Bonjour from Paris - 23 September 2013.

The first real day in Paris. We both woke so early (around 5:30 am) after a fitful night sleep. It was very warm in our apartment and if you opened the window you would here the noises from the nearby apartments. The bed however was the most comfortable bed I had slept in.

I got up around 6:30 am and had a shower (the shower head was amazing, so big). Then Brad had a quick shower and then we went for a walk around to find some breakfast. We both had a croissant each (mine had chocolate in it, of course). This was about 9:00 am. There was hardly anyone around, few parents walking their little ones to school. The kids are so cute here in Paris.

Brad and I walk to Notre Dame which was only 15 minutes away. There was no line up, so we both went in and looked around. It is so beautiful. When we finished, we went outside and was shocked to see how long the line was to get into the church. We didn't go up into the bell tower as the line was so long.

Brad and I outside Notre Dame

Inside Notre Dame

Lighting a candle for Bella

We then hopped onto a tour open-top bus and was taken around to all the major sites in Paris. We then walked to the Latin Quartier and then went to the Le Musee de Cluny (the museum of Middle Ages). This museum was amazing. Only down size was that our camera misbehaved and we don't have many photos (insert unhappy face). Would thoroughly recommend this place. To see so many things that was around many, many years ago is so amazing. We walked home from here which took about 30 minutes.

We arrived back at our apartment, tired and hungry. We just had a light dinner and went to bed around 8:30 pm.

There are a lot more photos to post but you probably bit bored with these already.

Bye from the 23 September.

Pauline

Life

Today is a beautiful Saturday in the nation's capital. The sun is shining, birds are singing and the temperature right now is 4 degrees. 

This weekend will be busy for the family and myself. Not that we have to go anywhere but the house needs cleaning, the yard needs attending to and lots of cooking will need to get done for next week as I am extremely busy at work. I must admit that I find it really funny when some people hear they are cutting jobs in the public service they think you will lose your job the next day. It doesn't matter work like that but I really can't be bothered explaining.

Anyway, this week menu:

Saturday        meatballs and spaghetti with homemade garlic bread (yummo)

Sunday           Beef wellington and vegetables

Monday          chicken and vegetable pie

Tuesday           Toad in the hole (sausages in batter)

Wednesday      Spaghetti bol

Have a great week.

Pauline

p.s. Hubby and I need to get a run this week-end so I will wait it is a bit warmer.

Improvement in Life

Such a long time for an update, no excuses sorry.

Recently, I have been thinking about how to improve my life (and my family). My family eat too much junk food. Not only does it costs money, I realised that I was wasting a lot of food. My new challenge is to write here what I plan to cook for the upcoming week. I starting from a Wednesday as this is the day that I receive my fruit and vegetables from Aussie Farmers. I can recommend them as the produce is very good, they do cost a bit more than in the supermarkets but I am hoping if I cook each week I will save money as I won't be wasting the food. Keep turn, I will let you know how I am going.

It is ok to have some junk food every now and then but we were buying it at least once a week.

Also, I have to remember NOT to take my husband shopping. I just needed to get a few things from Aldi and Coles or Woolworths. I had planned that the shopping should be only around the $70 for the week (remember this doesn't include vegetables and meat as I buy things from Aussie Farmers) but the amount was $70 at Aldi. He came shopping and 'needed' muesli bars (I can make these), few other things, including a fire extinguisher. I think he will be 'banned' over the next few weeks.

Recently I have started taking some fruit into work as I was didn't want to throw away the fruit in a few weeks. It has been a great hit. My co-workers and I have the fruit platter in the afternoon and have a quick impromptu meeting about what is going on. At the moment, my workplace is so busy, it is a great break in the afternoon, even though it is just 10 minutes. Trust me, a lot is discussed in this 10 minutes (good and bad) and really seems to help everyone. I think every work place should offer this.








My list for the next week's dinners:

Wednesday - Feta and lemon chicken breasts with mashed vegetables

Thursday - Beef stir-fry

Friday - Potato and leek soup with crusty bread

Saturday - Home made pizza (one meat lovers and one vegetarian)

Sunday - Roast Lamb and vegetables

Monday - Left over lamb and vegetables pie

Tuesday - Chicken schnitzels and vegetables

My bathroom is slowing getting renovated (it is taking so long and stressful). It is looking ok, better than before but it is taking so long. So far, it has been 8 weeks and still has a fare way to go. They are blaming the carpenter who in turn is blaming us about the doors on 1 cupboard. The tiling still needs to be completed (how this is being held up from the carpenter, I don't know), the shower and taps needs to be connected and few other things. When we was given the quote, the person working on it said it would take only 4 weeks. Boy, don't believe them, also don't be like us and pay most of the money before the job is completed. Will post photos once it has been completed. Hopefully this will be soon.

It is getting cold here in Canberra, not a fan of the cold weather but I am trying to keep an open mind this year and do more walks as I love the leaves changing colour.  I will post photos from our walk we have planned for this weekend.

Have a great day.