Make it Monday - Mini Pennant Bunting

Today I found time for another Mollie Makes mini-project. I made this cute pennant bunting - a new one for me and the two tone made it harder the the triangle bunting I usually make.

I love the colours and I used ribbon rather than bias binding which I find fiddly in regular size. This one is going over the fairies' corner in Isabella's room.

Weekly Wisdom

A comfort zone is a beautiful place but nothing ever grows there.

The Saturday Update

After a sunny, social weekend catching up with friends I had a mad week alone with the kids while Nico was on a school trip.

I cut some of my afternoon shifts as I had to get the kids from Kindergarten but otherwise work went really well. Some of my students have got exams coming up so it's pretty intense but good.

We had a couple of afternoon playdates which were chaotic but fun and kept the kids busy. We were also outside a fair bit which was good for us all.

I got caught up with a fair few jobs and stayed on top of things except for sport since I was in for the kids. I didn't put weight on though, so that's good!

Yesterday, Kindergarten was closed so Isabella and I had a lovely girly day together with living room picnics, Frozen and playmobil.

We're having a quiet, long weekend with a couple of Skype catch-ups, before a short work week.

Links!

Cool design.

Blitzed this on Netflix this week.

Beautiful hair.

Invisible woman fashion!

Lol.

Amazing cleaning pics.

Ways to change it up.

A fun idea.

April Goal Review

• Get cracking in the garden - done!
• Keep up the cross stitch and daily videos - done!
• Mummy dates with the kids - done!
• Lose weight - done!
• Finish three DIY projects - two out of three...

Missing Zumba

Unfortunately I can't get to Zumba class this week as Nico is away and we don't have a babysitter. Here's some midweek zumba style inspiration.

Recipe: Asparagus Omelette

Ingredients:

• Asparagus
• 6 large eggs
• Small jar of green pesto
• 50g mixed seeds.

Instructions:

1. Fry the asparagus. Remove half of it from the pan.

2. Mix half of the pesto with the eggs and pour half of the mixture

 over the asparagus in the hot pan.

3. Cook the eggs through and finish off under the grill. Repeat with the other half of the ingredients.

4. Serve topped with the seeds and remaining pesto.

Make it Monday - Kid's Height Chart

For a while, I've been looking for a height chart for Joshua. Isabella has one with stickers but I haven't been able to find anything similar.

Then I saw this. It's one kit that can be a tree or a flower and I couldn't resist getting one for each of the kids.

At the time I didn't realise that it was a make-it-yourself kit but that's actually been half the fun. I finished this one for Isabella within a few hour and now I just need to fill it in and hang it up.

Just Joshua's to do now - good job it's a long weekend!

Weekly Wisdom

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered - Nelson Mandela

The Saturday Update

Another manic week here.

We had a fab weekend celebrating Nico's Gran's birthday. The kids ran wild and charmed everyone. They were exhausted.

Work was busy but good.

Nursery was closed on Friday so I had both kids home and looked after another one so it was a busy morning but they all played out nicely.

We've had glorious weather all week so we've cracked out the suncream and spent lots more time outside.

We also had a lovely visit from one of Joshua's godmothers, involving the sand pit, a hair tutorial and barbecue dinner on the terrace.

This morning we had a fun, sunny brunch at nursery which was enjoyed by all, especially the little ones who tired themselves out again!

Links!

Mine was dancing with our families that evening.

Good advice.

What?!

Gorgeous crockery.

I wish it were this easy.

Yum.

My Grandmother swore by it.

Creepy.

Fitbit

For my birthday, Nico bought me a fitbit. It had been on my list for a while and I wasn't sure whether it would just be fad. So far, I love it.

It tracks my steps, heart rate, sleep patterns, water intake and more. 

So far I've learned that I am very good at getting seven hours sleep each night. It's the goal I hit most often.

I'm working on the other goals and tracking my weight again. The great thing is that it automatically recognises when I'm exercising. It picks up my cycling or zumba classes. 

Also, I've set it to remind me at ten to each hour, to get to the next step goal. 

The downside is seeing how little I move some days.

I'm also loving the silent alarm on a morning and the notifications when I get a call on my phone. Technology is amazing!

So while I know the Fitbit can't do the work for me, for a goal junkie like me, it's a brilliant inspiration. I'm hoping it will help me refresh my outlook on health this Summer and help to refresh my weight-loss attempts!

Reading Review

The Hammer of Eden - Ken Follett

This was a good read but I can't say it was up to the standard of Follett's more recent work. It is the story of a terrorist group which tries to threaten the American government by causing earthquakes.

One for my Baby - Tony Parsons

Another of my 200 free books collection, this wasn't one that would have otherwise been on my radar. It is about an English teacher who met his wife in Hong Kong and is now living back in London following her death.

There's no real drive in the book but I really enjoyed it. The characters are well written and the story is interesting.

High Society - Ben Elton

This book is a humorous look at drug use in the UK. Well, there is obviously a serious side to the theme but, as with several of Ben Elton's novels, he finds a way to make it fun.

It follows the idea of legalising drugs in the UK. He looks at many different aspects of drug use and I really enjoyed it. The characters are interesting and fun.

Recipe: Pumpkin Bake

Ingredients:

• 3 cup pumpkin mashed
• 1 onion small chopped
• 1 cup dried breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tbs parsley
• 1 tbs butter
• 1/2 tbs garlic crushed
• 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
• 1 cup cheese grated

Instructions: 

1. Place the ingredients in a baking dish and top with cheese.

2. Bake at 180c for twenty minutes.

Make it Monday - Crossstitch Update

My new year's resolution to crossstitch every day is going really well so far and I am loving how it's coming along. Here are some progress pictures.

Weekly Wisdom

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.

The Saturday Update

This week has been manic and productive. I'm still struggling to find a balance between all my jobs but still enjoying them all equally.

The kids have had a good week at nursery and kindergarten, and generally keeping us on our toes. I took them for ice cream on Friday despite the dip in the weather, and it was fun.

Zumba was good this week and I had a couple of late nights with Kindergarten work so the weekend is much needed.

We're away for a family birthday this weekend and then it will be another busy work week.

Links!

The power of small kindnesses.

Explaining no.3 to kids who don't care is my hobby at work.

Some refreshing ideas.

Life with cats.

Amazing photos of industry.

Top ideas!

Not usually a fan of stretch but I like this.

Yep.

Heart Wall

Since my spring clean in January, I've been wanting to start this heart wall around the new mirror in our bedroom.

As one of my April goals, I finally got around to it. We had these three around and they don't match but I love them on this wall and look forward to adding to it.

DIY no.1 done!

Currently...

...cycling more.
...loving the daylight.
...getting to know my fitbit.
...drinking more water.
...laughing more with the kids.
...feeling busy but good.
...planning lots of fun this summer.
...creating again.

Recipe: Turkey and peanut curry

Ingredients:

• 500g turkey
• 5 carrots, sliced
• 1 tsp green curry paste
• 3 tbsp peanut butter
• 3 tbsp cheese spread
• 1 tbsp honey
• Salt, pepper, mint

Instructions:

1. Fry off the turkey. Add the carrots and then curry paste for a couple of minutes.

2. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes.

Make it Monday - Oil Paintings

After almost a year, I finally got around to breaking out the oil paints again. I tried a flower last year and discovered how hard it is to paint with oils.

Nico did a picture of fire. I developed a little idea of trying to paint the other elements. Today I attempted air and water which is also pretty challenging. I found the blues very calming.

I prefer the picture on the right for the idea of motion although I may do some more on this later. Sometimes I think it's best to wait a bit and see how the paint settles and let the idea float around a bit more.

Hopefully I'll find more time to work on this again.

Weekly Wisdom

You can't rush something that you want to last forever.

The Saturday Update

We had a fab Easter weekend. Isabella and I decorated and built nests on Saturday and collected the presents from the Easter bunny on Sunday morning. The kids loved their gifts and were still having fun with Grandad.

Monday was my birthday. I'd have loved a trip out but the weather wasn't on my side and in the end Joshua was very poorly so we had a day in and my in-laws came over. I was thoroughly spoiled with a fitbit, book, shoes, a necklace, Easter decorations and a lot of money. Nico cooked some lovely meals and Isabella's singing was beautiful. I overdid the drinking in the evening so Tuesday was almost a write off.

I was back at work, where they surprised me with birthday flowers. The car wouldn't start so I cycled - which was good with my fitbit.

Wednesday was back to work and Dad left. Work was actually good, just hectic again. I had the kids at work on Thursday and Joshua had his check up on Friday but we've been productive too.

It's a gloriously sunny weekend and we have lots to do as well as a busy week coming up. To be fair, work is easier in the sunshine.

Links!

Not happening here (though Laila's rules are quite sweet).

Father of the bride prep.

Cute photo project!

Here's a country I wouldn't teach in.

This looks like fun.

Do your best.

Good tips to get back in the zone.

A great 100 day project idea.

Easter Fire

On Sunday Dad and I took Isabella to meet her friends at the local Easter bonfire. She saw two friends with their families and Isabella had a little snack although she wasn't impressed by the bonfire.

When it got dark we found a good spot to watch the highlight - these fire wheels. Isabella loved it and the fireworks that followed. Also, she was good and tired that night.

April Goals

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

• Get cracking in the garden.
• Keep up the cross stitch and daily videos.
• Mummy dates with the kids.
• Lose weight.
• Finish three DIY projects.

Recipe: Rhubarb Crumble

Ingredients:

• 500g rhubarb
• 100g sugar
• 3tbsp pear schnapps
• 140g flour
• 85g butter
• 50g brown sugar
• 50g walnuts

Instructions:

1. Chop the rhubarb and simmer, covered with the sugar and schnapps for twenty minutes over a low heat.

2. Transfer to a baking tray. Mix the flour, butter, brown sugar and nuts with fingers in a bowl. Pour this dough over the rhubarb mix.

3. Bake for 30 minutes on 200℃.

Make it Monday - Pompom Birdie

This week I got around to a Mollie Makes project. It involved making a two colour pompomfor the first time and turning it into a little character.

It's not perfect but I love it and so does Isabella. So cute! I'll make more of these, for sure.

Weekly Wisdom

Be silly, be kind, be weird.

There's no time for anything else.

- Anthony Hopkins