FELT!

One of my favourite craft activities, is Felting. Felting is the action of matting wool together, to make it into felt. I invited my firends over last night and we made purses. Felting around a template (sponges in this case) is known as 3D or resist felting.

A great tutorial is here.

We had a great night - I love it when I get to see my friends, have a glass of wine and do an activity I enjoy!

 This pink one is mine - yet to be finished.

 

 

A mash up of Family/WIAW #17/Recipe no. 5

I mentioned that Paul made us the most amazing pancake meal courtesy of Jamies 15 minute meals last week.. It was so good that we had it again at the weekend. A-MAZ-ING!

Smoky maple pancetta/fluffy corn & chilli pancakes (we substitute the maple syrup and pancetta for honey and bacon!)

The batter has sweetcorn and chilli's in it

 I am so in love with avocado right now!

 SOOOOOO TASTY!

 A good meal to fuel Paul - pic from last Sunday as he set off for his first half marathon

We get veg boxes from 5aday (see here) and I think they are such great value that I thought I would share this weeks - I don't get them regularly,

 but its super exciting when I do and seeing what you've got to cook with

My sister and Leif visited, and we skyped with my parents who are still on holiday. Its my Mums birthday today - Happy Birthday Nonee!! Love you bestest x x

I took a million shots of Leif with his big cousins, but I didn't get a single decent shot!

Clanettes, Lochie has insisted I blog about his new aeroplane project. We went out with my sister whilst they were here and the Bigs spent a bit of pocket money - Bebe on some new paints, and Lochie on this aeroplane that now needs painting - a tricky job for me, a Mumma who does not hammer! However, I think we cracked it! (not literally! Phew)

Happy Wednesday, thanks for reading x x x

Sum it Up on Su.. er.. Monday!

Apologies for the delay Clanettes! Yesterday was manic and I have so much to share that I didn't manage to finish writing everything before the day was over. So Sum it Up on Monday it is this week!

Monday
I signed all my contracty bits with Kiddicare today and I start on Sat 23rd March. I'm hugely excited!! As part of my contract, I'm obliged not to talk about them online, so from now I may refer to work, but I won't really be talking about them again - except to say I'm sure they're going to be a great employer and I looked forward to a long working relationship with them!!

Tuesday
Lucys birthday and crafting today - see last weeks post here.
It was also pancake day and Paul cooked an amazing pancake tea -  courtesy of Jamie's 15 minute meals.

Wednesday
Niamhs birthday! See that post here. Thank you for such lovely feedback on Niamhs birth story. It was a great experience and I was very lucky - I would always recommend a midwife!!

Thursday
Valentines day and MRI day! Paul worked from home today, so I could go to the hospital this afternoon. Paul and are aren't particularly romantic, we know we love each, we know its for this life and the next, but its not something we express all the time. I was totally shocked and thrilled with 3 little parcels and a beautiful card this morning. Then dinner too!

Paul admitted he loves me more than bike - BIG admission.. bhahahahaha!

 This is a print by Josephine Wall - The tree spirit and the dryad - see here.

Salmon en Croute (My fave meal of all time!) with asparagus and edamame beans.

 Washed down with sparkling wine and a cheeky lemon mousse for pud. Thank you Paul xx

The MRI was dull. The traffic was the most hideous bit, and I don't find anything out til next Monday 25th. Fingers crossed - although I don't know if I am more worried that they WILL find something, or that they WON'T..? You know..?

Friday

Inset day - the kidlets and I went out about, see that post here.

Saturday and Sunday
All three kidlets went to stay with Rae Rae and Chester over night on Saturday! Paul and I dropped them off at 2pm and collected them at 11am the following day..! We dropped them off, then went to Paul's gym for a swim, before heading to Sainsburys/M&S for a spot of browsing and dinner choosing, before renting 'Taken 2' and having a quiet night. I still awake stupidly early on Sunday morning, mooching around a bizarrely silent house! We cooked a nice breakfast and then Paul set off to run back to Rachel's and I left a while later in the car.. He ran his first half marathon! So proud of him!! 13.1miles!!

Thank you so much Rach and Chez, they had such a brilliant time and are brimming with the excitement from a sleep over at your house.

After we had collected them, we all went back to Paul's gym and went swimming. We then dashed home so that I could get to my last swimming lesson.

A great last session it was too. Chris, the instructor, commented on my breast stroke 'I would be hard pushed to find another swimmer in a normal lane swim doing a better technique..' Thanks very much! I feel so much better about the strokes really, and I just need to keep my practice up. I was the only one bumped up to the advanced group if and when I book anymore. I have LOVED the sessions! I will def book again.

So that was us next week. Another week of no exercise. I ache to get back on my bike, or go out for a run and I am looking forward to moving forward with the consultant next week.

Today we mostly...

Inset day

The Biglets are on half term next week, and today was an inset day. Lucy and I enjoyed our crafting session at Bellacrafts so much on Tuesday, that we decided to take the children (She has two girls) this morning, and make a day of it with a picnic and a riverside walk afterwards - we were rewarded with sunshine! Normally our half term jaunts are on the wettest of days.

 Making full use of the 7 seats!

At home, Lochie is quick to be distracted from crafting, by the TV or the computer or his tablet and so it was fabulous today to see him get so involved in his creations.

Niamh handily fell asleep with the help of Lucy, and so she got a rejuvenating nap in - perfectly timed!

Bebe is an avid drawer, painter and creator and she has full reign on our craft supplies at home. It is usually the first thing she does when we have down time.

After a picnic lunch we had a fab sunny walk by the river in Winchester, alongside St Catherines hill. Just perfect! The path is great and I want to bring Paul and kidlets bikes back to this spot!

 Niamh got in on the action and everyone had soon stripped off their coats.

 Sisters xx

Trying to get a decent group shot was difficult! As was trying to get a self portrait with the Bigs!

 That face Bebe!!

Much better!

A great day, and some well worn out children! Phew. Just enough time for a coffee at Lucy's before home time and tea.
Next week is half term and we have a busy week scheduled, which I will obviously share with you in detail!

Happy half term Clanettes x x