Halubki

When we were in Adelaide, my dad translated a Russian recipe for Halubki - aka freaking delicious cabbage rolls, like my grandma used to make.



I made them last week on my day off. I carefully dismantled a whole cabbage leaf by leaf.



Because my hands were covered in a delicious (to Tess) mixture of pork, beef and onion, I neglected to take photos until the rolls were getting a little pan fry before going into the pot.



All piled up and with tomato sauce on top to stew in, then more cabbage leaves on top to seal them up.



A couple of hours in the oven later, voila!



Ah, delicious! Even more tasty a couple of days later, mind.



In other news, I went to visit Joey at work. Mike had put up a poster of Joey riding around on his bike in Paris.



Joey had returned the favour by putting up a picture of Mike and his dog.



We went for a romantic drink by the beach in Joey's native St Kilda. He's on the mineral water, which, according to Joey, tastes like piss. I had a beer.



The next day, Tess looked like she was sizing up this tree to chop it down. Turns out there was a possum up there.



We met up with old friends Ben and Elissa and new friend Sammy, over from Brisbane town! Rosie was in Sydney for the weekend, by the way.



We went back to St Kilda (I know, I've lost my marbles) to go to this off-leash dog beach Joey has been telling me about. Utopia!



Staunch north-sider Tess was not keen at all.



Joey and Mem's hound Gigi on the other hand, was in her element.



Later on, we met up at the pub for dinner. Sammy was dressed for the occasion, with some locals mistaking him for a visiting hip-hop performer of some description.



Unfazed, I engaged Sammy in a red hood staring competition. He won.



It was great to make his acquaintance. Awesome to see you guys!



Sam and I continued to 99 Problems, where Dion furnished us with exotic drinks. That spiced rum is delicious!



We continued from there to the Gem, where it was Sarah and Andy's engagement party!



To be safe, I had skated to the pub instead of my usual bike ride. Didn't stop me from having a couple of minor spills on the way home.



The next day, Pete freshened my wheels with his belt sander.



We went shredding in Melton, where lo and behold, we bumped into Jordan! Here he is on his way towards trying a trick.



Then on his way back again. What a guy.



Oh, my new jeans are up on the NTS site - have a look! I'm trying to set up a web store at the moment, but please drop me a line if you're interested in buying a pair from me directly.