CCU Undercover + Summer In Winter

Every student needs a break and this time, when I donned my trench coat and fedora (I really didn’t!) the sky was pure blue, the sun was shining, people were grinning and the Wallabies were winning – pretty cool huh? Gotta love those big buff boys (I know I do!)

We were sitting so close!!!

We were sitting so close!!!

There was so much atmosphere in the air, the stadium was totally packed and I legit lost my voice after screaming so much for the team! Yep, true I do not watch every rugby union game ever and yes, I do not get the sign language of the ref, but who cares because it just so so soo much fun!

But as much as I would love to talk about the green and gold spirit and the fact that Wales lost all three test matches against us (but whose counting? ;)), I do not think you are here to hear about that. I will admit though, grudgingly, that Wales lost only by 2-3 points each game but hey, loss is a loss no? 😉
Better luck next time (what a lie, I will still be rooting for Australia!)

wallabies 17Let’s get to the knitty-gritty shall we then? (Gosh, that phrase is so old fashioned!)
Of course, pre-game, we had to have a lunch. Specifically a lunch so heavy and delicious it would blow our minds. And we did. How we did.

And tha is where the shades came out, and the notepad and pen (a.k.a my phone) discreetly was placed on the table.

review titleSo where did my daddy, my brother, et moi go?

Bavarian Bier Cafe. Located at Fox Studios (since the game was at Moore Park). We have been before pre-blogging. We loved it before pre-blogging. But I think we loved it even more this time 😀

I honestly think this was one of the most fun lunches I have ever had with my family. Would you like to hear about, see some (lots) of shots? Ok, let’s begin then 😀

As I said before, the sun was shining and the world was looking bright when my daddy and I met my brother and then walked down to the restaurant. The ambience inside was awesome, huge beer mugs on display (can you believe 1 L mugs?!), an accordian player bugging pestering visiting every table, and the smell of saukerat and sausages was heavy. You already know I love the smell of frying meat right despite the fact I don’t want to eat it right?

wallabies 5Now the fun begins… 😉
You see, my brother, the lucky bugger, just finished his exams and now has a 3 week break. He is a total non-drinker, the occasional alcohol once in a blue moon, but today, he decided he wanted to celebrate and let loose by having one beer. And where is a better place to get one than Bavarian Bier cafe right? Especially considering it is authentically German cuisine 🙂

Check out their labels!

Check out their labels!

He looked over the menu, pondered and decided to get one called the Five Bier something or another. Underneath, there was a bitterness scale and since five was the highest number, and he loves bitter taste, he got that one. Check out what came…

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…

Sucker 😛

As if he, the non drinker would drink the whole 5 biers right? 200ml each, that is 1L of bier right there! Anyway, he just decided to try a little of each, taking the most of the opportunity. Boy, did he make the most of the opportunity though as you shall see… 😉

Me, I was a little modest underage girl who got her orange juice while envious of the pretty beer colour around me but WOW, was it delicious. Never have I had a juice in which the flavour was so concentrated and almost thick! It was delicious!

Feels a little pathetic sitting in a bier restaurant drinking juice...

Feels a little pathetic sitting in a bier restaurant drinking juice…

My dad went for the simple Jack Daniels and Coke, sticking to a classic.

Sorry for the blurriness but my brother and daddy were clinking glasses :)

Sorry for the blurriness but my brother and daddy were clinking glasses 🙂

Anyway, next came out Freshly Baked Bavarian Bier Pretzel w/ butter ($3.50). The pretzel to beat all pretzels with a thick slab of butter of creamy delicious taste. Soft, doughy and perfectly salted, it was beautifully browned and just almost indescribably wonderful in taste, as the pictures show 🙂

Perfection, absolute!

Perfection, absolute!

Then came out the big guns.

I ordered the the Roasted Vegetable Fettucini w/ Rocket, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Fresh Chili ($23), considering it is their only main vegetarian meal. Where do I begin? The smell was enticing, there was a huge, generous pile of beautiful fettucini, not drenched but more flavoured in chili and olive oil, lying on a bed of rocket surrounded by roasted capsicum, onions, tomatoes and all topped with  melted shavings of swiss cheese, I believe. I could not finish it given the size but I am regretting that now as I want to eat this again and again and again 🙂 – Winner dish!

wallabies 9

IMG_7435
My daddy and brother are all ‘Schnitzels FTW (for the win)’, supporting it almost as much as they support Aussie Rugby teams 😉
Daddy ordered the Pan-Fried Chicken Schnitzel w/ a side of Kipfler Potato Salad ($27.50). The dish came served with a mayo dressing, lemon and rocket salad on the side and had beautiful presentation. The ecstasy on my dad’s face told me how perfectly fried the chicken was, apparently being soft on the inside but deliciously crunchy on the outside. And a beautiful brown too, no uneven colour! The Kipler Potato (also known as ‘German Finger Potatoes’) salad, which I also tried, was creamy but with a zesty citrusy kick and the perfect side to any meal. It also looked totally devourable.

wallabies 12How’s my brother going. What 3 down already? Must not be thinking and just drinking 😉
Anyhow, getting back to his meal, he chose the Swiss Schnitzel (Chicken Schnitzel with Swiss Cheese, Double Smoked Leg Ham and Kipfler Potato Salad) ($29.50). Quoting him, although you can’t know how much to trust him considering his alcohol intake already ;), ‘The cheese made it!’ It did look deliciously melty over a huge piece of chicken. Similar to dad’s dish, this had the same sides and was fantastic in texture, taste and serving, though whether the grin on my brother’s face was from the alcohol or the food, we will never know 😛

wallabies 11

Samples all, drinks one full hehehehe... can't help himself can he ;)

Samples all, drinks one full hehehehe… can’t help himself can he 😉

They also ordered a side of Sauerkraut and Speck* ($7.90) which according to my brother, was quite tasty but it just did not work very well as an additional side with either chicken dish.
*Speck = A delicatessen smoked juniper-flavoured ham from Northern Italy

wallabies 10
By now we are feeling pretty stuffed but the dessert here is not optional. Whoever bypasses it, I put shame on your name! My brother, ahem, did bypass dessert, saying he would take a little from my dad and me (ahem, a little rude no? :P) but if I be honest with you, I think it was the fact that he did not want to get interrupted from his drinks, of which he only had basically 1 left, poor baby 😉

wallabies 14
Dad decided to get the Apple Strudel with Homemade Vanilla Anglaise (served with real vanilla bean ice cream) ($12). This leaves you speechless. The custard is silky smooth, with specks of real vanilla bean in it and a beautiful strong flavour. It goes perfectly with the flaky sweet pastry of the strudel, filled with apples cooked to perfection and spiced with hints of brown sugar sweetness coming through but not being overbearing. The ice cream just tops the dessert off perfectly. It deserves to be so much more than a measly $12!

IMG_7460

Sorry for the 'blueness' of the photos, we were in the shade :P

Sorry for the ‘blueness’ of the photos, we were in the shade 😛

Since we have already been to this restaurant before and I got the apple strudel last time, I went for the Chocolate Delice w/ Summer Berries and Roasted Almond Ice Cream ($12). I had no idea what the ‘Chocolate Delice’ was but what came out was a small, intensely chocolatey looking cake which after one bite, tasted like either a very light cheesecake or a very dense mousse. In other words, heaven. It was paired with a fudgy biscuit base and topped with a smooth ganache which made this ‘delice’ indeed! The summer berry coulis was strongly liquored flavoured (it is a wonder my brother did not lap that up too ;)) but paired well with the cake. I was a little disappointed by the roasted almond ice cream which was lacking a strong almond-y flavour and was not sweet enough, therefore was slightly bland. I was more than happy to concentrate on cake though 🙂

wallabies 22

Polite eating...

Polite eating…

Real eating... :)

Real eating… 🙂

My brother slammed down his last beer glass, pointed at us with a shaky finger and drawled out something unintelligble. Jokes, jokes, but I must say he could not answer my maths question fast enough! 😛

wallabies 19At the end of the meal, my dad summed up everything:

“You’re drunk on alcohol (brother), you’re drunk on joy (me) and I’m fat!” – fitting no? 😀

Ironically, the coffee was for daddy and not my brother :P

Ironically, the coffee was for daddy and not my brother 😛

Afterwards, the world was being seen in black spots because I was so dozey but onwards we went to the game where we ate nothing (surprised no? :P), where my brother taught me how to bet and we made a whopping $13 by betting that $5 at  $2.60 that Australia would be beat Wales (which of course, we did 😀 😀 😀 :D) and basically, had a whopper of a time!!!!

General Overview

The Goods

  • Fabulously sexy waiter + awesome accents all round 😉 – that and fast, efficient service considering how busy they were
  • Generosity – everything was so so generous in size, serving, ingredients – my brother’s beer tray had little indents where the mug was to catch dripping beer because they fill the glasses way up!
  • Attention to presentation and detail – the desserts came with little apple pieces to act as freshners after a meal – too cute!

The Bads

  • On the menu, some things (not the beer, that was my brother’s fault :P), should have been more clearly explained such as what a ‘chocolate delice’ actually is and some uncommon dishes (like speck)

Rating: 9/10 – coming from a vegetarian!

wallabies 81
Website: http://www.bavarianbiercafe.com/home/
Menus: http://www.bavarianbiercafe.com/food_and_drink/

Address & Contact:
Entertainment Quarter (Fox Studios)
212 Bent St
Moore Park NSW 2021

Number: 9361 3833

Booking: Recommended
Bavarian Bier Café Entertainment Quarter on Urbanspoon

*****************************************************************************
For some light relief and total and utter detoxing, I decided to make a Lemonade. But pfft, who makes just lemonade? Everyone in the Northern Hemisphere is getting stuck into the beautifully coloured, exotic drinks so even though it is freezing 5 degrees C here, with the heaters on, I would so drink this drink 😉

lemonade 15
My whole family drank and enjoyed it, it was the perfect refreshment even in the cold 😉
This is a quick recipe which is definitely a keeper! 😀

lemonade 11
Enjoy!

Mixed Berries Lemonade
Adapted from: Made In Mel’s Kitchen

Serves: 5-6

Ingredients

Lemonade

  • 1 cup + 2 tbs boiling water
  • 3/4 cup caster sugar
  • 3 1/2 – 4 cups chilled water
  • 1 cup lemon juice (if you want fresh, use around 8 small lemons)
    lemonade 6
  • 2 tsp strawberry essence
  • 1 cup fresh mixed berry sauce

Mixed Berry Sauce

  • 2 cups frozen mixed berries, thawed (make sure juice is retained)
    lemonade 1
  • 1 tbs fresh orange juice (or lime, or lemon)
  • 1 tbs caster sugar
  • 2 tbs cold water

Method

For Sauce

  1. Place all ingredients (including retained juice) into a food processor and blend until smooth
    lemonade 4
  2. Strain mixture into a bowl to get rid of lumps

lemonade 5For Lemonade

  1. In a large jug, mix hot water and sugar until sugar dissolves
  2. Stir in lemon juice and cold water
  3. Add strawberry essence and mix into berry sauce
  4. Stir berry sauce through the lemonade
    lemonade 8
    lemonade 9
  5. Refrigerate till serving, covered by plastic wrap, decorate with lemon wedges and strawberries 🙂

Notes

  • Serving in chilled glasses makes for a more refreshing drink
    lemonade 14
  • The essence is optional but I love it 🙂
  • Use a wooden spoon to stir the lemonade before serving each time and do not refrigerate in any steel pitcher because, according to my mum, it reacts and um… stuff (this is why I am not taking chemistry!)
    lemonade 13
  • If you find the drink to be too sweet, add chilled water in, 1 tbs at a time until desired sweetness
  • Place a couple of mint leaves in the jug to give a… um… minty freshness 😛

lemonade 10*****************************************************************************
After a long post, I was want to conclude it. Next time I will be posting, I will be free so see you all in 4 days time. Only 4 days 😉

Before I leave, I would like to thank Sally @ Catpurrology and Lisa @ La Vie Eclectique for awarding me the Blog On Fire Award (cool name no? :D) – I will be properly passing these awards on in my next post!

lemonade 12
Also, ironically enough, one of my history assignments is to make and blog about an ancient mystery 😛
If any of you are into some Indian myths and legends, check out my temporary blog here:

http://thearyancontroversy.wordpress.com/

Toodles for now, see you when I am all free 😀

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122 Comments

  1. Pingback: CCU Undercover: Criniti’s « Go Bake Yourself

  4. Cat Protectress says:

    What an incredible post, nice job! I loved the review and the photos and then you even included a delicious lemonade recipe – purrfect for Summer 🙂 Thanks for what you do with your blog. Cheers!

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  10. Zoe says:

    I’m actually surprised that you are drinking lemonade at this time of the year… Your lemonade made with lots of berries seems pretty unique to me 😀

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  13. Cucina49 says:

    You took such good photos of the food! Would you believe I have never been to a rugby game? I couldn’t help but laugh about your comment on the juice–David and I went to a couple of beer gardens in Munich, but I flat-out don’t drink beer and was the only one who wasn’t.

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you so much 😀
      And good on you for no peer pressuring! And my friend, thats it, I am kidnapping you and taking you to see the buff.. I mean… rugby players!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  14. Juliana says:

    Is sure sounds that you have a great time with your dad and brother 🙂
    The berry lemonade looks so refreshing…perfect for the Summer.
    Thanks for the recipe and hope you are enjoying your week my dear!

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  25. Kim @ Treats & Trinkets says:

    Firstly: Your family sounds like tons of fun. That last line from your dad totally cracked me up.

    Secondly: My Germanic half is making a rare appearance here- Sauerkraut is a dish usually eaten with wurst (sausage). I’m not surprised it didn’t go with the chicken dishes.

    Thirdly: I’m totally drooling over that pretzel. Yum!

    Fourthly: That lemonade sounds soooooo good. My dad can’t drink anything carbonated anymore, so he’s become something of a lemonade aficianado.

    Fifthly:…… No, I think I’m good with four.

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  35. Sammie says:

    Oh my goodness, looking at all that food is really making me so hungry even though I just finished my dinner!!!! oh pasta, how I love theee…. and the dessert… simply mouthwatering!

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  37. Elaine says:

    It looks like you had a wonderful time. All that found looks marvelous, especially your dessert. 🙂 I will have to try your lemonade recipe – we enjoy drinking agua frescas during the summer months and this would be a lovely change.

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  39. Nami | Just One Cookbook says:

    Hi Uru! Huh…I just realized I’ve never had mixed berry lemonade before, despite strawberry lemonade is my favorite! Sounds like I got to try mix berry version at home since I don’t see that anywhere in restaurant, etc. Your restaurant review is fun and delicious. I love the roasted veggie fettuccine. I got some inspiration from that dish and try to make it similar one at home!

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  40. Geni - Sweet and Crumby says:

    What a wonderful day you had with your dad and brother! Sounds exciting and delicious. That strawberry lemonade looks perfect for the weather around here in sunny So. Cal. So refreshing and pretty (I love that it’s a bright pink!).

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  42. Averil Gomes says:

    Love the berry lemonade and your commentary off field 😀

    I’ve got to say that your brother must really love you ;-)… that’s the nice thing about having big brothers I suppose, though I was way too wicked for mine. So when are we going to see you make that chocolate dessert? Sometime soon I hope.

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  44. Food Stories says:

    Wow … Look at all that food! So funny that you’re brother got five beers 🙂 Can’t wait to see your blog post assignment as I know you’ll know it out of the ballpark!

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  45. LinsFood says:

    Where do I start?! The Bavarian Bier Cafe was definitely the perfect way to celebrate winning a rugger game! Everything looks splendid, although my favourites are definitely the desserts! Love your mixed berries lemonade, what a refreshingly topical twist!

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  46. Suzie says:

    That buttery pretzel looks delicious! It’s funny that you like the smell of meat being cooked but, don’t eat it. I would have to order what your brother ordered, the food not the beer 😉 Too funny that five beers came out and he finished them! Looks like you all had a good time and got to spend quality time together! That mixed berry lemonade looks so good, and perfect timing for here. See you soon 🙂

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  47. thelady8home says:

    And this when you are busy with exams?? 😀

    I was laughing all the way through the post. My guffaw moment came with the 5 point beer thingy……

    Entertainment full on! LOVED the post, and the lemonade.

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  50. Kelly @ Inspired Edibles says:

    This looks like the ideal student break to me… I agree, you’ve got to change up the scenery! (at first I thought it was a soccer match and got all excited… ;-)).

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  52. Hannah (BitterSweet) says:

    Fruity lemonade would seriously hit the spot right about now. Our heatwave has finally (temporarily) broken today, but I would still load up on this stuff while I could. Can never have too many refreshing beverages!

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  53. Tandy says:

    lovely beronade! And you watch Rugby!!! Well, don’t feel too bad when the South African Springboks beat you …. I watch every game I can. Have a super week CCU 🙂

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  57. girlinafoodfrenzy says:

    Hi Uru! Im totally into those amazing pretzels too! I’ve tried quite a few around and the biergarten is up there with the best. Looks like you had an amazing time & lunch with the family! Best way to unwind during those busier moments of study, indefinitely 🙂

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  58. Tisa says:

    Kudos, kudos, CCU undercover . Highly informative (esp the part about your brother’s beerflight and all together wonderful review. You are a genius writer. Want to eat pretzels, have schnitzel, chocolate delize and watch a rugby game all at once and all because of you. The berried lemonade looks gorgeous too friend, FTW ;))

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  63. Balvinder says:

    You know , the color of orange juice is prettier than beer and you were right to drink it.
    The weather here is getting nice and warm and I want this lemonade. Looks awesome with berries.

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  64. Courtney says:

    Wow, seems like a wonderful meal – and I bet your ‘poor’ brother wasn’t feeling so great later. 🙂 Thanks for the fun review and the berry lemonad recipe.

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  70. viveka says:

    Sport, pasta, beer … beer…. beer … beer … beer … beer…. beer … beer … beer ….beer…. beer … beer … beer and more beer – the best recipe for a great day with the family. Any of the dessert would do me great. Great post .. did your 5 min french toast on Saturday morning, veryb good .. will do a post about it.

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Haha i love your restaurant priority my friend nice one 😀
      Thanks for enjoying this post!

      Also I am so glad you enjoyed the 5 minute french toast recipe, too kind 🙂

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  72. Ramona says:

    Sounds like some fabulous eats!! I would have just order more and more pretzels… I love them with mustard. 🙂 Hope your brother was okay after all that beer. 🙂 Love the berry lemonade. Now, that is my kind of drink.

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  73. Eliot says:

    I loved reading about your adventures and I had to laugh when you got to the mistaken beer ordering episode! I have never seen a flight of beer with such big glasses. I hope you post more CCU Uncercover postings soon.

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Haha, thank you my friend 😀
      And they were not even the largest glasses available 😉
      I promise to have lots more undercovers now that my holidays are coming up!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  76. Coffee and Crumpets says:

    Looks like you had an awesome lunch. Your pasta looked delicious and the desserts…yum! I think my favourite however is your lemonade. I could so do with some right now with our 102 deg heat! I love lemonade…all kinds.

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  77. Liz says:

    What a fun day for you! Those desserts look amazing…I want that streudel…with a side of berry lemonade, of course 🙂

    PS…love all the ribbing you gave your brother~

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  83. Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake says:

    It sounds like you had such a good time! 😀 People sure are different when they’ve drank a lot eh. 😉 Love the looks of all that food! And that refreshing summer in winter drink looks to die for. I too like to have my summer in winter moments and I can totally do with a cup of that drink with the heater on right now. 😀

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  87. Ruth says:

    The fettuccini look amazing, mmmmm and dessert better not talk about! Just out of curiosity, are you the only vegetarian in your family? How are meals prepared being that your brother and father eat meat? Cheers!

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Mmmm it totally was 😀
      Actually my mum, grandparents and I are vege 🙂
      So maybe once a week or 2 weeks, mum will also make meat one day alongside a vege meal 🙂

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  89. Amy says:

    Ahh you like rugby just like me too, good choice.. those boys = very yum! hehe, and your berry lemonade looks very scrummy indeed! nice work! 🙂

    Amy x

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  97. kalamitykelli says:

    What a wonderful pictoral of your day with dad and brother! The pretzel and chocolate dessert looked fabulous as did the apple but the lemonade was the one that caught my eye! It’s so hot here and a tasty special drink like yours would be just wonderful right now!

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  98. Louise says:

    P.S. If you find yourself with some more spare time, the Picnic Game is open until June 29th and there are still four letters remaining. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. You could just “throw” something together that begins with a K, U, X, or Y Yummy Berry Lemonade anyone, lol…

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Haha loving the pun my friend 😛
      And I honestly wish I could have enough time to participate in the picnic game but with my exams it is very difficult 😦 – I am so sorry!
      But truly i am enjoying seeing your beautiful blog project’s posts popping up everywhere! 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  99. Louise says:

    I’m one of those people who like good old fashioned points of reference:) As for that menu and your eventful day, way cool!!! However, as dreamy as all that “stuff” sounds, I sure could use a glass of that Berry Lemonade!!!

    Thanks for sharing, Uru. So glad you took some time out to “chill.”

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  101. Kathleen Richardson says:

    Your father is a wise man, CCU, as is evident from his words. Your brother… well, what can I say? From the moment I first saw the five beers and burst out laughing (ha, ha, ha, ha, ha) then scrolled down and saw your ha-ha’s which set me off again, till the last mention of him, I was in stitches. It seems no matter what you write about, you excel. Well done, CCU, well done.

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