Day 436 in my miracles life

So have i mentioned that i have finally decided what i want to be when i grow up?

I only really realised that i had a dream, that i actaully knew what i wanted to be when my husband fairly bluntly pointed it out.

You see i have always said that “if i won the lotto” i would open my own coffee shop, i have so many ideas as to what i want to do and the things i want to offer that each time i think about it i get super excited.  Often on long car trips my husband and i play pretend and talk about what it would be like and all the things i would bake and we even sometimes start talking locations…

Anywho to me it has always been that hypothetical dream that you never really do anything about.

Until one day not so long ago my husband simply said to me “why not”

And i thought.  Why not? Why cant i aim to own my perfect little coffee shop one day?

So i decided that i would work toward a goal.  Nothing set in stone, no dates no real commitments, but a dream that may one day be reality.

And in taking a step toward that dream, and while it took some time, i found a job in a local coffee shop that is “just” like something i would one day like to own.

And i LOVE it.

I love it i love it i love it!

I love getting to work and setting up the tables, i love wiping down the counters and sweeping the floors ready for the customers, i love making my first coffee of the day, and i just love being able to talk to people all day – who actaully talk back!

No more being stuck behind a desk working my bum off for people who dont appreciate it.

Instead i am making people something that brings a smile to their face, i am brightening someones day simply by making the best coffee i can.  No matter how small it is by saying hello to someone to asking them how their day was, and simply just trying to remember the regualrs orders with a smile on my face makes me more happy than i have been in years!

It sounds silly, to take a job earning less money and working much harder, but you know what…? It makes me happy – more happy then i have been in years and simply because i can be me and have people love me for being me…

And because maybe just maybe one day i will own my own shop and it will be just as i dreamed it would be

Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe. Gail Devers

So i believe i am up to number 9 now, the problem is time is ticking away too fast and i only have about 11 months to create 21 more recipes for others! EKKK… Better get cracking!  By my calculations that is two each month from now on! Hmmmm… Anyone for cake – HELP!!

Ok so even though i havent tasted these ones i am told that they are SCRUMPTIOUS and that i somehow nailed the gnash on top… I am trying to remember but you may just have to bare with my dollop and blob qty’s as i kinda just made that one up as i went along!

The origional recipe was taken from here, and apart from changing it to mixed berries i pritty much just followed it to the tea… And as you are all aware as my oven is broken i even took a trip to my wonderful mother in laws just to bake them! LOL that must be birthday love

Stuff you’ll need

Day 433 in my miracles life

I have made the decision to take a step back.

I always do this, i always put to much pressure on myself and end up becoming a mess.

I was doing so well, and then… and then this morning i fell apart, i fell apart in a way that i am not proud of.  I knew it was coming, i just knew it – sleepless nights, the feeling that i needed to cry but couldnt, anger, resentment, frustration, and the sadest part – lack of “play time” with my lovely… I have wound up once again in a world of my own and this morning i broke down.

I wish i knew how to fix this for good, and i wish i could instantly make myself happy again, but the truth is i cant and from all that i have learned over the past 5 months is that it takes time and that i somehow HAVE to be easier on myself.

So as such i am taking a step back from potty training.  I will continue, but i will also take the pressure off myself and of course of my george by letting her wear nappy pants.  As much as they say you shouldnt start and stop over the past two weeks i have learned that while she is ‘ready’ she is not that ready and the stress of getting my precious one on the potty every 5 monutes is killing my husband and i.

So for now, i shall take her when i go as well as before and after nap times… But apart from that i am going to let her enjoy being a 14 month old, and i am going to enjoy her being a 14 month old without stressing and creating this silly unnessasary pressure i have no idea why i placed on myself!

Having a healthy mum is far more important than having a potty trained baby…. After a good sleep and a LOT of googeling i know that my little one will learn in time and that there is no hurry… NO hurry what so ever.

One day at a time cheryl… One day at a time!

Day 432 in my miracles life

SQUEE! Can you believe that the year is almost rolling around to its end?  I don’t know about you but the past few years i have been looking forward to the end of the year, more specifically CHRISTMAS TIME!

I was never a big Christmas girl, it just seemed like so much hassle over nothing, well i mean part from the whole this is when Jesus was born importance of it all, but i mean all the hype and the shops bringing out decorations in OCTOBER! It really really used to give me the irrates…

But that is all in the past now!

I now LOVE chirstmas, love love love it. last year i had so much fun baking, decorating, singing Christmas tunes and getting into the spirit for my little baby that this year when i saw christmas in the shops i almost did cartwheels right then and there!  I cant wait for December 1st to put up the tree, and this year my little one is old enough to understand it just a little bit more – i cant wait!

She is a poser isn't she?

In the spirit of christmas i have recently discovered that Huggies is bringing out a christmas nappy range, and when i did i almost fell off my chair! I know that we are beginning the whole toilet training business, but when we go out we are still putting on a nappy as i am not willing to give the whole peeing in public game a go just as yet!

Not only am i a huggies girl by heart – they are the only nappies that seem to do the trick for me, but now since i am a christmas girl at heart now as well, nothing will stop me from putting these cute little designs on my little georges toochie!

People who know me know that normally i HATE when nappies show, i have ruffle butts coming out of my ears, i just wont have a nappy showing, but these, these are the exception to the rule, and i am so excited about them… Now i am the lady who is bringing out Christmas in October and really getting into the spirit by dressing my little lady up – nappy in full view!

These awesome nappies are going to be available from Supermarkets, Chemists and Online, but you have to be quick as they are only available during the festive season. They are retailing for $20.00 a pack and are available in Crawler, Toddler and Walker sizes only.  More information can be found on the Huggies site http://www.huggies.com.au/nappies/huggies-nappies/christmas

And in the spirit of Christmas Huggies has also generously provided us with a link not only to their new Christmas E-book but also for their new iphone app!

The E-book which can be downloaded using this link ( http://bit.ly/vhxWay ) has some FANTASTIC ideas on Christmas planning, Christmas dinner recipes, decorations, entertainment including some awesome games for kids, some great gift ideas and even some colouring templates which i cant personally wait to print and give to my little georgii to have a scribble on

The iphone app is available from this link ( http://bit.ly/t8nUMn ) and is just as Christmassy awesome as the E-book and nappies!!

Disclosure:: While i received the products i reviewed i was not paid for my comments and everything written is my honest to goodness opinion!

Day 431 in my miracles life

A little bit different this week.

To my dearest husband,

There was a time not so long ago when i was so lost and confused i thought i didnt need you and i thought my life might be better off without you by my side…

But now that my mind is clearer and now that i see the light behind the clouds, now that my heart feels some hope again i know that i was truly mistaken and that there isnt a day that i dont want you as a part of my life.

No matter what happens you are always by my side, you are always there for me without complaint.  No matter how hard you work no matter how tired you are you always have me in your heart and you always lend a helping hand, and for that i am eternally grateful.

I wish i knew just the right words and way to let you know how much you mean to me and just how much all the you do for me truly means.  I wish i could tell you how full my heart feels when i think of all you do for just me and all that you do for me and george, and i wish that there were some way i could repay you for giving me your all even when i threw it back at you.

My love there isnt a day that goes by that i am not grateful for all you have done for me and there is not a day in my future that i dont want you a part of my life.

I love you Mr Jay Anthony Schull with every beat of my heart.

Forever your wifie…

I actually dont know what to call these, but i guess sesame Peanut Butter Balls are appropriate as that is what is in the

So basically as you all know my oven broke – BOO! So i had to figure out something that was semi good for me and required no cooking that would satisfy my sugar craving for the weekend.

And i have to tell you that this one actually tasted good, and quite awesome for a hot summers night as it was last night.  This one is another wheat free treat – all natural and not too sweet!

Stuff you’ll need

• 1/3 cup sesame seeds
• 2/3 cup coconut
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup dates (the photo shows saltanas but when i used dates it worked better)
• 1/3 cup water

How i did it

So like almost all of my wheat free treats this one is uber simple! In a saucepan place the dates and water and bring to the boil / until the dates are softened.  Dry toast the sesame seeds in a pan, lower the heat and add the peanut butter and honey.  Add the coconut then the dates.  You should have a moist consistancy.  Roll small portions into balls and place in the freezer for an hour or so – until they are firm, it would work in the fridge its just i like super cold stuff.

Oh and if you were feeling fancy you could dip them in dark chocolate… Or replace the dates for dried apricots if you like.

Day 429 in my miracles life

So this month you would have noticed the little frocktober link on my sidebar?

NO, you didnt? Oh deary deary me, well if you did miss it here it is now…

 

This month i wanted to support a good twitter friend in her quest to raise money for frocktober, what is this frocktober you ask? Well basically Sarah H here has been wearing dresses for the entire month, OMG yes the entire month! I cant even imagine wearing a dress for a day let alone one every day for a month! I wore a dress yesterday and i ended up taking it off after half a day it was that annoying!

Anywho, back to the story, Sarah is wearing said dresses to raise awareness and money for The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. And as i hate dresses i decided to donate one of the ones i had hanging in the back of my wardrobe and i must say that it looks SO much better on her than it ever did on me! She pulls it off U-mazingly and with a beautiful location… Well i think just the photo shoot is enough for you to throw all your money her way

Isn't she just devine?

 

So in honor of such a great cause please open your hearts and your wallets and head over HERE to throw whatever loose change you have into sponsoring Sarah.

I am only 4 and a half months late but none the less today i took my little nephew to the movies for his birthday… And what happens when you take an 8 year old to the movies? You need snacks of course!!  So after researching some awesome recipes for him, the x man decided that he wanted peanut butter cookies by smitten kitchen – BUT – with extra choc chips. No worries right?

Except when your oven breaks of course!

For some reason half way through baking the oven stopped heating, who knows why, all i know is that it is going to cost me a fortune and that i simply can not live without my oven! Its only been about 24 hours now and already i am feeling the crunch. I mean for goodness sake i had to think of a wheat free snack that requires NO baking…. Butttttt thats another recipe for tomorrow maybe

Anywho back to the choc chip peanut butter slice… I can only assume that it was delightful as the little man ate a whole bag of them PLUS wanted more!! So if your feeling like a little ( a lot of ) chocolate then give this one a burl!

Stuff you’ll need

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup crunchy peanut butter at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 250 gram block of 75% cocoa dark chocolate chopped
• 250 gram block of white chocolate (i told you there was a lot of chocolate!) chopped

How i did it

Preheat oven to 180 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the flour, the baking soda, the baking powder, and the salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and the peanut butter together until fluffy. Add the sugars and beat until smooth. Add the egg and mix well. Add the milk and the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat thoroughly. Stir in the chocolate chips. Place in a lined tin and squish down.  I did attempt to form cookies out of them but there were so many choc chips the batter wouldnt stick together!  Now if you are me you will bake for 1/2 an hour, your oven will break so you will stick it covered under the grill for another half an hour, then have a genis idea that you would for some reason un cover it and leave it under the grill to burn.  You will then freak out, get depressed, wipe a tear from your eye, then scrap the burnt layer off the top wrap it in cling wrap and shove it in the fridge only to discover in the morning that it actually worked!  But if your not me i would recommend baking for 3/4 of an hour in a 180 deg cel fan forced oven… Keep your eye on it and make sure you dont over bake it…

But you know, my way is totally cool!

This is us dazed and confused after the movies and my beautiful nephew about a number 8 on the puke scale! (he did consume almost half of the entire slice by himself!)