May Goals Review

• 3 DIY projects - done!
• Mummy dates with the kids - done!
• Family cycle trip - done!
• Plant the garden pots - balcony done!
• Keep up with the daily goals - done!
• 3 sport sessions per week - done!

DIY: Bathroom Windows

This week we finally finished covering our bathroom windows.

We've had problems with blinds and mould from the condensation and Nico found this adhesive covering that has the additional benefit that it lets all the light in but obscures the view.

I love the effect and the light and after a couple of months trialing one half, we've now done the whole thing. Very pleased overall.

Recipe: Rhubarb Compot

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks of rhubarb
• 3cm ginger
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 cups frozen mixed berries
• Ice cream to serve

Instructions:

1. Chop the rhubarb into 2cm chunks and place in a baking dish.

2. Grate the ginger into the orange juice. Stir in the honey and pour over the rhubarb.

3. Bake at 200c for 30 minutes. 

Make it Monday - Sofa Cover

For a while now, I've wanted to cover the sofa in Joshua's room. It was originally half of an Ikea corner sofa I bought for my old flat. We wanted more space in the living room and since Isabella has a double bed, we thought Joshua might appreciate it.

Having been torn apart from the other part of the old, black sofa, it didn't look great and needed brightening up but I had no idea where to start.

In the end I ordered three meters of a nice green material with white dots and got cracking with the staple gun. The sofa is an odd shape and I'm no upholsterer but I just went for it and improvised on the fiddly bits.

I'm really happy with the result. The room looks brighter and more inviting and should the material wear out, I can always re-do it. Joshua seemed to like it too.

Weekly Wisdom

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.

The Saturday Update

We had a wonderful long weekend with a nice bike ride in the sun on Monday and a few garden projects in between.

Work was good. Exams are over for now so Nico's had a lot of marking to do but my lessons are winding down for the summer.

Yesterday was busy with kindergarten meetings and housework but it was a productive day and now we're heading into a heat wave for the weekend so we'll be able to relax a bit.

Paleo is going well. I'm also cycling more and generally feeling better except for hayfever.

Next week is a full work week and two play dates with the kids but it feels good to be busy again.

Links!

Some fab tips on photographing the kids.

More parents could do with this kind of experience.

More recipes in English for my latest Paleo attempts.

Funny photos.

It was such a fantastic event.

Hoping to jump on this bandwagon next time round.

Heroes!

I would have let her wear them.

Balcony Blooms!

The long weekend proved to be very good for our garden as I also got our balcony boxes replanted.  The heather was supposed to withstand some dryness but clearly not as much as I gave it!

I've given up on the idea of growing from seed up there and took the kids to the garden centre for these lovely red blooms on Saturday.  With a few extra steps on the fitbit carting the boxes up and down the stairs, I got them all planted and with the heat we're experiencing at the moment, they're getting water daily. 

The colour really brightens the place up and puts a smile on my face when I get home.

Raised Vegetable Bed

On Tuesday, the last day of our long weekend, we finally got around to building this raised flower bed in the middle of our veg patch.  I saw some on one of the gardening projects we watched and loved the idea.

We used loose bricks that we don't want for our herbs anymore since the ants got in.  Then Nico built a wooden frame to give it a bit more strength.  At the moment it is half full with the old rhodedendrons that Nico cut down and we're going to cover it with compost and soil at the weekend so we can get planting!

Hopefully it will inspire me to get in the garden more, and I think it will.  Last year we didn't really do much veg - it was hard with a little baby in the house but with Joshua ever more active and loving the garden, we should be able to give the garden, veggies and cooking a good kick start again!

Recipe: Easy Turkey Salad

Ingredients:

• Packet of cooked turkey
• Field salad
• Cherry tomatoes
• Avocado
• 2 boiled eggs
• Sweetcorn
• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Seasoning

Instructions:

1. Chop and combine ingredients.

Make it Monday - Beanbag / Teddy Storage

The photo doesn't really do it justice. Today I combined this tutorial and a video I saw online to make Isabella a beanbag chair which is filled with her huge collection of cuddly toys.

I used the left over material from her cushions to help the colours match but I'm not thrilled with the effect. The project was quick and easy though. I enjoyed making this and getting to grips with the sewing machine again.

It's actually very comfy and we did today's bedtime story here tonight.

Weekly Wisdom

I am not an early bird or a night owl. I am some form of permanently exhausted pigeon.

The Saturday Update

We've had a manic full work week here. We had a lovely day in Schneverdingen last weekend for a family confirmation and the kids loved it. After a quick turn around, Isabella was away for two nights on her first Kindergarten trip. She had a whale of a time and came back shattered.

I took her to work with me on Thursday, which went well, and Joshua had a good week in nursery.

Yesterday I had my dermatologist appointment - all good there. I also had lunch with a friend and took the kids out for a playdate.

Nico has a stack of exam marking this weekend so I'm getting the kids out of his hair this morning while we shop and run some errands, then we'll be watching the royal wedding.

We've got another long weekend here so hopefully we'll squeeze in some family time as well as getting on top of our jobs and hopefully a bit of crafting!

Links!

Also looking forward to tomorrow.

I agree.

Funny meeting smarts.

I'll be needing such packing tips soon.

Mother figures.

Dinner inspiration.

What an incredible story.

Hilarious.

Skincare Update

This week I have an appointment with a dermatologist for the first time. The medication I take for colitis can lead to a higher risk of skin cancer so it makes sense to get checked out regularly.

With Summer finally kicking off I'll need to find a face cream with SPF although I'm really happy with this at the moment. It's natural, smells good and you only need a small amount.

I've cut right back on using toner, and only use my Clinique one when my face is feeling especially oily. I also rarely use make up remover since I rarely wear make up these days.

Last week I switched to this facewash and I absolutely love it. It's so foamy and refreshing.

For my body, I have also cut back, but again, thanks to the new season, I've cracked out my Soap and Glory body lotion for my legs after I've shaved and I really like it.

Missing this...

Recipe: Sausage Casserole

Ingredients:

• 5 sausages
• 1 packet cherry tomatoes
• 3 sweet potatoes
• 2 large red peppers
• 1 large red onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• Fresh thyme
• Seasoning

Instructions:

1. Brown the sausages over a medium heat in a pan.

2. Place the vegetables in a casserole dish with the sausages on top. Season to taste.

3. Cook for 45 minutes at 200℃.

Make it Monday: Crochet Mandala

Yesterday I completed this cute little crochet project from Mollie Makes in about an hour. I love the colours and it was the perfect little stress reliever for German Mother's Day. Isabella has already laid claim to it. As ever, I loved trying something just a little bit different.

Weekly Wisdom

The solitude of women's minds is regrettable.

The Saturday Update

After a wonderful, sunny weekend with Nico's family, celebrating a special wedding anniversary, we've had a short, quiet week here.

I had three busy work days. Both Nico and I got out on the bikes more and took Joshua with us. He loved the bike seat and watching the wildlife.

Thursday was a bank holiday. We took Joshua to see the water buffalo project in Leeste and walked back from near Ikea after I got a flat tyre. The weather was wonderful.

Yesterday was just spent at home getting the usual chores done and relaxing.

Isabella's been with Nico's parents all week. She's had fun and we've enjoyed the peace but really missed her too. Can't wait to see her today.

We're driving back up to Schneverdingen today for Nico's cousin's confirmation and picking Isabella up at the same time.

I've been following Paleo again and with zumba and the cycling it's done wonders for my weight loss. I'm below my pre-pregnancy weight from before I had Isabella now!

Back to the usual routine next week!

Links!

So excited for wedding season.

This looks delicious and fun.

Blitzed this while Nico was away, hope they do another season.

Terrible parents!

Amazing artwork.

Beautiful.

Oops!

The best cheerleader.

Wedding Anniversaries

Here in Germany tradition and family are celebrated in a big way. At the weekend we were at a silver wedding anniversary party for Nico's aunt and uncle. The family had met in the week before to prepare a garland and that was hung over their front door on Sunday morning. Their daughters had prepared a big party and invited family and friends. The weather was glorious and it was lovely to help them celebrate such a special occasion.

The year after I met Nico we attended his grandparents' golden wedding anniversary with a blessing at the church and a reception afterwards. At our own wedding, we met a couple celebrating their golden anniversary at the same church which was special.

Germans even celebrate a parsley wedding anniversary at twelve and a half years but I haven't attended one yet.

The first 'big' one is wood at five years, which we happen to have in July, so I am excited to see what happens!

Currently...

...enjoying the sunshine.
...drinking plenty of water.
...missing Isabella, but...
...loving some quality time with Joshua.
...working like mad.
...making the most of my fitbit.
...eating Paleo again.
...cycling in the sun.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 onion
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 cups chicken stock
• Seasoning
• 2 peppers
• 1 packet of cherry tomatoes

Instructions:

1. Chop all of the ingredients except for the tomatoes and place in the slow cooker on a low heat for seven hours.

2. Add the tomatoes and cook on medium for one more hour.

Make it Monday - May Birthday Cards

Tonight I got around to making this month's birthday cards. Again, I have been using up my stock and that resulted in a bit of a mixed bunch.

The flowers were the last of a sticker set. I find them cute.

The butterflies were an old idea that I refreshed with some different paper stock.

The heart card for my aunt was also a combination of bits and pieces that I liked putting together.

It's nice to get creative with things that I have here and coming up with new ideas as well as recycling old ones.

Weekly Wisdom

Stay afraid, but do it anyway.

The Saturday Update

It's been a great week. First we had a long weekend. The weather wasn't great but we got lots done around the house.

Exam season has started so work has been intense but good. I moved a couple of lessons around and that was productive and refreshing.

The weather picked up on Wednesday and I got back on the bike which feels fantastic. I cycled to Ikea yesterday to catch up with some friends, one of whom just got back from Ecuador after two years so that was really nice.

Nico's been ordering all kinds of music instruments and the kids love it. It's so fun to experiment with them.

Today we're visiting family and leaving Isabella there for a week.  It's another short work week here so we can have some quality time with Joshua before going back to pick her up next weekend.

Links!

Teacher funnies.

Should try this.

Got toddlered.

Love Amy's tips for success.

On keeping creativity alive.

Need to work on this too.

Plug the energy leak!

Motherhood.

Height Charts

 Following on from Monday's post, I used the long weekend to get the second height chart finished and Nico helped me hang them in the kids' rooms.

The photos are adorable. They're such a fantastic visual record of how the children have changed so much already. I can't wait to see when they're finished (and the kids are taller than me!).

They look great, I was really happy to have made something for them that's a nice memory and also brightens up their rooms. I hope they'll last!

May Goals

• 3 DIY projects
• Mummy dates with the kids
• Family cycle trip
• Plant the garden pots
• Keep up with the daily goals
• 3 sport sessions per week

Recipe: Spring Roast Salmon

Ingredients:

• 400g potatoes
• Olive oil
• Handful asparagus
• 2 handfuls, cherry tomatoes
• Balsamic vinegar
• 2 salmon fillets
• Basil leaves

Instructions:

1. Roast the potatoes in the oil for 20 minutes at 220℃.

2. Add the asparagus and roast for a further 15 minutes.

3. Add the tomatoes, vinegar, salmon and more oil and return to the oven for a further fifteen minutes.

4. Sprinkle the basil over and serve.

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