Listography Best ever............ Gimme five ish,

Listograhy
This weeks listography is top five bests

1. Best Decision

When i was 21 i made a decision that all although i did not know it at the time would change the rest of my life. My two best friend were going travelling and had been nagging me to join them but i was in a steady job and had a long term boyfriend so felt i should not go.

 My boyfriend at the time was unreliable and the work was boring. My 21st birthday arrived and the then boyfriend let me down again but my amazing friends made sure i had a party to remember. The next day with a horrendous hangover i found myself handing in my notice chucking the boyfriend and in the travel agents with my friends booking my ticket outta here.

While in Greece working i met my lovely husband had the most fun ever with him and my best friends and the rest as they say is history. Eighteen years later I'm still with the gorgeous man i met on my travels and have a lovely son together.

2.Best book

This is a tricky one as i love to read but not many books deserve being read more than twice yet this one however does. Secrets about life every women should know, written by Barbara DI Angeli's. Its a really helpful comforting book if your facing a tough time and have big decisions to make. Please don't be put off by the spiritual bit it is an amazing book that really makes a lot of sense.

3.  Best bit of advice

       I  know i have said this before but a really good friend gave me the babies don't keep poem when my little E was tiny and this was the best advice any one can give to a new mother.

http://makingitasmum.blogspot.com/2011/08/babies-dont-keep.html


4.  Best film

          Well Kate's probably going to give me a telling off for this but i can't make this just one film as quite honestly anything that has Jason Statham in it gets my vote. I also am a huge fan of 80s films they don't make em anymore like they used too. I know i know that wasn't one thing but well if your going to get a telling off may as well make it worth it !! Hopefully the lovely picture or the Stath will help me redeem myself.


5. Best thing i own

         There is one thing i have its been my friend for over 10 years friends told me i would sell it as soon as little E arrived but i didn't. It never lets me down it is more practical than a people carrier as I'm usually the only mum remaining dry while loading my little one up in the pouring rain. It makes me smile and in fact it makes most people smile  it is of course my lovely green Alfie Bug.



That's it this weeks listography complete hope you enjoyed it , i love to hear from you so feel free to leave a comment it makes my day. If you would like to make your own list head on over to the lovely Katetakes5 and have a go.

Thought of the day............  Stop thinking start doing.
     

            

Sunday is scrapbook day

Along with many others i started project 366 on new years day to take a photo a day to record a year in the hope of having a lovely record of a year and improving my photo skills. I hope to manage a photo a day but at the very least take more photos so that i don't miss a precious moment as once gone we can never get a moment back. 
Welcome to Sunday scrapbook a link up to celebrate whats been going on this week a show and share for everyone wanting to show off their photos and celebrate the week just passed. There are no rules put as many or as few photos as you wish with a write up if you want to or just let the photos do the talking.  Although there are no rules obviously keep it clean this is a family site and I'm not that kinda girl !!

This week was a tricky first week for my scrapbook as we are in the middle of moving and photos of lots of boxes is not really that exciting. However i did see one funny sighting as a result of the move a man with a hoover now that's not something we see everyday is it ladies!!

I missed Saturday is caption day over on mamasaurus but this would of been a good contender as definitely needs a caption i think !

Little E unlike my other half  has not grasped the concept of moving means all hands on deck and has been more of a hindrance than a help unpacking the boxes quicker than i can pack them and generally trashing the house before crashing and burning on the sofa.

He however has been really helpful in the kitchen creating must go's with me to use up all the bits and bobs that well.........must go before we move.

I somehow in all the chaos found a tiny bit of me time this week away from the madness and found a bit of time for making as creating is good for the soul.. I'm not sure yet what wise old owl is going to be made into but i enjoyed making him.

 

So there it is a snapshot of life this week in our world. I would love to see what everyone else has been up to fell free to post a comment or link up your 1st 2012 scrapbook and share whats going on in your world. Captions for the rare occurance of the hoovering husband if you like too






Thought of the day....................... Many hands make light work!!

Make your own art and Personalise your space with your favorite quote

Inspired by the old bus canvas signs subway art / typography is a lovely finishing touch for any room. 

I love quotes  how lovely to have in your home something on your wall to see everyday that inspires you and is personal to you.

I really wanted to have ago myself so i searched the Internet and found a wonderful tutorial on a lovely blog called clean and sensible where she shows step by step how to make one yourself.

 

I don't have a silhouette cutter as is used in the tutorial so i ordered pre cut vinyl letters such as number plate stickers. I painted each canvas shown in the photos first with a lighter coloured base coat varying the shade in places to give the worn look when later revealed.

Once the base coat had dried I then carefully spaced the vinyl letters and painted over the top in the same tone but darker shade than the base. I did not add the paint too thickly or evenly as i wanted a vintage look. Once dry carefully remove the letters.

The parchment colour one seemed to need more of a feel of aged paper so once dry i added more of a vintage feel by dabbing with a tea bag to finish off. This was a special order for a friend who runs a Biscotti company she is great at baking but did not fancy making her own.

You can play around with colour  give more of a hand made feel by adding detail round the lettering like stitching. The possibilities are endless and a really unique finishing touch for the home that you can make yourself to perfectly compliment your colours and style.

If you don't fancy having  a go at making your own i have also found some very lovely inexpensive ones at Bill and Betty's that are definately worth a look.


I hope i have inspired you please feel free to comment and follow me as i love to get to know fellow bloggers x

Thought of the day .....................  Things happen for a reason !


 

Feed the family on a budget must go menu !

This week I'm being very creative in the kitchen and in the true spirit of savvy shopping I'm taking it to the extreme and finding out is it possible to eat for a whole week without going shopping. That's right save a whole weeks food bill and still eat. Before you panic i have not gone mad I'm not on some extreme water only diet but i can make a good must go.

 What is a must go.... its a meal made with the items in the fridge, freezer and cupboards left behind from the previous weeks shops the things that if you do the next shop would ultimately not get used and wasted. Things like the random tin of chickpeas you cant remember why you bought or that last pepper from the packet that was surplus to the meal you made. Then of course theres always your usual suspects of cupboard basics flour sauce etc etc.

This is what i found this week on the day i would of usually done a supermarket shop therefore these are my must gos

Fridge                                                                           Freezer                                     
half a bunch of spring onions                                       2 packs of turkey steaks                
1 slightly squashed red pepper                                     1 packet vegi mince                      
1 yellow pepper                                                            fish mix                                       
2 red onions                                                                  2 lemon sole fillets                        
half a packet of parsley                                                a few fish fingers                         
10 ish cherry tomatoes                                                 peas                                                                      
Mushrooms                                                                  Apple pie
half a cabbage                                                              1 loaf of bread
a bit of broccoli
2 lonely eggs                                                                The usual suspects of pasta rice
butter                                                                            stock cubes flour jam cereal etc
Cheese                                                                          in the cupboard
10 ish new potatoes
10 ish  potatoes
1/2 bottle of wine
1 bottle of beer
5 yoghurt's

Day one
Our first must go of the week was a new and i think improved take on an old classic.....

1, Must go potato..........

We had  roasted  yellow pepper, red onion and cherry tomatoes  mixed  with the tuna and mayo as a  delicious jacket potato filling. My other half liked it so much he wants them again. Really easy recipe and only one roasting tray so little washing up. Even if these were not being made as a must go they would be a really inexpensive nutritious meal for a family on a tight budget.

Easy to make while the jackets are in the oven roast the pepper red onion and cherry tomatoes in a little olive oil. Once cooked mix in the tuna and a couple of table spoons of mayonnaise and fill the potato.

 Day two .........
 Must go risotto

 

If you have not tried it already pudding rice makes a lovely risotto rice and is lots cheaper to buy than risotto rice.

In a wok with a little olive oil add you vegetables i used the spring onions, red pepper, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes and lightly browned them.

Next i added the pudding rice i had and gently heated with the veg for a couple of Min's.

Then added a glass of white wine from the half bottle i had left in the fridge (not sure how i came to have left over wine !!) let this sizzle until the liquid is gone.

Fill a large measuring jug with boiling water and dissolve a  stock cube then gradually over a 20 Min's add this to the rice.

When the last ladle of stock went in i added the parsley i found in fridge and a few chopped herbs from my garden a pinch of pepper and a handful of grated cheese.

Lovely risotto was enjoyed by all and again even if it was not a must go a really inexpensive family meal.

Day 3

must go vegi spaghetti

I'm not a vegetarian but i prefer quorn

I prefer vegi mince to real mince it tastes great and is lower fat.

Fry in a little oil an onion and mushrooms and vegi mince until browned then add a can of tomatoes a couple of table spoons of tomato puree and a cup full of vegetable stock. Leave this to gently simmer while in another pan (smiley face optional) cook the spaghetti  or what ever pasta you have in the cupboard.
Towards the end of cooking add a pinch of pepper and chopped herbs from the garden.

Serve with an optional sprinkle of grated cheese.

That's half the week gone I'm sure as the week continues the meals may get a bit more random but its going to be fun finding out after all i still have that random tin of chickpeas to deal with.

Find out in part two of this post what happens to them.............

It would be great to hear if you have made any must gos of your own or are going to give it a try feel free to link up and share your ideas and money saving recipes any any ideas on those dreaded chick peas very welcome.

I would Love you to follow me if you like my ramblings and its a great way for me to find you and come over and say hi on your blog xxx

Thought of the day.........................  must go!

Getting my groove back

I'm not exactly sure when i lost my groove but its mine and i want it back !I think its very close by and i simply keep missing it as i rush past at 100 miles an hour or maybe its just stuck under my pillow too tired to join me! Its been missing awhile and every so often i manage to catch a glimpse of it so  i know it does still exists! I'm not sure where my search to find my groove again will take me but I'm sure going to enjoy finding out. 2012 is the year that i am going to get my groove back.

The very lovely Kate on thin ice runs a weekly blog  hop called grooving mums and if like me you want to find your groove again give it a try.

http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/how-do-you-fancy-a-sparkling-new-you/

This weeks challenges are............

1. Did you over-indulge over the festive season? What can you do to prepare for the life-changing journey ahead in terms of improving your health?


OK i hold my hands up to this maybe i ate the odd mince pie or ten and washed them down with a sip or two of wine ........... OK  OK bottle of wine! I possibly burnt the Christmas candle at both ends sadly not due to excess partying or anything vaguely exciting like that  mainly due toddler sleep issues.

I realise i have been sleep deprived now for nearly four years no wonder i cant find my groove I'm lucky i can still find my eyelids.
 I have employed Super nanny to help with this well sort of I'm working through her toddler confidence book. I'm sure once we all get a decent nights sleep we will all feel happier and healthier.

The other change i have made towards better health this year is drinking more water and my bobble is definately helping with this. http://makingitasmum.blogspot.com/2012/01/exchanging-wine-for-water-bobble.html

I also want to get more excercise im going to do something active everyday with my Little E i get slimmer he burns off some of that excess energy sounds like a plan to me! Its also lovely to spend time doing fun things even if we get out  dance with Dora the explorer its excercise for a rainy day. Mostly though i plan to get us exercising in the fresh air where possible.

I would love to go back and see a nutritionist again as its amazing how much better you feel when your battery's are fully charged and the right vitamins and diet are in place. She was an absolute superstar back when i was suffering with pnd and lack of sleep exhaustion.


2. What do you need to change your mind about? Have you written yourself off in some way? How can you shift negative thinking patterns?

I need to change my mind about me i think i have forgotten that i am not just a carer for my mum a mother to my son and a wife to my husband but i am a person in my own right  too. I need to learn to say no a bit more and leave a space in my day for myself to just be me.

 I don't think i have completely written myself off quite yet but i don't seem to get the time to think about whats next for me or how to usefully use my pre caring skills. I think the best way to shift this thinking is write a list of what i can do and what i would like to do.
 I am taking part in day zero project  creating a list of 100 things to do in the next 1001 days. The list is in progress at the moment as i want to give it real thought.Once the list is written i will be able to see what baby steps to take to make things happen and im sure as i tick of the things i have done my groove will come out of hiding. The 101 in 1001 is a really great tool as its your personal list not what others expect of you but what you want for yourself. http://dayzeroproject.com/


3. This week, Christians celebrate the Epiphany. Here is one dictionary definition for the word epiphany “a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.” What does this mean to you?

Epiphany means to me to trust my intuition more and to go with my gut feeling rather than do what others expect or tell me is the thing to do. I'm sure its not just me that in the past has done something as it seemed the thing to do even though your instinct was not to do it. Always on these occasions i have looked back with hindsight and wished i had trusted my intuition. The new job my husband took just before our little boy was born did not feel right and i tried to persuade him a job change at that time was a bad idea. I  did not push him as it seemed silly saying this does not feel right so he took the job and they made him redundant a mere five hours after Little E was born. A decision that although made three years ago we are still trying to get back on our feet from it. I see i should trust my intuition and fight my corner more if im not happy with something rather than going with the flow to keep the peace.


4. Are you aware of all the blogging

I have joined a few networks and have met some lovely bloggers in doing so, im planning to let making it as mum grow naturally a small bud that will grow over time sprouting new shoots when the time is right and flowering when its ready.

I have been unsure for awhile if i needed to start a second blog for my love of  purse savvy interior ideas but i am going to trust my gut instinct and i feel the place for this is making it as mum. I would like to help other mums to make money go a bit further and have stylish practical child friendly homes,so maybe my pre child skills will come in handy after all.  http://makingitasmum.blogspot.com/2011/11/nautical-boat-bedroom-on-budget.html


I would love to hear any comments and ideas you have they really  make my day and i really look forward to meeting fellow grooving mums.

Fell free to follow me if you would like to hear more of my ramblings.


Thought of the day............................... Happy grooving xxxxxxxxxxxx

Project 365/366 hop over and Scrapbook your sunday!

This new years day i along with many others started Project 365 or maybe this year its Project 366 with the extra day snuck in for the leap year. Its a really lovely way to record a year you take a photo a day every day for a whole year and upload them to the project either daily or weekly what ever suits you. http://www.p365.org/

Its a real lesson in self discipline but it definitely makes you look at the world differently as even on the most mundane days magic does happen if you open your eyes and look for it.
I have in the past often missed capturing some lovely moments by not having a camera handy so this year I'm really looking forward to being organised and having a camera on me at all times to capture the good the bad and the priceless.
My aim is taking a photo everyday  but rather than blogging about it daily as that may get tedious for everyone! i thought instead i would do a Sunday scrapbook post  of my week in pictures. This then got me thinking that this may be a really nice blog hop to link up here with your Sunday scrapbook and share whats been happening in your world over the past week in photos even if your not doing the project.

I would love to hear your comments on what you think of the idea of a Sunday scrapbook blog hop and if its something you would be interested in joining me for. Also any tips and suggestions on blog hopping and what to do will be gratefully received as it will be my first hop as host and another learning curve for a fairly new bee blogger.

I will put must first scrapbook up this Sunday and hopefully my photo skills will of improved and my subjects less camera shy.

Happy snapping everyone good luck with your projects capturing some lovely memories of 2012.

Thought of the day...................... Even on the mundane days magic happens if you look for it.

Exchanging wine for a water bobble

I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling a bit blugh after all the buffets and chocolate and maybe a glass or 5 of wine consumed over the silly season. My body is actually craving a salad and water not a sentence i thought i would ever be writing but there you go.

This year Santa brought me a really innovative gift in my stocking a cute little thing called a water bobble its basically a really cool looking water bottle that filters tap water as you drink it. Literally you just fill it under the tap and off you go really handy. .

 

Today has been the first day i have properly been able to use my bobble as since Christmas i have been sharing it with little E as he took rather a fancy to it. I'm not complaining though anything that gets a child choosing to drink water definitely gets my vote. He gave mine a proper test drive its been dropped several times, tipped upside down on numerous occasions and did not drip or leak. Today i popped out and bought him his own as drinking more water is definitely a good thing for both of us for a healthy new year.  I brought little E the small size for £8.99 and my larger one i saw would of been £9.99. When you think the average small bottle of water purchased out costs around £1 in just over a week the water bobble will pay for its self.

All the toys and he wants my bobble!

I can honestly say having it on the side i have regularly taken sips of water instead of going for the old habit of sticking the kettle on for a caffeine fix. So my first baby step towards a healthier new year is well under way and i had forgotten just how lovely and refreshing water really is.

http://www.waterbobble.com/

I hope your new years have started well and if health is on your list of resolutions i definitely recommend you try a bobble.

Its always lovely to hear your comments and suggestions and meet other bloggers so feel free to leave a comment below or join me as a follower.

Thought of the day ................  Water is the new wine !