Go the f*%$ to bed, or I am going to get very cross

I wasn't the swearing parent. It's something I read on facebook (totally credible)... ahem.....in all fairness, the swearing and name calling was a bit over the top......

Um...yep. Mum's swearing again. I think she means it this time.

It really, really annoys me when people with no kids, pass judgement on the actions of those that do. Like they should be writing a book on the subject. I really hope their parenting experience is a good one. It's a shame they have to voice their opinion, on a subject they know nothing about, or understand. 

Secretly I hope they have three and they fight like cats and dogs, and are driven to tell them to shut the fuck up.

Kids know how to push all the right buttons, right when you're at your wits end. No only do they know how to push your buttons, but those of their siblings too, compounding the issue.

When you have taken in your last deep breath and one kid has just clobbered the other repeatedly, over the head, because she wanted the yellow texta, things can get out of hand. The relentless umpiring can wear you down and the 'f' words let rip. 

It would make Gordon Ramsay blush. Forget about, "That chicken is so fucking raw, it just got up and walked back to the fucking coup". It's, "These fucking children are driving me up the wall, my sanity just got up and walked our the fucking door".

So if swearing at your kids is against the law, I'm guilty. Lock me up and throw away the key.

In all truth, they do not always fight. It is bliss when they get along. It makes you forget they even fight at all. 

It would be ideal if they were best friends all the time. That situation would be ideal if it existed, and I'm sure it does, in the world of unicorn farts and dancing fairies.

In reality, bringing up kids is HARD, relentless work. Work you can be happy to have, if you can get it. Some don't, and some just don't want to. It's the way it happens.

I do believe it's important to talk about the fact that is not all rainbows and angels playing harps. It's not.

It's tears, frustration, brain piercing noise, and exhaustion. Not to forget the worry, spew, poo and wee. There's lots of that.

Best of all, there's cuddles, I love you's, kisses, hugs, laughter, silliness and proud mummy moments. 

Most of the time they just need cuddles, and to be listened to and loved. Some time there is swearing. Occassionally you get caught when that FFS in the parking lot is not really as 'under your breath' as you thought it was.

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Brown rice and quinoa tabbouleh

I always hear about how good quinoa is for my health, and I should be eating it. But dang, it costs an arm and a leg!

Whenever I see it at the supermarket, I look at it and think I should buy some of that. I then look at the price and think, nah, fuck it.

I am however happy to buy Sunrice's Brown rice and quinoa. For around four dollars, I get the health benefits without the price sting.

My mum is a gun at growing herbs and veggies, and her parsley plants are so big. Lately when I go visit her, I pick a big bunch and keep them in a vase in the kitchen. Not only does it look good, I love using it and this is what I love to use it for, amongst other things.

A delicious and healthy tabbouleh, not made with the traditional bulgur, but with brown rice and quinoa.

It is a fantastic way to reap the health benefits of parsley, including vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, iron and a treasure trove of other vitamin and minerals. It's also a fabulous antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Brown rice is a much healthier choice, as it hasn't been processed as much as white, therefore retaining more nutrients. Quinoa is a little grain that packs a big punch in health benefits including all nine essential amino acids(making it a complete protein). It's a shame it costs so much!

Brown rice and quinoa tabbouleh

2 cups cooked Sunrice brown rice and quinoa
2 tomatoes, diced
1 small onion, finely diced
1/2 large cucumber, diced
2 cups firmly packed parsley, chopped
juice of a lemon

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and serve. Voila!

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Holiday housing

We spent the day and night at Pelican Point this past weekend. The weather was amazing. Temperatures above 25 was a sort of heatwave for us, after weeks and weeks of lows of 10-15 degrees! The kids had a ball down the beach, and I got to play with my camera.

We also went out for dinner at the local, Rocks Tavern. It was a last minute get together with family for my birthday(which was yesterday). The meals were more than awesome and the atmosphere so laid back. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone in the neighbourhood.

Pea and fennel salad

We've had one of the coldest winters here in a while, but rainfall has been down on previous years. I don't remember seeing so many rainbows ever, so it means there was some drizzle about.

It seemed ironic that the first morning of Spring, there was frost on the ground. It was bloody freezing that morning.

I am so glad the warmer days are on their way, and more than happy to have the longer days of daylight savings return in a month.

I have been eating so much healthier of late. I've been reading lots about foods and how they heal, including herbs and spices. So I have made an effort to eat more fruit and veggies and I hardly eat anything from a packet, which is a good thing!

Fennel is a fabulous food to include in your next shopping trip. It is packed with vitamins and minerals and generally really good for your health. I found this salad really comforting for my tummy too.

I used half a fennel bulb in this recipe. It also goes well with radish or oranges in a salad too, if you want to swap out the peas.

It is nice cut up and baked with other veggies, or cut in chunks and placed under a roast lamb or beef with carrots and onion to lift the roast off the bottom of the pan, and add flavour.

I ate this with frittata for lunch, and it was exceptionally delicious with fish for dinner. A really simple salad with a fresh taste, to keep in your summer repertoire to impress your dinner guests. 

Pea and Fennel salad

1/4 cup mint leaves, torn
1 tablespoon chopped chives
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/2 a fennel bulb, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pea shoots, optional (I just happened to have them growing in the garden, so nipped a few tops off)

To cut the fennel, chop of the stalks and fronds where they meet the bulb.

Cut in half, then cut the core out in a v shape, it should be easy to see where.

Thinly slice one half for the salad.

Mix oil and lemon juice together, then combine all ingredients in a bowl, and serve up :)


It is worth growing your own herbs in a few pots at the back door, so you can just pop out and pick them for salads just like this :)

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Lake McIntyre in August

I love walks around the lake. The girls like exploring too.

A couple of weeks ago, I got down there on my own and was shocked when I realised I had taken over 200 photos. It's no wonder the batteries went flat down the beach. Not hard to do with so much to look at and admire. Here's some that turned out ok. Well lots actually, sorry :)

This reminds me of soldiers all standing in a row

Easy to see why grevilleas are sometimes called spider flowers!

Full circle

This past week or two I feel as if I am at a place, where everything is good. It's never going to be 100%, but better than a place I was a year ago.

Just over a year ago, I was spilling my unstable guts at the doctors, in a fit of tears and mental anguish. As a result I've been on Mirtazapine, a drug for depression and anxiety. It's had its first birthday, and I am ready to begin weaning myself of the drugs. Quite frankly I am sick of being fat. One of the downfalls, is that the drug slows metabolism, and the cruel side effect, ironically,  is wanting to eat more!

The last month, I have been on a health kick, I've been eating so much better and am walking at least four nights a week.

I've been cooking dinner earlier, and then getting out on my own going for walks, while Brett deals with the girls. It's been just what I needed. I am feeling so much better for it, along with the healthy eating.

I have felt like it was selfish, but it's not. I need to make time for me. To do something for me.

Last Thursday was a pupil free day and Friday a school closure, for the Adelaide Show of all things. We live 430 kms form Adelaide, Riddick! Isabel joined us for playgroup at her old kindy on Friday.

I started this year with the mantra 'No guilt'. I make sure to keep telling myself that, for I do not need to feel guilty for doing things for me.

I keep this in mind as I pound the pavement. I do wonder though, if anyone else counts steps as they walk! I subconsciously count steps as I walk. It's weird. I do a lot of thinking when I am walking, probably too much.

I am hoping that walking at dusk, the magpies are going to sleep. I am so not looking forward to the magpies swooping. That would suck.

I can barely keep my eyes open as I type. The past couple of nights I have stayed up way too late watching Julia Roberts movies. Both of which have made me cry at the end. Which probably has more to do with the wine, than anything else, but they both had sad and emotional endings! I am yet again staying up way too late watching movies again. 

I've given myself a break on the weekends mostly, and have not walked, but drunk wine.
I have put off writing my Monday #openslather post. As usual I leave it to the last minute, mostly done the night before (so I wrote this last night!).

We spent a great father's day shopping at Bunnings, the girls crafted and had face paintings. We bought a new BBQ. We hit Kmart. Brett bought a new bike, and the girls got some new clothes. I am just happy with the new BBQ :)

How have you been feeling lately?
Do you count your steps while you walk? I am quite proud of being a weirdo ;)

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Down the beach

We've registered the Suzi (Suzuki) for the season and took it for a spin through the sand hills at Canunda over the weekend.

Just the way Murphy likes to play, my camera ran out of batteries after a few shots, bugger it all. There was lots of photos I wanted to take. There is always something washed up or interesting to see.

I love this piece of coastline. It doesn't let you leave without surrendering your worries and cares to it, with it's thunderous waves and caressing sands. So powerful.