the fifo wife

Jamie Oliver’s Chicken and mushroom pasta bake.

This isn’t a quick dinner but it can be made ahead and its the perfect freezer meal..

What you will need:

• 20g/a small handful of dried porcini mushrooms

• olive oil • 4 chicken thighs, boned, skinned and cut into bite-sized pieces

• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely sliced

• 350g/2 handfuls of mixed fresh mushrooms, cleaned and torn

• 200ml white wine

• 455g dried spaghetti

• 500ml double cream

• 200g Parmesan cheese, grated

• a sprig of fresh basil, leaves picked

How to:

Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6. Put your porcini mushrooms in a bowl and pour over just enough boiling water to cover them (approx. 150ml/5½fl oz). Put to one side to soak for a few minutes. Heat a saucepan big enough to hold all the ingredients, and pour in a splash of olive oil. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and brown them gently in the oil. Strain the porcini, reserving the soaking water, and add them to the pan with the garlic and fresh mushrooms. Add the wine, with the strained porcini soaking water, and turn the heat down. Simmer gently until the chicken pieces are cooked through and the wine has reduced a little.
Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in plenty of boiling salted water according to the packet instructions and drain well. Add the cream to the pan of chicken, then bring to the boil and turn the heat off. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the drained spaghetti to the creamy chicken sauce and toss well. Add three-quarters of the Parmesan and all of the basil and stir well. Transfer to an ovenproof baking dish or non-stick pan, sprinkle with half the remaining cheese and bake in the oven until golden brown, bubbling and crisp. Divide between your plates, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese before serving.

Thanks Jamie it was yum. Serve with a little salad and Jamie or Bob is your uncle..

xx Deb

My head is a little foggy, I’m distracted, jumpy and I cant really think today to much coffee already perhaps? My head is thinking of all the things I need to do to get ready for the family to come back to the house to say goodbye to my husbands Aunt. They start arriving tomorrow. From an only child’s perspective (me) its a lot of people but any more than one additional person is a lot yet I cant wait to see them. I cant wait to have them all under one roof. I love it when this crazy dysfunctional family gets together under one roof because the reality is they could have gone the other way. They amaze me with their laughter. They could have fallen completely apart, they could have taken their hard up bringing and done it differently but they haven’t. They have had their moments and not all of them have forgiven and non of them will forget but its made them what they are they tell me.

Better parents. Better people. Better friends. Better husbands.

So this along with working out how to bed 10 additional people, feed and care for them this is what I have running through my head.

Seriously it is..

1. Thank god its the last week of homework it was really starting to test my patience and my brain. Its a long time since I had to remember what a conjunction was and how to use it correctly. Imagine my disappointment when I got question seven and thirteen wrong last week.

2. I read somewhere over the weekend that when men have sex its the same sensation for them as sucking on your big toe just warmer? I’m not going to try it because I don’t think I’m that flexible anymore and don’t fancy putting my foot in my mouth unnecessarily (it will happen all on its on) and really I’m to selfish to care but I do wonder how they came to that analogy?

3. Did the woman who commenced breast feeding her four year old whilst ordering some mild Hungarian salami at the deli counter on Friday realised she had done it? Did she realise that she was lifting her shirt, pulling her breast out of her bra and ushering her four year olds face towards it all awhile ordering some Hungarian salami. Did she know what she was doing, in a crowded Woolworth’s on a Friday afternoon. I breast fed proudly yet always discreetly even in a crowded room. That poor prepubescent boy taking her order for a little salami learnt more that afternoon about breastfeeding and what it can do to a women’s breast a little earlier than he had to.

4. How did I possibly forget to shave my right leg last night?

5. Wish I could rock a bikini like the woman I saw at the pool yesterday and ladies she wasn’t a little girl. She was a big beautiful girl in her thirties but she rocked that two piece, the men loved her for it and the best part she knew it. Bravo.

6. Does anyone else like lettuce in their soup? Or is a strange fetish I have developed because I ran out of watercress the other night..

7. I loved how two young boys sat and watched me get out a tight park Friday afternoon. They assumed I couldn’t and sat smirking to themselves. A sweet old man came to assist me by doing the old hand measuring jig. He stood and watched instead. I needed neither I know how big my car is, I know how to turn the wheel and I know how to do a hill start.

8. Wish I had said something different to the young mum on Friday as she asked me how I managed to do all the shopping with three kids under six without loosing my cool. I wish I had told her I it was a good day, that I had threatened them with their life in the car and one day she will have one too and not to beat her tired self up.

9. Loves remembering how much I love wearing a pair of heels. I just wish I had more places to wear them to. Wearing them around the house just isn’t the same its just sad.

10. A glue gun is a dangerous piece of crafting equipment and needs to come with two labels..you may suffer third degree burns whilst using this equipment but the obsession you will develop whilst using it means you won’t care.

11.. My B3 said I was a great mum out of no where last night. No where. Needless to say he got a hot chocolate and a Freddo frog.

Enough said my sweets have a great day..

xx Deb

Following more of our real life FIFO heres Fred’s story..much thanks Fred..

My names Fred Ive been in the offshore for almost 1 year working as a cook. I have 2 young children and engaged to my partner who ive been with for close to 7 years and reside in Coffs Harbour N.S.W.

Was there a reason you started FIFO? I.e. deposit for a house, lifestyle. Or where you single what was your reaction when telling women about your roster? Did you talk about it before starting FIFO (as a couple) or the relationship? How long has FIFO been part of your relationship? Was there a time limit? Has that happened?

I started mostly for the lifestyle,having the same amount of leave as what you worked gives you the opportunity to travel and spend a lot more quality time with family, And i couldnt earn the same amount of money onshore.

What do you like best about FIFO?

The leave. and the people you get to know and learn from

What do you find so-so/tricky/hilariously bad about FIFO? What would change if you had a magic wand?

Being new to the industry theres not to much that annoys me at the moment. I feel quit lucky to be involved. the main thing is not being home for the family and certain occasions  but the leave makes up for that.

How do you and your wife fit marriage into the balance? Do you think FIFO makes you be more romantic? Do you put more of an effort into your marriage? What do you do to maintain your marriage to keep it healthy? (ie communication, date nights)

I think its made our relationship stronger. Were lucky enough to be able to chat and skype every night, and just knowing we have the time to do all the stuff we want to when Im home puts it all in to perspective.

Do you find you have trouble balancing your time off ie. You, wife and kids

Not really, i seem to be able to get everything sorted while spending time with the people i want to.

 How do you handle fitting back into routine? Dealing with discipline?

Its hard at first, but after a few days you get back into your routine and the goes by quick enough if you keep yourself busy and having a great crew helps.

How do you stay connected to your family when you’re away? Do you think the kids are okay with you going to work?

My sons 2 so he doesnt really understand and my daughter is only a month old But we chat every night over the phone or skype if its available.

Do you get lonely on the rig? What’s the toughest time for you? (If there is one)

Not really, Just the fact you cant be there if your family might need you can get a bit tough

How do you manage life away do you have a routine sleep, eating, exercise and personal space issues on the rig

I just need that relax time and to do something non work related ie. Movies Books Games etc.

What’s the most surprising thing your partner has managed whilst you’re away? ( This question is very much optional but public bragging about your partner is such a nice thing..)

To not spend all the money! No she does really well looking after everything.

What advice would you give to newbie’s about coping with FIFO?

Keep things in perspective and keep an eye on the big picture only time will tell if its the right thing for you and your family

Thanks Fred

Ps..incase your wondering hoot was a gift from the rig to fred on the birth of his second child..thank you again fred..

XX Deb

Its not a recipe but a sure fire idea to make sure the kids get something into your belly when arsenic hour is upon you, your just to tired to cook and there is no freezer meal handy.

I relied on what we affectionately called the picky plate more than once a week when I was tired and in fact its what we having for dinner tonight. Its fast and often its a great way to use left overs and the kids love being able to help themselves at the table.

Put anything on it. Mine range from crackers, cheese, chopped up carrot, left overs, boiled eggs, beetroot~ tinned of course, peas, corn, olives, ham, salami, cooked pasta and sandwiches.

Anything. I have been known to stick peanut butter and hommas on the plat. Yum.

Its the tapas plate of the kid world.

The simpler the better. Its got to be better than a take away.

xx Deb

It feels like an eternity since we last spoke. There is so much going on in my little brain that I want to tell you but really is there enough to sustain a ‘post’ I don’t think so. All I know is I have missed this have missed you but here is what is rattling around in my brain right now.

1. Sunday afternoon husband left for work despite all the coming and goings of the last week and as I was tucking the boys into bed I wondered does it make me a bad person for not missing him. For not needing him to be here. I like to think my strong willed and independence is what he loves about me because taking him to the airport really does feel like I’m dropping him off to an office block even if its for four weeks.

2. My baby boy is going to kindergarten next year. I’m excited, he is excited. My eldest boys said to me will you be crying again mummy? Yes I think I will.

3. I want to buy Jamie’s 15 minute meals..lately I need all the help I can get.

4. I’m wondering if I need to send Santa my Christmas list or will he know I want a basket for my bike, some pretty slips in any colour for under my dresses, a hotel dinner date with just my husband and me then a weekend at the bouncy bouncy place with my husband and my boys.

5. I’m looking forward to decorating the house this year for Christmas. I’m even going to get crafty and make my own advent calender out of paper bags. Crafty I am not but I cant do the crap chocolate in those store bought things any longer. It has to stop even if it means buying a glue gun.

6. My husband told me I have a big bum..its part of the deal we have when one of us starts to ‘slide’ we will tell each other…I’m currently tobogganing down the hill faster than I care for but its okay..it was the perfect opportunity to tell him he had love handles.

7. I cant do the mullet any longer and have booked an appointment to go short. Shorter than I have ever been. I cant wait. I don’t think I could do the comments..can you wear a hat? for another month..

8. We went snake and dinosaur hunting yesterday in the rain forest. I hate leaches as much as ever and even with my gum boots on (much to my boys disgust but it was either those very unfashionable statement pieces or no hunting) they found me and followed me home. The boys found one in my toilet. Needless to say my legs have been crossed since the boys screamed this morning in excitement that a blood sucking leach was living in the toilet and could we keep him. Unless his name is Edward and he sparkles in the sun the answer is no.

9. I received my first Christmas card from my favourite miss Jones and I cant wait to get more hint hint nudge nudge..

10. I just caught a glimpse of my eldest boy in the school yard and it has made my day.

So that’s it my lovelies tell me whats new in your world tell me please..in..

xx Deb