What croaks like a frog and barks like a dog...

ME!

I have been attacked by a lurgy monster which has taken residence in my chest, ears and throat. Stud1 has been very kind and I have been allowed to stay in bed today. 

There is something amazing about watching Cougar Town in bed while Stud1 and Monkey are out doing the grocery shopping. It's not how I pictured my day off from motherhood and I have been told to put another load of washing on while they are out but it's still pretty sweet. 

Please send healthy vibes as I cannot be sick for longer than today otherwise the last week of the monthlong Stud1 fest will not go according to plan. And I have a girls night out planned for Friday with the Yummy Mummys!

Lyrical Sunday Week 22 - Winter Solstice

Credit

Southern Yule.


In Winter's hush, the southern world lies quiet,
Nestled in the growing darkness.

It waits, seemingly frozen in time,
For the night that anticipates the rebirth of the sun.

As log fires crackle and spark,
the frosted world is bathed in warmth.


Womblike the darkness enfolds the Yule night
The gloamy day, truncated,

The blackest night, lengthened
to allow for celebration of life's renewal.

Five Friday Favourites At Five

A new blog I discovered via Broot - The Bloggess. She is seriously funny and a great read. I was going to choose a few favourite posts but alas I can't choose one... The chicken one though is worth a read or three... "Knock, knock Motherf*cker!"

A recipe I MUST try! Chocolate Truffle Brownies...

coffee, chocolate and brownies and easy... Yummmmmmmm

Having a well deserved rest break. (Also pre-curtains)

Stud1 and Monkey having one of many serious discussions over the weekend.

A blurry photo proving I got to the lookout. We have to go back in the Spring.

Our weekend in the Wairarapa - an epic tale...

Disclaimer - this is epically long so if you just want the basics, scroll down to the end where I summarised it for you. Look at the photos though if you're keen.

Monkey and I built our excitement to bursting point for the weekend away. Monkey packed at least two bags and suitcases for himself, double checked that Miaow didn't need a passport and asked if we needed snacks to go on our long LONG drive. 

We woke to pouring rain. After a quick prayer to the Ra (no luck) we headed over the Rimutakas. For those of you who don't know NZ the Rimutaka Hill Road is renowned for being hilly, steep, curvy and quite treacherous. The barriers are resemble toothpicks strung together with dental floss more than something that could stop our swagger wagon or the truck coming down the hill around the blind corner in the wet...
 

But as always it was safe for us and we got over the top with only a little excitement due to the road work crew scraping the tarmac with a digger while we were driving on the road... Thank goodness the operator knew what he was doing!

After stopping at the Masterton Farmer's Market to pick up artisan bread, ripe brie, superb burgers and a decent cup of coffee (sadly our last for the weekend) we pulled up at the Solway Park Hotel. We checked in and Monkey charmed the socks of the lovely concierge and she made him promise to wave when he and Stud1 went swimming. He had to phone her before he left so that she could look at the security video feed.

We got to the room and he was in his costume/togs/bather before we had even had a good look around. (It was an apartment and was very servicable for the weekend but we would like to try adjoining rooms next time for more privacy). He phoned the front desk and Stud1 and he legged it down to the pool for the first of many swims!

Look at me in the big bath (spa pool to you and me!)

OOHH BUBBLES!!

 

 We ate lots of delicious food and relaxed in the hotel surrounds for the rest of the day. On Sunday we headed out to Pukaha Mount Bruce -Home to a rare white kiwi, some enchanting birds, rather freaky eels and tuataras amidst a rainforest. We had a great time finding the animals hidden in the trees and watching the interactive displays. We then went on the lookout walk. It was a four kilometre walk and it was tough going in the wet but Monkey was dry and Stud1 and I were determined to do it. 

So with Monkey reciting most of the Gruffalo, We're Going on a Bear Hunt and Bear Feels Scared, we plodded through the forest and loved it! At one stage we were walking in the clouds and it felt like an elf could possibly step out from behind a tree. So surreal and beautiful...  It was a hard slog, but I am stupidly proud of myself for doing it.

First view point looking down to the road we came from.

Too tired to pose gracefully.

Lost ruined this view for me as I kept looking for shaking trees.

When we got back to the hotel I booked myself a private spa pool and shared it with two fidgety boys. We had another delicious dinner and tucked a knackered Monkey in bed and had the luxury of eating decadent Chocolate Tiramisu with Espresso Icecream in bed while watching House.

Forgot to take the photo before I ate the cherry on top.
Poor quality photo due to the drooling and shaking hands :)

As well  as all of that Stud1 and I had some heart to hearts and I left on Monday feeling like we are going to take on the world (or my insecurities) and WIN!

So watch this space peeps...

TL:DRIt was amazing. Many stresses melted away. Decisions were made. Delicious food. Life is good.

Monkey's Room Makeover!

After a fair few months of mulling it over and falling over all of Monkey's things, we decided we would revamp his room. 

I had been inspired by this Book Nook at Ohdeedoh and Scandinavian Kids Rooms at L'il Magoolie.

Now before you get any high hopes, I am by no means a designer nor am I very patient with fiddly things... So if you pop round please don't look too closely at the handiwork, just take in the whole feel! 

I would like to add that I lost the battle with regards painting the inside of the closet in the same yellow as the book shelves... But I have the paint and Stud1 goes back to work soon.

I am proud to say that the whole revamp cost us less than $100 and a few choice swear words. Most of those swear words were from me as I used my torture sewing machine. 

But I bet you're yelling "Gosh darnit woman! Where the heck are the photos!??" 

Before:

          

After:

 

Poor forlorn Froggy! Too many books, so little time!

 

 

Bench seat and bookshelf. Touch lamps to read by.

Personalised alphabet chart on right.

Nana's cross stitch above the nook.

 Still to do: Paint chest of drawers, sort out the curtains and the bookshelf needs help :)

Best compliment EVER!

This morning on our trip back home after a WONDERFUL weekend break, we stopped for a coffee and a little something at a fancy schmancy French bakery. We ordered a delicious mocha and a truly scrummy looking brown sugar cinnamon brioche.

Stud1 bit into it and chewed thoughtfully. He then said (and I wish I had a tape recorder playing to prove it...) "They really need to use your recipe. This is lacking something!"

Oh I love him!

Five Friday Favourites At Five

1. The courage of the people of Christchurch. They have been plagued with over 3000 earthquakes since September. The latest big one on Monday has hit hard but they are still standing. Kia Kaha Christchurch!  

 

2. My beautiful new tissue holder from Fay at Imagination Overload. She is an accomplished digital scrapbooker with lots of resources and ideas on her blog. Pop over and meet her!

3. A wealth of wisdom  at A Few Things I Know For Sure

My favourite two -

• Every person wants to be heard, wants to feel valued, and wants to know what they have to say matters to someone.

• Blaming others for your misfortune or perceived lack in life is a passive way to live. Taking control and owning your situation is the best way to live deliberately and with purpose.

4. The book every parent needs to read. As read by Samuel L Jackson.

5. Trentham Memorial Park - A park we rarely visit and when we do we always wonder why we don't go more often! It is a huge park with good facilities including a forest walk.

Nothings and Yesthings

As Monkey says we have been up to nothings but yesthings has been done too. He prefers to use the word yesthings for something. No idea why, it's up there with him being refused (confused) by things. It makes sense to him and we're just going with it...

He is right though, we haven't been up to much really. Just spending time together, having fun and trying to get our house into some semblance of order. It's been long overdue. Our house had become the type of house that you see on the not so flattering TV shows... The type where they bring in the storage specialists but not quite the exterminators.


But now it's looking much better and I am getting a lot better at throwing things out, even if there is some form of sentimental value attached to it. Note to self and Captain Awesome though - ruthless culling of belongings is best not undertaken just before Aunty Flo arrives. Panic attacks and tears will be avoided if we time it slightly better next time.

There are no pictures yet but there will be once we are done!

We have completely revamped our master bedroom, the entry hall has been de-childified as much as we can and will be sporting a gallery area for all Monkey's artworks, the guest bedroom has been returned to a semblance of order as the "Library" and the linen closet is now home to less shoes, tidier linens and Monkey-overflow. Soon Monkey's bedroom will be tidier, easier to keep tidy and be home to a wardrobe cubby/nook and a pin-board for all the postcards he gets from family overseas.

We are also gearing up for our weekend in the Wairarapa! For my non-NZ readers, the Wairarapa is a beautiful part of the world with open plains, rolling hills, wild oceans and vineyards! Truly one of my favourite parts of the world!

PS: I am writing this on my new netbook - Captain Awesome has bought me a cute little Samsung and I love it! He really spoils me and I am not entirely sure why

xx

Lyrical Sunday Week 20 - Art

This week Sarah has outdone herself and I urge you to head over to her Lyrical Sunday post. I wish I could paint! But as my art lecturer said at least I am ok at literature and poetry...

Here's my offering for the week.

Starry Night - Van Gogh

The Writer's Canvas.

with a flourish of simile and metaphor

the writer paints a night sky

the stark beauty of the night fills the mind of the reader,

drawing her into the mysterious realm of night

ripples of words etch into her soul,
like bristles through a myriad of coloured oils

within a plethora of carefully chosen words
the deep darkness and scintillating stars burst onto the paper.

the eloquent stroke of a master

echoes the luminescence of Van Gogh's Starry Night.

Five Friday Favourites At Five

1. Benedicts Cafe - Maungaraki. Great food (try the Eggs Benedict - omg!), awesome coffee and an indoor play area for kids! As well as a Post Shop, general groceries and Grinch a bearded dragon.
   
2. Great babysitters! We are so lucky we have two amazing young women who are willing to look after Monkey.
   
3. Watching Monkey and Stud1 just chilling at home and out and about. With no pressures on their time together.
   
4. This awesome artwork/creation by BobbyRobin - I need it in my life!
   
   
   
5. Rainy day family naps in our cosy bed. Especially when Monkey wakes up in mid-sentence and carries on the conversation he was having in his dream... I always feel so happy and secure in our little nest, even if I am fighting off two boys for duvet and pillow space!

Date Night

Last night Stud1 and I went on a date night. It was great. Seriously great, in fact!

Monkey was an angel, went to bed with no fuss and promised to be good for our lovely babysitter. 

I did feel a bit choked up as he waved to us as we pulled out of the driveway. Something rather sad about a little boy peeking out the curtains to wave byebye to his parents... But I am proud that he is ok with it - we don't go out very often and that could cause a problem for some kids.

We went to Event Cinema's Deluxe screening of Xmen First Class.

It was wonderful! From the great hot chocolate in the private lounge, to the seat-side service of divine chocolate brownies and a sundae, to the reclining loungers, to the seriously good movie.

The movie had enough action, storyline, effects, intrigue and cool mutants to keep everyone happy. The actors were good, although Kevin Bacon always leaves me feeling slightly icky. I would recommend seeing it if you like the franchise and even if you haven't seen the others, it's the prequel, so give it a go... Event Cinemas have cheap nights on Tuesdays and I know a great babysitter with pretty decent rates...

Here's a little taster:

Staycation rocks!

As you know, Stud1 is on leave. I am loving having him home, knowing that he is going to be home again tomorrow. Cue Annie singalong...

We have been having fun playing games, walking on the beach, cooking together (ok I am being ably assisted from the other-side of the counter) and just being a family without the pressure of his work lurking in the background.

Basically blogging may take a back seat and I will not be making any apologies for it.

I am making memories to tide me over until Christmas break.

Join me in a happy dance!

But I will be around, so don't get up to too much mischief.

Making the invisible, visible.

A truly inspiring woman.

True belief can make anything happen. Be inspired!

A little slice of heaven...

I'd serve it with a strong coffee &  some cream

Sitting in Reader this morning was a little slice of heaven. It had all my favourite things right in the title... 

Caramel, 

Coffee, 

Banana Bread.

Julie@Mommie Cooks  posted the amazing recipe with drool-worthy photography. It's got all the main food groups - coffee, caramel, dairy and fruit...

I am going to make it this week and will post the recipe afterward s with a review but in case you can't wait, go along to Mommie Cooks and browse her delicious recipes.

Next on my list to try is Chocolate Cherry Cinnamon Buns.

Five Friday Favourites at Five

1. Monkey being an angel this morning. I told him I was really tired and didn't feel well (stupid insomnia) and needed to have a little rest while he was playing (and I figured he'd watch his TV show). He tucked me in, wished me sweet dreams and I didn't hear from him for an hour. He was playing in the lounge, I was on the couch and he built an epic rail-track complete with airport, just in case you're thinking of calling social services :)
   
2. That Stud1's going to be on holiday for four weeks from this evening!! Celebratory pizzas all round!
   
3. A la Mode Photography - my new favourite photographer. I am saving my pennies and hope to have her photograph us soon for some new family photos or maybe just a burlesque shoot...
   
   Click on the link and the little red headed angel in the top right is Busy-Issy, Monkey's beach playmate :D
   
4. Confirming a weekend away in the Wairarapa
   
5. Finding this recipe that I thought I had lost...
   

   Boysenberry Chocolate Brownie

   I'll be making it this weekend for sure!

   
   
   
   
   
   

   Happy Queen's Birthday Weekend!

To Disqus or not to Disqus...

To Disqus or not to Disqus. That is the question.

I want to make my comment section more interactive, make it easier to reply to you or at least acknowledge that I have read them. I try to email replies through directly but often wonder if that makes it look like I don't reply as there is nothing on the blog - is that making sense? The coffee is weak this morning...

Blogger doesn't allow for replying to individual comments or even subscribing to comments (or did I miss that part?) and I have seen a few bloggers swap to Disqus...

So have you used Disqus? Do you like sites that use it. Do you really want me to reply? Or are you happy with an email...

Or is there another tool I'm missing?

Thanks

LJx

Vaguely less verbose Wednesday.

 Taken on Mother's Day. I forgot all about them until I downloaded the ones from today.

 Monkey took this one of me

Wednesday June 1st, Petone, New Zealand. 

Monkey and Busy-Issy. 

Playing together.

 The weather turned nasty really quickly after our lunch...