Menu Plan Monday (19th June ~ 25th June)

It's becoming a regular thing to be posting my Menu Plan Monday on Wednesday when I really did the planning nearly a week earlier... ggggrrrr I have to stop being so busy.

Friday is a strange day for us. Oliver has a night match for his football this week and it's also Noel's mam's birthday and they have planned to go to The Waltzing Matilda to celebrate. I am taking Ollie to his game and we will grab a Lamb Souvlaki after the game and Noel will take Alex to the birthday dinner. This is the first time we have even done this ... normally it would be one or the other and we all go together but junior football is normally on a Sunday and there isn't always the chance to play under lights on a Friday night so he wants to play.... and so he should!!

This is what has been menu planned this week:

Saturday ~ Pork Tenderloin with Pistashio, Apple and Fennel Stuffing

Sunday ~ Butter Chicken with Steamed Rice

Monday ~ Tandoori Mushrooms, Balti Prawns

Tue ~ Chelsea Heights Hotel

Wed ~ Home Made Pizza

Thu ~ Beef Paprikish and mashed potatoes

Fri ~ Waltzing Matilda for Noel and Alex, Lamb Souvlaki for Jo and Oliver

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!!

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,

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Another busy weekend....

Nothing seems to be at a relaxed pace at the moment. Maybe it's because it is nearly half way through the year, winter is definitely upon us with the cold mornings, the darkness creeping in early and of course there is the rain.

My posting is becoming eratic due to this busy period and it's upsetting me that I am not sharing things with you all as they are happening. Saying that here is a round up of what we have been doing.

Last Friday night Alex had her friend Rhiannon come over for a sleepover... this meant that the girls were going to be taking over the house, giggling, sleeping in the loungeroom, etc and this provided Ollie with the perfect excuse to take off to his mates house again. Noel also followed lead and went to watch the football over at Dave's leaving me to have a girls night in with a couple of 9 year olds!!

And of course there was a pillow fight....


Saturday came and went just as quick with the usual cleaning, washing, etc along with picking up one child and dropping another home. A nice dinner followed by an early start Sunday morning for the kid's football. Thankfully both teams played at home so it was a short journey this week.

There was drizzle during Alex's game and she played really well, as usual giving 100% effort showing she really enjoys playing the sport. Oliver's game was a good game to watch. He is really started to find himself within the team and he managed to kick a point this week. The oval was very muddy after 3 other teams played on it - can you tell?

Unfortunately they were beaten by Chelsea and the boys were disappointed. Although they lost to Chelsea the last time they faced each other, the result this time wasn't as bad showing signs that our boys have improved.


I have spent the last two days driving to Kilmore for work... 2 hour each way and through the city traffic. But it was a productive 2 days which is the main thing but I am very tired as I really don't like driving. That's funny considering driving is a huge component of my job!! LOL!!

Last night was brilliant. We went out for dinner at the Chelsea Heights Hotel with Kelee, Rohan, Kyhal and Gemma, Roger was over from Perth, Marg (Kelee's mam) and another friend Carol. OMG I haven't seen Marg since Scott's funeral and then it wasn't a social visit if you understand what I mean? And Carol well I am still struggling trying to think when the last time we saw each was. I think it must have been nearly 20 years ago. What a blast - I am sure a great night was had by one and all!! Marg looked great and I have promised her that we will all catch up again when Mam comes down from Qld at the end of July.

Definitely early to bed tonight!!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Menu Plan Monday (11th June ~ 18th June)

Once again another busy week plus we had a long weekend here to celebrate the Queen's Birthday and as we all know how hard it is to get back to routine once you are out of whack. Can you tell I am having troubles considering it's Wednesday and I am just posting our menu now?

This is what has been menu planned this week:

Saturday ~ Curry House Restaurant, Carrum Downs

Sunday ~ Venison and Bacon Casserole with Mashed Potatoes

Monday ~ Amy's Restaurant, Dingley International

Tue ~ Chargrilled T-Bone Steaks, Potato Carrot and Onion Bake, Steamed Vegetables

Wed ~ Pork Stuffed Capsicums

Thu ~ Sweet Chilli Chicken Pasta

Fri ~ Curried Prawns and Steamed Rice

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!!

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,

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Menu Plan Monday (5th June - 11th June)

I cannot believe it's time to menu plan again. The weeks are becoming a blur.... and the weekends well they just go even faster.

This is what has been menu planned this week:

Saturday ~ Dim Sum Scallops, Garlic and Coriander Prawns, Pork Belly Two Ways - Char Sui & Chilli and Garlic

Sunday ~ Chicken and Corn Pot Pies

Monday ~ Pasta Bake (kids) Rib Eye Steak and Vegetables (Adults

Tue ~ Chicken Pizziola with Steamed Vegetables

Wed ~ Satay Pork Burgers with Sweet Potato Wedges

Thu ~ Steak Dianne, Creamy Potato Bake and Vegetables

Fri ~ Fish of the Day with Basil Cream Sauce and Steamed Vegetables

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!!

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,

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

A weekend of footy and quality time.....

Where did the weekend go??? AGAIN!!

Friday night we took the kids along with Bailey and Kayla to watch our Under 16's play a night match against Seaford under lights at Seaford's home ground. It was quite cold but the atmosphere of the night game was brilliant. Both teams played really well, infact some would say that the Bulls were beater but sadly were beaten, with Seaford playing better and kicking a quick few goals in the last quarter.

Saturday was the usual - cleaning, shopping, etc with Noel and Oliver having a look at the TV antenna and Oliver venturing into the roof to help his father out. After a moment of terror of going into the unknown Oliver actually thought the adventure was 'cool' and would happily go into the roof again! Saturday night we had an asian feast for dinner with us all cooking an element of the meal. Oliver made Dim Sum Scallops, Alex made Garlic and Coriander Prawns and Noel made Pork Belly Two Ways - Char Sui and Chilli and Garlic. It was a great night just the four of us enjoying each others company and food!


Up first thing Sunday, as usual for the Under 9's football match. Both Alex and Oliver had away matches this weekend. Alex played Frankston Rovers at Bruce Park and had a great game even though the ground was wet and muddy. In fact our little princess did a terrific mark and kicked her first goal.


Here Alex is lining up here goal after her mark.... of course I was too excited to take photo's during her actually doing both!!


And here is here little excited "I got a goal" look!!!

There were lots of magpies around at Bruce Park. This one, not quite an adult but the tinge of grey through it's feathers at the back, sat and watched right near the goal square where we were all standing watching Alex play brilliant football (geeez I am a one-eye Alex supporter!!! LOL!!!)


This is Alex's boots after an hour of footy....... I thought only little boys liked the mud!


Oliver's game was great also playing against Carrum Downs. Oliver found a little anger in him with was actually great to see him stand up for himself when confronted by another player. Sadly they lost the match but played better than the last time they faced this team.


And his friend Jai has really made himself at home on the field.

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

A very late Menu Plan Monday (29th May - 4th June)

Saturday we had no plans and I really didn't fancy spending the day cleaning although I should have done just that as while we gallavanted around the city all day the cleaning fairies definitely didn't pay our house a visit!!

On the good side though we all had a great day in the city having lunch on Southbank, visiting the National Gallery of Victoria and just enjoying spending the quality time together.

Sunday was footy footy and more footy!! And voila it's Monday again - and this is what has been menu planned this week:

Saturday ~ Kon Thai Restaurant

Sunday ~ Thai Beef with Chilli Caramel Sauce

Monday ~ Spaghetti Carbonara

Tue ~ Roast Beef with Yorkshire Puddings, Vegetables and Gravy

Wed ~ Apricot Ginger Chicken, Steamed Rice and Vegetables

Thu ~ Springtime Lamb Casserole

Fri ~ Herb and Spice Steamed Fish, asian greens

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!!

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,

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com