The birth of a new meme … Friday Food Fight

I am so excited to share with you all a new meme that has been born of my recent move to the UK … it’s called Friday Food Fight.

It all began with me chatting away about all the yummy British foods I’ve missed over the years … cream cakes, chocolates, cheese and onion pasties, curries, etc. However, with pumpkin season in full swing in the States, I kinda found myself sad about my favourite American treats I would soon be leaving behind. So, together with my sister over at Gone Bananas and my sister-in-law at Run DMT, we’ve concocted a fabulous way to share all our favorite foods … Friday Food Fight.

All you have to do to join in is simply post a photograph of your favorite food, meal, snack or drink. Of course, we’d love to see you enjoying your tasty treat, but you don’t need to be in the picture. Then on Friday, post your drool inducing photo and link up on one of our blogs. That’s it.

And, while you’re sharing your favorite foodie photo, we’d love for you to add our fun Friday Food Fight button to your post and link back here.

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So, I guess all that’s left to do is to give you my first Friday Food Fight …

Shhhhhhh … don’t tell my big brother, but we’ve had us some kebabs … the boys and hubby had the lamb whilst I chose to partake in the healthier chicken version. Oh yeah! Nom, nom, nom and neener neener neener!

Go on then … get busy and fight back with your favourite food!

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Wordless Wednesday … Sunrise over London

NEXT Baby Boutique Model Competition …

If you have a baby who breaks into an adorable smile or a big grin whenever there’s a camera in the room, go right now and start snapping photographs of the wee one because have I got a competition for you.

The NEXT Baby Boutique Model Competition, in association with Prima Baby magazine, is looking for Britain’s cutest and most photogenic infants aged from newborn up to 36 months (born 19 November 2007 or later) — to be split over two categories: from birth up to 18 months, and from 19 months up to 36-months.

The competition is taking place on Next’s Facebook page.  Just visit the ‘Baby Competition’ tab and submit your entry using the simple on screen instructions.  Entrants will have their pictures posted in an online gallery and a public vote will determine the top 24 babies (12 from each age category) – all of whom will be invited to the photo shoot finale. 

Winners will receive £500 of Next vouchers, a 12-month modelling contract with Urban Angels and take part in a photoshoot for NEXT and Prima Baby.

 

So, what are you waiting for?  

 

Go right now, grab your camera and get snapping because they’ve start taking entries from today on through 12 noon on 16th November with voting closing at 12 noon on the 19th November.

A fright …

Yes, I know Halloween is coming, but it’s not that kind of fright I’m talking about.

Although if you are searching for some information for your oompa loompa costume, may I direct you to this blog post that becomes very popular this time of year?

No, the fright I’m talking about is the one only a fellow parent can relate to … one that leaves you panic-stricken, white-faced and sick to your stomach with worry.

Last week, my little one took a tumble-down our flight of stairs. The rest of us have all tripped down them at some point or another, but this was the first time he’s ever done it which is surprising given how young he is and how steep the staircase is. My oldest son saw it happening, but couldn’t get to him quick enough. We all raced to the bottom of the stairs where he was visibly shaken, but otherwise okay. It was a case of him trying to carry too many items down the stairs while playing a game on his iTouch.

Another fright he gave us all was basically a temper tantrum at the dining room table. Upset that he had to stop playing to eat, he pushed his chair away from the table with so much force that the chair went back, child and all. The chair broke, but my baby was fine although he needed lots of consoling.

And, then there was the small issue of a giant pooch that wanted to take a bite out of his little chicken leg, but we won’t go there. *wink*

Is your heart in your stomach yet?

Mine has been for about two weeks. You see, it seemed the very minute my little man turned fouryears old, off he went and became some daredevil performing earth defying, terrifying stunts … just to evoke said frightened look on his mummy.

You would think that with him being my third son, I would have been more than prepared for this “developmental” stage … bubble wrap and plasters at the ready … but for some reason I kinda forgot.

Or, more like I blocked those memories of parenting from the deepest, darkest corners of my mind.

*sigh*

The Gallery … Red

The task for this week’s Gallery is to choose a photograph with the colour red so with Halloween fast approaching it seemed appropriate for me to use this one.

It is from five years ago. 

When friends of all kinds … jedis, vampires, cowboys, ghouls, superheroes and ninjas … came together to trick or treat the night away at my house.

It was just five short years ago, but I can’t believe how they’ve all grown in that time.

I’m calling it Happy Halloween Memories. =)

Musical Monday … I’ll Be There For You

Lately it seems that every song I hear makes me start blubbing away, so for this week’s Musical Monday I’ve chosen a song that always makes me smile.  Plus, it’s the theme song from one of my favourite television shows ever … Friends. 

It’s “I’ll Be There For You” by the Rembrandts … and, yeah … I’m probably still going to sob when I hear it, but it’s how I’m feeling right now.  

So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, your love life’s D O A
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear
When it hasn’t been your day, your week
Your month or even your year but

I’ll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you
(Like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)

You’re still in bed at ten and work began at eight
You’ve burned your breakfast so far things are going great
Your mother warned you there’d be days like these
But she didn’t tell you when the world
Has brought you down to your knees that

I’ll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you
(Like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)

No one could ever know me, no one could ever see me
Since you’re the only one who knows what it’s like to be me
Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with
Someone I’ll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I’m best with you, yeah

It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear
When it hasn’t been your day, your week
Your month, or even your year

I’ll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you
(Like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)

I’ll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you
(Like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)

Are you ready for some football?

This week, football (American) season officially began at my son’s middle school so the other night we all went to see the first game … I hate to admit it, but we didn’t really attend it for the game per se … but to see son #2 who was playing trombone in the band. 

We got to sit in the bleachers which made me feel like I was on Grease … I could have quite possibly broken out in song had I not been chasing my little one up and down them.

 

Thank goodness for junk food and big brother and his mates who kept he who would not sit still occupied so I could chat with a couple of other mums.

The night turned out to be a lot of fun and I’m kicking myself that we’ve never attended a game before now.  We absolutely creamed the competition and the band sounded amazing, especially when they performed “Na Na Na Na, Hey, Hey, Goodbye.”

Of course.

The Gallery … Favourite Photo

This week’s theme for the Gallery is favourite photo.

Favourite photo?

Just what is Tara trying to do to me? 

How on earth could I ever decide on just one?  I have far too many favourite photos … I mean, each time I take a new one I can instantly be heard muttering, ooh that’s my favourite.  Until I take the next one.  Couple that with that fact that I am … erm … a tad bit indecisive,  I’ve declared this week’s task impossible.

Impossible.

So, instead I give you one of my favourite photos …

It is from four years ago when my two older sons really bonded for the first time with their new baby brother.  You can see from this photograph that they are just besotted with him … lost in the moment … like most of us when holding a newborn baby.  When they handed him back to me, my middle son declared “Mum, he smells so good!”

I think we can all agree, right? There’s nothing like that newborn scent to just melt you in your tracks. *sigh*

Now, if only I can remind them of this moment when their little brother is annoying them with his endless chatter and pleas to play with him.

Musical Monday … Solsbury Hill

I’ve chosen a little number by Peter Gabriel for this week’s Musical Monday because it just seems so appropriate for my family at the moment … not sure if you’ve heard of it before … it’s called Solsbury Hill. *grin*

Enjoy!

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night
He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing stretching every nerve
Had to listen had no choice
I did not believe the information
I just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom boom boom
“Son,” he said “Grab your things,
I’ve come to take you home.”

To keep in silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut
So I went from day to day
Tho’ my life was in a rut
“Till I thought of what I’d say
Which connection I should cut
I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going boom boom boom
“Hey” he said “Grab your things
I’ve come to take you home.”
(Back home.)

When illusion spin her net
I’m never where I want to be
And liberty she pirouette
When I think that I am free
Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes but still can see
No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me
Today I don’t need a replacement
I’ll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going boom boom boom
“Hey” I said “You can keep my things,
They’ve come to take me home.”

Summer leaves …

I awake early and instantly know it’s arrived.

That first chill in the air.

So, while my family is still sleeping  I decide to head outdoors and steal a few moments to myself. 

I love this time of year in Florida when you know that the relentless, unforgiving humidity is coming to an end.   Autumn, fall, harvest … that season between summer and winter.  Call it what you will, but I welcome it with open arms.    

I take a simple walk around my neighbourhood, but it’s with a spring in my step and a song in my heart.  I breathe in deeply, exhale slowly and smile as the crispness of the cool, morning air envelopes me.  My lungs thank me as there is no humidity weighing them down.  I look to the sky and find it is the most gorgeous shade of  blue with barely a cloud to blanket it. 

As I walk, I realise how much I need this change in weather. 

How much it energizes me. 

I find myself wanting to run and twirl and spin like a little girl.

I truly do miss all four seasons and everything that comes with them —  the cooler weather, the rich autumn colours, nights drawing in, falling leaves, harvest festivals, snow, sledging, twinkling nights until finally it’s Christmas.

And, I can’t wait.