From my sick bed :P

It's a sunny afternoon yet I'm sitting huddled up in bed feeling quite cold; the thermometer is in my mouth for curiosity more than any actual suspicion of fever. It would seem I am being hit with a couple of ailments at once. Vomiting (horrible word, that) and upset tummy since Sunday night, and now a very tender breast (another plugged duct, possibly fast heading to mastitis) as well, the germs for which I probably picked up at the doctor's this morning when Sarah got her immunisations.(The thermometer says 36.15). My diet consists of fruit, toast, and now raw garlic :) Go away horrible bugs! That said, I am very thankful I have access to medical help and supplies, good food (if I could stomach it!), hubby's sick leave for when I really need him at home, and the luxury of being able to take rests through the day (once the girls are occupied or asleep!).

It is only days now until we make our first trip back to NZ since getting married 2 1/2 years ago. Very exciting! And we are now four, not two! And I return as an aunty, and I have another brother-in-law (I have eight of those now!); the family multiplies all around!! I am greatly looking forward to being with my family again and catching up on all that has happened and is happening. Good times ahead!

Menu Planning

I am new to menu planning- I've generally decided on the day what I'll cook based on what meat and veg I bought (on special) that week/week before. That way too I can cook what I 'feel' like that day. But in trying to get more organised (in general) and to see if it saves money and time, I have started menu planning. After about 6 weeks of doing so, I am quite sold on them! I'm even planning breakfasts now :)

I've roughly assigned categories to the different days of the week - curry, stir fry, oven bake, chilli/stew, soup, leftovers...... - and work from there. I was doing a fortnightly menu to start with but have cut back to a weekly one. 7 columns for the days of the week, and 4 rows - one for the days, breakfast, dinner, and the prep I need to do the night before (soaking beans, rice, oats etc).

This week's menu features tinned tuna curry with rice, turkey stir-fry with rice, classic baked beans with potato and coleslaw, pumpkin curry with rice, lasagna (treat for Jonathan) with veges, mexican corn soup with garlic toast, pumpkin soup with risotto cakes.

Does anyone else menu plan? What's on your menu???

Family and Fellowship

It has been a busy couple of weeks! And yet there has been a holiday feel to them too. Jonathan's grandpa passed away to be with his Lord early Easter Monday morning (we will miss Grandpa; I've only known him for a few years, but he was such a wonderful Grandpa! We celebrate his passing to be with our Lord, but we shall miss his presence here with us), and we have had family congregate from many places near and far. It has been a lovely time of getting together and catching up.

Grandma (my grandma, that is) came down from Bundaberg for a few nights a week prior to all this. It was lovely to have her stay with us. And she taught me to crochet (it has been a number of years since I made 'granny squares'). I have learned to crochet edging on face cloths and the like, and have thoroughly enjoyed it :)

A few days after she left, we had Jachin and Alisi come to stay for a week. Very exciting for all! Abigail particularly loves her uncle and aunt. It was during their stay that Grandpa Sheehy died. Mum and dad Sheehy came from Fiji to be with the family for the funeral celebrations and aftermath; they are still staying with us. So we had a full house - 6 adults and 2 littlies in our cosy 3 bedroom unit for a couple of nights. We all fitted just fine (but I think Abigail is happy to be back in her bed - she was on the floor in our room for a couple of nights). Jachin and Alisi have left again, and we now have Andrew for a couple of nights (Abigail can sleep soundly though - he gets the couch! :)). 

And to think, it is now only 1 month until we journey to NZ to see my family again! Such a rich time of family and fellowship.