I'm back! hmmm, and what's on now TV ratings are back?

After an hiatus, I'm back. I was very busy and lost motivation frankly. But it's a new year, and although I was thinking of canning the blog, I find myself with some interest still. So to start the year the way I mean to go on, a list of the new shows to TV I plan to try out (new to us Aussies that is).

(A brief pause while I retrieve the TV guide from the black hole that is Bhaer's side of the bed)

ABC
Angry Boys - latest Chris Lilley - who I find funny though I find myself spending too much time cringing -there is an unpleasant side to the humour. So we will see.

Art Nation - weekly wrap up

Kevin Mcloud's Grand Tour - oh love my architecture mediated through Kevin.

Life at 5 - well I've got one, so I will want to compare with other 5 year olds...
Poh's kitchen - Masterchef runner up cooking show.
Strictly speaking - public speaking contest. Public speaking is an underrated art.

SBS
Gourmet Farmer - ex SMH food critic goes rural.

9

Winter Olympics

10
The Good wife - Us political scandal - like my US political shows!
Hawke - our own ex PM bio series. With some politicos this would be boring, but Hawke lived as if he was wanting a biopic.
Masterchef and Junior masterchef - the addiction continues!
Modern Family - twisted comedy

Lifestyle (which I don't have!!!! what will I do???)
Grand Designs Australia - love the UK version, so will take a gander at this on the in laws TV.

Check out http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/ - I just discovered this site and have found it great for the latest on TV and film.

Sparky's five

Sparky turned 5 on Friday. In time honoured tradition (well from last year) - I give you a happy birthday post with youtube. Here is the song Sparky wants every night - I have to admit I make up my own words (which usually involve both boys' names and lots of love yous).Sparky, you are so inquisitive, kind, affectionate, talkative, intelligent and friendly - I love you greatly.

Gleek alert

Let me confess:

I am a gleek.

Recipe meme response

Cecily gave a recipe for charcoal corn cobs, all the way from Pakistan. Yum!

Easiest risotto ever (in answer to a meme)

Prue tagged me for a recipe meme she was tagged for by Nicole.

The idea is you take at least one ingredient the same as the tagger's recipe and put up a new recipe on your blog.

Rules:
Choose one ingredient from my recipe and post a recipe using this ingredient on your blog, linking back to the previous blogs that have posted a recipe.
- Then tag four new people, and we will see how it grows.
- To keep it exciting please post within a week of receiving the tag

Prue did a moroccan chicken casserole
Nicole did a creamy chicken casserole.
Ally ( the origin) did an apple and pumpkin risotto

I'm going with the oil or garlic or stock (take your pick).

I've chosen a baked risotto, as someone who loves risotto but really can't always be bothered standing there stirring. This is easy and yummy comfort food.

Baked lemon & basil risotto. Serves 4 by itself or 6 with meat.

2 tbs olive oil or the spray if watching fat
2 leeks sliced
grated rind of one lemon.
2 crushed garlic cloves
2 cups arborio rice
6 cups of vegetable or chicken stock (This is the trick - by adding more liquid - a 3 to 1 rather than 2 to 1 ratio, you can put it in the oven and leave - give it a go with other risottos)
at least 1/2 cup torn basil, or more to taste
at least 1/4 cup grated parmesan or more to taste
salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Preheat oven to 200 C
Heat oil in frypan over medium heat. Add leek, garlic and rind and fry til soft
Put in casserole dish and add rice and stock and stir. Cover and bake 40 mins at least, or until at texture you desire.
Remove and stir in basil and parmesan and season to taste. Sit a couple of minutes to thicken and then serve.

Options:
Instead of parmesan, use a slice of brie on top.
Can add chicken in if precooked.
Can serve with veal/pork/fish/salad.
Put some white wine in instead of some of the stock.

Adapted from a Donna Hay recipe.

I tag Kristen, Cecily, Mim and Andrew - only if you want to. And Cecily and Andrew cause wanted to see the difference between what the husband puts and what the wife puts!!!

No ideas what to post, so here is a photo

Totally out of inspiration. So look at my boys - Sparky (almost 5) behind Scout (almost 2 3/4).

eccentricity

My 2 year old, Scout, just gave me an insight into how others might see me. He brought me over my new box of cotton buds and said yours Mummy! and proceeded to get me some out. I realised I am the only person in the house that uses them. And I use them fairly frequently - I don't like the feeling of dirty waxy ears. And then realised it is probably odd to keep them in the living room. Which I seem to have got into the habit of recently- I hasten to add we have a small bathroom without much storage room. I had an image of myself as an elderly lady with my economy sized pack of cotton buds, a house littered with used buds scattered everywhere, and trying to give them away to any visitors.

And I realised this was a possible eccentricity. And started to wonder what other eccentricities I had. There is the not liking socks thing, as it feels my feet can't breathe, just for starters.

Btw, Scout has been sick the last 2 days but seems to be on the mend. And I have been very busy, hence only 4 posts for August!