Monday, December 30, 2013

Winning my heart


Five ways to win my heart huh?

1) Food. Yep, as sad as I am to say it. I am a bloke in this instance. I love food and serving me up something delicious would definitely be a good start to getting me in the sack winning my heart.

2) Commence discussion with me about any of the following;
  • Video games
  • Photography
  • Mario Bros
  • Music (especially rock/metal)
  • Tattoos
  • Nintendo
  • Rottweilers
  • NRL
3) Tattoos. I think dudes that have them are hot and are jealous of chicks that have stunning looking ones. I just think they're absolutely beautiful and tell you so much about the person. I actually think I prefer people that have tattoos to those that don't. Mostly because I know for certain that they don't look down on mine and that we have the same mindset.

4) Love my dog. I have had too many run ins with people that don't love my fur baby and too many off handed comments about how dangerous Rottweilers are. Even if that is the case (yes, funnily enough I research my breed of dog before I got him and realise they are prone to dominating beaviour - shock horror! I know about my dog!), and 'rotties' can be that way, they're not 'MY rottie'. My rottie is charming, clever and silly. He's a big wuss and if you spent time getting to know the dog and not judging him on his black and tan exterior you would know that. Rant over! Hehe.

5) Remove spiders and flying insects from my vicinity for me. I cannot stress this enough. If you're wanting to get in my good books - I'm talking to you Paul Rudd - then you have, have, have  to move and or maim creepy crawlies for me.

So that's me. If you're someone that cooks a mean seafood dinner, can wax lyrical about the nerdy, has body art, loves Rottweilers and can kill the odd dragonfly here and there then we can talk.

xox

Loving myself again (and other hippy bullshit....)

I've had a loooong time to think. I've thought about why I've been feeling so flat, about what I want out of my blog, about who I actually am; because I think I got lost somewhere, about how I want people to see me, about a whole cast of things to be honest.

I think I've come to somewhat of an equilibrium and I'm really LOVING my school holidays where I'm able to get this thinking done and really just do a whole lot of nothing. The main thing I've been thinking it to take it easy on myself. I'm very tough on myself when I don't get things done, and I think this is why I burnt myself out. I know we're all capable of it, but I feel like I'm uber tough on myself. It's for this reason that I'm not going to be giving myself a challenge in 2014, well, not a giant one like I have been (the 30 things before 30 will just have to wait until next year). Tomorrow I'm going to post about the 52 goals in 52 weeks challenge and all my failures. 'Failure'  being a good thing of course, because if you're not making mistakes you're not learning. 2014 is going to be the year where I focus on myself and do things because they fulfill me and make me happy, not because they're on a list. The list shall evolve! I'm hoping this more flexible approach will mean that I have a happier home and family life, a prettier garden, a more relaxed me, more time where I'm not thinking about all the things I have to do because I've commited to them or they're on a list and where I am thinking about and doing the things that make me happy - spontaneously(!!!) and a whole lotta lovin' of things I love to do.

In any case, I'm feeling better, more relaxed and ready to tackle the blog again.

Which brings me to... dun dun dun duuuuuh!
Yet another challenge. With a bit of a twist. I'm only going to post from these on days where I'm not normally doing another series...like 'things I'm loving' which is set to return this Friday.

This does mean though that today is free for my first post! Talking about 5 ways to win my heart. Oooo, I hope Channing Tatum is reading this... mofo needs to hit me up! I shall write that on a different post heading though so it's easily found.

Back to stay!
xox

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Christmas Traditions

My family was never terribly big on traditions growing up. Now, don't get me wrong, we did some Chirstmassy things and I loooooooved Christmas, but I never felt like we had anything that we always did and would call a tradition.



I remember a tatted old Christmas Carol booked that I cherished. My eldest sister who died of a brain tumour before I was born was the original owner and I think Mum enjoyed seeing it being used. So I would clutch the book to my chest and sing till my heart's content - 'Siiiiiiilent Night, Hooooooly night. Aaaaaall is caaaaalm, aaaaaaall is bright'. I also had a book of 'The Night Before Christmas' that I would read over and over again. I really liked it because the illustrations were claymation photographs. I still pride myself today on being able to rattle off the names of the reindeers because of it.

If there was one thing I would say was a tradition it would have been Christmas Lunch, although again I wonder whether it really was a tradition because although there were old favourites there was always some variety. Some years a seafood feast was put up, others a BBQ, now and then a xmas ham. The only thing that always seemed to feature was the Pavlova... and this wasn't always consumed on the day but for Dad's breakfast for the few days following Christmas!

But when I look back on it now, I think the tradition (as corny as it sounds) was family and love. When I sang those carols mum was always sitting nearby, usually knitting or making christmas treat goodness, correcting my mispronounced words ('boughs of holly' was always a tough mother), and opening our presents on mum and dad's big bed on Christmas morning was always done as a family. There may have not been things was always did, but whatever we did - it was always with love and with one another.

Leah's choice of 'fancy' decoration this year





Now with a family of my own I have been very conscious of making deliberate traditions. Leah chooses a new fancy Christmas tree decoration every year, we have some form of advent calendar on the go (last year she had her 24 books!), we always put the tree up together and Christmas baking is a family affair. Leah loves it and I love watching her love it. Her tree decorating style was quite humourous this year when she decided all the baubles were to go onto the one branch. Pretty darn cute if you ask me!


After all said and done when I sit down and think about what Christmas is, it's food that features heavily. Last year I wrote a review about Baker's Delights Christmas goodies and this year they've sent me some more. I decided not to do a review but instead to write this post about Chirstmas Traditions. My workmates this year got to sample the Christmas Mince Tarts - look at these faces of satisfaction!






Everything that I've ever had the opportunity to sample from Baker's delight has been a smash! Two years in a row now they're been a Christmas Tradition for us. Thinking back to when I was a kid and having my mum slave over a hot stove for hours perfecting her Christmas Cake creation it is a real tribute to the Baker's Delight Christmas Cake to hear mum say "Jeez, why would you want to make your own nowadays when these ones taste so good?" Too right mum, make buying the cake the tradition and spend time with the family eating it!

Make some great traditions this holiday break. I'll see you all round next year (I'm taking a break from Blogging just for a bit) when I let you know how I've got on with my 52 goals in 52 weeks challenge and give this thing a make over!

Until then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. xox


Friday, November 1, 2013

My Comeback

I haven't written a post for almost a month, I've stopped my photo a day challenge that I do with Fat Mum Slim on facebook and I am feeling very, very guilty about both things.

I've been flat. I don't know any other way to explain it. I have had absolutely Zero drive to do any of the things I usually love. I've haven't even really taken many photos in general over the last little while. When I force myself to do these things. I do feel good... but it's been really hard to push myself to do any of it lately.

I don't know what brought it on. I don't know how to shake it. I don't know when I will stop feeling like this. I'm hoping that writing this post will break the cycle and I will want to continue to write more after this. I am determined to complete my 52 goals this year as much as I can and I'd really like to begin on a new list. But, as I said, motivation is nil.

I have been ticking along with my goals.

I have ordered my iPhone and it will be in my hot little hands before the end of the month.
I've also been working on the recipe mag goal and chugging through those... as can be seen in the new recipes goal list..

Am hoping the dark clouds will lift soon...I'm getting really freaking sick of it!





Sunday, October 6, 2013

Matakana Markets

Finally made it!

We had such a great time too. The markets were fun, packed, yummy smells, beautiful colours and very lively. Matakana is so beautiful too. We had a great time down the road closer to Leigh playing at a fun place with farm animals and a crackin' playground.

We'll definitely be going back.











Weekly 10

“It is not enough to be busy... The question is: what are we busy about?”
 
You'd think I would have got through more than 10 things this week but... well, it's my holiday and I just haven't :P
1. Do some baking! Monday - Banana Cake, Friday - Cupcakes.
 
2. Complete writing and present toastmasters speech. - Tuesday - it's all written but I couldn't present. Sick mumma early in the week.

3. Complete assignment 2 booklet for Open Wananga. Tuesday. 
 
4. Blog. I did get two posts done earlier in the week, plus this and setting some others up today.
 
5. Buy flea treatment for Jake. Wednesday
 
6. Do some weed spraying. Wednesday
 
7. Get photos ready for both clubs. Wednesday and Friday.
 
8. Do some fun activities with Leah throughout the week. We did baking, went to the botanical gardens, had a daycare visit, leaf rubbing pictures, library, Matakana markets, playgrounds and picnics!



 
 
 
9. Finish school work. Thursday
 
10. Call plunket to make appointment. Wednesday 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Book Complete


I ordered this about a month ago and received it last week. It's such a rewarding exercise. Thanks Shutterfly.com