The Saturday Update

What a great week. It started with a successful exam from a training course I've been taking and finishing our tax return.

The nursery staff were off sick this week so we've kept the kids home and I helped out a bit more there.

Dad arrived late on Wednesday and has helped us get caught up with DIY, gardening and general chores.

The garden and Isabella's room are looking great.

I've even found time for making some things and getting the blog up to date.

This weekend I'm planning on getting some more spring cleaning done, getting ready for work, preparing for Easter and having some quality family time while Dad is here.

Links!

Moving.

Funny mannequins (number 3!!).

Crazily beautiful.

Travel plans.

Ouch!

Make the choice.

An article on productivity.

Kiddo crafts.

March Goals Review

• Finish spring cleaning the house - in progress.
• Keep up the daily videos and crossstitch - done!
• Get back to Zumba and dance classes - done!
• Have a one to one 'date' with Isabella and Joshua - done!
• Do the tax return - done!

Garden Update

So this week we have been getting to grips with the garden, ready for the Spring. Nico has taken out all of the rhodedendrons and the space we've gained is amazing but in need of lots of work.

 Here's the biggest difference. The lamp has been there since we moved in. I call it the Narnia lamp. Until now, it was always surrounded by the rhodedendrons. Now, Nico has put in a small pond / water feature for wildlife. We're planting lots and I hope we'll have a sea of colour here soon.

 This is my main flower area. I'll be tidying up soon and splitting some of these bulbs up.

 Here's the central flower bed. We planted a short hedge around it and I need to get the grass out and turn the soil soon. I'm going to seperate bulbs here too.

And this is the break area. I'm looking forward to sitting here more this Summer. Nico has fitted a gate for privacy and shelter.

Recipe: Gooseberry Crumble

Ingredients:

• 500g gooseberries, topped and tailed
• 85g caster sugar
• 175g spelt flour
• 75g brown sugar
• 85g butter

Instructions:

1. Mix together the gooseberries and caster sugar. Place in a baking dish with 2tbsp water.

2. Combine the flour, brown sugar and salt until you have a crumbly pastry. 

3. Cover the gooseberries with the crumble and bake for 45 minutes on 180℃ until brown on top.

Make it Monday - Aloe Vera Skin Toner

Recently I've been struggling with the skin across my chest and shoulders and having harvested our aloe vera plant, I decided to give this toner a try.

It's a combination of aloe vera gel, green tea and water, it's really easy to mix and feels very soothing. I'll let you know how I get on.

Weekly Wisdom

No need to hurry.  No need to sparkle.  No need to be anybody but oneself. 

- Virginia Woolfe

The Saturday Update

Naturally the first week of the holidays has flown by. I've worked mornings Monday to Thursday, Joshua's teething so he's had half the week off, and I've been busy with Kindergarten so business as usual there.

Isabella had a playdate with her Kindergarten friend and Joshua and I caught up with my yoga mums friends and I made it to zumba again. It was so nice to catch up and socialise after weeks of the work grind.

Next week Dad is coming, Isabella has a birthday party and I'm planning on getting lots more done around here!

Links!

Registries that should exist.

I love this series on Cup of Jo.

This hit home, new mum or not.

Quiet women in business.

Some good tips for marriage after kids.

Yum.

Our current binge favourite.

This is very true.

Isabella's Room

 For a while I've been wanting to do something to brighten up Isabella's room a bit.

There's not much space since she has a wooden sloped roof and a built in wardrobe.

 Also, I didn't want to go overboard with the budget. Last year, we furnished her room with IKEA children's furniture and I decided to use the colour from that.

I got one litre of pink paint and highlighted the flowers on the sliding doors of her wardrobe. They were wallpapered by the previous owners and it was easier to work with it for now.

Here are the finished doors. I'm really pleased with my morning's work.

Aloe Vera

 Today I finally got around to harvesting some aloe vera. I bought this plant for our bedroom last summer as it is supposed to aid sleep. I've also heard about the benefits.

A couple of the leaves are just too big and heavy so I needed to look into how to look after the plant before it got damaged.

Having watched a video online I decided to try harvesting some. It was a lot messier that it had seemed in the video but I cut one leaf and harvested about three or four tablespoons as you can see below.

Now I'm researching ways to use it ready to share with you on Monday before I try harvesting any more.

Recipe: Pasta Sauce

Ingredients:

• 500g beef mince
• 1 large onion
• 2 cloves, garlic
• Tomato puree
• Chopped tomatoes
• 1 red pepper
• Seasoning
• Oregano

Instructions:

1. Brown the mince, onion and garlic.

2. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer on a medium heat for twenty minutes.

Make it Monday- April birthday card

Despite being my birthday month, we don't actually know many people with birthdays in April so between using up my stash and being creative I've just one to share with you this month.

I like the neutral colour theme, especially with the card being for a man. I enjoy making these relief designs.

Weekly Wisdom

Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.

The Saturday Update

Holidaaaaaaays!

Phew, so ready for this break. It was another manic work week and busy times at Kindergarten.

Yesterday I took the kids to my friend's house for a catch up which turned into a sleepover for Isabella. The girls were so cute and Joshua's a little sweetie just joining in with them.

I got back to Zumba this week and it was great, both physically and socially.

Next week, I'm planning to get on top of work, get the house straightened up and do some crafting.

Links!

Looking forward to trying these soon.

Sad loss this week.

True.

An interesting article.

Wow!

So funny.

This is a disgrace.

Really enjoying this series.

Quarterly Review!

How are we nearly a quarter of the way through the year?! Time really is flying!

I've gone from being home on maternity leave, going stir-crazy, to being run off my feet. Half of the house has been spring cleaned, I've done two new crochet projects and taken on a new role at the nursery/kindergarten. I got halfway to my goal weight and I'm loving Zumba.

The kids have come on leaps and bounds. Isabella's had her first sleepover and made so many friends at Kindergarten. Both kids have had growth spurts and Joshua is communicating more and using a fork.

Right now I'm working five jobs and life is a whirlwind. I'm using the holidays to get on top of work, sort the house and garden, and do some finances.

The new years' resolutions are going well and while I sometimes feel like I'm alternately treading water and drowning, it's nice to take the opportunity to see how far I've come since January.

And the year has still lots to offer - a hen do, a trip to England, two weddings, becoming a Godmother, and of course, the privelege to watch my two children grow and learn. Great times!

Gardening Inspiration

Lately we've been preparing for this long awaited Summer by watching gardening shows to find inspiration for our own outdoor space. Here are our favourites:

I didn't really know much about Monty Don before watching this but he's now my favourite gardener. I love the way he helps people and gives them advice without being pushy.

Alan Titchmarsh transforms gardens for families who deserve a helping hand.

Here's one I want to watch and use. I'm keen to try raised beds for our veg this year - let's see.

Recipe: Turkey Curry

Ingredients:

• 500g turkey
• 1 large onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 100g ground almonds
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 red pepper
• 1 can coconut milk
• Seasoning

Instructions:

1. Brown the meat, onions and garlic in a bit of oil.

2. Add the almonds, curry powder and seasoning.

3. Add the coconut milk and pepper and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

Make it Monday - Crochet Bunny Hat

With this wintry weather dragging on I made another wooly hat as a child's birthday present. Following the success of the pink owl, I hit on this bunny design which fits twice as well with Easter creeping up on us.

The project was fine for a beginner like me and would have been fairly quick had I not run out of wool... And while it is terrible to work with, I love the effect of the fluffy white wool, especially with this tail.

So cute and fun!

Weekly Wisdom

Strong women, may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.

The Saturday Update

We've had another manic week of work, Kindergarten and appointments.  My sport has had to take the back seat again and we are all looking forward to the holidays and a bit of a break!

I started a new Kindergarten English group and I love it - that's one of the highlights of my week.  I'm also finding my rhythm with my adult German group and enjoying that too.

The kids have been home poorly the last couple of days but since they are still in good spirits I took them to Bremen yesterday to meet up with a friend for coffee.  It was chaos but good to get out.

Today I have work to do at Kindergarten and Isabella has a friend's birthday party.  Then it is another busy work week before we get to those holidays!

Links!

Interesting look at helping the environment.

I love these spaces.

Toddler life.

Maybe that's why the Finnish are so happy.

Truth!

Pretty accurate so far!

Beautiful photos.

Good question!

Reading Review - Kids edition!

My reading has slowed down a little at the moment and I'm good with that.  This month I thought I would share with you some of the reading I've been doing with Isabella.  She's now three and a half so we read to her and I try to be consistant in reading English while Nico reads in German.

The BFG - Roald Dahl

We've been reading this since my Mum came to visit before Christmas.  I try to do a chapter each time but sometimes we mix it up.  I was a little unsure if she was ready for such a long book but she really enjoys it, she is excited to find out what happens next and she tells her own stories with giants and the Queen!  I love Roald Dahl and I would definitely recommend reading this.

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes - Mark Pett and Gary Rubenstein

This one was recommended as a good book to read to girls.  I think it's a good message for boys too to be honest.  I'm not sure she totally grasps the message yet but she does enjoy this one and along with Tiger in a Tutu, she's enjoying it just for the story right now.

Green Eggs and Ham - Dr Seuss

Isabella has three Dr Seuss books and we love reading all of them but I think this is her favourite right now.  The words and rhyme are amazing and I love that Isabella's learning English through such a talented author.

Currently...

...feeling grateful for my little family.
...missing my Zumba.
...finding my way at Kindergarten.
...eating well.
...reading more at bedtime.
...meeting new people.
...drinking wine.
...making plans.

Recipe: Stuffed peppers

Ingredients:

• Four large red peppers
• 500g mince
• 1 large onion
• 1/2 cup rice
• 2 garlic cloves
• Chopped tomatoes
• Seasoning

Instructions:

1. Remove and chop the tops of the peppers. Boil them for five minutes. Drain them and put them in a baking tray.

2. Fry off the onion, mince and garlic. Add the chopped peppers, chopped tomatoes, cooked rice and seasoning. Simmer for five minutes.

3. Fill the mixture into the peppers and bake at 175℃ for thirty minutes.

Make it Monday - Crossstitch Pendent

 Did a quick little Mollie Makes project today. It was easy, fun and effective. I love the style and the message. I could be tempted to try more of these.

Weekly Wisdom

Ditch the picture in your head of how it is supposed to be.

The Saturday Update

The week has flown by in a blur of work and chores again.

I had an unexpected free afternoon on Monday when the toilets flooded at the tutoring firm. It also meant I could work from home on Tuesday.

On Wednesday I had a team meeting at my other tutoring firm, followed by parents' evening at nursery. It was good to meet some new people too.

Friday was spent doing jobs at home and for the kindergarten.

We're now enjoying a quiet weekend with just a visit to friends for coffee on Sunday.

It's been extremely cold with temperatures of -11℃ some mornings but luckily none of the snow that the UK has had. It's due to warm up next week.

Links!

Kitchen happiness.

Freaky nature.

Something we all should do.

It is a bit crazy tbh.

What a beautiful talent.

This is going on my to do list.

Truth.

Fun photography.

March Goals

Here's what I hope to achieve this month:

• Finish spring cleaning the house.
• Keep up the daily videos and crossstitch.
• Get back to Zumba and dance classes.
• Have a one to one 'date' with Isabella and Joshua.
• Do the tax return.