Tuesday 21 August 2012

We Did It!! Or, Our Ekka Story!

Well, we braved the crowds on the final Ekka Day for 2012, and we survived quite a lovely day in the sun exploring the grounds.  We haven't been in about six years, so it had all changed, the police exhibit had been moved to opposite the Meat Hall, and the Showbag Pavilion was down behind side show alley.  And, it had crowd control ropes, to control the inflow of people.  Wowser!!

We budget every year that we go - "two rides, two showbags" is the mantra my parents lived by and I have closely adhered to.  So, rather than dole out each person's quote, I just allocated them the money and forked over cash - they were in charge then.  Son C is 12, and Miss M is 18, so they were more than ready to take charge of their own funds, and in fact, neither even made their way to side show alley.  It was mainly spent on (too many) showbags and food treats.  I had to have a strawberry ice cream, and it didn't let me down!!

I even bought myself two showbags - the Better Homes and Gardens tote bag, and the Marie Claire tote bag (both of which were half price, mind you, another benefit of going on the last day!!) and it was nice to have something for myself.  Miss M however required an extra bag so promptly acquired one of mine.

We were all a bit tired by the end of the day, as we arrived just after opening time.  There were a few grumbles on the way home, but all in all, I must say it was a successful day.  Probably my last Ekka obligation as a parent, though.  A little sad.


Sunday 12 August 2012

Menu Planning

There are so many resources and good sites out there for menu planning.  I would love to be more organised than I am, and say that there is a constant list of healthy, balanced meals on the front of my fridge for preparation at a moment's notice.  But alas, there is usually an arm-load of dirty dishes, and a kiss and a promise for more attention later.

I was idly blog-hopping last week, and came across the blog I'm An Organizing Junkie orgjunkie.com, with a section on menu planning and links to recipes.  It's certainly inspiring, and I will certainly wile away another afternoon poring through the old blog posts.  They are American recipes though, and it's a bit hit and miss as to recipes I like.

I've even dabbled in the concept of Once a Month Cooking and found more familar recipes at http://www.aussiecooking.com.au/articles/oamc.html.  Again, I'd like to tell you that I jumped headfirst into neatly labelled boxes of healthy prepared freezer-ready meals, but again, all I wound up with was a folder of wistfulness.

Anyway, there are only two of us at home these days, and we are a bit more fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants when it comes to cooking, though my budget could certainly use some help from organisation.  So, this week we are having pepper steak burgers, tuna mornay and beef casserole with mashed potatoes.  Lots of leftovers for lunch.

Are you very organised when it comes to meal preparation?  What's for dinner in your house tonight?

Tuesday 31 July 2012

Education and Decision


The Divine Miss M is off to a new course today (good luck, Miss M!) and my lovely Son C is home with this head cold that has apparently been plaguing Brisbane.  I caught it last week, probably from friends, and he has it this week.  We’re a sharing and caring kind of family!!  :-)

I’ve been concerned about his high school of choice for next year.  Our local public high school is nothing to write home about, and to be truthful, I was very nervous about sending him there due to our previous experiences.  We had applied as out-of-catchment students to two other high schools, and I got a “thanks, but no thanks” letter from the first.  I was completely shattered, I must say, but I guess that speaks of how highly these schools are rated.  Son C is a fairly high-achieving student, and I didn’t foresee any concern getting in, but there’s some competition out there for Brisbane high schools.  And private was never an option for this single-parent family.

What about you?  Is high school a big decision in your family?  I come from a public education background, but there is so much pressure from the community to send our students private. 

Sunday 29 July 2012

Sewing creativity


I re-discovered my love of sewing after deciding to make a bunny rug for my lovely friend.  I don’t think I’ve pulled my little Janome out in probably five years, but it was just so refreshing and invigorating to reawaken that creativity.

I’ll try to add in a photo shortly of the finished bunny rug.  Now, I’m no quilter, so I very much made it all up, but it was absolutely divine in the end.

Which of course led me to dig out all those old half-finished or never-started projects, I’ve almost finished a simple princess line with  gorgeous side panels, and then I dragged out another simple, straight dress design for work. 

I also found an idea for turning an old men's shirt into a pencil skirt.  I can't locate the website where I found it, but google it, and I'm sure you'll come up with some ideas.  I confess, it's not quite as simple as I imagined it, but I'm still working on it.  

So, I am sewing up a storm.  

Chicken soup for the soul!!

Welcome!!


Hi all!!  These are just my random musings on the joy of running a household, with two kids, whilst working full-time, and just generally trying to keep my head attached to my shoulders!!

Enjoy the ride with me!!