Silent Sunday

2. Window

Things I'm loving...

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.  

This week has been a tough one.. for a couple of known reasons and many many unknown. I haven't taken many photos because I just haven't been in the mood, but I do have a couple of things to share and of course - no matter how crap things are going, there are always things I love.

1.  I'm loving my fabulous work colleagues and friends (most I consider both) who noticed something was up with me this week and offered advice, a sounding place or just an office for me to get away to.  Thank you :)

2.  I'm loving these quotes that have made me think this week.  One that was 'pinned' just for me. xox

3.  Loving how a few minutes of holding this beautiful girl while putting her to sleep last night made me feel a whole heap better.

4. Love is not enough.  I absolutely adored this post from Enjoying the Small things.  This blog warms my heart every time. <3

What are you loving?

Linking up over at Paisley Jade's.

Silent Sunday

New list! :D Courtesy of Covered in Grace 

1. Flower;

Things I'm loving...

Better late than never...again.  Man it's been a busy week! I've had a sick baby, meet the teacher night, a BOT meeting.  Phew.  Glad it's Friday night Saturday morning.

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

I love trips to the beach and Leah's first swing.

Loving teaching again.  My class is wonderful and they made some amazing chalk art this week. You can see some of it here.

Love the optimism that these can bring.

I love the family that pulls together when bubba is sick.  Thank you too all the people that helped us stay afloat this week. <3 Love you guys.

Love this friendship.  Makes mummy a little bit emotional.

What are you loving this week?
Linking up over at Paisley Jades.

101 Challenge: Things that I'm finding....challenging

I've got a secret. 
This 101 challenge is hard!  

I knew it wasn't going to be easy but I think I've made things really hard on myself by making some of the challenges "blah blah blah....every week".  Some weeks I don't even know where they've gone let alone have been able to fit in a challenge here and there.

And I could change some of them, I know none of you are following me that closely, but I would know. So I want to share it with you all.  They're hard and in the interests of keeping my sanity, making myself feel good for all the achievements I have made and finishing the list - I'm tweaking.  Not all of them, and it will still be a challenge for sure, just...tweaking, zhuzh if you will.  It's being done!  Here we go....

#9) take a batch of muffins or cookies to every one of our management (and maybe some team) meetings.
is becoming "to some of our..." - sorry management team! :P

#32) Send a personal letter, every week. Buy a letter writing set to do this with.
is becoming "Send 10 personal letters this year.....by snail mail"

#70) Wear no black one day every week. - TOO HARD BASKET!
is becoming "buy more colourful clothes - not just black!"
Which, because I have had this challenge in the back of my mind but not adhering to, I've been doing quite well at!

So that's it... not really too much cheating going on is it? And just to make up for it, here is one challenge that I am crossing off, starting tonight. :D

86. Go to Photography club with Lynn.14th February 2012


Also, just for good measure, and to show that I'm still chugging along with many of my challenges.  Here is a photo from one such moment where I'm getting out and exploring the wider Auckland region's parks and reserves.
My little lady enjoying her first swing at Clark's Beach.

"A mother's treasure is her daughter"

A beautiful quote and a song that I love. <3

Moroccan Beef Salad Wraps

Super easy, super yummy!

500g stir fry beef
1T olive oil
Moroccan seasoning
Mixed Salad leaves
Tomatoes
Cheese
Red onion
Capsicum
Tortilla wraps


Coat beef with moroccan seasoning. Stir fry in olive oil for 3-4 minutes.

Cut up tomatoes, red onion and capsicum. Grate cheese.

Assemble all ingredients in tortilla wrap - YUM!

Silent Sunday

Day 30: Self Portrait
I've seen a lot of these sorts of portraits on the internet and thought I'd give one a try.  Tried to do one with a NZ ten dollar note but it proved difficult and I can't be bothered mucking around with it anymore! So just mashed these two together digitally. Sigh.

Also - for all my adoring fans that missed this awesome video when Facebook took it down.  It's back with a vengeance :D

Things I'm loving...

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.  

1.  Loving getting prepared to become a member of the Manukau Photographic Society and go to the first meeting next week.  This week's set topic for entries is 'Portraits' so I've entered the photo below of my stunning little lady.  Can't wait to get critiqued!  I'm the kinda person who strives on feedback and feedforward so I'm really looking forward to it.

2.  Really loving my new class.  They're stunning young people and I think they're just tops.  If you'd like to follow some of our adventures and even comment on some of the things we're doing (we love comments) you can go to our blog here.

3. Loving that I got paid this week! Maternity leave was sending  huge holes in our bank accounts. Kate + being at home + the invention of online shopping = noooo moneys.

4. And speaking of spending money...I'm glad to be back at work and close to the bargain book boxes.  Already bought 2 things from one of them and I can see a lot more money in their future coming from yours truly.  Here is one of the fun things that I bought this week - it's for bubba and she obviously isn't going to be able to use it for 3 or 4 years but I couldn't resist!

5.  The sky on Thursday night was absolutely delicious, almost otherworldly.

...and writing 'otherworldly' made me think of this song... which I also love <3

Chicken Parmigiana and a bit of a flop?

Chicken Parmigiana;

1T olive oil
500g crumbed chicken schnitzel
Salsa dip
1 cup grated cheese
Parsley chopped
Chives chopped
Paprika


1. Line an electric frying pan with baking paper and pour olive oil on top of the paper.  Cook the schnitzel on high until lightly browned.  Turn chicken and spread some salsa on each schnitzel until top is well covered. Sprinkle cheese over the schnitzel.

2. Sprinkle the schnitzels with chives, parsley and paprika.  Cover the frying pan until the cheese has melted.

Meringue mousse cake (or better known in my house as 'the flop'

Just before we get started - this is supposed to look like this...

Mine turned out like this...

First time with meringue was not a good one and our shitty NZ summer has meant I couldn't find strawberries anywhere! AND  I couldn't find strawberry mousse at our local supermarket so decided instant pudding would be a good substitute - wrong! But everyone loves a trier :D

4 eggs whites
3/4 cup sugar
70g sachet of colour free raspberry cordial granules
70g packet of chocolate mousse
70g packet of strawberry mousse
300ml cream
1T icing sugar
1t strawberry essence
Strawberries


Beat egg whites until stiff.  Beat in sugar and cordial granules - continue beating the mixture until smooth and glossy.


Mark 4 20cm circles on baking paper.  Spread 1/4 of the meringue mixture on each marker baking paper to make four discs. Bake at 150 degrees celcius for 30 mins or until meringue is dry and crisp.  Cool in oven.


Make mousse to packet directions.

Place a meringue disc on a serving plate.  Spread with half the chocolate mousse. Top with a second disc and spread half the strawberry mousse.  Repeat this process finishing with a layer of strawberry mousse.


Beat cream until sot peaks form.  Fold in icing sugar and strawberry essence.  Pile on top of strawberry mousse and top with strawberries.  Serve cut into wedges.

Silent Sunday

Day 29: Black and White.

Things I'm loving...

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is. 

1.  Loving first days at day care and back at work that go off without a hitch. Also loving that my little darling is an angel at daycare, to the point where carers make remarks like, "she's amazing, put her in the cot and she goes to sleep. Then when she wakes up just plays with her hands until we check on her to pick her up" and "OH THOSE EYES!" Lol.  Love my little lady <3

All ready for my first whole day of daycare.

 2. Loving the husband that helps out so much when he's also exhausted from a day at work.  Working and being parents is a little bit of hard work...well, not really hard work, I'd more say busy work - I'm always on the go. Mr. Man has been FANTASTIC when he arrives home and we've been working as a great little unit.  LOVE.

3.  Love being back at work.  My class is lovely. <3

4. Loving that I've kept this up!

But not loving that photography has pretty much gone out the window this week.  Where has it gone?