I have plenty! Recipes, soaps, pictures, trips, what-nots…

It’s just that I can’t seem to find the time to put things together. Every time I sit down and get ready to talk about the latest, someone somewhere needs me. And when things finally die down, I forget what I wanted to share.

It’s a sign, a blinking led if you will.

I’m getting old.

I’m getting tired.

I’m in need of a vacation.

Bleck.

We bought it when I was pregnant with Eva and still living in Switzerland. It is a dense foam mattress from IKEA and was a step up from the one Nil was using. On hindsight, I should have settled for a spring mattress. They last way better and are much more firmer. These days, I can feel myself rolling in towards the center – a sign that it’s time to replace this.

I saw some pretty good ones from www.tranquilitymattress.com and wonder if I can get anything similar here for a decent price. While I can still sleep pretty okay on this, I have a strange feeling that if I continue using this, my back will start to go!!!!

What about you? What sort of mattress are you using?

When I’m having one of those crazy days, I whip up one-pot meals in the form of either fried rice or noodles and garnish them with some salad leaves or strips of egg omelette. Yes, I have become that un-adventurous and mayhaps even lazy when it comes to cooking. Ohhorror. I have taken to surfing my favourite cooking sites just to get an idea of what to prepare for lunch and dinner.

The shortlisted recipes include the following:

• Turkey meatloaf – recipe here
• Pasta e fagioli – recipe here (this looks extremely yummy!)
• Warm lentil salad with sausage – recipe here (I might make this tomorrow since I already have the lentils. I have some sausage but will check with Nil if I can use those instead of smoked sausage.)
• Strawberry summer cake – recipe here (tomorrow’s dessert…since we have strawberries!)
• Roast chicken with dijon sauce – recipe here
• Meatball subs with caramelised onions – recipe here (looks awesomely yummy!)

I seriously need to be inspired to cook. Funny how I have no issues being inspired to make soap. Hai.

Here a SimpleViewer Flash gallery should be displayed. Click here to open the post in your browser to see the gallery.

Of lately, we have been going out to either run errands or get groceries. I rarely have a chance to take pictures of this town which I have called home for the last couple of months. Since Nil isn’t around for the next week or so (which means that I don’t have to worry about putting lunch on the table by 1230 noon every week day), I thought we could head out for a stroll around town, get some pictures, etc.

We got to a good start but unfortunately towards the end, I don’t know whether it was because it was cold (it was windy – 20 kmh – and temps were around 0-2°C), Noah started fussing so we cut out trip short and returned home by 11am. We’ll probably head out again with the camera tomorrow if the weather continues to be good. It’s Tuesday and that means market day!

So without any delay, here are pictures of our 120 sqm (I think) ancient (yes, am not joking – it belongs to our landlord’s wife’s parents and they – our landlord – aren’t exactly young) apartment.

(Click to see a larger pic)

…in the form of macarons (not to be confused with its coconut-version sister, the macaroon) from the local patisserie. It costs a bomb thought – about €4.50 for 100 gms (the equivalent of about six macarons). Not fab for my waistline but it’s a once-in-a-blue moon treat for the adults.

Hm, this blog has become a little bit picture-heavy of lately. I wonder if it’s good. Personally I like blogs that have a good balance between pictures and text. Craft, food or soap blogs with just text and nothing else but text bores the heck out of me mainly because I’d like to see what all the hype is about.

We don’t usually celebrate V-Day in this house – heck, I don’t even have my Christmas gift. We have been delaying on the gifting for a variety of reasons but mainly because we don’t need all those things. There is always something more important than buying wants.

This time though, I’m tempted to splurge on myself and buy some flowers. Why not? I reckon it’ll bring some cheer to the house as well. Maybe get Eva to choose from the florist, etc. In some countries, V-Day isn’t just for lovers but extend to include friends and family. I reckon this site – http://www.valentinesdayflowers.com/ – would give us both some ideas as to what will be nice.

Worse case scenario? Just buy whatever that’s available!

I remember coming across a couple of striped quilts and figured that it would be fun as well as easy to whip out. After hunting the Internet for some ideas, I took a look at my stash. Now, as usual, the hubby always ends up picking out colour schemes that are shocking to boot like super bright orange against dark blue. I was hoping for something a little less shocking, especially for a cute little bubs like Noah. So after some intense negotiation, I got what I wanted. (I learnt from experience not to cave – remember the last quilt I made?)

And here’s the result of a couple of hours cutting, pinning, sewing, ironing, more pinning, more sewing and more ironing! Now to put together a border and hunt around for a quilt batting & backing!

As you can see, Daddy is taking the shift here. They are going bonkers with all that snow and well, having fun.

Where is Mummy and Noah?

Scroll down, please.

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Well, this is Noah when it snows like mad. Mummy doesn’t get much zzz already so when Noah stays at home, he usually plays a little and naps in the afternoon. Since we’re at my father-in-law’s place and he is a little fussier than usual, he ends up sleeping with me. O’well…

At least at night, he falls asleep all by himself (trophies and awards for my son please!).

*cross posted on the baby blog*

The past week has really been cold for us here in France. In other four-season countries, the cold has finally landed as well. With temperatures below zero at night AND day, going out is a mean feat. Even the usual jacket and hat isn’t enough and I find myself holed up at home with two kids and a bunch of research on Arai XD4. Sometimes we brave the weather and 30 kmh winds just so Eva and Noah could get some fresh air. I don’t think Noah minds staying at home – it is cosy and warm. Eva, on the other hand, won’t miss a chance to head out – rain, shine, snow, sun.

While people back at home are jealous to bits, I can’t say for sure that I’m glad. I miss having some good old fashioned sunshine and sometimes it’s crazy being unable to get out without getting wet or cold. I’m limited when I babywear Noah as my jacket is open so when it gets windy, Mummy gets pretty uncomfortable.

Then again, when summer comes, I’m going to complain that it’s hot, etc, etc. Aiks. Can’t have everything I guess. Bah.