100 Happy Days.: Day 1

I have been enjoying seeing friends' #100happydays contributions so I thought I'd join in with my own. We've had a busy day today but this made me smile the most. We walked past a busker who was singing My Girl and Tig just had to dance right there in the middle of the pavement. She loves to dance (just like her big sister) it makes her so happy. It makes us all happy :)

Epic Parenting fail!

Well, not exactly. That's a bit dramatic, really. Though I have to be honest and say that recently my Domestic Goddess training has slipped quite a bit. Not sure where time has gone. In a few short weeks it will be Christmas, and then I will be back at work. Not looking forward to leaving my babies behind one little bit!

 

 



Tomorrow my big girl will be 5. Not sure how that happened! It seems like only yesterday I was cradling her in my arms after a very long night, and now she is big enough to be at school, and have a little bit of independence. I guess it won't be long until she has a lot more independence, living away from me and living her own life. How quickly they grow up!

So maybe you'd like to see her birthday cake? Just a sneak preview then....

 



Ok, I'm not actually telling the truth there. That was supposed to be her cake. It's in the Disney Cake and Sweets magazine, and I thought it would be a nice surprise for her, since she loves fairies and Tinkerbell in particular.

 

 

It didn't happen. Not entirely my fault, as she decided she wanted a Moshi Monster cake instead. So I am afraid to say I took the easy way out, and bought it from the supermarket. Still, she will be happy when she sees it, and that's all that matters....right?

 

I've been preparing for Christmas this week as I'm sure you all have been doing too. I have been asked to make the cards for St Michael's brass band  again, so Supplies have been purchased and I will be making those as soon as my ribbon arrives. I've also been preparing for the arrival of a little visitor, our little Christmas Elf, Violet. We are hoping that she will bring the fairies with her when she arrives on the 1st December and they put the decorations up for us, to save us the job. We have some new Christmas decorations from the lovely Jem at Jam Dalory, some personalised ones for our tree..now our little family of five is complete. Some photos to follow...but she has some lovely designs so take a look.

 

Of course I'm linking up with Wendy at Handmade Harbour  (even though I haven't got a make this week to showcase....but I still would like you to take a stroll over there to see what's been happening!) Hopefully I'll get the chance to update on my One in the Oven blog this week...

Have a great week

Til next time!

It's all about boobs!

That wasn't a typo. This post is dedicated to boobs. So if boobs offend you, then please walk away now!
As some of you may already know, I am currently training to be a breastfeeding helper with the Breastfeeding Network, with the hope that once my training is finished, I will be able to volunteer in breastfeeding groups, and even on the postnatal ward, supporting mums who are breastfeeding their babies, and may need a little bit of help or support to do it. The numbers of mums breastfeeding in the UK is quite poor really, when you consider that Mother Nature designed our bodies to perform this function for our newborns. I don't want to get into a whole political debate about the reasons behind this, nor to comment on it further really. Those of you who know me 'in real life' know how I feel about it all already, and really women should be able to make their own decisions, for their own reasons, on how they choose to feed their babies.

That said, I am obviously 'pro-boob' I couldn't deny that even if I wanted to. I am 7 months into my breastfeeding experience with my son, having fed my two daughters to 14 mths and 15 mths respectively. And the very fact that I want to be a Breastfeeding Helper kind of makes it a bit obvious how I feel on the subject!

So this week I want to use my blog to just promote the work that the Breastfeeding Network do. And to show you my boobs. Ok, before you get worried, I do not own a single photo of my boobs, or of me breastfeeding any of my children. So I don't want to show you my actual boobs. Just the ones I made. Phew.

 

The Breastfeeding Network is a charity whose aim is to offer independent information and support to breastfeeding mums and the people who care for them. In collaboration with The Association of breastfeeding Mothers they run a helpline, as well as running their own helpline too., and offer a range of information leaflets on a variety of subjects to do with breastfeeding. They also provide training in some parts of the country for mums, like myself, who want to help support other mums on their breastfeeding journeys. The training I am doing is also in association with Homestart, which is a family support organisation.

 

So why have I been making boobs? BfN helpers and supporters use them with mums to demonstrate hand expressing and also positioning and attachment with the cloth dolls. We were given the knitted boob pattern during a class, but me being me, I had to look and see if I could find a crochet version too! Apparently the charity is always looking for knitted boobs. Each helper is given their own boob during their training) so if anyone would like to help out then you can get in touch with the BfN or comment here, or email me (bluekasha@aol.com) and I'll put you in touch with my course tutor.

I have been looking for a pattern for a 'boob beanie' whilst searching the interweb for crochet patterns. I don't know if you have seen them, but they are for babies to wear on their heads while having their lunch in public. A very clever (and irritated I should think!) Australian  mum came up with the idea due to being sick of all the negativity when she wanted to breastfeed her child in public. You can see it here. It basically resembles a boob. It is getting a bit cooler now, and I'm sure my little boy is in need of a new hat.... ;)

I am sure there are lots of other uses for these fabric bazoomas, especially since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month too. Boobs are amazing things, let's celebrate them :)

 

I'm linking up with Wendy for Handmade Monday as usual. Please spend any spare time you have having a look at the wonderful blogs linked up over there.

(just a quick note to my fellow bloggers... I have had a fair few problems with logging into google this week, so although I have been reading your blogs, I have been unable to post comments. Hopefully that will be resolved this week!)

Have a great week,



A Belated Happy Birthday...

...and also a belated blog post. I originally wrote this blog post this morning (whilst on the school run, I am such a multitasker!) but the blogger app on my phone decided it didn't want to do as it should, and my post was sent into the ether, never to be seen again! So here it is again...

I have wanted to share this week's make with you for several weeks really, but it was a birthday gift, and I wanted the recipient to see it before the Internet did. We have only just managed to get together, so my friend's present was fashionably late in getting to her. But at last she has it in her possession, and I can show it to you.

(Please excuse the picture quality. I wasn't really aware how rubbish the picture was until I have tried to upload it here!)

My friend is a talented jewellery maker, and I know she enjoys handmade things too. I decided to make part of her present for her, and wanted to do something I haven't done before. I have a pattern for a crocheted necklace, which I have had for a few years, and never attempted...in my defence I bought the pattern because it had a lovely flower brooch pattern, not for the necklace, and I have made the brooch a couple of times) I had some lovely pink and pale purple (I guess you could call it lilac!) cotton dk so I dug out a crochet hook and set off to make it. Each of the flowers is hand sewn on, with a button at its centre, I initially was going to use the same buttons, but decided in the end that a variety would be more effective, and I'm glad I chose to do that. I am also pleased that I didn't make as many flowers as there are on the pattern as I think I got the balance just right, more flowers would have looked too heavy I think.
I like the effect of it overall, and I think crocheted jewellery is something I might look into doing again. not sure I'll go for the wire version though, as pretty as it is, I think I like the soft look that using cotton gives.

Of course I will be linking up with Wendy for handmade Monday and as soon as I get a few spare minutes I'll be having a look at the fab blogs showcased there. If you have liked what you have read here, then you will definitely like the bloggers who take part in Handmade Monday, so do yourselves a favour and have a look!

I am hoping to have a new little venture up and running in the next few days. It is in response to a few requests from friends, as well as a new direction my family life is taking...more will be revealed soon.

Have a great week!

A very clever lady :)

 

Not me, I have to say! But my very good friend Angela.  The beautiful boy is admittedly made by me (guess that makes me a bit clever, eh?!) But the changing mat he's lying on was made by Angela as a present for Caelan for his baptism yesterday.  I love it!
I have to admit that this time round I've really not bothered with a changing mat. I tend to use a muslin or towel on the floor (third baby syndrome. .. how many of you double/triple mummies have done the same??) I always carry muslins as they really are the most useful tool in a mummy's arsenal, fab for so many uses, I've even made makeshift sunhats out of them! But since I have frequently had to change one child or other on a cold toilet floor having a nice padded changing mat will probably be a relief for little bums!

Angela also made the cake, and I was thrilled with that too! I just want to say thank you again, you're a very clever sausage :)

 

 

Continuing the mummy theme I have recently started a  breastfeeding helper course with BFN/Homestart which I am enjoying very much. For those who know me this will not come as any great surprise as I am definitely 'pro boobs' Formula milk has it's place for those who can't/don't want to breastfeed but I don't think enough is done to support mums-to-be to make an informed choice about how they feed their babies or support them to actually do it successfully.  I am looking forward to being able to play a little part in changing that and hopefully attitudes towards breastfeeding will change in the future.  It's really been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I will be quite sad when Caelan decides he doesn't want boob anymore.  Maybe helping other mums might make that a little bit easier.
I'm linking up with Wendy at  Handmade Harbour  for Handmade Monday even though I'm cheating and didn't make anything this week (except the food for Caelan's baptism! ) and when I get chance I'll be having a wander over myself.
Have a great week. Til next time!

Breakfast with Peppa Pig

Like many little girls, my daughters both love Peppa Pig. And pancakes.  In my local supermarket they sell a pancake mix in a bottle with the little cheeky piggy on the front. You may have seen them.
I'm a purist when it comes to cooking I'm afraid and I really do roll my eyes at a lot of the 'instant' products you can buy. Some have their place, don't get me wrong. I have been known to pick up the odd bread mix and the little cupcake kits for the kids. But some just encourage laziness (ready made mash? Really??) and quite honestly save you neither time, money or effort. Pancake mix comes into this category for me. What can be easier, or cheaper, than flour eggs and milk whisked together? So I have always steadfastly walked passed pancake mixes. Until a couple of weeks ago. I bought a pancake mix in a bottle.  The one with the pig on the front.
In my defence it was in one of those bargain shops so was well under a quid, and i bought it to take away with us so we could still have pancakes. They were obviously a hit, as is anything remotely chocolaty. When we got home, I had to try it out myself.  So I did, and they were enjoyed by both girls (anyone with kids will understand the importance of that!) This is how I did it.
I make no excuse for using American measurements by the way despite disliking the Americanisation of our culture (don't start me off on that!) But using cups as a measuring tool when you need to be quick and/or have toddlers pulling at your leg nakes things so much easier.
Mash a ripe banana, the riper the better, and add an egg and a generous dollop of honey. Mix well and then add 3/4 cup of flour (whatever you have to hand) and a desert spoonful of cocoa powder. Add 1/2 cup of milk and mix well. Be aware you will have some lumps - it's the banana! Pour small amounts of the mixture into a preheated frying pan. And treat as you would any pancake. This is a little thicker than the pancakes we make for Shrove Tuesday.  Cook until bubbles form on the surface and flip over to brown the other side. Serve with fruit, syrup or whatever else takes your fancy. The mixture makes about 6 pancakes depending on your generosity,  and 1pancake with a helping of fruit is enough for my 2yr old, while my 4 yr old will often have 2. 
I suspect this will make a good weaning food when my son is ready for food, but obviously if you are making this for children under 12mths old you must omit the honey. It's not good for their bellies. The banana is sweet enough not to require additional sweetness I think.
Give it a try :)

A little holiday project.

I couldn't come away without bringing a little bit of something to do, even though I've not managed to do much yet. So I brought the little bag I made (and shared) a few weeks ago, which I've turned into my 'little project' bag...it's just the right size to hold a few balls of yarn and a hook. Inside there are several balls of different coloured yarns, a hook and scissors and yarn needle. I am making a granny square throw,  something I've said I'll make for ages but not quite got round to. I'm know I'm not alone with the planned-but-never-quite-started project! What's yours? I'm aiming to make squares as and when I can, in between other things, though being honest I do seem to have a few unfinished projects lying around. ...

I've also brought a little project for Caoimhe to do. We watched Kirstie Allsop together a month or so back and Caoimhe was fascinated by the cross stitch she did. So I searched for a little child's kit for her, eventually finding one for a couple of quid in Wilkos. We've made a little start on it but really need to get time on our own to do it I think as Tig was desperate to get involved too. It has been some time since I last did a cross stitch too so I am a bit rusty!

It's time to have a look at  Handmade Monday  and see what everyone's been up to. And we should get ready for a (rather wet) day out in York. Have a great week.

Til next time!