Well Miss6 starts Year 1 in less than a week and uniforms are labelled and ready. School bag and school shoes purchased and it is all very exciting! Now I am labeling all her stationery … yes that magic word STATIONERY! I went to smiggle and went NUTS!!!! Well I could have gone more nuts but I tried to control myself since it’s just year 1. I bought her all matching stuff … pencil case, water bottle, scissors, eraser, pencils, coloured pencils. They are all unnecessary and completely over the top but I just can’t help it. Stationery makes me wish I were back at school. No matter how much I find technology sexy, I find stationery just as sexy. They are my Edward and Jacob! I want both in my life LOL
Yes I know it’s Miss6 starting school but it’s all about me and my love of stationery – well at least for today! Let me have my moment as next week there will be tears of joy and tears of sadness as both kids head off to school.
I watch many TV series but there is one particular one which is a stand out for me at the moment. It’s my weekly fix and it is my “happy place”. “Darling buds of May“. I had never watched it before and I am completely besotted by it. I love the lifestyle of Ma and Pop Larkin and I think that’s because I’ve always secretly wanted that kind of life … living on a farm with a huge family just enjoying life. Of course it is a completely unrealistic and overly romanticised idea of farm life but Pop and Ma Larkin make it look so easy and they are such nice, friendly people with a great sense of humour. They are adventurous, nurturing and are not afraid to “dream big”.
I have just finished watching Episode 15 and when I checked IMDB today, I realised there are only four episodes left I don’t want it to end! I’m definitely going to have to buy the series so I can watch them again with the kids!
For my girlfriend’s birthday aka GF1, she decided to buy some two for one vouchers via scoopon (I think!) for The Byrneleigh hotel high tea months ago. GF1 planned it well in advance and six of us headed out to high tea on the weekend. As soon as we arrived at the restaurant, GF1 mentioned that she had made a booking for six a few months ago and the waitress basically told her that the reservation was only for two people and asked the same questions several times for about five minutes: “Who took your booking?” “When did you book?” “We only have a reservation for two people here.” “Why didn’t you call us to confirm your booking?” HELLO!!! GF2 says: “this happened the last time I was here too!” Waitress dared say: “Well there’s no need to get frustrated with me!!! Well actually you have not offered a solution to the problem yet!!!
At this stage we were all more than a little annoyed as we were all standing in the middle of the entrance all dressed up, kinda hungry with nowhere to go so I stepped in: “You have obviously made a mistake so what do you intend to do about it?”
We didn’t even get invited to sit on the couches in the waiting area but we made our way there while she talked to her manager. Waitress returned to tell us that they would get a table ready but some of the food would differ from the usual high tea. That’s good enough for us but then she said: “While you wait ladies, we’ll bring you some champagne so we can all calm down.” WTF?? Firstly the champagne is part of the deal so that’s not compensation for the last 5-7 minutes of frustration. Secondly, did she just tell her customers to calm down?? Clearly these people have not been trained in customer service and what made it worse is that most of us at that table have front counter customer service experience.
Anyway we waited a long time and I mean a long time before the food came to our table. The food wasn’t bad but it’s nothing I would write home about. The pannacotta was supposed to taste of coconut, none of us could taste it. The scones, however, were light and fluffy with a nice vanilla bean cream and raspberry jam.
None of the staff waited on us at all. They delivered the food and then we started getting quite thirsty and had to wave a waitress down.
My cup was dirty but the waitress insisted that the cup was stained and not dirty. I would not serve my family tea in a cup like that in my home so at a restaurant, I expect better.
They also messed up the teapots and asked me to share with my friend on the opposite side of the table. I want my own teapot thanks!!! It was just one bad thing after another service wise. I mean we needed teaspoons(that’s right! They didn’t even give us teaspoons!!) so we called over the waiter and he was cleaning nearby, looks up and says: “What are you after?” No dear! You drop what you are doing and you come over to us and say: “How can I help?” I mean didn’t these people watch “Are you being Served?” LOL
The only things they had going for them was the garden which had a very relaxing atmosphere with the plants etc … and the musician who was singing for us with a John Meyer style voice. He added to the charm of the setting. We were quite happy we only paid $17 each for this high tea and let’s just say we won’t be going back there any time soon.
We attended a beautiful wedding yesterday. My day began at 3.28 where for some reason my brain was fully switched on when I had only gone to bed around midnight. I tried to go back to sleep but my body just wasn’t cooperating with that need. I had made plans to head out for a walk/run with @kellymhall at 6am so when the alarm went off at 5.30 I shot up and was ready to face what would be a very long day.
Kelly who is way more of a runner than I am, showed me this coaching activity thingy on runkeeper and decided to use it to help me achieve my running goals this year. I am used to all sorts of exercise. I like to try everything and do whatever suits me and whatever i can work around my busy schedule. My favourites are RPM classes, swimming, Zumba, cycling and body combat. I have never enjoyed running but at the moment due to some health issues, I can only exercise in the mornings and there aren’t many classes about at that time and I also don’t have a lot of time as the kids are up at 5.30/6 and we all have to get out and about by 7.30 or even earlier. Anyway I hate running but I started late last year as I don’t have much other choice these days and I have to admit it is far more enjoyable when you have someone who is as keen as you are and someone who is also interested in pushing you!
Anyway we ended up doing 10 kms combining of a 3km run and 7km walk. I got home about two hours later, had some breakfast, we got the kids ready to go to grandma’s and got ourselves ready for the wedding ceremony. By the time we reached the church I was already feeling out of sorts but the excitement of seeing the bride walk down the aisle kept me going. Then it was time for lunch and a rest before we had to make our way to the reception. Due to pampered self and heavily applied make up, there was no way I could go to sleep so I relaxed while and watched some tv shows to pass the time. Finally we got to the reception and again the excitement of the evening kept me going once more. I struggled a little after the main course as a heavy tummy always makes you feel a little sleepy but being in great company I giggled that drowsy feeling away. Of course once the dance floor was opened, I became wide awake until we got to bed in the wee hours of the morning.
Again this morning I had made plans to go walking with Christina and Kelly but I had slept at my parents and forgot to
pack a few things. Poor girls had to put up with my grumpiness but I still looked glamourous with all my make up on(only by now I looked like a panda or as hubby described it … Like someone had beaten me up with a newspaper and I looked angrier than usual). Well even if i looked like a tired, angry drag queen, we still managed a 2.5km run and a 3.5km walk! Now it’s time to have a little rest before heading out to high tea with some of my girls for my beautiful friend’s birthday.
Whenever I have had chilli mussels they have always been cleaned and cooked for me so I decided to make my own chilli mussels after going to the fish market and seeing some fresh ones delivered in front of me in what looked to be a hessian bag. I was enthralled by what was inside so I ordered four kilos of the darn things
I probably used the wrong method but it took me a good two hours to clean those four kilos of mussels using a metal scourer to get all the green bits off and pulling off the hairy bits.
Cooking them, however, only took about twenty minutes and devouring them took even less time. They were delicious and I was so proud that Miss6 had some even though they were a little spicy. I made sure to only give her the ones cooked mostly by the steam at the very top as opposed to the nice juicy chilli ones immersed in my beautiful sauce. The family was thoroughly impressed so I was happy.
Yesterday afternoon my friend who knows my passion for cooking Italian food called me to see if I would be available this morning to learn how to make gnocchi from her mother in law.
I was not going to pass up this opportunity. So two of us eager learners had a very relaxing morning making gnocchi.
I also learned how to make lasagna sheets and ravioli and I even made fettuccine.
I had a ball as I was right in my element. Their vegetable garden is a dream … makes my pitiful garden look abysmal. I went home with a tray of fettuccine, a tray of gnocchi, basil and rosemary fresh from the garden and she even gave me some sauce. I think if I had stayed another five minutes I would have gotten the entire garden. I felt really humbled and it really took me back to my experiences traveling around Italy. I have taken good notes and photos and will hopefully pass these new skills onto the kids. I think we will be having a pasta making day very soon.
Two days into 2012 and I’ve already learned so much!!!!! Woohoo
The first day of the year for most means new beginnings! I was going to make a list of new year resolutions for 2012 but after the rough couple of years I have had health wise, I have decided to just let life happen for me. I wish for myself nothing but health so I can concentrate on enjoying time with my family and friends and doing amazing things.
I started my first day of twenty twelve with a 10km walk with Kelly by the beach and usually the beaches are fairly empty at this time of the morning but today the water was busy with people fishing for abalone.
I have never had abalone so I would really like to try making this crayfish and abalone recipe from Poh’s kitchen soon. Throughout our walk I started getting really excited about seafood and I decided to head to the fish market after our walk. I ended up buying 4 kilos of fresh mussels, cleaning them and making chilli mussels. The family thoroughly enjoyed it so it was a great start to my year.
Imagine you sit in front of a fireplace. You read and beside you there is a cup with something hot in it. What would that be in your case: tea, coffee or hot chocolate?
It would be a lovely evening, snowing outside and I would be inside rugged up with a hot cup of tea preferably herbal but I’m not sure I’d be reading while drinking it. I would be enjoying every blissful moment of being in a freezing cold countryside surrounded tucked away in the warmth of a comfy house watching the flames in the fireplace.
If an author gave you the chance to rewrite or to change the fate of a book character, who would you chose?
Fred in Harry Potter would not die!!!
Did your parents read stories to you when you were little? if yes are there any special ones you remember the most?
Yes but I only seem to remmember the books that I myself read… my earliest memory of reading exciting books is of Martine
What do you like more the smell of old antiquarian books or the smell of new fresh ones you just bought?
Fresh new book smell!!! Although I would love a library of old books like that moment Belle enters the library in Beauty and The Beast. This would be my dream come true:
You get the opportunity to choose between secret talents: either to be able to make things come to life through reading them or the gift to read yourself into a book. Which one would you like to have?
Oh, definitely read myself into a book!
Do you have a favourite children’s book or a favourite fairy tale?
Someone would talk to your friends and ask them to compare you to a book character. With whom do you think would they compare you?
Well hubby always says I’m all seven of the dwarfs in the one person -depends on the time of the month hahahaha
Tell me the name of a writer whom you would like to have as a friend.
Jane Austen or Jodi Picoult
You can hide in a written down world for only one night into which world do you escape?
The Victorian era as long as I get to be one of the rich people
Something terrible happens: you have to flee to an unknown place and all you can take with you are three books of all the ones you own. Which three ones do you put into your bag?
Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Sense and Sensibility
I know that’s cheating cause that’s more than three hehehe
I am a person who pays attention to detail and especially to peoples’ names. I’m not sure why but I frequently get confused with the following names no matter how hard I try I have to think twice every time. I have developed tactics in order to remember who is who and my brain still farts sometimes.
Kirsty and Kristy
Chloe and Zoe
Hayden and Jayden
Winston and Wynton
Renee and Narelle
Kelly and Carly
Mia and Mya
Elizabeth and Isabelle
Watching Kung Fu Panda with the kids recently I just fell in love with this part of the movie:
I find I have a lot in common with Panda in physical traits and character. If someone trained me with food as an incentive …:)
I wonder if this could be a new training technique on The Biggest Loser. Of course I am only joking but what a great show that would be!
