Keeping me busy

We moved into our house in December 2007.  We moved from a larger house and, although we had got rid of quite a lot before moving, we ended up with boxes in the garage. Nearly four years later those boxes are still in the garage and each time I walk in it bugs me. 

This week Claire had a weeks holiday and I'm not looking after Alice so it seemed like the ideal time to get stuck in in the garage and go through the boxes. I ordered a skip, which was delivered on Monday morning, but by yesterday afternoon I'd filled it. 

 I have been quite ruthless - after all, if it's been sitting in the garage for four years and we haven't really missed it we probably don't need it.

Unfortunately, I haven't finished yet. There is still quite a bit I could get rid of and at the moment I'm debating whether I should get another skip or not.  Our problem is that we have a number of old computer monitors, computers, TVs, printers and even a fax machine but these are items listed as not to be put in the skip unless you have prior written agreement.  I now have to phone the skip company and find out whether it'll cost more to dispose of those things. Another option may be to call the council and see if they'll do a collection.  Regardless, I'm feeling happier when I walk in the garage as it's not as cluttered as before which has to be a good thing. 
xx

Our weekend

Our weekend. On Saturday afternoon my nephew, Kyle and his girlfriend, Emma, came round with a birthday present for Alice and, as Craig was playing football in Eastbourne, Claire and Alice came round to spend some time with us too. 

We decided that Alice could open a couple of birthday presents early so she could take them home to play with.

 She got one from us

 which I think she liked (even if it gets used as a walker half the time)

 And she got the playtime bus from Kyle and Emma :)

We had cakes

And Emily took this photo of Jon on Rememberance Sunday. 

There was also grocery shopping to do, birthday cards to be bought, meals to be made and washing to be done. All in all, a good weekend that went too quickly.

xx

Fairy cakes

I'm still hugely inspired by the recipe book Sarah (Clover Lane) made using Blurb. I would love to make one and have now started taking photos of recipes I make.  This weekend it was chocolate fairy cakes - I have tried a number of different recipes but come back to this simple recipe time and again.

Fairy cakes (makes 12)

125g marg
125g castor sugar
125g self raising flour (for chocolate cakes I use 95g SR flour and 30g cocoa powder)
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1 Tbsp milk
1  tsp vanilla essence

Preheat oven to 220C/400F/Gas 6
Put cake cases in to muffin tin
Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until the mixture is very soft and you can't see any lumps of marg.
Spoon into paper cases
Bake for 10 - 15 minutes
Leave on a wire rack to cool before icing.

Chocolate buttercream icing

85g soft butter
150g icing sugar
25g cocoa powder
1Tbsp milk (or I used coffee for a slight difference)

Mix all ingredients together until mixture is smooth.
Pipe on to fairy cakes and top with a Malteser.

Enjoy :)

xx

Hugh and Alice

I had forgotten I'd taken these photos until I was downloading the Halloween layout photos yesterday. They were taken last Wednesday when Hugh was playing with Alice at lunch time.

I just LOVE all these photos and the expressions on Alice's face.  I think the top one is one of my current favourites!
xx