Freezer

Slowly filing the freezer with food. Been cooking quite a bit this week and then freezing in bags. Best advise I have had in a while (thanks sis!) as cooking will not be on the agenda when bub arrives. We will keep on filling the fridge on weekend. J is keen on all sorts of indian food of course and says he wants to make a masala and freeze. Will see what we end up with...

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Run

My 2 favorite and very happy people going for a run...


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Lovely lunch

Doesn't look it but ohhhh what a great lunch I had today.

Chop together

Salad
Grated Cucumber
Tomatoes
Grated Carrot
Eggs
Fresh corn
Tiny bit of cheese
Good quality Tuna
Chopped parsley
Balsam vinegar to taste

Yummyyyyy !

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Miserable Sod

I am miserable.

They all went to the Italian Fiesta today. I was at home resting as walking around at a fiesta for hours really is not anything I am up for right now.

It saddens me. I like partaking in events like that. Especially when involving food... :)

So I was at home and started to feel sorry for myself after an hour or so. Not something I am proud of and is not usual for me. I just felt left out today. Bored, big, blue...

Happy they all went and enjoyed themselves. I am just a miserable sod today.

Big and have heart burn. Everything is hard work. Swollen feet. Can't sleep in any position. Tired all the time. No energy. Emotional. Bored. Just waiting for this one to come out now.

I am just not used to being so incapable of doing things. And makes me even more miserable that I am miserable, when really I should just be very happy and glowing ALL the time.

Oh the joys of pregnancy!!

The only good thing today is that J is cooking a nice meal tonight. I might ask him to do it naked to cheer me up! :)

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Barbie

Sat night quiet barbie.

J very happy with a Dos Equis and a cuppla snags.


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Parental Classes

All day parental class.

J was brilliant and did all the things right, he is a natural! :)

We did also have a few giggles together as we are rookies and trying to breast feed and put nappies on dolls... Funny!

Really good and interesting day but too loooong for a big bellied person like myself.

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Lavender

The gardener was here yesterday and he cut back the 2 big lavenders a lot (really needed it).

The house now full of all sorts of vases with lovely lavender. Not only pretty, it smells really fresh as well...

Good way to start the weekend!

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Baby bouncer

Lis and Richard kindly bought us this beautiful baby bouncer. Thank you!x

There are so many bouncers out there that are huge, horrible, frilly and got scary W de Pooh's hanging off them.

So happy I found this one. Clean lines,
lovely colors, just perfect!


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Royal Engagement

Rumour has it that Princess Madeleine of Sweden got Engaged to Chris O'Neill.

 

Apparently Chris had to not only ask the King of Sweden for his daughter's hand in marriage.  In turn King Carl XVI Gustaf requested the approval by the Swedish Government, in accordance with the procedures set out in the Swedish Constitution,' the court announcement said....

Have to say - a bit similar to my own engagement... Haha!

 

The life if Riley

The princess is sleeping everywhere... In any position...


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Presents

Carol came to visit today. It was so great to see her has been almost a month since I saw her last time. We just talked and talked and had afternoon tea like old ladies hehe.

She also brought some lovely pressies from one of my favorite shops : Seed..

Very stylish and cool. Thanks Carol x


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Baby Jogger City Elite

We ordered this pram on 15 July and it only just arrived 3 days ago...

However it was worth the wait - I love , love , love this red pram.

Put it together this morning - can't wait to use it!


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Moretti

Another visit to the hospital yesterday.

Got the all clear so we decided to go out for a quick bite at our local place.

We had a great night, lots of talking about life and how the future is about to change... Lovely!

The restaurant doesn't set your world on fire but makes great pizzas and great when you don't want to cook...!


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Capsule

Maxi Cosi Capsule installed!!

Down here you have to take the capsule (or any baby seat) to a registered car seat person who fits it for you properly. (For a fee of course :)

In most other countries everyone seem to be doing it themselves?

Anyway we now have a capsule for le bebe!!


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Man scarf

Love this scarf... And believe it or not it is a "man scarf" bought in the men's department at DJ's......


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Time to come out?

We are ready.... Please come out and meet us...

Oh dear.

I have been smug. I have been really smug...

Been telling everyone how great I have been feeling and how lucky I am to be as mobile as I am (with huge belly). I have really enjoyed being able to do lots of stuff, walking the dog etc... Most of all I have been really quite happy and smug that I don't have cankles...

On Thursday (after a week of 30 degree heat) - it all came to an end. With horror I saw my feet swell up and I looked like the elephant man. Terrible pain and numbness followed all weekend. Hated it.

Today and yesterday - much better as it is less than 20 degrees outside and I have been resting with elevated legs... I have my mojo back!!!

Seriously, I must be the only one who wishes for cold weather for the next month or so.... :)


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Polarn o Pyret

Mum sent me a very cute onesie and beanie for le bebe.

POP make wonderful baby clothes that lasts forever and are always stylish.

Thanks mum xx


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Frida tucked in

Cold tonight, rain bucketing down and we are all already tucked in. Frida too... She is a Queenslander after all...


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Evening

Some evening quality time with J and F.

I love living here with J, we always have so much fun together and oh yeees I am always happy to see these two individuals! x


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Sleepless night...

Another sleepless night.

Dog and man having a snoring competition and oh how I wish I was part of it!!

Today has been an excellent day by the way. When you get good news first up when you wake up then you will always have a great day..!

See what tomorrow brings...


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Getting fresh...

Breakfast in this house is my best meal of the day...
Organic yogurt, muesli and gresh berries. How can you not love that?


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Message

Bought this pillow ages ago in a shop in Paddington and now I went back but they no longer sell them...

Love this message and something we should think about more often...

Have a great Sunday! xx


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Saturday night spread.....

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Saturday

How to start the weekend.......


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It's Friday!

Luckily I have a thoughtful man who understands the importance of giving your partner flowers every now and then...

It makes me really happy and a great start of the weekend.

Oh and loving that it's Friday and we have a few days to relax together..!

Have a great weekend everybody! x

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Lunch

Lovely salad for lunch;

Rinsed fresh Salad
Tomatoes
Cucumber
Beetroot
Chickpeas
Walnuts
Fresh mint
Good quality tuna in oil
Balsam vinegar to taste

Yummyyyy!!!

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Shoes...

I have changed size from 37 to 39 over the last 2 weeks... As a result none of my she's fit me. Literally! The only 'shoes' I can wear are thongs, and really, they are not shoes...

Yes people you laugh all you want - it is not funny at all.... :) I feel like a giant.... :(

Anyway found these suede flats in 'Peeptoe'. Really happy with them!


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Winter??

Is winter back?? 19 degrees and rain today...

What happened to summer?
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Rick Stein

Watching a wonderful program about Rick Stein traveling in Corsica...

The food just looks superb, I am inspired - must research new recipes......
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Investment

Needed to go bra shopping. Yes I no longer fit into anything so had to get bigger sizes.

Do yourself a favor, get good quality bras. Don't think of the price, see it as an investment. You will feel great, look great and I PROMISE you, by the time I have worn out one of mine, you will have changed 3-4 of yours. They are that good!

Now, stop wearing daggy underwear and go and get yourself some decent gear. It will end up being much cheaper and more comfortable in the end. Plus your clothes will fit better!!

Just do it - you're worth it....! :)


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Afternoon treat....

Naughty I know but much needed ... :)
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Bad dreams

Had a dream that someone who looked after Frida for us, tied her to a tree whilst fishing.
Then the tide came in and she died by the tree...
Horrible way to wake up!!!!!
Now I'm wide awake and downstairs making tea hoping to get tired again soon....
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Tiredness

Veeeery tired dog after a day on the cricket field wIth J ......


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Jamie Oliver Stew

After a day of shopping (highly depressing when you look like a bowling ball) I made a Jamie Oliver Stew.
It so happens that this was perfect for today as we had  cool change in late arvo and not hot at all anymore!!

I love when you do 3-4 h dishes in the oven and the house fils with lovely aromas of herbs... Ahhh!!!

J had taken frida out for the afternoon to watch cricket and when he came back we had a lovely dinner and talked about life. I love our little dinners together..,

Ingredients and method below photos...

Ingredients

• olive oil
• a knob of butter
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• a handful of fresh sage leaves
• 800g - 1kg stewing steak or beef skirt, cut into 5cm/2 inch pieces
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• flour, to dust
• 2 parsnips, peeled and quartered
• 4 carrots, peeled and halved
• ½ a butternut squash, halved, deseeded and roughly diced
• optional: a handful of Jerusalem artichokes, peeled and halved
• 500g small potatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato purée
• ½ - 1 bottle of red wine
• 285ml beef or vegetable stock
• zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
• a handful of rosemary, leaves picked
• 1 clove of garlic, peeled and finely chopped

Preheat the oven to 160ºC. Put a little oil and your knob of butter into an appropriately sized pot or casserole pan. Add your onion and all the sage leaves and fry for 3 or 4 minutes. Toss the meat in a little seasoned flour, then add it to the pan with all the vegetables, the tomato purée, wine and stock, and gently stir together. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper and just a little salt. Bring to the boil, place a lid on top, then cook in the preheated oven until the meat is tender. Sometimes this takes 3 hours, sometimes 4 – it depends on what cut of meat you’re using and how fresh it is. The only way to test is to mash up a piece of meat and if it falls apart easily it’s ready. Once it’s cooked, you can turn the oven down to about 110°C and just hold it there until you’re ready to eat.

The best way to serve this is by ladling big spoonfuls into bowls, accompanied by a glass of French red wine (for J and water for moi!) and some really fresh, warmed bread. Mix the lemon zest, chopped rosemary and garlic together and sprinkle over the stew before eating. Just the smallest amount will make a world of difference – as soon as it hits the hot stew it will release an amazing fragrance...........

Dinner with Claire and Graeme

Claire had made a wonderful baked cheesecake for dessert... Lovely!

Had a great night but exhausted now, this is way passed my bed time. Off to Bedfordshire.....


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Weird sleeping position...

Frida is the master of weird sleeping positions...



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