~A Year In Pictures~

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Happy New Year - Wishing You all The Very Best For 2013

PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS AT THE END OF EACH POST - I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

THANKS

XOXO

Sick Day

I still have a rotten chest infection which is making me very very tired and achy all over (not to mention the constant cough cough cough).  I decided to try and have a day in bed yesterday, but baring a 2 hour window mid afternoon it didnt really work out. When the whole family are at home someone or other cant seem to resist the urge to come in and ask me something/complain about something. I hear other Mama's saying they went to bed and left the family to get on with it, I would love to know how they manage it. I can only surmise that everyone else went out for the day and they had take-out food for dinner.

I did manage a few lines of knitting while I watched a DVD, but after that I fell asleep (for the 2 hours). I am not sure I feel any better for it today, but with a mountain of laundry to do, 2 day old crumbs under the coffee table and at least 3 arguments needing settled, it seems unlikely today will be a duvet day. Of course I can drag the duvet up to the sofa and accept that having a 3 year old sitting on top of me is all part and parcel of being sick when you are a Mama. I think I already knew that, and even though having little pointy elbows stuck into me is less than desirable, the gentle pat from a little chubby hand or  feeling a little cheek resting on mine almost make up for it (almost).

PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS AT THE END OF EACH POST - I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

THANKS

XOXO

~Christmas~

We have had a lovely couple of days. Christmas was mostly chilled tinged with some sadness because my Mum is still in hospital. I always miss my Dad at Christmas, so having to take my Mum's gift to the hospital seemed so sad. We were also made to wait outside while she ate her hospital Christmas dinner alone (totally alone as the only other patient in her bay was nil by mouth). I can see a 2nd Christmas on the cards when she is home and well.

Oscar had a fabulous couple of days, and I think that even above the presents he received the most joy from having his brother and sister together to play with (Christopher my oldest son has his own flat, and we don't see him nearly as much as we would like to).

Anyway, here are some pictures. I hope you guys had fun too?

PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS AT THE END OF EACH POST - I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

THANKS

XOXO

Merry Christmas

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Valerie, Duncan

& Oscar

xxx

Christmas Eve

Daddy and Oscar made the gingerbread house (kit from Aldi) and Mama made Christmas Eve PJ's for Oscar, and that was the end of the Christmas makes. 

There is a big piece of beef roasting in the oven and white chocolate mousse chilling in the fridge. I am off for a wee nap before our Christmas Eve festivities begin, but I wanted to wish you all a fabulous Christmas from us. Have A Good One.

 

Valerie

xxx

Bits + Bobs

1 : Scarf and mitten knitted for my Mum : 2 Oscar reading the art books : 3 Knitted stars 4 : An ornament for Ellie 5 : Oscar 6 : The fireside 

Joining in with james for bits + pieces

Valerie

xxx

YULE

 

Despite feeling awful we managed to rise to the occasion and enjoy a Solstice Sun Pie and some lovely cranberry cake. This has certainly turned into a season filled with ill health, hopefully the New Year will let life swing the other way.

 

Recipe :

Cranberry Drizzle Cake

 

Ingredients

225g unsalted butter

225g caster sugar

225g self-raising flour

125g dried cranberries dusted in flour

4 free range eggs

zest from 1 orange

 

Topping

75g caster sugar

juice from 1 orange

juice from 1 lemon 

cream or marscapone to serve

 

Method

1. 
   

   Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Grease and line a loaf tin.

   
   


2. 
   

   Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then fold in the flour until well combined.

   
   


3. 
   

   Fold the cranberries and orange zest into the mixture and carefully pour into the loaf tin and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

   
   


4. 
   

   Meanwhile for the icing, mix the sugar and fruit juices together in a bowl until smooth and glossy.

   
   


5. 
   

   Once the cake is cooked through, remove it from the oven and pierce holes all over the cake.

   
   


6. 
   

   Pour the sugar mix on top of the cake, allowing the icing to drip down the sides. Once cool, turn out the cake onto a board or serving dish.

   
   


7. 
   

   To serve, slice the cake and accompany with a spoonful of mascarpone.

   
   

: :

"May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door, and happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas."

I  am off to curl up with some cake and some of the most amazing hot chocolate in the world LINK and as cheesy as it may be, one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time

 

Have A fabulous Weekend

Valerie

xxx

OOTD - Christmas Shopping

Mummy :

Black Sparkle Coat - 3/4 sleeve swing coat - New Look via Ebay

Red White Striped Top - Bon Marche

Dark Jeans - Not seen - M&Co

Black Satin Gloves - Ebay

Red Snakeskin LYDC Handbag

Diamante Brooch - Charity Shop

Black Boots - Not Seen - Primark (wide fit)

Red Satin Polka Dot Scarf - Primark

Oscar : 

Hand Knitted Pixie Hat

Grey Duffel Coat - Tesco

Red Joggers - H&M (not seen)

Red Wellies - Hunter (not seen)

NB For anyone local, we had to wait nearly 45 minutes for a taxi home from Asda this morning, stay at home if you can ;)

Valerie

xxx

Winter Fuel

I love cooking for the family, but the hardest part without a doubt is trying to think up what to cook. I thought you might like to see some of our meals this week, I know I like to get ideas from other people.




Homemade bread (machine made) & homemade garlic butter : asparagus spears : pasta tubes with tomato sauce mixed with cream cheese & parmesan : cherry tomatoes




Homemade hummus & toast soldiers : cherry tomatoes : cubed scottish cheddar : dried cranberries : almonds : pumpkin seeds : salt and cinnamon chickpeas Recipe HERE




M&S garlic & coriander naan bread : homemade vegi curry : natural yogurt mixed with mind : carrot salad : diet cola





Cubed avocado : asparagus spears : scrambled egg with spinach & cream cheese : bread and butter




Garden peas : pasta bows in cheese sauce : smoked back bacon : green beans



If you have any child friendly suggestions I would love to hear them, no chicken nuggets though ;)

Valerie

xxx