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.  

Make it Monday - October Cards

This month I used my Gonis stamps to make the same design again, this time I used pencils to add the colour, washi tape for some texture and the Happy Birthday stamp on the front.

My next goal is to work on the backgrounds and get some Christmas inspiration.

Weekly Wisdom

A great attitude becomes a great mood, which becomes a great day, which becomes a great year, which becomes a great life!

The Saturday Update

We've had a fantastic last week of the holidays.  At the weekend we were at a wedding and a Richtsfest.  That's the celebration when the roof is finished on a new house.  Nico's cousin is building at the moment and that was my first Richtfest.  It was really nice.

On Monday we went to Münster with Dad for a day trip - some lunch, sightseeing, shopping and pigeon chasing.  More to come on that.

We had a quieter day closer to home on Tuesday.  After breakfast and an appointment in Syke we discovered the lake near our house and got some great photos.

Dad left on Wednesday and we're missing him lots.  We took the train into Bremen with him and then he waved us off for a day in Oldenburg.  Nico and I both lived in Oldenburg before we knew each other and still love the city.  We don't get back enough.  It was nice to take the kids.

The kids went back to daycare on Thursday so we had a couple of days to get the house sorted, get on top of the chores and mountain of washing and buy a new sofa!

We're having a quiet weekend.  I'm catching up with some friends this evening and then we'll be preparing for a new work week.

Links!

Some of these are freaky.

Good anxiety tips.

Sweet moment.

Lol.

So much truth.

I'll need these soon.

I find this interesting but I don't think I could do it.

Hula-ween anyone?

Woods

Last week while my Dad was here, we had plans to get out and about with the kids.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't great so we decided not to go too far but get the rain clothes on, pack some hot tea and snacks and discover a local play area.

The kids both had adventures in the woods with their respective daycare groups at the beginning of Summer last year and loved it, but we had yet to go there as a family.  We took the trailer with us and had a little walk through the woods to this huge sand dune.  The whole place is ten minutes drive from us and the kids are the perfect age for us to go there more often now.

We were there for a couple of hours and it wasn't as busy as I had expected on a bank holiday.  The kids ran around, climbed, discovered dens and made up their own games. I actually found it quite relaxing.  We'll definitely be going there again.

For me, it is the perfect inspiration to get outside more before the weather gets too cold and discover some local areas.

GOP!

Last week Nico and I made the most of our live in babysitter to visit the GOP theatre in Bremen. It's been open for four or five years now and we've been keen to go but it's not easy to get out.  I bought Nico some vouchers for his birthday and we planned the visit around Dad's time here.

I had no idea what to expect.  I had a vague idea that it was like Cirque du Soleil but I have never seen that either.  

It was brilliant!  There were two presenters who did a bit of stand up and music.  Some of the wordplay was a bit much for me, but they were good.  Then there were about eight different performers (some solo artists and some duets) who did different acrobatic of circus skills - juggling, pole dancing, strong woman.  The latter had Nico and another 'volunteer' up on the stage which made the night for me.

It is not permitted to photograph inside the theatre but that helps you concentrate on the show.  It lasted about two hours.  We had booked for the meal beforehand and while the service was good and the food wasn't bad, it wasn't special and for that price, I would have expected at least bigger portions.  

I'd love to go again and see what they do for a different show.  We heard that the show before was even more spectacular.  Next time, I would eat in Bremen first.  The drinks were nice and it was really good to be out as a couple for the evening.  Date nights are so important.

I also learned this week that there are several GOPs.  Hamburg and Münster have their own GOP theatres and the original is in Hannover.

Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 broccoli
• 1 apple
• 200g chestnuts
• 200ml coconut milk
• 500ml stock
• Seasoning to taste

Instructions:
1. Cut an x into the chestnuts and roast them in the oven at 180 degrees for fifteen minutes.  Peel them immediately.
2. Boil the broccoli for ten minutes.
3. Warm the stock.  Add the coconut milk and the broccoli.  Chop half of the apple and add it to the pan along with 2/3 of the chestnuts.
4. Puree the mixture.
5. Chop the remaining apple and chestnuts finely and add to the mix along with seasoning.

Make It Monday: Frosted Glass Gift

At the weekend, we went to a wedding and I made one of these little keepsake for the happy couple to hold our gift to them.  Today I finished another one that I'm going to let Isabella have for Christmas.

The little glass jars are from Ikea.  I frosted them using my Gonis frosting and decided to keep it plain white.  I also have a new set of stick on stencils for leaving a gap in the frosting.  Unfortunately, I don't have a heart shaped one so I used this star, which is pretty Christmassy anyway.  

To complete the effect I used my favourite Deco pointer.  Cream for the wedding gift and red for the Christmas one, to make the star really stand out.  It was so simple and easy.

Weekly Wisdom

If you don't paddle your own canoe, you don't move.

The Saturday Update

We've had a great start to the holidays here.  We kept the kids in daycare for the first couple of days so that we could get some things done around the house.  We had a trip to Ikea and got things straightened up.

Dad arrived on Tuesday afternoon and we've been keeping him very busy.  We went to the local woods on Wednesday where there is a huge dune.  The weather wasn't fantastic but we were wrapped up and the kids had fun.

On Thursday we went to look at sofas and Dad babysat while Nico and I enjoyed date night - we don't often have the chance so it was nice to be out as a couple and see a bit of Bremen.

We drove up to Nico's parents house for the weekend.  We had a lovely afternoon there on Friday and then Nico and I are going to his friends' wedding today while the kids are with Grandad, Oma and Opa.  They're planning to head to the playground. 

Tomorrow we are at a family party and next week we are planning a couple more trips before Dad leaves and the kids are back at daycare.

Links!

Yum!

Pretty top.

A note on practice.

Gravity!

Book reviews.

Freaky!

There's hope yet.

A real King Arthur moment.

Garden Update

 Today I finished our raised planter. I'm planning on ordering some Winter garlic and then I'll get cracking in the new year.

 The veg patch is looking good since I cleared it up too. I'm excited about getting more from the space next year.

 This rose is beautiful right now.

 And I love these autumnal colours in the berries of the hedges. So seasonal and pretty.

 The pond still looks good.

 We also have a lot of purple right now. Here's one of my favourites which is really flourishing since I made more space for it.

 Next to the terrace, the view seems to change almost daily. This tree is in fruit right now and the red berries make me feel Christmassy. Especially since we have a robin who visits us regularly.

I also cleared this flowerbed recently and I'm planning on making it more colourful next Spring.

October Goals

Here are my plans for the month:

• Fondu night
• Family day trip
• Lose weight
• Fill the planter in the garden
• Keep up the videos
• Three craft projects
• Fix up Isabella's wardrobes

Recipe: Cabbage Rolls

Ingredients:

• 15 cabbage leaves
• 600g mince
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 2 onions
• 5 dried tomatoes
• 1 tbsp capers
• Parsley
• Seasoning
• 400ml stock
• 1tbsp tomato puree
• Paprika

Instructions:
1. Blanch the cabbage leaves.
2. Combine the mince, egg, mustard, one onion, tomatoes, capers, parsley and seasoning in a bowl.
3. Form balls from the mixture, wrap each one in a cabbage leaf and secure with one or more toothpicks.
4.  Brown the rolls in a pan on all sides.
5. Using the same pan, brown the remaining onion, add the puree and paprika.  Add the stock.
6. Place the rolls in the sauce, cover the pan and simmer for thirty minutes.

Make it Monday: Friendship Bracelets

Yesterday I saw a video on Facebook which I unfortunately can't find anymore but it was something like this.  It was so easy, I thought I would give it a try with Isabella and she could do it.  It involved counting and colours, so she learned a bit too.

Of course, Isabella's concentration did not last very long so I ended up making most of these three bracelets.  One for her, one for Joshua and one for Isabella's little friend.  It was a fun, easy little make and it's great for using up scraps.