I HAVE FINISHED!

Dear Friends,

I have finished! I am sorry that I have not blogged for a few days...I have been in a little world of my own since finishing all my photos last Thursday night.....with 6 days of Feb to go!!! Woo hoo!! The last few nights were crazy and I think the last night I cooked and photographed 15 or so!!!!!! What a feast it was that night!!!!!!

I went and got all my photos developed on Saturday....just normal photo size.....and when the kids were not around to ruin them I spread them all over my home hoffice floor and had a major "OH MY" moment! I couldn't wipe the smile off my face and thought I was just going to break down in happy and overwhelming tears! Yep, I am such a girl!
It has been a huge month of cooking and I did it! The photos look so much better printed compared to on my computer....they are so fresh looking and so colourful.....it is getting all so close now....I am still trying to decide exactly what I would like my front cover to look like, I think I have the colours worked out so thats a start. Then there are all those other little bits and peices like the back cover "blurb" and the inside stories.....thankfully though this is only a few hours work, then a final big edit of them all and off to graphic designing we go......

My days have been less hectic which have been enjoyable....I am able to walk again after being in so much pain after the Gyms Body Attack class last week! I am even contemplating on sitting down and starting a book to read! My normally busy life of running a business and 4 kids seems less hectic now after that last month!

My dinner Sunday night that Josh cooked especially for me - Garlic and Honey Prawns from COTC

Starving after the Gym....the lunch I made.....yummo!

Saw this quote....LOVED it....had to share it.......

My adorable twins 14 months old.....precious photo.....

Getting ready to cook my last recipe for COTC for kids....dropped one egg on the floor and one on the bench!

Had to show you these....adorable swimmers bought for little Miss from a great friend....how sweet will she look in these next Summer!?

MY PHOTOS! now....what order are they going in???????

Take Care Of You,
Coll x

Sat 18th, Sun 19th, Mon 20th Feb 2012

Good evening! I hope, as always, this blog finds you all well.

All is going great here. I am on the home stretch of cooking and the photography for CUT OUT THE CRAP FOR KIDS and its super exciting!

Saturday I went to a friends 40th and spent my morning cooking for that, so although I didn't cook anything for the book, I didn't have the day off cooking. It was a great party and always so special to spend the time with loving and caring friends. It was another few hours without my 4 munchkins & I was so very grateful my sister and her family looked after them all for us.

Sunday I cooked 4 things. 1 cake, 1 pudding and 2 mains. Thankfully we had some friends join us for dinner to share it around......it was all so enjoyable, the company and the food :-)

I went back to the Gym on friday after having a few weeks off and decided to throw myself right back into a cycle class this morning, which was a whole lot of pain but a whole lot of fun! I dragged hubby along, which I am not so sure he was happy with! Especially with him now having to back up with Squash tonight!

Today I have cooked 4 more! Once again its nice that one of them is for dinner, which makes night times a little less hectic for me. I truly cant wait to share them all with you.

I have so many ideas going around in my head for the design of the book, the front cover, colours, fonts, 1 photo? A few photos? So amazing to really stop and register that I am at this stage again!

I had an idea last week which means I will need to take another 18 photos! I have just decided that yes I am going to go ahead with this idea....so my count of days to go and photos to go was super exciting as I had caught up....and now its looking oh so frightening!

Before my idea:
9 DAYS TO GO: 8 RECIPES TO GO!!!!!!!! woo hoo!!!!

After my idea:
9 DAYS TO GO: 26 RECIPES TO GO .... oh boy!


In saying that I must keep moving, I have a heap of photos to choose (this is always the longest part for me!) and a pile of editing to do! And a little man who is so very tired and wanting Mummas cuddles :-)

Josh carrying food to our next door neighbours garden so I can take a photo!

Just had to share this photo - gorgeous!

What was left of the pudding! It was SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!

Me with my gorgeous friend, Vanessa

My Mothers Group friends - my much needed support this year!

I hope this week is wonderful for you,

Take Care Of You,
Coll x

Wed 15th, Thurs 16th, Fri 17th Feb 2012

Hey everyone! How are you all!? I am hoping you have all had a wonderful week. I hope it has been filled with laughter, love, wonderful health, sunshine and of course great food :-)

My week has been just that!

Josh and I went and saw "The Wall" (Roger Waters from Pink Floyd)concert on Wednesday night. It was an amazing night for so many reasons. Firstly it was the first time we had been out together since the twins were born (almost 14 months!) then of course me being me, I love dressing up, which I got to do! We went out to dinner in Bankstown to a client of Joshs pub, and they catered for me beautifully, although the traffic was crazy and we were pushing it for time so Im not sure how much I actually chewed and dinner conversation didnt happen!!!!!!!..... but it was wonderful having a night off cooking and then I was completley overwhelmed turning up to the concert 6 rows from the front....it was mind blowing....such an awesome experience and I was so lucky that Josh was able to take me along....he often gets these perks with his job and it was so great that we got to do this together.....the year before last I was meant to go to U2 with Josh but was heavily pregnant with the twins and in hospital as they had to stop my labour only the day before...I can only imagine what the atmosphere would have been there....

Getting ready to go out....

So many people there.....

Cooking has been great once again this week, although it has been nice to take a little time off....I even went back to the gym today which was a wonderful feeling.....


Where I am at:


Wednesday 15th 14 days to go: 1 recipe cooked = 20 photos to go
Thursday 16th 13 days to go: 2 recipes cooked = 18 photos to go
Friday 17th 12 days to go (oh wow its getting close!) 2 recipes cooked = 16 photos to go!


I am looking forward to a big weekend and possibly even catching up with each other the amount of days and recipes...although tomorrow I have 3 recipes to cook but not for my book...for a party I am SO looking forward to going to....my lovely friends 40th! So I may only get one done tomorrow but have grand plans for after church on Sunday :-)


Wishing you all a wonderful weekend......


Take Care Of You,
Coll x

THE WALL - I BELIEVE

My new tshirt! We were going no where in the carpark - so we decided to try them on!

Josh and his new tshirt :-)

Building the wall around the band

Tuesday 14th Feb 2012 - Valentines Day :-)

Happy Valentines Day! Hope you have all had a beautiful and romantic day and have been sure to tell your loved one just how much you love them! ---- although realistically you should do that everyday!
I wonder how many weddings and proposals happened today!!??

I had an interesting day. I fell in the bathroom this morning and hit my head. I have a sore eyebrow (!!) and thankfully that was the worst of it. I then went to cook my 2 meals for today. 1 was a corn dish and 1 was a pineapple dish. My corn was mouldy! I forgot to buy pineapple! Woops! Not a great start to the day!
After a trip to the shops (thanks Josh!) I managed to get them cooked and photographed....sadly I am allergic to corn which is such a bummer especially seen as though Josh told me it was the best dish of that kind he had ever had! Big call!!

I have a story being written about me and my family in the next issue of "Little One" Magazine - I got a sneak peak of it today and cried and cried....happy tears of course....it is just written so beautifully and amazing to see our journey of IVF all in on story. I will be certain to let you know when its available for all to see!

Josh and I are going out tomorrow night which I am super excited about!!!!!!!! I get to dress up! woo hoo! What a wonderful mum I have to be coming down and look after our 4 kids so we can do this.....mind you she is pretty happy with the deal as she gets to spend some great fun quality time with the grandchildren!

Hope you are all having a great week and chat again soon!

Exhausted after a big breakfast!

Fresh corn - such a pity I am allergic to it! Lucky the rest of the family isn't!

15 days to go: 21 photos to go!

Take Care Of You
Coll x

Sat 11th, Sun 12th and Mon 13th Feb

Good Evening! Well haven't I been slack by not blogging the last few nights!!?? I'm not actually sure if it's due to slackness or being busy....or reaching that point of "oh I should blog" and answering myself with "no don't, you are too tired, you won't make any sense and you will ramble" (YES more than I normally do!)

So my kitchen has been working overtime! And so has my tummy! I dont think I have stopped eating and all I can think is THANK GOODNESS that it's healthy! When I am cooking a few things a day - there is only a certain amount we can eat for dinner, so the freezer is piling up, I'm running out of containers and my fridge is exploding.....I have groceries coming tomorrow morning, who knows where I will fit those, which is quite funny as I recall people being shocked of how little I normally have in my fridge (besides being full of veg and salad!) and freezer....got them coming in the morning this time so even if they turn up and hour late it's not going to ruin my cooking plans......see I told you I can ramble!

So Saturday I cooked 3 things and photographed 3 things :-) One of these things I cook regulary and photographed a few months ago....it looked boring and yuck (to be honest!) But I had no idea how to get it looking better.....so I though "that will just have to do" .....but NO..... close enough is certainly NOT good enough for me and my book.....so I cooked it again on Saturday...the exact same recipe I always do I just changed the background and WOWZA what a difference.....another "little" thing to make me smile!

Sunday equalled 4 recipes cooked but only 2 photographed as I let it go too late at the light just wasnt right.

Today 1 cooked 2 and photographed those 2....plus took photos of the 2 from yesterday....SO my update is......

16 DAYS TO GO: 23 RECIPE PHOTOS TO GO!!!!!!!!

I feel like I am getting SO close to reaching the same amount of days to photos and then even overtaking it.....woo hoo....getting SO excited and can't wait to share these recipes with you all.....yet as always with that excitement comes nerves.....

I have had one of those moments tonight when I have been super proud of myself...and I'm not ashamed of saying so! For the last few weeks I have been "stuck" at home and in the kitchen writing my book and preparing these photos....this morning I had a "mini meltdown" (don't ask Josh to confirm this for you as he might use another word besides "mini") as I am not feeling 100%, I am not sleeping well as my mind won't shut down and I woke up feeling like I had 10000000000 things to do - which can be quite overwhelming for me...
I went on to complete the cooking that I wanted to.... did 3 loads of washing and got it all folded, changed the sheets, have quite a few good plays with the twins, we even attempted a little picnic on the front driveway with all the green ants for company whilst we waited for the "big girls" to get off the school bus, helped with homework, did nit treatments for the big girls (joys of school age girls and a certain few families that clearly never do it...I would like them to have my bill for doing it....but thats a whole other story!) then took Miss 9 to dancing that started back today, I'm wondering how long until the twins and I will get kicked out for disturbing the class! - got home at 645 and haven't stopped since as hubby is at squash.....however, here I am sitting down at 8.30pm....all 4 kids are in bed after eating a super healthy home cooked meal for dinner....the house is clean and tidy....dishes done....paperwork for today almost done....blog almost done....and my biggest choice for the moment is should I have a cup of tea or a coffee!!?? And the reason I am so proud is that besides my moment of a mini meltdown this morning, I did it all with no stress or other meltdown!....I haven't really stopped....which would be nice to do from time to time...but now I can.....and it feels satisfying!
I actually think I am going to try and keep this habit going of cooking dinner in the mornings (just not 3-4 dinners per day!) when the twins are asleep as its SO nice to have one less thing to do during the already busy nights, but its not like I'm getting take-away, we are still having great meals....and YES they are GREAT, cause at the moment they are out of the soon to be released....."CUT OUT THE CRAP FOR KIDS" .......

Ok, I am rambling!

Hope you all had a beautiful weekend and Happy Valentines Day to you all for tomorrow!

Take Care Of You,
Coll x

Thursday 9th and Friday 10th Feb :-)

Good Evening!
Fun days are being had here...cooking....photographing....editing....paperwork.....and changing bums inbetween!
I did 2 recipes and photos yesterday, both main meals and had them cooked by lunch time. The 4 kids ate 1 and I ate the other (NO not the entire thing) as the one the kids ate had tomato in it and I am allergic to tomato :-(
I think if I was able to introduce ONE thing I would choose tomato, it would open up so much for me for my meals....and its annoying when I can't eat it when I know it would be so good for me....nevermind, I do ok with what I can eat :-)
I then had my beautiful friend Jasi from "JasArt Photography" come over for a cuppa and chat and was kind enough to take a photo of me cooking away in my kitchen for the inside of my next book. When I see little things like this coming together it becomes a step closer to reality for me and I get those most wonderful exciting butterflies!

Today was another productive day with 2 recipes and photos being acheived again. Both of these were done for our dinner and I must say it was delicious!
I ventured to the shops today for the first time in a few weeks! Post office, bank and Woolies. Nothing as exciting as what it could have been (eg shoe shopping!) but it had to be done! I decided to put the twins in the big part of the trolley for the first time and they LOVED it. The look on their little faces was priceless, it was like they were on a rollercoaster ride! Standing up and waving to people and blowing kisses goodbye...way too cute....this was by far the highlight of my day.....not so exciting daily events as shopping made oh so special by my children......so blessed.

Hopefully this rain stays away as we attempt to do some more work on our front garden tomorrow and I cook cook cook cook.....wishing you all a joyous weekend with whatever you are doing......hope there is some scrumptious healthy and tasty "Cut out the Crap" eating in there somewhere!

So spoilt! Beautiful flowers from a beautiful friend - thanks Jasi xxx

My helpers - so many toys but the kitchen draws are the best!

Was suggested this site for Organic and bulk products - got 2kg of Coconut that doesn't have preservatives! I have been looking everywhere for it! Got a few other things too :-)

Bee Pollen - going to give it a try!

19 DAYS TO GO: 32 PHOTOS TO GO

Take Care Of You,
Coll x

Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th

Good Evening!I planned on having a no cooking morning yesterday  (Tuesday) as I wasn't getting my groceries delivered until between 3&5pm. I enjoyed a morning out at my Beautician (although Im unsure if you can call waxing "enjoyable" !!!!) then I caught up with some TV that I had recoreded over the past few weeks (yes cooking shows - even though I cant eat 99% of what they cook I still enjoy them!) that I never seem to make the time to watch. A friend, Sue, then came over to have a cuppa and chat which was lovely.  Was just the semi-relaxing kind of day I needed. My plan was that I was then going to attempt 3 recipes and photos once the groceries got here amongst my evening rush. Was a tad frustrated when I got the call to say that my groceries were not getting here until aftter 6.30pm ----- a day of NO cooking.....a day of NO photos.....what on earth was I going to do! And even worse still....WHAT on earth do I cook for dinner they doesn't make me so completley annoyed that I am not taking a photo of it! So no cooking, no blog and no update for Tuesday.

Whilst I sit here now blogging I am listening to my husband trying to pull out Little Miss 7s loose tooth. The twins are starting to get cranky and tired and I reflect back on the day with a smile of satisfaction. The twins slept for an amazing 3 hours this morning which allowed me to get so much done. I first of all had a phone Interview with the lovely Lauren from "LittleOne Baby and Kids Magazine" They are doing a story on IVF and seen as though our 4 precious bubbas are IVF they asked if they could include us in the story. I cant wait to see it. I loved the fact that I could share my story and it would be wonderful if it gives others hope.
I also managed to get FOUR recipes cooked and photgraphed!!!! YAY!!! The smell wafting through my house was amazing, at some stage or another there was sweet sugary smell of freshly baked goods, fragrant herbs and savoury smell from roasting in the oven and also the most lovely of spices.....mmmm.....
Despite my day of no cooking yesterday I feel like I am on top of it. I am even planning on getting back to the gym next week which I have missed so terribly, lets see how I go fitting that into the schedule!

I was disappointed to learn that MACRO Woolworths brand have deleted their desiccated Coconut line as it seemed to be the only one I could find without preservatives in it (which I can't tolerate at all) So I put and SOS out there to Facebook world and fans came up with some great sites to check out. I ended up placing an order with Santos Health Foods and I'm hoping it gets delivered within the next few days. There were so many goodies I could have got carried away with trying. I ordered some delicious sounding Quinoa and Rice Pasta, Agave Nectar (Pancakes are due I say!) plus a few other things. My one thing I bought which I have never had before is "Bee Pollen" I'm wondering if anyone that is reading this has tried it?? It sounded amazing for your body when I looked into it, so I thought I would give it a go. Will let you know what its like :-)

Some of the cooking I was doing today....

more cooking from today....

Well I hope this blog finds you all doing well and super healthy and happy. If you haven't already, please dont forget to tell your friends and family about my blog and of course my book. Even if they dont have food allergies....they are tasty and basic meals that the entire family will enjoy and of course your body will love you for it also. Why not plan to cook something out of it twice a week????

21 DAYS TO GO: 36 PHOTOS TO GO

Take Care Of You,
Coll x

Sunday 5th and Monday 6th Feb :-)

Good Evening!

I have had a lovely few days, with the sun finally shining yesterday for the first time in a long time. My family and I headed out to a local beach and thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon together, the girls and Josh had a lovely swim, the twins had a great crawl around on the sand, they chased the seagulls and ate probably a tad too much sand! It was great fun.
My evening was spent cooking for my next book and once again hitting that mark of 3 recipes and photos. Yay :-)

Today was another effort of 3 photos! I had the pleasure of my good friends company today also. It was so lovely that we just sat and enjoyed each others company. You know its a good friendship when you can chat about anything, laugh about everything and then also sit in complete comfortable silence. I am selfishly saddened though at the fact that she is moving to Adelaide to further her career in a few weeks time. But one things is for certain, we have been through so much together, I know this wont ruin our friendship, it will just take a turn in a different direction.

Saw this and wanted to share it ---- or how I feel at the moment "Life isnt about finding yourself. Life is about creating recipes!"

For those that know me...dont pass out....YES this is my bomb of a kitchen today! ha ha! Its Ok its all clean now :-)

I hope that you have all had a wonderful fun and love filled few days and you are all happy and healthy.

Until next time,

Take Care Of You,
Coll x

23 DAYS TO GO: 40 PHOTOS TO GO

Saturday 4th Feb :-)

5 (YES FIVE) recipes cooked AND photographed TODAY!

Hope you have all had a beautiful day and have been able to enjoy this moment of sunshine that we had today!

A public apology to my husband for being SO consumed in this book at the moment and for serving you cold (although very tasty!) dinners, after taking SO long to get that "perfect" photo. I know you are my biggest fan, and because of that, this blog is short and I am joining you on the lounge to watch the footy!!!

2 of my favourite fresh ingredients to use. I LOVE the taste (and smell!) of fresh dill. Was thrilled to be cooking with them today.

25 DAYS TO GO: 46 PHOTOS TO GO

Take Care Of You
Coll x

Friday 3rd Feb :-)

Good Evening!
I hope you have all had the most wonderful day :-) What a day of fun events it has been here.....

When I woke this morning something told me that I didnt feel like getting out of bed and that the day ahead was possibly going to be testing....oh wow was I right!!! It wasnt so much the entire day, but the first few hours.....after a whirlwind morning I sat, poured myself a cuppa, vented over facebook and laughed...otherwise I would have cried!

It started just after 8.30am when my girl girls went off to school, I was packing up in the kitchen and thought the twins were happy playing, when I checked on them I realized that little Miss 13months was no where to be found, after not too long I searched downstairs and when she was no where I headed up stairs...and there she was sitting at the top of the flight of stairs proud as anything....YES we have the gates to stop them from going up and down but YES it must have been open....she had even closed the gate behind her clever girl....as she is still only crawling and not always steady on her feet I was so pleased that she was ok.....
So my morning continued.....I did some washing and went to the dryer with my 2 followers closely behind me, throwing the clothes into the dryer, closing the lid and seeing something small and red rolling around in there to realize Master 13months had thrown his apple in the dryer with the clothes, so out I get it, turn around to him to say "look what I found" to find him deep in conversation and squishing a live worm.....and YES it was on the way to the mouth....but NO it didnt get there...oh my, is this what having a son is about!!!

The final 2 straws were when I walked back into the room to find Master 13months had pulled a chair over to the TV unit, climbed up on top of it and was holding ever so proudly onto the top of the large flat screen TV.......and then I ran over my toes with the vacuum....YES it hurt.....was it really worth a mention....NO!!!! BUT....you have to acknowledge all this is happening whilst packing up breakfast for the 6 of us, the twins get most of it on the floor, making beds and all those usual morning chores......the weather outside is horrible with constant rain, so we cant get out for a play, walk or anything.....and its fun simply trying to stop them from getting into everything if they arent on my hip! I can not beleive how much they are getting into things now that they are not even walking.....oh WOW I have some FUN...CRAZY....HECTIC.....FANTASTIC times ahead!!!!!!!!!

SO...that took me to 10am where I had to laugh!!!!

My Mum then came down for the day, just to say HI and spend some time with us which was lovely. I baked 3 things.....woo hoo IM ON A ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and took 3 PHOTOS!!!!!!!!

As I sit here doing my daily update and blog I enjoy a gorgeous hot coffee that hubby just made me now that the twins are asleep. I am listening to the big girls in the background watching "The Sound of Music" ....such a wonderful classic movie, I remember sitting and watching this for possibly the first time with my Mum.....it would have to be almost 30 years ago.....Imagine if someone told me back then that one day I would then share and enjoy this wonderful movie with my 4 children, I wonder if I would have believed them :-)

I am ever so grateful and blessed.

After a busy morning baking, Mr 13months enjoys licking the bowl!  (with the help of Nanny!)

Cooking with Beetroot today, to save ruining my lovely chopping board and staining my hands, I use rubber gloves and put paper towel over the board.

UPDATE.....
26 DAYS TO GO: 51 PHOTOS TO GO
Sweet dreams to you all,
Take Care Of You,
Coll x

Thursday 2nd Feb :-)

Good Evening! I am giving myself a night off "CUT OUT THE CRAP FOR KIDS" after another busy day in the kitchen and a sleepless night last night from tossing and turning as I dreamt of recipes, food and photos!!! So I have until 8pm and thats it tonight, then its movie time on the lounge with hubby...so I will keep it short and sweet!!!!!!

My day was filled with scents of Oranges...literally! As I cooked away I had some beautiful Soy Melts burning away in the scent of Orange and Vanilla......and I am pleased to have ticked off another THREE recipes and photos!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2 of them were Orange inspired.......

My "Orange" day of baking :-)

I hope you have all had the most beautiful day.....we have had rain here most of the day so I dont feel too bad being inside in the kitchen, although I did escape for an hour to take the big girls to their swimming lessons they just started....yep its that time of the year again when all the sports are taking over our evenings!!!!!!.........my time is almost up! Talk tomorrow!!!!!!

Take Care Of You
Coll x

27 DAYS TO GO: 54 RECIPES TO GO

Wednesday 1st Feb :-)

First of all....YAY!!!!!!! 3 new followers......OH I FEEL SPECIAL AND LOVED :-)
WELCOME AND ENJOY XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

A great day was had here! We had a makeup swimming lesson for the twins this morning, went and got a few extra things at the shops that I forgot in my grocery order that was delivered yesterday (woops!) Twins had a good sleep during the day so I got 2 recipes cooked and photographed, did some housework (I guess it has to be done!!!!) .....and then tonight I cooked another recipe.....AND took  another photo......YES thats right.....3 PHOTOS TODAY!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!
All 3 were MASSIVE hits with my big girls....I love their reactions....."MUM this HAS to be in your new book"  ....... so so so so so precious!

Hope you have all had a beautiful productive day also!!!

My big girls....LOVING their sweets tonight :-)

Saw this quote on line today and simply had to share it xxx

Guess what I have been making - by the way, LOVE my new sifter hubby bought me for Christmas :-)

Take Care Of You
Coll x

28 DAYS TO GO: 57 PHOTOS TO GO