If like me you find it hard to drink water (eeeurgh yuck boring), or even to find a chance to sit down & have a drink of any kind try making it a bit more exciting. Kids will love to help make it & drink it too!
Apple Mint Cooler
Fill a jug with water until 1/2 full with water
Add a 1/4 of a jug of apple juice
Take a sprig of mint (freshly picked from the garden if possible), bash with the side of your hand & pop in the jug.
Cut a lime in half, add a slice to the jug & add the squeezed juice from the remaining lime to the jug.
Fill to the top with ice & enjoy!
You could use different citrus fruit, juices & herbs.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Friday, 26 August 2011
& the rain rain rain, came down down down...
...in rushing rising riv'lets....
Supposedly myself & the boys are enjoying the "Summer" holidays.
We had a fantastic time at Newday & to start with the weather was Scorchio, but it didn't take long for the traditional British Summer to breakthrough & test the most seasoned campers. Luckily we found our tent to be watertight during this adventure which was our first camping experience with the boys. The subject of Newday requires a much more detailed post when time allows & hungry toddlers are not demanding "something else to eat". Not only did my husband become a Christian but his knee was healed aswell! An amazing miracle as it had not been healing as it should following what we were starting to think was unsuccessful surgery. For now here is a great summary video made by the Youth camping in our area. I urge you to watch the video to get an idea of what our week was like, it would be great to see some more people we know there next year. Much fun was had by all. ps. The retro orange windbreak is ours!
So today it is raining again & according to the calendar it has been for the past few days...hmmm bored whingy toddlers, stuck inside - want something very cheap to do and very easy to make?...
Homemade Playdough
Ingredients
1 cup plain flour (Poundland do measuring cups in fluorescent colours)
1/2 cup salt
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsps cream of tartar (very important don't leave out)
1 cup water
few drops food colouring (optional)
few drops flavouring/essence (optional)
Method
- Put the flour, salt, oil and cream of tartar into a large saucepan.
- In a jug mix the food colouring & water. Add to the saucepan and stir well (I use a whisk).
- Put the pan over a low heat and cook, stirring (I swap to a spoon now) CONSTANTLY until the dough becomes stiff. (Mine normally starts to bind into a ball.)
- Take the dough from the saucepan & leave to cool (warning it will retain it's heat for a while). Then knead until smooth.
Et voila! This dough will keep for several weeks in an airtight container/cling film, freezer bag.
You can get some great playdough tools/toys but use your imagination & look at what you have lying round the house. Here a are a few ideas for you to try, please comment if you come up with anything else!
- shells
- childrens scissors
- pine cones/leaves
- cookie cutters
- drinking straws (DS1 likes to make holes in the dough & then squeeze it out)
- paper cake cases (DS2 likes to make pretend cakes for Nunny)
- make pretend food
- drive toy cars through it
more rainy day activities coming soon
NHM x
Supposedly myself & the boys are enjoying the "Summer" holidays.
We had a fantastic time at Newday & to start with the weather was Scorchio, but it didn't take long for the traditional British Summer to breakthrough & test the most seasoned campers. Luckily we found our tent to be watertight during this adventure which was our first camping experience with the boys. The subject of Newday requires a much more detailed post when time allows & hungry toddlers are not demanding "something else to eat". Not only did my husband become a Christian but his knee was healed aswell! An amazing miracle as it had not been healing as it should following what we were starting to think was unsuccessful surgery. For now here is a great summary video made by the Youth camping in our area. I urge you to watch the video to get an idea of what our week was like, it would be great to see some more people we know there next year. Much fun was had by all. ps. The retro orange windbreak is ours!
So today it is raining again & according to the calendar it has been for the past few days...hmmm bored whingy toddlers, stuck inside - want something very cheap to do and very easy to make?...
Homemade Playdough
Ingredients
1 cup plain flour (Poundland do measuring cups in fluorescent colours)
1/2 cup salt
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsps cream of tartar (very important don't leave out)
1 cup water
few drops food colouring (optional)
few drops flavouring/essence (optional)
Method
- Put the flour, salt, oil and cream of tartar into a large saucepan.
- In a jug mix the food colouring & water. Add to the saucepan and stir well (I use a whisk).
- Put the pan over a low heat and cook, stirring (I swap to a spoon now) CONSTANTLY until the dough becomes stiff. (Mine normally starts to bind into a ball.)
- Take the dough from the saucepan & leave to cool (warning it will retain it's heat for a while). Then knead until smooth.
Et voila! This dough will keep for several weeks in an airtight container/cling film, freezer bag.
You can get some great playdough tools/toys but use your imagination & look at what you have lying round the house. Here a are a few ideas for you to try, please comment if you come up with anything else!
- shells
- childrens scissors
- pine cones/leaves
- cookie cutters
- drinking straws (DS1 likes to make holes in the dough & then squeeze it out)
- paper cake cases (DS2 likes to make pretend cakes for Nunny)
- make pretend food
- drive toy cars through it
more rainy day activities coming soon
NHM x
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Whats in a name?
About a year ago I set up this blog & had completely forgotten about it....as for the hair I grew it out & am still trying to grow it. But anyway onto my first "proper" blogpost.
What’s in a name?...Chatelaine
Translated from French “Wife of the Lord of the Castle.” I’m a great fan of historical fiction, period dramas & jewellery (amongst other things) and so when I discovered what a Chatelaine is I was inspired to research, write & create. But what has jewellery got to do do with the Wife of the Lord of the Castle? For those of you who know me, you will know I am incredibly adept at losing things, keys, handbags, purses, bank cards, permission forms, children...ah not quite managed that one yet. A Chatelaine is a fairly modern name for Equipage...
Practical but usually decorative a chatelaine is worn/clipped at the waist giving the lady of the manor access to the essentials needed to run a household efficiently. The object evolved from being a practical group of tools used by Anglo Saxon women into a fashion item which gave an indication as to the status of the wearer. Particularly popular during the 18th & 19th centuries useful articles would have included:
- keys to the pantry/jewellery box, cabinets etc.
- magnifying glass
- notebook
- perfume bottles
- rosaries
- sewing implements including scissors & needlecases
- watch
- nail file
- pocket knife
- seals
These were given as a wedding present from a husband to a wife in an era where sewing & embroidery were an important part of a girls education. The apron is having a revival right now & I’d like to see these make a comeback too. If there is a way we can make being a housewife/Mum easier I’m all for it!
Want to have a go? Online tutorial – how to make a regency chatelaine
I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for various vintage bits & pieces to make my own Chatelaine. In the meantime try searching google images to get an idea of what they're like.
What would you have attached to your Chatelaine to help you today? Comments welcome...
What’s in a name?...Chatelaine
Translated from French “Wife of the Lord of the Castle.” I’m a great fan of historical fiction, period dramas & jewellery (amongst other things) and so when I discovered what a Chatelaine is I was inspired to research, write & create. But what has jewellery got to do do with the Wife of the Lord of the Castle? For those of you who know me, you will know I am incredibly adept at losing things, keys, handbags, purses, bank cards, permission forms, children...ah not quite managed that one yet. A Chatelaine is a fairly modern name for Equipage...
Practical but usually decorative a chatelaine is worn/clipped at the waist giving the lady of the manor access to the essentials needed to run a household efficiently. The object evolved from being a practical group of tools used by Anglo Saxon women into a fashion item which gave an indication as to the status of the wearer. Particularly popular during the 18th & 19th centuries useful articles would have included:
- keys to the pantry/jewellery box, cabinets etc.
- magnifying glass
- notebook
- perfume bottles
- rosaries
- sewing implements including scissors & needlecases
- watch
- nail file
- pocket knife
- seals
These were given as a wedding present from a husband to a wife in an era where sewing & embroidery were an important part of a girls education. The apron is having a revival right now & I’d like to see these make a comeback too. If there is a way we can make being a housewife/Mum easier I’m all for it!
Want to have a go? Online tutorial – how to make a regency chatelaine
I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for various vintage bits & pieces to make my own Chatelaine. In the meantime try searching google images to get an idea of what they're like.
What would you have attached to your Chatelaine to help you today? Comments welcome...
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
2010 - Year of the Hair
I've always been one for having my hair cut short - infact everytime I visit the hairdressers it gets shorter & shorter. But having caught sight of a rather unflattering recent photo of myself I've decided enough is enough. It's going to be hard to fight the urge to just give up and have it cut short when the feeling takes me but I'm going to add it to the list of goals for this year. One problem being how do you grow out an asymmetric haircut? An extensive choice of headbands will be employed I feel. Also my hair grows at about the same rate as a slow thing on a slow day so having done a bit of research I will be...
1.) Deep conditioning every other wash.
2.) Making sure I take my multi-vits.
3.) Drinking plenty of water.
4.) Trying out some homemade remedies for hair condition & growth.
I'll keep you posted.
1.) Deep conditioning every other wash.
2.) Making sure I take my multi-vits.
3.) Drinking plenty of water.
4.) Trying out some homemade remedies for hair condition & growth.
I'll keep you posted.
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