**HAPPY MONDAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY**

I am exhausted!!!...........& super proud of myself for squeezing in sooooooooo much this weekend & DOING it all! :)

Of course I am paying for it today-backache.......sore knees(don't ask:)........headache.......blah!!-have a feeling I might be getting too old for all this but THAT can't be it........lol!!!

We had a fab time @ the SUMMER SALE on Sat & shifted quite a few items-the market is clearly ready for funky,exciting ,hip clothes & accesories & that's EXACTLY where we fit in!!!*wink

So in a few hours we are off to the coast for some R&R......first thing to do when we get to our exotic locale is massage & a cocktail......maybe even at the same time??!!mmmmmmmm

Anyhoo my parents are really getting out there & meeting ALL our amazing new friends......so far they APPROVE......*tough crowd :)!!!

I'm also on a secret mission this week........will spill the beans soon!!!

Lovies from Lanka

**FRIDAY JIGG**

Oh boy oh boy do I have a busy weekend ahead?!....later this evening we have a few friends over for a BBQ-nothing fancy just good people cooking their own food on a roaring fire,yummy homemade salads,cocktails for the LADIES & a live DJ.....!!

I just love doing things at home-brings the house to life!!!

Tomorrow from 10am-5pm- my pal M & I are manning a stall at a summer sale in town-we are selling girly girly stuff like earings,shoes,dresses..........straight from KL & UK.....our very own SUMMER SALE!!-if all goes well we plan on doing it on a regular basis but a smaller scale!!

On Sunday we are helping a very young 60yr old celebrate his birthday :)........what do u buy a 60yr old??he already got EVERYTHING he needs-right??.........ideas on a postcard please :)

First things first......anotha cuppa joe then a quick shower before I start running my errands.......!!!

I heart weekends!!!

**AUGUST RECIPES 4**

FISH STICKS:

1kg fish fillets
3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
2 eggs
1 lemon
1/4 cup butter
1 sweet pickle
1/2 cup mayonnaise


Wash the fillets-pat try with paper towel & cut into long strips
In two seperate bowls- beat together the eggs & pour in the breadcrumbs
Dip the fish strips in the egg first then roll in the breadcrumbs.
Place on a baking tray
Melt the butter over medium heat.
Remove from heat & pour over the coated fish stick
Bake in preheated oven @ 180 C for appx 15min

TARTAR SAUCE:
Chop up the sweet pickle
Pour in the mayonnaise
Squeeze in the juice from the lemon
Mix & refrigerate until needed




CRISPY ONION RINGS:
4 large onions
500ml buttermilk
2 cups flour
salt & pepper
1/3 tsp garlic powder
oil for frying

Slice onion in even rings & place in buttermilk
Season with salt & pepper
Cover & refrigerate for 30min
Place flour in a bowl
Season with salt & pepper & garlic powder
Dredge onion rings in seasoned flour-back in the buttermilk-then back in the seasoned flour
Fry in heavy skillet for 2-3min/until golden brown

**LOVE & MARRIAGE**

Being married is an adventure..........you commit to waking up with the same person FOREVER,never tiring of their silly jokes,annoying habits & incredibly loud snoring........lol!!

I love being married......we are from opposite sides of the world,have completely different tastes in music,I am loud & zany-he's quiet & reserved.........but we have the same moral fibre.We both love our children to bits,have the very same ideals & life goals,enjoy the cinema,curious by nature...........& both are incredibly funny(we think so anyway:)

All I'm saying today is love the ONE you are with......enjoy & appreciate each other.Communicate freely,respect mutually & share long lingering kisses often.......

From my marital love den to yours..........lol!!

MrsP

**COMPUTER DON'T FAIL ME NOW?!**

OH NO!!!...........my dear ol laptop is on her last legs-I'm trying to coach her back to life but her battery is almost burnt out............boo hoo!!!

After a lovely weekend with my folks we took it very easy & casual yesterday........loafed around reading,watching telly & kicking butt on the Wii.......:)

Dad started reading the last HARRY POTTER book in the garden & we only saw him at lunchtime & teatime-he must be enjoying the book??!!....I made chicken snitzels yesterday & it was a big hit with the family-tried to take a pic but it was all gone before I could pull out my camera..........SERIOUSLY!!!..........lol

I'm in the throes of organising a BBQ for Friday night........the DJ is booked & I only have to go into my closet & pull out my dancing shoes....*wink*

Anyhoo it's just after 7am & I'm going to take a walk in the garden to say GOOD MORNING to my gorgeous pups.......

**SPLISH SPLASH**

*streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch*-the sun is out,I'm up & no caffeine involved.......:)

Hubby's on the golf course......Dad's having his morning coffee in the garden & Mom & I are about to bake some scones.......yum!!

Later this afternoon we are all heading to the pool for a bbq-for a minimum amount you can buy your way to maximum family fun!!!....

As a Mom there is nothing better than your family having a good time,ordering tall exotic drinks,someone else cooking your next meal & not having to bother about loading the dishwasher :)!!!

HAPPY SATURDAY TO YOU TOO.....

**FUNKY FRIDAY**

Today was one of those slow lazy relaxed days.......we did nothing to break out in sweat, just strolled along the shopping mall-looking for trinkets,designer tees & a garden hose for me:)-woop-de-doo.......

Mom & Dad are getting brazen now-the traffic almost does not faze them anymore.........lol-or maybe it's because they were safely tucked in my van??!!........teehee......

We are relaxing in the garden,gentle breeze in the air-sipping on martini for the girls & whiskey for the boys....:)

CHEERS!!!the weekend is here.......

**AUGUST RECIPES-PART 3**

CHICKEN CORDON BLUE:


1 cup milk
1 cup dry breadcrumbs
6 skinless,deboned chicken breast-flattened to 1/4inch thickness
salt & pepper
6 slices cooked ham
6 slices swiss cheese
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup heavy cream


Preheat oven to 170 C
Place milk & bread in two seperate bowls
Season the chicken with salt & pepper to taste
Place a slice of ham & cheese on each chicken breast-roll & secure with a toothpick
Dip each chicken roll in milk & then in the breadcrumbs
Heat oil in large skillet
Brown the chicken on both sides.
Remove from heat & place chicken in a baking dish.
In a small saucepan-cream together soup & cream-over medium heat
Season with salt & pepper-pour over the chicken breast.
Bake in oven for appx 15min/until chicken is no longer pink



BBQ BEEF SARMIES:

BBQ SAUCE:
1/2 cup ketchup
3 tbsp white vinegar
2 tbsp chopped onion
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
2 tsp fine brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground mustard
1 clove garlic,crushed

600g cooked roast beef-cut into strips(appx 3cups)
6 hamburger buns-split

In saucepan mix together all the sauce ingredients over medium heat-stirring constantly,reduce heat
Simmer uncovered for 10min-stirring constantly
Stir beef into sauce.
Cover & simmer for 5min until beef is hot
Fill buns with bbq beef & serve with french fries & coleslaw


COLESLAW RECIPE:

1 cabbage shredded
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup carrots shredded
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup milk
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp celery seed
2 drops Tabasco
3 tbsp onions-minced

Slice cabbage thinly-toss in sugar & shredded carrots.
Sprinkle with salt pepper-drench with milk .
Cover & refrigerate for 15min.
Seperately-combine mayo,buttermilk,celery seed,Tabasco & onion.
Mix well with cabbage mixture.
Refrigerate again (atleast an hour before serving)
Drain some of the dressing before serving.

**LEGAL EAGLE**

So yesterday I finally dragged my butt down to the DMV for a local licence.......or shall I say 4trips........I KID YOU NOT!!

Silly of me to think it was going to be a simple process-I should have packed lunch.....:)I received my ticket & I was listed number 952........hahahahaha-imagine that......the place was packed with hopeful new licence holders-some of them who probably only had 2-6 driving lessons -now being cleared to be on the road........SERIOUSLY!!

I made my way to the desk & queried about the process-was told I needed medical certificate-off to medi-clinic we go........after a quick prick(on my finger:),a simple eye test & VOILA-I'm fit!!.......make my way back to the DMV-only to be told I must come back in 45min-she's going on lunch........OH HELL NO!!!

Can you say hissy fit??!!.....I was promptly escorted to the commissioner's office-stated my case & before you can say DRIVE -I had a priority ticket!!!.....Now I'm not saying I'm better than anybody else-at driving FOR SURE-but they should seriously up the ante in the service department.......or have a Q especially for foreign licence holders.......I'm just saying!!!

To cut a long story short -I received my licence at 4pm.....so next time you on the road again,keep an eye out-I'm the one in the pimped out van with the constantly blaring car horn!!..........lol

**EXPLORING MY CITY**

Mom & Dad are clearly still on SA time as it's after 9am & they are both still in dreamland :)-jetlag is funny like that.........

I think I'll ease them into my city....for starters they have experienced the crazy driving on the way home from the airport........it can only get better now......lol

I was thinking a drive into the city-show off our shopping malls & local eateries....maybe grab a bite to eat & be back in time for sundowners in the garden.....

LUSH**.....

**THANK YOU LORD**

Today is the day........my parents are on an aeroplane RIGHT now -on their way to see us for a whole,loooooooooooooooooong month!!!

We are all super excited & brimming with laughter upon their arrival.Until this morning it all seemed far away & dreamlike but it's actually happening & we simply can't wait.

The boys are up before 7:30am-now that is saying something :).....Naturally we look forward to spoiling Mom & Dad a bit but we all sent through a list of goodies & are also anxiously anticipating the suitcases too.........lol

Happy days indeed.......!!!

**SATC 2-MY REVIEW**

Now living in the stix has it's advantages & disadvantages........for instance lack of cinemas........now for a serious movie buff that's a mega offence :)

Anyhoo the good thing is we do get everything on dvd-sometimes with wacky subtitles,really awful pirate copies but look & ye shall find...........

So......I finally bought a decent copy of SATC 2......if you are an ardent fan-LIKE ME-you have been waiting with bated breath for over 24months.........YEAH!!!!

I must admit the first movie was much BETTER than the second one-better storyline,better fashion,better reviews.......lol

The second movie is a bit all over the place,still fab-tastic fashion,great locale-but everyone looks older........thinner......too much make up........thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin plotline!!!

My favourite character has got to be SAMANTHA-she's a fun,fearless,sexy woman-knows exactly what she wants & how to get it!!!......She's a scene stealer & is a right treat to watch on the big screen.......:)

Nevertheless I thoroughly enjoyed the movie-it's overblown eye candy....sweet,fluffy,FUN!!!!!......perfect for us GURLZ!!!

**AUGUST RECIPES-PART 2**

ROTIS:

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp chili powder *optional*
1 tbsp cooking oil
1 cup lukewarm water

Place flour in bowl.
Add salt & chili powder & mix.
Add 1 tbsp heated cooking oil to the mixture.
Mix with fingers until flakes appear.
Add cup of lukewarm water -bit for bit & knead gently.
Place a moistened cloth over the dough & set aside for an hour.
Heat up non stick pan.
Break dough mixture into balls-dip in flour until fully covered & roll out with rolling pin.
Bake evenly on both sides.
Serve with curry or loads of butter.


TZATZIKI:

1 whole cucumber,peeled & seeded
1 cup plain yoghurt
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp dill weed *optional
2 cloves garlic,crushed
salt & pepper to taste

Grate the cucumber & squeeze out all the juice.
Mix all the other ingredients in a bowl.
Add the cucumber.
Set in fridge for an hour.
Serve with pita chips.

**WHAT MONDAY BLUES??!!**

If I could bottle & sell how I feel right now I'd be a billionaire:)

I just rang up an old/new friend -for the first time & we were yapping away like lifelong mates!!!In a space of an hour we basically touched on almost every topic under the sun........& it was effortless.

I opened up -shared,listening,laughing,agreeing & just soaking up all the excitement.....*chuckles*-it felt natural & very real......!!!

My Monday is off to an incredible start thanks to you AURELIA HOLLAND WILLIAMS.....you totally rock!!!

Whatever you do today....do it with a smile!!!

**FRESH FLOWERS,GOLF & SUNSHINE**

What a gorgeous day in my neighbourhood......thec sun is out & I've got the sprinkler on-making everything smell fresh & brand new......

Bella & Lucy are running through the water,nipping each other at the heels.......:)!!!

G's tee-ing off as we speak & the kids are stumbling out of bed one by one......zzzzz-my sleepy heads!!

We don't have anything planned for today-I just need to nip out for some fresh flowers,beverages for the kids & maybe a spot of lunch somewhere open & sunny.......:)

For now......I'm gonna stay on the porch a lil bit longer,soaking up the rays & watching the pups frolic in the sprayer.....:)

**LIFE'S A BEACH........**

It's amazing what 72hrs at the coast can do to you?!

So the drive to get here is a bit like russian roulette-awful driving-but 4hrs in the car is hardly that bad when you reach your destination.Good food,fabulous location & happy kids splashing in the sea......TOTAL BLISS!!

I must admit I did not make it into the sea or the swimming pool....I ran on the beach & maybe dipped my big toe but for most part I lounged at a safe distance observing & reading my book.......ordering cocktails like it's going out of fashion & watching the foreigners baking in the sun......OUCH!!!

My boys just took their last dip for today & are now crammed in the shower getting the sand out of their trunks & hair.......what a mess!!??........lol

The bags are halfpacked,just a quick run to the gift shoppe & then we are hitting the road back to the city........but not before I order one last pina colada......!!!

*COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK*

MOJITOS:

shredded/chopped ice
3/4 cup rum *white
12 mint sprigs,roughly broken
6 tbsp lime juice
4 tbsp sugar
club soda
4 lime slices


Place ice in beverage shaker.
Add rum,sugar,lime juice & mint sprigs.
Shake well & serve in high ball glass.
Top off with club soda.
Garnish with mint & lime slice.

**SEA SPRAY ON MY FACE.....**

This morning I woke up after 8am-now that is a treat in itself!!!For a split second I forgot where I was but was gently reminded by the crashing waves outside.......

I had a loooooooong stretch & literally jumped into the shower!!

The boys ran along to breakfast 'cause *Mom takes tooo long to get ready*-lol......by the time hubby & I showed up the two munchkins have stuffed their bellies with sausages,omelettes & fruit......:)

We gobbled our eggs & toast with fervour......sea air will do that to you :)!!G has trotted off to work this morning(will join us again for lunch) & the boys & I are gonna laze poolside sipping on cocktails......well ME anyway.......*wink

HAPPY SUNNY DAYS......

**BREAKAWAY WEEKEND**

I've got my suitcase at the door........sunblock,hat & i-pod ready to grab,to get going on our break at the coast today...........

Time to leave the city behind for some much needed R&R by the beach......!!!If anything hubby needs this break much more than anyone of us-poor fella needs to kick back & leave the stresses at the office behind...

I tell you what leading a workforce of 5 000employees can't be that easy-especially not if they are lazy,so & so's.....*geez*Sometimes I wish I had a few extra bob-so I can whisk him away -maybe to Colorado or outback Oz-load up a trailer & just drive for days.........stopping everywhere,eating at lil diners & taking loads of pix........(maybe one day when I'm big :)

So I'm sipping my coffee...watching CNN & dreaming of my weekend at the coast.......!!!I can visualize myself chasing the boys on the beach & splashing in the ocean-eating crab curry & maybe a spot of market shopping......

Wake up with the waves lapping at the shore,clean crisp sea air & not a dirty dish in sight........:)

I HEART WEEKEND BREAKAWAYS......:)