Weekly Wisdom

source

The Saturday Update

Short update this week. Dad was with us until Tuesday - we were sorry to see him go but it will soon be Christmas and there will be plenty of visits next year too.

Wednesday and Thursday were pretty regular days - I'm finding it harder to find time for crafting since Isabella is more aware and demanding at this age.

On Friday we had a lovely afternoon with a friend and her one-month-old baby girl. It was lovely to meet her little baby and catch up. Can't wait until the girls are old enough for real play dates.

Next week we are away for our first family trip and then visiting family. I'm really looking forward to the break.

November Birthday Cards

Again this month I used the tape for the birthday cards. I'm finding it really good for cards for men.  For some reason though - I always find myself making men's cards with straight tape while mixing it up for the ladies...

I'm considering it for Christmas this year too...we'll see.

30 Things - Cook a Family Dinner

As you may have guessed from this week's recipe, I did a roast chicken on Sunday while Dad was here. It was my first ever roast and apart from not having perfect timing, I think it went very well.

We got the chicken from the new butcher we found for just 2.99 and Nico helped me with the spices, sauce and advice.

Looking forward to lots more family dinners.

Rainy Day Activities

This is the view from our flat this morning. I'm busy with my to do list anyway (as far as being indoors allows) but I thought I'd share some ideas for what to do when you're stuck inside.

• Play a board game or cards.
• Do a jigsaw.
• Ring a friend - I'll be catching up with my gran today.
• Write a letter.
• Get crafty! Painting, sewing, knitting...
• Have a hot bath.
• Experiment in the kitchen. Try to make something from your cupboard ingredients (saves shopping in the rain).
• Have a clearout - that wardrobe is still on my list.
• Read a good book.
• Watch a film.

The possibilities are endless. I'm off to get cracking!

Dad's Visit

We've had a lovely week with grandad here. It was another quiet visit - we'll plan more trips and walks next time dad. The weather was a bit hit and miss but the main thing is that dad and Isabella got lots of time together. 

Last time dad was here, Isabella was just a couple of days old so there was a huge difference this time. Not only has she grown a lot but she's much more aware and playful now. She loved having grandad here.

We had one day out in Bremen and grandad bought Isabella her first swimming costume and armbands - can't wait to try them out! We also had a lovely lunch at Dean and David's again.

Looking forward to the next visit already!

Recipe:Roast Chicken Dinner

Ingredients:

• A whole chicken
• Salt, pepper, paprika, thyme
• Olive oil
• Beer (optional)
• Onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• Stock
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Honey
• Green beans
• Butter
• Cream
• Sauce thickener
• Smoked salt

Instructions:

1. Clean the chicken and place it in a roasting tin.
2. Mix the spices and oil and use it to rub the chicken, inside and out. Reserve some of the mix and the beer to baste the chicken later.
3. Put the stock in the bottom of the roasting tin.
4. Put the garlic and onion inside the chicken. Tie the legs with string.
5. Roast the chicken at 175℃ for 90 minutes, turning half way through and basting regularly.
6. Boil the potatoes for thirty minutes. Coat with oil and salt before adding them to the roasting tin when turning the chicken. The fluid from the chicken should run clear.
7. Cook the vegetables in time to serve it all together. Add butter and the smoked salt to the green beans and honey to the carrots.
8. Reserve the stock from the tin and add the cream and thickener to make the sauce.