Rhian and James

Rhian and James arrived last night and I must say it was BRILLIANT just to see them again.

They haven't changed a bit!! They are exactly as we remembered them. The kids as usual went all coy and shy at first but then within minutes had the outside meeting the rabbits and guinea pigs and chatting to them madly about schools, footy infact chatting about anything and everything.

A simple dinner of chicken curry and rice last night which went down a treat although late due to my constant need to keep talking to them myself!! Multitasking wasn't an option as I was engrossed in the fact that some of my family were with me and I was enjoying myself. Oliver ended up finishing off cooking the roti bread!! I think by that stage he was hungry too!!

After asking them both if there was something they wanted to do tonight - to which there wasn't, I asked if they fancied a lamb roast and Rhian's face lit up with a quick "That would be lovely!!" I knew that they would both be wanted a lovely home cooked meal after being on the road, travelling now for 4 weeks.

So on the menu tonight is lamb roast with all the trimmings and no doubt lots more conversation, catching up and reminising. It was great also as Jamie managed to come over and catch up with them. I know he was happy to catch up but it was a shame that he didn't have the boys this weekend.



Sadly they leave early tomorrow morning to fly to New Zealand. I would have loved for them to stay longer but it is good that they chose to share some of their special travel time with us... and as you can probably tell we all enjoyed it.

Thanks Rhian and James for spending some precious time with us..... no tears in the morning!!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

New pets...

On Monday whilst at the pet shop purchasing some new plants for the fish tank the cutest guinea pig was spotted whilst walking past the enclosure. A tiny little thing it was, white with different brown coloured patches and only 6 weeks old.

That guinea pig, now named Patch, was purchased within minutes of the kids putting on the adorable "can I please have" eyes in the direction of their father!! Unfortunately there wasn't another female rabbit at that pet shop to even up the numbers.

So we left Passion for Pets armed with one guinea pig, 4 snails (for the fish tank) and 2 plants. And that's when all the driving around Melbourne started....

The next pet shop had a gorgeous fawn coloured rabbit, also six weeks old, a dwarf lop and Alex was in love. This rabbit also came with a nice price tag of $70 - yep you read correctly $70. Convinced we could find another cute rabbit that wasn't as expensive we then went to another 2 pet shops, only to be disappointed by the types and sex of the rabbits they had on offer.

Needless to say we returned to the little fawn coloured rabbit several hours later and her name is Muffin!


After our expensive adventure to buy plants for the fish tank we now have two happy children and two more additions to our family!!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Menu Plan Monday (24th April - 30th April)

We had a long weekend here and although I have somewhat menu planned it's not great as we are once again facing a very busy week. So forgive me for this quick post this morning before I dash out the door for work (travelling today).

Here is how our menu is looking this week:

Saturday ~ The Spice Club (Noel's birthday)

Sunday ~ Garlic Chicken Balls and Macaroni Cheese

Monday ~ Marinated Beef Ribs

Tue ~ Creamy Paprika Chicken

Wed ~ Homemade Pizzas

Thu ~ Japanese Beef Curry with Steamed Rice
Fri ~ Roast Lamb with all the trimmings

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

Reconnecting with family......

I had forgotten to mention something special that has happened to me in the last couple of weeks, with everything that is going on I still cannot believe that I haven't blogged about it.

My cousin Anthony made contact with me!!

It was a nice surprise when opening my email one morning there was an email from Anthony. I have to say that it pleasantly made my day. I have been emailing with his mam, my aunty Marea, for awhile now so I thank her for passing on my email addy forward. Anthony is my cousin, on my mam's side of the family - one of the Lewis brood!!

Anthony and I haven't spoken since we were 18 when I went back to Wales (which I actually don't remember but he does) and before that my last memory of contact was when we were 8. So we will have a lot of catching up to do, that's for sure!!

Anthony is currently serving in the British Army and based in Muscat, Oman. He has done really well with his career in the army, serving for just over 20 years now, and is currently a Training Advisor for the Omani Armed Forces. I have always been proud of him, although we haven't had any personal contact. We have always heard about his adventures on the family grapevine. His wife Rachel and their two children, Ellis(8) and Ffion(6) are there also. Rachel is a Teaching Assistant at the British School in Muscat.

Then came the next surprise - they are coming to Australia!!!

They will be over here for 5 weeks, arriving at the end of July. In fact the flights have been booked and I must say circled on my calendar. This is brilliant. They are flying into Melbourne, want to visit Sydney and Brisbane during their stay here also.

Speaking of visitors, Rhian and James are meant to be in Melbourne next weekend. I have known about their upcoming visit Down Under since New Years, so it will be great to see them also. We last saw Rhian (my second cousin from the Davies side) and her husband James when they visited us maybe 7 years ago now. Oliver vaguely remembers them but Alexandria was too young. They are only planning to stay with us for a few nights but that doesn't matter as it will be great just to catch up.

A little birdy has told me that Dennis and Pam are looking at coming for a visit in September but it hasn't been confirmed.... they are wanting to go to Brisbane as well as Melbourne. Dennis is my cousin from the Davies clan and actually Rhian's dad. It's been quite awhile since we saw them also... Oliver was only a baby when they visited Australia last time.

Needless to say I will have to keep the linen clean at the Hotel da Murray for when we have reservations.... LOL!!!!


My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Menu Plan Monday (17th April - 23rd April)

I am running behind with this week's menu and unfortunately not many finished products are being blogged of late - but it is the busy part of the football season. All the registrations, paperwork and everything needs to be in order and our 6 teams took to the field on Sunday kicking off the first round for 2010. It was good to watch both Oliver and Alex play footy again.

Here is how our menu is looking this week - must try and get some recipes up on A Dash of Flavour from this week's listed items.

Saturday ~ Beef Wellington

Sunday ~ Chicken Adobo with steamed rice

Monday ~ Beef Taco's with salad

Tue ~ Ham, Corn and Cheese Pasta Pie

Wed ~ Lamb with Redcurrant Sauce

Thu ~ Pork Apple and Thyme Meatballs
Fri ~ Seafood and Vegetable Parcels

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 ~ 10th April to 16th April 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 week marks the return of some normality in the house with school resuming today. However it's also such a busy week for us also. I have a Committee Meeting Tuesday night and the kids have an extra training session on Tuesday also as we have two members from the St Kilda football club coming down to do some drills with the younger kids and also have a chat with the older players to give them some game play tips, encouragement etc. Not sure who the players are just yet - we are actually hoping to find out today. I have a few other things going on as well after work. As usual tonight is weigh-in night at Weight Watchers and as usual I don't want to go!! Then I have an appointment on Thursday night and before we know it the weekend will be upon us.

Having a lot of trouble sticking with our planned menu's lately - hoping we can do better this week as we have some delish meals on the menu:

Saturday ~ Pesto and Chilli Oysters ~ Oysters with Vodka Salsa

Sunday ~ Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Monday ~ Braised Steak and Vegetables Pot Pies

Tue ~ Pork Apple and Thyme Meatballs with Pasta

Wed ~ Sweet and Spicy Chicken with Steamed Rice and Vegetables

Thu ~ Veal with Tomato and Spinach, Potatoes and Steamed Vegetables
Fri ~ Seafood and Vegetable 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,

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Menu Plan Monday (3rd April - 9th April)

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.

One more week remaining of school holidays and then it's back to normality with the kids back to school and more importantly back home with us.

They are off to Nana and Grandad's again for a few nights this week as Noel and I are still working while they are off school. The lucky ducks will be treated to a holiday down the coast with their grandparents, which will be good for them and also good for Nana and Grandad to get away.... cross fingers that my two angels (monsters LOL) behave themselves.

We had a busy weekend with Easter and due to some change in plans we ended up being all over the place with our menu. The Lynbrook hotel was nice on Saturday night with Vera, her boyfriend Paul and all the families. The kids were well behaved but as usual I ate too much.

Our usual family Easter Sunday lunch didn't eventuate this year with everything that has been happening, which I must say felt quite weird not seeing the family during this time. Nana and Grandad wanted some quiet time (for which I do not blame them) while Sean and Vicky already had plans to go to Vicky's family for the day. We didn't end up doing a great deal at all, the usual Easter Egg hunt, Nana and Grandad popped in and that was about all. To be honest, not in the mood for a huge Easter dinner we ended up with a pasta dish while watching a movie.

Spending the day out yesterday was great - just the four of us. We ended up at Phillip Island, somewhere we haven't been for awhile. Lunch was at an old-style pub, The Isle Of Wight, in Cowes where the meal was huge therefore leaving us not wanting much for dinner. Dinner ended up being "grab your own" where the kids had frozen dinners and I had some french breadstick and butter!!!

However this is how our week was planned - cross fingers we can stay on track for the remainder of the week:

Saturday ~ Lynbrook Hotel with Vera, Paul and families

Sunday ~ Creamy Tomato, Chicken and Mushroom Pasta
Monday ~ Isle Of Wight Hotel, Cowes, for lunch so grab your own dinner

Tue ~ Roast Rack of Pork with all the trimmings

Wed ~ Carribean Lamb and Sweet Potato Curry with Steamed Rice

Thu ~ Chilli Ginger Teriyaki Beef with Noodles
Fri ~ Sticky Lemongrass Pork Patties with Steamed Rice and Asian Vegetables

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

School holidays again.....

Well we are pretty much in the middle of the school holidays and Easter has been thrown into the two week break as well which I do like the idea of.

Noel and I are working through the holidays (as usual) but are looking forward to spending the 4 day long weekend with the kids. They have been at Nana and Grandad's this week and will be back up there next week - even though Oliver believes he is old enough to stay at home by himself now that he is 12!!

The house once again has been quiet all week in the evenings but Noel is getting a chance to get a few early nights and relax from all the overtime he has been doing latey. As for me, I am catching up on a few things along with just relaxing also.

Tonight the house will be filled with chatter, laughter and hopefully no arguments as the kids return. There is always a buzz in the air when the four of us have been seperated especially for a few days......

Cannot wait to see my babies (sorry Ollie) again.....

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com