Sunday 30 March 2014

Snapshots

A couple of weeks ago Rupert and I decided that we had, finally, found a place to settle and hence time to buy our own home (we have been renting for the last 4 years). We are lucky enough to have previously bought a flat in London which we had kept so put it on the market and began a hunt for our country pile (well, cottage with a veggie patch). Thinking these things take forever and bracing ourselves for a gruelling 6 month search we found our perfect house in the first few days but as always it had a lot of interest, lots of offers yadda yadda yadda... we had until Friday night to find a buyer for the London flat so we could secure it. This was insane and so we mentally waved goodbye to the pile. Well, that was until 4.48pm on Friday night when we had an offer on the flat and at 5.23pm we had secured a new home in Somerset. YAY! Needless to say, bubbles all round. I can hear all my family and friends telling me to remain cautious and not fall too hard as more often than not these things fall through and I will be heartbroken. Of course they are right but for now I'm as happy as a clam at high water. It is a complete renovation project of a 1930's house so be prepared for lots of posts of interior design ideas (Rupert, the keeper of the purse strings is very concerned indeed!) In other news this week we had muddy walks, lunch, dinosaur playtime and estuary frolics with friends, mother's day spoiling and a sunny beginning of Spring.... doesn't the sun immediately make you feel a whole heap cheerier?

beach combing

Topsham

baby's got blue eyes

row row row your....

clearly not a riveting read

Charlie looking after Lenny

dragon in my kitchen

love

Ru and Lenny

this is one pair of funky legs

Maurice's Gooseys

Magnolia lovely

mud mud glorious mud

nice Sunday treat

can balance for about 30 secs

Happy Mothers Day

Today is all about us mummy's. It's a tough job being a mum and today is about saying thank you and I love you. I know I do not say it enough -  so thank you Mum, I feel very lucky indeed to have you. It is also about giving yourself a well deserved pat on the back. Well done you. Forget that supermarket tantrum, huge pile of washing, crayon scribble on the wall and hug your babies close today - you are doing a great job, just look at them......


(pic sourced from Rose & Crown)

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Mother's day Gem

Sssssssh. Dads, Grannys and Grandpas this one is for you - keep it a secret from those mums! Pick up some celery on the way home and make sure you have paper, red and green paint and string. This Mothering Sunday activity will make one mummy very happy. How many people forgot last year and ended up giving your loving, dedicated and yummy mummy a seriously below par card from the local Londis... uch um, Rupert! I tried this with Lenny today and well, put politely, it was a bit of a mess! He was just interested in hand painting on himself as well as the paper but oh well you can't win them all! So I'm afraid the finished result here was made by moi, for moi.










Sunday 23 March 2014

Snapshots

I'm stuffed. Still. Today saw Sunday roast lamb and all the trimmings and apple crumble and ice cream with friends.... in fact, it was quite a gluttonous week all round as we went to a 70's fondue party last night where we feasted on enormous amounts of cheese and drank too much red wine. Next week, cleanse. I always say that..... All the food and drink has blocked my memory and I cannot think of anything else we did (?!) but we did pop up to our local wood and stock up on wild garlic to make pots of pesto and soup for the freezer. Homemade garlic goods are great, the smell of garlic still lingering in my car, not so great.

bed head



flying angel
chatting with me Mo Bot
cuddle

foragers

there it is
us

destined for the pot
squishy kiss

mummy help me....

Lenny's loves his bud Indi

Maurice


smiler


please let me find the pot of gold

Friday 21 March 2014

Baked Risotto with Cauliflower, Gruyere & Crisp Breadcrumbs

As tasty as risotto is I often just cannot be bothered to be tied to the hob with the constant stirring. This baked version really is super easy, cheap and great comfort food. It is from Home Made Winter - these seasonal cookery books are beautiful. I serve it with green salad and watercress and a glass of merlot and job's a goodun.


Ingredients
1 small head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 tbsp olive oil
2 small onions, diced
200g arborio rice
125ml white wine
500ml chicken or vegetable stock
200g gruyere
breadcrumbs

Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees.

Boil the cauliflower for 10 mins until al dente and drain. Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet and saute the onions and garlic for 5 minutes. Add the rice and cook for a further 2 minutes. Add the wine and stock and bring to the boil. Stir in the cauliflower, cheese and put the lid on.

Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until all the liquid has gone.

Uncover the skillet 5-10 minutes before end of cooking time and sprinkle on the breadcrmbs. Bake uncovered until it has browned and serve.

Monday 17 March 2014

Snapshots

Last weeks pics are little on the dull side I'm afraid. If I had just uploaded one pic of a Calpol bottle that would have summed it up. Both kids got stinking colds and fevers and so most of our time was spent inside slugging on sofas after very restless nights. These were taken while kicking about at home and in a brief escape to a cafe and the park.... got slight cabin fever so planning some more exciting fun for this week!
monkeys

thank you Wivey Children's Centre for lending Lenny the truck - kept him very happy..... lets see how the returning of it goes on Friday?!?!

Mo Bot's new wheels.... great charity find

my breakfast dates

cheese
A very over exposed picture - a rather pleasing photographic mistake 

never too ill for a choccy biscuit

spot the boy not getting enough attention?!


this is our amazing 'hide and seek' tree at the park

lazy parenting

1st time in the swing - he is just edible

nutkin

sunset on the farm

the raybans 1st outing of the year

cross country