I don't know if it is because of the rapid onset of winter, or just one of those seasonal things that happens, but it seems like everyone has had a cold recently. Every person I seem to be meeting at the moment has or is just getting over a cold. And I'm definitely in that camp, a couple of weeks ago I felt awful with a cold although have luckily recovered now.
But there is a whole world of difference between the sniffles that most of us have had and the virus that put my dear friend A's little girl into hospital with bi-lateral pneumonia. I can't even imagine how terrifying the experience for A and her husband must have been when they were told on Friday before last by their GP that it was nothing, to on Saturday being told by the hospital that they may need to be sent to Sydney by chopper.
But she is one tough little girl. After managing to breathe at double rate for several days she has beaten the virus and they were released from hospital on Friday. Last night I managed to visit and the sight of her gorgeous smiling face peering over the edge of the couch at me was like a ray of sunshine in my day.
She is just a delight of a little girl and seeing her smile, explore and paint everything within reach with mashed kumara so soon after such a life threatening situation was a real joy. When we are feeling well it is easy not to think about health, but at times like these, I feel extra grateful that my body is working as intended.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Flox Stockings
Sometimes I wonder what architects think about when they design buildings. The building in which I work was designed with a large airy atrium. True it brings light and fresh air into the middle of the building, however in summer it acts like an oven and winter like a freezer. It gets so cold out there that you have to seriously consider donning a coat and scarf to make the dash to the toilet.
The biggest downside is that every weekend, it sucks the warmth from the office and it takes half of Monday to build it up again. Last year I survived Mondays in trousers, boots and thick socks. But I prefer to wear skirts, so today I decided to road test Flox stockings.
According to their website "The secret to Flox is the superfine fleece lining. It creates maximum warmth and comfort while still making sure you look fashionable. It’s a secret because they look just like any ordinary pair of tights on the outside. While you wear all your favourite dresses and tops over Flox, no one will know the difference, except you."
Pulling them out of their wrapping, they certainly felt thicker and more spongy than normal opaques, but once on (and they fit my silly long legs well) they look just like your normal black opaque stocking. They do indeed have a fleecy lining somewhat reminiscent of fleecy track pants and I immediately noticed that they were considerably warmer than normal stockings.
After numerous injuries, my ankles are quite sensitive to the cold and while I wouldn't say they felt toasty like they would in hiking socks, I wasn't attempting to wrap my feet in a scarf as I have done before. My upper legs which had the added protection of a pencil skirt were really quite comfortably warm.
They are quite quick to pick up fluff, but that might just be static from having been in plastic, so I will give them a handwash (as recommended) in woolmix and see if that helps. I've also heard that they are prone to stretching, so it will be interesting to see how long they last, but so far, very good!
The biggest downside is that every weekend, it sucks the warmth from the office and it takes half of Monday to build it up again. Last year I survived Mondays in trousers, boots and thick socks. But I prefer to wear skirts, so today I decided to road test Flox stockings.
According to their website "The secret to Flox is the superfine fleece lining. It creates maximum warmth and comfort while still making sure you look fashionable. It’s a secret because they look just like any ordinary pair of tights on the outside. While you wear all your favourite dresses and tops over Flox, no one will know the difference, except you."
Pulling them out of their wrapping, they certainly felt thicker and more spongy than normal opaques, but once on (and they fit my silly long legs well) they look just like your normal black opaque stocking. They do indeed have a fleecy lining somewhat reminiscent of fleecy track pants and I immediately noticed that they were considerably warmer than normal stockings.
After numerous injuries, my ankles are quite sensitive to the cold and while I wouldn't say they felt toasty like they would in hiking socks, I wasn't attempting to wrap my feet in a scarf as I have done before. My upper legs which had the added protection of a pencil skirt were really quite comfortably warm.
They are quite quick to pick up fluff, but that might just be static from having been in plastic, so I will give them a handwash (as recommended) in woolmix and see if that helps. I've also heard that they are prone to stretching, so it will be interesting to see how long they last, but so far, very good!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sleeping in
I had the most glorious sleep in this morning. Everything seems to be go, go, go at the moment but today we had no commitments so we took our laziest time.
It wasn't just the sleep in, it was the ability to luxuriate in laying about, dozing, discussing the merits of getting up before finally rising in time to have breakfast when most people would be finished having lunch.
I guess some might consider it a wasted morning - I however think it was very well spent.
It wasn't just the sleep in, it was the ability to luxuriate in laying about, dozing, discussing the merits of getting up before finally rising in time to have breakfast when most people would be finished having lunch.
I guess some might consider it a wasted morning - I however think it was very well spent.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Waffles
Today I had my first ever waffle! Somehow I have managed to live almost 32 years of life without trying them.
The serving was enormous - 4 waffles, 3 scoops of ice-cream, swirls of whipped cream and the best most intense strawberry sauce I've ever had. The plate was so massive that S and I shared them.
Of course this being my first exposure to waffles means the bar is now set very high for any future encounters.
The serving was enormous - 4 waffles, 3 scoops of ice-cream, swirls of whipped cream and the best most intense strawberry sauce I've ever had. The plate was so massive that S and I shared them.
Of course this being my first exposure to waffles means the bar is now set very high for any future encounters.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Families
How many families do you have?
I know the official definition of a family is generally something along the line of a group of people related by blood or marriage. However I prefer a more open interpretation of a group of people related by a common bond. The bond could be blood or marriage or it could be shared experiences, interests, etc.
I of course have my often referred to fantastic family who are genetically and legally related to me, but I like to think of my circles of friends as families too. Like a hugely complex venn diagram they intersect but have their own identities.
Today I had lunch with with SEAF - the South East Asian Family. They are the group of people who I travelled to Vietnam and Cambodia with earlier this year and who you may have got to know on my travel blog http://havepassport-willtravel.blogspot.com/. It was such a great trip, it absolutely cemented the bonds of friendship between the 8 of us.
But we are 8 very busy people, corralling us together is not an easy task. Not all 8 made it to lunch, but those who did had the usual rowdy, irreverent, laughter filled conversation that marks our get togethers. It was just lovely.
On a side note, to those who started to follow me from the Vogue forums, I have been banned. Apparently over the many years and thousands of posts, I've started a number of inappropriate threads. I do know I started one about pets and another about cleaners before I become aware that those were no, no topics and I've also started a few on news and current affairs that were more about society today than strict news topics, so the Vogue Fashion Police have spoken and Vivacious is no more. I hope that I've been a productive member of the community, it has been fun! However who knows what fantastic new forum I will now find to waste my time on (feel free to make suggestions).
And I hope the Vougettes will continue to read me!
I know the official definition of a family is generally something along the line of a group of people related by blood or marriage. However I prefer a more open interpretation of a group of people related by a common bond. The bond could be blood or marriage or it could be shared experiences, interests, etc.
I of course have my often referred to fantastic family who are genetically and legally related to me, but I like to think of my circles of friends as families too. Like a hugely complex venn diagram they intersect but have their own identities.
Today I had lunch with with SEAF - the South East Asian Family. They are the group of people who I travelled to Vietnam and Cambodia with earlier this year and who you may have got to know on my travel blog http://havepassport-willtravel.blogspot.com/. It was such a great trip, it absolutely cemented the bonds of friendship between the 8 of us.
But we are 8 very busy people, corralling us together is not an easy task. Not all 8 made it to lunch, but those who did had the usual rowdy, irreverent, laughter filled conversation that marks our get togethers. It was just lovely.
On a side note, to those who started to follow me from the Vogue forums, I have been banned. Apparently over the many years and thousands of posts, I've started a number of inappropriate threads. I do know I started one about pets and another about cleaners before I become aware that those were no, no topics and I've also started a few on news and current affairs that were more about society today than strict news topics, so the Vogue Fashion Police have spoken and Vivacious is no more. I hope that I've been a productive member of the community, it has been fun! However who knows what fantastic new forum I will now find to waste my time on (feel free to make suggestions).
And I hope the Vougettes will continue to read me!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
A baby's laughter
I am at that age where my friends are having babies. Long ago I think I thought that when this happened we would have turned into different kinds of people. Now I know we are all just the same, my friends just arrive places with bigger handbags and small bundles of cuddles.
But the arrival of small people has given me the excuse to buy the gorgeous products available. I've found the most divine handmade toys, fantastic outfits and recently I purchased the cutest mobile. It was for a friend who now lives in England. I thought her little girl should have some aussie influence, so I found a mobile hung with felt Australian animals. It certainly made me smile and my friend proudly hung it over the change table.
Today I received a fantastic email telling me all about the wonder that is the new arrival Bess and the love that she has brought into their family. But it also included some news for me. Here is direct a quote from the email:
But the arrival of small people has given me the excuse to buy the gorgeous products available. I've found the most divine handmade toys, fantastic outfits and recently I purchased the cutest mobile. It was for a friend who now lives in England. I thought her little girl should have some aussie influence, so I found a mobile hung with felt Australian animals. It certainly made me smile and my friend proudly hung it over the change table.
Today I received a fantastic email telling me all about the wonder that is the new arrival Bess and the love that she has brought into their family. But it also included some news for me. Here is direct a quote from the email:
And...I've saved the most exciting news for last. Last night, we went out for a drink and left mum at home with Bess and...drumroll...she did her very first laugh...
...wait for it...
...while looking at...
...wait for it...
...your Australian mobile!!!!
So there, how many people can say that they've given a baby a present which brought on their very first laugh?
How many people indeed?
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I am a humbled food snob
I'm a snob. I'm admitting it here and now. I'm slightly ashamed to say, but I look down on packet cakes. I sneer at simmer sauces. I scorn ready made marinade. Yes, I'm a food snob.
I've always justified it by saying, but made from scratch is best. And that I control the ingredients like salt levels and preservatives when I make it myself. And most importantly, it just doesn't taste as good if you don't make it yourself. My Mum makes pretty much everything from scratch. In fact she does it so matter-of-factly that one day when someone asked "is this a scratch cake" she looked at them blankly and replied "no its a chocolate cake" having never heard the term before.
Well I'm here to say that I have been proven wrong. That I have discovered something in a jar that will revolutionise my cooking. And that has humbled my snobbishness.
Sharwoods curry pastes.
I will say that the fact they have been around since 1889 is probably an indication of how good their products are, but I have been quite blown away. It all started with the recipe for corination chicken which I made for my Royal Wedding party. It required curry paste and specified a mild Sharwoods one.
I picked a korma, and made the coronation chicken which was a great success. But I still had most of a jar of curry paste. So, I reluctantly cooked up what turned out to be a really delicious curry. Then sniffing a colleague's lunch in the microwave and correctly guessing it was a rogan josh (I do love curry) we had a discussion in which he revealed it too was from a Sharwoods jar.
I've always been a bit nervous of making curry, of getting the spice mix right, but now I can quickly and easily make one any time I like. Maybe I will have to try a few more of these packet things and break down the wall of my snobbish ways further.
I've always justified it by saying, but made from scratch is best. And that I control the ingredients like salt levels and preservatives when I make it myself. And most importantly, it just doesn't taste as good if you don't make it yourself. My Mum makes pretty much everything from scratch. In fact she does it so matter-of-factly that one day when someone asked "is this a scratch cake" she looked at them blankly and replied "no its a chocolate cake" having never heard the term before.
Well I'm here to say that I have been proven wrong. That I have discovered something in a jar that will revolutionise my cooking. And that has humbled my snobbishness.
Sharwoods curry pastes.
I will say that the fact they have been around since 1889 is probably an indication of how good their products are, but I have been quite blown away. It all started with the recipe for corination chicken which I made for my Royal Wedding party. It required curry paste and specified a mild Sharwoods one.
I picked a korma, and made the coronation chicken which was a great success. But I still had most of a jar of curry paste. So, I reluctantly cooked up what turned out to be a really delicious curry. Then sniffing a colleague's lunch in the microwave and correctly guessing it was a rogan josh (I do love curry) we had a discussion in which he revealed it too was from a Sharwoods jar.
I've always been a bit nervous of making curry, of getting the spice mix right, but now I can quickly and easily make one any time I like. Maybe I will have to try a few more of these packet things and break down the wall of my snobbish ways further.
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