A rich life through simple pleasures!

As we are heading into a New Year it is most natural to think about what I want out of 2014. This year I don't want to set myself unrealistic goals like 'lose x amount of weight' or 'stop eating chocolate' because I never stick to them. I also think why should the 1st of January be THE day to decide to change when it could be anytime. 
I just want to reinforce a few simple 'rules' to live by to ensure a rich life at a time when we have little money due to saving for a house -

• LOVE - Sounds simple but give time to your children and invest in them. Teach them new things, read them new books from the library, walk with them to the park, talk to them endlessly about funny stories and interesting facts. Listen to your partner, your mum and your sister. Help them out when they are in need.
• REMEMBER the value of money - I once was a very materialistic person when I was living at home and earning a good salary in my career. I bought my first BMW 1 series at the age of 18 and only shopped at high end stores such as Reiss and Ted Baker. I didn't save a bean. When I look back now I realise how foolish it was but I was young and didn't know. I'm so grateful for this stepping stone in my life where I did fall pregnant when I did and moved into our first rental home. I really understand the value of money now. 
• BECOME less materialistic - I am the worst for browsing online stores such as Topshop, Joules, eBay etc but I've thought about the past couple of shopping trips I've had where I've bought a couple of hundred pounds worth of clothes (a hundred doesn't get you much when you need a few new bits) and by the next week you've forgotten about everything you've bought and just feel that depressing feeling of the money slipping out of your bank account. I am now all for investing in a few key items which are good quality and that I know will last.
• LESS technology - I know that sounds funny as I write an online blog. What I mean is less of spending hours aimlessly browsing facebook or twitter (we all do it!) Last year I had two weeks where my computer was in for a repair and it was the most productive two weeks of my life! I have never been a huge fan of sitting in front of the telly (mostly because there is nothing good on!) and I know of a couple of people now that have gotten rid of their telly. Slightly drastic for me with Benjamin as he might have cbeebies withdrawal but I'm seriously thinking of investing in a radio!
• KEEP the mind busy, keep it learning, keep it inspired by things. I can't stop wanting to learn new things. I want to bake bread, I want to knit, I want to sew a quilt, I want to explore parts of the UK I've never been to before and I want to read so many books. I am one of those people who never get bored on a day off and I could happily not go to work and keep myself busy.

Do you have any 'rules' that you like to stick by and remember throughout the year?

Bye for now x

There's no such thing as bad weather.

A Frugal Walk
Since Christmas I had been looking forward to a crisp, winter walk somewhere but the weather was unpleasantly cold. It wouldn't have been easy with little Benjamin as we wouldn't want his head to blow off.
But then yesterday, we woke up to a beautiful, dry, still cold day and that to me is the perfect mixture for a winter walk. No nasty wind or rain.
Recently I had discovered on our Natwest Gold Account that because we pay a monthly fee we receive two family day passes a year to any National Trust Park. So I printed off the vouchers and off we headed to Calke Abbey in Derbyshire. It's only a 20 minute drive from us and the drive itself is beautiful. We showed the car park man our pass and parked for free.
We packed up a picnic and had a long walk together (when I say long, I mean as far as Benjamin's legs would take us). What I love about walking is observing the scenery, breathing in the fresh air, short jolly greetings with other walkers about their dogs or other funny moments. Everyone is happy.
We eventually found a picnic bench and ate our cheese and home made chutney sandwiches, carrot sticks and hummus and pieces of fruit. This gave us more energy to carry on.
Unfortunately, the house was closed but it meant we got to save the rest of our free pass so we can use it later in the year at some other National Trust place.

Me on the left, my sister on the right.

Whilst I love nothing more than spending time in my own home, you can't beat getting out there and smelling the country side and getting some exercise. Of course I also had my new Joules wellies which I got for Christmas that were desperate to be walked in mud and puddles and piles of leaves!
So there we have it a frugal day out which only cost the small amount of petrol we used. The result? Lasting happiness which couldn't be created with a day clothes shopping or an expensive meal.

TTFN x

Post Christmas CLEAN UP.

In the run up to Christmas, organising everything, doing overtime at work, trying to see everyone, Benjamin getting ill followed by me and what with Luke's dad being in hospital I realise now I have completely forgotten to look after myself.

I got a cold which took ages to get over and my skin is spotty and disgusting. I haven't been eating right, partly for lack of money and mostly for lack of time SORRY JAMIE OLIVER! (I know it's possible to eat good without both of those things but sometimes you just can't) I know I don't do exercise because I am constantly on my feet all day with Benjamin but I can tell my belly is less taught than it used to be (actually, I don't think it ever was?!)

I realise these are all common feelings around this time of year when everyone is wanting to detox after Christmas but I'm not going to make drastic changes, just necessary steps to make me feel a little happier with myself.

1) For example, last night I just pampered myself and shaved/tweaked all necessary areas (i.e. eyebrows, legs etc...), I applied a face mask and moisturised my whole body. I know this sounds silly but I literally haven't done this for so long!

2) I made myself a salad from my Food Doctor book. It is simple, wholesome and healthy!

3) Today I polished all my leather footwear so it felt like new again. Just doing something little to what I own can make a big difference if you can't afford to buy new footwear all the time. It's not about buying new things, it's about buying good quality items and looking after them!

4) I've turned ORGANIC. Where I can afford to anyway. Me and my parents are really into organic products not just because it's a fad but because it's a lifestyle change. With all these parabens floating about in beauty products you just don't know what you are putting into your body so for Christmas I got lots of The Green People goodies including shampoo and moisturiser - they actually work! We have also (on our tight budget) decided to buy important food items organic where we can. If you think of a non-organic carrot being sprayed with chemicals, it's quite easy to wash a carrot and peel it. If you think about the structure of a non-organic broccoli after being sprayed with chemicals, all those little holes will be filled with chemicals and it will be hard to get out.

5) I've decided to slow down our life a little. I'm going to try not to dash here, there and everywhere and fill every single day of my week up with plans. Yes it's nice to be busy, but most of my weeks have been none stop and I need to appreciate the odd day 'off'

6) I've had a ten minute pilates DVD in our TV cabinet for over a year now but never done it. I can't afford a gym membership and don't fancy running on the streets so I'm going to dig it out again and do this now that Benjamin is in playgroup for two mornings a week.

Hopefully, if I stick to these my skin and overall well being will improve. Fingers crossed!

And then it was over..

Bye bye Christmas of 2013. Cannot believe you have been and gone already.

December seems to be over before I even had time to breathe. It always is a busy month with so much preparation and organisation, not including that this time we had a family trauma with my 'father-in-law' having a serious accident and spending most of the month in an induced coma. He seems to be on the up now but we spent most nights visiting Notts QMC Intensive care unit and the whole thing has been physically and mentally draining.

Christmas wasn't, for us, a happy, jolly time as usual but we still made the best of it at my parent's house where we indulged in far too much alcohol and rich food, spent a lot of quality time with the family and tried to recharge the batteries. We ended up dashing here and there quite a lot and I look forward to one day having a large enough house to host Christmas at ours but in our little two up two down we just haven't got the room.

Here are a few of my presents.

I am now looking forward to rolling into a new year and seeing what 2014 brings. I know this probably sounds premature but we have taken down our Christmas tree already only for the fact that most of the needles dropped on the floor and the tree was almost bare and it really frustrated me how much extra hoovering I had to do! (Eurgh, who wants to do more of that?!)
Today was our first full day back home and we mainly spent it catching up on jobs; washing and ironing,  washing the cars, hoovering and sorting out our presents into new little homes. I also made a Sally Bee butternut squash and carrot soup for us three for today and tomorrow to inject some much needed vegetables into our systems. And for tea I made a simple butternut squash risotto which was divine. I am, however, now all butternut squashed out.

We usually like to go for a big boxing day walk but because Luke's dad is out of action we are going to wait until he is better to do that. And today was far too windy to go for a walk, especially as Benjamin's head might have got blown off. I know there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing but when you have a little one it's never that easy.

I am currently counting down the minutes to Benjamin's bed time so I can curl up on the sofa with my new Kindle. I don't know why but whenever I get it out when he is around it  just attracts him like a magnet and he tries to touch the screen which is FORBIDDEN.

TTFN X

Two.

So Benjamin turned a whole TWO years old last week. With it being the end of the month and all the bills had been paid and most of the Christmas Shopping had been bought we realised we had very little money for his birthday celebrations. Luke also couldn't get any time off that week either so I was a bit deflated by it all.

But then I realised he won't be thinking miserable thoughts like I was. As long as he had a few gifts and family around to see him I'm sure he would be happy. All I needed was a bit of imagination to rustle something together.

In the morning I collected all of the presents which people had dropped off for him and piled them on the arm chair. Ben actually walked straight past these without noticing anything different, doh. We spent the day playing with his presents and waiting for family to come round in the evening for which I made a cake and put on a small buffet.

The cake was an Annie Bell recipe - Angel Cake. I just HAD to make it on the basis that the sponge mixture consisted of 12 egg whites, 375g icing sugar and 200g flour. It turned out light and fluffy and with a raspberry/marscapone centre and cream cheese/icing sugar outing it was delicious if I do say so myself. I just decorated it simply with smarties, last years candles and some ribbon I had received on a present. Et voila!

I had to use my resources when it came to the buffet and had to use what I had in the cupboards with the addition of two packs of mini birds buns £1.75 each (I think) and some 50p popcorn from Asda. The doritos and dip were from Aldi and together cost less than a pound. No-one could tell any different. I had tuna, cheese and eggs to hand for my sandwich fillings and I had two pizza's in my freezer. It just goes to show you don't need to spend loads of money on an extravagant buffet when mine didn't have a crumb left at the end of it!

I filled the floor with balloons from a big pack I bought for his first birthday and hung the same 'birthday boy' banner on the door.

We only have a two up two down house and somehow we managed to fit 13 people in the living room and all were sat down (even if they were on the floor that still counts!) Everyone went away and text me later on that night to say how wonderful the evening had been and that was the most important thing.

Happy Second Birthday my boy x

I'm Feeling CRAFTY!

As the build up to Christmas is getting near I am certainly getting in the spirit. I can't believe that in one week and three days it will be December and that means we are allowed to go out and buy our tree *squeals with excitement*. This year, we will buy it from our local farm Bluebells Dairy as they are grown locally and that feels good to me.
Last week my mum presented me with a surprise and it was the most amazing surprise ever! I'm really hard to surprise as I snoop everything out but this...THIS I never found out about. My mum has been working hard for months on the advent calender above. It's for Benjamin and now we have a little heirloom that will stay in the family. Apparently she was supposed to give it me sooner but my dad ate all of the chocolates in the pockets so mum had to buy some more.
I am also enjoying sherry at the minute. I have only ever tried Harvey's Bristol Cream but I decided to go for it and buy Aldi's own version and I honestly couldn't tell the difference. I could tell the difference when I saw the change in my purse!

 

I have been making a lot of bunting lately as presents for Christmas. I think it so much fun to make, it is quick and yet makes a lovely gift that someone can decorate their room with. Paris, butterfly's, flowers you name it! You can just use leftover scraps of fabric and it still looks effective.

The last picture is of a gift my friend Sarah over at Sarah's Witters made for Benjamin's birthday. She is really good at felt craft and I was so chuffed that she made this and I could display on Ben's door. I've ordered a couple of bits off her for Christmas presents as I really love hand made presents and hope others will too.

 

Are you feeling festive yet!? How are you preparing for it? 

Lately

I like having piles of books to look at on my lamp table. Piles of non-fiction books or magazines or cook books or craft books. Then when, if ever, I get a moment to sit down I can flick through them. I like to surround myself with inspiration whether it be inspirational literature, people or activities. Lately, I am loving 'The Food Doctor'. Not that I want to diet or lose weight I just enjoy learning about what is good for you. It's common sense really but I want to adjust our meals and snacks to healthier options to indulge in a healthier lifestyle. In contradiction, you may notice this book lies almost sheepishly on top of Annie Bell's Baking Bible! Oops.

I'm not saying I don't want treats because I do but they don't always have to be chocolate covered or pastry lined! For example, this evening I made a batch of healthy(ish) apricot and oat flapjacks. I like to make a batch of something on a Sunday to pop into Luke's pack up and for Ben to have something different to snack on.

300g butter
200g organic set honey
450g oats
1tbs dried aprictos
1tbs sesame seeds
1/2 tsp ginger

This recipe is EASY, QUICK and requires only TWO POTS!

Melt the butter and honey. Add the remaining ingredients until combined. Pour into a lined, shallow tin. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180degrees for 25-30 mins. Cut into squares immediately but leave to cool and set in the tin. DONE!

Our Christmas presents are almost complete. We have bought and wrapped most of them using last years M&S sale wrapping paper. I don't know about you but we always have a couple of people that we only want to spend a couple of pound on but don't want it to be some useless tat that will go in the bin. In these instances I usually opt for food gifts! Hence the crackers and chutney from my work. I don't mean to be biased but I would be over the moon with a little gift like that!

Finally, I will share with you my Christmas cake disaster! I usually make Nigel Slater's Christmas cake however I decided to try the Betty's recipe instead to see how they compare. I came across the recipe in my Good Food magazine subscription and was pleasantly surprised to see how easy this new recipe would be. So, last week I let my fruit soak overnight and got to work the following day only realising once I put it in the oven that I had measured everything in MILLILITRES and not grams! I could have sobbed. A lot of people said the ml>g measurement shouldn't make that much of a difference but it did and I had to get rid of it in the end. Since this catastrophe I haven't bothered re doing it. I keep drinking the sherry instead!

How has your Christmas cake turned out? Hopefully better than mine!

£2.50 Table Lamp and Benjamin Bedroom Overview

I have been searching high and low for a table lamp for Benjamin's bedroom that didn't cost the earth. Places such as Dunelm, Matalan or BHS had a small range of lamps with nothing that fit the bill. One that I found was on the Laura Ashley website and it had a white base with a blue gingham shade however I couldn't justify paying £35 for a lamp plus p&p. I like classic designs and it seemed that I couldn't get one anywhere for a reasonable price.

Whilst I was at a car boot earlier this year I picked up the above lamp shade for 50p. It was brand new in its packaging and I thought it would be the perfect size for his room. All I needed now was a base and I found the design I liked in a charity shop for £1.50. Admittedly, it was dark brown and had a horrid shade attached to it but I saw past that and using the white paint I had used for the book shelf I painted over it. Once it was dry I sanded a couple of areas to give it a slight shabby chic effect and then the lamp shade fit perfectly.

When I look around Benjamin's room I absolutely love it as I feel it is personal to us. I also appreciate how little money I've actually spent on it and yet how effective it is. Yes it is a bit mix and match and not everything flows but that is almost what makes it work.

Bedside table was in the sale for £20



Alexander Clarke Print found in charity shop for £2.50

Upcycled Chest of drawers

Peek inside Benjamin's wardrobe showcasing all of grandma's hand knitted jumpers.

When you have a baby on the way it is easy to get swayed into Mama's and Papa's complete Nursery collection but I urge you to think twice as the majority of it is only used for a short period of time and by using different bits and bobs you can make it unique to you and your baby.

Recent Book Reading

This book is one I would never, ever choose to read. It shouts love - heartbreak - and then a happily ever after, predictable story line. I rarely read a girly, chick lit type book but my mum recommended this to me and assured me it was really worth a read and I am so glad I did. I couldn't wait to read the next page and the story line was actually rather UNpredictable!
It follows Holly, a single mum who one day comes across a charm bracelet at work in her Vintage shop. After having her own charm bracelet since a young girl and knowing how much it means to her, she decides to embark on a journey to return the charm bracelet to its rightful owner by working out what each of the charms mean. Sounds a bit watery when I write the plot out but you can't guess where she ends up and it is quite a magical tale set in the weeks leading up to Christmas in a bustling New York scene.

The book I am currently reading is The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I absolutely love reading books about other cultures and discovering stories about how they lived many years ago. I will give a full review once I have finished it but if you are considering a new book, I definitely recommend this so far!

Recently

Recently life has been moving far to quick for my liking. Surely Christmas can't be just 7 weeks away? I know I have been excited about it but it is creeping up on us just a little too quickly. When I know it is almost Christmas I always know it is almost New Year and I am not ready for 2014. I am still quite enjoying 2013 and can't get my head around it being almost over.

I feel like at the start of this year there was so much to look forward to such as weddings and holidays and Benjamin milestones and now I look back at them in the past. They're just in my memory now.

Recently we went to an amazing wedding at Peckforton Castle, in Cheshire. Free bar, stunning 3 course meal, hog roast, out of this world four poster bed. Need I say more?

 

 

The wedding had an amazing Autumnal theme running throughout. As you drove up to the castle there were pumpkins all along the drawbridge walls, with carved out hearts and tea lights flickering within. The whole ceremony area had scented tea lights and cinnamon sticks creating the most warming, atmospheric reception. The table plan was in an ice sculpture with fallen leaves and conkers which I thought was so unique.

It really made me consider an Autumnal wedding! You know, if Luke was to EVER propose. (Hint Hint Luke) I mean, you know what you are getting with the weather and you can make such a cosy, lovely wedding using some of natures products!

Benjamin stayed at my parents for the weekend so it was a real treat for me and Luke to spend a night together not having to worry about anything. It is important to have these moments together as we are still a couple, not just mum and dad.

What do you consider a treat?

Some people may say a shopping spree or a holiday, a trip to the cinema or a meal out.

For me? It is as simple as a lie in any time past 6:30am, a spontaneous hug from Benjamin, an hour alone on my sewing machine or a Saturday visiting friends and family.

I have truly learnt the value of money since moving out of my parents house and having Benjamin. I have learnt to budget, to plan menu's and to say no to things when I can't afford them. I have turned into less of a materialistic person too. I never look for things such as clothes and make up for myself but rather I look for clothes for Benjamin and offers on bath products. And spending time with family and friends or enjoying time in my own home, free of charge is much more full filling.

Sounds silly but sometimes it's more fun not having loads of money (I'm sure if I had money I might not be saying this!) What I mean is it's nice planning and organising where your money will be going for the month, any money you put away for savings feels really worth while and any item you buy which you have saved up for will be so much more appreciated.

You begin to train your eye to spot offers, free events, coupon collection deals and money off vouchers. For example, I am shopping at Morrisons at the moment so that I can take part in their Christmas Bonus deal. Collect 9 tokens over 10 weeks when you spend £40 or more (I always do) and then I get £40 off my final Christmas shop in December. Well, for me this is ace because I don't need a specific Christmas shop as we eat at our parents so this means I can stock up on meat to freeze and maybe the odd tipple or two...

What about you? What do you consider a treat?

"There is no friend as loyal as a book" - Ernest Hemingway

My current wish list of books:

1. Helen Fielding - Bridget Jones: Mad About A Boy
2. Amy Silver - The Reunion
3. Maggie O'Farrell - Instructions for a Heatwave
4. Collette McBeth - Precious Thing
5. Adele Parks - The State We're In
6. Emily Barr - The Sleeper

So if anyone reading this would like to buy me an early Christmas present *wink* or send me their copy I would be over the moon! I know I can just request these at my local library but latest copies have a one week rental allowance and I cannot guarantee I could finish reading it in that time!

Soggy Walk

We had planned to visit Wollaton Hall today and when we woke up the weather looked extremely gloomy. Trying to keep positive I wrapped us up and drove us off, forgetting to put in the rain cover for the pram!
As you know I am trying to visit more places that are on my doorstep that I haven't been to before and Wollaton Hall was one of them.
Wollaton Hall is a stunning building which was built in 1588 and took 8 years to complete. It is built in the style of English Renaissance and it's appearance is a masterpiece. It is also a deer park where deer roam freely but sadly today they must have taken shelter as we only saw a few.
It costs £2 to park for 3 hours which is plenty enough and if you can avoid the pricey tea rooms and take your own flask of hot drink, it makes for a cheap enjoyable day out.
Benjamin and I got extremely soggy but he thought it was great as he got to show off his new wellies!

October

October is the beginning of all the enjoyable occasions such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and our son's 2nd birthday. I also feel October is an acceptable time to commence Christmas excitement, even if it commenced in secret a month or so ago for myself. I enjoy planning gifts to buy for everyone and even when money is tight, giving is still a very good feeling.
October reminds me why I would never emigrate from this country. I love our seasons and Autumn is by far the best. Why are fluffy, thick socks and cable knit jumpers so appealing? Autumnal fashion is my favourite too. That ultimate decision of 'yes, today I am going to wear my winter coat AND my scarf'

Sourced from Pinterest

The crisp mid-morning light fools us into thinking there is warmth outside, that is until the fresh air hits us straight in the face. The nights start to draw in and the curtains start to close earlier and earlier. The late summer evening buzz begins to hush as everyone retreats indoors to their fire lit homes.

Sourced from Pinterest.

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the Autumn tree." - Emily Bronte

Tight Month

We have had to budget for an awful lot this month. We have had to pay off the balance for a hotel room which we are staying in for a wedding we are going to (a total of £220 for one night *cries*), a new suit for Luke as he has lost weight and can't even get away with wearing his old one £100 and five family birthdays at £15 each totalling £75. We have hardly any money left for ourselves once our monthly bills, petrol and food are accounted for.

So when people ask me or Luke to go on a night out or go for a meal we really have to be careful. We try to balance it so that we each see our friends and also do things together when we have time. Obviously with having Ben we can't just both nip out at a moments notice.

We have both previously lived in a world where our social calender was full and we preferred spontaneous evenings rather than planned in advance, babysitter at the ready evenings. Everything in that sense changes when you have a child.

Not only that but as I have chosen to work part time it results in me having 4 days at home with Benjamin and I have had to learn to fill our time inexpensively! And as Benjamin loves to be out and about rather than stuck inside I have had to work around this without spending too much money.

So what do I do to combat this problem?

• As the old saying goes - there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Whether it's a sunshine filled day or a gloomy dark day you can always go out for a walk. Just wrap up! It's getting cold now but me and my friend are this week, going round a local park, sticking our wellies on and filling our flasks. We are letting the kids run wild and letting their cheeks get pink. Sometimes all you have to pay for is the car park.

• I don't have a lot of friends with children but the ones that do we sometimes take it in turn to have each other over at our homes. I get all the toys into the living room for the children and make hot drinks and a home made cake for the adults, cupcakes or biscuits for the little ones. Even if you don't have the ingredients in like I didn't last week, I nipped to Birds bakery and spent a total of £2.50 on a variety of cakes which everyone enjoyed. A very cheap but wonderful morning was had by all!
• If I do venture out to a soft play centre I make sure I go when there is an offer on. For example, our local soft play centre has an offer on a Thursday morning where if you arrive before 10:30am you get the entry price really cheap. Or if you come on a Wednesday morning you pay the full price but receive a free coffee/tea for yourself and juice and a biscuit for your child.
• Although Ben is getting more and more interactive we couldn't, for example, bake cakes together or play a game together as sometimes he just doesn't understand it. However, he does enjoy colouring and playing animals so we would have a morning doing this and then I would get on with my own thing and he learns to do his own thing too.
• Visit family - sometimes we visit my parents or my grandparents and this is a nice, social thing to do for free. (Usually includes coffee and biscuits and allows me a bit of relief from entertaining Ben!)
• We have a play park nearby and Ben could spend hours there if I let him. We have a nice walk together there and I sit and watch him play or help him on the apparatus and then we have a walk back together. Sometimes we pop into the library next door to the park too.

I try and do something everyday with Benjamin. This isn't to live my life around him but sometimes it's more for me to ensure we get out and keep him occupied otherwise we would both get bored! The other time during the week I will be doing jobs such as having an afternoon cleaning where Ben pretends to help or doing the food shopping.

I believe it is all about utilising what you have around you whilst you are on a budget. Feeling glum because you can't afford that meal and night out on Friday? Pop on a DVD from your pile that you haven't seen in a while, cook up something you fancy (far cheaper at home) and buy a bag of pop corn for £1 in most supermarkets. You won't regret saving that £60+.
If I have a day with no-one to see and nothing to do, I make sure I do some jobs around the house I've been meaning to do but haven't got round to doing.
If I need a bit of relaxation I run a warm bath and indulge myself for a while.
If I have an hour whilst Ben is asleep I read my book or carry on with my sewing projects.
If I am fed up with my clothes or lack of, I organise my wardrobe and rearrange it all to remember what I have and refresh what I could put each item with.
If I can't afford to have my eyebrows waxed at a salon I spend an hour with the tweezers perfecting them myself.

It's amazing where you can save money even when you have a child!

Matlock - Fish 'n' Chips, 2p Machines and River Lights.

I have done a fair bit of overtime this week at work to cover people and help out a little. I don't normally like doing but I need to be flexible. It resulted in me working all this weekend just past and I missed Luke and Ben a lot so on Sunday once I finished work, we headed straight for Matlock.
We had a stroll past all of the shops and happened to linger in front of a shop called 'Fabric Design'

Image sourced from their web site.

We played in the arcade and changed too many pound coins into 2p's. Darn those machines, why are they so addictive?!
We marvelled at the huge array of motorbikes and their owners. Some of them look scary with their leather outfits and studs and spikes!
Ben had a play on the swings and then we stopped off for fish and chips. They were so good. I love a naughty treat now and again. (Or every day in my case - woops!) I forgot to take my camera so that is why I am rambling on rather than showing you the things we did.

And today we went to Marks and Spencer to get Luke a suit for an upcoming wedding we are going to and a lady must have overheard us talking about how much it was going to add up to and she gave us a 20% off voucher! My faith in man kind is restored! I haven't received such generosity in a long time. Then, Luke and Ben went for a hair cut much to Ben's dismay. I have to bribe him with copious amounts of chocolate buttons whilst Luke wedges his head still and try to stop his screaming. It's a traumatic experience to say the least!

We returned home and Luke decided to build a mini bird table with some scrap wood and I made some chocolate smartie cookies as my friend and her 2 year old daughter are coming over the day after tomorrow for lunch. I am making us the Pea and Courgette soup I showed you in this post and will add a granary cob.

This is before they went in the oven. They came out twice the size and all joined together. I made two trays so I will be packing some up in Luke's lunch boxes. These are the nicest, gooey-ist, chocolatey cookies I have made for a while. They are soft inside, on par with Millie's Cookie's which I adore. Luke is trying to be good so do you think he will believe me if I pretend they are low cal?

And to top it all off, Luke surprised me with a bunch of flowers. I am a lucky girl!

My Bookcase

I love my book case. I find comfort in choosing the next book to read or flicking through a book I have previously read. Sorting them into order of favourites and observing what sort of reader I am. I sound strange, I know but I don't care.
Whether I'm on a sunny warm beach soaking up the rays or snuggling under the duvet drifting off to sleep. Whether it's a lazy Sunday afternoon with a cup of coffee or midweek once Benjamin has gone to bed there is always time to read.

Above I have shared with you a selection of photo's from my book case. The first picture is a selection of my cookery books and the second are my craft books. The third and fourth are a series of books which I have collected over time.

The Agatha Raisin Series are slightly old fashioned books however they are so easy to read if I am in between books or just want something light and humorous to read.

The No1 Ladies Detective Agency books by Alexander McAll Smith are a detective themed series based in Botswana. I haven't got the all of them yet however I urge you to read these as they are truly magical. There was a TV Series based on them a while ago but it wasn't the same as the books.

I have compiled a small list of websites I look to for inspiration on new books or ideas.

1) Richard and Judy Book Club - Sounds an obvious one but I do enjoy a lot of their recommendations. A few times a year they release a list of books which they have read and think we will love as much as they do.

2) W6 Book Cafe on Twitter and Facebook - A Book Club/Cafe set up by HarperFictions and they provide you with their latest releases and also run competitions to win free copies.

3) The Willoughby Book Club - An East Midlands based young business about how a couple's love of reading turned into a business idea. In their words 'A personalised Book Subscription for the Bookworm in your life'. By choosing a category such as 'Bespoke Book Club', 'Contemporary Book Club', 'Classic Book Club' or a variety of others you can pay up front and each month the recipient will receive a book wrapped lovingly for their perusal. The idea is that they introduce you to new books that might not be heard of just yet. You can have personalised messages and they offer book subscriptions for children - perfect for present ideas. This is a business idea I wish I had thought of!

4) http://chicklitchloe.blogspot.co.uk/ -  I am not a huge 'chick lit' fan however some of the reviews that Chloe writes make me want to buy the book! She is sent books to review and gives her honest opinion even if she doesn't like it. She reads over a 100 chick lit books a year so she knows what she is talking about!

I have caved in and I am (fingers crossed) getting a Kindle for Christmas. Didn't think I would ever want one but as time if moving on and technology is evolving I should really see what all the fuss is about. I will never stop buying books and I will always support Waterstones and I will always peruse my book case but I actually feel excited about getting a Kindle!