Potatoes and Blackbirds

Saturday, 1st October was Potato Appreciation Day. Some of my friends have interesting ideas for get togethers, usually revolving around food. There has been Over Eating Fest (my personal favourite), Turducken Fest, Minge Fest (don’t ask), Mac&Cheese Fest…. and the latest was Potato Appreciation Day, otherwise known as PAD.

Paul and I were planning to attend the festivities as a family, but given Pebble’s cough-vom status we decided to keep her at home, away from other people and giving her a rest. Paul stayed home to look after her, because vom don’t clean itself up now, does it? I found myself in a rare situation – an afternoon all to myself to hang out with my friends! I packed a couple of beers and a gorgeously brown and bubbly tray of freshly cooked potato dauphinoise and off I went.

This celebration was significantly smaller than we have seen in previous years, probably owing to a) some big football game happened to be on the same day, and b) we’re all older and several of us are carrying extra baggage in the form of small people. There was a lot less beer and shots and lot more juice and softies filling up the drinks tub. How things change!

Best.  Wedges. Ever.

Not potatoes.

Potato Dauphinoise and Potato and Leek dip with mountain bread, snags, potato crown.

Potato dip with veg, potato chips and crackers

Sweet Potato Cheesecake (does not contain coffee)

Yum!

Forget Baby Bjorn – this is the real deal!

Homemade Spuds (dessert)

It was much fun and I am still full.

Meanwhile Pebble is still recovering from this loooooooooooong bout of shitty sickness. Amazingly she slept beautifully last night, the best sleep she’s had for months and months, sick or not. She stayed in her own bed until 5.30am-ish!!!! Then came into our bed and slept for another hour. Unfortunately on waking she is still very flat, pale and she’s off her food. She’s even refusing her bottle!

We’re expecting our friends over for dinner tonight, along with their two little ones. Time to make a phone call and let them know the sitch. Grrrr. So over it!

There is always a silver lining and here is todays…. she’s not too sick to sing! Pebble is just starting to join in with singing songs, usually singing the last word in each line. Her very favourite this week is ‘Sing a song of six pence’ which is in a little book I bought for $1 at an Op Shop.

Enjoy.

Point + Shoot: Sunday Brunch

 

Fond friends. Truffled eggs. Crispy baked bacon curls. Hot sugary tea. Chubby baby cheeks. This is the stuff that good mornings are made from.

We’ll be back.

Playing along with sunny+scout.

Bump

Well, what a weekend that turned out to be! Pebble and I went to stay at my mum’s while Paul went to my sister’s farm to help kill the rabbits play with bunnies. I had a lovely warm wintery meal with Mum, step-dad and Pebble. Pebble ate a whole tree of broccoli, but still screwed her face up at mash (is she really my daughter? Really?). Then I got pretty and went off to my friend’s book launch leaving mum to put Pebble to bed. YES, I am friends with a published author!

 

The very clever Cassandra Dean published Enslaved with Decadent Publishing and I tell you, I can.not.put.this.book.down! Hot Roman Gladiators, strong female leads, real emotion and depth of character, longing, lust, love, it’s all there. I have never been into ‘historical romance’ as this book may be categorised, and I have never read or watched any book or television about Roman Gladiators. Within the first page I was hooked, and I haven’t been able to stop reading it since. Well, aside from the whole mummy-play-with-me-I’ll-tear-your-Kobo-away-from-you-if-it’s-the-last-think-I-do moments. Which is the only reason I haven’t finished it yet. That, and my desire to communicate the world how amazingly talented my friend is by writing it on this here blog. SO, if this sounds like something that would take your fancy then pop on over to Decadent Publishing and pick up a copy of this ebook, you won’t regret it.

Back to the book launch – drinks were supped, book swag was distributed and we celebrated the wonder of our (soon to be multi-published) author friend. I was a little on edge worried about Pebble back at Nana’s house, as it’s not often that she visits on her own there, and she still gets quite upset if she wakes to someone other than me. I made it home before her usual early hours request to move into the big bed, and all was well. If you call sleeping with a tossy-turny-toddler and having feet in your face ‘well’.

In the morning we visited another Nana, mum Step-Mum Nana ‘Nette, where we had lots of singing, dancing and book reading. We were soon joined by Aunty Carly and one of Pebble’s little cousin’s, who is only four months older than Pebble. We set up some collage for them, but they really weren’t that interested. Pebble was in a strange mood, and didn’t want to play anywhere near her cousin! Sure enough sleep time arrived before I knew it and it was time to go. Unfortunately that meant a half hour sleep of a 60 minute car ride, and consequently a very tired and clumsy toddler in the afternoon…. which leads me to the BUMP.

I had just changed Pebble’s nappy and we were both heading down the hall towards the kitchen, ready to get an afternoon snack. Pebble was very excited about the mere mention of milk! and fruit! that she toddled as fast as her little legs would carry her. Which is quite fast. Fast enough so that if she was to fall over and crack her head on the door frame it would make blood flow freely and leave a gaping wound. Which is exactly what happened.

I was only a step behind her, and down on the floor with her in my arms in seconds. I screamed out to Paul, who was in the shower, and he was there, dripping wet and nude as the day he was born, in no time. After about three seconds of sheer panic I felt myself become very calm and methodological. Head injury, open wound. First aid. Bandage. Cold compress. Get them. Unfortunately all I told Paul was “get a nappy!”. He returned, still wet and nude, with a disposable nappy and, thank goodness, the cloth nappy I had intended to ask for.

Pebble was screaming and hiccoughing, fat tears rolling down her cheeks. I pressed the towel to her head, then scrambled for the first aid bag I’d only received a few weeks ago when I did my training. I pulled out a looooong bandage and wrapped it securely around her head, with a very unmedical looking tie at the back, so that she looked like one of the lost boys. Or so the nurse told me when we arrived at the emergency department (Paul got dressed for this part).

The doctors and nurses were amazing. So calm, so caring, and so quick. Pebble was so brave! She sat very still for the doctor and didn’t cry at all. We iced Pebble’s head for about an hour before they were able to glue her back together again. It looks like there is some hope in the world for some Humpty Dumpty moments.

I had Pebble sleep with me last night, if only so that I could prod her every now and again to make sure she was still conscious (actually what is the difference between consciousness and sleep? hmmm) and ensure that she didn’t rub her face and forehead into the mattress, as she often likes to do.

That’s that then. Our first emergency room visit, and thankfully it wasn’t so bad. It could have been a lot worse. I don’t even want to think about that!

Santa Claus is coming to town!

The decorations are up, the Christmas shopping is all but done, and the family bookings are locked in, Eddy! I’m finally starting to relax about this whole Christmas caper, and next comes the best bit…. enjoy!

This year I’ve managed to swing it so that I’ll be seeing almost everyone I love in the three days over Christmas, including a Christmas Eve gathering at our house. I’m pretty excited about that – I think it’s our first time hosting any kind of holiday festivities, and while it’s not the whole turkey palaver, it’s still feels rather grown up. At least…. I think it’s not the whole turkey and trimmings deal…. friends tell me I’m not expected to cook a turkey!?

For the first time in YEARS I’ll be seeing aunties, uncles and cousins of mine at Christmas time (and some for the first time in years, Christmas or not!). It’s the perfect year for it, in my opinion, as we have our little girl to meet and greet everyone. I’m sure she’ll charm the pants off them with her head shaking, booty bouncing, drunken walking antics. Not to mention the clapping! Oh, the clapping is just too cute. Pebble is clapping at everything – happy things, sad things, angry things. It’s too, too precious.

I’ve just spent several hours online shopping for presents, trying to get as many goodies as possible without setting foot into the crrraaaazzzzzy shops. I detest Christmas shopping. Well, not the actual choosing of gifts part, but the crowded, pushing, irritable and impatient humans part. I can only imagine how that sort of thing would work out with a stroller and 10 month old in tow, so I’m saying a big No Thank You Siree, Bob!

So, Christmas, I’m here and I say BRING IT BABY! I’m ready!

Are you ready for Christmas?

Control your crazy

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So, last night I went out to celebrate with my very good, long time friend. We’ll call her Cassandra Dean. The celebration is that she is (contracted to be) a published author. Huzzah! There were cocktails, a beer garden, $10 pub fare and lots and lots of D&Ms. As the night wore on and the throng of Cassandra’s followers died away it was left to just the two of us. I, sober. Cassandra, merry on a couple of Mad Men inspired beverages.

We got to talking about our worries and both of us have some issues at the moment, as most people do. Mine are mostly teeny tiny worries that I have built up, and up, and up until they’re keeping me up at night. I confessed my concerns and Cassandra was quite the zen master.

To elaborate, I have a very bad habit of putting thoughts into people’s heads. These thoughts that I imagine other people are having then give me great worry and concern, and change the way I think and behave.  I have a very simple example, which is not representative of my bigger worries, but is something that I would, and have, totally over-thought in the past. Case in point:

I have a very lovely Mother in Law. In all sincerity, one of the easiest people to get along with, and a very generous, caring person. However, I am crazy. So recently, when said MIL was coming over to look after Pebble while I went out, I thought “it would be great if she could come an hour earlier, to make it easier for me to get ready”. After much deliberation I called her, and this is what I said:

“Hi, how are you? How’s your day going? (general chatter). So, I’ll see you later on? What time are you coming over? Oh, 5pm as agreed. No worries. (in a hurried breath of air) You’re-always-welcome-to-come-earlier-if-you-like. Oh, ok, we’ll see you at 5pm then.”

Then I proceed to have many over-lapping thoughts:

• MIL is probably thinking: what a crazy woman, what was that about?
• why didn’t I ask her to come over? She’d probably say yes because I asked, but I don’t want her to feel obligated.
• MIL is probably thinking: I’d love to come earlier and see my grandchild, but I don’t want to get in the way.
• maybe I should ring her back and ask her properly.
• no, I’ll be imposing.
• no, she’ll love it.
• no, she’ll think I’m crazy for all the phone calls.

Meanwhile I carry on getting ready with a clingy baby-toddler (seriously, this 10 month old is not a baby) pulling at my jeans and drooling on my shoulder, and driving myself bat-shit crazy with imaginary conversations and scenarios.

The problem is that I do this all the time. Which brings me to zen master Cassandra’s words of wisdom:

• My thoughts, feeling, opinions and needs are as valid as anyone else’s.
• I can’t control what other people do or think.

What I needed to do, to be fair to both myself and my MIL, in that scenario is say:

Hi, how are you? If it’s not too much trouble could you please come an hour earlier to look after Pebble while I get ready to go out?

She might say yes. She might say no. I’m not in control of that decision, or why that decision is made. I can only state what I think, feel or need, and allow the other person to communicate their thoughts, feelings and needs to me.

Huh. Who’d have thunk it?

To the rest of the world this may, or may not, seem like a very simple thing to achieve. However it took me about two hours of conversation for my brain to be able to comprehend this whole “say what you mean” business. My brain just kept saying:

• what if I’m imposing?
• what if I upset someone?
• what if other people don’t want what I want?
• what if they think …..?

You know what? What if?! I CAN’T CONTROL OTHER PEOPLE. There is no sense in worrying about something that hasn’t happened. It’s not fair to impose my imaginary thoughts and scenarios on other people. I need to give people the opportunity to have their own response, and then go from there. Not have conversations with them without their knowledge and then take action based on those fictitious conversations.

So, I’m going to attempt to control my crazy. It’s kind of bending my brain inside out to imagine living in this new frame of mind, but I’m going to give it a go.

What about you? Are you an over-thinker? How do you control your crazy?

Family, friends, markets, oh my!

What a busy and fun weekend we’ve had! I feel absolutely exhausted, but in a good way. On Friday night we celebrated my little sister turning 21 – hip hip hooray!! We went to a pub, some of us ate schnitzels larger than our own heads, and enjoyed a very pretty butterfly covered chocolate mud cake. The baby cousins fell asleep like the little angels that they are, aren’t they sweet?

On Saturday I zipped into the Big W for the one day sale. Bedlam! There were people everywhere, LOTS of mums and dads with their trolley loads of nappies (Huggies had a big special). I got my nappies and got outta there! In the arvo Paul trimmed and re-staked our rose bushes while Pebble and I played, and I got a little bit more party planning done. The poor young rose bushes were so heavy with roses that they were falling over! The growth this year has been fantastic, but the bushes can’t quite cope with it.

Update on the party planning – the first guest list was for 116 people. Um. NO. The second still-large-but-more-conservative list is for 55 people including children and babies. That’s just close family and close friends! I’m still going with the duck theme, more of an indulgence for mummy than for Pebble. I know she won’t remember any of it, but I’ll have fun getting it all ready, and she’ll enjoy it on the day. Pebble loves busy, loud, and lots of people, thankfully, and I think she’ll have a good day.

On Sunday morning, while Paul helped my Dad and step-mum move into their lovely new home, I stopped in at the launch of Lollipop Markets. It was so pretty and organised, and stuffed to the brim with gorgeous, handmade goodies for kids. I bought my step-sister a cute-as-can-be shower gift for a few weeks time, as well as a few (ok, quite a few) little things for Pebble. More about that later …

Sunday afternoon we went to a good friend’s engagement party, where we relaxed on the grass at the local national park and whiled away the hours in their honour. The wedding is in February, how exciting!!! I can’t wait to celebrate with them some more. When all the celebrating for the day was done we went home and tried out Pebble’s new toy – on loan from her cousins while they’re both too big and too little to use it. This walker is just perfect for Pebble at the moment, she’s loving the chance to walk up and down the lounge room. She’s not quite got the turning thing sorted yet, so that’s mum and dad’s (constant) job. Thanks Aunty Skye, big kisses from Pebble xx

Perhaps all that fresh air and walking was just the thing that Pebble needed. Last night was the first. night. ever. that Pebble has slept from 9pm to 7am without waking up. No midnight feed. Only once did I get up to put her dummy back in, at 5am. Wow! I’m not holding my breath for more, I’m not expecting a repeat performance. I’m just enjoying the one night that we had, and I’ll remember it fondly always.

How was your weekend?

Love yourself

I have been missing in action on the interweb lately. I miss it, but my priorities have shifted recently. A few loved ones have asked what’s going on. There’s nothing going on - I’m just busy elsewhere. Pebble is keeping me very, very busy. I used to be able to watch her roll around on the floor and play happily while I blogged away. These days if I get the laptop out she wants to play too, and gets very frustrated when I don’t let her. So we play together with other toys instead, and everyone is much happier for it. Nap times are going well in this house (shhh, don’t tell that I said that out loud, I don’t want to jinx it!). However, any free time I get with a baby nap is easily taken up with the cooking, laundry, housework, etc. Evenings are taken up with long chats over dinner with the hubby before we usually retire to bed early, as our nights are still quite unpredictable. On top of all of that, I’ve started working again. Not official on the clock work, but the ‘getting ready for the new school year’ work that comes with being a teacher, especially a teacher who has had a year away from the classroom. Oh, sorry, what’s that? You thought us lazy teachers worked short days and got heaps of holidays?…. Don’t. Get. Me. Started!!

So, that’s my life right now, and I honestly love it. I hope to be back here at the Rockgarden at least once a week in future. I hope you can bear with me and stay tuned during this quieter time.

It’s kind of hard to pick up the conversation where we last left off, but here are a few little tidbits to keep your curiosity satisfied:

• Paul and I have slowly added to our home with some choice Ikea pieces, including a glossy white buffet and bookshelf/wall unit. They’re looking good but need a bit of tarting up.
• Christmas planning is in full swing, and is giving me nightmares already! I am truly blessed to have so much family to love, but it does make Christmas tricky, spreading the love around.
• We installed our first baby gate, blocking Pebble from terrorising the bathroom. Slippery tiles are not a great play surface. Now I can shower while Pebble safely plays in the hallway, instead of shrieking with frustration while strapped into a baby chair.
• Swimming lessons are going well, in that Pebble loves swimming very much. Her favourite activities are drinking the pool water and splashing her class mates.
• Pebble has been waking every morning for the last three days in a pool of piss up to her armpits! The poor little vegemite is now sleeping almost exclusively in the ‘tummy down-bum in the air’ pose, which means that the front of her nappy fills quickly to capacity, then the wee just trickles down her tummy and chest and soaks into her pjs. Only once has she woken up uncomfortable with it, the other two nights she slept thought, soggy or not. We’re going to try putting her in boy nappies at night, and if that doesn’t soak it up we’ll try putting a bigger nappy over the top of the regular sized one. I’d like to avoid waking her (and myself!) to change her in the night for as long as possible!
• Pebble is working on her third tooth, and so far it hasn’t been too painful for her or us. Fingers crossed!
• The social calendar for the month of November is bursting at the seams. So far we’ve enjoyed one very busy and social weekend, with lots of bubbly consumed on my behalf. I think it’s going to be a very merry party season!

Finally – I hope you can all look in the mirror today and give yourself a big, wet, sloppy kiss ala Miss Pebble, who is very into kissing her baby doll, her pooh bear teddy and …. herself! We should all love ourselves that much.

At My House - Chocolate Heaven

It’s a new day and another adventure for Pebble and I. Today we’re heading to mum’s and bubs group with a batch of freshly baked brownies. It’s a special celebration today, as one of the Mum’s is getting married soon. We’re having a little kitchen tea in her honour. After that we’re zipping to the child health nurse for a check up and chat about feeding and sleeping (that’s a WHOLE other story!) and then to my Dad’s for a big catch up with family including my sister visiting from four hours away.
Somewhere in there I’m going to bring in the washing (which I forgot about yesterday and has since been rained on – boo hoo!), sterilise some bottles, pack the nappy bag, feed and dress Pebble, do the dishes, put a slow cooker on for tomorrow…. um…. guess I better get off of this machine and get cracking!
What’s happening at your house?

Bits and pieces

I have no official point and shoot today – I checked my camera and I had no photos from the weekend!!!!! I can’t believe it. It has to be a first since Pebble was born. I made up for it today when I snapped this super cute pic of Pebble and her little friend playing in this ‘boat’. Pebble didn’t know quite what to make of it all, but she had fun.
We had a busy day today running here and there – dropping Paul at work, visiting a friend, shopping for this and that, pounding the pavement for some City to Bay training, washing (it never ends) and tying up some loose ends for my giveaway (nearly there - squeeeeee!). All in all, it was a very nice day. I got some jobs done but had some fun too. The best kind of day.
How was your day?

Success

Today I went to a funeral. The third funeral that I’ve attended in my 31 years. I am thankful that I have not had to attend more.
I was nervous about going to the funeral of my primary school teacher. I thought it might be strange for me to be there, that I might be intruding on a private family moment. I had reassurance from a friend that all would be well, that we would just stay at the back, pay our respects and be off.
The funeral of this 49 year old woman, taken too soon from her young family, from the community that loved her and that she gave so much to, was full of love. Love and sadness.The main floor, the mezzanine level and the foyer were full of people there to celebrate her life. I listened as her husband and friend took turns to share memories, and watched as her children sang Amazing Grace. I was reminded of my school days and the creative, caring, fun and inspired teacher that she was.
I walked past that heavy wooden box, trying not to think of my teacher, their mother, his wife, inside. I placed a flower on top of many others, and left a card with a few words for her family. A few words to let them know what she had meant to me, and hope that it gave them some comfort to know that she was so appreciated.
I hugged my childhood Best Friend. The one that I shared heart shaped pendants and secrets with. We knew that she would be happy that we had found each other again (in real life, and not just on Facebook). We talked for a long time afterwards, sharing our own memories of that favourite teacher and rediscovering each others lives as proper grown ups. It won’t be the last time that we meet, but hopefully next time it will be without such sadness.
I am so happy that I go to say goodbye properly, and that Miss C got to share one last piece of wisdom with me in the form of this poem. Read it carefully and feel the weight of each word.

Success
Ralph Waldo Emerson

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child, a garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.

Saturday night dinner + dinner + dinner

It was with excitement and trepidation that Paul and I departed for our first baby-free dining experience on the weekend.
We left Pebble in the happy and relaxed company of her Grandad and Nana ‘Nette, who were delighted to have her. Of course Pebble was a HUGE let down, and only gave them an hour of play before sleeping on and on. And, of course, Paul and I returned almost exactly at the stroke of midnight, when Pebble promptly woke up as we climbed in to bed.
Anyway, back to the dinner. After the bring-a-plate Mexican fiesta, we decided to celebrate the Birth of Cass by having a similar shin-dig. More plates. Less of the Mexican, though.
I was rostered on for entree and decided that a winter warming soup was in order. I made a quite scrumptious Bacon, Leek and Potato soup, which was served with freshly grated slivers of parmesan cheese and Cass’s homemade bread.

For second entree or first main (depending on how you look at it), we  had Cass’s homemade gnocchi with mushrooms and sage butter, and homemade tagliatelle with Napolitano sauce.  YUM and OMG so impressive. Homemade pasta!

Next up, Teresa graced us with her presence and two gorgeous roast chooks, with roastie toastie veg. I know. There was LOTS of food. Kudos to the boys, who ate half a chicken. Each.
Sorry, I forgot to take a photo until the birds were dismembered and ready for the eating. Here’s my plate. 
 

Lastly, Kelly brought it home with a pear cobbler. My first time trying a cobbler, and I give it the thumbs up! Again, my enthusiasm for eating overtook my photography skills, and this was the last bit of cobbler left in the tray. It ain’t pretty, but it tasted good!

How do you do dinner parties with friends?

Kick up your heels

Last night I wore a pair of heels in the first time since….. I can’t remember!
The three of us went out for dinner for our friend Matt’s birthday. Another first – taking Pebble out to a restaurant with us in the evening.
We maybe could have got a baby sitter, but this weekend is busy for everyone. Paul’s mum is already baby sitting our three nieces while Aunty Julie and Uncle Mike are away. Uncle Darren is away. And my parents are both eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new little one, as my sister prepares to give birth to her second baby girl. They’ll probably tell me off for not asking them to baby sit :)
In any case, it was a good opportunity to try out the whole ‘take the kid out at night’ thing. We had a private room in the restaurant, and our friends are very understanding  of kids and such.
If only someone was there to film the hoo-ha of Paul and I getting ready for Operation Dining Out. We were BOTH ready an hour early (Paul is notoriously late). We sat twiddling our thumbs and debating various scenarios that the night may bring. Then getting the car ready was a James Bond-esque stunt of stealthily packing bags, loading the car, then stealing into the babes room to swipe her from her sleep.
A frantic buckle and tuck later, and Pebble was whisked off into the black night. She made a few squeaks and grizzles, and after two or three minutes was back in her slumber.
Once we arrived at the restaurant Pebble woke up and said hello to everyone before having a little grizzle and going back to sleep (with some earnest jiggling from me, whilst I plugged her mouth with a dummy, and mine with Nepalese entrees).
The journey home was much the same as the one out. Uneventful.
I had envisaged taking photos of dinner and writing a little restaurant review. Ha! It was good fun though. Maybe next time we’ll even join everyone for cake afterwards instead of rushing our bundle back home.
We did it. And we can do it again.

Walking to happiness

The exercise plan is in full swing. Paul was a sweetie and set up the elliptical inside for me. It’s in front of the bookshelf so that I can watch movies and TV on my laptop while I work out. I did a half hour stint yesterday and it felt good. Quite hard, considering the very little exercise I’ve done over the last few months (er… year!). But good.
Today I went for a nice long walk with a girlfriend who recently had a baby too. We stopped for a coffee and had a good natter.
Here’s Pebble and her little mate Brooklyn, both out for the count on our wintery walk.

What exercise have you done this week?

Mexican Fiesta

On to some more happy things… I did say that I’d tell you about my LOVELY dinner party on Saturday night, didn’t I?

The theme was Mexican, and the occasion was Kelly’s birthday. My friends were very kind and all came for a (long) drive to our house, and even brought a course each for the fiesta.

Kelly brought the kick-arse dips and nachos. The bean dip was so good that I nearly forgot to take a photo of it! Mmmm melty cheesey, beany dip.

Cassie brought the empanadas – pastries filled with spinach, bacon, onion and YUM. The pastry was so good – it was made with cream cheese and had a buttery, melt-in-the mouth texture. Sooo good!

I made the main –  a Mexican chicken casserole with corn bread, and a very tasty sangria. I’ll definitely be trying these recipes again. The corn bread left a little to be desired though, so I’ll be skipping that.

Teresa made the banana, lime and pineapple cheesecake which was delicous. It was even more delicious the next day mmmmmmmmmm. And, um. Even more delicious today. Three days of cheesecake. I’m in heaven!

It was all washed down with a bottle of Kelly and Bretty’s wedding Moet, if you don’t mind.

Hip, hip hooray! Happy birthday Kel x