tick that one off the list...

this morning, before work, i did this...



the first official thing ticked off the list.
well to be honest... i've been drinking a lot of tea already too :D not even half way through the stash...

my creative space.

today, i've got some commuter craft ready to go!



better get started on a father's day present...

what are you creating today in your space? join in over here

meal planning monday.

i'm a little late with my post tonight. it's taken me a little while to work out what i'm actually cooking this week (bb organised this week's meals and groceries) and also a little while to sit down and get typing.
lots of house love to get done after a weekend at work and i had some very lovely visitors this afternoon :D



tonight, well right now actually, there's a rolled shoulder of lamb, stuffed with rosemary, garlic, shallots and some thyme, in the oven with some sweet potatoes too. it smells divine and i can't wait to get into it!

tomorrow night, i'm thinking i might throw together a chicken and chorizo pasta bake. it sounds absolutely delish!

wednesday, i'll pop some lamb in the slow-cooker. slow roasted lamb will most definitely hit the spot!

thursday night, bb has requested something fresh, and not slow-cooked (not surprising at all considering how much i've been using it!) so i'm thinking some nice big pork chops! with a crunchy side salad.

friday, my late night at work, i'll have some cashew chicken in the slow-cooker, ready for when we both get home. with a bit of rice on the side, this'll go down a treat!

saturday night, i'll be dining alone, so i think i might cook up a big wok-full of pad thai.
i'm heading on a trip to sydney sunday night, so i'd best leave something for bb to eat, rather than the take-away that i'm sure he'll indulge in while i'm not there :D

for that reason, i have no idea what i'll be eating for dinner on sunday! i'm staying in the city centre so i'm sure i'll be able to find somewhere that will have something delicious on the menu!

a very exciting week ahead!


the home of meal planning monday

my creative space.

it's been a bit slow on the creative front over here...



just keeping on with the slow knit.

what creative things have you been up to lately? pop over here and join in the fun!

24 before 25.

a couple of weeks ago, i celebrated my 24th birthday. it was nothing big, a day at work with a nice lunch with my parents, then i came home to a lovely home-cooked meal by my love. oh and a bottle of bubbles :D

i had a few thoughts about the year ahead, the year before i turn 25, a quarter of a century, and i put together a bit of a list. completely unlike me really...

1. run 5 kilometres - I had this on my list of august goals, but it's been a few weeks since i've hit the pavement or treadmill and i'm a bit scared i've lost my fitness. we'll see...
2. get inked - this one's been on a few of my to-do lists over the years... but with the help of pinterest, i'm getting my thoughts and ideas together. it's close. very close!
3. get my passport organised - i've got the paperwork, just need to get photos done and verified and then get it sorted! overseas fun isn't too far into the future!
4. buy a bike - i live within a few kilometres of where i work, with the warmer months coming up, it'll be a good way to keep fit :D
5. make a bit more of an effort with my appearance - i have ridiculous amounts of make-up and about a zillion hair tutorials pinned on pinterest. most of the time i've no make-up on and my hair in a bun. boring!
6. visit my grandmother more often - i said to myself around new year's resolution time, i should visit my ma once a week, and haven't seen her since january. worst. grand-daughter. ever.
7. finish my granny stripe blankie.
8. sell something on etsy - i've opened my store, now to make my first sale :D.
9. finish my cert IV - i've got as long as i need to finish it, but i'd like it done sooner, rather than later.
10. have more people over for dinner - i love having guests, i just am never quite organised enough to make it happen.
11. make the backyard what i want it to be - i make excuses about it lal the time, but there aren't any. i should make it what i want it :D
12. keep my car clean - it's new to us and we should keep it looking nice.
13. call my mum once a week - i'm as slack a daughter as i am grand-daughter.
14. reduce my wool stash substantially - it's taking up a bit too much room currently... i'd like it to fit into one of my vintage suitcases.
15. keep up with my meal planning - it's a great way for bb and i to stay fairly healthy, if dinner is planned, or cooking, we're a lot less likely to eat crappy take-away.
16. RELAX! - i stress out a lot, i'm highly strung. i get fairly stressed out when things don't go my way, and i really need to work on relaxing. whether it's getting a massage once a week, or practicing meditation, i've got to get something happening :D
17. drink more tea - i have a huge tea stash! and i really only drink it every now and again. i think stopping work to have a cup of tea will definitely help with the whole relaxing thing too!
18. snack healthier - i tend to snack a lot at work. and what i'm snacking on isn't great for me. throw any recipes for healthy snacks my way all!
19. get my armchair re-upholstered - i picked this one up from hard rubbish a few years ago and it's beginning to look a little worse for wear. definitely needs a spruce up!
20. donate blood - i've donated once or twice, but the last couple of times they've struggled to find my veins. i'm working on reducing my body fat percentage so that my veins aren't so hidden. hopefully it'll work and i can donate again!
21. keep saving for a house - bb isn't so convinced that we should buy a house, but i'm SO sick of renting! rather be paying off our mortgage that someone elses.
22. take better care of my feet - they carry me around, they deserve some pampering every now and again.
23. donate to charity - there's a few charities i've been wanting to donate to for ages and i always forget! pretty poor form actually!
24. get away a bit more - this state is pretty marvellous, and i haven't seen much of it at all. working full time, i'm now getting weekends off regularly. i'd love to get away with bb a little more often!


so that's it, a nice easy goal list for the year no?

lol-cat sampson

i posted this picture on instagram last night...



and on the insistence of curlypops, i made it into a lolcat :D

hope your tuesday brings you some giggles :D


ps. if you don't know what a lolcat is... educate yourself... just don't blame me if your afternoon vanishes in a flash!

meal planning monday.

hello monday and hello meal plans!
the plans have been made and the pantry and fridge are fully stocked!



for tonight, i've got some lamb shanks in the slow cooker. i'll whip up some couscous when i get home from work. delish!

tomorrow night, date night, i've got some yummy looking salmon fillets from the fish man. can't wait to cook them up with some fat chips and a fresh salad!

wednesday night, i've got my fortnightly craft group, and a friend over for dinner. I'm going to try something new from my slow cooker book. they're called hedgehogs, little meat balls with rice in them with some yummy sauce. should be yummy!

by thursday night, i'll need something delicious and hearty, lemon roast chicken in the slow cooker. yep, that'll do it!

friday night is my late night at work, so i'll pop some osso buco in the slow cooker for when bb, and then later, i get home from work. just what i'll need on a cold winter's night!

after being very lucky and having the whole (or most of) the last three weekends off from work, this weekend i'm working the whole hog!
this means bb will be in charge of dinners over the weekend. fingers crossed he whips up something scrummy!


what are your plans for the week ahead?

the home of meal planning monday