February 6th, 7th and 8th a Looooong Weekend

A long weekend due to Friday being Waitangi Day (for those overseas - a significant day in NZ's history celebrating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi by 40 Maori Chiefs - at Waitangi. I think that is sufficient background and oogle Google if you want to know more). Who is going to knock back a long weekend, we had no significant plans, and having been away only last weekend, we decided a weekend spent at home and enjoying sleeping in for three mornings, would do us very nicely thank you.

Friday February 6th I didn't want to bore you with a photo of my Grocery shopping, or more beans purchased to fill the bean bag (and yes this time we did use the bath). so as today is Waitangi Day and a day to celebrate all things Kiwi - let's have a photo of one very stuffed Kiwi instead

Saturday February 7th A day to get my Foodie on. Gazpacho me baby! We have a glut of home grown tomatoes - not enough to warrant making sauces etc, but a glut nonetheless. I found a recipe for Gazpacho, and I have always wanted to try it. So try it I did. Can I say it is nice but I won't make it again. I think the ingredients pre blitzing looked better then the final product.

That was the Gazpacho ticked off the 'Not At the Top of My Bucket List' list

Sunday February 8th Today was supposed to be an atypical Sunday. Sleep in, lots of coffee, move and do the household chores. You know what they say about the best laid plans of Mice and Men... and Irene. It all went topsy turvy due to a certain granddaughter, her swimming lessons, being invited out to lunch by the family and generally being a Nana and Poppa Day.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me present the future Swimming Queen of New Zealand. and greatest Ballerina of New Zealand, and greatest Artist New Zealand has ever seen, and well actually when all is said and done, just one half of the two greatest Granddaughters to grace this particular Nana's heart

Here's the other half of the two greatest Granddaughters to grace this particular Nana's heart. Being a true foodie like her Nana and examining the contents of her Pizza slice That look says it all - ie WTF is on this and should I even be eating this? Is this worthy of swallowing?

February 5th The Unexpected Finally Happened!!

Yes it happened, Our Cactus had a baby. Not the Original Cactus we were waiting on. Just between you and me I think that one decided to abort. It was a perfect bud one day, I got all excited and if I could cartwheel and somersault I would have. Then the next day the bud turned black and dropped. As if to punish me for not cartwheeling and somersaulting at the good news. . Would you cartwheel and somersault in an area of cactuses? Who knows what could end up in your hoohaa with a brouhaa. By the way if you are going to dispute cactuses vs cacti - it actually is cactuses as my good friend Mrs. G.Oogle told me.

This was another Cactus in the same area quietly going about its business. George kept telling me the bump was a flower, and I thought not. And of course this was one of the very few occasions I was wrong and George was right!

Just the one solitary flower, but it is a beauty at that.

February 4th Swimming Rama

Tonight's dinner is commonly known in Thailand as Swimming Rama. To be honest, I have never seen this dish on my visits to Thailand, or noticed it, is a more likely explanation. But I read about it somewhere, somehow and decided to consult Mr G. Oogle to see what 'Swimming Rama' actually was. I liked the sound of it - very similar to a Satay sauce, but the difference being that the chicken is poached and not on skewers and it is served with spinach. It is not something we have often, but when we do have it or if I have cooked it for guests, it is always enjoyed.

February 3rd From One Bean to Another

Well I did mention yesterday about the tussle with the Bean Bag beans. I thought we had managed to clean up all of those little pafoofley mounds of white Polystyrene. Until I noticed this under the rubbish bag this morning. I have a feeling these beans may be haunting us for a while to come! However one handy hint has been received when we put the next amount in (due to me buying insufficient beans), is to do this in the bath tub. This will definitely be the option.

The day went from Has Beans to Green Beans. Dinner tonight is Ham Steaks on the BBQ, and here is the Vegetable accompaniment for the day.  Would you like some Garlic with your Green Beans Sir/Madam?

February 2nd Ho Hum De Hum

Nothing great going on here folks. There was work - to keep myself in the style I am accustomed to. More work, and a bit of shopping to replenish the shelves after a weekend away.

Wait!  There was one bit of excitement. I have purchased a Bean Bag and had to buy the Bean Bag fillers. Because it is a large 450 litre capacity bean bag, the fillers I purchased were in 100 litre bags. Now what could possibly go wrong when you are trying to fill a Bean Bag with fillers - for most people not much. But for George, who has me as his 'able' assistant (cough cough), you can guarantee there will be spillage, and the wooden kitchen floor will be a wash of white. Needless to say no photographic evidence exists of this fact as we were too busy sweeping up the evidence. That actually is the good news! The bad news is that the bag is 450 litre, which I wasn't aware of. I thought it was the normal 200. So now, we have to go through this again with even more Beans. Watch this space - with either anticipation or should that be trepidation?

What I do have photographic evidence of is our dinner. Whilst we were in Waiheke over the weekend, the boys went out for a couple of hours fishing from the rocks. We were very lucky to bring the spoils home with us and yes, tonight's dinner was ocean fresh snapper. I always love it crumbed, as when it is fresh it can tend to break up in the pan. So dinner was fresh caught snapper, with home made crumbs. Accompanied by a lovely Tomato, Basil and Feta Salad. I know that combo is supposed to be Mozzarella, but we particularly enjoy it with a wonderful Bulgarian Buffalo Feta. Bon Appetit!

January 30th, 31st and February 1st A Little Overseas Jaunt

Yes we decided to head overseas for the weekend. Well if you want to split hairs,  not really overseas, but across the ocean to Waiheke Island, which is an hour by ferry from Auckland City. We were invited to visit friends and our visit coincided with the Biennial Headland Sculpture on The Gulf. A wonderful walk of approximately 3 kms over the island where sculpture pieces have been installed.

Friday 30th January Over the Seas we head - ahoy me hearties!

Saturday 31st January :Let's start the day with the Sculpture Walk and here is a small selection of pieces

Sunday February 1st Time to think about packing and heading home. Better take the laptop with me

Getting ready to indulge in a posh nosh breakfast, with our 'So good, we would have to kill you, Salmon on a BBQ' secret recipe. This is just the start, and the secret sauce made by yours truly was added before BBQíng

Jammed on to the ferry to head home. What a wonderful weekend!

January 29th Let's Talk Rash

I don't normally get into things too personal on my blog. A girl (?) has standards and they have to be met. I am going to cross the line, so to speak, today. Only because I had a fairly crapola type of day and my only photo is medical related.

Yes, the above is what I returned home with after a Doctor's visit today. What is wrong you may well ask? I have a rash. What started out as an innocent looking rash nearly 2 weeks ago.  My first thought was the dreaded Chicken Pox.  The Grandies have just been through this, and we steered clear of them, due to us both never having had the dreaded Pox as children. We didn't see them again until they were well clear and out of the infectious period.

But I had this rash. Just a simple rash on one arm initially, that soon spread to the other,and soon spread to ... you get my drift.  So I immediately went and saw my Doctor.  His response - no, definitely not Chicken Pox Not sure, but nothing to worry about.

Nothing to worry about! A couple of days later my arms were covered, as were my thighs and everywhere else. Back to the Doctor, who wasn't available, so I saw a Drop In Doctor. After much mmmm's and aaaaaah's - the same response. Not an allergy Irene, I agree definitely not Chicken Pox. Let's interrupt your Doctor and get him in here again. They concurred and whispered and touched and prodded - and the verdict (at this stage)... Irene, we know you like to be different just by looking at your pink hair for instance. But why, do you have to be different when it comes to illnesses? Why can't you just have the same as everyone else. Here, try some Calamine Lotion and some Prednisone tablets. Give it a few days and there should be nothing to worry about.

Nothing to worry about!  Nothing to worry about! Nothing to worry about! By this week the rashes had converged into huge welts, unlike nothing seen before. Calamine was as useless as tits on a bull, to be frank. Prednisone had the same effect as sugar free lollies on a hyperactive kid, and my rash was converging from little islands in the sea to one big huge forking land mass!

So back I trotted.  I now hopefully have a name. But why do I have to be different. I can understand my brain rebelling at conformity. But my body (ok looking at the extra rolls, it doesn't conform does it!!), but my body also doesn't like conforming when it comes to illnesses, and won't go for the everyday common variety. I have a rash that is known as (I am going to bore you with the medical details)..Pityriasis Rosea. It is a Virus, that is dormant within the body from childhood. If it does decide to come out as an adult, it is 'commonly' (get the word commonly) seen in adults from aged 18 to 35. Hello, 35!!! 35!!!  I am well over that landmark by a couple of decades The good news is that it rarely affects the face. Watch this space.

Can someone please tell this body of mine that sometimes conforming is good.  Give me up to six months and I apparently will be rash free. They doubt the above creams/tablets in the photo will help but they may ease the constant itching.

So please if you see me and I am scratching, I have washed. I am clean. I am just being rash!

ps It is NOT infectious, NOT, NOT, NOT!!!

January 28th You Know You're A Nana When (Part II)

You know you're a Nana when your granddaughter says she wants to bake Muffins. Savoury Muffins won't do, it has to be Chocolate Muffins please Nana.

Out come the recipe books and Alison Holst very 'kindly' has a Double Chocolate Muffin recipe in her Marvellous Muffins Book. So Double Chocolate it was. And then we couldn't have plain ones, oh no! Pink Icing just had to complete them.

Actually as an aside, this is seriously a good recipe if anyone wants it. The recipe called for Yoghurt which I didn't have, so I substituted Sour Cream. These were more of a cupcake consistency and very yummy and moist. However in the best interest of my tummy rolls and calorie counting, all the cupcakes not eaten, were frozen for said Granddaughters next visit/sleepover.

January 27th You Know You're A Nana When.....

An afternoon puppet show, being held in your spare bedroom, is the most amazing show ever put on. It hands down beats Hollywood, Broadway and any other show I have seen. Thank Goodness for Granddaughters who know how to put on a blockbuster

January 24th, 25th and 26th - An Anniversary and A Birthday

We had a Long Weekend here. I live in the Waikato region of New Zealand and one thing I have never been able to comprehend is why, when we are not part of the Auckland region, we celebrate Auckland Anniversary Day. Well actually the entire top half of the North Island of New Zealand does. We are not that small that we have to be swept under the same bush, but it does happen. However, when all is said and done, who is going to complain when it means a lovely long weekend.

Saturday 24th - I was definitely in Long Weekend mode. The weather has been hot, hot and hotter. It is so lovely to not have to wear ten thousand layers of clothes and to feel warmth no matter what hour of the day. Being in Long Weekend mode, dinner had to be something easy. I raided the contents of the fridge that is our spare fridge, and a couple of oops were found, which I decided to transform into a Pizza.  We are still here to tell the tale. so the oops was just a minor oops (note to self - check contents of the 'other' fridge more regularly)

Firstly a lovely little piece of Salami - Let's just ignore the Best Before date - and after all it is Best Before and not Use By!

 For a Pizza, you have to have Cheese. I found an unopened wheel of Pecorino (Sheep's Milk Cheese) in the same fridge. I had lovely Italian customers (now residing permanently back in Italy) who made their own Cheese and would sell it to me. This one was labelled "For Irene - July 2010"

All good in the end and it all came together in this wonderful home made Pizza

Sunday 25th - A Birthday to celebrate. I have two of the most adorable, lovable, wonderful, beautiful, delectable granddaughters possible. Me biased? No way!  Little Samara turned two on Friday and we celebrated her birthday. You know you are a Nana when you are up to play with Doc McStuffin, Lambie Boo Boo, Dora, Boots and the never aging Minnie Mouse (I must find out how she manages to stay wrinkle free and not gain any poundage after all these years?)

We definitely can't overlook the star of the day

and her equally adorable big sis

 

Monday 26th Honey I'm Home!!  Yes it was the Return of the Elephants. They are finally all home and settled into their rightful places. Unpacked, no laundry required and everyone is back  - for 10 months that is (pssst... this is only one cabinet. If you haven't been to our house before there are many, and I mean many, many others!)

January 23rd T.G.I.F.

Yes, yes, yes - T G I F, which stands for Thin Girls I Faffle!   Obviously not and there is no such word as Faffle.  Today is Friday, Friday, yes it's Friday.

And so upon us Friday did descend

Yes we are about to nose into a weekend

But wait there is nothing special planned

Unless holding a glass at sometime, which has to be manned

So here I am at the end of a week

Thinking as I walk upon my feet

Then night came, and also a quarter moon

Yes it was the end of day and much too soon

One Park all to ourselves

Stand Up Straight!

The Moon, a solitary Star and  one very big spotlight

January 22nd A Tedious And Not Titillating Thursday

Today was a Thursday like any other. I kid you not. But then my philosophy is that if every day were exciting and full of wow moments, we wouldn't appreciate them. Life has it's flat planes, its uphills, its downhills. So why kid you and try and make out that my Thursday was something it was not - because it wasn't :)

First up was work. Followed by a walk with Minnie - I wanted to get that done early as the thermometer was tipped to to top the very late 20s, so we could not subject her delicate royal paws to burning asphalt. Our dog who is the most intelligent canine in the universe is a whizz at finding shady spots to stop and smell the individual blades of grass

The Park we walk though has a full time Council employed Gardener. And we walk past his dumping spot for pruning. (I will not recall the time a Cockroach jumped up my dress from this spot - I presume - and I found it touching an upper extremity. Best to lay that memory to bed). Anyway back to the pile of cuttings, and there was this tree I have never seen before with these weird berries or fruit - some were turning red. Can anyone identify this for me?

I don't know if you recall a solitary shoe located on the side of the road a couple of weeks ago? It obviously still hasn't left this earthly plane as socks do. Well good news for our solitary shoe. It has a partner. A bit of an oddball but at least someone he can chew the rubber with on a daily basis. They appear the unlikeliest couple but are making a go of it

Then the day drew to a close. As usual, a spectacular sunset, with a pink jetstream thrown in for a different daily effect. Thank you to whomever or whatever causes these sunsets, for throwing in one this evening to match my hair colour. That was much appreciated!

January 21st Comparing Of The Spuds

Because we only  have a handkerchief sized section, our garden is minimal as well. Therefore if we want to grow Potatoes, our only option is to grow them in a bag. We have two of these bags. The first bag we harvested for Xmas Day, and for yesterday's dinner, the 2nd bag was harvested.

I remembered that I had a photo of Harvest number one, so I decided to compare the two harvests and to see how the same crop of potatoes compared with the passing of 4 weeks?

On the left is 25th December and on the right is 21st January. Obviously a larger size which is to be expected, but a different colour? Are there any scientific boffins out there who can explain why the colour change (the potatoes decided to match my hair?) and even more so, why when we boil these, the colour totally disappears?

January 20th Dipping Our Toes Into Cambodian

Tonight our dining choice was at a Cambodian dining house, and a very wise choice it was. They also offered a choice of Thai and Malay, so every taste bud can be satisified. If you are in Hamilton, get yourself along to Khmer Noodle House.

You know you're eating Cambodian when your dinner plates look like this!

From across the road, Riff Raff is keeping an eye on you and making sure you behave

But you are being watched even more closely by this little Asian Princess, who is making sure you eat all your greens, that you don't pinch all the King Prawns, and she will let you have the Scallops (with the loveliest big roes attached ever)