Today we met ....

The newest addition to our extended family ...

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This is Beth - she is my sister-in-law, Debbie's little bundle of fun :)  She's a miniature Schnauzer and is 10 weeks old.  Deb and Dave drove up to Cambridge on Thursday to pick her up but we haven't had a chance to go and meet her until today.

 Emily has declared that she's fallen in love!!

 Beth seemed to think Emily was quite tasty also ;o)

Her fingers and her hair were particular favourites!  

Unfortunately the photos aren't great because a) the lighting wasn't good and b) Beth wouldn't keep still!!  

And because these days I have to have at least one photo of my gorgeous Granddaughter (biased .... me???)

Alice Rose in the little outfit I bought her on Saturday. I couldn't resist it - look at the flower and the little bird, does this not say scrapbooking? Too cute! (yes, the outfit and Alice :o)  ).  Hope you've had a good weekend.
xx

Kay's birthday

Yesterday was my sister Kay's birthday and the birthday tea was held at her daughter, Theresa's house. I was looking after one of Hugh's friend's son, George for the afternoon so he came with us.

George is 8.5 months and was so good. He doesn't know me very well but was happy to come to me and we had no problems.  The photo hasn't turned out well at all but I'll add it in anyway because one thing it does show is George's foot moving ;o).  His little feet hardly kept still - he'd sit playing with the toys with his feet going round and round. Too cute! He enjoyed a little bit of chocolate cake and the snacks his Mummy had packed for him but I think he was happy to see his Daddy when he arrived to pick him up.

 My Mum and Dad were there - Mum's camera out and ready :)

Kay, holding Alyssa, Tyler and Theresa ready for the candles to be blown out. Tyler was ready to help his Nanny and had also helped his Mummy with the baking the day before. Well done Tyler! :)

Emily is always ready to relax after getting home from school and yesterday took a book with her to read. I didn't take as many photos as I would normally and missed getting my brother Iain and Claire. :(

Not well :(

Poor little Alice hasn't been very well since yesterday. She's got a cold which has resulted in a stuffy nose, coughing and sneezing and when she tries to "talk" her little voice is quite hoarse.  

 Today hasn't been much better and for a while she lay on one of the quilts while Claire was sitting on the floor and despite obviously not feeling herself, she was still giving us little smiles.

We're not sure if she might be teething as she's dribbling a lot more and chewing on her fists. When I rubbed her gums they do feel quite hard and there are a few little bumps. I guess only time will tell!

Hope you're feeling better soon little one xx

Chicken Cannelloni

Just a recipe for today.  Last night Craig made "Chicken" Cannelloni for dinner and it was really tasty.  We couldn't get minced chicken so we used minced turkey but I don't think it made much difference. Next time I would probably have two Cannelloni tubes and some salad because it was very filling.

Chicken Cannelloni  (Serves 4)

1 tbsp  Olive Oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped
1 small garlic clove, crushed
40g (1.5 oz.) mushrooms, chopped
0.5 tsp dried mixed herbs
225g (8 oz) minced chicken
1 x 200g (7 oz) can tomatoes
0.5 tbsp tomato ketchup

Cheese Sauce

30g (1.5 oz) butter

30g (1.5 oz) flour

0.5 tsp paprika

400ml (14 fl oz) milk

100g (3.5 oz)cheddar, grated

8 no pre-cook cannelloni tubes

Heat oil in a saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic for 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms, herbs and chicken and sauté for 3 minutes. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and ketchup and simmer for 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4, then make the cheese sauce. Melt the butter, then stir in the flour and paprika and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to the boil and then simmer, stirring until thickened. Stir in 50g (2oz) of the grated Cheddar.

Stuff the cannelloni tubes with the chicken filling and arrange them in a shallow oven proof dish. Pour over the cheese sauce, sprinkle with the remaining Cheddar cheese and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.