The bitter sweet end of a holiday.

Alas today is the last day of my holiday.

When I said that to my husband he said 'well not really, there's still the weekend'.  To which I say 'huff'.
A weekend is not a holiday.  A weekend is a weekend.  And it can't be counted as part of a holiday because you have to share it with other people.

The joy of a holiday is getting up late and feeling smug because the majority of the world are already at work.  The joy of a holiday is cracking open a bottle of bubbles at 5pm while people are stuck in rush hour traffic.
The joy of a holiday is going for a walk to the shops at any time of the day and enjoying the fact that people might think you're a big old dole bludger (which I personally have nothing against so long as you're trying to find a job) while you're secure in the knowledge that you pay a shite load of tax every month.
The joy of a holiday is having fish n chips with a beer for lunch.  Which is EXACTLY what I'm going to do today to commemorate the last day of my divine holiday.

Oh and I took a picture of my dwarf dahlias this morning before the bees started buzzing furiously about them (trust me, the bees aren't disappearing they're just all living at my place) ... aren't they pretty?

'I ate all the pies!" said the crazy cat lady

I'm not sure how I feel about Fly Buys points.

On one hand they take so long to accumulate that I don't think they're worth the hassle.

On the other hand once in a blue moon I can cash them in for something fabulous, like my latest acquisition, a pie maker!

Which makes beautiful pies like the one below:

This pie was the Mexican pie, containing leftover beef and bean nacho mix, guacamole and sourcream.  It was divine ... or should I say THEY were divine - nomnom.

I've also made a thai green chicken curry pie (thanks for the tip Susie!) and a leak pie.  All excellent.

OH! and in between pie making I did some cat stalking.  Yes I stalked my cat 'cause I wanted to force a cuddle upon him.  Something he hates me doing which probably explains why he stands very still when he sees me before making his escape.  Anyway he had a new hidey hole to sleep in during the day:

(Look for the shining eye and the cat will be revealed)

There he is!

Anyway upon finding him I chose to do the kind thing and leave him alone ... this time.

I like Cheese

In fact I like cheese is an understatement.

I love cheese.

All sorts of cheese (well mostly, the really pongy blue and I are still circling each other trying to decide if we're friends or not).

I can't got past Mercer without stopping in at the cheese shop and spending too much money on cheese - maasdam, pecorino, gouda ... you name it I'm buying it.

So what does one cheese lover do on their second day of holiday?

They make cheese!!

I used Annabelle Langbein's soft cheese recipe (an absolute doddle to make) and it came out beautifully! It's like a rough textured sour cream but tastes very fetta-ish. I could eat it all day ... oh that's right I have been.

I didn't quite nail it ...

Day One of a holiday has to be the best ever.

Your whole holiday is still to come, you've DAYS to relax, the possibilities are endless!

So what did I do?

Made cheese, went for a walk, then sat on the couch for about five hours watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes while supping on the grape stuff. A good time.

In between all that I went to see the lovely Lucy and had a manicure (thanks to the husband for providing the voucher). Deciding to try something different I chose a purple shade to adorn my nails. Perhaps not the best idea I've ever had. I feel like I ought to be a member of the Misfits from Jem. Or an extra on Outrageous Fortune. Even the lovely Lucy suggested that next time I might try a darker shade or red ...

I'm on HOLIDAY!!

One week of bliss.

I'll garden.

I'll cook.

I'll spend endless hours surfing the interweb.

I'll drink tea in the morning.

I'll drink wine in the evening.

I'll watch trashy television.

And I might even do a bit of exercise.

Oh and I'll sell clothing on Trade Me to make up for the clothing I bought at the market (a jacket, a jumper and a 'rugby' top ... and the clothing i bought on asos.co.uk that my husband doesn't know about, ha!)

Happy days!!

A wee change of plans ...

Now I know I'm not meant to be buying any clothing this year ...

BUT

... a friend of mine has been raving about a clothing store at a local market - beautiful pieces for $3 or so.

SO

Tomorrow I'm going shopping!! And if I DO buy anything I'll put the equal amount of clothing up for auction on Trade Me.

That's not cheating is it??

A Whole Week!!

Well it's been a whole week without shopping.

And I'm not going to lie, it's been hard.

Walking through Malls and arcades and down Queen Street, with SALE signs shouting at me to come in and try on clothing at a reduced price. Racks of clothing with "$20 or less" signs waving at me to run my hand over them.

But I'm pleased and proud to say that I resisted all that temptation. And it's already showing on my bank account!! The way I'm going I may even be able to pay off a bit of my credit card debt. I only have a little, but I hate having any.

What did I buy this week (apart from food)? Pink sheets. Candy floss pink. They are hilarious. I think I hate them. But I think I may come to love them.