Go Swans!

This weekend Dane and I enjoyed our very first Australian Football League game.  By default, we have become Sydney Swans fans, and let me be honest, thats the team I would have picked anyway.  I mean where else are you going to find an amazing mascot like a swan that rides a scooter around the field and shakes his tail feathers?

Something you might not know, AFL is played on an oval field.  The game involves moving the ball down the field by throwing it, like you would throw a rugby ball and kicking it.  If you can kick the ball through the middle posts you get six points.  If it goes through the outer you get one.  The Swans played the Magpies.  A little Aussie bird knowledge for you all, the magpie is also a bird, a very territorial bird.  Speaking of magpies, I think they knew I cheered for the Swans this weekend because twice now this week I have been attacked by one on the way to work.  It is currently building its nest right outside our house, and I am told it wants my hair to use as nest builder.  I am the ONLY person in the house who has been attacked.  Tomorrow morning, it is ON bird.  Ok, moving on with our story.

Here are the Sydney Swans warming up.  I titled this picture "let's go girls."  I think only Brock will get that joke, but it certainly made me smile.

We went with our amazing a beautiful friend Amelia and the night was full of firsts.

We had our first meat pie.  Wow, they are good.  Flakey pastry crust with a hearty beef center.  So yum!

And for the first time ever, we saw the Olympic torch.  But not only was it the torch, it was actually lit. I didn't realize this, but all Olympic sites around the world light their torch during every Olympic games.  We just happened to be at Sydney Olympic Park and snagged a couple pictures.  It really was quite impressive to see.

As for the game, the the swans lost, but it went all the way down to the end.  As for me vs the magpie, well its 0-2, but tomorrow morning that is all going to change!

Love you all,
the kids down under

what's for dinner: fish tacos

 It has come to my attention that there Mexican is something that Australia doesn't really know how to do, and it is no secret to anyone else, Dane and I love our Mexican food!  We love it so much we served it at our wedding.  Classy I know right?  Oh those of you who were there know you loved it!

We love Mexican food so much, we usually have some form of it one night a week.  From tacos, taco salads, southwest chicken salads to fish tacos.

Fish tacos you say?  Yes, fish tacos. Started in Baja California, they have become quite popular around the states and in my heart.



Today I want to share with you, my own fish taco recipe, adapted from several friends recipes.  My good friend Sherry, who shared this recipe with me about two years ago, my friend Don, and most recently, my Swedish friends.

First off, you have to get your fish.  Now you can go to the work of beer battering your own fish, it really is ideal and delicious, but Dane and I don't have a frier, which is probably a good thing really and often we are pressed for time.  So my good friend Don taught me a little fish tacos secret him and his wife use.  Fish sticks.  Whoa, I know many of you just put the brakes on and stopped reading.  If you are like me, your only experience with fish sticks was some crazy persons combination of dinosaur shapes that tasted like fish served up on your school lunch tray.  But my mama has recently introduced me to the wonderful world of frozen fish sticks.  There really are some quality products out there.  Just remember, you get what you pay for, so don't skimp on this part.  I live in the land of fish n' chip shops currently, so the next time I make fish tacos, I will just stop by a fish shop and pick up a fresh batch of battered and fried fish.  Oh the beauties of living in a city on a coast.

Now the most important part of your fish tacos in the sauce.  I follow the recipe above for the most part, but have made a few adaptations to tone down the spice level for Dane and I.  Here is my fish tacos sauce recipe:

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon minced capers
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
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• Now for the toppings.  Traditionally, fish tacos are topped with shredded cabbage, but this is something Dane and I don't have around the house often, so we opt for shredded lettuce, freshly diced tomatoes, and the latest addition, cucumbers.  Just trust me, the Swedes knew what they were doing when they decided to combine cucumbers with Mexican food.  
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• Now to build that delicious masterpiece.  Grab your soft shell, spread some sauce on it, top with a couple fish sticks and the veges.  Now fold and enjoy. 
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• They are so delicious!  Dane and I celebrated our 10 month anniversary with fish tacos, followed by a bike ride into the night to our local grocery store for ice cream.  Belgium chocolate for him, chocolate chip cookie dough for me.  Trust me, this is a big deal, you can't find chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream ANYWHERE in Australia.
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• I know, I know, some of you are thinking, seriously, you celebrate 10 months.  Dane and I celebrate each month in some little way.  Being married has been such a blessing to us, and life needs more celebrations.
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• love y'all
• the kids down under 
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A Gift Of Joy

Somedays home seems so so far away, and then a little reminder is sent your way, that this world really isn't that big in the grand scheme of things, this is a season in your life, and God has you here for a purpose, it will all be ok.

While sitting outside this morning eating breakfast, I looked up just in time to see a Monarch enjoying the plants that grow along our fence.  I got really excited because I have never seen a Monarch in Australia before.  I didn't even know they lived here.  Thankfully my camera was next to me, so I snagged a quick picture than ran inside to do some research.

My first google search, "Monarch in Australia" lead me to a list of kings and queens, which made me giggle.  After adding the word butterfly to my search I learned that Monarchs exist in North America and Australia, this fact alone made me so happy, just makes our continents feel a little closer.  But what made this butterfly very special, is that Monarchs should not be spotted in New South Wales until late September.  It is way too cold for these beauties to be flying around Sydney right now, but yet, here was one, in my backyard.

Truly a gift of joy from above.

ADVENTURES IN...SUSHI MAKING

Welcome to a new little feature on my blog titled "adventures in."  A chance for me to try new things and share the experience with those of you in the blog world.  Several years ago, my friend Brady first took me on a sushi adventure.  We traveled to the Sushi House in Kansas City, where we dined on rolls and sashimi.  Since then, my sushi tastes have changed a bit, but I have always wanted to learn how to make this delicious dish at home.

Tonight was my first adventure, alone, without my friend Yuriko from Japan doing all of the rolling for me.  Some lessons I learned:

* Buy sushi rice.  Don't try and make sushi with the long grain rice you have in the pantry, go out and spend a bit extra for some sushi rice.  It is worth it.  Follow the directions on the package exactly.

* A little bit of rice goes a long long way.  It is really important not to over stuff the rolls.  This is one of the biggest problems people have when making sushi.  Spread the rice thin on the nori, put a row of each filling you are adding, then roll.  I had to giggle because I made heaps of rice and didn't want to overstuff the rolls so Dane and I had 64 pieces of sushi to eat.  Yeah, we didn't conquer it all, but almost.

* After rolling your rolls let them sit a bit before slicing.

* Sticky rice is sticky.  Use wet hands, a wet spoon, and a wet knife when working with the rolls.

* Don't be afraid to mess up.  Do your best and have fun.

Dane and I stuck with vegetable sushi tonight.  Sweet potato rolls, cucumber cream cheese avocado rolls, and avocado rolls.

We were pretty excited with how it all turned out.  The flavors were super yummy.  We are excited to try new flavor combinations next time we go on a sushi making adventure.

may. june. july.

Check out what has been going on in our lives the past three months.  May, June, and July pictures of the day are up right now!

pancakes

Dane and I visited Pancakes on the Rocks this past week.  This is a restaurant we've been wanting to try out since we got to Sydney.  Their speciality, obviously, is pancakes, and they do them well.  I am including a link on the history of the restaurant, mainly for Papa Wutke, because we know how you like your history, but maybe a few of the rest of you will enjoy the read as well.  pancake history.

So clever!

Dane's Order: Devil's Delight Pancakes

Christy's Order: Brandied Apricot Pancakes

And of course, we finished our meal with a hot chocolate.   We loved our pancakes, but want to go back and try plain ol' buttermilk next time.  We feel that is the true test of any pancake.  Yes, Pancakes on the Rocks, we will be returning soon!

282 days ♥

Please hang with me while a gush for a little bit.  I came to the realization today that Dane and I have been married for 282 days.  Not every day has been glorious, lovey-dovey, or easy, but I am so so so thankful for this man in my life.  God has blessed me with the perfect partner in crime to do life with.  When I think back on the past 282 days I realize all of the amazing experiences we have been there for each other, supporting one another, cheering one another on.  

Like on day 92 we said goodbye to our friends and family and took off for a life changing experience.  

On day 108 I watched Dane audition for Hillsong College.  

On day 117 we began serving together at Greater West Hillsong Church.  

On day 136 we thanked God for provision in our lives.  

On day 143 God spoke to Dane about a car coming into our lives in the future.  We continue praying into this promise.

On day 145 we bandaged Dane's ankle.  We would continue doing this for 30 more days. 

On day 161 we celebrated the freedom Jesus brought into my life. 

On day 172 Dane had to wipe my tears. He does this a lot for me.

On day 195 we enjoyed dinner with new friends.  

On day 207 I turned 30 with my best friend by my side.  

On day 224 we started a new tradition, nestler day.  

On day 232 we were anointed as a couple and a prayer of blessing and financial freedom was prayed over us.  

On day 245 we discovered the world's largest mammals in the Pacific Ocean.  

And on day 279 Dane brought me home just because flowers.

Today, on day 282, we snuggled to stay warm as our bedroom got down to 41 degrees in the night, we got a new housemate from South Africa, and are having our friend Nick from Thailand come over and teach us how to make one of my favorite dishes, Pad Thai.  

Every single day with you Dane is a blessing.