Weekend

Did some painting in the sunshine on Friday afternoon.

Woke up early on Saturday and headed to Palm Beach.

Found a lovely shady spot and enjoyed the sunshine and fresh breeze.

Abi and James went to the playground and Abi made friends while I fed Ted and we cuddled on the rug.

We devoured some simple cheeseburgers and headed back home.

Detoured on the way and signed up to a new gym in our area, Virgin Active.

James and I both need to change our lifestyles to include alot more exercise.

Am already looking forward to swimming and yoga and pilates.

Am sure I will bump into both my sisters, because they both work out there.

Headed to my niece's 2nd Birthday party yesterday.

Tried to stay cool in the shade with Edward while Abi climbed the playground with her cousins and friends.

Made bacon and egg rolls for dinner and read the papers.

Went to bed early and watched a few episodes of Arrested Development.

Enjoyed every moment of the weekend with my loved ones. This weekend is going to be busy. We are off to a wedding in the Hunter Valley, cannot wait!

Musical Saturday

4 nights down, 4 nights to go, till husband is home. We skyped for an hour this morning which was fantastic. Abigail got all shy seeing herself on the computer screen, but loved chatting to her Daddy.

When James is away on business, we don't get the chance to talk very much because he is so busy. Even though today is a weekend, he has no down time. Instead, he is acting as a local guide of Singapore for his American co-workers as most of them have never left the USA and since we lived in Singapore for 2 years, we know lots of little secret spots off the tourist track.

I'm feeling very musical today. The weather is quite rubbish in Sydney. Muggy and rain showers. I've been enjoying having some quiet time this week and have managed a few naps here and there, and Abi is sleeping really well too. We both slept in till 10am this morning which was bliss.

Here are some of my picks for today.



Friendly Fires - Skeleton Boy
This song is amazing. I saw them live in 2009 and they were fantastic.



Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks (Fred Falke Remix)
I love this band, they are super cute. This remix makes me happy. The original is superb also.



Caribou - Odessa
This song is utter perfection. They are touring next month and are playing at Playground Weekender Festival. I would love to attend, the lineup is awesome. I'll be 9 months pregnant though, is that too far along to waddle around at a festival?




Lamb - Gorecki
Amazing band. They are also playing at PWF next month. This song is sheer perfection.



Sasha - Expander
One of my all time favourite DJ's. He is playing at Good Vibrations Festival next month. I've seen him several times, and he always delivers. This song reminds me of graduating from high school and schoolies week.




Counting Crows - Colourblind
One of my favourite love songs. It appears on the soundtrack for 'Cruel Intentions' which was a fantastic soundtrack.

Weekend Recap

Saturday morning we all woke early after the gale force windy storm we had in Sydney.

We drove to the Home Maker's Centre in Castle Hill to look at taps, carpets, floorboards and other homey things. Abi fell in love with a plastic pumpkin bucket for Halloween from Toys R Us. It cost a measly $1.99 so we bought it for her and she hasn't stopped playing with it since. She has been carrying around her matchbox cars and toys in it.

Saturday night was quiet.

Yesterday the weather was stunning. We drove to Mosman and had breakfast at Avenue Road, a cute and hip cafe.

After satisfying myself with Eggs Benedict, YUM, we headed down to Clifton Gardens / Chowder Bay which has an amazing playground and little beach. Abi loves it there, lots of young kids and friendly families around.

Abigail rode her scooter along the pavement and we bought her an icecream from the old school Mr Whippy van that was parked there.

We walked along the wharf and saw some men fishing. 2 of them caught fish while we watched, one catch was a HUGE Australian salmon. I was considering bonking the fisherman on the head and stealing his fresh catch, but of course, that isn't ladylike.

We then drove to look at a new Volkswagon for James but they had none in stock to even test drive. Ergh, so annoying.
So we came home and Abi watched The Wiggles while James and I did a massive clean around the house.

All in all, a busy but great weekend.

Weekend Breakfast

Eggs from Cafe Morso

I am CRAVING a good weekend breakfast.

So this weekend we are heading out for eggs or fritters.

Some of our favourite breakfast places in Sydney include Digikaf, Pirrima Park Cafe, Cafe Morso and Bills.

Once we move out to suburbia, I will miss being so close to the hub of good food that includes Balmain, Rozelle, Darlinghurst, Pyrmont and more. Personally I think the best food in Sydney is in Surry Hills, the cafes and restaurants there are outstanding. I'm sure we will make occasional visits to our old favourites once we move away.

I so wish Cafe Sopra in Walsh Bay were open for breakfast. Although saying that, their ragu bolognese is that amazing, I'm sure I could eat it at 10am.

Now all I have to do is decide if I want pancakes... Or fritters... Or eggs benedict... Or scrambled eggs... Or french toast... GAH!

Sunday 260910

We viewed an open house in Dural then headed to my inlaws house for an lazy lunch on the verandah.

I sat in the sun and ate salad and drank Deep Spring Mineral water and enjoyed doing very little.

Abigail played with the toy collection at her Great-Grandmother's granny flat, which is attached to the main house. Gran (my husband's grandmother) is 80 years young and still has the energy to run around with a 2 year old toddler. Gran is amazing to say the least.

More relatives joined us. Uncle Tim and his son Max came in his new race car. They live in Surry Hills and are very hip, so this new addition to the family didn't surprise us at all. It's a very cool, loud car which Abigail was terrified of.

We are staying at my inlaws house all week to retreat out of the city.
 

Construction has begun on the Barangaroo project which is right next door to where we live in the city. The noise on a weekday is ridiculous and I needed to get out of the city for a few days. Luckily my inlaws have the space for us to stay at their house whenever we need to.

Abi with her Gran

Lazy afternoon spent here

Almost warm enough for a dip

Garden

14 yr old Oscar the daschund

The cool race car

Weekend Rah Rah.

My weekend flew by. And here is Monday. Go away.

Yesterday, we decided to head to the Samuel Gilbert Public School Fete. I attended this primary school from K-4 and considering the weather was nice, we stopped in for an hr. It was full of Joe Dirt carneys, operating these home made fete rides, lots of junky stalls and average looking food. Why do carneys aka ride operators always play really bad dance music from the 90's? Not even hit songs, just random old songs that you hear and think, I kind-of remember this song!? Oh yeah, it was the CD compilation 100% Hits Volume 3.

It was a real flashback for me to see my old school. The facilities were pretty bad, and only 1 new building had been built since I left in 1991. Abi was a little overwhelmed by all the people and crazy kids running around. We did a lap of the fete then we left.

Saturday, we started our day early and voted which took 40 minutes. It was all worth it when we forked over $2 (awesome value) for a sausage sizzle upon exiting the gates of the public school we voted at. Abi managed to spill tomato sauce down her pants, of course.

We viewed some ordinary houses at open homes and visited by gran-in-law to say hello. All in all, a very quiet and boring weekend.

I am feeling rather down. My Birthday is this week and it's always a letdown. I don't know why. I'm not even looking forward to it.

Abi is going through a really clingy phase at the moment and follows me EVERYWHERE. Into the bathroom, around the kitchen, and demands to sit on my lap whenever I sit down. I hope it is just a phase that will pass soon.

I have renamed today mopey monday. That is all.

xx

4 days ago...

After Abigail slept for 14 hours after her birthday, YES, 14 hours overnight, we had a slow start on Sunday and couldn't decide how to occupy our day.

The rain showers ruled out the playground and park so I suggested we check out Chatswood Chase mall on the lower north shore to see the recent renovations and to enjoy some dumplings for lunch.

Parking was a breeze, which stunned me. Hundreds of spare spots on every level, at 1pm on a Sunday. We parked and off we went.

I know some people aren't into malls, but after living in Singapore, I love mall shopping. And I've found my new favourite mall in Sydney. The Chase was quiet and peaceful. No loud music blaring over the PA system. I didn't feel anxious at all, which often happens when we visit Bondi Westfields. Can you blame me though, that place is mental!

We went down to Lower Ground to find a restaurant called 'New Shanghai' which I heard rave reviews about their dumplings. After a 15 minute wait for a table, we were given the rockstar table right at the front. Abigail ate all her packed lunch and love sitting up on the big red stool next to us. Luckily I had pencils in my bag, and Abi decorated her shanghainese menu.

We ordered way too much food as usual but couldn't wait to sample all these yummy things. As soon as I bit into the first xiao long bao (soup dumpling), it took me back to Sunday mornings in Singapore when we brunched on dumplings every weekend without fail. It reminded me of happy times in Singapore when Abi was a wee newborn and she would sleep while we sipped jasmine tea and dunked dumplings in vinegar and soy sauces.

Abi didn't try any dumplings but that's ok. She had a few spoonfuls of fried rice and then back to the drawing.

We walked off our lunch, checking out the gorgeous shops like Sass and Bide, Ralph Lauren, Natuzzi, Mothercare, Sambag, Seed, Alannah Hill, Gorman and more. I didn't get to Wheel&Barrow but I will next time.

Free parking on a Sunday afternoon, we whizzed out of the carpark and were home in 10 minutes. We really enjoyed our afternoon in Chatswood and I'll definately be back soon.

When we arrived home, a storm was rolling in and the view from the balcony was delightful. Abi and James played with her new 'Alphie' toy on the sofa. We shared leftover dumplings and noodles for dinner which were devine. Silky and smooth dumplings. And our weekend was over.

Sunday 060610

Another early rise. English muffins. The Simpsons on Fox8. An uneventful morning.

Left apartment to pick up cupcakes from bakery and they are closed. Try other cupcake shop around the corner, also closed. GAH!

Drove to my nephew's 2nd Birthday party at The Kings School in North Parramatta and enjoy 2 hours of fun, laughter and family. Eat my Mum's famous chicken sandwhiches and mini hot dogs. Skipped the fairy bread though, woo! Some cute pics below of Mikey and Abigail.

Leave Kings and head to my in-laws house for James's grandmother's 80th Birthday party. My brother-in-law had prepared oysters with caviar, seared tuna, grilled lobster and wild rice salad topped off with Dom Perignon Rose 1998 champagne. Didn't overdo it but had no room for coconut cake afterwards.

Drove home in the rain again, Abi fell asleep as we listened to Band of Horses, Crystal Castles and The Middle East.

Had a few slices of pizza for dinner. Shower, stories and in bed. Exhausted. Tired. Sunday.

Saturday 050610

Woke early from a bad nightmare about bushfires (which terrify me).

Ate English muffins watching The Simpsons.

Went house hunting in the Hills area. Saw 2 great houses. Close friends of ours bought one of the houses we liked, which is excellent. I'm so happy for them both.

Went to the Supa-Centre (full of homewares and major retailers like JB Hi Fi, Harvey Norman etc) and grabbed a few items.

Stopped in at my sister's house to see her and the kids. Abi fell over on her tiled floor and has the BIGGEST egg on her forehead. She cried and cried. Is now sporting a black lump on her forehead. My Mum and I nearly cried watching her fall over. The sound of her head smacking the tiles was painful, even for us to hear.

Drove home in the rain and feeling tired, decided to stop in at Cafe Sopra in Walsh Bay for dinner. We visit this cafe at least once or twice a fortnight. The food is devine, the staff are excellent. Abi loves it. So do we. Had stuffed zucchini flowers and ragù alla bolognese. Left before the pre theatre crowds arrived.

Once Abi was in bed, she cried every time she rolled over onto her head. Lots of crying and whimpering, poor little cherub.

Went to bed way too late for a Saturday night. Lots of drunks down at the wharf. Lots of girls screaming, taxi's honking, and general noise pollution for a weekend evening. Cannot wait to move out to suburbia.

Have A Good Weekend

Happy Friday to everyone.

Had a lovely Friday today. Crumpets for breakfast. Abi counted backwards from 10 which was delightful. Was naughty and had pizza for dinner. Watched 500 Days of Summer.

This time next week, we will just be arriving at the villa in Bali, unpacking and putting Abigail to bed in her fancy room. Preparing for the sun and sand and pool and cocktails and reading and... Bliss...

Have a great weekend, here is something to get things going.

xx

16 Days Ago...

16 days ago was Anzac Weekend. I love 3 day weekends, we need more of them!

Here's our weekend in photos, I didn't take too many because we were frantically house hunting, then squeezed in 2 nights at the beach house.

Paying our respects to the diggers at the memorial in Terrigal

Amazing clouds above the beach.

Pine trees of Terrigal. Reminds me of my childhood holidays.

Seriously, amazing cloud.

Once the rain came, we took Abi to Tuggerah Westfields to run around this place. It was hell on earth. A few days later, Abi got sick. Typical.

Abi waiting her turn for the slide. My cherub.

Tom Hanks moment, dancing on the keyboard. She loved it. I want one.

Another storm rolling in as we leave the mall. Watched lightning for hours from the balcony.

J and Abi enjoying brunch at The Kiosk at Pirrima Park in Pyrmont on Easter Monday.

My love. My cherub. My angel. Abi enjoying her tiny teddies at brunch.