OrganiSed Chaos

Some fairy dust for Miss Stella as she goes home today.
Yes, after more than 3 long weeks, finally the words we’ve been waiting to hear.
As I type, she is having the stitches out of her knee.
Her drip was the first thing to go, which I’m sure she was pleased to see the back of.
I know her mother was, and so are we.
I’m not able to express what I’m feeling, but I can tell you it’s very warm and fuzzy inside me right now.
There have been many sleepless nights, unwanted thoughts and worries, and that’s just Mark and I.
As a parent, I can only imagine the emotional roller coaster Tash and Stick have been on, and that’s not to mention the logistics of the last 3 weeks.
There are 4 children in the family I speak of, and a father who has needed to be all things to the 3 boys while Tash was with Stella in hospital, one of which was quite some distance from home.
Tonight I’ll sleep well knowing this precious little girl is home in her own bed, and that Tash will be able to tuck all the kids in before she goes to sleep in her own bed, safe in the knowledge her family are where they belong.
Together and at home.
Mark, it was only a few hours late, but you did get that phone call you wanted so badly

Happy birthday my precious.
I hope your day is full of nothing but sunshine and smiles, and that you get that phone call you want so badly.
Tonight we shall wine and dine, and, well, let’s leave the rest unsaid shall we?
Don’t want to be upsetting the kiddies now do we???
Having said that, I’m sure the picture already has them covering their eyes!

53?
And here was you thinking it would be a lucky thing if you got to 50.
Enjoy your day {and your night} and know I look forward to celebrating many more of your birthdays with you.
Always remember, I love you no matter what.
Now, most of you would think that’s the end of the post, yes?
Wrong.
It’s someone else’s birthday as well.
A special friend I found through blogging has a birthday today as well{yes, blogging has been very good to me}
I find it ironic I’ve never known anyone who has a birthday on the same day as Mark until I met her too.
Blondie, I hope your day is relaxing, full of family, love and good food, and that your night is X rated!!!
Have a good one honey.
*mwah*
Love you.
I got you a pressie, and he even bought his own rubber with him!
Hope you like him!

Little Miss Stella has been in hospital for 10 days, much to everyone’s dismay.
What started as a temperature due to an infection in her knee joint has morphed into 2 operations, an IV for antibiotics, painkillers, regular blood tests, and now, a blood transfusion.
When I’m troubled, worried, or distressed, or if something comes from deep inside me, I use fairies.
This fairy is for a very precious little girl.
We don’t see a lot of Tasha’s 4 children, but we were lucky enough to spend a week with them at Christmas.
Inside 5 minutes this little minx had wrapped us around her little finger.
She is not the apple of her mothers eye.
Oh no!
In her mothers words “She’s the whole bloody tree”
The youngest of 4, and the only girl.
An unexpected little girl in a family of boys, and oh so very, very loved.
This fairy is to keep her safe, help her heal, send her home to her loving parents and brothers, and to put this trying time behind her.
Tash has been beside her every step of the way, and the strength she has shown is nothing less than remarkable, and makes me swell with pride.
To see another of my daughters go through hell with one of their children has me sleepless, restless and decidedly difficult to get along with.
Being so far away is very difficult, and I’ve had to fight the urge to fly down.
With Mel it was different.
I could be there and hold her when she needed to be held, soothe if I could and give her a shoulder to lean on.
Not this time.
Maybe with the posting of Stella’s fairy, sleep will come, fairy dust will surround this precious little girl and hopefully some magic will help her, and her mother, along?
I pray it does.

It’s Australia day here today.
That day of the year when we celebrate living in this magnificent country of ours.
For the non Aussies among us, I give you some history on the day itself, so you have some idea of what I’m waffling about.
We have many, many reasons to be grateful in our country, and many have explained it far better than I ever can, so this is just to say:

AUSSIE
OI
AUSSIE
OI
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!!!
OI OI OI!!!

Celebrate being Australian!
If you’re short of a quid, knock on the next door neighbours front door, cos he’s sure to have a few snags on the barbie, and will doubtlessly share them, whether he likes you or not.
It’s just the Australian way after all.
Have a fabulous day people.

Not exactly sure who looks the happiest here, Poppy or Zoe.
It’s hard to tell I think.
There is nothing quite like the bond between grandfather and granddaughter is there?
I must give credit to Kelly for the pic, which was taken at Christmas.
There were many more she took, but this is my favourite, if for nothing other than the happiness that is evident in both of them.

I’ve never been one to post recipes on my blog other than when a request was made or a question asked.
So, I thought, just for a change of pace, I would.
The biggest problem once this decision was made however, was to choose a recipe.
A salad?
Nah!
Too common.
A roast?
A roast isn’t something that really needs a recipe, and I’m not much into cakes or sweet things, so I looked to my favourite foods of all time.
I’m a chicken freak, I love Indian/Asian food, and chili is one of my favourite ingredients, so the logical choice was Chili Chicken of course.
The recipe you see below is one that has been made in my kitchen more times than you could count, and there is little left once we eat.
Maybe a little for lunch the next day, but not too often.
Feel free to copy and paste, then print it out and try it.
If you like your food with some authority, this is for you, trust me!
The chili can be made more or less depending on taste is what I like about it.
I use bucket loads, others use just enough to give them a little taste.
It’s entirely a matter of choice.
The simple method for this is one of the reasons I love making it.
So few steps involved you may think you missed something.
Trust me, you didn’t.
It really is that simple.
So here we go.
One of my favourites.

Ingredients:
4 -6 chicken thighs {you could substitute breasts or a whole chicken cut into serving pieces if you prefer}
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
3 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp garam masala
3 tbsp red chili powder
chopped habanero chilies to taste {as many as you want, and with or without seeds depending on the heat you want to create. I use 5 or 6 ordinarily, and leave the seeds in}
2 tbsp finely chopped shallots
2 tbsp finely chopped onions
Dried red chili pods {again, as many as you want and with or without seeds depending on the heat you want}
Chicken stock to taste {I say this because how much you use is dependent on how much juice you like. I like lots so tend to use a lot of stock}
salt and sugar to taste

Marinate chicken with red chili powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala spice. Set aside {as with anything, the longer you marinate it, the better…i do mine overnight}
Stir-fry the minced shallots, onions, coriander, mustard seeds, chilies, and dried chili pods till fragrant. Add chicken and pan fry on both sides until nicely browned.
Add water, salt and sugar to taste. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes OR until fully cooked.
Serve with boiled/steamed rice.