It's been

one of those days..and will probably be one of those nights as well...got to go boobies are required....

Yes Leonard Cohen...the hat doesn't help me at all at the moment.

Day 1 without Mr Octopus

Ok well I survived the day....Mr Octopus took his crying cake to work and enjoyed it.

He is also concerned that I am referring to him in this blog as Mr Octopus (not that he has even read any of it) he seems to think it implies he is a groper! I find that amusing and will continue to call him Mr Octopus regardless!!!!

There are possums outside as I write twittering away...ok so maybe possums don't actually TWITTER.....

So today the morning did not get off to a great start Miss A was being naughty, and acting like a smarty pants teenager, but the afternoon got better...and despite being a Breastaurant managed to:

• make fairy wands
• play with the Duplo (love that stuff it really does spark their imagination)
• draw on the chalk board
• watch Playschool
• buff the car 
• wash up, cook dinner etc etc

Mind you Mr Z was a very good sleeping boy today so that helped.

Orange Cake and Other....

Well today I made an orange cake for Mr Octopus to take to work tomorrow...he has been home since the birth of Mr Z. He said he would call it his Crying Cake- because he doesn't really want to go back! Except when faced with Miss A and her antics....she has been so impossible lately. Is it because of Mr Z ? She is gorgeous with him and loves him so much, but still it is an adjustment for her...at least I am hoping that's what it is.

I digress- I don't care what anyone says there is a huge difference to an orange cake when you use a REAL orange both for the cake AND for the icing....not rocket science is it? Smells delish.

So am a bit worried about tomorrow dealing with Miss A and Mr Z on my own....we will see how it goes. Unfortunately both our families are interstate....so everytime I get sick Mr Octopus has to take time off work to help! As I type Mr Z is very unhappy- does he want Crying Cake???He is farting alot and has a bad stomach......bit frustrating as there is little I can do to help.....sigh....

Paris....

I have a thing about Paris.....everything is just so well...elegant and beautiful and romantic..and just... well fine!

Fine chocolate (told you I would get back to it!), fine clothes, fine food, fine art...need I go on?

Only thing I didn't like was the man at the desk at the hotel where we stayed...he was creepy...but Paris itself made up for him....and next time no doubt we will stay here  or here (yes I am dreaming....)

And you know I still remember having a crepe from a street stall with citron and sucre....I'm getting a craving just thinking about it...sigh.

There's some pictures on this blog here and she mentions the crepes! Another blog with a Paris Diary again she mentions the crepes.....I have to stop this...it isn't good for me.....

Moving right along to photos  (no not of the crepes- I am avoiding that!) this photo for example of tables and chairs is evocative of French (and if you need more photo fixes just pop on over to ParisDailyPhoto  and Eric will look after you..dites-lui Mlle Slender Octopus envoyée vous!!

Then there are those at are living the sweet life in Paris lucky you David!! Please look at his links...he knows where good chocolate is at!

Another love of mine is painting and this blog combines pastries, chocolates all things Paris with her watercolours....

Ok....enough dreaming of Paris......

Looking forward to Ramsay tonight

"As sure as my a*******'s round..." it's Ramsay tonight...about the only thing I watch on T.V.

My aunt sent me this recipe- its doing the rounds...

Channel4- Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares

What would Ramsay do Forum

Here's a link to a gorgeous sewing blog....what's that got to do with Gordon Ramsay you may ask...well in this post she gave him a passing reference in relation to breastfeeding...

Chocolate

THE BALD MAN WALL- MELBOURNE CENTRAL

Well a few weeks back I was at the Maternal Health Centre for my sons weigh in. I was telling the nurse how one day he had been really unsettled and all he wanted to do was get on the boob all the time. She started asking me about my diet- had I eaten anything unusual or different. She said sometimes things like chocolate can affect babies. I told her straight out that I was a chocoholic but added that I only eat the really good stuff! I told her my son would of had quiet a bit of it while he was on the inside! She looked at me laughed and said good on you! Have to love a health nurse like that!

So today thinking about chocolate thought I would share my favourites not in any particular order......of course there are chocolates to eat...and then there are chocolate experiences...

Me I'm a purist and prefer dark chocolate. White chocolate is fake and is NOT chocolate.

Koko Black- beautiful shops, gorgeous furnishings, and you can if you are very good watch the chocoletiers at work....Love their iced chocolate........

The Bald Man- ok well I practically lived on this stuff when I was pregnant with my daughter...everyone used to comment that she was such a happy baby- so I would always tell them it was due to me doing yoga and eating copious amounts of dark chocolate. My favourites here -the chocolate souffle is just delish! and the dark (always dark :)) suckaco! 

                               

This is the actual real Bald Man! I stalked him (ever so nicely) while he was at Melbourne for the Food and Wine Festival way back in 2005. He didn't realise I was taking pics of him! Call me sick but he's done good things!! As you can see....

     

Haighs- are so yummy. Infact we loved them so much we took a boxload interstate for our wedding bonbonerie (the Sparkling Shiraz truffle- cause thats just so good, and the Violet cream - only because it has a lavender accent on top which matched our colour theme). Apricot bars, Mandarin cremes, drinking chocolate...its all there- its all good.

Hahndorfs- the thing I like about Hahndorfs is the free chocolate you get to pick with any drink! (pick the solid dark one...its very nice!)

Lindt- melt in your mouth dark lindor balls, and I even like their milk chocolate too!! I am pretty unimpressed that we do not have a Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Melbourne. (I'm waiting Mr Lindt). And I am very sad as I have run out of Lindt Piccoli for my cooking.....and now have to find where I can buy it locally....(I bought a 2.5 kilo bag and we have since moved!)

Green and Blacks- dark nice good.

Dagoba- Have only tried the dark- nice!

'Anvers- Tassie based! 

I guess that is enough chocolate for now......I'm sure I will return to this topic.....:)

Here's a link to make a chocolate portrait if you are that way inclined......

Shoes

Well I was bumbling along and found this post over at the second stitch and the post there reminded me that I had stumbled across some shoes in pristine condition...still wrapped up in their box...never worn and now with a new baby I doubt they will EVER be worn...sure they are not HIGH high heels but I bought them ages ago for work with a specific suit in mind...and well I resigned from work when my first daughter was born so it's a pretty safe bet I won't be wearing these. I could of course sell them on ebay, but I think they might end up in the charity bin....unless you want them Brenda : )           

         

Hmmm I think they are size 8 and a half!