Standard leafy salads start to bore me after a while, and I can't help but think about all those carbs in my favorite concoction, Pasta Salad.  But after trying some Tabouli from Coles - which is no doubt uninspiring to most - I got thinking....  A healthy salad that's easy and quick to make - in fact, I usually knock it up of an evening while dinner is on the go.  Keeps well in the fridge or chilled in a cooler, and adaptable to whatever veg. I happen to like at the time or have in the fridge.

Here's what I came up with!!

"Nanna O'Brien"
16th February 1918 - 17th November 2011

My Great Grandmother on my fathers side - passed away on the 17th November, aged 93 Years and 9 Months.  Yesterday I, along with my Grandfather and loads of family, friends and former colleagues, attended her funeral service.  I shed many tears while remembering what an amazing part of my childhood she had been.  Though I had lost touch with her in recent years, she was in my thoughts often.  May she now have eternal rest with her loving husband.  I am not sad for her - she lived a long and amazing life.  I am only sad for myself, my family and her devoted frineds, who will miss her kindness, loyalty and warmth.

Always loved, Never forgotten, Forever in my Heart.  Goodbye Nanna.

Summer!  Christmas!  BBQ Season!  Party Season!  New Years!

Pick any of the above, or add your own!  It's around this time of year that I start getting really excited about the upcoming festivities, reminiscing about the months behind, and posting more to my blog (yep, predictable...)!

Long hot days spent enjoying good wine and food with friends...  Camping and kayaking... Swimming at the river...  Why wouldn't I be excited?!

I've already started making mental lists of all the yummy things I get to cook next month to give away to friends and family.  Don't forget to check out my Recipes page to get your own ideas.  I've even got a few new ones up my sleeve to share closer to Christmas!!

Ideas for gifts are racing through my head, and where the heck did I put all the leftover Christmas Cards?!