Wow, another year already! Seems only yesterday I posted last years list. The boy is growing up fast, I can tell because more of my stuff is going missing from my sidetable on a regular basis. I found a plastic spoon under my pillow the other day. Awe, he left me a present... ;)

Now I know this list is somewhat extravagant, but it's more a list of things I'd like, not what I would expect to get for xmas. It should give you a pretty good idea of my interests too which might help you in your xmas shopping endeavours. Click on the image and it'll take you to sites with purchase info about each. You might find better prices with a bit of Googling. Some of the links will take you to Amazon in the US. Their delivery times can be a bit iffy every now and then, so be sure to buy early! (hey, I even got my list in 3 weeks prior to xmas this time!)

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	Guitar Hero World Tour (for the PS3) AU$289 As many of you already know, I have an unhealthy obsession with music based video games. I've got all the Guitar Hero's, but they've only got the guitar. Guitar Hero World Tour has the Guitar, a Microphone to sing into, and a DRUM KIT!!! I was pondering Rock Band, but it's been out for over a year now in the US, and they've only decided to release it here because GHWT was coming out. Clowns. So I'm boycotting Rock Band and going straight for GHWT (plus everyone reckons the hardware is better anyway) UPDATE: As you might have heard, our downstairs living area is no more due to 2 inches of water in the recent storms. No matter, I'll still find somewhere to set this game up if I get it :D
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	Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking, and Curing (Hardcover) US$23.10 I read about this particular book in one of Anthony Bourdain's, where he said, "Charcuterie is an important and definitive work which deserves to stand proudly and forever in every serious cook's kitchen". With last years selection of fine books being added to my collection, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to add this as well. And with reviews like, "Without the faintest hint of apology, Ruhlman and Polcyn present an arsenal of recipes that take hours, and sometimes days, to prepare; are loaded with fat; and, if ill-prepared, can lead to botulism. The result is one of the most intriguing and important cookbooks published this year" how can I resist! Just like Pressure Cooking, that little bit of danger makes the end product taste that much better :)
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	Workboots AU~$150 Been doing a bit of yardwork lately, and the old sneakers just aren't cutting it anymore. They get wet, they're covered in mud and they just don't protect the ol' foot very well. And with a chainsaw in the wish list this year I figure you can't have too much protection. Oh and a pair of those sock covers that sit over the shoe would go great with these too (stops dirt/grass/etc getting into them via the top of your boots)
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	Stihl Chainsaw $??? The one thing missing from my garden arsenal, and something that would have come in very handy after that storm the other week. There are still trees down in the back yard that need cutting up, and there'll no doubt be more in the future. Stihl chainsaws are where it's at, apparently!
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	Sunbeam Cafe Series Deep Fryer $159.95 I know, I know, deep fry is bad. But there are certain things in life that just can't be oven baked. I do like my oven baked wings, but have you tried oven baked mozzarella? It just doesn't work. I won't use it often, but when I do it'll be worth it ;) (and I am keen to compare my fried wings to oven baked, who will win?!?!)
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	Cafe Series Conical Burr Coffee Grinder $199 One of the problems I face with buying good coffee pre-ground is that it has a much shorter shelf life than unground beans, something like 6 weeks. I drink coffee, but I only have one a day from the machine at home, which makes it difficult to have fresh coffee always available. This should solve that problem, and a Billy with a nice coffee is much happier than one without!
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	Cafe Series 19cm Food Slicer $179 Vicki really loves my obsession with kitchen appliances, and she'd love it if she had this available at her disposal! Imagine the joy when she'd have thinly sliced chicken for sandwiches available to her whenever she liked! Happiness is sliced meats!
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	Executive Chef Gift Vouchers $??? If this place doesn't have what I need then it's not worth having. This is my favorite Kitchen supplies store in Brisbane. They've got all the "real" gear, not the tarted up retail rubbish.
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Hopefully it's not too late, but here's a list of

Things I like

• Cooking - I've recently been focusing on mainly American fare, Wings, Ribs, but would love to get into Briskets, Pork Belly, Pulled Pork, etc. Anything that'll help me do that I'd love to read!
  
• Sauces - I love sauces. Vicki hates them though because they take up too much room in the fridge. Tomato, chilli, Smokey BBQ sauces are my tastes of choice. Spices and rubs too I'm a big fan of as well!
  

Things I don't need

• Ties - I've got a heap of them, and I never wear them. They'll gather dust and never get worn
• Socks - Just bought a heap of sports socks in Hong Kong (cheap cheap!) and Vik got me some black ones a few weeks ago.
• Undies - I would feel wierd if you bought me those
• Alcohol - I've got plenty of that too!

With any luck, you're all wanting to know what I want for Christmas? Here are a few ideas:

• Truffle Oil
• A clip on cup holder for my car
• An IPhone
• A Tiffany & Co Elsa Perettie Eternal Circle Pendant in stirling silver or
• Recycled Sterling Silver Cocoon pendant

Noah would like:

• Bruno Barontini Apple Peeler With Suction Base (King of Knives for 30 bucks)
• A sand pit
• An Elmo Live (in fact, anything elmo)
• In the night garden DVD
• A bucket of cheerios
• And a puppy

One of my favourite things is to watch Noah interacting with my family. Here's a pic of Noah with my Dad.

Yesterday, Bil, Noah and I had the pleasure of meeting Charlotte - Ang and Craig's week old little girl (and Liam's little sister). We had a lovely catch up in New Farm. I was absolutely astounded and in awe that Ang and Craig had managed to make it out of the house with not just one but two little ones. More amazing was the fact that they were awake, their usual witty selves, and they had all their clothes on correctly. I think Ang may even have had make-up on!!!
Noah and Liam were quite cute playing together while the adults (haha) caught up.

Somehow I managed to take pictures of everyone except little Charlotte.

Oh well... I'll just have to take twice as many next time.

Noah's been off his food this week. He's teething and running all sorts of terrible temperatures. In an effort to get some food into him, I resorted to two minute noodles. One of my mummy friends had recommended them as an entertaining food group. She wasn't wrong.

Hi Everyone

I've finally gotten off my slack-butt and uploaded Noah's birthday photos to the web. I've also updated a few of the other albums.

Here's a taste of what you'll see :)

My sister sure can make a cake! Check out the amazing duck cake she made for Noah's first birthday!!

Noah and little Linnea at Noah's first birthday bash.

It was a great party. We had a lot of fun. But at the end of the day, Noah just wanted to curl up with his Dad and his footy and have a snooze.