Our Christmas!

What a super exciting Christmas it was for us this year! Even though it was the second year of us being a "complete" family,  last year didnt count in every way as it was such a whirlwind event. The twins were born only 2 days before so I was still in hospital with them, and as much as I was feeling over the moon and blessed, its so different to spending it at home.
This year was FUN FUN and more FUN! We had paper everywhere, boxes everywhere, toys everywhere...eventually people and food everywhere, it was busy, exhausting, crazy and messy and I loved every moment!
We had a nice morning just the 6 of us and then my mum, dad, sister, brother-in-law, nephew and neice came for lunch and the afternoon. We then opened our home up to any friends who wanted more celebrating or didnt want to be alone Christmas night.
Our Chistmas lunch up until a few years ago has always been traditional. Ham, Turkey, Pork and Roast Veg. A few years back we decided to break away from the Roast Veg and now do a range of delicious salads. We also cook the Turkey in the BBQ so the house isnt being heated up on a Summers day (not that we have had many this year!) if the oven is on all day. Mum made a garden salad, I made the Potato Salad from my book and my sister made the Roast Veg salad from my book also. Its lovely that we can all enjoy these salads and dont feel like we are missing out on anything, even though I am the only one in my family with food allergies.

Our turkey on the BBQ

Roast Veg Salad from COTC made by my sister

I truly hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and the day was spent with love ones, great company, wonderful food and of course remembering "the reason for the season" our amazing Jesus.

Take Care Of You
Coll xxx

FIRST BIRTHDAY!

I am laying here in bed recovering from the biggest year I think have ever had. The twins first birthday party is over and now so is Christmas, so last night at around 11.30 my body decided to yell at me in a way that I couldn't ignore it and tell me to STOP for a while, as I then was up with a "bowel attack" and curled up in pain for 3+ hours :-( When things gets thrown at me I generally ignore them and keep pushing on, I can't with this though, it has flattened me when I was already deflated and I am listening and going to hibernate as much as I can for a little while...how long will it last!!?? I'm not sure!! Hopefully even a few days of home time, resting, reading, watching movies and of course playing with the kids and all their new toys will be just what the Dr. ordered. In the mean time I'm curled up in bed with my iPad catching up on blogging and emails and having a yummy Rooibus tea my hubby just made me, whilst I wait for my painkillers to kick in!

So SMITH AND ALICE ARE ONE!!!!! The party was great and I promise to update photos on here also (I have a few to catch up on but finally got the main computer going here at home so I will do it soon) The sun was shining for the most of it, there was only a 10 minute moment where it sprinkled and the jumping castle had to come down, but thankfully we had our good friend DjMj (dance party host) there to step in and play some games and dances with the kids! The food was great and seemed to be enjoyed by all with not much leftover! The twins had a lovely time and were passed around like pass the parcel which didn't seem to faze them, they stopped and had a little snooze in the middle of it which was adorable!
As we had it at a hall because of the amount if people, my brother in law was telling me yesterday how when he was vacuuming the hallway for us he didn't realize that Smith was following him, with a biscuit in his hand leaving a crumby trail behind him!!!! So poor Cliff had to turn around and vacuum behind him!!!
Smith and Alice were spoilt with gifts and of course like most one year olds loved playing the with paper and boxes especially! They will one day realize how special it is that they have so many friends and family in their lives who love them so much, we are all so blessed.

Well that's it for me for the moment, will fill you in on our FUN Christmas soon.....

Hope this finds you all well,

Until then,
Take Care Of You xxxooo

2 more sleeps!

Good Morning! I am on the countdown! It's 2 more sleeps until my babies are turning ONE! The year when I take a moment to think about it, really has flown! Me being me and not doing anything in halves is finding myself with a list a mile long to complete everyday, planning for their first birthday of 80 (yes 80!) people!
It is the first time ever I have attempted a birthday cake, and so I have thrown myself in the deep end and I am doing their cakes! One each of course! I will be sure to put photos on here when my main computer gets up and going (hopefully today!) It wasn't the baking of the cake I was concerned about, it's the decorating! I can have vision, but not necessarily the "talent" to put it all together! So I have cheated slightly and bought the most amazing looking mud cake ever! At the moment I have a 1m x 1/2m mud cake sitting on my dining table waiting for me to do something creative with it! Ha ha I'm slightly scared!

So whilst I attack my to do list, hubby has been busy at work and was away again at another function last night, so I curled up on the lounge with my babies and watched "Love Actually" on tv....what a great movie!
Josh has an adventure ahead of him putting together the twins first birthday present tomorrow night after work...a swing set! Thankfully we are blessed enough to have kind friends that will take some time out of their busy schedules to help him. They are going to love it!


So as much as I am running around "with skates on" quite busy, I am feeling organized with my time plan all sorted! I can't believe I have this huge party in 2 days then 2 days later Christmas and 2 days after that we go to Josh's parents farm and have our Christmas with them! FUN FUN FUN!


Better keep moving & shower whilst all 4 precious bundles are still asleep!




Talk again soon,
Take Care Of You
xxxooo

I can't believe it's been a month....

I can't believe it's been a month since I have last blogged. Like with everyone, my life has been quite busy this time of the year. End of year dance competitions for the girls, presentation nights, Christmas Parties and of course everyday general busy life of a family of 6. Throw a move of homes in there which we did ourselves to tip us over the edge of being "busy" to "running around in circles" ~~~ needless to say that blogging slipped my mind. As I write this I'm having a chuckle and wondering if any if my 12 followers even missed my blogs.....ha ha....do know I love and appreciate you all.....every bit of support I get I treasure so much.

Book orders have been going wonderfully this Christmas Season and it is SUPER exciting to think of so many people getting my book for a gift this Christmas and also being able to eat such yummy things that are not going to make them sick. I get overwhelmed at times of being so blessed that I am able to help so many others. I know that I have had to endure major food allergies to be able to get to this point of helping, but I have said it before, and will again, I would not change it for the world. The feeling of helping you all outweighs pizza and chocolate any day!!!!!!!!!!


I hope this finds you all running around crazy and busy just like us and enjoying every moment too!


Take Care Of You, I promise to chat again soon xxxooo

Happy Friday!

Good Morning and HAPPY FRIDAY!   Its been a while since I have blogged....my everyday life has been the same thing day in and day out.....besides normal "mum" duties, I have been busy packing. Its going really well, and I feel quite on top of it, only 2 weeks tomorrow until we move! Its been fun (to say the least) with attempting to pack when the twins are awake...pretty much impossible....so its head down and bum up when they are asleep, and like any mum with twins would know, they dont always "sync" their sleep patterns! 

So my little man is fully crawling everywhere and pulling himself up on furniture, its quite amazing how advanced he has beome in one week....my little girl decided on tuesday to start to crawl....for a friend....not for me!!!! I almost NEVER leave them yet decided on tuesday to take a friend up on the offer of looking after them, so I left them with Abbie whilst I went for only an hour to get my nails done....and came back to the question "how long has Alice been crawling for" ha ha! Its quite sweet really when I think about it and just so typical of Alice....she is such a strong willed little girl...she wouldnt breast feed for the first few days in hospital so had to be tube fed, then SHE pulled out the tube at 3 days old and decided to feed....she decided herself when SHE wanted to start solids....so it is not at all surprising that SHE crawled when SHE wanted to....and clearly she wanted to do it for Abbie! As Abbie is my big girls dance teacher, I wonder if this means Alice will perform well for her too one day!!??

I have had 6 hours sleep now in 72 hours due to a very restless teething little man, and then last night little girl...I feel like a zombie! I have been told of Amber teething necklaces by a few people, which I am going to look into today....does anyone know anything about them????

Well I have a full day of packing ahead of me today & a list a mile long of afterschool activites which go until 9.30pm! Hubby is awake most nights with work this time of the year, so my saviour is going to be COFFEE today! Its the one thing I can rely on that will always be there for me!!!!!!!!

Somewhere in between all of this I have managed to take another 4 photos for COTC2 & attempt another slice....as much as it is on "hold" for a moment until I pack and move....Its nice to be in that comfort place of the kitchen everynow and then......

Take Care Of You xxx

Hi :-)

Wanted to touch base and say HI and once again show off the magical memories my friend Jasi captured of the twins in preparation for Christmas.....

Not much worthy of blogging at the moment....life is going along as normal, which is nice to say, as quite often my life is a Rollercoaster ride!

My lil' man learnt to crawl last week...SO cute!.....and now only today he has learnt to pull himself up in furniture, quite proudly!

I have been keeping busy trying to do a huge mail out to businesses about my book and trying to get prices and information on affordable advertising in Newspapers and Magazines etc.... its such a hard thing to get the name out there and Im doing my best....one thing for certain is that I cant afford over $8,000 for a small Ad! Im not sure how small businesses are meant to afford that!

I am getting on top of things here in preparation for packing....the next 4 days will be packing packing and packing for me.....ha ha....as I write this I remember that I have a friend popping around for a cuppa in the morning and another in the afternoon....but thats ok.....I love my friends and know that my good friends will occupy the twins and chat with me whilst I pack.....and not be demanding of my attention over the next few weeks!

I had a lovely chat with my friend Rach in the Hunter Valley today....we had the huge journey of IVF together and all the emotion that comes with it.....I cant beleive her little man is going to be one next week.....Im not sure where the time goes.....time for me to start thinking about the twins first birthday party too.....

Anyway, Im tired and rambling...enjoy looking at the photos....

"JasArt Photographic Art" once again capturing memories to last a lifetime!

Hoping this finds you all happy and healthy....

Take Care Of You xxx

My day.....

Happy Friday everyone...hope you are all planning a wonderful weekend - and of course get time to relax too!

I have had a lovely day! Whilst on one part of it, it was "non eventful" and just an ordinary day in the life of "me" !! .... on the other part so many things happened..... I succeeded in my "Anzac Slice" (couldnt succeed with Anzac Biscuits so settled for the slice and I must say I could possibly eat the entire thing myself!) I had a friend call in and YAY she agreed --- which is always a bonus seen as those she doesnt have any intolerances and cant eat anything.....AND she loved it....woop woop! 

I saw the photo from "JasArt" photography that I told you about almost 2 weeks ago....my friend Ally, myself and out long awaited bubbas.....once again a great shot capturing a beautiful moment by Jas. 

WE SOLD OUR HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cooling off period finished 5pm today and we are celebrating....so busy busy BUSY times ahead with now having to pack our home of 2 adults and 4 children!!!!!!! The timing was amazing....not long ago I was blogging and mentioned all I had to do that week....and threw in jokingly, that I would sell my house that week.....the NEXT day someone came through and offered.....Ok, so if it works like that then NOW to sell the 3000 books I have here ha ha ha ha !!!!!!!

My lil' man started crawling yesterday....SO CUTE.....he is not going too fast at the moment....wont be long though....my lil' girl I think is confused as to what her twin brother is doing!!!! Wont be long until she is chasing him! Then I will be chasing them both......

We are off to Anna Bay tomorrow with our church family, which I am thoroughly looking forward to....this will be my time of sneaking in a little relaxation on the beach if even for 10 minutes.....then my eldest daughter has a Physie comp in Sydney on Sunday....wrap my head around that and then a busy day on Monday......(another photoshoot booked in with JasArt - although its the twins again this time - YES I am obsessed!) and then I really need to think about packing...or get some kind of plan happening....unfortunately its not going to pack itself.....

Me and my bubbas and Ally and her Bubba! Thank you to JasArt for capturing this beautiful moment!

I was setting up for a photo tonight...this is as far as I had got and my beautiful 9yr old daughter said (quite seriously) "oh mum that looks so good" ---- Bless her, she is so sweet and supportive  - I simply had to take a photo then of my lettuce leaves!!!

Thankyou "Guru Labels" for my 2012 Fridge Magnets I got today....would anyone like one???

mmmmm.....Anzac Slice........

Ok...well thats it for me.....must go get some beauty sleep....

Sweet Dreams.....

Have a WONDERFUL weekend.....

Take Care Of You
xxx

Photoshoot today.....

Hello my friends!

I couldn't wait to share with you the photo of the FUN FUN FUN I had in the Kitchen today! 
Jas (my extremley talented photographer friend) decided to make me look a little glamerous in the kitchen....I have never had photos taken like this before, so needless to say I was a little nervous! Jas is so wonderful though and I felt so comfortable and had the best time....and laughed a HEAP! 

I was also lucky enough to get on the other side of the camera and take photos of something else besides food!!!!! (although food WAS involved!) Jas takes amazing photos of bubbas with fruit loops and calls them her Loopy Shots, so I decided SHE needed to be the Loopy Photographer.....check out her amazing picture too!

Find her on Facebook " JasArt Photography"  you wont be disappointed!

Today I was having a different type of fun in the Kitchen!

Loopy Photographer! Jas relaxing in a fruit loop bath!

Hope you are all having an AMAZING week......

Take Care Of You,
Coll x

A nice quiet week....

I have had a nice and quiet (ish) week....the twins have not been 100% and my little man has had some shocking nights....so our days have been laying low in our trackies, playing, reading and having much needed cuddles :-)

I headed out on Tuesday to a photoshoot that a good friend of mine asked me to go along to with her....she decided to treat herself to a shoot with her newest little man...Eli....so very special. She asked me to go along to as she was wanting a photo with her and her little man and me and my twins....it is a special friendship we have and often comment that God knew what he was doing when he made us friends....we both waited (at times not so patiently) for all of our babies, and it marks a  wonderful time for us....sitting back and relaxing, having a beautiful moment with our treasured bubbas. I cant wait to see the photo....will be sure to put it on here in a few weeks when we get it.....
The photographer "JAS" has also become such a great friend of mine, since meeting her, not even 12 months ago when she did my pregnancy shoot. Its so special the bond she is getting with my twins....especially my little man, who at times only has eyes for her......


Thought I would share these photos with you..... taken by "JasArt Photography" (you can find her on Facebook)

Ally and Eli - taken by JasArt

"Jas" from JasArt on the other side of the camera with my twins!

"Jas" and my little man - is it that Im a good photographer - or that I have stunning models!

Stealing cuddles with Allys little man - Eli - clearly I took this myself on a phone! 

Wishing you all a HAPPY FRIDAY....and a glorious weekend ahead....hope its filled with fun and laughter, good friends, great food and those wonderful moments that make amazing memories!


Take Care Of You xxx

A great weekend.....

So I felt like touching base and saying hi to my little "blog world" .... I have had a busy and beautiful weekend....

It was a pleasure to watch my sister and some great friends (Rhiannon, Skye and Megghan) compete in their Physie comps yesterday.....It hit me whilst watching them, what a strange sport I "follow" ....one where you work all year, to perform your absolute best and have 2 ladies sit up the front and pick who they like best....not who finishs first, who scores the most points....simple opinions....its quite strange when you think about it! Well my opinion (for those that care!) is that you were ALL AMAZING!!!!!!


Me with Rhiannon.....a great friend of our family.....we have kind of adopted her as part of our family! ......

 My sister, Jes.....so beautiful! After not doing physie for 8 (?) years, she was just as lovely as ever......

And to finish off the weekend, I hosted my beautiful friend, Nicolas, "Babeh" Shower today.....I am so excited to meet her little one and cant wait to cuddle him/her.....she is such a special friend of mine and it was an honour to be able to give her this day......

 Its weekends like this I truly treasure, when I get to spend time with my loved ones, both family and friends, some I get to spend a heap of time with and sit and chat and sometimes just the briefest smiles are exchanged which is just as nice.....I hope you all had a wonderful weekend also....

Take Care Of You xxx

A photo and a laugh....

Ok, so perhaps the neighbours may think Im mad now.....as I go to the letterbox to check for mail a flying insect of some sorts comes out and chases me....I squeel, flap my arms and run inside like I am being chased by a herd of elephants.....do elephants even come in herds....Im not sure but Im sure you know what I mean! It is so similar to a quote I put on Facebook this morning....which I randomly read on the Interent...but describes me to a "T" ....

I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot!

So anyway....thats the laugh for you.... and now for the photo......my most handsome "taste tester" .... Chocolate Crackles anyone.....??????

 Until next time.....

 Take Care Of You xxx

Another day in the kitchen.....

I am not complaining when I say this but I am exhausted! 
My mind is jumbled with recipes, and once again I find myself sitting here reminding myself to "stick to the game plan" 
I made 9 recipes today....all but one were at least 2nd attempts, so it proved to be a productive day,  with 8 of the 9 turning out!
4 of them I was able to take photos of, which was SUPER exciting! So many memories came flooding back....although last time I didnt put all that much thought into the photos (I hope this doesnt sound too bad!) and this time i am putting possibly too much thought into them....I have invested in some new plates as you have seen, next on the list is different materials for backgrounds and different floorings, I have in mind an "old" wooden table type look, so will go on a search for a Recycle/Junk yard next week! I am also on the hunt for "different" looking cutlery...so will add that to my list!
I have a busy week ahead, with a long list of things to do tmrw, Saturday the twins have swimming lessons, then I am off to watch some friends and my gorgeous sister do their "Physie" (dancing) comps...then I am hosting another dear friends Thermomix Baby Shower here on Sunday, I have not seen the Thermomix before, so am interested in seeing it. Monday will bring my favourite Gym class, "Body Balance" which is a combination of Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates, with carrying the twins all the time, this class helps me so much.. then a heap of running around for after school activities....Tuesday brings a photo shoot with a lovely friend, and I am off to Newcastle that night for a "healthy food" information night...Wednesday Gym.....Thursday I am hosting a "Candle Party" here and Friday Im thinking I may pass out! I am hoping that somewhere in between all of that I get a few more photos taken, although they really are not scheduled to be done until Nov/Dec and possibly even sell my house....(thought I may as well throw that one in there!)


Had a minor "woops" moment when taking a photo today.....thought you might like to see it.....

Im just pleased that the neighbours understand now why I sit in my front garden, or lay on the driveway taking photos of food! Im sure they thought I was going crazy last time!


Hoping that this message finds everyone healthy and of course happy. I hope you are all inspired daily with truly yummy food!


Take Care Of You xxx

Still dreaming about food.....

Yep, I am still dreaming about food....why dont I try to make "this" why dont I try to make "that"....I feel that I could sometimes just keep on going and going with the cooking and creating, and find I just have to yell STOP at myself sometimes, and pull back into the timetable I have....if not COTC#2 might not be launched until June/July 2022 - although it is likely to have 10,000 recipes in it by then! Oh my think of all the photos I would have to take and all the new plates I would have to buy!!!!!!

I have Mum coming down again tomorrow to watch the twins so I can have another cooking day! This is my 2nd day like this and I look forward to them so much. I feel like I can just knuckle down and bake and create and just "be" in the kitchen, without rushing because the twins are due to wake up soon, and without feeling gulity that they are not getting my 100% attention. 

Have been handed a couple of recipes from Melody for the book.....a Choc Fudge Cupcake.....Thank you to "Sweet William Chocolate"  ~~~ Im sure the Cupcake is so good that it will become famous worldwide! And a "Garlic and Rosemary" Bread Stick....which turned out well, but Im thinking of tweeking them to make them into Pretzels....my mind is once again wandering!

Well I should keep moving....have a clingy boy who I am hoping is teething as he is needing a lot of Mummas cuddles during the nights over the last 2 weeks or so....I think I get half my daily exercise simply getting in and out of bed what seems 100 times during the nights! He has just started crying and calling out "Mum Mum" ......its the only time he says Mum and even through the tears I love it!

Then off to bed for me....more dreaming about food......


Take Care Of You xxx

My week...

My week has been great, busy (as to be expected in this time of my life) but somehow organized and I'm feeling on top of things.
I am mostly feeling organized after doing up a roster to keep me and my family on track (I know it sounds crazy, but it's working!)
I know when it's housework time, what nights we are out and therefore I have to get dinner ready earlier, when it's time to cook and create.... Etc etc!!!!!!!

My mum was kind enough to come down last Thursday and babysit the twins here at home, so I could get a full day of cooking and creating in. They ended up going to sleep for almost three hours after she had only been here half an hour! It was nice to have the help! She washed up, threw ideas around with me...and was my taste tester! Then my sister came over with my 2 big girls after school and her 2 school age children.....and of course they became my taste testers too! I figure if the recipes pass 4 children that have no intolerances at all, then it's a sure thing for book number 2!

I am on track with recipes....some exciting ones that have been created this week are honey joys, hummingbird cupcakes, choc chip biscuits (thanks to Sweet William Chocolate for sending me choc chips to try) prawn cutlets and sang choy bow! I really am getting more and more excited! The prawn cutlets had me super excited! I have not had a prawn cutlet in over 5 years.....so you could imagine my excitement when they were just so delicious!

I hope you have all had a beautiful week and a wonderful weekend enjoying this sunshine!

Must go....watching The Sound of Music on tv! I know I should be asleep, but who can resist this classic movie!!?? Not me.....

Take Care Of You xxx

Shopping with the Twins......

I decided to head to the shops today after the Gym to get "a few groceries" in preparation for my cake creating day for COTC2 that I am having on Thursday.
After putting the double pram back in the car, I put Mr Twin in the trolley sitting up (as he is the more stable one of the 2...oh and the heavier one!) and I put Miss Twin in the sling, and off I ventured.
What an event it was! Besides the fact that I ended up buying that many things I really didnt need, it took me over an hour to get those "few things" - feeding the twins their finger food lunch along the way....Mr Twin throwing some of it on the ground and laughing at me as I moan and groan trying to get up and down with sore legs from the Gym and 8kg Miss Twin in tow! (How do they learn this fun game at such a young age of 9months!)
They didnt have my soba noodles, rice wine vinegar and more importantly my buckwheat flour in stock....the twins got cranky, fair enough they have had enough....Miss Twin was trying to throw herself out of the sling (another fun game) ....every 2nd person stopped to talk....oh how cute....whats the age difference....gee you have your hands full (I would sometimes like to say "I know! Please let me move on, unless you wish to hold them whilst I finish up here!")
It was "kind of" all worth while when I saw one of my favourite fruits is coming back into season "White Nectarines" ...... although at $14.98 a kilo! I treated myself and bought ONE!
On the way to the car (Mr Twin crying Miss Twin still trying to throw herself out of the sling) I bit into this wonderful delight....oh my...it was worth it! So worth it, that I stood there, in the middle of the centre, closed my eyes and had my quiet moment, just me and the Nectarine! Any other situation, I think I would have gone back and got more, but I decided enough was enough, I still had to get back to the car, unpack, get home and unpack...I was probably pushing my friendship as it was.....
I recall those beautiful summer days last year being heavily pregnant with the twins and buying a few kilos of them at a time, and in the 3 minute drive home I would stop myself after devouring 4, thinking that would do me for the moment!

As it turns out, amongst my fluster, I forgot dinner and rice milk (woops! Thank goodness for Cheap Tuesday for the family and freezer COTC meals for me!) so i do have to venture back in tomorrow, so will grab another then! At $1.30 each, I figure its cheaper then a chocolate would cost me if I was allowed it! Not to mention healthier!
I have a lot of blessings in my life and a lot to be grateful for.....today I am extra grateful for online shopping....I now recall exactly why I have ordered my groceries on line for the last 6 months and conveniently had them delivered to my door!

Hope you are having a wonderful week,

Take Care Of You xxx

5 minutes to stop and say Hi!

School is back! Yay! I think it may possibly be the first time ever that I have looked forward to the school holidays being over & my 2 older munchkins returning to school. We have had a week at home since returning from our annual beach holiday and that week has been jam packed with fun day trips! 
However, I am so deep in COTC2 and seem to have no routine at the moment...hence my comment about looking forward to school being back.....routine in full swing today, was back to the gym, did a spot of shopping, and have had a wonderful afternoon playing with the twins in this gorgeous sunshine! Have 5 minutes to sit and cuppa and blog before household chores yell at me, big kids will be home from school and then off for afternoon sports....to return home around6.30pm!
 
A highlight of my day (as sad as it sounds!) was all the scrumptious plates I bought today, especially for COTC2! 

Hope you have all had a truly wonderful weekend and have the best week possible.....must go....my 5 minutes is up!!

Cakes, Cookies and More......

COTC #2 (CUT OUT THE CRAP FOR KIDS) is happening.........

I am feeling organized....I am feeling EXCITED.....and I am feeling slightly under pressure!

Its funny really, as when I wrote COTC I never thought so many people would buy it, would love it and that it would help! So now, I want to make sure, more then anything, that number 2 does not disappoint in anyway! Especially when I have the harshest critics to please this time....children!!!!!!!!!!

The book will once again be Gluten, Dairy and Preservative Free...I am trying to avoid nuts this time also, due to school policies, and I have had a few people ask me for egg free recipes also.....the challenge is on.....its not an easy one.....but I am up for it.......

I have a list of recipes I would like to go in the book, and seem to be spending every spare moment trying to create one of them....most of my savoury ones are done which is quite exciting.....I have friends testing them (to be sure they pass the test!) and then its photo time for them.....will need to go out and buy more random plates before then, so I dont have the same plates in all the photos.....my collection of single plates is growing, I think its time for me to clean out the shelves in the garage and give them some space of their own, as my little kitchen cupboards are overflowing!

So it means I am up to the Sweets....Cakes, Muffins, Cookies, Slices etc......these for me are the time consuming ones.....these ones you dont know if they turn out or not until they are cooked and out of the oven....and if not.....try again! These are the days that I end up on a sugar high from eating and tasting cakes ALL day! Next on my list is attempting Hummingbird Cake/Cupcakes.....(Banana and Pineapple)......wish me luck! 

Will keep you posted......

 

Our annual holiday

Well our annual holiday is over :-( 
There are not too many sad faces here though, as we are all completely relaxed and we have had the most beautiful time.  Its one of those holidays where you venture to the beach everyday and have a relaxing BBQ every night, and nothing else needs to be done or seen. Time to unwind.
Its a time of the year that we very much look forward to, we get to catch up with some of our best friends, the Smiths and Kerrigans, who we just dont get to see all that often due to distance and busy work and family life. We also get to spend a week with my in-laws, and for most that sounds like a scary event, but for us it is lovely. Its nice also for the kids to have the quality time with their Grandparents. 

Only 360 days until we go back.........

xxx

Holiday Cooking

Day 7 of holidays and we are all truly relaxed. We have had 5 days of beautiful beach weather and the last 2 days has been cool and miserable weather. We have been lucky enough to get a few fine moments to venture out for some little walks, girls have gone for a ride, Josh has gone fishing, I have caught up on reading and yes, typical of me, some baking! In the middle of writing COTC #2 and I simply can't seem to shut my mind down from thinking about recipe ideas! I went to the shop the other day and bought some muffin trays and have a batch of Apricot Muffins cooking as we speak! It seems to be on of my releases, and somewhere where I have come to feel so comfortable, in the kitchen and cooking. Who would have thought the Collette of years ago that couldn't even cook a stir-fry could become so obsessed with cooking, let alone write a book!
I have bought along with me some of my favorite cooking equipment that I just couldn't go 2 weeks without! Scanpans, knives, mini food processor, potato peeler and a few other things! I am frustrated though with a fridge that is only just keeping things cold and a freezer that is not freezing...cooking up a heap of chicken tonight that froze but then started defrosting and had to throw out a box of icecreams for the girls. Hopefully the real estate can do something about fixing it tomorrow.
Josh has been heading out most afternoons to do a spot of fishing, not having too much luck though. I have had fresh fish 2 nights (although i think his dad caught it) and I must say there is nothing better, you can certainly taste the difference. Hope he has some more luck
today!
Well, my muffins are ready and smelling amazing and my little girl is waking, so time for me
to keep moving.....

Take Care Of You
Xxx

Holidays!

As I sit here blogging and catching up on emails and Facebook, I am finding myself in that calm holiday mode! Each year we pack the family up and head 4 hours away to spend 2 weeks by the beach, to do nothing but relax.
What an event it was this year packing for the 6 of us. I have done well and not forgotten too much - my joggers and hat were the main things! I must say though I made up for it with the things I packed that we probably won't need! I had a minor dilemma with misplacing my bag of swimmers at home (the joys of not having enough cupboard space for 6 people is that clothes can go in bags and tubs!) and left for holidays still not being able to find them! Luckily though I bought myself a nice one piece before we left and knew where they were, and it just means I will have to head down to all these beach side shops and buy myself another pair, I'm wondering if you can pick up the disappointment in my voice!!!!
Anyway, we are here, we spent out first day on the beach yesterday, which was the twins first time, so super exciting. We have my inlaws that are here for a week of our holiday, and other friends Al and Al that are here the whole time, and then some great friends The Kerrigans which came down just for one night to see us....it's great to catch up at the beach every morning, sit back and relax and watch the kids running around (or in the twins case just sitting there) and enjoy those peaceful moments in life where you realize life really is good and appreciate just how blessed you are to have health and happiness!

Oh what a productive day......

I love days like today....so productive.....I cant beleive Im not passing out from exhaustion as I normally feel like doing this time of the night....I woke this morning at 6am (after getting to bed just after midnight) to feed little Miss A, and with my mind then wide awake and not willing to shut down, I started my day....I made myself a cup of Rooibus tea and curled up on the beanbag in front of the heater to type up a dozen or so recipes, ready for COTC#2! 
730am came around and hubby and all 4 kids woke....by 845am they were all fed and off to work or school (except the twins of course) the twins were happy playing, so washing got done, emails got answered, figured out how to set up my printer (I surprise myself sometimes), book orders got packed, had a friend call in for a cuppa and by 1030 I had acheived pretty much everything on my to do list for today! LOVE IT! 
My afternoon was just as productive with a slice being created (yummo jam and coconut) with only a few "tweeks" needing to be made, had a meeting with Melody (my dear friend who is one of these people who inspire me with tasty food ideas) and have come to an agreement with her to write approximatley a dozen recipes for #2! As I am allergic to tomato also, I am completley trusting in her with these recipes, plus a few exciting, mouthwatering ideas she has! 
After school I gave a dance lesson (Physical Culture) for eldest daughter Miss C, came come home to create a FAB Chicken and Corn Soup for #2! As I cant have corn either (!!) I have attempted a rice crusted pie for myself for dinner....and once again with a few "tweeks"  its going to be great also.....
Waiting for hubby to do a few things and then we are going to curl up and watch
"127 hours"  that I hired for tonight....only to fall back into bed after midnight again.....I can only hope I have as great (and hopefully productive) day tomorrow....dont know what has got into me, but Im loving it....lets hope this high continues.....(and all this on only 1 coffee!!)


Take Care Of You x

My day ......

My days seem to be hectic...I think I am like any normal and organized busy mum who writes a list in the morning (or the the night before) of what I need to acheive that day...my list can sometimes be 12 things long....there are days when I get only one thing done...and days when I get them all done....I am learning not to beat myself up about it if I dont get them all done.....however I DO get SUPER excited when I have nice little ticks next to them all! Today was one of those days, we are heading off on holidays in 1 week and I have a heap to do, plan and make sure is up to date. My older 2 girls are off sick so that added to my list too.
Simple, mind numbing things like washing, folding, cleaning the bathroom and  removing winter clothes and replacing with spring/summer clothes can be an all day even when you have 8 1/2 month old twins! But I did it! I stopped at one stage and had a laugh to myself as I was huffing and puffing trying to get a suitcase of shoes out from underneath my bed! Before kids I had a spare room just for my 200+ pairs of shoes! Now I dont even have a spare bedroom for the twins, who are in our bedroom...and because of that it is so squishy that my shoes are in suitcases under the bed...and there was not enough room to get them out!!!! How life changes! 
I have to say though, I wouldnt change it for the world. With the 6 of us living in our lovely little 3 bedroom home makes me a happier person then I would be if I were to have no kids and living in a multi-million dollar mansion. 


On the HIGHLY IMPORTANT section of my list is cooking and creating one recipe a day for COTC #2 ---- I seem to have recipe ideas flying around in my head and I cant wait to get them down on paper and start trying them all.

I have had 3 successes in 2 days which is fab! Can I get 4 in 3 days??? In fact lets see if I can acheive 2 tomorrow which will make it 5 in 3 days.....the challenge is on.....now add that to my "to do"  list .... remind me to only blame myself when I say the list is too long......

Will let you know how I go....

Take Care Of You x

Good Morning Sunday and Good Morning Sunshine! 

Had a wonderful day yesterday, I went to Kariong for the open day of my Chiropractor - the sun was shining then too, but the wind was freezing....met some lovely people as I always seem to do when at places selling my book....came home and my wonderful hubby was kind ebough to take the kids for a bike ride whilst I sat on the lounge and caught up on work emails.....30 seconds later I was catching up on sleep!!!!!!

Had a night to remember last night....I went out for the first time in what seems FOREVER....without hubby OR the 4 kidlets!!!!!!! It was a lovely friend of mines (Kate)Surprise 40th Birthday Party....so dressed up we got and off we went.....It was such a wonderful night, they catered for me beautifully and a lot of laughter was had with some truly great friends....came home, watched a movie with hubby and fell into bed after 1am.....only to be up 4 times to my little Miss A by 7am.....lucky she is gorgeous and I love her......

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday....off to shower and try and cover up these bags under my eyes before we head to Church and a friends 30th....then home in time to perfect "fish and chips" for COTC #2 ......

Take Care Of You x

My new bit of technology

Well, I did it. I joined the Ipad2 family! After getting so confused at the shops last night and buying nothing, I did some research today and headed back in with Hubby tonight and bought one. Now I can get on top of all of these recipes I need to type up for COTC #2! 
The biggest benefit for me (and my family) is that i dont have to be tucked away on the office desk to be doing the work constantly....I can now join them on the lounge and work away....sit at sports afternoons and work away.....and *sigh* take it one holidays so I can work  away......although I can safetly say that 2 weeks on the beach coming up, there wont be much working happening! 
So will add this to my "to-do" list of things I need to get sorted....in the mean time unpack my fruit & veg I just picked up, start on dinner, feed the twins and perhaps settle down with a cuppa and a bit of Gerard Butler before hubby is home with the older girls and the telly is taken over with footy! 
Hope my 3 viewers (!!) have had the most wonderful day xxx

I'm starting......

Welcome! Although at this stage I think I am talking to myself!
I have been asked quite a lot recently if I had a blog, so I decided to push the fear of technology aside and see how I go.
First step done - Im here! Next step is to pretty my page up! Wish me luck.....