Goodbye 2009 !

In a couple of minutes I’ll bid farewell to 2009 and welcome in the New Year.    It’s hard to believe that another year will be over and a new one is about to begin. 

It’s crazy.    The clock ticks on,  seasons have changed, and my babies are another year older (oh and so am I!!)

But before I bid farewell I thought I’d share some random things about myself and what I’ve learnt this decade.

And so here they are;

1.  I’ve enjoyed 10 years of marriage and  I’m looking forward to many more.

2.  I resigned from my job as an accountant and packed up with hubby and started my journey as the travelling spouse.

3.  By becoming a travelling spouse I became a stay-at-home mom.  (p.s. I’m still getting use to it.)

4.  I enrolled in an Early Childhood Learning program and studied by correspondence and got my certificate. It’s really is never to late.

5.  I had 3 children and my perspective on life changed dramatically.

6.  I bought my first house.

7.  I discovered the slow cooker!!

8.  I owned my first ever cell phone at the age of 27.

9.  I’ve lived in 3 different continents this decade.

10.  Oh and I discovered the world of blogging. It’s been wonderful and I’m looking forward to another year.

Well there you have it – nothing special, just randomness.

Happy New Year everyone and may all good things come your way.

Goodbye 2009 !

In a couple of minutes I’ll bid farewell to 2009 and welcome in the New Year.    It’s hard to believe that another year will be over and a new one is about to begin. 

It’s crazy.    The clock ticks on,  seasons have changed, and my babies are another year older (oh and so am I!!)

But before I bid farewell I thought I’d share some random things about myself and what I’ve learnt this decade.

And so here they are;

1.  I’ve enjoyed 10 years of marriage and  I’m looking forward to many more.

2.  I resigned from my job as an accountant and packed up with hubby and started my journey as the travelling spouse.

3.  By becoming a travelling spouse I became a stay-at-home mom.  (p.s. I’m still getting use to it.)

4.  I enrolled in an Early Childhood Learning program and studied by correspondence and got my certificate. It’s really is never to late.

5.  I had 3 children and my perspective on life changed dramatically.

6.  I bought my first house.

7.  I discovered the slow cooker!!

8.  I owned my first ever cell phone at the age of 27.

9.  I’ve lived in 3 different continents this decade.

10.  Oh and I discovered the world of blogging. It’s been wonderful and I’m looking forward to another year.

Well there you have it – nothing special, just randomness.

Happy New Year everyone and may all good things come your way.

Season’s Greetings.

Just popping in to say:

 Wherever you are we hope you are with those that you love and cherish.  And whether or not you celebrate Christmas we are thankful for Jesus who is the reason for this season. 

We pray peace, joy and  love to fill your hearts and your homes. 

Merry Christmas.

 

Season’s Greetings.

Just popping in to say:

 Wherever you are we hope you are with those that you love and cherish.  And whether or not you celebrate Christmas we are thankful for Jesus who is the reason for this season. 

We pray peace, joy and  love to fill your hearts and your homes. 

Merry Christmas.

 

Flip flops and sandy feet!

We’re off to one of the  sandy white beaches here .  So I’ll be taking a bloggy break. 

It’s all about the sand, sea and shells for now.(and boats too!) Take care and have a great week!!

5 more days till Christmas………………..

Flip flops and sandy feet!

We’re off to one of the  sandy white beaches here .  So I’ll be taking a bloggy break. 

It’s all about the sand, sea and shells for now.(and boats too!) Take care and have a great week!!

5 more days till Christmas………………..

Photo Hunters: Fast

This weekend theme: Fast.

My photos  are of a  group of Fire Dancers from Borneo that we saw on our trip to Singapore. 

They  perform at the Singapore Night Safari.

They have to be fast don’t they?

For more photo hunters on this theme visit TNChick.

Photo Hunters: Fast

This weekend theme: Fast.

My photos  are of a  group of Fire Dancers from Borneo that we saw on our trip to Singapore. 

They  perform at the Singapore Night Safari.

They have to be fast don’t they?

For more photo hunters on this theme visit TNChick.

Friday’s Fave Five # 38

Welcome to this weeks Fave Five.  It’s been a busy, full and crazy week.  But it’s all been good. 

Here are my five for this week.

1.  School Christmas Break. I think I’m more excited about taking a break from school than my kids are.  Either way I’m just happy for the break.

2.  Stress free class parties.  My 5th grader no longer needs or wants me to help out so much in her class but my kindergartener,  well her face just lights up whenever  I walk into her class to help.  Isn’t that strange?   Well I helped in the kindergarten class with their party and it was wonderful.  My job was to read to them while they waited to rotate tables to do some crafts.  This is the book I read and I enjoyed it very much. I fell in love with that word – Splendiferous!

The kids got to decorate  gingerbread men.  These are Tanysha’s. and they also made Christmas trees.  The best thing about this Christmas tree craft – no glue required!!

3.  This product – Olay Thermal Pedicure Foot Treatment.   I bought this a while ago but never used it.  This week I thought I’d give it ago and I’ve fallen in love with it.  I love the warm feeling on my feet when I use it.  And after a week my feet do feel lovely and soft.

4.  Volunteering at the Elementary School Games.  This week was busy as I volunteered at both my daughters ES Games.  It was a lot of fun.  It was wonderful to see the children supporting each other and working together.  For the older kids there was  good healthy competition and great sportsmanship among them.  Renee ran the 1000m and came in 4th.  I was so proud of her.  Tanysha ran a 50meter sprint, and managed to do that in a straight line.   She was a lot more excited about the fact that she remained in her lane than she was about coming first in her heat!

5.  Having my husband volunteer too at the girls school activities.  I just love it when he takes time off to come and be present at the activities that are important to the girls. Renee and Tanysha get so excited when they see Daddy at school for them.

Well that’s it.  One more week till Christmas.   Thanks Susanne for hosting.  If you want to see who else is playing along the visit Susanne at Living To Tell the Story.

Wishing you all a Splendiferous Weekend.

Friday’s Fave Five # 38

Welcome to this weeks Fave Five.  It’s been a busy, full and crazy week.  But it’s all been good. 

Here are my five for this week.

1.  School Christmas Break. I think I’m more excited about taking a break from school than my kids are.  Either way I’m just happy for the break.

2.  Stress free class parties.  My 5th grader no longer needs or wants me to help out so much in her class but my kindergartener,  well her face just lights up whenever  I walk into her class to help.  Isn’t that strange?   Well I helped in the kindergarten class with their party and it was wonderful.  My job was to read to them while they waited to rotate tables to do some crafts.  This is the book I read and I enjoyed it very much. I fell in love with that word – Splendiferous!

The kids got to decorate  gingerbread men.  These are Tanysha’s. and they also made Christmas trees.  The best thing about this Christmas tree craft – no glue required!!

3.  This product – Olay Thermal Pedicure Foot Treatment.   I bought this a while ago but never used it.  This week I thought I’d give it ago and I’ve fallen in love with it.  I love the warm feeling on my feet when I use it.  And after a week my feet do feel lovely and soft.

4.  Volunteering at the Elementary School Games.  This week was busy as I volunteered at both my daughters ES Games.  It was a lot of fun.  It was wonderful to see the children supporting each other and working together.  For the older kids there was  good healthy competition and great sportsmanship among them.  Renee ran the 1000m and came in 4th.  I was so proud of her.  Tanysha ran a 50meter sprint, and managed to do that in a straight line.   She was a lot more excited about the fact that she remained in her lane than she was about coming first in her heat!

5.  Having my husband volunteer too at the girls school activities.  I just love it when he takes time off to come and be present at the activities that are important to the girls. Renee and Tanysha get so excited when they see Daddy at school for them.

Well that’s it.  One more week till Christmas.   Thanks Susanne for hosting.  If you want to see who else is playing along the visit Susanne at Living To Tell the Story.

Wishing you all a Splendiferous Weekend.

Corner View: Books

This weeks Corner View Theme : Books.

"A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting." -

Henry David Thoreau

I love books and I’m forever grateful to my parents who worked hard to teach me to read.  I am so thankful for their patience.  And now as a parent I too work hard to be patient with my own kids and deliberately encourage them to open up a book and read.

Because to me a book is like that golden door that stays ajar.  And with every book you open you can step through that door and allow yourself to be taken places,  places where you’ve never been before, both near and far.

Not many pictures for this weeks CV.  I’ve been busy  so only a picture of what I’ve been reading lately.

I’ve read it many times over.   I bought this book just before we packed up (again) and moved to Thailand.  My life can get blurry sometimes as a trailing spouse and this book reminds me that the true worth of my travels is not where I come to be at the end of the journey, but in who I become along the way.

life is a journey and my  life is like a book that is still being written!!

For more corner view of books visit Jane’s  sidebar for Corner view participants.

Corner View: Books

This weeks Corner View Theme : Books.

"A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting." -

Henry David Thoreau

I love books and I’m forever grateful to my parents who worked hard to teach me to read.  I am so thankful for their patience.  And now as a parent I too work hard to be patient with my own kids and deliberately encourage them to open up a book and read.

Because to me a book is like that golden door that stays ajar.  And with every book you open you can step through that door and allow yourself to be taken places,  places where you’ve never been before, both near and far.

Not many pictures for this weeks CV.  I’ve been busy  so only a picture of what I’ve been reading lately.

I’ve read it many times over.   I bought this book just before we packed up (again) and moved to Thailand.  My life can get blurry sometimes as a trailing spouse and this book reminds me that the true worth of my travels is not where I come to be at the end of the journey, but in who I become along the way.

life is a journey and my  life is like a book that is still being written!!

For more corner view of books visit Jane’s  sidebar for Corner view participants.

Photo Hunters: Undesirable

This weeks theme: Undesirable.

I know these creatures have their place in the circle of life but they freak me out. And this big guy who we found in my backyard (at my last house) one sunny morning, definitely had me freaking out.

I wasn’t  happy to have this uninvited guest in my backyard but I think this old man,  who was my hero on that day was.

  He had a nice catch…… for dinner!! 

For more undesirable pictures head on over to TNChick.

Photo Hunters: Undesirable

This weeks theme: Undesirable.

I know these creatures have their place in the circle of life but they freak me out. And this big guy who we found in my backyard (at my last house) one sunny morning, definitely had me freaking out.

I wasn’t  happy to have this uninvited guest in my backyard but I think this old man,  who was my hero on that day was.

  He had a nice catch…… for dinner!! 

For more undesirable pictures head on over to TNChick.

Friday’s Fave Five # 37

I hope you all had a great week, whatever you did or didn’t do.

Here’s my 5  favorite things that made me happy and thankful this week.

1.  Phone call from home.  I’m excited for them and their plans for Christmas.  It would be nice to be at home now with family.

2.  Morning walks around the lake.  I walked by myself one morning  but on another morning I had a buddy and it was a so much more fun.  It sure does beat the treadmill!!  Thanks Laura.  We should do it often huh?!

3.  Christmas Gifts.  I was pleasantly surprised this week with some beautiful serving bowls and baked brownies.  I was blessed.  Thanks Lek!

4.  An invitation from Tanysha’s  teacher to join them with their visit from the Thai Craft Organization.  I learnt something today.  I’m so  impressed with how  they use recycled paper to make some very creative stuff.  to read more head on over to  learn with Room 120.

From this   to this…

here are some more examples of recycled paper crafts.

 

5.  Dear husband is away this weekend for work.  No it’s not a favorite that he is away from us, but I am reminded that we are blessed that he has a job and that we are living here in Thailand for right now because of this job.

Thanks Susanne for hosting this wonderful Favorites. To see who else is playing visit here.

Happy Weekend.

Friday’s Fave Five # 37

I hope you all had a great week, whatever you did or didn’t do.

Here’s my 5  favorite things that made me happy and thankful this week.

1.  Phone call from home.  I’m excited for them and their plans for Christmas.  It would be nice to be at home now with family.

2.  Morning walks around the lake.  I walked by myself one morning  but on another morning I had a buddy and it was a so much more fun.  It sure does beat the treadmill!!  Thanks Laura.  We should do it often huh?!

3.  Christmas Gifts.  I was pleasantly surprised this week with some beautiful serving bowls and baked brownies.  I was blessed.  Thanks Lek!

4.  An invitation from Tanysha’s  teacher to join them with their visit from the Thai Craft Organization.  I learnt something today.  I’m so  impressed with how  they use recycled paper to make some very creative stuff.  to read more head on over to  learn with Room 120.

From this   to this…

here are some more examples of recycled paper crafts.

 

5.  Dear husband is away this weekend for work.  No it’s not a favorite that he is away from us, but I am reminded that we are blessed that he has a job and that we are living here in Thailand for right now because of this job.

Thanks Susanne for hosting this wonderful Favorites. To see who else is playing visit here.

Happy Weekend.

Corner View - Evenings

This weeks Corner View theme:  Evenings.

From Sunday to Thursday,  evenings at our house is  pretty much the same.  Dinner around 6,  then bedtime for Tanysha and Joshua at 7pm.   The girls  start school at 7.20 so she needs an early night.  Renee gets to stay up a little later, but needs to be in her bed by 8.30 and lights out by 9.  

In a perfect world that would be how it is every night but of course it isn’t.  But that is what dear hubby and I work towards so we can at least spend some time together.

Time to talk about our day,  time to just be together – even if it’s just to watch TV together.  At least we won’t  have little people demanding for our attention.

And all the while outside….. well there is the lake. 

Our man made sleepy lake.

For more corner views visit Jane’s sidebar.

Corner View - Evenings

This weeks Corner View theme:  Evenings.

From Sunday to Thursday,  evenings at our house is  pretty much the same.  Dinner around 6,  then bedtime for Tanysha and Joshua at 7pm.   The girls  start school at 7.20 so she needs an early night.  Renee gets to stay up a little later, but needs to be in her bed by 8.30 and lights out by 9.  

In a perfect world that would be how it is every night but of course it isn’t.  But that is what dear hubby and I work towards so we can at least spend some time together.

Time to talk about our day,  time to just be together – even if it’s just to watch TV together.  At least we won’t  have little people demanding for our attention.

And all the while outside….. well there is the lake. 

Our man made sleepy lake.

For more corner views visit Jane’s sidebar.

Khao Lhaam – Sticky Rice in Bamboo

I enjoy sticky rice with mango, (as I imagine many  do)

(image credit - slice of thai website)

but sticky rice in bamboo to me is even better.  Basically it’s a sticky rice mixture , with coconut milk and sugar added to it. 

The ones I have had are usually a vegetarian variation, where I have found black beans added to the rice.

(image credit- hobotraveller.com)

The above image shows what it looks like once the bamboo is broken.  Some also have a purple color.  I think it may have something to do with the different mix of sticky rice.

Unfortunately  such a dish is not readily available in town. I’m guessing it’s because of the work that is involved in making it. You would need to collect and prepare the bamboos all the same length and then cook them on an open fire for a while.

I’m just thankful that they make them and have them available on the road sides.  The rice in the bamboo is something I always look forward to on road trips.

Maybe in my time here I’ll participate in making some. 

As for the lady in the photo below, I couldn’t figure out what she was preparing while I sat there enjoying my Khao Laam.

Can you help me figure it out?