New opportunity

For the past few weeks I've been considering a new opportunity.

It's exciting stuff. But not everyone agrees. 

I'm still undecided but what have I got to lose? 

I know I can do this AND make a success of it. I will NOT let my lack of confidence knock me back. I will NOT let the self doubt creep in. 

Come on mrs, have faith in yourself.

X 

Love letters from my boy

The dude is currently going through a phase of writing us some lovely notes....

Mummy - chief letter licker 

My favourite!

40. The cut off age for loving your parents apparently. 

Will Shakespeare's got nothing on my boy. I tell thee. 

Really easy banana bread recipie

I've really got into baking these past few months. When I say 'really got into' I mean I've baked about 2-3 times a month. And it's mainly been banana bread. 

It all started with me throwing away yet another bunch of brown bananas (I don't know what it is about our house but we've either got no bananas or bananas that are so brown you can see the fruit flys swarming*) so I decided that instead of binding them I'd bake them!

Now I'm no Mary Berry and its really been a case of trial & error but each one I've made has got better & better (and that's not just my opinion!) so if I can do it any one can!

Easy Peasy Banana Bread Recipie (Adapted from Mary Berry's Baking Bible) 

Ingredients

*100g Softened butter (unsalted)

*175g Caster sugar (use less if you don't like it overly sweet alternatively use a couple of spoonfuls of honey instead)

*2 large eggs

*2-3 ripe bananas

*225g self raising flour

*1 tsp baking powder

*2 tbsp milk

* Handful of chopped mixed nuts (optional)

* Half a packet of chocolate drops (optional)

Or

* Couple of spoonfuls of Nutella (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180c / Fan 160c / Gas 4

2. Lightly grease a loaf tin (Mary also recommends lining the base & sides with baking parchment although I admit I've never done this & it's never done my loaf any harm)

3. Mash up your 'nanas with a fork until they resemble creamy gloop (my words not Mary's) 

4. Measure all ingredients (apart from nuts & choc) into a mixing bowl and beat for about 2 minutes until blended

5. If you're going to be adding in the nuts and choc chips then do so now & mix in (I always add nuts as it gives it a really crunchy/nutty texture. Funny that.) 

6. Alternatively you could use Nutella instead of choc drops - I melt 3 spoonfuls in the microwave and then gently fold it in to the mix so it keeps that lovely 'swirl' or marble effect rather than mixing it all in 

7. Spoon the mixture into the tin and level the surface 

8. Bake in the pre-heated oven for approximately 45-60 mins until well risen & golden brown (or in my case, more often than not, golden black *ahem*) 

* A skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean if the loaf is ready - I usually start checking after 45 minutes) 

9. Leave to cool in the tin for a few minutes then turn out & finish cooling on a wire rack

10. Enjoy a slice with a cuppa once its cooled (if you can wait that long)

You're welcome.

Xxxx

* Not really

Say what?

I'm pretty sure I've blogged before about the funny ways the kids pronounce certain words (Lauren - 'insect day' means inset day. And 'marks expensive' for marks & spencer) 

Joes new one?

'Mummy, please can you get the sello take for me please?' He means Sellotape of course.

Bless. 

I'm not blessing of course when I can never find the bloody sellotake. 

Valentines Love

Top 10 reasons I love my Mr C;

1. Even though he struggles to lie-in he always lets me sleep on a Saturday morning

2. And then he makes me tea & toast in bed when he does wake me

3. He always goes to get the curry on a Friday evening. Even when it's vile outside. Like tonight.

4. He's brilliant at doing the homework & reading with the kids 

5. He thinks I'm more attractive than Holly Willoughby

6. And Tess Daly 

7. He regularly sees me sans makeup & slobbing in my comfies & still finds me attractive 

8. He always manages to get tickets for really hard to get concerts ( Take That, Bruno anyone? Still working on Beyonce) 

9. He also always manages to get tickets for great comediennes (ultimate favourite - Micky Flanigan) resulting in some top nights out

10. He works incredibly hard to provide for me & the kids & doesn't moan (much) about doing so

11. (Because 10 wasn't enough) He's just the most reliable & constant person in my life & makes me feel secure

Happy Valentines Day

Xxxx

I'm sorry

Dearest Missy

Re - Sleep Time

Firstly I would like to apologise for being so irritable this evening and for making you cry. This was never my intention but mummy has had one of 'those' days at work (you'll learn all about them when you're a big girl). However, as previously discussed, still being awake at 9.55pm on a school night is not acceptable. 

Yes, I would like you to be asleep when I come to bed. 

No I won't make you go back to your room if you're still awake. 

No I haven't put the heating back on (although this is my bedroom so if I want it toasty then I will). If you get so hot that you can't sleep then go & sleep in your own room. 

Yes I love you. Always. 

Now go to sleep.

  PLEASE. 

Love mummy

Xxxx

Parenting Tips No 32

 To ensure your child burns off enough energy when unable to go to the park due to vile weather put an exercise video on YouTube & tell them to copy everything the lady does.

You're welcome. 

January

Highlights...

* Went to the strictly live show in Birmingham & had a ball 

* Daddy & son bonding at Joes first football match!

* Put a big fat tick next to one of my new year goals - Started my online food shopping - yeah! Why did I not start 8 years earlier??? 

* Attended my annual work conference and potentially committed career suicide. Guys, some advice. 

Just. Lay. Off. The. Wine. 

Oh and try not to be sat on the same table as your managing director & the big, big chief. 

Oh the shame.

Love this guy! 

Photo Booth Fun! 

*the wine made me do it*

Other Stuff...

* Lauren learnt to whistle. And practised. A lot. Joe learnt to burp on demand. And also practised. A lot.  

* We've been boogieing along to this happy song - never fails to put a smile on my face. Thank you Pharrell. Finally, kids, read this and remember it when I'm giving you advice when you're 18 and you're rolling your eyes at me. xxxx