Please forgive my AWOL...

Yes.. I ask for patience.. forgiveness.. 

wish you could ALL sit around our table on Friday

I'm going AWOL..
In military terminology, desertion is the abandonment of a "duty" or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning. "Absence Without Leave" (AWOL) can refer to either desertion or a temporary absence.

BUT I'm going to return..I promise! . 

You see I've got a big 'O' birthday.. on Friday 18th.. oh my gosh!!!
You Jean?..
never.. I would never have guessed you're THAT old yet !!!!

Well..  I've invited 22 of my girl friends to join me at home 

for a girls luncheon on Friday.. 

How exciting... how blessed am I?

22 friends for lunch! 
And my two lovely daughters, 
and my very precious Willow are specially flying into Queensland as well.. 

so right now my heads in the fridge..

in the recipe books.. 

in the shopping isles..
at the flower market.. 

I've planned a great menu..

Start with smoked salmon on cucumber bites, with bubbly

Chicken Coronation served on bed of Cos salad – Ina

Slow Roast Lamb leg served with mint yogurt dressing – Jamie’s recipe

Buffalo mozzarella with tomato salad and basil – Marlette v d Westhuizen

Orange salad with radishes and olives – Ina

Curry peach salad – Ina recipe

Avo salad with pine nuts served on bed of rocket, Parmesan and balsamic – Ruben’s recipe

Moroccan Couscous salad with chickpeas Toni

Austrian potato salad – Kim

Cape seed bread

Sour dough bread

Dessert

Ricotta dessert with cognac and citrus zest – Marlette v d Westhuizen

Summer berries – straw/rasp/blue..black

Nicole cupcakes

Wendy cake – think it’s a gluten free Orange with chocolate ..

And I bought some nice Orange dessert wine.. 

and more bubbly! 

Any thoughts.. Suggestions.. gratefully accepted! 

Or if you'd like any of my recipes.. please feel free to contact me..

hey.. I'd love your thoughts please.. 

Both on the menu.. and on turning the big 'O'.. !!!

so.. watch this space..

I'll post some of the pics.. table settings.. etc.,... 

In the meanwhile.. 

Enjoy a good week further.. 

aah.. I love a party! and a Ginger Jar!!

Here's the invite!

 

 PS.. do you enjoy celebrating your birthday.. or do you just quietly let it slip out the door unnoticed?