Friday 22 February 2013

What an awesome week!!!

Sometimes you have months where weeks pass by in a fog of saminess (if thats even a word!).  Every day blurs into another.  This week has stood out amongst the others as an absolute corker!!  Its been half term in Hampshire and I've had to work but hubby has had the week off and therefore was delegated responsibility of child care and kiddy entertaining.  God love him, he's fabulous!  He decided that I needed some time away from the house duties and child wrangling so he only went and booked me into the local spa for the day!!!!!

Tuesday was spa day and off I toddled with my swimming costume and kindle.  What an amazing day!! I lost 5 hours to the relaxation room and the Twilight books, 1 hour to a back, neck and head massage and facial and 1 hour to saunas and steam rooms.  Rounded off with an afternoon tea that required at least 4 people to help me eat it.  Utter bliss.

Wednesday saw the kidnapping of the kids by my mother.  DATE NIGHT!!!!  Skyfall + rib eye steaks + red wine = relaxation galore!  If you haven't seen Skyfall yet, you must.  Hubby was graced with Daniel Craig's company when he watched it during his little "holiday".  Apparently its not the same watching it without him but I'm assured I come a close second!  Thanks lover!!

Friday saw a very cold and windy trip to our favourite beach.  Picnic packed, camera ready to rock and LOTS of layers on.  Bracing to say the least but the perfect opportunity to test out my new lens.  Check these out....................









Love a bit of cake!!!

In other news, "Operation Blanket" is still going great guns, Easter decoration manufacturing has begun and "Breaking Dawn" is underway.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

xxxx

Sunday 10 February 2013

Family and friends. Lovely Jubbly!


We are a full compliment this weekend.  All 5 of us shoe horned into our little house and its FAB!!!  My "Wing Woman" step daughter has turned 18 and we're all feeling a bit old if the truth be told.

There was a distinctly american theme to my kitchen yesterday.  The other lady of the house has a slight addiction to my american pancakes, bacon and blue berry syrup and so her wish was my command.  There were also more promotion celebrations to be had.  I packed my fridge with Champagne and Kirsch and covered my table in all of the components to make delicious burritos.  Yummy!!!  I was amazed that an actually real life American thought my burritos were wonderful, praise indeed!  We are always thrilled to have guests but especially ones who are as nutty as we are and enjoy having the Rugby on the telly, a glass in hand and a plate full of tasty food.  Fireworks were also planned but sadly the fog came in and put pay to that.

It would seem that I'm allergic to grapes!  I have a bit of a headache this morning and I don't know why.

In other news......I've been recycling!  I love Yankee Candles and in the spirit of all things American (and thrifty) I decided to recycle my old candles.  I find that they are rather pricey but an essential part of our home.  I also find that there is always about half an inch of wax in the bottom of the jar that will not burn as the wick has already burned its last.  I'd been surfing on Pinterest and found that those frightfully ingenious Americans melt them down and create a whole new candle with the left overs.  My new wicks arrived yesterday morning and I had some little jars on stand by (that formerly held a votive candle so I was assured of their suitability for the job) so I decided to grasp the nettle and go for it!  I placed a pan of water on the hob, placed the candle inside and let the water almost reach the boil.  I  allowed the heat to melt the wax but did not allow it to get too hot as I had been told that if the wax starts to smoke then its ruined.  I placed the new wick in the prepared jar and poured the melted wax in.  PERFECT!

Genius use of a clothes peg to hold the wick in place.  Not my idea, much to sensible, Mummy dearest imparted her knowledge.

In other other news................

My glorious Amaryllis has unfurled in all of its wondrous beauty.

 
And finally........
Mini Man decided to make the Tortoise a new house.  I think Verns excited.  Difficult to tell.


Sunday 3 February 2013

Back to normal.

Well we're all back from a wonderful week in Disney Land Paris and all fully rested ready to take on the coming week.

We had an amazing time playing, eating, relaxing, gazing in wondrous awe at the fantastic 20th anniversary celebrations and just soaking up time having Daddy home from his little "holiday".

Now even the most miserable "grown up" can't fail to melt into a giddy child in the face of Disney at full power.  I've been lucky enough to go 3 times now and even witnessed the Christmas celebrations.  Nothing beats Disney at night.  Stunning. 

Even in the wet and wind its still breathtaking.  Its not the normal natural beauty that I enjoy surrounding myself with or indeed the low maintenance simplicity of my lovely cosy home but it is fantastic and I'm delighted that we have been fortunate enough to share it with our children.

It's Disney land Paris' 20th anniversary and the celebrations are spectacular.  If you can get there to see it then I strongly suggest you do.  The laser and firework show on the castle in the black back drop of night were an experience that none of us will ever forget.

Just have to love Mickey!

I'm afraid that a photo was as close as I got to having this fabulous hat forever.  I loved it but there was no way that I could justify its cost.  Lets just say that the exchange rate was not in our favour.  A small glass of red wine worked out at £5.50!!!

During our break we also got wind of the next phase of our family adventure.  Looks like I'd better stock up on Cilit Bang and packing boxes sooner than I'd thought.  On wards and upwards.  Even more happy times, we have been spoilt.

The one thing (other than the exchange rate) that I do despair at with the Disney experience is the sheer lack of vegetables and fruit.  Even the fruit at breakfast is from a massive tin and served in syrup.  My wonderful adventurous hubby took his pigeon french off to the nearest town to stock up on supplies.  I've never seen the kids eyes out on stalks for a bag of apples before.  I suppose they are so used to a fully stocked fruit bowl but I kid you not, they devoured a bag of apples in little more than an hour!  We've had so many veg since we came home.  Also people, take cups and brew kit!!!!!  What use is a kettle with out the other stuff.  PACK IT AND TAKE IT!!!

In other news I have decided to start a crochet blanket.  Its no secret that I'm an avid reader of Lucy's blog at Attic24 and she is a huge inspiration to me.  I would also like to point out that she is just and inspiration and that I respect her creative ability enough not to copy her.  Nothing irritates me more than people who just plagiarise.  Respect, appreciate and attribute full credit if required.  In this instance I would say that I am following one of her "ta da's", go over and check out her granny square blanket.  I'm aspiring to it although I've never had the stamina to complete a blanket yet so a few flying pigs may fly by before it evolves into something more than a carrier bag of wool and odd squares.

Well, normality is screaming my name.  School bags need sorting, work bags need finding again and nursery committee minutes need finishing.  Pass me my hooks!