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Exploring the Beauty of Page, Arizona, and Utah

After three nights in Springdale/Zion National Park, it was time to pack up, check out of our hotel, hit the road again, and drive to Page, Arizona, with a quick dip into Utah along the way. Yeehaa! I just loved sitting in the van with my family, listening to music and watching the scenery roll by. We would sometimes sit quietly, other times, someone would say something random, leading to a domino effect of silly jokes and random comments that had us in stitches. And then there were the sleepy stretches… I may have dozed off a few times with my head back and mouth wide open, only to be woken up by a loud snore (ahem… possibly mine). Yikes. How embarrassing. Haha! We made a few pit stops along the way for bathroom breaks and, of course, more amazing photo ops. As we got close to our hotel we passed the Glen Canyon Dam. We arrived in Page, Arizona, around 2:00 pm, checked into our hotel, and dropped our bags in our rooms. Less than an hour later, we were back in the van and off to explore. Every precious minute counted, and we didn’t want to miss a thing. There was no time for dilly-dallying—and I’m so glad we stuck to that! It would’ve been such a shame to miss out on some of the spectacular sights because we didn’t stay on track. Living in Australia means we’re about as far from the rest of the world as you can get! That’s why we were all in for squeezing in as much as we could. The Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona Oh my goodness, yet another spectacular sight and another pinch-me, I-can’t-believe-I’m-here moment! See that river? It’s the Colorado River, and it bends around those towering rock walls. I’ll say it a million times—I feel like the luckiest person alive to have seen views like this! After a huge day of sightseeing, we were ready for something hearty. We finished the day with dinner at The Grand Canyon Brewing Distillery, where I had my first real American Mac and Cheese. I’ve been meaning to do a post on all the American foods I tried and my thoughts on them. But for now, I’ll just say this: I’m a big eater, and I can usually smash through any meal without a problem. But Mac and Cheese? That was a whole other level. I kept eating and eating, and that bowl stayed full. Full, I tell you, and I seemed to get nowhere. So in the end, I had to ask the server to pack it up so I could take it back to the hotel for part two of my Mac and Cheese challenge. Around 9 pm, I won! Carl Hayden Visitors Centre in Page, Arizona Our first stop the next day was the Carl Hayden Visitor Centre. Haha, it’s funny for me to spell “center” this way because in Australia, we spell it “centre.”Oops, sorry, I digressed with a grammar fact — let’s stay on track! At the Carl Hayden Centre, we learnt so much about Glen Canyon and water conservation (fantastic information to take back to my preschool). I stopped to listen to a video where Elders from American Indian Tribes spoke about the Colorado River and what it means to them. It was incredibly moving, and I loved how they spoke so passionately yet gently in their rich, melodic voices — so beautiful! Again, this is another visitors’ centre where I could have stayed the whole day. John Wayne Point at Monument Valley Oh my goodness, the views as we drove through Monument Valley were absolutely breathtaking! And what better way to take in views like these than with an old soundtrack from classic western movies like The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly playing? Then, of course, we had to play some America—A Horse with No Name at my request. Hehe, even though I know my husband really dislikes this song because he loves horses and insists that all horses should have a name. But it’s such a fantastic song, right? When we got to John Wayne Point, my husband had his special dream-come-true moment, just like I did when we went to Death Valley and I walked the same route that R2D2 did in Star Wars: A New Hope. Steve absolutely loves western movies, and of course, his favourite actor is John Wayne. I’ve sat through many a western film with him in our 35 years together, and I can tell you, the man loves his westerns big time! Forrest Gump Point We stopped for a quick packed lunch in the van. Then we were off to Forrest Gump Point, which was only a short drive from John Wayne Point. I didn’t even know about this place! My cousins are absolutely the best tour guides, and if it weren’t for them, we would never have visited these amazing spots. This was such a fantastic memory, and as I type this, I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry—let’s do both! Laugh because it was so funny, and cry because I wish we could do it all again! We got out of the van, and my husband made sure to watch for cars and trucks on the road. Then, we did it! Sam, my cousin J, and I recreated that iconic moment from Forrest Gump where he suddenly stops running. It was HILARIOUS!! Would you believe that night, back at the hotel, Forrest Gump came on as I was flipping through the channels? I stayed up to watch the moment in the film, even though it was late and we were oh-so-tired! It was just too much of a funny coincidence. Page, Arizona Caves This is a hidden gem that, again, if it wasn’t for my cousins, I never would’ve dreamed of visiting. It’s a lesser-known spot, but the photo opportunities here are absolutely incredible. If you’re in the area and love capturing unique shots,

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Friday Favourites

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Hi friends, and happy Friday! I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some favourites, and I’m so glad you’re here — thank you for stopping by! Sunday Afternoon at The Gasoline Pony Last weekend, I went to The Gasoline Pony in Marrickville with my fun friend. It was a last-minute plan, and I love that she’s always up for a spur-of-the-moment outing. The Gasoline Pony is a cozy, compact bar that hosts all kinds of live music. We went to see a community choir called Isingonthecake perform. Originally, I thought it would be like a pub choir event where everyone joins in — but nope. I’m still yet to find one of those locally, and it’s definitely on my to-do list. My voice is really only for preschool ears, where it doesn’t matter if I sound like a mouse being strangled when I sing. But even though my voice is far (very far) from great, I love singing because it’s such a mood booster. We didn’t get to join in, but my friend and I both agreed that the choir’s performance was incredibly uplifting. Sipping on drinks and listening to music was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Best of all, we didn’t have to worry about any Sunday night blues creeping in. Because Monday was the start of our Autumn break! Yay! Mochi Mochi missed her vet appointment the week before last. She was booked to be spayed, and Sam was going to take her in—easy… um, no! Mochi refused to get into the cat carrier, and poor Sam spent hours trying. He got scratched, she turned into a little beast, and it was a mess of a day. We rebooked her for Monday of this week, and this time, Steve managed to get her into the carrier. I tried, but she scared me! Mochi is the sweetest, cuddliest cat—until she knows she has to get in the carrier. Then, she becomes terrifying! Sam picked Mochi up from the vet on Monday afternoon after her successful surgery. When she came home, she was calm and sweet, but definitely not impressed with the cone she had to wear. Sam unzipped the carrier and was telling me how the vet had instructed us to keep her calm and that she wasn’t allowed to do any zoomies. The words hadn’t even fully come out of his mouth when Mochi tore out of the carrier with the cone dangling off her. She ran around the house like a maniac, thinking she was being chased by it! It was like something straight out of a cartoon. Sam was running after Mochi, I was chasing both of them, and Mochi was running away from the cone! Oh my goodness, it was nuts—eventually, the cone came off. But we all had to take a long minute to calm down. Then Sam went straight back to the vet to pick up some calming meds for her, and by that point, I was seriously considering taking one of her tablets too! Back to the Vet Unfortunately, the story doesn’t end there. A couple of days later, Mochi’s wound split open and lucky Sam, who’s studying nursing, doesn’t get grossed out like I do. So back to the vet she went, and this time, it was easier to get her into the carrier because the sedatives were a lifesaver. She was resutured with staples (ouch), and so far, she seems to be doing okay. Bistro George Tuesday evening, Steve and I went out to the city to have dinner at Bistro George, and it was seriously impressive! The decor, lighting, and atmosphere were amazing, and the food was spectacular. I had heard it was good, but I didn’t think it would be that good. Definitely a restaurant I’d love to go back to! For entrees, Steve had the prosciutto with figs. I ordered the chicken liver parfait, which looked like a dessert–haha! It tasted so good! For mains, it was steak for Steve and fish for me. Our lovely waitress suggested we share and brought out extra plates — I’ve never had anyone suggest that before. It was so much better than our usual swapping plates halfway through because we love to taste everything. For dessert, we shared a crème caramel and a banoffee sundae. No photo of the sundae though — we were already halfway through it before I realised I hadn’t taken one. I have to admit, I always feel a bit awkward taking pictures of my food. Then again, I don’t really like having my photo taken either, so food pics are definitely the way to go! I love the city at night—it’s so pretty with all the lit up buildings. We caught the train back home from Circular Quay station. Cleaning I love a bit of spontaneous deep cleaning, and it’s great to have time during the break to really get into those areas that need it! This week, I moved the sofa to vacuum and mop up all the dust. While I was at it, I scrubbed the skirting boards, which then led me to wash the living room rug too. My reward was finding my hair ties under the sofa, and guess who loves to play with them — Mochi! I thought I was accidentally losing them, even though I swore I always left them on my nightstand. She must have been sneaking them off there. So, now I’ve washed them, put them inside a container with a lid on and stored them in my bathroom cabinet. Good luck finding them now, Mochi! Making Lunches Again I remember when it was Sam’s last day of school, and I felt a bit sad knowing it would be the last school lunch I’d pack for him – sniff, sniff. Well, turns out it wasn’t the last after all. This week, I’m back to packing lunches for him, and I’m enjoying it! He’s doing his nursing placement in a hospital, and

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Creative Outlets and Free Time

7 Comments / Health and Well Being, Home, Home Decor

Hi friends! I’m joining in today’s Share Our Lives link-up, and the topic is Creative Outlets/Free Time. I’ll be honest—I got myself into a bit of an ‘overthinking-it’ cycle and wasn’t sure what I was meant to write about. Should I pick one? Do both? And what even counts as a creative outlet? Isn’t that just a hobby in disguise? I’ve already shared a post about my hobbies, so I didn’t want to repeat myself. Instead, I figured I’d talk about both–creative outlets and how I spend my free time because a lot of creativity tends to happen when there’s a bit of space in the day. Let’s see where this takes me. Creative Outlets That Inspire Me I’m a huge fan of activities that give me a chance to be creative. I love playing with fashion, makeup, and skincare. I try not to get carried away with trends because, as you know, they change faster than we can keep up with. Instead, I stick with what works for me and sprinkle in some new ideas here and there. I get a lot of inspiration from YouTube, especially when it comes to skincare routines or trying out new makeup looks. It’s a great way to learn something new, and one of these days I’ll nail that smokey-eye look. Or who knows—maybe the raccoon look will catch on, and I’ll be ahead of the trend! Blogging is My Number One Creative Outlet When it comes to creative outlets, blogging is hands down my number one. It ticks all the boxes for me because I get to chat about my week, life, and adventures, as well as reflect on things that are on my mind and things that I’m learning. I also get to share the things I love and explore ideas that have been swirling in my head. Best of all, I get to be creative with how I add visuals and design images using my favourite creative app—Canva. Designing Small Spaces as a Creative Outlet I love exploring small-space living, probably because my house is so small! I can easily spend hours learning about minimalist design ideas and one of my absolute favourite YouTube channels is Never Too Small. They focus on creating functional, beautiful spaces in small areas. I like to take these ideas and use them in my own home—it’s definetly a creative outlet for me. Sharing Creativity with Others Creative outlets don’t always have to be solo activities. I also love creating things that others can enjoy. At work, for example, I enjoy setting up dramatic play areas for the children. Back in the day, before the government threatened to reduce our funding if we didn’t extend the time children could attend, we had a solid 40 minutes before and after their day to plan and set up. That was my time to get creative and make props for pretend play spaces. I’d make things like a pizza oven for our dramatic play area or pretend cakes for our bakery set-up. Sadly, there’s not much time in the day anymore for big creative projects like these. But it’s always great to see the children still enjoy them—although it doesn’t take long before everything is upside down! The pizza oven is still holding up—not bad for cardboard, aluminium foil, and a whole lot of plastic contact. How Creative Outlets and Free Time Connect For me, creative outlets and free time are completely linked. I find that my free time is when I can dive into the things that interest, inspire, and help me get creative. If I had no free time, I wouldn’t have the chance to explore my creative side and discover those outlets. Then there are also times when free time means just that—free time. It’s the freedom to plonk myself in front of the TV and binge-watch something. Because I shouldn’t feel like I always have to be productive or creative. I just need to shush that nagging voice in my head that says otherwise! Thanks so much for stopping by. It’s been great reflecting on how creative outlets and free time are connected in my life. I’d love to hear how you balance them, so I’m looking forward to reading your posts. Wishing you all a creative and relaxing day. Linking up with Adrienne, Dara, Jen, Joanne and Sarah

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Autumn School Holidays: Things I’d Love to Do

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Hi friends, it’s great to be back! I didn’t blog all week because life happened, so I gave myself a bit of a breather. Sometimes you’ve just got to step back for a minute. But I’m back now and feeling more like myself again—yay! As of 3:46 this afternoon, I’m officially off work for the next two weeks (hello, autumn school holidays!), so I thought I’d share a few things I’m hoping to do during the break. Autumn School Holidays: Things I’d Love to Do Embrace Autumn Cooler weather isn’t my thing–I’m definitely a sunshine-and-hot-days kind of person. But after getting a taste of what real cold weather feels like on our U.S. trip earlier this year, I have decided that there’s still plenty to love about this time of year, and today was proof of that. I woke up to a crisp, chilly morning, but as the day went on, the sun came out and it warmed up beautifully. Temps hit 27ºC, and even though I know this kind of weather won’t stick around, it was a nice little reminder that autumn can still bring the sunshine. I hope we get plenty of it during the next two weeks! Shopping Days with Friends I haven’t been shopping in the city for way too long and I’m looking forward to browsing through the shops and looking at all the autumn-winter fashions! Country Road and Zara, here I come! Rest Autumn school holidays = the perfect excuse to slow down. Oh my goodness, it was such a busy term at preschool! I’d just collapse at the end of each week, spend the weekend recovering, and then do it all over again the following week. You gotta love term one—it’s the same every year! Now that autumn’s here, it’s so much easier to fall asleep when the nights are cool. And guess what? For the last three nights, I’ve actually been going to bed earlier and falling asleep almost straight away. I was really struggling, and I think I’d built up a huge sleep debt, which probably explains why I didn’t feel great earlier this week. Who knows—maybe my night owl days are over—yikes! Finish Writing My Trip Recaps I’ve written a few already, but there are still plenty left to go. We did so much on this trip! Every week, I keep thinking, “I’ll write one next week,” and then, suddenly, it’s April. But they’re coming soon(ish). Try Out New Places to Eat We cut back on eating out last year because we were saving for our trip. In January 2025, the Australian dollar was quite weak against the US dollar, averaging around 62 cents to the US dollar. This meant that items priced at USD 10 would cost us approximately AUD 16 after conversion. Airfares, hotels, and three weeks of fun cost us a small fortune—but it was so worth it! Now that we have a breather before we start planning the next big adventure, we’ve decided to try out some new places to eat in Sydney. We’ve already booked a table at Bistro George next week, and I’m really looking forward to it! Visit a Farmer’s Market We often go to our local Ramsgate Farmer’s Market. But these autumn school holidays I’d love to visit bigger Farmer’s market like Eveleigh or Carriageworks. Check Out the Autumn Colours in the Botanic Gardens I’ve been wanting to go to the Royal Botanic Garden for ages. Maybe during these school holidays, I’ll finally make it happen and catch some beautiful autumn colours in full swing. Do a Gallery Day I’m thinking of dedicating a day to galleries this break—maybe a trip to the Art Gallery of NSW or a visit to the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills. It’s free, and I love how it gives you a peek into the creative space of one of Australia’s most iconic artists. It’s also close to some great cafes for a coffee break afterwards. And that’s my autumn school holidays wish list. Maybe it’s a little ambitious and I’ll run out of days… but I’m excited to see how many I can cross off. Thanks so much for stopping by—I hope you’re having a lovely day 😊 🍁 Happy Friday!🍁 Linking up with Andrea and Erika

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Five Favourites

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Hi friends and welcome to Friday Favourites! It’s time to link up with Andrea and Erika to share five favourite things about this week. I love humour and enjoy a good laugh, so I guess I landed in the perfect work environment! Yes, working with children can be stressful and tiring, but it’s never boring. And I’m lucky that I work with people who enjoy a good laugh too. The other day was “one of those days” when we were cleaning up the classroom to get ready for rest time (truthfully—not a lot of resting goes on in our classroom). My coworker and I started laughing about something random, and of course, we couldn’t stop. Those moments when you start to giggle, and then it builds up into uncontrollable laughter that actually hurts your stomach are the best, aren’t they? It was very funny, and we were still laughing about it the next day. Laughter really is the perfect way to beat a stressful day. I’m in a different classroom this year, and I’m getting to know these two cute birds who’ve been visiting us for years. They come into our classroom every single day like an old married couple, then walk out again. It’s like clockwork—always at around 11 am. I accidentally scared them out when I reached for my iPad to take this photo, but to make up for it, I gave them a grape each. Hopefully, they’ll eventually trust me. Somehow, we got extra milk delivered with our grocery order, and one of the bottles was about to reach its use-by date. I don’t like wasting food, so I decided to use it up by making a big quiche. As you can see, someone grabbed a slice before I had a chance to take a photo. It’s definitely easier to eat a huge quiche than to drink a whole lot of milk. I got a keratin treatment on my hair on Wednesday afternoon. The salon I go to is right near my workplace so I can make an appointment and pop in after work. I’ve been visiting this salon for about a year now, and my hairdresser is wonderful. She’s also the only one I trust completely with cutting my fringe. Over the years, a lot of hairdressers have let me down and cut my fringe too short. And I’ve probably mentioned before that when I was little, my mum would cut my fringe until it was straight, which often resulted in a very short fringe– yikes! Anyway, it was a nice Wednesday treat to sit down and enjoy a complimentary biscuit and cup of coffee while I had my hair done. I’m excited to have six months off from frizzy hair but this whole keratin treatment is such an ordeal. Right now, it’s flat and dead straight, and I can’t wash or style it until Saturday because the keratin needs time to set. Plus, I can’t colour it until next Wednesday because I have to wait a week. Oh yes, and to top it off my hair is also a slight orange because the keratin strips the colour. Oh my goodness what a process. I’ve been so tempted to wear a hat for the last few days. So I won’t show you a photo of my hair because – scary. But here’s a photo of my yummy biscuit I enjoyed while I got my hair done. This afternoon, I got a notification on my watch saying I’d achieved my move goal for the day. We finished up the preschool week with a dance party in the playground. Friday afternoons can be tricky, so dancing it out to The Floor is Lava, Party Freeze, and other favourites is a fun way to end the week– and hit that move goal! Did I mention I love to dance? Dancing and laughing are my two favourite things—and this week I got paid to do both. Yay! That’s a wrap for this week, thanks so much for stopping by! Happy Friday 😊

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Bryce Canyon National Park-Trip Recap

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Hi friends! Time for another trip recap. I’m taking my time writing these recaps from our January trip, and at the rate I’m going, it might take me most of the year! But that’s okay—there’s no rush. Today, it’s all about our visit to Bryce Canyon National Park. Thanks so much for stopping by! Dixie National Forest After hiking The Narrows the previous day, we were on a high and excited to hit the road the next morning to visit Bryce Canyon National Park. Our first stop was Dixie National Forest, about an hour and a half’s drive from our base in Springdale. On the drive there, we saw a bald eagle—and we just about lost our minds! These guys aren’t easy to spot, so we felt incredibly lucky. Somehow, I even managed to snap a couple of very blurry photos from the moving van. We arrived at Dixie National Forest at 10 a.m., and Sam’s childhood dream of seeing snow finally came true. Yay! Haha, he would always make us laugh, saying that he had a great childhood, but the only letdown was that we had failed to take him to see snow. Finally, Steve and I are off the hook—we took him to see snow at age 20! We only missed his childhood by a few years 😉 There wasn’t much snow at this stop, but enough to make a couple of tiny snowballs that turned into dust when we tried to throw them at each other. Bryce Canyon National Park We jumped back in the van and drove another twenty minutes to the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. All the visitor centres we stopped at were fantastic. They had clean restrooms and water refill stations where we could top up our bottles. The staff were super friendly and helpful, too. We didn’t have a ton of time, but we still managed to skim through the exhibits and pick up a few interesting facts about the area’s history, geology, and wildlife. Bristlecone Loop Trail Next stop: Bristlecone Loop Trail, where the views were, once again, absolutely breathtaking. I took so many photos and videos, hoping to capture the stunning scenery. But as I look back at them now… they just don’t do it justice. Aargh, I really wish everyone could experience these incredible destinations for themselves so you’d understand exactly what I’m talking about! In all my videos, you can hear me gasping and saying just one word, “Wow!” Haha, the beauty was so intense I couldn’t even form a sentence. Being left totally speechless really became a recurring theme for me throughout the trip. Bryce Canyon is amazing because all the trails and viewpoints are so close to each other, so we got to explore different spots and soak in all the beauty from different angles. After we hiked the Bristlecone Loop, we drove to the “Hike the Hoodoos” trail near the Bristlecone Benchmark. Each stop was incredible, and we couldn’t get enough of the views! Between all the “wows,” I kept saying, “I can’t believe I’m really here!”. What a master of language! Hike The Hoodoos and Black Birch Canyon Then back to the van, but first a snowball fight! I know, I know—there wasn’t much snow, but for us, it was more than enough for an epic snowball fight! Bryce Point, Rim Trail, Navajo Loop & Wall Street From there, we went Bryce Point, where we got one of the best panoramic views of the amphitheatre. The layers of red and orange hoodoos were unreal! We drove along the Rim Trail for a bit before heading down to the Navajo Loop Trail, which took us through Wall Street, the famous narrow section with towering rock walls and tight switchbacks. It was so cool being down in the canyon, looking up at those amazing formations! Sunset Point and Drive Back Then back in the van for the ride home. We spotted bison! We got back to Springdale at around 5 pm and stopped at a cute gift shop called Bumbleberry. Then we wrapped up the day with dinner at Oscar’s Cafe. I’m not usually a beer drinker, but on this trip, I decided to try a beer with every meal. A beer with my first-ever Philly cheesesteak sandwich–Y’all! Haha! We had an amazing visit to Bryce Canyon National Park, and it’s definitely a place I’ll never forget—how could I not? Every stop was unforgettable, and I’m so glad we got to experience it all with my very fun family. If you ever find yourself in Utah, make sure to add Bryce Canyon National Park to your must-see list. It’ll wow your socks off!

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Friday Favourites

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I’m wrapping up the week with a few things I’ve been loving lately. It’s the little things that make the week better, don’t you agree? 😊 I finally ditched my old pyjama shorts because the elastic was completely worn out. Lucky for me, Peter Alexander was having an end-of-season sale with an extra 30% off already discounted items. The selection wasn’t huge when I popped into my local store, but I managed to find a couple of pairs of shorts in my size. While I was there, I picked up a T-shirt too. The graphic isn’t something I’d usually choose, but since I’m only wearing it to bed, it doesn’t really matter. They’re super comfortable, and that’s what counts! Our director at work celebrated her birthday and brought in a cake to share. She’s so nice! It’s always a good week when you open the fridge at work and find something other than playdough. I found this drip coffee at an Asian supermarket. The instructions were all in Japanese, so I used Google Translate. I probably could have figured it out just from the front photo, but I love testing out Google Translate—it’s such a helpful tool! It’s also funny how it translates word-for-word without adjusting for sentence structure or grammar. So, the sentences often end up sounding a little off. The meaning is there, but the phrasing is slightly jumbled. I think it’s a good peek into how different languages work. The coffee tasted great, too. I took some sachets to work, and it tasted like real coffee—such a nice change from the usual instant coffee. Sticking with the coffee theme (haha, totally unintentional!), I ordered some Twirls and coffee sachets with my groceries—one for my Friday night treat and the other for our Sunday brunch. Since this post has ended up being mostly about coffee, I thought I’d end with some coffee trivia for you. Did you know… Australia invented the flat white in the 1980s. It’s like a latte but with stronger coffee and less milk. Coffee was first discovered by a goat herder in Ethiopia. Legend has it that in the 9th century, a goat herder named Kaldi noticed his goats getting extra energetic after eating berries from a certain tree. It turned out to be the coffee plant! Australia has more cafes than pubs. And a little meme for your Friday. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend. Linking up with Andrea and Erika

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What’s Up Wednesday

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Oh my goodness, I can hardly believe it’s the last Wednesday of the month, friends! Today’s been a work-from-home day spent writing up children’s developmental summaries. With term one nearly over, parent-teacher interviews are coming up soon. But first—summaries. Working from home always sounds so good to me, but in reality, I don’t think they’re all that great. Haha, it might even be harder than a regular day! My shoulder is sore from sitting at the computer all day and being at home makes me feel like I’m being naughty and skipping school. So, I didn’t even give myself a lunch break. Crazy huh? I also nearly decided to miss this fun link-up, but I had a shower to shake off the sluggishness, poured another coffee, and jumped back on the computer. Now, I’m here to share a little of this and that about what’s been happening for us in March. Let’s go! WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK Monday – Chicken thighs marinated in garlic, ginger, and soy sauce with fried rice. My boys loved it and asked to have it on the menu regularly. Sure, no problem—such an easy meal to make! Tuesday – Teriyaki salmon, rice and Asian salad. The salad comes in a bag from Woolworths and it goes perfectly with the salmon. Wednesday – Pesto fettuccine with prawns. Thursday – Pot roast. Friday – Leftovers. Saturday – Chicken schnitzel with baked potatoes, salad and gravy (lots of gravy). Sunday – Steak sandwiches. WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT March marks three years since my beloved Mumma passed. I miss her every single day, and there isn’t a day that goes by without thinking about her. Sometimes, I even catch myself thinking, ‘Oh, I have to tell my mum…’ and then I remember. Loss sucks, and grief never goes away. You just get better at carrying it with you, and you learn to live alongside it. The 19th of March was the actual day, and on that day, I went about getting to work without thinking about the date—until a kind, well-meaning lady from the church I used to attend texted me to see if I was okay on such a hard day. I got the message mid-morning, and it kind of unravelled me. One, because I remembered, and two, because I felt bad that I had forgotten. So, I had to remind myself that grief doesn’t care about the calendar. Some years, anniversaries hit hard, and other times, they pass quietly. And that’s okay. The love, the loss, and the missing her—it’s there every day, not just on one marked date. I still felt bad for the rest of the day, though. WHAT I’M LOVING Even though it’s nearly April, the weather is still warm over here. We’ve had plenty of cloudy and humid days, which are making my hair frizzy. Despite that, I’m still loving the heat and enjoying wearing summer clothes. I’m also planning to get a keratin hair treatment soon to combat the frizz. In the meantime, I bought a heat styling brush from Amazon, and now I’m wondering if I even need the keratin treatment since this brush is doing such a good job at taming my hair. Decisions, decisions! WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO In March, we took a step back in time and visited Lyndham Hall Historic House for their open day. We learned some local history and enjoyed a delicious lunch followed by a traditional Devonshire tea. We went to Ikea for a mid-week shop. This was an exciting March event for a huge Ikea fan like me! We hosted Cousin Connect. Played a hilarious new board game. Said cheers to a gorgeous sunset at a local rooftop bar. Another unexpected mid-week treat. Every Sunday in March, we made homemade brunch a thing. Yum! WHAT I’M DREADING Nothing–yay! WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT Term one is nearly over, and we break up for the autumn holidays on April 11th. That’s 12 more early morning alarms, 16 more sleeps, and 384 more hours. WHAT I’M WATCHING I watched Adolescence on Netflix, and WOW! What an intense series! I won’t spoil it, but it’s one of those shows that stays with you because it’s so raw and thought-provoking. As a parent, it left me wondering what it’s like to have preteens and teens in this digital era. My youngest is 20, so it’s been a while since those teenage years. But the pressures young people face today? It must be so tough. Each episode was filmed in one continuous take, and I’ve been reading about how they pulled that off. It took so much skill, coordination, and timing to make it all come together. The acting is incredible, and you feel everything the characters feel. It’s a must-watch. Please go watch it now if you haven’t already! WHAT I’M LISTENING TO Teddy Swims. I just discovered his music the other day—what a voice! WHAT I’M WEARING I remembered to take one photo of what I wore in March. Go me! WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND Another no-plans weekend for me. WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH The autumn break and Easter. And that’s a wrap for March! How was your month? I hope it treated you well and brought you some good moments. I’m looking forward to what April has in store and hoping it’s kind to all of us. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday. Linking up with Shay and Sheaffer.

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Best Brunch Ideas: How to Make Your Weekend Brunch Amazing!

8 Comments / Home, Recipes

Enjoying brunch on Sundays has become one of my weekend highlights. Since I’m never hungry before 10 am, brunch is the perfect combination of breakfast and lunch. Plus, you get to choose between savoury or sweet options. I’m usually a savoury girl, so I’m all about eggs with a side of avocado, crispy bacon or smoked salmon, and maybe some sautéed vegetables—whatever I’m in the mood for that day. So today, I’m sharing my Sunday brunch, along with some of my best brunch ideas. Thanks so much for stopping by! Why I Love Brunch Brunch is the perfect way to start a Sunday because, for one, it’s often the one day I can take things slow and enjoy a no-rush morning. Plus, I get to sleep in and have eggs—what’s not to love? Although we usually have brunch at home, if I do want to head out for a meal, brunch is often cheaper than dinner. Smaller portions, simpler menus, and more affordable drink options make brunch dates a more budget-friendly choice than dinner dates. Of course, there is the downside of no cocktails, but maybe a mimosa can make up for it! Brunch at Home vs. Brunch Out Brunch at a café is always nice—someone else does the cooking, the coffee is expertly made, and there’s no washing up! That said, there’s something about making brunch at home that’s just so satisfying. For one, you can stay in your pyjamas, make it exactly how you want, and there’s no pressure to dress up. What’s even better, you can keep your bed hair, and no one will mind! This weekend, I made a delicious brunch at home, and honestly, it was just as good as going out! We had scrambled eggs, avocado, smoked salmon, sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes, baby spinach, and a slice of sourdough. Best Brunch Ideas to Try Here are some of my favourite best brunch ideas: Avocado Toast – Simple, yet always a hit. Add feta and an egg for a little extra, and if you like to spice up your life, toss in some chilli flakes. No chilli for me, though—my taste buds aren’t up for the heat. Pancakes or Waffles – The ultimate sweet brunch option. Top with berries, maple syrup, or Nutella. Want to try making them? Here’s my recipe! Eggs Benedict – A classic with hollandaise sauce and smoked salmon or ham. Breakfast Burritos – Scrambled eggs, cheese, avocado, and salsa wrapped in a tortilla. Frittatas or Omelettes – A great way to pack in veggies and protein. Just ask my weightlifting son, who can never eat enough protein. Shakshuka – A Middle Eastern classic with eggs poached in a flavorful tomato sauce. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all the goodness. Bagels with Cream Cheese and Lox (cured salmon) – For a simple, yet delicious, brunch option, go for a bagel topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon, red onion, and capers. Perfect with a hot cup of coffee. French Toast – Light and fluffy, with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. Top it off with powdered sugar, fresh berries, or a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet treat. Smoothie Bowls – For a lighter, refreshing option, blend up your favourite fruits with some yogurt or almond milk and top with granola, seeds, and fresh fruit. You can find my granola recipe here—it’s deliciously crunchy! Smashed Potatoes with Eggs – The ultimate comfort food for a cold morning! Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Top them with a fried or poached egg and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Savoury Crepes – Thin, delicate crepes filled with ham, cheese, spinach, or mushrooms. Granola Parfait – Layers of crunchy granola, creamy yogurt, and fresh fruit. It’s simple, healthy, and delicious. Apple and Berry Gluten-Free Loaf – A perfect mix of sweet and fruity, this gluten-free loaf is full of fresh apples and berries, it’s moist and makes for a delicious gluten-free treat. You can enjoy it on its own or take it to the next level with a dollop of yogurt or a drizzle of honey. Recipe here. Mastering Poached Eggs in 2025 I’m pretty good at making fluffy and creamy scrambled eggs. But when it comes to recipes that require a poached egg, I leave that to the experts when I’m eating out. Learning how to perfectly poach an egg is actually on my list of goals for 2025. It’s March, and so far, this is my first goal—oops! Maybe 2025 is not my most ambitious year, so I will make egg poaching a priority–stay tuned! Best Brunch Ideas for Easy Prep Get a jump start on your brunch by prepping things like pancake batter or chopping fruit the night before. This not only saves time but also gives you a little extra snuggle with your pillow. Also, if you really want to make things simple, you can always cheat with those shake-and-make pancake mixes from the supermarket—shhh, no one will ever know! And don’t forget about the drink because a great cup of coffee, tea, smoothie, or juice can really elevate the whole experience. In fact, I love plunger coffee, but these sachets are pretty good, too—not café-level, but decent enough! Brunch is the perfect treat, whether you enjoy it at home or in a café. Try out these best brunch ideas and enjoy a relaxed Sunday (or any day of the week). Have a great day! Linking up with Holly and Sarah

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Friday Favourites

5 Comments / Friday Favourites, Home

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!

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