Thursday Thirteen #1

Thirteen Things I love 1. I love my husband - he is a kind, loving person who only wants the best for us. 2. I love our Son - his quirky teenage ways and his innocent outlook on life remind me how simple things should be. 3. I love our Daughter - her innocence, her beauty and that look that makes you melt - reminds me to not take things too seriously. 4. I love the simplicity of my life, it reminds me how lucky I am. 5. I love where I live - beautiful Queensland, Australia - it still is the lucky country. 6. I love my friends - I don't make friends easily but those I do make I hold close to my heart. 7. I love that my family put up with my overly optimistic outlook on life - she'll be right mate!! 8. I love that I have the freedom to make choices - whatever they may be. 9. I love that I have the courage to make those choices. 10. I love my extended family - their support is always there. 11. I love that we are building a new home. 12. I love that I often take the road less travelled. 13. I love because I can!!!! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Unconscious Mutterings

This weeks Unconscious Mutterings

1. Visit : coffee and cake
   
2. Cake : chocolate
   
3. Period : timeframe
   
4. Triumphant : on top of the world
   
5. Screen : sore eyes
   
6. Neglect : my diet
   
7. Guitar : music
   
8. Loathe : mean people
   
9. Sugar : toffee
   
10. Montage : mixed up
    

Enjoy your week - Incog

Our word cloud

I like this - shows how little things amuse me.

Get your word cloud here

Year of the....

You Were Actually Born Under:

You have both a fiery energy and a warm heart. Your charisma and charm makes it easy for you to influence others. Lucky in life, you also have a reputation of being lucky in love. Power hungry, you are determined to get what you want - no matter what it takes. You are most compatible with a Monkey or Rat.

You Should Have Been Born Under:

You've got a ton of energy - and need plenty of room to roam. You tend to follow your whims, and it's hard for you to stick to one thing. Specific jobs, loves, and friends are always changing and never a part of your life for long. Very intuitive, you tend to know what people are thinking before they say a word. You are most compatible with a Dog or Tiger.

What Year Were You Born Under?

For Paul

Recipe of the week - Coleslaw

Another glorious winter (?) weekend coming up in wonderful Queensland - so it's more salads again this weekend!!!





Coleslaw

INGREDIENTS

½ small white cabbage, shredded
1 green capsicum, diced
½ small red onion, sliced thinly
White wine vinegar
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
¼ cup olive oil
½ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, torn
Crusty bread to serve

METHOD

Combine cabbage, capsicum and onion in a large serving bowl.

Combine vinegar, sugar, salt and oil in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Pour over salad and toss well to combine the flavours; stand 10 minutes.

Stir in the parsley leaves.

Serve with a lovely tossed green salad and a juicy steak!!!

Enjoy - Incog

Friday Feast 108

Appetizer
If you could have a free subscription to any magazine, which one would you like to have?
It would probably be a gardening magazine - we are currently building a house and are looking for inspiration to landscape when the house is finsished.

Soup
Describe your living room (furnishings, colors, etc.).
A lot of timber furniture ie TV cabinet, book cases, coffee table - lounge is aubergine (sort of), flooring is timber like - with timber venetian blinds - lots of family photos on the TV cabinet.

Salad
What does the shape of a circle make you think of?
It actually makes me think about life (something to do with the Lion King - the circle of life) and for me reflecting on family and how things change over the years.

Main Course
Name 3 things in your life that you consider to be absolute necessities.
My family, my reading glasses (or this would make no sense at all) and my hairdresser!!!

Dessert
What was the last really funny movie you watched?
Although not a new movie Bruce Almighty - not a big Jim Carey fan but I did find this funny.


Come dine with us at
Fridays Feast

We are all the same

After the game,

the king and the pawn go into the same box.
Italian Proverb

Incog

On my way!!

Well I have finally lost that first kilo!!! Made my day - still have a few to go but I'm on my way and feeling quite motivated to reach my goal. So with a bit more exercise and some more spring and summer salads on the menu I should be able to reach my goal before Christmas - thanks to everyone for their encouragement. Bye for now!!

Incog

OH my blogging is bigger than I thought

Well I have spent most of the day looking at other blogs - and my oh my have I been kept busy. Thursday Thirteen, Wordless Wednesday, Friday Feast, blogging chicks, Photo hunt and many more of those great ideas have been hitting me all day. There is so much out there and so confusing for a fairly new blogger. But I will over the next few weeks endeavour to be a part of as many of them as I can. They are great ideas and obviously some great people to meet out there too (even if it is through the blog and they are on the other side of the world). Maybe at some stage we can swap addresses and send postcards to each other from around the globe. So I am giving my head a deserved rest now (plus have to start dinner soon). I have really enjoyed looking at some great sites today check these out:

Fridays Child
Drama Queen's Momma
A revision

All great sites - you have all inspired me. See you all soon.

Incog

Tracking those special events

Well I am feeling quite proud of myself today. I am working out how to link things to my blog - probably will overdo it for a while. So as you can I am now tracking my weight (an incentive I hope) and also letting you all know how long until our 21st Wedding Anniversary (which I am very proud of). I also added the moon phases a few days ago. I love the moon - not sure why - it is beautiful.

Recipe of the Week - Chilli and Lime chicken salad

The days are getting warmer in this part of the world - almost Spring. So light easy salads are making their way to the table.





INGREDIENTS

1 cup (250ml) water
1 cup (250ml) chicken stock
340g chicken breast fillets
1 small carrot (70g)
1 small red capsicum (150g), sliced thinly
½ small chinese cabbage (200g), shredded finely
2 green onions, chopped finely
¾ cup (60g) bean sprouts
½ cup firmly packed fresh coriander leaves
100g watercress, trimmed

CHILLI LIME DRESSING:

¼ cup (60ml) lime juice
2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil

METHOD

1. Bring the water and stock to a boil in large saucepan. Reduce heat; add chicken, simmer about 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Allow chicken to cool in cooking liquid before draining. Discard liquid; slice chicken thinly.

2. Meanwhile, halve carrot crossways, cut each half into 2mm-wide lengths; cut lengths into matchstick-thin strips.

3. Place chicken and carrot in large bowl with capsicum, cabbage, onion, sprouts, coriander and watercress; add chilli lime dressing, toss to combine.

Chilli lime dressing:
Combine ingredients in screw-topped jar; shake well.

Enjoy!!

A busy few days!!

Well I have had a few busy days and haven't been able to get to the computer. We are starting the process of building our next house. So have been running around choosing colours, tiles, carpets etc. Hubby works away but has been home this week, so we are both trying to cram alot into this week. Between signing contracts and picking paints we have been able to make some time for each other and the kids. So just a quick break - have not lost any weight, but haven't gained any either - yee haa!! Struggling with the exercise but am doing little bits. Anyway the sun is shining on us so can't complain. Bye for now

Full Moon

I know the old cliche about full moons - bringing out the crazies - but how can you resist such a wonderful sight!!

Thanks

Thanks to everyone for their support in weight loss quest. I haven't made a great start with the exercise - but hey there's always tomorrow. So will keep on posting my progress and look forward to your support - and of course for all of you out there who have your own battles - I'm right behind you - all the way.

Oh no I've put on weight!!!

Don't know why I even weighed myself - didn't need to I could tell by my waistbands that I had put on weight. So what to do - enjoy my food too much to diet, although I could include more fruit and veg into my diet (yes I will) - will just have to start walking. The sun is up before 6am now so I guess I can go for a walk before I get everyone ready for school and work. Gee it's going to be hard - it's still a bit cool of a morning - but I really have to. I'll report my progress over the coming weeks - need to lose about 10 kilograms - phew!! I'm tired just thinking about it. But I'll give it my best shot - here goes - wish me luck!!

Love

Love is like war,
Easy to begin but hard to end.
~ by Anonymous ~

Recipe of the Week

We have had a few warm days and it's only a couple of weeks till Spring. This fresh, mint icecream is an ideal way to finish off a warm day. Enjoy!




Fresh mint ice-cream

Serving size: Serves 6
Cooking time: More than 1 hour

INGREDIENTS
1¼ cups castor sugar
1¼ cups water
2/3 cup fresh mint leaves
1/3 cup lime juice
600ml thickened cream, whipped

METHOD
Combine sugar and water in pan, stir over heat, without boiling, until sugar is dissolved.
Simmer 5 minutes, without stirring, cool 5 minutes.
Blend or process syrup with mint and juice.
Strain through fine nylon sieve (to prevent mint discolouring); discard mint.
Pour mixture into shallow pan, cover, freeze until firm.
Process ice-cream mixture until smooth, transfer to bowl, fold in cream in several batches. Return to same pan, cover, freeze until firm.
Repeat processing, spread into loaf pan, cover, freeze several hours or overnight until firm.
Recipe best made several days ahead.
Storage: Covered, in freezer.
Freeze: Essential.
Microwave: Not suitable.

Harmony

If only humans could get on together as well as these cuties seem to!!

Daffodil Day - 25 August

Cancer affects nearly one in three Australians. Daffodil Day is Australia's flagship national event to support those affected by cancer and to inspire hope for our future.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Daffodil Day is the largest merchandise based fundraising event of its kind for cancer research, education and patient support
The Canadian Cancer Society originally created Daffodil Day in the early 1980s. Presently claiming international significance, Daffodil Day is hosted by cancer charities in seven western countries across the globe.
The event has given the daffodil world-wide significance as an accepted and positive symbol for the heroic efforts made by cancer patients.

Jeans for Genes Day

The first Friday in August is Jeans for Genes Day, the day you get to wear jeans to work for a great cause: finding cures for children’s diseases. Jeans for Genes Day is a FUNdraising day for the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI).

Chances are you probably know someone who has a genetic disease, because one in twenty children are born with some form of genetic fault. There are children with leukaemia, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis and many other disorders.
The scientists at the Children’s Medical Research Institute are working to try to prevent these diseases before they occur in children, or where that is not possible to develop better treatments.
The money raised from Jeans for Genes Day goes towards the work of these scientists.
You are part of every discovery we make.

Please support this great cause!!