So people,
OREO CUPCAKES!
I pinched this recipe from BeanTownBaker, but found the ricipe really faffy, and a little strange.
"In a large bowl cream the butter until fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the milk and vanilla and mix to combine."
This does NOT, repeat NOT work. Adding milk just make the creamed butter sit on TOP of the milk. And it makes a lot of mess.
The end result was nice, delicious even, receiving good reviews from many but... I don't know. The bun mixture tasted how I think sweet muffins should taste, and didn't rise as much as I would have hoped for for buns.
In the future, I would just suggest making your usual fairy cake mix, adding broken up Oreos. At the bottom of each cupcake case, I'd place a whole Oreo (not a half as suggested by BeanTown's recipe).
Will make these again in the future, but to my own recipe, not this one.
Will add pictures to this post when I find the mmory card for my camera (which I stupidly left on a table within Ru's reach, and he's probably squirelled it away...)
Emi, x
Friday, 20 August 2010
Possible Pox, Cakes and 'The Epic Search For The Perfect Buttercream'
Okay, so again wading through the blog posts I need to catch up on, here's goes another round...
We thought our son Ru had the chicken pox. Long story short, he didn't. He merely had what the walk-in centre thought was "a non-specific viral infection". Which didn't really help us out at all. They asked if he had come into contact with cat or dog urine. Well, the cat urine goes in the cat litter tray which is out of his reach. The dog urine however could have easily come from my sister's dog who had peed on the gravel in my mum's garden several times. Despite my mum and I rinsing the gravel where the dog had pissed with warm water, apparently it did't help.
In the end, they just said to keep dosing him up with Calpol and baby neurofen. Great. Calpol as E122 in it, which is actually banned in several countries, and Stephen and I are very loathe to give Ru Calpol for this and a couple of other reasons.
We both despise some parents immediately running for the Calpol bottle as soon as their child has even the slightest sign of a sniffle or the slightest raised temperature.
Whatever it was that Ru had, gave him little bumpy spots on his face, right across his cheeks, with a few dotted over one arm and one leg.
And it's pretty much gone now, a couple of weeks later, but he's still got a few bumps on his cheeks, but at least he's back to his usual happy, sunny self!
Bad news, we still have chicken pox to come!
Anyway, made more cakes... nothing special I could put on my '101 Things In 1001 Days' though, but it was fun to experiment with the icing and to make roses for the first time...
Yes, it pretty much WAS an excuse to use pink decorations and play with icing!
I tell you what though. Buttercream? The perfect one that pipes on perfectly? Kinda solid, but still gooey when you eat it?
I can't make it.
I tried the Pioneer Woman's buttercream recipe, and that failed massively. It didn't stiffen, and it tasted more sugary than the buttery-ness that I so craved... :( *sad face*
However, I have a new recipe to try, from the youngest of my three bridesmaids who made the most beautifully decorated cupcakes for Steve and I for the wedding. Will have to report back how it goes.
Maybe I'll try it next week when I make a whole heap of cupcakes for Stephen to take to work to sell to raise money for St Catherine's Hospice. (A post on this coming soon!)
Right, gonna do the other stuff in a seperate post, as they fulfill criteria for #'s 1 and 2 on my '101 Things' list!
Love love love,
Emi, x
We thought our son Ru had the chicken pox. Long story short, he didn't. He merely had what the walk-in centre thought was "a non-specific viral infection". Which didn't really help us out at all. They asked if he had come into contact with cat or dog urine. Well, the cat urine goes in the cat litter tray which is out of his reach. The dog urine however could have easily come from my sister's dog who had peed on the gravel in my mum's garden several times. Despite my mum and I rinsing the gravel where the dog had pissed with warm water, apparently it did't help.
In the end, they just said to keep dosing him up with Calpol and baby neurofen. Great. Calpol as E122 in it, which is actually banned in several countries, and Stephen and I are very loathe to give Ru Calpol for this and a couple of other reasons.
We both despise some parents immediately running for the Calpol bottle as soon as their child has even the slightest sign of a sniffle or the slightest raised temperature.
Whatever it was that Ru had, gave him little bumpy spots on his face, right across his cheeks, with a few dotted over one arm and one leg.
And it's pretty much gone now, a couple of weeks later, but he's still got a few bumps on his cheeks, but at least he's back to his usual happy, sunny self!
Bad news, we still have chicken pox to come!
Anyway, made more cakes... nothing special I could put on my '101 Things In 1001 Days' though, but it was fun to experiment with the icing and to make roses for the first time...
Yes, it pretty much WAS an excuse to use pink decorations and play with icing!
I tell you what though. Buttercream? The perfect one that pipes on perfectly? Kinda solid, but still gooey when you eat it?
I can't make it.
I tried the Pioneer Woman's buttercream recipe, and that failed massively. It didn't stiffen, and it tasted more sugary than the buttery-ness that I so craved... :( *sad face*
However, I have a new recipe to try, from the youngest of my three bridesmaids who made the most beautifully decorated cupcakes for Steve and I for the wedding. Will have to report back how it goes.
Maybe I'll try it next week when I make a whole heap of cupcakes for Stephen to take to work to sell to raise money for St Catherine's Hospice. (A post on this coming soon!)
Right, gonna do the other stuff in a seperate post, as they fulfill criteria for #'s 1 and 2 on my '101 Things' list!
Love love love,
Emi, x
Sunday, 15 August 2010
#1 and #2 - Cakes for Stephen's Work
So, Stephen's work clubbed together to give us some money as a wedding present, so I wondered what the perfect thankyou present would be...
And I deduced that cupcakes were the solution...
And that decision was nothign to do with the fact that I wanted to use my Wilton's gel colours and alphabet icing colours!
A short while later...
Green = white chocolate and fudge
Pink = strawberry and glace cherry
Yellow = lemon and mixed peel
Apparently they were a hit... and why not, when te look so darn cute
Emi, x
And I deduced that cupcakes were the solution...
And that decision was nothign to do with the fact that I wanted to use my Wilton's gel colours and alphabet icing colours!
A short while later...
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| Tilt your head to the right, and you'll see the 'Thank You' bit of the cakes! |
Green = white chocolate and fudge
Pink = strawberry and glace cherry
Yellow = lemon and mixed peel
Apparently they were a hit... and why not, when te look so darn cute
Emi, x
#1 - Skinny Chocolate and Orange Muffins
Total Failure.Not good. Bad recipe. Won't even bother passing it on. Very bland.
#1 Cheese Muffins
So, I made The Pioneer Woman's Cheese Muffins.
Good lord.
3 cups of cheese?!
So damn tasty.
Stephen has decreed them tasty!
Cheese Muffins -Makes 12 muffins
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups grated cheese
1 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
Whisk together dry ingredients, then stir in cheese.
In a separate bowl, whisk egg, milk, and butter together. Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients and stir with a spoon to combine.
Bake in greased muffin tins at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Good lord.
3 cups of cheese?!
So damn tasty.
Stephen has decreed them tasty!
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| Delicious cheesy cheesy muffins... |
Cheese Muffins -Makes 12 muffins
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups grated cheese
1 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
Whisk together dry ingredients, then stir in cheese.
In a separate bowl, whisk egg, milk, and butter together. Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients and stir with a spoon to combine.
Bake in greased muffin tins at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
More new beginnings... and very sad endings...
I know this post is late, but I now have no job. I felt that instead of having so many people asking me what happened with it, I'd explain.
I was maternity cover from September 2009 to July 2010 for my stepmother at a school, as Assistant Bar Manager for a bar that was for thesixthformers of the school.
And I loved it.
I mean, I have a good work ethic, and I've enjoyed every job I've ever had, but this one was special...
I poured my heart and soul into this job, for the sixthformers. UV and Neon themed club nights, complete with DJ's, lights, and UV body paint. Cross-dressing night (with some very convincing men-women). Live music, single artists and school bands.
I loved it, I loved the kids, gosh did I love those kids.
And then, my stepmother announced that she no longer wanted to come back after her maternity cover, and the school announced that it would be readvertising the role (as legally they had to), and with the full backing of several housemasters, ten months of hard work and great events behind me, and the love of the sixth form, I applied.
And for some reason, I was convinced I wouldn't get it. I don't know why, I just was. Stephen kept telling me not to be so pessimistic, and all thekid kept telln me that I'd get the job, no worries.
So imagine my surprise when I didn't even get an interview for the position.
Truly, I don't think I've been so heartbroken since a boy I used to date who went to Aberystwyth University told me he loved me, but didn't think he could be faithful to me whilst he was away at said university. I mean, *that* was heartbreaking enough, but this... Good gods.
And the worst part?
Feeling like I'd let my kids down... Not my own biological son, you see, but all the sixth formers whom I had watched grow over the past academic year... The ones who had brought shedloads of joy into my life...
I mean, fair enough, Toby O. peed in my garden... Patrick F. puked over the side of the decking... Martha C. pretty much passed out and fell asleep on the decking in the middle of winter after drowning her sorrows due to boy trouble... Jack M. coming to me and telling me "Emma, I am *comPLETELY* inebriated!"... Julian C. snotting on my clothes whilst drunk... A certain Mr Miller who just would NOT stop smoking!
And yet, I still continued to love my job. Even when they insisted on having awful music playing. For a bunch of upper class white kids, they sure do want to be from the ghetto! Having kids coming to confide in me was wonderful... Laughing with them... Watching them mature, even over the short amount of ten months...
So yes, finding out I wasn't staying broke my heart. I know Stephen was worried about me when I spent several hours after finding out not speaking, just sat there going "I just don't understand."
And I still don't.
And I'm still heartbroken.
But...
I'm going to be my usual sunny self and make the best of the whole thing. I will relish spending more time with my son and brand new husband... getting to focus on my baking and cooking
But I am going to miss Will... and Harry... and Paddy... and Nico... and Lara... and Oliver... and Toby... and Emma... and Piers... and Ross... and a whole bunch of others...
Thank you so much, guys... It was a pleasure... xXx
I was maternity cover from September 2009 to July 2010 for my stepmother at a school, as Assistant Bar Manager for a bar that was for thesixthformers of the school.
And I loved it.
I mean, I have a good work ethic, and I've enjoyed every job I've ever had, but this one was special...
I poured my heart and soul into this job, for the sixthformers. UV and Neon themed club nights, complete with DJ's, lights, and UV body paint. Cross-dressing night (with some very convincing men-women). Live music, single artists and school bands.
I loved it, I loved the kids, gosh did I love those kids.
And then, my stepmother announced that she no longer wanted to come back after her maternity cover, and the school announced that it would be readvertising the role (as legally they had to), and with the full backing of several housemasters, ten months of hard work and great events behind me, and the love of the sixth form, I applied.
And for some reason, I was convinced I wouldn't get it. I don't know why, I just was. Stephen kept telling me not to be so pessimistic, and all thekid kept telln me that I'd get the job, no worries.
So imagine my surprise when I didn't even get an interview for the position.
Truly, I don't think I've been so heartbroken since a boy I used to date who went to Aberystwyth University told me he loved me, but didn't think he could be faithful to me whilst he was away at said university. I mean, *that* was heartbreaking enough, but this... Good gods.
And the worst part?
Feeling like I'd let my kids down... Not my own biological son, you see, but all the sixth formers whom I had watched grow over the past academic year... The ones who had brought shedloads of joy into my life...
I mean, fair enough, Toby O. peed in my garden... Patrick F. puked over the side of the decking... Martha C. pretty much passed out and fell asleep on the decking in the middle of winter after drowning her sorrows due to boy trouble... Jack M. coming to me and telling me "Emma, I am *comPLETELY* inebriated!"... Julian C. snotting on my clothes whilst drunk... A certain Mr Miller who just would NOT stop smoking!
And yet, I still continued to love my job. Even when they insisted on having awful music playing. For a bunch of upper class white kids, they sure do want to be from the ghetto! Having kids coming to confide in me was wonderful... Laughing with them... Watching them mature, even over the short amount of ten months...
So yes, finding out I wasn't staying broke my heart. I know Stephen was worried about me when I spent several hours after finding out not speaking, just sat there going "I just don't understand."
And I still don't.
And I'm still heartbroken.
But...
I'm going to be my usual sunny self and make the best of the whole thing. I will relish spending more time with my son and brand new husband... getting to focus on my baking and cooking
But I am going to miss Will... and Harry... and Paddy... and Nico... and Lara... and Oliver... and Toby... and Emma... and Piers... and Ross... and a whole bunch of others...
Thank you so much, guys... It was a pleasure... xXx
Our Beautiful Pagan Wedding... July 10th 2010
Well, I thought I'd finally catch up with my blog, seeing as I've been promising to do so for a while!
So, here goes, first things first!
OUR WEDDING!
Stephen and I after just over 2 years finally got married! We had a beautiful pagan handfasting, which for those who don't know, is the pagan version of a wedding. Instead of making our vows to a Christian god that neither of us believe in, (which would make them pretty empty if we did that), in our ceremony we made our vows to one another, and sent that energy and love out into the world.
Anyway, thought I'd share some of the beautiful pictures from the day, taken by two *VERY* talented photographers, Stuart and Adam Glossop, a father and son team. It was wonderful to have two people who value and trust sharing our day with us, not just as photographers, but also as friends.
So, starting from the morning of the wedding...
:D
Love,
Emi, x
So, here goes, first things first!
OUR WEDDING!
Stephen and I after just over 2 years finally got married! We had a beautiful pagan handfasting, which for those who don't know, is the pagan version of a wedding. Instead of making our vows to a Christian god that neither of us believe in, (which would make them pretty empty if we did that), in our ceremony we made our vows to one another, and sent that energy and love out into the world.
Anyway, thought I'd share some of the beautiful pictures from the day, taken by two *VERY* talented photographers, Stuart and Adam Glossop, a father and son team. It was wonderful to have two people who value and trust sharing our day with us, not just as photographers, but also as friends.
So, starting from the morning of the wedding...
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| This is me and my head bridesmaid, Kate, after opening her gift of a beautiful, quirky teaset and tray, in the midst of me getting my hair and nails done! |
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| This is my lovely son, Ru, playing with some of the decorations in the reception venue, and yes, they are made of baubles, pretty pretty baubles! |
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| A surprise visit to the soon-to-be husband on the wedding morning... |
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| My Father and I... |
 | ||
| My stepmother, Sarah and my gorgeous baby brother, Josh... |
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| The utterly fabulous Adele and her lovely man, Luke... |
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| My bridesmaids, my father and I, just before entering the Secret Garden... |
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| Stephen and I during the reading of 'The Lovely Other Dinosaur' by Edward Monkton... |
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| Exchanging rings... |
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| Our hands are bound with a handfasting cord I made, that is a physical representation of the bond between us... |
 | |
| Our first kiss as a handfasted couple! |
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| Me and my girls, (l-r) Kate, Alice and Millie... and then me, obviously! |
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| How awesome is this shot, huh? |
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| Tom W., the White Rabbit... |
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| Dan B., looking very suave... |
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| The lovely Tom G. with Ru, his godson... |
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| Beautiful cakes, decorated by Sarah D. |
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| More cakes, this time by Alice, one of my bridesmaids... Cute or what? |
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| A poignant moment in Stephen's wedding speech... |
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| Stephen getting his present from me, a Vintage V100 electric guitar in Arctic White with gold hardware... |
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| Stephen and I... Note the Alice-roses! |
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| One of our younger guests, lost in a moment... |
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| Me performing a song at the reception... |
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| Alex providing some awesome fire-based entertainment! |
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| One of my favourite shots of the whole day, everyone at the reception simply relaxing and enjoying themselves... |
:D
Love,
Emi, x
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
#52, #1, #2 and a smattering of #79
Okay, so apologies for the mass amount of poss crammed into this one update, but I need to catch up on my '101 Things In 1001 Days' blogging!
#52 -Start using reuseable nappies for Ru
All going *fairly* well, the Wonderoos we bought are fan-boody-tastic, but we're still having problems making sure that there are always some clean and ready for Ru, so we're supplementing with Asda's Eco-Baby disposables. We also had to buy some new trousers for him, as the Wonderoos are bulkier than the disposables, but it's all good, and he kinda needed them anyway.
When did this kid get so tall?!
There he is, enjoying his nappies and looking very pleased with himself! You'll have to excuse the blur, but it's very hard to get him to stand still long enough for a picture!
#1 - Make 101 new recipes/ #2 - Do 10 recipes with ingredients in I haven't used before
Well, firstly, for Ben S. for his birthday, I made Ice-Cream Cupcakes. Can't remember which site I used for the recipe, but it's basic cake mix, and then instead of putting it in bun cases, you put the mixture into icecream cones! Cute, no?
I did use a ridiculously sweet icing topping, which wasn't amazing and very sickly, so next time I make these, I'm just going to use a small amount of white chocolate spread instead. Another dificulty was actually baking them, I had to place them between the wires on the shelves in my oven, and I was worried they'd tip over, though I could have combated this by using flat bottomed cones (but my local supermarket did not have any!).
However, they did look amazing in the end!
And yes, those *are* real cherries on top!
I also adapted a Pomegranate Chicken recipe from the BBC Good Food website, and that turned out very tasty, though still needs a few more adjustments to get it perfect! No pictures, got eaten too fast! (I'll take it as a compliment!)
For the same reason, I also got no pictures of my Maple Syrup Cupcakes (recipe from here, though I didn't have time to make the flames, though I plan on doing so at some point!). I made them for my dad and stepmum's housewarming, and they disappeared *incredibly* fast. So fast, in fact, that I actually didn't get to even try one, but I am told they were delicious!
The final foodie bit for this post, Steve and I made Gooseberry and Almond Streusel together, which was a lot of fun! It made me realise that we don't cook enough together, and we should make more of an effort to do so... It's also the first proper thing we've cooked together since we got married! (More about that in a later post, that needs one all it's own!)
The recipe itself said that the dough should have been in crumbs, but that *totally* didn't happen, even after adding more flour. However, it all worked out ok though, because it did turn out delicious! In the future though, I would consider using the recipe given for the base, and then halve a really good crumble recipe to put on top, over the gooseberries.
Now, my gooseberries were on the sweeter side of sour, but that worked fine for me and for the streusel.
If I could only find my camera to upload the pictures... Here we go.
Ru loves Streusel.
Lastly, #79 is going pretty well, it's not as hard as I thought it was going to be! Basically, everytime I buy a new piece of clothing, I have to throw an old one out. It means eventually, I will have a wardrobe of clothes that I love love love and simply cannot bear to part with.
That's the theory anyway.
It is getting harder every time though, as the stuff I didn't like is gone, and now we're onto stuff that is pretty, but I never wear but I keep hold of anyway 'just in case'. Soon, I'll either have to get rid of stuff I really adore, or stop buying clothes! I don't know which is worse. New Look keeps tempting me. New Look is the devil.
I have a couple of others to update, but they kind of come under the wedding and honeymoon, so I'll leave those for now!
Other than that, I sorted my internet bookmarks folder finally, and got rid of all the stuff I no longer need. I'm terrible for Ctrl+d-ing and then forgetting about it!
So yes, *sigh* think we're done here for now. Ru has fallen asleep for a mid-morning nap, and I am going to have a cup of tea and some Streusel. x
Monday, 19 July 2010
Don't sweat the small stuff...
Just a quick one today before Fella gets back from work, (I *PROMISE* lots of catch-up posts very soon!) but basically, I've spent this week realising that although I don't tend to worry a *huge* amount, I need to stop focusing on the few issues that are niggling at me right now (mostly work-based) and concentrate on finding solutions for them, and also on my wonderful family, who every day remind me how blessed I am...
There's nothing like your 13 month old grinning at you, face covered in chocolate, and the remains of what was formerly a Jaffa Cake smushed up in his sweaty little palm, held triumphantly up to show you what a beautiful mess he's made...
In the words of Diamond Rio...
"What a beautiful mess,
what a beautiful mess I'm in,
spending all my time with you,
there's nothing else I'd rather do..."
I've lost sight recently of some of the good things in my life, though the haze of worry but don't worry. The weather's clearing up and the sunlight is streaming back in...
And if *that* doesn't work, the Gooseberry and Almond Streusel I'm making this evening will! :D
Love,
Mumma Emi, x
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
#34 - Rievaulx Abbey
Well, today we decided to take advantage of Steve having a day off and go exploring one of our local ENgish Heritage sites, Rievaulx Abbey.
The weather was gorgeous too, so after stocking up on lunch from the bakery, we set off!
As you can see, it was glorious! Sadly, my camera decided to run out of battery half way round, despite Steve running to the car for more... :(
However, we did get a really lovely shot of Ru with me and Ru with Daddy!
So yes, definately a great day, and it's a pity we had to rush off home for Steve to go to band practice! x
Thursday, 3 June 2010
#1 - Chunky Sausage and Tomato Pasta
Well,
Am full of a streaming cold, as is Ru... Meh... At least I'm not the one leaving snot trails all over the floor and sofas, unlike my son! Bless him...
Anyway, felt in dire need of some stodgy comfort food that was quick and easy to make... and preferably spicy to help clear my nose! I have some aduki beans in my kitchen and wanted to use them to start on #2 (Do 10 recipes with ingredients in I haven't used before), but after finding out from Sarah Dixon that they need to be soaked for 24 hours before you can use them, I had to rethink my plan.
Upon deciding that I wanted sausages as comfort food (sausages are THE best comfort food, sausage and mash in cold weather, sausage sarnies when you're hungover, it's all good!), I did a quick search on the BBC Good Food website and found this Chunky Sausage and Tomato Pasta recipe.
However, as usual, I decided to change it up a bit...
I used frozen sausages, grilled them and then added them to the reduced white wine, instead of before reducing. I also added a shedload of Texan-style herbs mix from Asda to blow the snot out of me, plus some crushed dried chilli flakes.
However, at the end, it was delicious, VERY spicy, definately unsuitable for kids (what with all the spice and the wine in it), and for the first time today, I can actually breathe through BOTH my nostrils (even if the amount of chilli flakes are making me break out in hot sweats! :D )
Sadly though, I couldn't take a picture of my pasta because it disappeared all too quickly when Steve returned home from work! However, here is a picture of the empty bowl!
Sadly though, I couldn't take a picture of my pasta because it disappeared all too quickly when Steve returned home from work! However, here is a picture of the empty bowl!
Now, will finish watching Gok's Fashion Fix on 4OD, and then take Ru out to play in the garden! (And maybe head to York to do #71 Buy a digital camera...)
Love,
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
#31 - The Deep, Hull
Ru and Mumma watching the fish
So, #31 - Visit 5 museums or activity centres has begun!
Steve, Ru and I went to The Deep in Hull, a huge aquarium, and I'm so glad we did! It was such a fantastic day, and so amazing to think of how much work has gone into making such a beautiful environment for the fish and corals...
It was also fantastic to see Ru paying so much attention to the tanks as well, and he really loved it, which is ace considering it was an early 1st birthday present... It was also lovely for all of us to spend some time together... I do love my fella and my son!
Love,
Emma, x
#1 and #9 - Pop Biscuits!
Well, seeing as I'm being all enthusiastic about this 101 Things In 1001 days challenge, I figured I'd better get started!
And so today, I started #1 (Make 101 new recipes) and fully completed #9, making Pop Biscuits! Recipe was taken from Sarah Dixon's wonderful blog!
So, here's our Pop Biscuits cooking... (You'll have to excuse the messy oven!)
And here's the finished product, all golden and delicious!
And inside, all the yummy melted honey... I think I just has a biscuit-gasm...
So hurrah for new recipes and treats from childhood books!
Love,
Em, x
101 Things In 1001 Days!
Well, having been inspired by this lovely blog; Home Baked: 101 things to do in 1001 days; I have decided to finally do the same thing!
1001 days will make it... Monday, 25 February 2013. (You too can find out the end date using this website!)
So, now for The Rules!
The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
So, now to begin... And wondering how long it will take me to decide on all these, the time is now 10:51! I'll cross them out like this when I've completed them, and like this when they're in progress...
COOKING and FOOD
COOKING and FOOD
1. Make 101 new recipes (6/101)
4. Eat at a sushi restaurant
5. Make the perfect souffle
6. Perfect Creme Brulee
7. Go fruit picking and....
8. Make jam with the picked fruit
9. Inspired by Sarah Dixon's Blog, make Pop Biscuits (02.06.10)
10. Again inspired by Sarah, make a Gingerbread House!
13. Switch to eco-friendly dishwasher tablets
FILM, MUSIC and LITERATURE
21. Give money to street musicians I enjoy
- Pop Biscuits (02.06.10)
- Chunky Sausage and Tomato Pasta (03.06.10)
- Ice Cream Cupcakes (15.06.10)
- Pomengranate Chicken (late May)
- Maple Syrup Cupcakes (late May)
- Gooseberry and Almond Streusel (19.07.10)
- Ice Cream Cupcakes (15.06.10) - ice cream cones
- Pomegranate Chicken (late May) - pomegranate
- Maple Syrup Cupcakes (late May) - maple syrup
- Gooseberry and Almond Streusel (19.07.10) - gooseberries
4. Eat at a sushi restaurant
5. Make the perfect souffle
6. Perfect Creme Brulee
7. Go fruit picking and....
8. Make jam with the picked fruit
10. Again inspired by Sarah, make a Gingerbread House!
11. Learn how to make pasta from scratch
12. Buy and complete at least 50% of the recipes in The Pioneer Woman Cooks (0%)
HOUSE and GARDEN
12. Buy and complete at least 50% of the recipes in The Pioneer Woman Cooks (0%)
HOUSE and GARDEN
13. Switch to eco-friendly dishwasher tablets
14. Grow 3 different veggies successfully (0/3)
15. Plant a tree
16. Start composting
17. Redecorate a piece of furniture
18. Recycle as much as glass, paper/cardboard and cans as possible
19. Sort the second bedroom to a decent state so guests can stay in it
20. Fill and display all photo frames
FILM, MUSIC and LITERATURE
21. Give money to street musicians I enjoy
22. Watch The Godfather
23. Find out the favourite books of five different people and read them (0/5)
30. Go to America
31. Visit 5 museums or activity centres (1/5)
32. Go camping (13-16.07.10 for our honeymoon!)
33. Take Steve to the top of Pen-Y-Fan
34. Visit 5 National Trust /English Heritage sites (0/5)
35. Go to Slovakia
36. Visit Ireland
37. See the Lion King on stage in London
38. Go on a York Ghost Walk
39. Visit The Forbidden Corner with Steve and Ru
WORK
40. Organise a co-ed social with another school
24. Read all of Lewis Carroll's other works
25. Have my First Edition Alice verified as genuine
26. Read the full Lord Of The Rings series (0/8) and watch the films (0/3)
27. Watch 'Ah! My Goddess!' in its entirety
28. Watch the original Star Wars film without falling asleep or moaning, if only for Stephen's benefit!
29. Reread all the Harry Potter books (0/7)
TRAVEL
30. Go to America
31. Visit 5 museums or activity centres (1/5)
- The Deep, Hull (31.05.10)
- Dan-Yr-Ogof Caves and Dinosaur Park (13.07.10) - no pictures, too much rain!
33. Take Steve to the top of Pen-Y-Fan
34. Visit 5 National Trust /English Heritage sites (0/5)
35. Go to Slovakia
36. Visit Ireland
37. See the Lion King on stage in London
38. Go on a York Ghost Walk
39. Visit The Forbidden Corner with Steve and Ru
WORK
40. Organise a co-ed social with another school
FAMILY
41. Spend time with my kitties
42. Have a grown-up weekend away with Steve
43. On each of Ru's birthdays, write him a letter to be opened on his 18th birthday (0/3)
44. Kiss at the top of the London Eye
45. Take my dad out for dinner, just us
46. Take my mum out for dinner, just us
47. Have 20 child-free dates with Stephen (1/20)
- Melton's Too, York (late May) - most delicious roasted butternut squash EVER!
48. Get Tasha, Millie and Yuli up-to-date on their vaccinations
49. Get Millie and Yuli neutered
50. Spend time with my brother Josh every week, even if it's just a few moments (weeks missed: 0)
51. Celebrate ALL the Sabbats with either a meal or special trip etc.
SKILLS and CREATIVE
53. Learn how to milk a cow
54. Learn how to change a tyre
55. Learn how to put petrol and LPG in the car
56. Learn how to use basic Photoshop
57. Learn how to use my sewing machine
59. Make a quilt
60. Make a wooden mobile for Ru
61. Make all Yule, Christmas and Birthday cards
62. Complete 3 paintings
63. Complete Ru's handwritten and illustrated 'Alice In Wonderland'
64. Do something creative with all the jeans that don't fit me!
65. Make and use an apron
66. Buy and complete a doodle book
67. Make a dream catcher
68. Do something creative for each of the 100 Themes, either sketching, drawing, cooking, painting or scrapbooking, in any order (0/100)
MISCELLANEOUS
69. See either the Goo Goo Dolls or Garth Brooks live
70. Make a mini-first aid kit for the car
72. 'Unplug' for a whole weekend - no tv, no Wii, no PS3, no laptop
73. No Facebook for one month (0/30)
74. Go skinny dipping
75. Be part of a flash mob
76. Send 5 postcards on Post Crossing (0/5)
77. Develop the two rolls of film left in that box
78. Complete a Sudoku book, with all the puzzles correct
79. Get rid of one piece of old clothing every time I buy a new one
80. Blog each completed item on the list
81. Scrapbook each completed item on the list
PERSONAL TASKS
82. Go veggie for a whole month - if only to prove I can do it
83. Take driving lessons and pass my driving test
84. Update my blog every week
85. Stop biting my nails
86. When I've stopped biting my nails, get a manicure
87. Open a savings account
88. Get a passport
89. Make those wooden blocks for Ru
90. Do Race For Life in memory of Stephen's mother
91. Get my fortune told
92. Get my 'Om Mani Padme Hum' tattoo
93. Get my mother goddess tattoo
94. Donate blood
95. Join the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register
96. Donate eggs to infertile couples
97. Learn how to speak basic Slovakian
98. Learn to sleep without the night light (Yes, I KNOW I'm a big girl, but the dark still freaks the hell out of me!)
99. Tell Stephen and Ru 'I Love You' everyday
100. Kiss Stephen and Ru everyday
101. Remember how blessed I am
81. Scrapbook each completed item on the list
PERSONAL TASKS
82. Go veggie for a whole month - if only to prove I can do it
83. Take driving lessons and pass my driving test
84. Update my blog every week
85. Stop biting my nails
86. When I've stopped biting my nails, get a manicure
87. Open a savings account
88. Get a passport
89. Make those wooden blocks for Ru
90. Do Race For Life in memory of Stephen's mother
91. Get my fortune told
92. Get my 'Om Mani Padme Hum' tattoo
93. Get my mother goddess tattoo
94. Donate blood
95. Join the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register
96. Donate eggs to infertile couples
97. Learn how to speak basic Slovakian
98. Learn to sleep without the night light (Yes, I KNOW I'm a big girl, but the dark still freaks the hell out of me!)
99. Tell Stephen and Ru 'I Love You' everyday
100. Kiss Stephen and Ru everyday
101. Remember how blessed I am
And it's now 16:34... Writing and rehashing my list has taken me... well, about 5 and a half hours... it would have taken less, but Ru kept getting in my way! :D x
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Growing Up...
It's amazing to think that in four weeks time, my son will be a whole year old! It's unbelievable how quickly the first year passes... and yet, it feels like our lives have never been Reuben-less!
I mean, look at that face! He may wake us up in the night sometimes, and get food and snot on your favourite clothes, and cry and demand cuddles when it's a completely not good time to give cuddles, but still... when you're woken up first thing in the morning, with this smiley happy face grinning at you, saying "Mama!"... you can't help but forgive all his sins!
He's currently not very well at all, this morning, every time he coughs, he pukes. And considering he's got a pretty bad cough... well, you get the picture. The puke is full of phlegm as well, which is gross. Steve's had to take the day off work to look after him, because I can't... Woke up this morning and the bed was just covered in snot (and I think some of it was from me!)
I have two meetings today, one with the student committee for the school I work for, and then with my boss, so should be fantastic fun whilst I'm very unwell, huh?
Anyway, had my wedding hair done yesterday by a friend of ours, Adele, who is just wonderful! Needless to say, I think people will be surprised when they see my hair on the day, it's not going to be how I think people will expect but then, neither is the dress! But I'm not saying any more about that!
Aaaaaand people are starting to receive the wedding invites now which is very exciting! Let's hope everyone can come!
Love,
Em, x
I mean, look at that face! He may wake us up in the night sometimes, and get food and snot on your favourite clothes, and cry and demand cuddles when it's a completely not good time to give cuddles, but still... when you're woken up first thing in the morning, with this smiley happy face grinning at you, saying "Mama!"... you can't help but forgive all his sins!
He's currently not very well at all, this morning, every time he coughs, he pukes. And considering he's got a pretty bad cough... well, you get the picture. The puke is full of phlegm as well, which is gross. Steve's had to take the day off work to look after him, because I can't... Woke up this morning and the bed was just covered in snot (and I think some of it was from me!)
I have two meetings today, one with the student committee for the school I work for, and then with my boss, so should be fantastic fun whilst I'm very unwell, huh?
Anyway, had my wedding hair done yesterday by a friend of ours, Adele, who is just wonderful! Needless to say, I think people will be surprised when they see my hair on the day, it's not going to be how I think people will expect but then, neither is the dress! But I'm not saying any more about that!
Aaaaaand people are starting to receive the wedding invites now which is very exciting! Let's hope everyone can come!
Love,
Em, x
Monday, 22 March 2010
Life is a flower...
In the immortal words of 'Ace of Base', Life is a flower...
And considering that myself and my family just celebrated Ostara, it seems a fitting title for this post...
Ostara is a pagan festival, also known as the Spring Equinox, that falls around the time of the Christian celebration of Easter. It is a solar festival, and one of only two days in the year where the days and nights are of equal length. Spring is here, life is growing all around us... It is a time to celebrate fertility, life and growth.
At each Sabbat, I always like to look back at what I was doing at the same time last year. Last Ostara, the Fella and I spent it with Pagan friends of ours, doing a small ritual and then eating chocolate! (Their small boy VERY much enjoyed the chocolate part!). I was 6 months pregnant, and definately feeling it!
It is wonderful to look back at mine and Stephen's life and see how far we've come since then. We have a lot of things to be thankful for.
We have a beautiful little boy who is a complete joy to be around... We have a serene (sometimes!) place to live, in a gorgeous area of the world. I have a job I love. We have fantastic friends, (including one who at this time is epitomising fertility as she is pregnant with her first child, a little boy!) We have three funny cats, who provide a never-ending source of amusement... And, importantly, we have each other.
I know it sounds soppy, but I love having Steve in my life, and being a part of his.
Aaaanyway, to celebrate Ostara, (yes, I KNOW it's a little late, but life got in the way and I'm making up for it now!), I am going to be planting this afternoon, specifically tiny rosebushes, and a whole bundle of bulbs. These will eventually become part of the flowers used at mine and Fella's wedding, so should be fun letting Reuben play with mud and grass!
As for the weight issue, which I know some people have been worrying about regarding me, I am now 9stone 3lbs, less than when I met first met Steve,and means I've lost over half a stone since the end of December, and actually feeling pretty happy with it! Having up and down days, some where I don't eat at all and some where I eat very well, but there are definately more of the latter than the former! It does play on my mind, as I don't want to set a bad example to my son, I want to encourage him to eat properly and healthily.
My heart also goes out to two people right now, sadly a girl I went to school with is burying her brother today, and a family member is mourning the loss of her father. They should both know we're thinking of them...
Will take pictures of my afternoon's work, and post them later!
Love,
Emma
And considering that myself and my family just celebrated Ostara, it seems a fitting title for this post...
Ostara is a pagan festival, also known as the Spring Equinox, that falls around the time of the Christian celebration of Easter. It is a solar festival, and one of only two days in the year where the days and nights are of equal length. Spring is here, life is growing all around us... It is a time to celebrate fertility, life and growth.
At each Sabbat, I always like to look back at what I was doing at the same time last year. Last Ostara, the Fella and I spent it with Pagan friends of ours, doing a small ritual and then eating chocolate! (Their small boy VERY much enjoyed the chocolate part!). I was 6 months pregnant, and definately feeling it!
It is wonderful to look back at mine and Stephen's life and see how far we've come since then. We have a lot of things to be thankful for.
We have a beautiful little boy who is a complete joy to be around... We have a serene (sometimes!) place to live, in a gorgeous area of the world. I have a job I love. We have fantastic friends, (including one who at this time is epitomising fertility as she is pregnant with her first child, a little boy!) We have three funny cats, who provide a never-ending source of amusement... And, importantly, we have each other.
I know it sounds soppy, but I love having Steve in my life, and being a part of his.
Aaaanyway, to celebrate Ostara, (yes, I KNOW it's a little late, but life got in the way and I'm making up for it now!), I am going to be planting this afternoon, specifically tiny rosebushes, and a whole bundle of bulbs. These will eventually become part of the flowers used at mine and Fella's wedding, so should be fun letting Reuben play with mud and grass!
As for the weight issue, which I know some people have been worrying about regarding me, I am now 9stone 3lbs, less than when I met first met Steve,and means I've lost over half a stone since the end of December, and actually feeling pretty happy with it! Having up and down days, some where I don't eat at all and some where I eat very well, but there are definately more of the latter than the former! It does play on my mind, as I don't want to set a bad example to my son, I want to encourage him to eat properly and healthily.
My heart also goes out to two people right now, sadly a girl I went to school with is burying her brother today, and a family member is mourning the loss of her father. They should both know we're thinking of them...
Will take pictures of my afternoon's work, and post them later!
Love,
Emma
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