Changing things up

With the new year coming up I have been thinking a lot lately about what is important to me, what I want to focus on next year and what I am going to let go of, moving forward.  

I want to focus more on my health and on my family.  I'd like to kick start the year with going back on Paleo, getting back to Zumba and taking up running again.  I used some of my Christmas money to buy running shoes today and I'm looking into a couple of organised runs in the new year.

Thinking about family, I want to spend more time with the kids and more time with Nico.  I'll be keeping up our two main documenting areas - Project Life and the one second a day videos.  Both have been really fun this year and are so nice to look back on.  We're also planning our first real family holiday in 2019 and I am so excited about it.

This year has been huge in terms of my career.  Things are still being worked out and finalised but I am making the hours fit better with family and I'm looking forward to just settling in more at my new school and finding my feet there.  After a turbulent year of change and uncertainty, I am finally where I have been fighting to get to for the past seven years and that feels great.

I'm still carrying on with my goals and with my crafting but in a bid to ease up on myself and reduce some of the stress and pressure I have felt this year, I am going to stop aiming to do my languages every day - I do that anyway through work and I'll still dip into it during my commute but it's off my to-do list.

Finally, I'm going to stop blogging every day.  I don't want to let go of this space completely, it has been an important way to keep up with friends and family over the last eight years and put my thoughts out there.  Lately it feels like I am writing for the sake of it and to be honest, I'm boring myself and getting stressed about it.  Going forward I will write when I have something to say and when I have the time to say it well.

Here's to a fabulous 2019!

Weekly Wisdom

When you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a bigger fence.

The Saturday Update

What a fabulous holiday week!  We had a busy weekend of shopping, wrapping and sending in a last minute dash to prepare for Christmas.  I never want to be that late again!  

We spent Christmas Eve visiting Nico's family with my Dad.  It was really lovely to catch up with everyone and the kids had a whale of a time.  It was nice to look forward to the new year too with an invitation to a family wedding.

Christmas was blissfully quiet.  Just the four of us at home with my Dad.  We had bacon sandwiches for breakfast and duck for dinner and in between we opened gifts, played and watched a couple of films.

Boxing day was similar with a visit from Nico's parents too.  It was nice to be relaxed.

Dad left on Thursday.  The kids were quite down but we had a lovely breakfast and bit of shopping before taking him to the station.

Yesterday I handed in my application for citizenship - just a six week wait to hear now.  We got a few bits and bobs done in the afternoon but we are definitely still in rest mode.

Today I have a hair appointment and then I need to get on top of a few jobs to have a quiet week next week.  I am loving this vague period between Christmas and New Year now that the Christmas stress is over.

Links!

Mum life.

Feeling poor after Christmas?

Oh dear.

A great idea for history lovers.

Mulling over whether to do this in 2019.

Didn't do as well as I hoped here.

Glad this is over for another year.

2018

December Goals Review

Here's how December went:

• Visit the Christmas market with family - done!
• Fondu night - no.
• Sort out the hobby room - done!
• Finish a crochet project - done!
• Make Christmas cards - done!

Gingerbread House

A friend gifted us this gingerbread house kit when it was Joshua's birthday. I just had to make up the 'glue' icing with egg white and powdered sugar.

I waited until I had some backup and made this with Dad and the kids at the end of last week.

It was surprisingly easy - even Joshua got involved and it was fun. The only problem is that they are not eating it as fast as we made it.

Isabella was extra excited having made a house at Kindergarten so she knew what to do.

It was a fun little family project.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a merry Christmas with your loved ones and a happy and healthy 2019!

Make it Monday: Christmas Cards #2

 In a record late finish for me this year, I finished making Christmas cards this weekend. I sent fewer than usual this year but it still took forever.

 I used one design from last year and came up with two more using my Gonis stamps, cutter and pointer pens. I really like the finish.

 Also using Gonis products I did some special finger-painting cards with the kids which was messy but fun. They don't look as smart but I think they are a lovely keepsake for friends and family.

Weekly Wisdom

Practice makes progress.

The Saturday Update

Holidays!!

They didn't get here quick enough but we finally have two weeks off which are much needed right now.  We had a busy start to the weekend with the rennovations at Kindergarten.  

Monday was another Christmas party, this time at Isabella's dance class and then I spent the evening at the small animal clinic in Bremen with Pete.  We got his wound cleaned and closed and he is recovering well, despite his grumpiness at being housebound with a collar on.

Wednesday was manic.  I took Isabella to work with me as Kindergarten was short-staffed.  She was actually really good and almost too tired for her friend's birthday in the afternoon.  I had the Kindergarten staff Christmas meal which was really nice.  Then Dad arrived in the evening and we had a catch up.

On Thursday we took the kids around the Christmas market in Bremen and got the bus home.  It was a bit cold and wet but they enjoyed it.

I finally finished my Christmas shopping yesterday.  Work was really nice with an end of year show / celebration.  The school spirit is really strong and I'm feeling very glad to be working there.

Our new sofa finally arrived and it makes a huge difference.  Reall glad it's here for Christmas.

Today we did our big shop for the holidays and now we are getting bits and bobs done but it is a quiet weekend.  We are all tired so catching up on a bit of sleep too.

Links!

Can relate to this this week.

Blast from the past.

Beautiful prints.

Languages are good for you.

A green goal.

On a related note.

Considering this list when I go shopping for books again.

Good karma.

Gratitude

Santa?

Last week at the Kindergarten Christmas party, Joshua met Santa for the first time and he was amazed.  I noticed it again this week at the Christmas market.  It's so sweet, he's not scared but he's not sure what to make of him yet.

I also learned this week that St.Nicholas and Santa Claus are two different people in Germany.  It's only taken me almost nine years to realise this.  I'm not sure how long kids will go along with this given the rise in American films which are already confusing matters.  German friends are always asking me if we really wait until Christmas morning to open presents.

The children are still at an age where they don't really think about it too much but I think Isabella may start asking questions next year - why is it different for her and her cousins?  It's always been important to me that the kids have the magic of Christmas for as long as possible.  And even with one culture, they ask questions early.  "How can this present be from Grandma? - Santa brought it" etc. 

It also changes depending on religion - here the Jesus child brings the gifts for catholic children.

For now, I think we will just see what questions come and answer them as we go.  I'm just looking forward to having two happy children next week and some quality family time.

Recipe: Potato Soup

Ingredients:

• 400g potatoes, chopped
• 70g celery, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 700ml chicken stock
• Parsley
• Seasoning
• 2 tsp flour
• 350ml milk
• 200g grated cheese
• 120g chopped ham

Instructions:
1. Add the vegetables, stock and seasoning to a large pan and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
2. Mix the flour and milk in a bowl.  Transfer to the soup and cook until thick.
3. Stir in the cheese and ham until the cheese is melted.

Make it Monday: Christmas Cards

I finally started making my Christmas cards at the weekend.  I am promising myself (yet again) to really get ahead of the game next year.  This is the latest I have ever been and it is so stressful!

The aim here, was to use my new blue ink from Gonis as well as the star stencil for the background.  I showed the card on the left at my parties last week.  I love the addition of the pearl dots and will be using more of those on the rest of my cards.

The blue doesn't feel that Christmassy to me so I will be changing up the colours on my next batch too but I still like these.  I am really happy with my stencils.  On the left are those I used last year and on the right are my new ones.  Both are looking good.

I'm also planning on getting Isabella in on the next round of card making too but this was a good start.

Weekly Wisdom

There's a real wisdom to not saying a thing.

The Saturday Update

After a full work week, two Gonis parties, a committee meeting for Kindergarten, a Kindergarten Christmas party and helping out with rennovations this morning, we are soooo ready for the weekend.

It was also a very social week.  We had a few former colleagues last weekend, I also saw friends through the Gonis parties (and got my order in for the new catalogue - roll on 2019) and we saw lots of the other families at Kindergarten this week and that's one of the things I love about this time of year.

It was a good week but busy and tiring.  Next week is the last one before Christmas and should be a bit calmer.  Dad is arriving on Wednesday.  Once I have finished my Christmas shopping and done my cards, I will be able to relax a bit.

Links!

Sweet.

Politics.

I get my seven hours about ninety five percent of the time but this sounds interesting.

Who's she?

Still glad we don't have one of these.

Amazing paintings.

What a beautiful project.

Good to see my old school on here!

Friends

At the weekend, I invited some of my friends over.  While working at my old school I made a lot of friends.  With many I have lost touch.  One of them is now one of my best friends, Godmother to my son and responsible for a lot of the luck I have had this year.

Some of these ladies, I see every few months, some I hadn't seen since I left work.  Several of us have moved on to new challenges in our lives but whenever we meet up, it's like we have never been apart and it does my soul so much good.

Christmas is a time for meeting up, catching up and going out.  This year, I invited this group of friends over so we could catch up properly in a quiet environment with our kids and other halves and it was so worth it - we should make it a regular thing.

I love that women can form such close bonds.  We swapped good news and bad.  It felt good to get things off my chest and offer the girls some moral support as well as celebrate some of the good things that have happened to us lately.  

I remember primary school when you could only have one best friend and it caused so much trouble.  Now I have a wonderful network of friends and they are so crucial to my mental well-being.  From family, childhood friends, school friends and best friends left in England, to colleagues, in-laws and mum friends I have met here, I would not change my support system for the world.

Christmas!

At the weekend we got our Christmas decorations up.  It's an event that I usually look forward to and really enjoy.  Usually...  This year I struggled a bit.  We were (are) running late with everything Christmas-related.  It feels like time is flying, I haven't started my Christmas cards and I ordered the first Christmas presents yesterday.  Isabella was very upset when the neighbours had their decorations up and we didn't.  I just wanted to get past Joshua's birthday first.

As promised, we went up in the loft and brought down the boxes.  I always forget how much we have.  The tree is packed and I wasn't too upset when a couple of ornaments were dropped on the tiles - although trying to stop a two year old running through glass splinters while you run for the vac, is an impossible task.  Stress levels went through the roof.

I also forget we always have new decorations from gifts the year before so it is nice to rediscover them and find them a home.

On the whole, I was glad we did it and I love the cosy Christmas lights on an evening.  I'll be happier when we have gotten everything ready (so that'll be about midnight on Christmas Eve...) but I'm starting to enjoy this not-so-slow slide towards the holidays.

Recipe: Christmas Punch

Ingredients:

• 1.2l cranberry juice
• 1.5l sparkling wine
• 500ml apple cider
• 400ml ginger ale
• 400ml dark rum
• 2 oranges, thinly sliced
• 350g cranberries

Instructions:
1. Combine the ingredients in a large bowl with ice.

Make it Monday: Crochet Unicorn

 This sweet little guy was the result of my first ever pattern swap with another mum from Kindergarten. I am proud of a few facts here - this was not a beginners pattern. It took time and I used proper safety toy eyes for the first time.

I also used up yarn from my stash so it didn't cost me anything. I love the colours in the mane and tail too.

It's going away for Isabella for Christmas and I'm taking a crochet break until the new year.

Weekly Wisdom

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.

The Saturday Update

We've had a good week here. It was a busy but fun weekend celebrating Joshua's birthday and accompanying Isabella to a friend's birthday party.

Nico and Isabella were both under the weather at the start of the week but picked up over the last few days.

Isabella had a few playdates this week so the kids have been busy. Nico had his Christmas do with work. 

I finished a big project and managed to keep on top of things.

We're busy this weekend with guests coming tomorrow and I'm taking Isabella to a birthday party today. On top of that, I've promised the kids Christmas decorations today too...

Links!

I want to go here.

This looks yummy.

Though I may prefer this before I go on my 2019 diet.

Kids.

Brilliant.

This is a real, modern fear of mine.

Motivation for 2019.

This made my week (almost woke up my 4yo, laughing)

Nikolaus

Yet another German celebration that is so much more fun with kids.

This morning we got the kids up early to find their shoes filled with gifts - books and chocolate from us, toys and chocolate from Oma and Opa.  They both loved it.

At Kindergarten it had been a big deal to leave out a shoe under the Christmas tree yesterday and they were filled with some healthy snacks - satsuma, peanuts and a little bit of chocolate.  

Even Joshua had a satsuma and chocolate in his slipper.

At work, Nikolaus had left chocolates and a candle on the desks and a chocolate in the pigeon holes.

It is such a sweet tradition and I love it. In the evening, some children go door to door to sing for sweets - kind of a cross between Halloween and Christmas caroling.

This year I am a bit late getting to grips with Christmas.  I haven't started my shopping, made my cards or put up my decorations so I'm hoping to get a bit more into the spirit at the weekend and I am planning to get ahead of the game next year (but I seem to remember saying that last year too).

December Goals

Here's how I'd like to finish up the year:

• Visit the Christmas market with family.
• Fondu night.
• Sort out the hobby room.
• Finish a crochet project.
• Make Christmas cards.

Recipe: Butternut Squash Curry

Ingredients:

• Oil
• Onion
• Curry powder
• 1cm grated ginger
• Cayenne pepper
• 300g butternut squash
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 3tbsp peanut butter
• Seasoning
• Coriander

Instructions:
1. Fry the onion for about seven minutes, adding the curry, ginger and cayenne pepper after five.
2. Add the remaining ingredients apart from the coriander.  Bring to the boil, cover and cook for twenty minutes.
3. Remove lid and cook for about twenty more minutes until thick. Serve with the coriander.

Make it Monday - Crocheted Patchwork Blanket

 After two years of weekly crochet, I finally finished this lovely blanket this week. It feels like such an achievement. When I began, I couldn't do a basic stitch. Now I've completed so many different skills and can read crochet in German and English. This magazine subscription is a fantastic way to learn.

Isabella has asked me so often who this is for. As there is so much pink in it, I'm going to give it to her as long as she gives Joshua the knitted one I finished last year. I love that she likes what I make and that she is interested in crafts too. 

Weekly Wisdom

Good things come to those who wait.

The Saturday Update

We have had another busy, and fast disappearing week here.

We both had a full work week.  I had my first full staff meeting and a check in with my new boss.  Nico had his school's Christmas Fair.

Isabella had dancing, her friend's Bibi and Tina themed birthday party and a playdate with another Kindergarten friend.

Joshua turned two, which I'm still loving and hating in equal measure.

Another highlight of the week was receiving my civil servant certificate yesterday after a six and a half year struggle.  It is a huge change for us and brings us a lot more stability.  It's still sinking in.

Today we are celebrating Joshua's birthday with family and his Godmothers before another busy busy week.

Links!

I've been doing this for a while without knowing it!

Oooh.

Keeping art simple.

Oh my, this made me laugh a lot.

'Tis the season.

This is pretty ridiculous.

This weekend.

Just discovered a new series of this on Netflix!

Two years!

This time two years ago, I was relieved that the baby had finally put in an appearance - ten days after his due date, but to make up for it, just a three hour labour.  We were nearing the end of our first day together, daddy had brought the big sister to the hospital for their first encounter and I was adapting to being a mummy of two.

When we thought about having another baby, Isabella was about one and a half, she had been a dream as a baby and she was still at the cutest of ages (scientifically proven!)  Naively, I though - this is easy, let's do it again.

The jump to two is way bigger than the switch from none to one.  First of all, Joshua is a very different child.  He refused to sleep in his own bed for ages, during the day he would only sleep on me for six months and he is way more active.  Secondly, while you can divide and conquer when you have two children and are lucky enough to have an amazing co-parent, you get way less 'time out' than with one.  Plus, Isabella quickly moved from the cutest age to the Jekyll and Hyde stage of threenager and beyond.

Starting nursery made the biggest change in Joshua.  I was seriously worried that he wouldn't settle in as he had been such a clingy baby.  Now he runs in every morning (after a goodbye kiss) without looking back and has developed so many skills over the last twelve months.  

He adores his big sister and most of the time she loves her role as teacher and often leads him into mischief.  Our little boy has completed our family in so many ways.

Every day, both of them amaze me in new ways.  I am so proud of how far we have come over the last two years - through all of the ups and downs and I am equally excited about the next two years and beyond.

November Goals Review

Well, November was a bit of a wash out:

• Family day out - nope.
• Celebrate Joshua's birthday - planned.
• Lantern festival - done!
• Lose weight - done! (Just.)
• Budget - nope.
• Complete a crochet project - nope. (I now have two on the go!)

Recipe: Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients:

• 1.5l chicken stock
• 1l pumpkin puree
• 2 chopped onions
• 1 clove garlic
• 250ml creme fraiche
• seasoning
• parsley
• thyme

Instructions:
1. Heat all of the ingredients except the creme fraiche together.  Bring to the boil and then simmer over a low heat for thirty minutes.
2. Puree the soup using a hand mixer.
3. Simmer for another thirty minutes before stirring in the creme fraiche and serve with fresh parsley.

Make it Monday - Ceramic Drawing with Children

Through my Gonis sideline, I came across ceramic drawing recently.  I bought a turquoise pen to try out for myself and knew that Isabella would love to try it.

A few months ago when Nico was donating blood, they had a kids corner where she did something similar on glass.  Last time we were at Ikea, I snopped around the bargain corner and picked up a couple of dirt cheap mugs (because you can never have too many, right?) and let her loose on them.

I love that she tried it and liked it, I also love the relaxation that the activity brings out in me.  It's so nice to let your mind wander and really doodle. The pens are washable if you don't bake the finished product in the oven, so it's up to you whether you keep your design or start over with something new.

I really recommend trying it whether, you do it yourself or let the little ones go wild.

Weekly Wisdom

A ship is safest when it is docked close to shore. But it wasn’t built for that. And neither are you.

The Saturday Update

This week has been a hard slog.  Lots of late nights for Kindergarten work or school.  This morning we didn't get up until ten and I still feel exhausted.  I'm also fighting off a cough and losing my voice.

I've also made more of an effort to do things with the kids on an evening, on Monday Joshua and I played lego while Isabella had a playdate and Nico worked late.  On Tuesday and Wednesday we made salt dough decorations and started to paint them.  I had to work Thursday evening - parents' evening and last night was my work's Christmas do, which was a really nice evening.

I'm not sure I'm ready for Christmas yet though.  I feel like next week is going to be manic with Joshua's birthday and then I can make plans for Christmas.  I was quite disappointed to hear Santa Baby on the supermarket radio in the week - it's not even advent yet!

Despite the drop in temperatures this week, I have been cycling and getting my steps every day during the week.  I'm trying to keep up with my water intake too but struggling healthwise isn't helping to motivate me at the moment.  Hopefully, things will look up after a quiet weekend.

Links!

I can relate to this.

So cute!

Calm!

Want to go here!

Some good tips but this still makes me feel claustrophobic.

Think I'll use this as inspiration in 2019.

In about twenty years when I get around to dinner parties, this seems like a good idea.

Treat yourself!

Pampered Chef

A couple of weekends ago I was invited to a Pampered Chef party and intrigued, I went along to find out more. 

Pampered Chef is a bit like Tupperware or Gonis but with kitchenware for cooking and baking.  It originated in the USA and is rapidly growing here in Germany.

The rep came to my neighbours house and baked a loaf of bread which was then eaten with some dips, and made a kind of pizza.  Unfortunately I couldn't eat the bread or pizza as they contained wheat but I did bring some spelt bread and tried the dips.  

The rep explains all the products throughout and then points out some special offers and we looked through the catalogues.  Unfortunately many of the products were out of my price range and I'm not really a baker.  Nico does most of the cooking and baking and has every utensil imaginable.

I did order some fun shapers for pancakes and eggs to do with the kids at some point and a roller which I hope will work well with wheat free dough.

I enjoyed the evening and it was nice to see the neighbours socially but I won't be delving much further into Pampered Chef.

Currently...

...spending more time doing crafts with the kids.
...working hard.
...wrapping up warm.
...getting ready for Christmas.
...preparing to finish up a big long term project.
...starting a new novel.
...wondering what happened to Autumn!
...waiting impatiently for news.

Recipe: Raspberry Cookies

Ingredients:

• 340g butter
• 225g sugar
• 510g spelt flour
• 170g ground almonds
• 170g raspberry jam

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients except the jam into a dough.

2. Portion into balls of 3 - 4 cm.  Make a hollow in the centre and fill with the jam.

3. Bake for around fifteen minutes at 180.

Make it Monday - Salt-dough Christmas Decorations

 This week I promised myself I would do more with the kids so we started our Christmas projects and made these decorations over two nights.

 On the first evening I made the dough from 2 cups of plain flour, 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of water. It was very easy. Isabella loved making her own shapes. Joshua got confused between playdough and cookies but managed a few shapes too, with guidance.

 Once we had baked them a few times in the oven and let them cool, they were ready to paint.

 I let them loose with my Gonis acrylic paints and again, Isabella loved it. Joshua hated it. He liked the idea but preferred using his hands over the brush and just wanted to run around with paint everywhere. He managed a few designs though.

It took a lot of self-control to let the kids get creative and paint how they wanted but I love that we have some real keepsakes here. I would definitely recommend it. 

Weekly Wisdom

I thought, how many new lives can we have? Then I thought, as many as we like. -Judi Dench

The Saturday Update

I say it every week but I really can't believe how the time is flying. It's been another really busy week here. 

After a quiet weekend Isabella had dance class on Monday. Both kids had a full week and we had to wrap up warm as the temperatures dropped.

My bike broke down on Tuesday, luckily my saviour husband rescued us and fixed it.

Work was full on and with a successful Gonis presentation and lots to do at Kindergarten, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment.

Luckily it's another quiet weekend now with time to get back on top of things.

Links!

Kids are mind-blowing.

This is making me laugh out loud.

This makes me laugh and cry.

Amazing.

Relationship truths.

Great news.

Fun.

Could it be??

Sabrina

I thought this was going to be a trip down memory lane.  Not really sure how I feel about this remake even though we are about five episodes in...

Light Upgrade

We've struggled for a while with the light in Isabella's room.  With the ceiling being at a funny angle, most of the light is at one side of the room only and it is not where she sleeps.

She's at an age where she's enjoying books more and more and of course, we read to her on a night.  We were stuck between using the very bright desk lamp next to her bed, or the 'big lights' which were further away, until we found this strip light at Ikea.

It is lightweight, pretty and fixes perfectly on the sloping ceiling thanks to some double sided sticking pads that come with it.  After a few wobbles about not messing with the wire, and the dangers of electricity, Isabella loves it.

It's so pretty - a perfect and inexpensive uplift to a little girly room.

Recipe: Paleo Amaretti

Ingredients:

• 2 egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• Lemon
• 250g ground almonds
• 100g coconut sugar
• 3 drops of bitter almond aroma
• 20 whole almonds

Instructions:
1. Beat the egg whites and salt until stiff.
2. Grate the lemon zest and combine with the almonds, sugar and aroma, followed by the egg whites.
3. Form into twenty biscuits and top each one with an almond.
4. Bake for 20 minutes at 160 degrees.

Make it Monday - Glitter Christmas Decoration

Today I had another Gonis presentation and I wanted to try one of my new Christmas products quickly to be able to show the guests an example.

I ordered the glitter creme last week and it is so easy to use and works really well with the other Christmas products that I have.  

This transparent Christmas bauble was the perfect surface for a self-sticking template and I applied the glitter with a spatula.  As with most of the Gonis products, I didn't need a lot.  

The bauble needs more colour for definite and I'm thinking about how to finish it but with the glitter itself, I am very happy.

Weekly Wisdom

May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.

The Saturday Update

This week has been long and crazy and I am so glad for another quiet weekend.

Nico has been off sick but he's on the mend now.  I've had a full work week, with late meetings on Tuesday.  Joshua was home on Tuesday as nursery was rennovated.  Isabella had dancing on Monday, a new Kindergarten location on Tuesday due to rennovations, a playdate and lantern festival!

I spent two nights doing admin for Kindergarten, completed Joshua's kindergarten application (eek!), and took my citizenship exam.

I got in touch with two friends I haven't heard from in a long time, which was really nice.

This weekend, we have no big plans but we want to get things done around the house and catch up with friends and family on the phone.

The fireplace is going again as the real autumn weather has kicked in this week with cold, fog and rain. I'm also back into my crochet and crafting, when I have the time and energy.  It is the season for it!

Next week is just as busy with work and appointments.

Links!

This sounds like such a fun idea!

Funny.

A moving account of postpartum depression.

I find this soooo relaxing.

These moms made me laugh.

Another beautiful royal wedding.

More good news for the week.

Beautiful memory.

Coming soon!

I used to dance ballet, I love watching the ballet and this is my absolute favourite so I am really excited about this film.  Maybe it's time to take Isabella to the cinema...

My not-to-do list

Last week, I was reading an article on the internet when I stumbled upon this concept.  I am absolutely obsessed with my to-do list, to the point of annoying everyone around me and at first I was far from convinced that this idea of having a list of things I don't do was something for me.  Then I realised that it is something I do anyway!  Here's my list:

• Ironing - I haven't ironed since I moved to Germany.  The working dress code is much less formal and I don't find the need. 
• Wearing make up - ten years ago, I would not have left the house without at least mascara, now I can count on one hand the occasions on which I have worn make up this year - a hen do, two weddings and two date nights.  It simply saves me time on a morning and I find my skin benefits from it too.
• Taking my phone into the bedroom - since the start of 2018 I have consciously left my phone downstairs when I go to bed and opted to read instead.  It has improved the speed at which I fall asleep and the length and quality of my sleep (according to my fitbit).
• Waiting - life is short.  All too often I hear from friends who have a set life plan.  While my life has been fairly traditional so far, I'm glad I didn't wait to find the perfect house or get out of debt before starting a family.  Who knows how long it may have taken and how things may have turned out differently.
• Gossip - I do my best on this one.  Especially with new friends and social groups, I find it important to listen more than I speak, watch what I say, look forward more than backwards and above all give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

Recipe: Mushroom and Potato Soup

Ingredients:

• Rapeseed oil
• Two large onions
• 20g porcini mushrooms
• 3 tbsp vegetable stock powder
• 300g chestnut mushrooms
• 3 cloves garlic
• 300g potatoes
• 2tsp thyme
• 4 carrots
• 2tbsp parsley
• 8tbsp yoghurt
• 50g walnuts

Instructions:
1. Fry the onions in the oil for ten minutes.  Meanwhile cover the dried mushrooms with the stock and 1.2l hot water.
2. Add the fresh mushrooms, garlic, potatoes, thyme and carrots to the onions.
3. Pour in the dried mushrooms and stock.  Cover and simmer for twenty minutes.
4. Stir in the parsley and seasoning. Serve with the yoghurt and walnuts.

Make it Monday: Christmas Tree Decorations

And so it begins...

This week I made my first Christmas tree decorations of the year using one of the customer gifts from Gonis.  I painted them red with acrylic paint, stencilled some shapes on the front with relief paste and finished them off with my decopointer edging.

I am really pleased with the result and I'm looking forward to making more of these as there are two more shapes to the set.

Weekly Wisdom

The best view comes after the hardest climb.

The Saturday Update

It's been a strange old week here with the mid-week bank holiday. We were crazy busy anyway, and it's catching up with us now.

We went to our friends' pumpkin garden party last weekend and despite the drop in temperatures, it was really nice.

Monday was a normal work day all round and Isabella went to dance class where I caught up with some other mums.

After a long day and an interesting training course on Tuesday, we drove up to Nico's parents' to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday.

After some family visits on Wednesday we drove home and watched Hocus Pocus with the kids for Halloween.

Joshua came down with conjunctivitis again so I stayed home with him on Thursday. Isabella had a playdate. In the evening I did a Gonis presentation, which went well and got me more in the mood for Christmas.

Nico is also under the weather so stayed home on Friday with Joshua and I worked and got some kindergarten jobs sorted too.

Luckily we have a fairly quiet weekend ahead. Tonight I'll be learning what a Pampered Chef party is and next week should be a bit calmer.

Links!

Pies!

Halloween wins.

An important message for young women.

Loved this.

Heartbreaking and beautiful.

Oh dear.

Make a difference.

Lol.

November Goals

Here's what I'd like to achieve this month:

• Family day out
• Celebrate Joshua's birthday
• Lantern festival
• Lose weight
• Budget
• Complete a crochet project

Reading Review

The Fifth Profession - David Morrell

One of my free 200 collection, this one is slightly older but I almost prefer thrillers from a time with less technology.

This novel follows a bodyguard as he tries to unravel a traumatic experience from his past. It's an interesting concept and kept me guessing.

I can't say I was 100% happy with the ending but I did enjoy it.

Tales from Shakespeare - Charles and Mary Lamb

Nico brought me this book home from work. It was written in the nineteenth century as a 'modern' take on Shakespeare's stories.

Sometimes the Victorian style was hard to follow but I feel like I got to know Shakespeare better and the short stories helped to break up the reading.

I did find it annoying that Shakespeare seemed to think a change of clothes would stop family members recognising each other in so many of his works...

Origin - Dan Brown

I treated myself to this new book in the holidays as it has been on my list for a while. 

Dan Brown is one of my favourite authors and this one did not disappoint. As an extra bonus, the story is set in Barcelona and lots of my favourite places were mentioned which made me want to jump on a plane.

Robert Langdon returns in a bid to help a former student release his life-changing message to the world. Full of facts, politics and history, it was just my thing.

Recipe: Autumn Salad

Ingredients:

• 400 g brussel sprouts
• 280 g carrots
• 1 apple, chopped
• 1 large celery stalk, chopped
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 4-6 tbsp raisins
• 2-4 tbsp fresh lemon juice, to taste
• Seasoning to taste
• 1 tsp fresh Thyme leaves or other herbs of choice
• A little honey, to taste 

Instructions:
1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl and serve.

Make it Monday - Inspirational Sign

This weekend I finished my second quote sign using Gonis products and I love this one as much as the first.

I made the board itself using spatulas (like large lollypop sticks). They are attached with some more spatulas in the other direction along the back.

The blue is actually ink for stamping. It doesn't cover as much as the acrylic paint but I actually like the effect of the wood showing through.

The quotation is relief paste on a flex template. Very easy and one of my go to techniques.

After a couple of presentations in November I'll find a home for this on the landing.

Weekly Wisdom

Sometimes, it's simply time to start again.

The Saturday Update

Another crazy, busy work week here. After a quiet weekend we've all had a full work / daycare week.

Isabella had a busy week with play dates and dance class and she's got events every day until next weekend too.

Joshua is coming on leaps and bounds with his speech and looks bigger every day.

I've missed dance class but hit all my fitness goals anyway thanks to the commute. Just need to get on track with my diet now.

Kindergarten commitments have picked up a bit again and my crafting time has suffered but I have some Gonis parties coming up so I'll be making time for that this week.

I've been reading lots and we are enjoying an international series called The Team.

Autumn is going to be a busy one but I feel like we're off to a good start.

Links!

Inspiring and heartbreaking.

Student debt is a bitch (no.5!).

I hope my son grows up like this young gent.

When Grans are let loose on twitter.

I taught a colleague this expression this week.

Aaargh!

Recipes galore!

Might try some of these but I don't agree with them all.

October Goals Review

Here's how the month went for me:

• Fondu night - not yet.
• Family day trip - done!
• Lose weight - done!
• Fill the planter in the garden - done!
• Keep up the videos - done!
• Three craft projects - done!
• Fix up Isabella's wardrobes - done - just need organising!

Currently...

...getting back in a work routine.
...cycling in all weathers.
...reading lots thanks to my commute.
...drinking coffee to keep awake.
...making plans to get through the autumn.
...trying to keep warm.
...laughing and crying with my mini-me.
...wondering where October went!

Recipe: Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• 900g beef 
• Seasoning
• 500g red potatoes
• 4 carrots
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 3 cups beef stock
• 2tbsp tomato puree
• 1tbsp Worcester sauce
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Paprika
• Caraway seeds
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup flour
• Fresh parsley

Instructions:
1. Brown the beef in a frying pan with the oil and seasoning for two to three minutes.
2. Transfer to the slow cooker with the vegetables, liquids and herbs and spices.
3. Cover and cook on a low heat for seven to eight hours.
4. Combine the flour with a cup of the stew and mix well.  Pour over the stew and cook on high for a further half an hour.
5. Top with parsley and serve.

Make it Monday: Lanterns

This year we are going to two lantern festivals and the kids are making their own lanterns for the first time in Kindergarten.

The first festival is with my friends from the post-natal class I took after having Joshua and I decided to surprise the kids with new lanterns.  I ordered these kits from Amazon and over three evenings last week, I managed to put them together. 

They are sturdier than lanterns we've made before, although some bits fall off and I'll need to superglue them before the big night.  There's going to be punch, sausages and singing.  We are in charge of the campfire bread.  Look out for the recipe!

Weekly Wisdom

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

The Saturday Update

Wow, this week has been absolutely manic.  Work has been great, I'm really enjoying it but I am absolutely exhausted.  The commute is long but it's given me lots of time to read and I'm on top of planning at the moment.

There hasn't been time for much else.  Isabella started dance class officially on Monday and I made it to my class on Monday too but couldn't face it the rest of the week but I did hit my step and heart rate targets every day.  The cycling is doing me good, but exhausting too.

Pete disappeared for a day last weekend and worried us.  We'd asked around and I was really overwhelmed by the support from friends and neighbours here.  He came back in the middle of the night with a nasty injury - possibly a dog bite - and we kept him in for a while but he is doing well now.

We're having a much needed quiet weekend to recover before the next work week and a much busier weekend coming up!

Links!

What a beautiful idea.

I'm not a royalist but this made me smile.

This is bonkers.

Awesome obituary (read it to the end).

What a great idea!

This is amazing. I had braces as a teenager, if I'd had doubts, this would have convinced me.

I would probably use this (and probably ruin my phone in the process...)

Now I have the inspiration, I just need the time!

Into the green

Lately we've been trying to make the most of the mild weather and the nice green spaces we have so close by.  Here are some photos.

Münster

 Last week, while Dad was here, we visited Münster.  It's been a long time since I've visited a new city and it's definitely a different experience with children!  We decided to drive there which takes just under two hours.  We were ready to stretch our legs when we arrived.

 We had lunch and then headed further into the centre to visit the cathedral.  I found the surroundings of the cathedral a bit strange - not pedestrianised and busy as in many other cities but the cathedral itself was lovely.

 We had a look around inside.  The alter looked beautiful as it was all set up for the harvest festival.  There are some special features in the cathedral - an astronomical clock and a St.Christopher statue.  Unfortunately, children and quiet spaces don't mix well so I didn't see these features but Nico manage to find them for me.

 There is a second large church, pictured at the top of this post, which is famous for the three cages in which the corpses of criminals were displayed (as a warning to others) many years ago.

 We also visited the town hall.  For the children, the main highlights were chasing pigeons and being kitted out with new clothes in Primark.

 We sat outside for a drink before driving home.  We were very lucky with the weather.

 I can see why Münster is twinned with York.  Apart from the cathedral, which strongly resembles York Minster, the cities are around the same age, both have universities and lots of cyclists.  It is a really beautiful city and I would love to go again.

Recipe: Apple Pie

Ingredients:
(For the base:)

• 500g flour
• 250ml milk
• 75g butter
• 75g sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 packet dry yeast
• 2 eggs

(For the topping:)

• 275g flour
• 175g butter
• 150g sugar
• 1 packet vanilla sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 egg yolk

(For the filling:)

• A bag of apples
• Raisins
• Cinnamon 

Instructions:
1. Mix the ingredients for the base and knead well. (15 - 20 minutes) Then let in rest in a warm place for forty minutes.
2. Chop the apples.
3. Knead the dough for the base and let it rest for another ten minutes.
4. Prepare the ingredients for the topping.  Knead well.
5. Prepare a baking tray and spread the dough for the base.  Put it in a warm oven for ten minutes.
6. Add the filling, followed by the topping.  Bake at 140 for an hour or until brown on top.