PUSH PRESENT

I heard somewhere that some women get a present for giving birth. This timeless Tiffany & Co Notes Locket seems like a perfect gift for such an occasion. ;)

ON THE 2nd DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

SOUTH PACIFIC

Steve took me to see Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific last night. It was my first time seeing the production, It was completely different than my usual pick but a classic old school and enjoyable. "Some enchanted evening" & "I'm going to wash that man right outa my hair" were my favourites! The cast were all very good but EastEnders Samantha Womack who plays Nellie Forbush was a great pick for the role- she has an amazing voice and played an American accent well.

CREAM WAFERS

How fun do these look?! I will be adding them to my list of baked goods for the martini party next weekend. My peanut butter squares have been requested, only problem is.. I opened the cupboard last night to find out someone has broken into one of the bags of American marshmallows and they've gone stale!!! I won't be able to make as many but I hope these little beauties make a great addition.

Meal Planning Magic

PEAK DISTRICT

 Anna and Mike stopped in Bristol on Friday and invited us to join them for the weekend at the Darwin Forest Country Park. In 15 minutes I had us packed and the car loaded and went to pick Steve up at work. We grabbed Connor in Birmingham and headed to the  Derbyshire Peak District to check-in to our two bedroom cottage for the weekend. We had big family dinners, adventure nature walks, swimming, a little football and of course lots of relaxing family time. Thank you Angels of the North for another great weekend.  Last minute invites are always the best!

NOV 25

Nov 25- It's officially time to pull out my favourite Christmas hat with the hanging mistletoe. Get your kisses ready! ;)

MARKET PICTURES

 What a fantastic night to kick off the Bath Christmas markets. The weather was warm- with music, hot cider and merriment nobody needed cold and snow to get them into the Christmas spirit. Steve's concert was fantastic and had a huge turn out. I loved watching all the kids dancing to the pipes and drums, very cool. We took the train avoiding traffic and it dropped us off practically right in front of the markets- only a 10 minute ride from Bristol. The only way to travel to Bath, I say! (parking is always a nightmare in the one way system town) South Gate shopping has expanded and looks incredible. It was open late and looked so romantic and festive with all the lights twinkling. I'm definitely in the mood for Christmas decorating now if only I could get Steve up to the attic to fish out my decorations. He is usually a huge humbug until Dec 1st - Maybe after last night he will be in the mood too! Hmmm....

Happy Friday! xoxo

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

While our American friends are celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend we are moving on to Christmas!

The Bath Christmas markets open today! (24 Nov-11 Dec)

Steve will be playing tonight in Bath celebrating the first night of the open markets. This is such a beautiful European tradition. You can find Christmas markets in most places this time of year. Last year, I traveled to Germany & Belgium while my friend Candace was in Poland getting festive. They all had the most beautiful markets and so many different food and handmade gift options. I sent my Grandfather & Mum German cookies and breads which they LOVED! Closer to home- Cardiff & Edinburgh are just a couple other places that will help get you in the Christmas spirit!

They serve the best hot cider, mulled or Apelwein (Apple wine) to keep you warm whilst you shop.

FOR WORK-WW

My Hunny needs Hunters- For work!

Steve is the only one in our immediate family without wellies. He doesn't think he needs them. I'm hoping this add will show him how "manly" they are. Next stop - just buying him a pair and showing him how delightful puddle jumping can be. You don't need to be a farmer to own a pair of wellies! ;)

BOY NAMES

I bought this book in a second hand shop some time ago and it's been my bedtime reading since Monday! boy names, boy names! I had the names for a girl sorted but I'm not 100 percent on boys. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

L’atelier Repetto - SELFRIDGES

Life is a dance
sometimes you lead
sometimes you follow

THE SECRET WIVES CLUB

This article was a suggested post on FB. Although still in the midst of a new marriage myself, it had some interesting views on longevity of marriage. An excellent read that I thought worth sharing.

Barbara Bush senior: the secret to a happy marriage- “Pick the right husband in the first place.”


http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/10/06/how-to-stay-married/- click on this link Mom! ;) xoxo

PETER PAN PANTO

I booked our Christmas panto tickets to go see Peter Pan staring "The Hoff" at the Bristol Hippodrome in December. Our first Christmas in Bristol we went to see Snow White and Connor's eyes were glued to the stage the entire time, it was hilarious!

Christmas is just around the corner!  xoxo

3D

This has to be top of my list of amazing things I've done in my life. I am bursting with love and joy. We went for our 3D scan this morning at the Spire. We are so excited. :)

FOLLOW YOUR

RULE BRITANNIA!

What a fabulous dress!  Happy Friday!!!

YIKES

I hope the hypnobirthing book and CD Eva got me for my birthday work for me! I've been diligently listening for the last month. It usually puts me to sleep so I hope my subconscious is kicking in.

CUSHION- CATH KIDSTON PROJECT

I've been away so much lately and have missed a few of my sewing classes. My first project has taken me ages but finally sat down today and finished it; I'm pretty pleased. For my next project I'm going to try to make a patchwork baby blanket, like the one I posted a few weeks ago with the circles.

PURPLE KALE

A friend in Victoria told me that eating kale while pregnant will make the baby smarter and I thought why not?This week I ordered two huge bunches with my organic delivery. Steve had left over pumpkin to use this morning and suggested I make a soup. After a quick google of pumpkin+kale+soup I found a recipe that would work perfect.

End result: I don't care how smart kale might make this baby I'm never eating it again.YUK! People who know me, know I'm not a picky eater but this purple kale is dire. Never have I loathed anything as much as liver and purple kale just made the list. I fed my husband dinner that looked like it was made for prisoners and he smiled graciously and praised my efforts. I made up for it with an amazing fresh out of the oven apple cake for dessert though! Mmmmm

MAPLE PUMPKIN RISOTTO

Good morning, my Hunny is making Maple Pumpkin Risotto this morning for his Remembrance/Movember Lunch at work. The idea was to cook something starting with M or R so why not both! I found the recipe for him at Coombs Family Farms.  He said he'd put some in the fridge for my lunch today. I'm a very lucky girl!!!

The house smells delightful!

Pumpkin Maple Risotto

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 cups arborio rice
• 1 cup dry white wine
• About 6 cups of low-sodium chicken stock (such as Imagine)
• 10 oz pumpkin, peeled and chopped into medium dice
• 2 Tbsp Coombs Family Farms pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat broth in large saucepan and keep hot on back burner. In medium-size heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute, stirring continuously until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the rice and continue to stir, using a wooden spoon. Add the white wine and continue cooking, stirring often, until absorbed by rice. Pour in 1 cup of stock and continue to cook, stirring often, until all the liquid is absorbed. About half way through stock, add pumpkin, syrup and nutmeg. Continue cooking and adding stock until all stock is absorbed, ½ to 1 cup of stock at a time until rice is al dente. Remove from heat and stir in cheese, reserving some to sprinkle on top before serving. Serve hot.

HAVE A FABULOUS WEEKEND

Have a fabulous weekend! The boys are heading off to London this morning and I'm having a relaxing girls weekend recovering from the Canadian West Coast 8 hour time difference . Bored this weekend- why not pick some apples or collect horse chestnuts and play Conkers! ;) xoxo

Rules of Conkers

Preparing your winning conker

Drill a hole in your conker of choice (take care at this stage, and most definitely only grown ups should do this). Thread your string through it and tie a knot to keep the conker on the string.
There should be 20cm (8 inches) between knuckle and nut when you’re dangling the conker ready for your first strike.

The Rules (as developed over many years in the playgrounds of England)

• Decide who’s going to go first by tossing a coin or getting your opponent to choose which hand has a conker in it. The winner of the toss or choice decides who will strike first.
• A distance of no less than 8 inches or 20cm of string must be between knuckle and nut. None of this two inches of string nonsense, this is a game of skill.
• Each player takes three alternate strikes at the opponent’s conker. The striker wraps his/her conker string round their hand. Then takes the conker in the other hand and draws it back for the strike.
• If the strings tangle, the first player to call ‘strings’ gets an extra shot.
• If a player hits their opponent’s conker in such a way that it completes a whole circle after being hit – known as ‘round the world’ – the player gets another go.
• If a player drops his/her conker, or it is knocked out of their hand, the other player can shout ‘stamps’ and jump on it; but should its owner first cry ‘no stamps’, then there should be no jumping.
• Each attempted strike must be clearly aimed at the nut, no deliberate mis-hits on your sister’s knuckles, boys.
• The person holding the conker must hold it still. The conker that survives the onslaught is the winner. A small piece of nut or skin remaining on the string doesn’t count, it must be enough to mount an attack.
• Any nut knocked from the string but not smashed may be rethreaded and the game continued.

Scoring

A victorious conker assumes the score of all its victim’s precedent foes. Thus, in a contest  between two fresh conkers, the winner would then have a score of 1 (known as a ‘one-er’). If it then beat another three one-ers, it would become a four-er.

GIRL NEXT DOOR

"I was never the girl next door" -Betty Paige

MAKE A WISH

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."
– Carlos Castaneda

MOVEMBER

My friends and I went for lunch at the Bard & Banker in Victoria, B.C. one of the many business's who support Movember . If you snap a photo and send it in to the Granville Brewing Company you may win one of their weekly prizes. This is a brilliant idea that raises money and awareness for men's health. If you look around your city right now you might notice a few extra stashes walking around. Can't grow a mustache but still want to get involved? Go to www.movember.com

DUTCH BAKERY

I've had Dutch Bakery birthday cake and goodies throughout my life. It's my favourite cake and I had always wished you could order cakes across the country when I moved to Halifax. Well yesterday, when we went for breakfast the waitress told me that people do order their baked goods from all over- well maybe not England. So, as soon as I move back to Canadian soil, I will continue my Dutch Bakery birthday cake tradition. I wonder if it will show up in one piece?!

GIVE THANKS

I'm in Canada this week and because we missed Canadian Thanksgiving my Mom waited and made TWO turkeys, stuffing and all the wonderful veg that goes with it for a family dinner on Wednesday night. It was soooo good and nice to catch up with the Goof Troop. We had a very happy Turkey day! I give thanks for the love and health of my family! xoxo

WW- GUM DROPS RAIN BOOTS

I don't know where all the great weather has gone but these would be perfect for Victoria weather this afternoon. You can buy them at Gum Drops they are called Dirty Laundry Black Roxette Polka Dot. 

LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR PANCAKES

Owner and staff of West Coast Waffles.

Life is all so beautiful, today let's make it delicious! These are the quotes my husband proudly busted out this morning at 5:49am.

Yesterday when I was running errands with my Mum my husband got off early and took himself for lunch to Broad Street's West Coast Waffles. Since meeting, the pancake/waffle has been a strong debate in our relationship ultimately me winning out on what's cooking for breakfast (for now anyway, until he reads this post!) When we moved to England, we put our Canadian waffle maker in storage and I'm sure, this is the real reason we have pancakes instead of waffles. I have heard a strong case for waffles- how they have little pockets to hold all the maple syrup and how they are so light and fluffy and most importantly, how happy they make my husband, but I grew up in a pancake family!

I remember one of the first weekends I spent the night at Steve's house; he made batter and pulled out the waffle maker and asked me to make some while he ran out to buy coffee. I had 30 minutes to whip up a batch of waffles and I had never even seen a waffle iron in my life. I put too much batter in and destroyed every single waffle. Steve came back to a kitchen explosion. I was happy to find out this was not a deal breaker!


Thank you West Coast Waffles for renewing my husband's waffle spirit!

BULLIED

My friends and family know me to be this... charismatic, secure, fun loving and clever. I'm an adventurer that will take any risk for the greater good of life (my life that is), a life that I really love.  There is another side to me one that is not as lovely for people sometimes; I'm strong willed, sensitive and for lack of a better word, manipulative and wildly passionate about people. For the most part, I am forgiving and I thank God for that part-I grew up in a church that I loved and always felt safe in.

As you may or may not know I'm currently in the city where I grew up - Victoria B.C. My husband is on a business trip and because my parents live here we felt that it was an important trip to take together. I love my family, but it's not the first place I would choose to holiday and I want to explain why. Yes, there is such a thing as "MEAN GIRLS"- it doesn't matter who you become, how much you bury it, or how happy you are, I was reminded yesterday that this hurt never goes away.

This is the third letter I've received via Facebook like this. Every-time is painful and I never knew how to respond, but this morning I knew sharing it would be the best way for me to move forward and let it go.

Hi Christy! I was 99% sure it was you when we ran into each other at Michelles today. I have been wanting to get in contact with you for years. Over the past 25 or so years you come up in my thoughts. I have never been able to forgive myself for how awfully I treated you in elementary school and I just want you to know how very sorry I am for my poor behavior. As a Mom to a 10 year girl who is just starting to learn about bullying and the importance of being a good friend it has especially been on my mind a lot lately. I can't give you any kind of valid reason why I was so cruel because you were in actual fact nothing but kind to me. Anyways I have wanted for many many years to apologize to you and I wish I could have face to face but who knows how long it'll be until I have that opportunity again. Lol. Congrats on your baby on the way! You are a glowing Mommy to be!

Tanya

Tanya was one of the students who bullied me from grades 3-7. Back then even the teachers contributed! Thank goodness, my parents moved me to a different district after that. There, I was able to come out of my shell, overcome the fear and become confident and happy. (That is how I remember it.)

Today, I have a very happy life. I'm loved, adored, blessed and I live life to the fullest sharing it with everyone around me.  However, and unfortunately for those I love, I can be a bit of a pain in the ass  :).

Try to stop me world!

NOVEMBER PUNCH BUGGY

A pinch and a punch for the first of the month... Happy November!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!! We spent it with the McColl family.

I love being back in Canada where they go all out to make every holiday super special. After a fantastic Pad Thai we took Rapunzel and Spidey trick or treating while the boys stayed in to hand out treats and drink beer, what a perfect evening. Thanks S&A! 

I hope everyone had a  fabulous Halloween! xoxo