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Hi everyone. Wow, this week sure flew by! We hit the ground running at work on Monday morning. Typically we have a pupil-free day on the first day back after a term break. So it’s a nice way to ease into the term by having a day to prepare. But in term four, the kids start preschool on the very first day. I’m not sure who was more excited to return to preschool…the kids or the parents who needed a break after spending two weeks at home with their kids! Anyway, it’s great to be back today for Friday favourites and I’m excited to share some big favourites with you guys today. October Cousin Connect Yay! We had our fun family get-together last Saturday and it was so good to see everyone together again. Well, almost everyone as my aunt is still overseas but she’ll be back in a couple of weeks. My cousins had lots of interesting adventures to share. But I think we need a few more catch-ups so that we can hear more stories about their time away visiting so many beautiful countries around Europe. Look at this amazing cheeseboard my cousin Steve put together! It was almost a shame to devour it, but it sure tasted fantastic! We had a delicious dinner and after we finished eating my cousin Ben showed me some of the photos from their trip. So far I know they visited Spain, Switzerland, Italy, The Netherlands, England, and Greece. They went skydiving, drove over big sand dunes, saw extraordinary views, partied hard and ate amazing food. It sounded so fun and I’m happy that they had an incredible time. But I sure am happy that they are home! We had delicious cupcakes and doughnuts for dessert. Then finished off the night with a few rounds of our favourite board game and as usual, there was a lot of excited yelling and I was laughing until my face hurt. Favourite Meals This Week Teriyaki salmon with rice and lots of veggies. Chicken stroganoff with mashed potato and veggies. Fish and chips for me when I went out for dinner midweek. Laksa for Steve. He said that it was so spicy, that he was sure his sinuses would be well and truly clear until the end of the year. Colourful Spring Roses Another beautiful rose appeared in my garden. I saw this one on Sunday. Then on Monday, it opened up! Chamomile Tea At the beginning of the week, I had so much trouble falling asleep. Then when I finally did it was that light, in-between state of half-awake, half-asleep. So annoying! I’m not sure if it was because I was a bit anxious about going back to the routine of work. Or if I was afraid that I would sleep through the alarm. Two weeks of no alarm was pure bliss! On Tuesday afternoon I stopped at the fruit shop on my walk home from work where I picked up some chamomile tea. It tasted amazing with a teaspoon of honey but I can’t say that it worked its magic in helping me relax and fall asleep on Tuesday night. However, the good news is that I slept much better on Thursday even though I just drank normal tea. It was great not feeling like a zombie at work! A New Family Member A big favourite for this week and probably the biggest favourite is that we have an unexpected new addition to the family. This cute little kitten had been meowing outside our house since Saturday night. Whenever we got close to her she would panic and hide under the car. It was as if she was begging us to take her in but at the same time, she was terrified of us. To be honest I didn’t really want to rescue her and I was hoping that maybe our cat-loving neighbour would. But she already has two cats. We have our own cat Sushi who is 12 years old and I didn’t want to rock her world by introducing a kitten to our home. But fate had other plans for us and Sam managed to gain the cute little kitty’s trust. He sat on the verandah waiting until she finally felt safe enough to let him pick her up and bring her into the house. It took us all about two seconds to fall totally in love with her. She is unbelievably affectionate for a stray kitten who has been fending for herself for who knows how long. Sam took her to the vet where she was given a clean bill of health and microchipped. Now she is all ours and Sam has named her Mochi after the Japanese rice cake. So now we have a Sushi and a Mochi. As I predicted we have totally ruined Sushi’s little world and she is not at all impressed with this kitten. In fact, I’m pretty sure she’s quite scared of her and sees her as a threatening intruder. She looks at her and makes this incredibly sad meow which sounds like half a cry and half a hiss. Mochi just stands there and looks confused. We are keeping them apart and gradually introducing them to each other but it’s going to take time. It’s so fun having a new kitten and she is so cute! She loves to be patted and stroked and I am so glad that she’s friendly. As there’s nothing worse than a scary and hissy cat! I’m hopeful that Sushi will eventually come around to getting used to her. I have visions of them being like the animals in the Disney movies where the big cat looks after the little cat. They curl up and fall asleep together and live happily ever after. Doesn’t look very likely at the moment though! Spot the kitty! That’s All Folks! I guess that just about wraps up some of my big favourites for this week! I’m so happy that it’s

Hi there, friends and welcome to the October edition of Let’s Look, hosted by Erika and Shay. When I looked at the topic for this month which is ‘Our Biggest Fears’. I thought ‘Excellent! I will have plenty to write about’ Ha! You see, I have always been a cautious person. My school report cards always said the same thing. ‘Ruth is a polite, shy and very quiet student’. I bet the teachers probably didn’t even know that I existed! I’m not much of a risk-taker or one to put myself out there. So it appears that this cautious nature of mine has shaped my life in more ways than one. Especially when it comes to some of my biggest fears. But I am working on myself, and starting this blog about two and a half years ago might just be one of the bravest things that I have done. Go me! I am also trying to conquer my fears and stop myself from adding extra fears to my already long list, which seems to be a recurring theme as I get older…sigh! Now I am going to bravely share my biggest fears with you, and I have to tell you that some of them are just plain crazy and irrational. So, you have my full permission to go ahead and laugh! I sure do (usually after I have cried about them first though 😂). My Biggest Fears! CHOKING On top of the fact that I have had a fear of choking for a long time. Our family also had a terrifying experience about six years ago when my younger son actually began choking. Thankfully it was his older brother Luke who saved him using the Heimlich manoeuvre. I can’t even bear to think what might have happened if Luke hadn’t been there. Interestingly the Heimlich manoeuvre isn’t taught or even promoted here in Australia. It was simply that Luke has always had a real curiosity for exploring various subjects. About a week before the choking incident, he happened to be reading up on it and even learnt the proper technique himself. I can only see God’s hand in this! SPIDERS, BUGS OR ANYTHING CREEPY CRAWLY Yuck! The other day a spider landed on my leg while I was happily blogging. Just out of nowhere, it plopped itself on my bare leg! At first, I thought it was a cockroach which is bad enough! I jumped out of my seat and screamed until I almost scared the poor spider to death. Well, that and almost a whole can of bug spray did the trick of killing it! The only bugs I can tolerate are ladybugs. Although I did see one under a microscope once. This was a huge mistake because up close they are icky and not cute at all. Now I can’t unsee what I saw… shudder! PUBLIC SPEAKING Because I don’t like being the centre of attention, public speaking almost equals having spiders and bugs deliberately thrown at me. That’s how much I fear it! When I was at uni I had to do presentations as part of my degree. I wish that I could say that I got over this as one of my biggest fears because I had to speak in public regularly to pass my course. But I did not! DRIVING OUTSIDE OF MY COMFORT ZONE I didn’t get my license until I was 26 when my oldest son was 3. The only reason why I learnt how to drive was because I needed to take him to preschool and I couldn’t rely on my husband as he worked odd hours. I’m so glad that I did learn how to drive because it made life easier but I still only drive to places that I am familiar with. If I have to go somewhere I’m not sure of, then my husband will take me for a practice drive. Bless him! FLYING This might make it to the top of the list of my biggest fears! Just thinking about it makes me nauseous. I have flown several times before, but with each trip, my fears seem to grow. The most recent flight I took was way back in 2008 when I travelled to New Zealand for my cousin’s wedding. I still remember that flight so vividly. I sat next to my mum feeling pale, cold and clammy. She was so excited about the trip and my fearless mum wouldn’t stop talking to me. She kept saying ‘Look Ruth isn’t this exciting, look out the window’. Geez, I couldn’t even move as I was almost paralyzed with fear. I don’t think that she understood that my sole mission was to sit there and not be sick. I also had to concentrate very hard on making sure that the pilot landed safely! CANCER Every time I have a symptom of anything I do what I shouldn’t do. I spend too long on Dr Google who in the end always diagnoses me with cancer. Sore shoulder…yep could be cancer. Upset stomach….. cancer. The skin on the bottom of my lip is pealing….definitely skin cancer. In my defence quite a few of my friends also admit to being like this but maybe not quite as bad as I am. WATER I’m not totally afraid of water as I will shower! But I don’t really know how to swim very well and if my feet can’t touch the ground of a pool I instantly panic. Swimming at the beach…forget it! I guess it didn’t help that I had a horrible P.E. teacher at school who probably got her teaching degree from the Trunchbull Academy. I still remember her yelling at me when I was 5 years old as I stood shivering by the edge of the pool. She was screaming at me to jump in or else she would throw me in. In the end, she threw me in the pool and I saw my little life flash before my

Hi there friends I am excited to be here linking up with Jennifer from Overflowing with Thankfulness. It’s the September edition of Currently! This month we are going to be chatting about what we are loving, experiencing, dreaming, eating and using to decorate. Let’s go! LOVING I just enjoyed another piece of the delicious cake I bought for Father’s Day. Even though I don’t typically have a sweet tooth. I am totally loving this layered cream and jam sponge cake. We had quite a bit leftover from Sunday night, so I decided to indulge again and thought “Why not step up and take one for the team to support my husband on his weight loss journey” Someone has to help out, right? Surprisingly I think I love it even more than I did on Sunday night. The cream has a unique flavour, different from the usual cream fillings –  almost has a hint of yoghurt-like tanginess. This subtle acidity makes the cake taste totally amazing! I’d never thought I’d be gushing about a cake like this. I mean burgers and fries, absolutely! But sweet treats? Not usually my thing. EXPERIENCING I am currently experiencing what I can only describe as ‘term three tiredness’. It’s that time of the year when I am feeling kind of wiped out both physically and mentally. The constant hustle and bustle as well as the emotional demands that come with caring for preschoolers can leave me feeling pretty drained. So to be honest, I’m eagerly counting down to the upcoming spring holidays. I can not wait to have a break from that early morning alarm and squeezing in household chores before and after work. I’m so excited to get a refreshing break and I also want to soak in the warm sunny spring weather! DREAMING I’m pretty sure that this prompt refers to goals, aspirations or desires. But lately, my nights have been filled with some incredibly vivid dreams. They have been so ‘real’ that I have been scaring my husband during the night. I guess that means we’re even now, considering how much he snores. Haha! Apparently the other night I was moaning and talking in my sleep, which according to my husband sounded like a horror movie. He said he was lying there feeling unsure about whether or not to wake me. The next morning he asked about my dream and it took me a moment to remember. Then it hit me – I had dreamt that I was all excited and ready to go on a trip of a lifetime to Disneyland. But when I got to the airport I wasn’t allowed to board the plane because my passport was out of date and I had forgotten to renew it. Now that was a terrifying nightmare, no doubt about it!! EATING During the last few weeks of August, I have been eagerly waiting for spring to arrive. The sunny winter days were so inviting and got me in the mood to visit the Saturday morning farmer’s market. There I bought a rainbow of fresh delicious fruit and veggies and it got me really excited to cook! Over the last couple of weeks, I have also tried to incorporate some meat-free meals into our weekly menu. So I tried a chickpea curry (not spicy!) and a spinach and ricotta lasagna. As I type this, I realize I haven’t planned a meat-free meal for this week. But that’s ok-there are still a few days left so I’ll have to come up with something fast. Maybe a three-bean chilli might be good? USING TO DECORATE Here in Australia, we don’t go all out with home decorations throughout the year, except for Easter, Halloween and of course Christmas. I find it so fascinating to see how this is so different from other parts of the world. I have noticed that in places like the United States and many European countries, there seems to be a strong tradition of decorating homes for various occasions. Such as Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day and even to celebrate the changing seasons. We are pretty laid back over here about home decoration. And that’s a wrap! Thanks so much for hanging out with me and reading along as I share a bit about what has been going on currently in September. I hope you have an amazing Wednesday!

Hi everyone, guess what? This week marks the second anniversary of my blogging journey. Yep, it’s two years since I first plucked up the courage to jump in, go right out of my comfort zone, and have a crack at blogging. I had been thinking about starting a blog for years, but it took the lockdown to finally give me the time and courage to dive in. The first post that I published was about our cat because I was too shy to blog about myself. So I decided to blog about cats! Haha. Finding The Courage To Begin Because I’m actually a pretty shy person, putting myself out there through blogging is a big deal for me. But you know what? It’s been totally worth it. And one of the best parts of this blogging journey has been discovering the amazing blogging community and making connections with so many lovely people from all around the world. I also appreciate and love all the readers who take the time to comment on my blog. Your engagement and support mean the world to me. So I’m sending virtual high-fives and a big warm thank you for brightening up my day with your awesome comments! Embracing The Journey When I first started blogging I had to deal with a whole bunch of technical issues that just about did my head in! I chose to go with WordPress.org which was a challenge and it took me a while to work out and understand what on earth I was doing!  But I’m kind of glad that I really didn’t know how tricky it was going to be otherwise I may have never given it a go. And I have to say that in this case ignorance really was bliss! Thankfully I pushed through and learnt as I went along. I didn’t hurl my computer out the window like I wanted to so many times. And I am so glad that I didn’t give up. So yeah I’m incredibly excited to be celebrating two years of blogging. It’s been a fantastic experience, and I’m so thankful for the courage I found during lockdown. And hey, if you’re thinking about starting a blog too. I say go for it! It might seem daunting at first, but it is so worth it. Here’s to many more years of blogging adventures!

Hey, tea enthusiasts and foodies! Today we are looking at the wonderful world of high tea! Take a seat and get comfy as we explore the wonders of this tradition. A cherished custom that brings together friends and loved ones to indulge in delectable treats and savour aromatic teas in a cozy, elegant setting. High Tea The Origins Of High Tea High tea originates in 19th-century England, where it had very humble beginnings. Initially, it was a working-class meal that was served in the early evenings to refuel tired hungry workers. Back then high tea was a substantial and hearty meal that bridged the gap between lunch and dinner. Workers would enjoy their meals accompanied by a strong pot of tea. And the meal was called high tea because it was eaten at a high dining table. But over time, it evolved into an elegant and social event enjoyed by the upper classes and usually served between 4-6 pm. While high tea is traditionally associated with British culture. Nowadays it is enjoyed in many settings around the world. You will find that many luxury hotels, tea rooms and restaurants serve their own unique versions. Mixing traditional elements with a touch of modern flavour. The Art Of High Tea Etiquette High tea etiquette has evolved over time, and today it is much more relaxed than in days gone past. Of course, it’s still nice to observe some traditional etiquette practices. But the emphasis now is more on enjoying the experience in a beautiful and relaxed environment. Dress Up High tea is a fancy affair so it’s a perfect opportunity to dress up and make the event feel even more special. As it is not an everyday event, dressing up can make the occasion feel even more unique and memorable. You can go classic chic in a knee-length dress or skirt paired with classic pumps or dressy flats. If vintage glam is more your style. Then why not wear a retro-inspired flared skirt with sling-back heels and a small cute clutch? If you prefer contemporary elegance then you could wear tailored pants in a neutral colour. Then pair this with ankle boots and a stylish elegant top. Wearing a floral or pastel-coloured sundress will give the experience a garden party vibe. And would also be a perfect outfit for high tea in Spring. Teapot Handling When pouring, hold the teapot handle with one hand and support the bottom with the other. Stirring your teacup with a teaspoon is perfectly ok these days. And no longer frowned upon as it was in the past, just try to avoid too much clinking. But don’t stress if you do clink, clinking is perfectly fine too! Sipping In Style Keep it classy by taking small sips-no need for slurping or blowing on your tea! Taking small dainty sips is also a perfect way to make sure that you are enjoying the flavours. you don’t need to have your pinky up in the air as you sip but just remember to place your teacup back in the saucer to avoid any spills. Cutlery Use No need to panic about what cutlery to use and in which order as Julia Roberts did in ‘Pretty Woman’. But if you really want to stick to tradition then you can start with the outermost cutlery and work your way in. Otherwise, just focus on using utensils in a way that allows you to enjoy your food while still maintaining good table manners. And remember to pop your napkin on your lap. Delectable Treats And Tea Selection Now, the highlight and the most delicious part: the treats! Here are some traditional delicacies that you will often find served at a high tea. Scones: Delicious fluffy scones served warm with clotted cream and jam. Finger sandwiches: High tea is all about the dainty crustless sandwiches full of mouthwatering fillings. Such as smoked salmon, egg and cress, cucumber and cream cheese or chicken and tarragon. Pastries and cakes: Prepare to indulge in mini delights such as petits fours, macarons, sponge cupcakes, eclairs and tarts. Variety of tea: You can choose from a variety of traditional tea flavours like English Breakfast, Earl Grey and Darjeeling. Or if herbal options are more appealing then you will also find that you can choose from many different aromatic herbal and fragrant green teas. Alcohol-infused indulgences: Some high tea experiences may even offer tea-infused cocktails, champagne or sparkling wine to add a touch of celebration to the special occasion. In a world that moves at a frantic pace, indulging in a high tea experience will give you a welcome respite. It’s a chance to stop and enjoy the simple pleasures. Such as indulging in delectable treats, aromatic teas and the joy of conversation in good company. So why not go ahead and make a date to dress up and embrace the elegance and charm of this delightful tradition? High tea is a perfect opportunity to treat yourself to delicate sandwiches, sweet treats and fragrant teas. And maybe a glass of bubbly too!

I thought that it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane. And look at my all-time favourite decade- The 80s! If you grew up in this decade then you will know exactly what I mean. The 80s was a time of interesting fashion and hairstyles. Amazing pop culture, epic music and the best TV shows. So let’s have a look at why the 80s was the best decade ever. As I share some of my favourite things about this wonderful time. This post features some sponsored content. I believe in transparency and only collaborate with brands aligned with my values. You can count on me to share my honest opinions. Your trust means the world to me, and I appreciate you being here! 12 Reasons Why The 80s Was The Best Decade The Music I love music from all the decades, even today’s music. Except not that angry rap stuff, that I will never understand or like. But it would be probably accurate to say that I am head over heels for 80s music! From the catchy pop tunes of Madonna to the rebellious rock anthems of Bon Jovi, there was something for everyone. Remember the lure of the synthesisers that made the melodies come alive and created memorable electrifying music like the soundtrack to ‘Beverly Hills Cop’. And who can forget the new wave explosion that took the whole world by storm? Bands like New Order, Talking Heads, A-ha, and Duran Duran to name a few. These bands helped to define the new wave genre with their unique sound and blend of punk, pop and electronic music. The Mix Tape Haha, the good old mix tape that took so much effort and perseverance to create! Firstly you had to wait (all day) patiently hovering around the radio ready to catch that favourite song. And then with ninja-like reflexes as soon as you heard the song you had to press the record and play buttons at the same time. If you were very lucky you would catch the whole song without the DJ’s intrusive voice at the beginning or the annoying tail end of a commercial. The struggle was real but the victory was sweet! The Fashion The 80s would have to be the decade that brought us the most memorable styles. The 80s were all about big shoulder pads, leg warmers, neon colours and oversized t-shirts emblazoned with bold eye-catching inspirational messages like Choose Life Be Yourself Dream Big It was also the decade of acid-wash jeans, scrunchies, ra-ra skirts and multiple layers of rubber bracelets. The 80s was a fashion adventure for sure! If you love 80s fashion, you should definitely give this style a try! Small accessories like necklaces, earrings, or custom patches from Patches Co. can have a fantastic impact. Customising patches with unique 80s fashion elements to embellish your outfit will add a unique and unmistakable retro vibe to your outfit. The Hairstyles The best word that describes 80s hair is excess! From big hair to gravity-defying creations, the 80s really did push the boundaries of hairstyling to new heights. Not to mention how the sale of hair spray and gels must have skyrocketed through the roof! Big hair was all the rage and almost everyone’s motto was “The higher the better”. Oh, how I envied my friends who could rock the big messy Madonna-style hair with the glorious standing-up fringe. I was never allowed to leave the house looking like this. God knows I tried but my mum would always catch me and send me back to brush my hair out. She would say “Why do you want to look like a cockatoo?”. I just did Mum…..I really really did! TV Shows Television in the 80s was a cultural phenomenon. There were epic cartoons like ‘Inspector Gadget’, ‘The Smurfs’, ‘Voltron’ and ‘Super Friends’ which featured the ‘Wonder Twins’- “Wonder twin powers activate!”. Back in the days when streaming services didn’t exist, the wholesome family TV sitcoms were the best and I always eagerly anticipated their airtime. I remember waiting and fiddling with the darn TV antenna praying for a strong signal to watch some of my favourite shows like ‘Family Ties’, ‘Growing Pains’, ‘Full House’, and ‘The Facts Of Life’. The Movies The 80s gifted us some of the most iconic movies of all time. From the unforgettable dance moves in ‘Footloose’ and ‘Dirty Dancing’ to the action-packed adventures in ‘Raiders Of The Lost Ark’ and ‘Top Gun’. It was also a time when The Brat Pack ruled the screen with movies like ‘The Breakfast Cub’, ‘Pretty In Pink’, ‘St Elmo’s Fire’ and ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’. The decade delivered countless classics and introduced us to exhilarating experiences leaving us craving for more. Arcade Games The ’80s is also the decade when arcade games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Street Fighter and Donkey Kong were all the rage. The colourful graphics, iconic sounds (pac-man dying), catchy soundtracks and addictive gameplay kept us totally hooked. We were also introduced to portable gaming with handheld devices like Nintendo’s Game & Watch. Oh my goodness, I remember the very first time that I saw one of these. I felt like the cavemen must have felt when they discovered fire for the very first time. Memorable Toys I think that the 80s was a golden age for toys. This decade introduced us to toys like Cabbage Patch Kids, Strawberry Shortcake, Transformers and the iconic Rubik’s Cube to name a few. These toys sparked our imagination and provided endless hours of entertainment. Video Stores The 80s also gave us video rental stores where we would spend ages trying to decide what movie to pick for that special weekend movie night. The giddy anticipation of finding the much-awaited new release added a real sense of excitement to the movie-watching experience. Phone Conversations Before smartphones and texting, talking on the phone was a social event. The 80s teen years were all about spending hours on the phone sharing secrets,