Music, family and 4.

Yesterday I shared how not only was it my birthday but it had been my Nan's as well.  She passed away 2 years ago from dementia related illness.  She really was an awesome Nan. 

Just like me she loved her music.  I am sure yesterday she sent me a little Happy Birthday in the form of 2 songs on the radio.  I know the sceptics will say if you listen to an old peoples radio station the chances are fairly high of hearing these songs however I choose to believe it was Nan saying hi!!  (In my defence Sydney radio is shite especially in the mornings and my cds are awol from the car so Smooth 95.3 it is as it has the least amount of talking and ads!!)

The first song "Unforgettable" came on 15 minutes into our drive to swimming lessons.  It had been a battle to get the kids into the car as apparently the big one does not want to go anymore and he kicked up a massive stink and was still screaming when the song came on,  He immediately stopped crying.  I however started.  I cannot listen to that song anymore without a few tears.

The second song "What a wonderful world" came on on the way home.  Another one of her favourites.

Lastly "Yellow submarine"  Nan absolutely hated this song with a passion.  If you wanted to annoy her you would start singing it!!  She should never have told anyone how much she hated it!!  Especially a smart ass like me!!  Sorry Nan, how could I not put this one in!!

I love this photo.  Nan holding the big one's hand on Mothers day 2009 when he was about 7 weeks old.

Another reason apart from pregnant hormones I am emotional is that the baby whose hand is in that picture is 4 years old today.  He is one awesome kid and as much as he drives me up the wall and around the bend he makes me laugh and smile and burst with pride. 

A very quick Essentially Jess ibot from me today!! 

Please tell me I am not the only person in the world who tears up when they hear certain songs!!

Thankful Thursday- Friends

Yesterday I had a very impromptu catch up with 2 friends.  It was so nice to catch up even just for a short time.  We had a really nice hour or so at the park while the kids all played.  We have been trying to catch up for ages but some way or another it never seems to happen.  When we left we tried to organise another catch up but it seems like the next time we can all get together is in about a month.

This is fine.  It is all about stage of life.  Right now everyone is busy with their kids and work and other commitments.  It really is the same for all of us at the moment.  We are looking forward a few years to when all the 40ths start and we can start partaying without having small children to worry about. 

I also know my particular group of friends will be around when we are old and grey and playing the pokies and bingo together and going on old peoples holidays etc.  This is kind of unspoken amongst us  and as far as I am concerned anyone who doesn't "get it" won't be there with us, it really is simple. 

So to my friends I am thankful for you and that we are all on the same page and I look forward to getting through the next few years and being able to hang out and create havoc again!!  Although probably fairly tame havoc!!

I am also thankful for my two friends yesterday, one who gave me a bag of stretchy tops and the other who gave me a kids suitcase filled with some awesome hand me downs!!   Although I was not thankful when the kids were packing their suitcase at 830pm last night ready for our Easter break next Thursday!!

Thats it for my pregnancy hormone induced soppiness. 

Tomorrow is FFS Friday and I will be having a whinge about do gooders and policy making gone mad and how I have been cranky all week about a stupid rule/policy that benefits no one. 

Linking up over at .six by the bay for Thankful Thursday.  Also linking up with Jacana for Totally Thursday as I totally heart my friends!!

Wordless Wednesday- Alien baby/jelly bean

19 week scan, all looking good.  Excuse the picture its a photo of a photo as my scanner is not working!!

Its Wednesday so that can only mean its My Little Drummer Boys Wordless Wednesday!!

All about the Jovi!!

I may have jumped up and down and done a happy dance on Friday at lunch time when this popped up in my facebook newsfeed.  Plans are underway and in motion for Mumma (and Daddy) to have a night off and put a big tick off a bucket list item!!  I have my outfit chosen already!!

Ideally we would go all out and have a massive night with food, booze and a night in a hotel however reality is I will more than likely be the designated driver and our night will end early as there will be a 5 month old baby waiting at home for us.  Which is more than ok as there is always next time!!

Also ideally they will be playing a small regional centre just outside of Sydney and change the dates from December to November or January as getting a baby sitter in December will be harder than finding a needle in a hay stack!! 

However I will be happy no matter what happens!!  Unless tickets go on sale on a Monday morning which is the only time I cannot be sitting ready at the computer.  Then  will not be happy!!

One more thing I would love is if this ultra cool pram was available to buy again.  Yes it is a Bon Jovi (Rock Star Baby) pram!!

I knew I should have brought one four years ago when I first saw it!!  They have been unavailable for years!!

Be prepared for months of me banging on about Bon Jovi!!  I have begun a daily stalk to make sure I am first in line for all the info.  I need dates now to be extra prepared!!

I love how the boys love Bon Jovi too.  We have the latest greatest hits cd in the car and they always ask for me to play it.  Their fave song is Bad Medicine.  I was definitely born in the wrong decade and country!!  This would have been awesome to be at!!



I love this song but have avoided playing it while pregnant as the other 2 have taken this song literally!!  I really need to find nice peaceful music maybe then I might get a kid who likes to sleep!!



This last one is one of my faves!!



.Linking up for IBOT with Essentially Jess.

Any other insane Bon Jovi fans out there??  Or am I the only crazy stalker type!!

Wordless Wednesday- summer wedding random shots

Botanical gardens

The Toaster, home to Rusty Crowe and a few other celebs

Me trying to be the paparazzi

Photos for the kids!!

Some lovely expensive boats!!

A few weeks ago the HOTH and I went to a wedding in the Botanical Gardens.  It had poured with rain all morning but by some miracle stopped a couple of hours before the wedding started and held off until the reception ended.  It was such a nice afternoon/evening.

Sticking with my fave things theme, how could I not take photos of cranes and boats for the kids!! 

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.

Mini Frozen Lemon Cheesecakes

Frozen Mini Lemon Cheesecakes

10 Arnott’s Granita Biscuits

250 grams Coles Brand Spreadable Cream Cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup Masterfoods Lemon Butter, plus extra to serve

500 ml Coles Brand Classic Vanilla Ice-cream

2 tbsp Finely Chopped Pistachios

Line 10 large muffin cups with paper cases.  Place a biscuit in the base of each case.
Mix together cream cheese and lemon butter in a large bowl with a wooden spoon.
Scoop spoonfuls of ice cream in and leave for 5 mins to soften,
Using a metal spoon combine ice cream and cream cheese mixture and immediately spoon into paper cases.
Freeze for 4 hours or overnight,
Serve with extra lemon butter and pistachios (optional),

Dessert is one of my favourite things.  We usually have a something twice a week.  Normally its something I have baked like cake or muffins but last week the HOTH (being a bit of a smart ass) saw this recipe in the coles magazine and made a few comments on how these looked out of my league to make, so I did!!

Talk about easy and delicious.  Seriously yum and the best bit is that being frozen they cannot be packed in a lunchbox so dessert is done for the next week or so!! 

You can use any cream cheese, ice cream or lemon butter and I used ginger nuts as my supermarket did not have granitas.  Next time I will see how a different flavour jam goes.

Linking up with One Mother Hen for some Monday Open Slather!!

FFS Friday- same old

I have done my best work to avoid anything this week to say ffs about.  For the most part its been quiet of course not everything has gone so smoothly.  FFS

Monday it took us 50 minutes to drive 20klms meaning I had to turn the car around and miss swimming lessons as we were still ages away from the pool.  FFS

I even left early as I knew there was going to be traffic thanks to the HOTH who rang me to tell me he had to turn around and go the long way to work.  FFS

Seriously people if you cannot drive in wet weather then stay off the road.  FFS

We saw a 5 car pile up which made the kids happy as there were fire trucks and ambulances and police cars, they came home and spent the day playing car crashes with their toys.  Sickos.  FFS

Still with the green snot and the not going to bed for my delightful 2 year old.  Its getting old kid, enough is enough.  FFS

Past 11pm last night before he fell asleep.  FFS

His brother has been a champ about going to bed.  No FFS there!!

At least he did not talk through The Midwives this week.  FFS

Someone needs to ban me from watching these birthing shows.  Last night I was a blubbering mess.  Pregnancy and these shows do not mix.  FFS

Not only that but if I have 3 days of contractions and am not anywhere close to labour I will spit chips.  FFS

I have heard stories of the third one popping out quickly, that better be true.  FFS

I think that is it for the week.  A very quiet one!! 

FFS Friday is one of my favourite things.  Thanks to Dear Baby G for hosting the fabulous whine fest!!

Thankful Thursday- World Book Day

Today is World Book Day and funnily enough without knowing it was I am guest posting over at Adventures of a Subversive Reader with a little post about story time at our local library.

Which has inspired a quick Thankful Thursday combined with my favourite things!!

Today I am thankful for books.  All kinds of books really, kids fiction, non fiction, cookbooks etc. 

I will be very thankful if I can actually pick up a book to finish the Little White Dove 13/13 challenge!!
Linking up for Thankful Thursday six by the bay.

Wordless Wednesday- random faves

Picasso!!

Mummy!!

Showing the world pictures of their new brother or sister!!  A few weeks late putting this one up!!

Still on my favourite things!!  Who doesn't love when your child draws something other than scribbles?  I love finding pictures on the camera when its left within children's reach!!  Lastly 3 of my favourite things, 2 gorgeous boys and a jelly bean!!

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for another fave thing of mine Wordless Wednesday!!

Music Music and more music

Music is totally one of my favourite things.  I heard Madonna yesterday while sitting in shocking traffic and instantly I was happy and transported back to the 80's dancing around at a disco!!  I may have been caught by many drivers dancing and singing in the car!!

I love Pink and this new song is no exception!!

I am a self confessed Gleek (sort of!!)  I love the music but am kind of a bit old for the story lines!! 

Linking up with Jess for ibot.  Which is also one of my favourite things, sadly there are not enough hours in the day to enjoy it properly!!

Anyone else out there want to admit their love of Glee or dancing at a disco to Madonna??!!

The best ever Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding

Not my picture but you get the idea!!

1 cup self raising flour
3/4 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup milk
30grams butter, melted
1/4 cup cocoa
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 1/4 cups hot water

1. Sift flour, caster sugar and cocoa into a bowl.
2. Mix in milk and butter.
3. Pour into an ovenproof dish
4. Sift the other 1/4 cup of coca into a bowl (or large heatproof jug if you have one)
5. combine cocoa, brown sugar and hot water (I use boiling water) mix until all the lumps are gone.
6. Pour gently over the cake mixture
7. Bake at 180 deg (160-170 fan forced) for 45-50 minutes
8. Enjoy!!

I have been making this for about 20 years!!  The recipe comes from The Woman's Weekly Beginners Cookbook (I think thats the name).  It is so simple and so delicious!!  I usually make double the sauce so 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa and 2 1/2 cups hot water.  You need a fairly deep dish to make it in too or it overflows!!
This recipe is the start of My Favourite Things which is a little theme around here for the rest of the month.  I am doing this as we just ticked over to March which is by far one of my favourite months as not only is it my birthday soon but it means the weather is near perfect with warmish days and cooler nights just the way I like it!!

Blogging is also one of my favourite things and I love love love Open slather with One Mother Hen!!

So today is favourite month and winter dessert.  Whats yours??!!