Monday, March 29, 2010

Menu Plan Monday (27th Mar - 2nd Apr)


As you have probably gathered by now, I LIVE for menu planning! By menu planning it ensures that we have a weeks worth of meals organised which is especially useful Monday through Friday when there is not much of the day left after finishing work, picking up the kids from school and having to deal with the tasks of homework, clothes washing, showers, etc., and to do without the hassle of worrying WHAT we are cooking for dinner each night. Honestly if I left deciding what’s for dinner until I go home we wouldn’t eat until midnight!!

We had another busy start to this week.. Oliver had his birthday party on Saturday night with 3 friends staying over and me taking 5 kids to the movies to see Alice in Wonderland (which I had to say again I thoroughly enjoyed). I have to admit though that by Sunday night all I could be bothered cooking was toasted sandwiches for dinner.

School holidays have started here in Melbourne so the kids will be with their grandparents during the weekdays when we are both working. So the meals on weeknights are just to suit Noel and I which means I can cook a spicy dish without worrying and I have planned to do so with the pasta on Wednesday night. The kids will be home for dinner on Thursday night.

Friday is Good Friday so it's seafood for us. Oliver has a friend staying over who doesn't eat fish so I have to have a little think about dinner for the boys and Alex is also going out for a sleepover on Friday night so she is someone elses worry.... lol!!!

As for meals this week the menu looks like this:

Saturday ~ Nachos, Beef Tacos and Chicken Burritos
Sunday ~ Toasted Sandwiches
Monday ~ Steak, Baked Potatoes, Steamed Vegetables & Blue Cheese Sauce
Thu ~ Chicken Taco Bake and Mexican Style Rice
Fri ~ Seafood Parcels

I know that our week starts on a Saturday but that’s just for the ease of fitting in with my grocery shopping which is normally done on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon. As usual more great menu ideas can be found at Menu Plan Monday over at I’m An Organising Junkie, don’t be shy pop over and have a look at other’s menu plans. You never know you may just find something different to have for dinner.

Some recipes for things we cook can be found over at our cooking blog, A Dash Of Flavour, normally posted after they have been cooked or just click on the links for each meal when they appear.

Happy cooking,


Friday, March 26, 2010

Happy 12th Birthday Oliver



We all woke this morning we wish our little boy a Happy 12th Birthday.

Who would have thought 12 years would have gone by so quickly???

It only seems like yesterday we were bringing home a little bundle of boy from the hospital after a quick emergency c-section due to complications. What a whirlwind arrival our little precious prince had. But the main thing was it was a safe one although I have to say it was scary there for a little bit.

Since then you, Ollie, have brought us so much joy not to mention adding your little touch to the dynamics of our family.....

We love you heaps and hope you have a fantastic day!!! And enjoy your family dinner tonight.


My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Sick.....


Seriously I am the world's worst patient and I am at home today feeling under the weather.... not quite sure what's wrong except for how I feel..

Maybe it's just the rest that I need, maybe I am coming down with something, maybe I am going to sneak back to bed!!!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Menu Plan Monday (20th March - 26th March 2010)


As you have probably gathered by now, I LIVE for menu planning! By menu planning it ensures that we have a weeks worth of meals organised which is especially useful Monday through Friday when there is not much of the day left after finishing work, picking up the kids from school and having to deal with the tasks of homework, clothes washing, showers, etc., and to do without the hassle of worrying WHAT we are cooking for dinner each night. Honestly if I left deciding what’s for dinner until I go home we wouldn’t eat until midnight!!

This weekend was huge with a friend's 50th on Saturday night where we got home around 1.30am. The kids didn't come with us they actually stayed at Nana and Grandad's but we met up with them all for lunch on Sunday.

The week ahead is also busy. I have a committee meeting Tuesday night which seems it will be a long one and then it's Oliver's birthday on Friday. Oliver is turning 12 and Friday night all the family will come over for dinner. Saturday he is having a few friends over, they are going to the movies and then having a sleepover. So a house full of 12 year olds sounds inviting, right?

As for meals this week the menu looks like this:

Saturday ~ Flounder with Lemon and Thyme Sauce
Sunday ~ Teriyaki and Chilli Pork Ribs
Monday ~ Prawn Laska for adults, Macaroni Pots for kids
Tue ~ Beef Curry with Steamed Rice
Thu ~ Devilled Sausages with Crispy Potatoes
Fri ~ Lasagne, Salad, Garlic Bread, Birthday Cake

I know that our week starts on a Saturday but that’s just for the ease of fitting in with my grocery shopping which is normally done on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon. As usual more great menu ideas can be found at Menu Plan Monday over at I’m An Organising Junkie, don’t be shy pop over and have a look at other’s menu plans. You never know you may just find something different to have for dinner.

Some recipes for things we cook can be found over at our cooking blog, A Dash Of Flavour, normally posted after they have been cooked or just click on the links for each meal when they appear.

Happy cooking,

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Happy 9th Birthday Alexandria


Today is our little princess Alexandria Elizabeth's 9th birthday and she was up early, bright eyed ready to celebrate I think. As dad was already at work, it was only a small present this morning (of clothes which she liked) to get her through the day.

Plus there was two presents on top of the rabbit and guinea pig hutch wishing Alex a great birthday from Pumpkin and Rocket.. she was excited by this. A pair of shoes and a heart shaped pink calculator!!

For her class today instead of taking in a cake which just might not have made it to school on the bicyle in one piece we bought iced donuts for the kids to share and help Alex celebrate at school.

Tonight we have all the family coming over for dinner. As it's Alex's birthday she has chosen the menu... Shepherd's Pie, Crusty Bread and of course, Birthday cake. I offered to bake her a cake but she insisted on buying on from the Cheesecake shop which we will do after work.. I bet it's going to be mega chocolately! Oh well it's her birthday and you are only 9 once!!

Have a wonderful birthday sweetheart
We love you so much.....


Monday, March 15, 2010

Menu Plan Monday (13th March ~ 19th March)


As you have probably gathered by now, I LIVE for menu planning! By menu planning it ensures that we have a weeks worth of meals organised which is especially useful Monday through Friday when there is not much of the day left after finishing work, picking up the kids from school and having to deal with the tasks of homework, clothes washing, showers, etc., and to do without the hassle of worrying WHAT we are cooking for dinner each night. Honestly if I left deciding what’s for dinner until I go home we wouldn’t eat until midnight!!

So the birthdays have started at our house.. Alex had her party for her school friends on Saturday night. It wasn't a huge party with only about 10 friends but 4 slept over so it was giggling 9 year old girls until about 2 am the next morning. Needless to say Alex (and the rest of us) was very tired come Sunday afternoon so we treated ourselves to dinner out and then an early night.

Thursday is Alex's birthday and we are having the family dinner. Nana, Grandad, Sean, Christian and hopefully Vicky and Daniel are coming over for dinner. Alex, being the birthday girl has chosen what she wants for dinner and it's Shepherds Pie and of course another birthday cake!!

Other things on this week's menu are:

Saturday ~ Alex's party - party finger food and cake, Party Pinata Cake
Sunday ~ Hogs Breath Cafe
Monday ~ Pork Medallions with Apple and Sage Butter with Potatoes and Steamed Vegetables
Tue ~ Beef Stirfry with Noodles
Wed ~ Chicken Taco Bake with vegetables
Thu ~ Shepherd's Pie, crusty bread rolls and birthday cake
Fri ~ Homemade "Fish 'n' chips" with tartare sauce and salad

I know that our week starts on a Saturday but that’s just for the ease of fitting in with my grocery shopping which is normally done on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon. As usual more great menu ideas can be found at Menu Plan Monday over at I’m An Organising Junkie, don’t be shy pop over and have a look at other’s menu plans. You never know you may just find something different to have for dinner.

Some recipes for things we cook can be found over at our cooking blog, A Dash Of Flavour, normally posted after they have been cooked or just click on the links for each meal when they appear.

Happy cooking,

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Menu Plan Monday (6th March ~ 12th March)


As you have probably gathered by now, I LIVE for menu planning! By menu planning it ensures that we have a weeks worth of meals organised which is especially useful Monday through Friday when there is not much of the day left after finishing work, picking up the kids from school and having to deal with the tasks of homework, clothes washing, showers, etc., and to do without the hassle of worrying WHAT we are cooking for dinner each night. Honestly if I left deciding what’s for dinner until I go home we wouldn’t eat until midnight!!

This is a very easy week's cooking for us as we were away for half of it! Halls Gap was magnificent, as was the food. The menu's were extensive and we have come away with many meals to try and replicate the recipes.

March and April are quite busy months for us with birthdays and Easter so our menu's over the next few weeks will be quite varied.

Planned on the menu this week are....

Saturday ~ The Kookaburra Restaurant, Halls Gap
Sunday ~ The Halls Gap Hotel Bistro
Monday ~ Mings Oriental at the National Hotel, Stawell
Tue ~ Lamb Backstrap with port and mustard sauce
Wed ~ Chicken Florentine Parcels
Thu ~ Pork Cutlets with Cranberry Wine Sauce
Fri ~ Spaghetti Bolognaise

I know that our week starts on a Saturday but that’s just for the ease of fitting in with my grocery shopping which is normally done on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon. As usual more great menu ideas can be found at Menu Plan Monday over at I’m An Organising Junkie, don’t be shy pop over and have a look at other’s menu plans. You never know you may just find something different to have for dinner.

Some recipes for things we cook can be found over at our cooking blog, A Dash Of Flavour, normally posted after they have been cooked or just click on the links for each meal when they appear.

Happy cooking,

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

We've been on holidays.....

Yes we went away. Only on a quick long weekend adventure as it was Labour Day weekend and we all took Tuesday off school/work to make it an extra day longer!! The main thing that was achieved this weekend was spending quality time with the four of us before the busy months of March and April kick in.....

Saturday morning we left and made our way to Halls Gap, where we stayed in a cabin (with spa ensuite) at The Grampian Gardens Tourist Park. Halls Gap is approximately 3 and a half hours from home but we had a really good drive there. Noel and I hadn't been up that way for quite some time so we were actually surprised by the new freeways etc, and how shorter the journey actually ended up being.

Halls Gap is a beautiful town set amongst The Grampians, a mountain range in North West Victoria. There is a lot to do from bush walks, viewing waterfalls, aboriginal art along with winery tours, a zoo and even mini golf. The Grampians Gardens Tourist Park was also really nice. As I mentioned we upgraded to a spa cabin, but the cabins themselves were very clean and well maintained. We had a little verandah were every morning we feed cockatoos, kangaroos and emus which pleased the kids no end.

Once we had settled into our cabin on Saturday afternoon, we went for a look around town mainly to get a feel for the place but to also work out where we would eat for dinner that night. I was given "time off" from cooking dinners so we did eat out every night and had some wonderful meals. The first night we ate at The Kookaburra Restaurant in Halls Gap where I had a magnificent meal, Kangaroo Fillet with a Caramelized Port, Cream and Seeded Mustard Sauce and Noel had the Duo of Pork, Chargrilled pork fillet with slow-baked spare rib served with an apple, lime and ginger sauce. Both of us really enjoyed these meals, and the kids enjoyed their meals also which made it very tempting to return there for the next two nights but we didn't!!

Sunday we had a full day driving around The Grampians. We started the day off in Stawell where we visited the Information Centre. We then went to the Stawell Gold Mine Observation Area which was very interesting and as the Gold Mine was in operation it was good to watch also. I have actually been inside the Gold Mine when I was working for Beltreco, but they do not do public tours now. From Stawell we drove through the The Grampians following the scenic route. This was good as we stopped at all the lookouts and even went to McKenzies Falls. McKenzies Falls is magnificent even though it's quite a hike down and back up again. In fact Alex suggested that they put an elevator at the bottom!!

The Halls Gap Bistro was our dinner venue Sunday night, which was okay and only 500 metres from the caravan park. Driving through the caravan park at night it was wonderful to see kangaroos and emu's just grazing through the grounds and oblivious to the fact humans were there.

Monday we ensure it was a fun day for the kids. Starting off at the Halls Gap Zoo and Wildlife Park we had a ball. The kids love animals, so of course they loved this place. I have to say it was well set out and relaxing to walk around. The Chameleon kept the kids entertained for quite a while as they were amazed with it's eyes. Both eyes are completely independent of each other and they can be pointed in different directions - funny to watch really I have to admit. The whole park was good, feeding the animals as we walked around but Alex didn't really liked being stalked by the deers who seemed to follow anyone with food! A quick stop for lunch at the Halls Gap Bakery and then it was on to 18 holes of Adventure Golf. That was good fun also, I cannot say that the scores were acurately written down especially as the ball was hit even if it hadn't stopped rolling - yes a little cheating happening here and there I think.

For dinner Monday evening we ate at Mings Oriental at the National Hotel in Stawell which was a Chinese and Australian Restaurant within a wonderful old hotel. It was the type of place you wouldn't expect to find, if you know what I mean? An Aussie Pub, where you walk through the lounge area to see a couple of regulars propped up at the bar drinking their pots of beer. Through the door to the dining room you entered an old style dining room with a little servery and this massive chalk written menu half filled with Chinese style dishes and the other classic Aussie dishes such as steak and chips, parma and chips, etc. We had the Chinese banquet and everyone enjoyed that. All the individual meals were good including the Mongolian Combination, Sizzling Garlic Prawns but Noel and I really enjoyed the Beef with Lemongrass and Chilli (we even got a choice of the temperature scale 1 - 14! We chose 10 and that was quite hot!) As you can tell we would recommend both these restaurants if you are ever in the area!

We packed up early Tuesday morning and was planning to spend the day doing something around Ballarat. The weather, however, had different plans with a fine drizzle meaning doing anything outside was off the cards. Instead we drove home, stopping for lunch at McDonald's much to the kids delight.

Reality set in Wednesday morning when we were back at work and school.....


My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Monday, March 01, 2010

Menu Plan Monday (27th Feb ~ 5th March)


As you have probably gathered by now, I LIVE for menu planning! By menu planning it ensures that we have a weeks worth of meals organised which is especially useful Monday through Friday when there is not much of the day left after finishing work, picking up the kids from school and having to deal with the tasks of homework, clothes washing, showers, etc., and to do without the hassle of worrying WHAT we are cooking for dinner each night. Honestly if I left deciding what’s for dinner until I go home we wouldn’t eat until midnight!!

OMG this week is looking all over the place especially with me travelling for work this week. I will be away two night (Tuesday and Wednesday) staying in both Albury and Wangaratta on my first official trip in my new job role. Needless to say that's what I have planned for the family on Tuesday and Wednesday nights - whether they have it or not is another story!! LOL!!

Mind you I will warn you next week will be even more scattered as we have a long weekend due to Labour Day here in Victoria and will be away Saturday through to Tuesday

Planned on the menu this week are....

Sunday ~ Roast Chicken, Vegetables and Gravy
Monday ~ Hamburgers and Homemade Wedges
Tue ~ I am away work travel/Leftover roast chicken for family
Wed ~ I am away work travel/Lamb Curry with steamed rice for family
Thu ~ Honey Mustard Pork Cutlets
Fri ~ Spaghetti Bolognaise

I know that our week starts on a Saturday but that’s just for the ease of fitting in with my grocery shopping which is normally done on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon. As usual more great menu ideas can be found at Menu Plan Monday over at I’m An Organising Junkie, don’t be shy pop over and have a look at other’s menu plans. You never know you may just find something different to have for dinner.

Some recipes for things we cook can be found over at our cooking blog, A Dash Of Flavour, normally posted after they have been cooked or just click on the links for each meal when they appear.

Happy cooking,

 

blogger templates | Make Money Online