WHATEVER YOU ARE

MAY LONG WEEKEND

What a great extended May long-weekend we had. We picked Connor up Thursday for the start of his break.. Friday was city farms day - I've heard a lot about the city farms and googled to find out the location, They have two within 10 minutes of each other and they are both fantastic.

Saturday, it poured and we went for a 6 mile wellie walk through Ashton Court Estate  There is so much to do here including our favorite, getting lost in 850 acres of woodland; the woodland also works as a perfect umbrella on wet days. - Magical and one of  my favourite family times.

Sunday, the boys sanded down my sewing table and we all took part in cleaning and burning every CD I've owned since my 20's. Steve was shocked that some of them still worked! He is a very responsible CD owner and always puts them back in their cases. *eye-roll/wink *

I sent the boys out Monday to enjoy some father/son time at @ Bristol we have a years membership and often go on rainy days. Steve and Connor can spend hours at the science center and although I do enjoy it, I'm really more of a zoo girl.

Today it's sunny go figure, Steve went back to work! Connor's just jumped out of bed (9:44) either he's a "tween" or he's catching up on some much needed sleep over his break.  Enjoy the pics... I love the little piglets they were hilarious!

 Time to enjoy the day. xoxo

6 MILE LUNCH

After a six mile walk in the pouring rain, we stopped at the Pump House and shared a ploughman's lunch - Westcombe vintage cheddar, Date + tomato chutney, pickled onion  MMmmm....

BRAIDS FOR YOUR HAIR

I must learn to braid, compliments of GWS and more....

EXPECTATION

Expectation is the root of all heartache. - William Shakespeare

APPLE STRUDEL MUFFINS

Connor's first morning here and I wanted to make something special for breakfast while the boys battled it out on the playstation. After my sausage/cookie disaster this week, I needed to get back on the horse and quick! Let's hope the muffins turn out lovely and my kitchen confidence is restored. To be honest, the only thing I'm truely confident about is salads ( because I make them a lot ) - Practice makes perfect...

Here is the recipe....

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped apples

Topping.
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin pan.
In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar and eggs until smooth. Mix in vanilla. Stir in apples, and gradually blend in the flour mixture. Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin pan.
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture is like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over tops of mixture in muffin pan.

Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Allow to sit 5 minutes before removing muffins from pan. Cool on a wire rack.


When I mixed the batter, I was a little worried as the mix didn't have the muffin consistency like other recipes I've made before. In the end, they looked and tasted more like an apple cake than a muffin but I guess anything made in a muffin tin would be considered a muffin. Steve suggested they tasted like Starbucks muffins- good enough! *smile*

BRING ON THE WEEKEND

ON THE LIST

L-WELSH WELLY WEDNESDAY

“Travel is glamorous only in retrospect.” 

– Paul Theroux

L- I love this picture. It's pouring rain, you have your favorite wellies on and a huge smile on your face. xo

GILLESPIE AND I

As soon I saw this book my heart flipped with the desire to read it. I hope the read is as good as the title. *wink*

By Jane Harris:

As she sits in her Bloomsbury home, with her two birds for company, elderly Harriet Baxter sets out to relate the story of her acquaintance, nearly four decades previously, with Ned Gillespie, a talented artist who never achieved the fame she maintains he deserved. Back in 1888, the young, art-loving, Harriet arrives in Glasgow at the time of the International Exhibition. After a chance encounter she befriends the Gillespie family and soon becomes a fixture in all of their lives. But when tragedy strikes - leading to a notorious criminal trial - the promise and certainties of this world all too rapidly disorientate into mystery and deception. Featuring a memorable cast of characters, infused with atmosphere and period detail, and shot through with wicked humour, "Gillespie and I" is a tour de force from one of the emerging names of British fiction.

QUOTE

"If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you'll never enjoy the sunshine."
– Morris West

DEAR MONDAY

HOME SWEET HOME

taken by. Edward Catania

After a lovely day strolling around the Tabacco Factory Market and surrounding little shops in Southville with Husband, I am feeling rejuvinated and recharged after my holiday. 

My guest blogger was such a huge treat. I wasn't able to stay away and must admit snuck a few peeks during the week. I'm not sure if she knew what she was getting herself into as I will now be asking her to have a continued guest spot when I travel. I had so much fun reading my blog this week. Hopefully for you and me she agrees and enjoyed writing it as much as we all enjoyed reading it. 

My favourite part about my Maltese getaway this time, was floating around on my Lilo in the pool where the Malta water-polo team play in Bulluta Bay. It was 7 Euro to get into the club at the daily rate and you can come in and out until 6pm. 

I stayed at the Hostel Malti again but it was not the same experience as I had last time. They are doing some serious construction next door. If  you are looking for cheap and cheerful with free wifi and don't mind getting up with the rooster than you won't mind the construction as it's only in the mornings between 7:00-10:00 through the week- ( in my experience.) The place itself is clean and comfortable and Chris, the sole owner now, is very accommodating and helpful; he offered to take us to dinner one night to a hidden gem to try one of the Island's main dishes of rabbit. I've heard on weekends he has big BBQ's for the hostelers but I've only stayed during the week. Maybe on my next visit. 

Tomorrow I will start back at the gym after a long hiatus and start getting the house ready for Connor's May break visit. 

Glad to be back blogging. xoxo

GUEST BLOGGER: DAY V: Wonderful Wonder

Quite a while ago I received an email from a new, but very important, friend and the subject line read: wonder. Inside I found what I assumed to be a poem, a beautiful poem. I’ve come to learn that this “poem” is actually song lyrics (thank you American Idol). As we head into the weekend and I say goodbye as a guest blogger I want to share these lyrics and music with you… enjoy and I hope we meet again.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder


You get your fill to eat,
but always keep that hunger


May you never take one single breath for granted


God forbid love ever leave you empty handed


I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean


Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens


Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance


I hope you dance, I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance


Never settle for the path of least resistance


Living might mean taking chances


But they're worth taking


Lovin' might be a mistake


But it's worth making


Don't let some hell bent heart


Leave you bitter


When you come close to selling out


Reconsider


Give the heavens above


More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance


I hope you dance,
I hope you dance

I hope you still feel small, when you stand by the ocean


Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens


Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance



And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance


Dance


I hope you dance 

Celebrate 10,000!

Loving Life Being Christy is in celebration mode! We're celebrating because we've reached 10,000 page views! Thank you all for your support and readership... how about a little music for the occasion!?

GUEST BLOGGER: DAY IV: Let’s Celebrate Canada!

For all you Canadian followers out there this post is for you! I’m not sure if this happens to everyone but being away from home (Canada) I think I’ve become more patriotic. I’ve got this overwhelming sensation to sew my little Canadian flag patch on to the back of my book bag, wear my Roots CANADA hoodie, and just say eh!, eh?

I’ve always been a proud Canadian, but being abroad gives me the opportunity to share my pride with others. And apparently in England, specifically London, I’m not the only one who loves Canada... check it out: www.canadadaylondon.com.

 I’ve always enjoyed spending Canada Day at home with a beer, a bbq and fireworks, but this year I’ll be in London and I can’t wait! The events look amazing, the crowd fantastic and the Canadians… well let’s just say they are looking in celebratory mode!

I LOVE CANADA!

GUEST BLOGGER: DAY III: It’s Welly Wednesday

Welly Wednesday is one of my favourite parts of Christy’s blog! I suppose that’s in part because she helped me to choose my own pair of wellies, which I love!

I associate the wearing of wellies with rainy days, and I love a good rainy day. Now that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t choose sunshine over rain, because believe me I would. But every once in a while I think a rainy day does a person a lot of good. For me a rainy day is a good excuse to curl up and watch a season of your favourite television series (like… How I Met Your Mother), or to wear your cleaning clothes, and well clean, OR to eat a nice warm bowl of your favourite soup. Can you tell I love rainy days? Do you?

“Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain”

~ Author Unknown

GUEST BLOGGER: DAY II: A Food Fanatic

Okay, so it’s day two of my blogging and that means it’s time to let you in a little (huge) secret – I LOVE food! And unfortunately not always the good-for-the-heart-healthy kind, but sometimes the bad-but-tastes-so-good kind – do you know what I mean? Nevertheless, lately I’ve been making a sincere effort to minimize my bar-and-a-half dairy milk chocolate bars intake and maximize my healthy food intake.

I began with simple salads. I’ve made (and photographed) two delicious salads – garden and spinach. 

They were both delightful, if I do say so myself.  So this week I’m feeling confident to try a new salad and here’s the recipe in case you’d like to try as well!

Fennel Salad with Citrus Zests and Toasted Pine Nuts

This recipe comes from Chef Laura Calder (French Food at Home on the foodnetwork.ca) and is considered a summery salad!

For this recipe, meant to serve four, you’ll need the following ingredients:

      ·     1 large fennel bulb

·      Zest and juice from 1 lemon

·      Zest of 1 orange

·      3 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

·      Olive oil, to taste

·      Fleur de sel (coarse salt) and freshly ground pepper to season

You’ll also need the following directions:

Cut the shoots from the fennel and discard, reserving a good handful of green fronds. Chop these and toss them into a bowl. Peel the fennel bulbs, halve, core, and slice paper-thin, using a mandolin if you have one. Add to the bowl. Grate over the zests. Squeeze lemon juice over, to taste. Add the pine nuts. Drizzle over oil, to taste. Season with salt and pepper. Toss, taste and adjust the seasonings, and serve immediately.

If you have the chance to try this salad before Friday, let me know what you think :)

GUEST BLOGGER: DAY I: An Oxford Outing

As a first time blogger, I decided to start simple by blogging about something I enjoy and know a little about. That something is travel. When I moved to England (eight months ago) I made a commitment to travel as much as possible. Next on my list of travel destinations is Oxford, England. I’m guilty for, more often than not, travelling without doing a lot of pre-research. I guess I like the thrill of the unknown – its half the fun. However, for my first blog I thought I’d highlight a few must-dos/must-sees for my Oxford Outing!

1.     Oxford University – the oldest English-speaking university in the world, with notable graduates such as Bill Clinton, Hugh Grant, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lewis Carroll, Lester B. Pearson, and many more.

2.     Bodleian Library – one of the oldest libraries in Europe and second largest in the United Kingdom. Apparently “the Bod” isn’t open to the public, but I’d like to visit from the outside.

3.     Christ Church College – the largest college at Oxford and also an 800-year-old chapel. This is one of many sites in Oxford used during the filming of Harry Potter.

4.     Blackwell’s Bookstore – known for having the largest single room devoted to book sales in Europe. There is a café here so I’ll be buying a new book and a latte :)

5.     Botanic Gardens – I’ll hope the sun is shining to enjoy these gardens and perhaps read a little more of my new novel.

6.     The Eagle and Child – a famous literary pub - a local for J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis. Perfect for a lovely meal to end the day!

Well I think that’s enough planning for my Oxford Outing – I’ll leave the rest up to chance and happenstance, just as it should be.  

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

MEDITERRANEAN BOUND

 Hello...

I will be back in a weeks time. Until then don't forget to pop by and give my guest blogger lots of attention, she will start blogging on Monday; I promised to stay well away from my blog and look forward to having a wireless free vacation.

I'm very excited to meet up with H tomorrow and jet off to the sunshine! I'm just ironing the last bits tonight.

Have a fabulous weekend!

GUEST BLOGGER

I am catching up on laundry and packing my bags today- Heather comes this weekend from Canada!!  We leave for the center of the Mediterranean (Malta) for some girly fun. I've been before and can't wait to show her the great spots and discover new ones. 


This is me in NYC a few years ago- big suitcase but it had to be, I bought a lot! 


I have a special treat for you. While I'm gone I will have a guest blogger. She's brilliant and I know she will take good care of you. xox

OLIVE OIL

When I had lunch at the Olive Shed a few weeks ago, I read about using Olive Oil for more than just cooking... 

Olive Oil Skin Treatment... Straight From the Bottle

You can create simple skin care recipes right in your kitchen. Try the mini beauty treatments below...

Bath: For a moisturizing soak, add about ¼ cup olive oil and several drops of essential oil to your bathwater. Lavender oil will help you relax before going to bed. (Careful - the tub will be slippery!)

Dry Skin: Gently massage a small amount of olive oil on extra dry areas such as elbows or heels.

Hands: Whip up a quick sugar scrub for rough, dry hands. Combine two tablespoons of oil with two tablespoons of sugar. Rub on hands until sugar begins to dissolve. Rinse with warm water. Voilà! Silky-smooth hands.

Feet: Apply a liberal amount of oil to feet at bedtime. Cover with cotton socks. Not sexy... but oh-so-soft feet in the morning! The magic works for hands, too. Cover with white cotton gloves (hmm, even less sexy).

Face: Create a moisturizing facial mask with olive oil, honey, and an egg yolk. Beat until well blended and apply to face... then relax! Leave on for 15 minutes; rinse with warm water.

Nails: Warm a small dish of olive oil (not too hot) with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Soak nails for 5- 10 minutes. This softens cuticles while it strengthens nails.

Hair: For a simple oil treatment, warm several tablespoons of olive oil (again, not hot). Rub into scalp and hair. Cover with a shower cap or small plastic bag. Leave on for 20-30 minutes.

For extra conditioning, mix an egg yolk with the olive oil... but do not warm. This is great for dry hair and split ends. It may even heal dandruff. Shampoo twice after this treatment or you'll smell like raw egg!

Lips: Alleviate chapped lips with straight olive oil. Dab on lips... especially helpful at bedtime.

I'm off to the kitchen to try it out! 

HUNTER SUMMER

KATE'S SHOES

People are dying to know about Kate's shoes. The Dutchess of Cambridge is wearing a pair called the Greta Wedge in this picture. You can find them at LK Bennett this summer; word has it they will be renamed "Kate." If you are desperate to have them let's hope the reports are right. Click here to watch out for them. If it's her wedding shoes you are interested in they were hand made by team McQueen you can find a similar pair here.

STRATFORD UPON AVON

Steve had a conference just outside of Stratford and invited me to come along to take in this Shakespearean city. We drove up early yesterday and checked into the Ettington Chase.  After a swim, we went for supper at the Black Swan and booked tickets to see a play at the highly recommended Royal Shakespeare Company.  The choice was easy, there was only one play on last night- The City Madam. I wish I had payed more attention to my grade 10 English teacher, Mr. Bowen, who was very passionate about Shakespeare. But sadly I was not and regretted this a last night as a few of the jokes drifted over my head. The play was awesome. We both left with huge smiles and were very glad we went. 

I started my morning with a BRBT (big red bus tour) which took me on an 1 hour tour around the city. It was fun and informative; again I'm not always sure how factual these tours are, but I enjoy them all the same. After the tour I had a cream tea lunch at the 400 year old Church Street Townhouse and then stopped in Leamington Spa to browse around some shops before picking my husband up and heading back to Bristol to sleep in my own bed. xox

K2B

We are beat up but proud. The Keswick to Barrow was a huge success. 3000 people took part running and walking in both beautiful & nasty weather raising thousands for Cumbrian charities.

We woke up at 4:00am had a cold breakfast before driving out to Keswick for our 5:30am start. It was raining, but we could see hints of good weather ahead. When we hit our 10 mile (16.1km) check point we stopped to get rid of my pack. I was feeling the lack of consistent training but went into a country house bathroom cleaned up and was ready to get to through another ten miles, the sun had finally come out! By the time we hit 17m (27.3km) I was ready to sit down, although Clair had warned me not to, I needed a break. I sat on the beach ate beef jerky, chocolate and looked at the beautiful views of lake Coniston. When I tried to get up my body seized and with it came a lot of emotion. I am not into extreme sports, but do enjoy an active life. My husband would have been well ahead but kept up with me and supported every step.

We forged on to the 20 mile check point, where we knew we could get a burger/hotdog and cup of tea. I was hoping, the food and break would give me the energy that I needed to finish another 20 miles.
When we left 20m (32.1km) it started to pour and the road seemed like it would never end.  At the next check point 27.6m (44.3km) I ended my first K2B and had done my best. It was a very, very emotional moment. I had the driver pick me and go to the 30mile check point. When I found Steve he was in the medic tent taping up his blistered feet and said the next bit was probably the hardest in the walk, the never ending hill. I gave him fresh socks, a kiss and sent him back out in the rain feeling very angry and proud.

This is Steve running to the finish line- He makes me feel like the luckiest wife in the world!

 Our walk back to the hotel after dinner was one of the funniest moments of this trip. Friends drove up to meet us just after eight, the weather was nice and warm enough for me to wear a skirt, tank and flip-flops. During dessert we looked outside to rain, by the time we finished  it turned into a down pour including thunder and lightning. This shouldn't have been a big deal considering the hotel was a 4 minute walk from the restaurant. We hobbled from awning to awning and laughed all the way; soaked through I gave Anna & Mike a quick hug and kiss and headed off to bed!

This may also interest you: Keswick - To - Barrow

Today is the birthday of my favourite childhood book author- Roger Hargreaves- Mr. Men

I'm off for the night to Stratford-upon-Avon. Steve has a meeting and I'm going to explore Shakespeare's birth place and hopefully catch a production at the RSC Royal Shakespeare Company.

Happy Monday! xox

MUM'S DAY

You are my Mum 

You are my chum

I may drive you crazy but I'm your baby

Happy Mother's Day! xox

THE RED LODGE

I have walked past it many times and even tried the handle a few times. Today was my lucky day. 

This historic Elizabethan house built in 1590 has been many things, including a reform school for girls set up my Mary Carpenter and home to the author James Prichard who wrote The Natural History of Man whilst living in the Red Lodge in 1827.

 The Red Lodge is full of "wow" rooms. This may be the best museum in Bristol. ;) It was more like a show home with craftsmanship and detail that we will never again find in modern homes. "The great oak room has been called one of the finest in the West Country" stated the BBC. Some of my other favourites in the house were the fireplaces, plasterwork ceilings & majestic chandeliers.

 I noticed a sign that said the Elizabethan Knot garden was not open for viewing but could be viewed from the bedroom windows. As I peeked out the window I noticed a couple sitting in the "closed" garden and on finishing my tour asked if  I to could get in; more luck, the back of the house is also home to the Bristol Savages (a club formed in 1894 for a society of artists.) They were having their 101st Annual Exhibition. So not only did I get to tour the beautiful garden, but I also got to check out this cracking art exhibition! If you live in Bristol or are visiting put this on your to-do list. Best part, it's free! 

Where to find it

Situated behind the Colston Hall and next to Trenchard car park, off Lodge Street,

The Red Lodge
Park Row, Bristol, BS1 5LJ
Tel: 0117 921 1360

When open
Open April to October only.
Saturday to Wednesday (closed Thursdays and Fridays), 10am-5pm.

KESWICK2BARROW-WW

Steve and I are doing a small 40 mile hike this weekend for charity as part of Steve's work team (very originally named 'In-Service Submarines').  It has an interesting background - all good competition.

We are doing it for two reasons - ourselves as a bit of challenge and also to support a local charity. The charity the group has chosen to sponsor is Help for Heroes.   It is a charity formed to help those who have been wounded in Britain's current conflicts (no Canadian content here I'm afraid).  

If you would be interested in sponsoring us, please find a link to my sponsor page here -  http://keswick2barrow.co.uk/sponsor/welcome.asp?ID=2419

We will endeavour to post pictures shortly after (none of our feet, I promise!), and tell the tale of our successful walk!