I love writing. I might not be the best at it or be grammatically perfect but I do love writing. My love for the English language is definitely growing.
Advertising for example. I love how words can be twisted into some magical form to entice the customer to part with their hard earned money. Sharp, clever slogans can sum up that particular company/service in a single sentence, sometimes even just one word.
Novels can be hundreds of pages long but some intricate story, which has been planned for months even years, is entwined within, each word chosen specifically for a purpose.
Diaries, Journals and Blogs can be an outlet, a release of feelings, thoughts and emotions. To document a particular moment in time or a significant experience such as heartbreak or elation. Scraps of thoughts and scribbles of inspiration; perhaps a quote or a famous line.
Words are the foundation of our communication, even if they can't be spoken they can be signed or written down. The English Langauge is evolving, and like everything, is it for the better? I wonder how the younger generations and even my generation will protect our language in every platform, whether written, on email, texting, or spoken. Will they adapt it to the social network phenomenom and abbreviate? And keep introducing new words to our dictionary such as 'Twerk'? (Which, by the way, I cannot believe happened!)
I personally will never tire of our langauage. I never type my texts in 'txt tlk' and my emails are always addressed appropriately. I will ensure to encourage Benjamin to read until his hearts content as I really do believe it can shape a person and give them a good start in life.
And there we have it. My light bulb moment for today!
X
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Monday, 2 September 2013
Sutton Bonington Show
Yesterday we visited the Sutton Bonington Show, which was host to a variety of exciting attractions. Craft stalls, horticultural show, terrier racing, birds of prey, rides for children, country foods and so many more.
It was a lovely day all in all. The sun was shining, we bumped into lots of our friends and Ben had a go on a car ride. He screamed when it finished. We then went to the pub afterwards and chatted for an hour or so before returning home and flopping into bed.
I love family treat days...
X
4 Week Menu Plan
I got this idea from a blog I've been following for a while now, she is quite well known now so I am sure you will know of 'Frugal Queen'. Find her blog here.
She was on a mission to rid of her debts and, now that she has accomplished that, she is working to pay off her mortgage early. Her blog is full of cheap recipe's, cheap craft ideas and lots of hints and tips. She recently shared with us her 4 week menu plan and I thought it would be a good idea to share with you mine.
I know a 4 week menu plan might sound rigid and lacking spontaneity but the fact is when you are on a budget you can't just be as frivolous as you'd like. I also like to do this as I don't want any waste. This way I can stock take the cupboards, fridge and freezer and see what I can use up over the following month and incorporate items nearing their sell by date into recipe's. Gosh, I feel like superwoman!
At the weekend you will notice it says 'whatever'. That's because we usually end up having beans on toast or we may end up at someones house unexpectedly so I don't really want to plan for it. See, I am spontaneous!
Each week I do a varied amount of meat dishes and vegetable dishes as the veg dishes work out a bit cheaper, even though Luke moans. If I do a Sunday dinner I make sure to use the left over meat either in Luke's sandwiches for work or in a pie the following day.
Breakfast is not very cheap as we all like different things! I only like my porridge and raisins or banana, Ben likes cereal and Luke likes toast!
Each week I also like to make a different batch of soup for mine and Ben's lunch as it can be too easy just to have bread! (I haven't decided what soup to have in the last week yet!)
If you don't currently plan your shopping list I seriously recommend you do as it could save you a lot of money and I have learnt this. Also, remember when you are shopping and you see lots of offers...it's not a bargain unless you need it!
Happy shopping
X
She was on a mission to rid of her debts and, now that she has accomplished that, she is working to pay off her mortgage early. Her blog is full of cheap recipe's, cheap craft ideas and lots of hints and tips. She recently shared with us her 4 week menu plan and I thought it would be a good idea to share with you mine.
 |
| Key - GF = Good Food Mag or website, OT = Overtime |
At the weekend you will notice it says 'whatever'. That's because we usually end up having beans on toast or we may end up at someones house unexpectedly so I don't really want to plan for it. See, I am spontaneous!
Each week I do a varied amount of meat dishes and vegetable dishes as the veg dishes work out a bit cheaper, even though Luke moans. If I do a Sunday dinner I make sure to use the left over meat either in Luke's sandwiches for work or in a pie the following day.
Breakfast is not very cheap as we all like different things! I only like my porridge and raisins or banana, Ben likes cereal and Luke likes toast!
Each week I also like to make a different batch of soup for mine and Ben's lunch as it can be too easy just to have bread! (I haven't decided what soup to have in the last week yet!)
If you don't currently plan your shopping list I seriously recommend you do as it could save you a lot of money and I have learnt this. Also, remember when you are shopping and you see lots of offers...it's not a bargain unless you need it!
Happy shopping
X
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Support your local community - do you?
As much as I have to budget each month I still like to try and support our local community and businesses. I also like to support British made items and home made items.
For the past year or so I have been following a Derbyshire based company called 'Fabulous Places' which is a guide to all our local shops, eateries, coffee shops, producers and services which Deb, the owner, has handpicked herself.
Everything she selects for her guide is Derbyshire born and bred, is one of a kind and Deb has tried and tested all of them.
I don't know about you but I get fed up of visiting chain restaurants and pubs, coffee houses and shops and this guide is perfect as it introduces you to places you may not have necessarily heard of or been to before. Trust me, the enticement is irresistible. So I've decided I want to work my way through the guide and visit every single place.
For example, a couple of weeks ago me and my mum had the day together and wanted to go out somewhere different for coffee and cake. I looked at the online directory and we selected The Apple Tree which was a 5 minute drive away and yet we had never discovered it ourselves!
Not only does Deb produce this guide she also holds events throughout the year at the Roundhouse College, Derby. She holds a Summer and Christmas Market, where all local exhibitors gather so you can see and buy their products/services.
Aside from this guide, I am trying to visit our local Farmer's Market, which is held once a month and if I am in town I try and visit the green grocers and butchers on the market place.
On Facebook I follow a few pages who have been set up by mum's who want to earn a living from home or young businesses just starting out and they sell their home made items/ crafts/ services and I think it is important to encourage this.
How much do you support your local community and do you think it is important too?
X
For the past year or so I have been following a Derbyshire based company called 'Fabulous Places' which is a guide to all our local shops, eateries, coffee shops, producers and services which Deb, the owner, has handpicked herself.
I don't know about you but I get fed up of visiting chain restaurants and pubs, coffee houses and shops and this guide is perfect as it introduces you to places you may not have necessarily heard of or been to before. Trust me, the enticement is irresistible. So I've decided I want to work my way through the guide and visit every single place.
For example, a couple of weeks ago me and my mum had the day together and wanted to go out somewhere different for coffee and cake. I looked at the online directory and we selected The Apple Tree which was a 5 minute drive away and yet we had never discovered it ourselves!
Not only does Deb produce this guide she also holds events throughout the year at the Roundhouse College, Derby. She holds a Summer and Christmas Market, where all local exhibitors gather so you can see and buy their products/services.
Aside from this guide, I am trying to visit our local Farmer's Market, which is held once a month and if I am in town I try and visit the green grocers and butchers on the market place.
On Facebook I follow a few pages who have been set up by mum's who want to earn a living from home or young businesses just starting out and they sell their home made items/ crafts/ services and I think it is important to encourage this.
How much do you support your local community and do you think it is important too?
X
September
Tomorrow is September 1st. How can we possibly be over half way through the year? It literally feels like New Years was last week.
When I was younger my dad always said, enjoy every moment because time flies and now I'm starting to believe him. Although it feels like I have done so much this year, when I think about it I can't remember anything I've done!
I'm now looking ahead into September and wondering what it will unveil. We have various birthdays and wedding anniversary's to celebrate. We also have mine and Luke's 3 year anniversary. We have an evening out with friends and also some overtime booked in at work.
All in all it looks set to be a quiet month, preparing for Autumn to take full hold but still hanging on to those late summer evenings.
Let's make the most of it!
"The world begins to bloom into a rainbow of rustic reds, burnt oranges and chocolate browns. The warm evenings start to dwindle and the dark nights are soon to make an appearance. Families make the most of outdoor time, wrapping up for park time fun and local attractions. Light summer salads and BBQ's are slowly swapped for root vegetable laden stews and casseroles spotted with dumplings. Summer holiday's are nearly all been and gone, forming into distant happy memories. Leaves on the ground become a toy, to throw, to stand on and to kick. They crunch, they rustle and they crackle. Oh how I love Autumn."
When I was younger my dad always said, enjoy every moment because time flies and now I'm starting to believe him. Although it feels like I have done so much this year, when I think about it I can't remember anything I've done!
I'm now looking ahead into September and wondering what it will unveil. We have various birthdays and wedding anniversary's to celebrate. We also have mine and Luke's 3 year anniversary. We have an evening out with friends and also some overtime booked in at work.
All in all it looks set to be a quiet month, preparing for Autumn to take full hold but still hanging on to those late summer evenings.
Let's make the most of it!
 |
| Sourced from Pinterest |
"The world begins to bloom into a rainbow of rustic reds, burnt oranges and chocolate browns. The warm evenings start to dwindle and the dark nights are soon to make an appearance. Families make the most of outdoor time, wrapping up for park time fun and local attractions. Light summer salads and BBQ's are slowly swapped for root vegetable laden stews and casseroles spotted with dumplings. Summer holiday's are nearly all been and gone, forming into distant happy memories. Leaves on the ground become a toy, to throw, to stand on and to kick. They crunch, they rustle and they crackle. Oh how I love Autumn."
Thursday, 29 August 2013
Fruity Foraging!
What a lovely day we have had whilst blackberry foraging! Although the sun couldn't make up its mind at points, the air was still warm and it was easy to spot the bursting juicy blackberry bushes.
We visited Elvaston Castle, which is about 5-10 minutes away from us and through the secret, windy and overgrown walkways we discovered a bounty of blackberries, untouched and ready to be picked. It was literally like a treasure chest of gold, except in fruit form!
My mum led the way as she used to come here every year and is now showing me where the loot is. We came away with over 2 pounds of blackberries - imagine how much that would have cost if we bought it from the supermarket!
My mum's friend also passed on 5 generous sized brambley cooking apples that collected in her garden, how kind! I have lots of plans for these blackberries and apples and I will share with you when I make some deserts. I'm thinking when winter is truly upon us we will definitely be needing some fruity, crumbly goodness? Don't you?
X
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
The Unspoken Word
There are only 4 pay days left until...can I say it? Do I dare? 3 pay days left until Christmas. Eeeek! Don't hate me for saying it, I bet the shops will be starting to stock the Christmas cards and tinsel any day now...
Before then we have a wedding to attend (Luke needs a new suit), 11 birthday presents to buy and 3 wedding anniversaries to celebrate. I have 18 Christmas presents to purchase for people so, yes I am starting to plan now. So there. (That's my attempt to put my foot down)
How early is it to start? As savvy as I like to be, I never go to the January Sales and stock up on next years presents, or queue up for hours boxing day morning to grab a bargain. I don't know about you but I will recognise if I receive one of last years Boots 3 for 2 presents!
In January I like to stay far away from the shops as possible and enjoy the sombre mood of the month, revelling in the festivities and celebrations we have had.
However, once my June birthday is out the way and our summer holiday has been and gone I do start pondering about the big day. In October and November we have over half our families birthdays too so I need to plan in advance.
So where do I start? If I see a reduced bottle of whisky, I'll pick it up for my grandad. I begin printing off a select few photos which I know I can frame as presents. In Summer and Autumn Sales I will have a mooch around and see if there is anything which would be useful to someone. Then, at this time of the year I will make a list and write ideas down next to it.
Last year I made a lot of my presents. I made cushions and cookie jar mixes. But I left a lot of it until last minute and it was a huge rush. I felt stressed!
Last year I also found a lot of one off, unique gifts from TK Maxx that I was really impressed with and actually wanted to keep for myself. They were not over priced either.
I also don't like giving money as a Christmas present. I like to give a physical, thought filled present which will bring a smile to the recipients face. I try not to ask people want they want either as there is nothing more exciting than opening something you have no idea what small treasure hides within. Or they may think it is utterly revolting and wish they had just asked for money! Ha!
Over all I think this time of year is perfectly acceptable to begin planning Christmas presents and there is nothing wrong with picking up the odd gift or two. Or five.
X
Before then we have a wedding to attend (Luke needs a new suit), 11 birthday presents to buy and 3 wedding anniversaries to celebrate. I have 18 Christmas presents to purchase for people so, yes I am starting to plan now. So there. (That's my attempt to put my foot down)
How early is it to start? As savvy as I like to be, I never go to the January Sales and stock up on next years presents, or queue up for hours boxing day morning to grab a bargain. I don't know about you but I will recognise if I receive one of last years Boots 3 for 2 presents!
In January I like to stay far away from the shops as possible and enjoy the sombre mood of the month, revelling in the festivities and celebrations we have had.
However, once my June birthday is out the way and our summer holiday has been and gone I do start pondering about the big day. In October and November we have over half our families birthdays too so I need to plan in advance.
So where do I start? If I see a reduced bottle of whisky, I'll pick it up for my grandad. I begin printing off a select few photos which I know I can frame as presents. In Summer and Autumn Sales I will have a mooch around and see if there is anything which would be useful to someone. Then, at this time of the year I will make a list and write ideas down next to it.
Last year I made a lot of my presents. I made cushions and cookie jar mixes. But I left a lot of it until last minute and it was a huge rush. I felt stressed!
 |
| The cookie jars I made last year |
I also don't like giving money as a Christmas present. I like to give a physical, thought filled present which will bring a smile to the recipients face. I try not to ask people want they want either as there is nothing more exciting than opening something you have no idea what small treasure hides within. Or they may think it is utterly revolting and wish they had just asked for money! Ha!
Over all I think this time of year is perfectly acceptable to begin planning Christmas presents and there is nothing wrong with picking up the odd gift or two. Or five.
X
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