Very proud of myself

So as a last minuet decision David and I decided to go see some friends in Gympie for New Years. I made it very clear that I couldn't be that close to my parents without seeing them. We have had David's family up for a few weeks before Christmas, but I didn't get to see my family (first time in 29 years I haven't spent Christmas with mum and dad).

I promptly burst into tears crying that "I miss my mummy". Yes I still call her mummy, and yes I do still get homesick!

David being the loving supportive husband he is burst out laughing at me. Apparently I'm supposed to be mature at 29 and not miss my parents to the point of tears.

He then surprised me by saying that he would be ok at home without me if I wanted to stay a few extra days. Luckily flights were cheap so this afternoon we are driving to Gympie then on Sunday we will get to Brisbane. David drives home on Monday because he has to work on Tuesday, but I get to stay until Thursday and fly home! Excited!

So today I have been busy, making sure the house is clean and packing. I also made some yummy meals for David while I'm away that he can just defrost and eat. The one I'm most proud of is the risotto. I have never been very good at it, but this time I decided to try it in the slow cooker! U recommend that all risotto should be done from here on out in the slow cooker because it is amazing!

1 cup arborio rice
2 cups of water with chicken stock mixed in
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
1 chicken breast diced
1 onion sliced
1 cup of each sweet potato, potato, pumpkin and carrot cubed
1 teaspoon of butter
a sprinkling of mixed herbs and pepper to taste

Brown the chicken and onion together (it's always better if you cook the onion and brown the meat before you put it in the slow cooker.
Chuck everything in the slow cooker and cover with the chicken stock and water (I had to add a little extra water after a couple of hours).
Cook on low for 4 - 6 hours (depending on your slow cooker, mine takes about 6 hours).

This should give you 2 large servings, so David has dinner and then lunch for the next day.

He also has my very own version of pasta bake.


500g mince
1 onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 cups of mixed veggies (optional)
1 tin of tomatoes or 3 diced fresh tomatoes
1 bottle of pasta sauce

2 cups pasta

Cheese sauce
2 teaspoons butter
1 heaped teaspoon flour
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Milk ( you will need to judge the amount based on how thick you want the sauce, if you make it too runny just add a little more flour)
Cheese to taste

Cook mince, onion garlic, veggies and tomatoes in a fry pan and add sauce (if you like it really tomatoey add a tin on tomato soup as well!)

In a small pot melt butter add garlic salt and pepper.
Add flour, take off heat and stir.
Put back on heat and use a whisk stirring constantly as you add the milk.
Add extra milk or flour as needed until you have and nice white sauce (if I was making corned meat this would be the point I would add a slash of dry white wine for a lovely white sauce).
Add cheese to taste (David likes his really cheesy so I add about 1 1/2 cups)
Stir until cheese is melted and leave on a low heat.

Cook your pasta (I usually wiz it through the microwave for 15 mins while I make the mince and cheese sauce).

Mix mince, pasta and cheese sauce together and place in oven proof dish. Sprinkle with cheese and bake in oven until cheese on top is brown.

This gives 4 large servings and has a lasagna type taste without the hassle of layering pasta sheets sauce and cheese sauce!

I also made him honey mustard chicken with noodles, but this is totally boring as I just used a bottle of sauce on browned chicken, onion and garlic. Also threw in a clue of handfuls of mixed veggies.

Pretty sure he won't starve while I'm away, and it is much better than take-out which he would probably rather do than making something himself! He hates cooking lol.

Hope everyone has an amazing New Years! God bless for 2012!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Mr Kookaburra

We have a couple of kookaburras that live in the gum tree out the back. I see them everyday. This morning Mr Kookaburra came to visit on my back verandah. Nice start to the day!





Just thought I'd share.

Why....Hello!

I know, I know, it's been a while, but things have been kind of hectic around here. The end of year at school is always full on. This year I haven't been quite so stressed, which has been a major blessing.

First off we moved, bad time of year to move, but so worth it! Our new house is just stunning, and coming home from work was like going on a little mini-break every night! We are all settled in, a few things to still unpack and sort through, but hey, I'm on holidays now so I have plenty of time!




This is home, sweet home! There is so much space, and light, and no mould or mildew like the old place. Not to mention the fact that this house is not falling down around us! This picture is of the lounge room. We are really very happy here!

School finishing was a blessing, but also non stressful. Most years I get sick at the end of the year because it has been so full on. I think the major difference this year has been that I have had my weekends to myself. I don't have to do any gigs, I can just chill out and recuperate. I loved doing DJing and Karaoke, but I can tell you now I do not miss the late nights, lifting heavy equipment and the drunken so-and-so's that I would have to deal with at least once a week, and sometimes more.

I'm so proud of all of my kids, one even took out the prize for the top mark in one of his subjects! And if I could talk about everything this kid is going through, you would be just as amazed and proud of him as I am!

The formal was beautiful, and so laid back! Unlike my old school, the formal was purely a time to enjoy each others company and celebrate our kids finishing school. There was no ceremony as this was done at a school assembly, just dinner and drinks with the kids and their families, as well as some funny videos the kids made to have a dig at the teachers and of course the teachers response!

Last day of work blew my mind! They way they look after staff is amazing. I'm used to using the last day to do secret Santa and clean up then we go out for dinner that night with whichever staff want to come. This year I was surprised to find that our last day consisted of being shouted lunch at this beautiful resort which was compulsory for all staff, where we gave our secret santa's their gifts and the leadership team gave each and every person a box of chocolates and 2 movie tickets! The cards the leadership team wrote were just amazing, they had me in tears, just to be encouraged like that was amazing and has made me really appreciate the school I am at and the fact that they take none of us for granted and they care as much about their staff as they do the kids.

So now I'm in my first week of holidays! Holidays I was hanging out for because this time last year we were packing, moving 7 hours away from friends and family, going back home for Christmas, New Years and our wedding, and then freaking out cause the floods meant we only got to our new home a couple of days before I started my new job, plus the added stress of hubby not having a job to come to.

I'm actually relaxing! Hubby has a full time job, I could put my Christmas decorations up this year, and there is no financial stress! God has really blessed us!




My Christmas tree, which now has some presents underneath!



I love having the lights on at night, it puts me in my happy place!




Lights on the doors out to the balcony. They make me happy too!




The most Christmassy nails I could get done!

Tomorrow mother-in-law and hubbies 2 little brothers come, followed by father-in-law closer to Christmas. It's exciting to have kids here for Christmas. The only down side is that I can't see my family over Christmas because of my dads work, and my brother, sister-in-law and nephew are going to spend Christmas in Perth. I am hoping that maybe I will get to see them early in the new year if we can get down or they can get up.

Also coming up this week is the Rockhampton Christmas Carols in the music bowl, which I get to sing at. Very excited! I have done carols before but this is a rather large event in Rocky and they go all out for it.

Well I think that has everyone up to speed. Until next time!