Courgette-ed out - 2 genius ways to use a glut of courgettes!

It's usually this time that people who grow their own veg have a huge glut of courgettes. We haven't grown any but my mother-in-laws neighbour has had the biggest glut I've ever heard of! Basically she has had enough to feed my mother-in-law and her 5 children! I thought she would be sending me one or two but when Luke walked through the door with a bag full of about 16 courgettes my eyes nearly popped out of my head! They weren't diddy either!

Of course I didn't want them to go to waste so what was I to do with them all?

One morning, whilst he was off work, Luke helped me make 15 portions of courgette and pea soup. A recipe I use regularly from Sally Bee and the whole family enjoys. I froze most of them but gave a couple of portions to family. Aside from a couple of onions, one large bag of frozen peas and a bit of stock this was the cheapest 15 portions of soup ever.

Once I had used that up, the mother-in-law sent another bag of mini courgettes, some new potatoes and some green beans. To use the green beans and new potatoes were easy to use but I had to use my imagination for the courgettes. So I made a roasted vegetable pasta dish that we ate for lunch one day and then me and Luke took to work the next. I used up some peppers that were going past their best, threw in some pesto, cheddar and black pepper. Et voila!

It is really useful to buy and use what is in season as it is often going to be cheaper when you buy in the supermarkets.

What have you had a home grown glut of this year?

Linds xx

Our week in review!

Last week Luke was off from work and we had decided as soon as I got pregnant that we weren't going to go on holiday as we wanted to save and buy the news bits we needed.

So we spent the week doing things we don't usually get time to do. As a family we don't get one whole day together in the week at all. Luke works all week and then Saturday is either cricket or football and Sunday I'm at work. We try to squeeze swimming in Saturday mornings but days out together are a rarity.

So Monday we wrapped up and took a picnic to Attenborough Nature Reserve. I say it's like a hidden gem as to get there you drive through a big shopping centre thinking you're not going to find it and then bam! It's like piece of heaven, hidden away from the hustle and bustle.
Then we decided to visit Luke's granddad as we haven't been for a while, which was nice. Then in the evening my mum babysat Ben and me and Luke went to watch Inbetweeners at the cinema which was fab! However I was gobsmacked at the prices, which isn't a surprise! £17.41 for two tickets and £11.50 for 2 scoops of B&J ice cream and a regular combo deal of popcorn and drink. No wonder the cinema trade is dying! We could go for a meal at that price.

At Attenborough Nature Reserve

Tuesday I was at work so Luke packed up another picnic and took Ben to watch the Derbyshire cricket. I can't believe Ben loves it already and keeps asking for his own cricket bat. Definitely must be a boy thing!

Wednesday we had planned to go to Skegness for the day but the weather was a little gloomy and we decided against it. We then headed off to Rushcliffe Country Park for a walk round and Ben played on the recently renovated play area which even I wanted to go on. Suddenly it started pouring it down and everyone started running back to their cars so we did too as it turned really cold! Ben didn't understand the emergency and decided to have a paddy. Pfft. In the evening I made some chocolate brownies as I couldn't bear to watch an episode of Great British Bake Off without cake!

Thursday I had the midwife and then I went with my sister to get her A Level results. To celebrate we all went to the Harvester for lunch which I can honestly say is totally underrated! Not been for ages and forgot how good it was. In the afternoon, we came home, got in comfy clothes and spent the rest of the day watching films.

Friday I booked off work. As Ben was at nursery it meant me and Luke could spend the day together. We spent the morning doing the food shopping and then went to Morrison's for breakfast. We are like little old people already as while we waited for our food we spent the time doing crosswords and word searches! Then we nipped to a few charity shops scouring things for the house but only came away with a few books. Around 4pm we went to the local pub park and I had a small white wine and Luke had a beer and we shared some cheesy nachos. Then suddenly, my mum, dad and auntie, uncle and cousin (who are currently over from South Africa) joined us and after I went to collect Ben from nursery around 5ish, we spent the whole evening there.

We love simple things and believe you don't have to spend a fortune to have a lot of fun! I hope we are building the memories that Ben will start to remember and look back on in his childhood.

Linds xx

Working 16 hours a week and being a mum

I don't have a lot of time for much these days as any mum will know the majority of my day consists of running round after Ben, being pregnant, working part time and keeping on top of the house.

People always wonder how I can like being only a part time worker or they wonder what activities I fill my day with. Of course, you often get 'bet you do nothing all day!' But the truth is every day I am always busy and I can't wait to finish work again for maternity leave! I'm someone who would be quite happy to not work again, whereas that's not for everyone. It's not financially feasible for us either.

I have so much to do every day and although every job sounds little they all mount up. Our house is tiny but I can easily sweep the floor 3 times a day and you wouldn't know! I always make most of our meals from scratch too which takes a fair amount of time of preparation and cooking. I make Luke a salad from scratch too (see below). I also try to do one of my bigger jobs every day e.g. clean bathroom/ironing/hoover etc. This is in between any miscellaneous jobs I have to such as popping to the shop for extra supplies, going to the post office or making important phone calls (of which 9 out of 10 times result in a toddler melt down and a very hot and flustered me!)

 



I don't spend my days gallivanting out having coffees all the time or visiting expensive children's attractions. The times that I do arrange to see friends with children are often a walk round a nature reserve with a picnic or flask of coffee and as I have found recently, they aren't overly enjoyable for us mums to chit chat. We now have to watch out for children running off and we barely manage to string a sentence together without being interrupted! It's all part and parcel but we love it anyway.

 

So if we're struggling financially why wouldn't I go back to work full time? Even though Ben was a nice little surprise and this next little bean was planned, I don't believe in having children to let other people look after them for you. I am quite traditional in the sense that I want to be there for my children and I want to watch them growing up. I don't want to have to palm them off on someone when they are ill. And we can just about keep afloat with me working part time for the time being and Luke is accepting of this. Goodness knows what would happen if his dinner wasn't ready for him when he got home from work, he'd be so grumpy!

 

I feel we have a nice balance and I would say we have a rich life in simple ways. We eat well and we have lots of walks out and about. We do see family and friends often but like I say its at each others house or somewhere cheap. Although its not our own home its a lovely, cosy home with everything we need. Ben has all the toys and books he could wish for and we are always busy doing some colouring or painting or building blocks or in the garden. We have lots to look forward to in life; a new arrival in November, Benjamin turning 3, Christmas and hopefully moving house next year.

 

They are only little for once so if you can be around for those early years you will never regret it.

 

Linds xx

Our Baby Budget

I can hear what you're saying already. 'Didn't you keep everything from before?' Well the answer is yes and no so I thought I'd show you what we've had to buy again and what we've spent because as you know we're on a massive budget.

Pram

The main thing I needed was a new pram/travel system. The one I had before was old and second hand when I bought it then and it was extremely cumbersome. I always said the one thing I want next time is a better pram.

Obviously I couldn't afford a brand new pram and too be quite honest you must be mad to pay full price for some of the prams available! £500 upwards they go for! And once Ben was sitting upright I ditched the pram and bought a lightweight stroller. There are so many good quality, modern second hand prams available on eBay and Gumtree so I really recommend having a look around.

Anyway, I stumbled across an eBay advertisement for the below travel system. (Picture is from eBay and I can't enlarge it without it becoming blurry as I am a bit of a technophobe) it was the Concord Neo Pushchair and Ion Car Seat. What I liked about the set was that it came with the Neo Slider Surfboard which would be perfect for Benjamin and I was expecting to buy anyway.

The seller was asking for £100 for the lot so I popped a bid in and thought it would go up out of our price range. However we ended up winning and I was so chuffed! We drove up to pick it up and it was used by a lovely woman who had really looked after it. You know when you get a good feeling about a purchase?!

The cheapest I've found the car seat online is £65, the pram is £480 and the surfer is £80 saving us £525

 

 

Nursery Set

 

I know it's not creative of me but with lack of time and energy I thought I would invest in a nice nursery bedding/decor set. I never really bothered with Ben and his room looked a bit bland for a while so I thought I'd see what was available.

 

As much as I love all of the Mamas & Papas range, it's not feesable or sensible to pay so much for something that won't be used or appreciated by the new addition.

 

I really liked the range Olive and Henri by Babies R Us and decided to look on eBay if anyone was selling parts of the set. I think it was meant to be as I stumbled upon a grandma who was selling the entire range; uplighter, cot mattress cover, blanket, cot bed quilt, cot bumper, 3 canvas pictures, tab top curtains and tie backs for £50 and she was about a 3 mile drive away. Saving me £92 in total. Also, because it was a grandma the items were in perfect condition as the grandchild only stayed over a couple of times.

 

 

Babymel Satchel

 

This is a bit of a cheat as my mum secretly bought and had this delivered to my home as she knew it was the one I wanted. Saving me £42.

 

 

Here is what else I have been doing:

• I spent half a day scrubbing the high chair as I didn't realise how much food and stains there were - it was filthy!
• Luke got down from the attic all Ben's old clothes and I have washed and ironed all Newborn, 0-3 and 3-6 month babygrows.
• I have been adding a pack of Newborn, Size 1 and 2 nappies to the shopping every so often.
• I bought a pot of lavender essence as after I gave birth last time I had milk and lavender baths to ease the soreness.
• I bought an Avent Bottle starter kit in a baby event at the supermarket.
• I have been making my own few decorations and odd bits to create new items for baby.
• I dug out the steriliser and Angel Care Monitor and checked both were working still.

What I still need to buy:

• Baby change mat as last one ripped. Seen one in upcoming Asda Baby Event for £4
• Breast pads, maternity pads
• Clothes for hospital
• Wipes and more nappies
• ...can't think of anything else.

I just think it's about planning ahead and buying the odd thing here and there rather than all at once and leaving a big hole in your bank balance. The way I'm doing it is by adding an item into my weekly shopping, I hardly notice it. Or saving money by keeping my eye out for supermarket baby events. Buying second hand and getting creative.

 

What have you done to save money for a new arrival?

 

Linds xx

 



Carole Matthews - A Place to Call Home Review

 

Some of you will be shocked to hear that this is the first Carole Matthews book I have read. I tend to avoid chick lit but in an attempt to persuade me, my mother recommended it to me on the basis it 'had a bit more meat to it' than a regular chick lit book.

Ayesha and her daughter Sabina strike lucky by landing in a safe house after a desperate escape from her abusive husband Suresh. Sabina is now a mute after witnessing horrible attacks from her violent father onto her mother and is extremely timid due to what she has endured.

It is no ordinary safe house in that it is owned by world renowned pop star Hayden Daniels, who after his own personal tragedy confides himself to his room and barely steps outside. The house is home to two other unlikely residents; Crystal a blonde, vibrant young woman who had a brief fling with Hayden and somehow never left the home and Joy, a 70 odd year old widower who is a closed book, miserable and hides away in the only love she has - the homes garden. All three of them are a world apart but are closely bound by their share of tragedy and loss.

When Ayesha and Sabina arrive, it disturbs the routine of the home and its inhabitants however, over time, they become accustomed to Ayesha's home cooking and general kindness towards the others. Sabina, although mute, lifts the spirits of the house as she practices piano and slowly embraces her new life. We see wounds unfold and pain released in the form of new friendships and possibly romance.

Lurking back at home, Suresh the violent husband, deals in petty crime but has plans for bigger conquests such as jewellery store robbery. But his utmost priority is planning to do whatever it takes to find his wife and daughter and make them pay for leaving him and humiliating him.

After rating it a measly two star on Good Reads, I wasn't amongst the majority. I'm not used to Matthews work so cannot compare it to other books she has written.

I personally couldn't warm to the main character Ayesha. After being the victim of domestic abuse I am aware that Ayesha may be nervous, feeble and weak in new situations however even towards the end of the book her lack of confidence and continuous, almost sickly appreciation of anything anyone does starts to ware.

Trying not to sound narrow minded, but the plot was extremely predictable and this is precisely why I avoid chick lit. I had a good guess of who would fall in love, what the climax would be and that they'd all live happily ever after. And I was right!

I know books can make anything possible but the situation of the safe house being an ex famous pop stars home and the random collision of people living their was extremely surreal. I just couldn't click with the idea and thought it was too far fetched.

Nevertheless, I didn't give up on the book like I have done with some others and I wanted to complete it so that's why I gave it two stars. Something in me wanted to keep going and see these unlikely characters become happy once more.

I'm pleased Carole Matthews has a huge following and I'm glad I gave this novel a go however I just don't think her books are for me.

Boring Baby Blanket Revival

I am planning everything I need for baby and it's one of those times where I don't really need to buy an awful lot but I secretly want a few new things!
I have washed and ironed all of Benjamin's old clothes however have bought the odd item off eBay like a gorgeous boys Cath Kidston 0-3 baby grow which was a bargain.
My next task was sorting through what baby blankets we have (and resisting to buy an awfully expensive but incredibly gorgeous Mamas and Papas knitted blanket!) and although we have enough, I came across a very boring, very plain cream blanket. However it was too soft to recycle so I wondered what I could do to inject a bit of newness into it.

I used one of my dad's old shirts, cut out round a star template and used adhesive webbing to iron each one onto the blanket. The fluffiness around each star was due to a bit extra webbing being ironed on but after a wash and iron it looks brilliant! So quick and so easy. And now I have a new blanket!

Linds x

Latest Books

For some reason when Summer appears I slightly lose interest in reading. That's bad isn't it! But because the evenings are light and the days are busy spent out and about, there isn't always that chill out time to get into a good book like there is on gloomy Winter days.

However I have just read two books in the space of a week. They aren't new and I am a bit behind the times on reading them but hey ho.

I really enjoyed Roald Dahl - Boy and can't believe I haven't read it before. It contains tales of his early childhood and portrays how different life was back in the mid 1920's onwards, including the dreaded cane being a regular visitor at school! It was interesting to see where the inspiration for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory came from! Now I want to read Going Solo...

My mum is an avid reader and her bookcase is always choccablock! One day, we reorganised all the books and over half of the books she still hadn't read. She loves reading, but loves buying new books to add to her collection even more!
Anyway, one afternoon when I visited, I was having a nosey in her bookcase and noticed The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend. Yes I know I am so behind the times with this one but I wanted to see what all the fuss was about as the reviews on it are raving. Written with daily diary entries I initially thought I would find it hard to read however it so easy to read because the content is hilarious. Although you do feel for poor Adrian Mole, he just makes me laugh without realising it! It's one of those books where when you finish it, you are sad when you remember the character isn't actually real.
I was saddened to hear Sue Townsend has recently passed away and I think it is such a shame as she was an extremely talented writer.

They were both relatively short books and so easy to read. Perfect for summer reading!

Linds x