A big ol catchup

Day 19

Something you hate to do...

I think today it would have been fair to say I hated everything. Just one of those frustrating days... My face sums it up.... 

Day 20

Handwriting... 

a handwritten note of the daily photo prompts on my fridge!

 Day 21

A favourite photo of you.

Brenton and I out at the Roxby Tav, to see Chopper Read's show. His show was shit really, but lovely for Brenton and I to be out together.. I found out I was pregnant with Lexi a few days later, so it was my last hurrah for a while.... A lot happened and a lot of time passed before I could just relax and have a drink again without a care in the world....

Day 22

Where you work...

Yeah, yeah, of course I go to work everyday but here is where I'd rather be working sometimes, making yummy things for my family to eat. Since I started working, my passion for cooking has waned bit and I guess also since Brenton has been working away....

Day 23.

Shoes... 

Without my feet in them. (feet are icky, or mine are anyway!!)

Day 24.

Bathroom Cabinet.

Well, this is where I keep lots of supplies!!! 

Day 25.

Green.

Retro green tupperware on Fisheries Beach being used for sand castles...

Day 26

Night.

Ok, so it's not really night but we celebrated Dad's birthday a day early with the most delicious ultra slow cooked roast, smashed veg and yummo sauce from Jamie Oliver HOME cookbook, then had a mud cake from Woolies for him..Candles are always such a hit with the kids....

Something you ate...

Ok, well I didn't eat her, but sometimes she is so cute, I think she'd be pretty yummy. I just want a little tiny nibble.... lol!!! 

Day 28.

Money.

We just bought this little beauty.... Gertie was a steal. 1976 vintage, almost as old as me, and unbelievably everything works... The fridge, the stove burners, just a few windows need attention but other than that, she is just too cute!! We can see where some water has leaked in, but we will get to that too. Brentons Dad has had caravans and camper trailers for ever and a day and he will help us fix the little things.. I can't wait to go out camping. We were going to go last weekend, but it was just way too hot. We felt ripped off but couldn't take the kids out in that heat!! We love you Gertie. And you cost us some money but it really wasn't that much!! I have big plans to deck it out in all vintage gear. Have already been looking in the op shops for flowery vintage sheets, and whatever we need will come from the Op Shops. Although one new thing I will buy is a caravan print from Kate's easy shop to go in there! Yay!! 

Day 29.

Something you are listening to.

MTV Classic Chart Toppers.

I was lucky enough that Mum kept Lexi for me today so I could get some things done after work. I went shopping, cleaned out the fridge, then quickly vacuumed and mopped all the hard floors in the house before I picked Mia up from school. It was blissful to listen to something adult orientated... 

Brenton flew back to Roxby today. Although he only got as far as Adelaide. He is living it up in the Hilton right at this moment. LOL!! The Olympic Dam airport is out of action on account of all the rain up that way, so who knows when he will get back up there. He spent the afternoon in the Qantas Club then into the Hilton. He says he has a fabulous room, and a bed so big that half the crane crew could sleep on it. Not that he would want that... Thanks Qantas for looking after my Husband... It's not the airlines fault about the rain, but good on them for looking after people who can't get where they are supposed to. Qantas have shit me off over the years but they are doing the right thing today...




I read Tatums blog today, and saw that she had made Quinoa tabbouleh, I had some in the cupboard from a while back so when I went to Woolies, I bought half a cooked chook and made this tonight for my dinner... OMG YUM!! 

Of course i didn't use all of the half a chook, but just a little... Plus tomato, leb cuey, red onion, lots of mint and some greek yoghurt stirred through.... Very very good. And ultra satisfying. I love Pearl Barley so thought I would like Quinoa but I really really LIKE Quinoa!! Have a go, you won't regret it!! 




Last night I fell asleep on the lounge at 8:30, I can't remember the last time I did that. I missed Packed to The Rafters, big time bummer. But not earth shattering. I could not keep my eyes open at all.. Weird. I'm tired again tonight, so off to bed I will go. It has taken me so long to do this post, my internet is so slow... Crazy slow, uploading photos has been a killer tonight, i hope not to leave it so long next time. It certainly has felt like it has been a hectic couple of weeks round here.... 
x

Day 17 and 18

Day 17 Time

We were out the back when Mia spotted this....

Which got me thinking that although they look close together, I wondered how far apart they really were in terms of time and also space.... Love wondering about things like this... Crazy I am!!!

Day 18 Drink

Mmmm, lots of water here yesterday for me. I had a little party on my own in the shed while cleaning it out. I have been moving furniture around and re-arranging things... And on Friday afty it was the shed. It all started innocently enough... I have Mum and Dads ancient record player so I got that going... Neil Sedaka was the first album, with such classics as, Happy Birthday Sweet 16 and Hey Little Devil... An album from the 70's came next, with songs like Montego Bay and the like. Then I got the CD player going with artists like Van Halen, and so on. The shed got sorted out and tidied up but the more tidier it got, the more un-tidy I got!! LOL!! Love travelling down memory lane with the help of music. I do love it. But was feeling a bit seedy yesterday and tired too. So water it was!! 

I did some cooking yesterday. I felt hungry!! 

I made a Jamie Oliver recipe from the HOME cookbook, which was Cheeky Chilli/Pepper Chutney. I grew some Chillis so was keen to use them. Except it's so hot I don't think I can use it. I have two small jars to give away, so if you leave me a comment and you one of the first two to do so, I'll send one to you.... (CHILLII RELISH ALL GONE, thanks!!!!)

It's hot hot hot!!!

I love it when you have an idea for making something and it works out very tasty indeed... I felt like making a slow cooker, but wasn't sure what.... 

In Woolies I bought Chorizo, chicken, red onion, capsicum, a few mushrooms, zucchini and 3 cans of cherry tomatoes... I sliced the two chorizo and fried them in my slow cooker insert (yay for one that you can put on the stovetop) along with sliced onion, the capsicum and about 3 portobello mushrooms.... I fried them all off them popped it in a bowl while I fried off my chicken. I used thigh cutlets from the Deli section. I popped the vegies and chorizo back in the cooker with 2 of the cans of tomatoes, a chunky chopped zucchini. Our next-door neighbour had given us some cherry tomatoes earlier in the week so I washed a handful and put them in too.I let it slow cook all the afternoon, and about half an hour before I wanted to eat I chucked in a can of rinsed chickpeas.. I wasn't sure how they would go in it, but it worked perfectly... The only seasoning I used was S&P on the chicken while I fried it off but other than that it was only the flavours in there... Very very yum! And even better today for lunch. I was able to skim the fat off today as it had solidified and that made it a lot less fatty. 

And I scrapped too!! On Thursday night I settled into the 'playroom' and popped on Big Love and tried to do the Escape2Create Colour challenge. And it was a challenge... I found the colours restricting. Mainly because when I scrap I use all manner of colours together and most of the time it seems to 'work' somehow. 

So anyway here it is!!! 

Happy Sunday! 

Still playing around on my new Mac, I got it Friday. Was so quick to get here, over night! Just have to work out how things 'work' on here. I have been migrating info over from my PC but then can't find them on here... A few online tutorials I think are in order!! x

Day 16 Something new

Uuuum, today I ordered and paid for something new.... 

Can't wait til I get it. 

I'll be retiring my laptop to Roby for Brenton... Hope he's happy as I didn't talk to him before I bought it.... 

Whoops!! Love you babe if you ever read this!

 So, I haven't got it yet, obviously this isn't my photo... it's from the apple website.

Looking forward to no cords and no big bulky hard drive!! 

Yay for me! 

x

 

Day 15 Phone

Day 15 Phone

 Yes, people, it's cracked..... 

x

Day 12, 13 and 14

Day 12 Wardrobe

Living out of a suitcase in Darwin so here is my 'wardrobe' It had 11kg in it when I went up and 16kg when I came back! Yes, I did do some shopping!! lol!

Day 12 Blue

The last little bit of blue sky last night looking out Ambers front yard over the beautiful waterway.. I so love the Top End but man it was steamy and hot, I am happy to be back in my little cave!! Even though I felt that it was a bit humid here too today...

Day 14 Heart

 

 I was going to take a cute photo of the girls as I missed them, but then Brenton sent me some flowers and seeing as it's Valentines this is my photo... I wasn't expecting any as we did just go out to dinner last week, and you have to grab these moments while you can, so I was more than happy with us having gone out for dinner then, and then these beauties arrived... Love that they are yellow... It is a gorgeous arrangement... Lucky me!! 

I feel like Dorothy clicking her ruby red heels, 'there's no place like home, there's no place like home' I had the most relaxing and lovely time, but there really is no place like home... wherever your home is. All the time I was in Roxby, Lincoln was still my home. I think whatever the future holds, that will always be the case for me.... 

x

Day 9, 10, 11

Hi from Darwin!! 

Having a lovely relaxing time here. Missing the kids a little bit, I think I'll be appreciating my life all the more when I get home. It's lovely to spend time with my gorgeous friend Amber, her partner Mark, and my Tyler girl! 

Day 9 Front Door

On Thursday I was blessed to spend the day with Tatum, Jas, and the rest of the clan once school was finished, so this is looking out her front door. We had lunch at Edge with Lauren and Nat, it was the most delicious food I had eaten for a while... I was very happy in their company. I am in love with Tatum and Woody's house, it is fantastic. And it's oh so 'them'. 

And I also fell in love with Tatum's bodum coffee cups. Want want want! And so lovely to drink from! 

Day 10 Self Portrait

A photo of me having a strongie in Ambers backyard! I had a few and we had a good ol catchup!! 

Nice and warm up here... Have been feeling a bit warm too! Phew!! 

Day 11 Makes you happy!

Being with this girl for the weekend, love, laughs, heart to hearts, I am blessed to have her in my life and hope in my heart that she knows how much I love her and her little family, and neither time nor distance will change that!! Mwah my gorgeous friend.....

x

Day 5, 6 and 7 and 8....

Day 5 10am.
Although I read the prompt after ten so this was about 10:50... The girls licking the spoons after making cupcakes...

Day 6 Dinner. 

Whiting, chips, salad and a sort of home made tartare. I used bought mayo... Oh well! Was yum!

Day 7. Button.

Hopefully pushing this ENTER button will lead me on a new path soon. Scary but so needs to happen.

(and excuse my filthy keyboard... who knew???)

Day 8. Sun.
Mia reading a Bessie book that she borrowed from the school library in the afternoon sun on my bed.
Back when it was Mia's birthday Lucy sent Mia a Bessie book or two. She LOVED them, and it opened my eyes that there were little novels that Mia could read and be interested in. So thanks to Lucy for that little revelation about Mia and her reading capabilites... Although, I just realised Lucy's blog is open only to invited readers... Where's my invite??! Although I do understand about privatising your blog, but it made it too hard for the people I care about to read.... So I made it open again. I digress, (maybe the Strongbows making me a bit talkative this evening). I do love this photo of Mia... 
 

Tommorow morning I set off on my own to Adelaide for the day with Tatum, then off at 10pm to Darwin for a weekend with my sister-girl Amber. I am so excited. It's come at a good time. I am looking forward to being just 'me' for a few days with my best friend. No kids, no husband, just me. I love my family dearly, but I do think it's good to have time away from it too. I feel overwhelmed at times at the groundhogness of days... Get up, have a shower, make lunches, get breakfast, make beds, put a load of washing/dishes on, make things run smoothly, keep it all happening, go to work, pick up Lexi, pick up Mia, organize who is having who at what time, think about tea,cook tea, clean up, bath time, story time, reading the reader, watch a bit of tele then go to bed and do it all again. I'm not so good at coping with it all all the time.
That's honesty right there.
I need to be just me too. 
The sleep in that I fantasize about won't happen, my bodyclock is too far gone for that. But it's going to be just me for 5 days. And I make no apologies for that. I admire people who seem to have it all together but I know as well as anyone else that we all have our moments and none of us are perfect. Least of all me. 
I wouldn't swap Brenton, Mia or Lexi for all the billions of millions of dollars though. How blessed am I? Bloody oath I am. But I have to look after me too... So that's what I do, although I know that in the last 12 months I have had it really fantastic with breaks from life. But I'll always come back. 
x

Feb Photo a Day

I'm going to be doing the Feb photo challenge with Fat Mum Slim.. She is going to be doing it all year so I'll play as long as I can be bothered... Which probably won't be long. I won't promise that I'll upload them everyday but I will be taking them!!

Day 1 
Your view

 This was my view as I left work at 1pm... I loved how the sky looked.


Day 2
Words

Something that is stuck to my fridge...






Day 3 
Hands.

These hands constantly work.... Pick up, put away, hug, work, wash, scratch, wash.... The whole shebang.... 




Day 4
A Stranger

A stranger driving past my house... As about inspirational as I'm going to get today after a few too many strongbows last night. Was a ABSOLUTELY fabulous afty though. A girl that I went to school with came around with her gorgeous two daughters, we had a couple of drinks and a chat about some stuff, I had invited her to pick her brains about a few things. We had the best time, and got on so well, we all can't wait for our next catch up in a fortnight once I'm back from Darwin!! Who knew that a new but old friendship could be made/rekindled?? Feel really good about it. 
Then when Tam and her little lovlies went home I loaded the kids up and we walked to a friends house up the road a bit for a few more drinks. It was a good night, one of my friends got a bit crapped off with her husband so they all left, but Cin and I just talked and talked and laughed, it ended up being such a fun funny night. More laughs.. Lexi Loo feel asleep on her Dad's lap and we all walked home at midnight. Life is for living isn't it, but we all feel pooped today. Seize good times with both hands. 




AND I SCRAPPED. again. I have had a big clean out of supplies, and mainly sorted things together and wrote in big black texta on the outside of my expedit boxes (they are called something else, but I'm calling them that!) what was in there so I put things back where they belong. Let's see if I make it work!! LOL!! 

 

 

Kinda wish I didn't outline so much in black but by jingoes it felt good to just sit and scrap.. More will be happening. I'm ready for the Feb E2C challenges ladies!! LOL!! 






And for something different entirely I'm calling this vegie medley!! We have a lovely lamb roast in the weber for tea, and because I feel a bit poorly wanted to have lotsa veg aswell!! 

This is it on the way in. Corn, zuc and tomatoes from our veg patch. Locally grown (or so they said) garlic, potatoes, carrots, sweet potato, onion, red capsicum... Drizzled with olive oil and lots of salt and pepper. YUM YUM!! 
Hope you have a good Sat night!! x