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.....

Bubbles and bubbles ....

A bird in a nest

This little bird sitting in her nest in our backyard - we are not sure if she is sitting on eggs or getting the nest ready.

I guess we will just have to keep an eye on her.

Menu Plan Monday (8th October - 14th October)

A full week together - this is an interesting thought... hehehe!!

No travel planned for any of us so I guess we can say that it's back to normal in the House of Murray this week.  The kids are back at school, Noel and I are working so we all have a busy week ahead.
On this week's menu is:

Saturday ~ Lamb with Minted Spring Vegetables
Sunday ~ Toasted Sandwiches
Monday ~ Beef and Spinach Cannelloni and salad
Tue ~ Chicken and Vegetable Casserole with Mashed Potatoes
Wed ~ Sweet and Spicy Beef Noodles
Thu ~ Caribbean Style Pork Cutlets with Rice Salad
Fri ~ BBQ at Mam and Dad Murray's

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

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

Surprise Alex....

While the kids were in Brisbane Noel and I became renovators and decided to revamp Alex's bedroom into a special room for a growing girl.....   here it is now:

Do you think she likes it?

This is 2 am in the morning...... honestly I don't think she could believe her eyes!!

Menu Plan Monday (1st Oct - 7th Oct)

Ok so I missed another week with what I hope is my last week at Kilmore for a long time (no offence Kilmore but I am over you at the moment)!

The kids are still away this week coming home on Friday night so we have something to look forward to after the working week and we are both so looking forward to seeing the two of them.

So to make the most of menu planning this week this is what is on the House of Murray Menu Planner:

Saturday ~ Steak with Creamy Tarragon Sauce
Sunday ~ Ling Wah Chinese Restaurant
Monday ~ Prosciutto and Semi Dried Tomato Tortilla
Tue ~ Lamb with Minted Spring Vegetables
Wed ~ Chilli Lime Prawn and Vegetable Stir Fry
Thu ~ Mexican Omelette
Fri ~ Out with Hanson (not sure on venue)

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 week apart....

This week has been very strange for all of us and I have to say I have been really feeling the difference.

Last Thursday we put the kids on a plane bound for Bribie Island to spend the school holidays with their grandma, lucky right?

Noel and I enjoyed the weekend together but found it hard dealing with the quietness and the fact that the kids were not there.

Monday morning I packed my bags and headed away with work for the week and I will be returning home tomorrow.  Staying away is hard at the best of times but this week it has been quite a strain knowing that we are all so far apart from each other.

Noel has been batching it at home all by himself!  Has he enjoyed the peace and serenity??  I have no idea.

Thankfully I will be home on Friday night but it's still another week before the kids come home :(

Off to Grandma's.....

Here are Oliver, Alex and their cousin Kyle waiting to board their flight to Brisbane.  They are a little excited as it's the first holiday that the 3 of them have been on together.

My two will be back on the 7th October at the end of the school holidays where as Kyle will only be there for one week.  God help Grandma!!!

All I can say is.... our house was quiet tonight!

Menu Plan Monday ~ 17th Sep - 23rd Sep 2011

WOW I cannot believe it's been so long since I put up our menu planner.  It's not that we haven't been menu planning because we have otherwise we just wouldn't be feeding the family as I have mentioned over the last few months we have just been so busy especially me with working away from home.

This week and the next coming weeks are no different to the usual kaos that seems to go hand in hand with the Murray family.  On Thursday the kids fly out to Brisbane for 2 weeks and next week I am away with work most of the week leaving Mr Murray to fend for himself!

So to make the most of menu planning this week this is what is on the House of Murray Menu Planner:

Saturday ~ Presentation Day at footy club
Sunday ~ Baxter Tavern, Baxter
Monday ~ Spaghetti Bolognaise
Tue ~ Mu Shu Pork
Wed ~ Spicy Asian Broth with Pork and Coriander Dumplings
Thu ~ Home Made Pizzas
Fri ~ Prawn Curry with Tomato and Herbs

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

Presentation Day and AGM 2011

Today saw the last function for the 2011 footy season.  This season has been a long one again with the additional 4 weeks to host the F&DJFL finals series for the 3rd year in a row.  We did have some fun during the extra weeks so there is no need to complain......

Presentations went off well with both kids recieving awards for playing.

Alex receiving her award from Coach Kevin and Team Manager Tracy

Oliver receiving his award from Coach Daryl.

Oliver also was award with another award which was wonderful.  He received "U13's Most Improved Player 2011".

As for the AGM I have to say it was a very interesting meeting this year. A few heated members voicing their opinions which is fine. A lot of what was vented unfortunately wasn't call for but that is the beauty or ugliness of free speach I guess.

I have been voted in as Treasurer again for next year (it will be my 5th and final year) and was amazed by the amount of people acutally supportive on me some of who surprised me given past circumstance.

Anyhow with a new committee voted in for the 2012 season - who knows what next year will bring.

Who sees this when they go to work?

I really love the environment in which I work - whether it's quarry or concrete plant I get to see some really nice scenery from day to day......

All of these photos were taken around Hanson Kilmore East - a new quarry that has been acquired where I have been spending the last few weeks working.

The Murray girls are both away....

Both Alex and I are away this week.

Alex has gone to school camp and will be away from home until Friday.

I am back at Kilmore again today but I am hoping to return home Wednesday night.  I am nearly finished with what I need to do although there will be a few loose ends here and there to finalise in the next few weeks so needless to say I will be back but hopefully in a week or so.

Anyway opening my laptop this morning I found this little note........

I definitely have one thoughtful little Princess - one that I am very proud of and love dearly xxxxx

"Happy Fathers Day"

We were all up early this morning as it is the 3rd Sunday for the F&DJFL Junior Football Finals which as I mentioned the Karingal Bulls are hosting. Although the morning started off busy we still managed to fit in time to ensure that Noel was wished a Happy Fathers' day by us all.

He was showered with pressies and well wishes..... I think he was really happy with what he was given this year especially new sheepskin seat covers for his new toy, the Land Rover Discovery Series 2 TD5, he purchased two weeks ago.

Hoping you have a great Fathers' Day Noel xxx

A busy life.....

So what's happening with the House Of Murray at the moment???

Currently I have been really busy with work, spending the last few weeks working out of Kilmore up in the country (North West of Melbourne). Hanson have acquired a new quarry right next door to our existing quarry and I have been asked to assist with the transition from them being an independent to our global multi level company systems.... I have to say it's been fun at times. I have been there for 4 weeks now spending 4 days each week there. Monday I return but only for 3 days this week and after that I will have a break for a few weeks before returning for month end.

The footy club have been hosting the Frankston & District Junior Football League Finals Series again this year for the third year running. Although it raises brilliant money for our club the days are long and hard. We have done really well so far for the first two weeks as the weather has been perfect unlike last year where it rained all four Sundays. I spend my time between counting monies from both canteens and bbq tents and when I can I have been helping out in the canteen also.

Last night we went to Nana and Grandad's for dinner to celebrate a few things. As they are flying out for a holiday in Port Douglas on Sunday Father's Day was one of the celebrations. As well as their 45th Wedding Anniversary which is today.



We finally caught up with Christian to give him his birthday present from last week, which I may just add don't know who loved the Manchester United soccer ball more - him or his father, Sean. He recently celebrated his 4th birthday.

It was great to catch up with most of the family as we haven't seen them for awhile. Unfortunately Vicky wasn't there as Daniel wasn't that well. I was soooo tired though as I had just driven in from Kilmore East arriving home at 6.05pm and we were meant to be at dinner at 6.30pm. A lovely roast lamb dinner was cooked for us which I really enjoyed after weeks of pub meals while away.

This morning I am working out of Yannathan Quarry, which is a sand plant. I am doing it as a favour as they have a big job on but it's great to catch up with some of my favourite truck drivers as. I still miss them from when I was in the weighbridge fulltime and I love seeing them again.... so many new faces though!!


Alex is getting excited as she goes on school camp on Monday. The camp is at Koonwarra, down in Gippsland and she will be away for 5 days (4 nights). There is horse riding there so she is really looking forward to that.

A very long time between posts.......

I must say that while I haven't abandoned our family blog it has been quite hard to remain positive and continue to post our adventures due to certain things that have happened since Easter. I tried a few times but it was easier to delete and not post at all.

Time has moved on and while some things remain being unrestored, unresolved and unchangeable due to circumstance and situation I have decided put them into the left wing and with time let happen what will happen.

So not to rehash bad feelings or occurances that have happened ~ I take the step to move on and enjoy OUR life as a family - our special family!!

After all life is too short for all that shit..............