Bebb's Busy Boxing Day

So for weeks I have been saying, "Oh, I can't wait to be on holidays and have Christmas over so I can sleep in and relax..." Come Boxing Day today and I was up by 6.15am. What?! I have no idea what's going on here. Though it was good in a way as Mum and Dad are staying with us over Christmas and are very early risers so I got to have breakfast with them. Mum (or Mebb as she has renamed herself after reading my blog...hi Mebb) was very surprised that I beat her out of bed on a non-work day as she knows how much I love to sleep in.

Anyway, Dad headed off to his shift as a volunteer ambulance officer in the city and Mum and I chatted, cuddled dogs and watched Sea Change, then set off for Hollybank for a bushwalk with the dogs at 9am...pretty good considering I had set my alarm for 9am.

We had a lovely walk at Hollybank and the dogs enjoyed it too.

The highlight was walking down to the river. It was the first time my young Bub hounds had visited a river and the results were pretty predictable.

Jack stood primly on a rock trying not to get his paws wet...

...while Johnny plunged straight in and swam around, ending up looking like a drowned rat.

Drowned rat standing behind 'Mebb'. After I took that photo, Mebb was heard to say, "That picture's going on the blog isn't it?"  I also copped teasing from Mebb who claimed I only wanted to go for a walk so I could blog about it! Not true...though having a blog does change your outlook slightly, I won't deny...especially when you find yourself planning blog posts in your head.

The water did look beautiful but I didn't have my bathers and we still had a 40 minute walk to get back to the car...can't imagine it would have been that fun in wet clothes. Next time...

After we drove back into the city we dropped the dogs home and then I took Mum (oh sorry, I mean Mebb- she has started calling herself that now which is a bit of a worry...) out to lunch at the Seaport.

After grocery shopping we headed back home, and everyone is now having some quiet time. Mum (Mebb!) is playing with Christmas presents- she is reading a book on the Kindle she got from Dad (look, I can't call him Debb. Mum's name is Deb and this is just all getting too weird).

I'll leave you with a shot of our relaxed Christmas lunch from yesterday. Here are my parents kicking back in our gazebo while I cooked steak, salmon and haloumi (the latter for my vegetarian self) on the barbeque.

Oh and finally...it was Johnny's first Christmas and Jack taught him the joys of ripping up wrapping paper and going manic amongst the shreds. I let them go for it...it is Christmas after all. 

Merry Christmas from Bebb and the Bubs.

Bookworm Time with Bebb...Part Four

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone!I don't quite feel like I'm on holidays yet as I've had so much to do in the lead up to hosting Christmas lunch for the first time. I'm looking forwards to spending the day with family, but also having time to just do nothing in particular once it's all over. Saturday is Book Review day here at Bebb and the Bubs so I'm taking a break from cleaning/making Christmas crackers/making cauliflower cheese/making sorbet and ice cream cake/marinating salmon to bring you another of my favourite books. (One day I'll review some crappy books to keep it fair...but right now I'm enjoying sharing books that I love.)

We So Seldom Look on Love

by Barbara Gowdy

This collection of short stories from Canadian novelist Barbara Gowdy is populated by an assortment of highly unusual characters. Siamese twins, necrophiles, transsexuals, exhibitionists...they all find their way onto the pages. We meet Sylvie, who shares a body with her twin sister Sue, who is nothing but a pair of legs, and works as a circus freak. There is blind Terry and mentally handicapped Julie and their foster carer Aunt Bea. We peek inside the life of Ali, married to a wealthy doctor, dissatisfied with life and an exhibitionist. We see inside the mind of a young, beautiful, female necrophile in the titular story. All that is strange, out of the ordinary, disturbing and shocking are presented in this book, and it is easy to fall into.

Written skillfully and powerfully, this is a highly original collection of short stories that exerts a strong grip on the reader. Even while describing things that may sicken or disturb, the prose is elegant and beautiful and it is hard to stop reading. It is not for the faint of heart, for taboo topics are laid bare in devastating, yet straightforward fashion.

The stories are more than eye-opening, bizarre and disturbing, however- they are full of moments of poignant humour and often quite moving. Who would have thought that a tender love story concerning a necrophile could exist? Some stories are uplifting, others heartbreaking, and all are unexpected. While surreal, her stories are grounded in realism as we are shown the many different people that make up humankind, and the secret desires and character quirks that may only exist behind closed doors are brought into the light.

This is not a book to be read once, put aside and forgotten. Rather, it is a book to be returned to again and again, to be captivated by, thought over and not forgotten. Powerful, unsettling, and ultimately remarkable,

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

I hope you enjoyed another book review. Let me know if you read any of my recommendations. Off to keep getting organised for Christmas now. We're all feeling the pressure of the Christmas preparations here in the house of Bebb and the Bubs...

Some of us more than others, it would seem. Merry Christmas, everyone.

Backyard Happenings

So today was the last day of school for students. I got lots of hugs and had a few of my gorgeous girls literally clinging to me in tears and begging me not to leave the school. I wish I could stay there too but alas it's not up to me. Last night was Presentation Night and I was given the role of 'prize coordinator'...hmmm...a fancy way of saying that as each presenter was called to the stage I had to collect the associated prize from a table and meet them at the foot of the stage stairs to give it to them. I was told to dress up as I was 'on view'...I felt very much on view and conscious that several hundred people were watching me as I appeared at the foot of the stairs with prizes all night. At one point I even made it on stage as a presenter hissed "I can't carry all of those- come up with me!" So prize girl did her bit...I actually felt slightly like this... 

After the evening finished, one of the presenters (some random politician) came up to me and said, "You did a great job with all of those prizes- very coordinated and you looked very confident."

"Oh thanks," I replied, before adding jokingly, "Yes, I have my Wheel of Fortune audition tomorrow!"

"Oh really?" he asked seriously. "That's great. Well, good luck with that. At least you've got teaching to fall back on if you don't get the role. Good, good." He then walked off leaving me somewhat speechless.  

So anyway. Let's move on from politicians who lack a sense of humour and irony.

After I got home today, I spent half an hour wrestling with metal poles, flapping canvas and surprisingly straightforward and easy to follow instructions in order to erect this in the backyard.

I will be having Christmas Day lunch here with my parents and decided it would be nice to have some shade, as if the weather is nice we are planning to have a barbeque and eat outside. It will also be great for barbeques with friends, and just to sit under and read, chat, relax, etc.

After we got it up I harvested some of the amazing bounty my garden is starting to put forth.

Snow peas, peas, parsley, cauliflower- lots more still growing! Pretty good for my first attempt at growing vegies on my own. There were more peas but I stood at the sink and ate a lot straight from the pod- delicious. We'll be having lots of fresh homegrown vegies on Christmas Day.

While I was outside I decided to take a photo of Jack lying on the grass, and just as I was about to do so, Johnny zoomed into shot and stood there like a little poser. I love this photo of my gorgeous boys.

It's quite a warm evening and we have all retreated inside now to relax in each other's company.

I'm still feeling exhausted but am starting to get very excited about finishing work for the year tomorrow and enjoying some glorious holiday time. And no, Mr Politician, I will not be joining Wheel of Fortune. They'll just have to get along without me as best they can.



A new school, Christmas shopping, and a fierce old lady

This morning I had to go into my new school (I have been made permanent as of next year and have been transferred to a new school, teaching Kinder) to meet the principal and the other two Kinder teachers. The great thing about my new school is that it is literally 5 minutes walk from my house. I would love, love, love to stay put at my current school but...c'est la vie. Things work out the way they are meant to. Teaching Kinder will be interesting- I did a bit of it this year, filling in while another teacher was overseas and it is fun, but full on.

Anyway, it all went smoothly and I was out of there by 11.30am. Friday isn't one of my usual work days unless I am doing relief so I had some free time and decided to head into the city to finish my Christmas shopping. I had the mistaken belief that the city wouldn't be as busy on a weekday...Wrong. Christmas-crazed shoppers were everywhere and the footpaths were packed.

 As I negotiated my way through the crowds, I heard shouting. I soon saw three very rough, angry looking men standing right in the middle of the footpath bellowing at each other. Some people in the crowd had stopped, others were trying to get around them without going too close, and the result was that everyone was pretty much stuck, whether they wanted to ogle the scene or not.

"Well, why the *&^% would I have told you that if it wasn't true?" Oaf Number One was shouting.

"You tell me mate, you tell me. All I know is you are asking for a smack right up the *&^%ing arse and then out your head!" Oaf Number Two bellowed back. (What a charming visual, Oaf #2. Thanks for that.) Oaf Number Three just stood there looking tough and menacing. On it went, and just as they were getting right up in each other's faces, violence seemed certain and I was still trying to get through the crowd, there she was. A vision in floral. A grey-haired, floral-dressed, sailor-voiced old lady pushed her way through the crowd and began shouting at them. Phrases such as "Go on, get out of here! Take it to your home! Your mothers would be ashamed of you! Everyone is watching! Get out of here you filthy little fools!" were flung at the startled looking Oafs, who nevertheless turned their backs on the floral-robed citizen of the peace and continued to argue. Undeterred, Old Lady lifted her sizeable, sensible brown leather handbag and threatened them with it, while shouting, "You want something rammed right up your arse and out your head do you?" The use of his own, colourfully descriptive threat against him stopped Oaf Number 2 in his tracks and he stared at Old Lady in shock before turning and disappearing into the rapidly parting crowd. Oafs Number One and Three made to follow, but a wordless shout from Old Lady, accompanied by her handbag waving precariously close to their faces, stopped them, too, in their tracks and they beat a hasty exit in the opposite direction. Old Lady shook herself, returned her handbag to her shoulder and disappeared into the chemist, the crowd dispersed and I went to the Body Shop. Just another quiet day in the Mall.

In the Kitchen with Bebb, Part One

Happy Thursday, everyone, and welcome to another (semi) regular feature here at Bebb and the Bubs. I love to cook and am looking forwards to sharing new recipes and old favourites with you. Unlike At the Movies with Bebb on Wednesdays and Bookworm Time with Bebb on Saturdays, In the Kitchen with Bebb won't occur on a set day...just whenever I feel like sharing some cooking with you! The header is temporary- I couldn't find a cooking photo and I figured I am holding a glass, which is kitchenware, which is near enough. And the 1940's hair and makeup fits because...um...they cooked in the 1940's too you know. Ha! I've got it! Rice Krispies Treats were invented in 1941 (thanks Mr Google) and my recipe today features Rice Bubbles, which are Rice Krispies to us Aussies. See, the photo fits in after all...

So today I made some Christmas treats for my friends and co-workers. They are...

White Crackle Snowballs

Ingredients:

-250g packet of marshmallows

-75g of unsalted butter, softened

-4 cups of Rice Bubbles/Krispies/Puffs

-2 cups dessicated coconut

-2 tablespoons of silver cauchous (or go crazy like I did with silver and blue)

Mix coconut and cauchous in a shallow bowl.

Heat a large saucepan of water until it is simmering. Place marshmallows and butter in a heatproof bowl and sit over water.

Stir butter and marshmallows until melted and smooth. Now, the recipe I found called for white marshmallows, but I already had a packet of pink and white in the pantry so I went for it.

Remove bowl from heat and pour Rice Bubbles into marshmallow mixture. Stir to combine.

Eat some of the mixture. (Oh come on. You know I did it, and I know you will, too. Let's not fool ourselves).

With wet hands, take a teaspoon of the mixture, roll into a ball, and roll in coconut and cachous mix. Place on a tray lined with baking paper. Re-wet hands each time. I found it easiest to have a bowl of water there to dip my hands in.

Refrigerate, covered, for an hour. Once set keep them in the fridge for up to a week.

Voila! Very simple and yummy. I bagged them up to give some of my colleagues on Monday and have an extra bag for...well, myself.

Let me know if you have made any festive treats lately- I always love new recipes!



The countdown is on...

Two and a half weeks left of the school year until the glorious summer holidays arrive.

Thank goodness! I feel absolutely exhausted from a very busy year of teaching and am looking forwards to having time to recharge and relax. My plans include....

<> sleeping in

<> gardening

<> hopefully, a camping trip

<> a roadtrip to Hobart with my best friend, Madam Mojito or MM as she shall henceforth be known, to see my favourite band, the Dresden Dolls, live

<> reading for hours

<> sewing my mini bears

<> taking the dogs to the beach for the first time

<> getting ready for a new class next year!

Christmas excitement is reaching fever pitch at school, as the Prep-2 classes are busily writing letters to Santa which will be collected tomorrow so the big man has time to reply. I've lost count of how many times a child has shrieked "Twenty sleeps until Santa comes!" in my ear today. It's beginning to look a little like Christmas in my house too.

Our decorations are fairly minimalist but still give a festive air to the lounge room. Given that we have two young, curious, will-chew-anything-interesting dogs I decided the mantelpiece was the best place for the wrapped presents!

Mum made these stockings for my sister and I about 17 years ago. I think they're gorgeous.

Our Christmas tree...made by a family friend about 20 years ago. It's been my Christmas tree ever since I moved out of home at 17, nearly 11 years ago. I'm sure we'll have a bigger tree one day but for now I'm quite fond of this one.



Today, I learnt that...

...letting overexcited-by-Christmas-approaching six-year-olds use loose glitter, in various colours, and gluesticks to decorate Christmas tree pictures IS VERY VERY MESSY. I have glitter in my hair. I have glitter in my shoes. I have glitter in my ears, no joke. The classroom floor looked like something from a strange Christmas-themed 80's disco. How the glitter spread across the entire room, when the students were confined to the art tables, is a mystery. I spent the better part of 45 minutes after school wiping glitter from chair legs and every flat surface, and am hoping the cleaner is still talking to me tomorrow morning after he spends what will probably be a long, long time vaccuuming the classroom.

On the plus side, the kids had a great afternoon and loved making their trees. Christmas excitement was definitely in the air at school today, it being the first of December and all. One little girl delightedly informed me that "Today is the first of Christmas!"

Well, they say you should learn a lesson every day. I have learnt my lesson with the loose glitter, that's for sure. I'm sticking to glitter paint from here. Now, to try and get this glitter out of my ears...