Walking in Winter

Am i mad?  Am i trying to get the winter sniffles?  Nope, just trying to keep my steps up by going for a decent walk when its wet and freezing, and also trying to get some girl time in with my BFF. Multitasker, yep, that's me.   This event happened a few weeks ago but i was browsing my phone photos today and realised that i hadn't yet shared this free activity with benefits to all my readers. All 3 of you.  You see, I'm thinking of your health.  No special equipment required so put away the wet weather gear, hiking boots and poles, and the new thing, pocket warmers.

So where can you go for a decent walk, stay dry, keep motivated, not get bored. Oh, and stop half way for coffee (only a little Almondine croissant, i promise). After all, you are only half way through and there is a whole lot of more to go, so you need to keep your strength up.

 
Its big, isnt it.  All 82 aisles of undercover walking track with interesting things to look at along the way.  Its so big you can't even see the trade entrance that we parked next too which should be about a centimeter from the left hand side of the above picture.  I think you need a helicopter to get a photo of the whole thing in one frame.

Kerrie and i donned our FitBits and entered into the land of fence palings, sleepers, concrete and besser blocks.  Interesting stuff (NOT) and the coldest part of the warehouse.

Kerrie, the intrepid explorer.  Its a good thing we've been friends forever as I'm sure she thinks I'm nuts sometimes.  

Never-mind, we were warming up.  After dodging tradies and weekend warrior's 4WD, SUV's and Utes loading up in the trade area we ventured into less dangerous territory, the aisles.

 I don't know why I'm showing you this shot, you cant see the other end anyway.

How many different ladders can there be?

We bypassed the Tool Section.  Those who know me know how much i hate this section.  Hubby can go in there and not come out until after dark.  Its such a trap that they have a bench outside it so all the patient wives can rest their feet while they wait.

Was it only a few weeks ago that i threatened him with a giant wrench over the head if he didn't hurry up?

If you started your marathon at breakfast time, then you could stop at the quarter way mark and grab a sausage in bread with barbecued onions, tomato sauce and a dash of mustard for $2.50.  Its for a good cause people, give it up!

Actually it wasn't until we reached aisle 35 that things started getting interesting for us.  We entered the garden tool and what nots section.

Pssss - i have a green one. 

Our increasing interest was marked by the gradual slowing pace of our walk There was even sporadic moments when we came to a complete stop to discuss the merits of a particular item. It could also have been that we are middle aged unfit women who needed a rest and it seemed like a good way to get one. I truly wasn't that interested in half the stuff i picked up.

Did i mention that coffee break?

Not far from the cafe is the DIY Workshop where you can undertake short workshops on various DIY projects (the name kind of gave it away).  Today's itinerary was

Can i let you in on a secret?  The only difference between the bookcase and the shelving was a backing board so its yadda yadda yadda and Oh, here's one i prepared earlier. !!

OK, we are at the other end now and so its outside into the garden section and whiz around all the aisles out here including loading up a trolley with 4 bags of potting mix and a bag of poop.

Why?  Well after that delicious croissant i was feeling guilty and so to punish myself i pushed this loaded trolley for the second half of the marathon, up and down the aisles, taking only God knows how many corners and running in to many many customers ankles who didn't get out of my way fast enough.   Its the wheels people, not me!

Major pauses took place in the tile aisle while we both chose our preferred bathroom tiles.  Its in our future but we both have to win Tattslotto first.

We are both going for large white tiles with a feature stripe.  Kerrie's choice is red and mine will be some shade of blue.  

We stopped for so long in the kitchen and bathroom section that i think you could officially call it an intermission.

In unison we chose this shower enclosure and fixtures.  Both of us have homes approaching the 20 year mark and i know mine is decidedly out of date with its 3 fold sliding shower door that comes apart nearly every time you use it. I want a big door, to get my boobs and butt through at the same time!  (You Jest?  Its working for Kim Kadashian and JLo)

Have you ever noticed how i get Kerrie to do all the embarrassing things for photos.  Well, i am taking the photos, its my blog and she doesn't say no.  Love that smiley face!  XX

After that it all went down hill as we went through storage, cleaning and pool products, plumbing pipes with only brief interest shown on roof vents. The walk got a bit quicker until we reached the final aisle which was internal and external doors.  Once again, our 20 year old project homes came with cheap hollow doors with no features at all and gross white handles.  We both envisage solid doors that actually keep sound in or out depending on where the teenagers are.

The finish line was in site.  Just a trip to the trade desk to pay for the bags of soil and a quick discussion with the boom gate operator on the way out.  Nope, I'm not so big that i cant fit through the normal entrance/exit but this is where we parked the car, remember?  He did tell us that its a huge security risk as people walk out the central exit with their register slip and then come back in, pick up the same item and go out the trade exit showing the same slip.  Its only stamped at this exit and they estimate they loose $1 million a year this way.   Pretty brazen isn't it.  Oh, don't get any ideas!  I trust you all.

So,  how did we go on the steps.  You would be thinking close to 10,000, wouldn't you!  I was (my feet told me it should be) and wasn't i disappointed to find out that it was only 3,500.  Hang on, Kerrie did 4,000.  Did she run on the spot in the shower when i wasn't looking?  Apparently, Fitbits only record when your hands are free.  Just like the treadmill, if you hang onto the handles and your feet move but your hands don't, it doesn't record.  Hello! I was pushing the bloody trolley for extra effort !!!!! Go Figure... and yet, if you keep your feet still and move your hands it still doesn't record.  I tried!

See, this wouldn't work, her hands are holding something.  

My Fitbit is on my wrist but Kerrie's is attached to her bra.  Personally i think she might have gained a few extra steps with boob wobble.

So have you enjoyed your visit?  Yes, i will write about anything.  After 262 posts, you would too!

Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz

Lion Ribbon Graffiti in Melbourne

Has anyone else noticed all the lion's heads done in pink fluro ribbon around Melbourne.  There are several near my work in West Footscray and i consider them works of art rather than graffiti. Its takes some skill to do this in a public place, usually on a fence, with time constraints and under the cloak of darkness. Considering its a very cold winter this year, it also takes serious dedication to ones art.  I was sure it had some meaning as a logo for some political statement but when when i tried to Google it, all i come up with is Lion Ribbon which is a brand of haberdashery. Further investigation was needed.  This link from a radio stations has some more examples around town.

Triple M Melbourne - Lion's Heads

I continued on until i found some forums and the general chatter tells me that it appears to be the work of a Melbourne artist known as Sunfigo and its obviously been happening for quite a while.  There are numerous sightings of the ribbon work all over Inner and East Melbourne.  Its also possible that there are now copy-cat artists around.

Upon further investigations, there have been sightings in Melbourne of other animals.

http://pinsta.me/secretshq

http://pinsta.me/lu7070

Graffiti art is not new to Melbourne.  Its everywhere in all its various forms from the most amazing murals in the lane-ways of Melbourne and sides of buildings to the disgusting illegal tags that cover everything including trains, buses and twice now, our front fence.   So i guess, as with all things, there is good and bad graffiti.

With the old adage of "cant beat them, join them" Melbourne City Council now has approved locations that it promotes on its website and you can now do lane-way tours.   See link here for Melbourne's Public Art. These locations are not just public thoroughfares but also locations used for fashion shoots, movies and even trendy pop-up restaurants.

The good thing about all this "public art" is that it has now opened up the lane ways and darker area's of the city and brought foot traffic making it safer.  In the past these alley ways were dangerous places to be, even during the day. Now, many are lit and under camera surveillance.  There is a code among graffiti artists of not destroying the work of others.  A sign of respect i guess.

What do you think?  I like the ribbon art.  Its temporary and doesn't damage property.

Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz

 

Calling all Husbands, Brothers, Sons, or Mates

The following appeared on my Facebook page and as the mother of a son and the wife of a husband it reached out to me.  I'm taking it home and popping it on the the back of the door in front of the "thinking chair", you know the one i mean.  That place where men go and solve all the problems of the world for what seems like an inordinate amount of time.

No seriously, i want to give this to every man i know and say "Hey, how are you doing, really?"

If like me this speaks to you, pass it on to your male loved ones.  They may just look blankly at you (like im expecting mine too) but print it out, put it somewhere where they'll come across it so that if they ever get to that point of needing help then they have somewhere to start.   

Seems to me that much of the advice given is pointed towards being independent both in thought and daily living.  Taking control of your own self worth and your ability to look after yourself both emotionally and physically.   I gave this to someone at work who is going through a messy divorce and he said to me that he wishes someone had given it to him 12 months ago.  I asked why? He said because despite some of the advice being so simple it would have given him a starting point to recovery.   He is still on his journey but found worth in this article so i'm passing it on to you.   

http://www.davenixoncoach.com.au/an-open-letter-to-every-husband-brother-and-son/

AN OPEN LETTER TO EVERY HUSBAND, BROTHER AND SON 

from David Dixon.  

Dear Fellow Brother,

I have a lot to get through today but first I want to share with you a scary statistic.

 Did you know that Male suicide is 3 times higher than that of Females?

Why is this? This should be alarming to us all. Considering how easy it is supposed to be to be a guy – it is also quite hard.

To be honest – I believe the fact we are told to man up and that emotions are feminine has a lot to do with this statistic.

 We are told to toughen up and to be a man. Have some cement and harden up.

Men don’t cry.

So we keep it in.

We don’t talk.

Which in turn means that we don’t learn how to deal with our struggles and more importantly – our emotions. A lot of the time we end up feeling alone and overwhelmed.

But you’re not in it alone.

We are in this together. We are all brothers. I know we are ‘Blokes’ but it is important to tell your mates and brothers to that if shits going down, that we can talk.

Life can be shit sometimes. But its shitter without your best mates around.

I personally have gone through my ups and downs and I expect there are more to come. That’s kind of how life is really. I would be lying if I said that I hadn’t considered driving my car off a cliff. That I felt consumed by my problems and mental dialogue. I wouldn’t say I have had depression. But I believe its real. What I do know though are these two things;

1.      I never ever wanted to feel like that again

2.      I never want any of my mates to ever feel like that

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It takes a strong person to put their hand up when they are drowning in their own thoughts and problems and I am here to tell you there is hope.

I want to share with 50  things I have learnt along the way that helped me. Some you may align with and some you may not. Some are directly related to the above statistic and some are things I wish I knew as a teenager.

I wanted to make it a flowing letter but naturally, it came out in dot points.

So, to every Husband, Brother, Son and Friend I share with you some of the tips, quotes and advice that has helped me:

1.      Respect every female regardless of how they act.

2.     Never hit a woman. Ever.

3.     The first one to get angry loses.

4.      Get up early. Achieve something before the world wakes. Read, run, lift or listen to a podcast. Just get up.

5.      Give to charity/community – but don’t go around telling everyone. Don’t do it for recognition. Do it because it’s the right thing to do.

6.      Do something active – join a sporting team or community gym.

7.      Tell people how you feel. Not just angry feelings – I mean emotions.

8.      Tell your parents that you love them. Honestly – they fed you and wiped your arse when you couldn’t do it yourself.

9.      Write down your goals. Again. And again. And again. It will get easier to be clearer each time.

10.  Hold the door open for people. Not just females but also for your fellow bros.

11.  Go for girls outside your “league”. Because this is the best way to learn that no one is.

12.  Learn to say sorry – and actually mean it. Also – learn how other people communicate. Sometimes you need to show people you are sorry. Whereas others need to hear it.

13.  I want to say find a mentor but it doesn’t work that way. Rather, follow your passion and give to the community. People of influence will want to help you. Probably because both of those things are genuine.

14.  Never buy flowers to say sorry. Always buy them for no reason at all.

15.  Learn how to cook. Something. Anything.

16.  Buy a slow cooker.

17.  Always stand up to shake hands.

18.  Shake a woman's hand – not too tight but enough to match their grip.

19.  Give compliments – to both genders.

20.  Find someone you can talk to.

21.  Don’t always give answers. We want to fix things. Sometimes people want to talk but aren’t ready yet for things to be fixed.

22.  Ask for permission to give advice before giving it.

23.  Eat your damn vegetables.

24.  Read books – not comic books.

25.  Listen to podcasts.

26.  Trust your gut.

27.  Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.

28.  The truth always comes out and character never lies.

29.  You can disagree but don’t attack someone or belittle someone for their opinion.

30.  Bringing someone down doesn’t make you any better – it is a direct reflection of you.

31.  If someone hurts you – don’t hurt them back. Try to understand why they are lashing out first.

32.  Someone only ever hurts you when they themselves are hurting. No one has ever hurt someone from a place of happiness.

33.  Never, ever bully someone. Especially over the internet. It is one of the WEAKEST social aspects that the internet has brought to mankind.

34.  You are never too old to change a habit.

35.  You are never too old to tell someone how you feel.

36.  Silence is deadly and it is not weak to speak.

37.  Study the universe, stop and look at the stars. You will somehow learn more about yourself if you do.

38.  No one owes you anything. Nothing. You are not entitled to anything. So you want something. Go out and get it.

39.  You can have anything you want. You just have to outlast and outsmart the problems.

40.  Find a form of art that you are proud of – make it your hobby or work.

41.  Build or create something tangible throughout your life. This could be a cubby house, a bridge or even a book.

42.  The harsh reality is that one day a bus is going to come and hit you. Hopefully not literally, but at least metaphorically. You and I both don’t know when that day will come. So don’t live in an illusion that you have time. You don’t. Be patient but hustle and create chances. Understand that time is the last thing you have and the first thing we take for granted.

43.  Eat food. Not healthy food or clean eating. Just food. The “It grew from the ground or had a mum kinda food”. Everything else is slowly poisoning you and the genes you are passing down.

44.  Travel. You will grow as a person every time.

45.  Spend money on experiences and memories.

46.  Don’t set goals based upon your current circumstances and resources.

47.  Don’t let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality.

48.  Buy some nice cologne. Seriously. People remember smells more than anything.

49.  What happens is not as important as how you react to it.

50.  And sometimes, family isn’t always blood…

… and sometimes these family members who aren’t blood are the ones that save your life. They don’t know they did. All they asked was “What’s up bud? Everything OK?”.

Silence is deadly, gentleman. This is my message to say that I am here to listen. If you feel the same then feel free to pass on this message to someone who needs to hear it.

To every person who helped me out of my hole – thank you. This is me paying it forward.

Yours Sincerely,

Brother Dave.

Not everything that appears in social media is bad.  This one, i think, has merit and value for both men and women and especially for all those boys growing up without fathers to guide them in the ways of manhood. 

Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land Of Oz

Here I Am, Not Far Away, Just Hibernating

Gosh, it has been awhile since i wrote a post.  Is this what they call writers block? Have i committed the cardinal sin of blogging and been absent for so long that I've lost my readers? Truth is that nothing much has happened that was worthy of writing about.  "Hasn't stopped you before", i hear you say from afar.  Perhaps the autumn chill that has finally descended upon us here in Melbourne has sent me into hibernation. Now wouldn't that be nice?.  I think i could crawl into a nice warm cave and sleep for the winter.  Even better, when i finally came out I'd be much much slimmer.  Well rested and looking good.  Bonus!

Disclaimer:  Any similarity between the bear above and myself is purely co-incidental.  

You may have noticed me popping up in your comments here and there but in general I've been pretty offline. I've read some books and watched a shocking amount of recorded home renovating and cooking programs in the evenings. Today, however, the autumn sunshine appeared and woke me up.  I've been playing outside in the garden. Gosh it feels good.  I truly haven't been out there for weeks and look what i found.

Can you believe it?  Tomatoes in May.   I've broken my own record and have now been picking my own tomatoes from early December to mid May.  6 Months - Crazy!.  As Gavin from Greening of Gavin pointed out, i have my own little micro-climate going on out there.   I ate some sliced on toast with salt flakes and pepper and it was an explosion of flavour.   The remaining plant on the back wall of the house is full of green ripening tomatoes and even flowers reaching to the eaves.  The solar system tells me I'm generating 3kW of power so I'm washing my dishes and clothes for nothing.

These flowers are self seeded and certainly were not there a few weeks ago.  I'm definitely a lazy gardener. It looks after itself.  I am great at growing grass though and my low maintenance bunnies seem to enjoy it.  

Two weekends ago i had the pleasure of two munchkins for the weekend.  Maison and Chelsea live on the other side of the city now and our visits are too infrequent.  I pinched them for a weekend of cuddles and kisses.  Nope, i haven't started pinching their cheeks yet like some ole spinster but close enough.  Maison and the boys (sorry, my men) went off to see the Avengers on Saturday while i took Chelsea to KMart for some winter clothes for her birthday.  Can you believe that she is turning 6 and just going into size 4.  Tiny little miss but one with attitude and the confidence of an 18 year old.  The boys usually hang together while Chelsea and I get some girl time.

Chelsea, who doesn't eat eggs, decided she loves my "puffy cakes" otherwise known as quiche.  On Sunday Tom drove us down to Werribee South foreshore and while the sausages were cooking i made French Toast (bread soaked in egg).  She ate so many that she didn't want any sausages.  Hmmmm  i guess Chelsea does eat eggs, just don't tell her.

We had a lovely time watching the kids roll down the grassy slope with the other children.  I think the little Muslim girls, covered from head to toe, were better protected from grass rash than the others but i was worried about grass stains on their white hijabs.  Maison was scratching for hours.  We tore up the remaining bread and fed the seagulls creating a huge flock of noisy and competitive birds.  Such fun for all.  

Last weekend my Bestie and I joined the throng and attended the AFL's annual Pink Lady Match in support Breast Cancer.  It was a lovely outing on our own and I enjoyed our train adventure.  She travels to the city every morning and night on crowded trains and so I'm not sure she was so enthused. I'm not a footy supporter (she is a Collingwood supporter - need i say more) but i do love attending a game at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). So much atmosphere.

There was a minutes silence where i remembered my late sister-in-law Bellie and also a banner through which 300 Mums, chosen from 1000's nominated, ran through all dressed in pink poncho's.  We were given small LED torches that had a pink filter and when they turned the lights off it was amazing.  I think i equally enjoyed the company and just moving around the city late at night.  It felt strangely youthful, like we should be checking into one of the nightclubs for a boogie and a few cocktails.   Ummm  the fact that i said the word "Boogie" should be a hint that i am anything but youthful!.

This weekend we've been busy de-cluttering for a hard garbage pickup.  I don't know why we bother as it usually disappears before the appointed day (Wednesday).   Tom's old mattress, an unused sun lounge and a broken office chair have gone one way and an old bookshelf with 50 coats of paint that i was planning on stripping went the other.  I wonder if someone wants my green waste because that's about all that's left along with the old oven.

Rob and I went to see the movie Mad Max - Fury Road on Saturday night.

I know, you are surprised aren't you.  Surely that couldn't be my taste in movies.  Well normally I'd have to agree with you but Mad Max is kind of an Aussie thing.  I saw the first movie back in 1979 and i can tell you that George Miller has lost none of his touch.  Its my opinion that this one was the best.  My eyes were like saucers and i don't think i blinked once throughout the movie.  I was leaking tears without crying.  Such an avalanche of non stop action.  Thank you Bell for a the Village Card Christmas gift, the whole night cost us nothing.

I'm loving these flowers i was given at work last week.  No reason, they just thought i needed them.  I did.

Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz

Farewell Stig

Disclaimer:  This post is unrelated to the TV show Top Gear and the sacking of Jeremy Clarkson as host.  If you are researching the real STIG trying to find out his/their identity then please look elsewhere.  This post relates specifically to a 7 foot STIG cardboard cut-out that lives in my house.  If this slightly strange situation intrigues you (seems quite normal to me) then please read on.  

You know how you have those visitors that stay just that little bit too long.  Well STIG has become one of THOSE visitors.  He's been in residence in our lounge room since Oct last year and has become so much a part of the landscape that when visitors walk in the front door they actually greet him seemingly before even us.  I think it just might be time for him to leave.

You have no idea how much those folded arms came to irritate me.  

If you don't have a clue about who or what i am talking about then read my post (here) and you'll know that he was always intended to take up residence in Tom's new bedroom suite (well that's what we are calling the two bedrooms made into one that has a bed at one end and a lounge and TV at the other).  Tom is now 18 and he has given every indication that while he still enjoys Top Gear (belly laughing uproariously at each episode) the idea of having STIG in his suite has waned. Egads, is my little boy growing up?

Put your hand up if you are the mother of a boy! 

So how best to dispose of STIG?  I'm not so removed from the show that has given me the odd cause to giggle that i would just throw him in the bin.   Surely, he could bring joy to some other child?  Is there another mother out there that would allow a 7 foot effigy of a TV personality to take up residence?  Or perhaps he would be better appreciated by some ageing "rev head" with pride of place in their garage among the beer cans and the footy and motor sports paraphernalia.

I've checked with the neighbour's children and nope, despite the excited bulging eyeballs and raised eyebrows on the children, the look of horror on the parents faces over the top of them was enough to tell me that it wasn't going to happen.  So my  next course of action is to leave him out the front of the house and wait say........all of 2 seconds before he is lifted off the side walk.

Truly, this is what happens.  Its "magic" i tell you.  Anything place on the nature strip disappears seemingly before our eyes.  Even bulky wooden L shaped desks that weight a tonne.   Old rusty BBQ's start making their way down the street while i chase after them shouting "do you want the lid?"   Drat if it wasn't a windy day and he fell over.  Imagine my grumpy face as i pick him up and trudge back in the front door with him.

I refuse to drive it, I have my standards.  Oh, you are going to pay me?  How much?  

Then i remembered that the new neighbour next door is studying film & movie special effects and still thinking (Oh, that's why i have a headache) i thought the rather sturdy frame that holds him upright might come in handy.

(Pause for a few minutes while i run next door).  

Matt just left with STIG under his arm. Lucky he's a big dude.  He tells me it will come in handy and also he might have some fun with STIG for a while.  Be my guest.  I also noticed that their lawns/weeds are getting rather unruly and so i asked him he if wanted to borrow our underused lawn mower.  His eyes lit up.  Having given up work to study, two small children and just having moved from NSW, they are strapped for cash. You know how i feel right now?  I feel so great that i could help someone.  Why do people take drugs and get drunk to feel good when they could feel like this just by helping someone.  It hasn't cost me a thing!

I feel good!

Goodbye STIG (and good riddance).

Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land Of Oz

Catch Up Post

I ask you, what kind of friend comes back from holidays and hands you this and says "i saw this and thought of you".  Is it a compliment?  In truth, this bathing beauty looks much better in a bikini than i would and so i can only take it as such.  Still, I'm not so sure......    Each day i was sent texts and photos showing how beautiful her accommodation was, the wonderful meals she didn't cook or clean up after and the lovely ocean views out her window.  That week was a particularly gruelling one for me and so i wasn't feeling so enamoured of her daily reminders that she was on holidays, and i was not!

This morning saw my weekend visitors (Angela and Sam from home) and I meeting up with my two besties (one could be heading for Ex - see above) at the Victorian State Rose Garden for a morning walk.  We had planned to make our way around the rose gardens and then into the extensive grounds including the lake at the Werribee Park Mansion.  The connecting gate was closed as there was a Multicultural Event on today. It would have been fab to attend but we had already made plans to go into the Queen Victoria Markets in the city (here).  So many things to do and so little time.

Both my besties have FitBits and are focusing each day on getting those steps up.  Ella, as of today, has lost 20kgs, and we are so proud of her success.  A few months ago she couldn't move with pain and yesterday she did 30,000 steps.  Go Ella!!!   My birthday is Thursday and i know that I've been given one, so watch out, the challenge is on.  I bought a brace for my ankle this morning so i can walk without my ankle falling out of its socket.

Ella glanced at one of the grassy slopes in the gardens and said "Look, its a Teletubby hill" and promptly started making her way up.  A few months ago, she wouldn't have dreamed of being able to do so.

There they are, Tinky Winky and Dipsy (with her walking stick).  I'm going to be in so much trouble.

Last weekend saw Tom and I taking off on a weekend drive home to NSW.   He needs to clock up some more driving hours on his Learners and so it was a good opportunity to go home and pick up one of his gifts from his Aunty Glenda - a treadmill (very generous).  I was planning to take the work Hilux but when Daniel heard that was my intent he lamented about how uncomfortable it was going to be (not the most comfortable vehicle especially unloaded) and so he offered his own newly purchased XR6 ute.

Can you imagine the look on Tom's face when i turned up with this and put his L plates on it.  He was in 7th Heaven and feeling really grown up and cool.  Its such a long drive (5 hrs) but it was very comfortable.

Being a long weekend in Victoria, we battled to get out of town with the traffic but once on the open road Tom revelled in the 110km/hr speed limit and his newly found skill of driving with the steering wheel using almost solely cruise control.  It was an uneventful trip (one we have done many times) until we reached the open plains on the other side of Jerilderie and had to deal with kangaroos jumping around in the darkness and the frustration of being limited to 90km/hr in NSW while all the trucks coming up very fast behind us were doing 110km blinding him with their lights. Still this is what its like to drive in the open country and so its all a part of his learning experience.   He handled it very well.

On Saturday we ventured over to Griffith (the food bowl of NSW) to visit my brother Geoff and his lovely Filipino wife, Gwen.  All week she had been telling me she couldn't cook, and yet i knew that i was in for a treat.  What a banquet.  I should have reminded her that there were only five of us eating?

I must, absolutely must introduce you to Hamonada.   It is divine.   Its made using a shoulder of pork, marinaded in pineapple juice and lemonade with soy, peppercorns, brown sugar and bay leaf.  It is then cooked in a pot until cooked and the liquid reduced to a thick syrup.  It was so tender and sweet.

There are many variations on this traditional Filipino holiday recipe and so i suggest you start Googling.

Will you just look at this cheeky girls hair!  It looks like a Pantene ad.  So long, strong, and glossy with health. Hi Gwen!

Such a beautiful home

That rather strange looking veggie below is a Bitter Melon or Ampalaya.

Ampalaya is a highly nutritious vegetable that is very low in sugar and fat, but high in fiber. It contains vitamins A, B1, B3, B6, C, E and K as well as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and also antioxidants BUT it is bitter and an acquired taste.  Gwen tells me it is yummy served with egg. 

Bitter melon is best known for anti-diabetes effects. It contains a chemical known as insulin-like peptide that is similar in shape and function to animal-produced insulin. Other chemicals, including vicine, in bitter melon may also have blood-sugar lowering effects.  

Of course Mum was in attendance and dressed to kill.  My sister Sam has taken on the role of stylist and bought this for Mum for Christmas.  Not bad for an 85 year old.  

Tom and i drove home on the Sunday.  Two days away from home seems to be Tom's limit.  Routine, routine, routine is the Aspie's mantra.  

Since home, I've been trying this week to keep up with the cucumber glut I'm currently experiencing.  

I"ve eaten, gifted and preserved and still they come.  I'm sure i complained to someone last season "I cant grow cucumbers".   Gods playing a little joke on me.  

The tomatoes are nearing the end of their season but I'm still getting bowls of them every few days.  I'm taking them to work and putting little "Help Yourself" signs on the kitchen table.  They are usually gone by the end of the day and snacks for the guys in the factory. 

Time for my visitors to return from having seen "Dirty Dancing" as the Princess Theatre so I'd better go clean the kitchen.  

Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz