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.

January Miscellany

I was going to complain bitterly about the weather, the seemingly incessant rain more specifically. How the pots in our garden couldn’t cope with the deluge. The soaked coats and hair and the cold, don’t talk to me about the cold. Today though, I was greeted with a magnificent sunrise (no good pictures though) and my mood changed. I was going to spend the time complaining, but maybe it’s better to focus on the good things.

It’s been a busy but generally good couple of weeks since I last blogged. In no particular order;

:: Smallest girl turned three and was super excited to be a big girl and to have snow on her birthday. We all went outside and built a snowman in the meager snow. Then came a little party with all the grandparents and a cake. She was very happy to blow out her own candles too. And also the next day on her cake at nursery!!

:: I bought the first bunch of daffodils of 2016. A bit of Cornish sunshine made me think of Leanne and they brightened the kitchen up no end.

:: I splashed out on a new moisturiser as the cold had been playing havoc with my skin. My skin is very, very dry anyway and with the weather, drier still! Somehow a cleanser fell into the bag too. It was only a small size to see if it agreed with my skin and if I would keep it up. Just to set the record straight I do wash my face (!) but as I don't often wear make-up and have sensitive skin I don't use a 'soap' or make-up remover. One week down so far so good. I might need to go back and buy a bigger size of the cleanser and try to keep it up.

:: The girls played together nicely and I ‘enjoyed’ a bit of early morning ironing with ‘Would I lie to you’ on iplayer.

:: A friend from work who I became close to when pregnant with our first children left for a new job. It’s a great move for her and her career. She’s moving to the dark side of the Pennines and taking up residence in Liverpool. I’m really going to miss her. BigR had a little cry when she knew her friend was leaving but the joke is we’ll probably see more of them now than when they lived round the corner!

:: I’ve made (some) progress on a scarf for the ABO. As we’ve had such a mild winter so far he’s not needed it which is a good thing as I doubt if it’ll be ready until 2017!

:: I found an old Cath Kidston voucher with £7 left on it and bought a new ‘fold-away’ bag to keep in my work bag for when I need another bag.

:: I discovered the crack cocaine of the biscuit world. Thankfully I only work 3 days a week and left them there…until today…

:: I took LittleR’s old clothes to work for 2 friends who have girls who are a year younger than Littlest. Some of the ‘frocks’ were barely worn. It’s good to see them going to their new homes!

:: I (finally) plucked up the courage to speak to my boss about my work (specifically one area of it) and if we could make any changes. I've not been happy with one aspect for a while. I'm a bit of a round peg in a square hole and although everyone is lovely, I'm not really achieving much or feeling like I'm doing a good job. For those not in the know, usually academics are ‘rated’ on their ability to be returned in the Research Excellence Framework. Basically this is how Universities are given their research funding – the quality of the outputs (research articles, grants, indicators of esteem (no I’m not sure either)) is judged and money given in return. Now on the horizon is the Teaching excellence framework due to be judged in a similar (metric) way and ultimately I believe will change how fees can be charged. I was returned with my department last time in the REF but due to changes within departments, the wider University and education more generally our department is unlikely to be returned which puts research academics into difficulty. You might want to be returned and work towards this goal but then the department isn’t returned as a whole (the story has to 'fit') so where does that leave you (and ultimately your job!)? There’s an option to change contracts to be more teaching focussed but in a Russell group University teaching is (still) sadly seen as the poor relation to research. So now I’m not sure where my role stands or what I want to do. I love the teaching part of my job but it’s a bit of a conundrum.  

:: I’ve made copious scones. Sometimes Paul Hollywood’s sometimes Mary Berry’s. I found a jar of my strawberry jam (as opposed to Bonne Maman) in the cupboard and we’ve all been enjoying them with butter and a dollop of that. Now to get some clotted cream…

:: I’ve been in the mood to clear stuff out (see above with children’s clothes). I did a bit of a KonMari style tidying and thought to see which of my clothes ‘sparked joy’. I’d seen her book a few times and the idea looked interesting. It was a bit of a weird undertaking for a Brit to see what I found joyful but I got rid quite a bit of ‘stuff’ including 3 pairs of coloured jeans which I used to like but now don’t. I have my ‘at home’ uniform of white t shirt, jeans/denim skirt, cardi (various colours), scarf. I keep getting ideas of stripes or spots or something but that might be too much pattern with scarf and cardi. Hmm. More food for thought.

:: We went to the seaside, to Whitby. We walked on the beach even though the tide was coming in and had a treat of fish and chips in the Magpie Cafe then an ice cream on the pier (yes in January). It was such a lovely day with minimal moaning and arguing from the back seat of the car!

:: I’ve been making lists (many of them during meetings which I'm obliged to attend but can't make a meaningful contribution to). Lots of lists. Lots of notebooks. One of the best ways I cope with making decisions (see above for job thoughts) is making a list. Although when it came to the job options I did add 'give it all up' (which is not really an option – financially or intellectually and is little bit defeatist!) 

:: I've been revisiting the (now very long) list of things I want to make. First seen here. I've still not done the applique blanket(s - now the littlest will want her own too) or the skirts (although I have the fabric and it's nearly spring!) or the  photobooks. And I've added some extra things to it. First up is to finish the scarf (see above) and then I need to complete an embroidery for my friend's daughter. It was going to be a new baby present but then LittleR became ill and it got left by the wayside. Anyway it can be a first birthday present. Due for the end of February I think it's achievable and I'll share it here when it's done along with an updated long list.

Thanks to everyone for their comments recently. I know I'm terribly behind again on emailing you and commenting on your blogs. I'll get there eventually.  

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!!!

The year in books :: December

Another month goes by but the reading bug has returned. Once again I have no idea why. Most probably it’s to do with the engaging books I have read rather than any great change in circumstance.

The first book I read in November was Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling). I love this series of books. I love the characters Cormoron Strike and Robin Ellacott and the journeys they take ‘fighting crime’. This one kept me guessing (even if I guessed right) and it was the right mixture of scray gore with sensible storytelling. Cannot wait until the next one!

The second book I read is by an old favourite author, Ian Rankin. This, the 20^th Rebus book, ‘Only Dogs in the Wild’ was another ‘unputdownable’ read. The characters he’s created in Rebus, Clarke and Cafferty along with relative newcomer Fox sustain any story. This story brings together two old rivals in Rebus and Cafferty and mixes the old and the new in their lives. A really good Rebus read.

For this month of December I’m going to try again at the Kate Atkinson novel ‘A God in Ruins’ and possibly an Agatha Christie I’ve found in the depths of my kindle. You never know what's going to happen though best laid plans and all that!

Joining in with Laura.

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 year in books :: November

It's been a strange couple of months. It's been a busy time so my reading has suffered, or so I thought.  Too tired at the end of the day to muster any enthusiasm for fiction I've been reading through my recipe books or a magazine. I surprised myself with the number titles I looked at. Craft books (gaining more inspiration and adding to the ever lengthening list of potential makes) and food books (the new Nigella, to name one)  have been the staple (as well the numerous children's stories/school books I've read/listened to) until recently...
I charged my kindle and found a book had been delivered that I was waiting for....in fact now we're into November there's another waiting.
So, I'm currently reading Robert Galbraith - Career of Evil. It's the third in the series with Cormoran Strike at the centre and so far, so good. Still to come in November is one of my favourite authors, Ian Rankin. He has a new Rebus book out now and waiting for me on my kindle (along with loads of others!!)...so that'll be November I think. Here's hoping I can keep up with the reading...

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.