Ruth(playworkeatrepeat), Author at PLAYWORKEATREPEAT

Friday Favourites

Hi, friends, and happy Friday! Did this week fly by for you? It sure did for me! As much as I don’t want to wish my life away, I can’t say I’m sorry to see Friday again—I’m tired! But before I settle in for the evening with my beloved couch, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika to share a few favourites. Thanks so much for stopping by! Is there anything better than food? Ha! I think not! So, butter chicken and rice for dinner on Monday night was a highlight! I love to add some chopped coriander to mine because it tastes so good—zesty and fresh. I also love the word zesty! Steve works on the weekend, so we usually enjoy our ‘weekend’ fun on his days off—Wednesday and Thursday nights. That’s why we had prawns and a glass of wine on a Wednesday night while watching TV. Maybe that’s why the week flies by for me—since Steve’s weekends fall during the week, it kind of feels like I get two weekends… sort of. We started watching a new show called Scrublands. It’s an Australian drama that kicked off very dramatically but then quickly slowed down to a snail’s pace, with about a 20-minute wait between interesting moments. So slow! I can’t say that I’m enjoying it. But it does give me a chance to browse Pinterest, scroll through Instagram, play Candy Crush, and even read a book while I ‘watch.’ Maybe it’ll pick up, so we’re giving it a go. Steve’s into it, and I kind of look up every so often to catch up. Speaking of reading, I dusted off my old Kindle and started Okay Days by Jenny Mustard, and I’m really enjoying it! I’ve been following her YouTube channel for a while now, and I love her minimalist approach to life. She’s all about simple living, mindful routines, minimalist aesthetics, and sustainable fashion. I really admire how she embraces a balanced, less-is-more lifestyle. She’s so inspiring! Back to my favourite topic–food. My usual work lunches are leftovers or whatever I can grab out of the fridge before I fly out the door. I’m never hungry in the mornings, so I’m not inspired to make anything much. Sometimes, I’ll make a salad, but lately, it’s just been grab-and-go. Of course, by the time lunch rolls around, I’m starving and wishing I’d made more of an effort. But today, I had raisin toast with strawberries and a drizzle of honey. It was delicious! I found some honey in the kitchen cupboard at work, and I was pretty excited! It must have been leftover from one of the cooking activities with the children. I don’t usually go for sweet food, especially when it comes to lunch, but maybe I was just excited for sweet Friday! I’m using a new bag for work, and I’m so happy to have retired my old one. This one is much nicer, and I’ve organised all my things into small zipped pouches. I’m determined to keep my work bag tidy all year long—I don’t want old pens, bobby pins, or hair ties cluttering up the bottom of my nice new bag. Goals! I’m looking at a very low-key weekend with no plans other than a trip to our local cafe for coffee and Portuguese tarts tomorrow. On Sunday, I might go for a walk and then give myself a soap nail manicure. You might like to catch my post on soap nails—it’s a fun little DIY treat, perfect for a relaxing weekend! Happy Friday!

Friday Favourites Read More »

Soap Nails: The Clean, Elegant Manicure for 2025

5 Comments / Beauty and Self Care, Home

I have recently noticed that soap nails are a trend for 2025, and I’m super excited about it! I think well-manicured long nails look gorgeous, but long nails just don’t work for me. Even a little bit of length bothers me because they feel heavy and uncomfortable. I’m not sure what it is, but my brain just doesn’t seem to cope with the sensation of long nails. I wonder if it could be a sensory issue. Either way, I get so distracted by them, even when they’re just a tiny bit long, which is why I prefer to keep my nails neat and short. So when I saw some images of soap nails, I was all like – YES! That’s the look for me! What Are Soap Nails? Soap nails are all about sheer, milky, and ultra-glossy nails that look clean and hydrated—like that dewy look your nails have after pulling them out of a frothy sink full of dishwater. Or, for a more luxurious image, think of the fresh, polished finish you get after washing your hands with a beautifully scented bar of soap. They’re a step up from a classic nude manicure, with semi-translucent, neutral tones and a healthy, glass-like shine. Why Sheer, Milky Polish? For a true soap nail effect, use a translucent, milky polish instead of an opaque nude or white. This gives a soft, washed-clean look with your natural nails subtly showing through, making them stand out from a classic solid-coloured manicure. Soap nails just look so effortlessly elegant! What You’ll Need To achieve the perfect soap nails at home, these are the essentials you will need: Nail file and buffer – you want to smooth and shape your nails. Cuticle oil – for nourishing and prepping the nails. Base coat – to give a nice smooth and even finish. Sheer milky polish – look for shades like soft white, sheer pink, or translucent nude. Glossy top coat – this will lock in the ultra-shiny look you want to achieve. Step-by-Step Guide to DIY Soap Nails 1. Prep Your Nails Start with clean, dry nails. File your nails into a natural, soft shape. Lightly buff the surface to create a smooth canvas. Apply cuticle oil and push back cuticles for a clean look. 2. Apply a Base Coat A thin layer of base coat helps your sheer polish apply evenly and last longer. Let it dry completely before moving on to the next step. 3. Layer on a Sheer Milky Polish The key to the soap nail look is a soft colour you can build up to your liking. Apply one thin coat of a milky, semi-transparent polish. Let it dry before adding a second coat for a smooth, jelly-like finish. 4. Lock It in with a Glossy Top Coat A high-shine top coat gives soap nails their signature glossy, wet look. Apply one or two thin coats and let them dry completely. 5. Finish with Cuticle Oil Massage a bit of cuticle oil around your nails to keep them healthy and give them a clean, hydrated look. Tips for the Perfect Soap Nails Stick to sheer, neutral shades for the best effect, and go with thin layers to avoid streaks and keep the finish natural. If they start to lose that shiny, soapy look, just add a quick top coat between manicures. Why I Love Soap Nails! One of the main reasons I love soap nails is that they make short nails look great. They’re neat, shiny, and not loud or bold. That’s just my style, and it doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate long nails with a big vibe—it’s just that I don’t think that style suits me. I’m all about that minimalist look when it comes to dressing—neutral tones, simple pieces, nothing too colourful or dramatic. Soap nails fit perfectly with my love for low-key, quiet fashion. Soap nails are also an easy manicure to do at home, which is a huge win. With the cost of living these days, it’s a serious money-saving bonus!

Soap Nails: The Clean, Elegant Manicure for 2025 Read More »

Hiking The Narrows in Winter

8 Comments / Travel

Hi friends, it’s time for another trip recap, and this time, I’m sharing all about us hiking The Narrows in winter! I’ve just been scrolling through my zillion or so photos before sitting down to write this post. When I look at them, I feel a mix of excitement, nostalgia, awe, and a little tinge of sadness that it’s over, but at the same time, an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I still can’t believe I got to experience so many WOW moments with my family! So, let’s jump into Cousin Connect trip recap, Part 6. Maybe I should stop numbering them because I’m not even halfway through yet. Yikes! What is The Narrows The Narrows is a famous hike in Zion National Park, located in Utah. It follows the Virgin River upstream through a narrow, scenic canyon. The trail is so unique because you actually walk through the river! The water levels ranged anywhere from ankle-deep to waist-deep and in total, the hike is about 16 kilometres round trip. But you can choose to turn around at any point. As you walk along and look up, the canyon walls tower over you, and you feel so small! Rock formations line the river, and the landscape is absolutely breathtaking. The trail is challenging because the riverbed is uneven, and the current is strong in many parts of the hike. The Right Gear for Hiking The Narrows in Winter In the Part 5 recap, I mentioned our visit to Zion Outfitter, where we just made it before closing time to pick up our gear for the hike. Since we were hiking The Narrows in winter, we needed the whole shebang. So, we hired the Dry Bib Package, which included: Dry Bibs: They provided coverage right up to the armpits and kept water out thanks to a (very) tight rubber gasket around the ankles. Neoprene Socks: Kept our feet surprisingly warm and insulated, even though they still got wet. For some reason, I thought neoprene meant waterproof, but I was wrong. Canyoneering Boots: These boots provided excellent grip on both wet and dry rocks with necessary ankle support. Wooden Hiking Stick: Essential for balance and stability. Honestly, I wouldn’t have made it without this stick—and now I totally get why Moses had one, too. He didn’t use it for hiking The Narrows in winter, but leading people through harsh desert terrain would have been tougher without it! The total cost for the Dry Bib Package was USD 55 per person, which worked out to around AUD 87. You can also hire additional items like gloves. But I took my own woollen ones, and I’m so glad I did! I almost left them behind in the van, thinking it would be awkward to pull them off every time I wanted to take a photo. My fingers were numb even with gloves–without them, I don’t even want to imagine. Ouch! Getting Ready and Heading to The Narrows We parked the van at the car park, feeling so excited for our big hiking adventure. The whole process of getting ourselves ready was equal parts funny and frustrating. So many grunts and sighs as we wriggled into the stiff dry bibs and getting those rubber ankle seals over our feet was such a huge effort! It might have been easier to get ready back at the hotel, but then we would’ve had to deal with the challenge of squeezing into the van all suited up. From what I remember, we were also pretty tired the night before and didn’t want to deal with carrying everything up to the rooms after picking up our gear from Zion Outfitter. So I guess the van car park seemed like the most practical option. Once we were all suited up, we set off along the path leading to the start of the hike. It took us about 15 minutes to walk from the van to the entrance of The Narrows. Hiking The Narrows On the day of our hike, the temperature in the morning was -6ºC (21ºF). When Sydney temperatures dip to 16ºC (61ºF) in winter, I start to panic because that feels freezing to me. I guess from now on, our winter temps will seem laughable! I remember that strange sensation when my boot hit the water. It wasn’t like the usual squelch you feel when stepping into a puddle on a rainy day. Instead, the water gently seeped into my boot and neoprene socks (definitely not waterproof). And oh my goodness, the water was so cold! But my legs and body stayed dry, all thanks to the dry bib with its tight rubber seal around the ankle. Loved that dry bib! Hiking The Narrows in winter? Totally doable when you’ve got the right gear. We walked for quite a while, enjoying the scenery before the water level got higher. Everywhere you look—just breathtaking views! I was very surprised by how slippery and uneven the riverbed was. The whole hike was a real process of navigating my feet onto the safest rock I could find, and I had to concentrate really hard before each step. I had watched YouTube videos and read some blogs beforehand, but nothing quite compares to experiencing it firsthand. So it wasn’t like I was unprepared; it was more that I didn’t expect it to be quite so tricky. Slow and steady was the way to go! My cousins J and S had both hiked The Narrows before, but neither their kids nor my family had. Sam and I were first-timers, and Steve wisely opted out of this one; he decided it wasn’t the best idea for him. His new knee was doing great, but the last thing he wanted was to risk a tumble, and I’m so glad he made that choice. He was as happy as a clam to stay back at the hotel, rest, and enjoy the views—and what amazing views they were! We hiked for about two and a half hours

Hiking The Narrows in Winter Read More »

Friday Favourites

7 Comments / Friday Favourites, Home

Hi friends, and happy Friday! It’s time to link up with Andrea and Erika for some Friday favourites. I’m so glad you’re here! On Monday, I blogged about my Sunday reset routine, so I didn’t get around to sharing about our weekend. Here are a few pics from our Cousin Connect dinner on Saturday. Let’s eat! I snapped a pic before we all sat down. This month, it was my turn to host. Since a few cousins couldn’t make it, we managed to fit around the table in my small dining room. I added Sam’s old Ikea table—the one he used as a desk before he bought a height-adjustable, ergonomic one. I threw a white tablecloth over it, and voilà—extra seating! When you live in a small space, you need to get creative. It’s 2025, so it’s time for the cousins to try a new game! I ordered Taboo from Amazon and thought it would be fun to switch things up from our usual board game. I played it years ago with friends, so I knew it would be fun. It’s simple, with easy-to-follow rules—perfect for me because games that involve too much strategy and complicated instructions make me feel the same way I do when I open flat-packed furniture. It was a hit with everyone — so many laughs! The leftovers from our cheese board made the perfect Sunday snack. Another favourite this week was a spur-of-the-moment trip to Ikea after work on Wednesday. It was so quiet—nothing like the weekend crowds. Steve wanted to get a frame for a Father’s Day card our oldest son had drawn for him. He’d been meaning to frame it for ages. While we were there, we also looked at dining tables because we’d love to upgrade to a bigger one—it’s not an urgent need, but it’s definitely on our wish list. When we bought our furniture ages ago, I chose darker colors, but now I’m leaning toward something lighter. The dilemma is whether it will go with everything else. I’m not a fan of everything matching exactly, but I also don’t want things to clash. This oak coloured one extends, which is what we’re looking for. But I think the white table would look better. No rush, though—we’ll keep looking, and I’m excited for more Ikea trips until we decide. Haha, not sure Steve’s as keen as I am—he’s not the biggest fan of Ikea shopping. He prefers to get in and out as quickly as possible, while I love to take my time and wander around. Then, on Thursday, we did something a bit different and went out for cocktails in the evening. There’s a nice rooftop bar not far from where we live called Above 8. Soaking up the last of the hot weather—still feeling very much like summer over here. Nice views as the sun went down and the city lights came on. A couple of weeks ago, I picked up some T-shirts and a pair of shorts from Uniqlo. Perfect for work, and they were 50% off since it’s the end of the season. The shorts are just the right length—not too short—and I love the neutral colours. Neutrals are my favourite! I wore the white T-shirt to work this week. Wearing white to work is always risky, but yay— no paint stains when I got home! Speaking of work, there’s always something to laugh about, even on the most unfunny days. I had the camera in my hand and managed to catch this little guy sticking half his body in our pretend pizza oven…..interesting. And that sums up a few favourite and funny moments from my week. Never a dull moment! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and if you’re enjoying the last days of hot weather like me (it’s 32ºC today), keep cool. If it’s still cold where you are, stay cozy and remember—warmer weather is on its way! Happy Friday!

Friday Favourites Read More »

A Sunday Reset Routine for Self-Care

6 Comments / Home, Life Hacks

My Sunday reset routine used to be about commitments and preparing for the week ahead. Since Sunday was my last chance to get things sorted before work, I felt like I absolutely had to get as much as I could done! It meant that I spent most of Sunday afternoon dealing with leftover household chores, last-minute meal planning and rushing to the grocery shop. Because, yikes, what would we eat next week? Not much fun. My Sundays look a lot different these days, and I couldn’t be happier! Now, my Sunday reset routine isn’t just about getting chores done so I feel as prepared as possible for the dreaded Monday. Poor Monday—it always gets a bad rap. Now, my Sundays are more balanced. Yes, I tackle a few things if I need to, so I’m prepared for the week, but it’s no longer the frustrating rush it used to be. I’m learning to find a balance between being productive and giving myself permission to do things that make me feel good about life—because, as we all know, life is too short! My Sundays are also flexible, which means I might catch up with friends or family or spend the afternoon plonked on the couch. And sometimes, if I feel like it, I’m even up for a shopping trip to the city—because retail therapy can be a fun way to reset! My Sunday Reset Routine Sleeping In There’s nothing better than waking up naturally without an alarm. Now that my kids are grown, I’m in a different phase of life—gone are the days when they’d come running in at 6 a.m. (or earlier!) and jump on the bed. I miss them being little… but maybe not that part. Actually, no—I think I do miss it. Just a little. Brunch I’m not hungry before 10 am, so brunch on a Sunday is perfect. Tidying Up I can’t relax if my house isn’t tidy, so I try to get as much done during the week as possible. I do some on Saturdays and give myself Sundays off. In the past, I aimed for a completely chore-free weekend, but that was a bit too ambitious. When I didn’t get everything done, I’d feel frustrated with myself. So much unnecessary pressure! Now, I’ve eased up a little (no, really, I have!). I keep on top of things during the week, knock off a few bits I missed on Saturday, and actually let myself enjoy Sundays. Last weekend, I binge-watched Big Little Lies and started to feel guilty. Why do I feel like I always have to be productive? I’m not sure, but I’m working on it! Diffuser and Soft Music I light up the lovely diffuser my thoughtful friend gave me for my birthday with calming essential oils and play soft, chill jazz music in the background. The type that drives my husband mad, hehe. Lucky for me, he goes to work on Sunday afternoons. Self-Care I spend some time pampering myself with a face mask, waxing (because, as if wrinkles weren’t enough, Mother Nature decided to throw in a few extra whiskers, too), and doing my nails. Recently, I’ve fallen in love with the short “soap nail” look—it’s easy to maintain and perfect for me because long nails are just not my thing. Stretching Sometimes, stress, bad posture, clenching my teeth, or spending too much time on the computer leaves me with a sore neck. Sundays are the perfect time to spend a few minutes stretching to help release the tightness. It feels so good to be nice and loose, all ready for a new week of tension. 😉 A Simple Dinner I usually keep dinner simple, like a good old steak sandwich. By the time my husband is home from work, we sit down together to eat. Goodbye Weekend I struggle to let go of my precious Sundays and always end up going to bed later than I should. But after a Sunday reset routine that mainly involves self-care, I feel pretty relaxed and ready for a good night’s sleep. Good night sleeps don’t always happen for me on a Sunday night, no matter how relaxed I am. Sometimes, I start to overthink too much in bed, but at least I know I spent the day resting. The rest of the week, though? I sleep like a champ! And that’s my usual Sunday reset routine—a little bit of productivity and a big dash of rest and self-care. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you have an amazing day! Linking up with Shay and Erika

A Sunday Reset Routine for Self-Care Read More »

An Average Day In The Life

8 Comments / Family Life, Home

Hi friends! It’s time to link up with Adrienne, Dara, Jen, Joanne, and Sarah. This month’s topic is ‘A Day in the Life’—a peek into what an average day looks like. The nosey Parker in me loves these kinds of posts, so I’m excited to read about everyone else’s day. Here’s mine from last Thursday. I always set my alarm for 6.25 instead of 6.30, so I feel like I’m winning. I’m not a morning person AT ALL, so I figure if I play mind games like this, I might just have a shot at getting up on time at 6.30! 6.27—I was 3 minutes ahead of myself! Yay! First things first—I took my thyroid meds and made sure to leave the empty glass on top of the chopping board in the kitchen. That’s my little sign and a way of knowing for sure that I’ve taken them. When you take regular medication, it’s easy to get confused and wonder, “Did I take them, or was that yesterday?” That used to happen to me a lot, but now my glass trick has helped so much. Next, I went down to the laundry to feed the cats and take care of their kitty litter—bleh. Then, I charged my watch and phone to get them ready for the day. Up until a week ago, I used to leave my watch charging overnight, but then I heard it could cause overheating or damage the battery. Oops! Next, I folded some washing—because there’s always washing! I had to turn the light on because it was cloudy. But even when it’s not, I’ve noticed the sun is coming up later. Autumn is getting started. Then, it was time to sort out my lunch and get ready for work. Sunscreen first—always! I keep my makeup pretty simple: concealer, BB cream, blush, and lipstick. Just enough so I don’t look like I’ve been haunting houses. It was time to head out and walk fast! So cloudy, but this colourful tree was a treat on such a gloomy day. Every day, I dread these lights—they take forever to change! I like that our pedestrian lights have little men: red for wait and green for walk. But when I was in California, I think the pedestrian signals showed a white walking person for “WALK” and an orange raised hand for “DON’T WALK.” I kept waiting for the green man, but he never showed up. A bit sweaty from the walk, but I made it to work on time! Then, it was the usual running around we all do at preschool—getting everything ready, helping the children with their activities, and making sure everyone was settled and happy, using friendly hands and kind words. It’s a work in progress. Look, Miss Ruth, I painted a plum! Always bending down to pick up some kind of mess or spill. According to Dan Buettner, the guy who wrote about the Blue Zones, that’s supposed to be good for longevity, right? Excellent! Maybe I’ll live to 150. During my lunch break, I did some blogging. The day went by pretty fast at work, and I finished at 3:46. Yep, that’s my actual finishing time—pretty precise, huh? In the afternoon, the sun came out, and the skies turned bright blue. I always love walking home after a noisy, busy day. By the time I get home, I feel so zen. The only ones to greet me when I walked in the door were the cats. Steve was at work, and Sam was at uni. Dinner time for the girls. I grabbed my cleaning caddy and did a quick clean. I used to do it all in the morning, but now I do it in the afternoon when no one’s home. Then, it was time to cook dinner. On Thursdays, we usually eat together because everyone’s home in the evening. After everything had been cleaned up, we caught an episode of Matlock and had a cup of tea. I love Kathy Bates! Around 11 (probably later than I should), I got ready for bed. Brushed my teeth. All showered-pyjamas on, and then it was lights out. Nighty night!

An Average Day In The Life Read More »

Death Valley and Valley of Fire State Park Adventures

10 Comments / Home, Travel

Hey friends, I hope you are having a wonderful day! Today, I’m sharing Part 5 of our incredible USA trip. So far, I’ve covered our arrival in Part One. A day of unexpected mall exploring in Part Two. Because our original plans had to change due to the LA fires. Then, in Part Three, I shared our magical two days at Disneyland. Part four was all about Universal Studios, where we had an unforgettable time experiencing the rides, shows, and behind-the-scenes Hollywood fun. Road Trip In today’s post, I’m sharing the next leg of our adventure, where we road-tripped through Nevada and Utah. I’ve spent the last couple of days retracing our steps to write this recap. We just packed so much into our days and saw so many incredible sights! It’s been hard for me to remember exactly when we did what. Luckily, I took heaps of photos of everything and anything. So it’s really helped me to piece everything together. I’m still kicking myself for not writing any notes along the way—big travel fail! Steve, Sam, and I got to enjoy the trip without stressing over the logistics—my cousin and her husband took care of all the flights and hotels while we focused on planning the fun stuff! It honestly felt like we were kids on holiday with our ‘mum and dad.’ Since they already have two kids, I’m sure to them it may have felt like they were travelling with five kids! I can’t thank them enough for all the planning and effort they put into making this trip such an incredible experience for us. And Cousin S definitely deserves a medal for all the driving he did! There are just no words to describe how amazing this adventure was. So, today, I’ll be covering the first couple of days of our road trip. We made our way from California, driving along the iconic Route 66, and then through Las Vegas on our way to Zion National Park. Along the way, we explored the stunning landscapes of Death Valley and Valley of Fire State Park. I can’t wait to share all the details (plus another hundred or so photos) of these unforgettable stops and the incredible sights we saw! I hope you like travel posts! Route 66 For part of our drive, we followed Historic Route 66, passing through spots like Victorville and Barstow, where old gas stations still hold onto that classic Americana charm. The petrol stations were incredible—they’re nothing like the ones we have here in Australia. Some were decked out with old artifacts, vintage signs, and even classic cars on display. And they sell alcohol!! Haha, that totally blew my mind. In fact, my mind was blown earlier in LA when I saw alcohol sold at Target. In Australia, alcohol is only sold in licensed stores, so seeing it in places like Target was such a huge surprise! I loved how we stopped at so many interesting places, and this country store was incredible! They sold everything—from clothes and snacks to jerky, stones, and even more alcohol. I’m not a huge drinker, but I must sound like one with how often I mention it! I just couldn’t get over how different it was here. The next stop was McDonald’s, where my cousin J introduced us to the most delicious breakfast ever—sausage biscuit. I had mine with hot chocolate, and honestly, it will go down in my mind as the best breakfast ever! I’ll be doing a separate post about all the food we ate and how I struggled with eating so much fast food. But this sausage biscuit was something else—soft, buttery, and so satisfying. I had no idea what to expect since we don’t have biscuits like this in Australia. In fact, we refer to biscuits as cookies! But in the US, “biscuits” are more like our savoury scones (only better). The Chevron with all the cool artifacts on display. On the road again! Look at the landscape! It’s nothing like what we have back home. We passed so many of those massive trucks, and even though I completely trusted Cousin S at the wheel, I still found myself closing my eyes. Big trucks on the road are definitely not my favourite! Death Valley National Park Three hours after leaving California, we made it to Death Valley National Park. In the following pic, we got caught just as we were about to do our jump! Before we left on our trip, one thing we all agreed on was that we would film ourselves jumping at all the major signs. I’ve put all our jump shots together in a reel, which you can check out here if you’d like! It was hilarious, and we definitely had to do a few takes because, well, we weren’t always the most coordinated! Oh my gosh! Death Valley is just something else! It honestly felt like I could have been on the moon, or even better—Tatooine! Yep, if you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Death Valley was actually used as the filming location for many of the desert scenes in Star Wars: A New Hope.. So yeah, I guess this was me during the whole trip! I love this photo of my family. This path is where R2D2 walked! Pinch me now!! Here we are, heading back to the van, but I could have stayed forever! Next stop–The Visitor’s Centre Then, it was back in the van again, where I took this incredible photo. Las Vegas at Night It was starting to get dark just as we got to Las Vegas. We stopped at Olive Garden for dinner. Then jumped back in the van for a nighttime drive through Las Vegas. It was incredible! Along with being eye-opening! Some of the nighttime activities we saw were a bit sketchy, to say the least. This time around, we just drove through, but on our way back after visiting the national parks, we spent a

Death Valley and Valley of Fire State Park Adventures Read More »

Lydham Hall Historic House Open Day

8 Comments / Discovering NSW Australia, Hello Monday, Home

Hi friends and happy Monday! Wow, that weekend went by fast! And now, here we are in the first week of March already. I hope you had a great weekend! Mine was a good mix of some super chilled TV time on Saturday and a visit to Lydham Hall Historic House in Rockdale on Sunday. I’m excited to tell you all about it, so let’s get started! Saturday Steve and I walked to our local café for some delicious Portuguese tarts—so good! I had an iced coffee, and Steve went for an iced chocolate, which was perfect for a hot day. I was about to say a hot summer’s day, but since Saturday was the first day of March, we’re officially in autumn now. Not that it means much yet—I’m sure it’ll be a while before the temps start to cool down! Once we got home, I pretty much camped out in front of the TV for the rest of the day and into the night! I haven’t done that in ages, but I think I’m still adjusting to being back at work—I was exhausted. Plus, the right side of my neck was sore from tension and probably jaw clenching. My body was begging for a lazy day, so I listened. Steve worked in the evening, so I ate dinner and started binge-watching Big Little Lies. When it first came out, I remember hearing so much about it, but I never got around to watching it. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the first couple of episodes, but if I had to sum it up in one word—disturbed comes to mind. It’s an intense series that dives into domestic violence, complicated relationships, and just how fake people can be. The more I watched, the more I got into it, and by Sunday afternoon, I’d finished Season One. It’s definitely not a feel-good show, but I’m hooked, and I’ve already started Season Two. Sunday – Lydham Hall Open Day This year, we made it to the Lydham Hall open day! It’s something I had been wanting to do, but somehow I had missed it. Lydham Hall was built in the late 1870s and is one of the oldest homes in the St. George area. I live in the area, so it was very interesting to explore this piece of local history. Every room had a volunteer who shared their knowledge of the house and gave us some great insights into its history. It was so interesting to hear about the different eras the house has been through and the people who’ve lived there. Each room had its own little story, and it was all so fascinating. We were even encouraged to touch things, which made it feel really interactive. I opened a few of the books on the shelf and couldn’t help but wonder who George Southern and Aunt Maggie were. I kept thinking, what did they look like? What were their lives like? Dining Room Dinner was served! Haha, Lydham Hall definitely gave off some serious Downton Abbey vibes. The dinner time gong. I just had to try it out and gave it a little clang. The Kitchen This nice man explained how a kitchen of the time functioned and showed us where they kept their meat. I meant to ask him how long the meat was stored for. But I got distracted looking at the butter churner and forgot. I did lift the irons, and they were so heavy!! The Bedroom This gentleman shared some really interesting information about the beds. Apparently, the mattresses were made with layers of horsehair and topped with a feather mattress topper. The bed frames had legs to keep bed bugs out, and the mattress was held in place with crossed rope—kind of like modern-day slats. But here’s where it gets interesting: the legs weren’t enough to stop the bed bugs from crawling onto the beds. So, they came up with the idea of spreading horse dung under the bed! The bugs were attracted to the dung instead of climbing onto the bed. Back in the day, the ropes used to hold the mattress in place would loosen over time with the weight of the mattress and the person sleeping on it. If the ropes got too saggy, the bed would become uncomfortable, and—well, you might end up sinking toward the horse dung underneath! So, to avoid that, people had to regularly tighten the ropes to keep the mattress firm and the bugs at bay. It’s funny to think about how much effort went into something we take for granted today, like a comfy bed. And this next bit of information just about blew my mind– that’s where the saying “Goodnight sleep tight don’t let the bed bugs bite” comes from! It’s all about tightening the ropes to make sure the bed stays firm and the bugs don’t get to you! Haha! Wow, I never knew this! Lunch Time After the fantastic history lesson, we made our way to the back of the house for something to eat. I loved how they had set up the little tables. Most of the tables were taken, and I thought we’d have no luck finding a spot. Steve walked over to one of the benches in the garden while I stopped to check out the menu at the counter. Just as I turned around, I saw a couple leaving, and I quickly made my way over and snagged the table. So there I was at the table, and Steve was at the bench further away. I tried to discreetly call him over—”Pssst…hey, Steve.” Nothing. “Over here, Steve!” Still nothing. Of course, everyone else around me could see me waving my arms in the most ladylike way I could (not). Then I had a brainwave and called him on his phone: “Hey, turn around I got a table!” hahahaha!! We ordered the Tattie scones with smoked salmon and sour cream. The other things on the menu

Lydham Hall Historic House Open Day Read More »

Friday Favourites

10 Comments / Friday Favourites, Home

Hi friends, and happy Friday to you! I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika to share a few favourites. Thank you so much for stopping by! I didn’t do a weekend recap on Monday because I shared a post about our amazing day at Universal Studios instead. So, let’s backtrack to Sunday—I went out for a late lunch with my friend, and it was so nice to catch up! It was also such a hot day, and what better way to cool down than with an Aperol Spritz? I had a delicious tuna poke bowl. The dressing was amazing, and the tuna was so fresh and tender. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did, but I’d definitely order it again next time. My lovely friend gave me an oil diffuser for my birthday. I love the calming scents it fills the room with—it makes everything feel so relaxing. It goes perfectly with the chilled jazz music I like to play. Monday was a medical day. Just by coincidence, my eldest son and I both had appointments at the same hospital around the same time. Mine was for an annual check-up with the endocrinologist, and Luke had a small procedure. So we both went together. My appointment was quick, and the doctor went over my blood test results and adjusted the dosage of my thyroid meds. Now, I only have to take one tablet six days a week instead of seven. Since my thyroidectomy and starting thyroid medication, my energy levels have been so much better. I also no longer have to worry about choking on food and drinks or even just swallowing the wrong way like I used to. It’s such a relief! Those nodules and cysts were a big issue before my surgery. Bleh! This sign in the doctor’s waiting room always surprises me. I think it’s so outdated, and I’m pretty sure everyone else thinks the same because the waiting room was full of people on their phones—including me! Surely, it’s just an old one that never got taken down, right? But then again, maybe not… because when I told the receptionist my referral was emailed, she wasn’t impressed. Apparently, they still prefer paper. Yikes! Having medical appointments behind me is a huge favourite. Any kind of medical appointment always makes me anxious. I’m also really happy that my check-ups are no longer annual—the doctor said I don’t have to go back for another three years. Plus, my son’s procedure went well. Yay! We’ve been enjoying the delicious fresh produce I bought at the farmers market last Saturday. Even though it’s been so incredibly hot, I still love walking to and from work. It feels so good to get some exercise without feeling like I’m actually exercising. I think these two little roses might be the last ones for the season. Autumn will be here before we know it! I’m always sad to see summer go until I come across a huge (or small) cockroach or spider. Thankfully, I don’t see many because we have our house sprayed at the start of each summer. But I’ve never made it through a hot season without a surprise insect or two. The other night, I walked into the kitchen, and just as I turned on the light, this big huntsman crawled across the tiles at lightning speed and scared the life out of me! Yuck! I’m not brave in these situations, so I screamed. Sam was home and came out of his room, asking if I’d seen a cockroach. Mum screaming always means cockroach. The funny thing is, I know Sam will deal with cockroaches, but he’s terrified of spiders! It’s so funny how, as a mum, you can instantly become brave when it comes to protecting your kids—even when they’re over 6 feet tall. So I grabbed the insect spray and sprayed until the spider was white and fell into the kitchen sink. It must have been possessed or something because it would not die! In the end, I turned on the hot water, and that did the trick. I know this might sound like a drastic way to get rid of a spider, and I get that they have their place in nature… just not in my kitchen. But don’t let my spider story put you off from visiting Australia. Big bugs and scary snakes are usually only in the bush or out in the wild. In cities, you’re pretty safe. Huntsmans are also not poisonous; they’re just big and hairy, so they might only scare you to death. Hehe. Thanks for reading, friends. Wishing you a wonderful weekend full of fun and relaxation and no surprise spiders! See you next week 😊

Friday Favourites Read More »

What’s Up Wednesday

5 Comments / Home, What's Up Wednesday

Hi friends! It’s time to catch up on what we’ve been eating, watching, looking forward to, and a whole lot more. I’m linking up with Shay and Sheaffer for What’s Up Wednesday, and I’m so glad you’re here! What We’re Eating This Week Here’s our menu for the week. Monday – Chicken Stroganoff with rice and veggies Tuesday – Pot Roast Wednesday – Leftovers Thursday – Prawn pesto pasta Friday – Chicken Caesar wraps Saturday – Mediterranean chicken with rice Sunday- Steak sandwiches I’m meal planning like a champ this week! Let’s see how long I can keep it up—I’m pretty good at falling off the meal-planning train as the year goes on! What I’m Reminiscing About Our amazing, incredible, wonderful family trip! We started in California, where we visited family, spent two magical days at Disneyland, and had so much fun at Universal Studios. Then, we set off on a road trip through Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, exploring some spectacular national parks. Words can’t describe how beautiful they are! The photos I took hardly do them justice! I think I truly understand now what it means to have your breath taken away. The road trip will forever be one of the best parts—not just for the scenery, but for the laughs. When we weren’t staring out at breathtaking landscapes, we were cracking up over the most random things. There were so many moments when we were just gone with laughter! We wrapped it all up with a week in Hawaii, which was the perfect way to finish off an already incredible trip. At first, I was happy to be home, but after four or five days, the post-trip blues hit hard. Even looking at our photos made me sad. We had the best time, and travelling with my cousin and her family made it even more special. After spending three weeks together, it felt so strange not seeing them every day once we got back. We already want to do it all over again—maybe we will next year at a different destination. Stay tuned! What I’m Loving I’m loving the summer weather, but I know autumn is just around the corner! Ho hum. What We’ve Been Up To Just coming off an incredible high and settling into our regular old routine over here. That means I’m back at work and getting used to that alarm going off at 6.30 every morning (I need to stop hitting that snooze button!). I’m also looking forward to Fridays again! I was off work for so long that I kept losing track of the days. Now Fridays feel extra sweet again because nothing beats that end-of-the-week feeling, does it? What I’m Dreading I’m not dreading anything, and I’m always thankful when I can say that! I was dreading my eldest having a procedure last Monday, but now that it’s over, I don’t have to worry about it anymore. Phew! What I’m Excited About After so much epic excitement, I can’t think of anything I’m super excited about right now! Haha. I think I’m just happy to cruise along for a while and enjoy the ordinary days. What I’m Watching We’ve been watching Reacher and really enjoying it. Season 3 came out recently and caught our eye, so we decided to start from Season 1. I started watching the latest season of Sweet Magnolias. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’ve lost all interest and thought it was boring, so I stopped halfway through the first episode. I’m excited to start watching the new season of Survivor that starts on Thursday. It’s been fast-tracked from the USA, which is good! Oh, and I almost forgot—I’ve also been watching Married at First Sight. It’s just so awful, but I can’t look away! What I’m Listening To Smooth jazz vibes on Spotify—such a soothing backdrop for when I’m at home. I love it! Steve, on the other hand, can’t stand it. He says it drives him crazy and makes him feel edgy. Haha! What I’m Wearing No photos to show because I always forget. But I’m back to wearing comfy work clothes—ones I don’t mind getting paint, glue, sand, playdough, or, God forbid, other less-than-pleasant things that come with the job of working with little kids What I’m Doing This Weekend As of this moment, I have zero plans. I like the idea of having a quiet weekend. Sometimes, they are the best ones, right? What I’m Looking Forward To Next Month March Cousin Connect! Next month’s catch-up will be a smaller one since some cousins are away on a cruise, others are working, and one is tied up with wedding plans for two close friends. But I love that we never cancel, no matter the size. It’s important to stick to our monthly catch-up because that’s how traditions stay alive! That wraps up some of the things that have been going on in our little world. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have the best day.

What’s Up Wednesday Read More »