Hot!

The hot weather has definately caught up on us. It finally feels like summer, in all its humid and stormy glory.

Last month has been slighly more hectic than usual. I've been running around Brisbane (all before work of course) trying to find myself an orthodontist to straighten my teeth. It all started with 1) me resigning to the fact, which isn't all that bad really, that we won't be doing any extensive travelling over the next year (or at least until the project ends). Hence having some spare funds to finally straighten my teeth, and 2) I turn 25 next June and in private health terms, I get 'cut off' from my parents' all encompassing cover (i.e. highest possible). I have always shyed away from traditional 'train-tracks' braces because I'm the biggest wuss when it comes to pain. I remember back in Secondary school years the parents offered to pay all of $2000 for me to have straight teeth and I said no. The last few years there has been offers of "paying half" and I still wasn't quite sure. You see, I don't really mind how my teeth look but in recent times have learnt that their crooked overcrowded nature have their consequences that I don't yet have to pay for but will come haunt me in later years. Back in 2006 I saw the ad for Invisalign and thought - hey, maybe I can have straight teeth after all with no pain. But funds were short back then and there was much travelling to do (and rent to pay). Long story short, after seeing 4 orthodontists and 1 dentist, with 3 sets of completely different opinions, I have found the ortho who will fix my teeth with no extraction and with Invisalign. PHEW! This treatment will commence Jan/Feb next year and I can't wait.

In other news, lots of new (hot) summer receipes have emerged from my kitchen. I made indian lamb rissoles/meat patties yesterday and another favourite is a chicken salad. I must get around to photographing them and post receipes here.

Pat, our dear budgie, has grown to be quite the personality around our eating table. He takes baths on 30 degree days, kicks around his soccer ball, learnt to play soccer with grapes and has shown to be quite the inquisitive, acrobatic bird.

home at night time

I am very seldom home by myself at night time.

Tonight I have a spare several minutes - luxury! Our little home during the day is full of happy noises, Pat Norman chirping and dinging his bell/wheel, children learning at school across the road, Don next door chainsawing wood (he's quite the handyman!). In my mind, there is always a clear list of 'things to do'; usually what to cook and if it would fit in if I went to the gym/sauna/steam room.

At night the same space as such a cosy, retro feel to it! I definitely feel like I miss out!! I currently have The Audrey's 'When The Flood Comes' CD playing on the CD player and Pat slowly waking up (sorry Pat!) next to me clicking his beak and looking curious. Everything's slow and quiet, so nice! Take a peak at our lounge room. There are more than one thing out of place, clothes to be washed and bits and pieces lying around from the week that's gone past.  During the day time it I often feel the urge to 'have' to put them away. In tonight's peaceful atmosphere, they seem happy where they are and in the scheme of things, it is these 'things' that make a home homely.

During this busy time of November and lots of happenings each weekend, it is nice to sit with a glass of water (if the weather was cooler I'd say tea) to be relaxed, tired but happy.

Five things

Work has been a little more hectic than usual in the last week. I have had nights where I hop into bed just as the birds outside start chirping. It actually felt comforting as it reminded me of university days; where me hopping into bed around that time usually comes attached with a feeling of fulfilment after pulling an all nighter to finally go to bed with one less assignment on the shoulders.

Each weekend of the next month is filled with fun activities. We have one engagement party, one trip to the beach and hinterland, one trip up a mountain, one 100km ride (not me, thankfully), one band competition (again, not me), one down to the tunnel where I work. November/December for us has almost always classically been filled with lots. Hopefully we've timed it correctly this year such that our busiest time during the crazy-time-of-year is in November with a few breather weekends in December before we plunge head first into the holiday season where everyone else in this (inevitably car dependent) continent is also on holiday (read: road madness!)

This has been on my mind for quite some time now so here goes my list....

5 things that I have made an effort to change/am going to make an effort to change in the near future:
1) No more buying of water in disposable bottles (I'm not sure how I'd go when we do go overseas when water out of a tap is a no-no..cross that bridge when we come to it I guess)

2) No more buying of commercialised cosmetics/skincare/haircare/household cleaning. Have you read how much palm oil derivatives those $3 bottles of shampoo contains? Not to mention tons of chemicals and petroleum derivatives!! Ideally I would love to make my own but I see that as a not now but maybe 5-10 years down the track change. I've been using jojoba oil and rose hip oil (certified organic of course) as moisturiser and they work a charm!!

3) Home cooked meals. At the moment it is that way for during the work week. I think that's good enough for now?

4) 30 minutes of exercise. I have this fear of 'don't use it and lose it'. My grandmother is (unfortunately) a specimen. She has trouble walking and I can slowly see my parents going down that track. Coming from Singapore, any activity that involves perspiring is a no-no. "too hot" seems to be an acceptable excuse to lead to older aged immobility. I have been victim to that myself until 3 years ago after a total of 18km of bush walking left me with swollen knee caps and practically bed ridden for 2 weeks..not. fun. Can you imagine feeling like that every day for the rest of your days?? 

5) Learn to ride the bicycle (again). Falling over the handle bars has left me scarred. I think 4 years is enough recovery time.

I'll have another list of probably 5 other food related changes that I would like to make.

Recent snaps

the boys watching TV while it rained outside

first proper day of blue skies, blooming jacarandas and green green grass

Turn off from the motorway into Fernvale - we made the trek down to Wivenhoe Dam to inspect the water levels; the whole of Brisbane seemed to have the same idea. Fernvale pie shop had its best day in 25 years of pie sale the day before we went!

clearly a recently flooded dam

snakey wanted sun too - apparently this is an Eastern Brown...I'm yet to be convinced.

an idea of where the water levels reached pre-opening of flood gates

Pat Norman on my lamp shade. I like the blue, white and red contrast.

black and white cormorants also enjoying the vast waters

Falafel wraps

I'm into wraps these days. I've had 2 dinner parties with vietnamese spring rolls and I've made falafels for the first time today. Hooray for summerish cooking. Last week I had a scary mind block as to what to cook in the coming hotter weather!

Most essential ingredient: parsley (as endorsed by Pat Norman) and garlic, lots of both!

I cheated this time and used a pre-mixed dried falafel mix. I was very please with the outcome and even more impressed with the ingredients list on the box ($2.39) - chickpeas, garlic, herbs and spices, salt! No Flavour 2345 or Colouring E23! All I did was mix the dried mixture with water, stand for 10 minutes and started making these balls. Shallow fry in approx. 1cm oil in a smallish saucepan (to minimise oil usage and splatter).

Tabouleh - a variation from the norm: Parsley, half a red onion, 2 tomatoes, lots of lemon juice

Zesty falafel sauce: 1 cup yoghurt, as much mint as you want, 1 small cucumber, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, ground cumin to taste and garlic (I'm a huge fan so I put in 4-5 cloves I believe 1 should be ample).

I used a lebanese wholemeal flat bread. On pile the hommus, yoghurt sauce, salad veggies (I used spinach and rocket today), tabouleh, chilli (I can't go without, sorry!) and smash the falafel balls a bit. Roll, then eat! Yummo!

Good weekend

I had a really wonderful weekend. It started on Friday. The boy and I decided to have 'date night'. It was extra special because we didn't have to use the car! We walked across the train station (about 200 metres from our house) to the Graceville Regal Twin Cinemas. There is this movie that we've wanted to see for awhile, it's called The Reluctant Infidel. We both have heard the main character have an interview on John Safran and Father Bob's show 2 sundays ago and he sounded like an interesting fellow. The movie was really good, tasteful comedy.. I particularly enjoyed how they played down religious fundamentalists. I would say, almost making fun of them without discriminating. These days fundamentalists seem to equal terrorist group.

To eat or to sleep that is the question!

After the movie, we then walked about 5 minutes in search for dinner. We found the best Thai restaurant - Siam Sunset. I had green papaya salad for the first time (despite having been to Thailand twice). It was heaven, just hit the spot for me after a big box of popcorn! It is a really simple dish and I know how to make it. I just need to source dried shrimp (West End markets or any Asian grocer) and some kalamansi lime (my dad's garden). It has shredded carrot, green mango, green papaya, bean sprouts, coriander, fresh chilli, red onion and garlic all tossed in with pound dried shrimp with the lime juice. I then washed it down with a glass of young coconut juice. Bliss!
On Saturday I attended a good friend's birthday party which was very well catered for - oh the desserts!!! I was glad to be able to prepare a side dish, roast potatoes. Sunday was another winner. We did some chores, walked in the rain (something that I'm getting better at doing), went to the shops and hung out with our Pat Norman.

Pat Norman looking very relaxed perched on a shoulder

Update

Lots of things have been happening around here with not enough time to write about everything!
First, we bought a new budgie about 2-3 weekends ago. His name is Pat Norman and he looks like the sky and is one of the most affectionate birds I know!

Second, this spring/summer/storm season seems to have cut short my sleeping hours not in a bad way. Note to self - change out of the 100% goose down doona!!
Third, plans are underway for our 6th year anniversary. Last year we made our maiden trip to North Stradbroke Island and that was heaps fun! This year we're going bush - off to Mt Warning we go!
Fourth, progress has been made for Christmas/New Year this year and it is looking mighty exciting!
Melbourne/Southern Victoria here we come!
Fifth, free tickets to Sunset Sounds via The Wilderness Society is looking very promising - woohoo!! Have you seen the line up this year??
And lastly, the cooking is still happening daily in my kitchen!

Wordless Wednesday

 

here for more 

Last Weekend

I had a lovely weekend that's just passed. Lots and lots of chores that the boy and I conquered. Mind you, there's still a basket full of laundry to be washed!!! We have this thing called a Clothes Monster that inhabits in our bedroom and it tends to grow and takes a life of its own. Thank god it isn't of dirty laundry! We also conquered the Clothes Monster this weekend. When the next one grows and gets out of hand, I'll remember to take a picture.
There was lots of cooking as usual. Saturday morning I woke craving pancakes....

And so the boy set to cook 'em!

The Pancake Monster

A happy one at that!

I also watched Iron Chef for the first time on Saturday night. It is indeed addictive! I particularly like the fact that there weren't that many ad breaks. I got inspired (not by what they were cooking though) so I set making dessert.

Orange poached pear served with fresh orange, ice cream and of course, cinnamon

That was an accomplishment for me. I always marvelled at poached fruit and used to think of it as a 'too hard' task. It was incredibly easy! I used orange juice (the 100% sort, not concentrate), brown sugar, cloves and cinnmon. Worked!
I want to share these receipes here, if anything, for my own record. I'm a chronic non-follower of receipes. In fact, most of the enjoyment I get from cooking is from the 'conjuring' up factor not as much when I'm constantly following instructions. Apparently this is something that Rhonda (who happens to by my good friend Sandy's MIL!), in her post about homecooking recommends when home-cooking. So, most of the time when I eat something when we eat out and love it, I have to come home to make it and if it doesn't work the first time, I make it again and again till I get the receipe down. Problem is (are), 1) by the time I get the taste right, I'm sick to death of eating that same dish week after week, 2) I get it right after the nth time, and not make it for a long time as per problem 1 and then forget how to make it the next time cos I haven't written it down.
On Sunday Energex rid us of electricity so we set off earlier than usual to the Rocklea markets. We didn't find what we were looking for there and so that took us further South to Wishart...... (to be continued).
Oops, I just spent too long on Eat Blog Sleep. Top blog!!
Time's running out I have to get ready for work soon. I bought this magazine from the news agency just then and LOVE IT. Only for a small price of $3.95!

Nude Food Mag  

To end, here's the top of my To Cook List for next week...

Busy busy!

Spring is here and for some reason, getting up and go feels that bit easier. And although the boy is an all-year-round smoothie lover, I remember declining many a glass for myself while clothed in ugg boots, 2 jumpers, socks and a scarf. The good thing is, waking up at around 11am each morning these days to the sounds of primary school children playing (occasionally screaming, shrieking, teachers yelling...you get the picture) across the road and also the warmth (I refrain from using 'heat'; I know it's coming!!), smoothies are back on my mind as a first thing to consume each day. I drank 500ml (sometimes more) each work day last summer. They don't fully fill you right up but as I worked in an air conditioned office, they seemed to fill me up enough to lunch time at midday (not much physical exertion sitting at the desk!!).
Making smoothies aren't as time consuming as some may think. Here, we tend to used up whichever fruit is ripe, throw in a couple of frozen berries, passionfruit pulp (frozen) if we have any left, orange juice (real juice, not concentrate) and away we go!
This afternoon, I've made fried rice (receipe to come), gone to the shops, visited the yoga place near my house and made a pre-lunch smoothie.
1 banana + 4 good sized strawberries + a handful of frozen blueberries + enough OJ to cover approx. half the amount of fruit in the blender = 500mls of pure fruit (and more than the two-serves of fruit experts recommend)
Cleaning up - the key is to immediately run the blender under the tap and give it a good brush out to remove any remnants (even before you dig into your glass of goodness!). If it's just fruit that we use (no milk), we don't even need to use detergent as there's no smell leftover or any hard-to-scrub out bits.
(through Spring and Summer I hope to share more smoothie receipes and also try mixing selected vegetables in too!)

Kiwi fruit didn't make it into the blender..I couldn't help myself whilst cutting it up!

Happy mid-week to me and almost mid-week to everyone else! (I work Sunday nights to Thursday nights)

Jumping back on

Welcome to littleniteowl. I'm not sure if readers already know this, I work nights (i.e. I leave for work when the normal crowd leaves work.) I have already gotten used to working nights and love it. I started this job 2.5 months ago and I have found the time to reconnect with my love for cooking and general housekeeping. I guess this explains the creation of littleniteowl and also explains where the blog name originates from.
I hope to pen down thoughts and ideas during the day time whilst pottering around our little home.
Stay tuned!