a bit of a break in transmission

Hello! I'm a tad on the exhaustipated side so I need a wee break. Something's gotta give and at the moment that's a tidy house, and my poor little blog. I'm a better blogger when I'm enthused, so I just need a week to recharge.

Hopefully I'll find a little bit of time in my break to do something like this...

A bientot x

a soggy ol' saturday

Oh it's raining, pouring here in Newy. Again. So it's an inside kinda weekend. I have a gigantic pile of chuck steak to chop up and slowly cook with speck and red wine for dinner tonight. Yep, it's a beef bourguignon kinda night.

Tomorrow night I have a fabulous lamb shoulder that shall be slow roasted.

And now? I'm watching Mumford & Sons Road To Red Rocks on my telly, reliving the fabulous concert experience that was the Gentlemen of the Road tour last year.

Love.

French word of the day: Pluie (ploowey) rain.

new year, new things

Hello! How was your Christmas? And are you enjoying a little break {I am - far too much!}. Can you believe that we're winding down and getting ready for another year? Eek! I can't believe that today's my last day with a 12-year-old. Yep, my gal turns 13 tomorrow. Wow. I can still clearly remember being pregnant. How quickly does time fly?

So, with that in mind, it's time to move forward with a sense of purpose.

Last night on Twitter, someone I follow shared his list of 52 new things he's tried this year. And they were ace. So, inspired by this, I thought I'd come up with 52 things I'd like to try. Ready?
1. Try a new recipe a week.
2. Learn a new French word each day. {Hey, shall I share it here? That'll help me non?}
3. Learn something new as a family: surfing, stand up paddle boarding - hmmm, let me think...
4. Read a biography a month.
5. Take up yoga.
6. Have a family picnic dinner at the beach.
7. Drink my morning coffee outdoors - on the front veranda, or out the back by the pool.
8. Go for a swim before breakfast.
9. Eat raw food for a weekend.
10. Discover a new band/new music each month.
11. Actually call my friends and family.
12. Take more photos - real ones, not just Instagram shots.
13. Catch up with friends IRL, not just on Twitter.
14. Be a tourist in my own town and uncover some surprises.
15. Sew something!
16. Learn to crochet.
17. Spend one night a week digital-free {no TV, no internet!}
18. Take a cooking class with a friend.
19. Say no.
20. Organise a pot-luck supper with friends.
21. Organise regular girl-time with my gal.
22. Ride my bike on the Fernleigh Track.
23. Have a family bikeride.
24. Ride to the Farmer's Market.
25. Ride to work.
26. Print out my holiday pics, frame them, and hang them.
27. Weed out my magazine collection.
28. Start saving for our next OS holiday.
29. Take my gal fishing.
30. Go on more dates with my husband.
31. See more live music {this was a highlight of 2012!}
32. Make the bed every day.
33. Start shopping locally again - the fruit shop, the butcher, the markets.
34. Take my lunch to work.
35. Find a virtual book club to join - or make one up!
36. Go body surfing with the body surfing kit I found in the linen closet {seriously, that place is a tardis, the things I find}.
37. Organise another Newy Tweet up {the last one was awesome, this one will be better}.
38. Spontaneously invite someone to dinner.
39. Give blood more regularly.
40. Get a mammogram.
41. Become one of those people who actually puts away washing when they bring it in from the line. Seriously, how hard can it be?
42. Flirt more with my husband.
43. Watch more comedies.
44. Read with my daughter.
45. Learn to cook dumplings and pork buns.
46. Up the vege ante in my husband and daughter's diets.
47. Go to the park at dusk and swing on the swings.
48. Never make an excuse to miss burlesque class. It's my favourite thing - WHY would I miss a class?
49. Lie on the grass gazing at the clouds.
50. Swim in the ocean baths.
51. Sell the old car.
52. Laugh daily.

Whew, well there you have it. Some mundane, some easy, all do-able. Let's see how I go shall we?

sweet sunday

It's an utterly glorious day out there today - not that we've seen it yet, been too busy cooking up crispy bacon, yummy eggs and making bowls of coffee. Yep, it's been a relaxing father's day in this neck of the woods. I'll meander off to the Farmer's Market soon. Husband's requested tart tartin for father's day dinner tonight.. Best buy some yummy apples! And some meat for the main too!


Hope you have a lovely sunday x

meal planning monday

Hey there, hello, and welcome to your monday. Hope all's well with you. I am coming down with a cold (insert sad face here) so am a bit snuffly and sorry for myself today - but I'll pick up. In the meantime, here's what we're eating this week:


Monday: A visit to the farmer's markets yesterday saw me come home with a rack of saltbush lamb. Have you ever tried saltbush lamb? Oh my it's good. It's fed mainly on saltbush and this gives the mea a unique, delicious flavour. I'll serve it with roasted baby blue potatoes (I found these at Coles the other day - and roasted some the other night tossed in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and rosemary) and some wilted Tuscan cabbage.

Tuesday: Time to whip up another dish from my Leggo's Italian Cookbook - it's proving quite the hit. This week I'll make chicken cacciatore, buttered noodles, and steamed broccoli and carrots

Wednesday: netball training. Slow roasted lamb shoulder with lemon-roasted potatoes and lentils.

Thursday: Ginger and sesame salmon with wilted greens and udon noodles. I'll quickly marinate the salmon in a mix of oil, fresh ginger, sesame seeds and sesame oil before bbqing it. Then I'll cook up the noodles and throw the greens in at the last minute till they wilt. I'll serve the salmon flaked into pieces on top of the noodles and greens. I might even sprinkle a little more toasted sesame seeds over the top.

Friday: Off to a pre-birthday dinner at the local pub. They do awesome steaks – so steak it is.

Saturday: It’s my birthday – and we’re off to a cocktail party at the local art gallery followed by dinner in Darby Street.

Sunday: Because it’s moving into spring, I’m going to start up my Sunday barbeques. I think we might have pork ribs tonight, with apple and almond slaw. This is my simple, cheaty slaw: a bag of 'gourmet' coleslaw mix, apple cheeks sliced thinly and chopped whole almonds. For a dressing I like a lemon-rich vinaigrette, but a mayonaise with lots of lime works just as well.

And that's it. How about you? Tell me what you're eating this week.

meal planning monday

Well hey, how's things? Busy? Yep, here too. This week's shaping up to be crazy-busy so I shopped up a storm yesterday and our fridge and pantry are PACKED. Here's what we're eating:

Monday: My daughter's netball team have called for an extra day of training, bless their little socks. So this afternoon it's down to the beach for some balance and jumping work - with a bit of fun tossed in. Guess who'll be starvin' Marvin on her return? Yep, my gal. So I've bought her a crumbed flounder fillet and some oven fries for dinner tonight. Hubby and I shall have salt and pepper squid with a cucumber salad - and a lime and chilli dipping sauce {easy peasy - half sweet chilli sauce, half lime juice!).

Tuesday: Long, long ballet day today. And I'm off to a presentation at the pub! So I'll have the fixings for mexican ready so everyone can assemble their own beef burritos with guacamole, salad, cheese, sour cream and corn salsa.

Wednesday: Normal netball training today. I'm going to try to make French Onion Soup - I have such a hankering. I'll saute lots of sliced red onions in a little butter, and with lots of thyme till tender. Then I'll sloosh in some brandy and burn off the alcohol. I'll then top it up with beef stock and simmer for an hour or so. I'll serve it with slices of baguette topped with grilled gruyere cheese in the bowl with the soup poured over top. Yum.

Thursday: Late ballet tonight - so I'm just going to make this tuna and pasta bake. Served with salad.

Friday: Hubby and I are off with some fabulous friends to another cooking class and three course meal at SandBar Newcastle Beach. The theme is Paris - so hey, c'est magnifique! I'm sure the recipes will influence me in weeks to come.

Saturday: I haven't done a great deal of slow cooking this winter - terrible! So I'll make up for it with Osso Bucco served with soft polenta.

Sunday: Let's end the week simply shall we with a roast chicken and vegies.

meal planning monday (erm, tuesday)

Oh, I am sooooo sorry - how late am I? Very. But I have an excuse. I have been busy - in all caps, 64 point, fluro pink with exclamation points. Underlined.

Yep, that busy.

But busy doesn't stop meal planning. Oh no, it makes it MORE important. Here's what we're eating (and, cos I'm a day late, ate)


Monday: I had BIG day down in Sydney, so I wasn't home till late. Hubby and daughter prepared some spaghetti bolognaise - is there a more homely or welcoming meal? I think not.

Tuesday: School's back (yay!) which means after-school activities (um, yay?). So tonight's late ballet. I think I'll make a big pot of chicken minestrone soup.

Wednesday: Do you know what I haven't had for eight million years? (or thereabouts) lamb cutlets. Probably because they cost about eight million dollars (again, numbers are approximate). But hang the expense, I have a hankering. So tonight, after netball training, it'll be grilled lamb cutlets (or chops if I seriously baulk at the cost), mashed potatoes and smashed peas.

Thursday: Busy day today. I have to pick up my daughter and three of her friends from school for a netball clinic from 3.30 to 5pm. Best make a chicken curry in the slowcooker so it's ready for our return. I'll serve it with steamed rice (those cheaty microwaved bags), garlic naan and wilted spinach.

Friday: Panko crumbed fish fillets tonight. I've never tried this, but I think I'll just crumb these in the same way as chicken schnitzel and bake them in the oven. With some chunky sweet potato chips and a crispy green salad.

Saturday: Oooh, I nearly forgot - we're off to our friends' house for a Christmas In July dinner. I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO ONE OF THESE! We're all doing a dish. One family's bringing a baked ham, the hosts are doing turkey and veg, other friends are supplying the drinks and we're doing desserts. Yay. There are four families - so eight adults, and seven kids so I need two desserts. An adults one, and an awesome icecream with lollies, chocolates and popping candy chopped through and formed into a Christmassy shape for the kids.

Sunday: Roast chicken I think. With a warm lentil salad and roasted veg.

That's it. And you? Tell me, what are you eating?

meal planning monday

Well, we're back from hols and oh, what a holiday it was. We had the best time: ate too much, drank too much, relaxed too much... pretty much what a holiday should be. It was ace.

But now we're home and here's what we're eating.

Monday: I needed to cook up something cleansing tonight so I made a chicken, corn and udon noodle soup. I simply sliced a few green shallots, white and green and sauteed them in a little olive oil with a finely diced carrot and a couple of cloves of garlic. Then I diced three chicken breasts into 1cm cubes, added these and topped with 1 litre of chicken stock. I brought this to the boil, took it down to a simmer and simmered until the chicken was cooked. Then I added some corn and udon noodles and seasoned with pepper and soy sauce. Delish.

Tuesday: we're having glazed salmon on the bbq with sushi rice and salad. I think I'll make a glaze with lime, soy sauce, ginger and garlic.

Wednesday: a simple steak and salad is called for.

Thursday: my gal's having a pal over for a sleepover and a shopping expedition. Why fight it? I'll make spaghetti bolognaise and garlic bread.

Friday: I'm going to the SurfHouse to celebrate a lovely friend's birthday. So, beforehand I'll make up a prawn and quinoa salad. I've never used quinoa before (I know, late adaptor) so let's hope lots of pepper, parsley and lemon makes it delish.

Saturday: lamb tonight. With a chickpea and roasted capsicum salad. And some wilted spinach with garlic - some things are just meant to be together.

Sunday: roasted chicken. The simple things in life really are the best.

And that's how we're easing into this first week of the school holidays. How about you?

meal planning monday

Guess what? We’re off on holidays tomorrow – yay! A week in the Southern Highlands with some fabulous friends.  This is our third holiday in the same location, same house, same friends – so there’s some traditions that must be upheld. Cannot wait. So tonight’s our last night at home, but hey, I still meal plan on holidays – it’s just a lot looser.

I think it’s still important to consider your plans for the day, so while we mightn’t have late ballet lessons or netball training, we’ll be out sight-seeing or perhaps just feeling lazy and in the mood for something easy. Anyway, here’s our plan:

Monday: last night at home before hols. I’m cooking up the beef bourguignon that we’ll be having for dinner tomorrow night today so it just needs heating. So tonight will be something easy and light. I think I’ll make a chicken noodle soup.

Tuesday: we can check into our holiday house at 4pm so we’ll stop off at Bowral and buy a few baguettes, some salad greens and some potatoes. When we get there I’ll turn the oven on low and reheat the beef, make the salad and whip up a mash.

Wednesday: I cooked last night, our friends are cooking tonight. But we’ll muck in and help each other. My friend G will cook up some duck confit. They’re fellow Francophiles so we’ll have the duck with potatoes roasted in duck fat and other vegies.

Thursday: the town we’re staying in has a local’s pizza night at the pub. It’s a tradition we always follow.

Friday: There’s a restaurant in Berrima that’s also become a tradition, so we’ll dress up in our fancy pants outfits and head over there.

Saturday: we’re having lunch at our fave vineyard, Mt Ashby. They have the most amazing French-inspired menu. So we probably won’t need anything too huge for dinner. Perhaps a chicken pot pie?

Sunday: okay, we’re checking out as the next tenants are checking in but guess what? They’re also our friends! I know! So we’re going to spend the night at the pub and catch up with them at the house for a bbq and some champagne. We’ll organise to buy bbq meats from Spring Hill Beef – tastiest beef you’ll ever taste.

meal planning monday

Hey, how was your weekend? Did it zoom by like mine did? Sheesh, seriously, time - slow down dude. We're pretty busy this week, and the weather's cooled considerably, so our meals this week reflect that.

Monday: a friend of mine mentioned Shephard's Pie on Twitter last night, and, as I'm the world's most suggestible person I knew I'd best make it for dinner tonight. Will serve it with roasted pumpkin - and peas cooked in chicken stock with some lettuce wilted through.

Tuesday: late night ballet for my gal. So I'll make spanish chicken. So easy. So good.

Wednesday: netball training. I think I'll make dukkah-crusted lamb fillets with roasted chickpea salad for dinner tonight.

Thursday: I have some last-minute shopping to do so I'd best make a hasty stir-fry. Chicken, cashew and noodles perhaps.

Friday: It's my hubby's birthday. Hurrah. We're off to dinner with all the family tonight so no cooking for moi!

Saturday: Something really light tonight. Let's say fritatta. Roasted vegies and chicken perhaps? With salad.

Sunday: It's got to be seven hour leg of lamb in this type of weather. Served with the lentils it's roasted on.

What's cooking in your house this week?

sweet sunday

Don't you love the morning after a great night out? We caught up with a fab group of friends last night in one of our friends' amazing new house {it's just perfection - I plan on sneaking over and moving into their sun-room - don't think they'll notice...} We had gorgeous food, lotsa champagne and lots of laughs. Don't you just love that?

So we're taking it slowly this morning {well, hubby's not - he's been up since 5am and ridden far too many kilometres - craziness}. My gal and I slept in, and now we're off to Coles to buy a few essentials and check out the new clothing range some of my fave bloggers have been raving about.

This afternoon will involve leisurely bike riding down to the tennis courts so the gal can have a few practice hits before she starts tennis lessons next weekend. A bit of gardening might also be involved. Bliss.

How's your weekend panning out?

freshening up for spring

Oh, I love Spring! How utterly glorious is this weather at the moment? After nearly spontaneously combusting last night I'm finally switching to the summer sheets today so all the white cotton sheets are on the line after a wash. Love how the sun bleaches them to crisp white after a winter spent yellowing in the linen closet.

Hubby's also got the pool loaded with salt and looking all sparkly and ready for a swim. I think I might just take the first plunge this weekend...

This is our first weekend since returning from holidays that we've had absolutely nothing planned, and oh my, it's just blissful. Our gal's gone for a sleepover with a friend and all we have to do is potter around the house and garden getting it looking spiffy.

Now all I need are some spring flowers to fill the vases and I'll be set.

sweet, sweet saturday

Can you smell it? Can you feel it? That hint of Spring in the air...

We've got our last round of netball for the season today, with the semis starting next week {and we're in woo hooooooo!}. This afternoon we're doing the last of the unpacking, and moving our new {old} dining table into its correct place {why yes I do have an 1840 French Farmhouse table in my bedroom - don't you?}

I'm dead keen to get into the garden too: currently the irises are out, my rose sticks are shooting, and THIS is the year we're getting the veggie garden happening.

I think I need those floral wellies to help me garden don't you think?

what's cooking wednesday

Even though I'm pretty sure that last week I would have only managed around a 50 per cent success-rate with cooking to my plan, I'm still going to persist. Some weeks I manage to cook 100 per cent of the recipes on the list, others it can be as low as 25 per cent when life gets in the way... Here's what I'm going to attempt this week:

Wednesday: My gal's got a fitness and footwork session for netball, followed by umpiring classes. She'll be starvational when she gets home. So I'll have a beef curry and rice ready to serve - cooked in the slow cooker I think. Mmmmmm. Let's hope that we've got another cold day in store.

Thursday: Ballet class for the gal, so salmon patties, green beans, sweet potato chips and mash will be the flavour of today.

Friday: I'm off to Sydney for dinner to catch-up with old workmates and friends. Hurrah. Hubby and the gal will probably make home-made pizza.

Saturday: I probably shouldn't tell you what I'm getting up to as you may get jealous. I'll give you a hint though, it'll involve champagne, cheese, pork belly, French dessert and BabyMacBeth and CorinneDazeofmylife. I know, I'm jealous of myself too.

Sunday: I'll be sulking that I'm not having champagne, cheese, pork belly, a French dessert and two fun gals for dinner. Guess I'll have a roast chicken instead...

Monday: Steak and salad.

Tuesday: Long ballet class day so I'll cook a pasta bake with chicken and chorizo I think.

So, you - what's on your menu?

let there be light...

Typical, I've whinged and whinged and whinged about the heat and humidity - so today it's like winter. It's cold, grey and possibly even a bit nippy outside. But there's light. Thanks to the tidying I did on the weekend I don't have the depressing sight of messy rooms. And the house feels lighter thanks to a massive decluttering that took place as well.

Is there a better feeling than ditching stuff you've kept: just in case - or because you should?

In exciting news I went to the netball AGM last night and am thrilled with my netball team. I've got four members of my team from last year, and two new girls who are shooters - and another new girl who's a defence. A complete team! I've also got a co-coach - a fifteen year old who's very keen apparently.

Should be a great year!

what's cooking wednesday

Happy first of December everyone. And I would say, "Happy first day of Summer" but if your place is anything like my place {cold, soggy} then that's not the best idea...

I went to the Dr last night and he seems to think I might have a problem with my gall bladder - hence the continued sickness {noice} so until I have an ultrasound and confirmation I'll be keeping the cooking pretty fat-free. We don't really have high fat foods {except when I go out and pounce on pork belly and duck confit} so hopefully I won't have to change my menu plans too much. Here's the plan:

Wednesday: grilled lime and garlic chicken breast strips with salad.

Thursday: second last French class of the year. Am I speaking fluently? I am not... But I have improved. Dinner, I'll have some fruit and low fat yoghurt because it starts so early.

Friday: We're off to a friends' housewarming party to a German BBQ they won at the school ball auction. Chances of finding low-fat food at a German BBQ? Yep, slim. Oh well, you've gotta live...

Saturday: BBQ Salmon and salad. My gal loves salmon, so I really should make an effort to serve it up more often for her.

Sunday: Guess the traditional roast isn't an option. Grilled lean steak and salad perhaps?

Monday: No more twilight netball {hurrah!} let's have lamb rump with salad tonight.

Tuesday: A poached chicken breast salad tonight - with mango, pink grapefruit and baby spinach.

On wednesday my parent's fly in from Melbourne, so it's a week of vegetarian meals while they're with us. It's my gal's ballet concert on Wednesday night - so I might make a couple of tarts to have cold with some salad after the concert. Yes?

Enjoy your week.

make a new plan, stan

Are you a planner or do you prefer spontaneity? I used to adore being spontaneous, until I realised it also meant disorganised, messy, stressed and unreliable {for me}. So over the years I've established a series of plans to help me try to streamline my life.

My favourite is my weekly meal-planning. Honestly, spending five minutes a week planning what I'm going to cook {probably took me 30 minutes when I started, but it gets easier over time} saves me so much time, stress and energy - and helps us eat healthier.

My Christmas Card list will be a saviour this busy festive season. It's simply a word document with all the names and addresses of everyone I send cards to. Each year I update any details as they come to hand {new babies, change of address} and if I don't receive a card in return, and I'm merely sending them out of obligation - I drop them off the list.

I also make up a master list of gifts: who we're buying for, and options to buy, and where. You know I hate shopping, so this means I can dash in, go to two or three shops and knock over all the shopping in one session. Sweet.

What plans to have set in place to make life easier?

well seasoned

My favourite flower is currently in season. It's brief, it's fleeting, it's beautiful.

Best find me a florist and a big bunch of peonies asap.

freaky friday

I just cannot believe that it's Friday - and that Christmas is only a week away!!! Why is time so zoomariffic at this time of year?

We've been busy - again. Last night I was a carpenter's apprentice to my new handyman hubby and I held slats while he nailed them in. Now the area behind the bbq has lovely white slats screening us off from the neighbours. Yes, pictures to come...

Husband's also been attacking anything that stands still with a paintbrush. The floorboards in the pavilion look brilliant in white. He also gave the storage box in the pavilion another coat and our outdoor table had two coats last night. Oh, our backyard's looking like a Hollywood smile at the moment!

We also survived the first day of school holidays - thanks to a playdate. This afternoon our gal's going into her Dadda's work for two hours after lunch {he's having an early mark to play golf!}. She's v excited and wants to take her satchel just like Dadda's, dress in a button-up shirt like Dadda and take an apple and a muesli bar just like Dadda. Bless.

I'll be working, and trying to do bits and pieces of housework in-between. So missing my live-in staff!

Are you ready for Christmas?