Project Life

Since I started reading Elise Blaha's blog, I've been really interested in taking part in this project.  Project Life is a kind of blend of scrapbooking and keeping a photo album. 

I finally decided that turning 28 (along with using some of the kind birthday money I received) was a great starting point.  I still need to finish the front page but here is the first week in all it's glory along with a quotation from Elise herself and I love how it looks!

I included a couple of birthday cards as well as a handwritten update on my birthday and some photos from throughout the week.

I've already started on week two and had some more creative projects going on so I am looking forward to updating you on that next week.

The Saturday Update

Where did this week go?  No sooner am I gearing myself up for the first full week back at work than I'm taking a sigh of relief as it over!  

Work went well, the next few weeks are going to be all over the place with parents' day, reading night, London and several bank holidays as well as the big exams coming up so it was nice to have one normal week between now and June.  I feel liks I'm finally getting to grips with work after two years of settling into the system and the language, I'm feeling more in control and more confident in my teaching than ever before.

I also went on another training course this week on inclusion in English which was fairly interesting and useful, especially as we got freebies to use with our classes.  I already put a couple of things into practice and am looking forward to using more of the ideas.

The weather has been warmer, but along with that it's been wetter and the bike has started playing up again, so I may need to be more proactive on that front soon. 

The exciting thing for me this week was completing my next sewing project.  I was planning on moving onto it this weekend but managed to finish it much quicker than expected on Thursday - I'll post about that soon.

This weekend is going to be a nice quiet one, maybe working on a couple more projects but mainly making the most of our time together before I head to London next week with school.  We were back from our 'big shop' by 10am and had a lovely big breakfast (I lost two pounds this week so could afford it).

On the book front I am still ploughing through Les Mis.  Hopefully, I will be able to finish it on the bus back from London...let's see...

BBQ time!

On Saturday, we had some friends over for my birthday and Nico got out his new barbecue to make us some delicious chimi churi steak and roast potatoes to go with his homemade tzatziki.  It was delicious!!

I love this photo of him on the balcony, grilling away because the heart says it all - my love, embracing his love of cooking.  It was a fantastic weekend.

Inspiration

Photo Walks

One of the things I love about living here (and I've said it before, I know) is how we really see the seasons.  I also mentioned lately that I want to review my projects and goal setting this year.  Because of that, I have a lot of new and exciting projects lined up already and I hope you are going to enjoy my updates.

The first one I want to share with you is our photo walks.  Throughout winter, we barely seemed to leave the flat on the weekend.  Now that the days are longer and the weather is (slightly) warmer, we have set ourselves the goal to get out every Sunday for a walk through the park near our flat.

As a part of this, I plan to take a photo on the same spot every week to see how it changes throughout the seasons.  I hope to at least make it to Autumn, maybe even a whole year...let's see. 

Above, you can see the first of these photos - don't worry, I won't be posting this every week, maybe every quarter...

Apple Pudding Cake!

I can't remember having ever baked a cake by myself.  Last week, when we went to Nico's family for Easter brunch, I decided to change this.  I always feel bad when we turn up and everyone brings a cake or other food and we are empty handed.  It's especially bad as they are even kind enough to bake me gluten free cakes too.  Now that I'm joining the family, I decided it's time things changed.  So I baked two apple pudding cakes and took some Easter daffodils.

I forgot to take photos but this week, I tried out Nico's new baking tin and made a huge cake for my birthday BBQ.  We still have half left over so it's going to be a tasty week!  Here's the recipe:

Mix 250g flour (I use cornflour and rice flour), 100g butter, 1 egg, 2 tbsp baking powder and 150g sugar.  Use the mixture to line the base of a mixing tin.

Core and chop eight apples.  Mix 75g ground hazelnuts with 50g sugar and 2 tbsp water.  Add this mixture to the apples in a large mixing bowl.  Make a vanilla pudding (using two packets) with 1 litre of cream and 100g sugar.  When the pudding is ready, combine it with the apples and fill the baking tin.

Bake in the oven on 175 degrees for 60-75 minutes.  

We added some coconut and run raisins for the second cake and it worked really well too.  Delicious!!

Hen Night fun

As I mentioned on Saturday, I now have photos to share with you from the hen night.  I'm so thankful to my lovely bridesmaids for organising such a great weekend.  We had so much fun.

Above, you can see the crazy conditions we set out in!  I'm so glad we made it in one piece!

Our very picturesque hotel, in the snow

The view from our room

Home made buns and macaroons from my lovely cousin and bridesmaid!

Cocktails!

 

The start of the night

My cousin and sister, both bridesmaids

Receiving my lovely gifts

New attire!

Opening the goodies

An emotional moment

My lovely hens

Hayley, best friend and bridesmaid

Ready for dinner

The garter made it from the pool to the evening

Loreto, best friend and bridesmaid

With my Mum

At dinner

Ready for dinner

Fantastic group picture

Games at the table

Dancing on the chairs

More games at dinner - the poor staff!

At the bar

The morning after!