**'TIS THE SILLY SEASON**

In just over a month it's CHRISTMAS again........a time for being thankful & family!!!

I don't know about you but the year has flown by-just the other day we were celebrating EASTER & bam another year is almost on it's back!!

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that the festive season is all about the family-catching up..........reminiscing & just sharing.Sharing our time.......our LOVE......with everyone that we cherish & appreciate.

Last year xmas was a very tough time for my family & I-we have just moved to our new locale,had no friends & mostly just relied on each other........FAMILY TIME is important but we could not help but feel lonely & isolated too!!We missed our families in SA & Scotland........imagining how the snow was falling outside the window or how yummy Mom's turkey was tasting that year............all the hugging & the playful banter amongst loved ones...the awful crimbo movies & the non stop eating.......ha!Jumping in the car & driving from suburb to suburb-wishing family & friends a wonderful festive season-naturally having a bite to eat at EVERY house.......lol!!Dozing off in the afternoon for 45minutes.......waking up & starting all over again........

I LOVE CHRISTMAS........everything it represents & especially how much closer it brings us all together!!!

**RECOMMENDED MOVIE OF THE WEEK**

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT.........

A look at what happens when your *sperm donor babies* goes looking for their natural father........to make matters more interesting the couple in question are in a lesbian relationship & the father comes in the shape of delicious Mark Ruffalo.........

I enjoyed this movie because it's beautifully acted & the emotions are real & relateable*........

Anette Bening delivers a very strong performance as Nic-definately OSCAR worthy!!??

Rent/buy.......but SEE soon!!

**NOVEMBER RECIPES 2**

BROCCOLI CHEESE CHOWDER:

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion ,chopped
1 large carrot , diced
2 stalks celery,diced
1 large potato,peeled & diced
2 gloves garlic ,minced
1 tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
2 cans vegetable/chicken broth
1kg broccoli florets-stems & florets seperated
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup of sour cream
1/8 tsp salt

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat.Add onion,carrot and celery.Cook,stirring often until onion soften-appx 5min.
Add potato & garlic.Stir often.Add flour,dry mustard and cayenne.Cook slowly.
Add broth & broccoli stems.Boil & cover on low heat.Add florets -simmer until broccoli is tender.Appx 15minutes.
Transfer 2 cups of the chowder to a bowl & mash-return to pan.
Stir in cheddar & sour cream.Cook over medium heat.Cook until cheese is melted & chowder is heated through.
Add salt & serve warm.


TURKEY PASTRAMI SANDWICH:

2 slices turkey pastrami
5 thin slices of apple
2 tbsp drained sauerkraut
1 thin slice swiss cheese
1 large slice of rye-halved

Layer pastrami slices,apple,sauerkraut & cheese between bread halves

Enjoy!

**MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS & GIRLY GIRLY TIME*

So my dahling hubby is 50 in a few days........now as much as I love all the drama & hoopla-G's the complete opposite :)!!He'd much rather stop in with a nice curry & a cuppa tea.........maybe some golf??!!-teehee........so planning a party nevermind a surprise for him is well...........a major event!!!

After much deliberation & consultation-hahahaha-I got it all finalised & sorted.......With a handful of close friends,amazing venue & lovely tall cocktails-we'll celebrate his 50th BIRTHDAY in true style!!!Did I mention it's going to be a naughty SIXTIES affair??!!.........oh behave :)

With crimbo around the corner we have officially entered the silly season........my girlies & I have been out & about almost weekly -eating too much,talking too loudly & dancing too wildly........lol!!!Last week we hooked up with the official WINDIES cricket team & I even celebrated another *fake birthday* courtesy of my crazy girlfriends...........hahahaha!!

Anyhoo enough rambling from me......what's new with YOU??!!

**NOVEMBER RECIPES**

GARLIC CHICKEN:

4 cloves garlic chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 garlic herb parmesan cheese
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts

Mix garlic with olive oil-microwave on high for 3min-set aside
Combine parmesan & breadcrumbs in seperate bowl.
Dip chicken breast in olive oil mixture first then coat with breadcrumb mixture
Place in baking tray
Bake for 30min @ 180degrees

Serve with mashed potatoes & steamed broccoli (veggies)


BEEF FRIED RICE:
1kg ground beef
3 eggs
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 cups cooked,cold long grain rice
2 small onions chopped
3 tbsp soya sauce
1 tsp sugar
dash of pepper

In a skillet,cook beef until brown.Drain
In a seperate bowl mix eggs & pepper
Heat oil in a new skillet & add egg mixture
As eggs cook lift the edges allowing the uncooked center to flow underneath
When eggs are fully cooked remove from heat & cut into strips
Move skillet back to stove & add all the other ingredients.
Mix together gently & heat through


DIRT CAKE:
2 packets of choc sandwich cookies(OREO)
1 small container cream cheese
1/2 stick butter/margarine
2 cups milk
2 packets vanilla pudding mix
1 container non-dairy whipped topping
8 inch flower pot
artificial flower(decoration only)

Crush the cookies in blender
Cream together the butter & cream cheese
In a large bowl mix together the milk & vanilla pudding mix
Add cream cheese mixture & non dairy topping.
Beat together until mixed through
Line the flower pot with foil.
In the flower pot layer the cookie mixture-then the pudding mixture etc-top with cookie mixture-to resemble dirt!
Add the artificial flower

**Let your imagination run wild by placing gummi worms in the flower pot-pretending to be crawling from the dirt!!**

**NOVEMBER ALREADY??!!**

ooooooooooooooooh disgusting of me!!!It feels like ages since my last blog-LIFE's been getting in the way :)

All is well over here-my brood are back at school after the midterm break & I am superproud of them all as they did particularly well in their respective exams!!!!My eldest have applied to maybe 6 unis-from HK TO NY-scary thought that she'll be off soon..........oh dear-where has the time gone??!!

Anyhoo hubby was travelling last week but will be home soon & I'm superhappy-I loathe it when he travels because I am always on the edge ,can't sleep proper & I eat far too much crappy foods-just could not be bothered to cook........teehee!!

On a personal level I have finally found my niche professionally!!!I have recently started a mobility company with a friend-it's still very early stages but we are moving along nicely!!I was also very delighted to be part of the launch of a fabulous new jewelery store-CANTALOUPE JEWELERY!!!Locally made,locally produced......I wish them all nothing but the best!!!!

I have my fingers in so many pies just now-I LOVE IT!!!Another friend & I are building up some credibility as fashionistas around town-just had another successful streetfair selling our fantastic products(bags/jewelery/shoes,etc)Our main goal is to eventually open our own little outlet....admittedly it's very hard work but we are loving every minute!!!*wink

Oh dear enough of my rambling!!How's life treating YOU?!