Alice's first year (photo heavy)

Can you believe Alice is now one year old! 

I thought I'd take the opportunity to choose a random photo from each month of her first year (plus a couple more ;o)  )

 Just minutes old and who could have guessed how much we'd all love her and enjoy spending as much time as possible with her. I became a bragging Grandma overnight :o)

 With Uncle Hugh

 and Aunty Em.

We were so lucky to have Claire, Craig and Alice living with us and getting to spend so much time with the new family.

 Christmas Day 2010

 2 months old

 3 months old

 With Great Aunty Debbie at 4 months

 5 months

 6 months

 At 7 months

 8 months

 9 months

 10 months

 11 months

 And on Friday, ONE YEAR OLD :o)

Trying to open presents with her teeth lol!

It was so lovely to spend time with Alice on her first birthday. Claire had a little party at the flat for her friends with children, in the morning, and then we had a family tea at our house in the afternoon.

Thank you Alice for such a fun filled year, you've brought so much joy to our lives and I feel so very lucky to be your Grandma. I can't wait to watch you grow and develop over the coming year and spend lots more time with you. I love you more than I could have imagined xxx

Cranberry Sauce

A couple of years ago Ruth did a post about a cranberry sauce she made using Nigella Lawson's recipe.  I tried it that year and have made it each year since. So, when I saw Sainsbury's had fresh cranberries in this week, I bought a couple of bags and decided to make some this week. One portion is not enough so this year I made one and a half times the recipe but should maybe have done double quantities instead.  However, I'll be looking forward to having this with Christmas lunch again this year. Thanks for sharing, Ruth :)

Redder than Red Cranberry Sauce
From Nigella Lawson's "Nigella's Christmas Kitchen 2007"

12oz/340g Fresh Cranberries
7oz/200g Caster Sugar
3 Tbsp/45ml Cherry Brandy
4 fl.oz/75ml Water
Lemon juice, optional

Place all the ingredients in a pan and cook until the liquids have reduced to a thick Cranberry Sauce.

The pectin-rich nature of the fruit means that it solidifies briskly as it cools, so take the pan off the heat to stop it from cooking and reducing when you still think there's too much liquid. Once the berries have burst, which should be after about 10 minutes, it should be ready.

Taste to test whether the sauce needs more sugar (if you find it too sweet just add some lemon juice).

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

And finally, my photo for the recipe book :)

xx

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