Mumford & Sons - Babel

 

 

Mumford & Sons, say no more !

Well I can't, I must go on and on. I haven't had music move me as much as this. Since coming across the amazing Nina Simone, many years ago. Don't get me wrong, there are lot's of other artists and songs that I love with much intensity. But. There is something about these lads, and I can't quite explain it. Not everyone in my house feels the same way - fools, (but do they?)

I say to My young lads, listen, listen to the words. Like poetry, a window to the the imperfect, yet perfectly normal man's soul. One in particular:

Hopeless Wanderer (and this is my interpretation)

" So when your hopes on fire

But you know your desire

Don't hold a glass over the flame

Don't let your heart grow cold

I will call you by name

I will share your road

 

But hold me fast hold me fast

Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer

Hold me fast hold me fast

Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer

 

And I will learn, I will learn

To love the skies I'm under "

 

^^

If we know this, if we know the (dare I say) soul of our lovers. As hard as it is sometimes, can we let them grow, can we let them go? Not to leave per say. But, to explore that inner part, that we may never understand. And, if we hold on fast, with understanding and love in our heart and maybe we too can grow old together. "Now, how I long, how I long, to grow old."

 

This can't happen when we feel bitter and angry. So maybe we don't get angry, maybe we let our self explore and let our lovers explore ? Knowing, that we will still be here for each other. We are all broken, we are all full of flaws. So in the end, can we ?

 

We will run and scream

You will dance with me

They'll fulfill our dreams

and we'll be free

And we will be who we are

And they'll heal our souls

Sadness will be far.

(Not With Haste)

 

There is so much more in the words of their songs, I just love them. I can listen, over and over again. And then some more.

 

Thank you, Mumford & Sons xx

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fast fruit - preparing for tomorrow

 

Last night we had a healthy taco dinner (which I forgot to photograph) . I always do my mince with a mix of chicken and beef mince. I just use Aldi's packet with all the ingredients. Its quick and easy, this is one of my other alternatives to getting take-out. I would normally rather use my own herbs without the fillers and no MSG, but I figure I still know pretty much whats in it all. Our accompaniments were: avocado, sheep's feta, Greek yoghurt, taco sauce (that came in the pack), roma tomatoes and lettuce. Very yummy.

For desert I cut up a fresh fruit platter (in the picky above)

I also separated off some of the fruit and cut it up for smoothies for breakfast. So the  smoothies I will be making over the next few days will have a mix of rock melon, banana and grape. I put this cut up mix into separate snap-lock bags an popped them in the freezer. This is going to be part of my "prepared for 2013" strategy. So I can be healthy and less stressed and hopefully lose some weight as a bonus.

Full smoothie recipe yet to come, with lots of pickies.

xx

 

 

50 Shades of Grey - Book Review

50 Shades of Grey - book review

Well I just couldn't resist reading this book any longer. I am usually a "late adopter" of things. It took me a long time to use handy cards (I still have a cheque book though). I was one of the last of my friends to move to smart phones ( I love a good old Nokia that you can throw and it doesn't smash). There are many other examples but I wont go on.
I do think this book will be one of those "cult" books. Lot's of references are already been made in every day goings on and I don't understand all of them. I can make assumptions about some of the comments. "Oooh, could do with a bit of "Grey" at the moment" etc etc and so on. But direct references to the "Red Room", I have no idea what people are talking about. My Mother has even read the book and can "knowingly" laugh at references to this cult affair !!
So I decided to put "The Fiery Cross" aside and jump in, so to speak.
I am going to do this review as I read the book and will just pick up each block that I read with a # rather than a date. I will try to make my thoughts flow as best as possible.

#So far it gets a big Snore Snore from me. The main character is a winging pain in the arse and I don't think I am going to be able to finish it. My mind is wondering all the time and I have to re-read paragraphs
#Starting to put my detective hat on! Why is Kate saying that she should stay away from Grey? That he is dangerous! Why do I feel this will have some significance later in the book
#The writing style is not my cup of tea, dare I say it, its a little sloppy. But, is that what will give the book it's charm in the end? I like this Mr Gray's calmness and control. Does this come with being a cajillionaire or are you like that before hand? OK, so now is about where I start thinking the characters are real people, it's how I bond with a story. I just let myself go.
#I find romantic much more sexy than raunch and as I get into the more juicy parts I am thinking I am really not going to like this book. I hate male review shows and poster pictures of hot men all over the place. Don't get me wrong, I totally appreciate a good body and face, but I have all I want at home (brag brag) so I'm not enticed by that stuff. This book is starting to give me that trashy ---- mag feel! (I also don't have anything against raunch, just not tacky)
#I am now finding Mr Grey very intriguing. I am instantly thinking he has mummy and or daddy issues and can't wait to find out more about him. She is still boring me, to the point where I keep forgetting her name.
#If she says "inner goddess" one more time I am going to burn this book !!
#I know this is pretty woman crap. What can I say ? I am a sucker for it. "I've never slept with anyone, never had sex in my bed, never flown a girl in Charlie Tango, never introduced a woman to my mother. ..." That stuff I love, I just find myself not liking that he has fallen for Anna !
#My first time was horrible - haven't we all been there? How do we teach our boys to be better with their women? Without all the details. I guess we just need to give the details, and get over ourselves and the stigma of what we share and don't share with our children. The real question is what age do we start talking to them? Anyway I have digressed.
#I probably shouldn't divulge too much more (for those that are yet to read the series). I do like the idea of the contract though. The details are maybe not my cup of tea, but the concept is good I think. Is that what marriage contracts were originally about?
# Even though I am a strong independent person, I quite like the concept of clear roles in a relationship. I don't think the roles need to be fixed, they can certainly change over time and different stages in the relationship life cycle. We do need to know what is expected of each other though, and that involves clear, and sometimes difficult conversations. I like how the book is really exploring this.
#I have checked out all the music references and music suggestions by the "Mr Grey" and I really like all the music. You tube   has some suggested play lists, with the key songs in them. Definitely worth a listen.
So in closing, I am on to book number two ! I guess that is a good thing (or not). I am intrigued to find out more about Mr Grey and it distracts me from everyday serious stuff. That's not so bad. It's my B105 book I guess. Everything I read has a purpose and those purposes are all different, neither good nor bad just more ideas. Everyone takes what they want out of every experience they have. I mostly choose to find some value or good in everything. With that in mind, I will not be persuaded by the nay-sayer's and I am enjoying the series (with all its imperfections). I recommend you persevere through until at least half way through, it gets better.     

Read the book xxx



           

New Years Resolutions !

 

Hi All

I have decided not to set a New Years resolution this year. They haven't worked for me in the past, so I think a change of habbit is long over-due. 2013 will be what it will be, my attitude in general is what I am going to shift. I mostly have a good positive approach to life (I think), but I am going to put a little bit of more ME in what I do this year, and see how that goes.

I like this from  Miss Millionairess

 

A lot more self-loving coming on this year. I am working on the premise that, if I look after and nurture me. In the end I will have more to give to others.

 

What have you got in store for YOU this 2013 ?

 

Boxing Day Dinner - creamy scallops

 

With a house full, I had ordered extra seafood for boxing day dinner. And it went something like this:
Fresh scallops
Fresh green prawns
Leek
Coriander
Garlic
Creme Fraiche'
Snow peas
Angel Hair pasta

Just toss it in the pan in the usual order and add parmesan cheese to serve x
Yummmmmy
All the kids ate it to, from age 6 - 15.

What did you cook for boxing day dinner ?


 

Christmas Day and Night

 

Hope you all had a Merry and Safe Christmas ?

 

 

Mine was full of family, children and laughter. The big and little kids enjoying the magic of Christmas morning. Full of wonder and possibility. My mother sister and I shared a bottle of Moet - yumm. We visited some of my husbands family in the morning (he is one of eight) and that was, well, better left unsaid. Suffice to say, it was not welcoming, giving and Christmassy! (well I had to say something).  So, back to our house, where all our guests were chipping in to make the day fabulous. Full of food, of which I forgot to take photos of !! I must say that I bought one of Avon's  inflatable iced servers, and it's the bomb ! Loved it. All the seafood and salads sat in it on a serving table.

The menu was:

Roasts turkey, lamb and pork, with cold ham

Roasted potatoes, sweet potatoe, purple carrots, and pumpkin

Prawns, bugs and oysters

Rocket, pair, almond and parmessan salad

Roast beetroot,sheep feta and spinach salad

Green salad, tomato,advocado,spanish onion,cucmber

Potato salad with chorizo

And all the trimmings - cranberry, apple, seafood, dressings and sauces

Some nice wines and other heart warming resfreshments

Then Christmas pudding

Trifle

and other treats

All served with lots of love.

Kids then ran and jumped in our summer Kmart above ground pool that everyone loves and played in the cubby house.

Parents crashed on the couch and beds for an afternoon of rest.

 

So Christmas was lovely. To me it is about making it that little bit more special than other days of the year. When you make a bit more effort and a bit more allowance for those that need you to. You are more forgiving and understanding and you are celebrating how grateful you are to be in the world. With the people that surround you.

What is Christmas for to you ?

 

 

 

 

Rise of the Guardians - movie review

 

I went to see Rise of the Guardians with all the family (husband included) and I must admit I am a softy for kids movies. This one was particularly pertinent to our family at the moment because my kids have started to question the whole "Santa" thing. Other children at school have been telling my children that Santa does not exist, that "your parents put the presents out" and "when you get older, you will understand". They also go to a school that teaches religion, so there are a few teachers that are also very vocal about the non-existence of not only Santa but all the other guardians as well.

So, I took a deep breath and told the boys that, we have never given any details as to who and what Santa is, we have never lied to them (as suggested by the other children). We just have a special magical tradition in our houses that include the wonder of the possibilities of Santa, the tooth fairy and so on.
Human beings need hope, whatever that is to each of us individually. Hope is what makes us human.
Hope
Wonder
Joy
Dreams
And the courage to get through our darkest days for the chance of a better tomorrow. Without hope, there is only fear and emptiness.
If you are religious you are taught to believe in the Wonder of Jesus. Encouraged to Dream of the time you will join him. It is in this you get through each day to be the best you can in the Hope that you will please him.
If you are a person that follows other divinities you also believe in Dreams and hope, the Wonder of the universe and the Joy it can bring now and in the after-life.
If you just believe in yourself and the guidance of something bigger than you, then you too will have Hope, Wonder, Joy and Dreams in your world, too.
With all these things you will also then have Courage. The courage to get up and try to make each day better than the last, or to just make it through the next one.
So to all  those naysayers that want to remove this wonder in our children's worlds, I say to you. You might want to think this out a little more, you might want to think about what your children will replace this lack of Wonder and Hope with. Because one thing that is for certain (and you wont even know it) they will fill that gap. Don't let it be filled with fear and sadness. I understand that most peoples argument would be that it is not right to lie to your children. My answer to you comes straight from this movie. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
My husband and I have told our children that it's not the physicality of Santa that they need worry about. That we want them to just enjoy the magic of wonder and the possibilities in the world. Because it's wonder and possibilities that Do exist, they make us dream, invent, create and make the world a better place. So don't crush this spirit in our children, let them Dream a little longer. God knows we all live with reality for such a long time.
I loved this movie, and yes I shed a tear. My husband was asleep at the beginning, but woke for the rest of it and said he didn't mind it. The kids loved it and vowed that they didn't care what the other children said, they were happy to believe. xx