I love my local day spa.

 It’s so close and they provide you with a glass of wine. They have the cutest cat whose name is Coco…ok..ok..it’s my house.

Last week I had thought that as a part of Mandypalooza I would indulge myself with a manicure, pedicure, facial etc. Well..let’s just say that the extended heatwave certainly sorted the sauna bit of the day spa experience.

I gave myself a manicure easy enough finishing with a rather fetching shade of purple polish. Pedicures require longer arms or greater flexibility than possibly I have though……

Hair colour – I’ve done this plenty of times. It’s relatively easy and waaaay cheaper (my particular brand of choice is only $10 from Kmart).  I even have no issue trimming my hair which is easy enough on long straight hair. Whilst my hair colour was brewing – time for a facial mask.

You might be surprised of what beauty products you find if you open your cupboards. All you need is time, which I had as part of Mandypalooza and the two weeks I took off work.

I’m certainly not against indulgences with beauty professionals and I’m sure they use good quality products. In fact, I love receiving vouchers for such services. My point is , you might be surprised at how many appropriate products you have in your cupboards already. Bring them out and plan your own day spa. If needed, you can buy quite good quality stuff from your local shops, even your supermarket or chemist these days.

Spend your money in the way you choose - professional or personal indulgence – just indulge and enjoy – it’s Mandypalooza afterall….

Reframing

I've had some interesting discussions with various people lately about how we get described and how we would describe ourselves. At times, I've had words thrown at me that were meant to be an insult and I've readily and happily taken them on with my response of "yes, yes I am!"

Now I'm not saying that these below all apply to me. 

Negative                            Positive

aggressive                         assertive

stubborn                            determined/willful

aloof/stand-off-ish              independent

impulsive                           spontaneous

lazy                                  knows how to relax/take things easy

pedantic                            relaxed

hedonist                            knows how to enjoy life

cheap-skate                       thrifty

bossy                                good leader

easily distracted                 open to new ideas

messy                               eclectic design sense

glutton                              gourmand

I'd love to add to the list

Mandypalooza

Currently I'm being forced to rest up whilst recovering from being a tad unwell. Now this does give me a great chance to plan "Mandypalooza" - my birthday festival. I can't take credit for the fabulous title - my delightful partner was the brains behind that one. In fact, he's already done some excellent scheming bringing plans together and I'm very chuffed about that.

I'm thinking coffee out with friends, manicure, pedicure, lunch out, take away in front of movies, pre-dinner cocktails, lavish romantic dinner....and more.

Someone even suggested that one's birthday festival should last as many days as one is old. Whilst I'm not going to that extreme, I am having at least 16 days of Mandypalooza.

The first step was to take two weeks off work, having already worked extra shifts over Christmas/New Year period the finances would be okay. That way I will have plenty of time to fit all my Mandypalooza activities in. Planning is integral so as not to double book - making sure I allow plenty of time for sleeping in and naps of course.

So anyways... Mandypalooza starts... NOW!

Life is very very good.

So I know that I haven't posted in a while but I've been taking it really easy just eating and drinking and sleeping in and a spot of shopping the sales with my daughters - so yeah, all the good stuff in life.

My partner and I have a list of all the places we want to visit to eat or drink or other. He's new to Melbourne so we are enjoying our time exploring the city - him for the first time and me anew. I'm sure you all recall the "personalised tour" post..... I am actually a big fan of our special Melbourne weather. It also helps that I'm a jacket aficionado...(in joke there about our famous four seasons in one day Melbourne weather).

I generally have worked in hospitality and sales all my life so I'm not really used to having time off at this time of year. However, I could get used to it. When the biggest decision in your day is whether or not to have a nap, you know that life is good. As I sit here on a gorgeous sunny afternoon, having walked this morning and achieved enough housework to alleviate any guilt I can sip my chilled white wine knowing that I can either pick up my book or nod off for a while. 

Life is not only good. Life is very very good.

Peanut Butter Brownies

Some of you will think I’ve finally gone too far and some of you will think I’ve come just far enough. 

     

Peanut Butter Brownies….

No, it’s nothing quite as simple as swirling some peanut butter through your standard brownie mix…oh no!

First you make the almost sickeningly rich fudgey brownie base layer, then when that has cooled you whip up a butter creamy peanut butter layer and smooth that neatly (?) over then once that has set to some degree in the fridge you drizzle over chocolate ganache and sprinkle chopped peanuts.

Oh, I should have mentioned don’t try and achieve anything else that day. Between the dishes created, the time spent gathering your ingredients at the supermarket, measuring, baking then cooling and you sneaking a taste at every stage it pretty took up the bulk of my day – though perhaps I should mention that I didn’t get out of bed till noon.

The point is this – I’m on holidays. My time is my own. If I want to waste a day making a recipe that has caught my eye some months ago but I can’t justify making as I’ll probably only have a small piece of as it actually even reads too rich for my blood – then I will!

At this point, it’s almost 6pm and it’s setting in the fridge.  Maybe, I should start thinking about what to do for the kids for dinner. For myself, I couldn’t touch another thing. My senses have been satiated by the mere act of cooking that dish, and if I’m to be honest, which I am, all the sneaky little tastes along the way.

This evening I look forward to browsing another half dozen cookbooks I picked up recently from the library. Who knows what will happen next?

Here’ s an abbreviated version of the recipe. The odd quantities come from the fact that I translated it from an American recipe.

1/Melt 250g butter + 285g dark chocolate together.

Whisk 1 cup white sugar + 1 cup brown sugar + 3 eggs together

Combine sugar and chocolate mixes together.

Stir in 1 cup plain flour + 1/3 cup cocoa powder (both sifted)

Bake for 30 min @ 180 degrees in a 33cm x 23cm lined tin then cool

2/ Blend 185g butter + 1 cup smooth peanut butter(just short of 375g jar)

Then add 2 cups icing sugar and 1 tsp vanilla and mix till creamy.

Spread evenly over cooled brownie base (smooth with the back of a spoon heated in hot water) then refrigerate.

3/ Heat 1/3 cup cream and whisk in 115g chocolate bits and stir. Drizzle artistically over peanut butter layer and sprinkle with ½ cup chopped peanuts..

Ta da!

Calling In Support

I may be headstrong (some say stubborn but I prefer to reframe in the positive) and viciously independent at times but I'm getting better at recognising how important it is to call in support when you need it. I don't think it really matters whether it is family or friends or an online connection in a land far,far away that you summon. Does it matter? I don't think so...

I guess it depends what kind of support you need. That'd be the second hurdle (the first being knowing you require support) - figuring out what form your support is required. Is it physically being there to ferry kids hither and tither that is so often part and parcel of this time of year? Is it being on the other end of a phone line or keyboard to make the appropriate comments at the appropriate time (A-hah,yeah,sure,absolutely, dump him!) Is it to monetarily contribute to a friend's Pozible space camp fund? Is it to pose those questions you don't ask of yourself?

I have a good friend who does this. It can, at times, make people uncomfortable in their very seat. I have wondered if there is a degree of Asperger's there - being unable to read people's reactions, emotions and facial expressions. Still, it works for me. It pulls me out of mainstream expectations and actively seek what's right for me.

I often only need someone to listen if I have a demanding day, though I won't knock back a foot rub and a glass of wine handed to me. My point is that I am getting so much better at asking for help. Not sure if it's an age thing, but I currently have little reservation in seeking what help I need and fortuitously now there are people in my life that are coming to the party. 

So, if I ask help, I want you to know that it was a journey getting here and I really appreciate it if you're able to contribute. If you're not, I'm completely okay with that too. I have a view of the world that people do what they can when they can and that's okay.

Taking it easy on myself this Christmas

So I've decided to take it easy on myself this Christmas period.

Regarding presents, I've mostly shopped local this year. Sure it's a warm and fuzzy thing to do avoiding big crazy busy shopping centres and supporting your small local businesses, but it's more than that. The small amount extra I may spend per item is well out-weighed by the reduced time and stress I've experienced. For me, it's worth it. Maybe I even spend less all up which means we consume less and the world will be slightly better off for it. I have also put time and personal effort into my presents making them more meaningful for me to give and hopefully the recipients to receive.

Christmas lunch is at my place this year. This is a good thing. I can relax and have a few glasses (or more ) of vino without counting my intake due to driving. I know the host is relaxed about entertaining which in turn makes the whole event much less stressful.

I've decided to keep it simple with the food. Luckily we have a long tradition in my family of everyone bringing something in order to spread the load, and cost, of the big family lunch. This year will be no different. Family members are delegated their tasks early on so plans can be made.

Instead of our regular peking duck wraps for entree, I've settled upon my chipotle pulled pork. It's a slow cook, do-ahead dish that will be cooked plenty of time in advance then re-heated to go in wraps with choices of salsa, hot sauces, coleslaw and my partner's most excellent guacamole( I delegated the sides...see how easy that was..).  

Main will be olive oil confit of salmon. Simply heat the oil with aromatics - bay leave, peppercorn, garlic etc - then pour the hot oil over the salmon into an earthenware dish and let it do its magic. This will be done sometime during the late morning and then it will be ready in time for lunch. Very little effort and no stress of watching oven temperatures or times. Salads provided by sister in law. Ham courtesy of mum. Ice cream plum pudding and the best mince tarts thanks to my sister and voila - Christmas lunch is done!

Yes, I'm eschewing traditional anglo-saxon hot Christmas lunch but I've always done things my way, so why stop now?

I've also cancelled any unnecessary appointments and avoiding extraneous travel as December traffic is always worse I reckon. I'm suggesting to friends that we catch up in January when we've all got a little more time, instead of trying to fit everything in before December 25. I'm saying no to things if my heart is not in it. A friend once told me that if it's NOT yes, then it's no. She's right. 

Anyway, that's my two cents worth.