Perfectcupcakes

Worth the wait...

2009-08-18T01:32:00.000-07:00

Well, we're halfway through the summer holidays now and have been busy bees, hardly having time to blog at all.

We've finally got around to doing 2 things that have been on my list since Mr J moved down to Bath....
First we visited the Roman Baths ( local residents can actually get in for free with a discovery card).
We spent the morning wandering around like tourists, but surprisingly took few photos, as we knew we could come back again whenever we felt like it!!

The other was to visit a local wood and find the Waterfall. I'd never visited Greyfield Wood before, we are lucky enough to have so many wonderful woods to walk around here, but friend had told me of the waterfall so we were intrigued.

The map gave no indication of a waterfall at all so we set off to explore.....

It was definitely worth the wait!!! We climbed the rocks to the top of the waterfall and ate our picnic.

A new blog!!!!!!

2009-04-07T01:05:00.000-07:00

An idea hit me the other day to start a new blog, recording our changes towards the simple life! Please pop over to read it and let me know what you think!!!

I'll be posting the self sufficiency and simple living stuff there from now on and keep this one for other stuff, or maybe do both!!! ... bear with me till i decide!!

The Peasedown Pigeons

2009-03-12T01:55:00.000-07:00

The flock has finally landed!! Last summer I took the children to a mosaic workshop (by nesa) at the village day and we made pigeons!!!

Over 30 people did the same and the results have now been displayed around the village, on various buildings, the centrepiece being on the co-operative. One of ours is on the bakers, another on the school. They are being released by a miner, celebrating Peasedown's position and history at the centre of the former Somerset coalfield and the long association between miners and racing pigeons.

We are so lucky to have stong community art projects in this area.

More details below

http://www.peasedownpigeons.org.uk/

http://www.communitymurals.org.uk/

http://www.mosaicand.co.uk/

http://www.nesacreativechange.org.uk/

What happens where you live? What is your towns history?

Vegetable plantings ......

2009-03-08T03:01:00.000-07:00

...... or I spy with my little eye something beginning with P!!!!

(Cold frame made from recycled wood by my lovely boyfriend )

It must be getting warmer because the Peas are up and I've been busy planting seeds!!!!!

Update from 22.02.09

Peas: Feltham First

Planted last November these are growing nicely in the coldframe! Harvest should be ready for harvest at the start of May - August. More can be own now (Mar - May) for a longer harvest.

Garlic: Supermarket

November I planted cloves from a supermarket bulb, these are now 6 inch high shoots! The recent frosts / snow should be great for splitting the bulb into cloves.

Potatoes: Supermarket

The spuds I planted last year were dug up by the kids (searching for worms!) so I planted more today.

Lettuce: Unwins Organic Cut & Come Again :

Planted indoors in two drills will be ready for harvest May - Oct. Can be planted outside April - July. I'll be re planting every 3 weeks to ensure a continuous crop.

Carrots: Early Nantes 2

Planted 6" in the coldframe, these are old seeds so not sure if they'll germinate?

Summer Cabbage: Primo

The seeds I planted last year inside (wrong time!!) are looking long and leggy but green, I think I might scrap those and put them in a stir-fry and start again. I can sow more inside this month or outside in April. Harvest Jul - Aug.

Runner beans: nursery buy from last year

Sown inside, in recycled loo rolls! We'll plant these

Onions: nursery buy from last year

The sets are growing nicely in the trough, putting up shoots, twigs in the mud seem to be keeping cats / birds off!!

01.03.09

I've decided we need some flowers in the garden as well!

French Marigolds: Marionette Mixed

Companion planting to keep the pests off the veggies!

12 seeds planted in the propogator on the living room windowsill. Several have sprouted within the week!!

Nasturtiums: Maharajah mixed

Edible beauties to cheer up our salads!

Planted in propogator. None sprouted yet!

Loads more seeds in the basket to plant but not ready yet!!!!

How to make rice milk and oat milk

2009-02-07T01:25:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we have enough milk to keep us going a few more days, but maybe you haven't? What are you going to do, the shop shelves are empty.
How about you make your own? I've found recipes now for rice milk (delicious in red bush tea) and oat milk.....

Rice Milk

1/4 cup brown rice
4 cups boiling water

Put into a saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1hr. Allow to cool and blend till smooth. Strain through muslin.

It looks less milky than milk but tastes just as good, with a nice light rice taste! I reused the strained rice adding sugar and heating to make a (gruel like) rice pudding!!!

Oat Milk

Ingredients
3 Cups Very Hot Water
1 Cup Rolled Oats
2 Tsp Sweet White or Barley Miso

Combine all ingredients in a container with a lid, being sure that miso is dissolved. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, blend until smooth in a blender or food processor. Keeps for one week. Always shake before serving.

The miso is there for added B12 and fermentation, but I dont have any in so I'll be trialling it without for now???

Does anyone else have any tips for 'making do' with store cupboard stuff?

What do when you are snowed in - and everyone else is panicking

2009-02-06T01:39:00.000-08:00

or rather how I've been coping!

Its been snowing here for a week now and it seems as if the country has ground to a halt! We hardly ever get snow here, a mild dusting if we are lucky, never enough for a snowball let alone a snowman or sledging, yet we have had 5 inches on the ground for the last week.
Before the snow, we dropped our car at the mechanics for repairs, bad move! Unable to walk very far in the best of weather I have been almost housebound for 7 days ! Even if we had a car we couldn't get far - the councils in the south west are running out of grit to treat the roads.
The start of this week was traditionally when I would have done my fortnightly shop, so Yesterday I finally ventured out, (we needed eggs and sugar), the snow was beautiful as we walked into the village..... if you see the two footprints with the small round hole next to them, littered with smowballs that me!! trainers with breadbags inside to stop my feet getting wet (my wellies give me blisters!) and a walking stick to steady me whilst the kids and PJ attacked me with snowballs!!
The village was transformed it was full of families walking together (school has only been open 1 day this week) but when we got to the shop the shelves were alarmingly empty - no milk at all! We popped across to the butcher for free range eggs and local cheese then headed home, thankful that I had supplies at home of the staples that were quickly disappearing from the Cooperative!

Steps to take to be prepared:-
Keep a stockpile of essentials to keep you going
MILK - we always buy cartons of UHT milk anyway, and always ensure we have a weeks worth in. A supply of dried powdered milk is our backup for longer periods.
BREAD - we have frozen loaves at home but also enough supplies to make our own for a few weeks
WATER - We have bottled water, but are looking at ways we can harvest rainwater for drinking etc.
FOOD - we have frozen meals and ingredients at hand to last and a good supply of tinned goods and dried food to keep us going for a good while. Thinking about whats plentiful / in short supply can help us emergency meal plan. Luxeries are put on hold or rationed out.
FUEL - (essential as I can't walk far) we keep our car tanks topped up with diesel so strikes and shortages shouldn't bother us for a while. We minimise car useage.
ELECTRIC - We have candles for power cuts and for the future we are looking at solar panels and storage.

This isn't by anymeans a complete list just a reminder for me more than anything. A good post on stockpiling can be found here and here The website food lifeboat gives great daily dietry recommendations .

Rhonda over at down to earth has loads of posts on this whole topic here

Celebrating simple traditions - Candlemas Day

2009-02-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

Looking out at the frosts today and predicted snow its hard to think that Winter will soon be over yet in pre-Christian times, Feb 2 was a day of celebration known as the "Festival of Lights." Coming midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, it heralded the coming of spring.

Candles were lit to symbolize the return of the sun and lengthening days after the long months of winter darkness. Called Imbolc in Celtic cultures, this day marked the beginning of lambing season, and according to folkloric tradition, the initial stirrings of seeds in the earth.

The holiday is a festival of the hearth and home, and a celebration of the lengthening days and the early signs of spring. Rituals often involve hearthfires, special foods, divination or simply watching for omens (whether performed in all seriousness or as children's games), a great deal of candles, and perhaps an outdoor bonfire if the weather permits.

So tonight we will fill the house with candles and celebrate Candlemas!!!

Living without a refridgerator Challenge - one month on

2009-02-01T00:38:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry I haven't posted for a while, the last two weeks have been awful. I've had a few personal problems and aswell as having to focus all my efforts on finding a job (unlucky so far) i've had my dream of keeping chickens here cruely snatched away from me. Breaking it to the children that we had to cancel our trip to colllect them broke my heart!

Today marks a whole month of living without a refridgerator..... have we missed it?

NOT AT ALL!!

We've been coping by keeping chilled goods in a keepcool and chilling it with iceblocks or recycled plastic bottles of frozen water that we change morning and evening.

Over the month i've learnt that

I need to keep my milk covered - smells seem to transfer easier in a confined space.
I should cut cheese into portion sizes when I buy it and then freeze them so we only defrost a couple of days worth at a time to use.

We haven't had to throw away any food from the cool box, you know exactly whats in there! I often threw spoiled food awy from the fridge as I had forgotten it was in there.
I don't put leftovers into the coolbox, i box them up and freeze them straight away.
Fresh vegetables have been kept in a vegetable rack and used within a couple of days with little or no wastage ( I started shopping at a market stall and served by the stall holder not sure if i bought damaged beg or not). I'll be monitoring this and looking for better places to keep these.

Steps I have taken this week towards more simple living:-
The children have walked to school 4 out of 5 days
I have cut back on hours at school to re balance my work / home life
I have turned off a freezer and removed it from the kitchen

What to do when your kids have too many toys!!!

2009-01-16T03:34:00.000-08:00

photo from freedigitalphotos

Too many toys, can there really be such a thing? Well from a child's point of view probably not but from a parents then the answer is definitely yes!!! Christmas has been and gone and left hundreds of toys in its wake!!!! Theres a birthday in less than a month and the sheer volume of stuff is driving me insane!!

I've always struggled getting rid of toys in the past. As a single mum I've worried about not being able to buy more if we needed to and guilty about passing toys on. But on the flip side step families mean more places to get presents from (unfortunately one side uses buying stuff as showing love?) so enough is enough......

Rule One - if someone else bought the toy (nanny, auntie, great gran ..... ) and we have enough at home, ask if the toy can be kept at their house to play with there instead. Any ones sneaking through the net - my children are great at hiding things to bring home to mummy's - will be sent straight back with them next visit!

Rule two - we do not need a houseful of toys. The children can have 2 cupboards downstairs and a small toy box in their room

Rule three - the toy should at least try to be educational there is a great post on junk toys here. Working in a nursery has given me great insight here, LOTS of play things have educational value, stitching / threading promotes hand eye coordination, role play (dressing up, home area)can help us understand the world around us. Mark making (chalks, pens) can help children develop writing skills. Games such as battleships can even help children to use spreadsheets better when they are older....( B1, C3, co-ordinates). So our toys at home will fit into the following categories...

Small World / Roleplay - Cars, Horses, Dressup, Cooking

Imaginative Play - Dress up costumes

Creative - Sewing, Chalks, Fuzzyfelts, Drawing

Physical - Skipping Ropes, Bean bags

Rule four - Future Purchases must be as 'green' as possible. Are the materials natural?, Is it sustainable, does it have educational value, how long will the children enjoy this for, where will it end up - will it compost, recyle, be used again? What consumables will it use ( batteries etc). Will it prevent my children from enjoying 'the real world'?

Rule five - I will prep nannys as too what makes a good pressie and how it doesn't always have to be toys. Great examples at xmas were a sewing box, a mini tool kit (real tools not plastic) and a dinosaur apron and cookie cutters, I mean ALL children enjoy helping out in real life tasks and copying mummy /daddy, don't they!!!?

Rule Six - if it is broken toss it, if it is no longer played with or not age appropriate, donate it!!

These are my rules for my house, but hopefully there's a bit of common sense in there that you can all apply in your own house.

What tips do you have to share?

How to start saving when you haven't any money!!

2009-01-15T01:58:00.000-08:00

Everybody knows they should be saving but how can you if at the end of the month there's nothing left?
I've always known the importance of saving, squirreling away small piles of notes for 'the future' then raiding them when the car breaks down. This was fine when I worked for a living, I could soon restock the piles when my wage packet arrived, but how do you save when the amount coming in only covers your living expenses???

Cut your Outgoings - Nights out, takeaways and new fancy clothes can all be easily cut from your spendings, but if like me you've already cut these or didn't spend them to start with you need to look at your essentials and cut back. Check are you on the best deals for your utilities? go to a comparison site and check or ask your supplier if there is a better package they can put you on?

comparethemarket.com or uswitch.com both offer online searches

Make A budget - Get your bills and your statements infront of you and work out where your money's going. You can then choose to cut back on non -essentials (do you really need to spend £1.90 once a week on coffee or could you take a flask?) For the essentials (gas, electric, telephone etc) you now have accurate figures of what you spend.

Deal in Cash - Once you have written down the amounts you need each month, withdraw that amount and put it into a small envelope for the month. I keep each of my spendings seperate, money for 'petrol' and 'food' are both in seperate brown envelopes. Having only cash I can't go over my set budget and am more likely to search for bargains doing so. Any money left in the envelope atthe end of the month can go straight into your savings.

How to use Soap Nuts

2009-01-09T02:35:00.000-08:00

A while back I bought some soap nuts. I've used them in my washing machine as a laundry cleaner* but knew they were capable of so much more....

* Tie 4-6 soap nut shells in a muslin bag (provided with most soap nuts orders) and put it in the washing machine load at a desired temperature. You can use the same pouch for 4 to 6 loads of laundry. When the shells become grayish and mushy, they are ready to be replaced and added to your compost. My next step in replacing commercial products is to use them as a dishwashing liquid.

Dishwashing Liquid Recipe

To make the liquid, boil 100g of soap nuts in 12 cups of water for approximately 30 minutes. Cool the liquid, remove the shells, and your liquid soap is ready! Storing the liquid in an air tight container helps it to keep longer. Because there are no added chemicals in soap nuts liquid, it can go bad after some time, depending on the storing conditions. You can use this liquid for washing the dishes or even use 3 tbsp for a large load of laundry.
This liquid can then be used as castilles soap in other recipes such as towards sutainabilities recipe here or melissas here

The Journey to Simplicity

2009-01-08T01:50:00.000-08:00

P at St Fagans

Last Autumn we visited the Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans in Wales, It had an amazing impact on me. For those of you who haven't heard of it, they have a collection of houses throughout the ages from all over Wales rebuilt in the grounds ( taken apart brick by brick on location, numbered and reassembled there!) There is an amazing amount of interesting buildings there but what hit me most was how simply everyone lived, 1 room, fireplace, bed and vegetables growing in the garden. It was so peaceful. I ran home wanting to rid myself of all the 'junk' I had accumilated, rid myself of the 'things' I didn't need.

Pig Sty

We decluttered and freecycled. I gave away 2 of the TVs and watched alot less on the remaining 2!!! We did what I saw was what we could do ''whilst we lived here" and made plans for greater changes we would make "when we move" We are not moving imminently though, it will take us 2 - 5 years to save and find our next house, it will be simpler, possibly smaller but with more land.

Veg Garden St Fagans

I realised recently that although somethings are best saving till we move, solar panels, recycling grey water into toilets etc, other things we were just using 'the move' as an excuse. So from now we will live the life we can whilst we are here.

Big House, St Fagans

P has already quit working for others and started his own business, I have started to retrain to work in schools. Even though we will still have to 'go to work to pay the bills' our days will be more fulfilling and our hours more family freindly. My flock of chickens will have to wait but I am currently exploring the possibility of keeping 3 bantams here in the back garden. We have stopped buying shop bread and have learnt how to use the timer on our bread machine meaning I come downstairs to the beautiful smell of fresh bread in he morning!

Stop putting off living the life you want, waiting for the time to be right - start living it now!!

What dreams are you putting off that you might be able to start the journey on today?

Homemade Gifts

2009-01-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas this year was fab I can't think of ANY presents I didn't like!! Or like giving for that matter. For one reason or another there were a great deal of homemade gifts given.....

The two monsters above were given to my two little monsters!!! Another larger one was given to P made from an old fleece jumper he loved but no longer wore.

I made christmas cakes and orange vodka for friends. In return I got jars of apple chutney and home laid eggs.

P's mum gave us a homemade hamper full of goodies she had baked and knitted us wrist warmers, my mum knitted us scarves and bought me an oldfashioned mixing bowl ( ready to make lots of future home-made goodies)

My brother treated us to a visit to the zoo complete with behind the scenes tips and talk ( he volunteers in the butterfly and bug enclosures).

So lots of homemade goodies and experiences, as well as a camcorder from P to record them all on :)

Homemade washing powder

2009-01-05T10:29:00.000-08:00

I'm going to try make my own washing powder again, last years trial recipe wasn't great so I've searched the 'net again and found a new one that seems good.

6 oz soap (flakes or whatever soap I have, but avoid synthetically perfumed ones),

2 cups borax and

2 cups of washing soda.

(All available at hardware stores, some chemists or supermarket)

Finely grate the soap (if not using flakes) and add to the other two ingredients, mix well, and store in a cool dry place. You can grate the soap by hand, or put it through the food processor, but make sure to wash it thoroughly afterwards.

I'll be trying it later this week

The Presence of Trees

2009-01-02T13:41:00.000-08:00

"I have always felt the living presence

of trees,

the forest that calls to me as deeply

as I breathe,

as though the woods were marrow of my bone

as though

I myself were tree, a breathing, reaching

arc of the larger canopy

beside a brook bubbling to foam

like the one

deep in these woods,

that calls

that whispers home."

Michael S Glaser

I cannot say how much I love this! So beautiful, and very, very relevant.

Living without a refridgerator Challenge - day 1

2009-01-02T13:31:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I turned off my refridgerator and today we put it into storage. Milk and cheese have been put into a coolbox with an ice block. I'm no way ready to do without my freezer ( I've moved my freezer from the garage into the fridge space in the kitchen) but living without a refridgerator seems easy to me.
My fridge was always mostly empty and alot of the food in there would be forgotten and go mouldy. I'm hoping now extra portions of food can be cooled quickly and put straight into the freezer rather than sit in the fridge waiting to be transfered - forget - and then find it gone off too late!!!
Most people so far have said I am mad or it can't be done - so begins the challenge - I wonder how it will change the way we live? At least we'll have lower electric bills finding out!!
What do you think? Mad or Genius!!

Happy New Year! Reflections on 2008 and hopes for 2009!!

2009-01-01T10:08:00.000-08:00

2008 seems to have sped past in a bit of a blur. Although I am pleased to say it was the year when I began on my small changes to a simpler, greener life. I made small changes around the home to begin the path to greener living..... I changed light bulbs to energy efficient ones, hung a washing line in the garden and planted some vegetables in the back garden composting our kitchen waste. I home cooked most of our meals and we turned vegetarian! I also started on a path back to working life, gaining a student placement at the local primary and training to be a teaching assistant.

Next year I hope to step do more, learning how to be more self sufficient, reducing our outgoings and carbon footprint. I want to make more local friendships, join community projects and teach the children the values of green, simple living.

Some of my goals for this year are:

1. Do without a refridgerator
2. Make our own Dishwashing Liquid
3. Make our own Bread
4. Live Local (focus on local activities, holidays and events)
5. Join a local community group
6. Reduce our carbon footprint
7. Learn how to make clothes for me and children
8. Start another waterbutt
9. Cook outside
10. Harvest grey water for garden
11. Reduce our use of cars and car expenses
12. Save at least £1500
13. Look into solar power
14. Recycle more
15. Shop Locally
16. Teach Paul and children to cook
17. Reduce our Gas and Electric Use
18. Use less water
19. Get a satisfying job after I qualify
20. To make the home warm and welcoming, using more natural products

What are your goals for this year?

2008-12-24T10:10:00.000-08:00

Happy Xmas everyone!!!! Life has been hectic, hopefully normal blogging will return in the new year with lots of updates!!
Wishing everyone a happy, peaceful christmas time.

Baby steps to green living....

2008-11-07T02:24:00.000-08:00

5 simple ways to go green right now!! Join me in changing the way we live for a greener (and cheaper) future...

1. Eat less meat - I actually learnt this off the kids cbbc website, oops! It costs more and uses more energy to raise 1 kg of meat than 1kg of non meat food (crops etc). Making a change to a few more meat free meals will not only help the environment but your purse too!
We've gone slightly further and gone totally meat free at home now, but make sure you dont just buy meat replacement products, get out your cookbooks and try wholefood recipes, better still grow your own ingredients.

2. Change your lightbulbs - Low energy lightbulbs use less electric and can save you money. We changed our main lights ages ago but never got around to the moredifficult fittings in lamps etc. Tesco have a promotion on instore now for buy one get one free or even £2 bulbs down to 40p each when you buy 5. Lots of different fittings available!!!

3. Save water - Keep a container by the sink to save the water wasted down the plughole whilst you wait for the warm tap to heat up. This can be used later in the day. Fill a jug with the amount of water you need for your cuppa then pour it into the kettle, so you only heat what you need! If you do boil too much pour it into a flask for hot water needed later!!

4. Carry a couple of reuseable bags inside your handbag for unexpected shops and keep some heavy duty bags in your boot for the grocery shop.

5. Thing twice before parting with your money and buying something. Do you really need it? Can the old one be repaired? Can you get it cheaper elsewhere? How much will it cost you in the long run (running cost etc.) I've put off several buys in the last week.
, not replacing one item, fixing another and buying an alternative for the third saving me £15!!

These are all things i've changed or done in the last week, how are you getting greener?

2008-11-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

I found this quote today from the book "Better Off" by Eric Brende... on the consumption rebellion blog

The rich man from the North came by one day and saw the southern fisherman sitting, just sitting by the water. This horrified him.
'What are you doing?' he asked.
'I'm sitting,' replied the fisherman.
'Why aren't you out there fishing?'
'I've caught enough fish for one day,' he said.
'Don't you know,' returned the rich man, 'that if you continued, you could earn more money, and with that, buy another boat? With two boats you catch even more fish and pretty soon you'd have a whole fleet of boats. Then you'd be rich like me.'
'What would I do then?' asked the fisherman.
'Then you could really enjoy life.'
Replied the fisherman, 'What do you think I'm doing right now?'"

Doesn't that just sum it all up?

Happy Halloween!!!

2008-10-31T05:48:00.000-07:00

Oops!! Where are all the crafty things I was going to make for it??? We knocked up the window silhouette this morning. It actually stretches across the whole front window but I can't get a good photo!

Spooky Window Silhouette

You will need:-

Yellow Card
Black marker Pen / Poster paint
Scissors

Instructions

Measure window pane, and mark this on a piece of yellow card.

Cut card to length and draw on your spooky scene - gravestones, bats, witches houses, crosses, black cats - just remember to keep outlines simple if you are wanting the kids to help cutting out! We compromised with me cutting out and them colouring in and sticking it up!

Next cut out this outline. Now with LOTS of newspaper underneath your shape outline, colour it in with a marker or paint with poster paint. Remember not to colour in windows etc as the yellow card showing through will make them look illuminated in your room.

Now turn the shape over and paint it again ( you'll be able to see both sides if you are sticking it in a window!

Use left over scraps to cut out bats, flying witches etc ( colour them black too ) and even a big yellow circle for a full moon.

Arrange shapes in window and adhere with small bits of clear sellotape.

Sit back and enjoy!!!!

Halloween plans tonight are a big warming veg curry before 'trickle treating' as my kids call it, then off to a firework display and halloween disco!!

Easy Sweet Veg Curry

Medium Onion, chopped
Tbsp Olive Oil
1 /2 tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp ginger
3/4 pt basic tomato sauce
4 small potatoes
1 large sweet potato
1/2 small butternut squash
1 can butter beans
up to 1/4pt water

Dry roast the spices, add oil and sweat onion. Add tomato sauce and stir. Chop potatoes and squash and add to pan. Add beans. Cover and cook for 40 minutes adding water as need to get the amount of sauce you like in your curry!

I'm glad todays a bit more relaxed we don't seem to have stopped this week! We've had lots of fun though, building a willow play area for bath city farm!

These were bent over, weaved and tweaked into little igloos for the kids to play in, a short scavange around the site found 2 logs worthy of bench status to put inside for a very comfy hideaway!!

We had lots of fun there too, shooting apples off post with a home made bow and arrow, apple bobbing, homemade see sawing, hot ribena, berry spotting, and even baking cakes in oranges on a campfire.....

Little miss seems to have an insatiable appetite at the moment, declaring I'm hungry every 1/2 hour!! Has anyone got any good suggestions for some filling snacks???

A little bit of every day....

2008-10-29T02:12:00.000-07:00

roasted butternut squash & garlic

Half term is almost half way through now and we've been taaking it nice and slow .... we've done a little bit of cooking and a little bit of gardening. All indoors as its soooooooooooooo cold! * we were in Coventry yesterday and saw snow was forecast for Bath - kids very excited, mum excited too but slightly nervous about driving home - bitterly cold we set off for home, no sign of snow until 15 miles from home, beautiful cotswold cottages, dusted white rooftops, then other side of the hill nothing .
We've woken up with a thick frost and a phonecall from Coventry saying they have 2 inces of snow!!!!

I'm getting a bit disheartened with the whole veggy growing at the mo, I'm not sure if I'm going to have to chuck these or not, they seem a bit leggy to grow into anything?

Spinach (rear) and Mixed Lettuce Leaves (front)

Cabbages

And the weather has been too rotten to get out and sort the soil into the raised beds for pea planting this week. Other plans for the week include planting potatoes and onion sets.

Milestones...

2008-10-26T00:36:00.000-07:00

We've had a lovely few days, out in the autumn sun, walking and exploring the local tourist spots before they get busy at half term next week, re-exploring places I'd visited as a child. I'm so proud of what I've managed, maybe I should explain...

15 years ago (when I was 17) I had a stroke and was totally paralised down one side, I had physio and had to teach myself how to walk again. In hospital I told myself I knew I'd have beaten it if I could climb local landmark Glastonbury Tor. Since then its been too hot, too cold, I've had the children or had something important to 'save myself for' the next week! All very lame excuses, but that seemed quite reasonable at the time.

I year ago I told my partner about this secret promise to climb and we agreed to do it together, and STILL the excuses continued....
Last wednesday night as we lay in bed, I casually said to him, 'hey, instead of going to the castle tomorrow, shall we go climb the tor?'

So we did.

It was cold and windy, I forgot my camera. As we sat on the park and ride bus travelling to the tor we took guesses on how long it would take us to climb up , I guessed 1 hour 30 mins, P guessed 2 hours. So we set off with timer in hand...
It took us 10 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It also took us 30 minutes to get back down!

And what happened after? Did the world end? Was I too tired to collect the kids from school?
Nope!

Went walking in cheddar and I climbed this and several other hills...

Happy Apple Day!!!

2008-10-21T05:19:00.000-07:00

Today is Apple Day and although I'll not be doing anything to celebrate it directly today ( except for maybe a nice cold cider tonight) we had great fun at the weekend at the Broadlands Community Orchard Apple day!! We picked apples, pressed them for juice *hopefully in the video below*, baked potatoes on a fire, toasted marshmallows, played apple conkers, apple bobbing, climbed along big branch fences, climbed trees and saw some delux compost toilets - believe me , after the very basic '2 planks over a hole in the ground' compost toilets we had at a campsite last year these were palacial!!!

It was our first time at the orchard and I'm really keen to go back soon. Ontop of the apple days and regular volunteer days they do winter wassailing, spring picnics and other events. We might even sponsor a tree sometime soon!

There of lots of local community orchards near here, I wonder why they aren't more widely advertised?

Have you noticed???

2008-10-17T01:35:00.000-07:00

All the christmas stuff creeping into the shops already? Well my daughter has, so its got me thinking I need some kind of plan ready to help xmas go smoothly and as I would like it! I want to get back to the christmases of my childhood, enjoying a few well chosen pressies but not hundreds of commercial nonsense, destined to be thrown on the junk pile by new year :( I want my children to remember the christmas experience and get a warm glow inside in years to come remembering it.

So yesterday I wrote down a long list of THINGS TO DO with the children this Xmas, instead of THINGS TO BUY!! I eventually came up with about 20 odd so this naturally led me on to thinking about turning this into a kind of 1 thing to do a day advent calender. Instead of sweets in the fabric calender this year will be cards with activities to do that day instead. I'll post the list nearer xmas but it ranges from making stuff to xmas walks and dickensian evenings.

Another thing I wanted to do this year was involve the children in the annual christmas charity Operation Christmas Child. It enables families and schools to send christmas pressies ( a decorated shoe box, filled with small thoughtful gifts to needy children around the world).

New traditions

2008-10-16T03:24:00.000-07:00

My focus seems to be changing these days, I'm still stupidly busy and somewhat disorganised but I feel that we need more in our life. I'm going to try and simplify the neccessary things so we have time to spend on new more simple activities. We started last night with a family campfire in the garden. We sat out for over an hour around the fire, wearing our ponchos and drinking hot ribena. Next time I'll have organised a toasting fork and marshmallows too!!! We all agreed, weather allowing we'll do this every week from now on.....

I'm addicted......

2008-10-15T10:08:00.000-07:00

Want a totally free addictive brain training style game that'll give your grey matter a daily work out?????

Headover to freerice.com and play to your hearts content!!!!

Oh, and incase you didn't notice, for every question you answer correctly they'll donate 20 grains of rice to a hungry person via their scheme!!!

I've set myself a target of 5000 grains 3 times a week

Muuuum - I can't find my wellies!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

Well, we checked the front hall, the camper, the conservatory, under the settees ...... if only we thought to look up the tree!!

This week has been a tad chaotic, college work has been over whelming me and a swap had to be finished. On top of that its Book Week at school with a dragon theme, I've been sourcing dragons, handing out Dragon fruit samples at nursery, handprinting 60 kids for 'dragon scales', Thursday saw me dressed in pyjamas at school helping make hot chocolate for 400 odd children at their Bedtime story evening!!
Luckily it was just the kids that had to dress up yesterday for school!

Merry Christmas!!!!

2008-10-03T03:46:00.000-07:00

Well it feels like it here anyway!!! We're off to a VW show for the weekend, but it happens to be our club xmas do too so the vans been decorated....

The costumes have been packed....

And I've cooked enough stuffing balls for 70 people!!!

Otherwise this week its been busy on the college / work front and I've been teaching my kids to cook! First raisin oat cookies then last night they did a veg risotto!!!! I'm amazed at their chopping skills so young!! I can't think of anything worse than not learning to cook at home but sadly its not as common these days :(

Happy Birthday P!!!!

2008-09-25T10:07:00.001-07:00

In the Garden: Harvesting apples from my mums garden. My brother planted a seed from his eating apple (from infants school) 25 years ago, its now giving back soooooo many apples each year. The kids had great fun on shoulders picking them all!!

At Home: Birthday celebrations for P who loved his Porsche cake!!! A lovely meal out at lunchtime and gokart racing this evening!!

With the children: Cutting out butterfly and star croutons to go with their after-school soup.

Rediscovering: A local farm shop I visited as a child and treating ourselves lovely to lovely mature cheddars, scrumpy cider and free range eggs!!!!

Having Fun: Playing on the Gruffalo website with the kids, singing the Gruffalo chorus!!!

We're off to London tomorrow visiting and calling in at the VW Ultra Bug Boogie and Porsche Picnic at Reading on the way home - see you Monday!!!

2008-09-24T05:38:00.000-07:00

College was fun, I'm doing a Teaching Assistants NVQ with a volunteer placement at my local primary! My first day was yesterday and it was brilliant but I was soooo shattered after - 20 three year olds do that to a grown woman!

In the Garden: I'm planting garlic bulbs .

At Home: I've been baking and sculpting this sponge

into a Porsche 356 - please don't laugh!!!

With the children: Recreating the glistening spider webs we've found on autumnal walks, making glitter spiderwebs; drizzling glue in crazy spider patterns on card then sprinkling with gold glitter

Crafting: Finishing some more bits for jellybelly*jellybrain's campervan swap

Thinking about: Getting P to build me some raised borders in the garden for veggie growing.

2008-09-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mia!!!!!!!

Its our cat's birthday, so E suggested a party in the garden :) We did do homemade chocolate sponges with cerise drizzle icing and sprinkles - but - the cats raided the kitchen and ate them all :0
So we had to do with cupcakes and trifle instead...

E insisted on eating hers in the hot rod go kart P made today

I start college tomorrow, I haven't got ANYTHING ready for it at all!

WISH ME LUCK!!!!!

Whoops!

2008-09-19T02:41:00.000-07:00

We went on holiday to Dorset (beautiful!) then my eldest was ill :( This was taken on the first day, the rest were gorgeous blue sky days but we were far to busy having fun to take photos!!!!

I've started on a few halloween ideas, some ideas for xmas fayre, a bit of crafting for the camper van swapand a treat or too for the kids!

We always call E our little 'maths genius' so she can officially show it off to the world now with her new badge!!!

Unfortunately its a bit misshapen already - she has a habit of keeping secret treasures in her school shoes during the day and walking on them!! (grrrrrrr!)

What a load of rubbish?

2008-09-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

We're taking place in the Zero Waste challenge at the end of September so I've been trying to reuse or recycle stuff to cut down on our waste, card paper, glasses and even tetrapaks are all recycled locally but for the past few weeks I've been thinking about trying to reduce the stuff that gets tossed straight in the bin.

Used butter tubs (plastic) are being washed and reused instead of tupperwares - which are always in short supply around here.

Plastic trays (ie. that fruit gets sold in) are being kept for plamnting seedlings in.

Crisp Packets - We don't eat many but I fell in love with the colours of the new Burt's Crisps packets and have started thinking how I can reuse it? So far I've sewn a few together successfully.....

Now I just need to decide what to make it into!

Nutterbut is heading towards the kitchen tomorrow so I've started on a replacement for him

What do you do when your kids bond with supper

2008-09-07T05:54:00.000-07:00

We have two new (hopefully temporary) family members

Nutterbut Gosh ( a squash) and baby butternut ( a melon)
Grr, I hope they let me turn it into a delicious veggie feast and snack by Tuesday!
Homemade Yoghurt

Yay, I've finally got around to trying this out!! I made up 600ml of powdered milk, warmed it until it started foaming at the side of the pan, then poured into a bowl - mixing in 1/2 small tub of natural yoghurt. Covered and placed in a cooling oven (50 deg C then turned off to cool) . Left overnight I was greeted with yoghurt at breakfast time :)

Next thing to try is turning it into soft cheese, later in the week.

Reflections of a week

2008-09-05T04:45:00.000-07:00

So many things have changed this week.....

Our camp seemed to bring the summer to a close - we had a fabulous time, beautiful surroundings ( gorgeous grounds, classic cars, vintage finds - the above wash stand was in the shower block!) , great activities ( fishing, cricket, walking), good friends and magical castles. It rained, tipped down and flooded - but only at night, blue skies ruled the days!
Since we've returned its rained non stop, and the UK is flooding again :(

The Children have gone back to school, both loving it! New routines are working great - perfect as I go back to school next week as Volunteer Teaching Assistant and Library help.

We're thinking about going vegetarian. This has totally thrown my meal planner, I need to find lots of good veggie recipes that the kids will enjoy. So far I have veggie Lasagne and Bolognese type thing.

The harvest has begun in the garden, Tonight we have homegrown new potatoes for supper....

I was thinking of signing the kids up for clubs this term ( Rainbows/Beavers etc) Camping the Kids discovered Jazz, and love it! Now I have to find details of Jazz Dance Classes for Evie.

Unfortunately all this means crafting has been non existant this week.

Last Camp of the Summer

2008-09-01T03:46:00.001-07:00

We're off again for a few days camping to here taking advantage of the last few days of holiday and trying out the caravan, then its straight into the new term! School Uniforms have been bought and named, PE Bags finished.....

My first Rag Doll

2008-08-30T02:24:00.000-07:00

Well, shes finished!!! I got the wool yesterday for her hair - i left it loose so Evie can brush it or tie it up. Drawn on face and blusher cheeks. What do you think?

Quick there's a snail in the garden!!

2008-08-30T00:47:00.000-07:00

Budding artist in our mist??

Cam sat out the front and made this gravel snail, totally by himself, no suggestions or help from mummy, although big sis was sat alongside doing another picture!!

Or maybe a business tycoon

I then saw them make two additional piles of materials and crys out to passers by

'who wants to come and try this activity?'.........

'only £1.50'!!!!!! Cheeky monkeys!

Still you've got to admit, thats 1 cute snail :)

2008-08-28T07:06:00.000-07:00

I haven't made a card for ages!! But mum's comment back in may when I handed her a store bought card...'oh don't I get a handmade one anymore?' guilted me into making one for dad this weekend! My brothers moving to Cardiff too so I could hardly not make him one too! Even if I didn't have a spare 5 mins , hope they liked them!!!

I read yesterday theres only 120 days til xmas *gasp* - maybe I should be starting on those cards soon!!

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling....

2008-08-27T00:28:00.000-07:00

We've turned these into

Homemade Wagonwheels....

Yum!!!

Evie got a new skirt from Heather's site, and a new clip from mummy!

Only having one car at the moment and my self imposed spending ban means lots of other projects on the go but none finished yet....

* Evies Rag Doll
* PE Bag for Evie
* PE Bag for Cam
* Pin board for Kitchen
* Key Rack / Blackboard for hall

a we're back!!!

2008-08-18T08:30:00.001-07:00

What a fun weekend - but muddy as you can get!!! Loads of vans had to be towed from the site - not us :) we moved Emily Saturday night ;) We went on the steam train from Paighton to Kingswear and across on a small ferry to Dartmouth. I LOVE Dartmouth although I hadn't been for 5 years. As soon as I alighted I headed to Baxters Gallery
and treated myself to several Janet Bell Prints - perfect palette and subject for my new lounge :D

A little crafting done - a hairclip for Evie but otherwise I was having too much fun!!

We're off!!!

2008-08-15T02:12:00.000-07:00

The car's loaded and we're headed to the beach!! Paignton, or to be exact to Dubs at the Beach - a weekend of fun with the other Bath Aircooled Members!

The camper is off the road at the mo, and theres no way we'll turn up in a caravan so we've packed a tent and all our paraphanlia in Emily - just us two going, how did people cope in the 60s with a family holiday and all their stuff?

Eek look at the clouds in the reflection - hope it doesn't rain!!! Oh well, sewing kits packed so I'll be busy whatever the weather! See you Monday x

I have a project..... but its getting ugly

2008-08-14T05:12:00.000-07:00

Kids are forgiving right?

I want to make Evie a little dolly that she can mother, so we can make it a cot and i can make tiny blankets for it

So I've made a pattern , cut out the material sewn it and stuffed it, she's looking bad but i'm going to persevere, i just need to sew up the opening and dress her then we can prettify her and hope it works. I'll post the results in a few days after i've bought supplies - why do i never have any ribbon or wool in the house??????

Before I go I just wanted to share these Origami Puppies the children made at their grandparents , simple but ohhhh soooo cute :D

2008-08-12T01:22:00.000-07:00

We've been busy, 4 people at home and family visiting doesn't make for much crafting time!!! I did manage to finish the tee-pee tho, but not decorated it yet......

Sorry - i can't seem to get it to upload the right way up :grr: !!

We've had several long trips over the last couple of weeks, normally we'd reach for the dvd players , but we've gone back to basics instead this holiday and I've created a 'spot me' sheet!!!
Similar to eye spy, the kids just tick off how many they see of each item......

Its that time of year again!!!

2008-08-06T10:10:00.000-07:00

Hang on no it isn't we're getting ripe blackberries here at least a month early, so we've been off picking today and have come back with loads!! I harvested our first crop of runner beans from the garden last night and the difference from shop bought seems vast, so much that we are pulling out our flower border to make room for planting vegetables - yum!

I was hoping to post about a teepee for the children by now but I had a custard related incident last night that has delayed me somewhat!!

Sparkly Goodness!!

2008-08-05T02:22:00.000-07:00

White Power in a white jar - great picture Maxine! Oh, well picture aside this stuff rocks, homemade dishwasher powder, I tried it sceptically last night but it worked better than the shop bought stuff!!
Recipe is so simple I feel ashamed to post it......

Homemade Dishwasher Powder

1 cup Borax
1 cup Bicarbonate of soda

Mix thoroughly and use 1 heaped teaspoon per load.

Rain rain go away!!

2008-08-04T03:09:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend!!! Out partying saturday night then a trip to the beach with friends yesterday for a BBQ, we all cruised down to Brean from Bristol. Evven though it rained we all had fun - the kids didn't even seem to notice!!

We calmed down this morning with a playdough session. ( Handmade of course )

1/2 cup of salt
1 1/2 cup of plain flour
1 tablespoon of baking powder
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 cup of boiling water (from the kettle) mix it with 1 cap of food colouring
Glitter ( as much as needed)

Instructions:

Put all the dry ingredients in a bowl pour in oil then mix with the hot water.

Keep in the refridgerator in a sealed container.

Now for an indoor picnic - as true to form its raining again!!!

A big hello to........

2008-08-01T01:15:00.000-07:00

Beebu!!

A gift from Paul earlier in the week, Beebu ( yes I changed his name from Jeero) is a great hit in the household and best friends with Pinky already!!

I've been tagged by Jen over at Frazzy Dazzles

The Tag rules are:

1. Link to the person who “tagged” you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is posted:

Sooo, six random things about me are:

I'm addicted to pistachio nuts, once I open a packet I can't leave them alone!!
I drive a campervan
I could have a packet of crisps in the cupboard for over a year and not touch them but 5 bars of chocolate would go in less than 5 days!!!
I've got a note book full of really good children's stories I've written but have never submitted them to anyone because I don't know how!!
I want to buy a woodland and field. i'll build a huge treehouse to play in, and a camp in the field with all my friends.
I am useless at choosing a meal or drink when we go out to a restaurant or pub, I really am the last one to decide!!

Now…I think that this tag needs to go on to:

1. all about eden

2. boutiquenutmeg

3. houseonhillroad

4. day to day

5. heather hales designs

6. ricrac

Fresh from the Garden? Yes Please!!!

2008-07-31T01:17:00.000-07:00

I was treated rather specially yesterday to cooked breakfast in bed, even more delightful as Paul used free range eggs that one of his customers had given him - yum!!!! We've always wanted chickens and have agreed that we will get some 'when we move' but a chat with a local chicken owner last night revealed that we may be able to keep some here if we find the right ark. We've decided on Black Rock Chickens and have found a local seller, all we need now is the ark and a bit more knowledge!!!

Useful Links

http://www.downthelane.net/keeping-your-own-chickens-faqs.html

http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/

http://www.keepchickens.info/

http://www.countrylife.co.uk/news/article/122097/Top_tips_on_keeping_chickens.html

http://forum.rivercottage.net/viewforum.php?f=25

Green Class is go!!!

2008-07-28T04:38:00.000-07:00

The thought of six weeks until school starts up again in September scares me senseless!! No not the mum that dreads entertaining the kids 24/7 but the gap in their learning!!! In junior school I was taught joined up writing in the term before summer holidays, then when I went back in September I couldn't remember how to do it at all!! I've never really used it since, doomed to a life of unjoined letters!!! The kids have been doing so well, I didn't want them to slip backwards come september so we are doing a Home schooling Summer School! The kids chose the class name - Green Class, and the Topic - Animals, each week we'll do a different section Fish, Pets, Wild Animals and Farm Animals, We'll do crafts, art, trips spellings, stories and cooking!!

This week is FISH we've done colouring and fish beanbags today so far other activities this week include a river trip and a swim!

Wow where did that come from!!

2008-07-24T04:01:00.000-07:00

Its here, last day of school is tomorrow!!! Wow we've been so busy enjoying ourselves it kinda crept up on us.

Jade class pressies have been given and we're busy putting finishing touches to Red Class presents...... 4 gifts all the same ( so much easier!!!) Painted pegs - for prettifying your washing line, hanging up notelets or just looking fab in the kitchen!! Cameron pitched in and is covered in paint - nothing like the personal touch!!!

Reception sports day was this morning, couldn't quite make Cam out though, he runs everywhere at 100mph and then falls over alot so we weren't quite sure whether he'd win everything or just be left behind on the floor! Turned out a bit of both lol but he really enjoyed it and even won the egg and spoon race!!!

Cams sports day had Egg and Spoon, Sack Race, Running and Obstacle Races. Evies had the same plus Skipping, Welly race , Bean Bag throwing and Foam Rocket Javelins!!

What Can I do with this?

2008-07-22T01:47:00.000-07:00

With over 5 billion drinks cans being bought every year in the UK alone, it seems pretty obvious that someone somewhere asked the question, instead of putting them straight into the recycling bin.
I just wouldn't have imagined how stunning and varied the results would be......

Pop Art Charm Bracelets from Swift Jewelry

Beautiful bracelets from Modern Vintage

Individual Artworks from Paintingcans

Useful Links

http://temp.thinkcans.net/think-cans-in-the-classroom

Felt Food Tutorial - Sausage

2008-07-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

This is a nice little project, you could complete it in 10 minutes or less.

Cut a rectangle of felt in brown or pink

2. Fold in half along the length and sew the long edges together (2mm seam)

3.Turn tube inside out.

4. Sew up one open end by sewing a running stitch around the perimeter and pulling the thread through to gather the edges in to the centre.

5. Pack with wading then sew up open end to close and finish.

Beep beep

2008-07-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

I've been busy drawing campers all week and the first one hit my etsy shop today!!! Meet Daisy Daydreamer, she takes her owner on trips to wild flower meadows, where they sit all day on their homemade picnic blankets daydreaming and making daisy chains.....!!!

Dont worry there's designs for the boys too....

A little late.....

2008-07-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

my recycled Tuesday that is!! Worth the wait though I hope! I found this gorgeous little bird made out of reclaimed sea glass by SeaFindDesigns.

More investigation revealed its part of a group on Etsy called EcoEtsy members are commited to "Reduce, Resuse and Recycle" in their items and packaging. Search tags for 'ecoetsy'.

Mummy I've got to have my name on it....

2008-07-13T07:22:00.001-07:00

L 6

....... because Jake's got the SAME ONE!!!!!

Our Jolly into Bath yesterday resulted in Nanny Shirley buying the kids a new water bottle each, handpicked by themselves in Bath's fabulous Kitchen store that sells everything you could possibly need for cooking and kitchen ( so why does my mind go blank as soon I pass the doorway only to be filled with stuff I should have got as soon as i get home???) Anyhoo, Cam declares this morning - it needs a label mummy, Jake's got the same one. No labels in the house, well no blank ones - could have covered it in pumpkins ! - so I decided a paper one covered in sticky tape would have to do, Plus a cute little sketch each!!! aahhhhhh!!

Its mine mine mine all mine!!!!

2008-07-13T04:14:00.000-07:00

This gorgeous apron arrived from etsy
Isn't it lovely!!! I feel like a glamourous 50s housewife, so to keep in role I've been baking.....

Kims Cake

8oz Sultanas
1 cup cold tea ( Lady Grey is my fave but u can use any)
2 cups SR Flour
1 cup sugar
1 large egg ( beaten)

Soak sultanas in tea overnight, then mix with other ingredients in a large bowl. It'll look to dry but keep mixing and it'll get wetter!
Pour into a greased and lined loaf tin then bake in oven at 160C for 2hours. Turn out allow to cool slightlly and slice. This can also be frozen but i doubt if ours will be around that long!!!!!!

Oh well back to the housework now...........At least i'll feel pretty in the apron!!!

Everythings coming up roses.......

2008-07-11T12:35:00.001-07:00

well poppies, corn and some new turquoise flowers!!! I've been working on notelets this week, doodling and designing and printing onto card. pressies for TA's at school at the mo but the might be making an appearance on etsy soon!!!!!

Recycled Tuesdays

2008-07-08T02:37:00.000-07:00

I had a brainwave this morning as I collected out empty jars and cans together for collection, how about a recyling bit on the blog? Every tuesday they'll be tips or links to tutorials that are eco friendly or recycled and I'll try and find some nice recycled goodies to showcase too? How about these to get us started??

Recycled Notebooks from stubbypencil

Cam is going on a school trip to westonbirt auboritum soon and we've been provided with a sheet for .......

Creating a low-waste lunch

Start with a reusable lunchbox - great tutorial here
Pack food in reusable plastic containers
Bring your drink in a reusable bottle not carton or can
Homemade biscuits and cakes reduce packaging
Buy a large packet of food (yogurt, crisps, raisins) and decant a portion, rather than buying individually.
Reduce packaging by choosing fresh fruit, apples, bananas and oranges etc
Reduce leftover food by only packing what you will eat.

Other useful sites include
www.recyclingconsortium.org.uk/schools/lunchboxwaste.htm
http://english-nature.org.uk/science/nature_for_schools/primary_3.asp

Whats in a name?

2008-07-07T05:17:00.000-07:00

Evie googled her name yesterday ( she also did bra's and bratz but less said about those the better!) and found this book!! She'd seen it before at school but its for older years to borrow, luckily being a Parent Helper in the school library I have my own card so guess what tonights bedtime story will be!!

I got Cam another Funnybones book too.... we love that series!! Both Funnybones and Black Cat have been fave bedtime reads for ages here!!!

Only Superheros need apply!!!!!

2008-07-06T05:52:00.001-07:00

Or maybe that should be supervillans, scary face or what!!! Cam LOVED his hero mask, they wore them all afternoon, to nanny's, village fete, out in the garden..... I got so many compliments on them that i'll be starting a new batch for the etsy shop tonight!!

We did try and go camping last night to Stowford Manor but when we got there, they had a private rally so we came home again

Busy as a bee.......or is that a butterfly??

2008-07-04T06:05:00.001-07:00

I whipped up this fancy dress mask for Evie this morning, its reversible with a pink butterfly on the back. 2 cutouts sewn together and a body added on each side - simple!!!!

Guess I better get on and do that super hero mask for Cam now!

Paul magiced up these whilst I was sewing......

All In One Cupcakes

4oz Self Raising Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
4oz Soft Marg
4oz Sugar
2 Eggs

Mix all ingredients together with an electric whisk, Bake in Oven for 15 - 20 minutes at 170 C.

Finished another teacher gift too : yay! :

I'm a Mug.......................Cozy

2008-07-02T23:52:00.001-07:00

DSC_0037
Originally uploaded by perfectcupcake76

oh no!! Someone mentioned yesterday its only 3 weeks til the end of the school year!!!! Time to start sorting out the gifts for the teachers - 6 this year???? Damn those job shares!!!

Mr Arnold - Done
Ms Roughan - Done
Ms Proudler
Ms Kinson
Ms Webb
Ms Milsom

Evie's Sketch embroidered onto material and made into a cozy!! First time we've tried but shes great at sewing, and Cam is tooo!!! Think we'll take needles next time we go camping and its rainy!!

Flowers

2008-07-02T01:21:00.001-07:00

Flowers
Originally uploaded by perfectcupcake76

These lovely flowers arrived yesterday, in thanks for helping a friend at her daughters party last weekend.

If you're eagled eyed you'll spot the new mosaic in the background......

Homecooked Saturday

2008-06-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

Goatboy's Quick Pizza

1 and a half cups flour, half a cup of water, 2 tablespoons olive oil. Blend it all together with a fork. Then get your hands in and kneed it for about 5 mins.

Then flatten it out to required size/thickness and bung on tomato paste with the back of a spoon, meat or veg bits, mozzerella and then grated cheddar.

In the oven for about 10-15 mins at 180deg. For a nice twist, sprinkle chilli powder on the tomato paste."

i used sweet chilli sauce over the puree and added cooked chicken and olives. cooked it for a bit longer too.

Supper Quick cheesy pasta

Heat 1/2 pint milk in micro wave for 1 minute.
Stir in 1 tbsp of cornflour ( slated in cold water ) then hear again for 1 minute.
Stir vigourously, add in 200g grated cheddar cheese and 1 tsp of mustard, then heat for 1 further minute. Stir and serve over wholewheat pasta.

Having been to two houses in the last 2 days with walk-in larders, I am definitely adding that to my checklist of things I'd like in next house!! Oh, and an utility room too!

I'm cracking up!!!!

2008-06-26T05:44:00.000-07:00

I did this mosaic a couple of years go using broken bathroom tiles. I'm working on another at the moment but have gone for proper mosaic tiles now and alot more detail. Pictures coming up as soon as its grouted!!

With an oink oink here and an oink oink there!!!

2008-06-25T06:57:00.000-07:00

There has been a pig in out village for the last few weeks, I assumed it was a one off from the youth centre art projects, but travelling home through Bath I spotted 2 more!! Is this an art trail I wonder? I investigated today and its HUGE see here

See them all here My fave Pig of all must be this one hanging on a shop sign, or maybe the panoramic one with the hot air balloons!! I wish I had enough money for the auction in November!!

Home is always with you......

2008-06-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

and there's always things to do!!!! Wouldn't it be fun to have a cute little ring like this one to cheer you up when you're doing the house work?

We've been working on bf's house all weekend, painting, carpeting etc. Only boring housework at mine. No fabreeze left in the bottles when I went to them instead so I homemade some instead ......

Room Deodorizer

- 1/2 Litre Warm Water (NOT boiling or it will fizz over like a witches brew) *mmmm cool new idea for a halloween make!!
- 2 dessert spoons of bicarb of soda
- 1 cap of concentrated fabric softener
- 1/2 cap cider vinegar (optional)

add ingredients to water stir then when foam has subsided, decant into a spray bottle. Use as needed to clear rooms of unwanted smells.

If you add the vinegar you will smell this when spraying but it will disappear in 5 minutes or so.

2008-06-19T06:15:00.000-07:00

I love this patchwork bathmat by melissa goodsell, I'm thinking about doing a living room rug version somehow???? I'm hoping to go all green / baby blue accessories in there so I just need to find some coordinating material, I feel a nice shopping trip coming on.......

Planning an Offbeat Wedding!!

2008-06-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

Wedding plans are going well but wading through piles of glossy wedding mags isn't really helping on the whole alternative wedding front. I think I've found the perfect book instead here

A big hello

2008-06-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

I can't work out what to write so I'll start with a picture.....

Aren't these fabulous? you can find them over here at Little Cotton Rabbits

I hate that I can't knit, honestly - I'm rubbish!
But I am starting to sew at last.