I Have To Say...

It's a good thing I didn't do NaNoBloMo this year. You remember NaNoBloMo? Where you do a blog post every single day in November? I did it a couple of years ago and really got my blogging mojo back at the time. This year? Well it's taken me until the 20th of the month to do one post. And even then it's about not posting.

 

I've been busy with work and kids and life and blogging and cooking have taken something of a back seat. A very back seat. But I have some pics to share and some stories to tell so I'll try to be a bit more regular with the posts.

 

Meanwhile, why don't you tell me what you've been up to?

Brocolli, By Any Other Name

This conversation just took place, amongst homework and afternoon tea, at the kitchen bench and I'm still giggling so thought I'd share...

 

Offspring #1: What's for dinner?

 

Me: Broccolini Tart. And maybe braised cabbage and some vegies.

 

#1: Yum! You've made Broccolini Tart before haven't you? (And at my nod, yes) I remember, it was really good.

 

Offspring #2: Yuk!!  I don't like that!! Wait, what's Broccolini?

 

Me: You do like it...

 

#1: You like Brocollini! It's just like Broccoli.

 

Pause while #2 thinks about it...

 

#1: But with an INI at the end.

 

#2: Oh! That! Yeah, I like that.

 

Sometimes they leave me giggling like a crazy woman and they have no idea why. Then they look at each other and wander off together as if agreeing to leave the crazy woman alone for a while.

Almost There

Oh. My. Gosh.

What a month it has been. I've stepped up to be the acting boss, worked almost full-time (with a few days of seriously long hours), juggled kids, cooking and housework, employed a nanny/babysitter to help out a few afternoons each week and seriously thought I'd manage to blog somewhere in there too. Yeah, you can all stop laughing now.

Thank goodness for my ever-wonderful hubby who has totally stepped up and filled the void.

And thank goodness for our new nanny/babysitter. I feel kinda stupid (and little bit try-hard-y) calling her the nanny but she's more than just a babysitter. The kids already love her and so do I. She keeps then in-line ensuring they do boring stuff like chores and housework (*edited to say... not housework! HOMEwork!! LOL) and also manages to keep them amused doing fun stuff like taking them for walks, playing board games and teaching them how to make microwave chocolate mug cakes for afternoon tea treats. And she brings in my washing. Super bonus! 

The real boss is back next week and I'll be back to my regular hours, regular job and am looking forward to things slowing down just a little. And then I'll have time for all the normal things, like trying out new recipes, blogging and playing with my kids.

Day One. Done.

We made it out the door with a minimum of fuss, I got to work on time (a few minutes to spare even!) and we're all set for tomorrow. School clothes are laid out and school bags are packed just waiting for lunchboxes.

I got in to find a massive MASSIVE list of things to get through. A huge HUGE list of instructions to be followed. And the usual enormous ENORMOUS number of emails that are always waiting after a few days away from work. But I ploughed on and made a good start on it all so in all it was a good day.

Then I came home to make a quick and easy oven baked risotto. And because I wasn't paying attention I grabbed the regular white rice instead of the arborio and... well... the yummy dinner we were going to have wasn't quite as yummy. I saved it but it was neither pretty nor delicious. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

And tomorrow the term start for real.

iPhone Madness

I finally caught up with the rest of the world and got a smart phone last week. Hubby and I checked them all out and were torn between the Samsung Galaxy and the iPhone but finally went with iPhone for a whole bunch of reasons.

The first couple of days were... ummm, trying. It took me a little while to get my head around the workings (and less than a week later am only just sussing out some parts of it!) but have finally worked out how to answer the darn thing - yes, that was an entertaining few minutes - and have dived into the world of apps. The 10 year old boy-child has been very supportive and helpful with the games side of things and hints from other blogs have helped too. I'm seriously in love with Instagram, the Coles app has some great recipe ideas and the Where To Eat app is very informative.

So, if you're an iPhone junkie, what are your fave apps? What should I be checking out? And have you got any hints for the phone itself - maybe shortcuts or stuff that seems really simple now but took you a while to figure out? I'm the first to admit that I'm totally resistant to new ideas until I get my head around them and then I'm a total convert. So c'mon people, lead me down the path of conversion!!

Hooray for Holidays!

Hooray, school holidays have started. I have to work three days next week but for the rest of the two weeks I'm as free as a bird. We don't have any big plans at the moment, although now I've typed that I realise that actually we do have stuff planned. Offspring #2 is enrolled in a netball clinic that runs each morning of next week and I've arranged a couple of days away for Hubby and I - the kids are going to their grandparents for a couple of days so it's a little holiday for everyone. Well, everyone but Nan and Pop...

We're also hoping to see a couple of movies. I want to see Brave and the kids are voting for Ice Age 4. Add in some bike rides, board games (#1 was given Yahtzee for his birthday and it has been a big hit with everyone in the house) and whatever else we can dream up and we should end up with a pleasantly filled but still relaxing couple of weeks.

Right now, at 8.20 on the very first day of holidays we've just finished 'special brekky' ie bacon and egg toasted sandwiches and Hubby and the kids are on the couch watching Muppets From Space. Not a bad start to the holidays. Not bad at all.

Umm... I'm here

Hello my lovelies. I'm just sneaking in quietly to say that yes, I am still around and yes, I'm nearly ready to come back and blog properly.

 I've been having a bit of a rough time lately - nothing special or terrible, mostly just all the crap about losing Betsy catching up with me and I turned to my tried and true method of dealing with it all... I ran away and hid. I hid from the blog, I hid from my friends, I hid from events where I'd have to talk to people. In short, I hid from anything and everything. And my gorgeous, supportive, wonderful husband watched and waited and bullied me (in a good way) into joining the real world enough times that it couldn't quite become a habit I couldn't drag myself out of.

And I'm feeling better. Almost.

So I'm working on joining in again, reaching out to my ever-patient friends in real life and coming back to my blog. Because even while I was hiding because I couldn't deal with it, I missed it all.

A Lovely Day

I logged on to tell you all about my wonderful day to find that Blogger has updated just about every single thing and now I have to learn how to use it all over again. If you never hear from me again you'll know that I'm floating around the blogosphere going stark, raving mad.

But anyway, assuming this actually makes it to posting...

The kids and I trekked back down the hill to Kings Park today to catch up with some old friends of mine. The lovely Karen, aka Kaz from the comments here on the blog, is an old teaching colleague from many years ago when we all lived in Red Dirt Tiny Town. And Emma is also from Red Dirt Tiny Town but was one of our students. As so often happens when you're sent off to a country town for your first few postings, we weren't all that much older than the 'kids' we were teaching and Hubby and I have stayed in touch with a few, facebook has brought a few more back into our lives and others now live in our local area and we all have kids at school together. 

I had  a lovely, lovely, lovely day - all the kids played beautifully together with the bigger kids taking care of the little ones, there were lots of yummy things to eat and it was wonderful to catch up with the girls. We caught up on each other's doings, exchanged bits of news about mutual friends and I loved spending time with them. It felt like no more than five minutes (but was closer to three hours) than we were all packing up and heading off in different directions.

And I think that Offspring #2 summed it all up perfectly when we got home. We were having a cuddle on the couch when she said something about being sad when you see your good friends. I was a bit puzzled and asked her what she meant and she said, "well I just think that it would make you sad to see your friends that you love because it's very nice to spend time with them but then they go home and you realise you don't get to see them very much and that would make me sad."  But instead of being sad that I don't get to see them much I'm very very happy that I got to see them today.

Loving the Easter Weekend

School holidays have started here in WA but not for me. I've got a couple of days off here and there but I've been making the most of the four day break over Easter. I've been catching up on sleep - a marathon effort of 11 hours one night followed by a two hour nap the next afternoon. I think I might have been a bit burnt out. I've been playing with the kids - multiple games of Guess Who with Offspring #2 this morning. And I've been cooking. Man, have I been cooking! Yesterday was all about a triple batch of bolognaise sauce and the choc chip banana cupcakes. Today was a double batch of slow cooker curried sausages and chocolate slice. And tomorrow? I'm thinking a double batch of slow cooker lamb something and maybe an apple pie. Cos I'm in a pastry making mood. Oooh and maybe I can use one part of the lamb whatever as pie filling? I love it when a plan comes together.

Hypothetically

So.... let's play a little game of pretend. Ok?

Just say, you were married to someone who loved shoes. Like, LOVED shoes. And generally you tolerated that um... obsession because generally she, oops I mean the person you're married to, keeps the shoe-buying down to a reasonable level. But sometimes she, oops I mean the person you're married to, just can't resist the sales and buys some shoes completely forgetting that she already had one pair on order (they had to come in from another store) and then remembers and collects them as well and ends up bringing home more than one pair. Exactly (and be specific here people!) how many pairs would it take before you became a little less tolerant and little more annoyed?

Just, you know, hypothetically speaking...

What a Palaver

I love that word. Palaver. I love it almost as much as I love Brouhaha. And Guddle. Ah, the joys of having a Scottish great-grandmother and and an Irish boss. I just chuck all those words about with wild abandon and don't really care if anyone knows what I'm on about!

But anyway, today's palaver (which basically means fuss and carry-on) came about because I needed to have some more blood tests done. They're a bit specialised so I couldn't have them at the local pathology lab all of seven minutes away from home so I dropped the kids at school and drove the 30 minutes to the lab that could do them. Then I waited 40 minutes. Then they came out and told me that, actually, two of the tests the doctor wanted done couldn't be done there. Apparently they were extra special tests and they could only be done at the lab's head office. In the city.

So then came another 30 minute drive followed by several laps of the block as I attempted to find parking. Luckily I only had to wait about 10 minutes and then the nice lab lady (she was very nice, really) took many, many vials of my blood. And then I drove another hour to get home again.

So what was supposed to be a quick run across the hill and back and should have taken just over an hour ended up being at trek round the countryside and sucked up my whole morning.

But... I didn't get lost. Not even once!

Dining In

We've got the former across-the-roads coming to dinner tonight and, while it was a spur of the moment invitation, I've got some yummy stuff happening in the kitchen.

We'll be eating Herb and Mustard BBQ'd Chicken and some bbq patties that I picked up at the butcher yesterday. I've got a new bread recipe for Seeded Loaf that's rising on the bench and is about to go into the oven. The I'm going to throw together a salad and get some garlic roasted potatoes into the oven. And for dessert I'm trying a PeartTartlet recipe that's part-Jamie Oliver, part-Mandi's imagination. I'll be sure to take some photos.

 Well, as long as they all turn out okay that is!

Gotta Love That

I pulled in from work at 6.15 tonight. I was tired. My feet hurt. And I was looking forward to hopping into my 'jamas and eating leftovers for dinner. Okay, I wasn't looking forward to the leftovers all that much but the not cooking dinner part of leftovers sounded great.

And I found two kids who were showered, dressed and begging me to go out for Chinese for dinner. And a husband who had organised the showering, supervised the dressing and totally put them up to being on their best behaviour in the hope that his taste for Chinese food might be met.

And so I pulled on a pair of  jeans, changed my shoes and let them easily talk me into a trip to the local Chinese. Where we all picked a dish, totally pigged out and still got the kids home in time to almost meet their regular bedtime.  Fantastic.

La La La

The question is not why Kenny Rogers songs are playing in my head.

I can answer that easily. I was sick to death of all my regualr cd's and wanted something different for the drive to work so stole Hubby's Christmas present Best of Kenny Rogers cd. I figured singing along to The Gambler, Coward of the County and Lucille would change things up a bit.

No. The real question is what I can do to get Kenny Rogers OUT of my head after the songs have been rolling though it all day long.

Yes.

All. Day. Long.

I think I need to find something else to listen to for next week. Or I'll have to go back to my regular cd's next week. At least with them I don't burst into 70's style country and western at completely inappropriate times through the day.

Random Ravings

Hello, hello! Sorry for the unexplained absence - the health stuff that we thought was sorted turned out to be not quite. I was trying hard to get back into the swing of the things with work, kids, school and the house while feeling like crap and worrying myself silly. Fast forward a week and all seems good and it's amazing what not worrying can do for your mood and general wellbeing. Yay. Still waiting on results of a couple of blood tests but they won't change things too much either way.

The downside of almost a week of bedrest and then more time of seriously restricted physical activity means that I haven't been doing my usual early morning walk and have been eating huge amounts of not-particularly-good-choices food. My clothes are tight and I'm feeling fat and frumpy. Now that everything seems okay I'm itching to pull my joggers back on and get out for my walks again. I'm really looking forward to that, and catching up with my neighbour who I walk with. I've missed our chats and hearing the news of the street.

The stage show of Mary Poppins is playing in Perth shortly. I really want to see it. The musical-hating-Hubby does not. AT ALL. So I'll be seeking others partners in crime for that one.

But I must, must, must remember to get tickets for Duran Duran. Have been meaning to do it for ages and keep forgetting. Mental note to self - do it this week!

I am LOVING My Kitchen Rules. Love the food, love the nice people, love the villains. Didn't love last season but do love this one.

I can't wait to see the first episode of Revenge tonight. And I really hope it's going to be as good as all the hype has made it out to be.

I am still loving Pinterest and all the things that I'm finding there. I made this totally delicious and super easy Sausage Casserole over the weekend and it was a huge hit with the whole family. Yes, even Miss Fussy! I made a couple of changes, like not using fennel because it's not in season and using zucchini because a friend had extras and gave me one, and will definitely be making this again.

And here's a new fave photo of the kids. We went for a walk along the river last weekend - the kids took their scooters and I took my camera. I got some great shots and am going to get some printed for framing later int he week.

Happy New Year!

Yeah, I know. Such an original title. Here's a post of random flotsam and jetsam to get me back into the swing of all things bloggy.

We had a very quiet New Year's Eve - partly because I was still feeling a little under the weather and partly because we were just worn out after all the birthday/Christmas/Boxing Day celebrations. Did a bit of shopping with the kids in the afternoon - them spending their Christmas money and us getting as much of their school stuff as we could - then saw Happy Feet 2 (umm... don't bother) before picking up take-away noodles for dinner. Sparklers at 8.30 and kidlets tucked up into bed at 9pm. Lovely. Offspring #1 did kick up a bit of a fuss that he didn't get to stay up till midnight but we told him that 9pm here was midnight on the East coast (ie where his much loved, admired and adored Aunty Carmen lives) so he was in fact celebrating at midnight. And he bought it. Don't think I'll get away with that one next year.

I received lots of vouchers for my birthday and have had a lovely time spending them all about the place. I'll share some pics of my purchases later in the week - it's dark now and if I try to take any photos they'll only look yellow and crappy.

I've done a bit of research on kidney stones and diets that reduce their likelihood. OMG! Don't google stuff unless you want to be scared stupid people. But the main idea seems to be no salt, no dark cola (ie my lifeblood, the coca-da-cola), no chocolate and no potatoes. I know I need to look at it in more detail and will do so in the next little bit, and of course it's all worth it to not ever go through that pain again, but c'mon. Salt and chocolate are food groups as far as I'm concerned.

The ever clever hubby is being his usual ever clever self. He's in the midst of building the Taj Mahal of chook pens. This thing is enormous, a work of art and worthy of holding something way more exciting than four chookies. But, chookies it will hold. And hopefully by the end of the week too. Pics to come.

He was also very clever and fixed the bed when I broke it. Twice. No, I wasn't doing anything exciting but I did learn a valuable lesson. Sometimes you need to ask for help to move furniture. Otherwise it breaks. Twice. Luckily he's ever clever and fixed the broken weld (ummm, okay, both of them) and then put the bed back together before I could break it again.

The reason I needed to move the bed in the first place is because I've been on a cleaning frenzy. And no, not and OCD induced frenzy. This one is a good healthy "Gosh I'm sick of the mess and I need to make the house look like I want it to instead of an episode of Hoarders". I'm working through a room at a time, moving furniture, giving everything a good clean from skirting board to cornices and everything in between. The trailer is filling up with stuff that was either a) general clutter, b) things that serve no purpose whatsoever, c) broken stuff or d) all of the above. I have books for the second hand book store, things for the op shop, various bits and pieces to be returned and stuff to be donated. Tomorrow afternoon is the living room and, if there's enough time, both bathrooms.

And we're taking the kids on a picnic tomorrow morning. There will be water, sun, sand and me and my camera hoping to catch some gorgeous summer shots of the kids having fun.

Just Stuff

I had big plans to run the final competition today but instead have developed the head cold from hell. From Hell people! My poor head is so stuffed up - I can't hear, breathe through my nose, swallow without wincing and my normally nasal Aussie twang is decidedly more nasal.

So, I'll get back to you on when the comp will run. Probably the beginning of next week instead (I know lots of you check in at work and I want as many of you to have a chance as possible) - I'll give you some advance warning because this comp is going to be short, sweet, fast and furious. Well, that might be a bit optimistic but it'll only run for a couple of hours so you'll have to get in quick once it opens. Stay tuned!

Oh and the head cold? We can firmly blame that on the girl child who battled asthma attacks most of last week which left me with a severe sleep deficit which in turn left me quite run down and susceptible to the bugs and germs floating around at the moment. Bloody kids.

Friday On My Mind

Wow, that was a busy day!

Offspring #2's class presented the school assembly today - soooooo cute. They were all dressed as dentists, teeth or tubes of toothpaste and sang a couple of songs about teeth and brushing. And to top it off #2 received an honour certificate. Very proud mummy moment there.

Then off to watch #1 competing at the interschool sports carnival. Not an altogether difficult task - sit in the shade of some lovely big gumtrees, surrounded by other mum friends from school, and spend a few hours chatting, catching up on the news and cheering for the kids.

Add in some cleaning, several loads of washing, a quick drink with a former boss visiting from interstate, home again in time for dinner and packing for a night away with the kids and I'm looking at the clock and wondering what happened to my day. The walk that started the day at 5.30am seems like a very, very long time ago.

Anyway, I'm off with the kids for a quick getaway so I'll be back early in the week with a new competition. Have a great weekend!

Long Weekend Wrap Up

Well the Queen visited Perth but she didn't call 'round for tea. Offspring #2 was somewhat disappointed that we didn't get to see her but between stormy weather, swimming lessons and a cat needing to go to the vet (but he's all better now!) we didn't end up with an awful lot of free time to go looking for a certain elderly monarch. We did however end up with a long weekend and, boy, did we ever manage to fill it up.

I got through a bundle of jobs that had been niggling away at me, caught up on some much needed sleep, had dinner out with friends, emptied the washing basket and have reached the end of the weekend feeling well satisfied with what I've achieved. I feel a whole heap better than this time last week, and with my head in a good space I'm ready to face the week(s) ahead. Yay for a long weekend.

Idiot Moment Of The Week

And Lordy, there were a few. Like when I had to ring the IT guy at work to ask how to unzip a file he'd sent me. And he laughed so hard I thought he'd choke. And then he laughed even harder when I said I'd never had to unzip one before because my husband always did it for me. (I realise that sounds a bit rude now, but honestly he was just laughing because of all the things that I CAN do, this really, really simple thing was something I didn't have a clue about.)

Anyway tonight's moment of sheer stupidity...

I cooked some crumbed chicken thingies for dinner tonight specifically because I had a NEED for sweet chilli sauce. I had some fresh crusty bread, threw together a yummy crunchy salad using lots of things from our vegie garden and served it all up. Went to grab the sweet chilli sauce from the pantry and discovered... we're out.

And yes, I did go food shopping this morning. Thankyou.