February Goals Review

Here's how I got on this month:

• Try two new recipes. - done!
• Do the first chapter of my photography book / course. - done!
• Restart Project Life. - done!
• Clean and tidy the living room. - done!
• Drink 8 glasses of water and 2 cups of tea a day. - not 100% but doing much better.
• Write two letters. - done!

A great month!

Make it Monday - Baby Top Knot Hat

Yesterday I finally got around to a new sewing project. I bookmarked this tutorial a while ago and had the materials lying around from previous baby projects.

It was easy and fast (under half an hour). My only negative was that the finished project is tiny although the pattern did print as recommended. Joshua is big for his three months but this would not have fit him at birth! I've donated this one to Isabella's large doll collection and I'll be enlarging the pattern for future attempts.

Weekly Wisdom

Things are what you make of them.

The Saturday Update

What a week. After a quiet start with some crafting on Monday, it's been a full on mummy/housewife week.

All of Isabella's nursery teachers have been off sick all week so she's been in different groups and I've picked her up early a couple of times.

On Wednesday she tripped and bust her nose on the stairs. Along with the mini car accident last year, the scariest motherhood moments I've had involve blood and this was one of them. We were both in shock but she calmed down and the bleeding stopped so she went to nursery. They later asked me to pick her up and as Joshua had his check up, the doctor checked her over too. They're both fine.

I'm so glad I went overboard on kitting out the first aid kit when we moved and did a children's first aid course. I still panic but have half a clue what to do.

We also got Joshua a passport this week, stocked up on wood, sorted Joshua's clothes and cleaned and tidied downstairs yesterday.

We went up to Schneverdingen for a birthday and family catch up last night and came back this afternoon.

Next week will hopefully be less chaotic but equally busy with carneval, playgroup, hosting yoga brunch and a talent show!

Links!

Interesting article on a modern problem.

How times change.

An interesting food challenge.

Funny.

A new mummy blog I follow.

A good idea for child safety.

I never knew!

A new yummy recipe to try.

Fantastic bit of history.

Some good advice.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Lately I've been enjoying watching Friends from the beginning again. It's been almost ten years since I last watched it which is just about right for forgetting enough to enjoy it again.

It occured to me that the next time I watch it will probably be when I try to get the kids into it in their teenage years. They'll probably be bored and wondering where the smart phones are but I hope they get it too.

For me it's a classic!

Inspiration Wall

For a while I've had a number of cards and small projects sat around waiting for a home. I really wanted to combine them into an 'inspiration wall' behind the sewing machine.

It's an external wall so pins and nails are no good. Then I saw some ideas online using washi tape. During nap time on Monday, I got sticking and I'm really pleased with the results.

It's a little too pink for me so I'm going to use some other tapes when I have something new to add.

The painting is one Nico had from before we lived together. The calendar is Mollie Makes. Then there are several embroidery projects and a sketch of my own. I added some cards with nice quotes and the Fourth Trimester business card.

Looking forward to growing this one.

Recipe: Peanut Butter Bars

Last week I tried this recipe from Cup of Jo.

It's incredibly naughty - there's a jar and a half of peanut butter in there! It did last a whole week of treats and desserts though.

It's really easy. Joshua was good enough to nap in the carrier while I made it and then we left it to set.

It's stable enough to eat as a bar if you eat it straight from the fridge and it's so filling that you can't eat too much at once.

Perfect for this season.

Make it Monday - Embroidered flowers

This week's quick project was this embroidery kit from Mollie Makes. It fits perfectly to Valentine's Day and I love the colours.

The designer described it as being like colouring in with embroidery threads and it really was! It was fun and simple and I got to practise my French knots again.

Weekly Wisdom

Never stop learning.

The Saturday Update

What a mad week it's been.

After a quiet weekend, I had my usual craft day on Monday - knitting, crochet and project life. Took Isabella to the post office too.

I started with a cold on Tuesday that I still haven't shaken but despite that I've cleaned, washed, sorted lots of paperwork, baked, cooked and read. I also started watching Friends from the beginning again.

Thursday was a busy day. Pete had to go for his teeth cleaning and I was an emotional mess leaving him there but at least I got more done around the house to distract myself until it was time to pick him up.

Yesterday we went to a 50th birthday party. We hadn't seen the friend for ages so that was nice and Isabella loved playing with the big kids again. There were tears at home time.

Today we're hoping to see the samba festival in Bremen with friends depending on the weather.

Links!

Aww, still miss him.

Must put this into practice.

This sounded a lot like maternity leave.

Mmm, hungry now.

Crazy that we need articles like this.

Love these.

What a sweet idea.

More writing inspiration.

My next sewing project.

Sweet video.

Currently...

...keeping warm by the fire.
...watching Friends on Netflix.
...reading an epic Ken Follett.
...creating!
...enjoying the kids.
...making plans for the warmer weather.
...fighting off a cold.
...preparing for sleep training.
...crocheting blanket patches.
...drinking decaf.

Reading Review

Gullivers' Travels - Jonathan Swift

This is another 'children's classic' I recently revisited and I honestly can't see how children can follow this narrative with its complex language.

I do like the story though. I only really remembered the first half of the story, in Lilliput so it was like a new book. It's very imaginative, especially for the time in which it was written.

Along Came a Spider - James Patterson

Nico bought this book for me having read it in German and loved it. I loved it too. It follows  detective investigating the kidnapping of two high profile children.

It's a real page turner with short chapters and told from different points of view. It kept me guessing until the end and I'm really looking forward to the next one!

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C.S.Lewis

Carrying on with this series, I read the fifth and I loved it as much as the others. These are real kids books that can also be enjoyed by adults.

This was the story of an adventure by sea. Caspian is searching for seven missing lords. Some of the same characters are there and they discover new magical lands in Narnia. As usual, there are some morals in there.

Looking forward to continue with this series.

Happy Valentine's Day

As a couple we're not big on Valentine's Day since it's become very commercialised. All the more reason to bring our children up to celebrate love in their own way.

Last night, Isabella and I got crafty and made some little Valentine's favours for her nursery friends and teachers. She stamped some little paper bags with red hearts.

This morning I put a few little red soft sweets in each and closed them up.

It's important to include everyone and Isabella is really good at that. Hopefully, they're enjoying them today.

Make it Monday - Knitted Headband

In keeping with my goal to create more this year, I knitted this girl's headband for a little girl who turns one this week.

It's my first make from this book. It was my first time knitting with English instructions for a while and I even learned some new skills.

It's really cute and luckily I have lots of wool left over as Isabella likes it too!

Weekly Wisdom

Create more than you consume.

The Saturday Update

Where did this week go?

Last weekend saw me finally catch up on my to dos with a big Project Life catch up and a Skype chat with friends in England.

On Monday I got my knitting and crochet done. I love how easy it is to crochet while nursing.

We had a much quieter day on Tuesday.

Wednesday was playgroup, shopping and then we picked up our new car. We're really pleased with it. It drives so well and the space is amazing.

Another busy day on Thursday as Joshua and I went to brunch with the yoga mums and babies and picked Isabella up in the afternoon.

Friday was much quieter which was just as well with two children under the weather.

We're having a quiet weekend by the fireside once we get the big shop done. It snowed overnight and I'd rather be inside looking out until we're all feeling better.

Links!

This is a great idea!

This made me laugh.

Interesting.

If this is accurate, I'm doing well on three out of four points despite the ten-week-old bed partner!

Some good ideas.

These look great (1 and 5 are on my bucket list)!

If I didn't have my wonderful, knowledgable husband, this would be handy.

An interesting take on thinking ahead.

Such an inspiration.

Hilarious!

Project Life

 This week I finally got back into Project Life. I used this means of memory keeping for over two years until Isabella was about six months old. I don't remember why I stopped two years ago but I wish I hadn't.

 I completed weekly spreads for January all in one go and plan to continue on a weekly basis. I'm using the Moonlight kit and I love it so far.

 I've held back on the photos as I don't like to show the children on the blog but you get the idea - my life is all about kids and crafts at the moment.

Feels great to be memory keeping again.

Recipe: Veggie burgers with bean salad

This is a recipe we recently revived after forgeting about it for a couple of years.

The burgers are made from grated carrots, grated courgette, tofu, sweetcorn, coriander and seasoning.

We served it with a salad made from feta, white beans, parsley, olive oil, seasoning and lettuce. Delicious and very healthy.

Jigsaw Time!

It's been years since we did a jigsaw. Recently Nico got the bug again and ordered this one. I love it since it touches on another of my favourite hobbies and the colours are beautiful.

We started at the weekend and I have to say - it's hard to get lost in it with a 'helpful' toddler and a clingy two-month old but it is a nice and fun distraction. I'm looking forward to working on this more.

Make it Monday - Macrame

This week I made this macrame wall hanging for Isabella's room. It was a mini-project from Mollie Makes magazine.

I really liked the knotted sections at the top but I would cut the hanging section differently next time. I love the colour and would really like to experiment more with macrame.

Weekly Wisdom

Inhale courage, exhale fear.

The Saturday Update

What a crazy week! We had a quiet but long weekend.

On Monday I took the kids to my check up and did a bit of shopping in the miserable weather. We got the house straightened up a bit and Nico prepared to do some planting.

Isabella was back at nursery on Tuesday and we went and bought a new car to pick up next week. It's a real family car with much more space.

Joshua and I went to play group and shopping. Nico enjoyed his first day at his new school.

Thursday was a quiet day at home. I've been on top of my to dos and goals all week.

Yesterday we went to see friends for coffee and Isabella had a playdate. It was nice to see more adults and I'm planning to make more dates with friends over the next weeks.

We're planning a quiet but productive weekend. February already feels like an improvement on January.

Links!

Some of these habits sound good.

A bit of creative inspiration.

I knew I was on trend!

Amazing gift ideas for Pete.

I love this house (and the blog).

A new project for the to-do list.

Another habit I'm already into.

I need to read this every day.

I know someone who'd like to see this.

Some of these are sooo weird!

Recipe: Tuna Tortilla Bake

This easy and delicious recipe was adapted from the Good Housekeeping magazine my Mum brought on her visit last month.

Ingredients:
-Tortillas
-Grated cheese
-Two tins of tuna
-Red onion
-Guacamole
-Spring onions
-Garlic
-Green pepper
-Chopped tomatoes
-Coriander

Instructions:
Fry the onion and garlic. Add the pepper, chopped tomatoes and tuna. Season and add the coriander. Layer tortilla chips in a baking dish, cover with the tuna mixture, cover with cheese. Repeat the layers. Bake for about twenty minutes. Serve with guacamole and spring onions.

February Goals

Here's what I plan to do this month:

• Try two new recipes.
• Do the first chapter of my photography book / course.
• Restart Project Life.
• Clean and tidy the living room.
• Drink 8 glasses of water and 2 cups of tea a day.
• Write two letters.