tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77144555763518941442024-03-27T06:40:38.893+00:00Mummy Wales - Parenting, Country Lifestyle and Comfort Food/DrinkParenting and Country Living Blog | Motherhood | Love The OutdoorsMummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-28702706746656091182021-06-15T21:52:00.000+01:002021-06-15T21:52:34.210+01:00How To Make Homemade Elderflower Cordial<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Summer is finally kicking in and I am seeing elder everywhere. It's only this year that I'm starting to realise how prolific it is in the wild. I see clouds of elderflowers gathering along almost every footpath and can't help but reach out and take in their sweet fragrance. This recipe for elderflower cordial is super easy and only needs a relatively small number of flower heads. But do remember, the fewer elderflowers that are left, the fewer there are to grow into elderberries. These are a really good food source for wildlife so please be mindful to only take what you need and not to leave the bushes bare.</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYc7Z3sj_uKFZ2CVtmc7xaUkTls-mKrBXRPrMgJFnT3ylnJosB6jSeHUc6fxLTHQtdtH9Iv6ow2D9RwRksMP-SGwOU-EvmqYnWL7Zbxb-SW-VkCkSbO-QnaO5GxMUrR3mgTHXvee2E-kcG/s2048/20210615_211954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYc7Z3sj_uKFZ2CVtmc7xaUkTls-mKrBXRPrMgJFnT3ylnJosB6jSeHUc6fxLTHQtdtH9Iv6ow2D9RwRksMP-SGwOU-EvmqYnWL7Zbxb-SW-VkCkSbO-QnaO5GxMUrR3mgTHXvee2E-kcG/w640-h480/20210615_211954.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: arial;">Ingredients:</span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">15-20 heads of elderflowers</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">1kg sugar</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">2 lemons</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">1.5 litres water</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">You will need a large pan for infusing your cordial, a jelly kit (or a muslin stretched over a bowl) and you choice of bottles for storing once done (totalling at least 1.5 litres volume, 2 litres would be safer).<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">How To Make It</span></h4><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">1. Peel the rind from the lemons, being careful not to take any pith as this will be bitter. Juice the lemons and set aside.</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">2. Rinse the heads of elderflowers gently in a bowl of clean water to wash off any dirt or uninvited bugs.</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">3. Add the sugar and 1.5 litres of fresh water to a large pan and slowly bring to the boil, stirring frequently until the sugar has completely dissolved.</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">4. Once boiled, turn off the heat and add the lemon peel, juice and flowers. Swirl to incorporate.</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">5. Cover and leave 24-48 hours to infuse.</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">6. Strain through a jelly bag or a muslin to remove the debris and reserve the cordial.</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">7. Pour the cordial through a funnel into sterilised bottles and keep refrigerated. The cordial should last a couple of weeks. Enjoy!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div>Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-3565038188590857592020-06-07T21:14:00.001+01:002020-10-25T08:24:45.177+00:00How To Make Homemade Red Gooseberry And Mint Gin<div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4">It's not often you see recipes involving red gooseberries, but this red gooseberry and mint gin is heaven sent. Red gooseberries are ever so slightly sweeter than their green counterparts so need less sugar to reduce their tang. If you don't have red gooseberries feel free to use green, but up the sugar volume by 100g to compensate.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4">Some of the infusions I make tend to suit a particular season. This red gooseberry and mint gin is <i>made </i>for summer, just like my <a href="http://mummywales.blogspot.com/2018/09/how-to-make-homemade-sunshine-vodka.html" target="_blank">Sunshine Vodka</a>. The gooseberries give it a lovely fruity flavour while the hint of mint in the background is fabulously refreshing, especially with a splash of fizzy tonic. And just look at that colour!</font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span></span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sZUAjW05USxXCztxevVNe_W7PtCSqnsAKNoeZmaQqJZvqNE9F2gBa9i2WpBNmsvPuTDU2t0lpZkUancNbWkuymyqxGDrd5vEH1Su8oavXmj8vESwTvVszR70ClQSMEmQdVGEsvW-dTEP/s3694/DSC_8128+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3694" data-original-width="3347" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sZUAjW05USxXCztxevVNe_W7PtCSqnsAKNoeZmaQqJZvqNE9F2gBa9i2WpBNmsvPuTDU2t0lpZkUancNbWkuymyqxGDrd5vEH1Su8oavXmj8vESwTvVszR70ClQSMEmQdVGEsvW-dTEP/w580-h640/DSC_8128+%25284%2529.JPG" width="580" /></a></div><span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="courier"><font color="#0b8043" size="6">Ingredients</font><font color="#0b8043" size="6">:</font></font></span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4">1 Litre gin (supermarket own brand will do)</font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4">450g red gooseberries</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4">350g granulated sugar</font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4">6 - 8 mint leaves (depending on size), rinsed</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4"><br /></font></span></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font color="#0b8043" face="courier" size="6">Equipment:</font></span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4">Large jar/flask with a tight fitting lid</font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4">Long-handled spoon for stirring</font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4">Jelly kit for straining (or a plastic sieve lined with a muslin cloth)</font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4">Funnel</font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4">Clip top bottle or similar for storing once done</font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h2><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font color="#0b8043" face="courier" size="6">How To Make It:</font></span></h2></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><font face="arial" size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Drop the gooseberries into the jar and give them a bash with the long handled spoon to release some of the juices. Add the sugar and carefully pour in the gin. Add the mint leaves and give the mixture a good stir, then seal and place in a cool, dark place to infuse.</span></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TBn66otgnVn0av4DWIWbI6eV9BNvMruCUaIIpyhyphenhyphenUdZSvde_2v5wvSgQrUYHX_loguH82Dqb8-WTafxxhF61UY_FEKtdxiz-jArU0cFc8TeRUbHBZL3_IJisIdxrRP0KPxTNO9k6O7Tb/s5520/DSC_7917.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Red Gooseberries" border="0" data-original-height="4140" data-original-width="5520" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TBn66otgnVn0av4DWIWbI6eV9BNvMruCUaIIpyhyphenhyphenUdZSvde_2v5wvSgQrUYHX_loguH82Dqb8-WTafxxhF61UY_FEKtdxiz-jArU0cFc8TeRUbHBZL3_IJisIdxrRP0KPxTNO9k6O7Tb/w640-h480/DSC_7917.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_l6qxXAzrT1cXdrMylBa7sy4misej8G7eeFY3-HpfUDoYGKIIzAtM7ct8dv5xCPVqcN-1dz2Qle6i61H_rwxcSbtjslWqiWQ_Y-C2oQu5Zf-y8MmCKRy2J8X4D67zsTzYQeTICYbofJDF/s5520/DSC_7919.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Red gooseberry and mint gin" border="0" data-original-height="4140" data-original-width="5520" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_l6qxXAzrT1cXdrMylBa7sy4misej8G7eeFY3-HpfUDoYGKIIzAtM7ct8dv5xCPVqcN-1dz2Qle6i61H_rwxcSbtjslWqiWQ_Y-C2oQu5Zf-y8MmCKRy2J8X4D67zsTzYQeTICYbofJDF/w640-h480/DSC_7919.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6UzEhTF6zSYQ153xxu9aGaLbImIQrLeLKY4lxqciuB_1ME2Lj9mo3r9y-k-9o4d5bPgQz4uI-umj33RV50CHaHFIFa6RNd-67bTy6fEG0XOBs0r4pDJjQbimI-p3BgYalWL4mqVc4mRv/s5520/DSC_7922.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4140" data-original-width="5520" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6UzEhTF6zSYQ153xxu9aGaLbImIQrLeLKY4lxqciuB_1ME2Lj9mo3r9y-k-9o4d5bPgQz4uI-umj33RV50CHaHFIFa6RNd-67bTy6fEG0XOBs0r4pDJjQbimI-p3BgYalWL4mqVc4mRv/w640-h480/DSC_7922.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxXVxbaav15aG-S0dElK4kpV6IQ1CNFHqLGeU33W0IuyC0snEBVzUUj7bp-Jo-OrRqzU1pXT-YzRuezAItQ2yi9Tb2NC_lRt5asZ3xD-iiQrKKkLqFA5kr-igklef6PzjNK8Iz_yA9WQJ/s5520/DSC_7932.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4140" data-original-width="5520" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxXVxbaav15aG-S0dElK4kpV6IQ1CNFHqLGeU33W0IuyC0snEBVzUUj7bp-Jo-OrRqzU1pXT-YzRuezAItQ2yi9Tb2NC_lRt5asZ3xD-iiQrKKkLqFA5kr-igklef6PzjNK8Iz_yA9WQJ/w640-h480/DSC_7932.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">2. After 4 weeks, do a taste check. If it tastes sugary, then leave it to infuse for a further fortnight before testing again. The aim is to be able to taste the flavours of the fruit with as much sweetness as suits your palate, but if it tastes like you've dipped your tongue in the sugar bowl, it's not ready. </span></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></font></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><blockquote><i>I don't like too much out and out sweetness, but feel free to add more sugar to increase the sweetness if you prefer. This won't ruin the drink, but you will have to tolerate the additional infusing time.</i></blockquote></span></font></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Once you're happy with the taste, strain through either a jelly-straining kit (if you have one) or a plastic sieve lined with a muslin, into a large bowl. You may wish to repeat this process to improve the clarity of the liqueur, but remember not to push the liquid through the muslin as this will make the drink cloudy.</span></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil86w8cjfaCd0lVtVcBS-ofGmXms8fcx4ko6IMlBDa_3eks2fxoh9suLyjUqjObpUC00roIcHl0LbQYvKXk2x-CgKYU46VH6mrc-vc8MsOEvwwCOTTvqy665Ysn0qlR135LIJ-_zwOuw7X/s5520/DSC_8104.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4140" data-original-width="5520" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil86w8cjfaCd0lVtVcBS-ofGmXms8fcx4ko6IMlBDa_3eks2fxoh9suLyjUqjObpUC00roIcHl0LbQYvKXk2x-CgKYU46VH6mrc-vc8MsOEvwwCOTTvqy665Ysn0qlR135LIJ-_zwOuw7X/w640-h480/DSC_8104.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAggZmoXcoFkhIicosNI6-6lnKfZHOmTwPWEh31oV3GODhOavSbeTAbeHniIlkrbMwcswTYEa2Akhyphenhyphenp_TTzBM_xsFns4Z0iWePH4prG3ymzMjzK1hYEi-Kr6xLolqCpW6LmxCI8TiawJz/s5520/DSC_8105.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4140" data-original-width="5520" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAggZmoXcoFkhIicosNI6-6lnKfZHOmTwPWEh31oV3GODhOavSbeTAbeHniIlkrbMwcswTYEa2Akhyphenhyphenp_TTzBM_xsFns4Z0iWePH4prG3ymzMjzK1hYEi-Kr6xLolqCpW6LmxCI8TiawJz/w640-h480/DSC_8105.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLWWWcw7P4bX9-AlaDVbH1FOQKKq7haPMDe1m9MIA0qsmqpQXoILk0ERQi49UXN-N02-7u3Qj3D8UTfvEAQqOajP14YUwfHi15E24PRPiohIxHxAjJOYZ9oLPlM0KxX4-leW_GmlVpV2L/s5520/DSC_8113.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4140" data-original-width="5520" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLWWWcw7P4bX9-AlaDVbH1FOQKKq7haPMDe1m9MIA0qsmqpQXoILk0ERQi49UXN-N02-7u3Qj3D8UTfvEAQqOajP14YUwfHi15E24PRPiohIxHxAjJOYZ9oLPlM0KxX4-leW_GmlVpV2L/w640-h480/DSC_8113.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Bottle and keep in a cool place away from direct sunlight as you would other spirits. Serve over ice with a splosh of tonic and enjoy!</span><br /></font></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cAN178bVPZ1OPc6cfWNgRfFPvDe_59SmFv0567J-raOiWPhJlU5V9ZhaMOomve0GWgO3vmhzUA8QMVtzNzqMQMssEoDFEkoau08ekpJTBth3dRjCRE1x7lfNjd1KCU69s3TeUe5C5lTR/s5520/DSC_8114.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5520" data-original-width="4140" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cAN178bVPZ1OPc6cfWNgRfFPvDe_59SmFv0567J-raOiWPhJlU5V9ZhaMOomve0GWgO3vmhzUA8QMVtzNzqMQMssEoDFEkoau08ekpJTBth3dRjCRE1x7lfNjd1KCU69s3TeUe5C5lTR/w480-h640/DSC_8114.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></font></div>Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-38550047412783364742020-05-12T10:15:00.001+01:002020-10-25T08:24:45.513+00:00Tea Infusions From Your Garden<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Herbs play an important role in cooking, medicines, and even in a spiritual sense. I often infuse two or three lemon balm leaves in hot water if I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and need to re-balance my emotions. Alice Hoffman, in her novel Practical Magic writes:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are some things, after all, that Sally Owens knows for certain: always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, add pepper to your mashed potatoes. Plant roses and lavender, for luck. Fall in love whenever you can.</span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ru5a_qN_Z7MDRXg8de3keC50Ur6XMr7uLof2HDLmtLDWrZtBSB3JXJaURuxrCdOKdN4RTWneVUFDjIwSVgFACrz5J7veHJcm8qJesXGLLmNYjArHTUdFwvRsCxbKrwh-EUBBCb9C1Bkz/s1600/herbal-3504949_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1280" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ru5a_qN_Z7MDRXg8de3keC50Ur6XMr7uLof2HDLmtLDWrZtBSB3JXJaURuxrCdOKdN4RTWneVUFDjIwSVgFACrz5J7veHJcm8qJesXGLLmNYjArHTUdFwvRsCxbKrwh-EUBBCb9C1Bkz/s640/herbal-3504949_1280.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rosemary for protection, cleansing and remembrance. Rose for attracting good luck and avoiding conflict. Lemon balm for cheering the heart, sage for healing. Whether you use herbs for these purposes or simply flavouring your food, don't overlook the delicious infusions to be made as an alternative to your usual tea or coffee.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Lemon Balm</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XbrcsOaQwDREiw6Ned3L370h4XD9H2dg4L42jWYX33Pjd3MRkmbyfsFO8Yq_HnyzCsWroR6RaKTzREM_pM7ihs5hwWEKlsHTnlR09G0H9i8_BAR92822xSOyIaqInWh4tsUKCQ2bHIhB/s1600/lemon-267512_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XbrcsOaQwDREiw6Ned3L370h4XD9H2dg4L42jWYX33Pjd3MRkmbyfsFO8Yq_HnyzCsWroR6RaKTzREM_pM7ihs5hwWEKlsHTnlR09G0H9i8_BAR92822xSOyIaqInWh4tsUKCQ2bHIhB/s640/lemon-267512_1280.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whenever I pass this in my garden, I can't help but stop and rub the leaves between my fingers and savour the scent. Don't confuse lemon balm and lemon verbena. Whilst they can both be used to make tea, they are not related to each other, with lemon balm offering a less pungent but also less sweet flavour. It's look is akin to mint and infused in hot water, it is purported to aid digestion, deter cold sores and shingles, as well as the calming effects I mentioned earlier.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Rosemary</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TNMTIxMNv99NOQtnAU9KxHQP3yYnoOmhTWJQhy7KvS5F1zwsn8WOaVM3g6FQ3qnHSlpX9XdZ0teODfZiOt1ohdpP8QBKiCUepCnFCT622CNF43urvyGBqL-irJTN68zzPM_tLNCeTdOX/s1600/herbs-5117039_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TNMTIxMNv99NOQtnAU9KxHQP3yYnoOmhTWJQhy7KvS5F1zwsn8WOaVM3g6FQ3qnHSlpX9XdZ0teODfZiOt1ohdpP8QBKiCUepCnFCT622CNF43urvyGBqL-irJTN68zzPM_tLNCeTdOX/s640/herbs-5117039_1280.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst delicious across roast potatoes, this needle-leaved plant may also help to improve concentration and memory. It grows as an evergreen perennial, difficult to kill as it copes well with little watering and can grow happily in a pot on its own. As a useful aside, grown in your garden rosemary offers natural pest control against slugs, snails, carrot fly and mosquitoes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Nettle</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKgFvyGmzPcHVJdJZy6IizhT9baKnGAHYghUaBOzMzDhacHBnXPe3O14rrDPVHjtmZqFd1gTHKURSo7DYhdwEGH57mjXJOM1wLCj8RVwqO1GEFYJCyPAz8Me91zfgoIyiaobo-GDapPTb/s1600/stinging-nettle-474351_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKgFvyGmzPcHVJdJZy6IizhT9baKnGAHYghUaBOzMzDhacHBnXPe3O14rrDPVHjtmZqFd1gTHKURSo7DYhdwEGH57mjXJOM1wLCj8RVwqO1GEFYJCyPAz8Me91zfgoIyiaobo-GDapPTb/s640/stinging-nettle-474351_1280.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you like green tea, there's a high chance you'll be agreeable to a pot of nettle. This unbelievably underrated plant commonly regarded as a weed, is full of nutrients including iron. Taken regularly it can help strengthen nails, skin and hair, and reduce allergy symptoms. It's best to use young leaves from the top of the plant for the best flavour, sweetening with honey or lemon if you prefer. And don't worry about getting stung, cooking or drying eradicates the sting, making them safe to eat.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Thyme</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9McUMONMDiCFmcxDugrxSNdu1mCQrIr8KKUayyX-RfCW9TCGrgvPtJy9v_IsSiNfhL97qw6WCrUO0i-KBQ6zl1jp2DkAAolfLXHDucA7Xcy5QU-0ThOmV42oom_WusQOkYOhV-64XoC98/s1600/thyme-115349_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9McUMONMDiCFmcxDugrxSNdu1mCQrIr8KKUayyX-RfCW9TCGrgvPtJy9v_IsSiNfhL97qw6WCrUO0i-KBQ6zl1jp2DkAAolfLXHDucA7Xcy5QU-0ThOmV42oom_WusQOkYOhV-64XoC98/s640/thyme-115349_1280.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thyme grows on long thin stems like rosemary, but with leaves which are much rounder. This antibacterial herb is commonly used to ease coughs, colds and sinus problems. Combine it with antimicrobial sage at the first sight of a cold to stave off worsening symptoms. You could even add echinacea for an added boost to your immune system.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Camomile</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOxBux8tsGPMLZFvT9PqnNx9zdfwANJXtf0wVfRTGZDIQnm83WOcRK-hOLdTOMptvg-1mHlVee-XUNI7l4guomFmU9XOgtYLcCgxdaSPpY0HYhBr8xSCD87jpxmy3VUCZ97K9lzvq636e/s1600/camomile-3557988_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOxBux8tsGPMLZFvT9PqnNx9zdfwANJXtf0wVfRTGZDIQnm83WOcRK-hOLdTOMptvg-1mHlVee-XUNI7l4guomFmU9XOgtYLcCgxdaSPpY0HYhBr8xSCD87jpxmy3VUCZ97K9lzvq636e/s640/camomile-3557988_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I couldn't write a post on herbal teas and not include a classic like camomile. I've had Roman camomile growing in a pot in my garden for some time, which is a low growing perennial. German camomile is an annual, but grows larger (up to 3 feet). Sadly, my camomile has never flowered, and it is the flowers which you use to make tea. Add a teaspoon of dried flowers (or 2 teaspoons for fresh flowers) to a mug of hot water and allow to infuse for a few minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Camomile tea is commonly used as a light sedative and for easing anxiety, but has also been used for centuries for cramps, hay fever, digestive complaints and rashes.</span></div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-23187132218841028842019-04-24T19:06:00.001+01:002022-02-02T14:12:13.615+00:00Mama Bamboo - Biodegradable Bamboo Nappies and Wipes - Review<div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As a family, we try our best to embed environmentally responsible products and practices into our day to day life, from reusing and recycling to eco bricks and zero waste shopping. That's why I am so pleased to share my experience of using Mama Bamboo biodegradable nappies and wipes, which are made from the softest, breathable bamboo fibres and chlorine free wood pulp.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaLfc-miuVhv-OqMmR4xvxzlHnXU4ihh4R7D0765JOHShnUyzsNZ6kxfQibVAaVWWCnfJnxcxvVXVaRsQHghaF-Li3fFiLg85Rpcd0i0NDzdLt4txJYadrmnBtcYiR0S5fHN_HH-c4xuhT0WWLVxCjbblrRSGC-q2Dv6JQb0pFzmxtBg0Sqc-yUHDlew=s2282" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1727" data-original-width="2282" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaLfc-miuVhv-OqMmR4xvxzlHnXU4ihh4R7D0765JOHShnUyzsNZ6kxfQibVAaVWWCnfJnxcxvVXVaRsQHghaF-Li3fFiLg85Rpcd0i0NDzdLt4txJYadrmnBtcYiR0S5fHN_HH-c4xuhT0WWLVxCjbblrRSGC-q2Dv6JQb0pFzmxtBg0Sqc-yUHDlew=w640-h484" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzQoHfBYM9cSguQem-7__wzdgsbZpc13I6jDDOzZImHTRxHEjoAmuAriVJ0hYhGn4J-F5newmK_zGY6ZCB81Lz2lD08O8DVq17IoYwq3_KdkX8Rd5-rfuRXeps_dIber8XpeD-GClRVQM/s1600/DSC_7572.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzQoHfBYM9cSguQem-7__wzdgsbZpc13I6jDDOzZImHTRxHEjoAmuAriVJ0hYhGn4J-F5newmK_zGY6ZCB81Lz2lD08O8DVq17IoYwq3_KdkX8Rd5-rfuRXeps_dIber8XpeD-GClRVQM/s640/DSC_7572.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I imagine when I mention 'bamboo', the first thing to spring to mind is probably that weird spiky bush growing in your garden, but it's amazing what a little science and ingenuity can do. These award-winning nappies are extremely soft, temperature regulating and naturally antibacterial, meaning less chance of nappy rash. The blurb says they are produced using fewer chemicals than traditional disposables, with no chlorine bleach or latex, which is clearly better for the environment and raises less chance of causing any nasty skin reactions.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfhSiwelHhWUCw6fAKUaxYEcvshj-MQYCwJpzR_4lbBYSbI___h2F5UAJU-G0ytJUaC51AyWfmXqgj8ro-riBwKuH7DnFWrNrQ4RrD5gE5pWlOOZYIELNoT47QjkEIs1kPEU2dkScP6GP/s1600/DSC_7596.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfhSiwelHhWUCw6fAKUaxYEcvshj-MQYCwJpzR_4lbBYSbI___h2F5UAJU-G0ytJUaC51AyWfmXqgj8ro-riBwKuH7DnFWrNrQ4RrD5gE5pWlOOZYIELNoT47QjkEIs1kPEU2dkScP6GP/s640/DSC_7596.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I have actually never felt a softer nappy. A delightful change from other eco nappies I've tried, which can feel like cardboard between your fingers. It's all I can do not to stand here rubbing this one against my cheek. I wonder if Tom Hardy's skin is this soft?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Oops - did I say that out loud? Apologies.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I'm also loving the fact that these nappies have a wetness indicator which I haven't seen on any other eco nappy brands and is great for letting you know whether it's time for battle stations or if you do actually have time to finish your coffee.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EKfgMjPs4AF88gwdi6CXgLQAJ-5OXRBShy-RJmv2JWAjOUn7wigLz9Fps66HoWLKG8GDCUCjGL46uIn43zpApcxEzr8yGnAPC5tPiTl7tguaMWvbbB7IR5pqTwx8Tn1_kdeBtVntyj_D/s1600/DSC_7586.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EKfgMjPs4AF88gwdi6CXgLQAJ-5OXRBShy-RJmv2JWAjOUn7wigLz9Fps66HoWLKG8GDCUCjGL46uIn43zpApcxEzr8yGnAPC5tPiTl7tguaMWvbbB7IR5pqTwx8Tn1_kdeBtVntyj_D/s640/DSC_7586.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCs3kX2qH0pC_-fxGUFQyHmVBbPhaGlAwRlkE0oI1YnHKMKNzr7bXwvWNzCMHbrMEv5b7mfunmPaEdsVMqRmnXbJOupr0PIZ5gQESDm5BGqz9mQ2t-XBpxtJDAQbvkMgVbJB3VpAnTGyH/s1600/DSC_7580.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCs3kX2qH0pC_-fxGUFQyHmVBbPhaGlAwRlkE0oI1YnHKMKNzr7bXwvWNzCMHbrMEv5b7mfunmPaEdsVMqRmnXbJOupr0PIZ5gQESDm5BGqz9mQ2t-XBpxtJDAQbvkMgVbJB3VpAnTGyH/s640/DSC_7580.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I find the real test of a nappy is the night time shift. If everything's where it should be in the morning, then you're onto a winner. And I have to say, the size 4 nappy I tested on my three year-old passed with flying colours. The nappy fitted neatly around my son's bottom and thighs, resulting in a leak-free night and a happy bottom in the morning.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">In terms of eco-friendliness, the nappies are up to 80% biodegradable (at least 60% decomposed within 3 months) and are packaged in biodegradable film and delivered in recyclable cardboard boxes. Mine arrived in perfect condition and felt almost like a gift, given the high quality aesthetic.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The nappies are sold in large packs to minimise postage costs and the environmental impact of delivery, with the cost per nappy the same as the leading brand of non eco nappy once the 10% non-commitment subscription discount is applied. </span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Mama Bamboo also sell packs of biodegradable wipes. They come in packs of 60 and will fully biodegrade in 6 months. They are safe to use on newborn skin and whilst they have a fragrance, it's less like manufactured perfume and more like the way your washing smells when it's been outside in the fresh air all day. </span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What I love most about these wipes, aside from their awesome biodegradability, is that they are fantastically strong, stronger than any other wipe I've ever used. I get the feeling these bad boys could sort out any manner of carnage very easily and I'll definitely be adding these to my arsenal of clean-up 'go-to's.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheD2w7XuvM6NzEfxElOpqeCYgkYbWD_gnVbnyYYAZFlBSlg2AugvCCe262LB_tOjcQZ78yrAXamsNSPFFyYxEEB2x_Yd8jhyphenhyphenzJBj-n3Z-3uKUYklW2caIPUhNcCJjYG_Fv79SD5BkjqrrT/s1600/DSC_7597.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheD2w7XuvM6NzEfxElOpqeCYgkYbWD_gnVbnyYYAZFlBSlg2AugvCCe262LB_tOjcQZ78yrAXamsNSPFFyYxEEB2x_Yd8jhyphenhyphenzJBj-n3Z-3uKUYklW2caIPUhNcCJjYG_Fv79SD5BkjqrrT/s640/DSC_7597.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Check out Mama Bamboo's website at <a href="http://www.mamabamboo.co.uk/">www.mamabamboo.co.uk</a> to purchase or subscribe, and follow their journey at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mamabambooltd">www.facebook.com/mamabambooltd</a>. </span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I also recommend taking a peek at their bamboo children's tableware sets. The 8 fun collections, which include a plate, bowl, fork, spoon and cup, feature engaging illustrations of endangered species together with a matching story to help your child learn about these precious animals. Choose from Ping the Panda, Teresa the Sea Turtle, Gonza the Gorilla, Eka the Elephant, Ruandi the Rhino, Thansanee the Tiger, Ponya the Red Panda and Panuk the Polar Bear.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I absolutely love the feel and quality of this dinner set. The pieces feel really strong and able to stand up to a toddler teatime tantrum, and it's great they're dishwasher safe. It's a shame they're not microwave safe, but I guess that comes with the material used, and I'm quite happy not to set fire to my kitchen. The accompanying certificate and short story are a thoughtful touch which makes the set completely worthy of it's £15.95 price tag.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI-3B45E9s7pK8c8rQrPJNvZ9322pY3-RKo6WoKASI3xdr3xuahd6q8ykUe5WTMi2of1QKj6XKwj6zhTTYDnLpgD0Kzm341m-qlMyH7WIFLDFS_DdGD9XkAvjEWtLMwdcrLemBsMCXi9q/s1600/DSC_7558.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI-3B45E9s7pK8c8rQrPJNvZ9322pY3-RKo6WoKASI3xdr3xuahd6q8ykUe5WTMi2of1QKj6XKwj6zhTTYDnLpgD0Kzm341m-qlMyH7WIFLDFS_DdGD9XkAvjEWtLMwdcrLemBsMCXi9q/s640/DSC_7558.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EHz4IKN8YCrDrWsuk_CfWfZKHLXXcrYyhNXj-kiMGuO2vkQgRjUcmqWm2WZNXn_180hePCjAWeqg1QEZrwuSzsVQnDjVceiPBqVIu9OLNFtpCLq6oV12xuOlwh9ysNXRZR8lQgqsbmxX/s1600/DSC_7560.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EHz4IKN8YCrDrWsuk_CfWfZKHLXXcrYyhNXj-kiMGuO2vkQgRjUcmqWm2WZNXn_180hePCjAWeqg1QEZrwuSzsVQnDjVceiPBqVIu9OLNFtpCLq6oV12xuOlwh9ysNXRZR8lQgqsbmxX/s640/DSC_7560.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Quote code 'Mummywales20' at checkout to receive 20% off your first order!</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />
</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>I wrote this review in return for samples of the products, but the views and opinions expressed within it are entirely my own.</i></span></div><br />
<a href="”https://jakijellz.com/category/blogging/triumphant-tales-linky/”" target="”_blank”"><img alt="”JakiJellz”" src="”https://jakijellz.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Triumphant-Tales-Badge.jpeg”" /></a><br />
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-6645181352973563832019-04-17T21:53:00.000+01:002020-10-25T08:24:46.291+00:00Living With A Long Distance Family Relationship<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm in my mid-30's. I have a mortgage, a husband, a profession, children and Tupperware. Nevertheless, there are times when I still just need my mum. Those are the times when I realise how hard long distance relationships can really be, especially when it's family you're missing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija0FCcLmFpvtjOjkPLsGBZgoMUeJpHWtZgZKXFO3K150ZsuMDC7-l4iITmP8sFeTZOFva6B6rzU_IzDO51p8_4zVZgLmP4CIYf-f1bpKE1lzOVYN84JEvo7LF_007blaXwER_Xi3ynkQ_/s1600/phone-1678289_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="1280" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija0FCcLmFpvtjOjkPLsGBZgoMUeJpHWtZgZKXFO3K150ZsuMDC7-l4iITmP8sFeTZOFva6B6rzU_IzDO51p8_4zVZgLmP4CIYf-f1bpKE1lzOVYN84JEvo7LF_007blaXwER_Xi3ynkQ_/s640/phone-1678289_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I'll put my hands up here and admit it. Okay yes, as a parent, having grandparents around really is worth it's weight in childcare. Not just financially, but in allowing us to shrug off the roles of 'Mummy' and 'Daddy' to just be 'us' for an hour or two. I'm not denying the practical benefits of having family close by.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But let's not forget the bad days. The sad days. The 'I just want to chat over coffee' days. Sometimes Skype just doesn't cut it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's so easy to undervalue the cuppa at the kitchen table, an afternoon's retail therapy, the second opinion on that pair of shoes, from someone who saw you through the t-shirt and cycling short phase (shudder). That's the side of nineties fashion you don't see on the catwalk.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes all it takes is a touch on the arm or a real life smile to restore that safety blanket of confidence to it's rightful place against your cheek. Hugs are a bonus, providing a game-geek extra life, a magical power-up to tackle whatever challenge brought you to her door in the first place.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or maybe it's advice you're searching for. And maybe it's only someone who's been through it all, weathered the storms and born the same emotional bruises who can give you the best advice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night, I whispered into O's ear that I would always be here for him, a sentiment he interpreted as an expectation that Mummy would be following him through the school gates when he returns next Tuesday, permanently pinned to his side. Not quite, Son.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A phone or video call isn't the same as sitting next to a person, it can't be. But at least it's a chance to talk things through, catch up on or close out recent challenges, or simply just to compare recipes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope that wherever my boys end up in the world, they know that I'll always be there for them. Not necessarily <i>there </i>there, not walking them through the front door to their workplace, but <i>available</i>. Any day, any time, only a phone call away.</span></div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-15496369928105336182019-04-05T17:03:00.000+01:002020-10-25T08:24:46.548+00:00How To Make Homemade Lemon And Ginger Gin<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If I'd known I would do Dry January when I considered making my Lemon and Ginger Gin, I would have delayed the infusion for a few weeks. I only had chance to have one little test sip before I had to relegate it to the booze cupboard, where it would gloat in the darkness for a month. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a real all-rounder of a gin. Ever since having the boys, my taste buds have changed, and I find myself hankering for fewer sweet drinks and more for something with a bit of a kick. I think it must have been all that Schloer and orange juice. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Usually, the infusions I make tend to suit a particular season. For example, my <a href="http://mummywales.blogspot.com/2018/09/how-to-make-homemade-sunshine-vodka.html" target="_blank">Sunshine Vodka</a> is just perfect for summer, whilst my <a href="http://mummywales.blogspot.com/2017/09/how-to-make-red-berry-liqueur-in-time.html" target="_blank">Red Berry Rum</a> is the best thing to cosy up with at Christmas (except for maybe a Tom Hardy bedtime story). This gin infusion however, is suited equally well to being supped in front of the TV with the fire roaring, as it is topped up with tonic and slurped on the patio.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVh1jUPPWi35DdhgI3qMNLGkC7AD7jy1VSgFfQMHcuKqEWytU5TGxed_Cgqt39utTj-eClr9o7p5ZxOMJVBCuz5QGrBtOTazFHah2BOzKI5RaRL-bgC1XImVly_lR2oX42rxl7Ohpj9uB/s1600/DSC_7012+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVh1jUPPWi35DdhgI3qMNLGkC7AD7jy1VSgFfQMHcuKqEWytU5TGxed_Cgqt39utTj-eClr9o7p5ZxOMJVBCuz5QGrBtOTazFHah2BOzKI5RaRL-bgC1XImVly_lR2oX42rxl7Ohpj9uB/s640/DSC_7012+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you've read any of my other infusion recipe posts, you'll know they're pretty easy to make. No scary ingredients (except what you choose to use yourself!) and no weird gadgets (this isn't Rusty Rivets). So let's get right to it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">750ml gin</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 lemons, quartered</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">350g granulated sugar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7-10 cm root ginger, peeled and sliced</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Equipment:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 litre jar/flask with a tight fitting lid</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Long-handled spoon for stirring</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plastic sieve</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Muslin or a jelly kit for straining</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Funnel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalEXYSu_GPY-PeOv8hXwOqCJ_0Lcicdgw04Caw9Par6ARRtOUKP5ep-zHdPlVhh5bE7x5t0xIbaPzULzsA203qB_hlYzCAFJDIr_JVSOH7aDcLF5-HFDO3mOv4t0kCdBhj4tBkbSBvm0r/s1600/DSC_7005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalEXYSu_GPY-PeOv8hXwOqCJ_0Lcicdgw04Caw9Par6ARRtOUKP5ep-zHdPlVhh5bE7x5t0xIbaPzULzsA203qB_hlYzCAFJDIr_JVSOH7aDcLF5-HFDO3mOv4t0kCdBhj4tBkbSBvm0r/s640/DSC_7005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How To Make It</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Pour the gin into the jar and drop in the lemon quarters. Add the sliced ginger and then pour in the sugar. Use the long-handled spoon to give the mixture a good stir, then seal and place in a cool, dark place to infuse.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_JTCj0TFrznAgIwj2McIxZDBTTiIirZ3RYDGr2XlDv1wQPKGXJOFZfyheW8AOqWwk2WLJxqq_B1-jBPNO90jCWKoQhJDBksb9rOV7e6rFDV5sjLaC3Fk2fy_suZN1Qsem60C-JVI4iqm/s1600/DSC_7018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_JTCj0TFrznAgIwj2McIxZDBTTiIirZ3RYDGr2XlDv1wQPKGXJOFZfyheW8AOqWwk2WLJxqq_B1-jBPNO90jCWKoQhJDBksb9rOV7e6rFDV5sjLaC3Fk2fy_suZN1Qsem60C-JVI4iqm/s640/DSC_7018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJBhl20Ntl8_RoFSHNP2thbvH0i3RzJ1_ynfxmwwMOv7abuYKzFdJ6PUsvVPpUc_KWzjIWoEUKOR-moxcYw6sOCpBZrIPLSAnPo9ziIinXSwz0T46abr1riKrkSf_37qEfTVpiUbq7qQY/s1600/DSC_7020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJBhl20Ntl8_RoFSHNP2thbvH0i3RzJ1_ynfxmwwMOv7abuYKzFdJ6PUsvVPpUc_KWzjIWoEUKOR-moxcYw6sOCpBZrIPLSAnPo9ziIinXSwz0T46abr1riKrkSf_37qEfTVpiUbq7qQY/s640/DSC_7020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP4Xs5we78JcaINAkf3z8fETycL90nefuiJDqQaPqVqp79brjIhzCC7A3BQiLKl1CV50jnThQgkkQLVdExXZwl3vDLxqrBxl9nbH4FhSHs2GNxkr0AAV3QPlZP56T6wIGwUsjyh-BsC2N/s1600/DSC_7021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP4Xs5we78JcaINAkf3z8fETycL90nefuiJDqQaPqVqp79brjIhzCC7A3BQiLKl1CV50jnThQgkkQLVdExXZwl3vDLxqrBxl9nbH4FhSHs2GNxkr0AAV3QPlZP56T6wIGwUsjyh-BsC2N/s640/DSC_7021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVw4vKRaNttBW-Iz0ndVONboPExTXu6IJMGSznIbQsElAnWTOqoJ77bNCtJ34NQsmNg8-jN46kFyAaQ8H_HoLAF1mAHsEWyugjVZ3RAt4-DSTNpc0qAVyYSv5BD9ZP4M647b4YaE1Js9d/s1600/DSC_7028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVw4vKRaNttBW-Iz0ndVONboPExTXu6IJMGSznIbQsElAnWTOqoJ77bNCtJ34NQsmNg8-jN46kFyAaQ8H_HoLAF1mAHsEWyugjVZ3RAt4-DSTNpc0qAVyYSv5BD9ZP4M647b4YaE1Js9d/s640/DSC_7028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. After 4 weeks, do a taste check. If it tastes sugary, then leave it to infuse for a further fortnight before testing again. The aim is to be able to taste the flavours of the lemon and ginger with as much sweetness as suits your palate, but if it tastes like you've dipped your tongue in the sugar bowl, it's not ready. I don't like it too sweet but feel free to add more sugar to increase sweetness. This won't ruin the drink, but you will have to tolerate the additional infusing time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Once you're happy with the taste, strain through either a jelly-straining kit (if you have one) or a plastic sieve lined with a muslin, into a large bowl. You may wish to repeat this process to improve the clarity of the liqueur and remember not to push the liquid through the muslin as this will make the drink cloudy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oYvqBju7ffFgEMAPpwxncAPeS0pVr7xHRT-97Aaf5ZlB4hLf8cqqpHLeIyN9b81FgwCTVUX-q_hR5CsbWYlcSWiojAjH6tqCUBztDfhbtMxPeTg7h1jNXffi7SHseErsefV5imdnsEt0/s1600/DSC_7175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oYvqBju7ffFgEMAPpwxncAPeS0pVr7xHRT-97Aaf5ZlB4hLf8cqqpHLeIyN9b81FgwCTVUX-q_hR5CsbWYlcSWiojAjH6tqCUBztDfhbtMxPeTg7h1jNXffi7SHseErsefV5imdnsEt0/s640/DSC_7175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloJJ6I4JN43Upg3vCjhYKONUUgnELbo436MHpYE3GkV39EwYAVxv7_Ok4oM75a1JwwE8mWH5Oh3T16R4bknleE6xrn8y6qFZPG5jWni0wiEBu6xuhVn2sCXDAS1Ihj3W_is7mwrDCSgOs/s1600/DSC_7179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloJJ6I4JN43Upg3vCjhYKONUUgnELbo436MHpYE3GkV39EwYAVxv7_Ok4oM75a1JwwE8mWH5Oh3T16R4bknleE6xrn8y6qFZPG5jWni0wiEBu6xuhVn2sCXDAS1Ihj3W_is7mwrDCSgOs/s640/DSC_7179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhut3OYAXu3sVwT5kiIZILXPxkNgE3_vxRK3dRm5v-W2YsIsmRxZyIWazmmO6Uzq4tFyMEr7lqdP01Y7DU4f5cs0RRkB0-xQ7QWc3YlzH-9kM2n9iSB8PVPkltX-9FEHz1zMBtBkUZyGhzI/s1600/DSC_7182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhut3OYAXu3sVwT5kiIZILXPxkNgE3_vxRK3dRm5v-W2YsIsmRxZyIWazmmO6Uzq4tFyMEr7lqdP01Y7DU4f5cs0RRkB0-xQ7QWc3YlzH-9kM2n9iSB8PVPkltX-9FEHz1zMBtBkUZyGhzI/s640/DSC_7182.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFVzF4vVvzVLjQh3Ex-UJDgNrHc9Ugm3dqbgEWO4IOjsYMH3bJh2s8jUm06kIg7E1S97fqlq5aEHbJpVEOGqxAnluNH9X-wi9886sgPTF73xNrLHejNueEexdIvKYk0fhyXRpvBRP8bIV/s1600/DSC_7183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFVzF4vVvzVLjQh3Ex-UJDgNrHc9Ugm3dqbgEWO4IOjsYMH3bJh2s8jUm06kIg7E1S97fqlq5aEHbJpVEOGqxAnluNH9X-wi9886sgPTF73xNrLHejNueEexdIvKYk0fhyXRpvBRP8bIV/s640/DSC_7183.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Bottle and keep in a cool, dark place as you would other spirits. And enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLyqlZ-A92l7hbqHBXz8bAx2gmodWB0nATkh961MLBxusMh9P6DAnZGFGV1hc6jtou221X9OqZfv0ZnlTinHgvxGMtDSrMUBgvTLTjKuU1vr-6pUWuL6-gqBxMbaODcXIwNYV3yu4tRh0/s1600/DSC_7185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLyqlZ-A92l7hbqHBXz8bAx2gmodWB0nATkh961MLBxusMh9P6DAnZGFGV1hc6jtou221X9OqZfv0ZnlTinHgvxGMtDSrMUBgvTLTjKuU1vr-6pUWuL6-gqBxMbaODcXIwNYV3yu4tRh0/s640/DSC_7185.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-36288643196638833982018-11-11T21:03:00.000+00:002020-10-25T08:24:47.580+00:00Homemade Christmas Gifts To Impress<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm ashamed to admit it, but many of the homemade cakes, bakes and boozes I make don't make it out of the house. Especially the food. I swear, from the moment it goes in the tin, it dwindles by the minute.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, Christmas really is my opportunity to share some of the products of my labour. Recipes for jams and chutneys in particular result in such a large number that there's plenty to go around and you can't beat the feeling of pride you get, handing over something you labelled yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are a few ideas for edible homemade gifts you can make for your friends and family this Christmas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. <a href="https://www.womanandhome.com/recipes/spiced-cranberry-and-fig-chutney/" target="_blank">Spiced Cranberry and Fig Chutney</a></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYogV1POX0yjwXZPUKglI6Kewvu9tcoOE4vQg79IOIR8281csyR6_fx9VoDWvPLn42gp3l4l6zeyd_T9hraulv5Zvu9OKGGGdN6dQ8cGY9-PVvDiQA0BeWRAC6cFqZRmZ5dBlMDVbERBVW/s1600/jam-1106592_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYogV1POX0yjwXZPUKglI6Kewvu9tcoOE4vQg79IOIR8281csyR6_fx9VoDWvPLn42gp3l4l6zeyd_T9hraulv5Zvu9OKGGGdN6dQ8cGY9-PVvDiQA0BeWRAC6cFqZRmZ5dBlMDVbERBVW/s640/jam-1106592_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spiced cranberry and fig. This has 'Christmas' written all over it. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found this delightful chutney </span><a href="https://www.womanandhome.com/recipes/spiced-cranberry-and-fig-chutney/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">recipe </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on the Woman & Home website and it really feels the epitome of a Christmas foodie gift.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chutneys are nowhere near as difficult to make as you would be inclined to think. It's pretty much a case of putting everything in a pan and cooking it, which doesn't sound too intimidating, right? And neither is the process of sterilising jars. There are plenty of videos online which explain it well. The jars themselves you can buy online or from stores such as <a href="https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-twist-top-jar-300ml-12pk/p/0421505?nst=0&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyo3444zD3gIVqLDtCh1h1AawEAQYASABEgIDOfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Wilko </a>or <a href="https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/hexagonal-glass-jar-110ml-12-pack-clear/604220-1000?glCountry=GB&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyo3444zD3gIVqLDtCh1h1AawEAQYAyABEgLd0fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Hobbycraft</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. <a href="https://mummywales.blogspot.com/2017/09/how-to-make-red-berry-liqueur-in-time.html" target="_blank">Red Berry Rum</a></span></h4>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8E09lpbs3jjk-gaOfKBWMcUr-eOTO4Sl5qFy3qg4yiqvTM1LdREZzl981HIaiVISIqScJA5Eyk9IO8ksHR7Ms8yvs8Ep9o-j4WACd4pQOSHhGVlExnK3Dn0O_pVBmkh79rDZ5xnNp5z3/s1600/FB_IMG_1541076929866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="720" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8E09lpbs3jjk-gaOfKBWMcUr-eOTO4Sl5qFy3qg4yiqvTM1LdREZzl981HIaiVISIqScJA5Eyk9IO8ksHR7Ms8yvs8Ep9o-j4WACd4pQOSHhGVlExnK3Dn0O_pVBmkh79rDZ5xnNp5z3/s640/FB_IMG_1541076929866.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This tasty tipple is beautifully easy to make and a real treat to sup on a cold winter's evening. Interestingly, the taste varies depending on the blend of red berries you use. Previous year's have been heavy with cherries but this year I used a higher mix of strawberries which I think brings an extra touch of sweetness to the drink. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I bottled small amounts in little glass bottles I bought online and added handwritten brown paper labels saying 'Drink Me', a la Alice in Wonderland. You could also buy patterned ribbon from places like Hobbycraft or local haberdashery shops to wrap around the bottle necks as a lovely home-crafted touch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You will need to make this 2-4 weeks ahead to allow for infusion time so if it takes your fancy, head over to my </span><a href="https://mummywales.blogspot.com/2017/09/how-to-make-red-berry-liqueur-in-time.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">post </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to discover how to get started. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. <a href="https://mummywales.blogspot.com/2017/10/how-to-make-homemade-turkish-delight.html" target="_blank">Turkish Delight</a></span></h4>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAwt4o5hjdy82xV3VlkypDAWnQN_eMrLiGIA7G8DjOrpJ8i6YD4TrwoA8kaxIj2CYZ20-fLsZWX0GQxjyYglOvx9JLbhPTfrfiiuRK0Sy5BlVYntCMGRBe_hpsb9tTYF0wPblkdgd-ipM/s1600/IMG_20171026_093317_956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAwt4o5hjdy82xV3VlkypDAWnQN_eMrLiGIA7G8DjOrpJ8i6YD4TrwoA8kaxIj2CYZ20-fLsZWX0GQxjyYglOvx9JLbhPTfrfiiuRK0Sy5BlVYntCMGRBe_hpsb9tTYF0wPblkdgd-ipM/s640/IMG_20171026_093317_956.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you find out what's in turkish delight, you may well want to give it all away, because it's basically just sugar, sugar and more sugar. But it's Christmas time. And isn't Christmas all about indulgence? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't be afraid to be generous or brave with flavouring. I have made this twice now using Valencian orange extract, but you could also try traditional rose, zesty lemon, fruity pomegranate, or nutty flavours like hazelnut, walnut or pistachio. And use plenty of the cornflour/icing sugar mixture to cover your sweets as otherwise they will stick together. For this reason, it's also a good idea to store them in either glass jars or plastic bags. Don't be too quick to turn your nose up at the latter - you can hide the practical plastic nicely in a homemade <a href="https://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/making-gift-boxes.html" target="_blank">paper box</a> decorated with some string and a garnish of holly berries.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check out my recipe <a href="https://mummywales.blogspot.com/2017/10/how-to-make-homemade-turkish-delight.html" target="_blank">here</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/homemade-irish-cream-liqueur-recipe-4119062" target="_blank">Whisky Cream Liqueur</a></span></h4>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlWQYUWcj76xLhX-SQy4Ye63Do-LzRFiJxzaXI99dpkVMcF4TYJh4DFy-1dDGT7ks2ry8T8EXVXAZxGXEVNGgysE_6nQGtUrm9NMNzgWdYdm1yz5MTPT15PSGxW1I4Z06tYmgkxLzjEaq/s1600/fine-liqueurs-3659777_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlWQYUWcj76xLhX-SQy4Ye63Do-LzRFiJxzaXI99dpkVMcF4TYJh4DFy-1dDGT7ks2ry8T8EXVXAZxGXEVNGgysE_6nQGtUrm9NMNzgWdYdm1yz5MTPT15PSGxW1I4Z06tYmgkxLzjEaq/s640/fine-liqueurs-3659777_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My mum makes what I affectionately refer to as 'fake Bailey's' every winter, and there's always a glass on the table at Christmas dinner. In a stark contrast to her usual homemade tipples, it's not actually overly alcoholic, but it does leave a satisfactory warmth in your tummy when the glass is eventually drained. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/homemade-irish-cream-liqueur-recipe-4119062" target="_blank">recipe </a>can be whipped up in no time and keeps for a couple of weeks, so it's perfect for dropping around to family on Christmas Day, or even on boxing Day as a post-turkey buffet treat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/recipes/a557428/stained-glass-stars/" target="_blank">Stained Glass Star Biscuits</a></span></h4>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwB8lupeJpQSuTYKJHulfgvTG-rnl9eU3uoe6QSZ2STBwzL-zWMj6aelCPq3orKcCMfwKO89MG_JVunbDgCyy0Q0cGGcRc8y3bRSX8MVYdXaxDlCxJgFTvCuf3yYaANBN4JMVZY9LFtQJT/s1600/stained-glass-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="662" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwB8lupeJpQSuTYKJHulfgvTG-rnl9eU3uoe6QSZ2STBwzL-zWMj6aelCPq3orKcCMfwKO89MG_JVunbDgCyy0Q0cGGcRc8y3bRSX8MVYdXaxDlCxJgFTvCuf3yYaANBN4JMVZY9LFtQJT/s640/stained-glass-stars.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I absolutely love the idea of melting boiled sweets to create the stained glass effect in this Good Housekeeping <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/recipes/a557428/stained-glass-stars/" target="_blank">recipe</a>. It's such a simple concept but incredibly effective and they're certainly set to impress anyone who receives them. And they could even double as tree decorations!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are only 5 ingredients in this simple recipe but again, feel free to experiment. You could add some mixed spice to the biscuit mix for an extra punch of flavour. Or even mix and match. How about cinnamon biscuits with a red centre? Or orange zest and an orange centre? The possibilities are endless.</span><br />
<h4>
<br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. <a href="https://www.food24.com/Recipes-and-Menus/Entertaining/African-Amarula-gilded-chocolate-truffles-20141212" target="_blank">African Amarula Gilded Chocolate Truffles</a></span></h4>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UsF7wARUE23gfUHYJi5CFCOL8R9YVSXYpKV5bJprRnBhjt3sYLnTHVmlPXJRKEYE1xEqCqAnyXyzSH9whyphenhyphenXpvJ8IVHkQh-xks_VcoUZkX_kbfgjEob2MPTxp28Co413gMDn0Jf69b1Ve/s1600/ef3c8542ac3149f984838a279df801e6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="615" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UsF7wARUE23gfUHYJi5CFCOL8R9YVSXYpKV5bJprRnBhjt3sYLnTHVmlPXJRKEYE1xEqCqAnyXyzSH9whyphenhyphenXpvJ8IVHkQh-xks_VcoUZkX_kbfgjEob2MPTxp28Co413gMDn0Jf69b1Ve/s640/ef3c8542ac3149f984838a279df801e6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The name may be a bit of a mouthful but I suspect grateful family members will have no trouble gobbling down these luxurious, chocolatey treats. Don't be intimidated by the gold leaf, which is by far the most intricate part of an incredibly easy <a href="https://www.food24.com/Recipes-and-Menus/Entertaining/African-Amarula-gilded-chocolate-truffles-20141212" target="_blank">recipe </a>that actually uses, no word of a lie, a MICROWAVE. So there's no excuses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I truly hope that even just one of these recipes persuades you to have a go at making a homemade edible gift this Christmas. It seems all too often that the amount of money spent on gifts outweighs any emotion or meaning behind them, and I find that so heartbreaking. B</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ut the sense of pride you'll feel as you present a homemade gift to a loved one and the surprise on their faces as they realise the thought you've put in, those feelings are priceless.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My last word is just to say - don't worry if it goes wrong. Just try again or try something new. There are no rules to this game and nobody will know how many practice attempts it took unless you tell them. Good luck!</span></div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-60198355993771263622018-09-23T18:34:00.001+01:002020-10-25T08:24:48.096+00:008 Ways To Engage Your Children With The Natural World<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Engaging children with the natural world can mean so much more than just a trip to the park or an episode of Mr Bloom. But it doesn't have to cost you a week at Center Parcs either. Here are 8 low/no cost ways to encourage your children to engage with the natural world.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTZdsfsxELH17Kl2InOWP1pS19UUDIoL63Mg5HO4ejl4Rrpwq3v2De6ATU6rRpLS4gsts28iOPePKODSToWNjZM9iNzPY7ckRjvAg6YxUUwOYqa8EvvTnNnXaRPwW8awKpq0UMu3arv9T/s1600/barefoot-3569057_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTZdsfsxELH17Kl2InOWP1pS19UUDIoL63Mg5HO4ejl4Rrpwq3v2De6ATU6rRpLS4gsts28iOPePKODSToWNjZM9iNzPY7ckRjvAg6YxUUwOYqa8EvvTnNnXaRPwW8awKpq0UMu3arv9T/s640/barefoot-3569057_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Attract wildlife to your garden</span></h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a delight in summer to see the flora and fauna bursting into life. Bees and butterflies hopping across bushy lavender and scented roses. Birds gossiping loudly as they flit from rooftop to rooftop. Nature has put on it's best frock and is courting you with light, colour, scent and sound. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's easy and agreeable then, to spend hours in the garden, spotting bugs and buds, crafting, playing with water and enjoying the weather. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But it's actually as the weather turns colder that the natural world relies on us for a little support. Add bird boxes and a bird bath to your outside space. Make homemade </span><a href="https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/diy/how-to-make-fat-cakes-for-birds/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">fat balls</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> out of kitchen leftovers to keep the birds visiting your garden. Encourage the kids to help you refill the birdseed holders and do an 'I-spy' to see how many different types of birds they recognise. Maybe make a homemade </span><a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/give-nature-a-home-in-your-garden/garden-activities/buildabeebandb/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">bee hotel</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> with pieces of wood, bamboo canes, reeds or hollow plant stems (or buy one of you're not too nifty with a hammer). These rustic hidey-holes also provide shelter for spiders and other insects looking for a place to nest. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Grow your own food</span></h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grow your own carrots and I guarantee you'll wonder why you've never done it before. Besides the fact that it's infinitely cheaper to grow your own fruit and vegetables, you'll also notice a distinct difference in flavour and of course, freshness. Children can experience the end to end process of growing their own food by helping sow seeds, water and care for the developing plants and finally picking the ingredients for an evening's meal. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnOwyMXgmXD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;"><div style="padding: 16px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnOwyMXgmXD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> </a><br />
<div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnOwyMXgmXD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnOwyMXgmXD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translatex(0px) translatey(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translatex(3px) translatey(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translatex(9px) translatey(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0; transform: translatex(16px) translatey(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid #f4f4f4; transform: translatey(16px); width: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12px; transform: translatey(-4px); width: 16px;"></div><div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid #f4f4f4; height: 0; transform: translatey(-4px) translatex(8px); width: 0;"></div></div></div><br />
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnOwyMXgmXD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Looking forward to chomping through these at dinner tonight! Homegrown carrots are my absolute favourite and I would encourage anyone to give them a go. You don't need massive square footage, just somewhere fairly deep with soil without lots of rocks or lumps. A bucket full of compost works fine. I won't be peeling these as they're on the young side and the skin should be tender. Just a quick scrub under running water should do the trick 😋😋🥕🥕 yummy! #carrots #homegrown #doityourself</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mummy_wales1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Nicola</a> (@mummy_wales1) on <time datetime="2018-09-02T16:36:16+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 2, 2018 at 9:36am PDT</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And you don't even need that much space. Root vegetables can be grown in a tall bucket filled with compost. Salad leaves have shallow roots so can be grown easily in a window box or even in and around other plants in pots or borders. I've seen lots of people grow <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2066657/crackin-cress-heads" target="_blank">cress egg heads</a> as a rainy day craft activity.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Go on an outdoor treasure hunt</span></h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are plenty of structured ways to treasure hunt in the great outdoors: geo-caching, rock hunting, even Pokemon Go. But it's just as easy to create your own nature trail. Write or print out a checklist with images or names of types of leaves, species of insect, breed of animal and head out on your own nature adventure ending at the 'buried treasure' - i.e. a comfy cafe with cake for the both of you (and coffee for Mum).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Keep a pet</span></h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Contrary to popular belief at my primary school. I didn't grow up on a farm. But we did keep chickens, and ducks at some point. And there were geese, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, a hamster, fish and briefly, a sheep (we were looking after it for a friend).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pets are a great way to encourage compassion and instil a sense of responsibility. However, let's not be naive here. My dad remembers well, the little fluffy bunny rabbits we brought home that time, because they were <i>sooooo cuuuute</i>, and I was <i>absolutely </i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">going to help look after them and all that. Except I got bored pretty quickly and the poor bunnies were soon sold on to a much more deserving and attentive family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Start small and consider the age of your children. Maybe all that's needed is for them to help you feed the fish once a day. Even a task as small as this could increase their understanding of how dependent animals are on us and how the responsibility lies with us to ensure their survival.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Visit the Natural History Museum</span></h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Failing that, if you don't live anywhere near London and/or have a tube-phobia, then why not try the <a href="http://visit.cat.org.uk/" target="_blank">Centre for Alternative Technology</a> in Mid Wales, which overlooks the Snowdonia National Park. Learn about renewable energy, sustainable household living, and ride the amazing water-balanced cliff railway. There's also the <a href="https://www.bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitor-centres/nature-discovery-centre" target="_blank">Nature Discovery Centre</a> near Thatcham in Berkshire or the <a href="http://www.butterflyfarm.co.uk/attraction/index.php" target="_blank">Butterfly Farm</a> in Stratford-upon-Avon. For more ideas about family days out in the UK, try the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/outdoors" target="_blank">National Trust</a> website.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Let them get dirty</span></h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's sounds simple because it is. Let them dig, make mud cakes, discover worms and other creepy crawlies. Let them water the plants and get soaking wet. Let them crawl through bushes and climb trees (under your keen eye, of course). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiQ93pF2WrGRclvv8YbAXXPBnFjtfnLUJI02hz_gBstyOUh579Y2eSQtuRZ7F1cpnpTUILTRF3adJr-JXm9SopLBac0p-jOcQuCAY5Xz-M9sFDzoHZHP-6hWuJLaMM9l1cb32xdgED8xY/s1600/DSC_3580+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiQ93pF2WrGRclvv8YbAXXPBnFjtfnLUJI02hz_gBstyOUh579Y2eSQtuRZ7F1cpnpTUILTRF3adJr-JXm9SopLBac0p-jOcQuCAY5Xz-M9sFDzoHZHP-6hWuJLaMM9l1cb32xdgED8xY/s640/DSC_3580+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Go to the seaside</span></h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">When the word 'nature' is mentioned, many people automatically think of gardens and woodland, but the seaside can be a brilliant place to discover the aquatic side of nature. Grab a cheap net and bucket and head down onto the rocks to do some rock-pooling. Hunt for starfish, crabs and shrimp. Poke amongst the seaweed, lift a rock and see what rushes out from underneath. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I have very fond memories of catching shrimp in rock pools during childhood camping holidays. We'd take them back to the camper van, drop them in a pan of boiling water for a few mins, then delight in peeling off their shells and feasting on the fresh, pink and salty meat. Delicious!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">You could even try crabbing with a crab line from the pier, go deep sea mackerel fishing or sneak in some observations about the crucial work of the coastguard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYIgtfR8VEPEllGvgg8iVRcToo0VxrFdbzmrbwMiaz0LdLXv2VFhv_QNeLuvcJWBsXmYaaY_irhwDqaMEctNLzpWJP8PxWGQTgNLJm_Z-8qQjVlniwvcfpUzsO60rTdhpJyvRa6AHe_PA/s1600/_20170722_195831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYIgtfR8VEPEllGvgg8iVRcToo0VxrFdbzmrbwMiaz0LdLXv2VFhv_QNeLuvcJWBsXmYaaY_irhwDqaMEctNLzpWJP8PxWGQTgNLJm_Z-8qQjVlniwvcfpUzsO60rTdhpJyvRa6AHe_PA/s640/_20170722_195831.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <h3><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Got to a country show</span></h3><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been going to country shows, steam shows, county shows and agricultural shows since before I could walk. In my opinion, they form a really important link between rural and farming communities (the human side of the natural world) and, well, everybody else. It's only when you venture to these events that you really realise what it's all about, just how much work goes into managing livestock or producing food. And besides all the important stuff, there's also something so pleasantly rustic and simple about fresh air tinged with the smell of steam, the feel of ash settling on your skin, the luscious scent of donuts and the plinky-plonky music of the fair and the pipe organ vans. I could give you a dozen reasons to go, like c</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ow's eyelashes batting away sun-drunk insects, pygmy goats in pens and boys in smart white coats parading fat, pink pigs around on the grass. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Prize-winning carrots, animals characters made out of vegetables and homemade damson gin. Cakes from the Women's Institute and spicy paella from the food shed. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ice cream and sunshine and bales of hay.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Artisan sausage rolls, craft beers, oodles of fudge, bags of marshmallows and happy, sticky faces. Silver jewellery, honey, bees and balloons. Hand-sewn aprons and teddies and knitted baby booties. Independent engines 'tick-ticking' and 'phut-phutting' as the cogs turn and the pistons pump. Dare-devil motorcycle riders, stunt horse riders and herds of ducks. Classic cars, vintage lorries and fire engines gleaming in the sun. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Like a scene right out of Midsummer Murders, except without the murder. Hopefully.</span></div><br />
This post was featured on<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://jakijellz.com" rel="nofollow" title="JakiJellz" target="_blank"><img src="https://jakijellz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Triumphant-tales-linky-new-final-e1502402689465.png" alt="JakiJellz" style="border: none;" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.mission.com" rel="nofollow" title="Mission Mindfulness"><img src="https://missionmindfulnessblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/the-sat-sesh-badge-v-5.jpg" alt="Mission Mindfulness" style="border: none;" /></a></div>Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-67365716907604386982018-09-08T20:05:00.001+01:002020-10-25T08:24:48.362+00:00How To Make Homemade Sunshine Vodka<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's it, ladies and gents: summer is over, the kids are back to school and the shops are already filled with pumpkins. Autumn is here. But it's not too late to fake it. Bring back that summer feeling with this delicious Sunshine Vodka liqueur. This is an easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy recipe that you can even tailor to your own choice of tropical summer fruit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wRYHvEVb6sJ5uFQRnsapuflndbCNgqCCFY-TvqEno7-MzKcH66AdHl9gDbSmXflKQ28hASxfqKqp4AVkc6CIFBzA1Kdo0LKE1kd56kukqqlzKNTk3Lw8_-3M-NvlYQpu4Wb0TMawAWMO/s1600/DSC_5928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wRYHvEVb6sJ5uFQRnsapuflndbCNgqCCFY-TvqEno7-MzKcH66AdHl9gDbSmXflKQ28hASxfqKqp4AVkc6CIFBzA1Kdo0LKE1kd56kukqqlzKNTk3Lw8_-3M-NvlYQpu4Wb0TMawAWMO/s640/DSC_5928.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunshine Vodka with a splash of lemonade</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">600g frozen smoothie mix (mango, papaya, pineapple) or use your own choice of fresh tropical fruit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">220g sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 whole limes chopped into halves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">500ml vodka</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">150ml water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_KhoeBGjx9j84fe66AUyrAsNhkN4LMSbH3HO8qb85kU8UVKBvvgCTgGt9fBKaeC8oHpAXw78qXKKHtocvqwMX-Q0zaoLb_OWl98XzVynp4F4Do-qkexuBDsLfle49xPUszccwLRmePEL/s1600/DSC_5722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_KhoeBGjx9j84fe66AUyrAsNhkN4LMSbH3HO8qb85kU8UVKBvvgCTgGt9fBKaeC8oHpAXw78qXKKHtocvqwMX-Q0zaoLb_OWl98XzVynp4F4Do-qkexuBDsLfle49xPUszccwLRmePEL/s640/DSC_5722.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Equipment:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Litre jar/flask with tight-fitting lid</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long handled spoon for stirring</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plastic sieve/muslin, pegs and bowl/jelly bag kit for straining</span></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A funnel will also be useful</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How To Make It</span></h4>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;">1. Put all the ingredients in a big jar or flask with a tight fitting lid. I use the </span><a href="http://www.kilnerjar.co.uk/index.php/kilner-range/preserve-jars/kilner-preserve-jar-1-litre.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">1 litre preserving jar</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;"> from Kilner but any large jar with a wide neck will do.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckDY37WrzkJGOeozdclL54VVTTalc01tBCruwVe77yBmBHtNhvfsnX4vmUi7NvZFfOmAQaL9NuL1ujK-NwdriTRs-57I3bR7TzFCz3K5HXjJPdBYmlS2wrmHZ4Afrub2Wp6E742Ri9ueb/s1600/DSC_5724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckDY37WrzkJGOeozdclL54VVTTalc01tBCruwVe77yBmBHtNhvfsnX4vmUi7NvZFfOmAQaL9NuL1ujK-NwdriTRs-57I3bR7TzFCz3K5HXjJPdBYmlS2wrmHZ4Afrub2Wp6E742Ri9ueb/s640/DSC_5724.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKTG4hyI8BUVQuat-QtEigNOPqdwfix1Hdse2_nMAxyW3wDD0ddGWQw_qeGETzYBgUQabbRQSl2pqe960pnwt_OBNYG1_U8Fj0LcVtKf8GvUnZAPoDMBgS64kl20xRXrplX71jyxjonxN/s1600/DSC_5725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKTG4hyI8BUVQuat-QtEigNOPqdwfix1Hdse2_nMAxyW3wDD0ddGWQw_qeGETzYBgUQabbRQSl2pqe960pnwt_OBNYG1_U8Fj0LcVtKf8GvUnZAPoDMBgS64kl20xRXrplX71jyxjonxN/s640/DSC_5725.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioplRLZCTxT-RVdxzL8szpIynMzS8MuDaBmofz_CiUkyBKXdFiGh4S_xwdt77RwCDEYq0n4cGR8xnKkCICLlBGovRpiYbRiaU7Yj5d9X20Gl8cvdx6tihWt9TOOp-w9Lj9iR_QcB9X8xJ/s1600/DSC_5728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioplRLZCTxT-RVdxzL8szpIynMzS8MuDaBmofz_CiUkyBKXdFiGh4S_xwdt77RwCDEYq0n4cGR8xnKkCICLlBGovRpiYbRiaU7Yj5d9X20Gl8cvdx6tihWt9TOOp-w9Lj9iR_QcB9X8xJ/s640/DSC_5728.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin68tYEU_JZ9ZVbhbIfdekqUgURrSU6JH5iWUjQnZ3AFA73K-phkKervIK5NopH1YvBh4ZUBATyIrO5OLVT_5StdQFJG_GJTBgULwDaU9hkuop31fcKxSiXHlOjylQhgF290cdU_lknztr/s1600/DSC_5727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin68tYEU_JZ9ZVbhbIfdekqUgURrSU6JH5iWUjQnZ3AFA73K-phkKervIK5NopH1YvBh4ZUBATyIrO5OLVT_5StdQFJG_GJTBgULwDaU9hkuop31fcKxSiXHlOjylQhgF290cdU_lknztr/s640/DSC_5727.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;"><br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;">Give the mixture as much of a stir as you can with a spoon. Then seal your jar tightly and store in a dry, dark place for 6 weeks. I pop mine under the stairs but an airing cupboard or kitchen cupboard would do just as nicely.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;">Every so often, when you remember, check your jar and give it a shake to encourage the sugar to dissolve.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;">2. After the 6 weeks, all of the sugar should have dissolved and the lime and the fruit will probably have lost their colour. Don't worry about this as it just means their flavour has been drawn out into the surrounding liquid (which is where we want it!).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfObT-LUl8KQlORhkAgJjchXnglf_FBWpi6PcSDGS9SIUM1mNwbhF59UgysCpGA3fd7_AxzXKfncl1cyyBGUxYegH5QWKuXo53FXuC650VQGRXwuAAZ7b7HYzT6ICWBu6s6GqnazV0PbL0/s1600/DSC_5922%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfObT-LUl8KQlORhkAgJjchXnglf_FBWpi6PcSDGS9SIUM1mNwbhF59UgysCpGA3fd7_AxzXKfncl1cyyBGUxYegH5QWKuXo53FXuC650VQGRXwuAAZ7b7HYzT6ICWBu6s6GqnazV0PbL0/s640/DSC_5922%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ryj_tnnWAhJj4puXTExDcertWl1ScxnYZqDQwp0hyPh94EYx6r08IVipoxhDggMlSpokYIkopjvij40G8-9EzUVmDbk8nAQEbf1hhc_-wq8SBS0VQShKa3eNfFn5g2CTRHkpQpETy6qj/s1600/DSC_5924%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ryj_tnnWAhJj4puXTExDcertWl1ScxnYZqDQwp0hyPh94EYx6r08IVipoxhDggMlSpokYIkopjvij40G8-9EzUVmDbk8nAQEbf1hhc_-wq8SBS0VQShKa3eNfFn5g2CTRHkpQpETy6qj/s640/DSC_5924%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;">3. Now take the jar and strain the contents. I strain out the larger bits through a plastic sieve first. Then you can either peg your muslin over a large bowl and gently press the mixture through it or you could invest in a special stand or</span><a href="https://www.lakeland.co.uk/14622/Lakeland-Jelly-Strainer" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank"> jelly bag set</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;">. Jelly bags are finer than muslins and, as the name suggests, are usually used for straining jams and jellies. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;">When straining through a muslin, do it little by little as this reduces the chance of everything collapsing into the bowl and you having to start again!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsinfmcanoOWwtpfIaEtBRsVKP5RjQt5NJSfSqnDdrWZZQ3ITmcHwbvoPLYUEQQvN2mJsAc0yYAtNJQyX8_713KlHhUqb-n5itErKoZUYOOX3SyjpGYbx6l1zwEwQYoVIz-c-61-SBIrai/s1600/DSC_5926%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsinfmcanoOWwtpfIaEtBRsVKP5RjQt5NJSfSqnDdrWZZQ3ITmcHwbvoPLYUEQQvN2mJsAc0yYAtNJQyX8_713KlHhUqb-n5itErKoZUYOOX3SyjpGYbx6l1zwEwQYoVIz-c-61-SBIrai/s640/DSC_5926%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxc1vGdX5hbNJ7IpWxQDDgNREGCZMa732zkcyQFFfOXlLHQxm0m8oU3iJ2xULFhyphenhyphen14kYR4nt-mzJ88U0pBUhyQNNPJwm_lwJQeh70jYfhTIvS2Y13vU8lk-XamYEHCA2DfmoYhmdKwFvKk/s1600/DSC_5927%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxc1vGdX5hbNJ7IpWxQDDgNREGCZMa732zkcyQFFfOXlLHQxm0m8oU3iJ2xULFhyphenhyphen14kYR4nt-mzJ88U0pBUhyQNNPJwm_lwJQeh70jYfhTIvS2Y13vU8lk-XamYEHCA2DfmoYhmdKwFvKk/s640/DSC_5927%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">To produce an absolutely crystal clear liqueur, you can also strain it a third time through a coffee filter but this is time-consuming and a matter of preference as to whether you have the time to spare or are content to give your bottle a little shake before you pour.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. When you've finished straining, pour your finished liqueur into a bottle through a funnel, label and store until you're thirsty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This summery liqueur is delicious served over ice with a splash of lemonade, or even on it's own. Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqriWW3a3qV5bNjpNTa45mc1XajBS-4JwN6xl_bSwspiENNWvStmxFOcp2CFhU6Pn5pr61LAlQJOHZtUbLky-QAyx2m_wtgfoQHv63Qcauuh7m4QNtJjp2LIkAJ2RIS4pwX1z8-gc8869z/s1600/DSC_5922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqriWW3a3qV5bNjpNTa45mc1XajBS-4JwN6xl_bSwspiENNWvStmxFOcp2CFhU6Pn5pr61LAlQJOHZtUbLky-QAyx2m_wtgfoQHv63Qcauuh7m4QNtJjp2LIkAJ2RIS4pwX1z8-gc8869z/s640/DSC_5922.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtNyo0QoWN_R8bonkMzXBtUtbwS6EgeXVzoIqRVzoD6fjuuO4CY0adrueJhbxT6zjgejIaP2YgSXrDAWI7bgzeTuUSBXYJC2ANAlmrJ4O7wdmqaV2OtrfRyOgPPUDOkJYEKBGtk_MFncM/s1600/DSC_5923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtNyo0QoWN_R8bonkMzXBtUtbwS6EgeXVzoIqRVzoD6fjuuO4CY0adrueJhbxT6zjgejIaP2YgSXrDAWI7bgzeTuUSBXYJC2ANAlmrJ4O7wdmqaV2OtrfRyOgPPUDOkJYEKBGtk_MFncM/s640/DSC_5923.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDprV1MtIpUBybdnQKVf6WN5JvmSrThG_IpaQmLZU9hl_VT2uh59dnT9epSiEa2nvNPlcfVQdj2zae33r6U0V-zUnoFzgsGrtnkTLcogEcFqhEhQQhvyDCELPgQKRf5n7FJ8MEy3bKyAw_/s1600/DSC_5930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDprV1MtIpUBybdnQKVf6WN5JvmSrThG_IpaQmLZU9hl_VT2uh59dnT9epSiEa2nvNPlcfVQdj2zae33r6U0V-zUnoFzgsGrtnkTLcogEcFqhEhQQhvyDCELPgQKRf5n7FJ8MEy3bKyAw_/s640/DSC_5930.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-23989336497792876402018-09-02T21:25:00.001+01:002020-10-25T08:24:48.688+00:00How Parenting Is Teaching Me To Learn Again<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With Little O starting school this week, I've been thinking a lot recently about my own learning journey. He is just starting out on his, whilst mine feels a bit like the limited service the local bus provides our village. What's more, Little O has started asking the most interesting questions. Especially about how things are made.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Mummy, how is bread made?" "Mummy, how do you make a car?" "Mummy, how do you make ice?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of the answers I know. But some, I don't. It's easy to make something up for pacification's sake, but shouldn't we instead feel inspired to find out the real answer?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEarQguSos8Z9bZR9gbt7RCHYfVaUzXmKBHgPJU0YEu0HMMmhnPvyJNnhbjHFWTeEMV9MjqedzSBS6HbqQaTAWseR9LNpOX1UPAp2cAitv1Hjc_bXq-fneeT2ul9G7mce5TfXP2cHbmx1/s1600/IMG_20170706_082149_669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEarQguSos8Z9bZR9gbt7RCHYfVaUzXmKBHgPJU0YEu0HMMmhnPvyJNnhbjHFWTeEMV9MjqedzSBS6HbqQaTAWseR9LNpOX1UPAp2cAitv1Hjc_bXq-fneeT2ul9G7mce5TfXP2cHbmx1/s640/IMG_20170706_082149_669.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Mummy, why is the sky blue?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I always thought it was because the sky reflected the sea. Not true. Apparently blue light is scattered further by the molecules in the air than other colours and that is why we see a blue sky.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was once told that if we could learn 10 new facts every second of our lifetime, that when we died, our brain's capacity for learning would still only be just over half full. Isn't that just fascinating?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So why do we seem to mark leaving school by giving up on learning? Clearly there are exceptions such as professional qualifications for accounting, law and medicine, but more often than not, the end of our formal education marks an end to our exploration of the workings of the world around us. Unless you count joining in with Pointless or your local Thursday night pub quiz.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I was a child, my mum was a stay at home parent and took a number of short courses at the local college: computing, creative writing, dry stone walling. And why not? I hope that these courses served as more than just a day-filler and I'm sure they did. I hope their purpose was to feed a greedy mind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Children have such fantastically greedy minds. Everything is interesting. Everything asks a question of itself. And children are curious for an answer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How? What? When? Where? Who? And the unrelenting 'Why'?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why is the grass green? How do caterpillar tracks work? Why do cars need petrol? Who decides when Paw Patrol is on? Why are some apples green and some red? Why does the sun go to sleep? What is jelly made of? What makes wheels go round? Where does a tiger live? Why do robins have red bellies? How do fish breathe? What's the biggest mountain called? What are shadows made of? Who makes swans? Where do guitars come from?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenkSglEpQnMuTMgziZBjMd0G_5HAX7hxJA010OkQ2jefBFoLglD3LuRQ7QYh5Wa_xO2R-GaGqeDCNxQ1WlWQxYVTea1KL7bXcWWKDRTqRvbGoLHF-MGvxEyHSv85vfXN-z0XhyQ7L_CJ7/s1600/IMG_20170708_171533_780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenkSglEpQnMuTMgziZBjMd0G_5HAX7hxJA010OkQ2jefBFoLglD3LuRQ7QYh5Wa_xO2R-GaGqeDCNxQ1WlWQxYVTea1KL7bXcWWKDRTqRvbGoLHF-MGvxEyHSv85vfXN-z0XhyQ7L_CJ7/s640/IMG_20170708_171533_780.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's clear from the success of programmes like Planet Earth that our curiosity isn't necessarily lost when we grow up, perhaps just dimmed by the fact we're a little distracted by boring stuff like going to work, doing housework and paying bills. All that pesky <i>responsibility</i>. How tiresome.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the years I spent devoting evenings and weekends studying to qualify as an accountant, my mind was on a diet. But now it's back, greedier than ever. I'm feeding it with recipes at the moment, and tips on how to prune lavender. Today, I learned that saliva is supposedly a viable alternative to rooting powder. Not that interesting to some, but that doesn't matter. I'm going to keep learning and who knows, maybe that next question from my curious child, I'll already have the answer to.</span></div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-24246166781532485052018-06-20T11:53:00.001+01:002020-10-25T08:24:48.882+00:00How To Make Homemade Cherry Bakewell Liqueur<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I absolutely cherry bakewells. They're sort of half cake, half tart and go exceptionally well with a cup of tea. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was looking for a new liqueur recipe to make as, though I already had some <a href="https://mummywales.blogspot.com/2018/03/how-to-make-homemade-rhubarb-and-orange.html" target="_blank">rhubarb and orange gin</a> and some sunshine fruit liqueur in the cupboard, I wanted to make something a little smoother and sweeter with rich red berry flavours. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This cherry bakewell liqueur recipe is one of my simplest liqueur recipes and is a satisfyingly boozy take on the real thing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI9DZNfydyzAv8U7lgjNAMwzxt_L5U_lD7Alii3IUpuVoIoN2La3AczCktWZLMC6MdDkjfhLoNb1EYzdkrKE47IBhPev69ab4LKK75zTu-54DBwSe_6u3l_AvUyU7xNVF3Xm5oHo6M8mQ/s1600/DSC_5711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI9DZNfydyzAv8U7lgjNAMwzxt_L5U_lD7Alii3IUpuVoIoN2La3AczCktWZLMC6MdDkjfhLoNb1EYzdkrKE47IBhPev69ab4LKK75zTu-54DBwSe_6u3l_AvUyU7xNVF3Xm5oHo6M8mQ/s640/DSC_5711.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">350g frozen/fresh cherries</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">700ml amaretto </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">250</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">g sugar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Equipment:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Litre jar/flask with tight-fitting lid</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Long handled spoon for stirring</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plastic sieve/muslin, pegs and bowl/jelly bag kit for straining</span></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A funnel will also be useful</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFDM2z9htKuXBp_UjjsRS-zd_T-VH1jR8kNOtDPvx-vut5WuBtEWJPy12QaXfp61L3qz21lOfeUvH9KwQUNwgioGd_9Ge6dxGmPR1VzMjnrSX1ieJK2iKJ69_fdlJC5A9UGcVyRiRTeEH/s1600/DSC_5706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFDM2z9htKuXBp_UjjsRS-zd_T-VH1jR8kNOtDPvx-vut5WuBtEWJPy12QaXfp61L3qz21lOfeUvH9KwQUNwgioGd_9Ge6dxGmPR1VzMjnrSX1ieJK2iKJ69_fdlJC5A9UGcVyRiRTeEH/s640/DSC_5706.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How To Make It</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">1. Put the cherries, sugar and the amaretto in a big jar or flask with a tight fitting lid. I use the </span><a href="http://www.kilnerjar.co.uk/index.php/kilner-range/preserve-jars/kilner-preserve-jar-1-litre.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">1 litre preserving jar</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"> from Kilner but any large jar with a wide neck will do.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSA_S9S7quvGR9exvdRI0nMAXMY3ullVic-ySJj-wVQ8wsAW72XK_J2e3A700zKxbBoC4wU9GyQmPDiRSd_5XMJ8RD_nr0kgTechklsgDjIDclKAqFQbCZ2xScvvkxQamVTuMB_iGSTEM/s1600/DSC_5708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSA_S9S7quvGR9exvdRI0nMAXMY3ullVic-ySJj-wVQ8wsAW72XK_J2e3A700zKxbBoC4wU9GyQmPDiRSd_5XMJ8RD_nr0kgTechklsgDjIDclKAqFQbCZ2xScvvkxQamVTuMB_iGSTEM/s640/DSC_5708.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXd-StbwifHtWyxZ-o9_77o7W3OBSs3yE5Tx0uiuTtuzE-zFWQCVorZprMIqHRXU0swlCibuYInpmN8XqnOdUbPJIfO0KaMJ4tCZNM5Aos8vVfnYmU0hxdBIpTwRp7TpdF6gLvxdNFZfr/s1600/DSC_5710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXd-StbwifHtWyxZ-o9_77o7W3OBSs3yE5Tx0uiuTtuzE-zFWQCVorZprMIqHRXU0swlCibuYInpmN8XqnOdUbPJIfO0KaMJ4tCZNM5Aos8vVfnYmU0hxdBIpTwRp7TpdF6gLvxdNFZfr/s640/DSC_5710.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlFG6pm45Q_er1pLnduFV3se6ewfA0EBs6H-MEcDJyEXjUlRcC1zMAIJ_aDEzB_WE5BqyN8E3fLih4FiFuj7ZSzZ1gv0GXfcuZWY_u3NQ0-dV6yGI3K1fTImITmzuujA3JBlkkLgwlya5/s1600/DSC_5713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlFG6pm45Q_er1pLnduFV3se6ewfA0EBs6H-MEcDJyEXjUlRcC1zMAIJ_aDEzB_WE5BqyN8E3fLih4FiFuj7ZSzZ1gv0GXfcuZWY_u3NQ0-dV6yGI3K1fTImITmzuujA3JBlkkLgwlya5/s640/DSC_5713.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Seal your jar tightly and store in a dry, dark place for 6 weeks. I pop mine under the stairs but an airing cupboard or kitchen cupboard would do just as nicely.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Every so often, when you remember, check your jar and give it a gentle shake to encourage the sugar to dissolve.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1n5csz56UCB0dZmlT2TJjmN7FUI04JGn7-XoO56viUk30N2D0tOWzRcsYHioAA_ivDX9nuFoY3AaCMBmiSuRLZaGyDgpJHU3pTqibHLDi0KmxbIPWdMmIJjlwEFPhGsgp-zRK1jV6IA4/s1600/DSC_5719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1n5csz56UCB0dZmlT2TJjmN7FUI04JGn7-XoO56viUk30N2D0tOWzRcsYHioAA_ivDX9nuFoY3AaCMBmiSuRLZaGyDgpJHU3pTqibHLDi0KmxbIPWdMmIJjlwEFPhGsgp-zRK1jV6IA4/s640/DSC_5719.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">2. After the 6 weeks, all of the sugar should have dissolved and the cherries will probably have lost their colour and turned brown. Don't worry about this as it just means their flavour has been drawn out into the surrounding liquid (which is where we want it!).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZoOryUBFY-nYC14l8uogbhgQWN4lneE8HtURpmwGq07XFYcY4HGHsu_1WuNy_Ai9QraPHFjfwrnj_6DA2FoDGh9cw1etp1cApy8NBbkweY7O5E_F6TmKz3c1Ejxf4k0Rg2uU1OKtIhtu/s1600/DSC_6052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZoOryUBFY-nYC14l8uogbhgQWN4lneE8HtURpmwGq07XFYcY4HGHsu_1WuNy_Ai9QraPHFjfwrnj_6DA2FoDGh9cw1etp1cApy8NBbkweY7O5E_F6TmKz3c1Ejxf4k0Rg2uU1OKtIhtu/s640/DSC_6052.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">3. Now take the jar and strain the contents. I strain out the larger bits through a plastic sieve first. Then you can either peg your muslin over a large bowl and gently press the mixture through it or you could invest in a special stand or<a href="https://www.lakeland.co.uk/14622/Lakeland-Jelly-Strainer" target="_blank"> jelly bag set</a>. Jelly bags are finer than muslins and, as the name suggests, are usually used for straining jams and jellies. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">When straining through a muslin, do it little by little as this reduces the chance of everything collapsing into the bowl and you having to start again!</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZh9qhHTkAaLfBYozt_tit9xSRheoyurcYGLXZ5IKFFlj2Gl-oVgS4phFsVfr6Avwwj1_jIUy1Jl25R3qEX2xxukiWQremkf0X4kBwDIILWrV7sDqgXRDfzCj4s9h3zyY4sRBWNizneCl/s1600/DSC_6053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZh9qhHTkAaLfBYozt_tit9xSRheoyurcYGLXZ5IKFFlj2Gl-oVgS4phFsVfr6Avwwj1_jIUy1Jl25R3qEX2xxukiWQremkf0X4kBwDIILWrV7sDqgXRDfzCj4s9h3zyY4sRBWNizneCl/s640/DSC_6053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikS22i8U55xv22bBdNn5oSApgNjqL73rSxXVPi74YF0SYeWmB0CxPhBER-UCUWvkNThaV8IsQobKZcZtvzsY-EWCgkgphw4RqeZeYBtUnTnOEb4AfYA-0ApLFPBFRh7uWwZcmUugGoZHd_/s1600/DSC_6068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikS22i8U55xv22bBdNn5oSApgNjqL73rSxXVPi74YF0SYeWmB0CxPhBER-UCUWvkNThaV8IsQobKZcZtvzsY-EWCgkgphw4RqeZeYBtUnTnOEb4AfYA-0ApLFPBFRh7uWwZcmUugGoZHd_/s640/DSC_6068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. When you've finished straining, pour your finished liqueur into a bottle through a funnel and store until you're thirsty.</span></div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-51733319761889987462018-06-10T17:41:00.002+01:002020-10-25T08:24:49.143+00:00Don't Grow Up Too Quickly, My Darlings<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm going to hold my hands up and admit I cried over a buggy today. No, it didn't roll over my toes - I sold our travel system. And it felt like the biggest milestone yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know it's just a thing, a machine, a collection of metal bits and pieces but there are some huge memories attached to those spokes. Like how I needed to have the car seat at just the right angle to get it to lift out properly. Of feeling pretty damn pleased with myself for fitting three big bags of food shopping in the basket underneath. Mum's first solo trip with it as a Grandmother, down the road. And how it eventually served to transport two little beating hearts instead of just one </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(hush now, ovaries. Hush.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9dEfYKu0zO24TRTJAph88vrLnWZJSHZ59mzUqJpYIlVeFILHU7233bq6Bl10FbS_xatZ56W2er0eziKQ8Ml6qy9lbPFjpOcgnuD97jcWQZmiR5Q2uujKiRkVJGKo-xPCtJ3TSGdPyg4l/s1600/Owen+on+bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9dEfYKu0zO24TRTJAph88vrLnWZJSHZ59mzUqJpYIlVeFILHU7233bq6Bl10FbS_xatZ56W2er0eziKQ8Ml6qy9lbPFjpOcgnuD97jcWQZmiR5Q2uujKiRkVJGKo-xPCtJ3TSGdPyg4l/s640/Owen+on+bench.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel we're at a real turning point in our parenting journey at the moment (I can't believe I just used the term 'journey,' but there it is, sorry). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My toddler keeps reminding us how much of a little boy he's growing into and my preschooler sits within spitting distance of becoming a proper student. I bought my first school jumper today and I felt like a visitor in a foreign country buying souvenirs for the trip home. Except this time I'm staying.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">B</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">oth boys are in a consistent bedtime routine and S and I are even considering the possibility of making date nights a more regular occurrence. We're not talking a weekly event here, but even once a month would give us that bit of extra time to recall how it felt to be a couple of people in love, not just parents of children together.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time is moving on. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The boys are growing up. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We've brought down the potties from the attic and R has christened both to rapturous</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> applause. </span>Soon we'll be transitioning him from his cot to a proper bed and I won't have any babies or toddlers left. No need for nappies or dummies or highchairs or stair gates. O will be in reception; I'll be a school mum. Maybe there'll even be Lego in the house. Somehow Lego feels like a milestone in it's own right.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22Mja-3rq-KVoAUnPw-fc3UJ3B0H_c7DaUJDsg4BCJ31mbZe8GWIUf67IIc2uAVUTuUJPhTKWPfCiRJEg8ccknpGjdwxWlQvIFwyItof_EMHK3s5eBBpIWLRIVzOYP3PKE1erBWWO7Aef/s1600/DSC_2725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22Mja-3rq-KVoAUnPw-fc3UJ3B0H_c7DaUJDsg4BCJ31mbZe8GWIUf67IIc2uAVUTuUJPhTKWPfCiRJEg8ccknpGjdwxWlQvIFwyItof_EMHK3s5eBBpIWLRIVzOYP3PKE1erBWWO7Aef/s640/DSC_2725.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every parent knows how bloody irritating it is to be told 'enjoy this time', 'make the most of it', or my particular favourite: 'be grateful'. Like we don't realise how precious this time is and how lucky we are. We know. Trust me, we know. But it's also sometimes really hard to see the poo for the pile of stinky nappies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When O just laughs at me when I tell him off or yells the length the supermarket purely because R's in the grip of brotherly love and wants to cuddle him in the shopping trolley. When R has a meltdown at the dinner table. Or when all hell breaks loose because I closed the bathroom door to have a wee (OH MY GOD - I HAVEN'T DIED! I'M STILL HERE!). Or when their bathtime shenanigans lead to an unwelcome hole in the ceiling of my downstairs loo, accompanied by the <i>drip-drip</i> of bathwater through it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, that actually happened.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I'm not wishing myself out of it. God, I wouldn't trade my motherhood for all the tea in China, margaritas in Malibu, not even for all the Pringles in Tesco (although I'd be quite tempted). And I know, ten years from now, I'll be sitting in my clean-ish, tidy-ish, change-mat free living room reminiscing about how cute they were, about their chubby ice-cream smeared faces, the way they get their words wrong and how urgently I was needed to join in with their monster chases and superhero rescue missions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: 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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZIX1ukUiiWqsr8PzrSkxwTSM11Sg08aAR1V6sur39LwazZ_cc8Ikt5E55sbUI6LKVNtZio030pRKczDoh8z02JrogDtrxbkuaXEzKBSO3JYJCIeKSWLDAIT8Vjdg0a8OzeA2cVONQrt-/s1600/DSC_3305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZIX1ukUiiWqsr8PzrSkxwTSM11Sg08aAR1V6sur39LwazZ_cc8Ikt5E55sbUI6LKVNtZio030pRKczDoh8z02JrogDtrxbkuaXEzKBSO3JYJCIeKSWLDAIT8Vjdg0a8OzeA2cVONQrt-/s640/DSC_3305.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are so many moments that I wish I could snap with my camera to keep for prosperity but I can't. I can't snap the smell of a freshly washed baby. I can't snap the cheeky one-liners or the acts of brotherly kindness. I can't snap my pride, or a giggle, or a burp or a squeezy cuddle. I can't snap how it feels to be needed. Not just for comfort but for simple things like the tying of a shoelace or the zip of a coat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before I know it, those needs will have vanished, evaporated into the memories of the past. They'll be tying their own laces, making their own breakfast and I'll be superfluous but for wifi passwords and laundry requests. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't let it come too soon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know I said I wanted a lie in and afternoons to myself and adult-only holidays. But I think I can wait just a little bit longer. Not too long, mind. Just a little bit. Just time for one more cuddle.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28EQscUYgxp3sPwxmWxQVHErCa6ATnyzDEIFRBG0U7YYi-_CUN8oK8k6xPxEwRHceQp3rDIGN9VSzpNVc_8aUiqSrd12HIRtqwwLSSb1X52kxHbADUsNFQ3niLwovg5yLxgXain0qoGMc/s1600/BILD1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28EQscUYgxp3sPwxmWxQVHErCa6ATnyzDEIFRBG0U7YYi-_CUN8oK8k6xPxEwRHceQp3rDIGN9VSzpNVc_8aUiqSrd12HIRtqwwLSSb1X52kxHbADUsNFQ3niLwovg5yLxgXain0qoGMc/s400/BILD1096.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-88996360064876846782018-04-08T15:01:00.001+01:002020-10-25T08:24:49.923+00:00Top Tips For Baking With Your Children<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Baking with your children always feels like such a good idea to begin with, doesn't it? There's something wonderfully wholesome about donning an apron and showing them how to make food. And if that something happens to be sugary and buttery, then we've already fast-forwarded in our minds to the post-bake sample session that with any luck will involve a hot cup of tea and two minutes peace. To me, that's the point of no return.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRLAaXMj4l1_m8JXh4cK4iyrGaZsF7bN8klO_c6w8F59kDheJcTASK8v2_lHxg62_HG7hGJ5cKeAMxNnD4f4Dcje5WkcRyCVBf4lA-ZK9ERgY34HgImjnBAuiKDQ7bj2xtg2EiMsq4rAt/s1600/tables-3039635_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Top Tips For Baking With Kids - Mummy Wales Blog" border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRLAaXMj4l1_m8JXh4cK4iyrGaZsF7bN8klO_c6w8F59kDheJcTASK8v2_lHxg62_HG7hGJ5cKeAMxNnD4f4Dcje5WkcRyCVBf4lA-ZK9ERgY34HgImjnBAuiKDQ7bj2xtg2EiMsq4rAt/s640/tables-3039635_1280.jpg" title="Top Tips For Baking With Kids - Mummy Wales Blog" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The actual process of baking with children though? That's a minefield fit to test the courage of even the bravest soldier. Luckily for you, I've a few brilliant tips from my blogging buddies to hopefully make the experience more <i>#instabaker</i> than a scene resembling the aftermath of a natural disaster, with the attitude to match.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Crack the eggs into a jug first so they can just pour then in without getting bits of shell in the mix."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://pinkpearbear.com/" target="_blank">Pink Pear Bear</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Invest in a mixer - hand-mixing = bored toddler!"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://myfamilyofroses.co.uk/" target="_blank">My Family Of Roses</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Weigh everything out beforehand. Just put ingredients into smaller bowls they can tip straight in. Way less stress!"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://fivelittledoves.com/" target="_blank">Five Little Doves</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><i>"If they tend to be messy run a bath first that is a little too warm for them, then by the time you've done baking you can get them straight in the bath before sticky hands go everywhere!"</i></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.justaveragejen.com/" target="_blank">Just Average Jen</a></span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 107%;"><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"Keep wipes handy for nose picks, bum scratches etc and take lots of pictures for the memories."</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mummyof5miracles.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Mummy Of 5 Miracles</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><i>"We have little helper kitchen pods for our toddlers. It keeps them contained and at the right height. It's brilliant (particularly for the first of those two reasons!!)"</i></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.fivelittlestars.com/" target="_blank">Five Little Stars</a></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Don't worry about the result just enjoy the making. Choose a fail safe recipe (macaroni cheese, fairy cakes) and remember that they are doing it so let them. They can mix and sprinkle and stir even from a really young age."</i></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.teddybearsandcardigans.com/" target="_blank">Teddy Bears And Cardigans</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xqbXAmjgmHagzQ4gZtiNuH8ZWa7iqZj8k2kaw0UdkMOAglxW9o148naIlAzZ3FEidJVKBiLP_Onao3IOixEXqUbezBA8VB5zRNcBvIvuidaMjfONgPbivEJCKHm2KgjHpfiM4Kfsy_jL/s1600/1495659246930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xqbXAmjgmHagzQ4gZtiNuH8ZWa7iqZj8k2kaw0UdkMOAglxW9o148naIlAzZ3FEidJVKBiLP_Onao3IOixEXqUbezBA8VB5zRNcBvIvuidaMjfONgPbivEJCKHm2KgjHpfiM4Kfsy_jL/s400/1495659246930.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><span class="uficommentbody"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I cook and bake with my nearly four year old all the time he loves it, even if it's just putting veg in a pa</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n. I normally just do the baking in bowls sitting on the floor for less mess, quick and easy to clean. I use his plastic table as it's his height for any rolling. We make biscuits, cakes, and dinners together and he loves it. The main thing is don't get angry - stay calm and let them find their own way of doing things."</span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://northeastliving.co.uk/" target="_blank">North East Living</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Pre-heat the oven first. It really does speed up the cooking time and let's face it...kids are impatient. Also let them help wash up, by the time they've finished the cakes have cooked and their hands are clean too."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.thismummysalwayswrite.com/" target="_blank">This Mummy Always Writes</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Keep the paper chef hats from Pizza Express for home baking times with kids and tell them as soon as the hats are on, that's sensible baking time as a way of controlling the situation a little." </i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://thriftymum.com/blog/" target="_blank">Thrifty Mum</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><i>"Do it at granny's house so you don't have the mess!"</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.sophobsessed.com/" target="_blank">Soph-Obsessed</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><i>"Start small. Like melting chocolate and adding rice krispies small!"</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.marriedtoageek.co.uk/" target="_blank">Married To A Geek</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><i>"Be prepared for mess! My main tip is definitely only give the kids a bit of mixture in their own bowl to mix/stir/pour until their heart is content, and use the rest to make your own cake too. We love making fairy cakes for this exact reason - a few kiddy cakes and lots of nice mummy cakes."</i></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.newmummyblog.com/" target="_blank">New Mummy Blog</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="7oe"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;">"Doesn't always have to be from scratch - recipe mixes make baking fun, easy and instantly gratifying."</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.rainbowsaretoobeautiful.com/" target="_blank">Rainbows Are Too Beautiful</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i>"Let them taste & lick the bowl at the end. The best bit. Also making something they can decorate goes down well."</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.susankmann.com/" target="_blank">Susan K Mann</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you have any fail safe tips to add? I'd love to know!</span></div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.missionmindfulnessblog.com" rel="nofollow" title="Mission Mindfulness"><img src="https://missionmindfulnessblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/the-sat-sesh-badge-v-5.jpg" alt="Mission Mindfulness" style="border: none;" /></a></div>Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-81956740682813098542018-04-03T12:57:00.001+01:002020-10-25T08:24:51.347+00:00Why I Want My Sons to Know My Welsh Heritage<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are born in Wales, grew up there, learned the language at school, went to a 'jambori', ate ponchmeip, watched <a href="http://www.s4c.cymru/en/" target="_blank">S4C </a>and got soaked to the skin on school trips to Welsh outdoor activity centres but don't have a Welsh accent, does that mean you can't call yourself Welsh? I don't think so. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Living in the south of England for over a decade means I've lost much of my North West twang, but I am still Welsh, born and bred, and will always consider myself as such. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is easy to make false assumptions about my origins though because, well, I just don't <i>sound </i>Welsh. Sometimes it feels like that part of my identity is fad</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ing from view but it's so important to me that my boys know their mother's heritage.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hBXxq8UduHEzl0QeOvXDqNLMu-h2T5sOkgnqwy7AUIAoqZL6v9nnrG-SvKsH65JVXjPd-msclB3MXfP_aKvmNnxlbHRhYsS-5ZfzDhBk09_AwxXltQab5Fuqmec34AAg5IFqynQs_jR5/s1600/1481997676080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="384" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hBXxq8UduHEzl0QeOvXDqNLMu-h2T5sOkgnqwy7AUIAoqZL6v9nnrG-SvKsH65JVXjPd-msclB3MXfP_aKvmNnxlbHRhYsS-5ZfzDhBk09_AwxXltQab5Fuqmec34AAg5IFqynQs_jR5/s640/1481997676080.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe they won't care. Probably not while they're young anyway. But I <i>do </i>care. And that's why I want to fill their little heads with some memories of Wales that might just stick and stay until adulthood. Then maybe they'll treasure them as I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I doubt they'll ever skate at my old local ice rink, or get the same bus I used to get to the neighbouring town to binge on jelly sweets in the park, or knock back lemonades at the <a href="http://tivolivenue.com/" target="_blank">Tivoli </a>teenage disco. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course they'll never do those things. They'll make their own childhood memories here in England. I don't have a problem with that - they are English.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I do want them to gain a little understanding of a world that isn't bound by the places they know and see every day. I want them to appreciate that their mum comes from a different country with a different heritage and language (even though she doesn't speak it).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmIG_eXLKt7n6MffNEFLwo3j8Q881o_D2NcrlAaF9vMMVrLjm9MEuodjyM3Lx-WF1u8noJYGXEth71HqZi0v7Q5WDj32O4XL6hLIwd6CDsqX7k6zRJZ5UHnjoWgtV2EtvL79gx_Niq6Y_/s1600/1493134892090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="259" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmIG_eXLKt7n6MffNEFLwo3j8Q881o_D2NcrlAaF9vMMVrLjm9MEuodjyM3Lx-WF1u8noJYGXEth71HqZi0v7Q5WDj32O4XL6hLIwd6CDsqX7k6zRJZ5UHnjoWgtV2EtvL79gx_Niq6Y_/s400/1493134892090.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want them to have some notion of lanes that wind so high they disappear into cloud, sheep spectating at the roadside. The waterfalls and craggy gorges and the kindness of the locals. I want them to understand why I treasure my memories of camping in Pwllheli and getting dizzy on the <a href="https://www.snowdonrailway.co.uk/" target="_blank">Snowdon Mountain Railway</a> and at <a href="https://www.pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pontcysyllte Aqueduct</a>. Memories of giggling at the number of letters in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyndrobyllantisiliongogogoch and creeping up the stairs of the <a href="http://www.thesmallesthouse.co.uk/" target="_blank">smallest house</a> in the UK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Memories of the long pebble beach at Talacre. Memories of ice creams on Llandudno pier, Tenby knickerbockerglories and climbing stone steps at Conwy castle. Of mountain top walks over slag heaps and slate rubble. Of views across valleys green enough to tempt the envy of emeralds. Valleys painted with stripes of sunshine that make whole mountainsides glow like God's own garden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But it's OK because they <i>have </i>muddied their toes on the beach at Talacre. They have raced through the sand dunes and waved at the lighthouse, and they have ridden Thomas the Tank Engine all the way from Llangollen to Corwen and back again. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKL4kKhTFL1GlCbI45bVYKgg-utdbBrUMK99VDH7NqCXU7_ELWBiDsBXH4je1zWh6bFzxmgnLMYs663o-KHUZxe2MCuHSHYywxofBsGI79tPVqBLq7k2R6e-h80b4abd1iRG1ks51tV12Z/s1600/DSC_1597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKL4kKhTFL1GlCbI45bVYKgg-utdbBrUMK99VDH7NqCXU7_ELWBiDsBXH4je1zWh6bFzxmgnLMYs663o-KHUZxe2MCuHSHYywxofBsGI79tPVqBLq7k2R6e-h80b4abd1iRG1ks51tV12Z/s640/DSC_1597.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXXq8IcFV7bB-vhJSCvJ-oFqjBdUt84kI6zwHPRMDtCMA_Y_tMxnAL1j8zWnJ4juwApqmX5C2b4uuw5ewgdUnBGh1JVFwJLOkcgGPinpmJdkXdSvhPRYD8A8yp3lLOUDMpjHu2yG_sLgj/s1600/DSC_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXXq8IcFV7bB-vhJSCvJ-oFqjBdUt84kI6zwHPRMDtCMA_Y_tMxnAL1j8zWnJ4juwApqmX5C2b4uuw5ewgdUnBGh1JVFwJLOkcgGPinpmJdkXdSvhPRYD8A8yp3lLOUDMpjHu2yG_sLgj/s640/DSC_0135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's still time, I know. There are plenty more opportunities left in the years ahead for family holidays and to visit Nana and Grandad Wales and make more happy memories. Time to maybe learn a few Welsh words and hear a few '<i>nos da</i>'s at bedtime. Time to climb to the top of the Horseshoe Pass and breathe in that cool North wind. If it doesn't knock them off their feet first, that is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe we can help each other make some more memories. There are still so many places I've never been. I've never been to Cardiff, which feels more than a bit ridiculous, and I'd love to go down to Pembrokeshire. Wales is becoming increasingly metropolitan and I've seen so little of the South. Maybe this is my chance to prove to my boys that Wales is can mean so more to them than just some place their grandparents live.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_zk73-Uuo0UEidTKtjO4ms4NQN4L0MJhaVF6f7XJQNsUJtyWZzouBKhEv1fuZy9i8hvUodmBZfrPNvWVvtSC2X52pc-LSbCOLdOzsjlUMMgbT1Hn2qkBLIvDitRw4yUsvf8ju_v3l5_g/s1600/DSC_1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_zk73-Uuo0UEidTKtjO4ms4NQN4L0MJhaVF6f7XJQNsUJtyWZzouBKhEv1fuZy9i8hvUodmBZfrPNvWVvtSC2X52pc-LSbCOLdOzsjlUMMgbT1Hn2qkBLIvDitRw4yUsvf8ju_v3l5_g/s640/DSC_1402.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever been to Wales? I'd love to know your favourite places and the memories you made there.</span></div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://www.shank-you-very-much.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Shank You Very Much"><img alt="Shank You Very Much" src="https://shankyouverymuchdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/global-blogging.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://3littlebuttons.com" rel="nofollow" title="3 Little Buttons" target="_blank"><img src="http://3littlebuttons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/DreamTeam.jpg" alt="3 Little Buttons" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.missionmindfulnessblog.com" rel="nofollow" title="Mission Mindfulness"><img src="https://missionmindfulnessblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/the-sat-sesh-badge-v-5.jpg" alt="Mission Mindfulness" style="border: none;" /></a></div>Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-49032356483833385932018-03-17T20:35:00.002+00:002020-10-25T08:24:51.996+00:00How to Make Homemade Rhubarb and Orange Gin<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rhubarb can be a tricky vegetable to know what to do with. It's sharp, tangy flavour is often muted by oodles of sugar in a crumble and even then, it can be too sharp for some delicate palates. But by combining it with the citrus sweetness of orange in this rhubarb and orange gin, I think the vegetable has at last found it's partner in crime.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtbBvM_VC0RTQepP59TqN7-ccF3kcwtWL1_Q0X9F4Mwkted1P7mWIy5HRrTVJjK_8DMIpaJXD8_ZXoAC-_Nairp4V12CHOrWcWc7_GTesdqRpk3XJiP2r0KHNGexZq7MTrKS6hQqNc7HA/s1600/DSC_5605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtbBvM_VC0RTQepP59TqN7-ccF3kcwtWL1_Q0X9F4Mwkted1P7mWIy5HRrTVJjK_8DMIpaJXD8_ZXoAC-_Nairp4V12CHOrWcWc7_GTesdqRpk3XJiP2r0KHNGexZq7MTrKS6hQqNc7HA/s640/DSC_5605.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had had a bag of rhubarb in my freezer for some time, waiting for my decision on what to use it for. I didn't have enough in weight to make a wine, but it also felt a bit if a cop out to make a dessert - in which case, I then would have had to much of the stuff.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the end, I took it to Facebook: rhubarb and ginger jam or rhubarb and orange gin. And, of course, the latter prevailed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used the rhubarb frozen straight from the freezer as I knew it would defrost during the cooking process anyway. And the extra water has not had a detrimental effect on the flavour. If anything, it's actually just increased the volume of the finished product. Of course, if you would rather use fresh rhubarb, then that will work just as well.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">700g frozen/fresh rhubarb</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">500ml gin</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tbsp orange liqueur (e.g. Cointreau)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">85g brown sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">zest of 1 orange</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Equipment:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saucepan</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Litre jar/flask with tight-fitting lid</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Muslin, pegs and bowl for straining</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A funnel will also be useful</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWf6kYevc2UVUpAnaj1saNkO5042VtGF8nzPz8avluwR3-TWQJhr7zNUV2a2NOmUnsp9_BzlYAvUQnpB2ala_kOt0pyXb37L8PVIGSDLWhoyHoFh92kg0Q-vZEaUeyJLBT17iWT2dj-XR/s1600/DSC_5372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWf6kYevc2UVUpAnaj1saNkO5042VtGF8nzPz8avluwR3-TWQJhr7zNUV2a2NOmUnsp9_BzlYAvUQnpB2ala_kOt0pyXb37L8PVIGSDLWhoyHoFh92kg0Q-vZEaUeyJLBT17iWT2dj-XR/s640/DSC_5372.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><br />
<h4 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How To Make It</span></h4><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Vc5RLx1Zaz01ewhINLj16hkUJG6zIwDLBXOoez_RApAjPtsiZqFmXZlBGdSwS5ajLqmEcIC7bZkRsbUgZkLzP-SQp7sU3mN6xjXEwJpYmiXp-3eco25wEfitmYuaYYKtdcULycRd3J0m/s1600/DSC_5378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Vc5RLx1Zaz01ewhINLj16hkUJG6zIwDLBXOoez_RApAjPtsiZqFmXZlBGdSwS5ajLqmEcIC7bZkRsbUgZkLzP-SQp7sU3mN6xjXEwJpYmiXp-3eco25wEfitmYuaYYKtdcULycRd3J0m/s640/DSC_5378.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Heat the rhubarb and the liqueur in a saucepan until the rhubarb has defrosted and the mixture is simmering. Allow to simmer for a couple of minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPAXIjq-9oOH4hw6djU5OkKGWPG6klKLDW26T9w5ksGaOjEaztYqHSKeSBxMMdTIJqAvtoAKwOYiZs9usHGtpxehb2V2RwyqWJRNDnObZeIy-R-91SG-vwiojVLxQzJzHdknc3uIEAfNV/s1600/DSC_5379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPAXIjq-9oOH4hw6djU5OkKGWPG6klKLDW26T9w5ksGaOjEaztYqHSKeSBxMMdTIJqAvtoAKwOYiZs9usHGtpxehb2V2RwyqWJRNDnObZeIy-R-91SG-vwiojVLxQzJzHdknc3uIEAfNV/s640/DSC_5379.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Set aside the mixture to cool. Once cooled, add it and the rest of the ingredients to a large jar with a tight-fitting lid. I'm a big fan of <a href="http://www.kilnerjar.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kilner's </a>clip top jars as you can still reach in to give it a stir without struggling and can be assured of a good seal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopYfv1WV55Ldxf4pEFk-iGSRpj8L4Qs1-ENQv6m4MizbFAYFpT-KSaA0hXLFr_w7nof3QtYFX7ryDKKSX4LPNweFOyFzyXBcrfntb9XjTpCh_TFY3q0NN0KzbV7Dj0wIhyFOcAsGg4NjD/s1600/DSC_5387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopYfv1WV55Ldxf4pEFk-iGSRpj8L4Qs1-ENQv6m4MizbFAYFpT-KSaA0hXLFr_w7nof3QtYFX7ryDKKSX4LPNweFOyFzyXBcrfntb9XjTpCh_TFY3q0NN0KzbV7Dj0wIhyFOcAsGg4NjD/s640/DSC_5387.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMf61yfJyLBMX34D-gmLs7JouAoyYkGQF6_5SC_CXVHkck5UTYsxiYExekR8mXlde1nmypZSzIK-rcJ1zNCzCjZvEh9R7tWXS_9NZoWiGN_yHlJN-l9gQ4_09YfRBqsUZSbvrS-TmBVrM/s1600/DSC_5388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMf61yfJyLBMX34D-gmLs7JouAoyYkGQF6_5SC_CXVHkck5UTYsxiYExekR8mXlde1nmypZSzIK-rcJ1zNCzCjZvEh9R7tWXS_9NZoWiGN_yHlJN-l9gQ4_09YfRBqsUZSbvrS-TmBVrM/s640/DSC_5388.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8Ub1we3zzWc-aRibX_IJA-WnSHvGOhmmCRR6OwbR1FUSKoH6huBJiWiePs8mS80cXBvm2Gn8SzEsHXS1ESZh53NL6TPTk0CuQ6m3UnGrLTQldlfLzyR2Rjgfg6S7rW5kXU1GOpL9DEpc/s1600/DSC_5392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8Ub1we3zzWc-aRibX_IJA-WnSHvGOhmmCRR6OwbR1FUSKoH6huBJiWiePs8mS80cXBvm2Gn8SzEsHXS1ESZh53NL6TPTk0CuQ6m3UnGrLTQldlfLzyR2Rjgfg6S7rW5kXU1GOpL9DEpc/s640/DSC_5392.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Seal the jar, shake to mix and leave in a cool, dark place for about a month or so. Feel free every so often to give the jar a shake to encourage the sugar to dissolve.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkpWMcY0jyu8debkCmf3T4UWd-_FyT4d9LTZx6a9nvaYNL-MJ0zWW9GoSdS6UvhcGxii8yu_NdNuHJZStvmEqMNYHNPPXFSRasZ3aqevNFz2Um2wPL3lvevIZJYe30EJfa2GmcFG2Z9OH/s1600/DSC_5394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkpWMcY0jyu8debkCmf3T4UWd-_FyT4d9LTZx6a9nvaYNL-MJ0zWW9GoSdS6UvhcGxii8yu_NdNuHJZStvmEqMNYHNPPXFSRasZ3aqevNFz2Um2wPL3lvevIZJYe30EJfa2GmcFG2Z9OH/s640/DSC_5394.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE4wrFtnQb7K1gUXghvk_j7Zb3EQTXKRsOz8YUwxEW3eVjO3OAvRf8-6Uparmrn3VDcLFeVRkQkZC96-8ZsDVQ3xArYI14Nb7XCBE7QBzNCZrNxBNc7lg14FlcRoH5MNa81iZWKq7Ia3f/s1600/DSC_5397%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE4wrFtnQb7K1gUXghvk_j7Zb3EQTXKRsOz8YUwxEW3eVjO3OAvRf8-6Uparmrn3VDcLFeVRkQkZC96-8ZsDVQ3xArYI14Nb7XCBE7QBzNCZrNxBNc7lg14FlcRoH5MNa81iZWKq7Ia3f/s640/DSC_5397%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wholly acknowledge that, while infusing, the gin does not look particularly appealing, as the rhubarb colour can fade depending on it's initial ripeness and it will become thin and stringy in the jar. Please don't let this put you off though, as you can see from my pictures that the finished product is such a delectable summery orange.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. At the end of the infusing time, strain through a plastic sieve, and then again through a muslin or piece of kitchen towel and decant into a bottle. If you are concerned about aesthetics and want to it to be as clear as possible, you can also strain it a further time through a coffee filter, however this takes patience so it is up to you whether or not you believe the effort is warranted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lJsj2b9DxI3v1jPI1TIIn63knb6ppX7ijVnM3G3EuJcnWPUTh2-A_eBU3dXUXMqj5lWRDuwtp-owBvq4Sk1XD5kQqwFBr4YBlUWCqnmD60QI-sfL2cjQXBl3Ezeoh7ahISD2VZM0oaeE/s1600/DSC_5585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lJsj2b9DxI3v1jPI1TIIn63knb6ppX7ijVnM3G3EuJcnWPUTh2-A_eBU3dXUXMqj5lWRDuwtp-owBvq4Sk1XD5kQqwFBr4YBlUWCqnmD60QI-sfL2cjQXBl3Ezeoh7ahISD2VZM0oaeE/s640/DSC_5585.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3LCkrAGRYktlVNkEekJBBK9uNzhaaj1vTBlMvQ4nQNvwoqnmvtU0L86yrLJeMfdlK2KO2MZV2skTtdoI083wJ8FoOXK5CjRKz6AuDwDp5gKS16WZ1LU7-2gclNNXpW61YX9hoUzGg8Yf/s1600/DSC_5586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3LCkrAGRYktlVNkEekJBBK9uNzhaaj1vTBlMvQ4nQNvwoqnmvtU0L86yrLJeMfdlK2KO2MZV2skTtdoI083wJ8FoOXK5CjRKz6AuDwDp5gKS16WZ1LU7-2gclNNXpW61YX9hoUzGg8Yf/s640/DSC_5586.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw2pWu2LjTMjEWYc7HAngwrHvVHnA84vRxp638UwiabC4qVTgN6tSEp1tiR6o7zD03obZ-lhQoSRqORx3qIj8QVPudadqL5E-EC8g9WrDkOAMjlTwk0IfmgJTYebII7agpi23r4-m00ml/s1600/DSC_5587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw2pWu2LjTMjEWYc7HAngwrHvVHnA84vRxp638UwiabC4qVTgN6tSEp1tiR6o7zD03obZ-lhQoSRqORx3qIj8QVPudadqL5E-EC8g9WrDkOAMjlTwk0IfmgJTYebII7agpi23r4-m00ml/s640/DSC_5587.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jncErq8DWbUAAWeQpel3SSoDCwYMXz8-MOBQrZUz3hE3ye1OVi6OcM_LzYbAw25appP5SNemx7O5SAdgivASzNcvkXfzowNZIetGZ-hr4p2UGjUmZULzpGIFS2GA2YtXQbQ13nik6aXs/s1600/DSC_5589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jncErq8DWbUAAWeQpel3SSoDCwYMXz8-MOBQrZUz3hE3ye1OVi6OcM_LzYbAw25appP5SNemx7O5SAdgivASzNcvkXfzowNZIetGZ-hr4p2UGjUmZULzpGIFS2GA2YtXQbQ13nik6aXs/s640/DSC_5589.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSP2igXF_f2_be-8R55esTpl0JD9yDUUjumFYX608ojlP0dIOsPX41NEc68nP6EBA0CbpYGp4kzAiiYmiS1V76ivUv3N-WQmwlVClPTf2emAAEr1cixYL_uF9cevF-LveM4GshOh_MAWHd/s1600/DSC_5591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSP2igXF_f2_be-8R55esTpl0JD9yDUUjumFYX608ojlP0dIOsPX41NEc68nP6EBA0CbpYGp4kzAiiYmiS1V76ivUv3N-WQmwlVClPTf2emAAEr1cixYL_uF9cevF-LveM4GshOh_MAWHd/s640/DSC_5591.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09u5FNVcfFIftxag022Heys3GPhikNKq23QoicRw6ogJW0wjNpflt_r3SNlolrddE2CrGGDOXVG6gOXsjcULfvSDc6aIERFaRxNxBkSBz-Q-hpvrcgpcwNxOA8EtwH2EcQzVvkAJbD-hU/s1600/DSC_5599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09u5FNVcfFIftxag022Heys3GPhikNKq23QoicRw6ogJW0wjNpflt_r3SNlolrddE2CrGGDOXVG6gOXsjcULfvSDc6aIERFaRxNxBkSBz-Q-hpvrcgpcwNxOA8EtwH2EcQzVvkAJbD-hU/s640/DSC_5599.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I do hope you try out this recipe. It is so simple to make and the result is a real flavour sensation.</span></div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://www.shank-you-very-much.com" rel="nofollow" title="Shank You Very Much"><img src="https://shankyouverymuchdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/global-blogging.jpg" alt="Shank You Very Much" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div>Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-88144641009570694152018-02-13T21:46:00.001+00:002020-10-25T08:24:52.515+00:00'O' Is For Optimism - Finding My Blogging Niche<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr43B73cRGRbVK_IXeaKx6zWTihOaFb3XzG1wxAcGE7roqV0bw0tlfsIT2GhAYZd_76Arlg6TU0KiWBXcwAuzxJUW2s1FHx_Dppb_jG44pzOVZGffSMrId8Dvz81utI4iTt1eYwAFR_2z/s1600/smilies-2495082_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="O is for Optimism - finding my blogger ni" border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1280" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr43B73cRGRbVK_IXeaKx6zWTihOaFb3XzG1wxAcGE7roqV0bw0tlfsIT2GhAYZd_76Arlg6TU0KiWBXcwAuzxJUW2s1FHx_Dppb_jG44pzOVZGffSMrId8Dvz81utI4iTt1eYwAFR_2z/s640/smilies-2495082_1280.jpg" title="O is for Optimism - finding my blogger niche" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been having a bit of a blog crisis recently. Perhaps crisis isn't quite the word, but it's definitely some sort of general re-evaluation of purpose.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you talk to any blogger, they will tell you that a blog needs a niche. "What need do you fill?" "What does your blog do?" It's a really good question, one that has had me tossing ideas into a metaphorical waste paper bin rather frequently on my commute to work recently.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The problem is, it's all been done before. <a href="http://www.theunmumsymum.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Unmumsy Mum</a> broke the mould when she first started blogging about real motherhood, when suddenly a million mums across the country rejoiced in their emancipation, in mutual acknowledgement of the fact that motherhood isn't all cotton buds and cuddles. That sometimes it's a bit hard and more than a bit shit.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are blogs about autism, homeschooling, multiple births, baby-wearing, working mums, single mums, chic mums, slummy mums, mums who travel, mums who day trip, city mums, country mums, foodie mums and crafty mums. And of course, the Dad blogs too.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But where do I sit in all this? What do I bring to the table? </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not special. I don't have a ground-breaking birth story to tell (in short, it was a bit harrowing but I got through it). I can slum it like a pro on a Wednesday morning when the boys are at home with me, but like to think I don't scrub up too badly when the occasion calls for it either. And I have been complimented several times on my lemon and lime cheesecake, but I can't make a decent Victoria sponge and should absolutely not be trusted with a glue gun.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I could bet that the only thing that I have in common with these blogger mums is that despite being tired 99% of the time, we all still hobble along trying to be the best parent we can be. Until bedtime, at least. Tomorrow is a new challenge.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I apologise if this all sounds a bit negative. That's not my intention. When all's said and done, I'm pretty happy with my lot. And things could be a lot worse.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe that's my niche: optimism. Blind, ignorant, sometimes ridiculous but not completely unfounded, optimism.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the Unmumsy Mum thankfully allowed us to admit, parenthood is not all daisy chains and ice cream. But it's not all bad either. At least, I sincerely hope it's not for you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The more aware I have become of the difficulties of parenthood, whether they're challenges I have faced personally or not, the more it becomes clear to me that we need that optimism in our lives. We need to know that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. That the sun will come out tomorrow (and maybe the kids will stay in bed until then - thank you, <a href="http://gro.co.uk/product/gro-clock/" target="_blank">Groclock</a>).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I needed that optimism in the early days of sleep deprivation, that hope that some day they would sleep through and I would feel like a human again. I needed it through the breastfeeding and the leaky poos and the loneliness and everything else that tempted me to run far, far away. I need it now during the shopping centre tantrums and when "NO, I want DADDY!" is the mantra of the day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heck, I need it when the car breaks down and I run out of chocolate.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even writing this though, I realise that I could have had it much harder. There are experiences other mums have been through that make me thank my lucky stars and pledge even more sincerely to underpin my writing with support and encouragement. A literary hug, as it were. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I may not have been in your shoes, but that doesn't mean I'm not in your corner.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://jakijellz.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="JakiJellz"><img alt="JakiJellz" src="http://jakijellz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Triumphant-tales-linky-new-final-e1502402689465.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-69166662306443394542018-01-29T21:33:00.000+00:002020-10-25T08:24:52.777+00:00Advice From A Geriatric Me<div dir="ltr"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time goes so fast. Before you know it, it's evaporated like a wisp of smoke. Sometimes I forget it's </span><a href="tel:20182018" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">2018.</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I can still remember worrying about the millennium bug and if Dad was going to get off the phone in time for me to dial up the Internet.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I realise this even more when I glance at my to do list and see items on it initially pencilled in weeks ago. When will I ever be able to tick them off? Then I start to wonder if I'm worrying too much about the future and if I should be more considerate of the here and now.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRi3tQoW-xwOR8wyLOvF1iYUTVB52dOxxNzrMhTyBzY9IbfroR8S7GygIsbxKpHg2-xVM9EmFVQrGpBkZa-bNDqpDclwQN07ghp8mPZJSW6h6o0g9CKLD0x2eloblgSYvY1ejLrnuKeOxj/s1600/orange-2570979_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Advice from 80 year old me" border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRi3tQoW-xwOR8wyLOvF1iYUTVB52dOxxNzrMhTyBzY9IbfroR8S7GygIsbxKpHg2-xVM9EmFVQrGpBkZa-bNDqpDclwQN07ghp8mPZJSW6h6o0g9CKLD0x2eloblgSYvY1ejLrnuKeOxj/s640/orange-2570979_1280.jpg" title="Advice from 80 year old me" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What would an 80 year old me have to say about it? What would she tell me to do? Nobody wants to reach their twilight years full of regret. Maybe now is the time to listen to that older and (I hope) wiser me. But what would she say if she was sat next me, probably giving me that look Mum used to give to me, the one I now give to the boys. The knowing look. The 'I'm making a point' look. I think the first thing she'd tell me to do is:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Stop worrying about what other people think"</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I already tell myself this fairly often, but don't seem to be taking the advice on board. That doesn't bode well, does it, if 80 year old me is still barking it out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can't help it. I'm an over-thinker. I read far too much into people's reactions, imagine thoughts they're probably not even thinking and for some reason, always assume the worst.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stop it. Just, stop it. Chill out. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd then probably have to give Me a gentle poke to wake Me up (I do love a good nap), and out would come the inevitable:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Drink more water"</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm very aware I don't drink enough. Actually, that's not 100% accurate. Some days I drink lots - lots of tea and coffee, that is. In my defence it <i>is </i>decaff, but I can still reach the end of the day feeling dehydrated. And it's not good for the colour of my teeth, either.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I am I the only one who finds water just so boring? </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And it's winter. Instinctively, a hot drink feels more comforting and satisfying. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I do envy those people who sit at their desk with a 2 litre plastic bottle though, and have finished it by the end of the working day. I imagine they think nothing of rising an hour early and heading to the gym too. I envy them. They have #goals. I have #stopgettingdehydratedgoals.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Make more time for your hobbies"</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I try, Me. I really do. But with a job and a lengthy commute and two kids under 5 and housework and 'new house' things to fix and keeping the fridge stocked - at the end of the day I'm just plain shattered. When I go to bed at night, I'm out like a baby log wrapped in a warm lavender-scented blanket. I'm gone. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Part of me laments the fact my dance classes have dropped off, but in truth I'm not sure I was necessarily learning that much any more and the social dances are held much too far away for me to attend now we've moved house. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="293" src="https://giphy.com/embed/OwGMuG7bCc5Dq" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/win-funny-dancing-OwGMuG7bCc5Dq">via GIPHY</a><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stop frowning, Me. I can see that I'm making excuses. I can and <i>should </i>allow an evening a week to do something, anything, just something for me. Whether that's another dance class or starting up something completely new and different. When I've had even just a little time to myself, it makes a massive difference to my energy levels and my enthusiasm. I'm raring to go, much more capable of coping with the monotonous whingeing and raging tantrums emitted from my adorable offspring on an increasingly regular basis.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At this point, having mentioned the boys, I expect Me would get a bit misty-eyed, wistful and mutter something indiscernible regarding my youngest and 'Sophie' from 7B. Hmm.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Cleanse, tone and moisturise" (And stop pulling your face around like Play-Doh)</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found a wrinkle the other day. One that wasn't there before. An infiltrator. I immediately resolved to be more regimented with my application of age-defying eye cream.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You know what it's like. It's been a long day. You're tired. You just want the makeup off so you can roll into bed and skip joyously into the land of nod. Hence my damaging habit of frantically rubbing my moisturiser in like my bed's going to pick up it's feet and run off if I don't get into it RIGHT NOW. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I'm not stupid. I realise there is little</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> point of me buying super-lifting, age-resisting night cream if I'm going to pummel my facial muscles around when applying it. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm hoping 80 year old Me looks good for her age. I'm under no illusion there'll need to be a certain amount more scooping up and bundling in than presently required, but if I can pass for 75 I'll be happy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Write the sodding novel"</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've tried three times so far. Each effort not quite so crap, I think, as it's predecessor. I think I reached an impressive 30,000 words on the first go. Shame it was 30,000 words of crap, leading nowhere, drawing no-one in. That one deserved Microsoft's recycle bin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe you'd be better off, Me, encouraging me to <i>finish </i>a novel. That would, indeed, be progress.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Cherish your youth"</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I think of all the adventures I could have (and should have) had before children but didn't, I feel a little bit sad. Sad that I didn't travel as much as I wanted. Sad that I didn't visit places or see events, shows or festivals purely because it all felt a little bit like too much hassle to get to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If only I'd known what 'hassle' really meant. 'Hassle' is a shopping centre, a buggy and two small humans running in opposite directions forcing you to decide which child you actually love the most. Whilst sweltering in a jumper you wish you'd never worn. In front of snickering strangers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's hassle, Dude.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Never mind. Another decade and I won't be able to get them out of bed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And four more decades after that, I'll be Me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div align="center"><a href="http://jakijellz.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="JakiJellz"><img alt="JakiJellz" src="http://jakijellz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Triumphant-tales-linky-new-final-e1502402689465.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div><br />
<div style="width:100%;text-align:center;"><span style="margin:5px;padding:5px;border-radius: 5px;border:1px solid lightgrey;display:inline-block;"><a rel=_nofollow href="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com"> <img style="border: 1px solid gray;width:200px;height:200px;" src="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/The-Tale-of-Mummyhood-Branding-Blogstravaganza.png"> <p style="allign: center;"></p></a></span></div>Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-1719393109363324292018-01-12T12:41:00.001+00:002023-11-01T13:37:43.415+00:00The Mother Next Door<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaz-vYLN3ZiDFaysLVKwrZOg9mrD0zqQP1fV86iuyIXqLrKS2kT-1BMTXNyM9ZYpxkNV1skVQEkpfpkY3-gKyuX-cUgneCeIFP1O4FOrXJq1IzjfD-Sf1SeiVLbY9FS13UGfP5yxOGQ0j/s1600/hand-1549399_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1280" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaz-vYLN3ZiDFaysLVKwrZOg9mrD0zqQP1fV86iuyIXqLrKS2kT-1BMTXNyM9ZYpxkNV1skVQEkpfpkY3-gKyuX-cUgneCeIFP1O4FOrXJq1IzjfD-Sf1SeiVLbY9FS13UGfP5yxOGQ0j/s640/hand-1549399_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The coiffured banker's wife puts the children to bed, then sits alone in her mansion waiting for a husband who'll be home late again. Her fingers are painted and her handbag Dior, but she risks more than a broken nail if she questions his absence.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She must have the perfect life, thinks the new mum who sits sobbing in the dark, desperately searching the internet for an answer to why her baby won't stop crying. She tries to comfort him, but he seems to sense her anguish and the misinterpreted rejection cuts deeper into her fraying inner strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"She has it so much easier with one," says the mother of two. "At least she can sleep when the baby sleeps. She's so lucky," she sighs, as she is tag-teamed by her toddler's lunchtime protestations and the baby's carrot puree splatter art. When, for the tenth time that day, her eldest takes a disliking to the baby's mere existence, and she wonders again if she has what it takes to be what they need.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Two is a doddle!" scoffs the mother of three. "At least she has the same number of hands as children! She's so lucky," she says, as she wonders how to meet the loan interest payments for the people carrier on the driveway. The guilt multiplies as she unfairly judges herself on her ability to give her children equally the attention they deserve.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I don't know how she can moan with only three," the mother of six mutters, desperately needing a minute's break from the daily cycle of wash, dry, iron, repeat. I'm always in demand, never free; never without someone tugging on my arm for something or other. And do they even <i>know </i>how much it costs to feed a family of eight?"<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I wish I had that much support," sighs the single mum, watching the mother of six's teenage son playfully distracting his baby brother whilst helping his mum load the shopping bags into the car. The single mum picks up the phone again and re-dials her ex's number, hoping this time the promises remain intact.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She must enjoy so many cherished moments, thinks the working mum, awash with guilt as she swipes through pictures of her child giggling delightedly in the arms of someone else. She turns back to her computer, disappointed to find the only part time opportunities available are effectively a demotion. The pay doesn't even cover childcare.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"She's so lucky to have it all," whispers the woman in the clinic. The woman born to fit the role of 'MOTHER' so well it could be stamped on her soles and sewn into her seams. The woman who longs to feel the aches and pains and sickness of pregnancy, but upon whom Mother Nature has never granted that blessing. The woman with the longing gaze and the hollow heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But the doctor has good news. The results are positive and suddenly she is flying. She smiles in the mirror, seeing a baby swaddled in cloth reflected before her. Then muddy boots and school ties. Then a young man at an alter and maybe, just maybe, more little fingers begging for cookies at the kitchen counter top.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, the banker's wife fingers the bruises on her ribs and finding a strength she never knew she had, rises from her chair. She calls Refuge, packs her bags and takes the kids out of school. This fight is not just for her, but for them too.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new mum calls the health visitor, dropping the facade of a woman in control and sobs again. Though this time it's with relief, as she realises it's OK to ask for help when you need it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The mother of six declares 'enough is enough' and calls the mother of two, who immediately books herself a babysitter and steers her old friend out of the door. "Take some time, love," she says, "I'll sort this lot." <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Later that night, the mother of three calls the mother of two, warning her husband, "Friday night is ladies' night". He gives her the thumbs up. "No problem," he replies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The single mum, instead of relaying another apology, realises her love is enough, that <i>she </i>is enough and her son already has the strong and compassionate role model he needs. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The working mum eyes herself in the mirror, scrutinising the clean lines of her tailored dress and the shine of her new shoes. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A better life is there for the taking. She needs it. She deserves it.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gripping her CV tightly, she strides confidently into the lobby and presents herself for interview. Nothing is going to hold her back.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center; width: 100%;"><span style="border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid lightgrey; display: inline-block; margin: 5px; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/" rel="_nofollow"> <img src="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/The-Tale-of-Mummyhood-Branding-Blogstravaganza.png" style="border: 1px solid gray; height: 200px; width: 200px;" /> </a></span><br />
<div style="allign: center;"></div></div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.mummuddlingthrough.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Mum Muddling Through"><img alt="Mum Muddling Through" src="http://mummuddlingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/img_1169-e1504445772944.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://jakijellz.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="JakiJellz"><img alt="JakiJellz" src="http://jakijellz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Featured-Blooger-new-final-e1502402567116.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.twotinyhands.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Two Tiny Hands"><img alt="Two Tiny Hands" src="http://twotinyhands.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/FamilyFun-e1504296329962.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://lucyathome.co.uk/" title="Lucy At Home"><img alt="Lucy At Home" src="https://lucyathome.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/blogcrush-featured.png" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://www.shank-you-very-much.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Shank You Very Much"><img alt="Shank You Very Much" src="https://shankyouverymuchdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/global-blogging.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div><br />
<div style='width:100%;text-align:center;'><span style='margin:5px;padding:5px;
border-radius: 5px;border:1px solid lightgrey;display:inline-block;'><br />
<a rel=_nofollow href='https://themumconundrum.com'> <br />
<img style='border: 1px solid gray;width:250x250px;height:250x250px;'
src='https://themumconundrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Its-OK-logo-newest.png'> <br />
<p style='align: center;'>The Mum Conundrum</p></a></span></div>Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-458053469584405132018-01-03T17:10:00.002+00:002020-10-25T08:24:53.298+00:00How To Make Homemade Spiced Apple Vodka<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Apples and cinnamon - what a match made in heaven. And whilst this liqueur needs some time to mature for the flavours to infuse as deeply as possible, there's no denying it's worth the wait. And it's so easy to make too!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPLYW76SzYwPZhWboCvxGDOgLbZZGOIDKJramCD7zw_e_5WznFPDTMjSLvqMWNReao345Na1WKcQv7a-0HBcTLoAoslVScUsV7RjCcCwzvVs0iLpJMy-YC_GCjdLWteDvRWqNDPpq41Aq/s1600/DSC_3838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPLYW76SzYwPZhWboCvxGDOgLbZZGOIDKJramCD7zw_e_5WznFPDTMjSLvqMWNReao345Na1WKcQv7a-0HBcTLoAoslVScUsV7RjCcCwzvVs0iLpJMy-YC_GCjdLWteDvRWqNDPpq41Aq/s640/DSC_3838.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In liqueur-making, apples can be combined with brandy, gin and even rum, but I love the sharpness that comes from a vodka blend. This recipe will make about a litre of the finished liqueur and stores well in a cool cupboard.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Granny Smith apple, diced</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 Cinnamon sticks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">710ml Vodka</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">475g sugar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">60ml water</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Equipment:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Litre jar/flask with tight-fitting lid</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Muslin, pegs and bowl for straining</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A funnel will also be useful</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtv9P3OJW8PCZG6Ujb8CEX91CutIJeWl1XH8BY4kCpQqCPO0Z4V3AoZhhfItfeOecs_gjBgRVJQBW5Zyh68-qbt2ssa-0nZ0ITefEFveqwrGammtNPSx7DMzaz2qPhoSto6B4vU4TCOdX/s1600/DSC_3665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtv9P3OJW8PCZG6Ujb8CEX91CutIJeWl1XH8BY4kCpQqCPO0Z4V3AoZhhfItfeOecs_gjBgRVJQBW5Zyh68-qbt2ssa-0nZ0ITefEFveqwrGammtNPSx7DMzaz2qPhoSto6B4vU4TCOdX/s640/DSC_3665.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How To Make It</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Put the diced apple, cinnamon, half the sugar and all of the vodka in a big jar or flask with a tight fitting lid. I use the <a href="http://www.kilnerjar.co.uk/index.php/kilner-range/preserve-jars/kilner-preserve-jar-1-litre.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">1 litre preserving jar</a> from Kilner as it's versatile enough to use in any number of recipes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6WMoapShwIjrBE0-pCxhYxSAMF6sN-MbA7mlUlkBruZU54IFyiw8ksp86ebYxqOr2IQDdpqiexF-17MV-7uY-vp82m2aUaxJtLNtNZB3erWTkQq59kTfKqh3NcJG0CYRhPJf-oHnsFg9/s1600/DSC_3673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6WMoapShwIjrBE0-pCxhYxSAMF6sN-MbA7mlUlkBruZU54IFyiw8ksp86ebYxqOr2IQDdpqiexF-17MV-7uY-vp82m2aUaxJtLNtNZB3erWTkQq59kTfKqh3NcJG0CYRhPJf-oHnsFg9/s640/DSC_3673.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQI8IgLkh0h1pOUmDSPrVFAP4SWi3Qwvoh30Jvs8C0qeOe9n9tUdg_FVYOZFjWUw5k-u2TKVLuMCNVsdEpRbvd8rdCk5Pb2TEF9EgRsx6WyId4qs23VAWAD492sDnwkDZ8H9s4dfx8tH5/s1600/DSC_3676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQI8IgLkh0h1pOUmDSPrVFAP4SWi3Qwvoh30Jvs8C0qeOe9n9tUdg_FVYOZFjWUw5k-u2TKVLuMCNVsdEpRbvd8rdCk5Pb2TEF9EgRsx6WyId4qs23VAWAD492sDnwkDZ8H9s4dfx8tH5/s640/DSC_3676.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLSC9rvdDgQlSXuQ7hos40qjgEUvKypRaeCJbclPDu_rVm95k2XdO1Eew-kVVTIQJvemUd5KjHplXJnDQlVudsrIEOEBRwu9_hyZih3c4kBCQyMzfnEkZwFkblhlYOxFXk9xBeUzH0DQp/s1600/DSC_3680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLSC9rvdDgQlSXuQ7hos40qjgEUvKypRaeCJbclPDu_rVm95k2XdO1Eew-kVVTIQJvemUd5KjHplXJnDQlVudsrIEOEBRwu9_hyZih3c4kBCQyMzfnEkZwFkblhlYOxFXk9xBeUzH0DQp/s640/DSC_3680.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seal your jar tightly and store in a dry, dark place for 2 weeks. I pop mine under the stairs but an airing cupboard or kitchen cupboard would do just as nicely.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweWkjWuD-Q-5-5w5l-6-sB_oIFmE1XtgkBAGZa3ED4jnoPvdhnJo7_Os9GVvBHhhfMLrT4AFJ64d-DctjTwRm57WZkzCkUKdY09wVRm5opwlPMxmtoUJCdrF0C4niAEZ1mqJ51KAMj5q8/s1600/DSC_3690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweWkjWuD-Q-5-5w5l-6-sB_oIFmE1XtgkBAGZa3ED4jnoPvdhnJo7_Os9GVvBHhhfMLrT4AFJ64d-DctjTwRm57WZkzCkUKdY09wVRm5opwlPMxmtoUJCdrF0C4niAEZ1mqJ51KAMj5q8/s640/DSC_3690.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. After the 2 weeks, the mixture should have taken a delicious amber colour. Now take the jar and strain the contents. This can be a bit messy but straightforward nevertheless. Sometimes I find it easier to strain a little at a time to avoid my muslin collapsing into the bowl.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ayff5QW7P4ool6XL9TvLRPSzF8JZph4NmdMJ4gPtizwycTtocy5ICLqEFm_tqy9BKvKEsEVn0fxJu8GP63uEDXwb9PqYs41fSPDJdEFMoHJ2RgCv5kCSQW2YX5roihfrhLK-CNnjUReQ/s1600/DSC_3821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ayff5QW7P4ool6XL9TvLRPSzF8JZph4NmdMJ4gPtizwycTtocy5ICLqEFm_tqy9BKvKEsEVn0fxJu8GP63uEDXwb9PqYs41fSPDJdEFMoHJ2RgCv5kCSQW2YX5roihfrhLK-CNnjUReQ/s640/DSC_3821.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnEQXb3s3Qjp5_JEUorpXPaZyYmeeNObwU3QMYwYyNA9kwTTYRank6PNPYSNybCkfMmDR5Ql2-9FTNITX5PWwwct81_zel8oeD5l_Dv6Q6RT2kbY_ENk68CF3jCHiyrcq4fj4wTULHTkh/s1600/DSC_3826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnEQXb3s3Qjp5_JEUorpXPaZyYmeeNObwU3QMYwYyNA9kwTTYRank6PNPYSNybCkfMmDR5Ql2-9FTNITX5PWwwct81_zel8oeD5l_Dv6Q6RT2kbY_ENk68CF3jCHiyrcq4fj4wTULHTkh/s640/DSC_3826.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdO_mEl3xrp6_g-yeQ7KkbNZWERS_qhFGOImYh54-q2yZ_z7A5sA_IGkk2doUhG79_LGmaNPs4MB8uEnKPVgdUCLy4ym12a5QVz0APs4S22fcwMso8f04mW3FHpdnfOZzFsDzlIPdRvcB/s1600/DSC_3830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdO_mEl3xrp6_g-yeQ7KkbNZWERS_qhFGOImYh54-q2yZ_z7A5sA_IGkk2doUhG79_LGmaNPs4MB8uEnKPVgdUCLy4ym12a5QVz0APs4S22fcwMso8f04mW3FHpdnfOZzFsDzlIPdRvcB/s640/DSC_3830.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWmc3g78f86k4_NPbhX8e1BHp1716INcSuvx2jyGXZJUyyOhJZuhXh32kvZ_SF29GwclsoZRKFmS4YxHJpizYqgFRCAyvvF_ATIYsL2Nd72Q0nfUHxo3r29Uk0mIXK2mwOP3yV-tjI3QW/s1600/DSC_3832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWmc3g78f86k4_NPbhX8e1BHp1716INcSuvx2jyGXZJUyyOhJZuhXh32kvZ_SF29GwclsoZRKFmS4YxHJpizYqgFRCAyvvF_ATIYsL2Nd72Q0nfUHxo3r29Uk0mIXK2mwOP3yV-tjI3QW/s640/DSC_3832.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. When you have finished straining, wash your jar and pour the strained liquid back in. Add the rest of the sugar and the water. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seal and store again until the sugar has fully dissolved.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqxKwQBBfisRK2ncd6DVL_n9UHaxKDkUmLfN-HSW56x9iBCyDganuEhweV6GsiDqh9Ct3rtFBpoHMraynnT_2KUkwZ5DTJKPsNFY8qzK3FvESagiWqWdsUiA3u707mX5hTYFXDQXDGMR_/s1600/DSC_3838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqxKwQBBfisRK2ncd6DVL_n9UHaxKDkUmLfN-HSW56x9iBCyDganuEhweV6GsiDqh9Ct3rtFBpoHMraynnT_2KUkwZ5DTJKPsNFY8qzK3FvESagiWqWdsUiA3u707mX5hTYFXDQXDGMR_/s640/DSC_3838.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BSxfSj8RonLCnBt_4xmgRVJbEGCKptOWjhWwi4E3uk_AAIQa7SDep_gyyzLwm6teewfP6n8GUZvGusKH_xFvg_CJ7v9zRGvASuxY21Dpx3pHMQdkgFPq1Da7qarTvyhEp7f-hfYsWN1Z/s1600/DSC_3840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BSxfSj8RonLCnBt_4xmgRVJbEGCKptOWjhWwi4E3uk_AAIQa7SDep_gyyzLwm6teewfP6n8GUZvGusKH_xFvg_CJ7v9zRGvASuxY21Dpx3pHMQdkgFPq1Da7qarTvyhEp7f-hfYsWN1Z/s640/DSC_3840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0tU3tYYVbIOwT8j1dQC1-KhRfHssjBoWLXy6BtqP1b-gCkJ1zaxaQKMt1g8jZkdPewhyks00FtmLNzpI1INUnBF1vmAkIKo216Y_7VQ0I4dMAa_74CBeTW0lbbKrePGWexZTvOa6nRaG/s1600/DSC_3841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0tU3tYYVbIOwT8j1dQC1-KhRfHssjBoWLXy6BtqP1b-gCkJ1zaxaQKMt1g8jZkdPewhyks00FtmLNzpI1INUnBF1vmAkIKo216Y_7VQ0I4dMAa_74CBeTW0lbbKrePGWexZTvOa6nRaG/s640/DSC_3841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. When the sugar has completely dissolved re-bottle into it's final container and age for, wait for it - 3 months. I know. It'll go in a flash. I promise. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDT7c_idy9AEqiQcjzO-VhY4bQKYoYdrY83RjBLFhctCQby3rxTKYJDRe7DhCxXUCW90LxblODMXP9FGVB6DZ9YM4QnDhrxxh0sy2bK2oAmLDuqjyd2QWcxUe1iA2QlubcMS5HcGVht1F/s1600/DSC_4514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDT7c_idy9AEqiQcjzO-VhY4bQKYoYdrY83RjBLFhctCQby3rxTKYJDRe7DhCxXUCW90LxblODMXP9FGVB6DZ9YM4QnDhrxxh0sy2bK2oAmLDuqjyd2QWcxUe1iA2QlubcMS5HcGVht1F/s640/DSC_4514.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHals7PQjpi9LgFIEfkz0yTDarf8LkB9xlOd9ImAQd_k17sT-LENwvZLMBijzcsBg4gmmEpCuHups7INFyxqNocSniJtK8T2fHn7SIVOfc8TwKQnKYUeTf03blMA5TKF3LXu2vV20WX0i7/s1600/DSC_4515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHals7PQjpi9LgFIEfkz0yTDarf8LkB9xlOd9ImAQd_k17sT-LENwvZLMBijzcsBg4gmmEpCuHups7INFyxqNocSniJtK8T2fHn7SIVOfc8TwKQnKYUeTf03blMA5TKF3LXu2vV20WX0i7/s640/DSC_4515.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG1ugQUgr7V8sXT_9OXluAWf5FdoQSuqcb4AacMXL_rH7Rorb5E_66YEYZiKqg1ASAxKDo4QwuMf7HAif6mUmq_6PXLafZ6FqXNbP9JgE5vxFZXjuSqNYiJYoqghO30hBHZFrB8u8pu-l/s1600/DSC_4517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG1ugQUgr7V8sXT_9OXluAWf5FdoQSuqcb4AacMXL_rH7Rorb5E_66YEYZiKqg1ASAxKDo4QwuMf7HAif6mUmq_6PXLafZ6FqXNbP9JgE5vxFZXjuSqNYiJYoqghO30hBHZFrB8u8pu-l/s640/DSC_4517.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the wait is worth it. This fantastic liqueur works very well with a dash lemonade or ginger ale, and is a great little winter warmer. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6WiwaHhDXDAn9l_6dnwvlI3QyDV7VfWop-JkgK1Jvtz2YscMhSA0VhRGM_HR9UGtGvfT92LkbFnDKgcCArfQvFauTb-AU0-Iq1msaLbEpoSFxGzIJSSSBP7Kc2ufAp8myk_WOC9pW0Ra/s1600/DSC_4526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6WiwaHhDXDAn9l_6dnwvlI3QyDV7VfWop-JkgK1Jvtz2YscMhSA0VhRGM_HR9UGtGvfT92LkbFnDKgcCArfQvFauTb-AU0-Iq1msaLbEpoSFxGzIJSSSBP7Kc2ufAp8myk_WOC9pW0Ra/s640/DSC_4526.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Give it a go and let me know how you get on!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<span style="border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid lightgrey; display: inline-block; margin: 5px; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/" rel="_nofollow"> <img src="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/The-Tale-of-Mummyhood-Branding-Blogstravaganza.png" style="border: 1px solid gray; height: 200px; width: 200px;" /> </a></span><br />
<div style="allign: center;">
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.twotinyhands.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Two Tiny Hands"><img alt="Two Tiny Hands" src="http://twotinyhands.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/FamilyFun-e1504296329962.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.allthebeautifulthings.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" title="Run Jump Scrap"><img alt="Run Jump Scrap" src="http://runjumpscrap.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/BloggersBest2.png" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.themummybubble.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" title="The Mummy Bubble"><img alt="The Mummy Bubble" src="https://themummybubble.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_9009.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://jakijellz.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="JakiJellz"><img alt="JakiJellz" src="http://jakijellz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Triumphant-tales-linky-new-final-e1502402689465.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-20016512390218389502017-11-21T17:00:00.001+00:002020-10-25T08:24:53.561+00:00Christmas Gift Guide for Grown-ups<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love Christmas. I love it even more now I'm an adult and can enjoy the indulgent delights of booze-soaked Christmas puddings and warming sips of mulled wine. And there's the food too, of course: spiced, fruit cakes, citrus, sweet treats and deliciously steamy puddings covered in custard or a dollop of cool, whipped cream. That's why for this year's Christmas gift guide, I've chosen to feature the kind of food and drink I'd love to find in my own stocking on Christmas morning. The kid's Christmas lists can wait - this is all about us.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgD8Il8J3Fhg5Wp8YG4eCKk2A54MNutxDNCB42H5VA4CCp0n8r7XNTg__d9JdHZsZzANquYLaT7qDaETZTbpDWou7ykJktw4Rhey9EvvhhNzWdtBf7v2322-IAPu_3TUlp9jkOzrIfcVJ/s1600/IMG_20171120_165613_447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1080" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgD8Il8J3Fhg5Wp8YG4eCKk2A54MNutxDNCB42H5VA4CCp0n8r7XNTg__d9JdHZsZzANquYLaT7qDaETZTbpDWou7ykJktw4Rhey9EvvhhNzWdtBf7v2322-IAPu_3TUlp9jkOzrIfcVJ/s640/IMG_20171120_165613_447.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christmas Pudding Gin by <a href="http://www.gintales.com/" target="_blank">Gin Tales</a></span></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZFlya_kNEU8Hzp1ho1RllykSAJhNbJDd3D-9TwgMZKqS0etr_dXtnnIZ2wMNnIgna6uEggTIvcBehAOBfTInXc_ChRnNwq5ykmTL51eMzYBG5SK1J9BJNJIiRCKroufkN_CLR6a8SF2K/s1600/Finals-0067-web.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Christmas Gift Guide - Mummy Wales" border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZFlya_kNEU8Hzp1ho1RllykSAJhNbJDd3D-9TwgMZKqS0etr_dXtnnIZ2wMNnIgna6uEggTIvcBehAOBfTInXc_ChRnNwq5ykmTL51eMzYBG5SK1J9BJNJIiRCKroufkN_CLR6a8SF2K/s640/Finals-0067-web.jpg" title="Christmas Gift Guide - Mummy Wales" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a fan of flavoured spirits and liqueurs, I was overjoyed to find this little beauty available online for £35. This delicious concoction marries the festive flavours of boozy raisins, cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg and zesty lemon, with London dry gin. Only fresh, natural ingredients are used with no added sugar or chemicals. Gin is naughty enough, after all!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<div style="color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This 50cl gin infusion lasts for three months once opened and is best stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Other flavours include Orange, Cinnamon and Winter Spice Gin, Hot Cross Bun Gin, Raspberry and Mint Gin, and Lavender Gin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You're welcome.</span></div>
<div style="color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find Gin Tales on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/gintaleslondon" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/gintales" target="_blank">Twitter </a>and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/gintales" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</span></div>
<div style="color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<h3 style="color: #212121; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Italian Trio Cheese Making Kit by <a href="http://www.thecheesemakerschoice.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Cheese Maker's Choice</a></span></h3>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqIbcjdlF7Mf_Z0b2fvhzgWZ2wAip6xDRa2jTDkj3PM8tfzFbD7FwLLplONek0EvTUyDKH1GFRAjVpUro4hQ3suC2fdXMRcpxgw22pmLVPulnx22hHyGmUaZ9ZdmJO8SatZtbB38ybqF8/s1600/DSC_4534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqIbcjdlF7Mf_Z0b2fvhzgWZ2wAip6xDRa2jTDkj3PM8tfzFbD7FwLLplONek0EvTUyDKH1GFRAjVpUro4hQ3suC2fdXMRcpxgw22pmLVPulnx22hHyGmUaZ9ZdmJO8SatZtbB38ybqF8/s640/DSC_4534.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perfect for the budding cheese-maker in your life, this £24.99 kit comes with all the necessary ingredients and specialist equipment to create 12 batches of mozzarella, ricotta or mascarpone in around an hour. All you need is some basic kitchen equipment and milk, which can be standard whole cow's milk, A2 or lacto-free milk.</span></div>
<div style="color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My husband is a huge fan of Italian cheese so I know this will make him a very happy bunny on Christmas Day, but if Italian isn't quite your style, they also sell a Mediterranean cheese kit, a goat's cheese making kit, a bumper kit for the aspiring cook, and even a butter-making kit for children. There are further cheese making tips on their website if you want to swot up on the process beforehand and the kits have a helpfully long shelf life of 12 - 18 months in case your Christmas catch-ups go a little awry.</span></div>
<div style="color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="color: #212121; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find The Cheese Maker's Choice on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thecheesemakerschoice" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/TCMChoice" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
<div style="color: #212121;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gourmet Nut Spread Gift Box by <a href="http://www.thenutkitchen.com/" target="_blank">The Nut Kitchen</a></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhIrW4NsyZ9vdWiy1k5UyTOiIYhlLF25TqichXv2TzuzXYY9SH__ShBG0SHAYoH5acO4hKDoTZBMrEda5TQ2cqW4aPWjV1FTXm7vaF30_VNwEZAK4lqHIFqyFaVCWyRB4t7FXoSPRKPQF/s1600/Trio%252BSpreads%252BSquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Gift Guide - Mummy Wales" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhIrW4NsyZ9vdWiy1k5UyTOiIYhlLF25TqichXv2TzuzXYY9SH__ShBG0SHAYoH5acO4hKDoTZBMrEda5TQ2cqW4aPWjV1FTXm7vaF30_VNwEZAK4lqHIFqyFaVCWyRB4t7FXoSPRKPQF/s640/Trio%252BSpreads%252BSquare.jpg" title="Christmas Gift Guide - Mummy Wales" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This award-winning gift features three 200g jars of Hazelnut Spread, Almond Spread and Gianduia Spread (a combination of rich Belgian chocolate and hazelnuts). This is indulgence of the highest order and, in my opinion, well worth the £16.50 (plus shipping) price. Especially as ingredients include hazelnuts from Naples and almonds from Sicily to create a gift that is surely sent from heaven.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other products available from their website include a Make Your Own Almond Drink Gift Box (lactose and dairy-free) and a Home Baker's Trio of Nut Pastes. I was lucky enough to be sent a jar of their pistachio paste which was awarded a 3 star Great Taste Award in 2017 for it's exquisite flavour, and I can safely say it's sure to be gobbled up pronto.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find The Nut Kitchen on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thenutkitchenHQ" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/thenutkitchenHQ" target="_blank">Twitter </a>and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/thenutkitchenHQ" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gluten-free Stollen by <a href="http://elizabethdbakes.co.uk/" target="_blank">ElizabethDbakes</a></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKapfnJgvF0QxY7Yc8QrLypdsH07cJCpPIsbQXGkxmAXaH7BfSFwG4jasMcVT7RW7w3sLoA2acCs38iOV9q1wJhSslHReohUvcQu1Ccb9hSvVI0UUBr88QvdSUASRX8r2kbK8n85ypp49/s1600/DSC_4586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Gift Guide - Mummy Wales" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKapfnJgvF0QxY7Yc8QrLypdsH07cJCpPIsbQXGkxmAXaH7BfSFwG4jasMcVT7RW7w3sLoA2acCs38iOV9q1wJhSslHReohUvcQu1Ccb9hSvVI0UUBr88QvdSUASRX8r2kbK8n85ypp49/s640/DSC_4586.JPG" title="Christmas Gift Guide - Mummy Wales" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This gluten-free cranberry, pistachio and orange stollen is part of a delicious range of 'free from' twists on classic Southern American recipes, including handmade cakes, loaves, brownies and bars. There is something everyone can enjoy whether it's gluten-free, vegan or sugar-free.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This particular stollen is bursting with fruit and nuts, yet delicately scented with the flavours of fresh orange and cardamom. Only natural ingredients are used and the product has a 6 week shelf life to carry you safely through the festive period and into January. I'm looking forward to enjoying mine with some warming mulled wine on Christmas Eve.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6 individual stollen bars are available from the website for £18 including postage or you can choose a 16-piece gift box for £16.50.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find ElizabethDBakes on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/elizabethdbakes" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/elizabethdbakes" target="_blank">Twitter </a>and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/elizabethdbakes" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stackable Bottles by <a href="http://www.silvermushroom.com/product/kilner-stackable-bottle-set/" target="_blank">Kilner</a></span></h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk8Yif93OhJZ0Lk9Cmmro8O98sTpScI4buOagdMIYgJw2KRxKZyDLTDuGE3b87-s0RUN1r3H-0uAh_44pFqe3ext4_cusCY3RkbfXX9gOuu8WBfn5vo9AA44uIAo_-8lzt8QaDEymJFL6/s1600/DSC_4572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk8Yif93OhJZ0Lk9Cmmro8O98sTpScI4buOagdMIYgJw2KRxKZyDLTDuGE3b87-s0RUN1r3H-0uAh_44pFqe3ext4_cusCY3RkbfXX9gOuu8WBfn5vo9AA44uIAo_-8lzt8QaDEymJFL6/s640/DSC_4572.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm already a massive Kilner fan as I use their jars and bottles a lot when making my preserves and liqueurs, and these quirky stackable bottles are a very welcome addition to my collection. They are brand new to the Kilner range and are available from Silver Mushroom for £10.95. Bearing the distinctive logo, the high quality is consistent with the brand and I particularly like the cork stoppers which give them a great retro feel.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Personally, I'm looking forward to using these bottles to present my homemade <a href="https://mummywales.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/how-to-make-red-berry-liqueur-in-time.html" target="_blank">red berry</a> and spiced apple liqueurs to any guests over the Christmas period, but I expect their versatility will see them filled with different flavoured iced teas come the summer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find Kilner on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kilner.uk" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/kilner_uk" target="_blank">Twitter </a>and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/kilner_UK" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cheese and Accompaniments Christmas Gift Box by <a href="http://www.welshcheesecompany.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Welsh Cheese Company</a></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCz9BnJE6yLu2rWHOy3OQIWd9-6l3Phdix0kI1Z8eJNMSHktO-aGlwE_CLD21ftLYcj0omch2YgQ4cV8jPimxx1PVBz3bEzKMRx9XDCN246_s3GrPKPO3bu_mPqAmNOcoIFIsWAo84mpM/s1600/20171118_102324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Gift Guide - Mummy Wales" border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="688" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCz9BnJE6yLu2rWHOy3OQIWd9-6l3Phdix0kI1Z8eJNMSHktO-aGlwE_CLD21ftLYcj0omch2YgQ4cV8jPimxx1PVBz3bEzKMRx9XDCN246_s3GrPKPO3bu_mPqAmNOcoIFIsWAo84mpM/s640/20171118_102324.jpg" title="Christmas Gift Guide - Mummy Wales" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm so pleased to feature this gift box from The Welsh Cheese Company because I firmly believe in the importance of supporting homegrown British businesses, including my homeland, Wales. This fabulous gift box, priced at £28, includes a selection of their most popular cheeses (Mon Las, Y Fenni, Perl Wen and Bouncing Berry) together with a complementary jar of handmade Welsh Lady Fig and Date Chutney and a box of Cnwc Halon Mon savoury crackers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The company also offer, among others, a craft beer and cheese hamper and a blue cheese and liqueur hamper, as well as a paid subscription service 'Clwb Caws' delivering 4 cheeses to your door every month. Whether you're a cheddar cheerleader or a gouda groupie, the variety of award-winning artisan cheeses available is sure to astound. What more could you ask for? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find The Welsh Cheese Company on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/welshcheeseco" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/welshcheeseco" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This guide was written in exchange for samples of products from the companies mentioned. All opinions are my own.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.allthebeautifulthings.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" title="Run Jump Scrap"><img alt="Run Jump Scrap" src="http://runjumpscrap.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/BloggersBest2.png" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<span style="border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid lightgrey; display: inline-block; margin: 5px; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/" rel="_nofollow"> <img src="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/img_4922.png" style="border: 1px solid gray; height: 200px; width: 200px;" /> </a></span><br />
<div style="allign: center;">
</div>
</div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-49233227288618547052017-11-01T20:12:00.000+00:002020-10-25T08:24:54.210+00:008 Top Tips For Keeping Everyone Safe On Fireworks Night<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we approach Winter and the nights draw in, this is a fantastic time of year to enjoy the spooky, sweet and spiced delights of Halloween and the wonder of Fireworks Night. But much as it's a great way to spend a evening together as family, attending a fireworks display comes with some obvious risks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_JL-pzU0AuyODK2qUYnoRr-p5BP5yj0Cx-fKbjrkMb416a44164ksGzf4479phJGHYXsZMZjzxq6OqoPG-zXRwCxnTeclQI1dfrF5e2XzplkR0tAexOiFVny1DhfaSdPvAilx9rYPKyG/s1600/sparkler-1149641_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_JL-pzU0AuyODK2qUYnoRr-p5BP5yj0Cx-fKbjrkMb416a44164ksGzf4479phJGHYXsZMZjzxq6OqoPG-zXRwCxnTeclQI1dfrF5e2XzplkR0tAexOiFVny1DhfaSdPvAilx9rYPKyG/s640/sparkler-1149641_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are some tips for keeping everyone safe this Fireworks Night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Have a bucket of water ready before you begin. It's important for cooling off spent sparklers and obviously, in case of fire.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Select a clear flat area away from houses, people, leaves and anything else that could catch alight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Only buy legal fireworks and never try and make your own, no matter how much Uncle Dave fancies himself as a pyrotechnician. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB2pZHer-mXfqfyqCObwzA0IqcFcJF_IVdoe92uts6maBSc5pLB31_3z0m1s1zayfJab1dYlPjnIi8GYQsk_9QZc94oDwavEBD6dIvQh4YgrTZNGYU2GhmCMeAg8KK424SVbTKKg0kX0v/s1600/fireworks-180553_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1280" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB2pZHer-mXfqfyqCObwzA0IqcFcJF_IVdoe92uts6maBSc5pLB31_3z0m1s1zayfJab1dYlPjnIi8GYQsk_9QZc94oDwavEBD6dIvQh4YgrTZNGYU2GhmCMeAg8KK424SVbTKKg0kX0v/s640/fireworks-180553_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Always read and follow firework directions closely. And never relight a failed firework. Wait 20 minutes and then place it in a bucket of water.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Onlookers should obviously maintain a safe distance from whoever is lighting the fireworks and make sure children aren't tempted to run into the line of fire.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. It is recommended not to give sparklers to children under the age of 12, but use common sense too and increase this limit if you think it's necessary. Also, show the child how to hold the sparkler safely at arm's length and make sure they don't run when holding it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sparklers can reach temperatures of 982 C (1,800 F)</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. To hand a sparkler to another person, give them an unlit sparkler and then light it. And don't hold your child in your arms if they are holding a sparkler. Facial burns and potential blindness? No thanks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Think of pets: animals have sensitive ears and can be frightened and stressed by loud noises. Keep them indoors to reduce the risk they'll run loose and be injured.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope these tips have been helpful. Have a great time - be safe, relax and enjoy.</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAPfbuDsbTFhAYz1fvVdnQJTFy4xT-ucxz3J0joiGTUaiuWDr3JXjXRfyAmFJ8GSPtoB2o2eEj2gPRA8IbaBLjbT5WR-xTh4w0-pgu0wSA0hB2hjtvNJpxAewBLiwUfzrtULH_lHRKSIG/s1600/1478690676875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="324" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAPfbuDsbTFhAYz1fvVdnQJTFy4xT-ucxz3J0joiGTUaiuWDr3JXjXRfyAmFJ8GSPtoB2o2eEj2gPRA8IbaBLjbT5WR-xTh4w0-pgu0wSA0hB2hjtvNJpxAewBLiwUfzrtULH_lHRKSIG/s400/1478690676875.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://jakijellz.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="JakiJellz"><img alt="JakiJellz" src="http://jakijellz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Triumphant-tales-linky-new-final-e1502402689465.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://honestmum.com/category/brilliant-blog-posts/"><img alt="Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com" src="http://i.imgur.com/fJzNWoE.jpg" height="189" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="301" /></a>Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-33228310117445184742017-10-25T22:02:00.001+01:002020-10-25T08:24:54.541+00:00How To Make Homemade Turkish Delight<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I absolutely love making yummy treats that I can gift to family to friends at Christmas. A few years ago I made fig, date and onion chutney which I gave away with a little bottle of my red berry liqueur, each wrapped with a twist of festive ribbon and tied with brown labels suitably marked 'Eat Me' and 'Drink Me'.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is another of my favourites. There always seems something indulgent about </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Turkish delight. It's something I don't eat all that much throughout the rest of the year but come wintertime, I can't help but make up a batch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1QU7NW0XBJuhF71KDhlUBp04Y0AJs3anoFEwAX5g-boJJIBGH3LeDOvAhH7ayYVqid6mWZuFF4CC_KxB0xEpo43cPcIbcJNYnwCvKSiPewlE5Mh0YVFJcVnrLD_rnPir8DPtiu9rZYwX/s1600/IMG_20171026_093317_956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1QU7NW0XBJuhF71KDhlUBp04Y0AJs3anoFEwAX5g-boJJIBGH3LeDOvAhH7ayYVqid6mWZuFF4CC_KxB0xEpo43cPcIbcJNYnwCvKSiPewlE5Mh0YVFJcVnrLD_rnPir8DPtiu9rZYwX/s640/IMG_20171026_093317_956.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What's more, it's so unbelievably easy! I mean, who has time for faffing when there's mulled wine to be drunk?</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">700g (1.5lb) caster sugar</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 x 12 sachets powdered gelatine</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">150g (5.5oz) cornflour</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">75g (3oz) icing sugar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Juice 1 lemon</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">500ml water</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tbsp orange flavouring</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How to make it:</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Wet a 20.5cm (8 inch) square tin with some water, then line with clingfilm.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnCujOCbkTKXuKqIzeVMznCD2ouopdLkNvkVEZfJ3TRrqU2kNZe9PF3xvDTXh_nIiLfA-ray_rMaXbCGZVFxzSp4CMsmRgU2tDjhTc5V45Zsjw3kr59QsZOOBB_Kw1rcirUkEtmWLEf1p/s1600/DSC_4255+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnCujOCbkTKXuKqIzeVMznCD2ouopdLkNvkVEZfJ3TRrqU2kNZe9PF3xvDTXh_nIiLfA-ray_rMaXbCGZVFxzSp4CMsmRgU2tDjhTc5V45Zsjw3kr59QsZOOBB_Kw1rcirUkEtmWLEf1p/s640/DSC_4255+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Sift the icing sugar with 75g (3oz) cornflour and liberally cover the inside of the tin with some of this mixture, leaving plenty to coat your finished product with later. I would suggest popping the rest in an airtight tub as it won't be needed for a number of hours and the moisture in the air could cause it to clump together.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Fqe5ZwybmneSbwDuKcwITVcPn0BIMlyLp0BtlQT5se0QNjo6fJCLFuLwLw1Q8hZUzaYPrYHKS812wqrvro3yj-8zpi5njBJBhJFG7fzYCkIUDBGdLVlQepYzwl07ST-m2Xq2HHUEC2IO/s1600/DSC_4259+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Fqe5ZwybmneSbwDuKcwITVcPn0BIMlyLp0BtlQT5se0QNjo6fJCLFuLwLw1Q8hZUzaYPrYHKS812wqrvro3yj-8zpi5njBJBhJFG7fzYCkIUDBGdLVlQepYzwl07ST-m2Xq2HHUEC2IO/s640/DSC_4259+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkTZpyNHN3dB_UMrcSBbOtbiR0m3L_1GlTX5Cg5mRuPvtup6xsxpbiNH5XEL09JFLxqn9CQ6cBgMdYwLcehTan4ARpNmkpwbsTcjbNFoOmHeaoT6p0yol-sRI2SzZG7QmFxVIrLOjHWQk/s1600/DSC_4260+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkTZpyNHN3dB_UMrcSBbOtbiR0m3L_1GlTX5Cg5mRuPvtup6xsxpbiNH5XEL09JFLxqn9CQ6cBgMdYwLcehTan4ARpNmkpwbsTcjbNFoOmHeaoT6p0yol-sRI2SzZG7QmFxVIrLOjHWQk/s640/DSC_4260+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Put the caster sugar, gelatine and the rest of the cornflour into a large pan and mix together with a whisk. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then gradually whisk in the water and lemon juice. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8uzKjP5wUEt3rAq-CddCQq7j-_1N6KStIHNycwJL4bjKI43pi0JAn4lkdKhGwllPG6Ps2lWMzNKY80Az0wrjgSicp_c2YPmuefG6dv1us7aczyuVVx6tl6nUi8o7MP0iBvCjJhaQ3uO7/s1600/DSC_4266+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8uzKjP5wUEt3rAq-CddCQq7j-_1N6KStIHNycwJL4bjKI43pi0JAn4lkdKhGwllPG6Ps2lWMzNKY80Az0wrjgSicp_c2YPmuefG6dv1us7aczyuVVx6tl6nUi8o7MP0iBvCjJhaQ3uO7/s640/DSC_4266+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B-LgcfawGENj0KRc6HEqR8AaEcZ9hyphenhyphenLCWVOzJxC9tTnUAfb0KsFv73Awxkb1kT6c-ItnJ33UnsBHxuhUIXLQYl6dhYsbffUW_FQJpfNVMwGA_vyoJLhdFCzTcLrsgfU39KtgfWQB_wV_/s1600/DSC_4269+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B-LgcfawGENj0KRc6HEqR8AaEcZ9hyphenhyphenLCWVOzJxC9tTnUAfb0KsFv73Awxkb1kT6c-ItnJ33UnsBHxuhUIXLQYl6dhYsbffUW_FQJpfNVMwGA_vyoJLhdFCzTcLrsgfU39KtgfWQB_wV_/s640/DSC_4269+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAH8WxFs-zTfF3CSy2GGJW1fiCz2b7C76KgmNbv8AGzHUmOtAIM2fkWgO-ngH543bcjI0TWSJq6-EB-7_JEFm00FTdznU620jHPASq3wJiZYFF3ewWFX3lGWtAfIKfYeF5LJ9l75JrvDs/s1600/DSC_4278+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAH8WxFs-zTfF3CSy2GGJW1fiCz2b7C76KgmNbv8AGzHUmOtAIM2fkWgO-ngH543bcjI0TWSJq6-EB-7_JEFm00FTdznU620jHPASq3wJiZYFF3ewWFX3lGWtAfIKfYeF5LJ9l75JrvDs/s640/DSC_4278+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Still whisking, heat gently until the sugar is dissolved. B</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ring it to the boil then simmer for 20 minutes on a medium heat. You will need to keep stirring every now and then to make sure it doesn't stick.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPnBUS9KDAYOVIz5i858ML4IeFu32ioXyBYM0cg217dhhPvmclYigRf3lR9gWul1WmR-p1cq4FbEzTNosumfv049eXdIXt66Q-yX4pWH_KwLEo1PANulnw6yPTgyeQPVlsWqQBE3GkgXp/s1600/DSC_4281+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPnBUS9KDAYOVIz5i858ML4IeFu32ioXyBYM0cg217dhhPvmclYigRf3lR9gWul1WmR-p1cq4FbEzTNosumfv049eXdIXt66Q-yX4pWH_KwLEo1PANulnw6yPTgyeQPVlsWqQBE3GkgXp/s640/DSC_4281+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. After this time, the mixture will now have turned pale yellow and thickened. Take off the heat and leave to cool for 5 minutes. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whisk in the orange flavouring and pour into your prepared tin. Leave it to set in a cool, dry place for at least 6 hours or overnight. Do not cover or refrigerate.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LxRbOcAKJi3qBQAjbZcVNqOIXQ40KLqqDrtbbXuLX6JXOK1Tw83LPJ6IU7E9ZokwR_zFK1ks574utVs4SGkGdbwnHNfT2JSAAJdbDipBFIR0iV4U2r_cflJbWBXPfJ3oOOmWWdAQkZsE/s1600/DSC_4286+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LxRbOcAKJi3qBQAjbZcVNqOIXQ40KLqqDrtbbXuLX6JXOK1Tw83LPJ6IU7E9ZokwR_zFK1ks574utVs4SGkGdbwnHNfT2JSAAJdbDipBFIR0iV4U2r_cflJbWBXPfJ3oOOmWWdAQkZsE/s640/DSC_4286+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KxIuARPR9UZ9D6Cs2LnNkjbUzMqWSdlwaE90U4-RtzW_uFZzpjEpOGnJnobjt8DYMSmcgPzLNVc371nhrJw3T2Q7n1VSf3S6NqO572pOODnScj8Egg8a1K-19TGHxEdV_9ZgqCKqNIUC/s1600/DSC_4294+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KxIuARPR9UZ9D6Cs2LnNkjbUzMqWSdlwaE90U4-RtzW_uFZzpjEpOGnJnobjt8DYMSmcgPzLNVc371nhrJw3T2Q7n1VSf3S6NqO572pOODnScj8Egg8a1K-19TGHxEdV_9ZgqCKqNIUC/s640/DSC_4294+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuHg3VWn632Ndh0MEybXyMPdv3k9-Muk78HBojQT3YBLjojsTIqdq5I8Re56JOOv8kuqZSr9OSNdUg6Haj-3mvRh0aTITwm-NHY8VAyPkH9GGkY-8vrtSXNVR7d8UcEe8dZ3l3YqS6AjQ/s1600/DSC_4295+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuHg3VWn632Ndh0MEybXyMPdv3k9-Muk78HBojQT3YBLjojsTIqdq5I8Re56JOOv8kuqZSr9OSNdUg6Haj-3mvRh0aTITwm-NHY8VAyPkH9GGkY-8vrtSXNVR7d8UcEe8dZ3l3YqS6AjQ/s640/DSC_4295+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Dust your worktop with some of the reserved cornflour mixture, turn out the Turkish delight onto the surface and remove your tin. Carefully and slowly remove the clingfilm. I'm not going to lie, this is the sticky, messy bit. I find if you can coax the edges of the Turkish delight away from the clingfilm, the rest of the film should peel away fairly easily.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJV2_tLsj_Z9yWmihODsJtXH-C1q4sExIcUxTUD-ax5RIVZiCHMnrZhSsyexrraKu6DtFQ567OEe_VxnNaSkS8qkfQr49fH66QuOr0B5HaggLLBaA6VcVVh7Hd02yw171Xo6zrP_rphpC/s1600/DSC_4299+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJV2_tLsj_Z9yWmihODsJtXH-C1q4sExIcUxTUD-ax5RIVZiCHMnrZhSsyexrraKu6DtFQ567OEe_VxnNaSkS8qkfQr49fH66QuOr0B5HaggLLBaA6VcVVh7Hd02yw171Xo6zrP_rphpC/s640/DSC_4299+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VTw4RoqCABW99rQRNpCMFfIl6WMTOcSd36YSgnSrqyZvGrgGSPVtE7heTjQACIHaCc6aVnRcrEWr3lql4ckhgBcK72tNS6fF7AtheapGVCUaCx4dSird6U9EIT_Dr7tm1ttUMhoBJmkT/s1600/DSC_4303+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VTw4RoqCABW99rQRNpCMFfIl6WMTOcSd36YSgnSrqyZvGrgGSPVtE7heTjQACIHaCc6aVnRcrEWr3lql4ckhgBcK72tNS6fF7AtheapGVCUaCx4dSird6U9EIT_Dr7tm1ttUMhoBJmkT/s640/DSC_4303+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqUNbXwvPk0GquXdmvOtAIHy01atDkIMbR_Cw_7CWj-lnRHwCYWSPrzD-ZAKCIMM6YFpCX1MLT4XWj2nLFoyayA9dcTX-rhGVq0uavW9VszZWKqHszb_X0YrPwunLAfXX-_L0AWfWHwlS/s1600/DSC_4307+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqUNbXwvPk0GquXdmvOtAIHy01atDkIMbR_Cw_7CWj-lnRHwCYWSPrzD-ZAKCIMM6YFpCX1MLT4XWj2nLFoyayA9dcTX-rhGVq0uavW9VszZWKqHszb_X0YrPwunLAfXX-_L0AWfWHwlS/s640/DSC_4307+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Use a dusted knife to cut the Turkish delight into pieces, toss them in the cornflour mixture so they are thoroughly coated and transfer to an airtight container for storage. Or into your mouth. For testing.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolOrJy_HQPnl3LIqW5p93xwsPtj3UgZFSTYaQH1zlPsmIWw2r7GB_KQgD1MuI1ymihNw6m0VMQvgsYicn9LBv1faKhX08lmJ5b1_w86Wo8EOKJvIWPgzacqp-oWOSWZfzU5GhZ_Qz5S9c/s1600/DSC_4313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolOrJy_HQPnl3LIqW5p93xwsPtj3UgZFSTYaQH1zlPsmIWw2r7GB_KQgD1MuI1ymihNw6m0VMQvgsYicn9LBv1faKhX08lmJ5b1_w86Wo8EOKJvIWPgzacqp-oWOSWZfzU5GhZ_Qz5S9c/s640/DSC_4313.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgiFqPE_qHPz0YDQoXuuqtfOU3d55snVIpRazoyEX4YwuP3j7Q4MiJXsp_hwIkWTeIn6R-8J20twYwI5k4fkTy5GklqzuHUCTcj0Z0UTJ9PfcTIqqUm40Z8mhDSuqyKoQEPrdU-laIklX/s1600/DSC_4319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgiFqPE_qHPz0YDQoXuuqtfOU3d55snVIpRazoyEX4YwuP3j7Q4MiJXsp_hwIkWTeIn6R-8J20twYwI5k4fkTy5GklqzuHUCTcj0Z0UTJ9PfcTIqqUm40Z8mhDSuqyKoQEPrdU-laIklX/s640/DSC_4319.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kept in the container at cool room temperature, the Turkish delight should last for about a month. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br clear="all" /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjOYmzZaGERjIPaIZRJxPn9hYerClgkEbefmdIA3wM1qNdBB8I-ad24BwPmkeguMCjMdF7Hc4YSf8ElR18zJslYCJ3i4M9ey7q2YAiFA32G5goZrdAb9DLXG0NXst8t7FHDFywm15zIOo/s1600/DSC_4323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjOYmzZaGERjIPaIZRJxPn9hYerClgkEbefmdIA3wM1qNdBB8I-ad24BwPmkeguMCjMdF7Hc4YSf8ElR18zJslYCJ3i4M9ey7q2YAiFA32G5goZrdAb9DLXG0NXst8t7FHDFywm15zIOo/s640/DSC_4323.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've made this twice now with orange flavouring, and am considering trying a different flavour next time. Rose? Ginger? Almond and coconut? My trouble is - I can't decide!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Will you have a go at making this yourself? Let me know how it goes!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-61949028869868470882017-10-11T20:16:00.000+01:002020-10-25T08:24:54.737+00:00TrackR pixel - Review and Giveaway!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I dislike stereotypes. That said, I am stereotypically bad at finding ANYTHING in my handbag beneath the crumpled up receipts, used tissues (I know - gross), boiled sweets and biros. So you can understand the predicament I find myself in when having to search not just my handbag but the whole house, quite often to find my keys which one of my darling offspring has decided to pilfer and hide.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So you can guess my delight at being offered the opportunity to review the <a href="https://store.thetrackr.com/pixel/?" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TrackR pixel </a>bluetooth locator. It's a clever little device which allows you to locate lost items via an app on your smartphone. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8XXETnk9ZrkzThlbizT42lJKkHy6Ece5ZpZUQlaM8zrV9GzhUw67aRFJm5NPo34kPsvvfxdnt7EGUc4jtTU03fz-wAbCbUdwlpgxSy3-w1dmEMmRkdM7pkW687Q4D97v5QYLEQ_pfHQV/s1600/DSC_4201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8XXETnk9ZrkzThlbizT42lJKkHy6Ece5ZpZUQlaM8zrV9GzhUw67aRFJm5NPo34kPsvvfxdnt7EGUc4jtTU03fz-wAbCbUdwlpgxSy3-w1dmEMmRkdM7pkW687Q4D97v5QYLEQ_pfHQV/s640/DSC_4201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The idea is that you attach the TrackR pixel to any item you like, then use the TrackR app on your smartphone to either ring the pixel tracker or to see it's last known location on an on screen map. The device works using bluetooth therefore does not utilise GPS, but I elaborate more on the results of my range tests later in the review. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf0O9pdt4WHNM3SzsNbIIoKY0d85TofjCeLdMjuYMxpyt3-7cHVDyoMX1E22Ciy3Z3EB_VhOjlJqGhL1SItSTcAAODInaD5QV98-8lhOEfJD-ag-ZoUYDP4EVVA3FZ5j_PTaDycpS9JMm/s1600/DSC_4198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf0O9pdt4WHNM3SzsNbIIoKY0d85TofjCeLdMjuYMxpyt3-7cHVDyoMX1E22Ciy3Z3EB_VhOjlJqGhL1SItSTcAAODInaD5QV98-8lhOEfJD-ag-ZoUYDP4EVVA3FZ5j_PTaDycpS9JMm/s640/DSC_4198.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At first glance, this looks like a nifty gadget. The pixel itself is small and light so would not be an intrusive addition to your set of keys, for example.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pack included simpIe instructions for downloading the TrackR app from Google Play or the App Store. Then, once I'd entered a few brief details to register within the app, I followed the steps on screen to pair my phone with the pixel tag and that was it! I was ready to go!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8hljg2JzZza7txE3DjLXKMuhW6YcyJ1vc7eAHEuNqxxUuEV6TE7Isu8okiLmwUVORu4kUhVPhzZGQJ2qYs22pjTWfJk-FMPc_cCMK94ixn6Ji5zDeAoq5dFtb-eQ820Wi_U26bLkbZaJ/s1600/DSC_4202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8hljg2JzZza7txE3DjLXKMuhW6YcyJ1vc7eAHEuNqxxUuEV6TE7Isu8okiLmwUVORu4kUhVPhzZGQJ2qYs22pjTWfJk-FMPc_cCMK94ixn6Ji5zDeAoq5dFtb-eQ820Wi_U26bLkbZaJ/s640/DSC_4202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqTnnUUS1wcnOSzwzm1W2PtitHTYgrOROZX2xXe0EiIFBSFszPGpWSOIyDfkqzSvYg5wy9AbThgo4NpYKBm0FrMLMjgWCbox6xr5qUdUd6tjRmXHurjrp-5EirPtpvHyjwlmZcrZs9JYZ/s1600/DSC_4204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqTnnUUS1wcnOSzwzm1W2PtitHTYgrOROZX2xXe0EiIFBSFszPGpWSOIyDfkqzSvYg5wy9AbThgo4NpYKBm0FrMLMjgWCbox6xr5qUdUd6tjRmXHurjrp-5EirPtpvHyjwlmZcrZs9JYZ/s640/DSC_4204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pack also includes a little adhesive patch to use instead of the key loop if you prefer, however I wanted to test the pixel on my key ring for obvious reasons!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscNADZESR6Oh-PUdrTHrkJkzLtzg8PrCSBJ41RFQ2dFAgOl92JAUT24nqbSRJjZzroY9uKinkyVeQBWwS8HlbYHdiHfAEcdlS7wprBqR9b9QFrxsMoogTiSR9SO8AR-dtlddJ1VKcQNDS/s1600/DSC_4206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscNADZESR6Oh-PUdrTHrkJkzLtzg8PrCSBJ41RFQ2dFAgOl92JAUT24nqbSRJjZzroY9uKinkyVeQBWwS8HlbYHdiHfAEcdlS7wprBqR9b9QFrxsMoogTiSR9SO8AR-dtlddJ1VKcQNDS/s640/DSC_4206.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To activate the pixel I made sure my location and bluetooth services were turned on, then with one tap within the app, the pixel started flashing blue and emitting a clearly audible 90db alarm to help me identify it's location.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpnYy-8hkyS1DBpMLppSfGxjSk96WTBnQ49r6TsCHZ_QW-0ZrrB0HdsPXlJPI5ANx6dbSPNwWfaTNEdVm6LrYMjYNv0xij4_huscq5Y8GHNVM009OcNpIDTkppDWUGAVCod5cpQx7A0Rn/s1600/_20171011_151640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpnYy-8hkyS1DBpMLppSfGxjSk96WTBnQ49r6TsCHZ_QW-0ZrrB0HdsPXlJPI5ANx6dbSPNwWfaTNEdVm6LrYMjYNv0xij4_huscq5Y8GHNVM009OcNpIDTkppDWUGAVCod5cpQx7A0Rn/s400/_20171011_151640.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEANkLUy6RpCWLC8jXUtmuhXultq-EKHIcsxiQLtFQ4Rm05V-dAmbvEVBXc50Mk5dQ3a434JkhJt76A_DJpkw0xS5JlNm2mIj68KjIsrlttI7OoHbhlVewqnmgQG2L6jd6kaLOV5xFNaVJ/s1600/_20171011_151703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEANkLUy6RpCWLC8jXUtmuhXultq-EKHIcsxiQLtFQ4Rm05V-dAmbvEVBXc50Mk5dQ3a434JkhJt76A_DJpkw0xS5JlNm2mIj68KjIsrlttI7OoHbhlVewqnmgQG2L6jd6kaLOV5xFNaVJ/s400/_20171011_151703.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQAX3aHjODb-LX1bcpoYjgYflUDFpG7aM-_GMFmgMdH0moGEiGc8V4Q6ZtNDzJ0l-64KefSxmaNs7rUiymwZVsYlhBw9HYhvHLUKdvT1LE-lOQrDwZCpYSiKsAZdr9aRwfjk5fFp71KI3/s1600/DSC_4208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQAX3aHjODb-LX1bcpoYjgYflUDFpG7aM-_GMFmgMdH0moGEiGc8V4Q6ZtNDzJ0l-64KefSxmaNs7rUiymwZVsYlhBw9HYhvHLUKdvT1LE-lOQrDwZCpYSiKsAZdr9aRwfjk5fFp71KI3/s640/DSC_4208.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I did a couple of tests of the range for this device. I found that I could go a distance of about 50 feet down the garden before the app lost contact with the pixel. However it took the app a minute or so to then re-establish the connection once I returned back into range, which felt longer than it probably was. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leaving the pixel in my car on the drive felt like an obvious test I should carry out as that's a common to misplace keys but whilst the connection worked successfully, I could not hear the alarm with the car doors shut and had to rely on the pixel being in view through the car window to find it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In terms of software, the TrackR pixel comes with a few handy additional features.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first is the ability to press the button on the pixel tag to locate your phone. I tested this out and my phone played a helpful jingle regardless of whether I had lowered the volume or even set it to silent. This feature though, requires that the phone's bluetooth is turned on in order for it to be found, which is not always the case with mine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Alexa integration allows you to ask Alexa to find your keys or whichever item the pixel is attached to, without having to find your phone and turn on the app.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is also the Family Sharing feature which allows multiple phones to pair with the same pixel tracker so that anyone in the group can search for that item. Useful for finding that remote control!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNsHFJoRRmFDQ_vu8rWXaWTLx5bKQDR4vd0WU4RMXH3HdsJBABSTSCvOiFBPMWSdyCQd9Vp13ttuuoC4InQ6ys_HnyflKHNFXdQfUBPdcLK79aEbCgG9E7bABnnM6EGFVR5qRZcl3ZwwA/s1600/DSC_4211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNsHFJoRRmFDQ_vu8rWXaWTLx5bKQDR4vd0WU4RMXH3HdsJBABSTSCvOiFBPMWSdyCQd9Vp13ttuuoC4InQ6ys_HnyflKHNFXdQfUBPdcLK79aEbCgG9E7bABnnM6EGFVR5qRZcl3ZwwA/s640/DSC_4211.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Crowd Locate function is a great feature that allows you to utilise the connected TrackR community without a monthly fee or expensive charge. This provides a last known location for your pixel if another TrackR user picks up the signal. This might be especially useful for a lost cat or dog and is an 100% confidential and anonymous service.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pixel comes with a replaceable CR2016 battery which you can access by twisting off the back. It is available in a variety of colours from the TrackR <a href="https://store.thetrackr.com/pixel/?" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website </a>for $24.99/£23.99 each or in multipacks of 4, 5 or 6.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall, I really like this device and I think it's super useful for finding items lost in your home. The features add additional usability, though personally I see the Family Sharing option being most useful in our household.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the way, the guys at TrackR have been super cool in allowing me to share a 15% discount code with you. Simply quote SUPERPARENT at checkout.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But if you want to be in with a chance of winning a TrackR pixel tracker absolutely free, then take a look at my giveaway below! You can find the terms and conditions at the end of the post.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="fdc072a71" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fdc072a71/" id="rcwidget_nty1djsj" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>TrackR Giveaway - Enter Now!</b></span></a><br />
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BCWyboc7s73KPX_t81Hqb7-niG4bSDm0vFMm9HQtS44syRRQzFinH4eP1gjiPHGwlyYEY5QUgh8kiZ24qwEp0EW7IXGYsGtKN1IvyzUrc3rvJ7KUU2t_1WNvThLFxifirHNqUP6NKCwT/s1600/DSC_4198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BCWyboc7s73KPX_t81Hqb7-niG4bSDm0vFMm9HQtS44syRRQzFinH4eP1gjiPHGwlyYEY5QUgh8kiZ24qwEp0EW7IXGYsGtKN1IvyzUrc3rvJ7KUU2t_1WNvThLFxifirHNqUP6NKCwT/s640/DSC_4198.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Terms and Conditions: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is your chance to win a TrackR pixel bluetooth tag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enter using the Rafflecopter form on this post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Open to UK residents aged 18 or over only.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Closing date for entries is Saturday 11th November 2017 at midnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 winner will be chosen at random.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The winner will be informed by email within 48 hours of closing and will need to respond within 1 week or another winner will need to be drawn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The winner’s name will be available on request and published on Mummy Wales social media accounts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The winner will be announced by me directly and I will be responsible for distribution of the prize.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By participating in this prize draw, entrants confirm they have read, understood and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook or any other social media channel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wrote this review in exchange for a TrackR pixel tag. All views expressed are my own.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<span style="border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid lightgrey; display: inline-block; margin: 5px; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/" rel="_nofollow"> <img src="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/img_4922.png" style="border: 1px solid gray; height: 200px; width: 200px;" /> </a></span><br />
<div style="allign: center;">
</div>
</div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-91265488188229474672017-10-07T20:53:00.001+01:002020-10-25T08:24:55.000+00:00How To Make Home-Cooked Potato Peeling Crisps<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This recipe for home-cooked potato peeling crisps from <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/crispy_potato_peelings_07088" target="_blank">BBC Food</a> popped up on my Facebook feed the other day and I knew immediately I had to give them a go. Okay, so they're probably not the healthiest snack in the world, but you need something to crunch on in between slurps of cool, crisp chardonnay, right?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lN4oAqeYXv9Z4XHkuX1Ckk04QQDw-ZJYMJ1cQQtDbRj69fk5h1y1FyxzaAc6eVVCHq6qYLbtoceeu1KuHE-MC-FXflst_o1ySSRiF_PwuU0aOOFG641DwvNLyzHvVZnx0sko-S8A-RHM/s1600/DSC_4083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lN4oAqeYXv9Z4XHkuX1Ckk04QQDw-ZJYMJ1cQQtDbRj69fk5h1y1FyxzaAc6eVVCHq6qYLbtoceeu1KuHE-MC-FXflst_o1ySSRiF_PwuU0aOOFG641DwvNLyzHvVZnx0sko-S8A-RHM/s640/DSC_4083.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The recipe appealed to me for a number of reasons: they're very simple to make, they require very few ingredients, and they are a great way to use up the peelings leftover from a mashed potato masterpiece.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm also hoping that the next time we have friends over for nibbles, it'll make me look like some sort of fantastic snack wizard. Fingers crossed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's what you'll need:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Potato peelings</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sunflower oil for frying</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Salt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A heavy-bottomed saucepan</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tongs or a slotted spoon</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A plate</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kitchen paper</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oven gloves (recommended)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How to make them:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>[PREP]</b></span> Dry your fresh potato peelings in some kitchen paper to remove as much moisture as possible. I left mine out in a shallow pile on the side while we ate dinner, and by the time the kids had been packed off to bed, most of the moisture had gone. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPSZQmHg-FK7vp981BV31_D-JqMCR33MUJRZOhJ6B3U0MJxgrLvYvpiiPxP8rYmvWj7sjnfBJKHuJU_I_IN0KOLPLXw74JYlJQMto5XrQ2WhXDtwVheJGltYzylUQwasfAzm9YSPQrCSt/s1600/DSC_4058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPSZQmHg-FK7vp981BV31_D-JqMCR33MUJRZOhJ6B3U0MJxgrLvYvpiiPxP8rYmvWj7sjnfBJKHuJU_I_IN0KOLPLXw74JYlJQMto5XrQ2WhXDtwVheJGltYzylUQwasfAzm9YSPQrCSt/s640/DSC_4058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. When you're ready to start cooking, add some sunflower oil to your saucepan to a depth of about an inch. The recipe I referenced from BBC Food suggested heating to a temperature of about 160c/325f. However I don't own a thermometer, so I just tested it by throwing a small piece of peeling in to check that it sizzled upon entry.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mDHKBqRqBYDhutu4W6z6b9pHZr2RyqTM03nliZ6Hvmlsaphehb-nujv4YOlr1XuMTMtqiQEloMizVs_nUrFEyc7kurij7817ofoKhPnb63v29w-U1uT6hnX99oLAy1Cj4OBJRDgHP5u0/s1600/DSC_4060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mDHKBqRqBYDhutu4W6z6b9pHZr2RyqTM03nliZ6Hvmlsaphehb-nujv4YOlr1XuMTMtqiQEloMizVs_nUrFEyc7kurij7817ofoKhPnb63v29w-U1uT6hnX99oLAy1Cj4OBJRDgHP5u0/s640/DSC_4060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUaIYOf4e-WujweWK6t489aJSQYgPfBlmAYS9ZnaWwwzhQ1VakDkWtwg-dwWE6SA7cFiVm0teImTmnTKjfOhyphenhyphengnNK5ldDK9DdgYSfDh1_bBD7-YE3Bm__GGe5WKfMMXsDkTgruoxKSmJp/s1600/DSC_4066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUaIYOf4e-WujweWK6t489aJSQYgPfBlmAYS9ZnaWwwzhQ1VakDkWtwg-dwWE6SA7cFiVm0teImTmnTKjfOhyphenhyphengnNK5ldDK9DdgYSfDh1_bBD7-YE3Bm__GGe5WKfMMXsDkTgruoxKSmJp/s640/DSC_4066.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Drop a small handful of peelings into the oil. Do this carefully as the hot oil can spit up. I moved them around a little with the spoon to make sure they separated. Leave them to fry in the oil until they have browned and crisped up nicely, then remove with the slotted spoon to a plate laden with a piece of kitchen paper. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEosw-Uyz6NETbuaO2G5gyGdQHvSqH6Kw0syxMiYqTjGWauFNz4VHXNqQkA3CqPBD77VcWj4nYR4pFljoOIHUn0QcUitrbzjnESa976SyvHxJ-MtX7ryVa-R9mLadjLDfpeVXKupAaRRoI/s1600/DSC_4070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEosw-Uyz6NETbuaO2G5gyGdQHvSqH6Kw0syxMiYqTjGWauFNz4VHXNqQkA3CqPBD77VcWj4nYR4pFljoOIHUn0QcUitrbzjnESa976SyvHxJ-MtX7ryVa-R9mLadjLDfpeVXKupAaRRoI/s640/DSC_4070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURJU8yCKR3wNYY8-fxNcU_g7lqOhN5-XhJY7zt6XTkDNTUJJcjFhO2JDietwFiwj2j9lu56pq8U4OmWcBcepS9YnvZTI-PWiGXI4MIKpaXQkAlTxCmBUhLXuNRht5QAINItedEpG9TDqF/s1600/DSC_4073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURJU8yCKR3wNYY8-fxNcU_g7lqOhN5-XhJY7zt6XTkDNTUJJcjFhO2JDietwFiwj2j9lu56pq8U4OmWcBcepS9YnvZTI-PWiGXI4MIKpaXQkAlTxCmBUhLXuNRht5QAINItedEpG9TDqF/s640/DSC_4073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbDaMr4nlFlSpPjoqCMvVuzJiDdPImWO70FD2gJg_1gkBfDTr7yDn3KZFWQmqu7SZZ2s2GzcSb17dOQx1KQ4iJBktSs2AeDSTCk3GFroCU_Muw6zpPa1tJBjmBzpXNxcGXA481RD5OsXO/s1600/DSC_4076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbDaMr4nlFlSpPjoqCMvVuzJiDdPImWO70FD2gJg_1gkBfDTr7yDn3KZFWQmqu7SZZ2s2GzcSb17dOQx1KQ4iJBktSs2AeDSTCk3GFroCU_Muw6zpPa1tJBjmBzpXNxcGXA481RD5OsXO/s640/DSC_4076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUD2fpbm1swx8QZKsPi27OEDcNnlL6u16og4ofWbzr-kcFexaoNdrI6Py90NT0MhMYhEs0pTBG7DaG7z038zB3NBcaLVCapOL_FAKGCA0oz0asYjfzubkrSIXVdbHauHFaOXO8vkX11DZ/s1600/DSC_4074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUD2fpbm1swx8QZKsPi27OEDcNnlL6u16og4ofWbzr-kcFexaoNdrI6Py90NT0MhMYhEs0pTBG7DaG7z038zB3NBcaLVCapOL_FAKGCA0oz0asYjfzubkrSIXVdbHauHFaOXO8vkX11DZ/s640/DSC_4074.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3pcR3joiAyyqJ0QB03wTC1OY6YcKkKCO39SNPqso4vGeWatCG0gIxCB2jMpXtKHbP39bRaU1ZKwtihHqB535_hJbtrAChrt8ZesHL6h7exnWynNR4N4xjNtPFVn8HB7isYVTkGivKz-k/s1600/DSC_4075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3pcR3joiAyyqJ0QB03wTC1OY6YcKkKCO39SNPqso4vGeWatCG0gIxCB2jMpXtKHbP39bRaU1ZKwtihHqB535_hJbtrAChrt8ZesHL6h7exnWynNR4N4xjNtPFVn8HB7isYVTkGivKz-k/s640/DSC_4075.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Immediately shake some salt over the crisps whilst they are still hot as it means the salt is more likely to stick. Be careful not to over-salt as I did on my first attempt otherwise you'll be needing a BIG glass of water on the side.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2DjgRGTsYe6A0PLFiGe_vUTvW-oHDZBpSD5G3z4qASLZrJ_FHm1H8EZB2rTIJSKEmVmYMBx2GFOSvj9F_fYvp9SrsgYs_czYrEkXgKzDJucXuu3ZGBaBZV_WZvhaYBbgc109Ah4mdq5m/s1600/DSC_4078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2DjgRGTsYe6A0PLFiGe_vUTvW-oHDZBpSD5G3z4qASLZrJ_FHm1H8EZB2rTIJSKEmVmYMBx2GFOSvj9F_fYvp9SrsgYs_czYrEkXgKzDJucXuu3ZGBaBZV_WZvhaYBbgc109Ah4mdq5m/s640/DSC_4078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLhuA8EBhODxtvCJlGXf5_W72MKNQi9PD5dIcGdQ6P6-yWLB9PZNsaCbgBwAoPfme-6FI52YUcXq1bE0HKF38HnPhFpqRJR3tKEoTioQfQkLL55Fz9Lu_L_aiqBsQfJavk68obhwVaoDL/s1600/DSC_4083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLhuA8EBhODxtvCJlGXf5_W72MKNQi9PD5dIcGdQ6P6-yWLB9PZNsaCbgBwAoPfme-6FI52YUcXq1bE0HKF38HnPhFpqRJR3tKEoTioQfQkLL55Fz9Lu_L_aiqBsQfJavk68obhwVaoDL/s640/DSC_4083.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Repeat the process with another small handful of peelings until they are all fried, then shake them out into a bowl for serving.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The key learnings I will take away from my first attempt are not to over-salt as I mentioned earlier, but also to make sure I peel thinly to begin with to ensure maximum crispy yumminess.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And why limit yourself to potatoes? Why not try carrot, parsnip or beetroot and let me know how you get on? I'd love to know!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<span style="border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid lightgrey; display: inline-block; margin: 5px; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/" rel="_nofollow"> <img src="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/img_4922.png" style="border: 1px solid gray; height: 200px; width: 200px;" /> </a></span><br />
<div style="allign: center;">
</div>
</div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7714455576351894144.post-83735447804653041522017-09-22T15:05:00.001+01:002020-10-25T08:24:55.647+00:009 Lessons I've Learned as a Parent<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a long old slog. But as I say goodbye to the 'baby' stage and my sons grow into little boys, I've been reflecting a little on what I've learned in the early years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-WDS0JcMQ4DGu5XPSTJYUtIrez_q_bhpInBMW9gqG4IbjxsxIWzN-wy_uCwr_ioSvua4uvVIKJLAlVW1Sf4gr0-vCo2TwhNHHbGEkbxW7STXxI4BVLGJifh4G7kcVj13_giEoTaXpvgT/s1600/IMG_20170703_215900_223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1458" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-WDS0JcMQ4DGu5XPSTJYUtIrez_q_bhpInBMW9gqG4IbjxsxIWzN-wy_uCwr_ioSvua4uvVIKJLAlVW1Sf4gr0-vCo2TwhNHHbGEkbxW7STXxI4BVLGJifh4G7kcVj13_giEoTaXpvgT/s640/IMG_20170703_215900_223.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. A broken lift can ruin your day</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The shoes are on, the change bag is packed and the baby's in a fresh nappy. Stage 1 of my plan is complete. I arrive at my destination and park up successfully. As an added bonus, the baby's fallen asleep and stays asleep as I pack him into his buggy. I'm onto a winner. Stage 2 - BOOM. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now all that's left is to stroll into the upmarket department store, navigate my way past the fancy bags and shoes that no longer warrant buying, shimmy up in the lift to the nice, clean, cake-laden cafe on the top floor and slurp myself into a coffee coma.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At this stage, black and yellow hazard tape is not what I want to see and my heart sinks. Where am I supposed to go now? What if the baby wakes up as I put him back in the car? And I've paid for two hours extortionate parking. The last thing I want to do is retreat back to a jar of instant and Jeremy Kyle.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To many, a broken lift is not the end of the world. But to a new mum who has taken a week to summon the courage to leave the house, it's a confidence crusher. Along with filthy toilets, illegal parking in parent and child spaces, and cafes that have insufficient space between the tables and/or don't serve juice cartons. Squash in an open cup is not the same. NOT the same. Napkin, anyone? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. You will become 'that' friend</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You know the one. The one who only talks about her kids and it's so boring it makes you not want to invite her out. Because the conversation will inevitably turn to sleep deprivation (<i>yawn</i>) and pooey nappies (<i>urgh</i>) at some point. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nobody wants to be that parent. I remember telling a friend across the pub table over a sherry (her) and an orange juice (me) whilst pregnant with my first, that I wouldn't become that person. I may even have promised.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But it's a promise I couldn't keep and I'm sorry. The sad fact is that parenthood, or new parenthood at least, brings with it the unfortunate truth that a new baby takes over your life, eviscerating any previous hobbies, holidays, social appointments, friendships or careers - it's all banished to the wayside because you have a tiny human to keep alive, one which demands all of your time and effort, every second of every bloody day. Which leaves little opportunity for a conversational coffee at some trendy bistro on a Tuesday afternoon.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Patience is a virtue</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes, just sometimes, I simply cannot hold it in any longer and I just <i>have </i>to shout. I know I shouldn't, but when my patience runs out and the frustration takes over, it is inevitable.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What I have noticed though, is that if I raise my voice, my son raises his voice. If I shout, he shouts. And if I scream, he screams. <i>He </i>feeds off <i>my </i>emotions. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It took me a long time to realise this but now I have, it means I'm much more able to respond to his outbursts and protestations in a way that minimises the risk of it escal</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ating into a full-blown screaming match.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not the most patience person, I'm really not. I am a </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://mummywales.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/hell-hath-no-wrath-like-scorpio-scorned.html" target="_blank">Scorpio</a>, after all. But I've found if I can try to remain calm and disconnect myself from his anger, then I can encourage him to communicate his feelings in a less aggressive way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. It's OK for your kid to be sad (once in a while)</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm sad once in a while too. Like when we run out of ice cream or wine, or when the laundry basket's full again. Or when I see pictures of other people going on exotic holidays, and showing off their flat stomachs. Or when I try something different from the takeaway menu and sadly realise I should've stuck with my usual. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life is full of disappointments. Sometimes you can't have everything you want. And sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, often to earn the things you want. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want my boys to understand that and if I have to withstand a few tantrums to teach them, then so be it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. It's OK to be silly</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wasn't very good with kids before I had my own. They made me nervous. I just didn't know what to do with them. But it turns out, reducing myself to the emotional level of a toddler isn't as difficult as it looks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've found that it works much better if I properly immerse myself in a game with them even for a short while, as they're then much more amenable to me getting some tasks of my own done afterwards. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tickle chase? I'm in. Roaring like a dinosaur? You got it. Popstar posing? Make way for the master.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO3CqWLvSgcIr5paMZrXDBf67VsmDZVGvV4Ix43WktFlTbuElY0eWB6hMGt8CF88-f10DbuRcHwhGt8fVMSkm5gkUz-isqBDgf_WOujmr_FFPXKfswiXHnEGnwMnCG0vjVWZcOUGzdHfn/s1600/DSC_3813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO3CqWLvSgcIr5paMZrXDBf67VsmDZVGvV4Ix43WktFlTbuElY0eWB6hMGt8CF88-f10DbuRcHwhGt8fVMSkm5gkUz-isqBDgf_WOujmr_FFPXKfswiXHnEGnwMnCG0vjVWZcOUGzdHfn/s640/DSC_3813.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Naps are more important than visitors</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sorry, Gran. You're going to have to come back in an hour. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although if you're willing to deal with the fallout from the baby missing it's nap, step right in. But I won't be staying - I'll see you tomorrow, after the 100 decibel wailing has subsided and you've worn your slippers out pacing the nursery carpet.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Nobody gave the baby a manual either</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I've progressed from 'mother-of-one' to 'mother-of-two' and as the boys have grown out of the new baby stage, I've realised that most of what is written in so-called 'baby handbooks' is a load of complete twaddle.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is useful guidance as long as it's taken with a huge dollop of instinct and a big cup of 'chill-the-heck-out'. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No baby is the same. Heard that before? Yes? That's because it's true. What will work for one baby may not work for the next. And especially not for it's sibling, it seems. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So if your baby doesn't latch immediately, or it doesn't appear to see the point of baby sensory, don't worry. Your baby isn't broken. It's just a person, figuring out how to live, just like the rest of us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. You can do it</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes you can. Don't look at me like that - <i>you can do it</i>. Because...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9. Love is all you need</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every time I hear these words I remember the scene from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-J2jaKmY0w" target="_blank">Love Actually</a> when Keira Knightley gets married. Just me?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's true, though. Love gets me through the bad times and helps me appreciate the <a href="https://mummywales.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/the-six-words-every-mother-needs-to-hear.html" target="_blank">good times</a> even more. I didn't <i>need </i>to spend lots of money on fancy classes or posh puree (but I did). I don't think my boys will remember whether I fed them Ella's Kitchen or supermarket own brand. They won't care if they wore the trendiest brands as a baby or if their toys came from Poundland.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I know that every kiss and every cuddle is an investment in our bond as a family. It's an investment in their independence because they know I'll always be there for them. It's an investment in their ability to empathise and show compassion to others as they grow into young boys and eventually into men.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love is all you need. 💝</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHu8N5kgqL5M9dQMqnt9SNMTKJ_1zBpXT5Z-JXLtOtojFzID6fWtOXHDNDCCitmWPM7Cn1BmnBl3D5Jw9UXlEt4vy4JMpfPaYLGHNNVvGjmppZaWPsSsaB1ChyphenhyphencAgwiiekiWwaoreyZXO/s1600/DSC_1105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHu8N5kgqL5M9dQMqnt9SNMTKJ_1zBpXT5Z-JXLtOtojFzID6fWtOXHDNDCCitmWPM7Cn1BmnBl3D5Jw9UXlEt4vy4JMpfPaYLGHNNVvGjmppZaWPsSsaB1ChyphenhyphencAgwiiekiWwaoreyZXO/s640/DSC_1105.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<span style="border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid lightgrey; display: inline-block; margin: 5px; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/" rel="_nofollow"> <img src="http://thetaleofmummyhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/img_4922.png" style="border: 1px solid gray; height: 200px; width: 200px;" /> </a></span><br />
<div style="allign: center;">
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://burnishedchaos.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Burnished Chaos"><img alt="Burnished Chaos" src="https://burnishedchaos.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/IMG_0891-e1504862886678.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.3littlebuttons.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="3 Little Buttons"><img alt="3 Little Buttons" src="http://3littlebuttons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/DreamTeam-1.png" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://honestmum.com/category/brilliant-blog-posts/"><img alt="Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com" src="http://i.imgur.com/fJzNWoE.jpg" height="189" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="301" /></a><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.mummuddlingthrough.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Mum Muddling Through"><img alt="Mum Muddling Through" src="https://mummuddlingthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/img_1169-e1504445772944.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
Mummy Waleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467208023206924264noreply@blogger.com33