Re-evaluating, Regrouping, Re-starting - Part One

I have been sitting, staring at the computer screen for half an hour wondering how to start a post after seven months of a blogging hiatus. Reading my last few posts I have realised how much I must have seemed to have dropped off the end of the blogging world! It has been an interesting seven months, but I am sorry for leaving you hanging.

There have been quite a few challenges and changes in my life since last November. To start with, the Skinny Suitcase has been made redundant. It was great to finally be able to fit into its contents again, however they were soooo eighties and nineties that current fashion trends would not allow me to get away with pulling that look off. What was I thinking?? Also, the cause and effect of bearing children might have had something to do with it. Business for the local op-shop has been booming, and I have more storage space under my bed.

Family illnesses have been preoccupying most of Mr. H's and my spare time. A chronic cardiac illness almost got the better of Mr. H's father and we thought last Christmas would have been the last we would share with him. Fortunately, the success of trials and ongoing developing technology gave him the opportunity to have a longer life. Almost eleven weeks after major open heart surgery, and more than his fair share of complications, he is finally home and well on the road to recovery.

My darling grand-father, on the other hand, has been deteriorating since being diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the end of last year. He has had multiple serious, conflicting health issues since February which has seen him in hospital until a fortnight ago. He has been assessed as high care for a nursing home but due to the lack of beds, he is living with my parents while we wait for one to become available. The situation is far from ideal, not to mention inappropriate, and my parents are struggling to manage caring for him. It is heart breaking to watch someone you love become slowly incapacitated both physically and mentally. Old age can be so cruel. My Mummy (yes, I call her Mummy!) has been extraordinary in caring for her Dad and coping with the entire process. I am doing my best to support her through it.

On a lighter note, we took off to Byron Bay in March for a holiday. Our first in two years. We fell completely and utterly in love with the place: the beaches, the National parks, the shopping, the restaurants, the markets, the laid back attitude of the locals, the transientness of the backpackers camping out the back of their hired kombis. I surfed for the first time and, yes I got up! I will admit I was the only Aussie in my group, and I was the oldest by about eight years. I don't know if it's considered cool to have your hubby and kids on the beach cheering you on?? But hey, check me out!

Wicked!! We came home feeling very relaxed and refreshed. However, unbeknown to me, I was yet to face my next challenge. Stay tuned.

Silent Sunday

Saturday is Caption Day.

Caption Day again at Mammasaurus. I found this pic the other day when I was scanning Dad's old slides.

Dad took this whilst on a trip around Australia with his best friend after they finished uni around 1971-72. What can you come up with??

Join the fun with Mammasaurus.

My First Blogging Award!

The gorgeous Viv at Melksham Mum (in her hot new frock) has given me my FIRST EVER blogging award. So big kisses to Viv, thank you! As we say here in Australia, 'This is going straight to the pool room.'

So, here it is.

In exchange for this fabulous award, I must share with you Seven Secret Things about myself. "Ooo goody," I hear you nosey parkers saying. I then pass the award on to fifteen - fifteen???? - other suckers awesome bloggers.

1. At thirty-five I still hide in the pantry, sneaking food.

2. I like the smell of pencil sharpenings.

3. I have one toenail that isn't polished.

4. My favourite perfume is Eternity but I can't wear it all the time because it gives me hayfever.

5. I used to be an artists' model for TAFE art students. Yes, I was once quite liberated!

6. I turn my music up really loud and dance when I bake.

7. I'm scared of roosters.

That's about as secret as I can be right now. So the fifteen lucky bloggers are:

@MammasaurusBlog
@goodgoogs
@My_Big_Nutshell
@Glowless
@1978rebecca
@altait
@relucthousedad
@KateTakes5
@Holly_Homemaker
@Mid30sLife
@Woogsworld
@ClaireyHewitt
@tara_cain
@WhoaMumma

Phew. Thanks again Viv. And you look smokin' in your new frock!

Thumbs down to Sunbeam Customer Service

Yesterday, I rang Sunbeam to confirm that Betty and her motor were still under warranty before taking her off to the mix-master nurse. According to their website, there is a five year warranty on the motor. But I like to double check.

After being on hold for fifteen minutes, I was put through to a woman who didn't sound a day older than eighteen. Ok, maybe twenty.

All started well and, yes, the motor is under warranty. I mentioned that I needed to get my mix-master fixed quickly because I use it a lot. She asked me if I used it for a business.

Me: "If you can call it that."
Her: "There's only fifteen months warranty if it's used for commercial use."
Me: "I bake for a friend's gallery. It doesn't outline different warranties for commercial and domestic use on your website. It states five years for mix-masters. "
Her: "So you're saying it's for a business."
Me: "No. It's not a registered business."
Her: "But you just said it was for a business."
Me: "No. I said 'If you could call it that.' I bake for a friend."

She then started to get a little wound up, and proceeded to talk over the top of me. This got me very wound up. I asked her to stop interupting me, that I was the customer and a very dissatisfied one at that. She started to talk over the top of me again. I asked to talk to her supervisor. She kept talking. I hung up.

I then rang a chap in Wangaratta who services Sunbeam products who was very friendly and helpful, and that if I drove over there he will fix it within the day. Yay for Betty!

Sunbeam, your products are great, but you need to do something about who you hire in customer service. That girl was a snooty, little bitch.

Silent Sunday

Where have I been?

No where, really. Just in my kitchen.

Over the last ten days I have occasionally glanced at my computer as it called to me, yearning for the touch of my fingertips on its keyboard. I could feel the gravitational pulls of the blogosphere of which I have had to defy. Honestly, I just haven't had time.

I have been flat out baking. As well as baking for the Gallery, I have baked for a 40th, and an open garden. I am also preparing to cater for a special lunch a friend is having next week.

There is one slight problem. My beloved mixmaster has blown her gears and needs a nurse.

It all happened on Friday afternoon when I was already in a fragile emotional state. There I was, beating away at a red velvet cake when suddenly a sound I had not heard from my 'Betty' became evident, and very loud. That's when the bowl stopped turning. And then, she became very hot! Then nothing.

You may remember me telling you how much I love my mix-master (and yes, I call her Betty). So you will understand why my already fragile emotional state lost composure, and I burst into tears. I rang Mr. H at work and blubbered nonsense before he had to go. So, I wiped away my panda eyes, blew my nose (in a very noisy, Pretty Woman like fashion), and endeavoured to finish the cake. Once it was in the oven, I poured myself a pink gin and, a few minutes later, I poured another. Miraculously, I immediately regained some composure.

The cake, although yummy, did not get the height it should have, and looked rather flat. So I'm not going to show you a picture of it. I will share with you the more successful feats of the week.

WARNING: These pictures may induce mouth-watering, and cause hunger pains!

Armenian Nut cakes for the Open Gardens.

Rose water meringues with pistachios

 

Pink meringue kisses

Macarons for a friend's 40th: rose water with coconut butter cream, vanilla with vanilla butter cream, and pistachio with orange butter cream.

Making my friend's 40th birthday cake.

The finished result. How brilliant am I!!!

Yummo!

Even I'm slobbering now. So that's why my kitchen has been running hot. It's no wonder Betty blew her beaters. Hopefully she'll be fixed in no time so I can attempt this.

Image from here.

Kidding!!!!!

Saturday is Caption Day!

I'm joining Caption Day today over at Mammasauras. Here's how you play. Post a photo, then your funny, clever, witty readers leave a caption for it. Easy peazy.

Come and play too.

Silent Sunday

The Gallery: T is for.....

'T' is for tan, or lack of one, for a better phrase.

Yesterday was Melbourne Cup day, and we celebrated by going to a friend's place for the afternoon to scream at the telly and drink some grog. I will fill you in on the fact that I came off night duty yesterday morning having only had two hours sleep the day before thanks to pesky little trick or treaters banging on the front door, waking me up.

So, I had been awake since nine Sunday evening minus two hours sleep. Add sunshine, and lots of pink gin makes Jeanie go "la-di-da-di-da." During my drunken, sleepless haze, I was inspired by a friend's gorgeous tan to create a United Colours of Benetton ad.

No, that's not over exposure, that's my leg! Sexy ain't it? I'll give you a minute to put your sunnies on. Thank goodness I have a spray tan booked for tomorrow. Do you think United Colours of Benetton would like my campaign?

If you like everything 'T', head over to Tara's at Sticky Fingers, while I'll head off to the beauty salon.

As you can tell, I have sampled the 'Pink Gin in a cask' and obviously it was very yummy as I drank way too much! Adding some lemon and mint makes it even better.

Silent Sunday

I'm grateful for...

This week I'm grateful for:

10. Antihistamines, in every form they come in. AARGH-CHOO! This Spring has been nasty for hayfever sufferers, including me. And it knocks the wind right out of your sails. It does have its advantages. The constant sneezing, nose dripping, watery and itchy, red eyes, and itchy ears is hardly a sexy look. So I have had some reprieve from Mr. H's pestering. But he can't shove those antihistamines into me quick enough!

11. Jasmine. It is flowering everywhere and the air is full of its scent. It's one of my favourite smells. Hardly good for the hayfever though, eh?

12. Gordon's, for putting pink gin in a cask. I've tried it. I love it. It's yummy. And I'm on to my second cask. They could have been a little more heavy handed with the gin, but otherwise it's the perfect drink for the warmer weather. Hic!

Share your gratitude this week over at *Maxabella Loves.

The Gallery: Faces

"Faces, faces everywhere. But if you could sit and stare....."

I spend a lot of my day humming songs from Playschool. The Squeeze and The Bear's favourite kids show is Playschool. Hell, I love Playschool. I love the innuendo thrown in for the grown-ups' benefits.

Tara Cain at Sticky Fingers has set this week's Photographic Gallery theme on FACES. Easy! There are three faces I photograph almost on a daily basis. So, here are a select few of those pics.

Those big brown eyes and the splash of freckles are heaven.

A perfect ski-jump nose with the most kissable cheeks in all the lands!

My "Dreamy"

I could "sit and stare" at faces all day.

If you don't know Playschool, enlighten yourself here. Have fun!

Pink Gin Heaven

I have a confession. I don't drink wine. Most wines give me a migraine.

WHAT????? I hear you all gasp with horror. I know. You are all probably feeling that same sympathy that I feel for people who are allergic to chocolate. I mean really, allergic to chocolate? That is just cruel.

So how do I stay sane? I enjoy a beer on a warm day, while working in the garden. I love my bubbly, which has lead me way too far down the inebriated path, via the dance floor on many, many occasions. And, I love a pink gin. But, making one is a bit of a fag.

Until today, when the darling Mr. H came home from the supermarket with a present for me.

Behold, pink gin. Not in little mixer bottles or cans. But in the wonderful glory of a TWO LITRE CASK! Absolute brilliance Gordon's. And it can be yours too for a mere $25. That's right ladies, the cask is back in drinking vogue.

Bottoms (hic) up!!

*****

My macarons are improving. Here's a morsel of today's attempt.

Pistachio macarons with orange butter cream



Enjoy!

Here's to The Squeeze!

The Squeeze turned "thixth" yesterday. (She is missing two and a half top teeth.)

This year I am trying to break the habit of having a birthday party. Instead, she is having four friends for a sleep over on Friday. Five six year olds in the house. Hardly breaking the habit, am I. Do I have a plan? Yes. And no.

The Bear is going to a friend's house for her own sleep over, just to avoid any sibling 'issues'. The swag will be rolled out in the girls' room so sleeping arrangements are sorted.

Mr. H was hoping to 'phone a friend' and escape to the pub for the night, or until the hysteria had gone to sleep. I told him to get off his bloody planet.

Other than making sure there is plenty of gin and whisky for Mr. H and myself, that is the extent of my plan. Maybe some homemade pizzas, a movie, some games, dress-ups. There, organised. Oh, the girls? They'll think of something to do.

Happy birthday my Squeezalicious.

Silent Sunday

Listography: Top 5 Keyword Searches on your Blog

I jumped on Kate's listography this week because I, so far, haven't ever checked these stats out on my blog. Well, let's face it, my blog hasn't been around for very long so I wasn't expecting much. There were only six, so here are five of them, from boring to completely unexplainable.

1. 'Vanilla ice cream' lead them to a previous Listography on, you guessed it, ice cream.

2. 'Scherri-lee Biggs' dress' was a Frock It!

3. 'Scherri-lee Biggs see through dress Miss Universe' was another Frock It!

4. 'Skinny suitcase' made me beam with pride because a) it was my very first post; and b) when I typed it into Google, it was listed first! I don't know what, in particular, the person was looking for. It couldn't have been as wild as the next keyword.

5. Get ready for it. 'Amateur red bra black stockings.' What the f...?????????????? I don't know which post they were directed to because when I typed it into Google, all I got were pages and pages of porn sites. Whatever post they did get, they would have been grossly, and I mean grossly disappointed. How on earth did my sweet, innocent, intelligent, interesting, worldly, pretty blog (come on, it is) get into that crowd? I am shocked. Appalled and shocked. Shame on you Google.

What company does your blog keep in the Google search engine? Has Google thrown your blog into an unfavourable crowd?

Chaos and Macarons

I know, it's been a while. I have been on a bit of a hiatus. But I'm back now so you can all stop hyperventilating into your little brown paper bags, and put your valium away.

It has been tricky finding time to blog over the last couple of weeks and, truthfully, the grey matter has been a bit sluggish when it comes to making me sound super intelligent and interesting to the world. Because, you know I am!

School went back this week (thank goodness!), so there is a lot less sibling bickering and slightly less "Muuuuum!" every ten minutes. I am going to adopt Mrs. Woog's "Masters in Manipulation" next holidays. It's a brilliant concept and worth trying.

The downside is we're back to the morning mad rush and I can't sleep in. Every morning I sound like a broken down record, and then I end up yelling. Plans to walk to school are thrown out the window as we pile into the car and screech out the driveway.  I then get home feeling flustered, and guilty for not being more patient. I'm sure the girls think I'm a dragon disguised as a mother-like figure.

On a lighter note, I am mastering the art of macarons thanks to Donna Hay. I picked up her 10th Birthday issue of her mag and there is a whole section on how to make macarons. Adriano Zumbo, eat your heart out!

The cake on the cover had no influence whatsoever on me buying the magazine.

Stay tuned for the results of my efforts.

The Gallery: Colour Green

Tara at Sticky Fingers has chosen this week's gallery theme to be colour. One colour specifically. My favourite colour is green. To me, it is the colour of nature, and it calms me. It's one of the reasons I love gardening.

But, as a scrolled through all eighty-four entries so far to Tara's gallery, I was surprised there were only four entries favouring green. I did find it interesting that the primary colours, red, yellow and blue were predominantly the chosen colours.

It is Spring here in Oz, and everything has come to life, bursting from dormancy with that bright, beautiful, new green. And so is my garden.

If you would like to share your passion for colour, pop over to Tara's at Sticky Fingers, and take time out to have a peek at everyone else's colours. There are some amazing photos to inspire you.



Saving Frock It!

In a bid to save Rach's Frock It! over at This Mid 30s Life, I am sharing my contribution. But I think it will be hard to beat Brynne Edelsten's um, dress?

I've also chosen a frock from the Brownlow Medal. Although it is the complete opposite to Brynne's hankie, it still abides with the "When more is more."

This is Rouba Houli with her husband Bachar from the Richmond Tigers. Goes to show you don't need to bare all to look stunning.

Did a dress catch you eye? Frock It! with Rach and help stop the violins from playing!