Gnocchi

Today I am making gnocchi for dinner. I found the simplest recipe ever for it. I will post it on here later. Today I was so damned tired from staying up til about 3am I just couldn't sleep. I was just chatting to one of my net friends. I woke up at 7am but went back to bed about 19:30 woke up at about 12ish, to find uncle henry in the kitchen! ooooopps. I forgot to lock the doors. Must mean im more comfortable usually i lock all the doors,, Im paranoid. Probably watched a bit much hitchcock!

At the moment I am wating for the potatoes to boil... they are bubbling but will need about 10 more minutes before i can mash them and add the flour.. gonna put a bit of seasoning into them so then the gnocchi won't be so bland. Im not sure what spice to add. Im sure i'll sort it out. Perhaps cut some of the parsley/ corriander etc.

The poatatoes have almost finished boiling another few minutes then ill mash em up write more later alligator,

Roast

Roasts are mum specialty, delicious serving of great vegetables etc. I bet nicola cant wait for mum to get there. I can though.

I guess 10days will be a testing time for me. I know it sounds little but its actually alot. I will have to see how dad and i travel.

anyhow cant think of much else to write


ciao for now.

football

I actually watched the football final.. SHOCK!Usually I fob it off and go shopping.. this time we gorged ourselves on mums sausage rolls and chips and chocolate etc. and all in the name of football final. WHich i am glad to say that the cats won by a whopping margin. Breaking a 44 year drought of going without the cup.

YAY.

Dad and i sat there talking about having a garage sale.. but mum won't allow it. I feel i could sell a stack of stuff via it though put an ad in the paper and all that jazz. Man the streets were so quiet you could hear a pin drop in the street i think.

Anyhow i didn't do work today so im thinking about doing that tonight. I bought some frames again so i can do another shadow box . I really like them they look dandy and pretty. Well anyhow. Think im going to settle in with a glass of wine and the tv for company.

Good choice? Perhaps that other Jeffery Archer Novel. Not short on those either. Dad gives them to the lady at the train station to borrow. I have nearly all his works i have read about half.
Its the same with Alexander McCallsmith novels.. i only have his scottland novels to read.

Scooters other Life!

I made the tofu bites... they are yummy mum even ate them, next time we are going to use the same marinade cept on some chicken, I will post the recipe later. Never in my right mind did i think that scooter would love tofu.. I have never seen a dog go ballistic over tofu. She absolutely loves it. She was chasing her tail around and jumping up at us, Its almost as if she must have been a monk in her past life. So ive saved the rest (all of 3 morsels) for her to have for lunch.

She is one funny little dog and a little spoiled too. We love her and she is great company for me during the day, i love to talk to her and half the time she understands im absolutely sure of it.... oh well. I made a flourless chocolate cake for louise. I hope she jolly well likes it.

Anyhow. Things to do now.

Tofu Bites

Today I am cooking these sesame coated tofu bites much to dads disgust. He said "is this what i will have to eat whilst mums away?" I said "Of course". We will see though. I think i will add spicy stuff to mine and leave dad with the bland food. I can cook sausages as far as meat goes.. Thats about it. Oh i can bung some fish in the oven but dad is allergic to that.

I have a cup of momo peach tea at my side am sipping that. Dad will have to have the chicken over from last night with some spinach, avacado, tomato, and poatato. Its funny that he used to be a cook but is mainly a 3 veggies and bland food type person.

I went down the street really early did some grocery shopping, Came home. Bought this new caDbury chocolate for tammy will post it to her tomorrow. New flavours of course. They have some weird arse names for them boisonberry tart, lemon cheesecake and chocolate brownie. So i got her one mint and the other lemon.


Well washing won't walk itself into the the house unfotunately. I have no magical spells to do that. Still not quite mary poppins yet. Give me time. Im working on it. I will post the recipe if it works out.

much love

albell

Big Smoke Again

Went to the big smoke today.. met up with evonne. That was really nice. We trekked around the city today. JUst here and there.. scamming free samples of aesop for nicola. Had a meal at this place called the curry bowl, i didn't eat that much of it though. I bought myself travel scrabble today though. It was sardine city on the train there and home.

I didnt christen my scrabble game but i shall do that next time im out and about. Anyhow. Where to gumshoe?

I'll write more sometime tomorrow. Just unwinding with some blueberry tea.

love allybelly

morning

its mid morning i had great sleep.I went to bed quite late. I mean I was up and the rugby had just started but I went to bed. Too much of a sleepyhead to stay up. I finished the other book, now im reading a book called The CLothesline Diet about a lady who tried everything she could to lose weight but nothing worked so she flew solo, and managed to lost a stack of weight. I have hopes for myself. I think I can lose alot of weight I just have to commit myself to it. I guess i have let myself go alot. *sigh* It becomes a problem when you have a well stocked pantry and resisting is really a challenge.

I only think yeah there are clothes to fit round me i don't care. Sometimes I find myself eating things i know i shouldnt. Owning up to the weight i've stacked on recently is tough. I didnt want to admit it until i went shopping the other day. As i've been the same weight for years now. There wont always be clothes to fit round me if i keep on eating. *sighs*

I want to be thin again, the same weight i was when i was in my early 20s. I get depressed sometimes and that makes me turn back to food again..its a vicious cycle to be in. Its not gonna be easy, i am aware of that. Think I will have to join a gym somewhere along the line. Im not jumping into it like that, or i won't land on my feet.. i'll end up i bit like Bridget Jones did coming down the fire pole .... arse first.

I want to start to look good for myself and no one else. After all I have no men running after me.. im not surprised looking the way i do. They all must think "shes obese, no way" personailty only gets you so far. Unfortunately thats the way society is. I have kept some of my 16clothes...that is my ultimate goal weight.

Even dad commented to me;.. he usually leaves me alone.. but for him to say something must mean its visible. I have tears streaming down my face at the moment.

Admission is the first step.

So i'll leave it at there for the moment. I will go read some more of that book.


signing out sarg,

Rugby

I sat down adn watched the rugby can you imagine? I got so involved with it.. im glad melbourne storm won. I think i might start barracking for melbourne storm. I told evonne today and she said... bring back the other Ally.Blame it on the countryside.~!!
\

On another not though I am quite tired and could and should go to bed now. The smell of spring in the air is amazing specially the smell after the garden has been watered and pollen is in the air. I love it. Well for me its off to bed... sleepy head.

Fountain Lakes.

Yes alright we did the Kath and Kim thing at fountain gate. Went and looked at some of the shops in the centre. That place keeps growing and growing. I found this beautiful skirt today.. so I bought it. It sits nicely, looks pretty and is very girly.

No cooking today just a few things here and there. Im really tired so im off to bed. Just thought id stop in a put a line or two down just to keep up with my blog.

Material

It was so nice today i went to spotlight and bought some material..i got 1meter free... lets see now.. she gave me the rest of the beautiful coloured fabric. I got some buttons and few other bits and bobs. I spoke to tammy wrote some letters and that has been it for today.

Not going anywhere this evening just waiting on mum to bring home some takeaway.. it will be a surprise what we get today. The dog is at the back door. Oliver is on his fav look out. I hope dad likes all vegetarian food as that is all i know how to cook. *shrugs shoulders* Im sure it will be fine as long as i don't cook any curries. Cept for myself


For lunch today i had pasta with a bit of mayo/ and lemon myrtle salt it was so yummy and simple to make. You only need an incy wincy bit of the salt though and the flavour goes right through it all. Its intense.

I am ok today. Even managed to walk home. So i'm getting better and better. Anyhow. Its really odd i have had deep deep sleeps and have not been dreaming like i usually do. *sighs*


ciao

Careful use of Compliments.

Today I am not cooking at all. Infact tonight we are having the worst tasting vegetable ever (parsnip is also at the top of that list) brussels sprouts tonight for tea. I hate them. Maybe if mum puts slivered almonds with it. Im hoping she will. *fingers crossed*

Went out for lunch today.. just the unglamorous subway. Nothing special. Its a bit warm and a bit cold the day cant make its bleeding mind. I posted all my mail.. spent absolute ages queuing up in line at the post office *grumbles*

I am reading book called The Careful Use Of Compliments. By one of my favourite writers... Alexander McCall Smith, His novels are great this is another addition to his Dalhousie stories. Its really great. I love the way he writes. I have enjoyed all of his novels even the whimsical novel called Dream Angus. Im still reading The Erthsea Quartet I cant wait to see the movie of this. Its on dvd just dont have enough dosh to buy it yet.

Yes I know. I know. Then why am i going to spotlight tomorrow morning? Well that is because I need some more art supplies. I always set aside at least $50 for materials a fortnight, Nothing really caught my fancy today. So i came home empty handed. I just have to use the stuff i already have around the house. Im sure i can do that.

Well its about to rain here. must go now

Coffee cake

At the moment I have a coffee cake in the oven, Im not sure how it will turn out.. as i got a slap bang recipe off zaar . It just basically said to throw everything together.. and bung it in the oven so thats all i did. The mixture looks glossy.. and tastes yum. I may make frangelico icing for it though. As that would be nice. Or perhaps coffee icing. It needs something or else its just like a chocolate cake.i have a feeling there is alot of sugar.. i should have put alot less in. Oh well. I will try it for afternoon tea with raspberry tea.

Well I ought to do some work today.

Butterfly

this is a great shadow box i am really happy with it. I really like this one the best though..the colour the textures.

Consturction

These are some of my pictures under construction, I really like the tree..it has a really nice frame gold im not a huge fan of gold though but it all works. Im going to buy one of those shimmey belts that they have for belly dancing as i want to create a nice big piece of art work from it. So it looks like a trip to the city down sydney rd perhaps.To get more material and look at thrift stores.

I have some lovely bits of jewellery to use up. I picked up these fales eariings from the opshop.. i really like them for thier looking nice quality. 7 smackers later. I got them at a discount too. They had 20% off. The books were $2 each. Cant complain really.

I like the way the tree is going. Must go now.

Pictures

I am a bit tired at the moment but trying to stay up til mum and dad get home. Just been doing bits and pieces... here and there.. i got all this gold jewellery and silver jewellery and have been assembling it into pictures...some of it looks good. Others ill have to pull apart and start again.

I wrote a lot of letters too. Spoke to some of my friends... and just lay low for the evening. I resited the temptation to make banana pancakes. Although there are alot of bananas. I think i will make them next wednesday.

Well I better get going im beat. Hit the hay..

Slow

This afternoon has gone so slowly. I had finished most of what i was doing before dad got home.. finished gluing alol the butterflies into place. Wrote all my letters, made all my cards... send them tomorrow.

Thank goodness. Spoke to dad who spoke about his garden etc. The dog is on high alert and wants to sit on my lap. All i can smell is bloody super glue.. its toxic and is probably making me a bit high. Hehe.

I better go put the pot of water on. We are having pasta for dinner tonight.. much to dad disgust,.. well he won't cook so he gets what mum and I eat.

Good morning

Good morning all how are you going? Im ok today. I have made cards for everyone and finally sat down to writing once again after weeks of neglect. Its lovely to be able to do that. This morning i spent assembling them, they are very pretty. Yesterday we had a nice roast cant beat mums poatatoes... i cant even emulate them. we had some nice wine too.. which made us all sluggish and tired,.. mum had a sleep.. i just read my book.

I got a lovely email from Tammy, she is having a ball in China.. teaching etc. Yesterday was a good day for painting so i got stuck into to it. Trying to go over some damaged areas of the canvas, im not sude what happened to it. Maybe a bit of water got on it or something. Anyhow I have fixed it now. Its been raining all morning... which the state needs.. hopefully over the catchment areas.

Ive done 17scenes of alice now.. I have to get the dvd and see what scenes im missing. I will only add about 10more i think. Louise is getting me the dvd for me. My hand is very very sore from that.. its painful for me to draw at the moment.. mum said i have to take the week off. So i will find other projects to do.Im doing a butterfly shadow box at the moment, its shaping up to be as beautiful as the bird one. Just simple reassembling jewellery, and arranging it on a black background.. with that wall paper type paper underneath to bring it to life. I will take some photos later today and post them on here. Its only morning still. See what the day shall bring.

see you soon says the spoon

upsies earlies.

Its bloody close to midnight... and i cant sleep again so here is little ol me typing away. Tha kangas won yay! Its great considering the thumping they go last week.

What esle is news at this time of the morning? Not alot really...maybe some mischief *dons the hat*

alrighty goodnighty'


.

Ooops.

Last night i was on the phone, as one is. Just as i flicked to see the score between collingwood and eagles... i thought oh well its a draw im going to bed! LoL In the morning mum told me that they had a bit of a showdown after that. .. and i went to bed.. just when the edge of your seat game really became a nail biter and that collingwood won. How un-australian of me.

Oh well. Today did a healthy dose of retail therapy. Went to taralgon plaza... i got some jewellery some butterflies... to go for my next shadow box type frame. Only i forgot to purchase some superglue. Oh dear. So tomorrow.. i will have to get some along with the mornings paper. They had some nice pieces there I only got what i could afford. Ive only just started keeping reciepts and things like that. Just in case i want to start ally art as a business.


Its lovely to have the writers block gone.. all the cobwebs fave gone a way and i've sharpened my claws so to speak... so ive got my wit about me again. Its nice. The clouds have lifted from away from my mind.as i am focusing on good things in my life.

Bird In Boxes

Today I had a break from alice. I have decided to give my aching hand a rest. I had pains in it last night. So i gathered all the jewllery i bought in the past few weeks and started to assemble bits and pieces to create some lovely compositions. I just put them togther i used some cool bits off the coffee pot. too. It looks wicked. using that wall paper looking paper for the background.

Oh yeah I made delcious fluffy banana pancakes for myself .. i got the recipe of zaar... so here goes...i just tweaked it a little bit.

1/2 cup self raising flour
1/2 cup plain flour
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons of oil
2 ripe bananas
1/2 cup milk


combine flour sugar

mix in egg, milk, bananas

combine together

heat oil in frying pan

put soup spoons full of batter into hot frying pan.

until golden brown on one side then flip

i added some cinnoman and we only had one banana in the house that i used. This is the first time ive actually gotten pancakes to work and be light and fluffy. and taste divine. You could serve it with icecream or just plain butter. Trust me, these work. I know ive shortened down the recipe but thats all i did.

You simply must try them.

I feel a lot better today.. as i went down the street and posted letter and got some more stamps... im making something for a few people .. so i just have to be patient and these things will eventuate. I wrote tammy a long email. too. I feel alot better Im not sure why though. I just decided to push myself out the bloody door today and im all hte better for it. Its done me a world of good.

I sent a parcel of to Luiza it was her birthday a while ago. I payed some more on the laybuy at the jewellers and have pottered around. I have an ebay account with mum im getting my cousin to help me with downsizing photos as i havent been able to figure it out for myself.

Im going to a local art exhibtion either tomrrow or tonight., Im smiling at the moment as the mormons have come to see dad.. lol they ask for him specifically thank goodness. It means he has to chat to them. As he always says "i'll convert to their religion so i can have 6 wives and a rest on sundays." Typical dad quote. Also his other saying "what is better than a tart on the table? " "a taart on the floor" OH dear his humor lucky I get it and am not offended. Of course he tames himself but sometimes he just loves an audience and will perform.

We are having the soup i made from the other day just going to add some feta and some brocolli in it. The soup wasnt all that great this time round
*sighs* sometimes you cant have everything. Well I will write more shortly..


love to you all

love ally.

Thrusday slips by

Its yet another day at home. I was thinking of going out but don't know if i have the guts too. Im a bit of a hermit at the moment. I havent gone anywhere in days, i have had good sleep though. I feel so bloody tired today for some reason.


I miss all my family at this point. I don't know. Im just not in a great frame of mind hence me slacking off a little. Though i only have 2more golden book scenes to go. Then i need the dvd (yes i havent found it in moe) I will poke around at the opshops tomorrow i think. I need some inbetween shoes still.


Anyhow write more later alligator

Painting

I spent the day using my water paints.. well for all of 5minutes til i board with it all. Im ok today surprisngly. I thought I would be an absolute wreck. However i was up at 2am this morning. drawing alice in wonderland. Mum got up she was very cross with me. What the hell are you doing up this hour? You shouldnt be having milo! Oh man, I copped it.l

Then i took the other half of my pill and went back to sleepypies. woke up at 8am. Not so bad just didnt feel like facing the world today. Rather stay in my hobbit hole. I made soup last night but it turned out a little stringy. I didn't cook the vegetables properly. which reminds me i better go start doing the veggies for dinner.

ciao

Down but not out,

Yesterday I was looking after mum as she got food poisoning from something she ate dad had al ittle bit of it. WHilst i remained unaffected. So i just looked after them tho0ugh they slept for most of the day.

Dad has gone to his book writing session, i am up having a coffee and writing on here. Mum is at work again today. Im holding down the fort so to speak! Im just ok. I guess. I just dont feel like going anywhere today so im in my stay at home painting clothes.

I got this cool note paper for really cheap. The writing set is really quite cute. Anyhow might go and write some letters, Last nights tea wasnt as great as i thought it would be i didnt sautee the vegies long enough so the leek was a little stringy "*sighs* Oh well can't have everything.

lol down but not out.

Tea Rooms

Today mum took both dad and I to these tea rooms just outside of yarragon. The cake was a bit industrial for my liking. However i preffered mums cheese cake over the caramel swirl thing i had.
Oh well.. can't always choose the right thing i suppose. The coffee was ok. A large latte cup, coffee wasn't that strong though. This tea room is on an absolutely stunning property.

On the way home we called into this farm shed and bought some veggies, meat and some plants as they have a nursery attached to it. Got some more plants. Lately I have had this thing for succulents so i've been buying a lot of them lately. I have sorted out my aloe veara plants into various pots... planted some snap dragons and some petunias. Today I got some others. Poppped them in the pot and transplanted the paper daisy.

Ive been down a little bit these past few days. We all get down and up days though. I will be fine ive weathered this before. Every year I have made it though, hope this year i shall too. Just have to focus on the good things. I bought a few cards from the tea rooms.. they had some reat humorous ones (tasteful not like dads sense of humor) I see things and think of people .. the names just jump into my head. So i usually buy it for them.

Well thats it for this time of day. Will write more later alligators

A nothing sort of day

Another day spent just at home today.... not doing very much just chatting to people really. I am going to watch a movie with mum. I am watching failure to launch. Dont know much about it just got sarah jessica parker in it.


Anyhow.

better watch.

ciao

Round trip

I went to the city today uncessfully I spent more time travelling than i did in the actual city... *sighs* I had a bad day today... i knew I shouldn't have gone. I felt it "in my waters" i was hesitant. None the less what is done is done. I didnt get any tea... I didnt even go shopping really.. had krispy cream for morning tea though. Im annoyed with myself today.

Anyhow.. im gonna take a nap or something. Im tired and feel all alone. Well i guess ill call it quits for today.

Hard Knocks

I bought the choir of hard knocks cd today. I never felt sadder in my life. This music is beautiful. The songs that they song are just beautiful. I have been crying alot. Just thinking about things as I listen. The road I have taken and the things that have happened. Most of all the things I don't have in my life. Ive been reflecting alot today.

I bought a few more plants. A succulent, petunias and a paper daisy. Thought its nice to have all these different types of flowers. Man I cant stop crying. Just a few thoughts come to mind. 1 in particular..this guy i used to like make that i was in love with him but never did anything about it, I had so many chances and never took them. I always cast guys away from me. Look where that got me.. relationship wise... no where.Its about letting go for me at the moment and carving a new path.

I also bought a beautiful frame today gonna do something with jewellery again. I m not sure what yet though. I have a few pieces to break up and reassemble. I put some brighter tunes on now. I got a lovely text from mish todayl Just lovely. What else aside from a that? Not alot. Just this and that. Gee the dog is being a right pain today.. i guess its because its so lovely outside. Now she is sitting in the sun behind the couch. I wonder if she like this music? lol

Who knows. I want to get my L plates soon. So then I can drive.,.. there is a scary thought, Allly on wheels. LOL. I want to pick Nicola up from the airport! Yeah yeah. I keep it as one of my goals for this year though. I just keep moving the goal posts!

We had the fishcakes/ gee they are yummy... having them again for tea tonight. With a bit of sour cream and sweet chili sauce! Divine. I do know that i haven't written anyone in absolute weeks. Though I got a letter from a pen friend in Germany she seems just lovely. I will write back to her later today.

Well I better gone with my art work. Just about finished the scene where alice is at the mad hatters tea party. I want to get some flyers made up just to promote myself a but more. Well anyhow. Its just an idea... only 6 scenes more to go.

Cooking,

Today I started out early... got up did some more of alice straight away then had mums beautiful juice for breakfast. I went out with mum just to kmart and finally got some more fine liners. I am now up to the scene where alice meets the cheshire cat and is looking for the right way to go.. with all the signs pointing in different direction.. ive only just started to fill that in.

Thought id take a break.. and so Im making chocolate shortbread. Im not sure how itll turn out though could be a bloody great big disaster. lol even though i followed the recipe.. I am going to make roasted tomato soup for lunch too. A bit later. The sweet aroma of the cookies fills the house.

Tonight I am going to make those salmon patties cept with tuna. So its a day of cooking for me. I will send a few parcels tomorrow, specially the epicure to angiebear, I bought the abc magazine today..i haven't read it yet. better check on the shortbread.. i guess the oven wasn't as hot as it should have been so its going to take an extra ten minutes.

I dont quite know what happened to the shortbread.. it just tastes like bitter sweet cookie dough. Oh well *shrugs shoulders* Perhaps not enough butter or something it looks nothing like the picture in the book. I mainly made it for dad to take with him to his appointment tomorrow. Thinking about throwing them out though .

Im sure lunch will turn out much better. Its nice to be able to cook.. feels like im balanced. Will do some more painting shortly. I'm very bloody tired. Need a nana nap i think. I forgot to get some rolls to go with lunch *Sighs* oh well. Can't have everything hey?

I cant wait only about 8more alice scenes to go. and i bought 4new fineliners. As they only last about 2 pictures, they look ratty after that. Dad has just left for the antique store. It is good that he has a little hobby (pricing records). it's something that keeps him on his toes.. (so to speak)

Anyhow.. this nan needs a nap. Think its all the accumilation of things collectively. Anyhow will write mor later alligator. DId not had have a nap although I really need one now... i think to myself i can keep going. I have to prepare the patties shortly. lol Oh well nothing a strong burko coffee wont cure I guess, instead of coffee i am having a peach tea (momo) its so lovely... tastes like you are eating a liquid peach.

WHat else is there? i bought the new abc delicious mag. so ill read that a bit later... did some more painting another layer of red, the dog is being annoying going in and out all the time.

another day another scene

Another day another scene of alice. Cept i have been busy and managed 2and a half scenes. Which is a massive effort on my part. I never thought i'd be so disciplined as to sit down and do so much in a day. I don't think anyone in their right mind would attempt this. lol. oh well. U have to have a break every now and again i intend to do some more tomorrow.

I am almost out of blueberry tea.

la de da

la de da type of day. Got up did another scene from alice now im up to the flowers where she talks to them etc/ I didnt buy the dvd today I will tomorrow... its been a long tomorrow for me!
Today dad and i were just chatting to dad . Went out to the local cafe and had a beautiful piece of pavalova.. it was home made and so delicious, I know i know,,, go on a diet, I guess i should hey?

Then uncle henry asked us if wed like to go over to his house for afternoon tea. That was really nice hanging out with megan and her children. Lovely. They are both so cute. Last night we talked to nicola via skype which was great to see little Roman being so busy busy busy. He is busy absorbing everything around him.

I got the papers today the one dad likes International express... the herald sun and a trashy womans magazine. I like gossip. Im like the character Becky Sharp. hehe.

Anyhow better get going now sunshine.

2nd Spring Day

Its the second day of spring... such a beautfiul day.....did a page of alice already another scene So thats scene 9 now. It really eats into the day! But its all good the results speak for themselves. I wil l photograph the whole lot soon. Not that you can tell from a photo!

Went out for lunch should have shared one meal between two i think. Now I had a good coffee and am buzzing like a little bee. The wine i bought could be used as a paint stripper..it is that potent and vinagery tasting. man. Oh well.

retail therapy 2

Today was great, spent the fist bit of the day finishing off a scene from alice. Then went to the shops got a new pair of jeans... a new top lots of plants... and a few other bits and pieces,
I got home spent asome time talking to dad and potting up the plants. Was a beautiful end to the first day of spring,

later alligator

plants