Kids will only eat white bread

I struggle to get my daughter to eat anything other than white bread.

I often send wholemeal and multi-grain to kindy thinking she'll eat it but she pulls the fillings out!!

Just found this at Bakers Delight and she says it's yum

http://www.bakersdelight.com.au/WhatWeBake/HealthyEating/ChiaBread/

The Laundry

The laundry seems to be one of those places that so many people struggle with and I'm one of those people!!!

Now I have some before and after photos here but I want to note that before these before photos about 4 months ago the laundry was seriously shameful!  The dirty clothes were piled up in front of the door to outside, you couldn't open the door, clothes and towels were going mouldy.  Clean clothes were piled next where the dirty clothes baskets are now in a massive pile so big you could hardly get in.  It would take forever to find clothes each morning and I could never seem to catch up on washing or folding or anything.

I've had people make comments to me like "I just don't understand how you can't just do a load of washing, hang it out, take it off the line and put it away" well because I'm sorry but I'm not perfect and I generally have a stack of other things on my mind and the last thing I'm thinking about is "hmm have I folded the washing yet". 

So anyway I came up with a system that suits us and works quite well.  But it did get a bit out of hand as I got lazy. 

Well it wasn't just me getting lazy everyone was just throwing stuff everywhere...and as you can see on the filing cabinet I was getting slack with putting the clean linene away.

I hadn't folded or even put any clean clothes away for I don't know how long and they were overflowing.

And well there was just stuff everywhere

It took me a couple days to get things in order, a little here and there to catch up

So now we have things back in order

I moved the filing cabinet, I can't be lazy with linen then, and I needed a place to store that box so I'm using it as a bench.

How the dirty clothes baskets work

- lil rats

- big rats

- concrete_mans work clothes

-linen

Already sorted for washing and I have Rat_girl all trained!!

Clean clothes have been folded and tidied, each person has a basket for clean clothes is responsible for their own basket, well except Rat_boy I do his

And I cleaned up the messy corner, moved the rubbish bin into the sink so Rat_boy can't eat the contents and gave it a quick mop.

I still need to scrub some of the walls and the cupboards as there is a mould issue but I'll do that as I get time.  It's not getting any worse it seems to be container to one area.

And this photo shows were I'm getting a hanging rail so that some clothes can come straight from the wash onto a hang and hung to dry.

So anyway that is what works for us and it generally works pretty well.  Concrete_man prefers to keep all his work clothes in his clean clothes basket, well folded next to it actually, so that early in the morning he can find them easy without waking anyone up.

Can you help

I want to run a little challenge thing with some friends and fellow bloggers and I want one of those cute little buttony things like the Menu Plan Monday etc.

Can you make them, or do you know who can...I'm really not savvy enough to do something like that.

Australia Day 2010

With the weather terrible and torrential rain falling from the sky on Australia day for us it ended up being all about the food!

We had planned backyard activities with the kidss, backyard cricket, slip and slide, kiddie pool and all that find of stuff.  But not only was it wet I was kind of afraid that I might lose the kids in the jungle that is my back lawn!!!!!

So we spent the day inside, Rat_girl and I made some lamingtons with a twist....Lamington cake balls, inspired by Bakerella.

They were delish, they tasted just like lamingtons!

Basically it was a cheap cake mix made as per directions, once cooled crumbled into a bowl and mixed with some icing.  I used a packet of icing that I had left over from another cake mix (like a buttercream) and I dyed half green and half yellow.  Mix and mush up and roll into balls, refridgerate for a couple hours or freeze to speed it up. Then I rolled in lamington icing and coconut.

There was bacon and eggs on the BBQ, sausages in bread (none of which I had) and then an Aussie style dinner...homemade meat pie, possibly one of the nicest ones I've made.  Out of the mixture I ended up with 3 ramiken size ones for Rat_girl, so 2 put in freezer, 3 meals for Rat_boy, he had his with mashed spud on top and no pastry and 2 pies for us...so another on standby in the freezer.

And ofcourse for dessert pavlova, yes I know the kiwis will tell you it's yours, but it's Aussie I'm sure of it!!!

Look I even managed green and gold(ish) on the pav!!!  Concrete_man keeps telling me how AMAZING the pavlovas are that I'm been making so I had to have a taste.  And I have to admit, even though I really don't like pav it was the nicest one I've tasted not as sickly, syrupy sweet like most.  The shell was perfectly crisp and inside light and fluffy.  In saying that though, it was only a matter of minutes before I felt sick from eating it!

So Happy Australia Day to all my fellow Aussies...AUSSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE, OI OI OI!

Sorry couldn't resist

Farewell dear Olga

Well as quickly as she appeared she is now gone.

She wasn't even a she when she hit the coast north of caost she was an ex-she (i.e ex-cyclone) and there was barely a breath of wind.

Those that didn't preapre and didn't listen to warnings or take it seriously are now in the "I told you so mode" and thos that anticipated it so much are coming down from the high.

I was somewhere in between I guess, aware and prepared but not overly excited and now that nothing happened I'm a little disappointed but quite relieved!

Anyway off to finish my menu planning.

Had a massive day today sorting and organising....oooooo can't wait to share those pics with you all!!!

Keeping an eye on Olga

There she is...will wait to see what morning brings.

We're sorted I think as much as we can be, could be a very interesting day when we wake tomorrow.

Meet....Olga!!

Our second cyclone to be named off our coast in as many days.  However unlike Cyclone Neville, Olga is predicted to cross right near Cairns, possibly just north.

I've been through a tonne of cyclones in my life and never ever found them scary, as a kid I found most of them quite fun.  But now as an adult, grown up, with my own house and family where I have now become the protector and not the protected I find it a lot scarier. 

5 years ago during cyclone Larry all I could think about was protecting my daughter and what I needed to do to make sure she was safe, she was only I think 10weeks old.  The hardest part was she was formula fed so I had to make sure I had plenty of boiled or bottle water and heaps of formula incase the shops ran out.  This time around the baby is breastfed so that really does help, but he eats like a maniac. Thankfully as long as I have pasta and rice and some frozen veg and I have some baby mix thru sauces in the cupboard I should have enough to keep him happy.  Plus I have all his yoghurts frozen and tins of custard.  Rat_girl would be in paradise getting to eat tinned spaghetti and baked beans for days!  But something that has just occured to me, I didn't buy nappies.  I've been using cloth so much I am out of the habit of buying nappies when I shop.  I have about half a box so I don't think it's an issue and I have so many cloth it won't matter.  If worse comes to worse I'll be washing them in a bucket outside with the rain water LOL ...but it won't come to that.

I've been here my whole life so I'm used to this season and every year I just buy a few extra tins of food, long life milk, batteries etc in my weekly shopping.  We have heaps of candles (I'm a candle addict) and torches and radios and we alreay made sure the cars were fueled so we're set.  Nothing really to panic about.

We do actually have plans to buy a generator, we've already got on picked up, just waiting for a couple payments to come it so we can buy it.  It will be great, it's big enough to power the fridge and freezer and a tv and probably 1 aircon in the room so we can sleep at night.  And it will also be enough to throw a lead out neighbour (who I just adore) so he can run his fridge and a couple things.

Anyway to needless to say weekend plans, including Australia Day plans could be put on hold.  If we get lots of rain, coupled with the high tide planned for Aust Day...it might just be chaos and too flooded for fishing.  But we'll wait and see.

Australia Day

I'm sitting at the table making my to do list for today while Rat_girl finishes her nutrigrain and Rat_boy sucks on some raison toast I'm thinking about Australia Day.

Are you doing anything this Australia Day????

Weather permitting we're heading out very early to catch the high tide and try some more fishing, we've made our list of what we need and will head over to the fishing store on the weekend and stock up.

I''m trying to think up some Aussie themed foods for the day, any ideas??

Some people are so rude!

I attract all the wrong people!

On Wednesday our Mums & Bubs group was meeting at the carpark of a popular walking track, the Red Arrow, we were to meet at 8am...which really for a mother is a hard ask. But I got there, I was pretty much all prepared the night, but I was about 5 mins late when I drove in. I couldn't see the group anywhere so I drove slowly through the carpark looking to see if I could see the trainers car or the other mums. I found the trainers car pulled up next to it, unpacked the kids as quick as possible and started searching by foot.


When 15min had passed and I couldn't find them, I ask a man who had come off the red arrow if he had seen them on his travels to which he responded "Yes, when I first got here, that was ages ago you are obviously very late" I replied "well no I was about 5 mins late I've been searching for them" he replied again "People in the avenue are very punctual you know, and can't be expected to wait around for rude people like you that turn up late" I turned to him and said "well F**K you mate" and walked off almost in tears! I left a not on the trainers car and she phoned me when she finished to say that from now on when we meet there she will leave a note on her car so people know where they are.

Funny though, I already felt like a little bit of an outcast in the group as it's been running awhile and I'm new and all the girls are just skinny and gorgeous and all know eachother quite well....I feel even more of an outcast now as someone being last has obviously never been and issue until I showed up.  Doesn't matter I'm not there to make friends I'm there for the exercise!

Learning a new skill

Something I hadn't had a chance to post yet.

This year for Christmas Rat_girl got a fishing rod, a pink one at that, and a tackle box filled with goodies.  She has been obsessing over Concrete_mans fishing rod for ages and constantly asking when she can go fishing.  So we gave her the rod and took her fishing.

We went a few days after New Year...now let me just add I'm not big on fishing I can't even remember the last time I fished.  We weren't overly prepared, well this insn't true I had food, drinks, sunscreen pretty much everything but I forgot the chairs, the insect repellant AND we had no idea where we were actually going...then add to that it rained!

But we got through it and now we know a few things to make next time more enjoyable for everyone!

First stop, the side of the Barron Rive (i.e CROC central, thankfully didn't see any)

Waiting, waiting..got a few bites, not just mozzies, but lost them in the snags. I reckon there would be plenty fish if you had the patience....ummm we didn't!

Next stop a little further down at the beach, was a popular spot.  But due to the high tide, Rat_boy and I couldn't get down to the beach it was too dangerous to walk over the rocks.  Next time we'll come from the other beach

Finally the waiting paid off, given it was on Concrete_mans rod but she was holding it and she reeled it in, she screamed at the sight of it but was excited!

What I now know I need for next time to make it a more family friendly fun day out, firstly remember the insect repellant!!!

But I'm on the look out for a cheap 2 man tent that we can set up on the beach for Rat_boy to play around in and sleep in if he needs to, lots of sand toys, chairs and yeah something to take home any fish that are takeable (so not a word HAHA).  That way we can pull up some sand near the water, plant the rods and she can go between rod and playing and she won't get so bored.  Atleast that is the plan anyway!!

Menu Plan Monday 18/01/09

Menu Plan Monday

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I'm and Organising Junkie

Nothing much to report from last week, the whole week went by very quickly and to tell you the truth, I know that we ate our dinners but I can barely remember any of them! 

I really want to get a little more involved with the menus and food side of things, i'm going to 'try' to take some food pics and post more recipes on my food site.  I still have 2 more weeks until Rat_girl is back at kindy so I doubt much will happen before then.

Anyway here is what is on the table this week...

Monday
AGAIN Spaghetti Bolognese...it's become habit as Monday or Tuesday are generally my shopping days and this is always something I have enough ingredients for.  Though I jazzed it up a bit more this week I'd been getting e bit slack just throwing in a jar of pasta sauce...tsk tsk

Tuesday
Slow Cooked Chicken, Bacon & Leek Puff Pastry pie
I cooked this over night in the slow cooker and then cooled in the fridge ready to put in the pastry for dinner.  I've got enough to make more than 1 pie, or even some parcels to save to lazy night dinners

Wednesday
Crumbed Steak Parmigiana, chips and salad

Thursday
Chicken Cesar Salads with Garlic Bruschetta

Friday
Cheesy Stuffed meatloaf....will have to look back for recipe on this with steamed potatoes, snow peas and baby carrots.

Saturday
Freeeeeeeeeeeeee

Sunday
BBQ - Concrete_Man meat of choice.

I'm working on some Aussie day themed food for next Tuesday.  Have a few things in mind...exciting!

My new blog

I have another blog that you might be interested in checking out, or not LOL.

It's still a bit of a work in progress I have things to be added.

I am going to make some other changes to this blog.  It was originally started to have no readers and just put things out there for my own release but as I joined things like Menu Plan Monday etc and got a couple of followers things changed.

I will be moving some of my previous posts from here to another blog that I plan to start up that will be a private blog just for me and perhaps for a few select readers, this new blog will be my release things I need to get off my chest etc so as not to bog down this blog with all that stuff.

And I'm also going to try get the food blog up and running with recipes and photos etc to aid Menu Plan Monday.

In order to do all this though I'm thinking I need to get rid of something and I really really want to see if I can get rid of Facebook, not completely but only once a week and just save my computer time for my blogging and my working....haha we'll see how that goes though.

It's all over

YAY

Tuesday morning was the day and Rat_girl was out of bed and so excited about having a sleep over at the hospital.  I explained to her quite a few times what was happening and that she would feel sore and not very well when she woke up but I just don't think it was sinking in.

We got to the hospital 730 on the dot and were sent straight up to the childrens ward, we were advised she was 2nd in line and that the first child was already in theatre.  I was happy about that, I didn't want it to drag out too long.  She quickly got comfy in her hospital gown and in her bed and loved the fact she had her own tv above her bed, but she kept asking if it was time to see the DR yet.

When it was time she happily went for a ride on her bed down to theatre and I walked along side, we got there and she was amused by my theatre gown, hat and shoes that I had to wear.  All was going well until we got in and they asked her to swtich beds, this is I think when she realised something was going on.  Myself, 2 nurses and the and the DR held her down while the mask was held on her and the gas started to work.  I kept it together but it was horrible to watch especially as she fell asleep and seemed to be gasping for breathe, which is normal.  The nurse walked me out and as soon as the doors shut she said "you can cry now" and I burst into tears!!!

Thankfully less than an hour and I was down in recovery with her.  She was upsept and scratching at her face but she came out really well.  We both rode back up in her bed to the ward.  And quickly got her comfy and sorted in her bed.  Her bestie cookie never left her side the whole time!!

In hospital, beside the fact she hardly slept even at night, I think she was a little overwhelmed, she did really well.  Eating anything and everything they put in front of her, drinking plenty of fluids and taking most of her medicine.  It was a tough night for her and Concrete_man with hardly any sleep and just as tough for me with Rat_boy who wouldn't sleep at home and also me thinking about her!

The next morning when the DR saw us all he wanted was to make sure she ate some breakfast and he was happy for her to go home.  When the nurses saw her scoffing dry cocoa pops they figured that was a ticket to leave.  So we were home by 9am!!!  She has been great since, not too much complaing, she's been resting.  We've had some struggles with medications and having to restrain her to get them in, but she's calmed now and taking them fine.  She is eating well and sleeping well so I'm happy.  3 weeks until we have post op check up and pretty sure we'll pass that with flying colours.

I think the hardest part about the hospital was Rat_boy, far out there wasn't enough room for him he just wanted to move move move!  I managed to calm him and get him to sleep a couple times, he was glad to get home too I think.

There is not enough food in my house

...to feed my anxiety.

I'm not coping very well with what is happening tomorrow, it's silly it's so straight forward.

But honestly I can't function, I have butterflies in my stomach, I feel like I'm going to be sick, I'm shakey and I'm snappy...not coping at all.

All I want to do is eat, I need some food to comfort me but I have nothing here!  I was that desperate I ate the last couple milk arrowroot biscuits and some crunchy noodle things.  But they didn't hit the spot, what I need is chocolate and lots of it...NOW!!!

Well I just got the phone call...

7:30 am admission time tomorrow at the hospital.

I'm seriously anxious about it now.  It's only removal of tonsils and adnoids which is the simplest thing but yet I'm still very nervois and very anxious.

I'm made my lists of what I need to pack, just a little over nighter each.  Rat_girl and Concrete_man will be spending the night at the hospital and myself and Rat_boy will spend the night at my mums just up the road.  Thankfully mum has offered to come out and feed the big fury rats for the night so I don't have to worry.

As a special surprise for her for when she wakes up, I'm taking her own doona from home and I have bought her a new doona cover set which she can use while she has her sleep over at the hospital.

I've tried explaining to her what is happening, telling her that she will be going to sleep and the doctor will be fixing some things in her mouth and throat to make her feel and sleep better. I've told her she will hurt for a while after and she will be very tired and it might not be very nice but that she will get better soon and it will all be worth it.  But she is really excited about the sleepover and has been counting down the days so I am not sure she really understands.  I suppose it's better than her freaking out.

I had a quick word with the lady from the surgeons office and said that both of us and the baby will be there during the day but just 1 will be staying over night.  She didn't seem overly confident that I will be allowed to have the baby there saying "well there will be other children there trying to recover so having a baby there may not be acceptable and the hospital staff may ask you to take him elsewhere"....well they can try!!!

Menu Plan Monday 11/01/10

There were a few changes to last weeks menu, we did end up going away to Townsville so we had takeaway (awful awful awful) on Wednesday night.  So my crumbed steak salad was the only thing not to get eaten this week.

The chicken curry has become a bit of a favorite.  I use a continental recipe base for it, it's very easy, it could do with a little more curry powder but other than that it's fine.  Even the Rat_girl ate a whole plate of it with rice.

Anyway this is what we are eating this week. Rat_girl will most likely be having soft foods as she is having her tonsil and adnoids removed in hospital on Tuesday...stay tuned for a blog update on that later in the week...if I can see past my tears!!

Menu Plan Monday

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I'm an Organising Junkie

Monday

Yes yes same same

Spaghetti Bolognese

Garlic Bread (maybe made into burschetta if I could be bothered)

Tuesday

In hospital tonight with Rat_girl.  My mum has offered to made a meal and drop off to Concrete_man and I for an early dinner.  One of us is stayin with her for the night.

Wednesday

Garlic & Herb Chicken Rissoles potatoes and salad

Pre-made rissoles from Lenards Chicken, for an easy meal after the hospital.

Thursday

Shepards Pie with salad

I'm going to attempt to make this at the same time as I do the spaghetti sauce on Monday and freeze ahead of time

Friday

BBQ Hot Dogs with wedge and coleslaw

Saturday

Chicken and Spinach Salad wrap

Friday

Slow Cooker Lamb chops and vegies

Ah so that was it!!!

I'm certain you will all sleep much better for knowing what I am about to tell you.

But there was infact a reason for my moods the last few days, it has improved a little but I'm still a little touchy.

This morning I woke to find that a 'friend' I have seen since before falling pregnant with Rat_boy has returned and will no doubt hang around for a few days and make me down right miserable! 

Now I know it's a New Year, but I don't do resolutions.  The only one I ever kept was to never make any more, so I think I should keep that going.  I do however like to plan goals for a year and so far I've come up with zilch, well that's a lie, just zilch that I'm ready to put down on paper yet.

However just a minute ago I was standing in front of the mirror putting my hair up and I noticed something, something that I've never seend before in the mirror....I have tuckshop lady arms!  I've never ever had loose arms, even when I've been bigger my arms have been toned(ish).  I feel horrible now and it's all I can think about.

So I guess my first goal is to improve on that.  I best be pull the Wii Fit out tonight and get on those toning exercises.

But for now, I'm off to sort out the laundry, I'm so far behind in there it's a joke, ok maybe it's not because I don't find it all that funny.  I've just about got the dirty clothes under control, even though I say I'm behing it was really 1 load of kids clothes, 1 load of our clothes and 1 load of linen.  The nappies were the only things actually up to date.  HOWEVER the clean washing needs folding.  I do love though how I'm so far behind in the folding and putting away of clothes but we can still find all our clothes easily.  It's called organised chaos I think...ok really going now, as Rat_girl and Concrete_man are somewhere and Rat_boy is sitll sleeping.

Menu Plan Monday 04/01/09

Yep ok so I'm a day late, no biggy better than not at all right!!

So i still haven't been told if we are going away for a few days or not yet, so I'm doing my menu plan anyway and will see what happens.  Meals that don't get made this week can easily follow on to next week.  Mind you I haven't been to the grogery store yet either.  I have been waiting for my "child free" time I'm supposed to get while Concrete_man is on holidays but it hasn't arrived.  So no doubt once the Rat_boy wakes up I'll be taking the 2 kids with me.  The best thing about that is I don't buy extras it's "get in and get THE HELL OUT".

Here is what we are eating this week.....

Menu Plan Monday

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I'm an organising junkie

Monday

Good 'ol Spaghetti Bolognese (this is the meal you make when you haven't planned any meals)

Also threw in some bruschetta garlic bread

Tuesday

Chicken & Camembert turnovers, with greek style salad

Wednesday

Fake Nicoise Salad (it's fake because it doesn't have tuna, crumbed steak instead, but still has potatoes, beans eggs etc)

Thursday

Creamy Chicken Cutty with rice, steamed greens and Naan Bread

PLUS - a special dessert for Concrete_mans birthday...ok it's not that special it's just Pav but it's his favourite.

Friday

Steaks sandwhiches with caramelised onions and home made wedges with sour cream and sweet chilli on the side.

Saturday

Free day - left overs, missed meals, or takeaway.

Sunday

Marinated Roast Beef with herb & garlic potatoes and roasted vegies.

Left over candy canes you want out of the house???

Check this out....

Candy Cane Hearts for Valentines Day

Very cute idea..

2010

Well it's only the 2nd day of the New Year and I'm miserable.  I have no idea why, I'm just completely down in the dumps.  I don't want to do anything or be around anyone and I really have to force myself to talk to anyone, even my family!  It's sad and I hate feeling like this but I can't seem to pull myself out of it.

So to try help my mood, today the kids have a swim in the little kiddie pool in the back yard...it's very hot at the moment..so it's good for them, they seem to be like me and don't cope with the heat so well and need some cool down time occasionally, wish I could fit in with them!

Later on Rat_girl and I made some cake mix cookies with mini M&Ms...I'll put the recipe below, so ridiculously easy and can be quite cheap to make also.

Cake Mix Cookies

1 x packet cake mix

60ml of oil (I sometimes find this is a wee bit too much)

2 x eggs

Any add ins you want

Mix together then add your add in's.  Roll into walnut size balls place on a lined tray and bake for about 12-15mins.  Oven I think about 150/170c.

Today we used homebrand vanilla cake mix (cost less than $1) and mini m&ms.  I've also made them plain with no add ins.

Chocolate cake mix (again cheap one) with some rice bubble and dusted with some icing mixture before baking.

The options for add ins are endless really.  And you can use this for any packet cake mix you like and very easy for the kids to help with.

Happy New Year

Tick- tick -tick

5

4

3

2

.....

Happy New Year

And Happy New Decade I'm sure it's going to be One-derful!