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I hope your holidays are filled with joy and delicious food. Here is the menu for our Christmas dinner-
Gourges from Ina Garten
Crusted Pumpkin Wedges with Sour Cream from Plenty: Vibrant Recipes from London's Ottolenghi
Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms from Smitten Kitchen
Fresh greens tossed in a red wine shallot vinaigrette
Salted Chocolate Tart (shown above) from Sunset Magazine
Bon Appetit all!
The United States of America is an emotional subject.
The Listening Project is not a new film but it was new to me (the film is available to watch instantly on Netflix). Although the film was released in 2008, conversations are relevant today.
The Listening Project documents a handful of Americans that travel the world and listen to How people in other cultures perceive the USA. Conversations are held in pubs, schools, on the streets, and in homes.
This is a super documentary to watch after a delicious Christmas dinner. Be sure to have cookies and tea ready, I promise there will be a lot to discuss.
Read more about the book below or jump straight to Amazon: The Book of Questions for New Parents
When we arrived in Australia, I had an idea banging around in my head that I wanted to explore. As a new parent, I longed for a parenting book that would prompt discussion with my partner and inspire us to establish our own family culture.
Hence, the idea took shape for The Book of Questions for New Parents.
A lot of the questions in this book are examples of real life discussions that my husband Rich and I have faced. Rich and I have been married for almost 18 years and we have three children: Pixel, Robert and Beckett. In truth, we often disagree when it comes to parenting styles.
A seemingly simple topic like, "Boxed sugar cereal and should we serve it to our children for breakfast," will send us into a heated debate about sugar, processed food, health, and good habits.
Rich and I have very different ideas and we are not unique. After countless hours chatting with other moms in neighborhood parks and assorted mom and kid hangout spots, people in the same house oftentimes have very different approaches to parenting.
When it comes to differences, a good conversation can result in a clear solution.
It is my hope that The Book of Questions for New Parents will elicit thoughtful conversations in relationships–conversations that will lead to a resolute understanding, a clarity of purpose and a strong family.
Sunday morning, over breakfast, we decided to head to the mountains for a get-away. We chose Lamington National Park as our destination. Lamington National Park is a beautiful Australian rainforest located in Queensland, a three hours drive from Byron Bay.
The mountain get-away was exactly what we all required. We find ourselves restless at moments and when that happens, the best solution is to do a bit of exploring.
Super hiking that was enjoyable for all ages.
Spooky awesome suspension bridges.
Did I mention the suspension bridges were REALLY HIGH???
Treehouse Ladder (from the already high up suspension bridge).
The perfect accomodation includes an outdoor jacuzzi with a view.
We returned to our home-for-now totally recharged.