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Archive for month: February, 2015
Rich chocolate cake with easy chocolate frosting
So there I was, minding my own business, working hard at the dining room table whilst refereeing the dog and cat because Mr E is painting the lounge ceiling, whilst also, y’know, keeping an eye on social media, when someone went and mentioned cake.
Then that was it. I couldn’t concentrate. I just wanted cake. And the more I tried to concentrate, and stop the dog and cat wrestling, and come up with interesting ways to say ‘amazing’ without using the word 20 times in one article, the more my brain was going ‘cake… cake… caaaaake…’
Refurbishing your home on a budget
So we’re cracking on with our plans to freshen up our house. It’s basically had nothing done to it except for basic maintenance for quite a few years as it’s been rented out, so it’s looking a bit tired. We started by going round the house with a notepad and pen and listed down every single thing that we think needs doing - new bathrooms, new carpets, new kitchen, flooring… Then we went back over the list to see what we can afford to do now, what will have to be put on hold until budget allows us to start work and how we could freshen up bits and pieces until they can be replaced.
The parenting update - 10 things I’ve learned about parenting teenagers
I think your parenting style changes as your children go through different life stages. I’ve been thinking recently about how my parenting has evolved as the boys have moved into their older teens. Our household has always been pretty laid back, but a few wobbles recently have made me fall back upon the rules that I’ve always leant on to give the boys boundaries. Here are my current thoughts on my very own ‘best practice’.
My Disney Dream diary part one - Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Oh, the Disney Dream. The delightful, delicious, delovely, delectable Disney Dream. Regular readers will know that I adore all the Disney Cruise Line ships, but there’s something about Disney Dream in particular that makes my heart sing. I think it’s because my first ever Disney Cruise was on board the Disney Dream. I just love everything about it - the restaurants, the fabulous AquaDuck water coaster, the gorgeous restaurants, the gorgeous cocktail bars, the sumptuous spa… So, if you’ve ever wondered what a cruise holiday on board a Disney Cruise Line ship is like, wonder no more. Sam (my oldest son) and I kept a diary during our cruise trip last week, and here’s part one.
From red velvet to winter sparkle - easy seasonal cupcakes
Everyone loves making cupcakes, don’t they? Flora have a really easy peasy cupcake recipe on their website, which is perfect for everyday baking at home. But how do you ring the changes? Maybe you’d like to make some cupcakes as a gift for someone special, or for some sort of celebration? Flora challenged me to create four seasonal cupcake recipes to give you some inspiration for your own home baking throughout the year, so here, for your delectation, are my four very easy but good enough to share seasonal recipes:
How to make healthier pizza at home - step by step
So I’m still suffering from hideous jetlag after our recent trip to the Bahamas on the Disney Dream (much more of this coming up). We got a night flight back from Orlando and it was practically empty, which meant we could all spread out and I spent most of the flight spread out across a row of four seats, snoozing blissfully, and only woke up when they started opening up the blinds and tidying up ready for landing. Still, I’m now suffering that weirdness that crossing timezones always seems to bring - for me, this means an increase in my usual clumsiness, a general heavy tiredness, and a craving for junk food.
Perfect pancake preparation for Pancake Day!
We LOVE Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday this year falls on February 17th). Forget dinner, we waive it completely and go straight into pancakes. Of course, in order to do it properly, you’ll need some fantastic equipment. For perfect pancake preparation, here are my recommendations. You’ll need:
My savings past, present and future
I’ve never been good with money. It’s one of the things we’ve tried really hard to talk to the boys about because (and I know you’re not supposed to do this but, hey…) I don’t want them to make the same mistakes we made.
We were married with a child by the time I was 25 and, back then, it was pretty easy to buy a house with two incomes. It makes me realise just how lucky we were. My parents were generous with their help and by the time Charlie came along, we’d moved into a bigger house that needed some work and were slowly doing it up.
Preparing to fly - hand luggage essentials
So Sam and I are off on a trip on Sunday (don’t feel too bad for Charlie - we’re travelling together in April) on the delicious Disney Dream. Before I travel, I have a few little pre-trip rituals and pampering treats, and pack a few tried and trusted essentials. Here are my recommendations:
Win one of two gorgeous mini hampers with Abra-ca-Debora pancakes! *CLOSED*
So Pancake Day (or Shrove Tuesday) is coming up fast! The lovely chaps at Abra-ca-Debora make scrummy ready made pancakes, so even if you’re not in the mood (or simply don’t have time) to make your own pancakes, there’s no reason why you should miss out. Abra-ca-Debora do three different products: the plain ones are great for all sorts of things including savoury crepes, the sweet ones are perfect for drizzling with honey, or rolling up with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of sugar, and then there are some cute new fluffy little sweet ones, ‘diddy’ pancakes (known in Holland as poffertjes), which are fantastic for dipping in all sorts of lovely, sticky things.
Happy February!
I’m SO glad that January’s over. It’s always such a long, miserable month, and with added cold weather and post-Christmas cashflow it can make you feel really low.
Happily today it’s February! My first trip of the year (on the gorgeous Disney Dream) starts next week so I’ll be getting some sun, and we’re carrying on with a few bits of house refurbishing. It’s amazing how much difference little things make.
