Recipe: Hollandaise Sauce

Ingredients:

• 250g butter, melted
• 3 egg yolks
• Seasoning
• 40ml water
• 1 squeeze of lemon juice.

Instructions:

1. Whisk all the ingredients, except for the butter, in a bain marie.

2. Continue to whisk, gradually adding the butter. Whisk briskly until thickened.

Tip: This sauce can quickly go too far. Mine did and it looked like melted butter again. Luckily the hubby was on hand to save it with an ice cube and extra egg yolk.

Make it Monday - November Birthday Cards

This month I managed to mix it up a bit. The most exciting one for me was the one you see on the right. The other two use techniques I've used before while this one is for an older man. I found the creativty to mix old stock and new, and I like the results.

Weekly Wisdom

The body needs movement, the mind needs stillness.

The Saturday Update

It's been a really busy week, starting with our breakfast with friends on Sunday and going to the kids' theatre after. It was a nice trip out.

In the evening Dad arrived with my nephew and we had a fun few days with swimming on Monday, a day trip to Bremen on Tuesday and a day playing at home on rainy Wednesday.

Isabella had a busy week at Kindergarten despite her day off with photos, swimming and gym.

I've missed my sports but cycled almost every day and focused on studying around the usual daily grind.

Next week is also busy with a family birthday, lantern festival and the clothes party but hopefully less stressed once today is over!

Links!

Yum!

Advice with hindsight.

New (to me) mummy blog.

I've put most of these on Isabella's wish list.

Beautiful motherhood photos.

Cool idea.

Intriguing.

Love these too.

October Goals Review

It has not been a great month on the goal front. October has gone so fast, I can hardly believe it's November next week. Here's how I did:

• Speak as much German as possible before my C1 exam! - kind of, could have done more...
• Send two postcards. - done!
• Try two new recipes. - done!
• Get back on the health kick after the holidays. - nope.
• Learn to play backgammon. - nope.

Reading Review

The Hard Way - Lee Childs

Another one from the 200+ freebies, I took this one on holiday with me for a quick read and it certainly was that. It was enjoyable and interesting but I didn't enjoy it as much as some of his other works as I had the twist figured out much too early. Either I'm reading too many of these books or I'm getting clever!

Veni, Vidi, Vici - Peter Jones

I started reading this on holiday. From the non-fiction section, it explains everything you wanted to know about the Romans and then some!

At first I found it very interesting, especially the linguistic tidbits but towards the end, it was very dry and hard work to read.

Jackdaws - Ken Follett

This was a fantastic read. I love Ken Follett's novels but I've never read his earlier works before.

Jackdaws follows the female protaganist Flick, and her mission behind enemy lines towards the end of World War Two. There was no cross over with his other works and it was a real page turner. Cannot recommend it enough.

Recipe: Spelt bread rolls

Ingredients:

• 240g spelt flour
• 7g yeast
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 5g salt
• 120ml milk
• 60ml luke warm water
• 30ml olive oil
• Sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. Combine 90g flour with the other dry ingredients. Mix the wet ingedients in a second bowl before adding them to the dry mixture. Whisk for two minutes.

2. Add 30g more flour and whisk for a further two minutes.

3. Add the remaining flour, kneed the dough and return it to the bowl, to rest, covered for ten minutes.

4. Form rolls in a baking tin, top with sesame seeds and leave to rise for 45 minutes.

5. Bake at 190℃ for 18 minutes.

Make it Monday - Crochet Baby Blanket

This was my first big crochet project, the first that wasn't from my subscription course, and I loved it. It's from Mollie Makes and I made it for my friend's baby shower. She's expecting her second daughter next month and I couldn't be at her shower but I sent this gift.

The wool is beautiful, so soft and thick. I also made my first pompoms for the corners. I love the end product. It's going to be my go-to gift for future babies. I think blue would look just as cute and I'm considering making some to sell. Even the ladies in the post office loved it. Hopefully my friend will too!

Weekly Wisdom

Live fully in the season you are in because you won't get it back.

The Saturday Update

We've had a pretty good week in our new routine here.

On Monday I took Isabella to Kindergarten and stayed until she'd had breakfast. While she played out, I whizzed over on the bike to meet some mummy friends for a quick coffee.

Tuesday was similar but I didn't stay for the breakfast. On Wednesday she was sick which means 48 hours off. I was worried she wasn't liking Kindergarten as she'd complained about the noise but she was keen to go back on Friday which was her best day yet. They had gym and she had lunch there too. She loved it.

I'm feeling good with cycling every day, even in the pouring rain yesterday. Joshua had baby swim at the new time so he was shattered too. I've fit in a fair bit of studying and read a whole Ken Follett novel.

On the whole, a really good week!

Links!

The New York subway.

Kids crafts.

Amazing wildlife photography.

We don't do Halloween but if we did, Isabella would absolutely love these Shrek costumes.

No excuses!

Already eying up next year's goals.

Getting inspired by Ali.

On day three of this.

Lantern Workshop

With Isabella's return to Kindergarten comes a barrage of events for our calendar. The first was the lantern workshop last night.

At nursery this was always a chaotic afternoon with Nico and I rushing from work so one of us could distract her while the other cut and stick a lantern together.

I have to say, I prefer the Kindergarten's method. I got there at seven pm, on edge after a crazy afternoon with the kids and was promptly served a cup of mulled wine!

One of the teachers had made example lanterns and the kids had been asked to choose early in the week - owl or shark. All but one of the girls picked owls, and all but one of the boys picked sharks.

I was in the owl room which inevitably had all of the glitter and pink card. First I cut all the pieces. This took longer than expected as I forgot that owl lanterns need four wings, two heads and four eyes! Then came the sticking, and finally the decoration.

I am really pleased with my two hours' work. It was also fun watching and listening to the dads who had been sent along to make their girls' lanterns. I've never heard so many wonderings about shades of pink and glitter!

Looking forward to the festival now!

Gonis

As I mentioned, I was invited to a Gonis party last week. I had no idea what to expect other than a craft party. I had never heard of Gonis.

It was along the lines of a Tupperware or Avon party. The friend had about ten guests there and a rep. Everyone had a catalogue and a Christmas flyer. The rep highlighted various products from the catalogue and showed us different projects we could use them for.

I put in an order and booked a party for next year. If my German was better and I knew more people, I'd consider becoming a rep myself.

The projects really inspired me with some ideas for Christmas and I'm looking forward to sharing them here. My goodies arrive on Friday and then I'll be off!

Recipe: Leftover Bake

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pumpkin
• 2 carrots
• 4 sticks celery
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1/2 can sweetcorn
• 1/2 can chopped tomatoes
• Tomato puree
• African spice mix
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt & pepper
• 4 eggs
• 100ml milk
• 150g grated cheese

Instructions:

1. Boil the pumpkin and carrots.

2. Drain and combine in a baking dish with the remaining vegetables, lentils and spices.

3. Mix the eggs and milk in a jug and pour over the mixture.

4. Top with cheese and bake at 200℃ for 30 to 40 minutes until set and brown on top.

Make it Monday - Painting

This week I felt like painting. I've had this image in my head for a while. It never looks quite like I pictured it once I've got it on paper but it's so relaxing.

My next painting project will be to get back into oils. This was with water paint tubes.

Weekly Wisdom

Your only limit is you.

The Saturday Update

This week was actually more relaxing than our week away!

I fit in two fitness classes - aerobic dance and weights. I wasn't as strict on the diet front but better than the week before and that felt good.

On Wednesday I took Isabella to a play but it wasn't as good as we'd hoped. She enjoyed seeing her friends though.

In the evening I went to a craft party which really inspired me with some Christmas ideas.

I took Isabella to the library and to run some errands around Leeste on Thursday. She rode her bike and loved it.

Yesterday I got caught up on jobs around the house.

We're having a quiet weekend before it's back to work/school/kindergarten on Monday. I'm finishing up some sewing and starting the new phase with a positive outlook.

Links!

Bedtime done right.

Cute vase.

'Elevator captain'...love it!

Halloween made easy.

Some good book gift tips.

Beautiful ballet.

This makes my eyes go funny.

Introvert info.

40 things- learn to plait Isabella's hair

While on holiday last week, I finally attempted a French plait in Isabella's hair.

If there's one thing German women seem so much better at, it's plaiting hair. I've no chance of doing my own but I really wanted to learn for Isabella and her hair is finally long enough.

I know the above picture isn't perfect but in my opinion, it's a pretty good first attempt! As long as she's willing, I'll keep trying and who knows, maybe I will manage my own one day!

Currently...

...drinking nutmeg milk.
...stressing about exams.
...enjoying school holidays.
...recovering from our mini-break.
...feeling inspired about crafting.
...reading about the Romans.
...getting into the autumn spirit.
...working in the garden.

Recipe: Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:
300g pumpkin
125ml milk
1 tbsp butter
500g flour
2 tbsp sugar
3.5g salt
7g yeast

Instructions:
1. Boil the pumpkin, drain and blend.
2. Add the milk and butter and stir well.
3. Add the remaining ingredients. Knead well. Transfer to a baking tin and rest for thirty minutes.
4. Bake at 170℃ for about fifty minutes.

Make it Monday: Girls' jeans

I've been making the most of nap times and Nico being off this week to rustle up some gifts for my nieces' birthdays.

This is another one from the mummy's sewing book and my first with pockets!!

I love that you can individualise the contrast material. I chose pink hearts for one twin and lilac hearts for the other. I have the same material in blue to make for Isabella.

Despite taking my time to get started on this project, I really enjoyed the process. I'll be using this pattern again for sure.

Weekly Wisdom

Do something now that will make the person you'll be tomorrow proud to have been the person you are today.

The Saturday Update

We've had a nice, if somewhat washed out, week away.

We had a lovely weekend visiting Nico's family. The sunshine was glorious on Sunday.

On Monday we drove to Altenau in the rain. The accommodation was very spacious and had everything we needed though sleeping in a family room was an adventure! We had a short walk around the town and a little climb to a viewpoint.

We tried to get out for walks twice on Tuesday but didn't get far due to torrential downpours.

Wednesday was our big walk day. Four hours around the beautiful outskirts of Altenau and no complaining from the kids, plus we got our first stamp in our Harz Wanderpasses!

Thursday was terrible again so we drove out to do a bit of shopping, took the kids swimming at the local spa, and went to a small wood museum. A lovely day despite the weather.

Yesterday, we drove home, picking Pete up on the way. The house was still standing despite the storms and I was glad to have cleaned before we left.

Links!

This is a worrying trend.

Some good food tips, especially the pizza.

A new site for creatives.

Seeing this cute video everywhere.

So important.

How to become a grown up.

The U.S. has so many shops I wish we had.

Funny.

Reading Review

Aladdin and other tales from Arabian Nights

Before picking this book up, I only knew the Disney version of Aladdin and I was honestly surprised at how different the original is. Just the fact that it was knew an unknown made the adventure story more exciting for me.

It was branded as a children's classic but from the language I'm not surprised I never picked it up as a child.

The 'other tales' were the seven voyages of Sinbad which were new to me as well. They were varied and interesting too.

The Stretch - Stephen Leather

Another of my freebies, I probably wouldn't have picked this up otherwise. It tells the story of a crime boss' wife and how she handles the business while he's in prison.

It was an easy read and the point of view was interesting but this one didn't really grip me.

Coral Island - R.M.Ballantyne

Another fake 'children's classic', this one tells the story of three men shipwrecked on an island in the South Pacific. It was actually an interesting read and I really enjoyed following their adventures. I'd recommend this one.

October Goals

Here's what I hope to do this month:

• Speak as much German as possible before my C1 exam!
• Send two postcards.
• Try two new recipes.
• Get back on the health kick after the holidays.
• Learn to play backgammon.

Recipe: Crock pot Gumbo

Ingredients:

• 1 onion
• 1 green pepper
• 3 sticks of celery
• 300g chicken breast
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Cajun spice mix
• 200g frozen prawns
• 2 cups cooked rice

Instructions:

1. Place the first ten ingredients in the crock pot and cook on lw for six or seven hours.

2. An hour before you want to eat, add the prawns.

3. Thirty minutes before serving, add the rice.

An easy and tasty dish, I love the crock pot.

Make it Monday: October Birthday Cards

I feel like I'm a bit stuck in a rut this month with my card making. For four out of the five I stuck to a name theme and varied the medium with stickers and stamps.

I'm most pleased with the card on the left as it's a bit different, it's something new and I like the complementing colours.

Weekly Wisdom

You don't have to be blooming to be growing.