It has been a considerably poor effort, blogging wise, from me over the past week. I had ideas, I had plans, I fully intended on at least three posts but then? Nothing. I can’t pinpoint the pinnacle moment of (hormonally induced) apathy, but the realisation prompted the purchase of a two month supply of 30Plus, a packet of pills that I’m hoping will save my blog and my marriage. Bah hormones!

Anyhow, this past weekend was taken up with two celebrations that occupied my time; the first being Niece G’s 10th Birthday Hoedown Hoolie, which saw 18 cowboy-hatted children run riot in the shed/our front yard (the Beige Barn is not able to cater to such celebrations as yet, seeing as it is still part construction site). The designated four hours stretched out rather tediously, with games (tug of war, the chocolate game, three-legged race, treasure hunt), food galore (cheerios – the Kiwi version - not the cereal, sausage rolls, Cheezels, Mallowpuffs, chicken nibbles and a wonderful “10″ shaped vanilla cake with mint-green frosting), Taylor Swift and Hannah flippin’ Montana on loop, heated discussions on the merits (and subsequent swapping) of the party gifts and some deep sighs of relief when the last child was spirited down the driveway. Yee-hah!

Sunday I attended a work colleague’s baby shower, which I had to forcibly extract myself out of bed for, but knowing the high catering standards of the Mum-to-be and her family there would be a lovely spread laid on that would more than make up for having to drive into Whangarei on an extremely dreary, wet afternoon. And oh, how I was right; melt in your mouth Russian Fudge, divine, densely chocolatey Afghans, lusciously moist carrot cake with lashings of lemony cream cheese icing and fresh cream-filled chocolate eclairs. And of course, there were lots of lovely gifts to cluck over and some hilarious photos of the Mum-to-Be in her high school ballgowns – lots of big hair, crushed velvet and elbow-length lace gloves. 

This weekend it’s time for another celebration; Lil’Sis turns 38 (at which point I can gloat for a whole 55 days that I’m only a year older than her) and her requests? No party games or Hannah Montana, Homemade Quiche Lorraine (this will be my first attempt), Dad’s Infamous Mussel Fritters, all rounded off with a side of Chocolate Mud Cake (purchased with care and attention from Maunu Bakery).

Yes, celebrations are TOTALLY about the food. If you ask me.