The Gallery - Animals. Brace yourself.

The theme this week on Tara Cain's 'The Gallery' is animals.

Having just come home and uploaded various holiday snaps of us hiding from the cold \ wind \ rain that was our Welsh sojourn I came across this one and just had to post it.

Sorry if it gives you nightmares.

Listography - On the move

Oh don't mind me. I'm just polishing my sunnies and packing my bikini for our trip overseas tomorrow.

And of course imagining perfect picnics on gorgeous sandy beaches, swimming in crystal blue waters and sipping cocktails on our veranda as the sun sets on another perfect day....

What? Why are you laughing? I've heard that Wales is lovely at this time of year.

And no - it is not a just a caravan, it's a 'luxury' caravan if you don't mind.

Anyways, I won't be around for Listography this weekend so my lovely friend Penny of Alexander Residence is stepping in to host it for me. Don't mind the rather large sock pile and over spilling buckets of toys as you walk in - I hear she's having some issues on the domestic front at the moment.

Look forward to seeing all your lovely entries when I get back.

Let's hope the sunburn won't be too bad.

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The 2011 Rose of Tralee - with thanks to Father Ted and Little Miss Sunshine

Sometimes a piece of blogging gold is dropped by the Gods into your lap when you least expect it.

Last night was one of those times.

As I was flicking through Twitter I noticed that the annual Rose of Tralee contest was obviously on.

Now for the uninitiated The Rose of Tralee is a beauty-type contest but only for girls with Irish roots. Oddly the entrants come from all over the globe for the chance to be crowned 'The Rose of Tralee'.

No, I don't understand it either.

Oh, and in case you hadn't realised it yet - the contest it is firmly stuck in the 80's. Or perhaps it's the 60's. Actually I haven't really seen it myself for about 20 years but I'd bet my children that I'm right.

Father Ted sums up what it's like rather well in this clip:



So now you have an idea of the calibre of the contest we'll move on.

At the end of the 'world peace' chat the lovely girls all do their party piece, ie sing an Irish song, do an Irish dance, recite an Irish poem.

So when I saw a tweet saying 'Missed the Dublin Rose's dance? See it again here' I'm really not sure what drew me to it.

Perhaps it was the hand of God directing me to the end of the rainbow.

So here you go. Enjoy. Nothing left to say really.

Peas are your enemy

'Peas are my anenomy' says middle child as I hand him his dinner.

'Your what? Are you sure you have the right word there?'

'Yes' he responds as if I am terminally stupid before going on very slowly so that his dumbass mother can understand - 'They are my anenomy because I don't like them'.

The seven year old starts giggling and then says in her most superior voice (which believe me is pretty God damn superior) 'They are not your anenomy Marley - they're your em-en-y'.

She suddenly realises that this isn't quite right so shoots me a quick look and then shuts up.

'It's enemy darling' I say. 'Peas. Are. Your. Enemy' (I wonder to myself what social services would say if they were to walk in at this moment. In fact - I wonder what any one would say if they were to walk in at this moment.)

'Anenony...emeny...enemy...anyway - I'm going to watch the moon-set and they're not coming'.

I don't think that's really a sentence you want to argue with.

Listography - Last Week

After the whirlwind of last weeks Listography I feel like there's just no living up to all those Guilty Pleasures. I mean, how on earth am I supposed to top sixty entries of soul baring secret embarrassments?

The answer is of course that I can't. So rather than feeling like The Stone Roses after releasing their amazing first album and then collapsing under the weight of expectation from the masses - I'm going back to basics with.....

Listography - What we got up to last week.

Easy non?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

The lack of imagination and words in this weeks Listography has nothing whatsoever to do with my three day weekend hangover. Truly.

Nor does it's lateness.

So now it's your go - you can sum up your week in words and pictures - or just pictures if you're incredibly lazy or hungover - then come back and post your url in the linky below.

I'll be coming to visit you as soon as I climb out of this pit of despair that I willingly threw myself into not once, not twice but three times in a row.

Now that's just careless.

Well, it has finally happened.

After much trying, waiting, anticipating, tears, tantrums and stroppiness in the end I gave up.

And that's when it happened.

Finally, finally - I was paid a visit by the Fairy Hobmother.

For those not in the know - the Fairy Hobmother is a magical creature from the land of Appliances Online who flits around the blogoshpere bestowing gifts on unsuspecting bloggers.

And this time it was me.

And next time it could be you.

All you need to do is leave a comment, click your heels three times, turn around slowly and say 'I DO believe in fairies'.

Honestly.

(Well it worked for me anyway).


Disclosure: The Fairy Hobmother is actually a six foot two bloke called Ian who wears a pink tutu and carries a wand. But don't let that put you off.

Listography - Guilty Pleasures

This weeks Listography is a humdinger - even if I do say so myself. Which of course I do.

I can't take all the credit for it though. The reason it came about was because the lovely Reluctant Housedad was sharing  bragging to me about the fact that he was going out for a sumptuous dinner on Friday night and was then cooking Wagyu steak on the Saturday night. Without thinking I admitted that I had just had Super Noodles for dinner (barbeque beef in case you're wondering). And would you believe it? Mr. Recipe Shed himself admitted to having them for lunch just the other day (chicken curry flavour in case you're wondering).

So it seems we share my guilty pleasure no. 1.

[I am presuming that everyone knows what a guilty pleasure is but for the uninitiated it's basically something that you shouldn't really like but you actually do. Like fancying Harry Styles for instance. Ahem. Who said that?]

So to continue with the rest of my Top 5 Guilty Pleasures:

2. Home and Away.
Watched since the original Tom and Pippa were in it. Yep, remember them?  Along with foster kids Bobby and Frank (who married each other - until Roo came on the scene), Steven (geek) and Carly (married an army guy). And if you remember them you probably remember Lance and Martin (local dumbos), Angel and Shane (teenage runaway and local bad boy), and Blake and Karen (bad kids on the block).

I realise I've lost most of you by now but it's too late - I'm on a roll.  The great thing about Summer Bay was nobody had actual real parents so introducing new youngsters to liven things up was never an issue. Ok, ok I'm gonna park this one here but if you remember anymore don't be shy in coming forward.

3. Singing along to Camp Rock.
Not cool.

4. Guys with eyeliner (guyliner?)
Hey, don't judge me until you've looked at this:

 And where it all started:

5.Dawson's Creek.
I know, I know, I know.

Hmm....so overall it turns out I have shit taste in TV.

Well I think that's enough from me for one evening. Over to you guys now.

Recipe Shed

Reluctant Housedad has just launch Recipe Shed - a linky for, yep you guessed it, recipes.

Now seeing as I saw it just as I have a yummy loaf of fruit soda bread baking in the oven for breakfast (I know - check me out!) - I thought what better recipe to add than that one?

The answer is none. I therefore I give you 'Kate Takes 5's Foolproof Fruit Soda Bread'

Preheat oven to 180 and grease a 2lb loaf tin.

Mix together:
1lb plain flour
1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (available in all supermarkets - also great for cleaning - seriously)
1oz of caster sugar
Pinch of salt
2oz sultanas

Then slowly add
400ml buttermilk to form a sticky mess.

Add stick mess to loaf tin.

Put in the oven for about 40 mins. The loaf should sound hollow when you tap it's belly. If not - turn upside down and give it another 5 - 10 mins. Cool on a wire rack.

Eat hot or cold with lashing of butter, yummy strawberry jam and a steaming mug of hot tea.

And don't forget to check out Recipe Shed for more great foodie treats.

One question too many.

Overheard in the garden......

Marley: How do you dry the tramoline?
Kaya: With a towel.

Marley: Where's the towel?
Kaya: On the cooker.

Marley: Where's the cooker?
Kaya: In the kitchen.

Marley: Where's the kitchen?
Kaya: In the house.

Marley: Where's the house?
Kaya: In the garden.

Marley: Where's the garden?
Kaya: In the world.

Marley: Where's the world?
Kaya: In space.

Marley: Where's space?
Kaya: In gravity.

Marley: Where's gravity?
Kaya: In the universe.

Marley: Where's the Universe?
Kaya: Oh Shut up Marley.

Listography - Things I'd change about myself

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So this week's Listography is Things I'd Change About Myself.

Well to be more specific - characteristics  I'd change. (Lets save looks for another day shall we?)

Now I know we're all almost perfect but I'm sure we can come up with one or two improvements that could be made.

These are mine.

1. Find a sense of direction.
I could get lost walking up my own driveway. Husband doesn't understand it at all. He was born with an inbuilt tracking device. The first time I brought him back to Ireland to meet the family I got lost driving the 40 minutes from airport to house - a route I'd probably taken about 358 times previously. Despite never having set foot in the country before he took over the driving and seemed to guide us home with no more than his natural antennae and the position of the sun. I'd settle for being able to walk out of a shop in the right direction.

2. Be more touchy-feely
I'm not much of a hugger. I'm not one of those people who naturally bound up to you with a big hug and a kiss. In fact I have known to even feel uncomfortable when my own sister put her arm around my shoulder and left it there a little longer than I felt was necessary.

3. Be more patient.
I get too cross too quick these days. I need to remember how to laugh when I come downstairs and someone has tried to create a jam and Cheerio collage on the kitchen wall. Well maybe not laugh exactly...

4. Be a better housekeeper.
I could honestly spend hours cleaning my house and it would still look like a bomb site. In fact I've often spent a whole day sorting and tidying and husband has come home and not even noticed. Then again he didn't notice that time I went on a two week strike either.

5. Be more spontaneous.
Unlike the other ones listed I actually used to have this - but having kids sucked all my spontaneity out of me. I'm aiming to get it back. I think. Suggestions welcome - I may even take you up on them. Just give me a couple of days to get used the idea first.

So now it's time to write your list. Write your post on your own blog and don't forget to come back here and add your details to the linky below. Make sure you add your post's url not just your blog's so that people can find you more easily.

And don't forget to visit some of the other lovely Listographers!

Silent Sunday

So I called my Mum the other night. . . .

If you are my Mother there is no need for you to read this one. Use that little arrow thing to click on that little x thing and I'll call you next Thursday ok?

Has she gone?

Ok good.

So....the other evening I cooked a lovely paella for the whole family to tuck into.
Voila:

Naturally the kids weren't too impressed so we had plenty of leftovers.

'You should bring it down to your Mum' helpful husband commented. (She lives about 2 minutes away).

Now normally I wouldn't have bothered, but it really was rather nice. So I gave her a call.

'Hi Mum. Have you eaten yet?'

'No. Why?'

'I have a some lovely paella left over. Want me to pop it down to you'.

There was a longer than required silence before she asked suspiciously 'Well what's in it?'

'Chorizo, prawns, mussels, peppers, peas. It's lovely'

Another contemplative silence.

'Are there still mussels left?'

'Yes there's lots Mum. It's lovely'

Yet another long pause.

'Well alright then' she finally conceded.

'They're not fresh though - they're frozen' I added as an after-thought.

'Oh forget it then.'

Listography - Kids Movies

Oopsy. Little late with Listography this week but only because it's a Bank Holiday weekend here in Ireland. So maybe in fact I'm not actually technically late....?

No, I don't think it works that way either.

Anyway, this weekend we had our first family trip to the cinema. The youngest is Cars crazy so seeing as we've all been subjected to that movie about 154 times we thought we might as well all be in it together from the off for Cars 2.

We spent the first ten minutes of the film gazing adoringly at our soon-to-be-three-year-old-boy as he stared wide-eyed at the huge screen - not quite believing what he was seeing.

After ten minutes however it seemed that he did in fact believe it and was now more interested in the drinks, popcorn and sweets that were doing the rounds with the other two.

40 minutes of climbing up, climbing down, swapping seats, falling over, spilt popcorn, lost shoes and some stern talkings to later he finally settled down and watched the rest.

Suffice to say we won't be doing that again for awhile.

So back to the task in hand - what else could this weeks Listography be but Top 5 Movies for Kids?

1. Finding Nemo
I never really liked this film until one of them latched onto it and did the usual 'I must watch this movie until either my eyes fall out or I drive Mum to tears'. I finally grew to love it. Lucky that.

2. Cars
Same with this one but the more you watch it the better it gets. Not sure the same could be said for Cars 2 but time will tell.

3. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Just perfect. I love love love it.

4. Toy Story
Another predictable classic but when it's this good what do you expect?

5. Stardust
It's a bit of a Marmite movie but I've gotta say I love it. In fact I'd love to see more of this type of movies being made for the pre-tweens but sadly it seems Barbie and High School Musical have taken over.

So that my list. I'm looking forward to hearing about some other good ones so write your own Top 5 list on your own blog and then come back here to link up.

Later Mater.