Sunday.... sleep in's, lunch with family, relaxing....

WOW I had a sleep in this morning - cannot remember the last time I did that.  My body just normally doesnt' allow it.  We woke, made a nice pot of brewed coffee and enjoyed the serenity of no football for the 3rd Sunday in a row (and I am still not used to it!!)

Lunch today was with the whole Murray family at the Lynbrook Hotel.  It was nice but to be honest I am so over all you can eat buffets - if you cannot control yourself it can be major problem for your belly and your well being for the rest of the day. 

It was good to see baby Charlie again especially how much she has grown and can see she has the Murray sweet tooth enjoying some chocolate icecream!

One nice thing is that all of Ann and Ged's 5 grandchildren were together and we managed to get a nice photo of them (after many attempts).

We will relax and potter for the rest of this Sunday afternoon getting ready for the kids being back at school tomorrow and of course we have to go to work!

Take care,

The Murray Family xx

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

Menu Plan Monday

I cannot believe that it's Monday again and we are facing another week of routine. The weekend came and went so fast it is actually ridiculous and the fact that Christmas is only 67 days away!!! OMG I need to pull my finger out and get organised.

Saturday night I finally found the recipe for a low fat hollandaise that I have been trying to find for about 2 years now.... funny how you get something in your head and it stays there! Needless to say I had to experiement with it on Saturday night!! For dinner we had a nice peice of steak with some prawns, normally listed on Australian menu's as "Surf and Turf " plus a serve of the hollandaise on the side... this was the start of the food fest!!

Lunch on Sunday was the grand finale. We took mam and dad to the Lynbrook Hotel. A new hotel which was somewhat local. It has only been open for just over 2 months and came highly recommended to us. Although it was a normal hotel with pokies and a sports bar as well as accommodation, the bistro had a different appeal as the only food served was by way of an International Buffet. No A La Carte Menu to be found. Overall opinion - magnificent and if you live local you should definitley give it a try. Price wise it was perfect and the food well ~ let's just say we were all very full when we left and happy!

Needless to say weigh in tonight should be interesting!! LOL!!

So with it being Monday that brings us to menu planning for the week.....

Sat ~ Surf and Turf, low fat Hollandiase

Sun ~ Lynbrook Hotel (although for lunch)

Mon ~ Pastitsio and salad

Tue ~ Steak with Blue Cheese Sauce

Wed ~ 'Big Bucket in the Sky' Chicken

Thu ~ Chicken Jelfrezi with steamed rice

Fri ~ Grilled Rockling with Asian Slaw

As usual more great menu ideas can be found at Menu Plan Monday on I'm An Organising Junkie and all recipes (in time) can be found over a A Dash Of Flavour.... Just click on the links for each meal when they appear or just click here.

Happy cooking.....