The boys wanted to come over to wait for Dad to come home and I leapt at the opportunity coz Craig will be so happy to have his family all together, and I miss them too.
Rosie has clearly missed her big brothers as she has taken her dinner(bread and butter) to eat it next to josh in his room, while they watch his tv.
It is more than a happy feeling to have your family hanging together on the bond of love. It is stupendous, marvelous, beautiful, wondrous.
My home feels sweet as, baby!
And then I notice that Rose is not in Josh's room and I search using decidedly detectiveish and super sleuthful skills to find her. I follow a trail of overturned, overstuffed animals through to a toy basket. And there, laying sweetly inside was my Rose. Sound-asleep, stripey-stockinged,ruffle-haired and dreaming ... In a wicker basket ....
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Rose the sensitive
I am unashamedly seeking beaucoup d'attention albeit quietly, as I am suffering from a ridiculously well-taken cold. I have not posted such need on Facebook, nor rang my mummy for help. I have taken every known vitamin devised, panadol, something which begins with phenyl ...blah blah and some herbals designed to assist with cold and flu.
And I have had a little red wine for medicinal purposes.
Rosie has gasped sympathetically at all my coughs and splutters, offered me a comforting cuddle and kiss, leapt from the couch to get me something to help me, (she chose magnesium capsules) and stated with empathy 'you sound terrible!'
She is looking after me with pats, cuddles, pills, and her most wonderful love!
Rosie will make me feel better at any time, any day!
Thank you honey for looking after me!
And I have had a little red wine for medicinal purposes.
Rosie has gasped sympathetically at all my coughs and splutters, offered me a comforting cuddle and kiss, leapt from the couch to get me something to help me, (she chose magnesium capsules) and stated with empathy 'you sound terrible!'
She is looking after me with pats, cuddles, pills, and her most wonderful love!
Rosie will make me feel better at any time, any day!
Thank you honey for looking after me!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Rosie's Frst Slumber Party
First thing to note, when inviting two 4-5 year old girls to sleep over at your house with your 4 year old, is that you should keep ear-plugs on hand. Then, expect no opportunity to sit for more than two minutes at a time. For mothers of triplets ... WOW! You guys have risen above my already high opinion of your capabilities.
To be fair, the girls played very well together with the usual amount of smallish squabbles being amicably solved between them. And OK, so only one of them ate their dinner, but they were excited and in a new place and it was fun for them all to spill it, wipe it, bin it .... and therefore not eat it! The slow realisation that I would lose this war, began with the decision to retreat from my hardline of the two recalcitrants having to eat 10 more bites, down to 5, down to ... "You know what, just have your lolli-pops, now. It's OK".
"Actually, they're called Chuppa-Chups," Olivia said matter-of-factly, with just the slight air of condescension toward my ignorance.
They played Teachers, reading each other stories and taking turns at the eminent position. They got every toy out that they could and put them all back in the wrong places, and I wondered why this irked me, given that I have nothing in its place ever! So I stopped telling them to keep it neat and let them mess as much up as possible.
Alyssa and Olivia both confessed to being 'eating-machines' and I think the funniest thing was when Alyssa ran down to 'my end' and leapt agilely to the couch, flopped herself down and said brightly, "Hi Kate! Hmmm, my tummy's all growly."
I, concerned she was feeling ill, frowningly inquired as to such.
"No, silly! I'm Hungry!"
I gave them watermelon, then yoghurt and then, thinking I was going to need to resort to Tiny Teddies and ever-fearsome of the impact on chocolate, spied my salvation. Glistening there on the platter were tubular bars of gold. Literally, bananas are like $13.98 a kilo, but as an option for young, growly tummies - GOLD!
They were playing and it was getting late. None of them looked like fading out.
I noticed that Foxtel was plying Toy Story 3 and I made the offer for them to all come down 'my end' and join me for cuddles on the couch and a calming movie session. They agreed with alacrity. Amazing! I was certain they'd all roll their eyes.
Two squished together on the single-seater and the third next to me. Then, as it hadn't quite started, and the ads were "Boring", we took some photos for posterity. They had stacks on, they made faces, they were happily modelling before me. I'll load 'em up to facey later.
So we settled in. Alyssa climbed up for first cuddle and Rosie snuggled into me. I kept my hand over on Olivia's hand as I didn't want her to feel left out. She moved and started to climg on board too, usurping Rose's position who cracked it for a bit and sulked back on the single-seater. Resolved this in fairly short order.
Despite some ups and downs for playing, we were going pretty well until Olivia requested pink-milk, and I replied in the negative, advising that water was what was available at this time of night. She cracked it, moved to the other couch and when I inquired as to what was wrong, she said, with lower-lip quivering and eyes-brimming, "I want my Mummy!"
"OK, darling, would you like me to call her to come get you?" I replied with the sinking feeling of failure.
"No."
Um, well ..... "Would you like a cuddle with me for a while?"
"Mm-hmmm".
Whew!
So Rose and Alyssa watched happliy from the alternate couch and Olivia and I sat closely together, until the end of the movie.
They compliantly retreated to the bed, we'd set up together - Queen size fold-out with three pillows and a doona.
"My Mum, always reads me a story. My Mum says I can't wear knickers to bed. My Mum says, I have to go to the toilet before bed."
"All good ideas," say I. And such matters were organised.
I read the selected stories from an awkward perch across the end of the fold-out. I had tried sitting on the end of fold-out, but it sagged alarmingly, so I though best to spread the weight as though I was getting out of quick-sand. I read the first story and 4 hours later after many patient requests for them to just listen, we came to the end and began the second story. They were more quiet now and starting to droop the eyelids.
Alyssa announced, "I am going to go to sleep now, Kate."
"Ok", inward whooping with delight.
Olivia and Rose listened to the end and then I tucked them all in, gave kisses and cuddles, promised to leave some lights on and that I wasn't far away. I noticed the glistening in Olivia's eyes and I asked her what was wrong, but she wouldn't respond, so, hope being the only strategy left, I kissed them all again, and went down 'my end'.
Two minutes.
Heard the snuffle, then Alyssa and Rose the elephants came stampeding down towards me, shouting their concern, "Olivia's crying!"
"I know," and I walked calmly towards the bed with arms placatingly and hopefully warmly outstretched to gather her for a cuddle. The others clambered back in to bed and I asked them to stay there and try to sleep while I helped calm Olivia down. She wasn't crying. She was howling. A low-loud guttural howl from the depths of her little tummy.
"I'll call your Mummy, darling. It's OK."
"No, I don't want to go home!"
Um ... so I sat on the couch, perplexed and not knowing what to do. Rose and Alyssa came down with requests to move the Teacher's Chair from the end of the bed. In the Bedtime retreat, I gethered them all into my bed and promised to stay there with them. The three lined up and I lay horizontally across the base of the bed. Rose then joined me. The cat then joined us.
Alyssa fell first. Phew.
I watched as Rose and Olivia just stared emptily towards the ceiling, and prayed fervently for sleep to descend upon them. I saw Olivia's eyes close. Thankyou Universe. And then I looked into the face of my angel, who wrapped her arms around my neck, kissed me and whispered, "I love you," before closing her eyes and allowing the peace of sleeep to fall across her beautiful face, with its little freckles standing out over her cheeks.
I was awake.
For the rest of the night, really.
Every sound struck the still of the night like a knife striking me in the heart. I worried they'd fall out of the bed, each time they wriggled. Olivia wriggles a lot. She twisted herself sideways and nearly kicked Alyssa out, until I manouvered her back into position. Alyssa didn't snore as she had promised, but she did fart. Short, sharp, staccato farts breaking the silence.
Sleep just wouldn't come. I looked at the clock and didn't know whether to be happy or sad that it was 3AM. Happy that I had more opportunity for maybe 3-4 hours of sleep, or sad that it was a lost cause, and wishing it was time to get up.
Anyway, I must have had some sleep, as awkwardly perched with my bum and feet hanging out the sides of my bed, Rosie's feet pressed into my tummy and her arms flailed over my face and whacked me in the eye. Good sleep.
We woke about 7AM and got up for breakfast and TV. I kept feeding them and assisted with some dispute-resolution.
An uneasy truce .... no, that's not true. An easy peace presides and I think for them we can call it a success. For me, as long as I get a Nanna-nap later on it should be fine!
They can come again, when they're 20.
xo
To be fair, the girls played very well together with the usual amount of smallish squabbles being amicably solved between them. And OK, so only one of them ate their dinner, but they were excited and in a new place and it was fun for them all to spill it, wipe it, bin it .... and therefore not eat it! The slow realisation that I would lose this war, began with the decision to retreat from my hardline of the two recalcitrants having to eat 10 more bites, down to 5, down to ... "You know what, just have your lolli-pops, now. It's OK".
"Actually, they're called Chuppa-Chups," Olivia said matter-of-factly, with just the slight air of condescension toward my ignorance.
They played Teachers, reading each other stories and taking turns at the eminent position. They got every toy out that they could and put them all back in the wrong places, and I wondered why this irked me, given that I have nothing in its place ever! So I stopped telling them to keep it neat and let them mess as much up as possible.
Alyssa and Olivia both confessed to being 'eating-machines' and I think the funniest thing was when Alyssa ran down to 'my end' and leapt agilely to the couch, flopped herself down and said brightly, "Hi Kate! Hmmm, my tummy's all growly."
I, concerned she was feeling ill, frowningly inquired as to such.
"No, silly! I'm Hungry!"
I gave them watermelon, then yoghurt and then, thinking I was going to need to resort to Tiny Teddies and ever-fearsome of the impact on chocolate, spied my salvation. Glistening there on the platter were tubular bars of gold. Literally, bananas are like $13.98 a kilo, but as an option for young, growly tummies - GOLD!
They were playing and it was getting late. None of them looked like fading out.
I noticed that Foxtel was plying Toy Story 3 and I made the offer for them to all come down 'my end' and join me for cuddles on the couch and a calming movie session. They agreed with alacrity. Amazing! I was certain they'd all roll their eyes.
Two squished together on the single-seater and the third next to me. Then, as it hadn't quite started, and the ads were "Boring", we took some photos for posterity. They had stacks on, they made faces, they were happily modelling before me. I'll load 'em up to facey later.
So we settled in. Alyssa climbed up for first cuddle and Rosie snuggled into me. I kept my hand over on Olivia's hand as I didn't want her to feel left out. She moved and started to climg on board too, usurping Rose's position who cracked it for a bit and sulked back on the single-seater. Resolved this in fairly short order.
Despite some ups and downs for playing, we were going pretty well until Olivia requested pink-milk, and I replied in the negative, advising that water was what was available at this time of night. She cracked it, moved to the other couch and when I inquired as to what was wrong, she said, with lower-lip quivering and eyes-brimming, "I want my Mummy!"
"OK, darling, would you like me to call her to come get you?" I replied with the sinking feeling of failure.
"No."
Um, well ..... "Would you like a cuddle with me for a while?"
"Mm-hmmm".
Whew!
So Rose and Alyssa watched happliy from the alternate couch and Olivia and I sat closely together, until the end of the movie.
They compliantly retreated to the bed, we'd set up together - Queen size fold-out with three pillows and a doona.
"My Mum, always reads me a story. My Mum says I can't wear knickers to bed. My Mum says, I have to go to the toilet before bed."
"All good ideas," say I. And such matters were organised.
I read the selected stories from an awkward perch across the end of the fold-out. I had tried sitting on the end of fold-out, but it sagged alarmingly, so I though best to spread the weight as though I was getting out of quick-sand. I read the first story and 4 hours later after many patient requests for them to just listen, we came to the end and began the second story. They were more quiet now and starting to droop the eyelids.
Alyssa announced, "I am going to go to sleep now, Kate."
"Ok", inward whooping with delight.
Olivia and Rose listened to the end and then I tucked them all in, gave kisses and cuddles, promised to leave some lights on and that I wasn't far away. I noticed the glistening in Olivia's eyes and I asked her what was wrong, but she wouldn't respond, so, hope being the only strategy left, I kissed them all again, and went down 'my end'.
Two minutes.
Heard the snuffle, then Alyssa and Rose the elephants came stampeding down towards me, shouting their concern, "Olivia's crying!"
"I know," and I walked calmly towards the bed with arms placatingly and hopefully warmly outstretched to gather her for a cuddle. The others clambered back in to bed and I asked them to stay there and try to sleep while I helped calm Olivia down. She wasn't crying. She was howling. A low-loud guttural howl from the depths of her little tummy.
"I'll call your Mummy, darling. It's OK."
"No, I don't want to go home!"
Um ... so I sat on the couch, perplexed and not knowing what to do. Rose and Alyssa came down with requests to move the Teacher's Chair from the end of the bed. In the Bedtime retreat, I gethered them all into my bed and promised to stay there with them. The three lined up and I lay horizontally across the base of the bed. Rose then joined me. The cat then joined us.
Alyssa fell first. Phew.
I watched as Rose and Olivia just stared emptily towards the ceiling, and prayed fervently for sleep to descend upon them. I saw Olivia's eyes close. Thankyou Universe. And then I looked into the face of my angel, who wrapped her arms around my neck, kissed me and whispered, "I love you," before closing her eyes and allowing the peace of sleeep to fall across her beautiful face, with its little freckles standing out over her cheeks.
I was awake.
For the rest of the night, really.
Every sound struck the still of the night like a knife striking me in the heart. I worried they'd fall out of the bed, each time they wriggled. Olivia wriggles a lot. She twisted herself sideways and nearly kicked Alyssa out, until I manouvered her back into position. Alyssa didn't snore as she had promised, but she did fart. Short, sharp, staccato farts breaking the silence.
Sleep just wouldn't come. I looked at the clock and didn't know whether to be happy or sad that it was 3AM. Happy that I had more opportunity for maybe 3-4 hours of sleep, or sad that it was a lost cause, and wishing it was time to get up.
Anyway, I must have had some sleep, as awkwardly perched with my bum and feet hanging out the sides of my bed, Rosie's feet pressed into my tummy and her arms flailed over my face and whacked me in the eye. Good sleep.
We woke about 7AM and got up for breakfast and TV. I kept feeding them and assisted with some dispute-resolution.
An uneasy truce .... no, that's not true. An easy peace presides and I think for them we can call it a success. For me, as long as I get a Nanna-nap later on it should be fine!
They can come again, when they're 20.
xo
Friday, July 15, 2011
Kate and Kate
You know the moment I realized that Kate Elizabeth Eldred and Kate Elizabeth Doyle were utterly connected in mind and spirit as well as name, was when Kate told me her story about how she had tried to skip with her rope in her house without hitting the walls and roof. Both of us crouched down, and imitated the same stunted, half-leap, turning our arms around like little people, elbows tucked in and shoulders hunched. We both laughed till tears came and that was it .... the moment that true love for a soulmate really hit me.
I have missed my katie kate and love her deeply!
I have missed my katie kate and love her deeply!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Alli's B'day
Alli's 30th was celebrated at her sister Tanya's house in Chirnside Park.
Rose fell asleep on the way and took her time warming up, but once she woke all the way up, she was having a ball, with Tanya and Milt's daughter, Kiara. All fun, except when Kiara was being Kiara ... precocious little thing!
David and Alli's old mates, who I haven't seen since the wedding (3 years ago) were there and it felt a bit like a family reunion. Except we've all grown up ... sort of.
Emilio and Daniella's babies were sleeping in their prams in the lounge room ... Half of David's old girlfriends were there ... but that's just how this group did things ... they tried each other out, moved on, stayed friends and don't seem to be jealous ...
Tanya and I shared the delight about finally becoming true aunties ... ! We both have nieces and nephews-in-law ... but mine are 25 plus! so a baby niece or nephew is going to be wonderful!
Another family-love-moment !
Rose fell asleep on the way and took her time warming up, but once she woke all the way up, she was having a ball, with Tanya and Milt's daughter, Kiara. All fun, except when Kiara was being Kiara ... precocious little thing!
David and Alli's old mates, who I haven't seen since the wedding (3 years ago) were there and it felt a bit like a family reunion. Except we've all grown up ... sort of.
Emilio and Daniella's babies were sleeping in their prams in the lounge room ... Half of David's old girlfriends were there ... but that's just how this group did things ... they tried each other out, moved on, stayed friends and don't seem to be jealous ...
Tanya and I shared the delight about finally becoming true aunties ... ! We both have nieces and nephews-in-law ... but mine are 25 plus! so a baby niece or nephew is going to be wonderful!
Another family-love-moment !
Dave and Alli announce they will be Parents!
My brother is going to be a Dad. I am thrilled for Davo and Alli ... and cannot wait ... Alli is only 4-5 weeks pregnant and so my niece / nephew is going to be born in about February 2011. They tolD Mum yesterday and she nearly broke AlLi's ribs with her hug.
Both of them came over last night with Melissa and Dave and baby Saxon; Matt and Bec and baby Harmony. Davo practised his Dad-skills - he'll be alright!
We will be eating burgers for a week - there's so much left over!!! I think I can make the leftover mixture into a pie, but this involves baking ... and it might be beyond me.
You see I completely make my recipes up, and have no idea what quantities I use .. so sorry if these recipes are no use to you whatsoever. Craig joked last night about my hit and miss experimental cooking and he's right ... very often we have to throw the concoction away and get pizza.
I can proudly announce, however, that I am three for three .... the last three meals I made which are all posted on http://d4rose.blogspot.com - have been successes. This was clearly a simple case of cookery so let's not mince words (get it?) and pretend we're on MasterChef .... still it tasted good and when served with love, laughter and a healthy dose of scotch, bourbon, beer and wine (and the other condiments!!) it makes for a heartily contented little old me.
Ostensibly the shin-dig was for Ben' birthday and the donut cake (which was "made" by me as further evidence that I can't bake! Make a pyramid of donuts and stick candles in it...)) was quite cute with it's eleven candles upon it. We regailed him with a horrifying rendition of Happy Birthday (we all start at different times and sing it as loudly and off-key as possible, peeing ourselves laughing the whole way through). This was David and Alli's first experience of Happy Birthday for this side of my clan ... at first Davo thought we were starting it like a choir - with harmonies and the like ... well no. He stands corrected. Ben was delightedly embarrassed.
So filled with happiness right now ....
Both of them came over last night with Melissa and Dave and baby Saxon; Matt and Bec and baby Harmony. Davo practised his Dad-skills - he'll be alright!
We will be eating burgers for a week - there's so much left over!!! I think I can make the leftover mixture into a pie, but this involves baking ... and it might be beyond me.
You see I completely make my recipes up, and have no idea what quantities I use .. so sorry if these recipes are no use to you whatsoever. Craig joked last night about my hit and miss experimental cooking and he's right ... very often we have to throw the concoction away and get pizza.
I can proudly announce, however, that I am three for three .... the last three meals I made which are all posted on http://d4rose.blogspot.com - have been successes. This was clearly a simple case of cookery so let's not mince words (get it?) and pretend we're on MasterChef .... still it tasted good and when served with love, laughter and a healthy dose of scotch, bourbon, beer and wine (and the other condiments!!) it makes for a heartily contented little old me.
Ostensibly the shin-dig was for Ben' birthday and the donut cake (which was "made" by me as further evidence that I can't bake! Make a pyramid of donuts and stick candles in it...)) was quite cute with it's eleven candles upon it. We regailed him with a horrifying rendition of Happy Birthday (we all start at different times and sing it as loudly and off-key as possible, peeing ourselves laughing the whole way through). This was David and Alli's first experience of Happy Birthday for this side of my clan ... at first Davo thought we were starting it like a choir - with harmonies and the like ... well no. He stands corrected. Ben was delightedly embarrassed.
So filled with happiness right now ....
and by the way ...
And by the way, I looked awesome!
Deep purple dress which hugged certain curves and skimmed right over others ... bit bootylicious from the rear-view mirror, but what do you do?
Killer shoes (the ones that literally kill my feet) but are drop-dead-gorgeous ...
Straightened bob showing off my highlights ....
Carefully applied makeup. Scrubbed that off. And more carefully applied it again. First cut was a bit too goth, when I was going for smoky. Second time around was much much better!
Accessories - gold cuff, with faux-amethyst; venetian green glass ring; necklace with shiny sparkly bits; gold lame clutch ... yes, Gold Lame . but it looked ok, really!
I felt sexy, curvy, and completely well-put-together ....
Deep purple dress which hugged certain curves and skimmed right over others ... bit bootylicious from the rear-view mirror, but what do you do?
Killer shoes (the ones that literally kill my feet) but are drop-dead-gorgeous ...
Straightened bob showing off my highlights ....
Carefully applied makeup. Scrubbed that off. And more carefully applied it again. First cut was a bit too goth, when I was going for smoky. Second time around was much much better!
Accessories - gold cuff, with faux-amethyst; venetian green glass ring; necklace with shiny sparkly bits; gold lame clutch ... yes, Gold Lame . but it looked ok, really!
I felt sexy, curvy, and completely well-put-together ....
Montalto - the verdict
Restaurant is beautiful; simple contemporary style.
Our waitress was a bit nervous, so we went out of our way to make her comfortable as is our way and she warmed up by the end and was appreciative of our compliments.
We ordered a wine which was $95 on the menu and had been in the cellar so they took some time to warm it. Very nice Cab Merlot, smooth and subtle at first but as it breathed and with the food, its flavour developed and we all thought it was lovely. 2006 Wantirna Estate .... something something something ... Amelie ...something ... I was drinking it, not reading it!
Appetite-whetter of creamy pumpkin soup ... We could have ordered it by the bowlful, so melty, so sweet, just wonderful.
Entrees: Dad and I both had Rabbit which was served with Pancetta and Figs. Rabbit was moist and the flavours were very balanced. Tracey had deboned Quail in puff pastry which looked delish. Craig had the scallops, can't remember what they were served with, but very tasty.
Mains: I had medium rare beef tenderloin, cooked just perfectly, although Craig thought he heard it mooing (but this is how I like it!). The local Mushrooms had a bit too much balsamic, but the creamy cauliflower puree was divine! Tracey and Craig had veal chop with gnocchi - looked gorgeous. Dad had 16 hour Pork Belly ... crackling and fat ... very good for cholestorol ...
Dessert: Craig was only one who could fit in the Sherry and Raisin Souffle and I should have ordered it too ... Oh. My. God. The cheese platter wasn't for me - I don't like blue cheese and the bit I tasted affirmed this ... the cow cheese (can't remember what it was) was very strong but OK ..... and we won't talk about the goat cheese. Ew. But that's just my unrefined taste buds ... Dad loved it all and it was nicely presented as were all the meals.
I like to drink dessert anyway and the Muscat was sweet and lovely.
The noise baffles in the restaurant worked ... there was a buzz of conversation from the other diners but we could converse comfortably. All the waiting staff were attentive and professional ... and we'll definitely be going back.
If you're ever in Victoria, Montalto is definitely worth the drive through the Mornington Peninsula. Red Hill is a beautiful area and Montalto is very representative.
What a great night!
Our waitress was a bit nervous, so we went out of our way to make her comfortable as is our way and she warmed up by the end and was appreciative of our compliments.
We ordered a wine which was $95 on the menu and had been in the cellar so they took some time to warm it. Very nice Cab Merlot, smooth and subtle at first but as it breathed and with the food, its flavour developed and we all thought it was lovely. 2006 Wantirna Estate .... something something something ... Amelie ...something ... I was drinking it, not reading it!
Appetite-whetter of creamy pumpkin soup ... We could have ordered it by the bowlful, so melty, so sweet, just wonderful.
Entrees: Dad and I both had Rabbit which was served with Pancetta and Figs. Rabbit was moist and the flavours were very balanced. Tracey had deboned Quail in puff pastry which looked delish. Craig had the scallops, can't remember what they were served with, but very tasty.
Mains: I had medium rare beef tenderloin, cooked just perfectly, although Craig thought he heard it mooing (but this is how I like it!). The local Mushrooms had a bit too much balsamic, but the creamy cauliflower puree was divine! Tracey and Craig had veal chop with gnocchi - looked gorgeous. Dad had 16 hour Pork Belly ... crackling and fat ... very good for cholestorol ...
Dessert: Craig was only one who could fit in the Sherry and Raisin Souffle and I should have ordered it too ... Oh. My. God. The cheese platter wasn't for me - I don't like blue cheese and the bit I tasted affirmed this ... the cow cheese (can't remember what it was) was very strong but OK ..... and we won't talk about the goat cheese. Ew. But that's just my unrefined taste buds ... Dad loved it all and it was nicely presented as were all the meals.
I like to drink dessert anyway and the Muscat was sweet and lovely.
The noise baffles in the restaurant worked ... there was a buzz of conversation from the other diners but we could converse comfortably. All the waiting staff were attentive and professional ... and we'll definitely be going back.
If you're ever in Victoria, Montalto is definitely worth the drive through the Mornington Peninsula. Red Hill is a beautiful area and Montalto is very representative.
What a great night!
Montalto - the anticipation
Looking forward to our Christmas Present that my folks and I have promised each other for the last two years.
Instead of gifts, we made a pact that we would head out to a nice restaurant for great food and wine, hang the expense.
And tonight's the night!
Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove
33 Shoreham Grove
Red Hill South
Victoria
Australia
MENU:
Entree
Panfried scallops on du puy lentils with pancetta and cauliflower purée - $21
Slow cooked ocean trout with garden horseradish cream and petit salad - $21
Salt and sugar cured beef carpaccio, baby beets and Red Hill goats cheese - $20
Red Hill wild mushroom pithivier with garden endive salad - $20
Duck, pork, foie gras and pistachio terrine with Estate figs, Cumberland jelly and sourdough toast - $22
Main
Pan roasted mulloway fillet on creamed cabbage with basil, tomato and crayfish fumet - $40
16-hour ‘sous-vide’ pork belly with pomme purée, petit pois à la française and a tarragon and Estate Verjuice jus - $40
Duo of Flinders Island lamb; roasted loin, braised shoulder sausage with pomme dauphine, ratatouille and jus gras - $42
Gamekeepers aged tenderloin, braised beef cheek with celeriac purée and sauce poivrade - $42
Veal rib eye with pistachio crusted sweet breads, glazed baby carrots and cauliflower purée - $45
Margret duck breast with pumpkin, potato and confit leg galette, glazed baby vegetables and epice sauce - $41
Dessert
Ginger soufflé with caramel ice cream - $18
Garden orange blossom pannacotta with orange jelly and fresh passionfruit - $18
Ellisfield farm quince tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream - $19
Soft-centered chocolate pudding and chocolate sorbet - $19
Selection of handmade and imported cheeses with lavoche and house made fruit bread - $26
My selections unless otherwise tempted and assuming I can fit it all in are in bold italics ..... I will let you know tomorrow how the delectable delights fared.
Instead of gifts, we made a pact that we would head out to a nice restaurant for great food and wine, hang the expense.
And tonight's the night!
Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove
33 Shoreham Grove
Red Hill South
Victoria
Australia
MENU:
Entree
Panfried scallops on du puy lentils with pancetta and cauliflower purée - $21
Slow cooked ocean trout with garden horseradish cream and petit salad - $21
Salt and sugar cured beef carpaccio, baby beets and Red Hill goats cheese - $20
Red Hill wild mushroom pithivier with garden endive salad - $20
Duck, pork, foie gras and pistachio terrine with Estate figs, Cumberland jelly and sourdough toast - $22
Main
Pan roasted mulloway fillet on creamed cabbage with basil, tomato and crayfish fumet - $40
16-hour ‘sous-vide’ pork belly with pomme purée, petit pois à la française and a tarragon and Estate Verjuice jus - $40
Duo of Flinders Island lamb; roasted loin, braised shoulder sausage with pomme dauphine, ratatouille and jus gras - $42
Gamekeepers aged tenderloin, braised beef cheek with celeriac purée and sauce poivrade - $42
Veal rib eye with pistachio crusted sweet breads, glazed baby carrots and cauliflower purée - $45
Margret duck breast with pumpkin, potato and confit leg galette, glazed baby vegetables and epice sauce - $41
Dessert
Ginger soufflé with caramel ice cream - $18
Garden orange blossom pannacotta with orange jelly and fresh passionfruit - $18
Ellisfield farm quince tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream - $19
Soft-centered chocolate pudding and chocolate sorbet - $19
Selection of handmade and imported cheeses with lavoche and house made fruit bread - $26
My selections unless otherwise tempted and assuming I can fit it all in are in bold italics ..... I will let you know tomorrow how the delectable delights fared.
Little Girl
Little Girl, you are my life.
You break my heart with Smiles,Tears and Tantrums.
Your tummy is growling, you say?
There goes another heart-string.
They're all tied to you now.
These strings of delicate dew-drops
that lead from my heart to your every whim and fancy.
Who would have thought you would be so powerful
in your tinyness.
Little girl, you own my soul.
You break my heart with Smiles,Tears and Tantrums.
Your tummy is growling, you say?
There goes another heart-string.
They're all tied to you now.
These strings of delicate dew-drops
that lead from my heart to your every whim and fancy.
Who would have thought you would be so powerful
in your tinyness.
Little girl, you own my soul.
Outlaws
On December 8th 2009, Marion and Arthur, my husband's parents, nicknamed some time ago 'Mazerati', flew down from Queensland to stay in Victoria with us and other relatives.
For the first two weeks, we were all still at work, and I had tonsillitis so nothing eventful happened. We had dinners at Chris and Rhonda's; they had dinners at ours. Mazerati saw their new great-grandchildren, as well as re-connected with their grandchildren who numbered 6 and ranged in age from 3 up to 31. Family time was like a hum in the air....soft, sweet. The crinkles of tension had not yet started to show around the eyes.
'Twas the week before Christmas and the shopping was still to be done; Many a creature was stirring....especially down in Funky-Town, where Frankston's finest were frantically flitting from shop to shop, elbowing fellow-shoppers out of the way and bemoaning their VISA limits. We too, joined this merry throng....and we were unprepared.............
The girls, Nanny - Marion, Daughter - Rhonda, Daughter-in-(or out)-law - Me and Grandchild Number 1 - Melissa headed for Funky-town. Great-grandchild - Saxon, also came out of necessity despite being a boy...at 5 weeks old, he sort of had to. We got in the Mazda 3, cursed the traffic along the way, and parked in a miraculously available 'Parents with Prams' spot.
Walking in the beating sun, nervously contemplating the crowd before us, Melissa outlined the plan of attack. "We'll go to the other end of the shopping centre first, get what we need at this shop, that shop, that shop and then head back this way so that we can get straight back to the car". Hmmm, I suppose this sort of excursion did need a plan, but military precision? When would we be allowed to, oh, I don't know, look at stuff? Given that I was buying for my mother, who is impossible to buy for and dislikes everything I get, which makes me wonder why I try so hard....I needed some lee-way for inspiration to strike.
But, I didn't say anything. Naturally.
Marion nervously sucked in her lower lip as she does when she disagrees or wants to say anything. But didn't say anything. Naturally.
Rhonda, has long since given up arguing with her daughter.
And, in truth, the plan had merit, just no flexibility.
So as we headed in, we ran into Melissa's friend and Rhonda took the opportunity to dash into Sanity for a CD present for whoever. I chatted a while with the friend and then I too, wandered towards Sanity for a look. I think Marion came with me. Melissa and friend air-kissed and parted ways, and she wheeled the pram towards the entrance of Sanity. I wandered into the shop, carefully checking where Rhonda was so as not to lose sight of her, nor disrupt the force. But in truth, there was nothing in Sanity for my mother, so I thought, I'll just duck down to the Perfume Empire and look for the D&G, Rose the One, which I'd seen advertised. They didn't have it so I rejoined the clan. As you can see, we're slightly off plan, here, but largely still holding together.
We reformed. Conferred. Agreed to head for Objective 1, at the other end of the store. We probably only paused to window shop in a couple of stores along the way and I think Melissa and the Pram only had to double-back and collect stragglers once on this leg of the mission. We achieved Objective 1, Kmart. Ventured in and scattered. Well, a 1:3 ratio anyway - Mel went to collect her layby. Marion, Rhonda and I ambled through women's clothes and shoes and were more-or-less in sight of each other. Melissa found us, we lost Marion, we found Marion and they left the store, while I bought my item. Not a Christmas present for Mum, by the way, but cute 20 buck summer dress. For me.
As I exited Kmart, I realised that there was no-one there. I mean, thousands of Funky Frankstonians, but not my crew. But with my night-vision goggles and a quick bit of reconaissance, I spied them and we again possied up.
We back-tracked, in line with the plan. Mel set a cracking pace and we lost a few good soldiers to heat exhaustion. ie, I stopped to look at a little stall in the middle, Rhonda stopped with me and Mel again pulled a U-turn and rounded us up.
I spied the shop that Mel had suggested, whilst in the car, for a couple of extra little pressies for my daughter, Rose. Sensing the urgent need to press on to accomplish the mission, I suggested I do a quick solo-incursion into the Fairy shop and that I would catch them up in no time. Agreement, but not happiness. Nonetheless, I sallied forth...didn't see anything and then I remembered another off-mission detour; I needed to make to pick up something for Marion, which I knew she had admired.
Didn't see my intrepid soldiers along the way, but made a quick dash down the escalators, found my gift, waited with ever-increasing anxiety for the queue to diminish and the assistant to process the transaction and then bolted back up.
Nowhere to be seen. Tumbleweeds. I was in the deepest kind of excrement, you could imagine. Our fearless leader, the beautiful Melissa was going to be PI$%ED.
I scurried into Myer - they said they were going in here. I looked. I searched. I was getting a panicked look on my face and I could tell this from the startled glances of the funky-folk.
I practically ran back outside, my chest heaving with anxiety...oh, there they were! I waved, I beamed - I was so happy to rejoin. Rhonda and Marion laughed in shared relief. It was a beautiful slow-mo moment. With a kicker. Melissa, just turned and wheeled off. As I said, PI$#D.
My reaction to when other people are disproportionately angry about a situation is to begin a slow-burn of (probably defensive) anger myself.
So when Melissa the Magnificent muttered loud enough for us to hear (quite clearly), "If this small-child starts screaming his head off, I'm going straight to the car and you can all fuck off and catch the bus home", I blew a head-gasket. Red-faced and steaming, I too began to mutter. "If we have more shopping to do and stuff to look for and at, then we'll bloody-well catch a cab home later and you can do what you want. I'm not putting up with this sh1t".
And so war did break out after all.
We headed, single-file to Target. Melissa refused to enter. So I refused to enter.
Rhonda warily circled us and Marion and she walked to the entrance to see what they could see. Melissa and I deliberately turned our backs and casually inspected the front stalls of Cotton-On-Kids....No talking, no acknowledgement. Just silence.
Rhonda and Marion came back within a minute. "Don't you need to get something for Rose, in Target, Kate?"
"No, I'll do it later." was the nonchalant reply, "Didn't you need to get something, in there, Melissa?" said I, pointedly questioning.
"No, I'll do it later," equally nonchalant.
Rhonda and Marion rolled their eyes.
I snapped out a brief, "I thought we were here to shop, but never mind. Let's just go", and off I stalked.
I kept my head high, but my angry tears were forming and stupid chin was quivering and my shoulders involuntarily raised towards my ears in a self-protective shrug. Marion caught up to me and asked something non-related to the Battle of Target. I replied as best I could through the tears and we travelled the travelator. Marion, ever-quick, as we walked past Supa-Bargains, said, "Ooh, I'd like to go in there, but I daren't", she winked conspiratorially and I smiled back, grateful for a cohort.
Rhonda loyally talked equally amiably with Melissa and the two split-forces headed for the info booth so Rhonda and Marion could buy their vouchers. I advised my leader, with careful precision that I would look in Dick Smith but would be within sight. I completed this tour of duty, checked out the shoes and then waited, in sight, (I saw them seeing me), by the wall, out of the way. Buying the vouchers took a long time.
Success! Marion had completed her section of this mission and then headed to buy chocolates. I was torn. I was trying to keep my leader and gun-seargeant in sight, but my trench-buddy had split off. What to do? I hovered outside the choc store and kept my eye on the leader's position.
They came toward me. Gunny, (Rhonda) laid it down. "We are going back to Target, so you can buy something for Rose and I can buy a Summer Dress. Then we are going back downstairs where you will buy something for your mother. Clear?"
"Yes". I didn't say 'Ma'am', it would have been rude. I nonetheless mentally saluted and the crew went forward, a unit once more.
Melissa and I casually conversed as though nothing had happened, which is how we always recover after a battle. Inane, casual, non-feigned interest in each others comments, but just a little reserved, as though we both want to very carefully avoid re-opening any of the previosuly inflicted wounds.
Back at my house, they came in for a drink, we kissed and hugged good-bye as left for home.....the rest of the war passed us by and the world tilted back to it's normal angle on it's axis.
For the first two weeks, we were all still at work, and I had tonsillitis so nothing eventful happened. We had dinners at Chris and Rhonda's; they had dinners at ours. Mazerati saw their new great-grandchildren, as well as re-connected with their grandchildren who numbered 6 and ranged in age from 3 up to 31. Family time was like a hum in the air....soft, sweet. The crinkles of tension had not yet started to show around the eyes.
'Twas the week before Christmas and the shopping was still to be done; Many a creature was stirring....especially down in Funky-Town, where Frankston's finest were frantically flitting from shop to shop, elbowing fellow-shoppers out of the way and bemoaning their VISA limits. We too, joined this merry throng....and we were unprepared.............
The girls, Nanny - Marion, Daughter - Rhonda, Daughter-in-(or out)-law - Me and Grandchild Number 1 - Melissa headed for Funky-town. Great-grandchild - Saxon, also came out of necessity despite being a boy...at 5 weeks old, he sort of had to. We got in the Mazda 3, cursed the traffic along the way, and parked in a miraculously available 'Parents with Prams' spot.
Walking in the beating sun, nervously contemplating the crowd before us, Melissa outlined the plan of attack. "We'll go to the other end of the shopping centre first, get what we need at this shop, that shop, that shop and then head back this way so that we can get straight back to the car". Hmmm, I suppose this sort of excursion did need a plan, but military precision? When would we be allowed to, oh, I don't know, look at stuff? Given that I was buying for my mother, who is impossible to buy for and dislikes everything I get, which makes me wonder why I try so hard....I needed some lee-way for inspiration to strike.
But, I didn't say anything. Naturally.
Marion nervously sucked in her lower lip as she does when she disagrees or wants to say anything. But didn't say anything. Naturally.
Rhonda, has long since given up arguing with her daughter.
And, in truth, the plan had merit, just no flexibility.
So as we headed in, we ran into Melissa's friend and Rhonda took the opportunity to dash into Sanity for a CD present for whoever. I chatted a while with the friend and then I too, wandered towards Sanity for a look. I think Marion came with me. Melissa and friend air-kissed and parted ways, and she wheeled the pram towards the entrance of Sanity. I wandered into the shop, carefully checking where Rhonda was so as not to lose sight of her, nor disrupt the force. But in truth, there was nothing in Sanity for my mother, so I thought, I'll just duck down to the Perfume Empire and look for the D&G, Rose the One, which I'd seen advertised. They didn't have it so I rejoined the clan. As you can see, we're slightly off plan, here, but largely still holding together.
We reformed. Conferred. Agreed to head for Objective 1, at the other end of the store. We probably only paused to window shop in a couple of stores along the way and I think Melissa and the Pram only had to double-back and collect stragglers once on this leg of the mission. We achieved Objective 1, Kmart. Ventured in and scattered. Well, a 1:3 ratio anyway - Mel went to collect her layby. Marion, Rhonda and I ambled through women's clothes and shoes and were more-or-less in sight of each other. Melissa found us, we lost Marion, we found Marion and they left the store, while I bought my item. Not a Christmas present for Mum, by the way, but cute 20 buck summer dress. For me.
As I exited Kmart, I realised that there was no-one there. I mean, thousands of Funky Frankstonians, but not my crew. But with my night-vision goggles and a quick bit of reconaissance, I spied them and we again possied up.
We back-tracked, in line with the plan. Mel set a cracking pace and we lost a few good soldiers to heat exhaustion. ie, I stopped to look at a little stall in the middle, Rhonda stopped with me and Mel again pulled a U-turn and rounded us up.
I spied the shop that Mel had suggested, whilst in the car, for a couple of extra little pressies for my daughter, Rose. Sensing the urgent need to press on to accomplish the mission, I suggested I do a quick solo-incursion into the Fairy shop and that I would catch them up in no time. Agreement, but not happiness. Nonetheless, I sallied forth...didn't see anything and then I remembered another off-mission detour; I needed to make to pick up something for Marion, which I knew she had admired.
Didn't see my intrepid soldiers along the way, but made a quick dash down the escalators, found my gift, waited with ever-increasing anxiety for the queue to diminish and the assistant to process the transaction and then bolted back up.
Nowhere to be seen. Tumbleweeds. I was in the deepest kind of excrement, you could imagine. Our fearless leader, the beautiful Melissa was going to be PI$%ED.
I scurried into Myer - they said they were going in here. I looked. I searched. I was getting a panicked look on my face and I could tell this from the startled glances of the funky-folk.
I practically ran back outside, my chest heaving with anxiety...oh, there they were! I waved, I beamed - I was so happy to rejoin. Rhonda and Marion laughed in shared relief. It was a beautiful slow-mo moment. With a kicker. Melissa, just turned and wheeled off. As I said, PI$#D.
My reaction to when other people are disproportionately angry about a situation is to begin a slow-burn of (probably defensive) anger myself.
So when Melissa the Magnificent muttered loud enough for us to hear (quite clearly), "If this small-child starts screaming his head off, I'm going straight to the car and you can all fuck off and catch the bus home", I blew a head-gasket. Red-faced and steaming, I too began to mutter. "If we have more shopping to do and stuff to look for and at, then we'll bloody-well catch a cab home later and you can do what you want. I'm not putting up with this sh1t".
And so war did break out after all.
We headed, single-file to Target. Melissa refused to enter. So I refused to enter.
Rhonda warily circled us and Marion and she walked to the entrance to see what they could see. Melissa and I deliberately turned our backs and casually inspected the front stalls of Cotton-On-Kids....No talking, no acknowledgement. Just silence.
Rhonda and Marion came back within a minute. "Don't you need to get something for Rose, in Target, Kate?"
"No, I'll do it later." was the nonchalant reply, "Didn't you need to get something, in there, Melissa?" said I, pointedly questioning.
"No, I'll do it later," equally nonchalant.
Rhonda and Marion rolled their eyes.
I snapped out a brief, "I thought we were here to shop, but never mind. Let's just go", and off I stalked.
I kept my head high, but my angry tears were forming and stupid chin was quivering and my shoulders involuntarily raised towards my ears in a self-protective shrug. Marion caught up to me and asked something non-related to the Battle of Target. I replied as best I could through the tears and we travelled the travelator. Marion, ever-quick, as we walked past Supa-Bargains, said, "Ooh, I'd like to go in there, but I daren't", she winked conspiratorially and I smiled back, grateful for a cohort.
Rhonda loyally talked equally amiably with Melissa and the two split-forces headed for the info booth so Rhonda and Marion could buy their vouchers. I advised my leader, with careful precision that I would look in Dick Smith but would be within sight. I completed this tour of duty, checked out the shoes and then waited, in sight, (I saw them seeing me), by the wall, out of the way. Buying the vouchers took a long time.
Success! Marion had completed her section of this mission and then headed to buy chocolates. I was torn. I was trying to keep my leader and gun-seargeant in sight, but my trench-buddy had split off. What to do? I hovered outside the choc store and kept my eye on the leader's position.
They came toward me. Gunny, (Rhonda) laid it down. "We are going back to Target, so you can buy something for Rose and I can buy a Summer Dress. Then we are going back downstairs where you will buy something for your mother. Clear?"
"Yes". I didn't say 'Ma'am', it would have been rude. I nonetheless mentally saluted and the crew went forward, a unit once more.
Melissa and I casually conversed as though nothing had happened, which is how we always recover after a battle. Inane, casual, non-feigned interest in each others comments, but just a little reserved, as though we both want to very carefully avoid re-opening any of the previosuly inflicted wounds.
Back at my house, they came in for a drink, we kissed and hugged good-bye as left for home.....the rest of the war passed us by and the world tilted back to it's normal angle on it's axis.
Happy New Year 2009-2010
It's stinkin' hot, the ice is melting; it's just past cocktail hour and the guests aren't here yet. Everyone is sleepy and spacey. We should have New Year's Eve another time, perhaps?
They'll be here soon. Must put our game faces on....It's not like it's really that hard.
6 and a bit hours till 2010.
Love and laughs and dancing and singing to you and yours from me and mine.
They'll be here soon. Must put our game faces on....It's not like it's really that hard.
6 and a bit hours till 2010.
Love and laughs and dancing and singing to you and yours from me and mine.
Summer
The bright light shines through the window and makes the house all golden....Summer.
We drink champagne, eat BBQ and seafood, laugh, laugh, laugh till we cry....Summer.
Lorikeets eat the bread we leave for them and then squawk, squawk, squawk till we all go inside for the noise....Summer.
We drink champagne, eat BBQ and seafood, laugh, laugh, laugh till we cry....Summer.
Lorikeets eat the bread we leave for them and then squawk, squawk, squawk till we all go inside for the noise....Summer.
Daddy's Love
How much do I love you
Oh daughter of mine?
So much so that
I spend most of my time
Out in the rain
With screwdriver and bolts
Putting together a trampoline
With hope that it holds
I know you will love it
And think Santa so cool
And I'll smile secretly
knowing that I really rule
My heart is in your hands
You can break it with a smile
I love you baby girl
You've known it all the while
So while you jump and bounce
and dance and fall
I will be so happy
to see you having a ball
Merry Christmas my darling
Jump on the tramp and be bold
But bring me a blanket
I bet I'm getting a cold
Oh daughter of mine?
So much so that
I spend most of my time
Out in the rain
With screwdriver and bolts
Putting together a trampoline
With hope that it holds
I know you will love it
And think Santa so cool
And I'll smile secretly
knowing that I really rule
My heart is in your hands
You can break it with a smile
I love you baby girl
You've known it all the while
So while you jump and bounce
and dance and fall
I will be so happy
to see you having a ball
Merry Christmas my darling
Jump on the tramp and be bold
But bring me a blanket
I bet I'm getting a cold
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