Was it truly two months ago when we counting down the last few days till our trip? A lot of people asked did our trip go by fast. Thankfully it didn’t and in fact, it seems like we were gone a lot longer than 6 weeks . We did so much and saw so much that each day was almost like a weeks holiday.

Woke us this morning around 7am. I’m still finding it hard to get moving in the morning but the days are getting longer now and the sun is rising not long after 6am. Made myself a cup of tea. Funnily enough after all the lovely English teas I’m not enjoying my Daintree the way I used to . I also had a few of the choc chip cookies I made yesterday and played on the computer.

I ended up buying a few classes from Big Picture Scrapbooking.

Around 9am I went up for my shower and to get dressed. When I came downstairs Christy had come home (she spent last night at Nan’s and Amy was at the neighbours) and was playing Wii in her new soccer shin pads! And no, she was no playing soccer today – just practicing wearing them .

I made a cheese and pineapple jaffle for Kevin and myself for breakfast.

Then got started on my weekend to-do list. First up I emptied the dishwasher and cleaning the kitchen, then hung out the washing I had started earlier. Then I fed and watered all the animals, including the chooks.

Next up was the ironing. I was good girl and even put it all away when I was done – something I more often than not put off doing.

Kevin is going for the “hubby of the day” award and made me a cup of tea, which he kindly served with some cookies .

While having my tea break I started work on a photobook for my Dad’s belated birthday present. I took time to do some training with the dogs and was still working on the book a few hours later when it was time for lunch. An easy one today – reheated cheesy potato chowder.

Just before 2pm Mum and came over and we headed to my friends Partylite (candle) party.

It was nice few hours. I love partylite candles and have used them exclusively for about 8 years. It was also nice to catch up with friends I haven’t seen since before we went away – I’ve been a bit of a hermit since coming home .

We were back home around 4.30pm. After I got the girls to clean up the mess they made while I was gone, I made some cocktails which Kevin and I enjoyed in the spa.

I finished off the photobook and sent off the order. Amy was kind enough to make us dinner tonight – corn fritters. She made enough for Nan & Pop as well as she was sleeping at their place tonight.

Kevin and I then settled down to watch some episodes of Becoming Erica – a new to us show that we’re really enjoying.

and yes, the dogs got settled as well .

It’s been a lovely start to the weekend – much more like a Sunday than Saturday for us (esp. with Kevin not going into work), which means the weekend will feel like it lasts a while .

Sorry I’ve been such a bad food blogger. Between settling back into routine and being very blah about food at the moment I’m trying to decide whether to keep the food blog going. I know my posts are fairly boring but don’t know if I’ve got the time to make them more interesting. Maybe I should just do more food posts (like a weekly recap) on my main blog. Please let me know what you think.

To try and play catch up I’m just going to share some meals/snacks  from the week.

A red onion and chili roll from Bakers Delight. Not very good for you but VERY yummy .

Pita bread with cheese, mayo, tomato and homegrown sprouts.

My beloved green smoothie.

Hawaiian Stir fry – courtesy of Lisa at Bake Bike Blog. SOOOOOO delicious.

Homemade pizza – this was actually for breakfast

Cheese with plum paste on crackers.

An omelet made by Amy.

A sandwich while on an excursion with Amy.

And some of my Dad’s birthday cake

Sorry I’ve been so absent on the blog. It’s really taking quite some time getting back into the swing of things. I’m almost there and hopefully will get back to regular blogging soon.

Yesterday I joined Amy on her AG class excursion to Kiama. We met the class at the railway station and walked the blow hole. It was a very different experience to the last time we were here which some of you might remember. Today it was cool but we had a beautiful blue sky and just a little breeze.

The blowhole in action.

And the class releasing balloons to test wind speed/direction.

We then had recess – just like at school . Mine was even packed in my lunchbox.

I ate a muffin while enjoying the view.

Loved this sign…

We then caught a bus around to the little blow hole – which was in fact blowing bigger than the big blowhole.

And I decided I could quite happily live in one of these homes overlooking the blowhole. Mind you I probably wouldn’t like having lots of people walk past my house and interupting co my view .

Then the main part of the trip…for me at least… a dairy farm in Jamberoo.

The owner, Kerry Burke, showed us around and told us all about how they operate. I’m pleased to say I’m still happy to include milk as part of my lacto-ovo diet.

The milking stalls…

Some one week female meat calves waiting to be picked up by new owners. These lucky girls are going to be used for breeding.

and some dairy calves…

These girls are waiting to give birth…

And these girls were enjoying the lovely day…

We had lunch before leaving the farm. Hmm, I could get used to eating with a view – feels like I’m on holidays again .

It was a truly lovely Winters day.

And of course, no trip to Kiama is complete with an ice-cream.

When we got back home we went over to Nan & Pops to celebrate Pop’s birthday.

So yummy….

Then tonight we headed back out again for Christy to sing as part of the massed school choir. She was so excited and happy to have us all their to watch her.

She’s in the front row, forth from the left, for her school performance.

Unfortunately when the massed choir sung (half is seated on the floor) we couldn’t see her very well – being the little thing that she is.

She had a great night and we were very proud of her.

We started Sunday with a lovely leisurely breakfast overlooking Manly beach. We couldn’t believe how many people were out walking and spotted a number of Goldies .

It was a beautiful day in Sydney and it was nice that the sat. nav. decided to bring us home over the harbour bridge (usually we use the tunnel).

And since it was such a beautiful day we decided to stop at the relative new Wollongong Visitors Center at the top of Mount Ousley and take in the glorious views.

Our last stop on the way home was to the Nan Tien Temple for lunch.

Not a bad view for a leisurely breakfast on a Sunday morning. We joined my Aunt and other family members (including the bride & groom when they surfaced) for breakfast in the hotels dining room. We were the first to arrive and the last to leave so must have really enjoyed ourselves.

I wasn’t that impressed with my first walk around the buffet. After almost 12 days of buffet breakfasts on the cruise I just wasn’t into it. However the sign by the front entrance had me a little more excited.

Eventually I decided to start with tea (can never go wrong with that) and bircher museli – which I have NEVER had before. I still don’t even know what was in in but I quite enjoyed it and ate about half.

Sometime later I decided on a chef made omelet. Mine had 2 eggs cheese and vegetables and was REALLY lovely.

Towards the end of our two hour breakfast I had another cup of tea and a raspberry muffin. This was sooooo yummy and unfortunately the last one left .

After checking out we headed home, stopping to buy so water as I was in desperate need of something to hydrate me.

We decided to stop for lunch at the Nan Tien Temple for a delicious vegetarian lunch.

Though it was rather cold outside (we were sitting in the shade), lunch did not dissapoint. Amy and I shared a chai tea – but I really didn’t like it much. Kevin’s chai latte was much better .

I chose the veggie chow for my lunch. So yummy. I’ve never had anything here I haven’t loved.

And I also had one of Kevin’s dumplings.

Mid afternoon included more tea and a couple of oatmeal raisen cookies.

After a lazy day dinner was an easy one of cheese on toast. So simple, yet so yummy.

We headed up to Manly (Sydney) yesterday for my cousin Tara’s wedding. We arrived at our hotel at 1pm and checked into our room at the Novotel. Our room was nice, but basic.

But our view….

was not quite as good as my Mum & Dad’s…

We got dressed and had a quick photo taken before we left for the wedding, which was held at the Manly Golf Club.

It wasn’t long before the bride, with my Auntie Irene and her Dad were walking down the aisle.

The ceremony was wonderful. It’s so obvious how much Tara and Josh are in love and it was lovely to part of this special day. Isn’t she just beautiful? A real glamorous, radiant bride.

I love the dress. Quite similar to mine, in fact, but with a nice train.

My littlest princess was looking especially cute tonight.

And Amy looked so grown up she was even offered wine.

More photos from the night…

The bride and I. We’ve always been close even though we don’t see each other very often these days. Tara was a bridesmaid at my own wedding (many, many years ago) and even came to Disneyworld to help me when Christy was just a baby. I wish her and Josh all the best and know they’ll be very happy together – they are both such wonderful people.

Those who know me won’t believe it when I say I even hit the dancefloor tonight for the first time in over 15 years. I had a lot of fun too .

It was such a great night (and Amy even managed to stay awake – unlike the last wedding we attended).

Up and at ‘em today with a red carpet ready workout, followed by a green smoothie. The best way to start the day if you ask me .

Then it was time to pack and get organised for my cousin’s wedding. Amy made us both a sweet bean burrito (mine was wrapped in mountain bread instead of a tortilla) to have in the car, with my morning cup of tea.

We then drove to Manly. It took about 2 hours due to heavy traffic. I had a banana along the way and we arrived in time to join my parents (who had come up yesterday) for lunch. I had vegetarian quiche, salad and half a roll.

We chatted for a bit and then had a cup of tea. I also indugled in an anzac cookie and shortbread.

Then it was time to get ready for the wedding. You can read a full recap here.

There wasn’t much in the way of vegetarian nibblies but I did have one goats cheese tart.

The table was beautifully set.

The meal itself was very uninspired I thought. Being a lacto-ovo vegetarians there are lots of great meal options. Instead I got a salad for entree.

Pasta for the main

and fruit for desert.

It was all rather nice but nothing to rave over. I only ate about half of everything and complimented with a yummy roll.

and Kevin’s ice-cream…

Then there was the wedding cake.

I love the idea of cupcakes and how cakes are personalized these days. Too cute.

What do you think? Here’s the real bride and groom.

The cake was delicous. So fresh and light.

After some dancing I enjoyed a cup of tea and a chocolate.

Got up at 6.30am and took the dogs for a walk. So nice it’s getting warm enough for an early morning walk.

Later after dropping the girls at school I had some cruskits with spreadable cheese and a much longed for cup of tea. Hopefully next week I’ll be back in the swing of things and making proper breakfasts again.

Then it was off to the beauticians for a mani, pedi and eyelash & eyebrow tint. So good to have eyebrows again .

When I got back at 12pm I made a salad with a lentil pattie.

It was rather cold today so my afternoon snack was a warm bowl of veggie soup.

Dinner tonight was a family favourite – sweet bean burritos. I cheated and used an old photo.

Kevin and I ate dinner watching TV, while the girls sat outside on our driveway (in the cold) with the neighbours. Crazy!!!

Definitely had a good nights sleep so felt a lot better this morning. We were running rather behind this morning so I didn’t get my breakfast until after dropping the girls at school. On the menu today – banana on toast and a cup of tea.

I spent the morning getting the house all tidied and organised and in between worked on uploading photos to snapfish. Morning tea was tea and a couple of oatmeal and raisen cookies.

Lunch was a salad featuring egg.

Amy and I had to go into town this afternoon to buy dresses for my cousin’s wedding on Saturday – nothing like leaving it to the last minute. We were successful and stopped by Gloria Jeans on the way home where I got a Iced Chocolate.

When we got home my order from Doorstep Organics had arrived.

This will restock the fridge for sure.

Dinner tonight- pumpkin lasagne (dug out of the freezer) with corn, potato and cauliflower. Hmm.. it all looks very yellow .

Supper was a cup of tea and some ginger cream biscuits from the UK.

Slowly getting back into the rhythm that is normal life! I’ve finally got everything sorted and put away and thought I’d share with you what I bought for myself. I think I was very restrained. I saw so many things I’d love to have bought – some were too big, some too heavy .

You might have noticed the new necklace I bought in Sweden.

I also bought this Matt Jonasson glass etching. I’ve already got some wolves and bears. Little did I know how much I’d love the reindeer we saw in Scotland.

These cute handmade wooden flowers and vase were bought at Covent Garden in London. And they match my kitchen perfectly.

My beautiful set at Matruska dolls.

Gorgeous linen cushion covers from Tallinn, Estonia.

Of course I had to buy a highland cow – to replace the one that Amy lost as a child.

Some bunting. It’s everywhere in the UK and I just love it. Have it hanging in the scrapbook room.

Cute paper serviettes. I don’t normally paper ones but these were too cute to leave (and light as well )

Calender, pen set and a Celtic Rock CD.

Some Christmas decorations.

Purse and cheese knife.

And, of course, some food essentials! Galaxy Minstrels for me, Magic Stars for the girls. And those ginger crunch biscuits are to die for!

There were also some teas, a tea caddy and a new mug. Plus I  got two pairs of fingerless gloves and those mismatched socks. And a lovely apron.

I’m so happy with everything that I got and it certainly makes me smile and remember some very good times when I see these things around me home.

Now, normal blogging can resume .