Monday 22 October 2018

Quick Meal Ideas #LifeThisWeek


The other day Mr (almost) 10 woke up bleary eyed and immediately asked me that dreaded question: What are we having for dinner?

Before breakfast.

Seriously?

In fact, it's common for him to not only ask what's for dinner, but what's for dinner TOMORROW.  Didn't I just feed them yesterday?



Needless to say, I am constantly thinking about what to feed people. Of course. the obvious solution would be to set up a meal plan. I haven't done that as yet, so maybe I will at some point. I kinda just go with whatever I have on hand in the fridge and pantry, and buy whatever's on special.

Since I'm at home (mostly), it makes more sense to do a small to medium shop a couple times a week instead of one big shop. I waste less this way as well.

When it comes to cooking, sometimes I like it, and other times I'd rather poke my eyeballs out. Therefore it's good to have a few quick and easy meal ideas. Because I'd really rather keep my eyeballs. They come in handy for seeing stuff, and also crossing them for good luck. Why just rely on your fingers?

I digress. As usual. Moving on.

One of my favourite go to recipes lately is a quick red chicken curry I got out of a Coles magazine. So I can't take the credit for it. It's this:

You brown chopped chicken breast or thigh fillets (whatever's on special- see above) in a little olive oil. Then remove and cook roughly chopped red capsicum with a third of a cup of red curry paste. Add the chicken again and a tin of coconut milk or cream. Chuck in some baby spinach and serve with rice. I vary the veggies depending what I have on hand.

Another current favourite is a noodle stir fry. We've progressed to two out three boys eating these things now. I'll call that a win. Mr (almost) 10 is a plain meat, potatoes and corn kinda guy, like his dad was when I met him. That's OK. I definitely would never have eaten anything remotely curry like at age ten. He'll get there.

Of course you wouldn't be Australian if you didn't resort to a good old BBQ chook with rolls and salad. Laziest easiest meal ever!

Then there's always lazy shove-it-in-the-oven dinners. Pies, pizzas etc. Certainly not the healthiest option, but sometimes necessary for your mental health. We try to compensate by having a juice or green smoothie. Admittedly, not as good as eating your greens, but better than nothing.

We're also breakfast or lunch for dinner kinda people, so we might have toasted sandwiches, bacon and eggs or pancakes for dinner. Not all of them at once, you understand, just one or the other.

By now I'm sure you're getting the district impression that we're health fanatics and living our best lives. Correct.

Pancakes for dinner = Best life.

I serve them with fresh berries so it's healthy!!

HMPH. You're just jealous.

That's a wrap.

Boys will be home soon asking that question...

What's for dinner?

What are your quick meal ideas?

Sunday 21 October 2018

Flowers Of Truth: A Story #FridayReflections




Stella stood at the window staring. Waiting. Always, waiting. It was barely past dawn and a dismal wet day. She couldn't sleep. As soon as she'd gotten the text, she'd left the cocoon of her bed. No doubt they'd be back in there very soon anyway. He was on his way.

Finally, irrevocably, he was leaving Sarah. He'd promised to tell her last night. At last, they could be together. No more furtive five am trysts, late night emails, secret texts and stolen afternoons at motels. She'd never planned to become 'the other woman'. It wasn't something you aspired to. And it wasn't in Stella's determined nature to be a pushover.

"It's just that you deserve so much more," her best friend Donna would frequently remind her. Of course she did. She knew that. That's why she'd given Dale an ultimatum. Leave his wife or it's over.

Besides, people like Donna didn't get it. She'd married Gary soon after university. One of those dependable decent guys, and they seemed happy enough. But Stella wanted more. She wanted to be swept off her feet and dazzled. To not settle.

As soon as she'd seen Dale Kingsley it was like a juggernaut to her heart. Every inch of his six foot frame exuded charisma. With his movie star looks, and take charge confidence, he was the quintessential alpha male. In fact, his only flaw as far as she could see, was his wife.

Stella sighed, glancing at her phone. Where was he? It was drizzling after a downpour overnight. The street was grey and sodden, lined with bins waiting to be collected. The lid had tipped off one directly opposite her flat, and an empty milk carton sailed along the water logged gutter. Someone had drawn a crude penis on the lid. She certainly wouldn't miss this neighborhood.

They planned to move to their dream home near the beach. Stella thought about everything as she peered anxiously outside, hoping to see Dale's sleek sports car glide into the street.

Technically, Dale had been separated when they met. He was her boss at the major insurance company she worked for as a team leader. Falling for the boss was such a cliche. Even more so was her belief that it must have been fate. They'd bonded over being the only two tea drinkers in an office full of coffee addicts. Then came the emails. First they were professional, then friendly, before becoming flirtatious. Soon, they were seeing each other outside of work. It was the most romantic, whirlwind, joyous thing.

He hadn't hid the fact that he was married, but assured her they were separated. The strain of years of infertility had proved too much for the marriage.

"I think she wanted a baby more than she wanted us," Dale explained sadly. Dale had been ambivalent about parenthood from the start. Stella felt the same way. She valued other things besides babies. They must be meant for each other.

Then came the devastating news. Dale decided to go back to Sarah, at least for now. His mother in law had been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer and Sarah wasn't coping well emotionally. It wasn't the right time.

Stella had been beside herself, but in the end realized Dale was trying to do the right thing. They tried to stay apart, but it was no use. The fire between them was too intense. She agreed to see him on the side.

To her surprise, part of her enjoyed the thrill of secrecy. They had all the fun and excitement without all the tedious parts of a relationship. Sure, she hated the idea of hurting another woman, but Sarah Kingsley didn't have it so bad. She had a beautiful home in the leafy northern side of Sydney, while Stella was stuck out in the dreary western suburbs in a ground floor flat.

Stella frowned and looked at her phone again. There were no frantic messages. No promises to be here ASAP. This was the bad side, the stark reality of the relationship. The lying, the waiting, guessing, always being second best in Dale's life. No more. His mother in law had passed away a few months ago. It was time to move on with their lives.

Stella thumbed in the words:

Where r u? I'm waiting!!!

She thought of adding something sexy but she was too irritated. Her phone pinged a few minutes later.

Sorry, babe. Can't make it. Will make it up to you. Talk later.

WHAT?! She typed again.

Did you tell her???

Not yet. But I will. Promise.

Stella threw her phone down and stomped to her tiny kitchen. The table was set with tea cups and a plate of pastries. She dumped them in the trash, then slumped at the table sobbing.

The door buzzer sounded startling her. Maybe Dale was here after all! She flew to the door.

"Delivery! Sign here!"

Stella signed, then took in the box. It was the most glorious box of pink blooms with a love heart nestled amongst them.

The message was simple:

Two hearts that beat as one. Soon we'll be together. Love you forever, Dale.

The smarmy bastard, Stella thought. But she felt herself melting. Begrudgingly, she breathed in the roses. Everything would be alright.

The next day she strode into the office, replenished. She'd dressed to impress in a fitted sheath and killer heels. Move over Meghan Markle. People were always telling Stella she looked like the princess. Stella thought it was more of an attitude. She hated being a victim, preferring to take charge. She'd sort things out with Dale. After all, there was sure to be a reasonable explanation. Not to mention, the roses. Stella glowed as remembered them in pride of place in her living room.

Reaching her work station, she averted her eyes from her colleagues. They'd transformed from cubicle hell into an open plan office. An even worse hell when you wanted privacy. She needed to email Dale.

Marita Britton was not to be deterred. She was the obligatory office gossip and chatterbox. Stella wasn't in the mood for her now, but it was good to keep her on side.

They exchanged cursory greetings. "Love your dress!" Marita's eyes flickered enviously over Stella's svelte frame.

"Thanks," she replied, distracted.

"Great news about Dale, isn't it?

"What news?" Stella concentrated on sounding unconcerned.

"He's gonna be a dad! His wife's expecting!"

Shell shocked, Stella stumbled on her heels. Gingerly she sunk into her swivel chair. There must be some sort of mistake!

"Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Marita squinted at her.

"I'm fine!" Stella snapped herself out of it.

Marita shrugged. "Okay, seeya." She sauntered off, leaving a shaken Stella groping for her laptop.

Deftly, she logged on and did the unthinkable. The thing she'd vowed never to do. Within seconds she'd typed the name Sarah Kingsley into Facebook. There she was. A winsome blonde with oceanic blue eyes. She was really real. And more than that. She was BEAUTIFUL.  Stella felt ill, but kept scrolling. Then she nearly fainted.

Sarah had typed a long status:

So this happened! Dale and I are thrilled to announce we're now 18 weeks pregnant!!! This has been an incredibly long journey, therefore we couldn't wait to find out if the nursery should be pink or blue! IT'S PINK!!!!

The final insult was in the images posted alongside the status. Sarah and Dale beaming and a glorious arrangement of pink flowers. The exact same type of arrangement he'd sent Stella.

The same fucking flowers!

Stella read the comments, all of them gushing and congratulatory. Then she gasped audibly at one:

So proud of you, my daughter. Cannot wait to be a Grandma!

Was this the same mother in law who was meant to be deceased?!

Suddenly, Stella began typing as if she were possessed. It was surreal, as if she was outside of herself spectating. She was incandescent with rage, only wanting to lash out, wound, the way she was wounded. Before she knew it, she'd hit send. Sarah Kingsley's perfect pink world was about to be annihilated. Along with her philandering husband.

Stella stood and propelled herself to Dale's office. She didn't bother knocking, storming past his bewildered PA. He was deep in conversation with several other suits. She ignored them, seething at her lover.

"Stella!" Dale looked stricken.

"YOU LYING SON OF A BITCH!" She thundered.

"FUCK YOU AND YOUR FUCKING FLOWERS!"

The entire office was agog. The normally contained Stella Conway was unraveling. So it was TRUE, they all whispered.

"I KNEW it!" Marita gloated.

SIX MONTHS LATER...

Stella signed the contract with a satisfied flourish.

"Congratulations," Kevin Bannister, the head of HR shook her hand. "You show great leadership."

"I won't let you down." She'd done it. A promotion! And not just any promotion. She was replacing Dale, who'd left shortly after all the brouhaha.

Later, she'd be signing yet another contract. She could finally afford her own place! No man needed. There had been a couple of changes for Dale, she'd heard. His newborn daughter, and a bitter divorce.

She felt a twinge of guilt knowing her own part in the latter, but in the end she was glad Sarah had had enough gumption to choose single parenthood over a farcical marriage. Maybe she'd thank Stella one day. Well, that was probably going too far, but good luck to her.

Stella reached her new office and sighed with satisfaction. She spun her swivel chair and let out a long squeeee. There was a tap on the door. It was Marita. Her new PA. Like she always said, it was a good idea to keep the queen of office gossip as her ally.

" Your latte!" Marita handed her a coffee. Stella could never drink tea again.

THE END.

Linking up for Friday Reflections.








Monday 1 October 2018

Something Anything #LifeThisWeek


Greetings earthlings. It is I, the one and only Ness of Nessville, back to thrill you with the monumental happenings of my grand existence.

For instance, today's highlight involved cleaning out the fridge. This is a phenomenon known as 'living the dream'.

In other news, I also made some beds, folded laundry, patted my dog and cooked fried rice. (Auto correct wanted me to say I cooked friends, but I can assure you I've never done that).

Anyway, as you can imagine, I certainly needed a lie down after all this, to recover from all the excitement. Especially considering that for much of the past week I have resembled what can only be described as a human slug.

A snotty, sniffling, sneezing, snivelling, sooky human slug. This is what happens when your offspring decide to generously share their germs. Rude.

I endured unimaginable suffering for DAYS. Gallons of water were consumed. Copious piles of tissues were disposed of as plaintive piano music moped piteously in the background. Well, it should have been anyway. Sniff.

I mean, I was most certainly DYING from this hideous Man Cold. If I got it from my boys that makes it a Man Cold and therefore dire and tragic. In desperation I turned to my faithful husband, the marvellous Mickey Blue Eyes.

"Can you please get me some Sudafed or Cold Eze tablets?" I implored. Dutifully he set off, traipsing to the chemist on foot. He's one of these people who walk a lot, not a sloth creature like yours truly. Ahem.

He left me languishing in my sluggish state. Some time later I heard a loud clap of thunder. Oh dear, I thought, hoping he wasn't caught in a downpour. Or worse still, struck by lighting. The sky lit up at that precise minute and I shuddered fearfully.

I am prone to catastrophising. Oops. Minutes later I heard the gate clatter and a breathless Mickey Blue Eyes arrived, wet but triumphant. I had my drugs. I fell upon them as if they were cake, my preferred drug.

I am now slightly less slug like. And let me just add that this is what true love looks like, people. Do you understand what I'm saying?

Things have been a tiny bit gloomy to be honest. In a sad turn of events, a friend of Mickey Blue Eyes passed away unexpectedly, two weeks ago, leaving him despondent and adding to a general malaise.

Meanwhile, school holidays arrived in all their glory. This means that three ravenous boys demand food incessantly from the minute they awake until they again succumb to slumber. On the plus side, Mr 17 is keen to cook pancakes quite frequently. Winning.

In the midst of my man cold, I made myself some restorative soup, and I think we can all agree this is fascinating information.

Unfortunately, I missed a planned excursion to the city with my TAFE class. ( TAFE stands for Technical And Further Education for any non Australians playing along). Can't remember if I have mentioned the course, but yes I am doing this for two days a week until December. Then if all goes to plan I will proceed to study for a Library Diploma thingy via TAFE digital.

Meanwhile, I've applied for several jobs, getting a politely worded rejection email from one and crickets chirping from the rest. Is that a thing now? You don't hear anything unless you progress to interview? Oh well. It's all a learning process. I'll get there.

What does this week hold? Some boring appointments and shopping. Then next week I am catching up with some girlfriends for lunch. Looking forward to it! With the added bonus that I should be completely germ free by then. Yippee!





And that is all I have to report. We are perpetual plodders. So until next time I'll be over here plodding along. 

As Mickey Blue Eyes would say, take it easy and I'll catch up with you later. Adios.

What's happening in your world?