Favourite Things From May

Hi friends, it’s great to be back today for Friday Favourites. I haven’t shared much about what’s been going on in my world as I’ve mostly been doing travel recaps, so I thought I’d do a quick round-up of some favourite things from May.

Before I jump in, here are the links to my travel recaps if you’d like to catch up:

Singapore

Tokyo

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

Tokyo Dome Baseball Game

Osaka: Dotonbori Day and Night

The Osaka Aquarium

Now onto my favourite things from May

A Day Out in Manly with Friends

We kicked off May with a day out to Manly with some friends. These lovely ladies are keen to do day-out adventures every couple of months, and this was our first outing. We had such a lovely day, and the weather felt more like spring than autumn.

We caught the ferry from Circular Quay,

then walked around Manly for a while, enjoying the beautiful beachside suburb before we found a place for lunch.

We talked for hours over delicious food and a glass (or three) of wine.

Before we knew it, the sun was setting, and it was time to head home.

Our next day out will be on the 4th of July, and this time we’re heading south to Thirroul. I love having fun outings to look forward to.

Mother’s Day

It was Mother’s Day on the 10th of May, and I bought two bunches of pink roses — one for me and one for my mum in heaven. After four years of not being able to stand having flowers at home, this year I was finally ready to.

When my mum passed, I was lovingly inundated with the most beautiful flowers from family and friends. I loved every single arrangement, and the love that came through with each gift was exactly what I needed. The problem for me was that flowers wilt and eventually die, and every time I had to throw a dead bunch out, my heart broke. I really struggled with that for a long time.

For the last four years, Mother’s Day has been tough, tougher than birthdays and Christmas. My family know this, so we spend the day together and keep things low-key. This year we did just that and had a lovely day.

I’m also happy with myself that I was able to enjoy having these pretty pink roses on my dining room table for almost two weeks. I’m also looking forward to more bunches, especially in spring. It feels like I’ve taken a quiet step forward, which is really great because I do love flowers.

I Found My Lipsticks

In May, I finally rounded up all my lipsticks… they were hiding in every handbag I own.

A Cute Lamp

I love different types of lighting around the house and very rarely have the ceiling downlights on. I think I only ever turn them on if I drop something and can’t find it. So when I saw this cute lamp in Kmart, I couldn’t resist it. It sits so nicely on the dining room table, and it’s rechargeable. What a find!

Autumn Weather Lately

Oh my goodness, it’s been so warm this autumn, and I’m not complaining. No sir! I love that I’ve been able to go out in a light shirt and just throw a jumper over my shoulders just in case.

It’s been raining on and off this week, mostly on. But let’s not talk about that and stick with the positive. It’s still mostly warm enough for T-shirts and shorts around the house.

Swim Club Presentation Night

Last Friday was my husband’s swim club presentation evening. He couldn’t go because he had to work, so I went on his behalf to collect his two trophies.

This is a standout moment for both of us. For Steve, it’s because he loves to swim, is super competitive, and these trophies mean the world to him. For me, I can’t swim, and I have never won a trophy in my life. So I get to experience the thrill of winning… without actually doing any of the winning. It’s a win-win!

Favourite Meals In May

We enjoyed some yummy meals out. Like breakfast at the Flower Power Cafe, where I had the scrambled eggs with avocado on sourdough.

Steve and I also shared the pancakes. They were too good, and next time I think there may be no sharing on my part.

Can never go wrong with pizza for dinner!

Quiet meals at home are always a favourite, and we all love a juicy steak with chips and salad. I’m getting better at pan-frying them medium-rare. This one I cooked for two and a half minutes on each side, but next time I’m going to try two and a half on one side and two on the other. I want the steak just a touch rarer.

I know my husband, the chef, could make them perfect as he has the technique down pat. But it’s a personal challenge, and I really want to master it myself.

Cousin Connect in May

In May, we had Cousin Connect at our place, and it was Mexican night. Well, mostly Mexican, with nachos, rice, and street corn salad. I also made sliders, which aren’t Mexican but still delicious.

We were missing six family members this month, but I love that we still catch up even when we can’t all make it. Fingers crossed for next month!

And those were my favourite things from May. It was a great month, except for this week when I came down with a really bad cold that kept me home from work for most of the week. I went in today for the first time, and now I’m not feeling great, so I’m wondering whether that was the best decision. I should probably have taken the whole week off, but I always feel so guilty taking time off, even though I have months of sick leave.

This weekend is all about rest so I can recover properly. I hope you have an amazing weekend, and thanks so much for stopping by 😊