It's nearly April..... already???

I am sitting here early on a Saturday morning, the kids are snoozing and hubby is at work. The quietness gives me time to reflect on the world that is whizzing past me so fast, at times I feel like I am not breathing in enough or out enough - it's just too fast paced at the moment. 

Within a blink of an eye we now have a 17 year old boy - a gorjus one at that BUT OMG 17!!  Where the hell did that time go??

So with that we celebrate a birthday - one with his Nana and Grandad and another with his cousin.  There will be a third one later with the mates!!

Yes Raspberry Self Saucing Pudding for his birthday cake..... hahahaha the simple things.

Dad even wrote nice things on the card and even the envelope.  Very loving yet surprising!

Happy Birthday to Me xx

Yes today is my birthday... and without telling you how old I turned all I said to my work collegues is that "I am 18 with 24 years experience"!!  LOL funny I know but a woman never openly admits her age.

I did have to work with it being the start of the year and the month, not to mention the fact that there is a shit load of work to be done.

My boss, Veronica, gave me my first present of the day!!!  A beautiful bottle of perfume and a nice polka dot make up bag.  We then had a really nice lunch over at the Sandbelt Hotel in Moorabbin.  Veronica enjoyed the Atlantic Salmon while I had Thai Mussels (1kg of local black mussels stewed in a coconut, lime and coriander influenced stock served with crusty bread) and they were lush

Headed home still full from lunch I knew I was being taken out for dinner with the family and my mam.  We had chosen to go to Redwood Gardens Chinese and it was probably the nicest Chinese I have ever been to - and my mam thought the same.

I have to say I had a enjoyable day and felt very special xxx

Nana's birthday

Today is Nana's birthday, Noel's mam.

This year we won't get to see her as both Mam and Dad are on their way to Tweed Heads for a relaxing holiday.  We did celebrate the other week with all the family up at their house for dinner. 

So a phone call this morning wishing her a wonderful day filled with love and laughter is this year's celebration.  Great chatting with her this morning.  She was really happy with our Happy Birthday serenade.... lol laughing as we probably hurt her ears!!

~ Happy Birthday Nana ~

Happy Birthday Noel....

Happy Birthday 

to my wonderful husband Noel 

and to our wonderful dad..... 

We are wishing you a great day (sorry we both have to work and the kids had to go to school) but we want you to know that we all love you with all of our hearts.

Looking forward to having a yummy dinner and spending quality time with you at Kasturi's in Frankston - your favourite place....

Hip Hip Hooray for you today and everyday...

Love always Jo, Oliver and Alexandria xxxxx

Oliver's Birthday Dinner

We all went to the Frankston RSL to celebrate Oliver's 14th birthday as a family, Kirraly came with us also.

It was a nice relaxed evening... I am sure that we all enjoyed ourselves.

Alex's 11 th birthday

Today our little princess turned 11.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX xxxx

She had a huge night last night with her birthday party and having 3 of her friends sleeping over.  We waited until her friends left to give her our presents as as you can tell she was impressed with her new TV with built in DVD player from us.

To celebrate her birthday the Murray family went to our favourite Indian Restaurant, Kasturi, in Frankston.  The meal as usual was brilliant and Alex enjoyed being surround and spoiled by the family.

It was a big weekend for all of us, especially Alex - she was exhausted.

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.

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.

Wesley's birthday

We caught up with Jamie and the boys yesterday which was great as it was recently Wesley's birthday on Thursday.

They came over for lunch which became dinner due to the fact we were running behind all day!! (I guess it was just one of those days - I know we have all had them, right?)

Anyway we had a nice afternoon.... the kids played well and I must say I got lots of hugs and kisses from both Wesley and Angus. We had a beautiful roast beef cooked on the weber and 36 yorkshire puddings which disappeared almost instantly.



Checking the progress of the next dozen Yorkshire puddings....(yes my oven light is broken!!)

Caught - Yorkshire Pudding bandits in the kitchen!!!

This followed by a Berry and Coconut Birthday cake ensured that none of us were hungry afterwards.

Great catching up with the boys as usual :)

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Ok so now I am a grown up....

I confess Saturday saw me reach the big "40" and yes I celebrated in style with a party! Needless to say I actually let my hair down and thoroughly enjoyed myself with the party finishing around 3am-ish. Of course I drank too much champagne and didn't eat enough but it's only going to happen once - the 40th that is!!


I think it may be time I grow up, what do you think?

Actually these photos were taken in the wee hours of Sunday morning and it wasn't like this all night. It was a really nice night with finger food to start, a spit with beef and pork, vegetables, cauliflower cheese and gravy followed by heaps of desserts. Noel and mam did a wonderful job and attempted to keep me out of the kitchen and away from the cooking.

Shall post some more photos when I can......

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

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

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

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

Wed ~ Köttbullar and Gräddsås (Swedish Meatballs with Cream Gravy) with mashed potatoes

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,

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

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.....

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Over a week gone already!!!!

I just cannot believe that it's the 9th of January and one week plus a few days of this New Year has passed already.

So what have the Murray's been up to? To be honest we haven't done a great deal really although we have done a few things worth mentioning... lol!!!

Last Sunday (the 3rd) we went to the Balnarring Races with Mam, Jamie and the boys. Normally as it's the first race meet of the year all the family go to celebrate my birthday but this year as the meet was earlier than normal we decided that it would be nice if it was just us, Jamie and all the grandkids for Mam's sake. Basically it was so Mam could spend more quality time with them.

~ Back left to right ~ Stuart, 9, and Kyle, 11 ~

~ Front left to right ~ Alexandria, 8, Wesley, 5, Angus, 3 and Oliver, 12 ~

It was a great day, the weather wasn't overly hot but as usual it was good atmosphere and good company. Jamie is getting more relaxed each time he is with us... I guess now that the settlement from the sale of the house is over a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. I still think it's great he wants us to be a part of the boys lives.

We took the small weber with us this time and had a bbq - sausages and steak. Noel did the honours of cooking again - he is just too good!!

Yesterday was my birthday - 39 years old... OMG next year is a big one!! Noel, Mam and the kids brought me a treadmill for my birthday. Yey something that I wanted and something I will use definitely in my quest for the new lighter and healthier Jo this year!! Most of the family went to the Lynbrook Hotel for lunch. A nice place to eat at and an all you can eat buffet, which always delights Noel and the kids especially when you can help yourself.

Honestly I wasn't feeling too well (having stomach problems again) before we went, but I put on a brave face and went. Jamie was in a fantastic mood, chatting away and telling us what he's been up to, Mam and Dad were quite quiet and as the afternoon transpired the atmosphere of the day just wasn't great either. Sean and Christian came but arrived late, Vicky and Daniel stayed at home as Vicky wasn't coping to well yesterday, so that topic fill most of the lunch conversation which actually put a depressing tinge on my birthday luncheon although everyone managed to smile for Alex taking photo's with her new camera.

I don't want to sound selfish but that's how it felt. I understand what Vicky and Sean are going through is life altering and huge but as Mam M said to Sean "if it's actually that bad why are you here? Shouldn't you be at home with your wife?" hhhhmmmmm I knew I should have just stayed at home!! Crossing fingers that they work out things soon.

Oh well my birthday is over now..... thank God!! Only another 364 days until I have another one.

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com