Because I rarely win things -- thought I'd share this. Each week, my gym has a competition for those who come in at least 3 times a week.
This week, I won! A snazzy Contours backpack is nothing to sniff at (and it's quite comfy to wear, too).
Friday, September 3, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Arrival of spring & clean-outs
Another quiet period between posts. Typically, I can't think of much that has happened - Winter, for the main part. It's cold in our house, we have no central heating, and the main heating unit is in the lounge/communal area. The only other heater we have is one of those standup, moveable metal oil heaters, which resides in Rory's room during the winter months. Thankfully yesterday marked the first day of spring - though you wouldn't know it from the persistence of rain - so the weather is on the way up.
Along with the onset of spring, the vegetable/herb garden has been re-invigorated with more vegetable seedlings and herb seedlings, some herbs have been transplanted to other areas to make better use of the space and the citrus plants which will one day be 'espaliered' are slowly getting bigger. I'd love to take a picture and upload it of the revamped garden, but someone (who recently turned 2 1/2) broke the camera and until I can get a new one, I've borrowed my father's "pink" digital camera however don't have the means to upload just yet.
Today the small boy and I are having a day at home, we're both suffering colds (his is worse than mine so far) so I took the opportunity to do a stocktake of the pantry (how many cans of tinned tomato and corn kernels have I?!) and make use of some overripe bananas. Next stop, resorting the plastics cupboard. I'm still avoiding completing the study clean up/sorting, as I know I'll need at least one full Rory-free day to do this. Maybe I'll feel motivated this weekend? Though wouldn't you know it, sunshine is predicted for Saturday and who wants to spend time indoors?!
Along with the onset of spring, the vegetable/herb garden has been re-invigorated with more vegetable seedlings and herb seedlings, some herbs have been transplanted to other areas to make better use of the space and the citrus plants which will one day be 'espaliered' are slowly getting bigger. I'd love to take a picture and upload it of the revamped garden, but someone (who recently turned 2 1/2) broke the camera and until I can get a new one, I've borrowed my father's "pink" digital camera however don't have the means to upload just yet.
Today the small boy and I are having a day at home, we're both suffering colds (his is worse than mine so far) so I took the opportunity to do a stocktake of the pantry (how many cans of tinned tomato and corn kernels have I?!) and make use of some overripe bananas. Next stop, resorting the plastics cupboard. I'm still avoiding completing the study clean up/sorting, as I know I'll need at least one full Rory-free day to do this. Maybe I'll feel motivated this weekend? Though wouldn't you know it, sunshine is predicted for Saturday and who wants to spend time indoors?!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
comfort soup
Today's very simple recipe is a favourite I used to make when I was living on campus at University. It's from a tiny Gabriel Gate recipe book and is super easy and super quick to make.
Leek & Chicken Soup
Ingredients:
2 chicken fillets
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon butter
2 medium leeks, finely sliced
1 carrot, diced
1 medium potato, diced
8 cups chicken stock
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup corn kernels
2 tablespoon parsley (optional)
crusty bread to serve
Method:
1. Cut chicken into very small pieces and toss in a bowl with soy sauce.
2. Heat butter in a non stick fry pan and stir fry leeks for 2 minutes. Add carrot and stir fry for 1 minute.
3. Add potato and chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.
4. Blend half the soup to a puree and return the pureed soup to the pan.
5. Add corn kernels and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Add chicken pieces to hot soup and leave on gentle heat for 5 minutes without boiling it. Stir in parsley and serve.
Serves 6
Note: I find using a bamix in the pot to blend it, rather than remove portions in batches to puree, much easier.
Leek & Chicken Soup
Ingredients:
2 chicken fillets
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon butter
2 medium leeks, finely sliced
1 carrot, diced
1 medium potato, diced
8 cups chicken stock
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup corn kernels
2 tablespoon parsley (optional)
crusty bread to serve
Method:
1. Cut chicken into very small pieces and toss in a bowl with soy sauce.
2. Heat butter in a non stick fry pan and stir fry leeks for 2 minutes. Add carrot and stir fry for 1 minute.
3. Add potato and chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.
4. Blend half the soup to a puree and return the pureed soup to the pan.
5. Add corn kernels and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Add chicken pieces to hot soup and leave on gentle heat for 5 minutes without boiling it. Stir in parsley and serve.
Serves 6
Note: I find using a bamix in the pot to blend it, rather than remove portions in batches to puree, much easier.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
new/old
Rory was given this cool handmade wooden car last night by my step-grandmother, Ma. What's even cooler about it is that it was made by my late grandfather, Poppa, as a gift for someone they knew. Now it's been returned to the family and Rory (and later, presumably when Huon's old enough) is delighted with it.
It's his new favourite toy. In the picture, you can see his two teddies have been stuffed in. 'White' Teddy is driving (allegedly) despite both legs hanging out the side door, and 'Yellow' Teddy is rear passenger.
It's his new favourite toy. In the picture, you can see his two teddies have been stuffed in. 'White' Teddy is driving (allegedly) despite both legs hanging out the side door, and 'Yellow' Teddy is rear passenger.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
capabilities vs complacency
I sometime think that Rory was sent as a challenge, both physically AND mentally. My endeavours at the gym - to lose weight, keep fit and be able to chase after a small tornado - have clearly paid off. The mental challenges are ongoing and the goal posts are always changing with no abatement in sight. It's interesting to note that none of the other kids in my Mothers Group appear to challenge their parents in the way Rory does. He, perhaps, sets the trend at times.
Every so often, we appear to reach a point where boundaries and capabilities are met, silently acknowledged and respected. And then, predictably, a sense of complacency sets in and we (both mother and son) know what we are capable of and life is good. That is, until another skill or ability is discovered.
As was discovered this morning.
Since Rory transitioned to a 'big boy bed' in the past month and a half, he's now able to get himself up and out of his room when he wakes in the morning. Usually, he'll run down to our room and snuggle in bed before his father reluctantly gets up and organises his (Rory's) breakfast. In the past week, he's started taking himself off to play nicely with his toys in the loungeroom.
Until this morning.
I awoke sometime after 6am to hear noises in the kitchen. I was sure I'd shut the kitchen baby gate, which is secured from the wall to the bench. My ingenious son had pushed his high chair to the bench and clambered over (no doubt thanking his skills he'd picked up from Gymbaroo in the process). By the time I'd dragged myself to the kitchen, I'd caught him standing in front of the fridge, with the door wide open, plastic bowl in hand, filled with 'bix' (Weet-bix). It was hard to tell him off for showing such initiative.
Unfortunately, this now means more baby proofing is required in the kitchen, as one of the last few 'gated' areas of the house is now accessible to a small inquisitive tornado. But on the flipside, now that Rory is becoming more self-reliant (by showing that he's able to entertain himself and get his own breakfast), it's a comfort to know that he able to carry out 'routine' activities without a lot of parental help.
Still doesn't mean we get a sleep in though!
Every so often, we appear to reach a point where boundaries and capabilities are met, silently acknowledged and respected. And then, predictably, a sense of complacency sets in and we (both mother and son) know what we are capable of and life is good. That is, until another skill or ability is discovered.
As was discovered this morning.
Since Rory transitioned to a 'big boy bed' in the past month and a half, he's now able to get himself up and out of his room when he wakes in the morning. Usually, he'll run down to our room and snuggle in bed before his father reluctantly gets up and organises his (Rory's) breakfast. In the past week, he's started taking himself off to play nicely with his toys in the loungeroom.
Until this morning.
I awoke sometime after 6am to hear noises in the kitchen. I was sure I'd shut the kitchen baby gate, which is secured from the wall to the bench. My ingenious son had pushed his high chair to the bench and clambered over (no doubt thanking his skills he'd picked up from Gymbaroo in the process). By the time I'd dragged myself to the kitchen, I'd caught him standing in front of the fridge, with the door wide open, plastic bowl in hand, filled with 'bix' (Weet-bix). It was hard to tell him off for showing such initiative.
Unfortunately, this now means more baby proofing is required in the kitchen, as one of the last few 'gated' areas of the house is now accessible to a small inquisitive tornado. But on the flipside, now that Rory is becoming more self-reliant (by showing that he's able to entertain himself and get his own breakfast), it's a comfort to know that he able to carry out 'routine' activities without a lot of parental help.
Still doesn't mean we get a sleep in though!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
there are no donuts in death
Every Sunday afternoon I check the Postsccret site to absorb the writings of postcards of anonymous people wanting to get a secret off their chest. Most of the time, the secrets are slightly depressing, although there is quite often a few gems which shine some basic truth.
Today's batch included the one above. It struck me as being a pretty obvious sentiment. Why forgo all the pleasures that life can give you for an eternity in an unknown oblivion?
I think I want pizza for dinner now.
Monday, April 26, 2010
ANZAC Day Weekend
Spent the l-o-n-g weekend at Leongatha, with Corey's family friends. A chance for us to do nothing (finished a book, started another), not cook (2 dinners out, 1 lunch of chips & pies), be amused by local (Gippsland) advertising on television, and of course, catch up with the family. Returned home and spent the remainder of long weekend with family and friends down at Balnarring.
Saturday: Down to Leongatha just after lunch, chatted, relaxed, played on the playground (small boy, not me). Dinner at local Chinese where everythign that could go wrong, *did* go wrong. Dinner disagreed with small boy so most of Saturday night (from 10pm onwards) was spent cleaning up sick).
Sunday: Ben was dropped off on Sunday at Kay & Bim's. Out on Bim's boat down at Inverloch - he took Corey, Rory (first time on a boat) and Ben out on the water while Kay and I traipsed around Inverloch for lunch. Out of 2 pie shops (the one that claimed "50 varieties of pies" had sold out of pies), we bought hot chips, pies and chips for lunch, eating them at 'Pensioner's Corner' where Bim had driven the boat. Dinner at Leongatha RSL, boy was well behaved at dinner, unlike previous night. Finished early, battled with Rory to get him into bed whilst Corey had retired early.
Monday: Drove back to Hastings, baked some scones and took lunch down to Kim & Kylie's with Rohan & Kinga (& Huon) joining us. Corey helped Kim put some of their new kitchen together.
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