With some 60 exhibits at the Historic Village Herberton , their ‘jewel in the crown’ is the recently restored 130 year old Elderslie House. The home’s owner was miner and entrepreneur, Irishman, John Newell and founder of Herberton. The house has been proudly restored and it is indeed magnificent. It once sat where Mt St Bernard…
Funky, groovy, swell, radical and wicked are just a few words that come to mind when I track back through my youth for words which capture the ‘Retro’ era. Stepping into ‘That Retro Cafe’ was like slipping through a vortex. It had me spiralling towards my recollections of the 1970s and 80s, faster than a speeding bullet.…
My husband makes a speciality sauce for steaks. Every time we’ve had family and friends over, they absolutely adore and find this sauce moorishly delicious. Some friends even say, ‘If you’re having a BBQ, can you make that sauce of yours?’ It is an old recipe, which has been handed down through his family. It’s a favourite…
When using an electric frypan, I cook steaks differently to when on the BBQ. In my big electric pan, I heat to high, then cook on a medium heat (7) and I turn the steak twice at certain stages of the cooking process. I like my steak medium rare, whereas some may like it rare…
Behold my first encounter with love locks. This is where two people are totally and unequivocally committed to each other. They show their commitment, by locking their love within the unbreakable bonds of a paddock. This paddock is secured to a structure. Then both, throw away their key into the deep dark waters or ravine…
“Perfect pumpkin scones!” according to my nieces. As far as kids go, they are the best judge of good quality food. If it tastes good, they’ll be back for seconds. As was the case with these deliciously light pumpkin scones. They sent pictures via mms; the sms version with pics. How technology has advanced from…
How unusual to find this log-style cafe in the middle of farming country. Suffice to say, it is in the middle of nowhere. I love walking into this secluded magnificent timbered building. It welcomes me every time. Its earthy tones, feasting tables and yesteryear artefacts draw me in. As I walk around, I am fascinated. Next I spotted the eclectic collection…
Themed backdrops, props and tablescapes will transform your special event from the mundane to the fabulous! How wonderful to feel like you’ve walked onto a movie set! Make your event an unforgettable experience…a magical event guests will remember! Have you ever longed to have a birthday, a wedding or a special event which will have your guests loving…
When I heard I could view an historical castle in North Queensland, I wanted to jump in the car and drive there; many a time this has been done. Over the past 20 years, I have taken family and guided friends towards seeing a unique tourist destination, Paronella Park, where one man’s dream became a reality. The people featured are my…
If you want an authentic Australian stockman’s tradition, then enjoying Billy Tea and damper with beef stew is the way to go. When we visited Herberton’s Historical Village, it was set up so visitors could experience a stockman’s tucker cooked over an open camp fire. The campfire cook was chopping firewood, boiling water with tea…
One of the things we learned, as kids growing up, was we had to ‘entertain ourselves’ when playing outdoors. No technology in our time during the 1960s. We always found something to do when we lived on the cane farm in Millaroo, 70km inland of Ayr. I regularly return to Townsville to see mum and…
Homegrown pumpkins were used for this Pumpkin & Chicken Soup recipe. It is a combination of the numerous recipe books mum has used over the years. She likes it because it has four ingredients, is nutritious and is easy when you’re busy. Ingredients 2 extra large onions 1.5 kg pumpkin 6 chicken legs 1.5…
Big Sister Blogs - Maria Parenti 