I've been feeling decidedly Italian this week. On the drive home from Melbourne, MOTH & I were reminiscing about the best food we've eaten together over the years. One stand out was a wedding anniversary celebration at the wonderful Gennaro's (R.I.P.) at Parkside. Gennaro presented us with Roast Capretto (Baby Goat) lovingly prepared by his Mamma the sous chef. It was one of those moments in life that you want time to stand still & never move on. I've managed to find a recipe that looks mighty good from chef Scott Conant - Moist Roasted Baby Goat (Capretto) with Peas, Fingerling Potatoes and Shallots here.

As Greek Orthodox Easter co-incides with the Christian calendar this year, goat has been plentiful in the market this week. So it's on the menu here at The Hedge this Easter weekend. I have the time & the enthusiasm - what a luxury.

So Buona Pasqua to you all dear Hedgies. It's the Easter break, so go enjoy.

Image: Not On The High Street

Like so many others, I've been deeply affected seeing the devastation & loss the horrendous floods have brought to my fellow Aussies north in Queensland.
The response by Brisbanites to their brothers in great need has been awesome. An army of 16,000 volunteers turned up on Saturday & 10,000 answered the call yesterday. I am so proud of these ordinary people who stand in a queue with their gumboots, brooms, mops, hoses & buckets. Ready to be bussed out to the houses & businesses of complete strangers in faraway suburbs. They just want to do their bit - you are legends each & every one of you.

'Welcome to The Hedge, Mum speaking. You're wanting to book the Guest Suite for Christmas? I can give you the nights of Dec. 23 & 24 only, then you'd need to check out. No need to get snakey, it's our busiest time of the year. Yes darling, I know you're coming from interstate, but my only suggestion for the other 6 nights would be to contact our affiliated property, The Brothers Boutique Hotel down in the city run by your Brother's #4 & #5, they may have a spare room - good luck.'

'Welcome to The Hedge, Mum speaking. You've heard the Guest Bathroom will be completed by Christmas & you want to book the adjoining Guest Suite for 3 weeks instead of heading off to Asia back-packing. OK sweetie, I can only give you the nights of Dec. 25 & 26, & then you'll have to check out. But you can have the room again from Jan. 3rd. Look mate, I know you're driving all the way from Melbourne, but I don't appreciate being yelled at, try our affiliated property, The Brothers Boutique Hotel. But you'd better be quick as I've just told one of your other brothers to contact them pronto - good luck.'

'Welcome to The Hedge, Millie speaking. You're wanting to confirm your Christmas booking, just let me check. Yes, I have you in the Guest Suite from Dec. 27th to Jan. 2nd. There will be a small surcharge for that room, as I've had to decline 2 other bookings in favour of yours. But as you are my favourite Sister-In-Law, I'll throw in a few free meals to sweeten the deal. Yes, I'll try to make sure your brother MOTH The Christmas Grinch is over his Holiday Season grumpy funk before you arrive, but I can't promise anything.'

'Welcome to The Hedge, Mum speaking. You're wanting to book the Guest Suite from Dec. 24th to Dec. 30th, even after swearing back & blue last week you wouldn't be coming home this Christmas from Melbourne? You've got to be joking buddy! Brother #3 has got it for 2 nights, then Brother #2 has a confirmed booking & then your favourite Auntie from Melbourne & her new bloke are long-term guests until the New Year. No need to get abusive, yes you are Son #1 & yes we do love you, but you've left your run too late. Contact our affiliate, The Brothers Boutique Hotel, I hear they may have a spot on their sofa available - good luck.'

Pass the Christmas bookings spreadsheet Basil, this is truly doing my head in!!!

18 Common Phrases to Avoid in Conversation 

By Kristyn Kusek Lewis

Some things should never be said―like these phrases. Here, what to say instead.

What Not to Say About Someone’s Appearance

Don’t say: “You look tired.”
Why: It implies she doesn’t look good.
Instead say: “Is everything OK?” We often blurt the “tired” commentwhen we get the sense that the other person feels out of sorts. So justask.
Don’t say: “Wow, you’ve lost a ton of weight!”
Why: To a newly trim person, it might give the impression that she used to look unattractive.
Instead say: “You look fantastic.” And leave it at that. If you’recurious about how she got so svelte, add, “What’s your secret?”
Don’t say: “You look good for your age.”
Why: Anything with a caveat like this is rude. It’s saying, “You lookgreat―compared with other old people. It’s amazing you have all yourown teeth.”
Instead say: “You look great.”
Don’t say: “I could never wear that.”
Why: It can be misunderstood as a criticism. (“I could never wear that because it’s so ugly.”)
Instead say: “You look so good in skinny jeans.” If you slip, saysomething like “I could never wear that…because I wasn’t blessed withyour long legs.”

What Not to Say in the Workplace

Don’t say: “That’s not my job.”
Why: If your superior asks you to do something, it is your job.
Instead say: “I’m not sure that should be my priority right now.” Thenhave a conversation with your boss about your responsibilities.
Don’t say: “This might sound stupid, but…”
Why: Never undermine your ideas by prefacing your remarks with wishy-washy language.
Instead say: What’s on your mind. It reinforces your credibility to present your ideas with confidence.
Don’t say: “I don’t have time to talk to you.”
Why: It’s plain rude, in person or on the phone.
Instead say: “I’m just finishing something up right now. Can I come bywhen I’m done?” Graciously explain why you can’t talk now, and suggestcatching up at an appointed time later. Let phone calls go to voicemail until you can give callers your undivided attention.

What Not to Say During a Job Interview

Don’t say: “My current boss is horrendous.”
Why: It’s unprofessional. Your interviewer might wonder when you’dstart bad-mouthing her. For all you know, she and your current boss areold pals.
Instead say: “I’m ready for a new challenge” or a similarly positive remark.
Don’t say: “Do you think I’d fit in here?”
Why: You’re the interviewee, not the interviewer.
Instead say: “What do you enjoy about working here?” By all means askquestions, but prepare ones that demonstrate your genuine interest inthe company.
Don’t say: “What are the hours like?” or “What’s the vacation policy?”
Why: You want to be seen as someone who focuses on getting the job done.
Instead say: “What’s the day-to-day like here?” Then, if you’ve reallyjumped through every hoop and time off still hasn’t been mentioned,say, “Can you tell me about the compensation and benefits package?”

What Not to Say About Pregnancy and Babies

Don’t say: “Are you pregnant?”
Why: You ask, she’s not, and you feel totally embarrassed for essentially pointing out that she’s overweight.
Instead say: “Hello” or “Great to see you” or “You look great.”Anything besides “Are you pregnant?” or “What’s the due date?” will do.Save yourself the humiliation and never ask.
Don’t say: “Do you plan on breast-feeding?”
Why: The issue can be controversial, and she may not want to discuss her decision publicly.
Instead say: Nothing. Unless you’re very close, don’t ask. If you slip,make up for the blunder by adding, “And do you feel comfortable tellingme?”
Don’t say: “Were your twins natural?” or “It must have been hard for your child’s birth parent to give him up.”
Why: You’re suggesting that natural conception is better than in vitro fertilization (IVF) or adoption.
Instead say: To a parent of multiples, try a light “Wow, you have yourhands full!” To an adoptive parent, say the same stuff you would to anyother parent: “She’s adorable!” or “How old is he?”

What Not to Say to a Single (or Newly Single) Person

Don’t say: “You were too good for him.”
Why: You are basically saying she has bad taste. And you’ll be embarrassed if they ever patch it up.
Instead say: “His loss!” It gets the same point across without disparaging her judgment.
Don’t say: “I’m glad you got rid of him. I never liked him anyway.”
Why: She’ll wonder about your fake adoration for him while they were together.
Instead say: “I’m confident you’ll find someone who will give youexactly what you want.” It focuses on what’s to come, not on the dudyou’re glad she’s done with.
Don’t say: “How could someone as perfect as you still be single?”
Why: A statement like this comes off as a backhanded compliment. What she hears is “What’s wrong with you?”
Instead say: “Seeing anyone?” If she’s tight-lipped about her love life, move on to other topics.

What Not to Say During a Fight with Your Beloved

Don’t say: “You always” or “You never” or “You’re a [slob, jerk]” or “You’re wrong.”
Why: Speaking in absolutes like “you always” and “you’re wrong” isplaying the blame game, and resorting to name calling makes yourpartner feel helpless, which puts him on the defensive and makes a badfight worse.
Instead say: “I’m upset that you left the dishes in the sink again.What can we do so that this stops happening?” Starting with the pronounI puts the focus on how you feel, not why he’s in the doghouse, and itwill make him more receptive to fixing the problem.
Don’t say: “If you really loved me, you would…”
Why: The more you treat your partner as if he’ll never satisfy you, theless satisfied you’ll be. Controlling your partner by imploring him todo something isn’t a good way to build intimacy.
Instead say: “I feel taken for granted when you don’t help around thehouse. I would feel better if we could…” The best way to keep aproductive fight from becoming a dirty one is to be clear about whyyou’re upset and then offer a solution.
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Son # 5's gorgeous girl Miss Tazzy is now one & quite the work dog. She goes along with her boy every day to jobs & is loving it. Although MOTH came home the other day shaking his head & laughing, as he was helping Son #5 at a client's house & Tazzy spent the entire day running around the backyard trying to round up all the planes that were flying overhead (North Adelaide's right on the flight path into Adelaide Airport). That Border Collie instinct runs deep. I was delighted to get this pic of Taz with her very own reflective safety jacket. Good on her very conscientous Owner. Isn't she growing fast!

Our long weekend in Melbourne was glorious, but the weather just horrendous! We spent the whole time dodging the torrential wind & rain, but the time out & about with family & friends was just wonderful.

We have a weekend full of family & (for the first time in 4 months) non-diet food ahead of us. As I've had a very average week at home & work, I'm counting the seconds, so bring it on & fast I say! MOTH had a chance to read all the fabulous comments you made about his new found 'celebrity' status last night & wanted me to pass on his thanks. He said he'll be thinking of an appropriate reply while he's out working today, now that's a worry. Happy weekend to you all.
Image: Hearst

I'm glad our family has bred a bunch of practical jokers, who make it their mission to be constantly on the look out for the next opportunity to catch out the unsuspecting friend or family member. To ensure that any pretentiousness they see is immediately despatched to the sin bin. To send political correctness a big raspberry, as long it doesn't cause distress to an another individual. To make me laugh so much at their exploits I have to cross my legs very tightly or else. My fervent prayer is that they pass this same trait onto their own kids.

I couldn't bear to think what life would be like without a well-developed sense of the ridiculous. A few years ago I decided to deviate from the norm when filling out forms. DOB: 'Unknown', Current Occupation: 'Celebrity', marital status: 'None of your business', number of children: 'Many' & so it goes. Not once in the ensuing years have any of these answers on any forms been queried - not once.
Image: Malin Ngoie

I never knew you Johnnie, you were killed 11 years before I was born, but you are still loved & adored by our family. A beloved son to Fred & Mary & only brother to Kathleen (my much-loved Aunt Kay), your memory is revered by us all. Your parents had emigrated to South Australia from Ireland after WW1 & you were born in Adelaide in 1920. Named Frederick after your Dad, to your family & friends you were always Johnnie. Your happy, uncomplicated life came to an abrupt end with the onset of WW11.

In 1942 at the age of 21 you enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve & commenced pilot training.

In hospital.