I’ll be celebrating each and every one of your lovely evenings with a piccolo of Maggie Beer sparkling.  It not only tastes like the real thing (only a bit zingier) but there will be absolutely no chance of me waking up the next morning with a dry mouth and gauzy brain.  Because ain’t nobody got time for that when it’s going to be a weekend full of responsibility and doing.

First up will be the official start of my auntying duties.  I’ve done a Costco run for newborn nappies for my sister in law and am planning to drop them of to her this weekend as well.  I did get a little misty eyed as I loaded the cartons of tiny nappies under my trolley.  Memories of my own mummy of a newborn days flooded back to me.  Through rose tinted glasses I remember having a baby so small and compact I could (and often did) walk around the house with him draped over my shoulder.  I remember having to support his neck every time I moved him.  How his strangely jolting movements seemed at odds to his blissful little face.

These days I look at Toddler SSG and see a pint sized adult.  He’s always on the go and he’s always got a plan to help him get to what he wants.  And if plan A fails, plan B is invariably the use of all his powers of coercion to get me to facilitate a better look inside the fridge, pantry or the high shelf that was hiding the DVDs.

It’s going to be a bitterly cold weekend too so I’ve perfected my sultana to milk and brown sugar ratio for the bowls of stick to your ribs porridge I’m going to be eating for breakfast for the next few days.

Following on from my convection oven post, I bring you a tip from one of my aunties via Facebook Messenger.  If you line the bottom of the oven bowl with baking paper, it helps cut down on cleaning time.  All you need to do is change the paper frequently and then give the bowl a wipe with a microfibre cloth every once in a while.

Some of the eleven secret herbs, spices and cheeses that go into the SSG Manor house chicken strip coating.

It was timely advice because I’ve just made a huge batch of chicken strips for Toddler SSG and they’re going to be on high rotation for dinner over the next few weeks.

Also on the agenda this weekend will be mid morning breaks at our favourite cafes.  When the sun does decide to rise these days, it also comes bearing a delicious warmth to the piercing blue skies.  It’s one of life’s simple pleasures to be able to stop whatever urgent bit of house work you were doing and walk out the front door and then up the road to a favourite cafe, all the while feeling that warmth on your face and on your arms through the layers of thermals and fleece outerwear.

www.goodreads.com

I’m reading a new novel that might of interest to you if you’ve been as captivated as I have been with ‘Gone Girl’ and ‘The Girl on the Train’.  The novel is called ‘Disclaimer’ and the genre ‘domestic noir’ (the cynicism and dangerous sexual liaisons that shatter the seemingly perfect lives of the beautiful, wealthy and successful in their idyllic suburban communities).

‘Disclaimer‘ tells the story of Catherine as she begins to read a novel that disturbingly begins to sound that it’s telling a story that’s alot like her life.  I’ve only just begun reading myself but the premise and the narrative structure have already reeled me in.  In addition to Catherine’s narrative, we also have that of Stephen Brigstocke, a widowed teacher who left his profession awkwardly after humiliating a student with his assessment of the child’s essay.  Just what Catherine and Stephen are to each other remains to be seen as is the nature of the incident at the centre of the book that has made the author create such a strong desire in their characters for revenge.

I think I’ve just confused myself with that last sentence.

Anyway.  Know what I’ll be reading in bed when it only hits 14C on Sunday.

Stay warm and have a lovely weekend.