Apparently, you’re supposed to name your starter. Who knew baking came with this kind of responsibility? My first attempt at a starter was homegrown—and gave me all kinds of trouble. As I muttered “Sour-Doh!” (channeling my inner Homer Simpson), the name Homer stuck. It just felt right for that stubborn little jar of goo. Thankfully, …
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A Perth-Fect Walkabout
A Hop to Perth Puts the Size of This Country into Perspective! After a fantastic week in Melbourne, we packed a bag and said our temporary goodbyes to the Lawrence fam. We were off on a walkabout—or rather, a jet-about—to see more of Australia. Next stop: 4.5 hours west to Perth! I have to admit, …
A Very Tiny Big Adventure!
Before we left Melbourne, we had one last adventure planned—one that turned out to be one of the most unforgettable. Our generous hosts and wonderful friends, Jan and Jim, took us on a day trip to Phillip Island, about a two-hour drive. Along the way, we stopped for what might’ve been the best fish and …
From Sourdough! To sour whoa!
How I went from “D’oh!” to dough. Here’s my sourdough story—and like a good starter, it continues to grow. Late to the (Bread) Party In the spring of 2021, I decided to try my hand at sourdough. As usual, I was a bit late to the trend that had already risen (ha!) during quarantine. But …
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!
We’re suckers for live sports, so when the chance came to catch an Aussie Rules Footy match, we didn’t hesitate! We headed into Melbourne with Trent and met up with his mates at Etihad Stadium (now known as Marvel Stadium) for a night of fast-paced, high-flying action. I love their mascot! Aussie Rules is like …
I Almost Held a Koala!
Remember how this all started? Back in 5th grade, I became obsessed with koalas (not bears—never bears!). My friend Tanya and I would dream about going to Australia someday and holding one of those adorable eucalyptus-munching fluffballs. It was a top-tier bucket list item. As it turns out, a few things have changed since my …
Off to the Races!
One of the unexpected highlights of our trip? Being in Melbourne the same week as the Formula 1 Grand Prix! Neither Dave nor I had ever been to an F1 race before, so when Trent suggested we get tickets, we were all in. Trent, his dad Jim, Dave, and I met up with a couple …
Our Four Legged Babies!
To say we’re animal lovers is an understatement! From the start, Dave and I have shared a deep love for our four-legged (and occasionally no-legged) companions. While dogs have taken center stage in our lives, we’ve also welcomed cats, fish, a tortoise, and the occasional house gecko into our lives. I can’t wait to share …
Custard Apples & Huntsman Spiders
The Good, the Bad… and Both Kinda Ugly When I found a custard apple at the market, I was thrilled! I’d read about these unique fruits—native to Australia—and didn’t think I’d get the chance to try one since they’re more common farther north. Even the Lawrences had never had one, so I felt like I’d …
Pebbled 