Turns out I am a cougar!

Murder on the Dance Floor

It was rather serendipitous that I blogged about the cougar on Friday, as it turns out I am one!  (In the event Hubby reads my blog, for the record, this is purely because of my age (now 40!) and not sexual escapades with younger men.)

I was out in the 'big city' of Parkes on Saturday night.  Five mums, myself included, with no kids or curfew!

The overall experience left me feeling a tad cougar'ish because I swear the average patron age was 12, therefore, realistically, I could have been someones nana.

Oh, and I mustn't forget one of the mums clearing out the kids toys and booster seats from her car so we could all pile in and move to the next venue.    Smooth.

Yes, I suppose I have to acknowledge things may have changed a tiny bit from my party girl days.  However, this cougar gave it her best shot and didn't get home until 3.30 am -- after the 'ugly lights' came on at the bar just so you know.

I may be a cougar now, but I can still keep up with the kittens (or cubs)!

The Cougars

(Ms Maple on left)

Beverages of the Night

We decided to go with a lime theme ... we mixed it up a bit as the night progressed ... good idea???

Mojito

The Bacardi website offers a great video and recipe for this Cuban classic.

Japanese Slipper




1 part Midori melon liqueur

1 part Cointreau orange liqueur

1 part lime juice

Combine equal parts of each ingredient in a cocktail glass. Stir, and serve.

Gordon's Gin & Tonic

Check out the Gordon's website for the 'perfect G&T recipe'.  I love the new labels designed by Terence Conran -- not fair that the bottles are only available in the UK!

And to rehydrate on Sunday due to a boozy evening and no sleep

Coconut Water - Nature's tropical hydrator

Hmm... I know this stuff is the rage, but I think I prefer coconut water served in a coconut with a splash of rum.

Anyhow, it was good to get out with my fellow cougars ... I never knew Parkes had a nightlife!  Crazy!!!

Friday Trivia: The Cougar

Cougar - Felis Concolor

Like last week, a reminder that I never promised classy, delicate posts.  So, here's a bit of trivia for you that I learned this week.

I have been trying to curtail Master J's cartoon time.  If he wants to watch TV, he's allowed to watch NatGeo Wild or Animal Planet ... educational stuff.

Well, did you know that cougars copulate approximately 50 times a day over the course of 24 hours to two weeks?!? Let's do the math shall we...

50 x 14 = 700!!!

There's a whole lot of copulating happening in them there hills!

I'm purrty sure that this would be an occasion to use, "Not tonight honey, I have a headache."

"Hey, gorgeous.  What are you doing for the next two weeks?"

[Wink-wink!]

Enjoy your weekend!!!

And the Oscar goes to…

.... the BEST-EVER Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies!!!

These cookies are Mrs Fields kind of chewy.  You must bake yourself a batch!!!

I made a batch before Baby A and I sat down and watched the E! Live from the Red Carpet followed by the 2013 Oscars.  (I’ll get to that later.)

I can thank Pinterest for featuring the recipe pinned by the Apple A Day blog:

Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

barely adapted from Anna Olson, Food Network Canada

Ingredients

3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. granulated sugar

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 c. all purpose flour

2 tsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.

3.  Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.

4.  Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges.  (The tops will not brown, but do NOT cook longer than ten minutes.)

5.  Let cool, on the sheet, on a wire rack for five minutes.  Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely.  Makes approximately 3 dozen.  Try not to eat them all.

If you're in Australia, make sure your corn starch (aka corn flour) is corn-based.
I finally discovered after several recipe flops that some corn flour here is actually
wheat-based -- not the same!  This box of corn starch was sent to me by my Mamma.
 She's the best!

Note my lovely labelled flour canister in the background.
This was a result of my De-clutter, De-stress post.
I found the label template on the US Better Homes & Gardens website.
Laminated at the office (miss that machine); stuck to the lid with velcro dots.  I'm good!

We did 1/2 a cup of caramel bits + 1/2 milk chocolate chips
Fab combo!

I like big cookies & used my faithful ice cream scoop that slides the dough out.
I need a new one and can't find the same type of thing - help! 

I left my cookies in the oven for 10 minutes.
You have to follow the recipe to the t re cooling.
These delicious morsels will break easily until they're cooled -- that's how chewy they are!

Cookie time coincided with Nespresso order arriving in the post.
I had George Clooney right here in my kitchen -- didn't need the Oscars!
Love the pod colors - perfect for Autumn, which starts tomorrow
in the Southern Hemisphere.

Mummy time out: coffee & cookie - heaven!

Baby A playing with the Nespresso boxes - free fun!

Barney-Google & Baby A interrupting my Mummy time.
Can't be mad when you look at those two faces - adorable!

Now, the Oscars...

Since I'm sure you've watched and read enough about best dressed, etc., I will just say that I am thrilled that Ang Lee won best director for a film based on such an incredible book written by Canadian author, Yann Martel.  (Miss Sophs: I know you will be happy too!)

I haven't seen the film yet [or any of the other Oscar contenders (gasp!)]. Parkes has no movie theatre (?!?) -- but I'll rent them all via iTunes when they're available.  I have so much free time (ha!). 

The only fashion/gossip bit I'll mention, is I really do like Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner.  They seem to be, well, 'real' - rare for Hollywood and nice to see.  I thought they were the most gorgeous couple of the night!

Source (all Ben & Jen photos): Pop Sugar Australia

Baby A has just awoken, so must run!  Happy Thursday!!!

xxx