Friday Fun

Yesterday I received a text from my best friend George inviting us down to Cornwall at half-term.  Unfortunately David has no annual leave allowance left but I had already booked the week off work to look after the boys while my parents are visiting my brother and his family in Australia.

I really want to go and spend some time with my friend but didn't fancy the long drive down by myself.  I had a quick look at flights to Newquay online and with David's agreement I booked them.  Now I can't wait and am really looking forward to Half Term.  Wish David could come too though.  It won't be the same without him and I shall be worried about whether he is looking after himself.  Guess I had better start freezing down some meals!

Today I took the boys over to Littlehampton Swimming and Sports Centre where Seb had been invited for an activity day by Anna, his English and Maths Tutor.

When we left the house it was bitterly cold and it was as if Autumn had arrived early.  The thermometer in the car read 14 degrees celsius.

There were about 25 kids there and a few extra siblings and parents too.

The kids were split into 3 groups.

First off Seb and his group were taken to the interactive room where they had great fun playing on the huge wall and floor screens playing Splat and Dodgeball amongst other games.

The boys all got quite heated smashing the board with their fists, balls and anything else they could lay their hands on.

Meanwhile Nat played with the balls and the two of us had a game of frisbee.

The next rotation was the swimming pool.  Seb went in the bigger pool with the other kids in his group while Nat and I stayed in the mum warmer small pool which had a little slide.  We had lots of fun in the pool and Nat and I stayed in a bit longer while Seb and his group went to the sports dome to play various other fun games.

We ate our picnic lunch together and then went on the beach.  Anna had hoped to organise a sandcastle building contest but the tide was high so there were only pebbles and only a thin strip of sand to be seen on the beach.

Seb, Nat and I collected pebbles and shells.  The sun had come out and it was now lovely and warm.  Back in the car the temperature reached 24 degrees.

On the way home we called in at the Range to by craft supplies for a new hobby I am hoping to try (will bog about that and my progress soon!)

Collected Treasures

This evening it was book club.  I was struggling to remember the book as I had read two or three more since finishing it.  Not that it ever matters too much as we rarely spend more than ten minutes discussing the book.  Usually we talk about anything but books! 

We did get into quite an interesting discussion about whether Judaism is a religion or a culture.

I had taken all Seb's new school uniform with me so that I could sew in his name tags while we talked. The first two years at senior school he had to wear white collared shirts with a burgundy tie.  For the next three years he has white polo shirts instead.  I have bought his uniform on the large size so that he can grow into it and to make sure it lasts the next three years. Think I might have overdone his sweatshirt though as it would probably fit David.  Fortunately he only needs to wear it for PE and with any luck I'll probably shrink it anyway.

I had also ordered some black chinos as the boys all wear chinos and not proper trousers.  Unfortunately when they arrived I realised they were navy instead of black. 

I had had quite a bit of difficulty getting hold of them and there isn't long before school starts so I am going to see if we can get away with it without anyone realising.  They are a very dark navy . . .

Nothing much planned for this weekend which is nice.  I fancy a slow lazy one before it is back to school next week!

Wash-out Wednesday

 

Well today has been another really miserable day.

I popped to the supermarket with the boys for just a few items. 

I had bundled the boys into the car and as we set off Seb asked me where we were going today.  Think he was a bit disappointed to realise that what he expected to be a fun day out was actually just another trip to the shops.

We went in just t-shirts and sweaters and as we came down the heavens opened up with a down-pour of torrential rain . . . so we all got a bit soggy.

Couldn't really arrange to do anything else today as I had to wait in for the washing machine repair man to come this morning.

And this afternoon I had another Physiotherapy appointment at the clinic.

I baked a cake for my friend Mitch (Michelle) from work.  She had asked me to bake her a carrot cake which is not something I have ever baked before.  I looked up a couple of recipes and ended up amalgamating two so hopefully it will turn out OK.

It has a cream cheese frosting - I don't eat cream cheese so can't say I fancy it myself but apparently it is Mitch's favourite . . . but perhaps not the way I have cooked it!?!

Words of doom from the repair man. After two hours hard graft, trying in vain to fix my washing machine, he pronouned it well and truly dead and beyond all hope of repair.  I had to fork out to pay him and still have no machine  : (

I have been ferrying loads of washing to and from my mum's house for the last week.  Bless her - Mum has been amazing at not only washing load after load for us, but drying it and often even ironing some for me too.

It is so frustrating when something you rely on so much, is out of action for any length of time.

Now we have the hassle of having to decide which model of machine to buy next and obviously have to find the money for it too!

As I was washing up I dopped a dinner plate and smashed it to smithereens.

My visit to the physiotherapist didn't enhance my mood.

Despite eight weeks of physio I am seeing little improvement.  My physio Cairra thinks I have improved my muscle strength but can see I am still in a lot of pain and am unable to do any weight bearing exercises.  She has now referred me to a colleague who is more of a knee specialist to see if there is anything more that more physio can do to benefit me.

Wasn't really sure what the options are if the answer is no!

Lamb and vegetable kebabs today - they look quite nice but without the potatoes I was forced to rifle the freezer to try and find something to go with them. 

I seem to have lots of frozen meat, garlic bread and icecream but not a lot else.

Hence today's special - Lamb Kebabs and Vegetable Spring Rolls . .  .   mmm . . . 

I know - not the ideal combination but when needs must!

Today has been one of those days when I just want to crawl under my duvet and have a good sob!!


Guess what Seb found hiding in his cupboard
A little pair of blue socked feet





 



And a button nose



Ta dah . .  Nat!

Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake Recipe

To serve 8

Ingredients (for the cake):
250g self raising flour
1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp mixed spice
pinch salt
250g Light Muscovado sugar
200 ml sunflower oil
300g carrots peeled and grated
zest and juice of half a lemon
75g pistaccio nuts (or walnuts), roughly chopped
3 eggs

Ingredients for the Frosting:
200g full fat cream cheese
50g butter
grated zest and juice of one lemon
300g icing sugar sifted
25g pistaccio nuts or walnuts roughly chopped (to decorate)

Method:
1.   Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees (160 for a fan oven)
2.  Grease a 20cm cake tin or tray and line with baking parchment
3.   Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, salt and spices
4.   With an electric hand whisk, beat the oil and sugar together in a separate bowl until well creamed
5.   separate the eggs
6.  add the egg yolks to the oil and sugar and mix well
7.  Add the grated carrot to the mixture then the lemon zest, juice and the nuts
8.  Fold in the flour
9.  Beat the egg whites until light and stiff then fold into the cake mixture with a rubber spatula
10.  pour the cake mix into the prepared cake tin.  Cook on a low shelf for 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean

If you have any excess cake mixture divide it between muffin cases and pop in the oven with the large cake to bake but remove the muffins after 15-20 minutes.

 While the cake is cooking combine the ingredients for the frosting until smooth and creamy, cover and place in the fridge to chill

When the cake is baked remove from the oven and stand on a wire cake rack for 5 minutes

Remove the cake from the tin and leave on the wire rack until completely cool

Spread the frosting over the cake and sprinkle with the chopped nuts

If not serving immediately keep refrigerated in a tupperware container for up to 4 days.

Tasty Tuesday

After a day at work, an afternoon spent  . . .

Baking Leek and Bacon Quiche with Seb (recipe posted)

and Lemon Curd Tarts with Nat

I Love baking with my boys

I Love eating the results too . . .

Leek and Bacon Quiche

Leek and Bacon Quiche

Serves 4

Ingredients:
8oz shortcrust pastry
800g leeks, washed and sliced into rings (weight after topping / tailing)
200g streaky bacon, diced
olive oil for frying
3 eggs beaten
100 ml single cream
2 oz cheddar cheese, grated
salt and pepper

Method:
1.  Pre-heat the oven to 190 degrees (170 fan oven)

2.  Roll the pastry and line a greased flan tin

3.  Prick the pastry with a fork all over

4.  Place a large circle of baking parchment inside the pastry case and fill with baking beans

5.  Blind bake the pastry case in the oven for 20 minutes

6.  Take the pastry case out of the oven and, using a spoon, carefully remove the baking beans

7.  Take the parchment paper out and dispose

8.  If the pastry is still a little damp in the middle pop the pastry case back in the oven for a further 4 or 5 minutes until it is dry and cooked through

9.  Drizzle a small amount of olive oil in a frying pan and fry the diced bacon over a high heat until crispy and pinky brown

10.  Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the frying pan and place in a small bowl until required.  Leave the oil in the pan

11.  Turn the heat down to medium low and fry the leeks until soft and turning golden

12.  Layer the leek and bacon over the bottom of the pastry case

13.  Mix the beaten egg and single cream and season with salt and black pepper

14.  pour the egg and cream mixture over the bacon and leek until it reaches just below the top of the pastry case

15.  Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top of the quiche and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the mixture is risen and golden brown.

16.  Serve hot with baked potatoes and baked beans or serve cold with new potatoes and salad

Country Fayre at Shermanbury Place

Today was Bank Holiday Monday and David and the Band were playing at Shermanbury Country Fayre this afternoon so I took the boys along to support him and to enjoy a fun afternoon out.

There was lots happening at the Fayre and plenty to keep the boys occupied.

While the band played we wandered around admiring the entries in the scarecrow competition, looking at the ladies spinning and weaving wool, the men demonstrating hedge laying and wattle fence making.

There was clay pigeon shooting and lots of country folk walking round in their Hunter Wellington boots and carrying rifles.  I felt a bit silly and out of place in my ballet pumps!

There was a beer tent and a Food tent selling spit roast lamb rolls and lamb burgers which were very tasty.

The tea tent sold hot drinks and delicious cakes.

There was dog show and a Punch and Judy show for the children.

The Kent and Surrey Blood hounds gave a display with their hunt horses and hounds that hunt a human 'hare'.

Sebastian and I had a go at Welly Whanging which is basically trying to lob a welly as far as you can.

We then had a go at the darts.

Nat tried his hand at hook a duck and won a lollipop or (lellylop as he pronounces it!)

 

Seb won a coconut on the coconut shy

but failed to win the most points on bowl the pig.

Seb won two bags of sweets on the 'pingpong ball in a jar' stall which he shared with his brother.

Nat had a go on the lucky dip and won a small toy

We had a very bumpy tractor ride.

In the break David joined us for a brief while and we watched the Chanctonbury Ring Morris Dancers.

It wasn't long before David was invited up to join in the Morris Dancing.

He had excellent stick hitting technique and managed to lift his knees up very high!

The Band returned to play for their second set while we watched the local men battle it out in the tug of war competition.  Our local Garage owner / Mechanic Gavin was on the winning team so that made it even more interesting to watch.

 

Nat was fascinated by the stall with the guinea pigs and a giant African snail.

An icecream cone for Nat!
















And a little face painted as a puppy dog.  Nat sat very still for his first face-Painting experience.

Another lovely day out. 

Back home Seb and I made the dinner.

Minestrone soup with crusty bread - very tasty.  Have posted the recipe!

Back to work tomorrow : (

Minestrone Soup Recipe

Chunky Minestrone Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 Large Onion
2 cloves of garlic
2 carrots
2 leeks
1 large potato
150g bacon diced
olive oil
100g frozen peas
2 pints of beef stock
2 tbsp tomato puree
2 tsp dried basil
4 plum tomatoes
100g small pasta e.g. maccaroni
50g rice
salt and pepper (to taste)

Method:

1.  Chop the onion and finely peel and slice the carrots and potatoes, slice the leeks.

2.  Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and add the onion and crushed garlic.  Add the chopped bacon and cook for five minutes

3.  Stir in the carrots, leeks and peas and cook for a further five minutes

4.  Add the potatoes, tomatoes, stock, tomato puree, basil and seasoning and bring to the boil.  Cover with a lid and simmer for five minutes

5.  Stir in the pasta and rice and simmer for 15 minutes

Serve with warm crusty bread

Sunday Serenity

Last night I had a lovely evening out with some friends from my Mum's prayer group.  Zoe had invited us all over to her flat for drinks, nibbles and fellowship.  Not many could join us but it was a really pleasurable evening with the five of us that could make it.

Zoe served some lovely Olives, feta cheese and stuffed tomatoes and some twisty cheese straws and vegetable crudites with delicious homous dip.

We enjoyed glasses of wine, schloer and fruit juice and listened to each other's favourite music albumns (both Christian and non Christian music) and chatted about life and friendship.

It was quite a late night so it was a struggle to get up early this morning to lead my Children's work group at Church this morning.  It was both mine and my friend Claire's last morning on purple Cogs as we have both asked to move up to green cogs in September when our boys move up to the next group.  I will miss my black t-shirt and can't say I am looking forward to being dressed in bright bottle green on my serving weeks but then God probably doesn't want me to select my serving opportunities based upon my fashion preferences! 

We were a team member down today, as one of our friends was unwell but with help from Seb and our friend  Hannah and another mum that stayed with her son, we were able to take nearly all the children that were attending today.

It was a really calm morning and all the children settled really well and played happily and nicely together, no incidents today which was wonderful.  Fran came down to help the Children do some painting on canvasses that will later be hung on the walls.

With the parents prior agreement we stripped the children down to their nappies for the painting activity to keep their clothes clean and paint-free.  Little ones look so cute in their nappies and they all seemed to enjoy the painting.

After church, Seb's friend Josh invited him back to hang out at his house.

David, Nat and I had a quiet afternoon and I savoured the opportunity to take a quick nap.

We had been planning to go down to Arundel late afternoon to see our Nephew Paul and his band (http://www.reverbnation.com/kryptontheband#!)  play in an outdoor festival there.  Unfortunately we had to cancel our plans as, following a a complaint from the festival yesterday which resulted in a noise abatement order, none of the bands scheduled to play today were allowed to play.

Our friends Kevin and Kim invited us in for a coffee and chat when we went to collect Seb.

Back home Seb cooked dinner again.  A really delicious pasta carbonara and Starwberry cheesecake for desert.

We have just heard the weather forecast for Bank Holiday Monday tomorrow - rain, rain and more rain on the way!!