Time for a change – my big 4-0
My husband loves this picture of Nanny Clarke 🙂
Hi everyone
I have been offline for some weeks now and I’m sorry if I haven’t responded to your comments or been to visit your blogs.
It’s been a turbulent April/May which has sadly included a family funeral.
My husband’s Nanny passed away after a few tough months of poor health. She is in a better place now and while I wasn’t close to her, it’s upsetting nonetheless to lose anyone you know.
In truth, April has never been a kind month in my books.
25 years ago, I lost my second brother (in April too) when he crashed my mom’s car late at night in Singapore. Before you think I’m sinking into morbid depression, I’m not. It has been 25 years, life does go on, and that’s what can be quite difficult to wrap one’s head around – that life does actually go back to ‘normal’, and quite easily too because how time flies!
My brother Linus – the best looking dude in the world 🙂
Anyway, during these past weeks, I’ve basically lost a bit of my cooking/writing momentum and decided a short break was needed to re-group, re-charge and re-energise myself, and I’ve used the time to re-think what I want thebigfatnoodle to be about.
To top it off, this coming weekend will see another two major milestones taking place because:
1) I turn 40 tomorrow;
2) a week or so after that, thebigfatnoodle blog actually celebrates its first birthday too.
On turning 40, I can’t believe I’ve managed to live this long and not killed myself from regular alcohol abuse (joke mum!) and general clumsiness.
On thebigfatnoodle, I also can’t believe I’ve stuck at the blog and have done what I set out to do, which was to start writing.
So, with all of these developments in mind, my post today is a look to the future and to what I’m planning to do for myself and for thebigfatnoodle.
Me and my husband just a few months ago. Tomorrow I will be 40!! :))
I’ve been away but it doesn’t mean I haven’t been cooking or eating. This is a fougasse I learnt to make last weekend when I went on a baking course.
On thebigfatnoodle…
In all honesty, I was running myself a bit ragged trying to post 3 recipes a week and I’ve decided that’s really not what I want to keep doing. I love what I do but I don’t want to burn out here just trying to keep up to my own rigid schedule. So, I’ve decided to cut back on the recipe blogging and only post recipes when I think I’ve hit on something really, really special. The first of these will be posted next week, after I’ve recovered from my 40th celebrations this weekend. 🙂
This is Maria, my baking teacher. I went on her baking course and I can safely say that my day out learning to bake with her was what got me out my doldrums and back onto my computer and thebigfatnoodle.
The other reason why I’m going to cut down on the recipe blogging is because I’m thinking about trying to run a food stall this year at one of our local food festivals or at a farmer’s markets. I’ve a couple of bigfatnoodle recipes and products I’d like to test out on the public (real people… eek!) and I’m still trying to psyche myself up to do it. I therefore need to devote some time to learning about food health & safety, food production, applying for a stall, getting enough food cooked, etc
If I don’t give it a go now, I’m never going to, so here goes…!
The big 4-0
Seriously, I’m only turning 40. It’s really not a big deal for me. Frankly what’s more depressing is that with the retirement age currently hovering at around 65, I’ve realised I haven’t even worked half the amount of time that I’m meant to. I’d take getting older over working any day. Besides, getting older is hardly something one can control anyway, right?
I made these banana cupcakes after we came back from the funeral. They were lovely and I will post the recipe soon.
But what I do want to do is keep making sure I try new things and keep my mind as active as possible, hence my idea about trying to run a food stall.
I’m also going to turn my hand to some other kinds of writing, and in the last 3 weeks, I’ve started to outline a book I want to try and write. I’ve even written the opening chapter already… 🙂 Typically, I’m going to say no more to you about this until I actually get this book completed. It might end up nowhere but I’m quite excited about it, which feels great. Again, wish me luck!
We’re going to visit some mini schnauzer breeders. I pulled this picture from this website: http://bit.ly/IxPKHC
Last but not least, some of you already know that it’s our intention to find a puppy to join our family this year. Our search continues and I will continue to keep all of you updated. We have struggled to find a local breeder to visit but someone nearby has finally gotten in touch, and we’re off to see the mummy and daddy dogs in late May.
I also made a chocolate strawberry pavlova recently which I’ll share with you in due course too.
Which takes me full circle…
With so much to do, and so little time, I just wanted to end by saying hello again.
I am ‘back’ (albeit in a slightly different form in the months to come), and I hope you’ve all been keeping safe, warm and well in the meantime. I promise too to visit all your blogs soon, and reply to all the comments that have been left these last 3 weeks – I have felt horribly guilty for being absent but at least now you know why.
With love
Thebigfatnoodle
PS – while I was on my mini blog ‘sabbatical’, Thelegaltart nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger award. It’s the second time I’ve received this and I’m genuinely very touched so thank you!
thebigfatnoodle 
My condolences on your family loss.
40’s not bad. I turned 40 last year, and other than being able to shock people by telling them I was 40…nothing changed.
Early Happy Birthday to you!
Condolences on your losses and congrats on the pending birthday — looking forward to your special recipes – you’ll have to post updates on the food stall progress!
Happy 40th Birthday! Three posts a week is a lot to keep up with. I agree with you on aging versus working — I’d be happy never to work again, but I have to live on something. Look forward to seeing your new format — whatever, whenever. — Sharyn
A puppy for your birthday!! happy birthday honey, sorry to hear about gran. Actually things don’t really go back to normal they just kind of sweep on and you adjust to the new knowledge.. Give yourself time.. and remember to have some fun too when you are ready.. love c
Happy Birthday. Have a great day 🙂 Love the look of that strawberry chocolate pavlova.
Firstly Happy Birthday, I hope you have a truly splendid cake filled day!
And how exciting about your new ventures and plans. Go for it, and now I’m looking forward to hearing about it all 🙂
Sorry to read of your family’s loss.
Well, you certainly aren’t going to take reaching the big 4 – 0 sitting down. Happy birthday and good luck with the food stall!
Happy birthday! I like that you are focusing in the future, that’s the spirit 🙂 Welcome back.
Hi from Australia – to wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Congratulations on the blog and good luck with your future cooking and writing plans. Look forward to hearing about the puppy which will surely add a whole new dimension to your lifestyle! Love from your Aussie Relies – David and Alice
What a lovely heart felt blog. Firstly, I’m sorry for the loss April has dealt you. Secondly, I hope I look as amazing and young as you at 40! Thirdly, I too cut down from 3 posts a week after a break. I wish I had time to do 3, but that is life and it’s more important to live what you’re doing than kill it with high expectations. And lastly, welcome back 🙂
I hope that June is a better month for you. Stay positive my dear fat noodle. We only get better as we age. Happy 40th. Take care, BAM
Happy belated birthday!
So sorry for your loss, and it has been a turbulent spring for so many. But, you are celebrating an important milestone and Happy 40th Birthday to you, Noodle. It’s so important to have balance in your life and it sounds like you know this and are making it happen. I find it impossible to post more than twice a week for that reason, and it’s all good. Give you more to say, hopefully when you do! Cheers to you and I hope great things come out of your new ventures.
I am looking forward to hearing about your venture into running a food stall. It is something that I have considered in the past, but the Australian world of rules and licencing is just a bit too complicated….
You are too young to be 40! I find it a little ironic at time when sad news and good news co-mingle in a few months time. Have a Great Week!
I am so sorry to hear of your husband’s nanna, those are indeed tough times and bring to mind losses over the years. Turning the big 4-0 meant a lot of reconciliation for me, where I am and where I thought I would be when I started this marry-go-round. I found my 40’s one of the best times (still is thank goodness) and I hope you can find some solace in that.
Looking forward to getting back into your blog. I wish you the happiest of all Birthdays!
A belated happy birthday! It sounds like this birthday is one where you are thinking about what happens next. The food stall, writing a book….wow, those are some aspirations, and it will be interesting to hear how your efforts progress. Go for the gusto!