Virtual Roma

My friend, Veronica, is married to Vito, aka the Italian Stallion. (You should call them sometime when they're away just so you can hear their message - Vito makes "Leave your message after the beep" sound so sexy!) Even though she's originally from England, she is a fantastic cook and must have been Italian in a former life.

George and I were privileged to be invited to dinner last night at their house last evening and, oh, what a dinner! We started our feast with fresh mussels in a fragrant and tasty broth. Next she served a pasta with olive oil and zucchini that sounds so simple but was simply exquisite. Then we had one of my favorites, Capri salad with fresh mozzarella, basil and tomatoes on a bed of lettuce. This salad looked like something from the pages of Bon Appetit. However, my favorite was an English sweet - sticky caramel and date pudding. Our taste buds were tingling long after dinner.

We also enjoyed the company. Veronica also invited her sister-in-law, Pat, and some friends, Pauline and Michael, who happen to be mental health nurses. Pauline used to work on the same floor at the Freo Hospital where George now works and is now working in the community doing counseling. Michael teaches nursing at Notre Dame. The evening flew by and we couldn't believe it when we realized it was 11:30. Most folks had to work the next day. Hopefully, George will get a weekend off soon and we can have everyone over to the Casa.

A Day at the Races, Aussie Style

Tuesday, November 4th is election day, right? Only in the US - in Oz, it's Melbourne Cup and you need to hang onto your hat or buy one if you don't have one.

The Melbourne Cup is a thoroughbred horse race that rivals any other world horseracing event, including Ascot and the Kentucky Derby. In Victoria and New South Wales, race day is a public holiday but in Western Australia, it's more unofficial but festive. Shop owners close their stores because everyone is partying during Melbourne Cup. Most bars and restaurants have celebrations but there are also heaps and heaps (as they say here) of home parties.

Cyndi Blake held a wonderful bash for the American Women's Club of Perth and friends at her home. We started with champagne and mimosas, followed with an array of yummy appetizers, sandwiches and incredible bite-sized desserts.

Prizes were given for "Fashion on the Field" and we bet on the horses with a number lottery so there was plenty of reason to yell for our favorites.

We are also raising money for a worthwhile charity in Tanzania to help build a home for grandparents and their orphaned grandchildren.

Our hostess, Cyndi, won best dressed.

Imelda would be jealous of these winning shoes!

This was my favorite skirt and shoes. The labels
above the pleats read Lady Luck.

My friend, Diana, wore my favorite hat!

Everyone in this group has a good sense of humor.

It seems right that an Aussie won Best Hat!

The dots are shiny, sparkly and silver!

I won a bottle of champagne for my hat for Most Original. I don't know if it's because I'm the only one who decorated my own hat or because the drunken Kiwi judge liked me because we used to live in New Zealand.

Donna & Bonnie, my new beading buddies
who just moved here from Houston.

Nothing like mimosas to make any party festive!

Straight champagne also works.

The lady in red has belonged to AWCP for 27 years.

My photo of the start didn't turn out too well.

The race was extremely exciting with a photo finish. Viewed, an Australian horse, beat Bauer, an Irish entry, by a nose. Actually, it looked like he won by a nose hair to me, it was so close!

And a good time was had by all!