011 – Loam. (Yes, that post is still coming.)
Other notable eating out posts: my favourite restaurant find was Donwoori for their friendly staff and endless banchan top ups.
In winter, during an evening when fog descended on Melbourne, I went to a dinner where I dined on truffles.
And this year I finally made it to Vue de Monde for a not-so-express lunch. Not the super full on degustation, but it still totally counts.
The Cookbook Challenge
I started the year with good intentions of completing a second year of the Cookbook Challenge. Even though we cut it back to once every fortnight, around the middle of the year I stopped and never got back into it. Oh well!
My favourite Cookbook Challenge posts were the two recipes from Ottolenghi – one was the lemon and blueberry teacakes, and the second was the spiced red lentils (aka the best daal ever).
Meal to Share
I also did Meal to Share with Penny and Celeste but somehow we got distracted during the year. I really enjoyed our posts though, and my favourite one was Chinese New Year where I made egg tarts.
However, it wasn’t all good in my kitchen. I had some failures: such as the macaron baking day and my sad, pathetic cake pops.
I posted a lot on Instagram, as you saw in my weekly posts. These are some of my favourite non-food pictures.
There were also cat photos in amongst the scenery and food. 😀
Finally, I’ll leave you with this very apt fortune: Eat smart and be happy. Here’s to a fabulous 2012! 🙂
Hannah
December 31, 2011 @ 2:13 pm
Happy New Year to you too, darling BFF! Can’t wait to see what brilliance and deliciousness you bring to 2012 🙂 xo
Agnes
January 2, 2012 @ 10:11 pm
Happy new year BFF 🙂
leaf (the indolent cook)
December 31, 2011 @ 4:47 pm
What a yummy year. Yes, here’s to the upcoming one! Happy celebrations tonight, whatever you do!
Agnes
January 2, 2012 @ 10:20 pm
Hope you had a great NYE too 🙂
msihua
December 31, 2011 @ 7:00 pm
I thought fat duck was this year too? Oh well.. and I want celeb status for using the picture with my hand twice! TWICE!! TAX TAX.. I wants pork belly!
Agnes
January 2, 2012 @ 10:21 pm
Babe, Fat Duck was so 2010 :p
And haha, okay! I will pay you in pork belly!