It's December! #takingstock

I am pretty sure I forgot about Taking Stock last month. I am not sure if I closed my eyes at the wrong time somewhere in August, but the last few months have been a total blur. 


Making:  End of year presents for my tiny Tot gymnasts. I am thinking Reindeer noses. My last gym classes for the year are on December 15th. Our Kindergym class is getting a visit from Santa on the 14th. 

 My sour dough bread making is improving.

Cooking: I am going to attempt a lavender and blueberry 'magic cake' sometime this week. It like a custard cake that magically cooks in wonderful layers. I've never attempted it before, so why not experiment with some cool flavours.

Drinking: A white. I've been drinking a little too much. I was going to write I think, but I know. Going to do my best to cut down some.

Reading: How to's on the internet. How many times has Google taught you to do something? The latest is how to turn a chambray dress (op shop score) from a size 16 to a size 14 and shorten the sleeves. Going to try to attempt it today. Wish me luck.

Wanting: To do some online shopping. I have a new niece to find a present for, and I am lusting after the Classic Countdown CD. We've been watching the Countdown series on a Sunday night on the ABC. Reliving my youth with music!

Looking: Forward to seeing the super moon tonight. I may even take the kids for a drive where we will have a fab vantage point to see it. Maybe take some photos.

Deciding: What to get Brett for Christmas. I have NO IDEA.

Wishing: I had the money for hydrangea plants for an area in my garden. I've talked to a friend of mums and she has said I can get cuttings from her anytime. I will do that, but wish I could have them flowering in my garden NOW :)

Liking: My new garden arbours my hubby has made to replace the rusted ones that have been there in what feels like forever. He has done a good job. Will post them on Instagram today. 

Wondering: What the hell we are doing for Christmas Day. Mum will be working at the old folks home all day. Will catch up with my sister today to nut it out. 

Considering: Stealing the green waste bin from the empty flats next door, to get rid of some garden waste. I filled mine up today!

Buying: My girls some new runners. I was trying to stretch it out for the next two weeks of school. I don't think I am going to get away with it!

Watching: Struggle Street on SBS. I've become hooked on watching other peoples life's struggles.

Hoping: To spend some time fishing this week. God knows what day, I will have to make time. I really felt like going yesterday.

Marvelling: At how amazing my girls are. They shit me most days, but they are truly amazing little people.

Cringing: At how shocking my chin hairs must be looking. Better get some wax strips today!

Needing: To hit the pavement and get some exercise, eat better and lay off the bourbon cans. I could do with losing a few kilos!

Smelling: Our REAL Christmas tree! I cannot remember the last time I had a real tree to decorate. Well the kids decorated it, the smell is nice.

 Wearing: Some warmer clothes this week. Going from heatwaves in the high thirties down to temperatures in the teens sucks. Did you hear that Tassie has had snow?!

Noticing: The snails have eaten my sunflower seedlings! I won't forget the pellets when replanting seeds this time!

Knowing: I need to make a day where I clean this house from top to bottom and declutter on the way. I am reasonably well at being ruthless when it comes to it. It's just the coming to it bit.

Thinking: The strawberry plants have been amazing this year. We are getting lots.

Admiring: All the pretty flowers in the garden right now. I haven't picked a vase for inside for the longest time though. I've been picking fresh herbs for a little vase on my kitchen bench though. Parsley and mint. 

Disliking: How down I can be on myself. I need to remind myself of all the amazing things I do everyday and how much I have achieved so far in my life.

Giggling: Along with my girls, when they warp their faces on Aunty Margi's iPad. They left surprises for her in the way of funny faces when she wasn't home today. I hope she gets a laugh too.

Snacking: Aaaargh. On too much processed food! Besides that, I am not sure why, but a plastic wrapped cheese slices! They are my go to in the fridge lately. Maybe it's my body telling me I need more calcium.

Hearing: The jingle jangle of Christmas bells! Don't you love this time of year? I do.

An InLinkz Link-up

I love me too

My youngest had her first sports day ever on Friday. So much excitement for her, she did really well, because she did her best and had great fun doing it!

I usually lay down with her at night, she is the best cuddler and I tell her I love her. Her reply always is, "Me too". That night was the first time she had a laugh and realised the play on words....that she loved herself too. 

I don't know why that was so funny. She is an absolutely gorgeous girl with an infectious personality, and should be in love with herself.  I suppose it does seem funny to a little girl, and she probably (like me) won't realise the importance of loving herself until she is well into her forties.

I hope not. 

I remember when I was a teenager it was not uncommon to use it as a slur towards another person, usually another girl. "She is totally in love with herself!". Like it was a bad thing. The worst thing is she probably wasn't and had all the insecurities and self doubt that everyone of us had.

I've was even accused of being 'in love with myself'. Exactly the opposite was true. I was a cess pool of insecurity, I was in no way popular and couldn't string two cool words together to save my life. I guess because I was so quiet, I came across as a bit of a snob. I think I still do, because I have trouble sometimes having the confidence to say hello to people. I am a great smiler though! Smiles hide loads of insecurities!

In this day and age, with the pressures of social media, it does worry me what insecurities and challenges my girls will face as they age. I realise now, that I must instill in them the importance of loving the way they are, that thier differences are what make them unique. I can only do what I can, and realise that I won't be with them all the time, and hope that the world is kind to them.

By the way, the red team, Banksia, won the whole day. She was so excited! Her older sister had a good day too, and I was so glad I was there to cheer them on and share in thier happiness.

An InLinkz Link-up

A note about, and from, Jake.

My place in time #18
A handwritten note from someone I love


Saturday night we went out for tea at our local community club. Brett's brother was over from the Eyre Peninsula and we were catching up. We had a great night.

I wasn't a late night, but late enough. Especially as we had a late one the night before at an Indian potluck dinner. I left so full from that, all the food was delicious. I woke up full the next morning!

While we were out at the club, Jake dropped in and left a message for me. He had brought some of Mum's lasagna with him and left it with the note on the bench.

He's been living at Mum's for the last couple of weeks after a relationship breakup.  There was a lot more involved which I won't go into here.

It doesn't matter how old you kids get, you still worry, still hurt when they hurt. I am so glad to he is much better than the state he was in when he came back two weeks ago. Physically and mentally.

My boy has aspergers. He doesn't communicate his feelings very well. They get bottled up and usually come out as anger eventually, out of frustration or anxiety.

What I would like to add here is trust your intuition as a mother. If you suspect something is wrong, something isn't as it should be, you are probably right. Don't procrastinate, act on it. I have so much guilt where Jake is concerned. There are so many times I should have yelled louder, stood firmer and stuck up for him. I am so grateful that I still get huge hugs, and hear 'I love you Mum' come from his lips. 

I am taking him to pick up the rest of his stuff today. I am feeling nervous about it, for both of us, and I am praying it all goes smoothly. I am not looking forward to it, it is going to be hard, and awkward. But has to be done.

I will be most likely be requiring wine tomorrow afternoon at around wine-thirty or before!

An InLinkz Link-up

A family weekend

I am ever so grateful for my family. 

It has been a family orientated weekend and it couldn't have come at a better time.

It was Mum's birthday yesterday. My little sister came over from Gippsland with her family, a surprise for Mum. 

Earlier in the week my son come to stay at his Nannas. Lets just say he needed to be around family.

Saturday night we had a pizza night at Mum's house. We gathered and stuffed ourselves silly, told stories that has us all in fits of laughter and I can't say anyone left without feeling happier than when we began.

I cherish these times. I am ever so thankful my girls will have these memories to look back on. The family all eating and laughing together. The time with their cousins. I wonder how life could be any better. 

Little sister couldn't resist but to cook one of Dad's chorizos near the coals

Not everyones cup of tea, but the roast pigeon with green sauce was amazeballs. 

Izzy and Summer playing with their cousins. Having a ball making tents and
jumping on the bed in Nannas spare room.

Do you get together as a family often?
How do your gatherings go?
Do you always leave happier than you arrived?

An InLinkz Link-up

My cutie pies #openslather

Izzy and Summer. They are so much alike, yet so different in so many ways.

Both have their own ways of driving me nuts, yet fill me with so much laughter, pride and joy.

They love each other, yet sometimes need their own space. They can be fighting over something one minute and cuddling the next. 

They are sisters, they are love.

Valentines day

Brett asked me to marry him on Valentines Day, 11 years ago. All I remember is thinking how soppy, he's asking me on valentines day, and that I knocked a glass of red wine all over the white table cloth! I felt embarrassed as he knelt next to me in the restaurant and everybody was looking, I was blushing. On our honeymoon years later, due to my finger shrinking while diving, I lost that original ring in the drink. It's at the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef, or in a fishs guts. Luckily travel insurance paid for a new one, exactly the same. 

Here is just a few suggestions to give some food lovin' goodness for your special person this Valentines Day. I will say it, even though it has been quoted to death, the way to anyones heart is through their stomach. Who wouldn't be totally chuffed if these dishes were served up in front of them? It would make me feel all warm and fuzzy, alas, my chances are slim to none, unless I made it myself! 

                             

                                                                             Source: loveit.com via Alicia - on Pinterest

Even if you are challenged in the cooking department for that one. This one would bring a smile to anyones face. Besides it looks just as freakin' delicious!

                                                                        Source: Uploaded by user via SZEMEM on Pinterest

You could get cute with fruit. I must admit a chocolate dip (particularly white) would be awesome  for dipping strawberry kebabs into. Yum! 

                                                                         Source: recipebyphoto.com via Alicia - on Pinterest

                                                                          Source: catchmyparty.com via Alicia - on Pinterest

Do you celebrate Valentines Day, or does it just make you say "meh"?