what's been going on....

sooooo much..... 

Entertaining the little ones as the weather continues to not brighten. 

Booking appointment with independent midwife

School parents evening ready for September!

New work project that's really exciting

VAT return, not so exciting to say the least

Baking, playing, crafting and making peg dolls riding on cardboard cut out animals

In addition to this there has been other daily chores that have been so time consuming but I've also been enjoying reading a recent article in this Tuesdays Guardian about an increase in fear of giving birth to mums to be, we need to offer the good happy positive birth stories, I have two that I'm happy to share and hope the October birth of our mini newbie will be as positive (already positive thinking and it will be a breeze!)

In addition to the article on pre-birth, Radio 4 had a good listen this morning about life, sex and relationships post birth.

If you'd like to hear a positive birth story pop back and I'll post during the next week, got to dash now me and mini1 are ready to take out our lemon drizzle cake and drizzle with that lovely lemon syrup, mmmmmmmm

Sunday lunch with friends

My father-in-law kindly culls the local 'bambi' population so from time to time we acquire some rather tasty joints one of which I'm roasting up to share with friends today for a family friendly good fun lunch....

some of the things needed to get going on the prep

after chopping and drizzling we have a delicious orange fennel red onion and olive salad on a bed of water cress and rocket leaves served with a simple dressing of e.v.o.o and lmon juice

orange fennel red onion and olive salad on a bed of water cress and rocket leaves

into the aga..... venison sitting on a bed of tiny tatties 

Have a lovely Sunday all and if the sun shines with you enjoy the added pleasure!

A cake for you....Happy 2nd BIrthday Boo x

At 6.30am I looked at Mr Lovely and said '2 years ago Boo was just half an hour old' we recapped bits of that morning. As well as holding Boo the additional highlight after a speedy home birth (about 1 hour - yes they can be quick but that's another post!) were sitting in bed with Boo beside me and mini1 taking her first peek at her baby sisiter with a cuppa tea and slice of raspberry jam on toast that dad to two beautiful girls had just done for me. I had the same breakfast today too but it was not in bed!
So on the topic of food I had not arranged a birthday cake, I had ingredients but no actual cake. Party was due to start at 2.30pm so I had around 4 hours. Now I love being in the kitchen rustling up delights or baking biscuits with the mini's but honestly when it comes to birthday cakes My Lovely has always taken it upon himself and done a super fine job too, but that was not happening today as he was at the practice busy. So what did I do?

and Boo went "WOW"
There was a jolly spotty number two candle on the top too but in the excitement it got whipped off, maybe it was thought to be a big sweetie.
Cake was enjoyed by all and girls are now sleeping on yummy full tummies having happy dreams of  "an amazing day" (mini1's words) with family, friends, new shiny bikes (another post), dogs; real and not, and lots of bouncing!

courgettes on the side

Earlier this week i had courgettes that were screaming out to have something new done with them so I set to popped over to 'my french kitchen' and dished up this and I really can recommend it, mr lovely had a smile too and the little ones, well there was a constant mmmmm sound coming from their direction.
Winner all round I'd say, looks good, tastes delicious and at least one of your five a day!

I tweaked what was on the site and did mine like this:

courgettes (i used 3 medium ones)

drizzled these with olive oil seasoned and into the aga for 30 mins

bed of rocket and spinach drizzled with a fresh lemon dressing

toast around 75-100g pine nuts and have them ready to sprinkle

take out courgettes and place on top of the dressed leaves

crumble approx 80g of feta on top and add the pinenuts

season and add extra olive oil/lemon dressing if required.

enjoy!