Happy Monday

Oh gosh I'm feeling a bit tired. All this pre-Christmas socialising is just so wonderful but I do really need a little bit more couch-time in my life (not that we own a couch:). It has been another lovely week with some gorgeous clear days, too much good food and lovely time spent with friends.

Things that made me happy this week:

:: A little dally through the Abbotsford Convent. Such a pretty place with such a warm, loving communinity vibe.

:: Dinner with Mel from Eat Quaff Laugh. We ate baked boozy cheese and Blitzen venison, and drank lovely wine from her impressive little cellar.

:: An entire night evening spent with The Bookworm at Prix Fixe for their December "Nutcrackers Christmas" menu. I know that sounds odd but we really never get to just hang out anymore. We don't have days off together, nights are always busy catching up on work and housework and he goes to bed hours before me. Time together without distraction is so precious. You can read a review of our dinner on Champagne and Chips.

:: Baking some absolutely ridiculous chocolate brownies for a work Christmas party. I will be talking about them more soon on Champagne and Chips. Isn't it just so much fun to make something completely OTT and decadent!?!

:: Square-dancing in the local community hall. We take Ted for a wander around the block last thing before bed so he can check his pee-mail. Sometimes as we walk back through the park there is a square-dancing group boot-scooting in the community hall. I love to stop and stare watch for a bit at the fierce concentration on their faces and perfectly ordered lines of naff dancing. It looks almost cultish. Gosh I chuckle, it just tickles my fancy. At the same time I have the utmost respect for this gorgeous little organisation who have apparently been running for 20 years (overheard in a speech the other night). 

PS. How wrong is the expression 'tickles my fancy' if you think about it. I'm bringing this one back. I just love it.

How is your pre-Christmas socialising going? Are you tired out yet? :)

Happy Monday
N x

Taking Stock: November

I wrote my first Taking Stock post at the end of October and I think they may become a thing. October it seems was all about studying. So much has happened since that post was published. My Grandma passed away that week, I launched a new blog, I have had so many wonderful catch ups with old friends, met new ones, drank Champagne on a rooftop in Sydney (yes I keep mentioning that because it is a life highlight :) and had the most wonderful mini-holiday.

As we enter the craziness of the Christmas month I'm feeling unusually chilled. We aren't flying 'home' this year because we really do have a new home now in Melbourne. Of course we will miss our families but it is nice to be creating our own little traditions.

So, I am:

Making : Delicious Christmas treats like spiced nuts and striped cheesecakes.
Cooking : Slow-roasted legs of lamb. I know it is completely inappropriate for summer but I have only just discovered how remarkable and easy it is.
Drinking : Wine. So much beautiful wine. Not in large quantities but frequently and I like that.
Reading:Blogs, so many blogs and I just finished "The Husband's Secret" by Liane Moriarty, which I loved!
Wanting: More time with my love.
Looking: At the nail polish chipping off my fingernails.
Playing: Yikes, nothing. I am not playing at all and that is a problem.
Deciding: Where to go from here, what to do, how to manage the next step.
Wishing: For some ease.
Enjoying: All the pre-Christmas catchups with friends.

Waiting: For a few peaceful days off.
Liking: Lots of photos on Instagram, especially the ones prompted by #fmsphotoaday
Wondering: If there is an easier way to do all the things.
Loving: Taking photos everyday.
Pondering: Employment
Considering: My options
Watching: The days get longer
Hoping: For just a little more success.
Marvelling: At where life is taking me.
Needing: Balance
Smelling: Beautiful scented candles made by my neighbour (Shadow Moon Creations)
Wearing: Dresses as often as I can. I always dress far too practically so I'm trying to wear more colour and stuff that makes me feel pretty.
Following: Nobody ;)
Noticing: The little things

Knowing: It's time for a change
Thinking: About these prompts, they are so damn difficult :)
Feeling: Tired and energised at the same time.
Admiring: The DIY Christmas trees popping up on the blogosphere and wishing I had the time to make one.
Sorting: Out my finances
Buying: Treats here and there for Christmas day
Getting: There...
Bookmarking: Nothing. If I sat down and tried to read through everything I have bookmarked I would die first. Happy thoughts anonymous :)
Disliking: Driving an hour and a half every day.
Opening: Bags of Rodeo mix. I am freaking addicted to the stuff.
Giggling: Not frequently enough.

Feeling: Overwhelmed
Snacking: On Rodeo mix...
Coveting: A macro lens for my camera.
Wishing: 2015 is a happy one
Helping: Not frequently enough
Hearing: The rain on the roof

Do you like these kind of posts? I feel quite narcissistic writing them but I enjoy reading other people's so that makes me think it's no quite so bad. If you want to play along, pick three and respond in the comments  N x

Also don't forget my Christmas Giveaway is still open. You can enter via Seeking Victory or Champagne and Chips

Happy Monday

Isn't this time of year crazy!?! The world shuts done for a whole week at the end of December so we spend the three weeks before seeing everybody we have been meaning to see all year just in case the world ends. Cynicism aside I actually love this time of year for all the catch-ups with friends but I really do not understand why we can't have the same drive to see each other in August...

Anyway it has been another lovely week. I have had a dear one from Brisbane visiting who I have not seen for about four years, ridiculous, I know. That has meant lots of eating out, which you know I really hate ;) as well as time spent showing her my city and rediscovering it for myself.

Things that made me happy this week:

Underwater Puppies

I have to admit that when I heard about this book my first reaction was awww puppies, such a good idea, he's gonna make a mint.

I'm a cynical cow.

Then I happened to be on the treadmill on the gym when one of the morning shows interviewed the photographer, Seth Casteel. I fell in love. Well, he's pretty cute, but moreso I fell in love with his message. He teaches water safety to dogs.