Progression

It’s amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it. I decided I wanted to crack on with a few things that haven’t been finished. I’m quite good at finishing things eventually, particularly if I can have a hefty dose of procrastination in the middle. I don’t like not to have something hanging around really even if I do like putting it off. So in an attempt at self improvement which is not only limited to getting things done in my work life (where I’m also liberally flashing clichés about – eat the frog, get stuff done and flying through my to do list), I thought that tidying up corners of my wardrobe where I stash the crafty bits and with my favourite time of the year about to begin what better time to challenge myself on finishing those unfinished things.

I’d promised the ABO a scarf last winter. Thankfully winter 15-16 was quite warm! I’d bought some aran weight Debbie Bliss wool/yarn (depending on who you speak to) in a charcoal colour not quite black but not grey and started knitting in mistake rib (sounds a good plan to me because I made mistakes in knit 2 purl 2!!) vaguely paying attention to this pattern from purl Soho.

Anyway, finally, it’s finished. It needs a bit of blocking I think but I’m quite pleased with it. Do you see the intentional design? About 1/3 way in I made a mistake and quite by chance made the same error 1/3 from the end, so it looks intentional to the design. I’m amazed by my genius/luck!

My New York embroideries are complete but not yet hung. here they are nestling nicely between some Nigella and Nigel. These were kits I bought on holiday and I’m looking around for fabrics to co-ordinate in hoops in the living room. They’re fairly simple designs and quite easy for me do.  I’ll let you see them in situ when they’re up (this could be some time!!)

Now I’ve got 2 knitting projects in my plans to finish. I was making some knitted dolls for the girls. These first featured on my blog here and here. I’ve only managed the body, head and legs for one so my aim is to get that finished, stuffed and sewn (perhaps not including clothes) for the end of September and to make a good start on the next one. It’s pretty quick if I get my act together!!

The other task will take longer but hopefully by the end of October I’ll have my Whitlam cowl complete. So I can enjoy my scarf for the cooler months (and not be waiting until winter 17-18 for it!) I’m still having to unpick a row every now and then as I lose count of where I am in the pattern when I start talking or get distracted by something including (but not limited to) a child needing a wee/ a goal on the football/ reaching for a biscuit. This is closely followed by me sighing, muttering ‘now where was I?’ and then unpicking the row!!

Finally my plan in this procrastination free zone is take down my sewing machine from the top of LittleR’s wardrobe (which I've just done whilst the children play in the garden) and  make sure it’s ship shape (and Bristol fashion) for some future projects (first up anew cupboard curtain for LittleR's room - she's chosen owls). I’ve bought some new needles and just need to give it a once over before I cut into any fabric.

Let’s see how long this Autumnal get up and go lasts!!

Ten things :: the summer edition

I love this time of year. I’ve written about it before (and still not made a start of the shawl in this post – I’m feeling brave maybe I’ll make a start). I always think of that line from You’ve Got Mail where Tom Hanks’ character (Joe) says “Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils”. That is exactly how I feel about this time of year. Although the last time I was in New York in the Autumn was 20 years ago!! I'm still excited for the start of a new term. The new academic year is nearly upon me...I've spent all summer prepping my new modules and getting ready for the next intake of students...

So this might be a good time to round up on summer happenings. I returned to work today. BigR goes back to school tomorrow (a cunningly placed INSET day today catching people off guard) and so it continues. It’s also her birthday on Thursday, which to me signifies the true end of the summer.

:: We made our annual (can you say annual on the second year?) trip to the pick your own farm for strawberries. It was much easier this year as LittleR is older and can follow instructions (apart from don't eat too many). I didn’t overdo it either (well not too much) and we got 6 jars of jam plus plenty for desserts and general snacking.

:: The garden has flourished…perhaps with a few more weeds than last summer (but I’ll take that over having time off with a poorly child) but all in all there’s been colour since the springtime. The cosmos grew and grew but no flowers apart from one. Well, I shouldn't have been so impatient...they're full of flowers now!!

:: Although our fruit crops were meagre this year. We did enjoy a few home grown strawberries, raspberries and (just ripening now) blueberries. We only managed 2 plums – biggest child was put off by finding a worm inside and that was that!

:: The roses were beautiful too and still flowering on their 2^nd or 3^rd flush. All the deadheading was worth it.

:: In the kitchen I made pesto which was stirred into pasta and put in a crust on top of cod, bread and various cakes. The biggest girl has requested a chocolate cake for later this week.

:: We had some fabulous days out. Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Castle Howard (where Brideshead Revisited was filmed) and of course our regular pre-paid with membership haunts Fountains Abbey and Harlow Carr.

:: I took the girls to McDonald’s one lunchtime and they thought all their birthdays and Christmases had come at once. Ketchup, balloons, plastic toy, ice cream. Their joy was unreserved!! Who knew McFlurries were so tasty though?

:: BigR has learnt to knit. She needs help on occasion wrapping the yarn round but overall does a good job. I'm there to pick up lost stitches and undo any mistakes (for example the row she forgot to slip the stitch off and ended up with 40 stitches not 20). She’s made a blanket for Barbie’s little sister, Chelsea (no I didn’t know she had a sister until it arrived as a present for her birthday last year but she does) as her patience in getting rows done didn’t last to make one for Barbie! Of course, her side of the story is that Barbie already has a blanket for her bed (this is true, my children have too many toys!!)

:: I was given a beautiful kit to knit a cowl by my very talented knitter friend. It’s coming along although I have had to unpick rows where I’ve missed part of the pattern whilst talking!

:: I’ve managed to complete two embroideries as well…the ones I bought in New York picturing NY scenes. The plan is to intersperse them with hoops of fabric along the wall behind our sofa. Now I’ve just got to hang them. I can't believe I don't have 'finished' photo....

A brief interlude

I didn't plan not to blog. A combination of being busy (work, home and children) laptop issues and then getting out of the habit put paid to posting. I've seen lots of posts recently where others aren't sure where their blogs are going. This isn't the case for me. I've no great plans for my blog. I know my blog is primarily for me and for making connections with others who like similar stuff to me. And so on we go...

:: I've been loving the garden. It perhaps is not getting as much attention as last year (when LittleR was so poorly and I was barely working during the day) but it's still very enjoyable. I love the alliums...the last of which I had in my kitchen after a football 'accident'.

:: Somewhere along the line, I can't pinpoint exactly, LittleR doesn't need 100% of my attention all the time. It's a subtle thing, I can deadhead some roses whilst she powers up and down on her scooter. I can complete a row or two of a scarf whilst she creates a playmobil meets Peppa Pig playworld!  I'm still yet to make a trip to the loo without either of the girls wondering where I am...

:: We decorated the dining room. Grey and yellow. It's a very sunny room now. I liked it before, I like it even more now!

::We took a last minute trip over half term. The ABO got holiday released (this is unusual for his job over any holiday period!!) and we went to New York. I can confirm most people asked if we took the children and then thought we were mad when we did. Actually, it was an amazing place to go with kids. Easy food. Easy getting about (If you count carrying a 3 year old around easy! I guess being carried is preferable to other people's bums). No language issues (particularly if we had any health issues -thankfully we didn't). There's just so much to do. We barely scratched the surface in 6 days.

:: What do you do where every corner you turn is part of a TV or film set? Well you get over excited seeing the Copacobana (the hottest spot north of Havana) and move directly to MOMA to look at your favourite painting. Yes I loved seeing Starry Night and the beautiful Monet paintings but this one does it for me every time. (Paul Klee - Cat and Bird)

:: I had a brief visit to Purl. I'd perused the website in advance knowing that my browsing time would be short. It was fab just to see all of the things. I bought 3 embroidery kits...2 with scenes of NYC and one sampler.

:: It must be good as I've already completed one.

:: Work continues in an up and down fashion. As with everything recently, who knows where higher education is going after the leave vote. I'm plodding along with my work. Looking forward for the end of the school term. BigR is ready too. She's already planning her birthday party (it's the first week of the new term so she needs the invites at the ready!). Already I'm making new plans for the start of the next academic year. Excited (yes already) for the start of a new term and a new module I'm teaching.

:: I've celebrated another birthday. I was completely spoiled. My new jug takes pride of place in the new dining room.

:: There's been much baking. Scones, cakes, cinnamon buns and for my birthday the ABO made a Junior's inspired baked cheesecake. It was delicious!

Small, nice things

:: Our school holidays finished and we're back into the usual routines. It was a holiday of great action and inactivity in just the right amounts. Now I know we're back as I've already tackled the first week of uniform ironing. We're in gingham territory now.

:: This week we took a trip to YSP where we saw the KAWS sculptures. It was a beautiful day. I found them intriguing.  LittleR loved to imitate their poses!

:: My camellia is in flower again. Just beautiful.

:: Carrot cake muffins complete with icing. No nuts (but the biggest girl still doesn't like these!). No sultanas/currants/raisins (my nemesis). Yum.

:: New book, new obsession.

:: Our living room has been decorated. We've moved some of the toys out and rearranged them in other areas of the house, We chose a warm pewter grey for the wall colour. It's such a huge change from before. The room seems so much bigger, this is likely to be the lack of toys! I'm in love with the curtains. We're now looking out for some large prints to go on the wall above the sofa...it's not 'finished'  but I'm good at works in progress.

:: In tidying up for the living room to be decorated I went through a large number of photos. I had to do a double take on one. It turns out my youngest girl is the image of my brother at the same age. They pose for a picture in the same way. At that moment I really wished she could have met him. It was lovely and very surprising all at once.

:: Can you believe it snowed yesterday and we're due a light dusting overnight. Goodness me Spring it's nearly May!! Plus travel chaos tomorrow.

:: Still at least the tulips are coming.

These days...

So I hadn’t intended to take such a long time to blog again. Life happened as it usually does but this time it was mainly good things. And spring has definitely arrived!

:: We had a superb few days in Whitby and surrounds over half term. Highlights included fish and chips and ice cream. LittleR decided to take a fully clothed (including her coat), impromptu dip in the sea. Oh how we laughed. Not. But we did eventually once she was dry again and I’d gotten over dragging a screaming 3 year old up about one billion steps!

:: Actually she did look hilarious. Bone dry on the back and soaking wet on the front. When we took off her clothes she was covered in gritty sand on the front but nothing on the back!! After a quick hose down in the bath (her) and an ice cream (all of us) all was well with the world. 

:: We’ve worked on the garden. The daffs are out and the grass has had its’ first cut. I fall back in love with being outside again in spring. We’ve had the front  garden ‘remodelled’. Basically some men show up and cleared the bed, dug up a load of bamboo, a huge euphorbia and anoth massive shrub, took the rubbish away and dumped tonnes of top soil down. On closer inspection they’d left the difficult bit (the 2 shrub stumps) so the ABO and I took 5 hours (mostly him) digging and sawing  them out. Then yesterday we lugged them into the car and off to the tip. Now comes the fun bit…replanting. I’ve fallen prey to child pressure (similar to peer pressure but with added whining occasionally in stereo) and added a plum tree to the new forsythia (nearly out), the magnolia (buds!!) and the hydrangea (currently just some sticks but I live in hope).  

:: This has actually meant I’ve legitimately been able to break out a new note book for the front garden exploits. I do love a good notebook. And a good garden diary.

:: I’ve enlisted my dad’s help on providing he summer bedding. He has 2 greenhouses (!) and has sown seeds a plenty for both our gardens….mostly petunias and geraniums I think.

:: The patio has been cleaned. The ABO did it himself last year but we had a professional do it this year and the difference is noticeable. The table is back out and the barbecue in place. Just waiting for a day with no rain and we’ll be back cooking (at least) outside again.

:: We’ve actually had lots of time together recently as the ABO has been on a month off for March. Not so good for the school holidays and having a family break but good for us. We enlisted the help of babysitters and went to see Rudimental (who were amazing!!) and Paddy McGuiness. We’ve done ‘jobs’ that are easier without bored children complaining. We’ve stayed up too late watching rubbish on TV. It’s been a good month.

:: We've also had a wonderful child free night away that we’d had to reschedule from last year when LittleR was so poorly. Good food and good company in beautiful surroundings near Helmsley. The girls stayed with their grandparents having too many treats and staying up too late on a school night!

:: I finally made the embroidery/applique for my friend’s little girl who was a year old at the end of February.  Ever critical, it’s a little wonky but was made with love. Plus it’s up in her room so they must like it.

:: This time of year makes me want to get things sorted (I have another push in September too – my life runs on the academic calendar).  We have a small expedit unit that hides many (not all – my children have far too many toys) of the girls’ toys and books downstairs. My plan, under the cloak of darkness, is to clear through this and gain back some semblance of order.  We’re having the living room decorated in mid April (should’ve been done for now but the decorator was unwell) and some more will be going then! I’m sure they’ll get over it...I’ve also been through their clothes and made a note of things that need replacing through wear or growth. I’ve been through my clothes but not much needed to go there! The major reordering plan for me is to move my craft stuff into one place (it’s currently in 3 small places).  This needs a bit of thinking about…

:: Over Easter we were outside a lot in spite of the random rain. Good Friday was gorgeous and we had a fabulous trip to Fountains Abbey. Fuelled by sausage sandwiches we walked the circular walk down from the visitor centre, around the Abbey and the ornamental lakes and back again. In all it was just shy of 5 km which is a lot for little 3 year old legs. She slept soundly that night. We managed a shorter walk at the park on Sunday and a good walk again at Harlow Carr on Monday, where the girls spent some Easter money on books (Matilda - BigR and Stick Man - LittleR). I was restrained and spent nothing on books, mugs or pants in the shop. I felt very virtuous.

:: I rose to Penny’s challenge in February for new dishes and managed two new to me recipes. Both were from Mary Berry’s Cookery course. I made fish pie and used a lamb shank. I altered the fish pie to use only unsmoked fish  as I’m the only fan of smoked fish here and left out the hard boiled eggs. For the lamb I followed the recipe slavishly and it was delicious. I’ll do both of those again! Next up will be some things that freeze easily as the ABO is on lates and needs easily portable and reheatable dishes. March was a rerun of the same things really. Must try harder in April.

:: I’m also planning some new craft things which if I get round to them will share here. I’ve got a list (of course) and I’m ready to crack on. Skirts first I think.  As for the scarf for the ABO – it’s yet to be finished but there’s always next winter!

:: I'm back at work for a day today and then the rest of the week is normal life. The ABO resumes work on Friday just as the school holidays start here in Leeds (ours are fixed for the first 2 weeks in April) so next week BigR is off school, having a 'Daddy and me day' and going to York on the train. I've a surprise planned for the girls later in the week too...more soon...

:: Also the ducks are back on the pond at work. Expect more updates.

Creative busyness

Sometimes you just have to make a bit of time. It's busy at the mo. I've been busy with students, busy with children and busy getting ready for a much needed break. It's half term next week and we all really need it. The ABO has a couple of extra days off tagged on to his normal off days. We're heading to the North Yorkshire coast for a few days. A change of scene will do us all good I am sure. I'm preparing for poor weather but you never know...

In addition, I'm sorting things, trying to finish stuff off. I've had this in my mind's eye for over a year. My good friend had her second baby at the end of February last year. I'd planned this idea, but then, LittleR became unwell and it slipped away. I bought a gift (for ease) but as I'd made a present for her son the idea didn't go away. So in the next 2 weeks I'm going to applique and stitch her name in a hoop. And then, to go with it,  I'll buy some more plastic tat to clutter up my friend's house! 

I'm also three balls into the ABO's scarf. We haven't really had a harsh winter (so far - don't want to tempt fate for next week!) so he hasn't needed it, which is lucky. It'll definitely be done for winter 16/17!

I'm joining in with Jennifer (at the final moment...) and her winter project link.

Joining in!

Happy New Year.

I’ve wanted to join in with Jennifer’s Winter Project Link Partyfor a while but I’ve not really been working on anything substantial. So I’m submitting three small made things so I can feel like an achiever in 2016!

Firstly, two paper angels made form a tutorial on RedTedArt’sblog.  Made with two small girls and no arguments, a post-Christmas miracle. One has been put away with the decorations, the other (headless) angel has been recycled, must remember to take the bead out of my pocket before I wash my jeans! The nearly 3 year old doesn’t quite get gentle yet!

New year scones. I wanted to make this recipe but I didn’t have enough bread flour. So I made my fail safe Mary Berry ones. They were very delicious.

Finally in an effort to use up leftovers and clear the freezer I made a pie based on a Simon Rimmer recipe that’s no longer on the bbc site. I even made the pastry as I was too lazy to walk up the road in the rain and buy some (thanks to Sue for the recipe). It was delicious. I was very smug.

Finally joining in with Jennifer!!!

That difficult bit in the middle

I keep thinking I should blog. I have a list of bloggable things. Then an inertia overtakes me and I don’t. I’ve been reading blogs but I haven’t been commenting as much as I would like either (again)….meaning I will catch up with it but I’m fighting a losing battle on what seems like all fronts at the moment. It’s a busy time at the moment work is busy (this is a good thing, I really don’t like being idle) and of course there’s life stuff to keep up with.

LittlestR has relapsed so it’s been a bit of a fraught time. We’re back on track again (I hope), for now, but I can’t help thinking (and knowing) this is only the beginning. This is not helpful to the getting yourself out of the inertia. But enough of this navel gazing tedium. I’m boring myself with my woe is me excuses…

So of course it’s not all doom and gloom. There have been plenty of bright moments over the last 40 odd days…here of just some of them.

Day 38 – We took advantage of the enforced INSET day at the start of half term and went to Yorkshire Wildlife Park. It’s a great day out and ticks all our boxes. It’s not a too arduous journey, there’s plenty to see (and lots of new things too), plenty of places to have a picnic, you’re outside walking round so getting some fresh air and there’s an ice cream stop. Since we last visited they’ve taken in some more polar bears.

Day 42 – Half term passed in a blur really. I took a day off work and spent it day with BigR. As a surprise I booked into our local pottery painting café. We had great fun working on our items. BigR painted a plate (she drew some dolphins) and I painted a pen pot and then we both did a Christmas decoration. (They’re now adorning the tree…more on that later….) In my mind's eye there would be seed pods on a mottled background. Next time I';ll sue a finer brush. The pot now sits atop our microwave. 

Day 45 – Madly I let BigR choose a little gift in The Works. She chose a fairy door….and so her fairy, Verbena, was born. Verbena visited every day for 4 days until she ran out of fairy dust (read I just couldn’t think of anything else to say in response to the weight of pictures and offerings left at the door). She’s due to make a comeback soon.

Day 46- I couldn't leave these strawberries in the shop. They were destined to become more jam. And as Sarah pointed out on Instagram Lancashire grown to Yorkshire made.

Day 53 – The weather was so poor we stayed at home and watched a new film…The Jungle Book. We had popcorn. It was great fun.

Day 59 – BigR once again showed her creative side and made a Hama Bead Pudsey Bear. I failed a little on my part by sticking the ironing paper to the creation. Iron too hot? Not concentrating? Still I redeemed myself with a sponge cake.

I also admired my mittens that my very talented friend Sarah made me. They combined well with the floor of the Leeds General Infirmary. 

Day 62 – Enthused by watching Rick Stein eating moussaka I made us one (to be eaten the next day). I started it at 7pm one night when the girls had gone to bed. Around 8pm I wondered why I thought it was a good idea as there were pots and trays everywhere and my béchamel wasn’t thickening. When I’d finished though and I’d cleared up I was really pleased. There’s something I love about pottering around in the kitchen making something to have for another day and being that organised! I’ve spent a lot of time slumped in front of the TV lately, a bit too tired to be bothered doing anything, so this really helped with that inertia fug. Plus when we ate it, it was delicious.

Day 63 – Finally I made the arms for the knitted dolls I’m (still) making. Eventually they’ll be two dolls. Eventually.

I really rather liked how the French flags reflected in my wine and almost matched my knitting.

Day 70 – Sometimes I really love my job. Today was one of those days. I was assessing a session where the students were teaching. I’ve learned so many things from these sessions over the years. Today I learnt (amongst other things) how to make an origami tulip. Brilliant.

Day 74 – The weather was atrocious and the ABO is working the next few weekends so we both ventured into the loft to get the Christmas decorations out. The tree is now up…(perhaps a little early for some) and adorned in a way only a 6 year old and almost 3 year old want to decorate! I added the decorations we made at the pottery painting place and am working on moving some of the baubles around…so we have  them a bit more evenly distributed.

Day 75 - I'd seen the recipe for these Red Velvet Snowflakes in a magazine and in my carefully planned world I'd prepared and chilled the dough. I was a little skeptical about how this would go as the dough was supremely sticky. Anyway, in my head this was going to be a joyous, child friendly baking activity. Cut to an hour later where I'd used another 50-100g of flour so I could roll the dough out and  spent the majority of that time trying to stop two small children fighting or burning themselves whilst covered in flour - we were finally were ready to cut the cookies. Things I have learnt, only cook with one child at a time. Never expect it is easy to roll anything out between two sheets of baking paper. Red Velvet snowflakes are fine as stocking, snowmen and tress and stars. Anyway they taste nice even if I couldn't be bothered to ice them after all that shenanigans!

So with a background of illness combined with busyness we’ve had some really good moments. I’m planning to visit and comment on everyone’s blogs this week. I hope you’ll bear with me.

The first 35 days...

Is it really over a month since I last posted? I've been reading but life stuff has kept me away from blogging and commenting. I want this to change and it will. I missed the year in books link up...(but then again I've not read many novels in the last month) but I will post about all my other reading in November...
In other news I've actually been quite good at remembering to write down one (or six) lovely things for the last 35 days (not including today...it's not done yet)...in between all the normal life stuff cleaning, cooking,everyone having an illness of some sort, the sort of inertia you just have to give into...or become overwhelmed.

Rather than bore everyone to tears with the randomly repeating subject matter (food and children) of every individual day here are the highlights...

Day 1 - Kids say the funniest things - LittlestR and me in the lift. "Quick man! Get in! Lift doors closing!" and as the doors opened "Out now man - don't hurt yourself - mind your fingers". He was very bemused. (Obviously not as good as BigR shouting when in a public loo "There's a lady doing a pooh" or better than that my friend's child (in the same loo) asking "Mummy why have you got a hairy bottom?")

Day 3 - Books Books and more books. I got lots of second hand craft books from Amazon. Some I'd wanted for ages....they've given me so much inspiration now I just need to get on with it!! I'm going for a face cloth in this one...primarily as I ahve all I need ot get on with it!

Day 10 Wonderful day out at YSP - seeing Wave and also the Rob Ryan exhibition. I love his papercuts.

LittleR loves the semi naked rabbits... "Mummy look the rabbit has no pants on"

Day 13 - Unlucky for some but not us. We had a wonderful child free day together, starting in Leeds (after nursery drop off) with a spot of shopping (a skirt for me - which reminds me of one I had 25 years ago!) and ending with a really lovely lunch here. It was brilliant and just what we needed.

Day 20 - I love it when the girls are able to play nicely together (by that I mean without arguing and without covering the house in pen/paint/glue)...the toys were having biscuits with their tea...Biggest girl obviously leads the play but now Littlest really tries to join in too.

Day 23 - I had my hair cut. I had 30cm cut off. I like it when I have a hair cut that you can't not notice.

Day 24 - I was going to make a cake but didn't have enough butter (Doh!) and couldn't go out as the girls were in bed...so I hatched a plan for a challah. It was very yum!

Day 27 - I made the bestest (even if I say so myself) beef stew. I think it was the mushrooms that did it (or the half bottle of very nice wine that went in it as well!!). I love my Le Cruset shallow casserole now I've gotten used to cooking in it. I want some more cast iron cookware!

Day 31 - We had a most excellent day out at Fountains Abbey. I've got family membership of the National trust and even though there are loads of places to go in Yorkshire we always end up here. mostly because it opens at 10am (I'm looking at you Beningborough Hall at 11am!!!) and does the most excellent cakes (cheese scones and fat rascals) and lunches! There's an excellent circular walk around the abbey and foundations so you don't have to turn round at any point and decide to come back. It was a beautiful Autumnal day and LittleR was free to run round until she couldn't walk any more. It really is the best exercise to push a toddler up a massive hill in a buggy.

Day 32 - sometimes it really is about the little things. Our peg bag went to the great peg bag graveyard in the sky the other week. The ABO had a fit of pique on the muddy grass with our overfilled old peg bag and promptly threw it in the bin and transferred the pegs to a (now very exclusive) carrier bag. I had grand plans to make my own but as I've a HUGE list of things to make and am no where nearer to completing them let alone adding a new on to the list I went to the next best place. Etsy. Behold my new and very jolly oil cloth peg bag from KTCreates4u.

Day 33 - The ABO is on the early shift this week. Sometimes he's back at lunchtime (after leaving at 4.30am) but it's a busy week and today he wasn't back until after 5pm. The girls and I had a lovely day together, I was able not to be a shouty mummy. It was fab. We fed the ducks (in the rain) at Golden Acre Park, jumped in some muddy puddles and then went out for lunch to Pizza Express for a treat. In the afternoon the girls played beautifully (a miracle for me not to act as referee), then watched Frozen with popcorn and I made some (as yet untried) chilli jam. Don't worry it all went down hill the next day, but hey, I was non-shouty for an entire day and it was really noticeable - well to me at least!

Here's hoping I blog again in the next 35 days! Its going to be an interesting couple of weeks as we've got half term to look forward to! I'm also looking forward to commenting on your blogs too.