Menu Plan Monday (20th Feb ~ 26th Feb)

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!!

Last week ended up being very busy and I must admit we didn't cook that much at all therefore we didn't stick to last weeks menu plan that well, plus I have to say A Dash of Flavour, our cooking blog was a little neglected. This week (so far) looks a lot quieter for which I am very thankful and to be perfectly honest I am looking forward to getting back into the kitchen.

Planned on the menu this week are....

Saturday ~ Homemade Pizza

Sunday ~ Roast Chicken and salads (out at inlaws)
Monday ~ Crispy Skin Duck Rice Paper Rolls with Salad

Tue ~ Chicken Korma (kids), Hot Beef Curry (adults) Steamed Rice, Roti Bread

Wed ~ Spaghetti Marinara, Garlic Bread

Thu ~ Mexican Meatball Casserole
Fri ~ Flounder with lemon & thyme sauce

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 (13th Feb ~ 19th Feb)

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!!

So we have settled into somewhat of a routine and I must say I am definitely getting used to not working on Saturday mornings anymore.... have to admit didn't take me very long!! LOL!! This weekend we celebrate (in our fashion) both Valentines Day and Chinese New Year.

Planned on the menu this week are....

Saturday ~ Barbecue Prawns

Sunday ~ Mongolian Steamboat
Monday ~ Combination Stirfry with Vegetables

Tue ~ Beef Tacos with Salad

Wed ~ Twilight School Sports - picnic

Thu ~ Fish with Macadamia Crust
Fri ~ Spicy Beef Casserole with Crusty Bread

As Sunday was both Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year's Day we ensured that we had a nice brunch, Whipped Egg on Toast, and then we sat down for our Mongolian Steamboat, our favourite family feast.

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

Love is in the air - Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentines Day everyone.....

Actually called Saint Valentine's Day February 14 is a day for celebrating love and affection between couples. The day itself is named after Valentine, a Christian matyr. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by giving bunches of flowers, most prominently red roses, confectionery and greeting cards.

For us, the old married couple it consisted of a verbal "Happy Valentine's" wish whilst in bed, getting up having breakfast of Whipped Eggs on Toast, a recipe I had been wanted to trial for a while, then proceeding with normal life until dinner time!! Very romantic indeed!! Definitely the days of recieving roses and being wined and dined are a fragment of my imagination!!

Don't get me wrong... I have never really been one to go over board on Valentine's Day. It's another day that we all acknowledge that really has become to over-commercialised, which leaves me with the feeling that it's no longer as romantic as it was intended to be!

Speaking of traditions and celebrations it was also the first day of the Chinese New Year - the year of the tiger (which is also known by its formal name of Geng Yin).


To celebrate the Chinese New Year for dinner we had a mongolian steamboat, which is a favourite in our house that to be honest we don't eat enough of. Everyone enjoyed dinner, the element of cooking the food in front of you and then fishing it out excites children of all ages plus you can cook what you want and accompany your dish with any flavour sauce you wish.

Needless to say the Murray household had a wonderful day yesterday.


My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Menu Plan Monday (6th Feb - 12th Feb)

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!!

The first week of school and me starting my new job (last week) seemed to go okay. We are definitely back into the swing of ROUTINE and I LOVE IT!!

This weeks menu looks like this so far.....

Sat ~ Chicken Cacciatore with Mashed Potatoes
Sun ~ Chicken Parmiagiana
Mon ~ Homemade Hamburgers with the 'extra" lot

Tue ~ Beef and Barley Casserole

Wed ~ Mojo Pork Cutlets with Sweet Potato Wedges

Thu ~ Veal Florentine
Fri ~ Fish with Herb Crust

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

Day two of the new job....

It's nearly the end of my second day in my new role of Southern Region Trainer and Assessor - Concrete Division... yep I know what you are thinking - what a mouthful!!

So far so good.... I think!

Thankfully I knew a few of the people who are based at the Clarinda Laboratory, in South Oakleigh so I felt comfortable and relax when I started yesterday. I still had a few to meet but at least I did know someone beforehand, if you know what I mean?

My office isn't very special at the moment but it's heap less dustier than mine at the quarry. I don't think anything can beat the dustiness of a quarry not even my mantlepeice at home... LOL!! By the end of the week I will be moving into another office which is going to be vacated on Friday. Needless to say I haven't unpacked all my boxes and got to comfortable!

However my head is boggled and I do have a huge task ahead of myself. The new role of Training and Assessing is based in Victoria and Tasmania and has brought more responsibility, more training and yes it will involve more travel. The travel part of it doesn't bother me, neither does the responsibility nor the training. I am worried that I will not succeed and reach the standard that will be expected. I am panicing and to be honest, management haven't even set a level of standard or told me what their expectations are.

Little by little my job is changing with each conversation I have. It started off a training Concrete personnel about using the computer and our computer accounting software, SAP. Then it was mentioned how they would like me to get the Concrete division's training inline with the advanced Quarry division. Yesterday I was told that upper management have decided to review all managerial personnel and assess their skills in using SAP. Needless to say the Regional General Manager doesn't want to look like a goose so apparantly he will be my first student.... tell me I am not shitting myself now!!

I think there may be quite a few panadol's swallowed in the next few weeks.....

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

28 Day Organizing Challenge - I've started!!

I have decided to undergo a 28 day Organizing Challenge set over at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

But instead of just sorting/organising one part of the house the challenge I have set myself is the WHOLE HOUSE!!

HUGE I know but to be perfectly honest it NEEDS to be done!!

Today I decided to tackle the bar.... well it's wasn't really being used as a bar - more like a storage area. The bar itself has been built inbetween the kitchen, dining room and loungeroom of our house (prior to us moving there) and to be honest is out of place and not very practical.

This is what it looked like before I started:



So once I had removed everything and trust me I couldn't believe how much was in such a small are, I brought a bookshelf which I had to assemble that fits nicely at the end. I have decided to remove all of our tupperware/plastics from the big container I had and put them on the shelves. We don't have enough cupboard space in the kitchen for all the dreaded plastics so they have always lived in bar unfortunately!

And of course, this is what it looks like now:


And to answer the obvious question - Yes I did find a home for all the other items!

Now the next big question... what's next????

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Menu Plan Monday (30th Jan - 5th Feb)

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!!

Oliver has started high school and Alex has started in a new primary school - which happens to be right next to the high school. I had a day off today to ensure all was good with them both this morning but tomorrow my job changes not only in the role but in the location. So as you can imagine this week is going to be huge with all the changes we need to stick to our menu.

Anyway so this is how our week is looking food wise....

Sat ~ Lobster with Blackbean and Chilli Sauce
Sun ~ Beans on toast with egg
Mon ~ Roast Beef, Yorkshire Puddings and vegetables

Tue ~ Creamy Chicken and Bacon Fettuccine
Wed ~ Sticky Honey Lamb, Noodles and Vegetables

Thu ~ Steak with Wasabi Butter
Fri ~ Satay Chicken Pizza

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

Two New Schools....

Okay so you know that this post is going to be a brag.... yep a brag about my kids and their first day at new schools.

Oliver is starting year 7 at high school. He is going to McClelland College which is in Karingal and not very farm from home. He is very much looking forward to it although I think underneath the very positive exterior he was a little nervous. Didn't want any more photo's taken and wouldn't even let me give him a kiss goodbye at school!!

Alex is in grade 4 but changed schools and now she is in the primary school which is next to the high school. She was very nervous this morning and wasn't ashamed to tell me. But when we finally got to school and settled in she seemed okay walking into her class especially as one of the girls that she had gone to creche with (many moons ago) was in her class and remembered Alex!!

Me - well I was happy that the first day seemed to go well - not too happy about the fact that my baby boy has grown up and is well on his way to being a teenager.....

Here are some more photos - these were taken on my mobile so they are not as clear as the others.

Now to see how they survive the rest of the year....

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Friends from our past...

Today we went out for lunch with old friends of ours, Kelee and Roger.

I cannot remember the last time that we saw them both properly. There have been fleeting moments were our paths crossed but nothing like all the times we spent together in the "good ol' days"!!

We went for lunch at the Chelsea Heights Hotel and chatted for ages, even before ordering. We got there at 1pm and left just before 5pm... it was great to catch up on what's happening in their lives now and what we have missed out on....

Roger is living in Perth - working but no partner as yet.

Kelee has two children, Kyhal and Gemma! Absolutely fantastic kids and a little older than our two but the four of them seemed to get along very well.

Roger was over for a wedding so it was the perfect opportunity to FINALLY catch up as we have been chatting of Facebook for some time and have mentioned catching up and I am so glad that we pulled our fingers out and organised it! Noel enjoyed himself also!!

Both Kelee and I have agreed that it was a shame to leave our friendship go for sooooo long and have promised not to let time get in our way from here on in.....

What a day today was.........

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

My last day at Harkaway Quarry

Today is my last day working at Harkaway Quarry - I finish my last shift here at 12pm. Infact most of the crew here finish their last shift also. Harkaway Quarry has ceased production of aggregates and once sales has taken the last of the stockpiles the gates will be locked forever.

Here are some images of the quarry and where I have called home for 8 years.... as you will see this is no place for princesses - hence I had to leave my tiara at the gate!

This is the weighbridge where trucks are ticketed as they leave the quarry....

The office....


The crushing plant...




The quarry hole....


I have to survive my emotions of saying goodbye today. We had a small site bbq last night and all was good until I had to say goodbye to my boss, Joe. I found this really hard but was brave only crying once I got into the car and was driving away. Joe and I have worked together off and on since I started 8 years ago. We have always got along well and during our working relationship he has always been very helpful, provided guidance and advice, supportive and more importantly was there for me when I just needed to be a girl (especially considering I, most times, was the only female on site)!! I would have to say over my whole working career, Joe is the best boss I have had. Joe is moving on to another quarry within the company.

Saying farewell to Rod was also hard. He too was like Joe but was somewhat of a father figure to me. Rod is going on long service leave as of February 1st which will lead into his retirement. Rod has a heart of gold and will be sadly missed from our day to day happenings, his jokes, his stories and his shoulders!! Yes he let me be a girl occasionally too!

Working with both these remarkable men was definitely a two way street and I really enjoyed it being so. I wish the two of them all the best as they deserve nothing less.

Don't panic I am still working with Hanson just in a different role and based in Clarinda (near Oakleigh). As of Monday my new title is Southern Region Trainer and Assessor - Concrete Division!! Crikey what a mouthful.

I know some of you know that I already hold a Cert IV in Training And Assessing, and have been conducting training/assessing for some years now but only on a part time basis and within the Quarry Division of Hanson. But now I get to do it full time!! And more importantly NO Saturday work so I get my weekends back!!

Southern Region means I get to look after the training needs within Victoria and Tasmania so I am pretty much in awe about that. There are quite a few more concrete plants than quarries in both states so I do have a huge job ahead of me. But a job that I am looking forward to sinking my teeth and brain into - a job that will give me the mental challenge that I have been yearning for this last 12 months or so.

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

The Balnarring Cup

WOW yesterday was a great day..... just the four of us went to the picnic races for the Balnarring Cup and also for Australia Day. It was planned so that we could spend a few more hours of quality time just the four of us considering next week school starts and routine returns!

Dressed suitably (well we thought so) we headed to the racecourse and set up camp for the day.

This year we took the weber and had a leg of lamb planned for lunch. Funnily enough we haven't been roasting in the weber recently (using the direct heat method to BBQ foods) and therefore actually left the lid at home... no fear though we managed to cook our leg of lamb even if the weber looked like a space ship!! LOL!! We ended up with roast lamb and gravy rolls. Didn't want to chance trying to cook vegetables as well but overall it was really good.

This year we were further down the fence line... I couldn't believe how many people were there before us and we got there at 9.30am. It worked out good though as for one of the races they started right in front of us and that was brilliant.

As far as become rich from the nags - well once again that didn't happen but we did catch up with friends, Jason and Nerida. I cannot remember the last time we saw them so that we great to see them again. Also saw Pete and Tanya from the football club as well as Michelle, another football mam.

We couldn't really complain about the weather yesterday. Really nice in the morning but then the wind picked up, and of course that coupled with the sun meant we all got a little burnt even though we had sunscreen on.

The Balnarring Cup Day is always such a busy day - a great atmosphere and well worth making the trip down the Penninsula if you want a great family day out.

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Menu Plan Monday (23rd Jan to 29th Jan)

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!!

With the exception of tonight's meal, a BBQ which Noel is in charge of cooking, and tomorrow our menu has been planned for us to get back on track and be healthy. Don't get me wrong BBQ's are good but they do turn somewhat into a meat fest and although a salad is made it rarely gets a look in once your plate is full of the barbecued meat. I like having one meat (ie steak or chicken) but that's just not the aussie way right?

Tuesday is a day at the Balnarring Picnic Races. We are taking the weber as we are having a roast leg of lamb. I love sitting there, sipping champas and smelling the roast cooking. Plus it puts cold picnics to shame.... and makes other's near us very jealous. After a big lunch it will be leftovers or "grab your own" if anyone is hungry later on tomorrow night.

The kids will be at Nana and Grandad's for a couple of nights this week as Noel is returning to work on Wednesday and school doesn't commence until Monday. I don't want them to stay home for 3 whole days just quite yet - I think they may end up killing one another! It will be safer for them to go to their grandparents. Needless to say we are having some meals they wouldn't eat on Wednesday and Thursday evenings - some nice spicy dishes.

Anyway so this is how our week is looking food wise....

Sat ~ Luna Park - McDonalds (I know - yuk!!)
Sun ~ Chinta Blues Malaysian Hawker Bar
Mon ~ BBQ Pork Steaks, sausages, rissoles and salad

Tue ~ Balnarring Races ~ leftover roast lamb/help yourself dinner
Wed ~ Prawn Laksa Stirfry with Rice
Thu ~ Black Bean and Chilli Lobster Tails
Fri ~ BBQ at mam and dad's

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

What a fun weekend we had.....

Well this would definitely go down as one of those weekends that was so much fun..... everyone enjoyed themselves and it was good to hear all of us laugh that's for sure.

Saturday afternoon we quickly went and organised Alex's uniform for school, so she is now sorted in that department. They didn't have all the stock so we will go and pick up the remainder Saturday coming. Unfortunately her school dress was one of those items... so she wasn't overly happy!

After a quick look around Frankston it was home to get ready for Luna Park. I cannot remember the last time we went to Luna Park. I know that we have been once with the kids when they were a lot smaller.


We arrived early before dinner, as I didn't want them to eat before going on the rides for the sake of them being sick.... so the place wasn't lit up but the atmosphere was there. Alex and Oliver tried out most of them... Alex surprising us with what she was game to go on even though she came off crying!

Alex loved this ride... it just drops, goes back up and drops again..... stomach churning if you ask me! I think Alex actually went on this 4 times....

Oliver thought "G Force" was the best.... he managed to go on it 3 times... once with Alex who didn't really like it at all. We could hear her yelling at Oliver when it was spinning around.

The Spider was pretty cool - Noel and Oliver went on this. Noel did the proper fatherly thing and ensured that he made the chair they were in spun heaps... we all went on this again later. Alex and I sat together, Oliver sat with Noel again. Alex didn't like this ride either.

This ride looks sedate when you start off with and as you can see Alex was happy enough getting on it with her dad.

It starts off spinning and as it builds up speed it tilts upwards on a 90 degree angle and you are basically spinning upside down for a few rotations... I have to say we are both proud of Alex getting on this one but I somehow don't think she will ever again. She came off this one in tears and white as a sheet!
Needless to say... she liked the carousel and went on this one several time HAPPILY!!

I must admit though I still really don't have the stomach for some rides but of course some one has to take the photo's, right?

Sunday was a trip to Collingwood Children's Farm and then a walk around Ikea in Richmond. Both filling up the afternoon more so at Ikea due to the size of the shop... my favourite shop of all times... I guess it's just like Bunnings but with furniture!! LOL!!

We stopped in St Kilda for dinner also. We don't go to St Kilda for what seems like forever and then end up there twice in one weekend... lol!!

We went to Chinta Blues Malaysian Hawker Bar and it was really nice. Started off with some Roti Bread and Peanut sauce, for mains Noel had Nyoinya Prawns, I had Ayam Ri (a really nice chicken stirfry), Oliver had Crispy Fried Beef Noodles and Alex had curry puffs and special fried rice. If you are in St Kilda and want a really nice feed this is the place to go. It's in Acland Street just around the corner from The Prince of Wales Hotel. Sitting out on the pavement watching the ever amazing sights of St Kilda!! Nice food, nice atmosphere and a good end to a great weekend...

I have to say I am rather tired today and at work, to make matters worse! Hoping for an early night as we are off to Balnarring Picnic Races tomorrow to celebrate Australia Day.... and I have just heard that a leg of lamb has been purchased for lunch!!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

What shall we do this weekend?

It's the 2nd last weekend of the school holidays, school resumes on February 1st and what a big year it is going to be for both Ollie, who is starting High School and Alex, who is now in Grade 4 but changing schools. They have both only known the one school so this will be a massive change for them.

Ollie got his uniform the other day, Noel took him shopping while I worked.

He looked very smart I must admit although it did bring a tear to my eye just thinking about hime growing up! In my heart he will always be my little boy but in my eyes he is turning into a hansome young man!! Infact I still can't really get used to the idea that he IS starting High School!!

We are going shopping for Alex's new uniform this afternoon. Unlike Oliver, who wasn't fussed who brought his uniform just as long as he got it, Alex wants me to go shopping with her. Afterall we are buying a dress. Yes a dress!! Since both Alex and Oliver first started school their uniform consisted of a polo shirt, bomber jacket and either shorts or track pants. This year is different. Alex can wear a dress as part of the uniform if she likes and of course she likes that idea!! I'll post some photo's of madame after the big purchase.

So what else is planned for the weekend???

Well actually not much at this stage except for the usual household chores and grocery shopping. I shall have to see what Noel wants to do but I kind of have it in my head that we need to have FUN as a family. Either tonight or Sunday, just spend some good and FUN family time together that doesn't involve the Wii, Playstation or watching a DVD. I know that the carnival/fair is at Frankston Foreshore and at Rosebud so that could be the go or then again there is Luna Park!!

Tuesday is Australia Day and most of Australia takes Monday as an annual leave day or a Rostered Day Off to have a long weekend but I am doing that next week when the kids start school.. I want to be there even though Oliver would be quite happy to go alone! So I am working and

Tuesday is also the Balnarring Cup, the biggest race meet of their 6 race season. It's only a small country race club nothing like Flemington or Caulfield which suits us just fine. We love the family atmosphere not the la-de-de-da's of the socialite scene associated with the suburban race meets. So, as proud members, we are off to the Balnarring Races again, which as usual should be fun. I actually think we will be the only ones going this year. We haven't invited anyone as yet and Noel's parents didn't renew their membership! But that's okay - the four of us will have fun not to mention a few bets on the horses, as usual!!

So let the weekend begin......

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

De-Clutter ~ 1 task complete!

I mentioned the other day that I have commenced a mammoth task of de-cluttering my LIFE, all inclusive! Everything must be sorted!!

And although I have a huge mission ahead of me I can already claim success with the completion of my first task... my handbag and purse.

Many know that a woman's handbag is sacred and normally holds everything but the kitchen sink and more but it was getting to the stage that I am struggling to find things I know are in there and actually getting surprised at what I am finding instead.

Out of the handbag came this......

Handbag complete... it's a slouch bag so hard to take photo's plus it has 3 inside compartments.


Middle compartment I do normally keep bills etc., and still will. But now I have individual envelopes (which I am going to replace with little cases such as pencil cases but more lightweight - I have seen what I need).

My purse seriously needed some sorting out as well. Out of the purse came all of these... (no lucky find of a stash money to be found amongst everything of course!!)

Purse complete ....

BUT mission completed - now I have to keep it that way!!!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com