I’ve shared the concept of Dumpling Thursday with you before, and I’m absolutely happy to report that we have continued this delicious concept. I’m currently enroute to our abode, transporting a whole bag-load of the delicious balls of goodness. Giggles Magoo awoke this morning with all sorts of grumbles, but they were quickly forgotten when he somehow remembered that Thursday = Dumpings. Needless to say, if getting a broody and angsty 4 year old out of bed involves dumplings, I am all for the tradition! Anything to get a smile (instead of a whinge) first thing. 

The only draw-back to Dumpling Thursday is the amount of packaging that comes with the purchase – 3 take away containers and a plastic bag (even though I ask for no plastic bag, the habit obviosuly runs strong in the shop from which I purchase, as they always come in a plastic bag)…we are building up quite a supply of takeaway containers; if we continue this tradition we will soon find our humble home inundated with the things. They do always come in handy, but there surely has to be a limit before I become crazy cotainer lady (Grimace may say I’ve already reached that status as we re-use any container that is able to be re-used). 

Thinking about it, I  would dearly love to (attempt) to make my own dumplings, as I’m led to believe they are actually quite easy to make. So, please – if you have a failsafe recipe, I would be stoked if you could share it with me. My limited google research tells me there a lot of recipes out there, but my indecision has made it difficult to know where to start. 
Theverymoodyhousehold has made a really large attempt to reduce our household waste (including consumption and usage), and it is a habit both Grimace and I are proud of. The realisation that our household can make a small difference in the the current consumer-driven world has in part helped me to identify my passion for sustainability in community practice. I also think I am finally starting to understand how this area of interest can drive my professional life – and it involves that old adage:Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It’s only taken me 11 years (or is it 12 years?) since graduating university to finally figure out what career-path I would like to pursue. 

But, for now, I’m smelling these delicious dumplings and just hoping this train will reach hyperspace speed so I can eat dinner with my three loves. Happy Dumpling Thursday to you all xx 

Monday just been was a sort of rostered day off work for me – I realised it had been a while since I had typed a piece for the old blog (read:I was procrastinating on probably house work), so I headed to the coffee shop to smash out a piece. I triumphantly put together what I think was a beautiful post (including all the editing), and instead of publishing it, I thought I would be responsible and upload the post (and the photos) over WiFi when I got home. Fast forward an hour, I get home to upload and what do you know, the draft post has completely disappeared. Poo.  

So instead of procrastinating further and perhaps re-typing a sub-standard post about the wonderful things Theverymoodyhousehold has had going on, I thought I’d share some other random things that are happening:

What I’m listening to:

• Chris Farren (from Fake Problems) and his most recent release Can’t Die. It’s an easy listen, and with his unique lyrics and Como Rivers-esque voice, it’ll leave you tapping along with a smile. Highlight track of the album is Human Being. 
• Cayetana and their 2014 release Nervous Like Me. This all girl band inspires me to keep searching for the ultimate chick-band. Bass lines that kick-ass, and the oh-so sweet voice of the lead singer Augusta Koch, this album comes highly recommended from Theverymoodyhousehold. I saw them live a few weeks back, and they seriously owned the set (and they weren’t even headlining). 
• Camp Cope. It’s true; I’m in love with this all-girl band from Melbourne. I love what they are doing right now, and their tunes have become almost anthemic. I yell them or sing them (I think) sweetly – either way, they open up my heart and are an explict example of why I love music…Australian music at that! I’ve seen them live a few times now (one show much more intimate than the other), and I will do whatever I can do to get to more of their shows. 

What I’m cooking this week (ie. our weekly meal-plan):

• Ground beef and vegetable noodles – Damn Delicious website
• ONE PAN BAKED CHICKEN WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND PARMESAN ASPARAGUS – Damn Delicious website
• Orzo salad with grilled chicken (replace orzo with another grain/pasta) – simply delicious food website
• Lamb, tomato and vegetable skewers – taste.com.au
• Honey and soy chicken skewers with stir fried asian greens – taste.com.au

Snacks: Homemade muesli bars from One Handed Cooks, sans chocolate and more whole nuts/small amount of dried fruit.

Breakfast: Chia Pudding/Overnight Oats 

Exciting activity the coming weekend:

• Date Night: Going to see Violent Soho/The Bronx/Luca Brasi (!!!!!!!!!!!) at The Horden Pavilion, Sydney on Saturday 29 October. The Bronx are a band that I have seen approximately one-trillion times, and it’s their high-energy set and loud Loud LOUD tunes that keep me coming back. Even though they aren’t the main band on the line up, I am sure they will steal the night. Luca Brasi are also a favourite in Theverymoodyhousehold, with Grimace quite often representing them in our attire or music selection. 

Until next time beautiful people xx

I think I’ve blogged before about how Thursday evenings are one of my favourite nights of the week. The best thing about them has recently become even better. I made the delicious discovery of a dumpling bar just near my work. In fact, it is absolutely on my walk to catch the train home…I am kicking myself for walking past it each work day over the last 3 or so years, and never having enough curiosty to think about what the store sells. I can’t get over the number of dumplings I have potentailly missed in my life…distraught!

Every single member of Theverymoodyhousehold can lay a claim in being the Biggest Dumpling Lover – when we have anything resembling a dumpling in the house, said item disapppears faster than the blink of an eye (I was really hoping to use a much cleverer descriptor here, but my brain went blank. Case in point with cleverer). We are (in)famous for traveling to a food market, just for the dumplings. Yum Cha is a well known meal with us, mostly for the access to dumplings and sticky pork buns.

After what can only be described as enlightenment, I’ve decided to embrace the dumpling store in all its glory and each Thursday collect some for the weary dinner that Thursday evenings always seem to produce. After 3 days at daycare, the boys are well and truly exhausted and emotionally fraught; I’m hoping that dumpings are a happiness cure all-round 🙂

Here’s to Thursday night, Dumpling Night. That’s a tradition I love the sound of : )