The demolishing of the Gingerbread House.

Yep it was time... time to demolish the gingerbread house that has taken prime position on our dining room table since Christmas.

I had promised the Ricardo boys that we would all do it together... so after a bbq dinner of home made hamburgers (Noel's specialty) .....

And then it was on...... each and everyone taking a turn.....

The house ended up like this:



Oh well it was enjoy and I guess we will just have to build another one this year.

Walkathon Pink Fairy Princess

Today Ballam Park Primary School had there annual walkathon and all the classes had a different colour theme... Alex's class theme was pink!

Alex did really well completing the whole walkathon (10 laps) in the heat of the Melbourne.  It was 33 degrees, very muggy and she was exhausted by the time she got home!!

Well done to our PINK FAIRY PRINCESS!!!

Junior Masterchef at work

Oliver decided he would cook dinner tonight.  Although it was a spur of the moment decision by him, limited ingredients the outcome was achieved - a yummy dinner that both he and Alex enjoyed!

Daniel's 2nd Birthday

WOW

Happy 2nd Birthday Daniel

Daniel's birthday was celebrated at Edithvale reserve.  Thankfully the rain held off (a few spits here and there) but an enjoyable day was had by one and all.

Our baby birds....

Mother nature has done her incredible task again...... producing baby birds this time.

There are 4 in the nest!

Menu Plan Monday (30th October - 4th November)

It's Melbourne Cup week here which was when we were meant to be going camping but unfortunately with the weather that was forecast and not finding the "perfect" campsite we chose not to go away and have delayed our plans until the Christmas/New Year period.

So with being home, Noel working and the kids at school this what's on this week's menu:

Saturday ~ Moroccan Lamb Shanks
Sunday ~ Homemade Hamburgers with the Lot, Caramelised Capsicum Relish, Mustard and Herb Roast Potato Bites
Monday ~ Roast Chicken with mashed potato, vegetables and gravy
Tue ~ Pork and Coriander Dumplings in Spicy Asian Broth
Wed ~ Lasagne, Salad and Garlic Brea
Thu ~ Baked Chicken and Mushroom Crepes
Fri ~ Spicy Pork Stir Fry

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,

Jo xx

Our first outdoor dinner for Spring

Tonight we had our first bbq for Spring sitting outside as it was a nice mild night.....  The bbq and the chef got a good work out as hamburgers with the lot were on the menu!

Putting the burger together... a mission and a half!

It was nice night sitting outside.

Hamburgers with the Lot, Caramelised Capsicum Relish, Mustard and Herb Roast Potato Bites - YUM!!

It's a man's job....

My car had a flat tyre by Sunday so Noel was about to change it over and Ollie decided to help out...

Well done lads... all fixed.

A Murray family picnic in the park - Sean's birthday

day we spent a lovely afternoon in the park to celebrate Sean's birthday - lots of fun!!

All of these were taken at Chelsea Park - a beautiful spot for a picnic and has lots of playground for the kids.

Off on a small adventure.... looking for a campsite

Today the kids and I are off on a mini adventure - in search of a campsite for next weekend's camping trip.

Should be really fun considering the choice will be up to us - Noel is at work so we will just have to hope for the best considering no-one will be camping this weekend and there is the chance that all sites will be full next weekend especially if the weather is good.

These photos were taken near O'Briens Crossing in Lerderderg State Park, Victoria.

Menu Plan Monday (22nd October - 29th October

Here is what's on this week's menu:

Saturday ~ Mexican Pizza
Sunday ~ Chinese BBQ Pork/Peking Duck Rolls
Monday ~ Steak with Herb Stuffed Mushrooms
Tue ~ Beef Tacos with salad
Wed ~ Prawn Biryani
Thu ~ Chinese Take Away
Fri ~ Chicken Parmiagana 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,

Jo xx

Menu Plan Monday (15th October - 21st October)

Cannot believe another week is nearly over and once again I am late posting our weekly menu.  We have been busy both on the work/school front as well as the personal side.  At the moment we are getting ready to go camping on the Melbourne Cup Long Weekend.... not only are we finding all of our camping bits and bobs but also trying to find a nice bush location to camp that is not full of motorbike riders, yobbo's or still recovering from the bush fires.

Saying this - here is what's on this week's menu:

Saturday ~ Kasturi Indian Restaurant Frankston
Sunday ~ Chargrilled T Bone Steaks with Coconut Chilli Sauce
Monday ~ Slow Cooked Cider and Herb Braised Beef Ribs
Tue ~ Oven bake fish and chips
Wed ~ Chicken with Prosciutto, Blue Cheese and Semi Dried Tomatoes
Thu ~ Pasta Milano
Fri ~ Mince Beef Curry with 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,

Jo xx

A Family BBQ

We had a lovely evening with all the family at Mam and Dad's house tonight.

Dad focused on cooking the BBQ

Christian having  look at his Uncle Noel and that shirt!

A huge cuddle for Uncle Noel

What a cutie Daniel is!

Another nice evening together.  Charlie slept through the whole event so sadly no new photos of her tonight!  Next time I guess.....