New Year. Start Afresh.

What a start to 2011! It is certain that it will be etched on the minds and hearts of Queenslanders for a long time to come. Still, strength comes from adversity and, already, the community spirit is coming to the fore.

It's been interesting to see how well we all coped with the short term food shortages too. My New Year's resolution was to try to 'eat from the pantry' - not buy anything until I'd used up the stores in cupboard, fridge and freezer. Who'd have guessed how quickly I was forced into doing just that! It has been interesting and I have to say that I've been eating really well. I suspect that I usually tend to shop on auto-pilot without really checking what's already in the house. I went through every can, container and unidentified freezer bag and reorganised as I went. I ventured down the garden through the quagmire and found leeks, beetroot and onions that had survived the deluge - small but delicious. If nothing else, the floods have made me re-think what I take for granted in the kitchen.

Maybe one of the challenges for 'Come Meet and Eat with Me' might be a ration book challenge - 3 courses for 5 people for $15. Can it be done well? We'll see. Advertising begins start of Feruary. Keep a look out and spread the word.