I made these to send along with our Mothers Day cards.
A little bit of cheer and colour during these rainy(again) days.
I cut up a flower birthday card to use as a template.
And used the bottom of some dishes for the circles.
I cut out enough of each shape and size, to make my garland.
Stitched them together using my sewing machine, and I was done.
If you like this flower bunting you may also like my heart garland.
Happy Mothers Day.
I had a lovely mothers day.
Breakfast in bed, a hot bath and some peace and quiet. While Paul and the girls went out to gather the bits for lunch, I made a quick chocolate cake.
And adorned it with some mini bunting.
These where quick and with no machine sewing, Matilda enjoyed sticking them together.
You will need:
Scraps of fabric
Sticks, and glue
I found some lovely scraps of vintage liberty, in my stash.
Fold the fabric over onto itself.
I used the width of my ruler, about 1.5″, and cut a short strip of the fabric.
I then cut the triangles out.
Keeping the ones with the fold at the top to one side. They will be the flags of the bunting.
Folding over the triangles onto your string and use your glue(I used pritt stick) to stick the sides together.
And there you have your row of mini bunting.
I used some cotton to attach the string of bunting to the sticks, and tied it on at either end.
Pop your sticks into the cake.
And your done.
Very cute and now safely in a draw for the next cake.
Easier said than done!
Some how through this mothering journey, where I spend my whole life looking after people. I have neglected to look after myself.
Well not anymore!
This is only the beginning of my plans for myself.
First I am looking at my general well being.
Epsom Salts
Running a nice hot bath and popping in some Epsom Salts. It is the way I have starting spending many of my evenings. My skin has never been softer, I am sleeping better and am wonderfully relaxed.
I have even noticed the little patches of psoriasis I have had(since having my girls) are going. And my neglected feet are not so hard.
I bought myself a 10kg bag, to the amusement of my friends and family. Their not laughing when their taking some home to try them out for themselves!
Lavender Essential Oil
To help keep myself calm, on those two children crazy headed days. When the nights have been long, the packed lunch still needs to be made and the breakfast cereal is on the floor, rather than in the bowl.
Adding a few drops into my bath or a drop on my pillow at bedtime.
Lavender has all sorts of healing properties not only for the mind but, for the body. In aromatherapy, lavender is used for treating depression, amenorrhea, burns, acne, rashes, arthritis, athlete’s foot, carpal tunnel syndrome, psoriasis, vaginitis, insomnia, pain, palpitations, anxiety and nervousness.
I have taken to carrying it around in my purse to take a sniff, when I feel it’s all getting a bit to much.
I’m also carrying around:
Clary Sage Essential oil
I first heard about Clay Sage when I was pregnant, to help you during labor with the pain. I didn’t use it then, but it has since come back into my life to help me with PMS and general relaxation.
So far it seems to be helping.
Clary Sage is not recommended when your pregnant. With all essential oils it’s important to read all the information you can and, check with a professional practitioner.
Read more at suite 101: Clary sage
Caffeine
Well, 3 cups of coffee before 8am is not good for anyone.
But with terrible bouts of insomnia, I thought it was the only thing keeping me going through the days.
In actual fact it made it worse. I was nervous, twitchy, erratic and when it came to going to bed I was still full of the stuff.
I have now cut down to just 2 cups a day. One in the morning during the breakfast rush, and one at my 3pm slump. The rest of the time I drink Camomile or a sneaky hot chocolate. It’s just as much the comfort of a hot drink I crave, not just the caffeine, on these long cold days.
I’m actually sleeping better, and feeling properly tired at bedtime. I am much more calm and focused.
This is definitely one of the best things I have done for myself so far.
Next on my list of things to try are:
Neroli Essential oil and Ylang Ylang Essential oil
Woop Woop!!!
AMAZING!!!!!!
I have made it into the final 5 for two of the category’s I had been nominated in.
I started my blog to help stop myself from going completely crazy. The days with a toddler and a small baby, sometimes left me feeling isolated and alone. My blog has given me back my confidence in me, Lucie, not just me in my new(ish) role as mummy.
Having a space to catalog all that I/we do, has given me a great sense of well being. And pushes me everyday to keep crafting, cooking, rambling and inspiring myself and my family.
Now the competition really starts to hot up.
There where an astounding 65,000 nominations made in the awards this year, so it’s even more incredible that my little blog has made it so far.
Now I really need your votes.
Head over to:
You need to put your:
name and email address
I have been short listed in the Best Family Life and Best Mad Thrifty blog category’s.
I write a lot about my family life and, all the things we do together and what I do for them. It’s an amazing journey we share together everyday, sometimes feeling a little like an up hill struggle. Carrying them all on my back! But mostly it’s filled with birthdays, crafting, and a whole lot of looking after each other.
Being thrifty is what I do best! Like most women I know, I find it hard to pass by the shinny, pretty things all of the time. Having those Saturday shopping sprees, or late night amazon splurges. Paul is sure I’m having an affair with an exotic man, named Amazon!
But I have my weekly shopping lists and meal planners (I haven’t blogged my menus for a while. Maybe I should start again!). I love a bit of up cycling and re fashioning , DIY, and making my own patterns.
I get a great deal of empowerment sticking to my weekly budget, and when I can pop a bit away in our dream fund.
Please vote for me in either or both of these.
If you have the time why not check out the other blogs, you may find something new you like.
The voting closes on 26th of March, so spread the word.
What are you waiting for …………Mad Blog Awards
this Mad family photo was taken some time ago.
but it still makes me smile every time i look at it.
I have had a stack of old shirts piled up for a while.
And what better to make on a cold, British, spring day, a new t-shirt for Ava.
I loved my old t-shirt, but there comes a time in a girls life when she has to give it up.
The fact I’m not 18 anymore(which is when I bought the t-shirt), and things that only just cover my post baby belly, don’t look that hot!
This re fashion takes very little time.
Once you have the pattern piece for your size, you can make one in an hour or so.
You will need:
An old t-shirt
Some jersey ribbing for the neck line. About 1 meter x 4cm
You can buy this in your local fabric shop. Or the waste band from an old sweat shirt would be fine. Cut it off, lay it out and iron it flat.
I made my pattern pieces by taking apart one of Ava’s old vests.
Cut as close to the seams as you can.
To make the bottom edge of your shirt, cut straight across where the leg line starts.
You can print Ava’s size pattern pieces by clicking on the pictures. They are for a 2 year old.
Stick your 2 pieces of A4 together. Laying one on top of the other, up to the black line.
Trace the pieces, following the different colored lines onto some greaseproof paper.
Then cut your old t-shirt into pieces.
I made my pattern pieces out of greaceproof paper.
It’s cheaper than printer paper and you can see through it. It’s also on a roll, so even long pattern pieces will fit on it.
You will be working with half of your pattern, because the front and back pieces are symmetrical.
Remember to fold your t-shirt fabric in half and, not to cut down the side that’s folded.
Lay your pattern onto your t-shirt, making sure any logos fit nicely.
Cut both of your sleeve pieces at the same time.
Use the already hemmed edge of your sleeve to line up your pieces. This way you won’t have to sew another hem on it.
Now you need to attach your jersey ribbing to your neck line.
I have tried two different ways of doing this.
1. Pin your jersey bias tape to the neck lines and sew using a straight stitch.
To make bias tape for this project, fold your jersey strip in half, iron, and then fold each side into the middle and iron again. You will then have a folded strip with no raw edges showing.
Usually bias tape needs to be cut on the diagonal of the fabric(that’s a whole other post). Jersey fabric naturally stretches, so you don’t need to worry about that just now.
I think using a straight stitch was a mistake, as it doesn’t let the fabric move very much. I would now use a small zig zag stitch around the neck line.
2. Take your flat piece of jersey and lay it on top of your neck line. Right sides of the fabric facing each other and, pin it all the way across one side.
Sew it using a small zig zag(stitch length 2), stitch very lose to the edge around the neck line.
Once sewn, iron the front of the binding flat, and fold it over onto the back of the fabric.
Line up the raw edges on top of each other and pin securely.
Sew a small zig zag stitch around the neck line again, to secure in place.
I like to sew on the front of the fabric so I can make sure it looks neat.
Lay your front and back pieces on top of each other.
Right sides down, and with the front piece on top of the back piece.
They need to be about an inch apart at the shoulder cross over points, pin in place.
Now pin your sleeves on to your body pieces.
I find the easiest way is to pin the beginning and the end first. And then work your way across. Moving your shoulder pieces to make it flat, if you need to.
Make sure the inside seam of the sleeve will be on the inside of your t-shirt.
Sew your sleeves on, using a straight stitch and a 1cm seam allowance.
Ease it slowly round your machine, working with the curve.
Now pin your front and back pieces together.
All the way up the sides to the end of the sleeve.
I line the sleeves up first. So any wonky sewing or pining can be hidden in the hem at the bottom.
Almost there!
Turn up the bottom of your t-shirt 1cm,iron and sew all the way round, using a small zig zag stitch again.
If you have an over locker and want your piece to look more professional, use it on ll your raw edges and seams.
My little old thing has gone to sewing machine heaven, so I couldn’t do it.
Luckily working with jersey it doesn’t fray, so you can leave the edges raw.
And there you have a new t-shirt for your little person.
Ummmm!
What’s that I can see Lucie?
Have you missed a couple of stitch on the left shoulder?!
Yes I did. Thank goodness for the stitch un-picker.
I unpicked and re-stitched and there I was done.
I got very excited about how quick they where to make and, how cute they looked. So I whipped up another one for our baby Arthur.
I am going to be making a ton more of these over the spring and summer.
I think this would make a great ‘new baby’ gift. Using one of the new mums and dads favorite old band t-shirts, football t-shirt or just one with great memories for them.
“Check me out, in my new t-shirt!”
Ava loved her new top, she didn’t want to take it off, even when it was covered in lunch.
T-shirt on the move.
Cake anyone?
“Mum please no photos on Sundays!”
I have become a dried fruit worrier!
Always a small box or bag of the stuff lurking in the bottom of my hand bag.
Waiting for the emergency snack.
Having nuts and dried fruit in the house already, this granola could be made from our store cupboards.
The girls eat this stuff by the bucket load, for breakfast and half time snacks throughout the day.
Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 180C.
Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
Mix the oil, honey or maple syrup, oats, nuts and seeds in a bowl. Mix really well to combine.
Put it on the baking tray and spread it out. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
Take it out of the oven and give it a good stir. Then put the dried fruit on top.
Put it back in the oven for 10 minutes.
Take it out and leave it to cool, before serving.
Store it in an airtight jar, for up to 1 month(not that it will last that long).
Enjoy.
Spring was here, and now it’s gone again.
I got a little excited and let my mind wonder of into a spring garden.
And what do you need for a day in the garden?… a new skirt.
I found the curtain fabric in a charity shop on holiday last year, in Wales.
It just screams spring to me.
The big band makes this skirt really comfy. It could even be used as a maternity skirt. Or make one with a big band for Christmas day. Who says you can’t eat all day, look good and, be comfy!
This really is a quick skirt. Once you know what you’re doing you will be able to knock one up in under an hour.
You will need:
A curtain or light weight fabric of your choice.
A strip of jersey fabric or an old t-shirt.
First take your measurements.
I like my skirts to finish an inch or so above the knee. I measured from my hip to this point. 37cm
I then measured a loose fit around my hips. 87cm
And then a tight measurement around my waist. 70cm(you want it to be tight, as it will stretch)
Cut your fabric piece for your skirt.
This measurement was 37cm(hip to knee) x 140cm(whole width of fabric).
Using the whole width of the fabric will, give you a nice gather to your skirt.
My piece was already hemmed so I did not need to add any extra to my measurement. If you need to hem your skirt yourself add an extra 10cm to your length to create this.
Cut your waist band.
This measurement was 72cm(waist+2cm for hem) x 22cm(20cm depth of band + 2cm for hem)
To make the gathers.
Set your stitch length to 5 on your sewing machine.
Sew a line of straight stitch close to the edge of the fabric. DO NOT back stitch at the beginning and end of the line. You will be pulling on the treads, so you don’t want them to be secured.
I like to do another line of straight stitch underneath and close to the first.
I can sometimes be a little heavy handed when pulling the threads, and break the first line.
It’s good to have a back up, but you don’t have to do it.
Take the top thread on one side of your fabric and, start to gently pull it and gather your fabric.
Push your gathers along your fabric, spreading them out.
You want your skirt to be evenly ruffled.
Gather your skirt up until you have your hip measurement left, 87cm.
I like to hold it round my hips to check it will fit.
Once your gathers are evenly spread out, you need to attach your waist band.
Your skirt is longer than your waist band, so you will need to stretch the jersey fabric a little.
I pin my pieces together like crazy. I like to fold each piece into quarters, mark them and then use these marks as stretch pointers.
With the right sides of the fabric facing each other, pin them together at your quarter mark points.
Stretch your jersey as you pin, keeping it flat.
Using a small zig zag stitch, stitch your pieces together close to the top.
Take all your pins out and turn your skirt over.
Your stitched rows will be hidden under neath your band.
To complete your waist band, fold it over and pin to the back of your fabric.
Turn under the edge 1cm to enclose the hem and cover the raw edge of the skirt fabric.
Using a straight stitch attach the waist band to your skirt.
Stitch on the right side of the fabric, close to the edge.
And finally pin your side edges together and sew.
Line up the bottom hems first, stretching the waist band to meet if you need to.
And there you have a light weight fun skirt.
Now all I’m waiting for is the sun to come back, I may be waiting some time.
I return.
What a couple of weeks!
The Easter holidays have seen the whole family being ill. We had to cancel all our plans, trips away, family meals, leaving the house!
2 weeks of quarantine and I was ready for the school holidays to be over. But I’m also sad we didn’t get to have any fun together. Films, crying and Calpol where our main staples of entertainment.
But onwards and upwards, and more crafty things on the horizon.
We don’t really eat a lot of bread in our house.
We have a loaf in the freezer to take out a slice, as and when we need it.
I’ll buy a focaccia or another artisan bread as a treat. But making our own, wow it’s so easy and the ingredients are always in the cupboard.
Although it takes a bit of time between the stages, it really is quite simple to make. The girls love making their on bread and are guaranteed to eat a good lunch of it, when it’s done.
Ingredients
435ml warm water
10 g active dried yeast
1tsp honey
1tbsp olive oil( and a dash more)
1 1/2 tsp salt
600g plain flour
fresh Rosemary
Put the water, yeast, honey, 1 tbsp of olive oil and 3 hand fulls of flour in a bowl. Mix it together really well, getting rid of any lumps. Cover with a tea towel and leave for 30 minutes, until it’s foamy looking. If it doesn’t foam up, your yeast is dead and you will need to start a-fresh.
Mix in the flour and salt. Start with a wooden spoon and once it comes together use your hands. You need to slap the dough about a bit in the bowl. I throw it from side to side in the bowl for about 5 minutes. Cover with your tea towel and leave in a draft free place for 1 1/2 hours.
Once it has all puffed up in your bowl, punch it down a bit to flatten it. Lightly oil a large baking tray and stretch your dough out onto it, making it into a large square shape. Make sure not to tear any holes in it. If you do squish and patch it back together. Cover it with a couple of tea towels and leave in your draft free place for a further 45 minutes.
Pre heat your oven to 200c(fan).
Mix your dash of olive oil with a dash of water. Make big dimples in your bread with your fingers(this is the girls favorite bit), brush with your oil and water mixture and sprinkle with your choice of herbs. I like to use fresh Rosemary. Pop it in the oven for 20-30 minutes.
Once your bread is golden and a bit crusty remove it from the oven. If your bread sounds hollow when you tap it on the bottom, you are done.
Let it cool a little and eat it warm or cooled.
It slices really well for sandwiches or cut into fingers for dipping into soups.
I like to portion mine up and store in the freezer for a quick lunch, or last minute pic-nic plans.
Their not very pretty, but I sure do love and appreciate my feet.
With all the hard work they do for me, I really should take more care of them.
Last weekend this is something I decided it was about time I sorted out.
My heels where so cracked and hard they looked awful. There was no way I was going to share a picture of them. You don’t want to see them, and I don’t want to look back at my blog and remember them!
I have seen adverts for lots of different foot creams but decided to go with a Swedish brand CCS. I didn’t do any research into the creams, I simply chose it because it was Swedish and I’m particularly into Scandinavian interior design and furniture at the moment. That’s a little insight into how my mind works! No logic, it just goes where it wants to.
The instructions are to apply it twice a day for a week. Applying it at night and leaving some socks on, you should see some improvement in about a week.
I was a little doubtful that i would see the benefits in a week and I get claustrophobic feet at night, so there was o way I was going to leave my socks on over night.
But I have used it for the week and my feet look amazing!
I am so pleased with this product I’m telling everyone about it. I exfoliated my feet a couple of times, after a nice Epsom salt bath.
My feet are now ready for my sandals, all I need is the sunshine.
Just a couple of hours to myself on a Saturday morning, does me the world of good.
Popping out in the car. The radio on a little louder, driving a little faster and not having to haul 2 children, a pushchair, a bag of just ‘in case’ items and myself out of the car where ever we end up.
Just me, myself and I.
I am a believer that if I create the right environment for myself, I can flourish and produce a much better version of me.
With all the work I have been doing on my blog, for Paul and myself, I really needed a desk space and dedicated working area. Rather than a patch on the kitchen table, crowded by play doh and glitter glue.
I cleared back the stacks of toys and cushions from an alcove in the kitchen and ta da, just like that a work station.
2 white trestle table’s and some gold painted scaffold planks. I love it.
My new jars are from a great shop called fig.1
It’s full of things by one of my favorite home wares designers, rice. Lots of brightly colored melamine, lush!
I have my storage needs ready, now I just need to get down to work.
A day out of the city and a trip to a car boot sale finished of our weekend.
A large magazine rack for the bathroom.
A giant blue suitcase(for my ever growing fabric stash)
Retro mugs
And an enamel cheeseboard.
All things that made it home with me. Things I never knew I needed, but obviously I really did.
I happened upon a giant bag of polystyrene beanbag balls, some time ago.
If I’m being totally honest I have been storing them in the garden for the past 3 years. In a great big blue bag, which the kids loved jumping on. Paul finally had enough of moving the bag around our garden. So it was time to use them or give them away.
Use them, use them!!!
I love all the Moroccan poufs that are around at the moment. But I don’t have the patience to sew the traditional sort with the intricate pattern on the top. So these are a quick fix, simple version for the kids to use around the house and in the garden.
Materials:
Your choice of fabrics for the top, sides and bottom.
Polystyrene balls.
An old sheet or cheap calico fabric- To make your inner bag to hold your balls.
I started by choosing how big I wanted my poufs. I had a lot of balls to use so I went for something quite large.
I found just the right circle size in my bathroom mats. You can either use my measurements or use the calculations below to make your own size.
My circle diameter(measurement from one side of the circle to the other) was 57 cm.
The side pieces measured 179cm x 22cm
The 22cm is the height I chose for my cushions. You can make yours shorter or taller if you like. The finished height was 20 cm, as I allowed a 1cm seam allowance.
If you don’t have a bath mat to draw around or a compass big enough, you can use a pen with a piece of string attached to it to make your circle. Tie your string to the top of your pen, it needs to be the radius(half the width of your circle) in length. Holding your string tight onto your fabric, move the pen around from your center point, keeping the string as tight as possible.
If you choose to make your own size circle, this is the calculations you need to find the circumference(distance around the circle, for the side piece):
Diameter x pi(3.14 )= circumference
To make the inner bag to put your beans in follow the steps bellow.
Because it won’t be seen, you don’t need to be that neat. I kept the seams showing on the inside.
When I had sewed the second side of the circle nearly on, I filled it with the beans.
Which is a bit messy. But the kids loved searching for and picking up the balls.
I then sewed the open gap closed.
Fill it with as few or as many balls as you like. I wanted mine quite firm(and had a lot of balls to use up), so filled them to 3/4 full. I still wanted a bit of movement and squashyness to them.
Cut 2 circles. One for your top and one for your bottom.
I chose to have patterns and bold prints on the top, and then something hard waring for the bottom. I used a cotton fabric called ticking.
You then need to cut your side piece.
Right sides together, pin your side piece to your top piece.
Meet the 2 ends of your side piece together, making sure they meet evenly and pin together.
Using your sewing machine, sew the side piece together in a straight line at it’s open ends.
Sewing from the point on the circle that they meet at.
Iron your side seams open, and pin them flat against the side of your circle.
Sew around the whole circumference of your circle, 1 cm from the edge.
Right sides still together pin the bottom fabric, to the other side of your side panel.
Only pin and sew about 3/4 of your bottom circle on, so you have room to put in your inner bean bag.
Once you have sewn round it, turn your bag the right side out. So you can see your patterned fabric.
Stuff your inner bag inside the outer beanbag. Make sure to line up the top, bottom and edges inside the bag, to give it the right shape.
I gave my poufs a sort of pie crust bottom detail to them. I think I may have had pie on the brain!
Pin the bottom and side pieces together around the edge, to make the lip.
When you get to the open section, fold each side under and pin together.
On the right sides of your fabric, sew close to the edge right the way around your circle.
This will enclose the open section of your pouf.
And there you have your pie crust.
Flip it over and you have your finished pouf.
Ready for lounging on.
There are 4 bottoms in our house that all love lounging, so I whipped up another 3.
They where an instant hit with the girls.
I’m really glad I made the inner lining for the beans to go in. They have already had a good battering. A split seam and spilt beans every where would be awful!
The sun is out, and our bikes are ready to go.
We went for a lovely bicycle ride last weekend. An hour or so into Bristol’s surrounding country side, and then back home again.
The girls had a great time on the back of our bikes, watching the countryside go by. They where so tired when we got home. Which I don’t really understand, as they where not the ones cycling!
Matilda’s bike seat was looking rather tired and dirty(even after going through the washing machine), so I gave it a quick fix up. It really only took 5 minutes.
Eeew, look how dirty it was!
I drew around the existing seat, straight onto my chosen fabric, and then cut it out.
I chose a purple cord, it’s hard wearing and I have loads of it.
Pin your top piece onto the top of your old seat.
Straight stitch 1cm from the edge, all the way around your pieces joining them together.
You ca leave it there, but your edges will fray.
If you have an over locker use it to seal the edges in.
I don’t have one so I used my zig zag stitch, which almost does the same.
I did it twice using 2 different colors, pink and green.
And there we have it. All fixed up and ready to go.
We went to a wonderful woodland wedding last weekend.
I made these little hairband butterfly’s following some really simple origami instructions.
They are a little fiddly, but after a bit of practice( and patience) I got it.
You can make your rectangle of fabric any size you like.
I made my rectangle 9cm x 6cm, which worked great.
The antenna where made from a bent piece of electrical wire, with a couple of beads glue gunned to the ends.
I used small stab stitches through the wings and body to hold it together, and the antenna on. But you could just as easily use a glue gun or super glue, to hold the shape together.
I stuck it onto a 50p hairband, and we where ready for the party.
I am expanding my computer skills!
I have loved learning how to use a blog and navigate my way around the world of hosting, mapping and all the other blog jargon.
Now I am taking myself by the hand and leading me into the world of 3D image making.
I love interior design and staging. The thought of being able to create my own 3D models is blowing my mind.
So along with another college course, this is what I am going to spend my evenings indulging in.
I’m already into the first few chapters of my book, and am eager to read and get creating as quickly as I can.
With college, sketch up, sewing(because I can’t not), looking after 2 children, a husband and a house, blog posts might not be as often as they have been.
I recon just 1 or 2 a week.
Their simply isn’t enough time in the day for it all!!!
What have I done without this pudding for all these years!
I seem to say this about all the new puddings and cakes I discover.
But this is such a quick, versatile and yummy pudding, I really mean it this time.
What have I done without it?!
The sponge is so soft and you can use any soft fruit you have left laying around.
It takes moments to mix it up and then straight in the oven it goes.
There is only ever a scraping left in the bowl, and never enough for the next day.
But I’m always happy to whip up another one.
Ingredients
125 g self-raising flour
1tsp baking powder
12 g softened butter
125 g caster sugar, plus a few tbsp extra
2 medium eggs
500 g raspberries/ strawberries/apples/pears. What ever soft fruit you have to hand. The amount doesn’t need to be exact, just enough to cover the bottom of your dish is fine.
You will need an oven proof dish. I use a round one, which measures 22cm x 22cm.
Pre heat the oven to 180C
Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl.
Add the butter, sugar and eggs and beat with an electric whisk until smooth.
Add 2 tbsp of water to the batter and mix well.
In a round oven proof dish place your fruit over the bottom. Sprinkle with sugar and a tbsp of water.
Dollop your batter over the fruit and smooth it out.
Put it in your pre heated oven for 45-50 minutes. Until the sponge has set and a skewer inserted into the middle, comes out clean.
Once out of the oven, sprinkle with a good layer of sugar and leave for 5-10 minutes, if you have time.
Serve hot with lashings of single cream.
Enjoy x
An hour to get out of the door in the morning, is just not long enough!
The morning lunch box challenge is an added excitement. Challenge on!
Savory scones are a saving grace, they are an easy activity to do with the kids, you can put anything you have in the cupboard into them and they can be thrown(gently) into a lunch box at the last minute.
Fillings
You can pop anything you like into the scones. You just need a handful or 2 of something to make these tasty treats.
A couple of our favourites are:
Chopped black olives, tbsp tomato paste a sprinkle of oregano and a handful of grated cheddar cheese.
Torn mozzarella cheese and basil leaves.
A handful peas, feta cheese and torn ham.
The base for the scones is really simple:
To make roughly 12 scones
Pre heat the oven to 200C
Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl.
Add the butter to the bowl and rub it into the flour, until it looks like bread crumbs.
Add your choice of filling.
If your dough seems quite dry and is not coming together, add a small amount of milk at a time. Until it is bound together and forms a dough.
Knead the mixture for a couple of minutes, until smooth.
Flatten your dough out onto a floured surface until it’s about 3cm thick.
Using a round cookie cutter, cut out your scones and put them onto a greased baking tray.
Place them with a gap between them and brush them with a little milk.
Pop them in the oven for 10 – 15 minutes, or until browned on top.
Let them cool on a wire rack.
They last for a week in an air tight box, or put them in the freezer for later.
Ouch!
Taking the girls scooters apart, to pack them for a journey, has always left me with a red, hurting finger.
But no more.
Not now I have the ‘Scooter Rock’!
Use a pointed piece of flint or stone, to push down on the button and then pull them apart.
I turn the scooter upside down and put a foot on the handle bar.
No more hurting your finger when, you’re trying to cram the scooter into the boot of your car.
Brilliant.
Terrible no!
Testing yes!
My patience is being tested and Ava is testing the water of independence, boundaries, kind hands, sleeping arrangements, eating arrangements etc,etc, etc……..
Maybe I have erased from my memory, Matilda going through this phase(number 150 on the phase list). But Ava has gone from being a cute little toddler into a kicking, screaming not listening, crazy!
I can deal with the tantrums, the naughty step is a firm favorite place to be. But the not going to bed and then creeping into our bed, is driving me a little more nuts.
We would now be in the box ticked – Co sleeping. What!
Of course I know she will grow out of it and having a cuddle in the night, is actually really lush. But broken sleep is no good for either of us.
Distraction usually works with Ava, my new trick at bedtime is to send her to bed with a note book and pencil. I tell her she doesn’t have to go to sleep, just sit and have a draw until she wants a rest. So far so good, 2 nights and the book and pencil has kept her in bed until she falls asleep. Now I just have to try to get her to stay in it. Without using gaffer tape!
This is a stir fry for all the family.
It takes only minutes to throw it all together.
The part that takes the longest is slicing the vegetables thinly.
You can really use any meat or veg you have left in the fridge, at the end of the week.
Paul and I like to add a little extra chopped chilli to ours, for an extra kick.
The trick with this is to do all your prep first, so you can throw it all together quickly . You want the veg to still be crisp and a bit crunchy. Not over cooked and soggy.
Ingredients
Easy cook noodles( choose your quantity for how hungry you are and how many tummy’s you need to fill)
Put your noodles onto cook according to the instructions and drain well.
Heat your olive oil in a frying pan or wok over a hot heat.
Add your sliced carrot and cook for a minute before adding your spring onions.
Cook for a further minute then add your garlic, ginger, curry powder and sliced pork.
Cook for 5 minutes until the pork has cooked.
Make a well in the middle of the pan and add the peanut butter. Stir until the butter has melted. Add the soya sauce to the well and then mix the soya-peanut mix through all the ingredients.
Pour your noodles into the frying pan and stir through the vegetables.
Enjoy.
