shhhhh

The sudden quiet in the house is palpable and welcome. Just seconds ago we had music going, Greg complaining, my in laws talking and the cacophony of noise simply invaded every fibre of my being.

Gregory was taken for a ride with his grandparents while I erm..finish cleaning the house and Dave finishes some home improvements upstairs (i.e finally installs the gates properly on our stairs). We also started dismantling the Christmas decorations and have left only baby Jesus in his crib on our sideboard. The house during Christmas felt like it was cluttered with the many bits and pieces around. And since you might remember me saying that I intend to make my house a home finally, this is where I start doing so!

I already have 3 boxes filled with stuff that I will put up on a garage sale me, my sister & mother decided to organise. There will be more by the end my purging is over LOL but it feels good and the house already feels lighter :)

I can't wait for the new year to start, for me a new year always feels like a new beginning.......ok no I should go and finish my cleaning before little pup shows back up again!

thankful joy

This morning I watched my son playing happily on the roof and was filled with thankfulness and joy.....his smile and laugh and his serious blabbing with anything that catches his attention made me see the beauty and perfectness of a growing life.

Now, I just felt as joyful and thankful....Greg is slepping happily on me-secure that I am there when he wakes. My husband is near playing his video game and me am here writing away. It's so nice being together even if in our seperate worlds. Enjoying a different but simple family moment and knowing that it will stay warm and sweet with me for as long as my memory takes.

I have no other wish but to hold my family near, finding that perfect balance and savour our moments together!

christmas week pictures

christmas menu recipes

Asparagus gratin ( for 4 people)

12 asparagus

6 pcs roast ham cut in half

3 oz cheddar

2 tsp mustard

1 1/2 oz plain flour

15 fl oz milk

breadcrumbs

flaked almonds

Preheat oven. Peel the asparagus and cook in boiling water for 4 mins. Now in a dish place the asparagus rolled in the ham. In a pan melt butter add flour stirring, milk , mustard and cheddar. Stir 2 more mins and place on top of the asparagus. Sprinkle bread crumbs and flaked almonds and bake till golden.

Roast Chicken

1.5 kg chicken

8 fl oz white wine

1/2 oz butter

8 fl oz chicken stock

for the stuffing: 1 oz butter

2 celery sticks finely chopped

1/2 tsp dried taragon

2 tbsp chopped parsley

1 tsp grated lemon rind

4 oz bread crumbs

1 onion finely chopped

Preheat oven 180 degrees celcius, in a pan melt 1 oz butter and cook onion till soft combine with it the herbs, rind, breadcrumbs and spoon into neck cavity. Place the chicken in a flameproof dish add the wine, stock & extra butter and cook for approx 1 and a half hours or till skewer comes out clear, basting frequently.

Rosemary potatoes

1 kg small old potatoes

5 springs rosemary

olive oil

sea salt & pepper

Preheat oven, peel potatoes and make deep diagonal cuts almost cutting right through. Strip rosemary from stalks and chop them. Place potatoes in a roasting tine sprinkle the roasemary, salt & pepper and olive oil abd bake approx 1 and a half hour or till golden brown and cooked through.

Braised Red Cabbage with apples

900 gr red cabbage

450 gr apples peeled, cored and chopped small

450 gr onions chopped small

1 clove garlic chopped small

1/4 whole nutmeg grated

1/2 tsp ground cinammon & ground cloves

3 tbs brown sugar

3 tbs white wine vinegar

10 gr butter

Preheat oven, cut cabbage in quarter and remove hard stalk and shred rest of cabbage. Next arrange a layer of cabage, chopped apples, onion, garlic and mixed spices and carry on till casserole is full. Add the vinegar and butter on top and cook very slowly for 1 and a half hours stirring around twice while cooking.

Spiced cheesecake

4 eggs

200 gr spiced biscuits

750 gr rikotta cheese

200 gr whipped cream

150 gr caster sugar

100 gr butter

vanilla essence

Crush biscuits & combine with melted butter. Line base of a hinged cake tin with buttered baking paper & pour mixture in it and leave in fridge. Blend cheese in blender and add sugar plus essence. Seperate eggs, blend yolks with cream add to cheese. beat the whitrs of 2 eggs only till soft peaks form add to cheese and pour into cake tin. Bake approx 1 hr or till firm.

hope you enjoy doing them and eating them just as much as I did.

memories in the making

I did 3 days of cooking and baking and enjoyed it! was meant to take pics of all to show you in pics all about it.....but forgot. However, our Christmas Eve dinner party was I believe a success and the food if I may say so myself came delicious. Here is my menu and how I planned the event....

Planning: essential for this type of thing! First I found someone who could care for my sweet little pup.....Although generally speaking he is quiet, to spend 3 days inside and to be exact in the kitchen would have been too much for him! So I left him with MIL every morning while I cooked.
Next, I baked some goodies for my guests on Mon morning, baked the desserts on Tues morning and cooked the chicken on Wed morning. Thursday, afternoon I than did the veggies (potatoes & braised cabbage) and just before ppl started arriving put the entree to cook!

Menu:

Asparagus gratin

Slovak soup ( provided by my cousins)

Roast chicken with roast potatoes & braised red cabbage

Spiced cheese cake & chocolate pudding

all recipes will be posted up next!

Christmas day was spent with Dave's parents and visiting my grandparents were I also met most of the family there. It was a nice first Christmas with our baby boy who ain't so baby anymore! We didn't take any pics really but will also post some random pics of the week soon!

Christmas Eve Greetings!

I made it!

Yesterday I finished all my preperations for tonights' celebration with our friends. All that remains is some last minute things plus making myself pretty ha!

I will take some pics later and post them so that you can have a peek at my house. It's satisfying even if tiring to do everything without too much stress and knowing that is well and the night will be a success :) Also my cold is nearly history which is even better!

I wish you all a great Christmas tomorrow.....remember that this feast celebrates the birth of our God and the beginning of the new testament and isn't about the presents and food and drink :) but its a celebration none the less that equals also such. But keeping in mind the real value of Christmas is important!

be right back

I will probably have no time to blog this week.....just so ya know I haven't forgotten you :)

But don't worry I have some recipes to put down for you people and more news to write....that is once the christmas rush is over!

I wish you all a happy Christmas

Hugs and blessings

What are your resolutions or the coming year?

I don't usually make any new year resolutions to be quite honest. However, this year its going to be an exception :) I was doing an article for the mamascircle site and have read a couple of articles this week that made me realise that I truly need to focus on my relationship with hubby!

So my first resolution is that me & Dave spend real quality time together. And my second is a continuation of the first and that is to communicate more as sometimes we lack that!

That is what is on my mind for next year....the rest, can all wait and well usually it finds its way when the timing is good :) so I needn't worry!

How about you? are you doing any resolutions and what are they?

fear and surrender

Sometimes I realise that even now at the age of 28 I still try to make myself accepted. That I still feel out of place when I meet up with the girls. I fear the rejection and yet don't know how to get to be accepted. I laugh with them and talk but ultimately I don't feel one of them.

When I meet with my old schoolmates, I still feel like I am the odd one out. I realise how many things happened that I was never aware of .... was never asked to participate in. It hurts!

This fear has been with me since secondary school and although I tried to change many a time I never managed much. I realise that what I have to do is surrender.....accept that I am me an individual who doesn't compromise her true self to be liked and if I stop trying, eventually some amazing friends will emerge.

Now all I have to do is actually surrender but the ego is strong and not easily persuaded! In the meantime, I will continue with my refuge- the internet- which seems to provide with a lot of interesting characters and is much easier to befriend.....

In love with life

I hadn't realised how tensed and upstrung I was before I walked out that door to take my puppy to the swings near us. So I let the cold wind work its magic - I felt at peace and inspired!

I walked to the swings near our house

The sky was grey and the air was cold

The wind was whispering through the leaves

Caressing my skin, unwinding tired me

I sat on a bench looking at my lovely son

Playing by the pond, oblivious of the cold air

It felt so good being out with the wind

Roaming the garden with its murmuring meanders

My feet touched ground, I felt alive

My body relaxed, I smiled and exhaled

He looked at me joyous and carefree

Intently trying to walk on his two feet

I scooped him slowly in my arms

Kissed him gently on his left cheek

Sat him back in the stroller

And ambled contentedly to our sweet home

It felt so good and am so happy. I hope your day is as blessed as mine!

blog hop sunday

I have been touched by Pagan Culture - thank you Magaly! If you've never been there you should have a look. This witch really rocks :) through Magaly I have learned a lot on paganism which basically has made me question my religious beliefs and made me realise the important things in life. I am still learning about my religion so its a still works in progress!

Also today I am blog posting at Always Carried Away. This is great blog that uplifts my spirits every time I have a look. Her posts are about love and beauty and the pictures she posts are simply wonderful! I hope you have a great birthday this week my dear!



Do have a look at these two blogs I am sure you will enjoy them just as much as I do!

more pics!

Since Marie requested more pics :) here they are all taken last Sunday! hope you have a great weekend!

with mummy

with daddy


with nanna

at buskett

at buskett

fragments on a friday

Its already the weekend and I hardly blogged or used the net this week. It also seems like suddenly Christmas is here and I feel I am way behind for the Christmas eve dinner preparations.

I need to refocus thats for sure! the problem? I don't know seems like I am once more stuck in a rut. Actually no not that - a lot of things that i need to do and simply cant seem to do any....

Now a question to the mothers: Greg who is now nearly 11 months ain't eating properly (or maybe what we deem properly) can some one let me know how their child ate/ eats at this age? thanks in advance!

In the meantime coz my week was very boring and have nothing else to really add I will wish you a great weekend and will pray to have more time and news to write about!

guilty!

Here I am, a mum, that suddenly, her patience cracked and I started shouting and ranting and screaming at my child. A child who looked at me totally uncomprehending and finally dissolved into uncontrolable tears which in turn, evaporated my anger and filled me with guilt!

Guilt that instead of breathing to calm myself out as I know I should do in these situations, just let anger take over at a click simply coz my son was wriggly and I wanted to put his pjs on. My son who was actually starting to feel tired by than so was whiny. The one that smiles and hugs me as if there will be no other day.... but I was tired, we had a long day and I just wanted to relax and in the end I simply flipped.

I know I am not the first one and that it happens coz we are human! But I still wonder about that mama guilt for flipping.....guess there is only one reason for that guilt...we know that they can't help themselves and don't truly comprehend but we, we do! and whether we are tired or not, we are still their parents to take care of them and we should be emphatic and patient. But sometimes, we don't manage and so we have to deal with the guilt!

memorable moments

This is how Greg welcomed his daddy when he arrived home from work!

And before that, he climbed the sofa by himself and took this pose to watch TV :)

Its the weekend and the decorations are up, the presents wrapped and the crib in place..... Greg of course is trying to destroy all LOL!

The weather is horrible...raining and raining since yesterday. Though we did a lot of thijngs at home and felt happy one day is more than enough I guess and with pup trying to mantle down both Christmas tree and crib, looks like it will be a long day!

Looking forward to tonight, meeting some friends, enjoy some wine!

Letter to santa claus

Following mamakat's prompt this week, I was meant to write a letter to Father Christmas...however, didn't have the time and right now I am on a quick reprieve and thought of jotting down a few lines :) plus a quick letter!



Greg is much better but wants a lot my attention - hence no blogging!- was feeling quite tensed and my low on energy and impatient recently. Yesterday at yoga we tried a new posture upon my request and she said that it helps to get you sharp and energized. Anyhow, realised that the past week I didn't do yoga apart in a class so this afternoon on Greg's long nap of 2 hrs I did yoga and man it made such a difference....felt relaxed, calm and recharged again :) so yes I can reconfirm to myself that yoga does help!



So a letter to Santa Claus would have been something like this:



Hi,



It's Christmas again and really I don't need much.... but you know what I have been thinking? When me and Dave decide to try for a 2nd child, can you somehow make sure that this time its a girl? I don't know I didn't quite mind what it was first time round but now that I got my boy, I wish a beauty girl :) it would round my life perfectly! So Santa you know my wish and it doesnt cost you any money!!!



Melissa



What do you guys think of that huh?

wordless wednesday

colds here we go

Greg's runny nose turned out into a mild cold with a tiresome cough. Happily I was given a natural cough mixture (which he liked as not sweet!). Otherwise though he is in a very good mood...playing and running around and smiling, laughing, being mischievous. The only difference is that he ain't interested in eating a lot of food apart for breastmilk and he comes more for cuddles. That's ok....at ten months, he started doing a few steps now and then, says incessently 3 words and more when he feels like, started clapping and saying bye bye when he feels like and ya know he doesn't look like or feel like much of a baby anymore :( so having him coming for cuddles and milk well its comforting!

Character wise, Greg is showing independence and a strong will and is quite relaxed with other people. Social wise with other children, he's still not sure LOL, he kinda gets excited and looks at them, sometimes he tries to 'play' but most of the time he just prefers to play alone. I am actually happy he loves to play alone as it gives me more time to do the cooking, cleaning, blogging and anything else in between.

Anyhow, he is right now soundly asleep and hopefully he stays so all night...last night between coughing and a blocked nose he kept waking up and I felt quite a zombie today.

Have a good night all ya folks!

practice generosity

Here is an exerpt from a beautiful article on generosity by yoga journal. Go read the full article and feel inspired!

In one sense, generosity is natural: We can no more help giving than we can live without the support of everything we receive. Verses in the Vedas describe the generosity of the natural elements, the way the earth supports us without ever demanding thanks, the way the sun shines and the rain falls. The universe is, in fact, a web of giving and receiving; to grasp the truth of this, we need only to remember the eighth-grade science trip to the pond, or to think about the life of a city, with its symbiotic, mutually dependent networks of relationship.
But if our essence is naturally generous, the ego fears not having enough, worries about getting hurt or losing out, feels anxious at the thought of looking silly or getting ripped off, and above all, looks for a payoff. So for most of us, there's a continual push-pull between our natural generosity and genuine desire to share and the ego's feeling of lack and its desire to drive a bargain.

worry?

We worry and loose sleep on things we can not change. We worry cos we feel it will bring us and our families down. However, no amount of worry is going to change things and so we should let life take its course and see where it will take us. At the end of the day, if we are alive, loved, have clothes on, to eat and a shelter we are quite comfy no?

And yet we let it fill our mind, tense our body, rob us the joy of life! I worry and at the same time think what's the point of worrying? I still don't know for sure and I still try ignore any inklings....I don't always manage but I try! Cos what is life worth if we spend more than half that time worrying, thinking about the next bill, loan payment etc? It is mainly I figure in the mind, because we don't want people to think that we are good for nothing, we don't want to let go of our pride and yet, if that is what is keeping us from enjoying every day I wonder about that wisdom.....

Volunteering

Today, I started volunteering at The Island Sanctuary- a dog home for stray and abandoned dogs. The place is in a pretty good shape and the animals are all well fed and well loved. I met probably half a dozen volunteers there which was great. The place is set in a nice area and the sanctuary itself has a lot of space. What can I say I loved it! I was met with warmth by the other volunteers, the dogs were so happy to see us :)-some were afraid of me since I was new but most just jumped on me and licked and wanted to play. It was wonderful, I felt happy! To round it off, the day was spectacularly beautiful and the only snag was the cold wind and yet that place over the hill surrounded by trees, made me forget the wind, forget myself and my family and simply be.

I have always wanted to volunteer but never really found the time to do so. Now that I am home I saw it as the perfect opportunity I was waiting for. Greg, goes to his nanna For those 3 hours I spend there which they both love of course and me go give some much needed love to these dogs. My job at the moment there is to give out biscuits & pat/play the many dogs there ( something 80+). Its a dirty job really, but I love the interaction with the dogs and even though it was my first time and wasn't yet quite at ease I immensely loved my time with them.

If any of you wish to adopt or maybe sponsor a dog (for only Eur 28 per year) please visit there website for more info.

Deep Within

A fellow blogger & friend, was feeling fearful of posting a poem of hers....so I told her I will post one of mine as well in the hope it gives her courage :) I hope you do my dear I am sure its a wonderful one!

This poem was written in 2002 for my present husband :)

I'd like to reach for you

Feel you close to me

Your hands caressing

Soothing away all pain

I'd like to hold you

Hug you close to me

Tender kisses on my lips

Soft looks searching me deep

Wish to let you in my heart

Control my thoughts day 'n' night

Still something within resists

Fear keeps me rooted still

I search the sky deep 'n' dark

Seeking answers I can not find

Hoping something will arise

That will clear my troubled mind

Progress

Since I stopped working, I have seen a sudden progress in Gregory, for which I am mighty pleased.

1. he started babbling more and now says mama (to the correct person) and now starting to say dada & Glegoly :)
2. he's gained more confidence and goes to play from one room to another alone
3. because of the above, he also started letting go of furniture for a second or two and stands without support.
4. he is eating more solid food and eating especially much more of what we eat alone with his hands even though no teeth yet!
5. he's learnt how to get down stairs,bed & sofa without falling
6. started to enjoy listening to me reading books
7. understands what I am saying for e.g i tell him that am gonna catch him he runs away or ask where is monster he locates his toy.

I feel so happy and feel so much that I did the right decision. Generally, what I am doing is giving him a free hand...so rather than scolding him for going up the stairs I encourage him, tell him to be careful and showed him how to get down without falling. I tell him all I am doing, whether washing plates, cooking dinner or dressing or counting each step we make. I also identify everything with its proper name for him and when babbling I reply back as if in a conversation. I also take him out once or twice a day and let him run even if he will get dirty. It makes him so much happier and relaxed!

I can't wait to have him toddling around really lol and saying more words and knowing I will be there for all of this makes my head go high up in the clouds with dreams & happiness.

Share a diary entry from when you were 13-writers workshop

So one of this weeks' entry from mamakat's is to put down a diary entry from when I was 13- I have to do 14 as its when I started using a diary! Gosh I haven't looked at them diaries in ages so thanks mamakat for giving me the excuse to browse and get memories back :) and without further ado here is my entry :

Sept 1995

Days pass quickly and sometimes we don't realise it. Summer will soon end and also our hols. We'll begin a new leaf - school & autumn. I am growing as everybody and hope for beautiful moments. Soon I'll begin working and hope to be satisfied with what I'll be doing. Maybe one day my dreams will come true and have a happy lifetime. But my wish can never come true. For I'll never see the whole world in peace as one big family. Someday people will cry for the old days when things were hard but everybody happy. I already wish to go back to those days and I'm sure many others too but you will never see these pretty days NEVER.

Probably tbe best times in a person's lifetime is childhood. Because during these days or better years fun is the main thing you have. I as a child was and am still happy but wish for a better life. Things will and must change but I think for better or a worst world? Will there be place for the animals and forests and peace? is there a way in which we can have a better future? I really hope so, maybe one day I'll go to Africa where I will learn the habits and habitats of several animals and help to save them as well as take care of children who are poor or sick and help them in every need. Maybe one day the world will be better. One Day!

The diary starts from August and wondered when reading it how childish I still was at that age LOL with my fantasies of meeting and talking to a footballer (soccer player) and of the days spent with my cousin Daniela :) and than I came across this and it was quite a shock reading it! I had forgotten it completely....forgotten that at that age I was already crazy about saving the natural world of hoping yet knowing that a better world is very difficult to achieve.

Wednesday update?

Today I tried to change my hair do.....I can't say I feel inspired, what I need is those people from discovery of What not to wear to help me out...can some one ask them to come to Malta for me?

Other than that we had a fab day :) Greg played with his cousin (bigger by 4 months) and enjoyed it and after we went to Buskett ( our kinda park/forest) and he loved crawling under the pine needles and eating in the sun.... it was nice, quiet and relaxing. I didn't take the camera with me :( and Greg didn't nap at all...but since he wasn't cranky we loved the day.

Also believe that this time for real he might soon have a tooth... he's drooling, gums are white and biting everything he can get his hands on and if nothing is available his fingers will do!

Other random news:

• possibly starting to volunteer at a dog sanctuary next week or the one after
• bought Greg some shoes for home (no central heating in Malta) and is suddenly out of them
• doing yoga home practice
• tonight am cooking a chicken pie and ravioli (do you get these in the US?)

tired...

No it's not my puppy...he is so quiet and easy to care that he doesn't tire me at all. The site me and my friend have been working on is up and running, we got 46 fans to speak of on facebook and its great. But you get no feedback from Maltese.....and I suddenly feel tired and discouraged.... had so so many ideas and yet..... no one talks to you, sends a comment, continue the discussions I tried to start and frankly I just feel like closing it all down right now!

Greg suffered most coz of this as had no patience with him and than I felt guilty and now he is soundly asleep.....and I am here wallowing in my misery.

-sigh-

any suggestions are welcome!

Fawwara

Yesterday we had our second walk of the season :) it was a long walk...so much that we had forgotten how long! but it was worth it of course. Fawwara off Dingli Cliffs is a nice scenic walk, with two beautiful chapels mid way through, valleys and hidden farmhouses.

Dingli Cliffs to Simblija

Last Sunday, we went for a walk from Dingli Cliffs to the mediavel village of Simblija which ot discovered about 10 years ago. Its a nice walk through farmland and cliffs that lasted about 2 hours.

The village itself can more be called a hamlet as it has what was 2 houses built within the cliffs and a chapel with a central courtyard.

There aren't a lot of pics guys so sorry but I was babywearing ahah not picture taking!

farmland with typical field walling

us with our friends

the village

Greg's beauty smile

Cloudy sky

A creation of my own-writers workshop

As per mamakat's weekly prompt, today I chose a creation of my own!

I always enjoyed drawing, but never really tried to use colour n my
creations. Than I met hubby, who is also an artist, who encouraged
me. I haven't done much I have to say but this was my best colour painting
I did. I am hoping that being at home will give me time to practice
more!

......

I just did my yoga practice and felt inspired to write. As from last Monday, I started a daily practice again for which my body is feeling ever so grateful. I feel more energised and yet I do not have were to spend that energy. I am happy to be home with my little one but feel empty inside.

So I will start some volunteering at the animal sanctuary. Like that I feel like I am doing more in my day and doing something worthwhile at that. I also need to think (any suggestions are welcome!) on how to stimulate Gregory as I feel that there isn't much stimulation at the moment at home. Unfortunately, the weather is crappy so that doesn't help; originally I had thought of going out in the country or by the sea for him to run around and explore.

And going back to yoga I don't need to simply do a practice I need to feel the practice, so I have to work more on that as well.

Gregory is still in a strange mood though not as much as yesterday. He ate quite a lot today and played much more alone but also slept more than usual and is still quite clingy.

Today however, I passed a great day although it was quite cold. I went for a nice walk with Greg wrapped up in my sling. The sky full of clouds had patches of blue and a nice warm sun. The moist air and cold wind brought that nice countryside smell and Greg slept half way through. We got back and soon after the rain started falling again...I didn't mind, we had a wonderful walk and it was fun afterwards playing peekaboo inside :)

recipes

As promised here are my last 2 recipes I did this week. These were taken from a publication on aromatherapy (those that you collect every week!)

Tomato Barley soup

75 gr pearl barley
2 tbs oil
1 onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic crushed
1 large courgette diced
400 gr canned chopped tomatoes
2 tbs tomato puree
1 tbs mixedherbs
450ml veg stock
salt & pepper to taste

Cook barley in boiling water for 20 mins and drain. Heat oil in pan add onion & garlic cook stirring for 5 mins or till beginning to soften. Add barley and courgette stirring for 5 mins. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for 30 mins or till barley is tender.

Spiced Cod with puy lentils

3 cloves garlic finely chopped
1/2 tsp each of ground cumin, turmeric
1/4 tsp each of paprika, chilli powder
zest & juice of a lemon
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp chopped parsley & coriander
cod fillets
175 gr puy lentils
1 tsp fresh thyme
2 carrots
small red chilli deseeded
1 ltr veg stock

mix together garlic, spices, lemon, oil, parsley & coriander and marinate cod for an hour in the fridge. Pre heat oven and bake fish for 15 mins or till cookedthrough. Menawhile put lentils in a saucepan with rest of the ingredients, bring to the boil & simmer for 30 mins till lentils are cooked through, drain & serve together with cod.

enjoy cooking!

wordless wednesday

biggest jelly fish i saw on our islands
swaying in the wind

teething again?

Gregory had a bad day today... he wouldn't eat apart for milk (and half a cracker), he's been cranky most of the day, was all the time wanting to stay attached to me, cried completely over nothing and also thankfully slept a lot. Since I could see him biting a lot, I believe its all the fault of his teeth which don't feel like making an appearance yet! At least he ain't crying in pain...I think I prefer him cranky rather than crying.

On a seperate note, I am still managing to do things and if it weren't such bad weather, I would have! so fir now my activites at homke involve continuing adding articles to the site mamascircle and cooking!

Yesterday I did a veggie pie which came good and will post the recipe next and barley soup and today did maltese bread pudding and spiced cod with lentils (which I will also post).

Its raining, its pouring.....and they said it will be like this all week long.... a bit of a shame as was hoping to go out to our small 'forest' to play with Gregory but it won't dampen my spirits!

In the meantime...look at that smile ain't it a beauty?

He's learned saying mama :) and when he goes up the stairs he's learned how to go down without falling (of course under my supervision). Although no teeth showing yet, he's eating everything...cereals, baked pasta and even some very tender meat. Unlike his ma, he doesn't like sweets yet!

Anywho, me off to sleep....

Online surveys, workng at home

I am appealing to anyone who sees my blog and knows if these online surveys that pay you for each survey are real or scams....it would be nice while I am at home to supplement our income with some sort work from home so if you know of anything I would appreciate.

Thanks

Letter to my loved one - writers workshop

Dear David,





It's been 7 years plus together and nearly 4 years married now. We have gone through quite a few ups and downs but our love didn't waiver and after the birth of our son I see it stronger than ever before.



But I do have to thank you for all the patience you have with me and for giving in to every whim I have whether big or small. For being so caring and work so hard for us!



Hugs



Your Wife



This letter though prompted by mamakat is a good excuse to continue on my thankful week :)

Blessed

Normally I do wordless wednesday post, but was reading inspirational blogs today and thought I would deviate.

This Friday, as I have mentioned ad nauseum, is my last working day, but this post isn't quite about that! I am searching, like all of us. Searching on how best to live my life. Enjoy life. Fullfill my life. On 5 minutes for parenting there is this post with a wonderful prayer. On I choose bliss Tabitha writes about how blessed she feels and happy. On Pagan Culture, Magaly writes to on how blessed she is. These posts made me think....that I am still afraid to let go and leave everyhing in the hands of God, or to open up my heart and life for every person that decides to smile at me or be nice to me. I worry way to much on how things will sort out for my family who are in financial difficulties and might pull us slightly down with them.

However, I am blessed.... with a caring, loving husband and cheerful child, a house that though far from perfect or what I want to call home gives us shelter and security, a car that takes me where ever I want, enough food - more than we actually need to survive, clothing to keep us warm and so much more. So, I have to thank these 3 blogs for reminding me of the blessings I receive daily and show me that unless we surrender to fate, God or whatever it is you believe in, we will be acting against our own interests.

How about you?

Happily exhausted

I feel utterly exhausted! Today, it was originally meant to be a fun relaxing day- visiting an aunt-in-law and her baby, doing some shopping, visiting the library and do mild cleaning. As it turned out the only thing I did was cleaning - of course anything but mild!

In the end when my plan to meet up ended to nothing due to my cold and Jake not quite well either, I decided to forgo all other plans and start the decluttering of the house and dusting of cobwebs :) part 1 is now down but need anther 4 days to finish off! However with this thorough process, I am already feeling my spirits lifting. I always find myself wondering, how our surroundings at home, reflect our own state of mind, body & soul.

I am now off for a well deserved relaxing shower :) by which time, I hope my little puppy will be ready to sleep so I can enjoy my husband over a glass of wine and a DVD....I wish you all a nice weekend and happy halloween to those that celebrate it!

Going back to zero

My house is full of clutter & cobwebs and it seems my body & soul are reflecting this. It needs to be cleansed, aired and dusted. There is the need to re balance and re organise my house into a home. A home which although not perfect is cosy and loving and full of new fond memories. A home where we are comfortable and relaxed.

I need to re organise myself, find my path again which I lost sometime in June. Re connect with my son and find a harmonious way how to spend our coming days together. Fill our days with new things to try, laughter to share, hugs & love that overflow. Enjoy the moment in simplicity....no need for complications in a life that is complicated enough as it is. Discover once more the love that holds me & my partner together as in the rush of 2 working parents it got parched and somewhat dried.

Next week. my last week! That is where I start again from zero....find my love, my laughter, my simplicity, my life! Soon, very soon, I am positive all will fall back into place. Looking forward to this new chapter in my life, to its obstacles, its new beginnings.

Show your spooky side -writers workshop

This weeks' writers workshop at Mamakat's is halloween of course :) In Malta we don't really celebrate it, the nearest thing would be carnival in Feb/Mar were children and the children at heart dress up in costumes and have a parade of floats. I don't quite like this celebration but will do my best to document it here next year :)

Back to our original post, my spooky side can be said to be anything scary! I don't watch scary movies unless its morning so there is enough time between film & night time to forget about it! The worse is when I see a film that involves the devil or some such like The Exorsist. But then if I read it on a book it doesn't impress me that much, however I usually end up feeling disgusted (so I still don't quite read them!).

Another spooky side, can be said to be my hubby! He tends to come near me while I am engrossed doing something so of course I don't hear him and he stands there saying nothing till I look up and take the fright of my life (which in the end pisses me off!). I really hate it *sigh* his excuse is that he does call me but if I don't reply it means I haven't heard no?no?

What about you? what's your spooky side?

wordless wednesday

Our little family

Me, myself and more of me

I have been tagged by Miss Always Carried Away and basically I am now requested to write 25 random things about me and my life. However, I do not know what I can write about me so I am only listing 10. So here we go!

1. I love chocolates & fries....I do try and limit myself to once a week but it doesn't always work and if you were to see me now you'd see how true that is with the many spots I got on my face!
   

2. Spots are my downfall and from the day I got pregnant I haven't managed to have a spot free face for more than a week or two!

3. I love nature and can never get enough of it! It saddens me seeing all these people unconcerned about such a beautiful place as our earth!

4. Next week is my last week at work - yay!!! I have a lot on my mind as how to spend my time as a SAHM but haven't got down to actually see if it is feasible.

5. I don't drink teas or coffees - GASP- I know I prefer a hot chocolate ( you wouldn't have guessed eh?)

6. My dream is that mamascircle hits off and I can do an online shop there as well as activities, talks and lots of other things!

7. I hope to start painting again now that I will be at home

8. and do voluntary work with the animal shelter & environmental organisations

9. I wish to become a yoga instructor, but that seems like
a far off dream for now

10. My Favourite colour is blue

Now I should also tag some other bloggers with this but again I am not going to. I hope you don't mind and wish you all a good day!

Gozo in pictures

Gozo is the sister island of Malta, approx half its size. Its a laid back island, greener than Malta and wonderful for walks and relaxation.

me & Greg watching the sun rise

Greg enjoying the feel of the grass

Saltpans view

more of the saltpans area

the sea splashing...it was super rough (gale force winds the previous day)

still in tha saltpans area

Greg eating a rock for lunch LOL

hilly Gozo

broken house with furniture inside (only in malta!)