Anniversaries, Dinosaurs, Cars, Seafood and the Beach...

What a HUGE weekend we have just had....... and I must say it's the best one we have had for a long time..... just the four of us.

Saturday was our 17th Wedding Anniversary and while we said we weren't going to make a huge fuss about the day we ended up doing just that. It all started on Thursday night when Noel took me out for dinner at Gingseng Modern Asian Restaurant in Frankston, which was really nice. The kids were staying the night up at Nana and Grandad's so it was just the two of us.

Saturday was our actual wedding anniversary so we exchanged our gifts in the relaxed bedroom atmosphere.....



Noel was given a socket set and a screwdriver set (real romantic but that's what he wanted) and I was truly spoiled... I cried!! A new handbag, a french cookbook, a foodies guide to Melbourne, a bottle of Versace Woman and a brilliant anniversary card which was musical and sang "you're my best friend"!!!



God I love my man and my new handbag!!!

We spent the rest of Saturday morning shopping at Springvale, buying seafood for our celebration dinner - a seafood platter.

On the way from Springvale to Moorabbin we came across a dinosaur - a Triceratops in fact. Thankfully he was the friendly type. (Actually it was just an ornament in a nursery!!)



Then we went to the USA Food Shop in Moorabbin - this would have to be the kids favourite shop due to all the imported lollies etc from the States.

Before heading home we stopped at Shannon's. A place full of expensive boys toys... cars!!! Collector's cars. Shannon's is a company that insures vehicles but it also is somewhat of a showroom housing collectors cars as well as auctioning them.




Obviously the boys were in their elements.

Saturday afternoon was also the Grand Final ... St Kilda vs Collingwood. We sat down and watched the game only for it to be a draw. No extra time is given in AFL Football so this means that there is a second Grand Final next Saturday... I actually thought "FINAL" meant "LAST OR END" but obviously it doesn't!!

Although disappointed by the outcome of the final we still celebrated our wedding anniversary with our seafood platter..... yum!!!




Sunday was another family day and the weather was gorgeous. The kids cleaned the rabbit hutch which then turned into a water fight... guns blazing.



After another round of seafood for lunch we headed out for a nice walk along the Frankston foreshore walking from the pier to Oliver's Hill and back again.






Dinner was at Kelly's at Cranbourne and really topped off the weekend..... back to work today!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Official office attire.....

Today I decided with it being Friday and the day before the AFL Grand Final I would accessorise my office attire with nothing other than a St Kilda scarf!!

Pretty professional hey?

GO THE MIGHTY SAINTS!!

Menu Plan Monday (18th Sept ~ 24th Sept)

Alright now that football's over and there are only a few weeks of (somewhat) normality before the Festive Season of Christmas begins.... we still have lots to do between now and then with the calendar looking ridicuously full.

I am at home this week which is good. No travel, no motels, no restaurant foods.... so thankfully for me I will enjoy the time back in the kitchen as sad as that may sound to others.

This week we have planned some really yummy meals....

Saturday ~ Nazz & Steve's 40th party, pasta bake for the kids

Sunday ~ Roast Pork Rib, Baked Potatoes, Mushy Peas, Carrots, Broccoli and Gravy

Monday ~ Eggs, Beans and Chips (homemade of course)
Tue ~ Crunchy Nut Chicken, Cauliflower Au Gratin, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Vegetables

Wed ~ Springtime Lamb Casserole

Thu ~ Steak Diane with Crispy Potatoes and Salad

Fri ~ Herb and Spice Steamed Fish with Asian Coleslaw

Baking:

Puff Dogs

Spinach Thyme and Parmesan Muffins

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 huge weekend and two new members of the Murray family....

Although the 2010 Junior Football Season is officially over now... we are still flat out.

This weekend saw us all celebrating Steve and Nazz's 40th birthdays which I believe I did in style... lol a little too much champagne for moi!! But it was a great night with lots of friends, food and alcohol.

Sunday was a lazy day with cleaning, baking up a storm with Alex in the kitchen (spinach, thyme and parmesan muffins and puff dogs) followed by a trip to the pet shop only to come home with 2 baby budgies and some bird accessories.

Here are the newest members to the Murray family..... no names as yet as we are waiting to see if they are boys or girls!! The yellow one is Oliver's and the blue one is Alex's.

This house is turning into a zoo!!!!! 2 rabbits, 2 guinea pigs, 3 fish, 2 budgies and 2 children.... lol!!!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Learning to drive......

Today is going to be a very interesting day.......

This afternoon I am learning to drive! But I am not learning to drive a car - I am learning to drive this ~

Actually it's a machine similar to this! It's actually the next model up a 980H but I didn't have a photo of one of them.

What do you think??????

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Zumba ~ OMG!!!

OMG I have not done something so fun and interesting in a long time. Needless to say I thouroughly enjoyed going to Zumba last night with Tanya.

Not only did I laugh my ar$e off, was totally unco-ordinated, couldn't get the gist of some of the moves but I actually managed to work up a sweat. Today I am feeling okay, not as sore as I asumed I would be!

Mind you saying that don't think I will be sporting this look any time soon!! Not that there is anything wrong with it..... it just wouldn't suit my current shape at the moment!!! LMAO!!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Menu Plan Monday (11th Sept ~ 17th Sept)

I am hoping that I can stay home this week and this week and actually cook something. We have been very busy lately and the menu planning has definitely been absent from our house. With a bit of luck this week will be settled and we can resume some normality!!

So, here it is... our menu plan for the week:

Saturday ~ Mustard Marinated Kangaroo, Mashed Sweet Potato and Vegetables

Sunday ~ Thai Mussels

Monday ~ Beef Tacos and Buritos
Tue ~ Tandoori Chicken Parcels and Salad

Wed ~ Beef Pho (Vietnamese Beef and Noodle Soup)

Thu ~ Pork Canneloni with salad

Fri ~ Fish and Homemade Chips

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

Too busy to stop and think....

Yes we certainly have been too busy to stop and think let alone spend time doing my favourite thing... blogging!!

Where do I start to catch up...

We held the finals at the Junior Football Club again this year so that was an extra 4 weeks added to the season not to mention another 4 weeks on long days and hard work. We did well as a club raising over $23000 for the club to put towards the Building fund of our new clubrooms. After the day of Round 2 when all was finished and winding up for the day, Alex fell over in the change rooms only to fracture her left arm and required another trip to the hospital. Thankfully only a greenstick fracture but that was enough to qualify her for having 3 plasters in 3 years now with hurting both wrists and a foot!


Anthony and Rachel returned from their trip to New South Wales and Brisbane to spend only the one night with us, which we all thoroughly enjoyed by relaxing and having dinner at the Seaford Hotel. The hotel serves a good meal but has a great play room area for the kids.



They have returned to Oman, all vowing to keep in touch especially Alex and Ffion who are going to write to each other. Cross fingers to see what the outcome of Anthony's employment renogiation meeting brings in December.

Once again I have been with work, travelling all around country Victoria. I am starting to get over the novelty of travelling especially in the bad weather. Mind you my last trip to Brisbane, just last week, was different with 5 days of training on a new computer transaction that will help the country concrete plants and quarries utilise SAP more.






Sadly I didn't get a chance to go up to Bribie to visit my mam as it was a team building exercise set by the company. Having breakfast through to dinner with everyone attending to form a group of Super Users who knew each other. And I must say we certainly did get to know each other!!

Sunday saw the last official function for the football club this year. The Annual General Meeting and the Presentations. I was re-elected as Treasurer for the 4th year now, which I am happy about as it's something that I do enjoy doing!

We also found out some very special news this week, Clare and Grahame are going to be parents!! Congratulations to them and I hope they enjoy every moment of what's to come! Yay I am going to be an aunty again and of course Alex is praying for a girl to end the boy monopoly in our family!! No matter girl or boy as long as he/she is healthy that's all that matters!!

So for now (well this week anyways) it is back to normal and getting the house sorted etc as Dennis and Pam will be visiting with us and it will be Christmas before we know it!!!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Menu Plan Monday (7th Aug - 13th Aug)

BUSY BUSY BUSY and out of routine can be the only way to describe the last few weeks... but I have enjoyed every moment of it.

Reality has come back to bite us though with the fact that even though we have been having a ball, we need the structure and routines that comes with running our household. Dinner has been all over the shop with cooking meals late, not knowing what to have so the good old menu planner was completed this week and shall be followed.

A couple of repeat dishes this week and we are going out for dinner on Thursday night but this is what I have planned for our menu this week:

Saturday ~ Salt and Pepper Calamari, Prawn Hacao

Sunday ~ Spaghetti Bolognaise & Garlic Bread

Monday ~ Honey Soy Chicken Tenderloins for kids/Kung Pao Chicken for adults
Tue ~ Beef Stroganoff with Pasta

Wed ~ Chargrilled Pork Cutlets, Sweet Potato Mash and Steamed Vegetables

Thu ~ The Waltzing Matilda Hotel

Fri ~ Chicken and Corn Canneloni

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 weekly round up.....

We are still running around like busy bees.... OMG it just doesn't stop but it is BRILLIANT!!! I love being surrounded by family and friends and keeping busy!!

So as you have noticed my poor blogs have been left on the sidelines and are only getting enough attention to write quick weekly round ups!! Sorry!!

This week saw us all going out for dinner on Wednesday night to The Seaford Hotel... what a fantastic evening we all had. Noel and Jamie get along really well with Anthony.

The kids chatted away, had their dinner and then played in the playground!


Anthony enjoyed his rib eye steak... and yes after the photo he used his knife and fork!


Angus thought this was quite funny!


A nice photo of all the kids together....


And then the silly face one!!


Friday, Anthony and Rachel and the kids came over for dinner.... a nice quiet evening that saw Anthony, Noel and myself going to be around the 4ish mark Saturday morning.

Noel picked them up from the hotel so both Rachel and Anthony could have a drink and relax. We had arranged for both Ellis and Ffion to stay the night but the four ended up kipping at our house.


Rachel had complained on Wednesday night about Anthony's snoring (definitely must be a Lewis trait as Mam snores and I admit, so do I!!). Noel brought Rachel home a present such a generous fellow I married.... she was a little worried at first but it made her scream with laughter.....




Mind you they are meant to be ear plugs???

Dinner went down a treat.....


Cooking outside on the weber and as you can see a few more laughs.




But not as much as the chocoloate fondues did for dessert!!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Catching up... so much happening!!

As everyone knows it's never dull at the Murray household.... so without rambling on too much I will give you a quick catch up post.

On the 30th July Anthony, Rachel, Ellis and Ffion arrived from Oman.... there has definitely been excitement in the air about this as the last time I saw Anthony we were 18 years old and we were in Wales.... man soooo long ago. They arrive in Melbourne very late Thursday night so it wasn't until Friday afternoon they made their way to Frankston.


They stopped for dinner. We still had some seafood from my trip to Lakes Entrance so we started with a seafood platter followed by beef curry and rice.

Rachel peeled her first prawn!!


The kids all got along famously - it was like they have known each other all their lives!!!! In fact we all had a great evening the first night!!!



Saturday night, Clare's birthday, we celebrated again in honour of her birthday of course!! Anthony, Rachel, Ellis and Ffion along with Jamie and the boys came for a Turkey dinner. Being July I guess we could have had a "Christmas in July" theme but once again in was brilliant to have the house full of family.



Sunday saw the final round of the 2010 junior football season.... both kids played well but sadly Oliver's team lost and therefore are not in the finals this year. But football is far from over with the four next Sunday's consumed by the Finals which Karingal is hosting again this year.



My Family from WiddlyTinks.com