Happy Birthday Daisy!

Hi everyone 

I'll catch up soon. Been so busy here! So just a quick post about today...

Today is Daisy's 4th birthday! We've had a lovely day. We bought Daisy her first bicycle so naturally needed to test it out! 

The sun was shining and we had a gentle stroll (ride for Daisy) around the reservoir. This was followed by a late lunch in the cafe there. 

Today has been a memory making kind of day :) happy times.

Now the party preparation begins!

Back soon

Mandy X 

Message for Jenny Larking

Hi Jenny,

It was from www.sweetpeaskidswear.com 

It was in the sale though and I went back to buy another and it was sold out. I bought age 2-3 and chanced it because Daisy is petite. There were bigger sizes then though...good luck! 

Mandy xx

Home cooking and a little shopping...

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd share a few photos with you...

I buy good quality clothes for the children and love this traditional style.

This is one of Daisy's birthday presents. I can't believe she's four in a couple of weeks! We already have the nurse rag doll, so I'm adding Little Red Riding Hood. 

Here's some food pictures...

Crustless quiche (thank you Michelle at  Remembering the old ways for the idea) and advice xxx

It was delicious!

Porridge in the summer:)

Roasted paprika chicken with baked new potatoes and salad. 

A retro pudding!

Nigellas chocolate pear pudding. So easy and so comforting. Sadly I forgot to photograph it before tucking in!!

Tonight's tea was breaded fish. I had some frozen fish fillets to use up. I dipped them first in beaten egg then breadcrumbs and parsley and baked them. It was lovely.

I've been looking for a cotton nighty for Daisy for ages. This one was in the sale and absolutely beautiful.

The smell of fresh bread in my kitchen.

A busy day ahead in the kitchen. Roast for Sunday lunch and baking for teatime.

Mandy x 

Summer holiday fun!

Hi everyone,

This week seems to have whizzed by. There's been rain so we've played indoors with the children's new toys...

At Daisy's cafe I was served cheese kebabs and burnt chicken "that's how we cook it here"!! She's so funny. Thankfully pudding was biscuits :) we love wooden toys.

On Tuesday Daisy had her first ever trip to the cinema. I thought it was a good time to wear her new shoes...

I love traditional style clothes and have bought these shoes before. 

Yesterday was mainly spent in the kitchen. I got tea ready first. Toad in the hole and fresh vegetables. We picked Daisy's peas and runner beans...

Daisy wanted me to take a photo of her giant bean! We had cabbage, cauliflower and carrots too. Toad in the hole is one of Daisy's favourites...

Next we baked while Henry napped. I found Delia Smith's Book of Cakes at the carboot. I had some apples and eggs to use up so we made an apple cake...

Chunky Apple Cake

I used eating apples so put less sugar in.

Daisy tested it at lunchtime and decided it was best eaten with custard as a pudding.

Then we made a Victoria sandwich for Grampy...

The shopping comes today. I haven't bought any goodies except for treat night chocolate, so Daisy and I will be baking again to fill the cake tins and get ready for Sunday teatime. I'm back to baking...less rubbish and saving some pennies, plus more fun!

Mandy x 

A lovely Sunday

Hi everyone 

Well today has been lovely! The sun has been shining and we've had some fresh air with a Sunday afternoon walk.

A Sunday roast...belly pork joint, roasties, cauliflower cheese, carrots, broccoli, gravy and some gorgeous homegrown peas and runner beans! Daisy's vegetables taste so nice :)

I made a trifle for pudding. Daisy is happy with just custard on hers and no cream as I can't find lacto free double cream. She never complains and I try so hard to include her as much as possible. I used Madeira cake soaked in strawberry jelly. It was yummy!..

I have a huge amount of things to go out for a charity collection in the morning...

It feels good to be clearing some space!

There's still more to do but I'm getting there. 

Mandy x 

Daisy's been busy :)

Hi everyone and thank you for Henry's birthday wishes.

On Sunday we went to Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park for Henry's birthday treat. Thankfully the weather was just right! Henry loves ducks and chickens :)

Daisy milked a cow!!

Waiting to be fed!

We came home and had a lovely picky tea...

It was a special weekend. 

Daisy has harvested her first peas!

She's so proud!

Her strawberries have been lovely and the runner beans are growing well. 

Next year we will grow a lot more...she's loved it.

Yesterday we had a bacon joint for tea. I made potato and onion bake to go with it...

Yesterday was so miserable...soup for lunch. Today is hot again so I'm catching up with my laundry. The waitrose delivery has come. Their bread is gorgeous! This week I've shopped with baking in mind, so no junk at all! 

I'm still so busy getting rid of stuff we don't need. I've got a huge amount for the charity shop now, I'm getting there (slowly!)

Hopefully I'll have time to post some recipes this week.

Mandy x

Happy Birthday Henry!

Just a quick post...

Our beautiful baby grandson turned one today. He's had a lovely time! 

I wish I could share photos with you, but my blog is public and I protect him online. I will show you cake instead!

He had a new outfit to wear...

His presents were mainly from the Beatrix Potter shop...we love anything Peter Rabbit!..

I splashed out on Peter rabbit tableware for his special little lunch...

Tomorrow we are off out for the day...a birthday treat to round off the weekend. 

Back to money saving soon! 

Mandy x