Breakie at our place

I am on holidays for the next 2 weeks…hip, hip, hooray! I am just so bloody happy about it. On Sunday night I had that joyous feeling of someone with little pressure on their shoulders…ahhhh….so nice to exhale. It just so happened that Miss 6 has a couple of days off school as well so I really don’t have to rush and spend all morning nagging everyone to hurry up before drop off.

This brings me to breakfast. I am not a breakfast person. I wish I was. I know how important it is but I am just not excited about it. (Note: I am excited about brunch however e.g. bacon and eggs, pancakes etc. etc.).

This morning I took pictures of everyone’s breakfasts!

Nonna (my mum), who we are living with at the moment LOVES breakfast – she wakes up and gets straight into. She likes toast with lashings of margarine and jam or porridge with her special ricotta from Geelong Fresh Foods on Pakington Street. (She goes there every Wednesday to buy it). Then she sprinkles it with sugar and has a Nescafé (blah…yes, she is a real Italian, go figure) in her “Nonna” mug that Miss 6 made for her at kinder. It’s a morning ritual.

Miss 6 is like me – she is sluggish, she can’t eat straight away and she’s not excited about it. She does like eggs though, in any shape or form so I usually do a quick scramble in the morning before school. This morning, as I had a bit more time she had “the one in the shell like humpty dumpty” with toast fingers. She uses the egg cup that I had when I was a kid and after she’s eaten it she draws a face, turns it upside down and smashes it.

Miss 3 loves breakie and has many courses – usually starting with some sort of cereal that she has 2 bites of and then toast; raisin, Vegemite, jam and she’ll have 2 or 3 pieces. Lately I have been letting the kids have some juice which has caused a lot of happiness.

This is my breakfast of choice…

I know this is not a food group but I love a good coffee. On a school morning I start with a quick cup of tea to hydrate myself as I rush the kids about and then after school drop off I either buy a proper latte on my way home or make a plunger. By about 9.30am I can stomach some toast or cereal. (I live up to my Italian heritage and usually have ham or some sort of cold meat!) I remember offering my Skippy husband ham or salami on toast when we first started “going out” and he thought I was batty. (He is now converted.)

He is not rating a mention as he is living it up in Vegas as we speak with his brother and probably having the breakfast buffet. Enough said. (I do LOVE a good hotel omelette station though!)

My dad used to have his espresso coffee with 2 teddy bear biscuits (hence we call them Nonno biscuits in our house) before work at about 5am and then a sandwich at “smoko.”

There is a saying…”Eat breakfast like a King, lunch like a Queen and dinner like a pauper.”

So what do you have for breakfast at your place?

Bored people are boring

I have to admit, today was a bit tedious. The weather was crap, no one could be bothered getting out and so it was a bit on the boring side. I remember I had a teacher in secondary school who used to say, “Bored people are boring”. I have always remembered it because I hate to be bored and it made me realise that entertaining myself is my responsibility.

What do you do when you’re bored?

This was our Sunday at home (still little bit boring!!)

…linking up with Unknown Mami’s, Sundays in my City.

I am the best wife ever!

I am officially the coolest wife in the world. There I have said it. Why, you ask?

Well, my lucky husband turned 40 nearly a month ago and I suggested that he and his brother go to Las Vegas to celebrate! Enough said. Well, I’ll just say a little bit more.

We have been through a lot. We are a good team. He is an amazing support and a wonderful father. I knew he didn’t want to have a big party and he LOVES playing poker. When I first mentioned this Vegas idea he dismissed it…”as if I am going to do that?” Anyway I chipped away and explained that I really wanted him to do it.

Here is a quick list of things I like/love about the birthday boy and why I am grateful to have him as part of my life:

• When I first met him he made me laugh (it was at a friend’s 21st and he had put cracker biscuits in his eyes…actually I don’t know why I laughed)

• When he first cooked me dinner he wore masseur sandals and track suit pants (actually I didn’t love that …I thought it was weird)

• When he proposed he made me suffer all through dinner till the very end but it was worth it

• He is really thoughtful

• He loves our girls so much and has never pined for a boy

• He likes to solve problems

• He is good to my mother!

• He likes to cook fancy dinners, even if sometimes we don’t eat till 9pm

• He loves to give people nick names

• He is my own personal Nav man

• He can sleep anywhere (actually that’s really annoying and he snores)

• He can do a pretty good accent for comic purposes

• He challenges the girls to stretch themselves and talks to them like they’re not idiots

• He’s a good listener

• He loves us so much

Life is short. You have to take every opportunity to live it. I am thrilled he is going on this trip. He has been working so hard and he deserves it. (Besides…Someone else I know turns 40 next year…I remember New York being splendid in December!!)

Happy birthday baby!

I am dedicating my grateful post to you!

Linking up with Maxabella Loves, Grateful Post

Embrace the Camera

This week I am linking up with the Anderson Crew’s, Embrace the Camera.

 

These pics were taken one night after dinner, just after the start of daylight savings (bliss)…nothing like an impromptu game of footy to shake off cobwebs before bed!!

A fun time was had by all!
(Note Miss 3's 'soccer like' shirt removing pose!...she did actually follow in her father's foot steps but I was warned not to publish those photos!)

Christmas Shopping!

Pic vis Pinterest via Google images

Ok, don’t freak out but I have started my Christmas shopping. I know it’s very organised (although I know some of you out there would have started a month ago!) but I refuse to be stressed at Christmas.

I used to be one of those people out at the last minute, racing around at Chadstone shopping centre’s 24 hour day/night extravaganza , paying too money in a panic, buying random Christmas presents in a frenzy. I made a vow a few years ago (coincidentally around the time I was blessed with children I think!) to be done with my shopping by the end of November. This was also partly because Chadstone was my local shopping centre and for anyone who has been there in the festive season, it’s not pretty.

This year I am going to try and buy as much as I can on-line (its sooooo good) – from the luxury of my own home, delivered in a very civilised and calm way.

Today I even drew up a spreadsheet! Here is a sample of it!! (Information presented here is fictional to protect the receivers of gifts!)

My other Christmas gift buying hint is, if you are out shopping and you see something for someone, buy it! May sound simple, but buying the odd gift here and there can really help ease the mad rush.

Pic via Pinterest

I now buy presents for friends at any time of the year and put them away for birthdays etc. and cards too. I love giving cards and keep a stash at all times.

So, in an effort to enter the festive season in the right spirit, I aim to remove any unnecessary stress.

What's your Christmas shopping routine?

Bulldozers on the block!



April 2011






19th October 2011

 



19th October 2011





Our new house project officially started this week – yee ha!!
It has been months in planning and tweaking and scrutinising but we finally signed off our plans and this Wednesday I drove past (as I do every day) and there were 2 big trucks and 2 bulldozers there!!

I did actually scream out loud in the car by myself, at the excitement of seeing some action!
I am very grateful that we have this opportunity to build our dream house and that the project is on its way.

I have kept a text message from my optimistic husband that he sent to me on the 9th of April this year that read, “OK, Sunday is property day. I’ll be packing here in Melbourne tomorrow. Call u in the morning. Sweet dreams xoxo”

It was right before settlement of our house in Burwood and we were having not much luck finding much that suited us in Geelong. That Sunday we went and looked at some display homes and one of the staff working at a house that day said…”have you looked at that area up on the hill?” On the way home we swung past and saw the area she was talking about and as they say the rest is history. The old boot (my mum) had mentioned this too but we had dismissed it...sorry old boot!

Sometimes it’s hard to be grateful for this exciting time because we ultimately made this move because my dad passed away. I have to admit that my initial excitement was then pierced by some looming sadness as I pictured my dad doing my concrete.

I am grateful to be near my mum and grateful that we have each other.

I am grateful that the bulldozers have now started doing their thing. I will keep you posted.

I am linking up this week with Maxabella Loves, Grateful post.

Egg-cellent Goose!

Since moving to Geelong so many people have said to me, “Have you checked out this gorgeous little store called Goose in East Geelong?” Well I finally got around to popping in there and I think it was a very bad move! I could have spent hours in there – so many beautiful, functional, quirky, child friendly, not so child friendly things, jewellery, home wares etc.things to peruse!!

I didn’t actually have a lot of time but I did manage to come out with something of course. How funky is this egg poacher? Miss 6 is a very big egg fan and not a big breakfast fan so if I can do eggs quickly before school I know I can get a good nutritious breakie into her.

You just crack your egg into the bottom of the babushka doll, put the lid on loosely and cook for 1 min on medium in the microwave! Sensational and so funky too!!

Where is Goose?
91 garden street
east geelong vic 3219
p/f +61 3 5229 5611
email shop@goosestore.com.au

* I was not paid for this review!

Wordless Wednesday

Sometimes I wish I was 5

Life seems so much simpler.



Pic by Alicia Jamal



Linking up with Trish at My Little Drummer Boys   

Sunday Parmi

For some reason in Geelong they like to call the humble chicken parma, a "parmi". I have no idea why they do but there you go. Anyway this week Miss 6 said, "you know what we haven't done for a while?...go to a restaurant"...so we thought, why not go for a Sunday night parmi? We have been told about "The Yardz" Sunday night, "Parmi's of the world" and it has on my list of places to visit. The Yardz is what used to be the old Sale Yards hotel and had a re-vamp a few years ago. Every Sunday night they do $12 Parmis of the world.

We had sampled the -  English (mashed potato, bacon, cheese and gravy, Spanish (chorizo, cheese, tomato etc.) and American (salami, cheese, tomato etc.). They all came with chips and salad and were fresh and delish! Kids had chips and nuggets but they were of the more homemade variety and were also yum.

Miss 3 devoured my gravy and wore half of it on her dress whilst slurping lemonade in between running off to see what was happening at the pool table in the front bar. Apart from the half hour wait for the food (which with kids is a bit tortuous), it was a great night and we will definitely go there again. Lucky we booked as there was not a spare table in sight!

Linking up this week with Unknown Mama's Sundays in my City.

Where did I go?
The Yardz
77 Church Street, Geelong West
52787257

Happy Faces

As part of my link up this week with Trish at "My Little Drummer Boys"  my

 Wordless Wednesday is about happy faces!

Holiday Countdown



I think it’s always a very good idea to have something on the horizon to look forward to. I think if you can manage it, some sort of holiday (even if it’s only a night away) in the not too distant future makes life just seem a bit more tolerable.

Now, in 2 weeks and 4 days my husband is going to Las Vegas with his brother to celebrate his 40th birthday. (The blog about how I am the best wife in the world is still to come!) Anyway, when he returns from this fabulous trip we (hubby, Miss 6, Miss 3 and I) and going to Queenscliff for 5 nights.

I can't tell you how excited I am! I love having a countdown and I love going away.

Why did we decide on Queenscliff? Well, we didn't want to lose travel time (it is only 30 mins away - one of the benefits of living in Geelong) and we wanted it to be easy. Many people recommended staying in a BIG 4 caravan park. Now let me also tell you, we are NOT camping people. Not that there is anything wrong with that. One of my best friends is a camping person but we just aren't.



* Queenscliff



Once, before we had children we camped for a couple of nights with said friend and fair to say it was a bit of a disaster. It rained and rained and rained. Our tent got rain in it and we ended up in our friends' tent (very cosy). Also, my husband snores. I was so paranoid about his snoring and our close proximity to our neighbours that I spent all night nudging him awake and my friend also woke up in the night thinking his snoring was a dingo. As I said, we are NOT campers.





Our cabin floor plan! 

So, we are going to have the caravan park experience but will be staying in a cabin in the Beacon Resort Caravan Park in Queenscliff. They have a big jumping pillow, an indoor pool and kid’s activities. Yay! Best of both worlds. I will let you know in a few weeks how we go!! Count down is on!!

* Pics coutesy of http://visitgeelongbellarine.com/

10 Things you didn't want to know about me!

Recently Mandy from  "A little space like home" invited me to join in with a little game called "10 Things you didn't want to know about me"...

I love finding out random things about people so if you are also so inclined, here goes...

1. I really find it hard to cope with people who are tight. You know the type when you go out for dinner and they crack out the calculator. Can't stand it..makes me cringe with uncomfortableness. I applaud generosity.

2. I am scared of losing the people that I love after I lost my dad nearly 2 years ago. I have to not let myself think about it or I will go crazy.

3. I really want to lose weight. I can tackle most mental challenges but this one has eluded me for a long time. I really want to be able to beat it.

4. I LOVE fresh flowers. I LOVE receiving them and  I LOVE giving them.

5. If I didn't have the life I do (which I do love, don't get me wrong), I would spend my time travelling. Places like Cinque Terre in Italy, the Amalfi Coast, New York, Maui, Hayman Island...ahhhhhhh

6. I fell pregnant very easily twice! I am lucky.

7. I want to do a photography course so that I can do more funky things with my new-ish SLR camera. I LOVE taking photos. (OK, most people DO know that about me) I love taking photos because when someone is gone that is all you have...their memories. I learnt that since my dad passed away and I am now pretty obsessive about it. I think there could be worse obsessions.

8. I really crave time on my own and don't feel bad when I get it!

9. I love going to the movies...the dark theatre, the eating of popcorn, the previews, the great sound. One of life's great pleasures.

10. I made a conscious effort about 10 years to nurture my friendships and its the best thing I ever did. Someone has to be the one to organise things and sometimes that is me!

Thanks Mandy for the invitation...anyone who is interested feel free to do it too!

Cheers,
Mez