Wordless Wednesday- Day out with Thomas 2011

I was going through my computer looking for something and came across these photos from last years Day out with Thomas.  The baby was 7 months and the big one was not quite 2 1/2.  Thanks for all the jumper comments on last weeks photos the boys are lucky to have a talented great grandma and Nana!!

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys.

The best ever Chocolate Truffles.

I hate to admit it but I have been making these little balls of goodness for about 20 years!!  They are tasty and easy.  A winning combination!!  I have seen plenty of truffle recipes over the years and this is absolutely without a doubt the best one!!  This is a must make for me every Christmas!!

Chocolate Truffles

90 grams butter (unsalted)
1/2 cup thickened cream
300 grams Dark chocolate
2 tablespoons of brandy

Heat butter and cream on a low heat.  In a double boiler (bowl over a saucepan of water, make sure the bowl does not touch the water)
Add the chocolate
Stir until the chocolate is melted
Cool then add the brandy.
Refrigerate
Roll into balls then roll into coconut.
Try and stop at one or two!!

I never use brandy I use Cointreau but I dare say any flavoured liqueur would be just as nice!!  Don't like alcohol then don't add any.  They are just as delicious without!! 
When I have rolled them I put them into tiny cupcake cases!!  Also I always make a double batch!!  This can be a very messy process but the end result is divine.  I might have to make some just to take some photos to put up with the recipe!!

Linking up with One Mother Hen for some open slather!!

Update!!  I made these this afternoon and used orange essence instead of the cointreau to make them alcohol free.  Yum!!  They are nice just plain with coconut too, trust me I sampled in the name of research!!  Also the pictures make them look bigger than they actually are!!

Bloggers Boogey- Matchbox Twenty!!

In honor of the fact Matchbox Twenty are in Australia and I cannot go as there  are times in life where you have to decide between buying turf or concert tickets to my second favourite band in the world here are 5 of my favourite Matchbox Twenty songs.  I have seen them twice in concert back in the day or roughly 15 years ago!!  I had trouble picking 5 songs as I love them all equally!!  I also included their performance from Xfactor the other night.  I had to pretend that  I was there in the audience!!

Linking up with Little White Dove for Saturdays boogey session!!  By the way how cute is Rob Thomas, he still has it after all these years!!

I always knew I was beautiful!!

I had a pretty cool surprise on Saturday when the very funny Mrs D awarded me this wonderful award.  I now have to give you 7 facts about myself then pass it on to 15 other bloggers.

My seven facts are

1. I am a bargain shopper.  I can sniff one out a mile off
2. I love coffee, chocolate, wine (moscato or champange), bourban, malibu and red cordial.  But not at the same time!!
3. I love candles and photo frames. 
4. I absolutely love being a stay at home mum. 
5. I cannot stand hot humid weather.
6. I love my dishwasher and pvr
7. Lastly I am the funniest most awesome person in the world!! 

Ok I ran out of interesting facts so I made the last one up!!

My 15 recipients in no particular order are (drum roll please)!!

1. Make Me Up Mandy
2. Musings of the Misguided
3. Living The Simple Dream
4. Little White Dove
5. One Mother Hen
6. Mums Take Five
7. Beautifully Glossy
8. K&co
9. Salz Duumy Spit
10. Jacana
11. Uber Simplicity
12. Insane Jane
13. Mommy Chuck
14. Bossy Mummy
15. mummy hearts money

I have chosen these bloggers as I love reading their blogs.  Some are funny, some are packed with information, some are nice to look at, some are crafty and make me wish I was.  I always like it when a new post of theirs pops up.  It was so hard choosing 15!!

So thanks guys for sharing what you do and making me smile!!  Please do not feel pressured to play along!!

FFS Friday- Thank God for tiles.

I have spent all week cleaning up after myself.  FFS

I have never dropped, spilt or knocked over so much stuff in all my life.  FFS

The computer had 2 cups of coffee this week.  FFS

Apparently it works better after a caffeine hit.  FFS

The washing machine has also been working like a champ all week.  FFS

It is lulling me into a false sense of security until just before Christmas where it will shit itself.  FFS

Every year at Christmas an appliance of ours decides to crap itself.  FFS

One year the toaster, lawn mower and dryer all the week before the happy season.  FFS

Last year the microwave right after Christmas.  FFS

Another head injury this week.  FFS

A bang followed by crying followed by a baby running out with a banged up head.  FFS

Parental parody you were so right about the head only bleeding when out in public.  FFS  ps love your new look!!

Only the tiniest bit of blood then a black eye all week.  FFS

In other news I cannot string 2 words together this week so I am off now while I am on a roll.  FFS

Oh and stupid Christmas suggestion from this week- lets have Christmas at our place.  FFS

We all got a hair cut!!

Boof's new hair cut complete with black eye.

Linking up with Dear Baby G for some friday fun!!

How to choose a Tradie.

I am lucky I have not had much to do with Tradies over the years of home ownership.  Basically we let our old house fall down around us knowing that we would eventually be knocking it down.  But more importantly the HOTH is a qualified sparky and will try his hand at anything if he thinks he can do it and my dad is a plumber. 

However we have been using people left right and centre the last few weeks and here is how I came to use them.

WORD OF MOUTH.  The amount of people you speak too even if they are not friends as such is huge.  And most people are happy to recommend or warn against.  My list of people I speak to has grown massively since having kids!!  Even our doctor weighed in on something one day!!  Plus I love to eavesdrop!!  Amazing what you can learn while being nosey!!

We have a great local paper that comes out once a month packed with a directory of local businesses and I can pretty much guarantee I know someone who has used them and can give me their opinion.  Also the same names are there month after month and the same vans/utes/cars.trucks are always around.

So here is my list from the last 6 months

• tree lopper- local paper
• plumber- local paper but is actually a family friend
• tv antenna- local paper but we have used him about 6 years ago plus I have heard good things before and after using him.
• vertical blinds- local paper and word of mouth.
• patio cover- word of mouth plus we had seen his work.
• concreter- local paper plus word of mouth

Some helpful hints with finding a good tradie

• First contact- do they answer the phone professionally?  I f you have to leave a message do they call you back in a few hours?
• Do not be afraid to get a few different quotes especially if it is a big job. 
• Do you like them.  Sounds silly but if they turn up and you don't get a good gut feeling I would go with your gut.
• Do they turn up looking and acting professionally?
• Do they offer advice or their own insight?  This can be helpful as it can force you to look outside the box.
• Do they know their stuff?  Things like needing council permission etc can be costly and time consuming if it is not right.
• Do they have examples of their work?
• Do they try to up sell something you don't need?  Eg when we got our new Aeriel the guy tried to get me to install a splitter as we have 3 tv points however we only have 1 tv and will only have 1 for a long time so I do not need a splitter just yet.  I see his point but unless we win lotto 1 tv will do just fine!!
• Ask as many questions as you like. 
• We always ask time frames, when can they start, how long will it take?

Another really useful tool is the website Product Review Australia.  I will do a separate post about this but basically type in whatever and see what people think.  Not everyone on there is a whinger but most people go on there to complain.  I don't think a lot of smaller businesses are listed but it cannot hurt to look.

I think that just about wraps it up.  If I have forgotten anything or you can think of something please let me know.  Thanks Mums take Five for the question!!

Wordless Wednesday- Day out with Thomas July 2012





  





Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.