tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3763591616562183282024-03-13T04:55:19.952+00:00Life in my houseful of boysAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.comBlogger666125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-10472451601214809972015-06-09T07:52:00.001+01:002015-06-09T07:52:48.824+01:00New beginnings
<p style="text-align: center;"> I've been working on getting things ready over on the new housefulofboys blog and, although I don't have everything quite how I want it yet, I think it's time to make the switch.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VCgmYlesBqY/VXaNPGC6dCI/AAAAAAAAyXA/ROerzlGxdE8/s1024/Photo%25252020150609075214861.jpg" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VCgmYlesBqY/VXaNPGC6dCI/AAAAAAAAyXA/ROerzlGxdE8/s500/Photo%25252020150609075214861.jpg" id="blogsy-1433832767889.8425" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> The new blog can be found at <a href="http://www.lifeinmyhousefulofboys.com/" target="_self" title="">lifeinmyhousefulofboys.com</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> I'd love it if you could all follow me on over there and follow that one in whichever way you used to follow this one - blogger, bloglovin, email, rss...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Although I won't be posting on this blog any more, I will be keeping it open. I'm still in the process of linking from my new blog to all the recipes on this one and I'm sure there will be plenty more links to other posts on here too.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I've updated the about section on the new blog, added the links for the eczema & allergy posts and posts have started with a look at Alasdair's 6th birthday last week.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">So what are you waiting for?! Come on over and say 'hi'!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-78562375036902003052015-06-01T14:33:00.001+01:002015-06-01T14:33:53.480+01:00Blogiversary Makeover
<p style="text-align: center;"> Next month it will be 5 years since I started writing my blog.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">5 years!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">5 years since I wrote that very first post and wondered if anyone would be remotely interested in what I had to say!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">In that time I've taught myself to crochet and shared my numerous makes with you all. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">There have been hundreds of cakes baked and quite a few recipes shared.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The boys - then 10, 7, 4 & 1 - have all grown and changed so much in those five years, and of course there is also now the littlest man as well.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">There are so many reasons that I'm glad I started writing my blog. Not only do I have a great record of what has been happening in our house over the last five years, but I have also made so many lovely friends from all across the globe.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">As a result of blogging for 5 years, I have just about used up all of my available free storage space with Google, and that's why things have been kind of quiet on here lately.<br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I've been weighing up my options about what to do next.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I could pay Google for extra storage or I could start afresh with a new blog and a whole new vat of storage.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Although I wasn't keen on paying a monthly fee for extra storage, I also wasn't keen on starting another blog as I've built up so much readership and 'brand identity' with this one. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">But I've made my decision and I'm excited about it.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">There's going to be a new blog with the same name! I've got my dot.com and linked it all up. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Now I'm working on getting a pretty new look for the new blog. This is what's taking my time up just now as I'm a bit of a perfectionist! I'm aiming for a look that's simple and neutral - so many blog templates are just too girly and it just doesn't seem right to be blogging about life with boys on a pink or flowery blog! I'm looking for something with all my social media share icons on it and that I can continue to customise myself. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I'm just about certain that I've found the design I want and I'm hoping that this week I can get everything set up.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">If you follow me by social media then you won't have to make any changes to how you find me. If you follow by blogger, bloglovin, rss or email then I will add links to the new blog once everything is up and running. This blog will still be here. I'll be adding links to old recipes, as well as redoing and updating them. I'll also be linking to all my articles about eczema and allergies.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And finally, as a thank you for all you lovely readers who take the time to read my posts, comment, like and share, I'm organising a giveaway to coincide with my 5 year blogiversary and new blog launch. Just watch this space!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Told you it was exciting!</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-80959793558240841582015-05-18T23:09:00.001+01:002015-05-18T23:09:14.673+01:00Make it Monday - Gluten Free Playdough Recipe<p style="text-align: center;"> Last week we were experimenting with a couple of free from Playdough recipes.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Alasdair (5) loves to play with playdough but shop-bought Playdough really irritates the eczema on his hands. Apparently the Playdough brand contains wheat, which must be part of the reason for the irritation, and is also not ideal now that Fraser (1) has started to enjoy discovering Playdough. Not only does the manufactured stuff irritate his hands too, but he is still rather tempted to have a little taste of it here and there!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">So homemade has been the better option to suit those sore hands and tempted taste buds.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">The first recipe we tried out was pleasant enough. </p><p style="text-align: center;">It used:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>3/4 cup Doves Farm Gluten Free Flour</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>3/4 cup cornflour</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>3/4 cup salt</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1 tbsp cream of tartar</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>2 tsp vegetable oil</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1 1/2 cup warm water</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Food colouring of your choice</em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yPIh0w7OpYQ/VVTVY3cFaSI/AAAAAAAAyFQ/DiHcMOdLzl0/s2048/20150514_180254.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yPIh0w7OpYQ/VVTVY3cFaSI/AAAAAAAAyFQ/DiHcMOdLzl0/s500/20150514_180254.jpg" id="blogsy-1431978793287.301" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was easy to make, just put everything in a pan and mix over a medium heat until it forms a ball then cool it down, and it made a suitably squishy dough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MFeT7s67QEE/VVTVej96toI/AAAAAAAAyFc/DJorEZQLxpc/s2048/20150514_180308.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MFeT7s67QEE/VVTVej96toI/AAAAAAAAyFc/DJorEZQLxpc/s500/20150514_180308.jpg" id="blogsy-1431978793344.216" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fraser and his friend Batman had plenty fun with it, and it didn't result in any itchy hands. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RLCTGRt5MN0/VVTVUCLFRqI/AAAAAAAAyFE/-kna8WCb8z8/s2048/20150514_180229.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RLCTGRt5MN0/VVTVUCLFRqI/AAAAAAAAyFE/-kna8WCb8z8/s500/20150514_180229.jpg" id="blogsy-1431978793296.3987" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rk20RaKWPYA/VVTVkLH4xFI/AAAAAAAAyFo/bz5azreCNtk/s2048/20150514_180316.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rk20RaKWPYA/VVTVkLH4xFI/AAAAAAAAyFo/bz5azreCNtk/s500/20150514_180316.jpg" id="blogsy-1431978793271.0254" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because it's gluten free it doesn't have quite the same stretch as a Playdough made with wheat flour, but that doesn't stop it from being fun to play with, as you can see above!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The only thing I wasn't so keen on with this recipe was that it does leave a sort of coating on your hands after playing with it for a while.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I tried out another recipe, and added some mint essence to it as it seemed to suit such a white dough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ab07xsu6hU/VVTi701fVbI/AAAAAAAAyGM/XJOsqMCjEn4/s2048/20150514_185304.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ab07xsu6hU/VVTi701fVbI/AAAAAAAAyGM/XJOsqMCjEn4/s500/20150514_185304.jpg" id="blogsy-1431978793353.7773" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">It uses</p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1 cup cornflour</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1/2 cup salt</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1 tbsp oil</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1 tbsp cream of tartar</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1 cup warm water</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1 tsp mint essence</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Again, add everything to a pan and mix together over a medium heat until it comes together in a ball. It won't take long!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">This one was our favourite of the two. It is softer and squishier than the other one. The mint seems to make it even more tactile, and a bit more tempting to little tastebuds - although one lick of the salty dough soon puts a stop to that! </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Keep the dough wrapped in cling film or an airtight tub when not being used and it is supposed to last for weeks. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">It's been just the thing for keeping little hands entertained in this horribly rainy weather!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-55524644493660195512015-05-11T23:19:00.001+01:002015-05-11T23:19:43.559+01:00Make it Monday - Using up the stash<p style="text-align: center;"> I mentioned last week that I have a couple of new crochet projects on the go.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">When I finished the big stripey blanket I had little bits of each of the 16 colours leftover and I decided I would try and use them up.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">First of all I thought about making granny squares out of a random order of the colours but that idea didn't really grab me. Then I remembered my old favourite, the Maybelle Flower Square (pattern <a href="http://myrosevalley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/maybelle-square-crochet-pattern.html" target="_self" title="">here</a>). I decided I would make the flowers out of each of the colours and frame them all in a neutral colour.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kMdiYVKjEP0/VVD5lwwibhI/AAAAAAAAx5E/_8obB6qut_U/s2048/20150511_194331.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kMdiYVKjEP0/VVD5lwwibhI/AAAAAAAAx5E/_8obB6qut_U/s500/20150511_194331.jpg" id="blogsy-1431382783149.1753" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bxRBx61RRiA/VVD5pg6lF5I/AAAAAAAAx5Q/syeBS2ZryMc/s2048/20150511_194401.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bxRBx61RRiA/VVD5pg6lF5I/AAAAAAAAx5Q/syeBS2ZryMc/s500/20150511_194401.jpg" id="blogsy-1431382783135.8325" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mv3IiqAUvYY/VVD52LwHANI/AAAAAAAAx6A/9jO0zFu-8lY/s2048/20150511_194221.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mv3IiqAUvYY/VVD52LwHANI/AAAAAAAAx6A/9jO0zFu-8lY/s500/20150511_194221.jpg" id="blogsy-1431382783113.3274" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kFzcrXQq1OM/VVD5zfHM62I/AAAAAAAAx50/F5zHPm5T7gI/s2048/20150511_194213.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kFzcrXQq1OM/VVD5zfHM62I/AAAAAAAAx50/F5zHPm5T7gI/s500/20150511_194213.jpg" id="blogsy-1431382783137.2534" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p1WPC-yEfpI/VVD5vx2k33I/AAAAAAAAx5o/Hi6dvZzr0wA/s2048/20150511_194154.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p1WPC-yEfpI/VVD5vx2k33I/AAAAAAAAx5o/Hi6dvZzr0wA/s500/20150511_194154.jpg" id="blogsy-1431382783146.5427" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm really pleased with how the first few are looking. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I have no idea how big this blanket will be as I'm restricting myself to only using the colours left over from the stripey blanket, plus the new neutral one. I haven't made the flowers out of all the colours yet, and the ones I have made here haven't used up all of those colours yet either so I'm just going to see how it goes!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My second project is one I've been desperate to start for a while and one I promised myself that I would start once my stripey blanket was done. You can read all about the Nordic Shawl <a href="http://myrosevalley.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/the-nordic-shawl-pattern.html" target="_self" title="">here</a>, as well as buy the pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is how much I have made so far, using the same neutral shade - Stylecraft Special DK in Parchment - that I am using for the flower squares.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CnVPY62NpNo/VVD5srNWuHI/AAAAAAAAx5c/CeaewuRt8pY/s2048/20150511_194516.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CnVPY62NpNo/VVD5srNWuHI/AAAAAAAAx5c/CeaewuRt8pY/s581/20150511_194516.jpg" id="blogsy-1431382783143.587" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="581" height="436"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">It's looking quite plain at the moment but look how pretty it is once the colours are added!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XTJzuxuYnFE/VVEq-IKPwKI/AAAAAAAAx6M/eFUr_JlIzS8/s1024/Photo%25252020150511231925.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XTJzuxuYnFE/VVEq-IKPwKI/AAAAAAAAx6M/eFUr_JlIzS8/s500/Photo%25252020150511231925.jpg" id="blogsy-1431382783136.5417" class="aligncenter" width="412" height="412" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I think it will be the perfect shawl for a Scottish summer!</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-89179753462570692832015-05-08T22:29:00.001+01:002015-05-08T22:29:39.131+01:00Things I'm loving...<p style="text-align: center;"> Some of the simple things I've loved this week.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Calum (12) had a history project to do. His class were told to think of a question about anything in history and then to find out what they could to answer their question. Calum decided to use his love of food and his interest in the Second World War to find out more about rationing.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">He drew up this poster with the facts he had learned on it...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D7RHpC6YzuA/VUFUMGHlOpI/AAAAAAAAxkw/BAb7I1CXJmM/s2048/20150429_225900.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D7RHpC6YzuA/VUFUMGHlOpI/AAAAAAAAxkw/BAb7I1CXJmM/s576/20150429_225900.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757558.7744" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="576" height="432"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and also made up a booklet of war time recipes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g16_vmXMzds/VUFUN3jKBaI/AAAAAAAAxk8/-WRAoms5dzU/s2048/20150429_225911.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g16_vmXMzds/VUFUN3jKBaI/AAAAAAAAxk8/-WRAoms5dzU/s500/20150429_225911.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757588.1401" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L4eEOOAS7SE/VUFUQfQZk4I/AAAAAAAAxlI/rLAG_3dYpxs/s2048/20150429_225917.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L4eEOOAS7SE/VUFUQfQZk4I/AAAAAAAAxlI/rLAG_3dYpxs/s500/20150429_225917.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757562.551" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were chatting about what a week's rations would be like for our family and I suggested how interesting it would be to see how we would get by on them for a week at some point. Calum agreed that he would like to try this, although I'm not sure what all the others would say!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Which leads me on to this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FpYd7DNtLtI/VUTaXPL2iXI/AAAAAAAAxsE/LVg4U4kk_t8/s2048/20150502_150752.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FpYd7DNtLtI/VUTaXPL2iXI/AAAAAAAAxsE/LVg4U4kk_t8/s500/20150502_150752.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757631.8774" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Probably not something we would eat a lot of if we were trying to stick to a war time ration experiment!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's Nigella's Sour Cream and Chocolate Cake and I fancied making it when I saw we had some sour cream left after having chilli and tacos one night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was indeed as good as it looks. And since it wasn't suitable for the allergy boys, well, there was all the more for me. Which perhaps wasn't such a good thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">David (9) takes great pride in his appearance and always styles his hair each morning. One day he decided to do five year old Ally's for him too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BZPi6sfKNg0/VUTg2ts2e5I/AAAAAAAAxsk/4-rPVaUVSJI/s2048/20150502_153555.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BZPi6sfKNg0/VUTg2ts2e5I/AAAAAAAAxsk/4-rPVaUVSJI/s500/20150502_153555.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757572.3508" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Suddenly he looked so much older!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u23S2seWDSI/VUThPCgM1rI/AAAAAAAAxsw/RfphQuWHF58/s2048/20150502_153649.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u23S2seWDSI/VUThPCgM1rI/AAAAAAAAxsw/RfphQuWHF58/s590/20150502_153649.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757613.8074" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="590" height="442"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We've enjoyed hot chocolate, cake and juice at the garden centre this week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yEn2EeQKtog/VUU1GOn-3nI/AAAAAAAAxtE/E3tRnasFE4c/s2048/20150502_163131.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yEn2EeQKtog/VUU1GOn-3nI/AAAAAAAAxtE/E3tRnasFE4c/s601/20150502_163131.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757595.975" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="601" height="450"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CNrEAJf3egM/VUU1IW6hfuI/AAAAAAAAxtQ/XG1d6NuCyTw/s2048/20150502_163154.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CNrEAJf3egM/VUU1IW6hfuI/AAAAAAAAxtQ/XG1d6NuCyTw/s500/20150502_163154.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757586.6533" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a week where our dinner menu included James' favourite homemade steak pie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pxmrjwt-kL0/VUYgktCFoQI/AAAAAAAAxt8/wWsFDwYZWoc/s2048/20150503_142002.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pxmrjwt-kL0/VUYgktCFoQI/AAAAAAAAxt8/wWsFDwYZWoc/s500/20150503_142002.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757667.4226" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been a week where Spring is still keeping away, and where outside play has been grabbed between the rain showers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">David made this train for Ally and Fraser (1) out of the go cart and toy car, then pulled them around in it for ages.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OyWgYU7mGMo/VUu0eSmEYPI/AAAAAAAAx0s/6B3h1HdRYxM/s2048/20150507_195212.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OyWgYU7mGMo/VUu0eSmEYPI/AAAAAAAAx0s/6B3h1HdRYxM/s593/20150507_195212.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757594.591" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="593" height="445"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xARpqMzjj9M/VUu0gyTxlyI/AAAAAAAAx04/JSYKf5oDRCs/s2048/20150507_195223.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xARpqMzjj9M/VUu0gyTxlyI/AAAAAAAAx04/JSYKf5oDRCs/s604/20150507_195223.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757660.7603" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="604" height="453"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pEjG8GZAzgs/VUu0lDuZcvI/AAAAAAAAx1E/G0J9uL8hXcs/s2048/20150507_195226.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pEjG8GZAzgs/VUu0lDuZcvI/AAAAAAAAx1E/G0J9uL8hXcs/s599/20150507_195226.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757580.0806" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="599" height="449"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a happy new shoe week for me. Red ones, of course.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x2BMldAQOwg/VUzXeDiXJmI/AAAAAAAAx2A/OvRUA0f-xZU/s2048/20150508_163359.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x2BMldAQOwg/VUzXeDiXJmI/AAAAAAAAx2A/OvRUA0f-xZU/s500/20150508_163359.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757583.2769" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's been the usual amount of music going on in the house, with Fraser wanting in on the action too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PFUlALphkDI/VUYr3LrhOEI/AAAAAAAAxuQ/APMdj2Ff3uY/s2048/20150503_150815.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PFUlALphkDI/VUYr3LrhOEI/AAAAAAAAxuQ/APMdj2Ff3uY/s500/20150503_150815.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757637.9397" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And finally, how could I let this week go by without mentioning this week's General Election results!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VkHGFOaVaYE/VUuPcPeppBI/AAAAAAAAx0I/xXXGJUB3qhk/s2048/20150507_171428.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VkHGFOaVaYE/VUuPcPeppBI/AAAAAAAAx0I/xXXGJUB3qhk/s429/20150507_171428.jpg" id="blogsy-1431119757670.527" class="aligncenter" width="429" height="572" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">What a result it was, and what a big thing to happen in Scottish politics! I've found myself far more interested in this election than any previous ones (except for the Independence Referendum) and was almost tempted to stay up till all hours last night watching the results come in, alongside my husband who always stays up for them. My sensible head took over and I headed to bed by 1230am while my hubs stayed up until around 5am - he was nice and cosy though, with a certain new crochet blanket wrapped around him!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-42833357545686409342015-05-05T23:20:00.001+01:002015-05-05T23:20:24.058+01:00Makings - Attic 24 Cosy CAL Blanket Ta-Da!<p style="text-align: center;"> Let's go back to the beginning of this blanket again, shall we? </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Just so I can document its growth from the start.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">First of all rewind back to Christmas and the present from my shopping-hating sister in law. For those who may have missed an earlier post, each year she asks for links of what we would like for Christmas. Since I couldn't think of anything I wanted other than yarn, I sent her the link to the yarn pack for the Attic 24 Cosy blanket from Wool Warehouse, which you can find <a href="http://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/attic24/attic24-cosy-stylecraft-special-dk" target="_self" title="">here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Once all the Christmas festivities were over I made a start on the blanket in the first week of January.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">The pattern, complete with picture tutorials, can be found <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/cosy-stripe-blanket.html" target="_self" title="">here</a> on Lucy's Attic 24 blog. It's called the Cosy CAL blanket as back in the autumn Lucy had a crochet along to make it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DTQbk7oRwxY/VUlBTVpbPII/AAAAAAAAxv4/PrFpV8YioXE/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DTQbk7oRwxY/VUlBTVpbPII/AAAAAAAAxv4/PrFpV8YioXE/s500/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424473.6147" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is such a straightforward pattern that it didn't take long to get into the rhythm of each row.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kI_BrZ4nj-M/VUlBWgt7I8I/AAAAAAAAxwA/ODgaOiFRJZQ/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kI_BrZ4nj-M/VUlBWgt7I8I/AAAAAAAAxwA/ODgaOiFRJZQ/s500/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424539.8127" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> And was even manageable with a sleeping baby in arms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dh_igViVY9E/VUlBYkQCiCI/AAAAAAAAxwI/ST7kCU33ZnI/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dh_igViVY9E/VUlBYkQCiCI/AAAAAAAAxwI/ST7kCU33ZnI/s500/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424515.283" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are 16 different colours in the blanket and the completed blanket has 6 repeats of each colour, although not in the same order each time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was after about one and a half repeats.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oDM-IrjQ0Zg/VUlBcJmj1uI/AAAAAAAAxwQ/YahV2rWVnyA/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oDM-IrjQ0Zg/VUlBcJmj1uI/AAAAAAAAxwQ/YahV2rWVnyA/s500/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424470.0288" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CjGiyMtwT90/VUlBeLvxUVI/AAAAAAAAxwY/zvFOUmGqqdA/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CjGiyMtwT90/VUlBeLvxUVI/AAAAAAAAxwY/zvFOUmGqqdA/s500/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424483.256" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The colours, as I've said so often when I've shared a picture of this blanket, are so bright and cheerful. The perfect sort of thing to be working on in the darkest, greyest months of the year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hNi6bbZ-5o0/VUlBhnqboyI/AAAAAAAAxwg/rUf415jHA8A/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hNi6bbZ-5o0/VUlBhnqboyI/AAAAAAAAxwg/rUf415jHA8A/s500/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424487.186" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few more colour repeats in...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o69LDytG3Hc/VUlBjm0MtDI/AAAAAAAAxwo/iiGaXQOniEg/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o69LDytG3Hc/VUlBjm0MtDI/AAAAAAAAxwo/iiGaXQOniEg/s500/Photo%25252020150505231632.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424532.201" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="590" height="442"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lau_rWch0gM/VUlBmiT9O7I/AAAAAAAAxww/Ra99gLEcfFs/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231633.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lau_rWch0gM/VUlBmiT9O7I/AAAAAAAAxww/Ra99gLEcfFs/s500/Photo%25252020150505231633.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424527.7625" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="598" height="448"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Right from the start it has been attracting little boys to climb over it or roll around wrapped up in it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AsjQiXiotMw/VUlBotLXHsI/AAAAAAAAxw4/lX2KgcbfagI/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231633.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AsjQiXiotMw/VUlBotLXHsI/AAAAAAAAxw4/lX2KgcbfagI/s500/Photo%25252020150505231633.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424484.3298" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="595" height="446"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course, crochet hooks and balls of yarn are also tempting to play with!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z57vAR6fYbE/VUlBruGeEtI/AAAAAAAAxxA/kXYjkX3q1Vk/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231633.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z57vAR6fYbE/VUlBruGeEtI/AAAAAAAAxxA/kXYjkX3q1Vk/s500/Photo%25252020150505231633.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424536.8167" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Over the course of three months the blanket grew and grew.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z-jpXlin9NI/VUlBtu7VYKI/AAAAAAAAxxI/Wr39EWS9BKs/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231633.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z-jpXlin9NI/VUlBtu7VYKI/AAAAAAAAxxI/Wr39EWS9BKs/s500/Photo%25252020150505231633.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424534.9539" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then when we were away on our Easter holidays I completed the main part of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BhwQPuvVZ-M/VUlBwmqWM-I/AAAAAAAAxxQ/YdsQcFSGHDA/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231633.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BhwQPuvVZ-M/VUlBwmqWM-I/AAAAAAAAxxQ/YdsQcFSGHDA/s500/Photo%25252020150505231633.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424551.4666" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't it big?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xC_t1_0iB50/VUlByWZBFlI/AAAAAAAAxxY/8EyoHBEA1DA/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231633.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xC_t1_0iB50/VUlByWZBFlI/AAAAAAAAxxY/8EyoHBEA1DA/s500/Photo%25252020150505231633.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424477.7031" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And even more appealing to little boys!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VzyAUkgqcos/VUlB0Ks2RfI/AAAAAAAAxxg/pBUW_Fot-54/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231634.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VzyAUkgqcos/VUlB0Ks2RfI/AAAAAAAAxxg/pBUW_Fot-54/s500/Photo%25252020150505231634.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424493.3188" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next job was sewing in all those ends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some people like to do them as they go along but I like the satisfaction of seeing them all sewn in at the same time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jEH9U_nuUAo/VUlB2EfkfyI/AAAAAAAAxxo/g92_OxwJh9Q/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231634.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jEH9U_nuUAo/VUlB2EfkfyI/AAAAAAAAxxo/g92_OxwJh9Q/s500/Photo%25252020150505231634.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424538.19" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look at those happy colours!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5La3QTBY4fs/VUlB4ZOH-CI/AAAAAAAAxxw/c-sIvl-HkmY/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231634.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5La3QTBY4fs/VUlB4ZOH-CI/AAAAAAAAxxw/c-sIvl-HkmY/s500/Photo%25252020150505231634.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424539.865" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BxYbLX3LZ4o/VUlB63NEg0I/AAAAAAAAxx4/fhi69-W1YCQ/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231634.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BxYbLX3LZ4o/VUlB63NEg0I/AAAAAAAAxx4/fhi69-W1YCQ/s500/Photo%25252020150505231634.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424505.9524" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once the ends were dealt with it was time to add the border.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-utaCZCHstck/VUlB9HpGOfI/AAAAAAAAxyA/Tb7sXxIgqmQ/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231634.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-utaCZCHstck/VUlB9HpGOfI/AAAAAAAAxyA/Tb7sXxIgqmQ/s500/Photo%25252020150505231634.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424494.1528" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I followed the colour order from the Attic 24 CAL posts exactly for the blanket, but I wasn't so keen on the four colours used for the border of that one. There was nothing wrong with the colours themselves, just that the final round gives a strong feeling to the blanket and the final round on the tutorial was green. Green isn't one of my favourite colours and so I finished my border off with a round of blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I2RddILOffs/VUlB_S08zmI/AAAAAAAAxyI/gD5ScwUOKQo/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231635.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I2RddILOffs/VUlB_S08zmI/AAAAAAAAxyI/gD5ScwUOKQo/s500/Photo%25252020150505231635.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424494.2163" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love those spiky little stitches round the edge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ct7ASWWnXWo/VUlCBVwhQ0I/AAAAAAAAxyQ/_MLITBeQzpY/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231636.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ct7ASWWnXWo/VUlCBVwhQ0I/AAAAAAAAxyQ/_MLITBeQzpY/s500/Photo%25252020150505231636.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424495.3657" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="572" height="429"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's another look at those happy colours...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EwaftQoLPO8/VUlCEHlAvlI/AAAAAAAAxyY/aqnMkSyGFrM/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231636.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EwaftQoLPO8/VUlCEHlAvlI/AAAAAAAAxyY/aqnMkSyGFrM/s500/Photo%25252020150505231636.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424494.4614" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and for another sense of scale, here is the blanket laid out on our king sized bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PW2C9IDEWGI/VUlCGzQlP1I/AAAAAAAAxyg/PTabgCFg3Rg/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231636.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PW2C9IDEWGI/VUlCGzQlP1I/AAAAAAAAxyg/PTabgCFg3Rg/s500/Photo%25252020150505231636.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424574.4688" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's such a generous size and the yarn is so soft and snuggly. Stylecraft Special is definitely my new favourite yarn to work with. I already have my next two projects on the go, both using Stylecraft. One of them is using up the scraps of colour left over from this blanket, the other is something I've been wanting to make for a while and that I promised myself I would make once this blanket was made. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But this post is all about the blanket, which now lives across the back of one of our sofas, and is big enough for quite a few people to snuggle under of an evening watching a movie, or reading a book or just snuggling up under on a lazy Sunday afternoon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And if you thought the blanket was beautiful on its own, now add a sleeping baby to the picture and it takes on a whole new beauty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-an1sDNc2eOI/VUlCIz5x4WI/AAAAAAAAxyo/w3NDBU6S-Qc/s1024/Photo%25252020150505231638.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-an1sDNc2eOI/VUlCIz5x4WI/AAAAAAAAxyo/w3NDBU6S-Qc/s500/Photo%25252020150505231638.jpg" id="blogsy-1430864424497.9778" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-51277981418650346582015-04-30T12:13:00.001+01:002015-04-30T12:13:05.674+01:00There goes April!
<p style="text-align: center;">April is nearly over already and since I've been too busy to post anything the last couple of weeks it's time for a mammoth post, as much to remind myself in the future of what happened this month as anything else!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">For the most part it was a beautiful month weather-wise.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wcAEE4ze30Y/VSVm5e7l4rI/AAAAAAAAw7A/eHASGKM3Nmw/s2048/20150408_124636.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wcAEE4ze30Y/VSVm5e7l4rI/AAAAAAAAw7A/eHASGKM3Nmw/s610/20150408_124636.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385375.17" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="610" height="457"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> While we were away for around 10 days on our Easter break we enjoyed our first visit of the year to the beach.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k4FEdONPVuw/VSVnCMyf-sI/AAAAAAAAw7M/9tfVFvulTlE/s2048/20150408_125426.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k4FEdONPVuw/VSVnCMyf-sI/AAAAAAAAw7M/9tfVFvulTlE/s604/20150408_125426.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385383.817" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="604" height="453"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-akSnx4bjCP0/VSVnXbjBhMI/AAAAAAAAw7k/aqrrzbJwPN0/s2048/20150408_130742.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-akSnx4bjCP0/VSVnXbjBhMI/AAAAAAAAw7k/aqrrzbJwPN0/s500/20150408_130742.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385369.0024" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HnVpuaVkb-k/VSVnfhkbXRI/AAAAAAAAw7w/L_pV_ctOt0I/s2048/20150408_130753.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HnVpuaVkb-k/VSVnfhkbXRI/AAAAAAAAw7w/L_pV_ctOt0I/s500/20150408_130753.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385354.5215" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C_q_aKwZvpk/VSVnP6JiptI/AAAAAAAAw7Y/LkJe3xHWRYg/s2048/20150408_125838.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C_q_aKwZvpk/VSVnP6JiptI/AAAAAAAAw7Y/LkJe3xHWRYg/s500/20150408_125838.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385341.6155" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IOwCoCfdZpM/VSVnpMZMHbI/AAAAAAAAw8I/2Ai4SU7t86Y/s1280/20150408_132110.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IOwCoCfdZpM/VSVnpMZMHbI/AAAAAAAAw8I/2Ai4SU7t86Y/s500/20150408_132110.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385369.711" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-I5elR2soHrU/VSVn0LwEYjI/AAAAAAAAw8g/bFQGkM9t_zI/s2048/20150408_132512.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-I5elR2soHrU/VSVn0LwEYjI/AAAAAAAAw8g/bFQGkM9t_zI/s604/20150408_132512.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385337.9563" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="604" height="453"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<p><span style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also while we were away, we spent a bit of time with my husband's old bachelor uncle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He came along for a spot of golfing...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QxYedTMqoQs/VSVok2rFp6I/AAAAAAAAw9Q/eB9Olgm3bSM/s2048/20150408_144622.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QxYedTMqoQs/VSVok2rFp6I/AAAAAAAAw9Q/eB9Olgm3bSM/s605/20150408_144622.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385341.9814" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="605" height="454"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5Nr-6_tb5Yg/VSVozXe10mI/AAAAAAAAw9c/oym0Fo1Jhu8/s2048/20150408_144639.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5Nr-6_tb5Yg/VSVozXe10mI/AAAAAAAAw9c/oym0Fo1Jhu8/s500/20150408_144639.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385381.2524" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a50y1CtiMng/VSVo9UIFPaI/AAAAAAAAw9o/g6dnz2bcW2w/s2048/20150408_144643.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a50y1CtiMng/VSVo9UIFPaI/AAAAAAAAw9o/g6dnz2bcW2w/s500/20150408_144643.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385418.8635" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dTAKvB0mQi4/VSVpS-fg1wI/AAAAAAAAw-A/8DGz7iBSAl0/s2048/20150408_144716.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dTAKvB0mQi4/VSVpS-fg1wI/AAAAAAAAw-A/8DGz7iBSAl0/s605/20150408_144716.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385413.6902" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="605" height="454"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and we spent some time at his croft house, where he has lived since he was born! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SpetqYP2ur8/VSVqN8sycBI/AAAAAAAAw-c/0KiSfo9Drm0/s2048/20150408_163547.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SpetqYP2ur8/VSVqN8sycBI/AAAAAAAAw-c/0KiSfo9Drm0/s605/20150408_163547.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385411.645" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="605" height="454"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The croft goes down to the Dornoch firth and the boys did a spot of beach combing there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s5lnWoz2EjQ/VSVqCFZJR2I/AAAAAAAAw-Q/1YBy8XnhAAc/s2048/20150408_163541.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s5lnWoz2EjQ/VSVqCFZJR2I/AAAAAAAAw-Q/1YBy8XnhAAc/s605/20150408_163541.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385381.0361" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="605" height="454"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XhDGdKHjSHw/VSVqsd1QfrI/AAAAAAAAw-0/p4R5mI3xgOk/s2048/20150408_163607.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XhDGdKHjSHw/VSVqsd1QfrI/AAAAAAAAw-0/p4R5mI3xgOk/s500/20150408_163607.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385415.6904" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No holiday is complete without visiting some coffee shops! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes sitting outdoors...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-amTZKTLnKKU/VSfUhSbObKI/AAAAAAAAxAU/FNGKFI-gW_M/s2048/20150410_120623.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-amTZKTLnKKU/VSfUhSbObKI/AAAAAAAAxAU/FNGKFI-gW_M/s599/20150410_120623.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385349.056" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="599" height="449"></a></div>
<p> <span style="line-height: 1.3em; text-align: center;"> </span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and sometimes sitting indoors... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IIWm7KqMXqk/VSlEbqItIYI/AAAAAAAAxCg/w_xOj_I2eH4/s2048/20150411_152250.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IIWm7KqMXqk/VSlEbqItIYI/AAAAAAAAxCg/w_xOj_I2eH4/s573/20150411_152250.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385433.7236" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="573" height="430"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...looking out over the famous golf course. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gieXwOfQs1Q/VSlEjjytu4I/AAAAAAAAxCs/AMmB4mUOpQQ/s2048/20150411_152255.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gieXwOfQs1Q/VSlEjjytu4I/AAAAAAAAxCs/AMmB4mUOpQQ/s590/20150411_152255.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385377.3857" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="590" height="442"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think Fraser (1) may be a bit of an animal lover like Calum (12). He just loved going out with Calum to look after our friends' sheep!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uDwzfOIR0VU/VUIOLDtEliI/AAAAAAAAxmo/NQlPHb51X5E/s320/Photo%25252020150430121239.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uDwzfOIR0VU/VUIOLDtEliI/AAAAAAAAxmo/NQlPHb51X5E/s320/Photo%25252020150430121239.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385364.945" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="312" height="416"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D2fjbDc0Hp4/VUIONID94aI/AAAAAAAAxmw/sikehK7Y5bo/s960/Photo%25252020150430121239.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D2fjbDc0Hp4/VUIONID94aI/AAAAAAAAxmw/sikehK7Y5bo/s500/Photo%25252020150430121239.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385351.2354" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0JoCQ__KL-I/VUIOPRZPRrI/AAAAAAAAxm4/UxQeySHI6-0/s960/Photo%25252020150430121240.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0JoCQ__KL-I/VUIOPRZPRrI/AAAAAAAAxm4/UxQeySHI6-0/s500/Photo%25252020150430121240.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385435.057" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once we returned home it was all hands to work. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dad had taken some extra days off and we had decided it would be a good chance to paint the bedrooms. All three of them. At the same time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It wasn't as mad and crazy as that might sound though!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boys all mucked in to help.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Calum, Ally (5) and David (9) all helped paint their room...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TT9L_c75ch0/VS1SZIC9JJI/AAAAAAAAxHo/HKpD0DW6PlE/s2048/20150414_184559.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TT9L_c75ch0/VS1SZIC9JJI/AAAAAAAAxHo/HKpD0DW6PlE/s599/20150414_184559.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385378.0198" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="599" height="449"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And James (15) painted his room on his own without any help.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Liod8wkvjIA/VS1T2ZimlcI/AAAAAAAAxH0/wy939yjdMf4/s2048/20150414_184801.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Liod8wkvjIA/VS1T2ZimlcI/AAAAAAAAxH0/wy939yjdMf4/s604/20150414_184801.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385409.3796" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="604" height="453"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some people did get messier than others!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lEtEpbLgYBg/VS1W39xWifI/AAAAAAAAxIQ/Hd3TuiHaA64/s2048/20150414_190021.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lEtEpbLgYBg/VS1W39xWifI/AAAAAAAAxIQ/Hd3TuiHaA64/s500/20150414_190021.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385434.5825" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I helped with painting our room whenever Fraser was napping.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-25BKiP8B6Y8/VS5gHxPrJGI/AAAAAAAAxJ8/7Oq46x9SyjQ/s2048/20150415_135645.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-25BKiP8B6Y8/VS5gHxPrJGI/AAAAAAAAxJ8/7Oq46x9SyjQ/s500/20150415_135645.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385439.207" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I might do a proper reveal of the boys rooms another time, but here is a peek at Calum, David and Ally's room. They chose the colour themselves and I think it looks great!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vzmuoDT-Wwg/VS6oX_YxbKI/AAAAAAAAxLU/8YSTaLRAFIs/s2048/20150415_190508.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vzmuoDT-Wwg/VS6oX_YxbKI/AAAAAAAAxLU/8YSTaLRAFIs/s605/20150415_190508.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385365.3428" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="605" height="454"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Fraser likes Ally's bed as he can climb onto it easily and play!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pCLyJFMWtK8/VTAVOSfWdBI/AAAAAAAAxMM/vNE4ZIdvkU0/s2048/20150416_210143.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pCLyJFMWtK8/VTAVOSfWdBI/AAAAAAAAxMM/vNE4ZIdvkU0/s599/20150416_210143.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385436.9617" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="599" height="449"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Painting over and done with, April also saw:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- us hosting our first barbecue of the year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vasudU7YWsE/VTFBoN45THI/AAAAAAAAxM0/lxl062WeNvA/s2048/20150417_182302.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vasudU7YWsE/VTFBoN45THI/AAAAAAAAxM0/lxl062WeNvA/s500/20150417_182302.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385460.9915" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- a trip to watch the shinty and catch up with old friends.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-coqn93RUlc8/VTLNqWwwSZI/AAAAAAAAxO4/GqYOtpHcrUA/s2048/20150418_143801.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-coqn93RUlc8/VTLNqWwwSZI/AAAAAAAAxO4/GqYOtpHcrUA/s500/20150418_143801.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385397.5986" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Auntie Anna's birthday barbecue and the cake Calum made for her.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WLBARLo8VDM/VTQi3ECb_II/AAAAAAAAxRg/9DN_UohTG0o/s2048/20150419_151912.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WLBARLo8VDM/VTQi3ECb_II/AAAAAAAAxRg/9DN_UohTG0o/s500/20150419_151912.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385455.8398" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- more beautiful weather and the chance to add another vegetable bed to the garden.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SUYSytsktz8/VTZxXGihliI/AAAAAAAAxVI/TkG38sLxUO8/s2048/20150421_164810.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SUYSytsktz8/VTZxXGihliI/AAAAAAAAxVI/TkG38sLxUO8/s598/20150421_164810.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385408.544" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="598" height="448"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Fraser discovered his love for the water table and hose.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OUz8VTYIvq8/VTjXwX8XznI/AAAAAAAAxX0/IROFiobWCTk/s2048/20150423_122927.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OUz8VTYIvq8/VTjXwX8XznI/AAAAAAAAxX0/IROFiobWCTk/s500/20150423_122927.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385393.4473" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bJlzisb62Mw/VTjX14XXvWI/AAAAAAAAxYA/NYXb2GJB_Ew/s2048/20150423_122929.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bJlzisb62Mw/VTjX14XXvWI/AAAAAAAAxYA/NYXb2GJB_Ew/s500/20150423_122929.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385398.0786" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- we came across some crazy amigos at our church's fundraising Mexican supper evening.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AAREPKfuNyQ/VTrenY8QAAI/AAAAAAAAxZo/jzwBqFfuPUs/s2048/20150424_191915.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AAREPKfuNyQ/VTrenY8QAAI/AAAAAAAAxZo/jzwBqFfuPUs/s604/20150424_191915.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385418.7249" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="604" height="453"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FGgrRzssjeU/VTrefU-ZPYI/AAAAAAAAxZQ/PQWNYZyglQw/s2048/20150424_191620.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FGgrRzssjeU/VTrefU-ZPYI/AAAAAAAAxZQ/PQWNYZyglQw/s500/20150424_191620.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385466.3115" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SXWmUKHrOls/VTreiwAKT7I/AAAAAAAAxZc/TFYXgcjCDco/s2048/20150424_191818.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SXWmUKHrOls/VTreiwAKT7I/AAAAAAAAxZc/TFYXgcjCDco/s500/20150424_191818.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385375.3635" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And just in case we got too used to the lovely weather, April also reminded us that we live in Scotland and summer is still a way off!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TJoK-YE6zP8/VT5R-PyvvjI/AAAAAAAAxiY/BFlMBLfa1UI/s2048/20150427_161141.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TJoK-YE6zP8/VT5R-PyvvjI/AAAAAAAAxiY/BFlMBLfa1UI/s500/20150427_161141.jpg" id="blogsy-1430392385431.1467" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-70724390220492224462015-04-07T20:05:00.001+01:002015-04-07T20:05:02.672+01:00Holiday Mode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Easter holidays are in full swing here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are spending the first week of the holidays at the house of friends of ours while they are away on holiday themselves. Don't they live in a beautiful spot?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yyFWJP7k8-4/VR_eOXaSPdI/AAAAAAAAwvs/nAU8e3MPivs/s2048/20150404_135019.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yyFWJP7k8-4/VR_eOXaSPdI/AAAAAAAAwvs/nAU8e3MPivs/s605/20150404_135019.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997167.0479" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="605" height="454"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The weather has finally been playing ball, and apart from some rain today, it has been warm and sunny since we came. That's right, not just sunshine, but there was warmth in the sunshine, and so there has been lots of outdoor play.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NIDSxhXYU8I/VR_lGiDTUxI/AAAAAAAAwww/DVr2YnTFBOI/s2048/20150404_141858.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NIDSxhXYU8I/VR_lGiDTUxI/AAAAAAAAwww/DVr2YnTFBOI/s500/20150404_141858.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997167.173" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And indoor too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7jCqr1GofGQ/VR_PiSELRWI/AAAAAAAAwvY/P8B4bURz-L4/s2048/20150404_121310.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7jCqr1GofGQ/VR_PiSELRWI/AAAAAAAAwvY/P8B4bURz-L4/s500/20150404_121310.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997167.8374" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a countryside ranger centre in the village here, where Ally (5) dressed up like a forestry worker and did some lovely Easter colouring in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JCG7IJ2Jl_U/VR_OJo1ne0I/AAAAAAAAwuQ/xBrV-zWBofM/s2048/20150404_114935.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JCG7IJ2Jl_U/VR_OJo1ne0I/AAAAAAAAwuQ/xBrV-zWBofM/s500/20150404_114935.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997135.8835" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fraser (1) also tried his hand at colouring in, with a little help from Calum (12).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_x8ts8r5lbs/VR_OBPlI-pI/AAAAAAAAwuE/dP3HHcJc6MI/s2048/20150404_114917.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_x8ts8r5lbs/VR_OBPlI-pI/AAAAAAAAwuE/dP3HHcJc6MI/s500/20150404_114917.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997173.7227" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We spent our Easter holidays here two years ago, and that time the boys took part in an activity at the centre where they made animals out of willow and tissue paper. The ranger said that they would use some of them to decorate the centre. We couldn't believe that James and Calum's animals were still hanging up in the window two years later!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xBwT0h_MYnw/VR_N0EdSKTI/AAAAAAAAwts/nWb2cRgisK4/s2048/20150404_114647.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xBwT0h_MYnw/VR_N0EdSKTI/AAAAAAAAwts/nWb2cRgisK4/s602/20150404_114647.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997123.7395" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="602" height="452"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-C7vPy53qFOk/VR_N5ifLZsI/AAAAAAAAwt4/Xle26PuEurQ/s2048/20150404_114659.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-C7vPy53qFOk/VR_N5ifLZsI/AAAAAAAAwt4/Xle26PuEurQ/s500/20150404_114659.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997174.8572" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have been making the most of the good weather by getting out to the many beautiful forest walks round about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Saturday dad had some work today so I took the boys on one of the hill trails. I was thankful that James (15) was able to help carry Fraser in the backpack!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6JMaMY2cwOc/VSAWQ0rkvpI/AAAAAAAAwxQ/8sI004wMG_A/s2048/20150404_161120.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6JMaMY2cwOc/VSAWQ0rkvpI/AAAAAAAAwxQ/8sI004wMG_A/s500/20150404_161120.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997120.6536" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rHgSme55N68/VSAXOUzsl3I/AAAAAAAAwx0/n4xNN-g7Ggs/s2048/20150404_163329.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rHgSme55N68/VSAXOUzsl3I/AAAAAAAAwx0/n4xNN-g7Ggs/s500/20150404_163329.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997203.1968" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H9KRskWNX1I/VSAXXkWCKEI/AAAAAAAAwyA/TS40x29fU5w/s2048/20150404_163817.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H9KRskWNX1I/VSAXXkWCKEI/AAAAAAAAwyA/TS40x29fU5w/s500/20150404_163817.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997169.489" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fiBfcHPkiFs/VSAXoj7r4bI/AAAAAAAAwyM/qX5DH9uXw6k/s2048/20150404_163830.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fiBfcHPkiFs/VSAXoj7r4bI/AAAAAAAAwyM/qX5DH9uXw6k/s500/20150404_163830.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997213.4507" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fMWaixmIfL8/VSAYQ5lhyJI/AAAAAAAAwyw/806zAjUVtMw/s2048/20150404_164257.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fMWaixmIfL8/VSAYQ5lhyJI/AAAAAAAAwyw/806zAjUVtMw/s604/20150404_164257.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997152.2283" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="604" height="453"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-07jSgjkspM0/VSAYhusiNXI/AAAAAAAAwy8/Z68F96E-LD8/s2048/20150404_164309.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-07jSgjkspM0/VSAYhusiNXI/AAAAAAAAwy8/Z68F96E-LD8/s604/20150404_164309.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997146.7788" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="604" height="453"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TfOgL3EKSTE/VSAY_-ucpoI/AAAAAAAAwzU/ssr_xtqaoTY/s2048/20150404_164607.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TfOgL3EKSTE/VSAY_-ucpoI/AAAAAAAAwzU/ssr_xtqaoTY/s605/20150404_164607.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997192.0176" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="605" height="454"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been quite a stormy winter this year, with a lot of high winds, and you can see this in all the forests around here. The boys' most favourite walk through a gorge has been closed because of the damage caused to the trees and paths, as have some other walks. Even in the walks that are open you can see lots of fallen trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qUc0p96lpFE/VSAZPC6EhnI/AAAAAAAAwzg/95P6de-WP1w/s2048/20150404_164835.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qUc0p96lpFE/VSAZPC6EhnI/AAAAAAAAwzg/95P6de-WP1w/s500/20150404_164835.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997155.7307" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wcd3nI5ulrk/VSAZt4aWkTI/AAAAAAAAwz4/KnnWaNiPV74/s2048/20150404_164921.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wcd3nI5ulrk/VSAZt4aWkTI/AAAAAAAAwz4/KnnWaNiPV74/s500/20150404_164921.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997223.5366" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FyAywfX19yg/VSAaAIb9OtI/AAAAAAAAw0E/Oa4vi7y2IME/s2048/20150404_165615.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FyAywfX19yg/VSAaAIb9OtI/AAAAAAAAw0E/Oa4vi7y2IME/s500/20150404_165615.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997213.7026" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While staying at our friends' house, Calum has been left in charge of looking after the sheep - a job that he is relishing, as is his little helper!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FGbgjGHM9M0/VSEUQgLg5CI/AAAAAAAAw08/ZVS5e8VHr0E/s2048/20150405_114729.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FGbgjGHM9M0/VSEUQgLg5CI/AAAAAAAAw08/ZVS5e8VHr0E/s500/20150405_114729.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997191.7542" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fraser loves the sheep and stands at the gate shouting at them. The sheep come right up to the gate because they know they are about to be fed and he isn't scared of them at all. He just stands his ground shouting his sheep noise.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FMLdz_48_vc/VSEUaaf-FyI/AAAAAAAAw1I/mV57JdFxF9w/s2048/20150405_114736.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FMLdz_48_vc/VSEUaaf-FyI/AAAAAAAAw1I/mV57JdFxF9w/s500/20150405_114736.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997157.5657" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BEQK23th0SA/VSEUj2OikiI/AAAAAAAAw1U/QnTWPYbvJUI/s2048/20150405_114855.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BEQK23th0SA/VSEUj2OikiI/AAAAAAAAw1U/QnTWPYbvJUI/s605/20150405_114855.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997179.1316" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="605" height="454"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gsrjTzrw_Rw/VSEU5_QFz0I/AAAAAAAAw1s/MJOcqLEhY8E/s2048/20150405_115139.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gsrjTzrw_Rw/VSEU5_QFz0I/AAAAAAAAw1s/MJOcqLEhY8E/s605/20150405_115139.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997201.0256" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="605" height="454"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-07k9i3qtw4I/VSEeZe5M0nI/AAAAAAAAw2A/hWuZRRM6qy4/s2048/20150405_122849.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-07k9i3qtw4I/VSEeZe5M0nI/AAAAAAAAw2A/hWuZRRM6qy4/s601/20150405_122849.jpg" id="blogsy-1428431997173.3286" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="601" height="450"></a></div><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> Every time we holiday up here we spend time with my husband's uncle who took us out to dinner last night. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">It was also catch up time today when my flatmate from uni days, who was my chief bridesmaid too, came round for a visit. I can scarcely believe that it will be 20 years this autumn since we first met, when I moved to the city to start my music degree. Back in those days we would sit up chatting about anything and everything until far too late into the night. It was good to catch up today. We don't see each other very often but when we do get together it's like it hasn't been that long at all, if that makes any sense! </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">And that's been our holiday so far.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow the sunshine is set to return and we are planning another day with great uncle Willie. We might do a spot of fishing with him so perhaps there will be fish on the menu for dinner tomorrow!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-47455072184860514802015-03-30T23:29:00.001+01:002015-03-30T23:29:26.984+01:00Make it Monday - Crochet Spring Wreath<p style="text-align: center;"> Last week we had a little promise of Spring. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">It was that week when you begin to think that winter really might finally be over.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">We saw some blue skies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pu3cZnJoncM/VRWGKTDSB3I/AAAAAAAAwgE/RC718BjD2xc/s2048/20150327_124714.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pu3cZnJoncM/VRWGKTDSB3I/AAAAAAAAwgE/RC718BjD2xc/s500/20150327_124714.jpg" id="blogsy-1427754409837.907" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boys got to play with their friends at the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3Ol-OnTaMpE/VRWGIVBnhuI/AAAAAAAAwf4/2vMM4j7dKfI/s2048/20150327_124703.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3Ol-OnTaMpE/VRWGIVBnhuI/AAAAAAAAwf4/2vMM4j7dKfI/s500/20150327_124703.jpg" id="blogsy-1427754409874.233" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Daffodils really opened up properly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bFXou68Vu7c/VRWFrD-3B_I/AAAAAAAAwfg/DidhnFIB7CE/s2048/20150327_124035.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bFXou68Vu7c/VRWFrD-3B_I/AAAAAAAAwfg/DidhnFIB7CE/s500/20150327_124035.jpg" id="blogsy-1427754409813.639" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I noticed the blossom on the trees for the first time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3AV-8Sc8E38/VRWGQZH63iI/AAAAAAAAwgc/N8sqWaO-zBQ/s2048/20150327_124903.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3AV-8Sc8E38/VRWGQZH63iI/AAAAAAAAwgc/N8sqWaO-zBQ/s500/20150327_124903.jpg" id="blogsy-1427754409823.6523" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today, however, it feels like we have stepped right back to winter, with snow showers on and off all day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still, back to last week and that glimpse of Spring weather. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After making this snowman wreath before Christmas, I decided he was too cute to have up for just a Christmas decoration and made him into a winter decoration rather than just a Christmas one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QSjGpF3L6rc/VIYGpNqyXFI/AAAAAAAAs4Q/_s_7df5q4sA/s2048/20141208_153721.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QSjGpF3L6rc/VIYGpNqyXFI/AAAAAAAAs4Q/_s_7df5q4sA/s500/20141208_153721.jpg" id="blogsy-1427754409824.135" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> But as we got into March I felt that I needed to make a Spring wreath to hang up instead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I bought the same size of foam ring, crocheted a rectangle in green this time rather than the blue and stitched it around the back of the ring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I added some daffodils and a couple of extra little pink flowers. The pattern for the daffodils can be found on the Attic 24 blog. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I'm so pleased with how it turned out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VnfaAnsgKEQ/VRPkBoQnrTI/AAAAAAAAwd0/9lnQJTCNq1Y/s2048/20150326_104824.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VnfaAnsgKEQ/VRPkBoQnrTI/AAAAAAAAwd0/9lnQJTCNq1Y/s500/20150326_104824.jpg" id="blogsy-1427754409856.5364" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I've decided now to make one for each season. I'm aiming to make a Summer wreath to hang up round about June, an Autumn one for September time and then the sweet snowman can go back up in December!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Now please Spring, can you come back again?</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-25272793383631248162015-03-20T23:10:00.000+00:002015-03-21T00:11:46.399+00:00Things I'm loving <p style="text-align: center;"> Since <a href="http://mnmsadventures.com" target="_self" title="">Meghan</a> had to stop her linky for Things I'm Loving posts I got out of the way of writing them, but I miss the little reviews of the simple things in our life and so have been meaning to get my own posts up and running again. After all it's in these simple little things that memories are made.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">This week got off to a flying start with Mothers Day on Sunday. My star baker, Calum (12) made up a batch of pancakes for breakfast entirely on his own.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pjD6Wv_DO-U/VQVZ8l9VDaI/AAAAAAAAwJ8/Xdm9wcG_fbg/s2048/20150315_100733.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pjD6Wv_DO-U/VQVZ8l9VDaI/AAAAAAAAwJ8/Xdm9wcG_fbg/s500/20150315_100733.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705411.8442" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not only that, but he had also baked a chocolate cake for later on in the day! The recipes for both of these can be found under the Allergy Free tab at the top of the blog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q5QUrZGFx1g/VQX4wIo788I/AAAAAAAAwKo/EBSK7NiSoWo/s2048/20150315_212456.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q5QUrZGFx1g/VQX4wIo788I/AAAAAAAAwKo/EBSK7NiSoWo/s500/20150315_212456.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705495.4583" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We don't really do Mother's Day presents as such, as I would far rather something handmade - like pancakes and chocolate cake! - and so I was presented with four handmade cards. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love how each boy's card shared something about their personalities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For example, James (15) is a great artist who has a rather crazy sense of humour...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cOhPU3gl3mo/VQVYb2_A8SI/AAAAAAAAwJs/3gSY0PlslJ4/s2048/20150315_100046.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cOhPU3gl3mo/VQVYb2_A8SI/AAAAAAAAwJs/3gSY0PlslJ4/s500/20150315_100046.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705430.0002" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His drawing is of Phteven the dog, whose real name is Tuna and who is found in memes all over the Internet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IgGnSYirDME/VQy3PlQ9gQI/AAAAAAAAwTs/qjQ4mykk5MQ/s600/Photo%25252020150321001138.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IgGnSYirDME/VQy3PlQ9gQI/AAAAAAAAwTs/qjQ4mykk5MQ/s500/Photo%25252020150321001138.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705492.3071" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Being a busy mum of 5, married to a husband with a very hectic work life, it is so easy to find that days are ticking by and we haven't had any proper time together. Time set aside for just us, without children to see to, jobs to be done, work to be dealt with...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So it was lovely one afternoon this week when he had the afternoon off work to be able to grab a cup of tea and some cake before school pickup time, in an amazing Italian coffee house that we haven't been to since before we were married. Of course little Fraser was with us, but we managed to time it right so that he slept in his pushchair the whole time we were there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nJnA9jYXjZ4/VQtiiZvcBCI/AAAAAAAAwO0/-QmGY3Z-Fh8/s2048/20150319_144239.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nJnA9jYXjZ4/VQtiiZvcBCI/AAAAAAAAwO0/-QmGY3Z-Fh8/s500/20150319_144239.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705419.1604" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This week we had parents meeting at the Primary school.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This little man did us proud.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3FJg2bqrYP8/VQw8ltdnlVI/AAAAAAAAwR4/lv1wdxwo9FY/s2048/20150320_152743.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3FJg2bqrYP8/VQw8ltdnlVI/AAAAAAAAwR4/lv1wdxwo9FY/s500/20150320_152743.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705435.1733" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before he started school in August I was really unsure how he would be. He had always been such a quiet mummy's boy and he never really settled in to his couple of mornings a week at nursery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Only a couple of days into his new school routine and we could see that he loved it. Even now, long after the initial excitement of starting school has died down, he is always the first boy up out of bed in the morning and the first dressed for school.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His lovely teacher is really pleased with how his first year in school is going. Of course it does also help that he is the only person in his class who has Gaelic at home and who always understands what the teacher is saying to them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, he wanted to show off his new Transformer to everyone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cuANg8L87g0/VQw8qEBVazI/AAAAAAAAwSI/oe8nT8n53hs/s2048/20150320_152803.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cuANg8L87g0/VQw8qEBVazI/AAAAAAAAwSI/oe8nT8n53hs/s500/20150320_152803.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705441.6008" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Sports mad David (9) also got a good report this week too. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VeIGCzUFbzg/VQw8i1fLx2I/AAAAAAAAwRk/a9YIRMpSK80/s2048/20150320_152730.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VeIGCzUFbzg/VQw8i1fLx2I/AAAAAAAAwRk/a9YIRMpSK80/s500/20150320_152730.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705429.8699" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He's loved the opportunity to help daddy with some shinty coaching in a different school. The shinty coaches were asked if they would teach a block of lessons to a couple of other primary schools nearby to introduce the sport. David asked his dad if he could go along too, they asked his head teacher and she said he could. So, for an hour or so a week, for a few weeks he has gone along with dad to share his love of shinty with other children. Apparently it was a big hit and these children were sad to have their last session this week.</span><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today I loved the fact that finally it felt a little bit like spring is on the way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fraser loves to be outside and it was a bit more pleasant sitting out with him this afternoon. Don't be fooled by the short sleeves that David is wearing in the photo above though! It wasn't quite that warm, although he didn't notice!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xGEUKhoXWFA/VQw8fIZMojI/AAAAAAAAwRY/n_Y3OMLS9u0/s2048/20150320_152710.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xGEUKhoXWFA/VQw8fIZMojI/AAAAAAAAwRY/n_Y3OMLS9u0/s500/20150320_152710.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705456.49" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zL_FkPYfFmg/VQw8bjZG3PI/AAAAAAAAwRM/uydLoR4nRHM/s2048/20150320_152705.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zL_FkPYfFmg/VQw8bjZG3PI/AAAAAAAAwRM/uydLoR4nRHM/s500/20150320_152705.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705504.3223" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And finally, I couldn't let today go by without sharing my photos of this morning's Solar Eclipse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a beautiful sunny morning at first and then some clouds rolled in about half an hour before the eclipse. They actually made it easier to see the eclipse though, as it wasn't so bright against the sky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The clouds look really dark in my photos but they weren't that dark at all. I also thought that with a 93% eclipse it would be a lot darker than it turned out to be. It was as dark as a big rain cloud passing by. It did however get an awful lot colder while the eclipse was taking place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, here's my view of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XScrmDinv-s/VQwafZcwpmI/AAAAAAAAwPY/snOOB0OxDYk/s2048/20150320_093146.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XScrmDinv-s/VQwafZcwpmI/AAAAAAAAwPY/snOOB0OxDYk/s500/20150320_093146.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705447.6804" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H-uqRAB5jJc/VQwai7pmKXI/AAAAAAAAwPk/aO73GvIHn0U/s2048/20150320_093150.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H-uqRAB5jJc/VQwai7pmKXI/AAAAAAAAwPk/aO73GvIHn0U/s500/20150320_093150.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705513.6414" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KwdUZP8rdnw/VQwasSn1VvI/AAAAAAAAwPw/YRKp9eiJp5k/s2048/20150320_093206.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KwdUZP8rdnw/VQwasSn1VvI/AAAAAAAAwPw/YRKp9eiJp5k/s500/20150320_093206.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705484.3743" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6bURfkB3SLM/VQwauGlnkJI/AAAAAAAAwP8/o5v-mJz87ww/s2048/20150320_093234.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6bURfkB3SLM/VQwauGlnkJI/AAAAAAAAwP8/o5v-mJz87ww/s500/20150320_093234.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705529.532" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SeumVRqcsu8/VQwayZA61WI/AAAAAAAAwQU/T-XJNTbC5t4/s2048/20150320_093303.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SeumVRqcsu8/VQwayZA61WI/AAAAAAAAwQU/T-XJNTbC5t4/s500/20150320_093303.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705508.404" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5gjY8FjsoGQ/VQwa0vXQVQI/AAAAAAAAwQg/sqa68dhcyi0/s2048/20150320_093438.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5gjY8FjsoGQ/VQwa0vXQVQI/AAAAAAAAwQg/sqa68dhcyi0/s500/20150320_093438.jpg" id="blogsy-1426896705519.9104" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Apparently when the next one is viewable from the UK my boys will be 26, 23, 20, 16 and 12! </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I'll be glad we have this little Things I'm Loving to look back on and remember by then!</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-90919022950330916832015-03-18T23:25:00.001+00:002015-03-18T23:25:41.772+00:00Prizewinning Selfie!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few weeks ago, in the half term holiday, we took a trip to Edinburgh Castle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xu_zfzGCLr8/VOdT7nq0EkI/AAAAAAAAvcg/1RFUYhkhess/s2048/20150220_121632.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xu_zfzGCLr8/VOdT7nq0EkI/AAAAAAAAvcg/1RFUYhkhess/s500/20150220_121632.jpg" id="blogsy-1426720519472.2422" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4wzX_b6LDRE/VOdUBWnBe5I/AAAAAAAAvc4/Z0cgziyTlmo/s2048/20150220_121754.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4wzX_b6LDRE/VOdUBWnBe5I/AAAAAAAAvc4/Z0cgziyTlmo/s500/20150220_121754.jpg" id="blogsy-1426720519504.4917" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ITSZFDTqmuw/VOdUFkPf49I/AAAAAAAAvdQ/gUGu4Fb_7Ow/s2048/20150220_122859.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ITSZFDTqmuw/VOdUFkPf49I/AAAAAAAAvdQ/gUGu4Fb_7Ow/s500/20150220_122859.jpg" id="blogsy-1426720519437.1558" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fmYZf4GY98s/VOdUY16SLMI/AAAAAAAAveM/fM3oMaP6jyI/s2048/20150220_130639.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fmYZf4GY98s/VOdUY16SLMI/AAAAAAAAveM/fM3oMaP6jyI/s500/20150220_130639.jpg" id="blogsy-1426720519476.575" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RcKPJSVRAB8/VOdUoI9UX9I/AAAAAAAAvfU/1W9d-sb--l8/s2048/20150220_130959.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RcKPJSVRAB8/VOdUoI9UX9I/AAAAAAAAvfU/1W9d-sb--l8/s601/20150220_130959.jpg" id="blogsy-1426720519478.0957" class="aligncenter" width="601" height="450" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-63r6rE5s3vo/VOdUwSo6haI/AAAAAAAAvf4/8syjYyqbG5I/s2048/20150220_131544.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-63r6rE5s3vo/VOdUwSo6haI/AAAAAAAAvf4/8syjYyqbG5I/s500/20150220_131544.jpg" id="blogsy-1426720519429.8354" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While we were there I remembered that Historic Scotland were running a selfie competition on Twitter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All you had to do was take a selfie at any of the Historic Scotland properties and post it on Twitter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I gave the responsibility for our entry to Calum (12) as he's always taking selfies, and this was the result. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E-m0CWvIyHI/VOdVCchkqoI/AAAAAAAAvhM/aPy5UjJNc_U/s1280/20150220_134713.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E-m0CWvIyHI/VOdVCchkqoI/AAAAAAAAvhM/aPy5UjJNc_U/s500/20150220_134713.jpg" id="blogsy-1426720519486.061" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> It was freezing cold and quite windy, and I'm not really sure what kind of face David was trying to make!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Anyway, just last week we found out that our rather silly selfie won joint first!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">James, who at 15 is mortified by all his brother's selfies, couldn't quite believe it!</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-54323444067718331932015-03-16T23:29:00.001+00:002015-03-16T23:29:11.906+00:00Make it Monday - Mini Egg Bark<p style="text-align: center;">Those of you who have been following our houseful of boys for any length of time will probably know that my absolute favourite Christmas treat is the ridiculously easy to make - and also far to easy to eat - Peppermint Bark. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> A layer of milk chocolate covered with a layer of white chocolate that contains some peppermint essence and topped with crushed candy canes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FKINrGDcVXc/VQdnOz1qD4I/AAAAAAAAwLc/rfc4-H1lPY8/s1024/Photo%25252020150316232853.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FKINrGDcVXc/VQdnOz1qD4I/AAAAAAAAwLc/rfc4-H1lPY8/s500/Photo%25252020150316232853.jpg" id="blogsy-1426548551515.815" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> Well, I got to thinking recently that since the Peppermint Bark season is so short, perhaps I could extend it by making an Easter version.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">And so I did.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vuw5dK0KIIA/VQdnROIk2WI/AAAAAAAAwLk/WEBRh-e4HeA/s1024/Photo%25252020150316232853.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vuw5dK0KIIA/VQdnROIk2WI/AAAAAAAAwLk/WEBRh-e4HeA/s500/Photo%25252020150316232853.jpg" id="blogsy-1426548551517.3472" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> And boy was I delighted with the results!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I switched the layers of chocolate around, with the white is on the bottom this time so that the mini eggs show up better.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">All you need to do is melt 300g white chocolate and spread in a lined rectangular baking tray. Let it harden in the fridge while you melt 300g milk chocolate and then spread this on top of the white layer. Lightly crush a 90g bag of mini eggs (I'm pretty sure there was more in these last year than 90g!) and sprinkle over the top of the milk chocolate while warm. Then just let it all set and slice it into squares.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Our favourite chocolate is Aldis basic chocolate that costs 30p for a 100g bar so this treat is not only delicious but super savvy cost wise too. A whole tray will cost on £2.80 and would make a lovely Easter gift if packaged up nicely. Much cheaper than an Easter Egg and you get more chocolate in it too! Win, win.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">In order to compensate for how much of this delight that I may have eaten over the weekend, today marked the restart (after a rather long absence) of our Couch to 5k running for myself and Calum (12) and David (9). I'm not convinced I'll ever be a good runner but it feels good to get out and do something after hibernating all winter!</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-55828972455531898542015-03-09T22:59:00.001+00:002015-03-09T22:59:59.194+00:00Make it Monday - DIY white clay <p style="text-align: center;"> A few weeks ago when we were round at my brother's house for dinner, Alasdair (5) and his 7 year old cousin were busy making some sculptures with some homemade white clay that my nephew had made. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">It reminded me that I had pinned a recipe for some DIY white clay before Christmas, with the intention of making some Christmas ornaments out of it, but that I had never got round to making.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">So, the next day we looked up the recipe and made up a batch of white clay using this recipe <a href="http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/12/white-clay-ornaments-tutorial.html" target="_self" title="">here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I liked the idea of it as it doesn't contain flour so would be fine for the boys with wheat allergies to handle.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I had read the comments on that post and some people had said that their creations had cracked when drying so I was a little bit wary of it and hoped that the boys wouldn't be too attached to anything they made - just in case!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">They made some shapes using cookie cutters and I had the idea of making some labels for some new jars I had bought for storing some baking supplies in. I used some letter stamps to add the names of what was in the jars on each label.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">We left our creations to dry overnight as some commenters had said that drying in the oven was worse for cracking. It took a couple of days for them to dry right through.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">And some things did indeed crack. I would say less than half of the shapes did though, and my theory is that it was the ones that had been made with clay that had been re-rolled and re-rolled that cracked.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">My little latkes didn't crack though and I added a layer of Mod Podge to give them a little bit extra strength.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Then I threaded them up and added them to my jars. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0dGAUWHmrnY/VPsvVqT060I/AAAAAAAAv6k/thN9aOOnJ9w/s2048/20150307_170302.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0dGAUWHmrnY/VPsvVqT060I/AAAAAAAAv6k/thN9aOOnJ9w/s500/20150307_170302.jpg" id="blogsy-1425941747340.5083" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So that it is especially obvious which jar is the one with a gluten free flour I wrote over the letters with Sharpie. Just to avoid any mix ups. In future I might have used ink on the stamps when using them to make this a bit neater but it's fine for now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CWOTKN_zllY/VPsvi0Z_4DI/AAAAAAAAv68/LPhxs21uWn0/s2048/20150307_170332.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CWOTKN_zllY/VPsvi0Z_4DI/AAAAAAAAv68/LPhxs21uWn0/s500/20150307_170332.jpg" id="blogsy-1425941747365.374" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FAeUmyh4AHQ/VPsvk1bJZXI/AAAAAAAAv7I/ksRXq-_BKe4/s2048/20150307_170347.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FAeUmyh4AHQ/VPsvk1bJZXI/AAAAAAAAv7I/ksRXq-_BKe4/s500/20150307_170347.jpg" id="blogsy-1425941747323.1968" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-96yRDTvOgDs/VPsvhcf7-pI/AAAAAAAAv6w/hyxvhKAxP_I/s2048/20150307_170321.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-96yRDTvOgDs/VPsvhcf7-pI/AAAAAAAAv6w/hyxvhKAxP_I/s500/20150307_170321.jpg" id="blogsy-1425941747331.1943" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">The little model that Alasdair made with his cousin has dried very well with no signs of cracking at all so I must get his recipe from him again. I know it used some PVA glue as he did write it down for Alasdair but I'm not sure where it ended up!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I'll share it when I find it again!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-31522018102719294842015-03-05T23:20:00.001+00:002015-03-05T23:20:39.379+00:00Recipe of the Week - Gluten free & Dairy free Carrot Cake<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YRk7H07WySk/VPjkw-_Qq9I/AAAAAAAAv40/GUcT9-tLFp0/s1024/Photo%25252020150305232030.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YRk7H07WySk/VPjkw-_Qq9I/AAAAAAAAv40/GUcT9-tLFp0/s500/Photo%25252020150305232030.jpg" id="blogsy-1425597639569.5425" class="aligncenter" width="546" height="546" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">When I first set about making a free from carrot cake it seemed like a straightforward cake to adapt, and it was. After all, most carrot cake recipes use oil rather than butter and all that extra moisture could only be good for a gluten free cake.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I've added some orange to my cake as well and spent longer than was probably necessary debating with myself whether I should call it <em>Carrot Cake</em> or <em>Carrot & Orange Cake</em>! In the end I decided to stick with just <em>Carrot Cake</em> as it's more like a Carrot Cake with a hint of orange.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Anyway, onto the cake. I bake ours in a square brownie tin and it bakes in about 30 minutes. You could also bake it in a deeper round tin at a slightly lower temperature and for slightly longer if you wanted a deeper cake, or even in a loaf tin. It depends what you are after really. I find the depth of the squares from our brownie tin deep enough.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">As this cake is dairy free, the topping is not the traditional cream cheese topping you often get on Carrot Cakes. There is a dairy free cream substitute available but none of us like the taste of it and so I top our cake with an orange flavoured butter icing.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Finally, if you want to make this with non free from ingredients it will work just fine. No need to adjust any of the quantities.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">For the cake you will need:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>2 eggs</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>140ml vegetable oil</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Grated zest of one orange</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>200g brown sugar</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>300g grated carrot (about 4 medium carrots)</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>180g Doves Farm Gluten Free Self Raising Flour</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>2 tsps ground cinnamon</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1tsp mixed spice</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">For the icing you will need:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>50g dairy free margarine </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>200g icing sugar</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>4 tsps orange juice </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">- Preheat oven to 180C (160C if you are baking in a deeper tin) and grease & line your tin.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Beat the eggs in a bowl and then add the oil and orange zest.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Add the sugar and carrots.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- In another bowl mix together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and the spices.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Add to the carrot mix and mix together well, just with a wooden spoon is fine.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Bake for around 30 minutes (or longer if you are using a deeper tin)</p><p style="text-align: center;">- While the cake cools make your icing.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Add all the icing ingredients to a bowl and beat together with a mixer until smooth.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Spread over the cooled cake.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gEZ4j_TiZZI/VPiqbWi46OI/AAAAAAAAv4k/ThNNjMmMx7k/s2048/20150305_191121.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gEZ4j_TiZZI/VPiqbWi46OI/AAAAAAAAv4k/ThNNjMmMx7k/s500/20150305_191121.jpg" id="blogsy-1425597639587.4211" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-7785912021272634032015-02-26T23:21:00.001+00:002015-02-26T23:21:12.419+00:00Recipe of the week - Easy Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aYzysgoG8CQ/VO-qXKztqAI/AAAAAAAAvm8/bdi-8-eDVmE/s1024/Photo%25252020150226232052.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aYzysgoG8CQ/VO-qXKztqAI/AAAAAAAAvm8/bdi-8-eDVmE/s500/Photo%25252020150226232052.jpg" id="blogsy-1424992872584.031" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">For our Valentines Day breakfast this year I wanted to try something a bit different. I really, really fancied some Cinnamon Rolls and so searched around for a good straightforward recipe. There are quite a few available online and this is one that I have adapted from some of those that I found.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I wanted the dough to be made in the breadmaker. Paul Hollywood would not approve, I'm sure, but then he doesn't have five children to fit in around his bread making! Besides, the lovely Mary Berry is often heard recommending time saving gadgets so I know she wouldn't mind.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I also wanted to make up the rolls up to the point of cooking them the night before, so that all I had to do in the morning was pop the uncooked rolls into the oven for 15 minutes and then we could enjoy them fresh and warm from the oven.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm pleased to say that my technique worked and on Valentine's morning we did indeed have fresh warm Cinnamon Rolls. Those boys who couldn't eat them had our usual weekend breakfast of pancakes so there were no complaints from them.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">The cinnamon rolls were so good that I may or may not have eaten one (perhaps two) for my lunch on Valentine's Day too. Let's just say that I'm glad that I'm still nursing a little 16 month old so as to justify those extra calories!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I really can't recommend these enough. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">For the dough you will need:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1 cup warm milk</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>2 eggs, beaten</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1/3 cup butter, melted</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>4 1/2 cups strong white flour</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1 tsp salt</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1/2 cup white sugar</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>2 1/2 tsps dried yeast</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">For the cinnamon filling you will need:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>A little more butter</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1/2 cup brown sugar</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">For the glaze you will need:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>2oz icing sugar </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>enough water to make up into a drizzable icing</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">- Put the milk, eggs, melted butter, flour, salt, white sugar & yeast into the bread machine, select the 'dough' setting and start it working.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">- When the cycle is finished, turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll out into a rectangle about 1-2cm thick. Spread the extra butter over the dough, as thick as you would if you were having some bread and butter.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Mix the cinnamon and brown sugar and then spread it evenly all over your buttered dough.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Roll the dough up like a Swiss roll, starting with the longer side.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Cut the rolled up dough into about 12 even slices and place them in a greased, rectangular baking dish. Leave a little space between each roll as they will end up touching when they have their second rise.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Cover with cling film and leave overnight. (Alternatively you could leave them to rise for about 30 minutes and then bake.)</p><p style="text-align: center;">- In the morning, preheat the oven to 180C, remove the cling film and bake the rolls for around 15 minutes until lovely and brown.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- While the rolls are cooking, make up a thickish icing .</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Remove the rolls from the oven and then drizzle with the icing.</p><p style="text-align: center;">- Enjoy as a lazy weekend breakfast.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A8OF9hFst30/VO-qZPQsRgI/AAAAAAAAvnE/Uryc6fUPsbU/s1024/Photo%25252020150226232052.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A8OF9hFst30/VO-qZPQsRgI/AAAAAAAAvnE/Uryc6fUPsbU/s500/Photo%25252020150226232052.jpg" id="blogsy-1424992872640.4695" class="aligncenter" width="570" height="761" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-46779092550938119592015-02-24T23:51:00.001+00:002015-02-24T23:51:28.283+00:00Makings - Furniture Painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At the beginning of the year I was putting something away in the shed when I discovered an old shelving unit hidden away behind a pile of stuff. It was an old display shelf that we used to have hanging in the study/spare room when we used to have one and before it became a bedroom. I think it must have been in the shed for nearly 10 years and I had completely forgotten about it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It looked like just the sort of thing I was after to hang in our dining room as a little space for some of my things.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was rather dusty and cobwebby and I wasn't so keen on the darkness of the wood but I was excited at the chance to try my hand at furniture painting!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After giving it a good hoover - in case there were any spiders lurking on it anywhere - and then a throrough wash, I was ready to give it a makeover.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wKo6fP3Y8Qw/VO0HSTu7EHI/AAAAAAAAvlk/lYTUZJci5xs/s1600/20150217_120716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wKo6fP3Y8Qw/VO0HSTu7EHI/AAAAAAAAvlk/lYTUZJci5xs/s1600/20150217_120716.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As you can see above, I also had an eager helper!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When I went out to buy the chalk paint I had an idea in my head that I wanted something duck-egg blue. Then when I was looking at the colours in the shop I thought that since our walls are light coloured maybe it would look a bit bland and so I challenged myself to be a bit braver and go for a darker colour.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The colour I chose was called 'Belgrave' by Rustoleum and before I started painting I began to have a few doubts about whether I had done the right thing by being so bold!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Only a few strokes into the painting and I new I had chosen the perfect colour. I couldn't wait to get the second coat of paint on and get it hanging on the wall!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But before I reveal the finished shelf, first a little explanation about some lovely new china I bought to display on it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My in-laws gave me a gift card for the lovely Cath Kidston as a Christmas present. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knUuy8qnX0E/VO0IVB17eaI/AAAAAAAAvlw/1Q5wXMD0Z5g/s1600/20150203_143808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knUuy8qnX0E/VO0IVB17eaI/AAAAAAAAvlw/1Q5wXMD0Z5g/s1600/20150203_143808.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
By the time I got round to spending the card, the January sales were coming to an end with some major reductions and I was able to buy this fun set of cups and saucers with £30 off! Quite the bargain! And a couple of other matching items too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeihN13mNd8/VO0IVD4hBqI/AAAAAAAAvlw/2JKUbBpO51M/s1600/20150203_191547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeihN13mNd8/VO0IVD4hBqI/AAAAAAAAvlw/2JKUbBpO51M/s1600/20150203_191547.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Although I would have liked four plates to go with the cups, this was the last one in the store and there were no more left online either, so this is my special plate, perfect for a slice of chocolate cake.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N-Z6zY10ZnA/VO0IVJEEpSI/AAAAAAAAvlw/adooWgBIWmk/s1600/20150203_192043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N-Z6zY10ZnA/VO0IVJEEpSI/AAAAAAAAvlw/adooWgBIWmk/s1600/20150203_192043.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now, onto the shelf.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Remember how dark it looked before?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Look at it now!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sT-KS0eK810/VO0HST12koI/AAAAAAAAvlk/LbLgFx7DM08/s1600/20150221_124304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sT-KS0eK810/VO0HST12koI/AAAAAAAAvlk/LbLgFx7DM08/s1600/20150221_124304.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ah, I'm so pleased with how it turned out. The colour matches my tablecloth perfectly, as well as the colours in the china and everything else on the shelf. I love the 50s retro feel of it and I'm so glad I didn't go for the pale colour now too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's my little corner of pretty in this male dominated house and I find myself walking past and gazing at it with immense satisfaction that I transformed it from ugly duckling to beautiful swan.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The trouble is, now I seem to have caught the furniture painting bug and am wondering what I can try next!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/52/55F08EB3A107B3873E87DCF8EBBEF9DD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-32072904374106488792015-02-17T23:53:00.001+00:002015-02-17T23:53:45.800+00:00Makings - Woodwork Projects & Blanket Update<p style="text-align: center;"> Over to some of the boys for a few makes tonight.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Firstly, Calum (12) and his first completed project from woodwork at school.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">In first year at high school they have to design their own spatula, thinking through what it will be used for before sketching it out and then making it.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Calum loves his pancakes and wanted to make a spatula that we could use when making them. He designed the front to be quite thin and also quite wide as well, so as to fit a pancake on it!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0cT1ByZIzKg/VOIxA2cxJjI/AAAAAAAAvT4/K_N07_4dx4U/s2048/20150216_175630.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0cT1ByZIzKg/VOIxA2cxJjI/AAAAAAAAvT4/K_N07_4dx4U/s601/20150216_175630.jpg" id="blogsy-1424215417104.0217" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="601" height="450"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He engraved 'The Murray Spatula #2' on it as James' one that he made a couple of years ago was the first one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> That's he two of them below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f5VANfu8AnQ/VOIxHdZ2TfI/AAAAAAAAvUQ/-zqJwjLJCvQ/s2048/20150216_175701.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f5VANfu8AnQ/VOIxHdZ2TfI/AAAAAAAAvUQ/-zqJwjLJCvQ/s601/20150216_175701.jpg" id="blogsy-1424215417115.7988" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="601" height="450"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> James (15) also brought home his latest woodwork project this week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He has been designing and making a little side table, which he wanted to convey his love of comic books.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jAvRt4GP9J4/VOIuGxfn2SI/AAAAAAAAvSU/7q8zJJvKJ_E/s2048/20150216_175101.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jAvRt4GP9J4/VOIuGxfn2SI/AAAAAAAAvSU/7q8zJJvKJ_E/s500/20150216_175101.jpg" id="blogsy-1424215417120.762" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I think he certainly achieves that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The colour on the top is much brighter than it looks in these evening light photos, and I love the retro comic feel of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QOU0kNs2a-U/VOIt-C-v0UI/AAAAAAAAvRw/zJf4r12Zs3E/s2048/20150216_175023.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QOU0kNs2a-U/VOIt-C-v0UI/AAAAAAAAvRw/zJf4r12Zs3E/s500/20150216_175023.jpg" id="blogsy-1424215417128.2424" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's done a really great job of the woodwork as well as the decor. It's the perfect size to sit beside where dad sits on the sofa so that he can put his coffee on it when he sits down in the evening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">James makes sure that dad has a coaster though so that he doesn't mess up that paint job!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zbe-d-x9oZM/VOIuA9zXPmI/AAAAAAAAvR8/WDVM9I81CPU/s2048/20150216_175032.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zbe-d-x9oZM/VOIuA9zXPmI/AAAAAAAAvR8/WDVM9I81CPU/s500/20150216_175032.jpg" id="blogsy-1424215417122.1082" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ally (5) has also been creating this week, this is his drawing of me and Fraser on the front of the Valentines card he made this week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZVkES2CkYu8/VOIw9uFeu2I/AAAAAAAAvTs/1vee-pdlXc0/s2048/20150216_175544.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZVkES2CkYu8/VOIw9uFeu2I/AAAAAAAAvTs/1vee-pdlXc0/s500/20150216_175544.jpg" id="blogsy-1424215417183.9802" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Finally, a wee update on my Cosy blanket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This week I've just passed the half way point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sUUETsXhtBE/VOIuyDmdiWI/AAAAAAAAvSs/_qzPJeGhRys/s2048/20150216_175225.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sUUETsXhtBE/VOIuyDmdiWI/AAAAAAAAvSs/_qzPJeGhRys/s604/20150216_175225.jpg" id="blogsy-1424215417138.8735" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="604" height="453"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here it is alongside a cute five year old for an idea of the size.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5CfDMJloVVs/VOIu1vOXFrI/AAAAAAAAvS4/TxHo5W1cDpM/s2048/20150216_175250.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5CfDMJloVVs/VOIu1vOXFrI/AAAAAAAAvS4/TxHo5W1cDpM/s602/20150216_175250.jpg" id="blogsy-1424215417191.5786" class="aligncenter" width="602" height="452" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> And since the colours weren't showing up as bright in the dull evening light, here is a closer shot, complete with a cute one year old making a bee line for the crochet hook!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KNzEsLtpD5I/VOIu7r_WgaI/AAAAAAAAvTQ/-Q-dCnjrays/s2048/20150216_175340.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KNzEsLtpD5I/VOIu7r_WgaI/AAAAAAAAvTQ/-Q-dCnjrays/s605/20150216_175340.jpg" id="blogsy-1424215417215.843" class="aligncenter" width="605" height="454" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Got it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6c95MiUxUEk/VOIu_-6FVvI/AAAAAAAAvTc/RURVknOkyQY/s2048/20150216_175421.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6c95MiUxUEk/VOIu_-6FVvI/AAAAAAAAvTc/RURVknOkyQY/s500/20150216_175421.jpg" id="blogsy-1424215417201.8691" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm still loving working on this blanket as much as when I started it and it now has the added bonus of being big enough to keep me warm as I work on it!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-69484564046984347232015-02-12T22:31:00.001+00:002015-02-12T22:31:48.897+00:00Visiting Edinburgh Zoo
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Every time I went to blog this week I found a boy doing homework on the computer!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> My blogging is usually done late at night when the boys are in bed, well the younger ones anyway, but with a teenager in the house who keeps late hours when assignments are due that hasn't been possible so far this week!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I think his work is all done now, but he's at Army cadets just now anyway so before it gets too far past the event I have jumped online to share our photos of a lovely trip to the Zoo we had at the weekend.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We went with the charity <a href="http://eczemaoutreachscotland.org.uk" target="_blank" title="">Eczema Outreach Scotland</a>, who I have written about before. They organise events for families of children with eczema, where children and parents can meet others in the same situation and are able to support and learn from each other. They released the details of the Zoo trip before Christmas and we jumped at the chance of signing up. For the both the chance of a visit to the zoo as well as for the workshops they had planned.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Ally (5) was counting down the days for about 2 weeks running up to the day. Every morning he would ask how many more beds it was until we were going to the zoo. His excitement was mounting as the day grew closer!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gps8ZUjlXR0/VNZG8RUR5eI/AAAAAAAAu9g/5iUBrOaQbQ0/s2048/20150207_091856.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gps8ZUjlXR0/VNZG8RUR5eI/AAAAAAAAu9g/5iUBrOaQbQ0/s500/20150207_091856.jpg" id="blogsy-1423780257128.153" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The other boys were also looking forward to the trip, especially Calum (12) who is a huge animal lover - as we were walking round the zoo he said how it was one of his dreams to get one of those 'Zoo keeper for a day' experiences.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Once everyone had met up at the zoo, the children were put into groups and taken to see around the zoo by some volunteers. Each group was of five children so our boys made up a group of their own! While they were seeing all the animals the parents watched a presentation by a dermatologist which was followed by the chance for questions and discussion. Then a couple of dermatology nurses showed us a selection of creams and pastes.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">By the time this was finished the children had returned and we all had lunch together.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">They had been away for two hours and although I knew Fraser (1) would be fine with James (15) I didn't expect him to last the full two hours without James having to bring him back to me but I was wrong! He loved being shown all the animals by his brothers.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">After lunch there was an art workshop for the children. They were asked to paint their favourite dream on a pillowcase. Calum, Ally and David (9) all did paintings but chose to do what their favourite dream would be rather than one that they have had.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> Ally chose to draw superheroes - Ally's Avengers.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b23FW6Wat7k/VNZHkRr7ioI/AAAAAAAAvAU/naRDVmpSaZ4/s2048/20150207_131821.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b23FW6Wat7k/VNZHkRr7ioI/AAAAAAAAvAU/naRDVmpSaZ4/s500/20150207_131821.jpg" id="blogsy-1423780257105.8252" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Calum drew a Landrover, some sheep and a collie dog in the countryside.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VkyjfA2cFCQ/VNZHhx9xViI/AAAAAAAAvAI/k19r9irWe0Y/s2048/20150207_131812.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VkyjfA2cFCQ/VNZHhx9xViI/AAAAAAAAvAI/k19r9irWe0Y/s500/20150207_131812.jpg" id="blogsy-1423780257132.9868" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">David drew a shinty match.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2PmMLUgIIjE/VNZHVrJkCRI/AAAAAAAAu_M/Et2fTm8apJQ/s2048/20150207_125833.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2PmMLUgIIjE/VNZHVrJkCRI/AAAAAAAAu_M/Et2fTm8apJQ/s500/20150207_125833.jpg" id="blogsy-1423780257135.0073" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We were finished all of this before 1pm and so had the rest of the afternoon to see more of the zoo.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">A couple of highlights of the afternoon were the high ropes walk that Calum and David did... </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cVYmgwfpFAg/VNZH5D36pXI/AAAAAAAAvBo/sSdqyo4i6dk/s2048/20150207_134455.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cVYmgwfpFAg/VNZH5D36pXI/AAAAAAAAvBo/sSdqyo4i6dk/s566/20150207_134455.jpg" id="blogsy-1423780257138.572" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="566" height="424"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pXYTcHDnCK4/VNZIDZjooLI/AAAAAAAAvCM/BcSriqxBkqU/s2048/20150207_134748.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pXYTcHDnCK4/VNZIDZjooLI/AAAAAAAAvCM/BcSriqxBkqU/s500/20150207_134748.jpg" id="blogsy-1423780257174.1165" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2pBEWcZzbZ8/VNZIHx19XcI/AAAAAAAAvCk/-A4W3Pg2zqQ/s2048/20150207_134853.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2pBEWcZzbZ8/VNZIHx19XcI/AAAAAAAAvCk/-A4W3Pg2zqQ/s557/20150207_134853.jpg" id="blogsy-1423780257125.7231" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="557" height="417"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and of course the penguin parade!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8urF9oOqzg8/VNZIR_q9K7I/AAAAAAAAvDI/9ydOZzCcqII/s2048/20150207_141850.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8urF9oOqzg8/VNZIR_q9K7I/AAAAAAAAvDI/9ydOZzCcqII/s500/20150207_141850.jpg" id="blogsy-1423780257124.4048" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rather than post the rest of my photos here I've made another Flipagram of them below.</p>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="500" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/506tlHh_Lj8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It was such a fun day for everyone. Despite dealing with eczema in children for 15 years now I still enjoyed the talk from the dermatologist and meeting the nurses. If you have children with eczema and haven't already joined up with Eczema Outreach then I highly recommend it. The days out are fun but the support and advice are even better.</p>
<p> </p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-50380372293483423662015-02-04T14:43:00.001+00:002015-02-04T14:43:59.445+00:00Burns Night 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My husband's sister has hosted a Burns Supper every year for more than a decade now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The format hasn't changed over the years. A haggis dinner is provided by my sister in law and the guests bring along puddings. Once the food is over there is usually a Scottish quiz and then after this it's time for the music - a few solos if anyone is feeling brave enough and then communal singing and playing of Scottish folk songs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a chance for us to dig out our kilts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wr40wX5HxI8/VM1muXITrBI/AAAAAAAAuwk/xckkXIda2oA/s2048/20150131_193029.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wr40wX5HxI8/VM1muXITrBI/AAAAAAAAuwk/xckkXIda2oA/s607/20150131_193029.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037185.6445" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="607" height="455"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> James (15) was going to wear his dad's kilt but decided at the last minute that it was still a bit too big. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fraser wore a kilt for the first time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1mkCmPOsbYI/VM1nDSq-EXI/AAAAAAAAuxg/nD7S87TgLgM/s2048/20150131_194604.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1mkCmPOsbYI/VM1nDSq-EXI/AAAAAAAAuxg/nD7S87TgLgM/s500/20150131_194604.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037260.6758" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> His one is actually the one that my youngest brother wore to our wedding! He was only 18 months old when we got married. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4aFo3gP0m3c/VM1mcocychI/AAAAAAAAuwA/0UL-2SZc6WE/s2048/20150131_192846.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4aFo3gP0m3c/VM1mcocychI/AAAAAAAAuwA/0UL-2SZc6WE/s500/20150131_192846.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037183.7163" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You should know by now that Calum (12) always has to take a few selfies of us when we are doing something special! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oVkoGX6AJ6E/VM1mwSdUn6I/AAAAAAAAuww/VIYz5HDz75c/s1280/20150131_193244.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oVkoGX6AJ6E/VM1mwSdUn6I/AAAAAAAAuww/VIYz5HDz75c/s500/20150131_193244.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037202.0117" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7RPlXIdvuIA/VM1mz9w0SkI/AAAAAAAAuxI/xt8LivxZdkU/s1280/20150131_193320.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7RPlXIdvuIA/VM1mz9w0SkI/AAAAAAAAuxI/xt8LivxZdkU/s500/20150131_193320.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037201.1943" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our boys love haggis!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WhlX9PEkxFc/VNIvvMajI5I/AAAAAAAAu6Q/VY7-HsOEzcc/s1024/Photo%25252020150204144147.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WhlX9PEkxFc/VNIvvMajI5I/AAAAAAAAu6Q/VY7-HsOEzcc/s500/Photo%25252020150204144147.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037270.9846" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The pudding table is always impressive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made another of my chocolate finger and M&Ms cakes to bring along.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UL8-yOtal0c/VM1nleYqKxI/AAAAAAAAuyQ/ayfmt4hB9Is/s2048/20150131_202722.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UL8-yOtal0c/VM1nleYqKxI/AAAAAAAAuyQ/ayfmt4hB9Is/s500/20150131_202722.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037235.0486" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IOQ-O87rEyQ/VNIvyM7_HVI/AAAAAAAAu6Y/IME_3U-0Lp0/s1024/Photo%25252020150204144147.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IOQ-O87rEyQ/VNIvyM7_HVI/AAAAAAAAu6Y/IME_3U-0Lp0/s500/Photo%25252020150204144147.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037206.8623" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9G1X9kwlx20/VNIv1psr_UI/AAAAAAAAu6g/13g6-sWI_gE/s1024/Photo%25252020150204144147.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9G1X9kwlx20/VNIv1psr_UI/AAAAAAAAu6g/13g6-sWI_gE/s500/Photo%25252020150204144147.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037269.528" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Scottish Quiz required us to name these famous Scots. How many can you get?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HiJgvwsYeZc/VNIv36OOQHI/AAAAAAAAu6o/7RFRYx73iL4/s1024/Photo%25252020150204144148.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HiJgvwsYeZc/VNIv36OOQHI/AAAAAAAAu6o/7RFRYx73iL4/s500/Photo%25252020150204144148.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037243.416" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look who was on the winning team! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Wuh9khZbqZ4/VNIv6ZIkqzI/AAAAAAAAu6w/X4L33z27vIE/s1024/Photo%25252020150204144148.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Wuh9khZbqZ4/VNIv6ZIkqzI/AAAAAAAAu6w/X4L33z27vIE/s500/Photo%25252020150204144148.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037275.4006" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="598" height="448"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">James has been looking at Scottish music in music at school just now and has just finished doing a group performance of a Jig, where he played the piano. He used Calum's accordion to play it at the Supper and was accompanied by dad on the guitar. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GhuTKIOaeMA/VM1ns6ePemI/AAAAAAAAuyc/erhVdL8ocWQ/s2048/20150131_213406.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GhuTKIOaeMA/VM1ns6ePemI/AAAAAAAAuyc/erhVdL8ocWQ/s602/20150131_213406.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037228.1604" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="602" height="452"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-01G3dXoYO6I/VNIv96pj0AI/AAAAAAAAu64/m6h4mbSI6co/s1024/Photo%25252020150204144150.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-01G3dXoYO6I/VNIv96pj0AI/AAAAAAAAu64/m6h4mbSI6co/s500/Photo%25252020150204144150.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037258.136" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="613" height="460"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then it was over to Calum (and dad on the guitar again) to accompany the singing of folk songs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jR1V4ZsJ_Os/VNIwB8wVreI/AAAAAAAAu7A/JSn6wpSO-Ck/s1024/Photo%25252020150204144150.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jR1V4ZsJ_Os/VNIwB8wVreI/AAAAAAAAu7A/JSn6wpSO-Ck/s500/Photo%25252020150204144150.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037231.6794" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EkM-vAE27R0/VNIwFZkQizI/AAAAAAAAu7I/5x_pHN0jPhE/s1024/Photo%25252020150204144150.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EkM-vAE27R0/VNIwFZkQizI/AAAAAAAAu7I/5x_pHN0jPhE/s500/Photo%25252020150204144150.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037269.3877" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> And at the very end, Alasdair (5) wanted to show everyone his violin that he is going to start learning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5HD5F1XwoHc/VNIwIPQBkMI/AAAAAAAAu7Q/q3kDvNFdKBo/s1024/Photo%25252020150204144150.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5HD5F1XwoHc/VNIwIPQBkMI/AAAAAAAAu7Q/q3kDvNFdKBo/s500/Photo%25252020150204144150.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037288.4028" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Calum started learning it when he was about 8 before switching to accordion, so it's still a bit on the big side for Alasdair (I think it's 3/4 size but can't actually remember!) but he's determined he wants to learn it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FV6NNq3PbQw/VNIwKicLWuI/AAAAAAAAu7Y/Dmto-d6X6w4/s1024/Photo%25252020150204144150.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FV6NNq3PbQw/VNIwKicLWuI/AAAAAAAAu7Y/Dmto-d6X6w4/s500/Photo%25252020150204144150.jpg" id="blogsy-1423061037233.225" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Maybe next year he will be playing a tune for everyone too.</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-78468800337883020552015-02-03T21:23:00.001+00:002015-02-03T21:23:14.948+00:00Makings - Granny's Cushion<p style="text-align: center;"> Well the deadline worked.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">My mum flew home on Friday night with a neatly wrapped cushion cover for my granny in her suitcase.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I used Stylecraft Special DK yarn but I don't know the name of the two purples as they were from my stash basket. I love how they look together though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9esEcDoPzGA/VMoniARyQEI/AAAAAAAAumw/w8kji0CD99Q/s2048/20150129_122716.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9esEcDoPzGA/VMoniARyQEI/AAAAAAAAumw/w8kji0CD99Q/s605/20150129_122716.jpg" id="blogsy-1422998299474.518" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="605" height="454"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I ran out of the lighter purple when working on the v-stitch back so I decided to pretend that it was meant to be like this and finished it off with the cream since it's such a dominant colour on the front anyway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And actually I'm quite glad that it worked out that way!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JCrT7e5lTXA/VMonseLzk1I/AAAAAAAAum8/EE1VXZGAL6g/s2048/20150129_122733.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JCrT7e5lTXA/VMonseLzk1I/AAAAAAAAum8/EE1VXZGAL6g/s607/20150129_122733.jpg" id="blogsy-1422998299437.1353" class="aligncenter" width="607" height="455" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Granny loved it too, which was the most important thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also had time to make up this sweet little heart hanging for my aunt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bNaG22uz4IE/VMonDQM44KI/AAAAAAAAumk/3nbs1qIobKs/s2048/20150129_122611.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bNaG22uz4IE/VMonDQM44KI/AAAAAAAAumk/3nbs1qIobKs/s500/20150129_122611.jpg" id="blogsy-1422998299489.3616" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">The pattern for the heart is from, yes you've guessed, Attic 24!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Now it's back to my stripey blanket and to finish off January's cross stitch pattern before I can start February's!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-73327508741060743152015-01-30T21:57:00.001+00:002015-01-30T22:22:13.167+00:0015 months old<div style="text-align: center;">
It seems like every time I have an update on little Fraser I start by saying what a delight he is, but, well, he really is!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He still remains a mostly happy, contented little man.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zKuweuXcgjU/VMotlZkHdBI/AAAAAAAAupo/4cA7YLcM0co/s2048/20150129_124654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1422654742251.9446" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zKuweuXcgjU/VMotlZkHdBI/AAAAAAAAupo/4cA7YLcM0co/s500/20150129_124654.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On these snowy days he loves to be outside with his brothers when he can. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uduKgYH2yH4/VMoqivXv2nI/AAAAAAAAunY/V8ynk-O-vio/s2048/20150129_123528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="450" id="blogsy-1422654742320.3235" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uduKgYH2yH4/VMoqivXv2nI/AAAAAAAAunY/V8ynk-O-vio/s601/20150129_123528.jpg" width="601" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He has been cruising around the furniture since he was about 10 months old and has gradually held on less and less. Within the last couple of weeks he has really gained his confidence with his walking, and has gone from staggering a few steps with arms outstretched like a zombie to waddling back and forth up and down the room carrying things in his hands.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like shinty sticks, much to his daddy's delight!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o2YvrBSFQgo/VMvuoI-U0VI/AAAAAAAAutw/Rvqznn2XPHM/s2048/20150130_205011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1422654742294.3782" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o2YvrBSFQgo/VMvuoI-U0VI/AAAAAAAAutw/Rvqznn2XPHM/s500/20150130_205011.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At 15 months he has four top front teeth, four bottom front teeth and four molars. In keeping with his lovely nature he didn't grump when cutting his teeth and the first I knew he was getting them was when they broker through!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He has an enviably thick head of soft wavy hair, which I keep saying I need to trim but haven't quite got round to doing yet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When I was showing James (15) his own baby book the week of his birthday recently we saw the lock of his hair from his first hair cut in it. You would never believe it to see James' dark hair today but when he was Fraser's age it was the exact same shade.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p3vAvP3DXNI/VMovpw1jBVI/AAAAAAAAuqc/jeBH9vuCJoo/s2048/20150129_130229.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1422654742322.2483" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p3vAvP3DXNI/VMovpw1jBVI/AAAAAAAAuqc/jeBH9vuCJoo/s500/20150129_130229.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Until about a month ago Fraser wasn't so keen on food with bits in it at all. I wasn't too concerned about it though as Ally (5) and Calum (12) were exactly the same at that age. All of a sudden he went from eating pretty smooth foods to eating exactly what the rest of us were eating.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
His food allergies are dairy, wheat, egg, nuts, soya and coconut! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm hoping his egg allergy will be the same as the other boys - they can eat egg in cakes/biscuits when cooked but not on its own like boiled/scrambled/poached egg, meringue or touching raw egg - but I haven't been brave enough to try him with cakes containing eggs yet to find out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At the moment I'm trying to perfect some egg free cakes and one day I will try him with a cake containing egg. But not yet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He loves to feed himself.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N0TJiyTJ3m0/VLUVXWZ1hcI/AAAAAAAAuIw/q_d_QoLVyQ8/s2048/20150113_125257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1422654742242.1592" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N0TJiyTJ3m0/VLUVXWZ1hcI/AAAAAAAAuIw/q_d_QoLVyQ8/s500/20150113_125257.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Which sometimes goes well. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And other times gets a bit messy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P03WWVq5GOk/VMEFnwB_hKI/AAAAAAAAufU/fzKqy2_H5yU/s2048/20150122_141254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1422654742262.456" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P03WWVq5GOk/VMEFnwB_hKI/AAAAAAAAufU/fzKqy2_H5yU/s500/20150122_141254.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One little habit he has is that if he is falling asleep in my arms he likes to hold onto my hair. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qq6ySmMMiWg/VLUnUXE3QeI/AAAAAAAAuJs/9M0PugfxW7I/s2048/20150113_140954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1422654742300.2314" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qq6ySmMMiWg/VLUnUXE3QeI/AAAAAAAAuJs/9M0PugfxW7I/s500/20150113_140954.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He was given this little shirt at Christmas and we think he lives up to what is written on it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XrBtgjCT3ws/VLPrRwcAKUI/AAAAAAAAuIY/YDUh-y5Sl6o/s2048/IMG_20150112_154011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="750" id="blogsy-1422654742287.488" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XrBtgjCT3ws/VLPrRwcAKUI/AAAAAAAAuIY/YDUh-y5Sl6o/s500/IMG_20150112_154011.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a little clip I took of him last week walking and 'talking'. He is even steadier on his feet this week than he was in the clip but you get the idea!</div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qYHdS0pg00E" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="500"></iframe></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-38885099832234731102015-01-26T22:49:00.001+00:002015-01-26T22:49:27.236+00:00Make it Monday - Crochet Maybelle Square Cushion<p style="text-align: center;"> Remember the cushion I made my granny for Christmas?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rfiEiDTTy7k/VKKVsLtG4pI/AAAAAAAAtxY/rgBzEFYNc4w/s2048/20141230_120722.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rfiEiDTTy7k/VKKVsLtG4pI/AAAAAAAAtxY/rgBzEFYNc4w/s500/20141230_120722.jpg" id="blogsy-1422312296608.4653" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DwOH4VlsM2c/VKKV3wiL4WI/AAAAAAAAtxk/gN7pDUaGetU/s2048/20141230_120738.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DwOH4VlsM2c/VKKV3wiL4WI/AAAAAAAAtxk/gN7pDUaGetU/s500/20141230_120738.jpg" id="blogsy-1422312296618.3274" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, she loved it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So much so that she said it would be nice if she had two of them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's her birthday at the end of January and so I said I would make her another one for her birthday. After all, if you can't get what you ask for when you turn 91 then when can you?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The cushion starts out with these lovely little Maybelle Flowers - you can get the free pattern <a href="http://6ichthusfish.typepad.com/6ichthusfish/2010/05/maybelle-crochet-flower-free-pattern.html" target="_self" title="">he</a><a href="http://6ichthusfish.typepad.com/6ichthusfish/2010/05/maybelle-crochet-flower-free-pattern.html" target="_self" title=""></a>r<a href="http://6ichthusfish.typepad.com/6ichthusfish/2010/05/maybelle-crochet-flower-free-pattern.html" target="_self" title=""></a>e. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mrEj3u3o3ao/VMDfxgSm5dI/AAAAAAAAufA/FSHKyfi3Csw/s2048/20150122_113119.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mrEj3u3o3ao/VMDfxgSm5dI/AAAAAAAAufA/FSHKyfi3Csw/s500/20150122_113119.jpg" id="blogsy-1422312296614.383" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then they are turned into squares and crocheted together. The pattern for the squares is found on My Rose Valley blog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z-fzRQ_hRnE/VMO5tRqj8UI/AAAAAAAAugk/6LEYIi5QWeQ/s2048/IMG_20150124_152515.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z-fzRQ_hRnE/VMO5tRqj8UI/AAAAAAAAugk/6LEYIi5QWeQ/s500/IMG_20150124_152515.jpg" id="blogsy-1422312296596.833" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the back of the cushion I'm just making v-stitch stripes like I did on the first cushion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XwpyTOG4gE8/VMZYx9IndrI/AAAAAAAAuig/46x8QGgLFa4/s2048/20150126_150801.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XwpyTOG4gE8/VMZYx9IndrI/AAAAAAAAuig/46x8QGgLFa4/s601/20150126_150801.jpg" id="blogsy-1422312296586.9922" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="601" height="450"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I didn't have any of the pinks left that I used for the first cushion so I've made this one up in some pinkish purples from my yarn stash.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I also have a deadline, which always helps! My mum is down for a week visiting my new baby niece, and so I want to have this finished before she leaves at the end of the week and she can take it back home to my granny.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm also itching to get back to my colourful blanket that I shared last week!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-12343864890926225322015-01-20T23:12:00.003+00:002015-01-20T23:12:39.057+00:00Makings - Two new projects for the new year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first of my current makes is, of course, a crochet one.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It has a little back story too. Don't worry, just a little one.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You see, my husband's sister does not like to go shopping very much at all. When birthdays and Christmas come around she likes us to send her a link with what we would like and then all she has to do is click on it, pay for it and wait for it to be delivered!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I like to be surprised by presents though, and am not too keen on just asking for something. Since there was nothing I really needed anyway, I decided to ask for some yarn. I discovered that the <a href="http://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/">Wool Warehouse</a> sell yarn in the different colour combinations used by Lucy from Attic 24. I emailed the link to my three favourite colour packs and told my sister in law that she could choose which one. Then I still got the surprise.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She chose well as it was actually my favourite option that she bought - the colours for Lucy's Cosy Crochet Along that she did in November/December.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There is a really detailed tutorial <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/cosy-stripe-blanket.html">here</a> if anyone is interested in making one of these blankets, full of pictures that would really help a beginner out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's such a simple pattern and has an almost soothing rhythm to it as you work along the rows. Once the first couple of colours are done you don't really need to think about what you are doing any more and so it's the perfect sort of project to work on when your attention is also needed elsewhere - as mine almost always is!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The colours in it are so beautiful too. I love the richness of them and can see why it was called the 'cosy' blanket.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here it is alongside an assortment of Alasdair's superheroes and Fraser, who was just waiting to crawl right over the blanket!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FTxykze6AE4/VL7N0dJwNUI/AAAAAAAAuek/sFTHgI5h2mg/s1600/20150120_135548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FTxykze6AE4/VL7N0dJwNUI/AAAAAAAAuek/sFTHgI5h2mg/s1600/20150120_135548.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
See?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7d7bL_T9E9I/VL7N0ZxENMI/AAAAAAAAuek/8hQoFTOixzU/s1600/20150120_135534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7d7bL_T9E9I/VL7N0ZxENMI/AAAAAAAAuek/8hQoFTOixzU/s1600/20150120_135534.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hi mam!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PGpAEXoA23M/VL7N0SEE2FI/AAAAAAAAuek/AC0kJVpRudc/s1600/20150120_135557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PGpAEXoA23M/VL7N0SEE2FI/AAAAAAAAuek/AC0kJVpRudc/s1600/20150120_135557.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Aren't these colours such a delight? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Perfect to work on and add some cheer to the greyness of midwinter. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teTwata2e8I/VL7N0RZAlmI/AAAAAAAAuek/ePGge_LWRZE/s1600/20150120_135608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teTwata2e8I/VL7N0RZAlmI/AAAAAAAAuek/ePGge_LWRZE/s1600/20150120_135608.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm planning to keep this blanket in the living room for us all to snuggle under on cold days and evenings while watching a movie or reading together.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My second project that I have on the go at the moment is one that will last all year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Across on Instagram I came across the <a href="http://thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.bigcartel.com/">Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery</a>, who design cute cross stitch patterns. Last year they had a year long 'Once upon a Time Sampler' which was how I first heard about them. Each month they released a new part of the sampler, a new nursery rhyme for each month of the year, and I loved seeing everyone's samplers grow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This year their year long sampler is based on Classic books and I knew I wanted to join in.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image of 2015 Story Time Sampler PDF Cross Stitch Pattern" height="320" src="http://images.cdn.bigcartel.com/bigcartel/product_images/150968542/max_h-1000+max_w-1000/Story_Time_Sampler_-_January_Big_Cartel_Listing_Image.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Long before I began to crochet, in fact when I was about the age James is now, cross stitch was my big craft love. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This month's book is Alice in Wonderland and this is my progress so far, although this is only a couple of days worth and I haven't worked on it nearly as long as I have on my blanket!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MEaH0bPU4mA/VL7N0RhUQII/AAAAAAAAuek/oDNnddkNz5w/s1600/20150120_135705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MEaH0bPU4mA/VL7N0RhUQII/AAAAAAAAuek/oDNnddkNz5w/s1600/20150120_135705.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I didn't trust my counting from the middle to the top right where the first month is so i worked my way up by stitching the parts of the frames that go up from the middle, if that makes sense!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Unlike my crochet blanket, this is not the sort of project I can work on when there are distractions around!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Still, it's going to look so pretty when it's finished. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uX_7H8NqG3U/VL7N0XksskI/AAAAAAAAuek/ZdDdyWCtcFg/s1600/20150120_135725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uX_7H8NqG3U/VL7N0XksskI/AAAAAAAAuek/ZdDdyWCtcFg/s1600/20150120_135725.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the fact that it is only a month at a time makes it so much more manageable than getting the whole pattern at once!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/52/55F08EB3A107B3873E87DCF8EBBEF9DD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-92007486906831149492015-01-19T23:27:00.001+00:002015-01-19T23:27:04.983+00:00Weekend happenings
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This weekend got off to a fun start with a heavy snowfall on Friday afternoon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love how the trees out the back of our house look in the snow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XosTc67b2Z8/VLkxjrdTwII/AAAAAAAAuTY/7xSb_BXWU0k/s2048/20150116_154138.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XosTc67b2Z8/VLkxjrdTwII/AAAAAAAAuTY/7xSb_BXWU0k/s605/20150116_154138.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709936968.7126" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="605" height="454"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Eskimo baby was desperate to get outside and join his big brothers in the snow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qZPdlosZjI8/VLkwow1BVSI/AAAAAAAAuS8/r5CLZU1DbSg/s2048/20150116_153845.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qZPdlosZjI8/VLkwow1BVSI/AAAAAAAAuS8/r5CLZU1DbSg/s500/20150116_153845.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709936942.271" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> He just loved sitting in the snow and watching what the boys and their friends were up to.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_0O1GHrzirU/VLkxXSVcEUI/AAAAAAAAuTM/IiJq7gLB8TU/s2048/20150116_153920.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_0O1GHrzirU/VLkxXSVcEUI/AAAAAAAAuTM/IiJq7gLB8TU/s598/20150116_153920.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709936996.149" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="598" height="448"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not only did they make a snowman (who happens to be a Hearts fan), but also gave him a pet snowdog.</span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a8HTWDVUKi4/VLk10jzP0lI/AAAAAAAAuT0/CVeWQT1MGmw/s2048/20150116_160022.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a8HTWDVUKi4/VLk10jzP0lI/AAAAAAAAuT0/CVeWQT1MGmw/s604/20150116_160022.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709937027.6719" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="604" height="453"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ydHCx0lP_XE/VLk17zsUA7I/AAAAAAAAuUA/FpLUfNXNRbA/s2048/20150116_160034.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ydHCx0lP_XE/VLk17zsUA7I/AAAAAAAAuUA/FpLUfNXNRbA/s604/20150116_160034.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709936947.4084" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="604" height="453"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LW9NdZc0WvE/VLk2M5ucGUI/AAAAAAAAuUY/ZGHO_EesKEo/s2048/20150116_160050.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LW9NdZc0WvE/VLk2M5ucGUI/AAAAAAAAuUY/ZGHO_EesKEo/s500/20150116_160050.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709936986.59" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sPt76LAYyu4/VLk2EfV3rII/AAAAAAAAuUM/rv5B3qKTw6w/s2048/20150116_160041.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sPt76LAYyu4/VLk2EfV3rII/AAAAAAAAuUM/rv5B3qKTw6w/s500/20150116_160041.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709936973.9446" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No activity is complete for Mr Selfie without the obligatory selfie!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CsFenOeY6DE/VLk2gNKp1TI/AAAAAAAAuU8/KKbu62i0Ht0/s1280/20150116_160239.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CsFenOeY6DE/VLk2gNKp1TI/AAAAAAAAuU8/KKbu62i0Ht0/s500/20150116_160239.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709936996.8594" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love how a snowy day gets everyone out of their hibernating state and spending time back in the outdoors again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y51rSBCcGRE/VLk59-a5jBI/AAAAAAAAuVM/d0AkcQAeNx4/s2048/20150116_161818.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y51rSBCcGRE/VLk59-a5jBI/AAAAAAAAuVM/d0AkcQAeNx4/s601/20150116_161818.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709936974.834" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="601" height="450"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Just before dinner on Friday, David (9) and I walked their friends back home through the fresh snow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3d586CNu3uk/VLlNar7R6jI/AAAAAAAAuV4/cxJBbzTxOfo/s2048/20150116_173328.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3d586CNu3uk/VLlNar7R6jI/AAAAAAAAuV4/cxJBbzTxOfo/s500/20150116_173328.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709936980.4573" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em; text-align: center;"> </span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took the sledge along with us and David made the most of it on the way back down the hill home!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iItjgLYT3wM/VLlN0MmSLjI/AAAAAAAAuWE/0Myl4nte5vY/s2048/20150116_173418.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iItjgLYT3wM/VLlN0MmSLjI/AAAAAAAAuWE/0Myl4nte5vY/s500/20150116_173418.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709937014.5542" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ve8YFDn5TW4/VLlN_tEO27I/AAAAAAAAuWQ/bvRTzg0m-Uo/s2048/20150116_173435.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ve8YFDn5TW4/VLlN_tEO27I/AAAAAAAAuWQ/bvRTzg0m-Uo/s500/20150116_173435.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709937000.0369" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> <span style="line-height: 1.3em; text-align: center;"> </span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can you see him in the photo below?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KiPFabbmPMs/VLlOPzbf8aI/AAAAAAAAuWc/xc537tHDLuY/s2048/20150116_173453.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KiPFabbmPMs/VLlOPzbf8aI/AAAAAAAAuWc/xc537tHDLuY/s500/20150116_173453.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709937010.4026" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Saturday morning we had the sledges out again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This boy giggled, squealed and screamed all the way down every time we went down. His laughter was so contagious!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XrZgQZjOa50/VLpiJEwR-wI/AAAAAAAAuXk/totvbkzZtLY/s2048/20150117_121102.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XrZgQZjOa50/VLpiJEwR-wI/AAAAAAAAuXk/totvbkzZtLY/s500/20150117_121102.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709937032.8484" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He always came in the sledge with me and because we had the weight advantage over the other boys, who went down on their own, we went so much faster. Hence the giggling and squealing!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Eskimo baby went in Calum's sledge and wanted to go over and over again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bwYhdbwYvcc/VLpiB9xCgWI/AAAAAAAAuXY/DO3aUSQ3clk/s2048/20150117_120832.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bwYhdbwYvcc/VLpiB9xCgWI/AAAAAAAAuXY/DO3aUSQ3clk/s500/20150117_120832.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709936954.6677" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Back home and warmed up (and aching a little bit from some bumps on the sledge!), it was then time to get working on cake and a special dinner for our oldest boy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because this weekend he turned 15!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> If you have been following the blog for a while you might remember what he always chooses as his birthday dinner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's right. Homemade steak pie, which we had with potatoes roasted in goose fat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-N_TyN6odZus/VLvKP5fKBAI/AAAAAAAAuak/UAjew4NL9kA/s2048/20150118_145816.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-N_TyN6odZus/VLvKP5fKBAI/AAAAAAAAuak/UAjew4NL9kA/s500/20150118_145816.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709937041.3542" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was quite pleased with how his cake turned out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lRwRRnf-MX4/VLqCCuDWs7I/AAAAAAAAuYE/u9pSz7EKeGI/s2048/20150117_153810.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lRwRRnf-MX4/VLqCCuDWs7I/AAAAAAAAuYE/u9pSz7EKeGI/s500/20150117_153810.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709936994.1248" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A very simple idea but it looks so impressive. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xjdCo7Yx6So/VLqCOaAnYKI/AAAAAAAAuYQ/olQeUn2DlZU/s2048/20150117_153817.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xjdCo7Yx6So/VLqCOaAnYKI/AAAAAAAAuYQ/olQeUn2DlZU/s500/20150117_153817.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709937021.944" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And chocolate cake surrounded by chocolate fingers and covered in M&Ms was a perfect cake for our chocoholic boy! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K_6JnFJuUw8/VLqCWGWCifI/AAAAAAAAuYc/BxqYtw4Z9Ng/s2048/20150117_153851.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K_6JnFJuUw8/VLqCWGWCifI/AAAAAAAAuYc/BxqYtw4Z9Ng/s500/20150117_153851.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709937027.3643" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He let Fraser enjoy the candles with him. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bnMBmeTlhzs/VLqupv21Q1I/AAAAAAAAuYw/JistSSGuabU/s2048/20150117_184844.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bnMBmeTlhzs/VLqupv21Q1I/AAAAAAAAuYw/JistSSGuabU/s602/20150117_184844.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709937045.7297" class="aligncenter" width="602" height="452" alt=""></a></div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-70aaodowQ80/VLqu8_MBlDI/AAAAAAAAuZU/c-SVuQdlNmg/s2048/20150117_184904.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-70aaodowQ80/VLqu8_MBlDI/AAAAAAAAuZU/c-SVuQdlNmg/s500/20150117_184904.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709937004.0613" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n_jJc8XCBLc/VLqyg5QpypI/AAAAAAAAuZw/0cGTANAHw8g/s2048/20150117_190445.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n_jJc8XCBLc/VLqyg5QpypI/AAAAAAAAuZw/0cGTANAHw8g/s500/20150117_190445.jpg" id="blogsy-1421709936999.2717" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We still have plenty snow in the garden. I can't say the same about the chocolate cake though!</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376359161656218328.post-25867393883611419272015-01-15T23:56:00.001+00:002015-01-15T23:56:12.277+00:00Recipe of the Week - Gluten & Dairy Free Pizza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8vOXIfPTtTk/TwYZGYpGMFI/AAAAAAAACw8/hQJiCserxd0/s400/Shabby%252520blogs%252520Vintage%252520Bluebird%252520freebie%252520by%252520fptfy%252520%2525281%252529.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8vOXIfPTtTk/TwYZGYpGMFI/AAAAAAAACw8/hQJiCserxd0/s400/Shabby%252520blogs%252520Vintage%252520Bluebird%252520freebie%252520by%252520fptfy%252520%2525281%252529.jpg" id="blogsy-1421366171638.9824" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="400" height="289"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sMcbeeptddg/VLhTl8IGfcI/AAAAAAAAuSk/skcywQYfUfg/s1024/Photo%25252020150115235552.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sMcbeeptddg/VLhTl8IGfcI/AAAAAAAAuSk/skcywQYfUfg/s500/Photo%25252020150115235552.jpg" id="blogsy-1421366171604.7708" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> Whenever we have pizza for dinner I always use Nigella's pizza base recipe from How to be a Domestic Goddess for the ordinary pizza. It never fails and is really quick to rustle up (as long as you remember to start it early enough to give it an hour to rise!)</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">For the free fromers I used to make either a scone base using gluten & dairy free ingredients, or buy a free from pizza base from the supermarket. The latter was the easy option but if you've ever had to buy free from pizza bases then you will know the impossibility of getting them home without them breaking!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">A couple of weeks ago, when pizza was on our menu, Calum (12) asked if I could try and find a recipe for pizza base that was more like the normal one we have. Thicker, softer, and more like a proper pizza.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I read through a few recipes online, looking for one that didn't have too many steps, or contain too many fancy ingredients! The best looking one I found was on the Doves Farm website and so I took that one and adapted it to make it dairy free too. I might even try it without the egg next time so that little Fraser can have a bite, but I am a bit concerned that might give it less rise.</p><div class="recipe_ingredients" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The method couldn't be simpler. Just put all the dough ingredients in a food processor and blitz together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Don't expect a dough like a traditional pizza dough though. This one is much wetter and there is no way you will be able to roll it out! I've included a photo below so that no one is alarmed when they see their 'dough'!</span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The toppings are up to you. I've just given our boys' favourite here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And we don't use dairy free cheese substitute on top of our pizza as the boys don't like it. I can't blame them either as it smells nasty, and we have found you don't need it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For the pizza base you will need:</span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>250g Doves Farm Gluten Free White Bread Flour</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>1tsp quick yeast</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>1tbsp sugar</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>150ml water</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>1/2 tsp vinegar</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>2 tbsp olive oil</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>1 egg</em></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the tomato sauce you will need:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Tin chopped tomatoes</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>3 - 4 tablespoons tomato purée</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>3 - 4 tablespoons tomato ketchup (double check it is wheat free! Some brands are not)</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Suggested toppings:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Sliced onions</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Sliced peppers</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Pepperonis</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Handful of corn</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Put all of the pizza base ingredients into a food processor and blitz until you have a smooth mixture, almost like a batter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper then pour out your pizza base mix.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jqDmjcUXr90/VLFnCmr9aEI/AAAAAAAAuHE/U0wwlZqHo_U/s2048/20150110_175206.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jqDmjcUXr90/VLFnCmr9aEI/AAAAAAAAuHE/U0wwlZqHo_U/s581/20150110_175206.jpg" id="blogsy-1421366171666.4119" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="581" height="436"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Spread it into a roundish pizza shape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Bake, without any sauce or toppings, in a preheated oven at 180C for about 10 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Meanwhile, mix your three tomato ingredients together in a bowl. You won't need all of this mix for one pizza but if you aren't making more than one pizza then you can keep the rest in the fridge for something else. (I added the rest of our sauce to our bolognese a few nights later.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Take the pizza base out of the oven and spread on some tomato mix. You want to cover the base but don't put it on too thick or you will end up with a soggy base. About a third of the tomato mix should be fine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Arrange the rest of your chosen toppings on the pizza base and return to the oven to cook for another 15 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- With a normal pizza the cheese layer keeps the toppings from getting too crisp before the base is cooked so your final step is to cover the pizza with either a layer of greaseproof paper or tin foil then cook for another 10 minutes or so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Your pizza is ready when the edges have a lovely golden colour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eUVR_e-pXW4/VLF1Jwha3fI/AAAAAAAAuHw/8Q7-My-0WJU/s2048/20150110_185152.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eUVR_e-pXW4/VLF1Jwha3fI/AAAAAAAAuHw/8Q7-My-0WJU/s500/20150110_185152.jpg" id="blogsy-1421366171634.3062" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812640346610262141noreply@blogger.com0