grateful 17/52*

Ashamedly, I show you this picture in the hope that I am not the only person that sits amongst this kind of filth while hurriedly finishing an essay.

Also, to be grateful that today, my assignment is complete and I would gladly invite you into my home (which no longer looks like a toddler has been roaming, discarding clothes as necessary, taking itself for walks in the pram all with limited parental supervision - ahem).

And yes, that is a nappy on the floor.
In that moment, I was that person...

*way behind in grateful posts so I'm skipping week's here and there...of course, I remain constantly grateful for one thing or another during those missing weeks!

grateful - 6/52...

After a 5:30am start, two cups of cold coffee, copious tears and many irrational thoughts later, I was wondering what I had been thinking when I wrote this post and was finding it very difficult to have a grateful heart.

However, the day has improved with a trip to the seaside, some downtime (thank you afternoon nap) and a few too many pretzels.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be a mum and all that the title entails.

I am grateful that we live near the seaside.

I am oh so grateful that I can be a composed, pensive and caring woman one day and completely fail at it the next.

*I"m sure a few bloggers are doing this also.  Please feel free to join in!

therapy may be required...

We have been accosted with a crying, slobbering, happy then sad 19 month old. I don't know who this child is but I'd like Nora back! We can't work out whether she's teething, sick, has joined the Bon Jovi philosophy of 'sleep when I'm dead' or just testing the boundaries? Let's just say there has been copious amounts of shoulder shrugging and desperate sighs between Mr and I.

Right now, she's happily playing, opening and closing the window chatting to Daddy.  TWO minutes ago she was howling and throwing food on the floor...What the?

Does anybody know if there are some specific behaviour changes around 19 months? I want to see the light! HELP?!

fortnightly menus...

Following a few years of chaos, a baby, going back to work and some seriously nutrient-less meals, I've finally put together a fortnightly menu. It allows for nutrition, ease and a little excitement, as well as fitting nicely into our budget and work/play routine.

WEEK 1 -
Saturday:  Cauliflower & Pea Curry
Sunday:  Spaghetti Bolognese (my recipe changes each time but the essentials stay the same)
Monday:  OUT (blessed)
Tuesday:  Eggs/Toast, Fried Rice, Home-made nachos
Wednesday:  Vietnamese Chicken (Thrifty Kitchen)
Thursday:  Vietnamese Cold Rolls (using leftover Vietnamese Chicken)
Friday:  Vegetarian Chilli (Delicious - Quick smart cook)

WEEK 2 -
Saturday:  BBQ Chicken & Proscuitto/Basil Pizzas (Jamie Oliver - Pizza Dough)
Sunday: Chicken, Olive and Fennel Pasta
Monday: OUT
Tuesday:  Chilli con carne, Eggs/Toast
Wednesday:  Beef Stew & Salad (Apples for Jam)
Thursday:  Take Out
Friday:  Carbonara & Greens (Everyday Kitchen)


NOTES:
These meals change each school term (10 weeks), so we get variety and follow the change in seasons. I've organised the meals so that I'm using up all ingredients in one week i.e. week 1, coriander, rice noodles etc; there has been a lot less waste.

I try to stick to my weekly budget of $120, which sometimes includes wine/beer (woot!). I shop according to my list and nothing more, however I do include things like haloumi, proscuitto and dark chocolate so we don't feel we're missing out.  I also bake two different snacks ie jam drops, cheese scones (like we did here) and plan possible breakfasts/lunches to include in my weekly shopping list. 

We're fortunate that my parents care for Nora on Mondays while I work, so dinner is gratefully gobbled at their abode Monday nights.  

Tuesdays is another work day for me so I want something quick and easy.  If I've got energy, I'll give Nora eggs and then lazily make something delicious for Joel and I after she's gone to bed.  Hence the multiple choice Tuesdays...

I make a basic tomato sauce recipe here, that becomes pizza sauce for Saturday and the base of the pasta dish for Sunday (I add fennel and some marinated red peppers into the basic tomato sauce). 

None of the meals, including take out night, are limited to specific nights.  We swap and change depending on how we feel.  It does, however, ensure that we only eat out once a fortnight (of course, this does not include our occasional indulgent weekend brunches...these are not negotiable!).

Phew...hope this ramble helps! I would love to hear your own menu plan / quick recipe ideas.



**If there's no link to the recipe and you don't have the recipe book listed, inbox me and I'll send you the details.