Paperwork & Procrastination

I am procrastinating. There's no denying it. It's a blatant fact. You see, what I should be doing today is entering figures and details into a spreadsheet for a quantity surveyor so that he has a starting point to do a depreciation schedule. YAWN! It's something I need to do. I definitely should not be sitting here writing this blog. It's a bit like the big red button. You may not have seen this but to a 13 year old boy it is very funny. It is a web page with nothing but a big red dot on it and looping messages with various forms of "Don't press the red button" and of course they do and the message keeps changing and young master junior teenager sits there hysterically giggling the longer it goes on. And on. So why don't I just get it over with? Because I obviously don't have anything very much of value to write here anyway. I know what my 13 year old son will be doing at school today. He is the master of endless annoyance. And last night of all things I mistakenly gave him fuel for his annoyance fire. I said, "Do you know you have 11 fingers?" Then starting with one hand I counted back from 10 to 6 then held up the other hand and announced "plus five is 11". Then I said "But if I have 11 fingers why didn't I start at 11? 11, 10, 9, 8, 7 plus 5 is 12". Are you starting to get the picture? A thirteen year old could keep this going the whole day. The notion is truly scary. So why don't I have anything to write about today? Well, it's soccer training night again and it's leftovers again! Remember that casserole I made yesterday? I used 1.6kg. So there's enough to feed an army. But don't let on. I don't want them bringing their muddy boots into my living room. Boy, why is it that you have to say the same thing to a boy every single day. "Don't go through the living room with those muddy soccer boots on!" No wonder we're accused of nagging. I also have to make a few phone calls so I really should call it quits now.

Do you want to see the Big Red Button? No you don't!

If you like my blog share it here

OK, you asked for it. Big Red Button

I just had to add this! Have you ever heard of a "Tornado Potato"? Apparently, it is a whole potato cut in a spiral. A bamboo skewer is pushed through the centre and then it is deep fried. It can be as long as the potato will stretch and the length of the skewer. It is served sprinkled with a choice of flavourings. I could see this catching on here! Have a look at this thing!

Exciting Possibilities

It's cold and raining. It's a day for doing online tutorials, putting the washing in the dryer and flicking through cooking mags. I've found a simple beef casserole to do tonight and I can get it on early so it'll be ready for later. Wednesdays are hectic for us. I pick up the girls from school and we have just enough time to rush home and get a quick bite to eat before I take them to the next village for piano lessons. Their older brother will go there straight from his school. They each get half an hour then I pick them up. While they are gone I will be getting together my son's soccer practice gear, making him an afternoon snack and sorting out anything else that needs doing before dinner. So I pick up the kids at 5:00, race home, drop off the girls, then take my son to his soccer practice which starts at 5:30. Today we have an extra commitment which is really kind of exciting. I am taking our eldest son into the city for an information session about overseas student exchange. If we go ahead he may be heading off this time next year for a year in Germany! My husbands comes from German stock. His parents migrated to Australia in the 50's so it is the logical place for him to want to go. My son's dream is to play soccer at a high level so the chance to play a season in Germany adds to the exciting possibilities of this opportunity. He has been listening to German podcasts and we have been borrowing german language books and dictionaries from the local library. He also wants me to start cooking some german style food so "he can get used to it". I've told him it's not really that different to what we eat already but expect to maybe see some german style dinners pop up from time to time. Anyway, I better go get started on that casserole.

Beef and Potato Casserole

2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons plain flour
1kg cubed gravy beef or chuck steak
1 brown onion chopped
4 garlic cloves peeled
2 carrots peeled and chopped
2 celery sticks chopped
2 sprigs rosemary
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 1/2 cups beef stock
400g can diced tomatoes
4 paotatoes, peeled and sliced

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Place the flour and beef in a bowl or plastic bag and toss to coat, shaking off any excess. Cook the steak in batches for 3-4 minutes or until browned. Set aside. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, celery and rosemary to the pan and cook stirring for 8-10 minutes or until browned. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and wine and cook for 2 minutes. Add the beef to the pan with the stock and tomatoes and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 30-40 minutes. Add the potatoes and cook for a further 45-55 minutes or until tender. Serves 4-6

There's also a yummy beef casserole on the Masterchef site.

If you like my blog share it here

Ever wished you could cook your favourite family restaurant dishes at home?