money matters

At this time of the year I tend to get a bit reflective when I have a spare moment. There's nothing like Christmas craziness to make you assess what's important. Last year, when I was frantic around Christmas I asked myself a question, "If I don't do this will anybody cry or die?" if the answer was no, then obviously it wasn't worth bothering myself over.

Lately I've been pondering money, and what's worth spending money on. Obviously I feel very strongly that holidays are the perfect thing to spend money on: you're broadening your horizons, experiencing something new and creating memories that'll last long after you've paid the bills. Our holiday next year in France and England is going to be worth every cent - and I'm determined to savour every second.

It's interesting to watch people and ponder their priorities. I never like to judge, we're all different and we all have differing things that make us happy. But sometimes you've got to wonder how many people really stop and think about what makes them happy. Truly happy.

Is it a high paying or high status job that means they have to spend hours and hours and hours working? And when they stop working how often do they immerse themself in something that makes them feel joyous? That money they're earning, are they spending it on something that makes them smile?

I'm working hard at the moment. Harder than I have in a long time. I'm doing something I've never really done before and it's a steep learning curve. But it's enjoyable. I'm creating something and feel like I'm achieving. I'm also making sure I still spend time doing things that matter. Today I took a break and went and swam some laps in the pool. I love our pool, and our backyard, every dollar we poured into it was worth it. I loved swimming those leisurely laps, and tomorrow I'll swim with my gal, watching her do handstands, racing her and then sitting by the side while she plays her imaginary mermaid games.

You can't put a price on those moments.

They're what make me happy.

nothing but the truth

what's cooking wednesday

Well, it's 5.45am and I'm just back from dropping my parents at the airport. What a lovely week's holiday we've had. Sure, I was working while they were here - but at least I got to have coffee and lunch breaks with them which I wouldn't have if I were working in an office. After a week of functions, picnics and outings it's time to get back into some form of reality. Here's what we'll eat this week:

tonight: chicken provencale with roasted vegies and green salad

Thursday: Husband's off to a cocktail party {as you do} and the gal and I shall be baking cupcakes and birthday cake. I think I'll do some salmon on the bbq.

Friday: The big birthday party - 5pm to 8pm. We'll be eating party food - but as there's sushi on the menu that's not a bad thing at all.

Saturday: Nothing planned - bliss. Easy dinner of lime and pepper chicken breasts on the bbq with a shredded vegie salad.

Sunday: I have a hankering for seven hour leg of lamb - so that is what I shall be cooking.

Monday: poached chicken, mango and avocado salad.

Tuesday: Let's try for fish on the bbq again - a white fish this time. And mango salsa {c'mon, it's mango season, best make the most of it...}

Then Wednesday my hubby's out with some boys - so we gals and the kidlets are catching up at a friends for dinner and bubbles and swimming. Noice.

You?

how many sleeps?

How are you going with the Christmas craziness? Today's our last day of school, and last night we had the school christmas concert {which was just adorable}. I think I'm all prepared for my gal's birthday party Friday night. I've ordered the Sushi platter, I'm going to buy in some honey soy chicken wings {Christmas is nothing if not a time to be realistic}, and we've bought the gift bags, complete with rainbow coloured nailpolishes. Thursday night will be cooking night when we'll bake the rainbow cake {yes, I'll post pics} and make the pesto and cheese and the pizza pinwheels.

Phew. So how goes it with you?

monday, hello?

Wow, now that's what I'd call a weekend. Our lunch for our friend's 30th was amazing. The venue was divine - and the food! We started off with zucchini flowers stuffed with a ricotta and heavenly truffle mixture, which were then encased in a seasoned tempura batter and served on a bed of wilted bitter greens. Divine. Then we had mahi mahi fillets, perfectly cooked, accompanied by rosemary and garlic roasted veg and an incredible 'coleslaw'. Mmmmm. The meal was finished off with a delicious pear and ricotta tart. Oh yes. Then we kicked on at a very fashionable Surry Hills pub, spied a few MasterChef alumni {Adam, bless, Callum, bless, and Matt, um, not so bless. Seriously, dude, sunglasses after dusk?}. We kicked on till close enough to midnight to satisfy and then wandered back to our hotel.

Next morning we found the most divine cafe housed in a gorgeous old weatherboard house - RoboCog - owned by the friendliest bike-loving, robot-loving guys you'll ever meet. We'd stopped in for a quick coffee on the Saturday afternoon and when we rocked in with our friends the waiter greeted us like long-lost friends and remembered out coffee order. Bless. I wanted to take him home...

Now, onto important things: these shoes. They're by Alexandre Birman and I think they'd make me mighty happy should they ever find their way onto my feet. Aren't they just the most glorious shade of smile-inducing tangerine?

birthday celebrations

We're off to Sydney today to celebrate a friend's 30th {bless}. We're having lunch here: a place called Table For 20 in Surry Hills, then we'll go freshen up at our hotel before heading off for drinks at a pub to complete the night.

My new frock's ready to go. My hair's washed and will hopefully dry in a reasonable state {damn you frizz-inducing humidity!}. Can't wait to catch up over good food with good friends.

Enjoy your weekend!

well stocked

Oh, I'm so loving having my parents up at the moment. Mum's been cleaning and I have a sparkling clean bathroom for the first time in eons and floors that are mopped when they need it, not after me stepping over it saying, "Damn, I really need to mop that floor". We've also moved our newest bookshelf into the kitchen for the time being. And look, I've set it up with all the essentials {including the ingredients for a violette martini - vodka, cointreau and violette syrup!}.

Cookbooks need to be moved to lower shelves, but that can be done later. Oh, I am loving this sense of order. Do you think I can convince them to stay?

my prima balllerina

My gal took to the stage of the Civic Theatre last night and the smile never left her face. She danced beautifully in this gorgeous theatre and we couldn't have been more proud of her. I also had a totally proud parent moment when two girls in her class received special trophys. When both were announced my gal grinned, applauded, and called over "Well done!" Bless. Just like Sienna from MasterChef Jr. Couldn't be happier.

frock on

So, you know how I hate shopping - but love an accidental buy? Well, how's this? Today's my daughter's ballet concert, so OF COURSE her jazz shoes decided to spontaneously combust in an extraordinary fashion and need replacing. On the day of the concert.

Well, we dashed into the new, cheaper ballet shop in town, bought a new pair of jazz shoes that may last her into early next year and as we were leaving I spied a gorgeous floral frock hanging in Tree of Life. C'mon, who can ignore a floral frock? So I grabbed it from the rack, and then spied another nearby - with POM POMS on the hem. Now, I do love me some haberdashery so I thought I'd best try it on too.

Do I love? OH I love. The perfect summer sundress with pink roses, cotton crochet work, pretty buttons, a full skirt, pom poms AND rik rak.

You know that party I'm going to on Saturday? Well, now I have a party frock. Colour me happy!

what's cooking wednesday

Okay, it's that time again. What we're eating this week. This time it's going to be a little different than usual. I called my doctor today to finally ask after the results of the ultrasound. As expected I have one enormous gallstone. Just the one. He told me to avoid tomatoes, cucumber and onions. ONIONS. People, how am I to cook without onions? And salad without cucumber and tomato - oh, you know I'm crappy with salads - this is going to really force me to spread my wings... Also, my mum and step-dad are with us for a week which means vegetarian meals are on the menu - and hopefully my step-dad will be doing a lot of that cooking!

Wednesday: it's the night of the ballet concert. Hurrah. It finishes at 8pm so we're all coming back here for dinner. Think I'll have a salad ready and pizzas ready to go into the oven.

Thursday: My last French class of the year - everyone can fend for themselves, I'll be nibbling on a wee spot of French goodies I'll imagine.

Friday: There's a Twilight gathering down the road - with latin dancing, and other festivities. Best have an early BBQ and go check it out.

Saturday: Hubby and I are off to Sydney for a friend's 30th. Bless. I think I'll send my parents and my gal out to the Red Lantern Twilight Markets.

Sunday: My gal's performing in a choir at a local church service. Hello picnic dinner.

Monday: Um, my gal's school Christmas Concert. Yep, picnic dinner again.

Tuesday: Parent's last night - some kind of vegetarian feast is called for.

Whew - busy much?

wedding anniversary

It's our wedding anniversary today. Nine years married to such a lovely man. Seventeen and a half years after we met he still makes me smile and sigh.

school daze

One thing I'm ever-so-looking-forward-to is the end to all the teetering piles of school stuff around my house. The bag, the lunchboxes, drink bottles, 8000 pencil cases, pieces of paper... And having to keep track of said stuff. Oy.

But wouldn't these pretty railway shelves help? And a retro Cath Kidston backpack would make clutter seem cuter would it not? Once again - why do I not live in London?

peony perfection

How could you not love a market that allows you to buy blood red peonies for $10 a bunch. I know - $10!!!! Last bunch I bought from the florist were {whisper} $25 - and not all the buggers opened. They were still worth it though - damn, I do love me a peony.

well heeled

These YSL wedges have taken to seriously rocking my world. These with an electric blue maxi dress would make sumer seem so much more sensational don't you think?

I've realised that next weekend we've got a friend's birthday do, his 30th mind, in a very swooshy Surry Hills venue. And do I have anything suitably swooshy and Surry Hills-esque? I think not. Eeeep. Surely something will leap out of my wardrobe for me before the day - won't it?

to market, to market

Markets have seriously taken off in Newcastle. There's the Farmer's Markets held nearly every Sunday which are our must-visit place, there's the Red Lantern Markets in Hunter Street Mall which we experienced last weekend {fabulous: glowing red lanterns strung from trees and stalls, rickshaw rides and plenty of amazingly crafted or interesting products}. Then, last night my gal and I hit the Olive Tree Twilight Markets while hubby played golf and caught up with friends.

We saw some gorgeous things, nibbled on salted caramel macarons {oh MY!} and finished off with some gozleme for dinner. Perfection. And they're so well-patronised it makes my heart sing. After spending far too much time in the soulless expanse of the local shopping centre {with stupid concrete paving that makes your back, knees and ankles ache if you shop for any period of time} it's nice to connect with the people who make what they love - and then sell it to those who also fall in love.

Bless.

I'm doing a smidgen of work this morning, then we're off to the Farmer's Markets to stock up on gallstone friendly fruits and vegies - and hopefully buy one last pesky pressie. Then it's back to spend the afternoon working to finally make up for my sick day on Tuesday.

Oh, and in exciting news my gal's party's all set. Invites are made, magnetic strips stuck on back and they're in envelopes ready to be hand-delivered this afternoon. We've also decided on the menu: sushi, honey soy chicken, salad and fruit platters and pizza pinwheels and cheese and pesto pinwheels. Sorted! That's one more tick for the month which makes me very happy indeed.

feeling festive

So, most of my Christmas shopping was crossed off in one stealth attack yesterday {except for one mis-labled pair of pjs that I have to take back today}. So the gal and I are doing the Christmas cards this morning - I'm hoping to get them all done and ready to post on Monday.

I'm looking forward to Wednesday when I pick up my mum and step-dad from the airport in the early hours of the morning. Luckily they're happy to do the weekend drive-around to look at Christmas lights, one of our family traditions.

Oh, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas alright!

friday flowers

How pretty is this? Damn it - how do Martha and her team do it? Obviously having bucketloads of cash to throw about helps - I don't even want to think how much it'd cost to buy this many white roses and fresh cranberries {should I happen to find fresh cranberries in my neck of the woods}. But still, it does make me think about painting the inside of an old glass jar a rich, vibrant red and then popping in an extravagant bunch of white flowers.

Frighteningly festive non?

pretty damned gorgeous

So, here I am, watching the Rachel Zoe project when I nearly fall backwards in my seat as shoe designer Brian Atwood walks on screen. Seriously, why has nobody told me how gorgeous this man is? And also, can somebody also tell him that apparently he and his boyfriend Nate Berkus own my livingroom. Hello - shoes as decor? Oh I think so.

world aids day

When Sydney saw red...

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.