"It" (we are not in Kansas anymore moment) still happens....

 After 3.5 years, "IT" still happens....

For the first year we lived here,  (2007-2008) my must have magazines were shipped over from the Promised Land.  Every fortnight, I waited anxiously, for my gigantic UPS envelope to arrive at hubbys office.

I kept up on all the new and upcoming: movies, books, CDS, DVDS, and sales (I could never attend).  I spent hours enjoying my trashy movie star (People) news, gossip, and glamourous red carpet dresses.  The Good Housekeeping seal of approval and every seasonal idea of Martha Stewart and Cooking Light were read and re-read.

While they (CL) were featuring "Fresh Fast Healthy Recipes For Spring," I was embracing fall and longing for comfort food. A new take on mac and cheese, rare roast beef and tator tot hotdish.  Ultimately, Cooking Light, made me realize I couldn't have America, in this very NON America place.

It was time to get off the BOAT that was always sailing for the "Promised Land."

I traded in my Cooking Light for Delicious and Donna Hay, however,  I continued to be frustrated with the metric system and my lack of conversion knowledge.  It finally occurred to me to buy a kitchen scale - Knowing what I know now - the scale would have been my first purchase (even before my fancy dancy coffee machine)!  We all enjoyed many meals after this - and I got rid of my ever present frustration with cooking and started to enjoy - experimenting!  Today, I know conversions.  Okay, my conversion knowledge is basic and only good in the kitchen, but I know..... and when I don't.... I get my scale back out!

Since CL was on the cancel list and the GFC (Global Financial Crisis) caused everyone to trim the excess....I decided it was time to cut all imported magazines....I would just have to WAIT until it came to Australia....I would learn of a new movie when it came out in the theaters (many many months later than in the USA), the latest fashion trends would always be real late and I would never know the new fancy gizmos GH sealed with their approval!  I would WAIT!!!!   After all, there are 22 million people in Australia that wait!   It wasn't easy and I suffered many days of separation anxiety.  Especially, when Brother was young and we would spend hours in the playroom or his nap in the car.

I use magazines for when I don't have the time required to invest in a book.  They are easy to pick up, throw down and require no committment.

Recently, a dear friend gave me her imported copy of Martha Stewart Real Simple Magazine.  I delighted in it!  I even found a NEW recipe for Grape Nut cookies...Hey, don't judge the kids and I loved GN!

Today went something like this.....

I decided we would bake the cookies after school, what a great way to warm up on a chilly, rainy day!

With my recipe in hand, I found myself standing in Coles, staring at the cereals....up and down the aisle I went and back again - every shelf, with every box of cereal was looked at (they have a thousand kinds of Weet Bix)... I stood there for a couple of minutes mentally scanning all the aisles of the store (I don't know about anyone else, but I struggle for logical order on their stores)  maybe it was in the "natural" section or the "speciality" aisle.....Hmmmm... After checking each of the special sections - I had my moment.....

The moment "IT" occurred to me that THEY don't have GRAPE NUTS readily available in Australia, I had in hand an American recipe!!!!!  

I had a good laugh at myself and soldiered on with the rest of my day.  I no longer carry around my disappointment - like years before.  I guess its all a part of accepting
"HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS."

I had to ring up the hubby to tell him that after all this time "IT" still happens!  I am not sure how to describe the "IT" moment, other than when "IT" happens you know.

PS  If your in Australia and dying for your Grape Nuts (or whatever you fancy from the Promised Land)  you can order it online from USA FOODS  - there was a day I would have gone down that path, but thats not the case anymore.  


On a magazine note:

God Bless, Steve Jobs!

Many Thanks to my SIS for her digital subscription!  Now, I can get PEOPLE magazine anywhere in the world!

I have years to catch up on!