Happy Grand Final Day :)

Yay it's the weekend, also for those of you that follow AFL (Australian Football League for non aussies) today is Grand Final Day. While my team isn't in the final we are still hosting a BBQ with friends and will be watching (well I be half-assedly watching). 

I was slack this week and didn't post at all, I just had one of 'those' weeks. You know the ones where your children drive you mental and you fantasise about running away. Boy does my son know how to push my buttons, he can be really trying sometimes. Then on the other hand he has moments of being incredibly cute, just to keep me on my toes...you never know which version you are going to get. These toddler antics can be full on, they are so emotional and can go from one extreme to the other...it wears me out. 

So I have been laying low and feeling a little lazy, hence no baking post. I will try and do one this coming week. Also the upside to hosting a BBQ is that my house is spotless (the calm before the storm, it won't stay this way for long) and cleaner then it has been all week. Speaking of cleaning, I am so over my son deliberately trashing the joint...I'm talking toys scattered from one end to the other and everything just tipped out and thrown about. It drives me nuts, I am forever cleaning it up off and on throughout the day and I wonder sometimes why I bother. I should just leave it a pig sty and clean it when they go to bed. I just can't help myself though...I can't stand the mess. 

This is my 100th blog post, not terribly exciting but I'm a little proud that I have kept it up this time around. I hope that for the handful of you that follow along on a regular basis, that I haven't bored you too much ;)

Well that's all for now, people will be arriving shortly. I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. 

Till next time xo

Fun in the Sun

Yet again the Gold Coast has been turning on the fabulous weather (although Thursday we had a storm with hail) so Friday we went to the Broadwater Rockpools in Southport...it is such an awesome facility that is brilliant for the kids. We went with my sisters and a couple of my kids cousins, they both had a great time. I think my daughter is a bit of a water baby, she takes after her father in that respect. I am such a wuss when it comes to the water temperature and rarely go out past my waist in the ocean. I know, the gorgeous beaches of the Gold Coast are somewhat wasted on me. I forsee many more trips to the rockpools over the Summer, definitely a destination worth checking out on the GC if you are visiting and have little ones...plus it's free! Although the parking isn't but it's reasonable so still worth doing.

We had breakfast down at Burleigh yesterday, such a lovely area down there. Today we went to check out the Village Markets at Paradise Point and went for a play in the playground afterwards. It has been a pretty cruisy weekend really, not a lot to report.

Today we put up a wall decal in our daughters room, I will have to add a pic once I have put my pictures from my phone on to the computer. It was a lot smaller then the picture looked online but I still like it, plus it is a great way to decorate her room since we are renting and are limited by what we can & can't do. There are so many things I would like to do, why can't I win the lotto already ;)

I am currently tucking in to an early dinner cooked by my lovely husband, bonus...I love it when I don't have to cook. Even better, it's quite tasty. Might try and do some baking/try a new recipe for the blog this coming week, so keep your eyes peeled.

Till next time xo

Almost a milestone...

Only 2 posts away from 100 posts, I know that's not terribly exciting for anyone other than me but I still thought I would share. I wish I knew what you guys thought of my humble musings and what you think I could do to improve and build upon this blog. I crave feedback and would love some interaction, don't be shy (or post anonymously)...tell me your thoughts :) I promise not to get offended by any constructive criticism.

I watched enviously over the last week on instagram a whole heap of cool peeps who were attending the pro blogger event here on the GC. I only heard about it at the last minute but wouldn't have been able to attend anyway due to kids and lack of funds. But gee did it look awesome, oh I could have learned so much. I am very much a beginner in the scheme of things and would love to learn more. I get incredibly insecure about my posts and that I may be boring you all. I hardly lead a glamorous life but then again I also think part of the appeal is the fact that I am just an everyday mum and maybe you can relate.

So I decided to pull the plug on taking the kids to the Sunshine Coast to watch their dad take part in the Stampede. It would have been too much for one day, 2 hours there 3 hours spectating followed by 2 hours home again. Having to keep them entertained for that period of time was too much for this little black duck to endure. I'm glad I made that choice as it was a hot day Saturday and there was apparently bugger all shade there. Also have to mention that I'm incredibly proud of hubby for completing it, champion effort.

Sunday was another gorgeous day and we went to breakfast at BSKT cafe in Nobby's (delish, although as families with little ones will know...when you have to wait awhile for food to come out it can be difficult). We then met some friends at the beach afterwards, it was our daughters first proper time at the beach and she loved it...much sand was consumed, gross. I also enjoyed building sandcastles with my son and then he took great delight in destroying them.

Also have seen a couple of posts today about it only being 100 days until Christmas! Wow, where has the time gone?! It is less than 3 months till my daughter turns one, crazy. What's even crazier is that she took her tentative first steps last weekend (at 9 months) and can now take up to 4 steps at a time, she'll be running around before I know it...my baby is growing up.

Hope everyone else had an awesome weekend.

Till next time xo

Best Ever Brownies

It's been awhile since I did one of these, I was craving something sweet and there was nothing in the house...so voilà.

This recipe really is super simple and quick to make, it was shared with me way back when by one of my girlfriends and I never looked back. I also love that the recipe is basic but you can add some extras to it if you like.

Here is the link for the original recipe-
http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/best-ever-brownies-L1156.html

You will need:

Ingredients -

150g of butter
1 cup of brown sugar, firmly packed (eh...I don't bother packing it in tight)
2 eggs
1/2 cup of plain flour
1/2 cup of cocoa

I also added a cup of milk chocolate bits to mine, you could also try it with white choc bits, chopped nuts, coconut...get creative.

Utensils -

Mixing Bowl
Measuring Cups
Electric Beaters (or you can do it by hand if you don't have any)
Wooden Spoon
Baking Tray
Baking Paper
Sifter

Method -

Pre-heat oven to 160 degrees celsius. Line your baking tray with baking paper, I rub butter on mine first so that the baking paper sticks in place.

Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. 

Add eggs one at a time on low speed. 

Mix through the flour and the cocoa. 

Pour in to baking tray and cook for about 25 -30 mins. 

This would be delicious with some ice cream or double cream but alas I had neither of those things to hand, it is still delicious eaten on its own.

So there you have it, super simple and a tasty treat....happy baking!

Till next time xo

Feeling HOT HOT HOT...

It was a balmy 32 degrees here on the GC today and boy am I feeling the heat. I'm not struggling or anything but it is just getting used to that sort of weather again. I love summertime but I am not so much a fan of the sweat and general uncomfortable 'ness that comes with it. I wonder if the fact that it is already so hot so soon means it is going to be a scorcher come summertime.

So today I was THAT mother...the one whose kid (my son) barfs absolutely everywhere while out at the shops (thankfully it was at the food court and not in an actual shop). He was munching on chips and had a) stuffed too much in his mouth (as they do) and b) probably had one trigger his gag reflex and then it was on for young and old...kind of reminiscent of the exorcist. Ok I am probably over exaggerating somewhat but it was ALOT. I am also grateful for the fact that I had a spare outfit for him in the nappy bag, which I usually forget so praise Jeebus. He was absolutely fine and dandy afterwards although he has a cough that has been rather persistent (and annoying I have to admit) today, it doesn't sound nasty or like there is anything to it...I'm hoping it will bugger off and not wake him up through the night.

Gosh there are some cute Summer outfits out at the moment that I was eyeing off for my daughter, I may have to go back once my husband gets paid. I have also changed my daughters room around a little and added a few little bits and pieces, there is a photo below of one of the items I brought for her room last weekend. I am also waiting for a wall decal that I ordered for her room to arrive, of which I will share a pic once it arrives and I've put it up.

Delicious coffee, this was at a cafe in Burleigh called Canteen...they do good coffee!

The Mystery Machine...I wonder if it was those pesky kids?! Ha

Our new welcome mat, I rather like it :)

The little trinket box I got for my daughters room, too cute. 

Till next time xo

Spring has well and truly sprung...

We are having some beautiful weather here on the GC, I know it's only Spring but it is getting me excited about Summer. I look forward to all the social gatherings and BBQ's that this time of year brings, it makes me more appreciative of where we are in the world, it really is a gorgeous place to live.

Mind you, we still bring up the possibility of moving to Melbourne whenever we visit. It just has a lot going for it as a city and reminds us both of London. Who knows what the future may hold, for now I am pretty happy with our lot in life so don't see the need to upset the apple cart.

We went to a friends house for a BBQ today and our son was playing so well with their daughter, she is only a few weeks younger than he is. It's always nice as a parent to watch your kids play happily with other kids and behave themselves, plus it's an added bonus that our kids get along well together. They had a trampoline at their place and our son loved it, it was one of the ideas we were tossing up as his main Christmas present and that just sealed the deal...a trampoline it is :)

Today was voting day in Australia, we walked down to the local school to cast our vote and then went to the park and past the coffee shop and supermarket on the way home...it was a nice little walk. Although I'm considering throwing all that effort away for an ice cream. Today is my 'cheat day' and I haven't really taken advantage of it, I need a sweetie. It depends whether I can be bothered driving up to the servo or not though, my general laziness could win out.

One of my close girlfriends has just lost her Uncle to cancer so I would just like to say a big F*CK YOU to cancer, hopefully one day they will find a cure.

Till next time xo

I need a holiday after my holiday

We got back from Melbourne last night, after spending 4 fun filled days there. Though those days were jam packed and lots of fun they were exhausting. There is no such thing as a holiday when you are travelling with kids, ha. To be fair though, for the most part they were fairly well behaved. 

The flight there they both had a sleep, although my daughter only slept about 20 mins of the just over 2 hour flight. I was hoping she would sleep for the duration since it was such an early flight...no such luck. One of my favourite nicknames for her is wriggle worm because she is never still. If possible she was even more wriggly on the flight home, no sleep at all that time. Although she was being incredibly cute/cheeky with the lady sitting behind us...she kept looking through the gap and giving big grins, it was adorable. It's not much fun trying to keep a baby that just wants to go in one spot for two hours, I was knackered yet she still managed to stay awake until well after we got off the plane. We were hoping both the kids would at least crash in the car on the way home from the airport and wouldn't you know it, neither of them did! I think my son finally crashed a little after 9pm last night, I don't know where they get their stamina from...I could have gladly closed my eyes and been asleep much earlier than that!

It was great catching up with our friends that we hadn't seen in years, they both managed remarkably well staying in an apartment with us and the kids considering they don't have kids themselves...very brave indeed. Our daughter took a bit of a shine to the husband, poor guy...she wouldn't leave him alone (it was incredibly cute though). The time flew by though, sucks to know that it is going to be years until we see them again. 

We managed to fit in a few catch-ups with family and friends, there was much food consumed and I am not looking forward to weighing in. Today marks the start of 'being healthy', I promised the hubby that I would start being good from today and make an effort to be healthier. 

Now here is a crap load of photos from the trip, and a couple taken just before.

Loving my new hair

Out for an afternoon family walk, how's the serenity...

Grease, it was a great night.

On the way to Melbourne

Our awesome digs for the stay

Cheers to being on holiday!

Yummy Melbourne cafes

Love all the street art scattered about the place

Apartment views, St Kilda.

I have a love affair with coffee

case in point ;)

Out and about in St Kilda

Early morning hot air balloons, there were 6 of them.

Yarn bombing awesomeness.

Ha!

Street Art

More yarn bombing

More apartment views, Luna park

One of the delicious displays on Ackland St

Love this one...

Luna Park

Street Art

Can you spot the Grinch?

How awesome does this display look!

On the flight home

Back to normality now, I have an enormous amount of washing to get through.

Till next time xo