So, February's Discovery table focuses on the big event this month: Valentine's Day. There are three red table-coverings of differing pattern and texture. We made cinnamon apple sauce hearts after seeing them on Lulastic's blog and have hung them with baker's twine on our twig tree. The Girls convinced me to buy various hanging birds in the post-Christmas decoration sale which now hang there too. When I made my heart mobile, I also made quick … [Read more...]
How to make a bunny rabbit from a pipe cleaner
This is a really simple pipe-cleaner bunny rabbit that you can make with children of all ages and is perfect for Easter. First, take your pipe cleaner and fold over at the middle. You want to make a loop that will become the head about the size of a walnut shell. Twist to hold the shape. You should then be left with two long end pieces which will become the ears. Fold each one in half back on itself and twist to secure the ends. Once you … [Read more...]
January Food Round-up
This month's round-up is all about fresh ingredients and healthy food. Well, January is the month of resolutions! Gousto are a London-based firm that delivers recipes and ingredients to customers' doorsteps so that you can make meals from scratch without worrying that you have everything you need in the cupboards. All ingredients- delivered weekly- are local, seasonal and organic and, as the food arrives pre-measured, have the added benefit … [Read more...]
{Home Exchange tips} 7 Home Exchange Packing Essentials
We're off on another Home Exchange for half-term: the first of several that will make up our major holidays this year. This time, we're driving across the Kingdom of Great Britain to get to Ireland. It's a long way to go for weather than, in all likelihood, will be wetter than it is here. But there is so much to see, and experience, that we are all looking forward to it. Home Exchanges are becoming our way of life, and whilst I adore going to … [Read more...]
{Weekend food} Bacon Breakfast Cups
My father told me that his first experience of actually cooking- growing up in the textile industry in the North of England- was when he helped his father cook a family breakfast on Sunday mornings. My Gran did all the cooking six days a week so Grandad liked to treat her to a big breakfast on his day off. Just learning to cook eggs and bacon gave my father a love of cooking that has stayed with him all his life. I'm fairly sure that one of … [Read more...]
What my children have been saying
********** "Oh Dad, you just don't get it, do you?" LBG, with patronising tone, to her father. ********** Dimples, on watching carrots cooking: "What's it going to be?" "Carrots, darling." "Oh. Not chocolate?" ********** "Oh no, not the cooked pears. I'm not available to enjoy them." LBG ********** At bedtime: "Mamma, I'm really not sure I shall be able to eat breakfast in the morning. My tummy isn't feeling well." LBG ********** … [Read more...]
How to make Baklava
I found myself in the kitchen recently- despite my New Year's determination to bake a little less- because I have a Greek Friend. I'm sure I'm not unique in having a Greek Friend. There's no doubt that, if I checked, I will find I have more than one. But I am having the Greek Friend over for coffee next week, along with other parents, and I wanted to make Baklava for her. Baklava is something I grew up with: a delicious morsel of sweet … [Read more...]
