Winding Down the Year

Finally a minute to catch my breath.  Not that we've been doing anything monumental just normal things keeping us busy.
Phill got the tools for the dishwasher himself and managed to fix it yesterday, my hero!  I don't know how I coped washing up by hand all those years, what a waste of time, and hand washing can never get things as clean as the dishwasher can.  The landlady has offered us a six month lease only, and wants us to sign a lease not go onto periodical.  We really want something more long term and with a bit more privacy but although Phill was ready to move out, I don't think it's the right thing.  There aren't a lot of rentals in this town and the chance of us getting something that really suits us is slim.  This house is comfortable and I like it apart from the closeness of the neighbours on one side.  I told the real estate that we weren't happy with being spied on and they know that it's a big no no in the renting thing for landlords to do that, so hopefully now she knows we're looking after the place properly she'll pull her head in and get a hobby.
Josh is off school till next week with his toe, it's getting better, I'm going to get him another course of the oral antibiotics and have the cream made up and hopefully we can get the nail growing in the right direction.  Emily had a bit of a meltdown which really rattled me but we got through it and she's settled down again now.  She is spending her time reading and helping me in the house which is okay with me for now. 

After the inferno of our last outdoor meal we decided we needed a new bbq.  I love it, I've always wanted one with a hood and a side burner.  We did the rib eye steaks that I love on it the other night and they were the best steaks we've ever eaten, including in a restaurant.  We seared them, then left them to cook with the hood down in indirect heat.  Perfect.  I had the bright idea of doing the Christmas turkey in it but not sure how confident I would be with that.

I'm not even sure what I will use the sideburner for, perhaps stir fried vegies in the Winter in place of a salad, or eggs for a breakfast bbq.

We planted a tomato bush, some cos lettuce and a cucumber, as well as Thai basil in our little vegie patch, it's reticulated as you can see.  Not sure what else we'll plant but little tomato bushes are sprouting up from the compost we put in it when we moved in.  We have fruit on the one we planted.

The weather has been lovely, really warm but plenty of sun and a little rain, great for the garden.  The good news there is that we don't have Grunter coming to "garden" anymore.  He would turn up and grunt for a while and pull a couple of weeds then leave.  The other day he pulled out some of the snapdragons Phill planted. 

My rose petals are drying beautifully under the house, it was a brilliant idea of Em's to put them down there.  I'm going to go and deadhead some of the roses and gather some more petals later today.

The kittens are growing so fast, and they are really alert and advanced.  The grey one just wants to get out and managed to do so this morning, heaven help us all!

Emmy made the first shortbread of the season yesterday and did a great job.  I think the fresh flours and the Danish butter made a difference.

We bought some new metal cutters too which are much more user friendly than the plastic all-in-one thing I insist on using year after year.  Some traditions can be let go and that is one of them.  We always make shortbread, the kids used to make it to give to their teachers as gifts but they don't do that now they're in high school.  I told them to ask their big sister Kate about the "cranky shortbread" we used to make when we lived in houses without a/c.

I've lay byed the X Box the kids want, and Em and I drove up to Young and lay byed some other stuff, including Lego sets for the little boys and matching Spiderman pjs, SO cute.  And I've done a bit of shopping online so I'm feeling better.  Some good cologne I got for Phill at E Fragrance (53% off for members!) arrived just now, and I only ordered it yesterday.  I love online shopping.

We did a photo shoot with Em and the kittens yesterday for the Christmas cards, Josh wouldn't join in for some reason, but I changed my plan and have done the cards and ordered and paid for them this morning.  Josh is still in them, he just needs to hope none of his friends see them. ;)

Ali rang to tell me they had a scare with the baby last week.  I had a bad feeling but put off ringing her, and once again I was right.  But the baby is fine and they're not sure what caused the bleeding. 

It's odd the connection I have with her, I knew she was pregnant this time before she told me, I had a dream about it.  My nephew and his wife are also expecting around the same time as Ali.  Their first baby was born on the anniversary of Sarah's death, and this baby is due on her birthday.  How weird is that?  I didn't mention to Ali that Sarah's birthday is May 10th, she wouldn't know that and there is no need to tell her.  She is due on the 12th I think (which is what my due date was with Sarah!)

So we have two precious babies to look forward to next year and my sister and I will both be grandmothers of three.

I am feeling good, still struggling with the peri menopause stuff.  I got some cream I saw advertised that is a "natural" progesterone and has had some good reviews.  It wasn't overly expensive and I thought it was worth trying so I'm on day three of that, and while still having symptoms, they seem reduced a little.  But I'm also being religious about my other supplements and eating properly as well.

When we took Josh to the doctor, she was shocked to see how much he weighs.  He is overweight, and I knew that, but was biding my time, not wanting to make him feel self conscious and hoping the weight would drop naturally as he grew.  But the doctor made him take a good look at himself and it was a good chance for me to say "right we're all going to get fitter and healthier".  He's been amazing, we have talked about his diet and he is totally on board with it, no more waffles, lots of salads and healthy breakfasts.  Until he hurt his ankle at school we were walking every day, he even took himself off for a walk by himself.  I am so proud of him and told him the kids won't recognise him when he comes back to school after the holidays. 

I've been cooking from the old WW and Syms recipes.  Last night I made Crunchy Nut Chicken, cornflakes crushed and mixed with finely chopped macadamia nuts, and a bit of chicken stock, then dipped in egg white and skim milk before crumbing and baking in the oven.  They are really great, they come out moist and succulent with just a bit of oil spray on the top.

Tonight I'm making an old meat pie recipe, it's lean mince with grated potato, carrot and parsnip and seasonings with a filo pastry top.  I used to make it a lot and the filling turns out really creamy and tasty and you can hardly see the vegies inside.

So we're winding down the year, planning for Christmas and hoping that next year will be a better one, with lessons we've learned from everything we've been through.

I need to decide on a menu for Christmas Day, which I love doing, planning is half the fun of Christmas.  I think we'll have a cocktail party on Christmas Eve, with finger food and "mocktails".  We always used to have our hot meal on Christmas Eve night but once Kate left we stopped doing that (she was the big stickler for keeping the old traditions).  I just do a hot turkey, cold seafood and lots of salads and side dishes on Christmas Day now with an ice cream based dessert or a trifle. 

I dream of catering to a crowd for Christmas one day, all my children and grandchildren together, I would love to do that just once.