summer BBQ – Audpodge and Blither Blather

We’ve been tip-toeing up to summer all through September, but every warm day we had was immediately followed by coats and boots or frozen rainy weather. Friday, though, brought the sunshine, and we’ve had 28-35*C days since. I’ve been reaching for flip flops and shorts, not boots and jeans. It’s still light outside at 7 PM. And at midnight, with the windows closed and the fan off, it still gets so warm that I sweat on my upper lip.

And with that, I’m calling it: summer is officially here. And I’m not dreading it like I did last year!

This optimism is mostly because I’m not having back to back summers this year. Or maybe I’m excited to not freeze every day when I’m at work (where the heater was functioning maybe 5 days out of the entire winter). Regardless of where this summer excitement is coming from, it’s a welcome change. Maybe I’ve just been glued to my couch for too long in grey, rainy weather (see: last post regarding funks), but I stepped outside in the warm sunshine on Friday morning and I just felt glad to be alive – warm weather AND a three day weekend? Heck yes.

Despite First Day of Flip Flops sore feet (why is the first day just terrible), and killing myself trying to walk up a hill (frighteningly out of shape) it was a banner weekend. And I’m 100% sad to go back to work tomorrow.

I ran out of all my toiletries in September. New Toiletry Day = Best Day.

I was told that "shrimp" or prawns, as they're called here, never go on the barbie. And these are called "skewers" not kebabs/kebobs. It was like everything I thought I knew was wrong. — I was told that “shrimp” or prawns, as they’re called here, never go on the barbie. And these are called “skewers” not kebabs/kebobs. It was like everything I thought I knew was wrong.

Joel's Nan always brings articles and clippings to show him. It's adorable. — Joel’s Nan always brings articles and clippings to show him. It’s adorable.

And she showed us this pic of her in the 80's holding a snake. FIERCE. — And she showed us this pic of her in the 80’s holding a snake, while wearing a gold turban. FIERCE.

MEAT FIRE! Joel showed me the continuous shooting function, and I got amazing shots of the grill catching fire (the meat was unharmed)

lazy Sunday cookie baking (and maybe the last day until March where it’s not too hot to turn on the oven)

I ate raw berries for the first time this weekend, and it didn't kill me. If I'm not careful, I might start eating better. — I ate raw berries for the first time this weekend, and they didn’t kill me. If I’m not careful, I might start eating better.

lazy Sunday obsessive drawer re-ordering and kitchen clean out.

Labour Day Beach Day! We checked out Balmoral Beach, which is in the harbour, so no scary waves. Just calm, clear water. This meant no panic attacks for Audrey. /victory

The remains of an antique shark net. We swam on the side that doesn't have a net. Whhhoooops — The remains of an antique shark net. We swam on the side that doesn’t have a net. Whhhoooops

the water was perfect, if a little cold. We would have stayed all day if there was a way to not get fried in the sun. — the water was perfect, if a little cold. And there’s rocks and cliffs for exploring. It’s perfect, and one day I’ll be able to walk up the extra steep hill leading to the beach without having a heart attack.

Three day weekends never seem long enough. But at least we got a kick ass summer kick off.

Here’s to more time outside! Here’s to sweating profusely 24/7! Here’s to towels drying without a weird smell on them! Here’s to the return of Spider Watch! And more importantly, here’s to not having to blow dry my hair until April.

Hello, summer. I’ve been surprisingly excited for you to get here*.

*check back in one month, when I’ll be willing to sell a kidney for air conditioning.

Tag: summer BBQ

2019 quarterly review

Summmmmmer