In the kitchen

Today I felt better than I have in a couple of weeks. I had sinus and ear pain which is the reason I’ve not been sleeping.

not sleeping means no energy. So I’ve only done the minimum, except when I had the girls. I don’t mind. Playing and interacting with them isn’t a chore

while watching reels on Facebook I came across a couple of recipes

I knew I had all the ingredients and decided well I’ll make that

first one was called apple surprise

cut up apples and place in oven proof pan cover with condensed milk

then you make a cake like batter and pour on top

I put brown paper in first, which the lady in the reel didn’t do my bottom was soggy instead of nicely browned

next time I’ll just grease the pan well and see how I go

it still tastes good and is a perfect dessert and morning tea for the boys

dinner. Hubby had already taken some out. Sausage is home grown, it looks greasy in the picture but it really wasn’t

lastly I made herb and cheese bread I actually started making this first. Obviously it had to rise and then a second rise. Because of all that it was the last thing to cook in the oven

it’s still cooling so we haven’t tasted any yet. It smells good so I’m hoping it tastes just as good as the smell

and lastly, we have a long weekend coming at the end of the week.

we will be going to the farm. We also have some friends coming to spend the weekend with us.

hubby has parked the van out front so I can pack it as I think of something that I need to take.

even so. I bet I forget something. In this case it doesn’t really matter as the town is only ten minutes away.

not like the old days of us camping out in the middle of nowhere. Us oldies need to be near doctors and hospitals these days

Mixed bag

No not a mixed bag of lollies, sweets.

as usual our lovely city, Melbourne, has lived up to its reputation of having four seasons in one day

woke to strong winds. Seriously strong it literally howling

not sure if you can see just how strong it was. But this poor buddleja was really moving

it’s was very cold so the fire was filled with logs and got it burning hard to heat up the house.

I had to drive to the post office and pharmacy to pick up. I couldn’t put off the pharmacy as I only had two tablets left.

i was fighting the anxiety the whole time I was on the road.

after getting back home, the weather changed. Although still windy we had sunshine. With that sun coming in through the windows it was actually getting very warm in here.

I let the fire go out. Unfortunately it changed again. The sun left it got dark and the wind picked up again.

there was nothing else to do. I re lit the fire. It’s just slowly taking hold.

honestly. The weather doesn’t know if it’s Arthur or Martha today

Done done done

If your involved with children and pre teens you will know that’s part of a song from K-pop demon hunters it’s not as scary as it sounds

we have watch that movie four times since Friday morning

those songs are now stuck in my head

Saturday the girls waited for the arrival of Ana. They were very excited

Ana was dropped off by mummy, daddy, and little Georgia

having all four girls here for the first time, we had to get a photo

all my girls. The oldest holding the youngest

after a short visit, and lots of grandma cuddles with Georgia, the family left for home. Minus one

I got a heap of photos printed from my phone, via an app.

they arrived this week and they’re all in here. The girls had fun looking at them all. While they were looking at all of them Ana exclaimed “ that’s my sister Georgia “

then they were remembering when those photos were taken. Like last Christmas

I think actually seeing physical photos they can hold and study was a new and exciting experience for them. It’s not something that happens much these days

I had promised them some painting time I purchased some canvases for them to use I loved not only watching them create art, but also listening to their conversations

chatting away about what they were painting what colours they wanted to use, and nicely sharing all the paints

this is melody’s masterpiece

Breanna painted a rainbow unicorn she wanted to draw it first, then painted it

Ana kept at it the longest

she was mixing colours and painting blocks of colours

like a true artist, she kept wanting to just add one more thing or “ fix” that bit

eventually we had to say “ I think it’s done now”

I had to scrub paint off her and put her and Brianna’s clothes to soak

after soaking overnight I washed them with a load of my clothes and pretty much it all washed out. Just a few little bits on Brianna’s top

All three girls were in bed and fast asleep by eight thirty

this morning we had our choice of cereal. All three had different ones

toast and hot chocolate

by mid morning they were hungry again. So a huge fruit platter was devoured

then they wanted pop corn.

they watched some television and played until Ana’s daddy came to take her home. Around 2.30. I think Ana was ready to go home and rest

we then got the girls in the car and took them home

we are now sitting, watching adult television, landline. And resting

it sounds so quiet now.

it was a great first time having all sleep over and overall it was drama free

I think we will have a group sleep over again some weekend soon

before they grow up and would rather go to their friends.

Girls girls girls

No. Not the movie. But my girls. Friday began as always with Ana

there was crafting

this new” better” app won’t put pics in the correct order grrrr

so after breakfast we went grocery shopping as the big girls were coming here after school to stay for two nights

mummy and daddy have their 11th wedding anniversary and tonight a 21st to go too

we didn’t tell Ana and her dad took her home before the girls arrived. If she knew they were coming or actually had arrived before she left you wouldn’t be able to get her to leave at all

she couldn’t stay as she has a doctors appointment and today a birthday party to go too. She will be here after that

Ana having fruit loops without milk just like her cousin Brianna they don’t have milk and they have never had cereal together so obviously the weird is genetic lol

i had purchased some home made icey pole moulds. I used this mixed fruit juice

for a healthy summer treat

I poured the juice and Ana added the stick handle in

they’re now in the freezer and very set. We just need hot weather to arrive

once Ana left I had just enough time to enjoy a coffee and a little rest before the second shift arrived

the girls were dropped off before dinner I knew they would be I got some meatballs to cook in the air frier and some little hotdog sausages

I gave the the choice and they wanted both

the hotdogs were ready first they only need to be cooked until the water boils then taken out before they split

ten meatballs were longer and with some fruit and ice cream for dessert, they were well fed

we watched demon hunters and tangled before they brushed their teeth and went to bed they fell asleep almost instantly

today they were hobbits I gave them cereal, Brianna had it without milk then when grandpa got up an hour later he cooked them bacon and eggs

they did start crafting. Melody has made her parents an anniversary card, but grandpa had to go feed the stock. He asked if they wanted to come help

of course they did.

this time Melody drove the tractor and Brianna stayed close to grandpa

Brianna has asked twice when is Ana coming. I told her after lunch.

being outside will help pass the time until Ana gets here

so now your up to date

Act three will start and I’ll have three little girls here for the night.

obviously when Ana gets dropped off. Baby Georgia will be here too.

I hope to take the first photo of the four of them together life in the nest is hectic but of so good.

stay tuned for the next chapter

Warnings

For the last few days we have been getting severe weather warnings.

these screen shots are from the BOM (bureau of meteorology Australia)

earlier wind alerts called the winds “ cyclonic”

I don’t ever remember that word being used for our weather.

right now the sun is out and we have slightly strong winds. Nothing out of the ordinary. Last night we had lots of rain.

I woke up and there were puddles everywhere. It was even wet under our verandas, which means the wings were making the rain come in horizontally.

thunderstorms are predicted for this afternoon and evening.

I’ll prepare by having candles ready. All electronics charged and back up battery packs fully charged

I’m hoping that if I’m prepared it won’t happen.

if your in the warning zones pack everything outside, that can become airborne, away. Get organised and stay safe.

Class of 85

a few months ago on of our classmates reminded us that it was now forty years since we graduated.

I was not ready to hear that!

but the truth is the truth. So he organised a night at a pub near where our old school was and we all spread the word

so many turned out and we all had a great time. Reminiscing about those days. Trying to remember everyone in the class photo and talking about our lives now.

even though most of us are close to retirement age, it really did feel like it was only yesterday that we last saw one another.

unfortunately not everyone was able to attend. But for those of us who did it was a magical night that transported us back into the past.

A big thank you to Andrew for organising it all.

the photo you see was taken with all who were there. Two photos were taken. One of us being nice and one of us being silly.

i chose the silly one because honestly it kind of suited us all better

Another week

Oh my the weeks are flying by fast

I’m sure it was the weekend yesterday and it’s now the end of the week!

because the days just flew by I hadn’t shopped for fruits and snacks

Ana wanted to have “bricks “ for her breakfast

I didn’t have any in the house at all

we struck a deal she would have toast with raspberry jam, and then we would go to the supermarket

after over 35 years we finally got a small shopping centre, with a supermarket in the next street over

we headed off on our shopping adventure

she’s such a good girl she is happy to sit in the trolley and chat while I push her around the isles

we did a fairly substantial shop making sure to get the “bricks “

Ana also requested the fruit she wanted

once home, grandma cut up the fruit and served it as a platter

as you can see, she’s using the demon hunters blanket to sit on for her picnic

once again Ana wanted to make some cookies

I had all the ingredients for the 100 cookies recipe

apparently these are not “ real “ cookies because we didn’t cut them out with the fancy cookie cutters

I assured her that these were “ real “ cookies and promised that they would taste good

she did help make the dough into small balls and placed them on the trays

we then made the centre indent and added jam

after one and a half trays she got bored and grandma finished the rest on her own

once cooked and cooled we tried one and she was very happy with the way they tasted

it got a thumbs up from her

she also asked for a second one

A dozen were packed into a container for her to take home

once again we had an abundance of eggs

this two tiered egg storer was almost full.

one pie was cut and put into another container for Ana to take home

they could have the pie for dinner and cookies for dessert

we went out back to check on the chickens, sheep and alpacas

they all seemed to be happy

grandpa went to the farm yesterday and won’t be back until tomorrow. As I don’t like to go out at night when I’m home alone I didn’t let the chickens out to roam. The have plenty of room in the coop. As long as they have food and water they’re happy

the rest of the afternoon was spent crafting.

it was a nice way to just sit and enjoy a nice rest.

well it was for grandma lol

daddy soon arrived to pick Ana up and take her home.

grandma had some pie for her dinner. Has cleaned the kitchen and will now sit, watch television, and hopefully finish the last sleeve on her jumper

Making do

Our old lounge in the small family room has seen better days

this primarily was done by our cats. Especially when they were totally indoor kitties

I can’t afford to replace it and I don’t want to yet. This will be where the grand children will watch television while the adults sit and chat in the larger main lounge

meanwhile I did have a crochet blanket on our bed. A single bed size. It lay across the end. Hubby would use it when he was cold. I’d usually have the fan on me so I definitely didn’t any extra blankets

this winter I felt the cold, fingers crossed menopause is coming to the end.

I replaced the single bed blanket for a double size one.

I decided to cover the back of the lounge with the single bed blanket.

our early married years we had blankets on all the lounges as the were second hand from family and had seen better days

it fit like a glove.

one of the culprits is sitting and acting like she couldn’t possibly have been a vandal and cause damage

while I was repurposing I got the idea of making something to put my sunglasses in

I need prescription glasses I’m as pretty blind now. But getting prescription sunglasses would cost around $900.00

nope not paying that. I saw some on Facebook that go over your own glasses not only shielding your eyes but you still have your normal glasses on so you can see.

I bought two pairs to see if they really do work.

yes the do! I know. I’m shocked too

best part is they only cost $30.00

unfortunately the cases that they come in are pretty bad. Hard to get the glasses in and in no way do they protect at all

well I went through my scrap box and made some. Quilted so are well padded and protective

I’ve got the two I originally bought. Then I ordered two more. The original two are in my car and hubbys car. So I needed two more for the second lot I’d ordered

when hubby saw them he tried one pair on. He loved them. He then asked me to order him a pair

well I couldn’t just order one.

so I got another couple for me lol

they come in different colours. Even the lenses are different colours.

two of the light coloured covers have glasses. I made an extra one for the ones coming and I made the brown one for hubbys glasses

the inside has felt so it’s not harsh on the glasses

they were fun to make and quick

I made them flat quilted and added binding then folded them in half. I then hand stitched two sides leaving on of the shorter sides open

the glasses slide in nicely

now I just need another blanket for the second couch

but that will be a project for next winter I think

Child labour part 2

As promised I received photos of the decorating process of the gingerbread

her mummy said there were 7 colours.

how they looked once they were done

Ana even helped with the clean up.

she’s such a good girl

and finally. Just because

Georgia slept through it all

Child labour

Ana arrived a little late this morning. Her daddy said they all slept in. I guess having a new baby might of affected their

they hadn’t had breakfast since I Ana what she wanted and asked for her bricks. No milk just the cereal

she asked to watch the demon hunters and then for Gabbys dollhouse.

she was happy to just watch the telly but I really don’t want her spending the whole day in front of the idiot

box.

I decided we needed to do some cooking

I asked her if she wanted to make cup cakes. The answer was a loud YES!

i usually buy the home brand cake mix and add to it

today I added a small packet of coco pops and folded them in at the end

you can see them in the little cakes

the whole lot was sent home to be enjoyed by the family. I’ve not had a report as yet I hope they tasted ok

then Ana wanted to make cookies. She had seen my cookie cutters and just wanted to use them

I found a simple recipe for gingerbread men Ana told me when they cook at daycare they always use a recipe. She made sure I followed the instructions correctly

once mixed I asked her to flatten it out on brown paper while I found the rolling pin

we then placed another sheet of paper on top and she had a good try rolling it out

she picked the cookie cutter shapes she wanted and we cut them all out

we had to keep smooshing the dough and the rolling to be able to cut more shapes she thought this was a brilliant idea because we don’t want to waste food

Obviously we had to use the gingerbread man. She then chose a flower shape and a heart shape

most of the finished cookies went home. Grandma didn’t have any icing sugar to decorate but her mummy said she did.

ill share the photos when i get them

Final verdict on how it tasted.

a big thumbs up

I’ll have to work out what we can make next week and make sure to have all the ingredients

All is well

I’ve been MIA lately as I was a tad anxious. A few weeks ago I had my regular, every two years, breast scan.

every woman over Fifty gets reminded that she’s due.

well off i went to get the girls squished and checked.

usually that’s it. Come back in two years

but not this year

i received a text message saying could I please ring Breastscreen Victoria to book an appointment to discuss and do a more thorough assessment.

as you can imagine, it wasn’t a welcome texted at all.

so this morning we headed off early to the breastscreen section at Monash Bentley.

after filling in forms and donning that sexy and then hospital gown, I had a second lot of squishing and squashing of the girls.

then I had a scan. The kind you have when you’re pregnant.

after all that I was given the all clear. They did show me, on the scan pictures, what they had found.

it was a tiny, but perfect circle.

the final diagnosis. It’s a cyst.

huge sigh of relief.

im so very grateful that we are all screened regularly and the medical staff are so per finicky.

this tiny spot could have been something evil and it would of remained undetected for a while. You can’t feel it at the moment.

im especially grateful that all the poking and prodding is totally free.

if I had to pay for all this I can guarantee I would of had it as I wouldn’t of afforded it

i do feel so much better now.

Ana and masseuse

Friday started as usual with Ana arriving

she didn’t want breakfast because apparently she already had some but she did want the little bricks

that’s code for Nutri grain lol

she eats them without milk

she then asked to watch the demon hunters I know sounds terrible but it’s not it’s a cartoon movie with a good message and lots of pop music. Her big cousins introduced her to it, they know all the words and sing along, and now she’s obsessed

we only watched it once then we were back to Gabbys dollhouse and bluey

nails were painted

didn’t get a shot of her feet

and crafting

these are out of order don’t know how to fix it

any way grandma had to come and craft with her

I drew a farm house and added animals in the paddocks

Ana wanted to do the same so I drew the farmhouse for her

she saw the smilie faces and just went with that. Animals are just too much work I guess

not to scale lol

I got a smiley face from Ana because I did a good job

that tub and bags are all stickers

grandma might have a slight problem

she got into it and just kept drawing and adding stickers

once daddy came and took her home hubby picked me up and drove me to the masseuse.

once she’s worked on my I’m actually in more pain so I need someone to drive me home

she cracked my neck so loudly that I honestly thought she had ripped it off!

but last night I fell asleep at 7.30 and woke today at 6.30.

I’ve not slept in weeks and needed it

hopefully I continue to get full night sleep.

today the pain levels are back to very low. I’m still not allowed to do much as the muscles will go back to where

they were and it would all be for nought After a full 24 hours I can get back to doing stuff.

I’ve come home from art and finished the latest painting. If your interested follow the link on my page to see it

I’m now going to put a load of clothes on to wash. I’ll hang them inside as that’s just easier when your not supposed to lift your arms too high