Tuesday 31 May 2016

The First Step To University

The First Step To University

We are just beginning our journey to the world of University and I promise you it won't be posts about empty nest syndrome I am not that type of person , and anyway I will be able to Facebook him , text him and so for * insert wink emoji ( to show hipness ) Really the journey to University starts before they get to 6th when they are seeing what avenues lay before they indeed you don;t have to go to 6th form to get to University it is one of the many routes that you can take.


The first stage is going to really get an idea of career straight after GCSEs but as in our case this has been subject to change , they need to have some idea as this will have a bearing on the A levels they will take. Initially with A levels they'll choose 4 subjects with the option to drop one after the first year of A levels , currently it is looking like J will be dropping Biology but we'll see after exam results .


They will have access to more information at school then they will tell you , trying to get any information out of a teenager is like trying to get blood out of a stone . Also there will be U C A S fairs where they will be bombarded with literature from various universities all scrambling for their attention. This is hopefully where your teen will finally decide upon a career or least a degree subject they wish to study .


We've just about finished the first year of A levels and been through the trauma of exams and it's bloody hard I tell you the whole family is on edge till the exams are finished , then they launch into the start of second year of A levels before summer.



And we've just started driving lessons that is a whole level of worry and expense at the same time but teens seems to have this inner level of courage and calm they can tap into !!


Friday 27 May 2016

Upon A Field

Upon a field I stood looking at the stormy sky 


Pondering the shopping and the dust that belies the every busyiness of the every day 


Pop to the post office and back to flick around the dust oh why can't the dust stop !


The cat walks in and looks upon me , the husbands not there to give it treats you see ....

The teen has dusted , vacuumed within an inch of his life , I check if his soul is possessed no the grind of the books has spurned a yearn for normality oh what a ponderous site !


So today I stood before a stormy sky 


How wonderful life is dust and all 







Thursday 26 May 2016

Joseph Joseph Cook Stand And Keep Fit

Who says that a cook stand just has be for a cookery book !  it can be for your iPad / tablet as well proudly displaying those recipes for you to lovingly recreate.

The problem with most bookstands is their bulky size and awkward shape, which takes up valuable space when not in use. The unique design of Joseph Josseph's 'CookBook' avoids this, as it opens and folds exactly like a book, meaning that it can be stored neatly away on a shelf with other books until required.
When opened, the bookrests, page holders and back stand automatically fold out, providing solid, angled support for most sizes of book or even an electronic tablet device. A non-slip foot at the base of the spine keeps the unit in place on the work surface during use. When closed, CookBook folds flat, becoming no thicker than an average-sized book (approx. 20mm). Made from high-quality ABS plastic, it's tough, stylish and easy to clean.
The cost of the Joseph Joseph Cook Book stand is £30


We all love Joseph Joseph products in this household !



The cook stand can be used to hold that music for  your child's violin practice or even watching a film on your iPad for what I've just starting doing following a fitness workout on YouTube .

Disclosure : I was sent the cook book stand from Joseph Joseph , the cat and the Joseph Joseph draining board are my own .


Wednesday 25 May 2016

Happiness Inside And Out

Happiness Inside And Out

I was thinking about songs the other day as you do , I had but for a brief fleeting moment a thought about sunshine . When you actually think there actually a lot of songs about rain , there could be more than there is about sunshine ?!

It's Raining Men > yes please 


Why does it always rain on me ?


Raindrops keep falling on my head 


It's raining its pouring 


April Showers 


I think to much !

I 'm beginning now to think about my outside space for the hot glorious summer we will have , if the days could do these consecutively that would be amazing . Last summer in my garden I placed a ladybird hotel in my garden and a bug hotel , now I haven't seen any ladybirds yet , not like you can knock on their door and ask ! In the bug hotel it looks like we're expecting leaf cutter bees which do exactly as their name suggests. I think these leaf cutter bees will emerge next Spring or so I'm told.






Isn't nature wonderful ! I'm looking forward to finding more discoveries in my garden .


I had no idea there were so many species of bee over 200 in the U.K ! and bees are indeed our friends , don't forget if you see a struggling Bee revive it with some sugar water solution .

Tuesday 24 May 2016

Death In The World Of Parent Blogging ( Mummy Blogging )

There is an article floating round the Blogging world which is pretty much death to mummy blogging and how they are ending it all , it is a very well written article, whilst highlighting much with that is trite in the world of blogging . For example having "PR friendly in your bio " this makes me giggle but each to their own personally I would love "I eat PR's for dinner " ( but apparently you can't do that)

No one is reading your blog ?

So what



Never mind you can console yourself with that box of review chocolates  oh no chocolate diet it is then ? NO diets are good, no they aren't ,oh I don't know consoles self with a chocolate covered rice cake & I have nailed it.




Give up Blogging ?

Write an article on how you will give up blogging , then bask in the admiration of the people that love you .....


Keep Blogging as You 've seen the light and you have a super new look to your blog anyway .



Laughing cat



Laugh and the world laughs with you or at you ...



Actually I should be pegging out the washing but I am writing this instead , weird how blogging does that do you !


What ever you do there is life in Blogging yet perhaps from a more personal level and who cares if it is read .














Saturday 21 May 2016

Blogging Is Friendship

For a world class introvert and worry boots like myself you'd have thought I would have steered away from doing the digital dance , you'll not find me on snapchat or periscope those aren't mediums that really interest me. You'll find me on my blog( obviously that's where you are reading this ) or Facebook or Twitter , Instagram originally I came late to social media first finding Facebook and the wonderful world of comping . Through comping I made friends many of who are indeed bloggers and these are life long friends I'd go to the ends of the earth for and whom I'm indebted for looking after me when I need it as I do have social anxiety. But pushing me on and nudging me here and there I get through it often distracted by cake which I'm trying very hard to resist .


When in a blogging conference always take notes.





Always take pictures of willing friends 







Always heed advice you find in the loos 



Also when you need the logo and the ladies is closed you use the men's bursting in saying 


" is there a man in here ?"

You realise that you've lost some of you inhibitions all be it for a day or two.

There was no men ....

Friends are like clouds they give you the lift you need .


Blogging no rules , no slave to stats just


Blog and Chill 





Friday 20 May 2016

Oven Baked Asparagus , Bacon, Hard Boiled Quails Eggs With Smoked Paprika Hollandaise

A starter for two or a main dish for one , all hail the asparagus season which is as fleeting as a butterfly in the Spring breeze.



Ingredients 

Asparagus 

6 Quail Eggs

2 tablespoons of olive oil

Salt to season 

2 tablespoons of hollandaise 

Half a teaspoon of smoked paprika 

Method 

Preheat the oven to 180 c

Place the asparagus in an oven baking tin 

Toss in the love oil

Season with salt ( sea salt would be nice for this )

Place in the oven for around 6 minutes if thin Asparagus or 12 minutes if the Asparagus is really thick

Fry 2 slices of bacon to top the Asparagus


You can be boiling your Quail eggs as the Asparagus bakes in the oven 

They'll only need 2 minutes then will need to cool down , you can pour some cold water on them. They're a little tricky to shell but keep patient.

Take your Asparagus out the oven 


Mix two tablespoons of hollandaise with half a teaspoon of smoked paprika .


Artfully arrange the asparagus on the plate and place the bacon on top , scattering round the Quail eggs which have been cut in two.


Dribble the smoked Paprika hollandaise over the dish.



Oven Baked Asparagus , Bacon, Hard Boiled Quails Eggs With Smoked Paprika Hollandaise
Oven Baked Asparagus , Bacon, Hard Boiled Quails Eggs With Smoked Paprika Hollandaise


I am sharing this with Simple and in Season at Feeding Boys and a Firefighter.

Monday 16 May 2016

Review Of Doctor Faustus

We've just got back form London after seeing Doctor Fautus with a chap called Kit Harrington in , I wasn't really ofay with Game of thrones as to me Jon Snow was a newsreader . I had read the reviews before we saw the play where as my husband and son choose not to , I like to be forewarned as they say . Other people don't like to read reviews but I like to have a quick dabble with them , it is really all a matter of principal , after all it has been a long Winter.



I say anything that can draw the young ( millennial folk ) into the theatre all the better and yes the current Fautus has a re write from one perhaps high on Space dust ( that is a sweet that pops in your mouth ) leaving my teen somewhat bemused in the first half but bemusement is also delight.


The theatre really should be an assault upon the senses of the mind and heart and make you feel good to be alive , good that the brilliance of the surreptitiously written word is celebrated over 400 years later. It was a good 26 years since I had seen Doctor Faustus and when I did see it it was perfomed by the pupils of Bedford Modern School.


This was Fautus who took on the persona of David Copperfield meets Darren Brown and within this there's a restful tranquility from the brooding nature of Jon Snow and as mentioned less clothing too !

Debauchery abound , gasps of disgust melting into bravo for a brave take on a classic, taking your Auntie could have consequences especially if they're your prim and proper Auntie but if they're your raving Auntie ( who is prone to nudge nudge wink ) then you're good to go.


All in all a refreshing production for the modern era .



The Struggle Is Real

The struggle against animals , birds insects etc is real , 2 hours they've been tweeting outside my window > House Martins . Either that or a dinosaur is nesting outside my window .. Entirely possible.

Then there's the cat where the laws of the Cosmos don't apply and it does exactly what it pleases . The laptop hadn't even been on but Rollie doesn't bother with rules he's a rule breaker not a rule enforcer. Bet that Steve bloke from Deadly 60 couldn't cope with what I have to put up with ....




Never have I known a cat who doesn't give a toss like Rollie ....



Still we are working on his anger issues ..
 

Friday 13 May 2016

Trouble In The Bedroom

I'm starting to get a little paranoid , I walk in the kitchen and they walk out , no sound no nothing .


I thought perhaps it's just the once , I mean we all want our quiet time don't we , I know I do . I love my alone time with a cup of tea nothing comes between me and my tea. It happened a few times and I didn't want a argument , no one likes a stressed household do they now.

I did eventually try and talk it out subtly but no good was to come of it and quite frankly it was started to affect my life , perhaps it was time to spice things up a bit with you know what > toys . I did try a battery toy but they didn't find  it interesting so the trouble had finally arrived . 


So that was an explanation and a half to Amazon , I'm so sorry the battery operator toy couldn't satisfy them , they have singular tastes.

I took to my bed one afternoon not feeling quite myself and I snuggled up to them but it was plain to see that something had been lost as there was no magic in the bedroom either . I pleaded I cried , I said "




I'm so sorry I was trying to be adventurous , trying to liven up your life "

















"I'm sorry I'll never buy that brand of cat food again "



Mobile versus DSLR

I love taking pictures ,I'm forever snapping away but sometimes I feel cheated by my photography when using my iPhone I know I'm good but I am ever the perfection ( house work exempt ). I ambled out today taking both my Nikon and my mobile with the hope of getting some inspiring pictures ( in what I call fitography . I 'm pretty sure I saw a Merlin bird of prey but they're like the summer breeze that quickly bless though , also spotted out were various dog walkers who doff their country caps and say morning . I found an ideal picnic spot upon a log for another day perfectly situated for your pork pie cheese and pickle .


Country Lane
Walking down the lane , this was taken with my Nikon D3200

It was lovely to clear my heart and my head of the clutter of the week , and as I write this I have just had a wrestle with Blogger as I could't upload my pictures to you . I am met with cries that i should move to Wordpress which I know is very sleek etc but I do like my old Blogger as much as I do taking pictures with both my Mobile and my Iphone .The Nikon has the depth of field and the Iphone is very much geared up for the Instagram "Now" generation of which I tap lightly on the door of !

Oak tree taken with the Nikon D3200


My photography is dependable as an Oak tree , I am hoping the above is an Oak tree  ?!


2 Oak trees together taken with the Nikon D3200


The Nikon D3200 allows me to pick up on the detail of the bark


I have an Iphone 5 S so I have no idea if an Iphone will pick up the detail of the bark is such a clear way or not , I find that if I take pictures with my mobile the picture when you click on it won't open up the same as when the picture is taken with a camera .


Country walk taken with the Nikon D3200


I would like a smaller alternative at times to lugging round My Nikon for those quick flick shot moments when I see that perfect picture in my minds eye.

The below pictures are those taken with my mobile .







Wednesday 11 May 2016

Getting My Kit Off

It has felt like yonks since I wrote a post at the weekend I was in London seeing Doctor Faustus  and quite a bit of Kit Harrington ( the chap from game of Thrones ) which I don't watch as it is dragons , ladies , swords and fighting and people who could do with wearing a stich more clothing. And as my husband and son are watching it I'm doing that annoying habit of saying whose that several hundred times ....


I've popped to the shops ( I love that phrase ) it was the farm shop 



And this is one of the views I have on the way to the farm shop , one day I'll actually snap a picture of one of the things I buy ! before I eat it ! I was hoping to do a blog post where I could up load my pictures from my Nikon but Blogger is being a pain in the backside and I'm fighting an ant invasion and I'm struggling with the puffy ant powder .

And to top it all the cat walked out the kitchen this morning as I walked it in , I'm pretty sure it was an omen ..







Wednesday 4 May 2016

Broccoli, Sweetcorn And Feta Cheese Fritters / Frittata

Life is fast !

If you don't stop once in a while ....


Hold on hold on that is the start of Ferris Buellars day off!



If you don't stop once in a while ,to see what you've actually got in your cupboards ,then you could be missing on on creating some really tasty ingredients with cupboard ( superhero basic s)

Ingredients

  • 80g plain flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 100ml milk
  • 100g Sweetcorn defrosted or Petit Pois ( I love saying that word )
  • 100g Broccoli chopped up roughly
  • 100g feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1tsp mixed herbs
You could add in some red onion or Spring onion 
  • light olive oil, for frying
Method 


Mix together the flour and baking powder , season with salt and pepper.


Combine with the egg and half of the milk.


Whisk to create a batter , gradually adding in the rest of the milk.

Add in your Brocolli, Sweetcorn and Feta cheese , stir in . You might need to add a little bit of ,ill in if you find the mixture is too thick.

Heat a frying pan over a medium heat , add 2 tablespoons of light olive oil.


When hot enough spoon in about 1 tablespoon of mixture .

Fry on each side for 2-3 minutes of each side.

Repeat until the mixture is used up , you'll be able to fit around 4 in the pan.


These can be kept warm in the oven until you need them .


Broccoli , Sweetcorn and Feta Fritters / Frittata




Broccoli , Sweetcorn and Feta Fritters

Sunday 1 May 2016

My Blogging Therapy

At the moment I'm in the grips of a positive flow blog wise , life wise everything wise that's not to say I dint get down as I do but the dips I'm in are getting shallower. I have no doubt I'll always have depression /.anxiety but it's how I deal with it that counts  and my support network around me . Just as you wouldn't say to a depressed person " do you think you should have the tablets "

You shouldn't say to me to "take the tablets "


I'm tablet free depression wise but that's my choice , my therapy is in other quarters tea , cars countryside and I do love a good  bunting . I'm contemplating going to knitting at some point but haven't since knitting rate consumed me ps I didn't go loco with the knitting needles instead it's a patience issue which is something I've got to work on reality .

So my therapy continues 



There's no point in grieving on what is lost in my world instead I work on what I'll become .

Morning Countryside