It's quite shocking that it was way back in September when I started this scarf and when I first wrote about it here. There was an update in December, but in the end it took until February to finally finish my first chart based piece of knitting. Whilst I really enjoyed the challenge of this complex piece I have to admit to being relieved that it's over. Trying to keep track of where I was all the time (there's a 60 row pattern in which doesn't have any repeats within those 60 rows!) meant that I ended up using a lot of stitch markers and had to refer to the ... read more
Mrs C’s going to Blog Camp
After blogging for nearly four years now 2012 is the year that I'm finally coming out of the "blogge closet" to more than just the other St Albans mummy bloggers. When I started writing I wrote anonymously, but now that I'm not working and have moved more into the "mummy blogging" category that anonimity has slowly slipped away. In April I'm delighted that I will be going to Blog Camp up in Birmingham and in doing so any leftover anonimity will be totally laid to rest. We've all been asked to post a little introduction about ourselves saying who ... read more
Helen’s egg parcels
I've been making a bit of an effort recently to come up with some new things for Little Miss C to eat, especially at lunchtimes. An economy drive means I've been reducing portions for myself and Mr C in the evening, but then that it turn means that any leftovers are big enough to do another evening meal for both of us and hence there's not a small portion left to cover a meal for LMC. Once again I have returned to the fantastic River Cottage Baby and Toddler Cookbook which never fails to give me some kitchen inspiration. This time round I went for Helen's egg parcels which have ... read more
Good Wives – Louisa May Alcott
To follow on from reading Little Women I then moved on to Good Wives - a natural progression as they were originally two volumes of the same book. Good Wives does take things a step further as it covers how the four women have developed into young women. There are marriages and babies as well as tears and sadness. Despite being published in 1869 what amazed me about Good Wives is just how much of that transition from young woman, to young lady, to wife and then to mother is still the same today. The chapter entitled "Domestic Experiences" follows Meg as she ... read more
Chocolate Tiffin
A sure sign that a recipe is a good one is the fact that I have completely failed to take a photograph of the finished article every time I've made it as it never stays around our kitchen for very long! If you love gooey, chocolate treats then this is definietly the recipe for you. It's incredibly simple and doesn't require the oven at all. I found it handwritten in the back of my old school home economics book and it's noted as having come from a family friend. I remember making it with my mum and sister as a child and making it again now it still tastes just as good as I ... read more
Making the most of the good weather
After the snow earlier in the month this warmer spell recently has been a wonderful change. We managed to spend a large portion of the weekend in the garden and the fresh air made all of us feel so much better. It also gave us the opportunity to get quite a few jobs done that we've been putting off since the autumn. Weeds were cleared, the apple tree pruned and dead leaves swept up. We also finally assembled and put up one of our Christmas presents - this lovely birdhouse made from cardboard! Over on UK Nature Blog Mr C has told you all about it and he'll also be reporting ... read more
seven days
A weekly photograph capturing one of the magic moments of the last seven days. ... read more
It’s not what you think – Chris Evans
I think it fair to say that Chris Evans is someone who divides the country. From his loudmouth days on the Big Breakfast through to the controvesy when he took over from the "Nation's Favourite" Terry Wogan on Radio 2 he's often been on the front pages with people praising and criticising him in equal measure. As a teenager at the time I loved the Big Breakfast and also was a regular viewer of TFI Friday and Don't Forget your Toothbrush. When he then went back to radio I didn't really follow him, yet it was hard to escape all the stories in the media about him buying ... read more
The advantages of shopping local
As much as I love the internet and do plenty of online shopping (including my weekly supermarket shop) I am really trying to make sure that I use my local shops too. If you don't use them then I figure that you've no right to complain if they then close. As I've mentioned on here many times before I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful local toyshop in St Albans in the form of Cuthberts Toys. When a friend was asking on Facebook if anyone knew where to get hold of some specific Octonauts toys that she'd promised her daughter as a reward for having to take some particularly nasty ... read more
Pancakes
We don't normally bother with pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, but I thought we'd make a small effort this year. A very small one. Only problem was that my tossing wasn't really up to the required level... Please don't laugh. ... read more