Well done Barry O'Farrell and NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli for showing such leadership in being the first state to sign up to the new school funding agreement!
Like Madge I never expected to applaud a coalition government. But that handshake with the Prime Minister means so much for school budgets and the future of kids in the NSW.
It must be tough ignoring the rantings and scaremongering of Tony Abbott and Christopher Pyne. But let's hope the NSW government stands firm and is able to encourage other states to sign up too - so all Australian kids get the best schooling we can give them. - Miranda Korzy
An amazing and heart-warming story when an old woman finds her dog in the middle of an interview after a tornado destroys her house! (Irrespective of the pros and cons for us getting so much US news). I wish I wasn't thinking it's too good to be true and wondering if it the dog was planted there in a "re-enactment"? - miranda
One thing you have forgotten to tell your adult children, is that they may be required to care for you in your twilight years, particularly if you develop dementia. They will then be the parent and you the child. The adult children may have to feed, shower, toilet and dress you, and hopefully you will have brought up those adult children to be as reliable and caring to you, as you were to them! I am now mother to my 88 year old father and don't ever want to let him down! - Anna Spencer
Oh god I hear you jennifers. I too have an 8 yr old son & dinner time can be interesting at times...for all the wrong reasons! - Pixie
Why do I get the impression that John Jay is either a fan of or an agent for the Westboro Baptist 'church'? - Will Marshall
Why is it that whenever there is a natural disaster in the USA our media is full of it for days? But if something happens elsewhere in the world, it's hardly mentioned, if at all.
The Victorian bush fires and the Queensland floods were mentioned one day in the US media and forgotten the next - but we get a barrage every time there is a storm over there and it lasts for weeks with all sorts of stories about answered prayers and heroism - which never seems to happen anywhere else in the world. Have you ever also noticed that if there is a blizzard or a heat wave, it always stops at the Canadian border? None of these things ever happen in Canada.
This constant Americanisation really gets up my nose. I have met adult Australians who didn't really understand that we are not part of the USA. I fully understand why the French are so ... French - and want to stay that way and not become a cultural colony of America as we have become. - Jack Richards
says so much about the human animal bond - life's experiences teach you who is loyal and truly loving and they are the ones you're most likely to reach for when you're at your lowest - melissa
Gee Jack, you've sure stirred up all pumpkin-scone bakers from Akerman's blog. They must be desperate for attention to chase you all the way to here. I think many of those extreme-right women secretly have the hots for you - and that's why they go out of their way to find you. By the way, I read your comments on Rudd's blog about SSM. I couldn't agree more! - Yasmina
Congratulations PJ and team!! A beautiful garden. Connecting to nature is what it's all about. - Fairy The Green One
Yes, and you are about as far from being a "rocket surgeon" as anyone who has ever graced this site. - Wendy Harmer
HOOPLA HAPPY HOUR
Here’s where TheHoopla gets you out of the kitchen and into the party!
The countdown to spring has started. Look forward to outdoor afternoon teas with these delightful Chicken Jubilee Sandwiches and a glass of Pimms and lemonade.
NIGERIAN MEAT PIES
Perfect as Spring barbecue appetizers or weekend snacks, these more-ish Nigerian Meat Pies are best served with an ice-cold glass of cider.
Read moreTHE APPLE GALETTE
This gorgeous video elegantly captures food blogger, RACHEL BALL making an Apple Galette. It’s almost too easy!
Read moreCALAMARI PO-BOY SLIDERS
Perfect for warmer weather, these fun Calamari Po-Boy Sliders are best served with an ice-cold beer and a pretty view.
Read morePOTATO, ROSEMARY & CHORIZO PIZZA
Impress the pants of your special dinner guest with this moreish Potato, Rosemary & Chorizo Pizza from Aussie chef, ALEC BRAGG.
Read moreROASTED EGGPLANT, HERB & POMEGRANATE DIP
Food stylist and writer Cherie Hausler shares her recipe for Roasted Eggplant, Herb and Pomegranate Dip. Perfect for afternoon nibbles.
Read moreJUBILEE CHICKEN SANDWICHES
The countdown to spring has started. Look forward to outdoor afternoon teas with these delightful Chicken Jubilee Sandwiches and a glass of Pimms and lemonade.
Read moreSARAH WILSON’S SALTED CARAMEL HALOUMI & APPLE
This week we serve up SARAH WILSON's sugar-free Salted Caramel Haloumi and Apple. Scrum-diddily-umptious.
Read moreHALOUMI WITH BABA GANOUSH AND POMEGRANATE DRESSING
A mouthwatering Middle Eastern snack to enjoy for Happy Hour on a wintry afternoon.
Read moreMATTHEW EVANS’ MULLED CIDER WITH PRETZELS
Matt Evans' mulled cider recipe has us wishing it were wine time earlier.
Read moreHAM AND MUSHROOM FILO TARTLETS
This week for happy hour we're going healthy with Heart Foundation-approved tartlets.
Read more