My new favourite chef is.....

Matthew Evans and for those that know - NO....he's NOT the ex boyfriend despite sharing the exact same name!!

Whilst "my" Matthew did make a mean Camembert Chicken, I wish that he had the kitchen wizardry of the other Matthew as I am currently devouring his latest cookbook I downloaded onto my iPad (which I must save for another post).

This morning I downloaded - Winter on the Farm - the whole collection and can I just say that saliva has been dribbling down my chin in the post office as I go through the collection of recipes.

Talking of recipes they appear to be simple whilst the photos show the food to be warming, filling and most importantly look delicious - I am already going to spend tomorrow making the Apple and Sour Cream slice and the Brown Sugar Hazelnut Biscuits.

After losing 12kgs after the DWTCS extravaganza I can see myself slipping into old habits very quickly when you are inspired to cook such delicious looking rich decadent food.

In my next life I would like to come back as a Masterchef and spend my days testing food out in my kitchen from which I would then write umpteenth cookbooks and make my fortune!!

Look as these images directly taken from Matthew's Book - the chef remember NOT the Ex!!

Cromwell House Cooma......

is a delight for all the senses.

My dear friend Steve Allen bought the property 12 months ago and has recently opened the doors of this grand old lady as a BnB and its super stylish.

Husband and I had the pleasure of staying here after my dancing foray in the DWTCS spectacular but it was only for a few hours but those few hours delighted me no end.

Steve is the perfect host - he understand the needs of his guests and his home is welcoming and homey and is a "must stay at" at some stage of your life.

The room we had was just lovely with antiques and original art positioned around the room that had access to the beautiful side decking area perfect for an afternoon tea or two!!

Check out these beautiful images direct from his site - Cromwell House and make sure whilst you are there - make a booking and come to the beautiful and historic Cooma in the Snowy Mountains!

Annie's Room!!

Winter Lounge........mmmmmmm

Informal Lounge

Breakfast anyone??

Perfect spot for a cuppa

DWTCS - more photos

I thought you might also like to see what the other Stars and Dancers looked like - the DVD will be coming out soon and it will be a great way to see how we looked and how the audience of over 1000 Monaro residents enjoyed it too!!

She Danced & Raised $180,000k.......

with the help of 10 other beautiful stars and their equally talented dance partners.

Well the last 6 months of my life have been completely consumed with Dancing With the Cooma Stars and the ride was so worth it.

Rehersals several times a week and then every day in the last few days culminated in Luke and I waling away with the Most Improved contestant prize on the Saturday night.

Overall the event has gained statewide exposure thanks in part to Bronnie Taylor and Sarah Allen who have spoken with Ray Hadely on 2GB and also working with the ABC's 7.30 Report for a wonderful 5 mintue story on Friday night.

I have one more performance which is tomorrow - its a thank you to Berridale - Luke and I will be treading the boards just one more time before I put away the sequins and feathers.

Im going to be a dancer

I have been asked to be one of the contestants in a local event called Dancing with the Cooma Stars!!

ARGH!!!!!!!!! Now really should be the time to tell everyone that I simply can not dance!!

In 2010 they raised $121000.00 for MCCR which is Monaro Committee for Cancer Research and I am just so honoured that they have asked me to have a go!!

So my dance partner and I have started our training and it has so far been alot of fun.

I am aiming to raise $10k myself and I have already been given $2k which just astounds me - people can be so generous!!

If you would like to donate (& I would love it if you did) you can just click here & click on the photo of Luke and I which is at the bottom of the page!!

So the event gets underway on 24 May and we dance for a total of 3 minutes over 4 performances.

I hope I do MCCR proud and that they don't regret asking me to give it a shot!!