Merry Christmas! (Buon Natale!)

We arrived!!

We are ensconded in our home in northern Italy, about half hour drive north of Verona in the wine country of Valpolicella.

Alexander survived the trip - as did we!!! He slept 2 hours on the 8 hour flight and 6 on the 12 hour flight.

We saw snow on our drive from Milan. Thankfully it hasn't snowed on us yet. It has however rained every day.

We haven't been out and about to see too much, it's so different travelling with a small child!

In saying that, we are having a fab time and are enjoying each others company and living a local life. We have enjoyed some wonderful cuisine with great wine and coffee and many laughs shared which of course is what the festive season is all about!!

I am blessed to be with all the people I love in a beautiful place. I sadly am missing my elder brother and his wife and daughter and hope that maybe 2011 will be a Maston family christmas for the first time in about 18 years.

I wish you a very happy festive season. I won't be on here too much over the next few weeks, but I am reading my fave blogs each morning when I check my emails.

This year I am also thinking of the diggers who are away from their family and friends, Merry Christmas and thank you!

So from my family to yours, merry christmas, may it be filled with love happiness laughter and fun!! xo

"Sisterly" fun

Yesterday, we were all set to go and out meet Auntie Vanessa and her son Finn for a late afternoon tea to celebrate my upcoming birthday and Christmas. However, little man was asleep and I wasn't too keen on waking him. Normally I wouldn't mind, but he was a little out of the ordinary yesterday.

So after some coffee, tea and Christmas cake, we gave our gifts to each other. Warren, Alex and I gave Vanessa a Donna Hay cook book and a shopping basket (she had been saying she wanted a shopping pull along buggy for when she goes to the markets on Saturday morning). We gave Finn (4 years old) a super soaker water gun - not something I would normally give to a child, I normally go the educational toys but Warren decided that Finn would LOVE the super soaker, and he did!

Vanessa then presented Alex with his very groovy Christmas gift, which was a fabulous drill and work bench, just what all little boys need - and even better it makes noise!!

I was also very spoilt with a DJ's gift card for my birthday and a Borders books gift card for Christmas. I seriously am over the moon because I can purchase the perfume I have been eyeing off these past few weeks and a great novel for my upcoming trip!

But, gifts aside, the best part of the afternoon was having a wonderful chat with my bestie and watching our little boys play together. I dearly love Vanessa like a sister. We of course have our moments but I know she is always there for me and I am for her. She is a fabulous Auntie /God Mother to Alexander.

xo

Currently - December

Current Favourite Food

Grapes and sushi

Current Favourite Past time

Apart from spending time with Alexander and watching him in amazement of his ever expanding vocab and such gorgeous personality, reading my current novel under my fan!

Current Favourite Blogs

Dear Baby http://dearbabyblog.com/

Oh happy Miracle http://www.ohhappymiracle.com/

Retromummy http://retromummy.blogspot.com/

Current Drink

cup of tea, soda water

Current Book

Almost French, Sarah Turnbull

Current Favourite Scent

Chloe Love

Current Favourite Shoes

Birkenstocks - new to my shoe wardrobe but I am LOVING them and their comfort for my screwed (sorry but to be quiet frank they are!) up feet!

Current Favourite Colour

Red (for Christmas)

Current Favourite Accessory

My wedding, engagement and eternity bands (unifies my family even though we aren't together this week)

Current Favourite Thought

Dance as though no one is watching you. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live as though heaven is on earth.
-- Author Unknown

Fun days are family days

Alexander and I went out for lunch yesterday! I enjoyed a Japanese Beef Teryaki and Alex enjoyed some apples and cruskits followed by some juicy dates.

It was so warm but we enjoyed the sunshine that we haven't seen for a few weeks now (due to the constant rain here in Brisbane)!

Today we headed to the local library for Babies Rhymes and Songs, but Alexander wasn't in the mood to sing along and do the actions, he wanted to explore! He kept running off and finding other children's toys or their parents belongings! So we left early and headed off to get some fruit and vegetables from the markets and then some sushi for mamma. I think we will try again tomorrow for story time and maybe take littleman's stroller in for him to sit in....

This afternoon, Alex is hopefully going to have a nap and I am going to do some cleaning and washing before we head out to visit Auntie Vanessa with her christmas gifts for 2010!

Chirpy and Not so Chirpy!

Alex is feeling oh so chirpy! Chirpier than yesterday which is great (teething). I am feeling exhausted today. This morning, we went and visited a friend and her four week old baby, Lara (so darn cute!). Now we are expecting another friend this afternoon and her little man who is the same age as Alex. I whilst Alex was sleeping a little earlier, have been reading my book in the peace and quiet.

mmmm lasagne!

This week darling hubby is off away again for work, so this morning after coming home with a trolley full of groceries, I have made some yummy lasagne to have tomorrow and some extra to freeze for the next two weeks. I can't wait....I haven't had lasagne since August when my sister in law made some and brought it over to share for dinner one night. I haven't made it since pre Alexander days as I tend to make bolognaise as it is so much quicker! What haven't you made in a while and are craving?

Rainy afternoon....lazy afternoons? Nope!

What are you doing on this rainy Saturday afternoon?

Well, while Alex was sleeping I was listening to this CD, brushing up on my Italian for my trip which is coming up really really soon....two weeks tomorrow! I can't wait! I have most of my stuff out and ready to pack which makes it even more real! Alex seems to have enough winter clothes and some thermals for the snow which is predicted. I do however need to source some new socks for myself and Alexander. I am looking forward to wrapping myself into my gorgeous scarfs and cosy gloves that I really don't get to wear here in Brisbane in winter!

Alex's Christmas gifts

This year for Christmas, we are all celebrating in Verona, Italy and new year in Hong Kong!! So we are not taking Christmas gifts with us due to the luggage limit and so Alex is scoring some new small gifts on the airplane to play with so he doesn't get too bored all too quickly in the 22 hour flight.

Therefore, we have already given Alexander his Christmas gifts from us (last night and this morning)...Last night I popped up our family Christmas tree to my delight it looks great as usual (well I think so anyway)....

Alexander's bauble
Our family tree - the A W A that you can see are for each of us - Alicia, Warren and Alexander

The table and chairs are from us to Alex - he received about a month ago, but he loves it anyway!
This chicco talking farm counts 1-10 in Italian and English and says the names of animals in Italian and English too.
This cricket bat and ball is already proving a real hit - he LOVES balls so this should be fabulous!

We don't believe in lots and lots of toys so he has a happy medium, a cricket bat to play outside (if it would stop raining!!!), the table and chairs which he will use for a few years yet, and an educational toy that he will also grow with.

What are your children receiving this year for Christmas?!

A quick and easy dinner tonight!

After my morning at the shops and my afternoon which consisted of three hours of dusting, cleaning and mopping upstairs and downstairs, all I feel like doing now is NOTHING! So I have made the following and it's currently in the oven cooking, so once we have collected Warren from work all we have to do is reheat and viola - dinner!

Pasta with chicken, feta & spicy tomato sauce (sourced from taste.com.au)

Photography by Mark Roper

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 300g penne pasta
• 100ml olive oil, plus extra to toss
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 small red chillies, seeds removed, finely chopped
• 1 tsp harissa paste*
• 750ml bottle tomato passata*
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 100g feta cheese, diced
• 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted
• 1/2 cup freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley

Method

1. Cook pasta in boiling, salted water until al dente. Drain and toss in a little oil. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and cook onion until it starts to soften. Add garlic and chilli, and cook for a further 1 minute. Add harissa and passata, and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in chicken, feta, olives and parsley, then toss through pasta.

Festive Season downside

Well, December is upon us! Happy Summer and December!!

I went to our local shopping centre yesterday with Alexander and we had a few gifts to purchase, but we didn't manage to get them as there were sooooo many crazy people around! People were literally pushing trolleys into me and my pram. The thing that REALLY bugs me is when people push a trolley into a department store like David Jones full of groceries....why on earth don't they do their grocery shopping last and do their browsing first?! Oh and don't even start me on the car park and car park rage!

Anyway, in an attempt to finish our 2010 gift shopping, we returned this morning and thankfully Alex was asleep for most of the time we were there and when he did wake up he yelled 'go go go go go' as we moved our way through the shops, now I found this funny but I don't think anyone else did, so yet again, we have come home with a list still with people to buy for. However, the though hast just hit me, that I am going to do some online shopping!! I haven't done this before, but I can not and will not return to the shops again. Wish me luck!

How are you finding the shops this year and are you purchasing gifts online?!

Wordless Wednesday

My little man has finally decided after a long winter of no hat wearing, to finally wear a hat!

So here he is in his new summer hat....

Happy Summer!!

Cravings anyone?

What do I feel like right now?! Well I have been good these last few weeks (the next time I will spoil myself will be my birthday in three weeks time) and I am craving a lovely gooey piece of chocolate mud cake and a lovely warm latte to go with it! Maybe just maybe, I will totally spoil myself tomorrow when I have to hit the shops for boots for little man for our Italian trip, coles for some groceries and do some final festive season gift shopping....I think that will work up the room for some rich goodies!

What are you craving?

Thanksgiving day

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

I am not American but I am beginning to believe that we should celebrate Thanksgiving day as we all have so much to be thankful for here in Australia. I agree there are some less fortunate here in this beautiful land but there are so many with plentiful and I don't think we stop and appreciate everything as much as we should.

At times when I get frustrated that things aren't going the right way I too need to remind myself what I have and what I am thankful for.

What am I thankful for today?

I have a loving, caring and generous husband and bestest friend - Warren,

I have the most ADORABLE and LOVEABLE little man in the world, Alexander. I LOVE being a mummy to Alexander and love watching him explore and learn new tricks. I love watching him sleep either on me (yes I still get lucky every now and then when he will fall asleep in my arms) or in his cot or carseat. I love watching him play in his bath every afternoon, he splashes about and we chat to each other as he plays. I love that he likes to copy things we do, he is such a quick learner and so full of energy and love to share.

I have fantastic parents that love me and my family to the end of the world and back, we have great laughs and it's amazing to watch them with Alexander each day.

I have wonderful brothers and sister in laws and a gorgeous niece.

I have an awesome family home and welcoming back yard for Alexander to explore and play in.

I am very lucky to now be a stay at home mum, I worked for 8 months out of Alexander's first 12 months of life and that brought me the appreciation of working mums and how hard it can be to juggle being a mum and working.

I am blessed with love and happiness....

I am also thankful for many other things....
What are you thankful for today?

Wordless Wednesday

We were browsing in David Jones the other day and Warren came across this hat;

Alex seems to have liked it!

Oh and the boys weren't meant to be colour matched....it just worked out that way!

Christmas work party

This year, we are only attending Warren's work Christmas party as Warren is away from home so much, we decided we could only fit one into the weekend that they were both being held on.

Late yesterday, I met Warren at my parents where Alexander was going to be for the evening whilst we partied away at the Fox in South Brisbane. I fed Alexander his dinner and then we waved ciao as we drove off down the street. Halfway through dinner I called my mum and she asked were we leaving our little man with her for the night? We had discussed this earlier but we had decided we would collect him on our way home. However, I became tired very early in the evening (probably from my one glass of wine) and so we agreed to leave Alexander sleeping at mum and dad's and we would collect him early Saturday morning.

We walked home hand in hand and lay in bed talking until midnight, which we haven't done in oh so long! This morning, I enjoyed a delightful cup of tea in bed and an extra long shower before we went and collected our little man from his nonna and pa's.

Alex seemed very happy to see us but he didn't appear to have missed us too much! ;-(

I missed him but I knew he was in great hands with my parents and they love him oh so much. And I did enjoy the quiet cup of tea!!! That has revitalised me for another few months!

Photo Shoot

Wow, what a fabulous morning Alexander and I enjoyed on Thursday! We had a mini photo shoot in our very own garden...don't get too carried away I was the one taking the photos, but if I do say so myself, they are gorgeous!

This morning Warren and I rushed off with our chosen photo to have Christmas cards made up so I can start writing them and get them posted! We are pleased with our mornings effort! Here are some of the pics I took as a sneak peak;

Alexander blowing me a kiss!

I love a happy story that makes the world smile at once

This morning when I woke I grabbed my iphone, as I do every morning when I wake to read the latest news both local and national. I blinked a few times and then refreshed the page I was reading as for what I was reading felt like I was dreaming, Prince William and Kate Middleton had announced their engagement! Not quite believing it, I switched on the television and yes, it was on both channel 9 and 7 early morning news!!!

I am a monarchist (and proud to be) and I love a Royal Engagement, I think this stems from my paternal grandmother who LOVED the Royal Family. So I have had a little smile on my face all day being thrilled that there is love in the air.

I am a self confessed news buff and live and breath news throughout my day, my colleagues at work think I am addicted to my iphone and sms's but nope, I am actually addicted to news. At morning tea and lunch I am checking the latest on news.com.au and brisbanetimes.com.au - I actually wanted to become a journalist when I left school but chose the career of being a registered nurse instead (I will leave that story for another time!).

There are so many "bad" news stories each day that I shake my head at, that this good news - love story makes my heart melt and brings happiness to a world that is surrounded by hatred, death, war and a lack of appreciation for other people.

I have enjoyed a lovely happy day, and it all started with the news this morning!

Christmas

As the festive season draws near, I have sat down and tried to do a list of people I need to organise gifts for, and then of course what gift to get. As I wandered through the shops last week on Thursday evening humming away to 'silent night', I found some goodies for me but no ideas for anyone on my list! My list isn't actually that long this year as my family aren't exchanging gifts except for the children and we have already done this last weekend.

So here are a few things on my list this year;

Diary from Kikki K (I love most things in this stationery haven)

Tea 2 tea pot, maybe not in red but blue!

oh and a professional family portrait!

and some....

A girl can dream can't she?!

But mostly, I wish for love, peace, happiness, laughter, fun, family and hope!

What's on your list for christmas?

Celebrations at the Sheraton Mirage, Gold Coast

I love a good weekend away!

Friday afternoon we packed up the car and headed to the Gold Coast for a Celebration weekend with my family. We were celebrating Diane's 50th (my sister in law). The Maston's sure know how to celebrate in style!!

We enjoyed a lovely dinner on the Friday evening in Horizon's restaurant which was solely for the use of the Maston's for the evening. Alexander enjoyed himself and all the attention from Aunts and Uncles and his cousin Emma, but finally fell asleep at 9pm!

John, Diane and Emma were spoilt by mum and dad and spent the weekend in the Royal Suite at the Sheraton Mirage which is equivalent to the Presidental suite!!

Saturday morning, we all enjoyed a yummy buffet breakfast and then all did our own thing before meeting up at the pool for a late morning very warm swim. The pool water was lovely and cool and very welcoming in the very warm spring sun. We all had a lovely time splashing about!

We headed back to the room we were staying in and enjoyed some very scrumptious fresh prawns from the trawler and some crusty bread. We celebrated with a few drinks and a very indulging death by chocolate cake from the Welsh Lady here in Brisbane. Pure delight!!

We spoilt Di with her birthday gifts and shared many laughs. We then all went our separate ways (most people had an afternoon sleep), Alex and I however, went for a walk to the Marina Mirage across the road and browsed some shops, oh how I love SEED. So many beautiful things!

Dinner tonight was to be experienced in a rotunda (see pics), it was a lovely setting in which to celebrate.

Sunday morning we all met for breakfast again before heading back to mum and dads room so we could exchange Christmas gifts with those we won't be celebrating with at Christmas.

It was a lovely relaxing weekend away as a whole family, there were many laughs and drinks and great food! Now we are home and back to reality.... My parents sure know what family is and what it means to welcome in laws into the family! Diane, Bron and Warren are all welcomed with open arms and the weekend away was a true example of that.

(I am very sorry but the pics are out of order!)

Alexander ready to go swimming!

My two boys!
The gorgeous sunrise.
Dinner on the Saturday evening to celebrate Di's 50th

How gorgeous!

At the pool with his Nonna and Pa
Just Us
The table on Friday evening
My niece Emma
The birthday girl, Diane and my brother John arrive for the family dinner

This week

This week has been yet another busy week in the Maston family home. Warren has been home which has been lovely but he has been sick which has been not so lovely ;-(

On Wednesday, Warren arrived home from the Brisbane office with an early birthday gift for me (my birthday is in December), he asked if I wanted it now or on my birthday. I said I didn't mind, it was up to him. I was of course curious as to what it was!!

So he presented me with a little brown box - like the one my wedding ring and engagement ring came in!?! So I very excitedly opened the box and there was the most beautiful eternity ring - or maternity ring as my sister in law calls it. So thank you my darling Warren, it's gorgeous! I love it! I feel so damn spoilt too, but I like being spoilt....

On another note, I have been busy organising our belongings to take to the coast this weekend for my sister in law's 50th Birthday celebration, yet again, Diane is another December baby but we are celebrating in style this weekend as a family. Togs are packed, novel is packed - who am I kidding, when will I have time to read?! Christmas gifts are packed for my niece Emma and Baby M. Diane's birthday gift is packed.....I just have to pack together an assortment of food and toys for little man!

On the novel front, I am still ploughing through Eat Pray Love....getting there slowly!!

Other exciting news, I purchased a new pair of shoes to support me feet - the lady in the shop politely told me I need arch support...so now I have some arch support! Oh and for the record, I have walked, in fact, little man and I have just returned from a walk and my back feels better already - fingers crossed.

Happy weekend to you all, I am off to pack whilst little man has an early morning nap!

Walking - a challenge to myself!

Well, I wake up most mornings and my feet take awhile to wake up once they hit the ground. I have a very very sore back and left hip which until now I have blamed my lifting technique and poor choice in shoes however, I think I could have osteoarthritis, I need to go and see the GP though, but in the mean time because I have a young son, I guess I need to walk, walk, walk.

So, I am going to challenge myself and since I am writing it on here for everyone to see, I think I will stick to my own challenge of increasing my exercise and hopefully weight will drop off (an added bonus) and I will become more nimble and hence my pain will disappear?! Wish me luck!!

So, this afternoon once I have run around the city accomplishing all the tasks on my to do list for today, I will pop Alexander in his strider pram and take him for a walk. I will not kid you, 30 minutes, Alexander, me and the local footpaths! I will let you know how I go!!!

Dinner Ideas?

So, I am feeling a little under the weather at the moment. Unsure why really. Alexander and I spent the day at home. Warren worked from home. Warren has the flu. Alexander is teething, which I have mentioned in an earlier post, however I didn't mention there are 2 teeth coming up at the one time! Uh oh!!!

Anyway, after much thinking throughout the day,here is what we in the Maston family home are having for dinner! Something quick and with protein and vegetables, followed by some lemon gelati! Then I am going to plonk myself in front of the television to watch those little wonders on "masterchef" and then finish off my evening with some reading. What are your plans for tonight?

Pork & noodle stir-fry

Photography by Steve Brown

Sweet soy and crunchy salad mix add oodles of flavour to this easy pork-noodle stir-fry.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1 x 450g pkt fresh hokkien noddles
• 1 tbs peanut oil
• 500g pork loin medallions, thinly sliced
• 80ml (1/3 cup) kecap manis
• 1 x 250g pkt Woolworths fresh rainbow salad mix

Method

1. Place the noodles in a large heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water and set aside for 2-3 minutes to soak. Use a fork to separate the noodles. Drain.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a wok over high heat until just smoking. Add half the pork and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining pork.

3. Return pork to the wok. Add noodles, kecap manis and salad mix, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Divide among serving bowls to serve.

• Source

Good Taste - March 2007

Good Taste - March 2007, Page 38
Recipe by Michelle Southan

I love....

This little man! He is such a gorgeous little man with such a lovely personality, so gentle and scrumptious!

This was yesterday when we were playing with bubbles. He smiled and clapped his whole way through the afternoon. Panadol clearly helped his little tooth problem! We went to my parents for afternoon drinks and nibblies and Alex slept until my dad went and rescued him from the cot upstairs. Smiles all around for everyone and a game of ball with everyone in the room. Giggles and cuddles all around. Why wouldn't you love my little man!?

Sunday blues

Little man is currently teething bottom lower left and it is causing quite a large amount of this;

Of all the other 6 teeth that little man has endured, this is by far the worst! This morning the grizzling was just too much to handle on a lovely spring Sunday morning, so we bundled him into his pram and off we went for a lovely walk!

Alexander has woken the last 2 nights and cried, this is not normal for him as he normally is such a great little sleeper, we pop him into bed and don't hear from him again until the morning! Last night we gave him some panadol and warm milk and back off to sleep he went. Poor little boy! For someone who is always so happy and smiley, these teeth must be really bugging him!

We are off to my parents later for Sunday afternoon drinks and nibblies, hopefully a cuddle and kiss from his nonna will make it all better for him!

A favourite past time....reading

I started reading EAT PRAY LOVE earlier last year but didn't really get into it, so I put it down. Actually I gave it to Bron, my sister in law to read. Last weekend she returned it as I mentioned to her that I wanted to try it again. Well, last night I sat down after a long day and started again, so far so good, I have made it further into the book than the original time. I will keep you posted on how I go!

I don't usually enjoy books that everyone else is in a craze about. For example I didn't like "A thousand splendid suns", in fact I thought it was not enjoyable at all. I read for enjoyment and that to me was torture. Don't get me wrong, I understand that the happenings of the above mentioned novel happen and we need to understand we don't all have charmed lucky lives but I don't feel the need to read about it for pleasure. I hope that makes sense.

I do enjoy a good biography and actually recently on a program on the ABC there was a story about Janine Shepherd who overcame great odds of being told she would never walk again to actually walking again and learning to fly and then went on to have three children. I have read three of her novels and after seeing the documentary I decided I need to delve into my book boxes later this weekend and find these books so I can reread these. She is a true inspiration and full of courage, hope and determination.

I think we all need a little bit of inspiration, hope and determination in our own lives....and to be reminded each day that what we have in life is truly beautiful and should be cherished in the heart.

On that happy note, I love a good chick book too!! I am off to delve into "Eat Pray Love", happy reading! What sort of books do you enjoy and why do you read?

Best and worst of the week that was

Welcome to Friday! I am beginning to love Friday's more and more each week. I always loved Fridays when I was working as I knew it was the end of the working week, however in my chosen career sometimes that doesn't mean much because it could be the beginning of your working week!

Best of the week in the Maston home;

We have fans!

I love watching Alexander explore and giggle at everything. His new word for the week is "Pa". He is walking everywhere and being very independent, climbing on his bike is a new experience this week. I watch and encourage Alexander with amazement, all the new skills Alex learns and I love watching him experience the new experiences. The other word Alex has learnt this past week is bath, if I say let's go and have a bath now, he heads off up the stairs once I open the gate for him and he says "bath" all the way up the stairs and down the corridor, so priceless!

He truly brings such a great joy to our lives and each and every day I spend with him makes me fall in love with him as my son all over again. At the park earlier this week he watched with admiration the other children, he sat in the swing smiling away as though everything they were doing was brilliant!

Another great thing for the week is we look forward to Warren being home for at least the next ten days! Woohoo!!

Worst of the week; just simply that I have a very sore back and feet as I sit here typing this and I need to get myself some new supportive shoes! It has been on my to do list each week for at least the last 4 weeks but it certainly needs to be popped on the top of next weeks list of things to do!

Anyhow, off to pop my feet up and enjoy a cup of lovely hot english breakfast tea! Happy weekend!

What's in a name?

Yesterday at the park, Alexander and I had a wonderful time on the swings, slippery dip and generally walking around exploring. There were a few other children there one of which was called Atticus. This struck me as unusual. Now I am all for unusual names but this one really did strike me as different! So I listened intently to hear what his sister's name was and it was Ivy. This is up there in the popularity stakes at the moment and even have a family friend with a daughter called Ivy. So it got me wondering, did I choose a boring name for our son? Is he going to hate us when he gets older? These are all things we wondered when we named him, it was a long slow process of deciding on his name and we came up with Alexander Clarrie - Clarrie as he is named after his grandfathers on both sides and his great grandfather on my dad's side. Alexander is a classical name that I don't think you can go wrong with or grow out of, Alex for short.

So, intrigued by the meaning I researched the meaning of Atticus and here it is;

From Athens. A trendy name which inspires the image of noble Atticus Finch from the novel "To kill a mocking bird."

(quickbabynames.com). Then it stated it should be referred to as a traditional name....oh so my meaning of traditional varies to others! It leads me to think, what will I choose next time, will it be one off the list from when I was pregnant with Alexander or will it be something totally different?! Oh and for the record, no I'm not pregnant.

Thursday

Well, this morning we headed off in the rain to have breakfast with the beautiful Auntie Vanessa at James street. We were meant to be having morning tea, but it turned out to be breakfast for both of us! Alexander was excited to see Vanessa and sat grinning at her non stop. He enjoyed cuddles with her and chatting with her.

I enjoyed a treat of buttermilk pancakes with a berry compote and Vanessa enjoyed a very yummy looking french toast. The english breakfast tea and cappuccino did wonders to warm us up on this dreary and cold spring day! What a treat to share a lovely morning with such a special friend over breakfast - my darling hubby doesn't like to have breakfast out he would prefer lunch or dinner out, so it made for a very special occasion. We had a great chat about many things going on in each of our lives and caught up on gossip!

Afterwards we raced home for little man to have a small nap and for the friendly electrician to come and pop up our fans!!

We are thinking of a trip to the shops for some late night shopping later this afternoon. I need to get some christmas gifts for my family as we are exchanging gifts next weekend at our family weekend and the ones I am looking at are on sale at the moment. I used to love late night shopping before I had little man. I think we have only managed it once since his birth and that was a feat!

What a fabulous day we have enjoyed!

Currently - November edition

I read http://goodmumhunting.blogspot.com/ most days so this idea is borrowed from here.

Current Playlist:

Michael Buble - anything and everything

Current colour:

Pink! Such a girly, spring colour! So pretty!

Current read:

I'm currently reading a trashy girly chick book, but want to read John Howards biography and the book by Jessica Rudd

Current drink:

cranberry juice 30% and soda water 70%

nice and refreshing late in the afternoon

Current food:

stir fry's (red meat and veg), sashimi (indulged in some yummy sashimi last week at our new local Japanese restaurant), blueberries

Current favourite show:

The 7PM project, as nerdy as that is

Offspring - for light humour

Packed to the Rafters - girly show

Current wish list:

new car, new christmas decorations (but can't currently justify!)

but really for hubby to be home more!

Current blessing:

my gorgeous family!

Current excitement:

47 days until we leave for Italy

short term, next weekend a family weekend away to celebrate my sister-in-law's 50th (I know!!)

Happy November!

Welcome to November! November brings Melbourne Cup Day, now I am not one to usually get excited about Melbourne Cup day but for some reason I am this year! Little man and I will head to my mum and dads for a scrumptious lunch and they just happen to live near the racecourse, so we can check out all the glitz and glamour of the ladies and gents frequenting the racecourse. Will we get glammed up?! Of course! Why not?!

This morning we are off to a slow start as I had a rough night of no sleep, but our new fans are meant to be arriving! Yippee!! So I am busying myself with three loads of washing, cooking a blueberry bread and butter pudding for Alexander and about to indulge in some of my novel all whilst Alexander sleeps the morning away!

I think this afternoon Alexander and I will explore some play-doh and whilst he naps then, I maybe just will indulge in a dvd!

Enjoy your Monday!

Movie Afternoon with my darling hubby

Yesterday we purchased some new fans which I am VERY excited about. Here in Queensland we NEED to remain cool overnight or else summer is even longer than it needs to be. We moved into our family home in July 2009 and we managed to get through last summer's hot nights but this year we will be cooler once the fans are installed! Yippee!! It doesn't take much to please me! (oh and for the record, last year we had a fan on a pedestall at the end of the bed, which did keep me cool - we also have an airconditioner in the room outside our room, but it doesn't quite keep us cool enough over the looong hot summer nights!)...so now I just need to call our favourite electrician and organise a time!

Anyway, after the fan purchasing, we raced home and popped Alexander into bed for a lovely 2 hour nap! I then made a vegemite sandwich for little man and organised his snacks in preparation for his afternoon with my brother Adam and his wife Bron who had agreed to looking after Alex while Warren and I headed to the movies! Shortly after midday Warren and I headed off to the local shopping centre and laughed all the way as we chose to drive in our friends' car (which we have posession of until they return from Japan), which apparently has no damn air conditioning that works!!! It was giggles that were actually frustrated giggles.

We sat through the movie "The Town" with Ben Affleck (nice eye candy for me) which was actually better than I thought it would be, I would have preferred a girly chick flick but it was just nice to be out with Warren knowing that Alex was being well cared for by people who love him just as much as we do! I came home feeling refreshed after our 4 hours away from him. He apparently had a wonderful time exploring the garden, emptying his toy box and dirtying his nappy especially for Uncle Adam - you will learn how to do this with your eyes closed soon Uncle Adam!!

We hope to do this again soon, but maybe just maybe next time we will do dinner or a long lunch instead! We haven't done this since our wedding anniversary back in June, but maybe we will aim for November or December! Anyway, it was a lovely afternoon with my best friend and hubby. We came home and enjoyed a lovely BBQ dinner with Alexander and had a quiet Saturday evening in watching tv and reading our books. What a perfect end to a lovely day!

Walking

Alexander is walking walking walking! Ok, so the last few days he was walking-crawling-walking-crawling but today it's walking walking walking everywhere! Warren came home a little while ago from a week away for work and he stated little man had changed in the four days and the walking was impressive! Yay!

I wonder where Alexander's feet will take him this weekend?! Maybe the park, our back garden with the new fave of bubbles....

Well I know where our feet will take us all, we are in fact off to get some new fans from Teneriffe for three of our four bedrooms and then Warren and I are off to the movies!! Uncle Adam and Auntie Bron are babysitting! We haven't had a date since our wedding anniversary in June....I am really looking forward to it....there are actually a few movies I could indulge in but I think just one will be on order...

Happy weekend to you all! Happy walking!

Healthy Food Ideas

I'm trying to eat healthier at the moment and I found this (sourced from taste.com.au)... Yummy!!

Chickpea, bacon & tomato salad

Photography by Rob Palmer

This chickpea salad makes a great side dish, or light lunch, and can be prepared in less than twenty minutes.

Preparation Time

10 minutes

Cooking Time

7 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 220g rindless bacon, cut into 3cm pieces
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp white balsamic vinegar
• Rind of 1 lemon, finely grated
• Salt and pepper
• 1 large shallot, finely sliced
• 400g can chickpeas (Edgell brand), drained and rinsed
• 2 punnets grape tomatoes, halved lengthways
• 1 cup continental parsley leaves, roughly chopped

Method

1. Cut 220g rindless bacon into 3cm pieces. Cook over a medium heat for 7 minutes or until crisp and golden brown. Add 2 garlic cloves, crushed, and toss well. Drain on paper towel. In a medium bowl whisk 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil, 2 tsp white balsamic vinegar, finely grated rind of 1 lemon and salt and pepper. Add 1 large shallot, finely sliced, 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed, 2 punnets grape tomatoes, halved lengthways, and 1 cup continental parsley leaves, roughly chopped.

2. Serve with grilled salmon, barbequed prawns and calamari.

Joys of Life

We have had yet another busy week;Riverside markets last Sunday, it was a gloriously warm spring day!

Watching bubbles in the garden.
Look at the joy in littleman's face!

This week has been yet another busy busy week! I didn't get to the park nearly as much as I thought we would and I didn't get to PCYC either so I hope to do more of that next week! It's good for little man to be able to explore new things and use his gross motor skills.

We have caught up with an old friend this week, I had the chance to meet her youngest son and had a great chat over morning tea on Wednesday. Today we caught up with another friend and her son at Roma Street Parklands grabbed a coffee and chatted. Sadly my little man wasn't really interested in exploring, he was upset by the rather annoying man mowing the grass at the parklands. Anyway, we then headed off to lunch, yummy Japanese with my mum.

This afternoon we missed a freakish storm as we were tucked away in Woolies with our shopping trolley doing the weekly shop. Lucky because on the way home, I drove through many flooded roadways and the traffic was horrific, for what should take 12 mins maximum took 40 minutes!!!

Tomorrow we have some chores including our weekly trip to the markets for fresh fruit and vegetables to do before we enjoy the lead into the weekend!

Now, with little man tucked up in bed at a lovely suprisingly early 7.30pm, I am off to enjoy some trashy Thursday evening television and to delve into my book. Ciao!