I’m Grateful For… Many Small Yet Significant Things

This week has been pretty challenging in the land of Eat Play Bond. Nothing serious, but draining and exhausting none-the-less. It could have been very easy to let the strain drag me down but the reason I love the Maxabella Loves Weekly Grateful is that it gives me the chance to look for the silver lining, to shift my perspective into something positive and remember that life is always going to have its setbacks, but wallowing in self pity won’t get you anywhere. It’s such a great was to wrap up your week and its wonderful to share the happy moments with the talented bloggers who contribute to the list.

Happiness Is…

A mummy treating herself to a little budget shopping spree,

Complete with new red shoes

Cooking for 1 and a Half

It has become clear to me that my ‘bucket chef’ approach to cooking is not really appropriate while I am only making meals for Skye and myself. Aside from the huge amount of leftovers, it is a little tricky to monitor things on my temperamental stove top whilst bathing Skye and if I wait until she is in bed I wouldn’t be eating until midnight! I have no intention of eating raisin toast or cereal for dinner every night so I have had to work on a new meal plan that is better suited to our current living arrangements. As we live in the sticks, takeaway’s aren’t an option so I still have to cook something…

Just When I Thought I Had Run Out Of Things To Talk About

I was beginning to worry I had lost a bit of my mojo this week and was not sure if I had anything much to say when the blogging gods took pity on me and helpfully gave me something to write about – NITS! You just scratched your head didn’t you? I know, because I have been resisting the urge all afternoon since I discovered poor Skye was riddled with them.  

Listography–Lessons I Learned From My Parents

Sending a little love to my mum and dad for this Listography courtesy of Kate Takes 5.

Mince is one of the most versatile and inexpensive ingredients you can use
Spag bol was a regular meal in our house but mince also was used for mexican, meatloaf, lasagne, rissoles, pizzas, you name a mince dish, mum probably made it, and it was delicious.

Netball is not the only sport girls can participate in
Actually I have never played netball. Mum and I started Tae Kwon Do when I was about 8 and trained together for roughly 5 years before I became a teenager and lost interest in any kind of sporting activities. Thankfully I got past my ‘I’m too cool for exercise’ phase and it’s once again a passion. Martial Arts taught me respect, discipline and how to kick someone in the temple – which I can still do. That would be my mum with her back to the camera on the left.

Your education is your own responsibility
I went to Public Schools through my whole education and still did very well. I was not sure what career I was interested in but I knew that the better marks I got, the more options I had. The fact that mum and dad did not fork out a small fortune to send me to a Private School did not disadvantage my choices in any way.

Many different genres of music can be considered good
Most of my family is musical in some way. Dad plays the drums and mum plays guitar. There was almost always music playing somewhere in the house and I still know all the words to INXS The Swing. Their extensive vinyl collection opened my mind to the times of Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull and Jimi Hendrix when current radio was offering fabricated tripe of the “Barbie Girl” variety. Depending on my mood I will listen to just about any type of music and I know that is because of the varied exposure I received during childhood.

Your parents will love you now matter what
Beyond our immediate family, due to distance and circumstances we have little contact with our relatives which can be hard on all of us. All three of us have tested our parents (some more than others) at some stage but I have always been certain that I could never do anything to stop my parents loving me unconditionally. They are my safety net and I know above all else they are there for me.

I could still kick my brother for getting married 6 weeks after I had Skye though, how inconsiderate!

I’m Grateful For…A Night Out

July has shaped up to be quite a social time for us with 1st birthday parties, baby showers and the beginnings of a very busy run of 30th’s. This weekend was the first (other than Luke’s early last month) of many coming up which was to be held in the town that Luke and I grew up in. We have both been really looking forward to this particular night because a lot of people we have been wanting to catch up with would be there in one convenient location. Nannie was booked in for babysitting duties and I had found the perfect pair of new jeans so we were all set for a big one.

Happiness Is…

A little girl enjoying a breakfast buffet in her PJ’s

Zucchini Slice

This slice makes a great dinner served with a bit of salad but I usually make this whenever someone is having a party because it tastes just as good served cold and cut into bite sized pieces to bulk up the nibblies table. Its so simple and can be made the day before so you feel super organised!

Ingredients

• 8 eggs
• 150g (1 cup) self-raising flour, sifted
• 375g zucchini, grated
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 200g rindless bacon, chopped
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 60ml (1/4 cup) vegetable oil

Method
1. Preheat oven to 170°C. Grease and line a 30 x 20cm lamington pan.
2. Cook onion and bacon in a fry pan until onion is soft and bacon is slightly crispy.
3. Beat the eggs in a large bowl until combined. Add the flour and beat until smooth, then add zucchini, cheese and oil and stir to combine. Add onion and bacon and stir through. Pour into the prepared pan and bake in oven for 45 minutes or until cooked through.

When The Boys Set Up House

As I mentioned in my post last week, Luke is working away at the moment and is staying in a holiday house with some of his contractors for the duration of the job. Skye and I will be staying there occasionally too because its in a great location and the layout of the house means that there will be plenty of room for everyone, but I had no intention of being up there the first week so I could play ‘wifey’ and get the house setup for them. I figured by the second week they would have most things under control and it would be safe to pay them a visit… plus I had been busting to check out the kitchen.

We’re Going On Our First Family Holiday!

OK, so technically Luke will be working and Skye and I will be on holiday, but for someone who hasn’t had a holiday in 5 years I’m not about to start getting picky. It turns out that the accommodation that Luke will be staying in for the next few months is a quite large holiday house very close to the beach and since work has only just begun, its the perfect time for us to make it into a bit of a family holiday. YIPEE!

Listography–Top 5 Gigs

Taking part once again in Kate Takes 5 Listography Linky. Due to my lateness in submitting, some of my other choices have already been taken a couple of times (Nirvana) so I have had to dig a little deeper. Here is my list of top 5 gigs I would give my right arm to see.

Ben Harper
Truly one of my all time favourite artists. I have missed out on seeing him tour for so many years, largely because none of my friends share my enthusiasm. I just love the emotion in his voice and his albums are on high rotation on my iPod.

Foo Fighters
I am currently working on convincing Luke this would be worth the trip to Sydney to see when they tour in December. I have loved Foo Fighters for many years and I figure any band that has spent that much time touring would have to be amazing to see live. I watched a documentary on them recently and I had forgotten just how many great albums they have released.

Jamiroquai
I have only heard good things about Jamiroquai’s live shows, I defy anyone to stand still listening to this.

Kanye West
Yeah, we all know he is a bit of a douche, but you have to admit, he has some pretty catchy tunes. There’s a fair chance he is going to say something stupid while he is standing up there in charge of a microphone too.

Tool
A legacy of my teenage angst years, there is something so powerful about Maynard’s voice. The lyrics can be quite funny in a warped kind of way too. (Language warning on this one kiddies).

I’m Grateful… For Hubby Being There In My Time Of Need

My Saturday Grateful post is a little late this week as I have been out of action with a nasty bout of food poisoning. Ironically, my grateful post was going to be about enjoying the peace and quiet while Luke has been away for work, but I really could not have managed without him yesterday, so instead, I am saying a massive thank you.

Happiness Is…

A mummy enjoying the simple pleasures of a little “me-time”.

Tuna and Pesto Pasta Bake

This recipe is one that I discovered a few years ago on taste.com.au it’s not one that we have often (we already eat so much pasta) and I am still very much a fan of my Tuna Casserole but for variety this one gets pulled out every now and then. The celery gives a great crunchy fresh texture to this pasta bake so it doesn’t get dominated by the creamy cheese sauce. As usual, there are a few vegetables in this one too so you feel a bit healthy!

Ingredients
500g dried penne pasta
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 green onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 sticks celery, finely chopped
250g cherry tomatoes, quartered
120g baby spinach
1/4 cup basil pesto
1 cup light evaporated milk
425g can of Tuna in Springwater
1/2 cup grated light mozzarella cheese

Method
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celcius. Cook pasta and drain.
2. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add onions, garlic and celery. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until onion is soft. Add tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes. Add spinach, pesto and milk. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until spinach just wilts. Add pasta to pan with tuna. Season with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
3. Spoon mixture into an 8 cup-capacity ceramic baking dish. Top with cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden. Stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Do Old Friends Belong In The Past?

A discovery this week has left me wondering about the life span of friendships. An old friend I had unknowingly drifted away from recently popped up on good ol’ Facebook and I was a little surprised by what I saw. So much has changed in the 5 short years since we had regular contact with each other I wasn’t even completely sure it was her. I was rattled by the fact that it had been so long since we had spoken and I had not even noticed.

Daddy Has To Go Away For Work :(

Luke is off today for a contract further up the coast, the job is expected to take 4 long months – YIKES! Thankfully he is still close enough to come home on weekends and because they have arranged a holiday house for the accommodation, Skye and I will be making the most of the lovely beachside location as much as possible too.

Aldi–The Good, The Bad and The Crazy

Everyone is feeling the squeeze of increased grocery prices and the world of blogging as been abuzz with talk of budgets, meal planning and … Aldi. I have to admit, Aldi has always freaked me out a bit. There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to some of the product placement and the fact that there is a mini department store running through the middle of it selling a different random theme every week is just weird. I can safely say I have never walked into a shop hoping to buy my milk, bread and an air compressor in one transaction. For many years I have stayed in my Woolworths and Coles comfort zone. I know where things are, I can get all my meat, fruit and veg and baby stuff in one trip and the quality of generic brand products has improved dramatically.

Listography–Ice Creams

I don’t generally write on a Sunday, but I have been keen to get involved with the the Kate Take’s 5 Listography Linky for a while now and this week Kate has made it a no brainer topic for me so I am jumping on the band wagon. The fact that it is winter here makes no difference to me when it comes to ice cream, I will eat it any time of year and regardless of how full I already am.

1. Choc Mint Drumstick

Worth every damn calorie this one. I can’t believe I only discovered these in the last 12 months. Unfortunately these are also Luke’s favourite so the box does not last very long at our house.

2. Bulla Ice Cream Sandwiches

Vanilla, chocolate or cookies and cream, they all work for me. I wish they came in bigger packets.

3. Street’s Golden Gaytime

Mmmm crumbled up cookie things. I can’t believe it has taken me this long to drop a Simpsons reference. These things take me straight back to the little corner store from my childhood.

4. Almond Magnums

The grand daddy of ice creams. I rarely treat myself to one of these because they are just soooo naughty, and rather expensive. The mini ones are not allowed in our house either, Luke gets most cross if I don’t buy the real deal.

5. Cadbury’s Caramello Ice Cream Bars

I ate copious amounts of these while I was pregnant. The chocolate on them is so delicious and there is just the right amount of caramel swirl. Oddly I can’t find a single picture of this one, I sincerely hope it has not been taken off the market, I might just cry.

I’m Grateful For… Seeing Skye Swimming

Another Grateful Post, linking up with Maxabella Loves, such a positive way to round out the week, and see the work of some very clever bloggers too.

Skye has been attending swimming lessons since the start of the year, but I have never been able to sit inside and watch her. The structure of the lesson is a one-on-one with the instructor with the parents observing from the sidelines. This seemed simple enough until I handed Skye over for her first lesson and she proceeded to scream for the whole 15 minutes. I can understand her distress, I had thrown her into a completely foreign environment with a total stranger while I stood out of reach trying to encourage her to enjoy herself. The following week it was the same thing, so the instructor suggested that she may calm down if she cannot see me while she is in there, so I should stand outside until the lesson is over.

Happiness Is…

A little girl discovering the joys of licking the spoon xx

I’m Dreaming… Of A New Kitchen

In lieu of a foodie post this week I am sharing my excitement and frustration over the possibility of replacing our kitchen. The existing kitchen was brand new when we bought our house 7 years ago but it wasn’t until I had to try and unpack everything from our last rental home that I realised I had more kitchen stuff than actual kitchen to hold it. After years of creative Cupboard Tetris and sulking over who’s turn it was to do with dishes (surprise, mine) once our oven decided that it only had 2 temperature settings – full knacker or off, I seized my opportunity to broach the subject of upgrading the whole kitchen.

Push Delights Have Exploded! (and we’re having a SALE)

You may remember me talking about my new business venture Push Delights push cake canisters HERE. Well, it has only been a couple of weeks but I am pleased to say that business is booming! Thanks in no small part to being lucky enough to get “Marched On” last week with Australia S.I.T.T. 

We are also super excited to see we have been mentioned on the fabulous Kids Style File Facebook Page. I KNOW!

To celebrate reaching over 500 ‘Likers’ on Facebook, we are currently offering 15% off all canisters. Visit our website to place your order, I would love to see what delicious treats you create with them. Here are a couple of pictures to help inspire you.

Image found here

Image found here

What I Have Learned Since Becoming a Mum

• Baby Wipes are the ultimate Multi-Purpose Tool, Napisan runs a close second. If you can’t fix it with Baby Wipes or Napisan, throw it out
  
• A breastfed baby may not object to the taste of your milk after a sweet chilli wrap, but you may object to being up with her the whole night because she has wind
  
• A dirty nappy thrown across the room WILL land inside out
  
• Toddlers are capable of consuming twice their body weight in snacks, 1 hour in to a full day out of the house
  
• If you think you have put something high enough to stop a small child from reaching it, you are wrong (refer below)

The Silence Freaked Me Out

Last weekend I had one mission I wished to complete – cleaning the office. It is our last remaining non-child friendly room and as such can really only be worked in while Skye is asleep, or supervised by someone else. We had suffered some water damage with the weeks of heavy rain recently so the whole room had been rearranged to allow the carpet to dry out. With EOFY looming it was not practical for the room to still be in disarray so I had to get it sorted.

 

I’m Grateful For… Visits From My Mum

Ever since Skye was born, my mum has come to visit us once a week. Of course we see each other at other times too, but we have a regular ‘play-date’ usually mid week to enjoy a girls day together. Some days we go out and do some shopping, sometimes mum stays at home with Skye so I can get out and run some errands quickly, sometimes we walk down to the lake and enjoy a coffee and other times we just hang out at home enjoying each others company.

Happiness Is…

A little girl at bath time xx