We were very lucky to be introduced to Hama Beads recently. We've made dogs and princesses and pumpkins but wanted to branch out a little. Diwali fills the post-Halloween Pumpkinfest void perfectly, so it seemed a good idea to use the melting beads to make Diwas. LBG really enjoyed making our saltdough Diwas last year. Following instructions from Creative Jewish Mom, LBG and I filled an oiled bowl with Hama beads and baked them until they were … [Read more...]
Now That’s NOT What I Call a Pension
Now Pensions got in touch with me recently. They want to get bloggers (and their readers) thinking about saving for the future – particularly about saving for retirement. And not at some point in the future, but now. They want me to write about my weekly budget and compare this amount with the state pension of £107.45, to see what the difference between the two is, and how my family life would alter if you only had that amount to live … [Read more...]
366 week eleventy-one-hundred. I mean 45
Sunday: delighted though I was to be awake at 7am it was jolly chilly. We hung out whilst DH worked until at 3pm Dimples and I headed off to a birthday party. Leaving behind a tearful LBG, who was whisked off by DH to go swimming. Arriving back home at the same time The Girls were delighted to be reunited. It was a big night too: once they had been bathed, and our youngest had reverted from Hello Kitty to Dimpled Assassin, we had a job … [Read more...]
How to make secret boards on Pinterest
It's been a while coming but Pinterest have just rolled out secret boards. These are boards that will not appear anywhere on Pinterest: you won't see your activity show up, you won't appear in searches, you won't see them on your home page and, crucially, neither will anyone else. So, if you are planning world domination, a secret party, or have been inspired by a pin to create the best idea ever and don't want anyone to steal it (I … [Read more...]
What to do with leftover pumpkins
Children in Need cupcakes 2012
'Tis so the season to make cakes. Which is why I am happy to support Children in Need by baking some (read: many) for various fundraising cake stalls. I note with interest that the charity has had a little re-brand this year though: those spots are looking a lot less uniform in size. So whilst I adore my Pudsey Bear cupcakes for Children in Need last year, I have come up with Children in Need 2012 Cupcakes. You will need: a batch of … [Read more...]
Thankful for the freedom to….marry the man of my choice
It's November, the month of Thanksgiving in the USA. And in the UK? My birthday. Sorry, had to mention that. But, in the hiatus between Halloween and Christmas, it's a great opportunity to stop and think and be grateful. I've a lot to be thankful for. It's been a very tough year. I've been buried under layers and layers of guilt and self-loathing that are associated with PND and the drugs that combat it. We've had news of a death, my Shine … [Read more...]
