A poem I have wrote which I would like to share.
Every weekend he always asks me,
'come down and watch me play!
come rain or shine,
it doesn't matter,
it only lasts all day'
'Why not plan and prepare
a spectacular cricket tea?
To ensure our opposition
are green with jealousy'
He explains all the different shots,
which leaves me rather stumped.
Cut, drive and square,
I hardly care,
whilst I consider if he should be dumped.
'We need a new box of vanish' he says,
'There's stains on my knees and my bum.
If you can't get them gleaning white again
I'll take them home to my mum!'
I think his position is batsman
but it could also be bowler too.
He moans and says 'I'm better than that!
I'm an allrounder thank you!'
He calls me after his match
and begins to squeal and shout.
The baffles me when he reveals
He got 85 NOT OUT.
I love my boy dearly,
except for Saturday you see.
For that's when my boys heart
Is lost to Kegworth Town CC.
Monday, 30 June 2014
Strawberry Fever
Winding through the tiny village, with chocolate box houses and pastel painted village shops, the 'Scaddow Farm - Pick Your Own' sign glittered in the sunlight to my eyes like a lighthouse to a boat.
We had finally arrived! Strawberry picking season is so exciting to me. It is something so simple but it offers so much pleasure. At the farm we went to, they allow you to pick your own strawberries, gooseberries, black currants, red currants, blackberries and raspberries but for today I fancied nothing more than a punnet of strawberries.
My aim was to start to give Benjamin a little insight into where his food comes from. However, after gobbling a few strawberries he was more interesting in galloping between the rows of lush strawberry plants than help us pluck some strawberries.
I, on the other hand was in my element. Rustic nature in it's purest form. Pulling back the green leaves to discover ruby jewels. It can only be compared to digging for gold I'm sure!
Unfortunately, I am not making jam. We don't really eat it anyway and I know I could give little jars away as gifts but I just don't fancy it this year. I want to enjoy the strawberry in all it's strawberry delight and try to eat it in a few different ways for pudding each night.
Tonight was cocoa dusted meringue nests, whipped double cream and strawberries. What more shouts 'summer'?
I think I will be going to sleep very happy tonight. (Yes, I am easily pleased!)
Linds xx
We had finally arrived! Strawberry picking season is so exciting to me. It is something so simple but it offers so much pleasure. At the farm we went to, they allow you to pick your own strawberries, gooseberries, black currants, red currants, blackberries and raspberries but for today I fancied nothing more than a punnet of strawberries.
My aim was to start to give Benjamin a little insight into where his food comes from. However, after gobbling a few strawberries he was more interesting in galloping between the rows of lush strawberry plants than help us pluck some strawberries.
I, on the other hand was in my element. Rustic nature in it's purest form. Pulling back the green leaves to discover ruby jewels. It can only be compared to digging for gold I'm sure!
Unfortunately, I am not making jam. We don't really eat it anyway and I know I could give little jars away as gifts but I just don't fancy it this year. I want to enjoy the strawberry in all it's strawberry delight and try to eat it in a few different ways for pudding each night.
Tonight was cocoa dusted meringue nests, whipped double cream and strawberries. What more shouts 'summer'?
I think I will be going to sleep very happy tonight. (Yes, I am easily pleased!)
Linds xx
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Budget Busting Summer Holidays
I'm sure you all know I'm on a budget. Massively. Money is so tight for us and we have been bad at saving in the past but recently we have been able to clear our credit card, which has been a huge weight lifted from us.
Even though I tell you this on my blog, day to day, I like to make the best of what I have and have a good time with what little money we do have.
Benjamin has been attending playgroup for almost 8 months now which offers him entertainment and time with friends which he really needs. He get's bored very quickly and so needs this form of stimulation. The only downside with playgroup is that every time there is a half term it means he is off too so already at 2 and a half years old I am having to plan things for the holidays. The next big one is the 6 weeks holidays starting the 23rd July.
So what do I plan to do?
My first step was by using an old jam jar I decided to put any spare pound coins/50p's that were left floating in my purse were put in the jam jar even if it was one or two a week. If you start early enough in the year you can have a good amount stashed up. This means rather than getting to August and having to put £50 worth of activities in your monthly budget, it saves you the grief and you feel you can treat yourself and your kids.
It's always best to plan ahead and write a list of activities you know will be happening locally. For example, living in Derby we have an online website which tells you all the local events going on. You can see what takes your fancy, pop it in your diary and then you have something to look forward to. That's the thing with me, I like to have things to look forward to and I dread a week where I don't have much going on.
You'll also find during the summer holidays, local places will put on events and special days to attract the youngsters.
Remember the best memories to create don't have to cost the earth. Cast your mind back to when you were a child. What do you remember more? The family picnics, the water fights? Exactly - that's where the memories will be born. One of my fondest memories was one day a week out of the holidays I spent it with my nana and she used to take me on the double decker bus to town. Naturally, we sat on the top deck right at the front and looked down the view hole to the driver - it was the best part! Then we used to wander round town whilst she did her jobs and she would always buy me a Birds Iced Bun. Then we would walk along the river gardens, feed the ducks and return back to the bus station. So simple but always stuck in my mind with fondness.
If you are on a budget you tend to think more creatively and I can honestly say it is more fun. Rather than podding out for an afternoon at the cinema, which by the way I just refuse to go lately with how expensive it is, there are so many other things to do too.
Oh and I'm not saying cut out all treats like the cinema but I think it's about balance. So here I am discussing the budget balanced bit.
I have all sorts of things planned.
Oh and my last tip is use PINTEREST. There is a fountain of inspiration on there especially if you are having a day when you aren't sure what to do and your toddler is looking at you with hopeful eyes.
Linds xx
Even though I tell you this on my blog, day to day, I like to make the best of what I have and have a good time with what little money we do have.
Benjamin has been attending playgroup for almost 8 months now which offers him entertainment and time with friends which he really needs. He get's bored very quickly and so needs this form of stimulation. The only downside with playgroup is that every time there is a half term it means he is off too so already at 2 and a half years old I am having to plan things for the holidays. The next big one is the 6 weeks holidays starting the 23rd July.
So what do I plan to do?
My first step was by using an old jam jar I decided to put any spare pound coins/50p's that were left floating in my purse were put in the jam jar even if it was one or two a week. If you start early enough in the year you can have a good amount stashed up. This means rather than getting to August and having to put £50 worth of activities in your monthly budget, it saves you the grief and you feel you can treat yourself and your kids.
It's always best to plan ahead and write a list of activities you know will be happening locally. For example, living in Derby we have an online website which tells you all the local events going on. You can see what takes your fancy, pop it in your diary and then you have something to look forward to. That's the thing with me, I like to have things to look forward to and I dread a week where I don't have much going on.
You'll also find during the summer holidays, local places will put on events and special days to attract the youngsters.
Remember the best memories to create don't have to cost the earth. Cast your mind back to when you were a child. What do you remember more? The family picnics, the water fights? Exactly - that's where the memories will be born. One of my fondest memories was one day a week out of the holidays I spent it with my nana and she used to take me on the double decker bus to town. Naturally, we sat on the top deck right at the front and looked down the view hole to the driver - it was the best part! Then we used to wander round town whilst she did her jobs and she would always buy me a Birds Iced Bun. Then we would walk along the river gardens, feed the ducks and return back to the bus station. So simple but always stuck in my mind with fondness.
If you are on a budget you tend to think more creatively and I can honestly say it is more fun. Rather than podding out for an afternoon at the cinema, which by the way I just refuse to go lately with how expensive it is, there are so many other things to do too.
Oh and I'm not saying cut out all treats like the cinema but I think it's about balance. So here I am discussing the budget balanced bit.
I have all sorts of things planned.
- Picnics at local parks - we have a park about a 5 minute walk from our house so if we pack a few sandwiches, cakes and drinks we can go and laze about for half a day for FREE. I say free because the food is budgeted into my weekly shop so I'm not buying anything extra. Even if it rains you can eat your picnic indoors.
- Local Farmer's Market - Our local Farmer's Market is every third Thursday so I am planning to take Benjamin on the bus (he is fascinated whenever he see's one and I haven't actually taken him on one yet!) get a few bits of local food and get him a cake or some strawberries. The food I buy will be incorporated into my weekly food budget so all I would be paying for extra is the return bus fair.
- Library - Not only will we be going regularly to get our supply of books (FREE) we will also be attending the Rhyming Sessions they offer. For half an hour every Thursday afternoon, our local library puts on a session where we read books and sing songs. It's really lovely and also FREE.
- Derby QUAD - We have an arts centre in Derby called the Quad and they are always offering free activities for every age group. I had a look online and every Saturday they are holding FREE lego play sessions for children. Basically Benjamin's heaven.
- Whitepost Farm Centre - In Nottingham there is a lovely petting farm called Whitepost Farm and it is fantastic. You can feed and stroke the animals, play on the huge play area, run around, eat picnics and ice cream, see lots of mini beast and play on old tractors. This is an expensive day out however my mum has been doing the 'couple of pound a week in a pot' so that she could take us for a day trip out in the summer and this is where we have chosen. So I understand it isn't technically free however technically I'm not paying for it - hoorah!
- Bluebells Farm - literally about a 5 minute drive away from us (no we can't walk as it is down a treacherous road) there is a farm called Bluebells, who are famous for their amazing ice cream which is distributed throughout Derbyshire. Free parking, very little petrol. You can pay £1 for a bag of food to feed the animals; ducks, pigs, goats, rabbits etc. and then they have a lovely play area and huge sand pit. As a treat we will both be having some ice cream. Real daredevils, us!
- For rainy days we have painting/craft mornings, indoor dens, megablock tower building, book corner, smoothie making, cake making.
- Luke has a week off in August so we plan to spend our most of our days locally but we've said as we're not going on a holiday this year we must go to the beach for the day! This excites me!
Oh and my last tip is use PINTEREST. There is a fountain of inspiration on there especially if you are having a day when you aren't sure what to do and your toddler is looking at you with hopeful eyes.
Linds xx
Saturday, 14 June 2014
My 10 favourite little things about Summer
I just LOVE the little things in summer. There is so much to appreciate and so much to take in. Smells, sights, tastes. Everything is better and everyone is happier when the sun is shining.
- Hanging washing out to dry on the line so that it when you take it off it smells so fresh you could wrap it round you and flop.
- Being able to eat every meal outside. There is something that reminds me of being on holiday when I do this.
- Strawberry picking. Fresh strawberries are so juicy and our local strawberry picking farm will be hit for sure when we take Benjamin this year. Can't wait to eat my weight in strawberries.
- Letting Benjamin run around without his nappy on and paddling in the pool. Not a care in the world.
- Turning the telly OFF. Let's face it, there's nothing good on anyway and what could be better than sitting outside listening to all the sounds...cars in the background, families in their gardens, birds singing, people walking their dogs, children playing on the field...
- I actually want to eat healthier! I fancy eating salads and making smoothies and creating fruit salads with whatever is in season. Lightly dusted seabass with lemon and dill for supper. Kiwi and strawberry for desert. It all tastes better.
- The light mornings motivate me to get up and start my day. The light evenings make me feel like the day will never end.
- Days off spent outside at parks, picnics in the field, playing in the paddling pool in the garden. It's all free and everyone is happy. We get our intake of vitamin D and we get a good dose of fresh air. Lovely.
- Lying at night with the windows open. I love the slight muffle of life somewhere far in the distance whilst I am comfy in bed.
- Everything is more relaxed and comfortable. Flip flops, recliner chairs outside, cool showers, lazy Saturday brunches outside. All we need now are siestas during work!
A Herby Treat
It was my birthday a couple of weeks ago and I felt rather depressed as everything I wanted to do, e.g. drink cocktails and go to Alton Towers, I couldn't.
But it ended up being a nice day spent with family and friends. My mum and dad popped round in the morning and made a full cooked breakfast which was delicious and my sister made me a fantastic trifle instead of a birthday cake. Usually, I hate trifle and I'm always the one to make the Christmas buffet trifle but can never face eating it myself. And now that I'm pregnant its been something I'm reeeeally fancying...strange!
My dad also said to me he wanted to get me something nice for my birthday and asked if I would like some maternity clothes or something for the baby. 'NO!' I retorted but as a joke said I'd much prefer a Michael Kors purse knowing it was a bit pricey. And look what he pretended he'd left in the car...
Anyway, what I am getting round to is that I got given a bit of cash for my birthday and naturally spent most of it as soon as possible. But with my last £10 I found the most adorable thing that I just had to buy.
Wandering around Homebase for Fathers Day Ideas, I ended up spotting something for myself (which is sort of always what happens when you know you shouldn't be looking for yourself)
I grow herbs in my windowsill but put them on random plates which end up looking dirty and they tend to get overgrown quickly. But this herb tray containing 'bronze fennel', 'mint', 'parsley' and 'rosemary' was a bargain at £10!! It stays in the garden in this cute wooden box and I can nip out all year round to snip off whatever I need.
Originally I thought the 'bronze fennel' was dill as I had never heard of fennel as a herb. And since looking online I have discovered it is edible but a lot of people don't like the taste so I might dig that one up and replace with coriander or basil.
I know it might sound like a boring present but to me I love presents I can use. My purse I use every single day and organise it into compartments, e.g. coupons, important reward cards, postage stamps and loyalty cards (yes I am a bit OCD with my purse) and my herbs I use almost every day in my cooking.
Money well spent I say!
Linds x
But it ended up being a nice day spent with family and friends. My mum and dad popped round in the morning and made a full cooked breakfast which was delicious and my sister made me a fantastic trifle instead of a birthday cake. Usually, I hate trifle and I'm always the one to make the Christmas buffet trifle but can never face eating it myself. And now that I'm pregnant its been something I'm reeeeally fancying...strange!
My dad also said to me he wanted to get me something nice for my birthday and asked if I would like some maternity clothes or something for the baby. 'NO!' I retorted but as a joke said I'd much prefer a Michael Kors purse knowing it was a bit pricey. And look what he pretended he'd left in the car...
Anyway, what I am getting round to is that I got given a bit of cash for my birthday and naturally spent most of it as soon as possible. But with my last £10 I found the most adorable thing that I just had to buy.
Wandering around Homebase for Fathers Day Ideas, I ended up spotting something for myself (which is sort of always what happens when you know you shouldn't be looking for yourself)
I grow herbs in my windowsill but put them on random plates which end up looking dirty and they tend to get overgrown quickly. But this herb tray containing 'bronze fennel', 'mint', 'parsley' and 'rosemary' was a bargain at £10!! It stays in the garden in this cute wooden box and I can nip out all year round to snip off whatever I need.
Originally I thought the 'bronze fennel' was dill as I had never heard of fennel as a herb. And since looking online I have discovered it is edible but a lot of people don't like the taste so I might dig that one up and replace with coriander or basil.
I know it might sound like a boring present but to me I love presents I can use. My purse I use every single day and organise it into compartments, e.g. coupons, important reward cards, postage stamps and loyalty cards (yes I am a bit OCD with my purse) and my herbs I use almost every day in my cooking.
Money well spent I say!
Linds x
Thursday, 12 June 2014
Getting into the swing of things...
A week or so after I found out I was pregnant all my healthy/eating clean/nutrition conscious efforts went out of the window. I was horrendously naughty and as I couldn't face cooking it meant I resorted to all time low levels. Dare I say it...I visited McDonalds probably once a week and it was heaven. The sweet and salty carbohydrate packed meal was curing my every need. I went off a lot of food and my palet preferred bland, nothing meals like jacket potato (not even sweet potatoes...eek!) or cheese on toast. Meals that would just fill a hole. And even though I knew this was the most important time for my baby and whatever I was eating the baby was eating, it still didn't stop me.
But for the past week or so I have been feeling normal(ish) and I have actually been fancying healthy foods again! I love making fruit salads and recently made smoothie ice lollies. I love salad laden dishes, preferably with some sort of sour vinaigrette dressing or coleslaw.
It's funny what your body tells you to do but I recommend just going with the flow. It's not forever and before you know it, baby will be here and I'll be being extremely good again!
Linds x
But for the past week or so I have been feeling normal(ish) and I have actually been fancying healthy foods again! I love making fruit salads and recently made smoothie ice lollies. I love salad laden dishes, preferably with some sort of sour vinaigrette dressing or coleslaw.
 |
| Shredded mushroom & cheese omelette on a bed of salad with sundried tomatoes and coleslaw. |
 |
| DIY Pasta Bar Lunch- Pasta, mixed bean salad, eggs, bed of salad, coleslaw |
 |
| Prawn and Spinach Linguini |
 |
| Organic Blood Orange |
Linds x
Expanding the Family. Round TWO.
Apologies for being rather quiet on here lately but I can tell you it has been for a good reason.
So basically...I'm PREGNANT! 4 months to be precise and I have been feeling so so rough. I was only actually sick a few times but the nausea was worse, it was all day and it woke me up in the night too. I had zero motivation or enthusiasm for anything and I was exhausted all the time.
It's funny because last time I was pregnant I felt alright, I was working full time and hardly noticed it. But this time I only work 3 days a week and I have had a few days off already. Oops.
However, this last week I feel human again. I actually felt like cleaning too. It was really random. Last Tuesday at around 7pm I just jumped up and said to Luke 'I really fancy cleaning the fridge out!' He thought something was wrong with me...!
So here are the facts:
DD - 29th November - the day after Benjamin's birthday. (I feel this is advantage due to joint parties...shoot two birds with one stone and all that...)
20 week scan - 14th July and yes we will be finding out the sex because I am just too darn impatient. And partly because I want to sew things for he/she in appropriate colour combinations. Craft comes into everything, okay!
So there we go. My new NEWS. I have a feeling life is about to get really busy...
Linds x
So basically...I'm PREGNANT! 4 months to be precise and I have been feeling so so rough. I was only actually sick a few times but the nausea was worse, it was all day and it woke me up in the night too. I had zero motivation or enthusiasm for anything and I was exhausted all the time.
It's funny because last time I was pregnant I felt alright, I was working full time and hardly noticed it. But this time I only work 3 days a week and I have had a few days off already. Oops.
However, this last week I feel human again. I actually felt like cleaning too. It was really random. Last Tuesday at around 7pm I just jumped up and said to Luke 'I really fancy cleaning the fridge out!' He thought something was wrong with me...!
So here are the facts:
DD - 29th November - the day after Benjamin's birthday. (I feel this is advantage due to joint parties...shoot two birds with one stone and all that...)
20 week scan - 14th July and yes we will be finding out the sex because I am just too darn impatient. And partly because I want to sew things for he/she in appropriate colour combinations. Craft comes into everything, okay!
So there we go. My new NEWS. I have a feeling life is about to get really busy...
Linds x
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