Lunchables

Last week I bought a dairy-lea stackables snack for my 18 month old as treat on a day trip to London town. I love the idea and have never eaten them before but was disappointed. The crackers were sweet and the cheese bland, after reading the label I wasn't impressed.

Cheese food stuff with only 71% cheese, ham that was oddly slimy and the crackers had added sugar. All three had the usual emulsifiers and favourings that make things look and feel "right" although offical bumpf says they use natural ingredients.

I do love the dunker's snack made by the same company and all 3 of us scoff them regularly in our house, but really didn't enjoy these stackables. So with the warmer weather coming and picnic season starting I thought I'd have a go at putting together my own for half the cost and twice as tasty.

We had a picnic in the "meadow" out the back of our house and enjoyed every last crumb! I used a jam tart packaging with x3 round recesses, ritz crackers, ermental cheese and sausage luncheon meat :) You can supplement each item to mix & match to your personal taste, using Edam or cheddar and salami or chiritzo -which is my 2 yo nieces favourite :D

Please see below for comparisons to ingredients and RDA of fat and calories.

Motivation life coaching via the big wide itnernets :)

A few forwards for some motivation on life goals, because if you are like me and need a little push in motivation to make changes in your life for the better.

Strap on Your Overalls and Tend to Your Goals Like a Good Farmer

"Like you’re runnin’ full-speed ahead, doing the work and seeing results…and then the results start to taper off. You reach a plateau. It’s not new and exciting any-more." 

This post is about being patient with your goals and not losing steam before you have seen them through - like a farmer you need to keep watching watering and waiting for them to come to fruition. If you've done all the hard work playing ground work but neglect them towards the end things will wither and die.

 The complete Flakes guide to getting things done

"Are you smart and motivated and passionate, and have lots of cool things you’d like to get done, but somehow when it comes to doing them, you just . . . don’t?

You, my friend, are a flake. Congratulations. We are a worldwide force. If we could all get ourselves moving in the same direction, we would change the world. However, that will never happen. "

A guide to help you be honest with yourself about goal, make it realistic and stay motivated to see them through. Definitely worth a read!

How not to raise your toddler

A wonderful witty photo guide on what to not do when raising your little one: Babble

Posting

Hi folks,

Just to let you know I haven't dropped off the face of the earth!

I still read interesting stories, and think a few a good enough to share my opinion with you but have been struggling to find the time! There is a lot going on in my personal life, an 18mo old to keep out of trouble as well as fed and clothed, volunteering with SSAFA has stepped up a gear as well as the struggles with sleep. Not to mention BIG changes in our lives -mainly the prospect of redundancy for DH and being made homeless as we have to leave our service families accommodation.

So yes, lots going on in life and by the end of the day I'm pretty popped, too worn out to do lots of thinking and writing. Plus my new sleep hygiene means no technoology interaction after 8 - no FB no PC and no mobiles, which is helping me to sleep better (sort of) but seriously cuts into my childfree work time.

I will keep updating but it may only be a posts on what I've been up too, home made food and projects as well as crafty things for kids. I suspect views on child related stories too ;) but not as hard core as the political & news related I've been doing in the past but a more realistic reflection of my daily life :)

So bear with me and stick around!

The Ability to Read

A small exert from the great Toddler Times, a valid point I felt earnt the re-post.

"The Ability to Read

There are programs and gadgets and even educational curriculum that promise to teach your toddler to read. While they explain how, others ask: why? Why should a toddler learn to read? Some do, but it's not a necessity and your illiterate toddler is not falling behind. What's important: books everywhere and someone to read them"

There is some much pressure on pre-schoolers to read & write that many youngster can't cope with the structure and attention required of them by teachers. I have seen first hand, forcing a disinterested 3yo to trace their name by "guiding" their hand while the look the other way is in no way productive. In fact in Europe -who don't start school intill 6or7- are constantly beating us in education figures, so lets let up on the pressures for our little ones. How about better childcare options from the government (in Europe nursery is heavily subsidised) so that parents can still work without putting their little tots into that school uniform.

Blizzard at Sandy Hook

Paper snowflakes from all over USA and the world have been sent to Sandy Hook for staff to convert the new building into a winter wonderland for students when they start the spring term on January 14th. A blizzard of support came in following the request last month, and over 100,000 of paper snowflakes were posted to Newtown.

"We know that each snowflake represents the emotional outreach of the person making it," a message posted Jan. 1 on the Connecticut Parent-Teacher-Student-Association State Office's website reads. "We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity from around not just the country but the world. At this time, we have enough beautiful snowflakes to blanket the community of Newtown. Therefore, with regret we must close the snowflake project to further donations."

I suspect that even though the project is closed that many still sent their snowflakes anyway! Will post again on Monday when news of the kids return to school surfaces - I can't wait to see what it will look like and how the students will react to this amazing out reach from the children of the world.

Play Kitchen

Ikea hack is an excellent website with creative posts customising flat pack furniture, with so many wonderful ideas. By far the most popular item to make is a play kitchen- which is great as that is exactly what we have been building! Wooden play kitchens cost a lot and with a small amount of DIY experience an injection of flash christmas cash from Nanny (my mum) I set about our own kitchen project. (Actually my husband is a carpenter but I did half the work and it is simple & easy to do even without training!)

After some research, into what is apparently a very large DIY sub category, we decided to stick loosely to this design. Our design incorporated an oven with pyrex door, hob with turning knobs and dog bowl sink. My dad is a plumber so he is keeping an eye out for a small basin facet to use with turning handles to make it even more awesome.

We started off with 2 RAST bedside tables at £9 each. We went to Ikea to have a mouch about for more supplies and also bought a rail and hooks from FINTORP. As it is ikea we also bought lots of bits we don't need, some relevant toy utensils and pots as well as the obligatory soft toy.

Sink has a wooden tap

Doors, handles and even a towel rail!

I put up the first beside table to use 
as a basis and Dave used the 2nd table to make the doors on the front as well as a separator and top shelf. Dave cut out a hole for the sink and used plywood to make a back board for the shelf and pots to hang from - i will put a little kitchen timer on there too as Lucas seems obsessed with my real one. The finishing touches was to put all the knobs and handles on, including a larger "handle" horizontally to use as a towel rail next to the sink.  

Almost perfect :)

I am so excited about how well this turned out! It still needs "glass" in the oven door and all the accessories ie pots and pans are gifts so will have to wait a few days for Santa to bring. As a result of our spate of DIY Lucas is currently more interested in using the screw driver and drill on the hinges / screws of the kitchen! but once he has the right tools I doubt it will be long before he starts using the kitchen to whip up a 3 course meal for his wonderful parents.
 

role play seems to be emulating his Daddy atm . . .

Sandy Hook

I just got wind of the most beautiful idea - a group putting together a mountain of handmade snowflakes from children everywhere, to help decorate the new halls of the brand new school where the Sandy Hook elementary students will be returning after the holidays.

The information is on the National Parent-Teacher Association Facebook page, but the gist is simple: Send handmade snowflakes to: Connecticut PTA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT06514

Now obviously not every parent has talked to their children about the recent tragedy, nor should you. I think you could still get your younger kids involved by telling them that you're making snowflakes to help some kids in need to decorate their classrooms. No need for a lot of specifics.

"One thing I've learned, is that children love helping other children, whatever the reason. Another thing I've learned-paper snowflakes bring peace. To those of us making them, and to those of us who get to come home to them. Especially in Connecticut in a few weeks." -Liz
Please send snowflakes to the Connecticut PTA  for arrival before 1/12/13.
For other resources and ways to help, please visit PTA.org

Scrap girl

Digital Scrapbooking is pretty self explanatory in its name, a hobby that uses vectors and images layered in Photo-shop to make frames and decorations for your pictures.

I say hobby because it costs money, is time consuming and very addictive! There are plenty of websites selling special sets of vectors and "papers" cashing in on the addictive nature but many of them are adaptable and easy to modify to create a wide range of looks. I created a 20 page book for less than £25 including printing by using only 3 bundle sets and scouring for freebies.

To say I love the idea is an understatement. I have always liked scrabooking but never had the funds to do it properly - damn those papers are pricey! - so I have always used self adhesive photo albums, mounting photos, decorating and add journalling with memorabilia ie tickets etc.

Like wise photobooks give us an opportunity to print the hundreds of digital photos we have gathering metaphorical dust on our hard drive but the limit in editing layouts and decorating pages always made them too modern and crisp for my liking.

The aforementioned book is made from family photos during my sons first year, I spent around 36 hours on it and really enjoyed digital scrapbooking as a past time (whilst DH dominated the TV with his Xbox). The hardest thing is keeping my designs to myself as its a Christmas gift. Boo no showing off!


Digital scrapbooking is a revelation for creative types who want to express themselves and give those photos a chance to be out in the sunshine :)

Quiet front

Howdy blogger readers,

If you have read my blog before you may have noticed how the posts seems to be spread a bit thin this past year and this is mainly due to my lack of time for blogging! I do still keep up to date with politics of life and general and always have good intentions to post about interesting topics buuut as a full time mum to a toddler, army wife and a "promotion" in my part time volunteer role all mean I'm busy living my life! 

Since having a baby in sept 2011 my life has been even fuller, a statement many would concur with so I intened to no longer use it as an excuse for not jotting down a few things I have been thinking about. I have been tying to do more posts (some of which are back dated) recently and after the drama of Christmas is out of the way my new years resolution will be to start blogging once a week again, a feat that should totally be plausible now that Lucas is old enough and not need direct supervising 100% of the time. 

So ill coin an over used phrase for want of a better was to express the meaning: watch this space :)

PS If you have been a reader in the past leave me a comment as I do wonder sometimes if there is anyone out there actually reading this ramblings!

Upworthy is worth a look

Upworthy is a website for viral left wing political content and I enjoying getting posts from on FaceBook. Think one part The Onion, one part The Daily Show with a viral cherry on top. The kind of content the site will be sharing is shown in this Venn diagram:

I often use their posts to express my political views via FB when I dont have time to write about my own views on stories about bigots (what is the opposite of a bigot btw?) and politics on this blog. Although it is mostly American its catchy headlines and simply punchy news posts are making interesting stories reachable - its so easy to click a few buttons and share their very share-worthy posts on any or all of the big social networks.

They are definitely educating the self centred vain masses and opening this eyes and minds - right on!

Zen life goals

I thought I'd re-post about another blog I've found, written by Kaylee about her journey of awakening to the zen way of life.

Even if your not into "that hippy stuff", its a motivating post about how long term goals need tending with a useful metaphor for farmers - it will inspire you I'm sure if you give it a chance :)

Go Kaylee!

Bubbles bubbles bubbles!!

Summer wouldn't be summer without the chance to blow BUBBLES! I just love 'em :)
 

This DIY bubble wand tutorial is an oldie but a goodie :D

Dip your bubble wand into the bubble mix, remove it and let any excess bubble mix drip into the container, then move the wand slowly through the air to make great big bubbles!

OFC you need some mix so I found this great recipe online.  This solution is great for most bubble tricks, activities, and experiments too, let the kids enjoying being kids - and the big kids too for that matter!

Guarauntee on your Brittish goods

There’s been a lot of talk about a new EU directive proposing to give everyone a 2 year guarantee on all products. UK are only adopting this directive partially which is leaving us in a grey area. Some believe this new right is being suppressed in the UK and that we are being deceived by retailers.

The truth is that it isn’t a new law for an upgraded warantee on goods because in the UK we not only already have this right but it goes one better, 6 year guarantee in England and Wales, with 5 years in Scotland. This covers us to get a partial refund or full repair up to six years after the purchase was made (five years from discovery in Scotland)

So it means if you spend £600 on a washing machine and you are a family of 4 with few loads of washing a week you would expect it to last at least the 6 years guaranteed. If "wear and tear" after 2 years is judged to be unreasonable for such an expensive product, then this IS a manufacturing fault and the retailer is responsible for repair or refund (the refund should take into account how much use the customer has already had of a product). If you have a house full of 10 and a £200 washing machine you shouldn't reasonably expect it to last more than a year or 2 and you are not covered.

The laws and documents have overlapping policies that make it very difficult for you to find out your consumer rights and easy for retailers to fob you of. Its a very complicated subject so if you have a product that needs replacing and you believe you apply please check out the links included in this post for a more indepth look a the subject. Be prepared for lots of reading it is very heavy going!

Gay Scouts

There has been lots of social network attention recently on the campaign Scouts For Equality. The head hunchos at Boy Scouts of America recently voted unanimously to keep their ban on gay scouts. I was at first shocked then confused about this news. I first spoke with a friend of mine who is a life long Scout member, Dave was also shocked but not confused his response of "Its bullshit" is blunt but accurate.

I did a bit of research myself and found out more proof (if Dave's testament isn't enough) that British Scouts not only welcome gay members and leaders but offer training, advice and leaflets on the dealing with subject should it come up. They have recently also been supporting anti-bullying campaign led by gay rights charity Stonewall. 

In such a well loved and world wide institution I dont understand where this homophobia comes from. I can think of no reason in Scouting where sexual preference would be influential, its a children's organisation there is no sex even remotely involved. There have been references to child molestation and the "bad" influence on impressionable young youths which I won't even bother to counter due to the ridiculousness of the argument (and because it really makes me fume). Something I will comment on are the complaints of allowing gay members would lead the organisation away from their origins. Most of theses are religious, saying that it would be veering away from the organisations Christian roots and ethics. This is also rubbish. British Scouts have had multi religious and cultural ethos for decades, accommodating to allow Hindus, Muslims and girls to join, and Boy Scouts of America should be ashamed of their hypercritical bigoted rules and take a leaf out of British Association of Scouts. And to those going on about the origins of Scouts could also take note of our equal opportunity stance as Scouting started in Britain. 

The vote last week is a disappointing result and I feel sad but I'm also glad its not all Scouts, just the American ones. If you want to help out the yankee scouters you can sign the petition here. I'm proud that our British Scouts are setting a the bar for equal rights and I'll finish with a quote to that effect.

         'In Scouting we believe that all young people, irrespective of their sexuality, gender, race, creed or background, have an equal opportunity to develop and to be themselves.'      Wayne Bulpitt, Chief Commissioner British Scouting Association.

Chop chop chop!

The Big Chop is DONE!

I chopped of the pony tail I have had my whole life for charity. It was a miserable day but quite a few people were there to watch and did a count down and everything. It went really well and I cut off 62cm, plenty for the wig-makers and loads of dosh for G.O.S.H :) A few days ago I was worried I was making a mistake I might regret but the night before I talked to Dave about it and wasn't nervous any more - I didn't even cry when it came off! I feel great about it :)

Its just below my shoulders, so longer than I initially thought but it was straightened for the cut so I've washed it this morning (I was playing with it allll day yesterday - it is still very weird) and I'm hoping it will curl but the ringlets are disagreeing :( at the least there will be a wave - we shall have to see.

Thanks to my great neighbours and brilliant friends both near & far for the support, I know I wouldn't have done it other wise. I've been saying about cutting it for the last 3 years so I need the extra support and charitable causes to help me take a leap of faith. Now I'm looking forward to my glamorous make over, what with selling my motorbike and becoming a mother I rather like the idea of style re-invention. But I am also a bit tomboyish and bit lazy with my personal maintenance so lets see how long that enthusiasm lasts lol

The Big Chop

Everyone who has ever met me, and some who haven't, know my hair. Its always been classic length - that's half my full height - 110cm long and is rather infamous. My whole life I've only seen a handful with hair as long as / longer than my own, people even stop me in the street, its my most defining feature and main source of vanity! All of this is a long winded way to get across how important having over a metre of hair is to me . . . and I'm chopping it all off!!

Well not all of it but I will go from thigh length to shoulder length hair in one big swoop, that is over 60cm / 24" !
The Little Princess Trust make real hair wigs for children with cancer and I have to be brave for those children, I hope that there will be a little princess out there enjoys wearing my hair as much as I did.
GOSH is a wonderful place dear to my heart, my brother was born with a hole in his heart & tetralogy of Fallot. I'm very proud be raising money for this amazing hospital over the years Adam has had several important operations as well as countless tests and appointments there when we were both children.

The dance of Venus

I'm not much of an astrologer but I do love star gazing and I've always been keen to witness astrological events. The last few months Venus and Jupiter have been getting closer together with the finale around the 12th of March. Last week both planets alined with the moon and from our humble earth the serene view was stunning! With smart phones in every household why not download Googles Sky map for a little basic info on the constellations. Kids and adults alike can enjoy learning about the stars :)

If that is a bit too much effort just take a look out the window, they are best viewed in the evening not long after sunset, 2 distinctly bright "stars" the lowest and brightest one is Venus the higher (atm) is Jupiter. For more information check out Space.com :)

Marvel Avengers Assemble

The Marvel Avengers Assemble movie trailer was released today, and oh boy are we in for a treat in April! I just phoned my mum and booked her as baby sitter and (as long as Dave is in the UK) we are going out for the premier, I am already super excited!!

The movie has been well and truly set up with Nick Fury recruiting the stars at the end of several of Marvels recent movies. The up coming Avengers movie is written and directed by fabulous Joss Weadon, staring play boy Robert Downey Jr. sexy Chris Evans super cool dude Samuel L. Jackson, old hand Lou Ferrigno and not to mention hot totty Gwyneth Paltrow. Im a little disappointed by Hawkeye and Black widows apparent subdued costumes compared to the bright and loud main runners, I understand you cna only have so many heroes and it can be too busy but hope their support work doesn't get too lost. Which would be easy as the trailer heavily features some amazing action, the Hulk rescues Ironman, C.America and Thor are fighting the invading aliens, and world dominating super robots explode - OHMYGOSH JUST GO AND WATCH IT!



It looks just AWESOME! I hope it won't be a disappointment - I wont even go into the heartbreak of the X-men Series - I love Wonder Woman the all round super girl and Batman is the bomb so have a soft spot for Justice league but man, the Avengers knocks spots of them!

SSAFA and Military wives choir.

I received an email today from Director Corporate Communications and Marketing at SSAFA Forces Help, a charity that not only do I volunteer for but also sing in the local Military wives choir when I get chance. Its an easy going but of fun and Padre Robin babysits whilst the mums have a laugh singing sounds and actually at the end of it not sounding half bad considering that half of us sing like strangled cats : D

"I am sure that you are already aware that the MWC single ‘Wherever You Are’ became the Christmas Number 1 in 2011. You may have seen in the national media last week that the single raised a total of £503,985 for its two nominated charities, SSAFA Forces Help and The Royal British Legion. Whilst we are yet to receive any of the proceeds, this clearly is fantastic news. I know that everyone associated with the project is enormously grateful to all the people who promoted and bought ‘Wherever You Are’.

"Work has now begun to establish a network of choirs across military communities. The vision is that wives, partners and family members can immediately join a choir, free of charge, wherever they are posted. It is a very positive project that, at its heart, is all about improving the lives of military communities."

I am also a member of the royal British legion (Riders Branch) and these 2 charity do an amazing amount of work and support for serving soldiers and veterans alike. One of SSAFAs tag lines is: "A day of service a lifetimes support" because if you have any connection with the military in your family they will support you. I cannot begin to explain the work they do as it is so vast but it does including suppling white goods and help with housing to newly resettled familys (out of the forces and onto "civi street"), medical care for families posted abroad and they also own and run 2 large rehab homes for injured service men and their family's. On a much smaller scale I work as an in-service volunteer, helping out family's who are struggling with new postings or long deployment- this ranges from dog walking to counselling.

All this work is so worth while, it helps so many people on so many levels, SSAFA are by far the most useful/support charity for military families. In comparison Help for Heroes has stashes of cash sitting in the bank, their chairmen have 150k salaries and won't and help soldiers injured or signed up before 2001 BUT in the past 10 years they have been largely responsible for raising awareness for the poor rehabilitation and care available for wounded veterans. Some people disagree with help for heroes and other such charities because the forces should "look after their own" but my previous point shows how these charities have played a major role in creating this public awareness. Prior to this, the MOD had under-resourced these services because they could so any improvement is beneficial.