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.

Ten Things :: February

:: February has been the month I've been suffering from inertia. A feeling I should be doing something but not knowing quite what that something should be and as such not doing very much at all...at work and at home...until I suddenly think about it or write it all down and realise I've just not been doing anything particularly blogworthy in the ta-dah finished object sense of the word but have actually had a really full month.

:: In February, I finally, finally unravelled the delicious ball of malabrigo sock yarn. It's actually a lovely striping green colour, not that you can see that here. It was definitely a labour of love (with much swearing). I'm planning to make this hat with it, but in the usual way, I now have another project on the go. That project being a scarf for the ABO. I've chosen a simple pattern, mistake rib stitch and thank goodness for that as I've already had to frog back and restart. Maybe that's why it's called mistake rib stitch? The yarn is a beautiful charcoal grey but doesn't look quite right here, i'll blame the electric lighting, Anyway, seems to be going OK...for now

:: February has been the month I've been making bread. Quite a bit in the breadmaker (just a regular white loaf) but also pizza (since discovering that using semolina on the baking tray stops it sticking!!) and this challah. It's a traditional recipe with egg and honey meaning it's really light and tasty.
I was somewhat surprised that the loaf rose to fill the entire baking tray...

:: February was the month of rainy afternoon TV viewing. We watched 'Frozen' (again...and again), 'Cinderella' and 'Room on the Broom' and the girls' favourite....'Four in a Bed' (the show where B&B owners stay in each others' businesses and rate them). They're both really taken with the idea of checking for dust in the bedrooms and giving marks out of ten for the facilities. hopefully they won;'t be looking too hard for the dust here!!

:: February is Christmas all over again. Or that's what the Christmas cactus is thinking.

:: February is actually July. I found roses flowering in the garden! The weather just has no idea.

:: February was the month when my very good friend L, gave birth to her second child. A girl this time round. I'm so excited to meet her. I'm also thinking of what to make for her. When her son was born, I did an embroidery, maybe I will again.

:: February meant that it was half term. BigR had a great week. A couple of 'Daddy days' whilst I worked and LittleR was at nursery. Then some family days out, long walks and a trip to Yorkshire Wildlife Park and ate a picnic outside without our coats! 

:: February was the month of trying a new cake. I (with BigR's help) made an almond, orange and cardamom cake that Jen suggested on her blog. I didn't have a blood orange so just went with a regular one. Yummy.

:: February has been the garden planning month. What to plant, what jobs need doing. We definitely need to make the gate to the garden more secure as the Littlest is planning her escape at any opportunity. The ABO dug up  a dead rose today...you wouldn't believe the roots on those plants! We bought a wendy house for the girls; it's already been put to good use. It's very cosy. I might take up residence if I get badly marked for the facilities in the next game of 'Four in a Bed'.

Inspired and normality:: Days15 - 29

Well I'm definitely feeling more Spring-like...I've shaken off my boots but not yet embraced bare feet. It's still cool enough for me to wear my black opaque tights to work (I have no idea what I'll wear when it's too hot) but I've been busy. Preparing for teaching. Preparing a book chapter. Cooking. Eating. Trying to appreciate the small things that make the everyday stand out. There's a certain rhythm to these 101 days posts. I'm still finding new things to enjoy but my family; my garden and food play a huge part in these.

Day 15

There's nothing better than a good sing song on the way to nursery and with the schools being off there's less people travelling to work and the journey takes less time. We walk from the car park singing 'Heads, shoulders knees and toes' with LittleR now joining in and pointing to her head and toes.

The delicious first (and second, third) bite of a hazelnut croissant!!

Day16

A trip to Temple Newsam Home Farm. We saw some piglets born that morning! Little R learnt to ‘Moo’

Day 17

Whilst the ABO works, the girls and I take a trip into Leeds for afternoon tea at Browns. Town on a Saturday afternoon is not a place I’d normally go with two small children, this was to celebrate my good friend leaving work to start maternity leave. We have a private room, which is lucky as LittleR is teething and not happy in or out of the buggy, with food or not and just wants to perfect her tablecloth pulling technique. Fortunately BigR spends the time playing with the table decorations and eating her body weight in cake (a girl after my own heart). We cause havoc, strike fear into a pregnant woman’s heart, eat cake and leave!

Day 18

As the weather is so lovely we take a trip once again to Harlow Carr. There’s always something new to see in the gardens and something to buy in the book shop. I am restrained and BigR receives Little Miss Chatterbox and the Frog Prince.

In the afternoon we all play football in the garden. It’s lovely!

Day 19

Birdsong. At the hospital I’m attached to there’s a huge amount of birdsong. I’m amazed that in such an urban environment I can hear such beautiful birdsong. I’m constantly trying to decipher the different sounds and use the RSPB site as a guide.

Day 20

After a very productive meal planning exercise from the ABO and myself…we have a large number of children’s frozen meals. Curry, macaroni cheese, fishcakes. I take a great deal of satisfaction seeing them all lined up in the kitchen like this!!

Day 21

Today we found out that BigR has got a place at our local (we live opposite) and oversubscribed school. She’s very excited that at playtime she’ll be able to see if we’re in or out!! I’m not sure how I feel now her place is confirmed. I think September will be a time of adjustments as we won’t have the flexibility we’ve had for the last 5 years. But it does mean we’ll get to spend time with LittleR only which will also be good.

Day 22

I have a child free morning and spend it dashing to the supermarket and Ikea and tidying. I come away with a magazine, some fancy frilly daffodils and only 2 items from Ikea not on my list.  This is a miracle. Things seem to plop into my yellow bag in there.I've bought some fabric to make BigR (and potentially LittleR and eventually me) a skirt. I'm going to use the tutorial Jennifer found.

 

My parents arrive from Essex with a huge bag full of chocolate eggs and bunnies. They’ve bought up the Lindt section of their local supermarket. Not that I’m complaining really!

They take BigR for a sleepover and we find we have more time at their usual bedtime which is usually filled with ‘I need a wee/drink/covers sorting/book/itchy foot scratched’ so we fill it instead with a glass of wine and a recording of Masterchef.

Day 23

Today (more than any other day) I remember my brother. It’s been two years since he died. I cannot believe where the time has gone.

To ‘celebrate’ being one child down for a time and to cheer me up we have a burger in town. It is delicious!!!! I decline my usual milkshake and got for chips instead. Good choice.

LittleR is so excited to see BigR again when my parents drop her off. She is cheering and stamps her feet. I love to see their relationship developing. It’s not long until the shouting starts again though as BigR is a bit too heavy handed!

Day 24

LittleR is a musical genius and has worked out how to play the harmonica. She plays it and dances in front of MTV!!

Day 25

We spend Easter day quite quietly at the park for an early morning walk, in the garden and then in front of the TV with various football matches after a lovely roast chicken dinner. I am too busy and stressed to take photos (putting one small child in bed whilst timing veg and Yorkshire puddings!) but relax afterwards. I even carve out some time to read!

Day 26

Whilst the ABO works, I dash to the supermarket before my friend arrives. We take the girls to have their feet measured and only one needs shoes. The Big one doesn’t make a fuss and enjoys a babyccino as a reward. Phew! My biggest one loves shoes. Whilst LittleR sleeps, I make pizza dough, pizza tomato sauce and our lunches.

In the afternoon we head to the local garden centre where I buy a blueberry plant and some ericaceous compost under CJ’s instruction. There are a few flowers on the plant so maybe we’ll get a couple of blueberries later. I’m prepared to wait until next year for a harvest. I’ve quite a few plans for the garden this year (which I will blog about eventually) and we suddenly had an idea…of perhaps growing our fruit and veg in the front garden. Food for thought so to speak….

Day 27

After an early start and some tantrums (from the Big one) there is exemplary behaviour so we go for a pizza at our local Pizza Express. The wait as usual here is long but BigR loves the colouring and the stickers and hat you get on arrival. I love that I don’t have to cook this one!

Day 28

The University reopens and our post Easter routine starts again. After work, I wander the house returning items to their rightful places and creating collections of things to move up or down stairs. I find umpteen clips to go back to the hair gubbins box. Very satisfying.

Day 29

As I drive to work…to my role in another city. I spy a photo opportunity. This imposing building is Lister Mill it was once the largest silk mill in the world and is now flats as part of a regeneration project in Bradford.

We have a midweek meal of pork chops. We’re trying to use up freezer items before they become too burnt/forgotten. The ABO makes mash potato in the day. I cheat and use Aunt Bessie’s Yorkshire puddings (hey don’t judge me I’m not a Yorkshire lass!) but it’s delicious even if I say so myself. 

Back to work, eating and playing

Another week goes by here in Yorkshire. I made it a 3 day week...potentially trialling what life could be like if I’m brave enough to mention flexible working to my boss later this week but that’s another story...

The ABO and I had a day together on Tuesday. We escaped to Manchester for jeans (him), a skirt (me) and burgers (us). The shops are the same shops here in Leeds but arranged in a different order so that we’re never quite sure where we are, it’s not that familiar to us and seems to lend itself to pottering. Even the M62 being closed on the way home didn’t dampen the spirits too much.

Friday we had a family day at the seaside. After a fairly long drive to Whitby, we had fish and chips, ice cream and made sandcastles. The tide was coming in (and fairly fast) so we didn’t linger too long. LittleR had no fear and merrily chased sea gulls and ran toward the waves (in direct contrast to BigR at the same age who on Perranporth beach was scared by the very gentle sea) and BigR attempted to make sandcastles without getting too sandy (this is not usually her fear at nursery where she frequently comes home covered in mud and sand!!!).

 

The ABO went back to work yesterday. He’s away most of this week and we’re (literally) counting down the days until he’s based locally now...So in his absence (I find it easier if we have a plan one the weekend) we went to see old friends of mine from Un ii Sheffield. Their children are now teenagers (well one is and one nearly is - how did that happen?!) but they entertained my two really beautifully. BigR came away with a whole host of ‘Littlest pet shop’ toys my friend’s daughter has grown out of. She’s gone to bed with them too!

 

I’ve been enjoying coffee from our new machine....trying out new beans although I’ve been careful not to overdo the caffeine...well not too much...

I’ve been cooking . We made homemade pizzas this afternoon. I used Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s pizza base recipe which can be found in the river cottage bread book or here. 

For the tomato sauce I used this recipe from Sue at the Quince Tree. I’ve made this sauce so many times now...it’s useful for so many things and the girls lap it up. 

BigR added cheese, mushrooms and ham to hers. I kept LittleR’s a very simple margherita. They were delicious even though I didn’t put as much salt as Hugh suggested into the dough as I was going to be giving it to the baby. Actually I think I barely used10% of his suggested amount. I’m so used to eating food without any added salt (unless it’s butter, I love salted butter!). They were a great success with the girls...even if one did get stuck to the baking tray (why only one?)...

As a little treat the other night we had pancakes again. I bought my pancake pan with a voucher from my birthday when I went to my Betty’s cookery school day. It’s been getting good use. They were delicious. Filled with ice cream and mango. Yum.

 

I’m itching to get in the garden. I was reminded though that it’s not as warm as you think with some chilly winds. We’ll hold off on the temperate plants for now anyway... BigR planted peas at nursery and came home with her plants the other day. She was so excited that her seeds had germinated and would become peas!!! She checks on it everyday and so far she’s not been disappointed to see a difference. I’m hoping they carry on thriving and we can transfer them to a pot for outside later in April.

 

Plans for this week are

:: coffee with a good friend I haven’t seen for ages. We used to work together and I miss her. It’s taken us ages to get a date we can both do in the diary!

:: baking a cake for the return of the ABO at the end of the week

:: the usual supermarket type visit but to include some nice things to eat and menu plan for in advance

:: hopefully to get into my new book ‘Raven Black’...having finished ‘The Snow Child’ (superb!)...I’m not sure where my reading mojo has come from!

 

Hope you have lovely things planned too.