![looking across the harbour to the sydney skyline](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/taking-stock-july-1.png)
I had high hopes for July. The month enjoyed a strong start, a marvellous middle and a bit of a flat (literally and metaphorically,) finish. Still counting my blessings and still taking stock though so I’d love it if you joined me!
Cooking: Not Quite Nigella’s Caprese Chicken Traybake. Highly recommend!
Eating: This amazing Sunday lunch for David’s birthday at The Duke of Clarence.
![big slices of roast lamb, broccolini and roast potatoes on a plate with a pot of mint sauce at the front](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/duke-of-clarence-sunday-lunch.png)
Drinking: Spicy margaritas. I’ve become very partial to them.
Making: This football birthday cake for David’s 50th.
![a smiling man is holding a cavoodle and sitting behind a low coffee table with a soccer pitch birthday cake on it](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/david-birthday-cake.png)
Baking: These Mandarin and Cranberry Muffins
Putting: Up my teeny tiny Christmas tree. The big tree is in storage in the motherland.
![a little pink christmas tree with mini dog decorations](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/little-xmas-tree.png)
Creating: Some new recipes for the blog. Stay tuned for incoming yum.
Turning: 51. But I still feel about 5 and a half on the inside.
![a woman with long blonde hair holding an apricot coloured cavapoo looking at a croissant with a candle placed on a low coffee table](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sam-birthday-teddy.jpg)
Crawling: Round the breweries of Marrickville for my birthday.
Reflecting: On the last 10 years and how things have changed.
Receiving: Some really thoughtful birthday gifts. I’m a very lucky girl.
![looking at back of dogs head as he puts his paw up on to a low table to look at a toy that looks just like him](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/birthday-presents.png)
Noticing: That Teddy was particularly interested in my Teddy doppelganger air freshener!
Finding: It hard to believe that this little nugget turned 3!
![apricot cavoodle sitting on a coffee table wearing a glittery blue crown with a number 3 next to a bone shaped cake with a number 3 candle](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Teddy-3-cake.png)
Celebrating: All the birthdays – David’s 50th, my 51st, Teddy’s 3rd and my mum’s in heaven.
Sharing: The recipe for these quick and easy Hoisin Turkey Noodles.
![turkey mince noodle stir fry on blue willow pattern plate with red chopsticks to the side](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/hoisin-turkey-noodles-1.jpg)
Weekending: In Newcastle.
Catching: Up with the furmily to celebrate Teddy’s litter’s birthday.
![a group of people each holding a cavoodle next to a number 3 balloon](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/furmily-reunion.png)
Watching: Minx on Stan, The Flight Attendant on Binge and How to Build a Sex Room on Netflix.
Balling: My eyes out watching CODA on Apple TV. Tissues essential!
Reading: Rachel’s Holiday. I read it so many years ago, it’s like reading a new book!
Finishing: Rachel’s Holiday. I think that’s the first book I finished this year.
Smiling: At Teddy and Scotch Bastille Day twinning!
![a small apricot cavoodle and a black and white labradoodle sitting on a grey pet sofa in matching stripy tees and red berets](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/teddy-and-scotch-french.jpg)
Loving: My first nail art.
Playing: Matchy matchy nails with my friend Dionne (Scotch’s mum!)
![](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/birthday-nails.png)
Liking: Winter sunshine (when it makes an appearance.)
Disliking: All the rain.
Seeing: My lovely dentist for one last time.
Going: To the Blue Mountains. Spoiler alert – the weather was as terrible as last time!
Staying: At this gorgeous Airbnb – probably the loveliest one we have ever stayed in!
![](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/4th-sister-dining.png)
Channeling: All the Christmas in July vibes on a cold weekend in the Blue Mountains.
Dining: At Avalon in Katoomba. Of course, I saved some space for the licorice cheesecake!
![a slice of licorice cheescake with a a scoop of ice cream on a vintage platef](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/licorice-cheesecake.png)
Falling: Over in Katoomba and cutting my knee open.
Attending: Blue Mountains Hospital Emergency Department as a result.
![](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/hospital.png)
Getting: Stitched up – 13 stitches to be precise.
Grossing: Myself out with all the wound photos. “insert vomit emoji”
Thinking: I can start a new 1.5 denim fashion trend!
![a woman standing outside emergency department wearing black anorak, black ankle boots and 1 and a half trousers, the bottom half of one leg of jeans has been removed and there is a bandage there instead](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/hospital-fashion-.jpg)
Needing: To keep my leg elevated to allow the wound to heal.
Feeling: A bit sorry for myself.
Missing: Being able to do things for myself.
Enjoying: All the Teddy cuddles.
![](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/teddy-cuddles.png)
Booking: Our tickets to the UK. Eeeep!
Boosting: To the max with my 4th booster shot!
Stressing: Out about all the things we have to do before we leave.
Trying: To work my way through the to-do list.
Ticking: Things off as quickly said list as quickly as I’m adding them.
Checking: Out the houses for rent in the UK.
Bracing: Myself for all the upcoming “lasts.” Pass the tissues!
Marvelling: At the stunning sunsets. It’s definitely a sick bed with a view!
![](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sunset.png)
Counting: My blessings.
I’m hoping I’ll be back in business and back on my feet next month! Tell me about your month. I’m all ears!