Damn, I never thought I would mention the dreaded L word, but being the urbane dog of the world I am, it has been a whole lot of fun introducing my new sister to the intricacies of inner city living.

I have even shared my food with her. For those who don't know me well, I NEVER, EVER SHARE my food with any mutt. So either I am finally mellowing in my middle age, or I was not that hungry.
I have even let the little spotty girl lead me round by a rope. Now I know things have not changed, as this has been the story of my life thus far, being led around by the female gender, sigh, what an animal I am.
So far this week I have taught her to rip all the lilies out of the fish pond, plus drink the water, which, me thinks, with the noises and smells emanating from her later, didn't actually agree with her.
Obviously she has not got the strength and fortitude of The Chocolate Crusader. Also she has learnt to dig up the garden, all by her lonesome; threw my paws in the air about this one. I was not even there at the time. Never mind, it has been all good, well for me anyway, as it was easy for me to slink away into the undergrowth – not stand in the pond with lilies falling out of my mouth and cop the tirade from the boss's apprentice.
She will learn, as soon as you hear those heavy feet on the deck: RUN!
Then there was the stuffed rabbit scenario. If it wasn't stuffed before she got hold of it, well it is now. As this tale is a little 'close to the bone” with Easter this weekend I will hold this saga for a later date.
Now speaking of Easter, what a time it is shaping up to be down on The Strand, I know the little girl and I will be out on the streets keeping you all in line.
There are a lot of you marching down to my favourite dining establishment for the weekend. The bosses sure have a fine selection of entertainment happening, so let's have a little fun.
That Johnny boy, at the Aussie Butchers in Gate Pa, certainly knows how to have a little fun and he has sure been having fun and games with his prices this week. Get in and grab a bundle of goodies to keep you sustained over the long weekend.

'Burgundy beef casserole'

Ingredients
500g diced beef
2 tbsp olive oil
6 small onions, peeled and left whole
2 carrots, thickly sliced
2tbsp tomato paste
1 cup beef stock
1 cup Burgundy
200g button mushrooms

Method
Preheat oven to 180C. Coat the beef in 1 tbsp of the oil and brown in small batches in a large preheated fry pan over medium high heat. Set beef aside once browned.
Reduce heat in pan and add remaining oil. Add onions, carrots and tomato paste, stirring for 1 minute.
Add the stock and Burgundy, scraping meat residue from the bottom of the pan. Heat until the liquids bubble, then pour into a large casserole dish. Add the beef to the casserole dish and mix well.
Cover tightly and cook in preheated oven for one hour. Add the mushrooms, cover and cook another 20-30 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes. Serves four.

'Autumn apple'

Ingredients
1 oz vodka
1 oz hard apple cider
1 oz fresh pressed apple juice
½ oz simple syrup
½ oz lemon juice

Method
Pour all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake well and strain into a martini glass rimmed with pure maple sugar. Garnish with an apple slice.

Well, that's all for me this week, remember to make sure you have a little fun over Easter, and keep safe.