It’s been a very busy few days up here in the house on the hill. Those of you with small children will know how busy a day spent feeding, tending, transporting and entertaining them can be and on particularly trying days I can remember thinking how much easier life would be once they were older. Sadly, I can now tell you this is not the case – the older kids seem to need as much time and energy, just in different ways. My time this week has been divided between preparing for our youngest to leave for a student exchange in Canada, keeping an eye on a partying son who has just finished his final year at school and arranging the celebrations to observe the 21st birthday of our eldest. The party last night seemed to be a great success – the food was all eaten, no-one passed out in the shrubbery and I managed to keep the Moet et Chandon champagne well hidden from the unsophisticated and unappreciative palates of the gathered and oblivious younger generation.
Today I find myself uncharacteristically a little tired, no doubt due at least in part to the above mentioned champagne. However I suspect it has also been contributed to by some frantic shopping and party preps and a couple of unscheduled trips to the doctors office, local hospital x-ray department and the pharmacy to hire crutches for the also above-mentioned son who managed to damage an ankle. It seems that end of school celebrations can get a little vigorous, especially when large amounts of refreshment are involved – I won’t bore you with the (slightly sketchy) details.
I intend to spend the rest of this weekend in a quiet and restful state, reading my book, sharing a meal (and perhaps just a drop more of the Moet) with some of the interstate friends who travelled here for the party and wasting some time by trawling languidly through the internet. It seems that all the world loves a list. Today I have found some interesting ones that deal with food and I thought one or two of you might like to waste some time on them with me.
The 50 best chocolate desserts – when making any sort of food list, chocolate just has to feature prominently.
The top 5 brain health foods – I think you’ll find chocolate on this one, too!
15 foods that burn more calories than they contain – for after you’ve eaten from the first two lists.
The top 10 most dangerous foods – just in case you feel like living on the edge for a bit.
NPR’s list of 10 best summer cookbooks – there is no such thing as too much chocolate or too many cookbooks.
15 food artists and sculptors – for those who like to play with their food.
Top 10 strangest foods from around the world – for those who have trouble recognising food.
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What a busy weekend indeed! I agree that it’s just as hard when they’re older, which just doesn’t seem to make sense does it?
I love lists, and lists of lists! I have list shaped notepaper even so I can indulge without wasting too much paper.
Hope your weekend is as restful as you wish it too be, and the champagne keeps on coming 🙂
Congratulations to those offspring and their achievements, especially the survival of the teens and school.
Now that is a busy weekend! Busy Mama!
Good lists too. I went straight to the strangest and most dangerous obviously. With the strangest, probably not a lot of foods that frequent most foodie blogs, and I’m curious, would you give any of them a crack?
Bec – not much about teens makes sense, really.
David – thanks for the thoughts.
Brydie – I have to say that as a kid I ate fried brains, they were part of my grandmothers cooking repertoire and my mum loved them. At least if they were fried you could drown them in tomato sauce. When she cooked them in a white sauce there was very little that was redeeming about them. I have also eaten haggis – the traditional way with a slug of Scotch whisky on it, but don’t care for it. As for the rest on that list – the answer is a definite no!
Your youngest child will have such a great time on exchange. I have been on exchange twice and it was a great experience:)
I read the strangest food list….*shudder*
Happy birthday to your eldest! You certainly have been busy – I think a quiet session to enjoy more Moet is definitely in order!
Have a happy Sunday.
🙂 Mandy
Good luck to your youngest! Canada is a beautiful country to visit. Ha I like the sounds of that last link-will take a peek at that one 😛
We offered our children either a 21st party or a ticket to Europe. So far 2 out of 3 look the latter option so I haven’t had to suffer the agonies of running a 21st party yet – one child still to go !
Xrays? Crutches? That lovely son of yours! Mine suffered a less dramatic ‘injury’ of his own from same celebrations. Although I would NOT count ‘chaffing from wearing a girls netball bodysuit all day’ as an injury. Especially after I explained to him they are not meant for 6ft 4 1/2 BOYS.
Very best wishes to your darling eldest also.
I vote “Chocolate Desserts” list the best!
Miss Kimbers – she is getting excited and anxious now, in equal measure.
Mandy – thanks for the birthday wishes. I had a busy Sunday but went on strike for the evening!
Lorraine – there are some “interesting” things on that list.
Kate – we held the party at the zoo. It was a great night and everyone was very well behaved.
Monique – he is not the only young man in our family to do something stupid last week. My nephew gave himself a compound fracture of his arm when arm-wrestling with a mate!
Such a lot to celebrate at your place, Amanda! Let the champagne roll! I’m sorry your son did himself an injury…sigh…it never really ends, this mothering thing, does it? 😉
I am sure your son will have a wonderful time in Canada. It’s such a beautiful place. I hope your other son didn’t injure himself too badly.
Some great lists there to pass the time – I am heading for the list of chocolate desserts!