Tuesday, April 24, 2012

No internet ... and still unpacking


We still don't have any internet and our service provider has said that it will take between 10 to 20 working days for it to get connected, hence, I'm writing this very short blog from work.

We are also still unpacking and the place is a mess. Juggling working full time and not being able to take complete days off and moving is a bitch ... just sayin'.

Anyhow, I'm still around and will be back to regular blogging soon.

© This work is copyrighted to Invest-Ex and Destiny’s Fortunes Pty Ltd

Monday, April 16, 2012

In absentia ...


I apologise for a very neglected blog. We're in the middle of getting ready to move apartments and there has been no food and no cooking in the apartment. It's just been work and packing. Very boring. Will be back with more stuff once we're settled back into the new place.

© This work is copyrighted to Invest-Ex and Destiny’s Fortunes Pty Ltd

Friday, April 6, 2012

Everyman Library book collection for sale


I read my first Everyman’s Library book about a decade ago.  It was the HG Wells classic ‘Ann Veronica’ (EML #977).  I loved the book and it got me interested in "what is this Everyman’s Library collection"?  Since then, I have been collecting on and off a number of the Everyman’s Library books, and now have a collection of 220 of the first format (published during 1906 – 1953) and 135 of the slightly larger format (published from 1956 onward).  These books are a real treasure and mean a lot to me, but unfortunately need to part with them.  As we downsize, I am reading more on the Kindle, and want to have this collection go into the hands of someone who really cares about books and in particular, the Everyman’s Library set of books.  Included in the sale is ‘A Guide to Collecting Everyman’s Library’ by Terry Seymour.  This book explains the history, the specific formats and publications, the rarity of individual volumes, oddities, etc.

I am selling this collection for $2,000 or approximately $5.65 per volume.  Most books are Very Good to Excellent quality and most have dust covers.  There are some duplicates where I either upgraded the quality or felt there was significant trading value in an additional volume given the rarity of a particular volume.  I paid well in excess of this amount during the years purchasing the collection.  I have not inventoried the specific volumes and I am selling the entire collection as a whole.  I will not sell off or allow cherry-picking of specific volumes.  The books are available for display until Sunday, 15 April, when they will then be boxed up and stored as we are moving into our smaller apartment the following week.  At that point, they may still be for sale, but from that point onward, it will be sight unseen.

If you are interested, please contact us via providing a comment on the blog with your contact information and we will get back in touch with you.



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Breville Electric Wok for sale on eBay


The last thing on our list of things to list on eBay for today.

This is an excellent electric wok. We just don't have the room for it anymore - what with moving into a smaller apartment and all that.

It retails for $90.00.

I'm selling it for $10.00.


You can view the eBay listing here.

It's in excellent working condition even if it is used.

Features:
- 2400 watts 'butterfly' element for fast cooking
- 6 litre capacity
- Variable heat control with 15 heat settings
- Quantanium scratch resistant cooking surface
- Quick release removable base
- Cook and look glass lid
- Dishwasher safe
- Designed and developed in Australia
- Made by Breville 





Collection: this item is offered for PICK UP ONLY in the SYDNEY area.

There will be no refunds or returns for this item.


© This work is copyrighted to Invest-Ex and Destiny’s Fortunes Pty Ltd

Eurolab Convection Oven for sale on eBay


This is a used but in excellent condition - because it's barely used - Eurolab Convection Oven.

I think it retails for about $50.00 new.

I am selling it for $10.00 - bargain!!!

Included with the oven, I am also throwing in two fabulous cook books that I got specifically for convection oven cooking. This will help you make yummy and tasty meals out of this oven.




You can view the eBay listing here.

This Eurolab Convection Oven & Multi Cooker offers a different means of cooking. Hot air is circulated all around the food by the internal fan system. The oven therefore cooks in a similar way to a normal oven only much quicker. All meal recipes will be suitable for use in this amazing convection oven. Perfect for the on-the-go mum with a busy and active lifestyle, who still wants to cook and eat healthy!

Included is a helpful cooking guide with recipes, so now you can whip up all your family favourites in less time!

Below is an approximate guide to cooking times. These will vary depending on size and quantity but it offers an initial guideline.

Cooking Guide:
Approx. Time Temperature
Chicken

Whole
35-40mins
180-200°C
Part
15-20mins
180-200°C



Steak


Medium Rare
8-10mins
250°C


Beef Roast (avg 1.5kg)


Rare
35-40mins
175°C
Medium
45-50mins
175°C
Well Done
55-60mins
175°C


Fish
10-15mins
130-150°C


Bread
8-10mins
120-140°C

Features:
  • Eurolab Convection Oven & Multi Cooker.
  • A faster more convenient way of cooking.
  • Most meals can be cooked in the convection oven.
  • Helpful hints and delicious recipe ideas are included.
  • Sits perfectly on your kitchen bench top.
  • Encourages healthy eating.
  • Ideal for the on the person who never has time to cook at home.
  • Power requirement: 220-240V ~ 50Hz 1200-1400W.
  • Capacity: 11L.
  • Diameter:appr. 33cm (top of the bowl); appr. 26cm (bottom of the bowl).
  • Light is on when operating.
  • Includes:
    • 1 x Convection oven.
    • 1 x Low rack.
    • 1 x Dual rack.
    • 1 x Tongs.
    • 1 x User's manual.



Collection: this item is offered for PICK UP ONLY in the SYDNEY area.

There will be no refunds or returns for this item.


© This work is copyrighted to Invest-Ex and Destiny’s Fortunes Pty Ltd

Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker for sale on eBay

Continuing on with the Spring clean in Autumn ... :-)

This is a BRAND NEW, NEVER BEEN USED Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker.

It has never been out of the box.

It retails for $229.00

We are selling it for $75.00.

You can find the eBay listing for this here.

Features include:

•    Adds favourite mix-ins into soft serve ice cream as it’s dispensed
•    Pull down handle to dispense soft serve ice cream directly into cones or bowls
•    Three condiment containers with tabs for adding mix-ins
•    Makes 1.5 litres in as little as 20 minutes
•    Fully automatic – just add favourite fresh ingredients and turn the dial
•    Cone holder holds a stack of pointed or flat bottom cones
•    50-watt






Collection: this item is offered for PICK UP ONLY in the SYDNEY area.

There will be no refunds or returns for this item.



© This work is copyrighted to Invest-Ex and Destiny’s Fortunes Pty Ltd

Hypervibe whole body vibration machine for sale on eBay

UPDATE: This machine is now SOLD.

We're going to be moving to a smaller apartment in a few weeks and so selling off a few things so that everything will fit into the new place.

This is a used (but in excellent condition) Hypervibe - whole body vibration machine for sale.

This machine retails for sale at $2,195.00.

We are selling it for $800.00 - clearly it is priced to go!!

You can view the eBay listing of this machine here.


Here are the specifications: (from their website)

Uniquely Powerful, Reliable and Affordable

The Hypervibe Performance Whole Body Vibration machine was engineered to posses a specific and challenging set of abilities that place it way ahead of its competitors.

It is capable of generating from 0.8G's of G-force all the way up to 17G's, nearly double its closest (more expensive) competitor. It is also capable of generating and accurately displaying a true 28Hz of pivotal vibration and it does all this for under $3,000.

Learn about the importance of pivotal vibration, frequency and G-force.

So whether a mature age person is seeking to gently regain strength and vitality or an athlete needs to push their training to new levels, the Hypervibe Performance is uniquely capable of doing the job and we'd love to help you get started.

Features

  • Rugged steel frame construction
  • Large LCD display showing actual vibration frequency
  • Manual operation mode + 4 frequency specific programs
  • Powerful 900 Watt motor with current overload protection
  • Shock absorbing rubber feet and rear wheels for easy moving

Specifications

  • Size (cm): 76(w) 64(d) 140(h)
  • Weight: 50kg
  • Max user weight: 180kg
  • Platform size (cm): 56.5(w) 36.5(d)
  • G-force range: 0.8 - 17.4
  • Frequency range: 6 - 28Hz
  • Platform movement: pivotal
  • Amplitude: 11mm (peak to peak)





Collection: this item is offered for PICK UP ONLY in the SYDNEY area.

There will be no refunds or returns for this item.


© This work is copyrighted to Invest-Ex and Destiny’s Fortunes Pty Ltd

Monday, April 2, 2012

Fruit does not require cooking ... not in the kitchen much

I haven't been in the kitchen very much lately - those of you who have been reading my blog on any regular basis would know this.

I've been working late and I have not had much of an appetite - a combination which leads to me spending very little time cooking and in the kitchen and which also means The Boy has had to fend for himself in the dinner department. Good thing we have a good stock of canned tuna for sandwiches. :-)

For the most part, all I've been wanting for dinner is fruit and let's face it, fruit does not require much cooking.

When I'm not eating fruit for dinner and actually confronted with food, I've been eating very little of it. Not quite sure what is going on but the appetite for cooked food just isn't there. Even when I'm feeling very hungry, I end up not eating very much.

The Boy has taken to calling me "the one with the weird stomach" which is quite true.

My fruit of choice currently is longans because they are in season, though not for much longer, I don't think. I will probably get another week of it before the end of the season and I have to switch to another fruit. So far, I think I've consumed 4kgs of longans over a 3 week period.


Before the longans was rock melon. The Boy is a fan of the honey dew melon which is the green version of the melon. I like the rock melon which is the orange version of the melon. I like it better because it's a little sweeter. I think in some places the rock melon is also known as a cantaloupe.


I wonder what my next fruit of choice is going to be after I run out of longans?

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Sunday, April 1, 2012

I want to know what HUX is ....

We've got friends visiting us from Qatar. They are dear, dear friends who we met when we lived over there. As was said over the meal, when you are there, as people come and go, you have to love them fast and love them deep and with these friends, this is what we did.

We are delighted to have them over in our fair city and to be able to show them our home and share parts of our lives with them.

Fortunately, they also arrived on a Friday night which gave us the weekend with them. On the Saturday, we spent the day at the Blue Mountains and ended the day at HUX @ Nortons.

When I mentioned that we would be eating at HUX for dinner, the response was quite excited and enthusiastic.

"I must know what this HUX is, I see you talking about it on facebook so much."

"This HUX has peppered so many of your facebook status updates, I'm so excited to find out what it's all about."

So .... dinner at HUX, it was.

Fortunately for us, Jay was there the night we turned up and we had a nice time and was also able to introduce him to our friends.

As usual the food was delightful and as usual, I didn't eat it all because I have a stomach the size of a pea. Again, fortunately, Jay is used to me and my odd eating habits and takes it all in stride. When I mentioned what I wanted to try that night, he looked at me and exclaimed "my gosh! I'm going to have to serve you everything in a thimble!" .... LOL!! Jay knows me so well!!

We started with a beetroot, goats cheese and asparagus salad, which The Boy had. Jay tells us that the watermelon radish in the dish was grown in how own garden specially for this dish. I'm not a fan of beetroot, but I will eat Jay's beetroot.


I had the seafood chowder, which was thick and creamy and made with big chunks of John Dory. Possibly the yummiest chowder I've had in a long time. I was certain it would give me cow belly, but it didn't. :-)


Our friends shared a prawn salad with a chili infused mayonnaise. The salad was tossed in a rather delightful and tangy vinaigrette that had one of our friends almost licking the plate. He said that he was not one for frilly green stuff but this was an exception. Of course, the salad was also massive and a meal in itself. There was plenty to share.


As we moved onto our mains, I, of course, had wondered how I was going to finish mine but then I remembered that I had three other people to help me with it. :-)

The Boy had his usual, which was the Angus Porterhouse steak done medium rare, but with Jay's awesome potato salad rather than potato chips. I think The Boy has had this dish 4 out of the last 5 times he's eaten at HUX.


I had the slow roasted pork belly in apple juice, which was supposed to come with beans and chorizo, but I didn't want beans and chorizo, so Jay had to make something up for me. Fortunately (again!), Jay is very good at "making something up" and whatever he served with the pork belly was yummy. I only ate one of the two pieces of pork belly that came with my dish, and left the other piece for my other three dinner companions to sample. The pork belly was delicately flavored, moist and topped with a super crunchy crackling.


Our friends both had fish. One of them had a whole fish of the day - which was a flounder lightly grilled with lemon herb butter. It looked very tasty to me. I think I would have liked it.


And the other friend had the John Dory fish and chips. I've had that dish before and it is superb. She had it with the chips, whereas I usually have it with the potato salad, but her husband did order a side of the potato salad, so they shared that as well.



As usual, it was a delicious and satisfying meal at HUX. Of course, also great value being technically speaking "pub food" but seriously, it ain't "pub food" in the traditional sense when you have Jay cooking your meal for you. Everything is "home made" and nothing is processed or pre-packaged.

Of course, I recommend HUX highly and think everyone should go!

© This work is copyrighted to Invest-Ex and Destiny’s Fortunes Pty Ltd