A hearty welcome to 2011

A New Year will dawn in about 7 hours. I am not a New Years resolution type of person but all I hope for is good health, peace and happiness.

Today I have started moving all the books from the study so that they can be moved into the new study and I came across a journal titled "Indoors - the Trust House Review" April 1954 which is a housekeeping type journal and I was intrigued by the following menu on the front cover.

Soups - Clear and mock turtle

Entrees - Mutton Cutlets and Croquettes

Roasts - Chickens, Ducks, Lamb and Beef

Sweets - Sir Watkin Pudding, Tarts, Custards, Blanc Mange.

I love these old fashioned journals and I am now going to google what exactly is a Sir Watkin Pudding!!

Movies Day

Monday morning - time for Christmas leftovers to be disposed of!! The weather is rain rain rain and super muggy. With that in mind I have just booked tickets for the flicks. Grandparents and bunnies are seeing Gullivers Travels and we are seeing The Little Fockers.

Some more divine pictures from Hamptons Real Estate.

Boxing Day

I am enjoying a rather lazy day with my family. It is steadily raining and the ocean water is a brilliant navy blue. I am doing my usual internet search and I found this divine picture from Celerie Kemble Interiors I love love love blue and white, it is my steadfast favourite combination. The junior bunnies are slowly moving from toy to toy and the lego building is nearly finished!! I am obsessed with Lego and have recently become a member of the the Lego club. Time to indulge in more olive and potato salad XXOO

Relaxing at Mum and Dads

I feel like I am on holidays at my parents house!! Nice water views, rainy weather which I am enjoying and not much to do except read, sleep and relax. More last minute shopping with Dad and boys this morning and I have just set the jelly for the trifle - pink grapefruit flavour !!! Who knew the flavours are getting exotic!! Nearly forgot to wear my wig today but remembered at last minute. My hair (wig) looks so perfect - not a hair out of place, very blonde and proper. An interesting change from my normal short blonde.

The kids are getting along for most of the time and are learning to try and manage their own differences (at times) which is lovely for me. I am trying not to think of the next chemo which is hard but try and focus on the 8th March (final chemo) when I will be finished. I am much more tired after this round but am not complaining as in a wierd way I am the happiest and least stressed I have been in the last two years and I enjoying and nurturing the important things in life.

If I felt like a seachange I would like to buy the beautiful house above on www.hamptonsrealestate.com and live near the beach!!

Mummy's Wish

I arrived home from a little last minute Xmas running around to find a large parcel at my front door which is not unusual at it is Xmas. I ripped open the parcel to find a Pamper Pack from a wonderful not for profit organisation called Mummy's Wish. I can say with my heart full of love that gestures of kindness do make this challenge easier. I have opened my heart like never before to the loving kindness of people and it will be with me forever now. Every morning I wake I tell myself that "I am alive" and these three words are all I need to go forward. Another question that I am going to ask myself every day is "What have I done today to help someone else?"

On that note I have attached a pic of my lovely pamper pack and also of the White Xmas tree or what the kids call the "nice tree" as the other tree is covered in all sorts of homemade toilet roll objects, the homemade tree is my favourite!!

Another pic of my bunnies - XOXO

Monday morning - Christmas on its way!!

I am slowly coming out of the first post chemo week fog. A little housework today and I will try and get the washing done today so that it will dry before it rains again.

Last night I had an angel drop of a leek and feta frittata with slow roasted tomatoes in olive oil. Food is a healing source for me at the moment, it can lift your spirits and offer soothing comfort. I am not trying to lose weight with each chemo but it seems to be a short term side effect for me at the moment. Anyway if there has to be a bonus this will be it!!!

I am making a quick last minute Christmas shopping list, I am charge of pudding so I will going to Clayfield Markets to buy perfect little pavlova meringues to have with fresh cream mango, banana and passionfruit, jelly trifle for the junior bunnies and hubby has requested something chocolate!!! Anyway I do not doubt that we will have enough food as my dear mum is making about 5-6 courses for 4 adults.

I have just spoken to the Angel chef who has informed me that she has just been blessed with a Kitchen Aid Mixer in Gloss Cherry Red --aggghh such a decorative piece for the kitchen.

Happy Christmas Shopping XO

Xmas Goodies

Lashings of lemon butter
Yuletide logs with mousse, rasberry coulis and fresh cream
Divine Marzipan fruits and rum balls loaded with Bundaberg Rum are but a few delectable Christmas offerings from the Welsh Lady highly worth a sample or two or three or twenty!!

In the spirit of looking forward I have decided that for Hubbys birthday next year I am going to have a dinner party of about 6 friends (post chemo of course) style my me and the birthday cake/desert will be from the Welsh Lady - desert (Raspberry and Apple Tart) followed by Chocolate Mousse Cake for Hip Hip hooray. Now the thought if this makes me happy. Only 2 more dishes to think of .............

Chemotherapy Fog

As I slowly emerge from the second fog that is chemo I cant help but wonder and wish for time to be super quick!!! Even knowing the sickness, feeling like crap is all good does not take away from the pain of the moment. But that is just it - a pain in a moment. "This too shall pass." Today I am looking at exotic getaway desinations for my post cancer treatment options and so far Fiji and the Maldives are looking supremely ideal. Sun, relaxation and all of that to look forward to.

I am loving my water icypoles at the moment and healthy food to alleviate the quesiness. I have also convinced dear husband to move my study so that will be focus for the moment. Floor to ceiling bookshelves, a nice built in desk, a lovely big rug, nice lamp and oversized reading chair, lots of photos, a few quirky beloved decor items, plantation shutters and whatever else takes my fancy!!! I am liking the functionality of the built in desk above @ www.realestate.com.au

School is out!

Balmy day today in sunny/rainy Queensland. Boys are home from school which is lovely, no more running around, no school lunches, homework agghh I love holidays. Lets hope th fighting and boredom is kept to a minimum.

My hair is now coming out in quite large clumps. Dear husband has his workXmas party tonight so will leave for now even though it looks like carpet and then hoover my hair tomorrow, how liberating. At least it is Summer and I will have a very cooling hair do!! Next chemo is next week so trying not to think of that really.

Loving the fact that it is Xmas very soon, have spent spent and spent and loved every minute of it. I am thinking of further renovations upstairs at the moment and will get hubby painting the new study, followed by installation of existing bookshelves (from other bedroom), new plantation shutters, re upholstery of very old and comfortable chair. I think I am love with the Quadrille paradise on raspberry tint (picture to side).

Losing my Hair

Nearly 2 weeks after my 1st chemotherapy session I am beginning to lose my hair. A little bit real and a tad sad but overall good.

It is coming in clumps and my scalp is very itchy. The boys keep telling me I will be a beatiful Mummy bear wth no hair! On a happy note I think my Xmas 2010 shopping is all but done. I have my 2nd chemo next week so I will be feeling better my Xmas day.

A bit tired tonight but had a fun day shopping and picked my Tiffany wants. A ball braceley with a pink cupcake charm.

Below is another yummy kitchen from the Elle Decor website.

A few pics of the favourites in life!!

Happy Birthday Daddy - a little Jocelyns chocolate number - yum yum!!

A few Chrismas yummies please !!

A few yummies from 1st Dibbs

End of the year!!

So the end of the school year approaches. I have not posted since March and OMG the last 4 months have been life changing to say the least. Anyway blogging makes me happy so I am back on the bandwagon!

My baby bunnies finish school (Prep and Year 2). I am sooo proud of them and it is an absolute privilege to be their mummy bear. They are growing up fast.

I have been participating in the obligatory Christmas shopping fun - fav spends so far are L'Occitane VIP day, online Lego and apple shipped to U.S (love that U.S $).

Since I have been home more lately I been doing a few house things - I am ready to purchase some bentwood chairs from Sydney and then get some lovely chair pads made. I am thinking of fabrics and will post when I find the perfect one.

Looking forward to sleeping tonight - my bed is heaven.

Love

Kirsty

Ladybugs

A tiring night after work, Joeys etc - Tom made Witchety Grubs and I quite love the desperate dingo dance. Tom was inducted as a Joey this evening (junior cubs!!) which he loved.

I have a bit of a ladybeetle love at the moment and always love it when I find one. I tell the boys that they are goodluck craetures which they love.

I like this little cup on etsy - I am worried it may break but for that price I might risk it!!!

Nearly end of the week!!! Loving that

New Year - New Blogging efforts

In theory I should have more time to devote to at least a weekly blog.

So far this year my youngest babe has started Prep, the house renovations are all finished ( builders anyway) but lots of little jobs to do.

Work is going well - excellent in fact and life so far is good. Mind you an overseas trip is never far from my mind.

At the moment I am organising a gorgeous irish linen bedskirt (with ribbon) not too pretty but a classis look and I love linen.

I am thinking of using GP & J Baker pineapples on an old chair for the bedroom as well but that will require a little saving as the fabric is expensive but worth the wait.

I love the above outdoor picture from Shelter Interior Design Blog I will start posting some housey pics soon.

Love

KD XXOO