Merci

I know it has been a ridiculous amount of time, but I have FINALLY got around to writing thankyou cards to all those lovely people who provided food, gifts and well wishes when Maisie was born, better late than never I guess. Check your mailbox!

Bean there..

After our regular market visit, I cooked a yummo meal on the weekend, courtesy of Matthew Evans. Here's the recipe - give it a crack...

Red bean curry

500g dried kidney beans soaked overnight

2 large brown onions, peeled and roughly chopped

10cm piece ginger, peeled and grated

3-4 tbsp vegetable or olive oil

2 large cloves garlic, peeled

400g can crushed tomatoes

1/2 tsp ground turmeric

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp garam masala

1/2 tsp chilli powder

about 2 cups water

1 tsp salt

coriander sprigs, to serve

Drain the soaked beans, place in a saucepan and cover with plenty of cold water. Bring to the boil then turn down the heat and simmer 1-1-1/2 hours until al dente and not quite cooked through.

Meanwhile in a food processor (or with a mortar and pestle) blend the onion and ginger to a paste. Fry this mixture in the oil over a very low heat as slowly as you can. The longer, the better. The mixture should go a deep brown colour. Add the garlic and a tiny bit of juice from the tomatoes and fry another minute or two. Then gradually add the tomatoes, so they are closer to a dry-fry than a boil. Try not to scorch the garlic or onion too much.

When a little oil weeps from this mixture, add the turmeric and a splash of water and cook another minute or two. Add the remaining spices and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly. Add the beans and water (you can use cooking water from the beans) and simmer for another 30-45 minutes or until cooked through. Add the salt and let the curry stand for a few minutes before serving (tastes even better the next day). Top with fresh coriander and serve with steamed rice and raita.

Candles, boots and gravestones

Had a great birthday today, starting with presents in bed...a new pair of Spanish boots (who said DBs went out in the 80s??!) and a very cute book from Maisie called "Why I Love my Mummy". Later on, I had a surprise and lovely lunch with David and a tour through the local cemetery. Yes I know some people think it's weird, but I enjoy walking through creepy quiet cemeteries and reading the gravestones.

Miss Marple was on her best behaviour until dinner time, as Shayne and I ventured down to Fox in the Box for a meal. Just as the main course was being delivered, Maisie started squawking, but the LOVELY ladies at the restaurant took care of her and took her for a stroll while we ate. What good service?! Oh and they also sang me happy birthday.

Baby steps

We experienced a couple of milestones today: Maisie slept from 7.30pm to 7am, she sat up in the regular pram instead of the bassinet, she actually enjoyed being on her tummy and she also rolled over for the first time. No more leaving her near the edge of the couch/bed/cliff/ravine...JOKING. We also caught up with Helen and Mia for a coffee. Yummo.

A little ray of sunshine

We had a bit of a win this weekend, with bugalugs sleeping through from 8pm to 6am. If only I could remain asleep the whole time without waking constantly wondering when you she will stir. We had a great weekend though with friends around on both nights. We also checked out a newish brewery in Black Rock which was a bit of fun. It has been so long since I spent an afternoon in a bar, it was nice to get a little taste of the good old days. The weather over the last couple of days is almost like Spring and there have been lots of people out walking. I kind of like the camaraderie among the pram set with most people offering a smile or a hello as you pass. I find it funny when the old people start smiling a few metres away and try to sneak a look in the pram as they pass, only to be disappointed when they realise it is covered. Maisie is starting to get a little bored in the pram bassinet, so I think it's time to convert to the big girl pram so she can check out the action in the park. This pic is of her during sleep time....hmm...

Little blue eyes

Party girl

We had a really busy weekend, running from one social engagement to the next. Maisie was extremely well behaved until we arrived at our final destination - a 2-year-old's birthday party in the park. M screamed the whole time and we were forced take turns in walking the pram away from all the well behaved children. Here's a cute pic of the birthday girl who spent most of her time tearing around the park on her bike.

Back to fitness

So I finally bit the bullet and went for a run today. I think the last time I ran I was about 5 months pregnant and I probably performed a whole lot better! The whole pushing the pram thing while running is a bit of a challenge for an unco like me. Anyho, Maisie was happy to rug up and get down the beach in the cold weather.