Break Time

It's the summer holidays again, and while I didn't work to the end of the school year, I did give birth and learn how to look after a baby so I won't lie - I am feeling a bit under the weather and in need of a real break.

The blog will be back in September when I'm back on top of things and hopefully have lots of new posts lined up. Have a good month!

Currently...

...looking forward to holiday fun with family.
...watching Isabella grow and change every day.
...relaxing.
...enjoying time as three.
...being glad for slightly cooler weather.
...reading some more classics.
...getting into several old favourite series'.
...researching my family tree some more.
...photographing our two babies.
...sleeping at every opportunity.
...dreaming up plans for the rest of 2014!

The English Patient

source

One of my personal goals is to own and watch all the films which have won the oscar for best film. A friend of mine is in a film club and recently reminded me of the English Patient, which belongs on that list.

We watched it last night and I remembered what a great film it was. It's a brilliant love story set in Africa and Italy during the second world war. I had forgotten how many familiar faces there were, especially such a young looking Colin Firth and even Lewis.

The acting is brilliant, especially from Ralph Fiennes. The film probably caters more to women but I really recommend it. I can see why it featured in my friend's film study club.

Recipe: Broccoli and Broad Bean Tajine

Ingredients:

• 300g broccoli
• 200g beans
• 100g carrots
• Oil
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves of garlic
• Cumin, cinammon, cardamom, salt and pepper
• 50g tomato puree
• 400g chopped tomatoes
• 100ml red wine
• 150g millet
• 300ml water
• 25g butter
• 50g apricots

Instructions:

1. Fry the onion and garlic for three to five minutes.
2. Stir in the spices.
3. Add the puree, tomatoes and red wine. Simmer for five minutes.
4. Add the vegetables. Allow to cook through for about ten minutes. (The vegetables should be cooked but not mushy.)
5. In another pan, combine the millet, water and butter. Cook over a medium heat until the water and butter are absorbed. Stir in the apricots and serve.

Weekly Wisdom

The Saturday Update

We've had a busy little week here with appointments, paperwork and househunting. The good news is that Nico is on holiday now so we're back to quality family time together.

Apart from my check up, which went well, we had a visit from the community nurse. She gave us lots of leaflets for mums' and tots' groups in the area, which we will look into but otherwise it was pretty uneventful.

Creatively, it's been a bit quiet. I still haven't ordered that material - too indecisive with so much choice - but I plan to do it this month. I do miss crafting when I'm being so lazy.

On the agenda for this weekend is some painting fun with the baby, updating her baby book and watching some films that have been piling up for a while. Also, looking for a baby carrier so I can get more done again, especially as Isabella is getting quite clingy lately. Have a good one!

August Goals

Despite the hectic month and Nico going back to work, I did quite well on my July goals. The only thing I didn't cross off was 3 of my 30 things but I did do two and have more in the pipeline so I'm still on track there. Here are my plans for August:

• Complete July's Project Life
• 3 of my 30 things list
• Complete a baby sewing project
• Take some family time out
• Build back up to 10,000 steps on the pedometer