De Ja Vu!

 

Well today started much the same as yesterday. It was rather miserable looking outside, but that cheeky chappy blackbird was back to sing me his delightful song again.

I did all my usual "first thing in the morning" chores, checked my Recycled Teenager next door was up and ok, then packed the car ready to see yesterday's Recycled Teenager.

 

 

 

 

I put my keys in the ignition, fully expecting to hear that lovely hum of the engine ( which has got to be the second best sound after the washing machine!) only to get that "de ja vu" feeling!

Although there was a slight murmur coming from under the bonnet, it was nowhere near enough to turn over the engine.

Hubby's current diagnosis is, not a long enough run last night, we shall see what tomorrow brings. Needless to say I shall be filled with a tad trepidation tomorrow morning.

 

 

So with my day once again not turning out as I had planned, I thought I would set to and do something I haven't managed to find the time to do recently.

Murphy the Schnauzer really needs to be put together in the next week or so, so he was put to top of the list this morning.

He is still not quite finished, and the neck isn't sitting right, so I will unpick it and redo later.

I am still putting off cutting his hair, once its cut there is no going back!

 

 

 

We had already planned to go shopping with some friends, so thankfully we didn't need our car for that as we had arranged to go in theirs. We visited one of our favourite shops "Tiger" and bought a pile of chocolate note books for end of term teacher/LSA presents. At £1 each they are fun and affordable, I will get bars of chocolate to go with them

 

 

I also picked up another packet of the BBQ and Grill seasoning which hubby had raved about on last Sundays roast chicken . Again only a pound a pack.

 

 

 

 

 

Just as we were returning to the car park, the sun came out! After two days confined to home it was lovely to be out and about. My sympathies go to those who do not have the privileges  I generally have, and spend many days, sometimes every day, within the same four walls.

 

 

 

When we arrived home, I was thrilled to see the sun had enticed my yellow flowers, which have been in tight bud for a while, to come out and brighten up our garden. A friend gave me a small clump of these flowers seven or eight years ago and they never fail to come up every year, and spread prolifically. Anyone know what they are called?

 

So, that was my de ja vu day and I am once again reminded  the scriptures say "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Proverbs 27

New Found Respect!

 

Well today started, like any other Monday, although a little colder and gloomier than we have become accustomed to. However it was hard to feel gloomy with this chirpy little blackbird paying a visit to my washing pole, singing the most glorious song. Little did I know how unusual my day was going to be!

 

 

 

Around 9.15am, Teen One and I set out to pay our weekly visit to one of my Recycled Teens. We loaded the car up with the vacuum ( having discovered last week she has a silverfish investation!) and chatted idly as I put the key in the ignition. Turned the key...nothing...turned it absent mindedly again...nothing. On the third attempt I paid close attention, ensuring I wasn't doing something silly...even checked I had the right keys with me ( now that WAS silly!)

Nope, the car was as dead as a dodo. 

First thing to do was call hubby! His first diagnosis was the starter motor had gone. "Put the car in fourth gear and rock it back ward and forward" was the suggestion. So out Teen One and I got and proceeded to do as we were told. Nope...that didn't work. Next instruction was "check all around the car and see if you can see any signs of it being tampered with." Out we went, look all around ( not really being sure what signs to look for...but all looked normal.) Nope, next idea " is the interior light switch on?" I look up "is it supposed to be flat?" I asked "Yes!" replies the oracle. Hmmm....I think we have found the answer!

Having no idea how long the light had been "not flat", and not having used it for a couple of days....it was looking suspiciously like we had a flat battery on our hands.

Well that was that. Nothing for it but to call my dear Recycled Teen and tell her we would have to come tomorrow instead.

As I was trying to lock the car ( the key fob button now not working properly) my neighbours son pulled up...hoping to park where I currently was. I explained I had suspected flat battery and wasn't going anywhere in a hurry today.

He kindly offered to use his jump leads to get the car started and advised I went for a drive straight after. Initially I declined, knowing he had an appointment to get his dad to, but when he said it had been cancelled I thought, well at least we could rule out the battery by giving it a go and it may just work.

So he got out his brand new leads...from his brand new car. The first shock was....when you lift a car bonnet you are not always faced with mucky greasy grimy pieces of engine! I have never seen anything so clean!  I then dreaded him opening mine...even touching the bonnet to open it! I told Teen One to rush in and get a rag for him to use. Hmm...another problem... she had let herself in earlier.....I hadn't realised she hadn't brought the keys back out and she hadn't realised I hadn't either! So we were now shut out of the house! Thankfully my neighbour has a spare set...but this day was not getting off to the start we had intended!

Having got his bonnet open and the leads in his hand, my neighbours son then seemed to have a problem....how to access his battery..."I think I might need your help" he said. He thinks he might need my help??? How little he knows me! What do I know about cars! He is a real petrol head, knows the price of any car you can name, goes to all the motor shows, buys all the car magazines....and now he is asking for my help? Having offered a little advice ( I can at least understand basic symbols!) he got the plastic casing off. Next problem was...where to attach the lead...well....I really was lost on that one. However he decided on what looked like a good place and then the time came to open up my bonnet! Oh my...what a terrible dark and dirty place it looked. He was VERY grateful for the rag and proceeded to use it like someone with OCD!

Next problem was...where does he attach it to my battery? Having seen  hubby do it countless times ( but don't ask me just where the lead had to go) I knew it was possible to attach the lead with little problem.....I was beginning to develop a new found respect for my dear hubby! The son very quickly conceded defeat and went away rather sad that he wasn't able to be the hero of the day.

 

 

 

 

There was nothing for it, Teen One and I were going to have to rethink our day.

I suggested that whilst I got on with some very mundane ironing, she make some cakes for Friday's kids party.

 

 

She got on with that little task and had enough mixture left over to make a little batch of  Cake Pops.

 

 

 

After a morning of working, Teen One asked if we could see if the new Annie film was available on download. This is something we do so rarely, I can't even remember how long ago we did it!  I thought we deserved a little treat,  and how many 17 year olds ask to watch such  innocent films?

Having loved the original version many times when the Teens were small...I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the new take on this classic...however it was just as good.

 

 

 

With no new project on the go, but having the need to do something with my time other than watch a film, I remembered I had a bag of chunky wool given to me  ( curses...just as I was trying to reduce my stash!) so decided to knit a loop scarf with it....not sure if I will keep it or donate it. It certainly grows fast anyway!

 

 

With the film finished, it was time to get back to being a housewife...a bit of cleaning, tidying, and the making of a chicken pie for tonights dinner.

Here I developed another new found respect!!

As soon as I started to roll the pastry out, I realised something was wrong...it was falling apart with every push of the rolling pin. I put my hand into the flour jar to add a bit more flour, to see if this would help....I immediately realised something was wrong....the flour didn't feel right at all!  "Teen One" I called out....."what flour did you use this morning?"  "I ran out of flour in the jar, so used the white self raising flour in the cupboard" I looked in the cupboard and realised straightaway , she had used the gluten free flour, and then proceeded to be helpful and fill up the jar I keep regular flour in!

I found the pastry impossible to handle and had a very definite new found respect and sympathy for our gluten intolerant friends who have to use this flour all the time!

There was no way I was going to be able to roll this stuff out and line a pastry dish....so I squidged it into small piles and then used the scone cutter to turn the chicken pie into chicken cobbler!

 

 

I have no idea how it is going to turn out! I will keep you all posted!

 

 

 

 

With no car, that meant no shopping, so no fresh provisions....but at least I still had a new head of broccoli I had bought on Friday....well, I might still have it...but it had turned a very unpleasant shade of yellow and developed a very unpleasant smell! The light in this picture is being VERY kind...its hard to see any green on it in real life!

So frozen peas it is (sorry Teen Two!) at least we have some carrots and sweet potato to go with it!

 

 

 

To end with , I thought I would share with you the very pretty hair clip Teen One has been wearing today. In the shape of a mini Jammy Dodger...isn't it adorable!

Its made me smile each time I saw it.

It was made by Food Jewellery Direct and we were delighted with the hassle free transaction.

 

Whilst today was not the one we had planned...it has been a productive and comical one and a reminder that whilst we think we are in control of our lives and plans... as Psalm 31 reminds us "our times are in His Hands!"

 

A Quiet Day at Home

 

Our cat Milly  sleeps most of the day...and most of the night...she has got to be the most inactive cat ever! She regularly finds a new "favourite" nap spot, sometimes she is impossible to find!

I noticed the other day the dolls house door was open. Now I know it was played with by our friend's foster child the other day, but I know I had pushed it shut...but may not have put the hook on to shut it securely. It doesn't however  open by itself. Not only did I see the door wide open...I saw one or two pieces of furniture on the floor. "Odd" I thought to myself.

Yesterday I saw Milly, squished in to the doll's house garden! So I suspect she tried to find a cosy space in the house but gave up and investigated the garden instead! She has been there almost all day.

 

 

 

Very unusually Crystal was also in the same room....they tend to sleep in separate areas. Maybe this was the warmest room in the house today...it has been rather overcast, damp at times and a little chilly for July!

 

 

 

We gave Grandma her weekly game of Scrabble as usual, after lunch.

Hubby won.....but when you hear not only did he get the Z and the Q, he managed to place both of them on TRIPLES you will see how he stormed into the lead and stayed there! I lost...but blame that on having 6 vowels throughout almost the entire game...and mostly O's and I's...although I did manage to use two O's at the same time AND on a triple word square...albeit it I only scored 12, but it did at least prevent hubby from boosting his score there!

 

 

 

We are planning to visit Bristol in the not too distant future, to attempt the Shaun In the City Trails.

We thoroughly enjoyed  Gromit Unleashed last year and so promised ourselves we would make the journey back this year.

We heard that one of our Sunday School family's were going this weekend, so asked them to pick up a map if they saw any.

They kindly picked us up a couple and we have already had some fun looking at the titles, designers, and choosing which trails we might do.

If you haven't done one of these and are in driving distance, its worth the visit and is a great day out and not only that, is raising a lot of money for charity.

Aside from the usual cooking of a roast, couple of baskets of laundry done etc, its been a quiet day at home with the family all around me...who could ask for anything more! And just to top it off...hubby cleared up after dinner for me!

A lovely day that nearly didnt happen.

 

 

For some months now we have been looking forward to today. A young peoples event, some serious stuff and some fun plus plenty of food, and only an hours drive from home. As you know I have been preparing food for the last day or so to take along too.

Last night however, we didn't think we were going to make it. Teen One came and woke me at almost 11pm to say she had bad tummy pains. She had already taken some painkillers, but it hadn't touched the pain. We went through lots of possible options, but couldn't come up with why she was in so much pain, or get her into a position where the pain was alleviated a bit.

We went through NHS direct symptom checker and had two options....see our GP in 36 hours or, if we answered questions differently...go straight to A&E! By 1am we were totally shattered, hubby went to the spare bedroom and Teen One stayed with me. I am very glad to say that around half an hour later the pain had finally gone.

It was gone 2am before I dropped off, then at 4am was woken by her sneezing with her hayfever!   I had set my alarm for 6am so I could get up and put the finishing touches to the Jam Jar puds, so altogether had around 3hours sleep! Teen One however felt well, so we decided to continue with the day as planned.

The weather was lovely and during the afternoon some of the Young people had a game of football on the field whilst Teen One and hubby watched in the shade. Teen Two enjoyed the game....but I think he was in the sun too much as he then had a headache for a couple of hours!

 

 

 

 

The Jam Jar puds went down well....the first to go were the Oreo Sundaes and Chocolate Brownie Sundaes.

Lots of people complimented me on what a good idea it was and they were going to steal it... however I assured them they wouldn't be stealing it as I had also been inspired by seeing someone else make them.

I was surprised that the three left over were Eton Mess...I would have expected them to go first! There were plenty of desserts to choose from so I was surprised only three didn't go actually.

All of the White Chocolate Torte went and I was asked to share the recipe.

I covered it with strawberries and jelly beans...very colourful!

 

 

 I am always on the look out for new ideas when it comes to working with children, I rather like this "Boatyard" theme the church used for the children's reward chart.

 

 

 

 I also was rather taken with this handprint crab...

 

 

 

and orange octopus/jelly fish handprint...

 

 

 

 

Despite the day almost being a non starter, and the blip in the middle with Teen Two, we have made it home, having had lots of fun, made some new friends, and been inspired to read and study our Bibles more.

 

With young people being more techie than their older counterparts, it was great to have someone given them guidance and advice on digital study helps. STEP was one recommended and is free to download, if any of you are interested.

Baking Hot!

 

 

Well today was probably not the best day to do a batch of baking...as its so hot!! However I needed to prepare a few bits ahead of tomorrow's Young Peoples Bible Study Day we plan to attend.

As you can see, I  baked another batch of Oreo Brownies. I can fast see this become a regular feature in our household. Both the Teens love Oreo anything!

 

 

 

I decided to make good use of the oven being on and all the baking stuff out and make a plain sponge mixture. I had an idea in  my head to use some Dariol moulds to make some sandcastle cakes for next weeks Friday Club "party." Even with their little flags on top...they look a bit like Daleks to me!!

I have another idea for cakes which I will share with you next week.

 

 

 

One of the desserts I am taking tomorrow is White Chocolate Truffle Dessert.

It's very calorific, so very tasty!! I am going to decorate with the strawberries when we arrive, if I do it before the fruit will "bleed" on the way and not look nearly so attractive!

The dessert is really easy to make:

 

Your usual biscuit base ( I used 8oz crushed digestive biscuits and 4oz melted butter)

400g white chocolate ( I used Lidls 39p)

300ml Fromage frais OR sour cream ( I used sour cream today)

300ml double cream

 

Prepare biscuit base and leave to chill

Place cream in saucepan and bring to boil stirring constantly.

Turn off heat, add chocolate and stir till melted

Leave to cool completely

Add fromage frais/sour cream.

Stir well and pour over base

Leave to chill at least 3 hours.

Serve with fresh fruit.

 

I have also served this in pretty tea cups without (and with!) the biscuit base with a few raspberries on top.

 

I am part way through making a batch of Jam Jar Puds and will show you them tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 For anyone wondering...the lilies are open.....a beautiful shade of cream although they look white here!

 

 

 

 

 Yesterday Teen One and I cut out a pile of "coats" to use for our Joseph and his coat of many colours story today. We had initially intended that they use fabric scraps to  design their coats with, but as time was of the essence tonight, we just gave them crayons and felt tips. They had a great time, despite my reservations it wouldn't be interesting enough!

Round and Round the Garden!

 

 

When I took a little walk into the garden this morning, I was sad to see a cat (not one of ours, they are in all night) had broken one of my dahlia plants. The poor flowers was lying flat on the ground. However, I thought, well at least we can appreciate it indoors.

 

 

 

At our Mother and Toddler group this morning, one of the mums, whose son is starting preschool in Sept, came in with a bunch of flowers for us all! How thoughtful! So....my kitchen shelf has yesterday's lovely flowers from my neighbours son and now a vase of flowers! Add that to the broken dahlias and those from my friend at the weekend, we now have a house full of lovely flowers!

 

 

 

It was my turn for the activity with the tots today. I made up a "Round and Round the garden" craft. We sing the song each week, so I thought it would be fun to re-create it! All you need is a paper plate, split pin, green paper for grass (snipped on the edges to give the effect of grass), teddy shape and glue.

Let the tots draw flowers on the grass. Glue to the plate, attach teddy with split pin. Add any facial features ( I used googly eyes and let them draw a mouth and nose) then sing the song with them as they make teddy go round and round...don't forget to "tickly under there" at the end...they all laughed at that!

 

 

Teen One applied for a  playworker position with disabled children last week. Today she had a call to say was she coming for her interview...in an hour!! We were shopping at the time, so just had time to rush home, have some lunch, check why she hadn't seen the email  (curse that junk folder!) and then get changed.

This was her first proper interview...and within a few hours she was offered the job. We are thrilled for her. It will be valuable experience for her and will add to her Personal Statement for her up and coming Uni applications.

 

 

Teen One has started to get preparations ready for our up and coming Summer Quiz night and Indoor BBQ for the Friday club kids. She has filled these plastic ice cream cones with summer themed sweets. The task was made more complicated by us not realising the ice cream cone shaped ice lolly moulds were actually all attached (doh....of course they would be!) So we had to cut them all up first, sand down any rough edges...took the best part of an afternoon! However the job is now done and our treats are starting to come together :)

Can you see the spot where she sat!

 

 

Well I Didn't Know That!!

 

 

They say you learn something new every day...and today is no exception! I  have always admired fuischa bushes and recently treated myself to one. I noticed yesterday the flowers had been replaced by berries.

 

 

I wondered if I ought to "dead head" them to encourage some more flowering.  Whilst still thinking about it, Teen One noticed the change in the bush and asked what they were as they looked like berries. That prompted me to go online and see what I ought to do about them.

Well....what a surprise! It seems the berries are edible!! I didn't take the word of the first website, but checked the Royal Horticultural Society's page....yep...all varieties of fuschia are edible!

 

 

 

I picked a small cups worth....Teen One and I bravely tasted one....and actually...they aren't too bad at all.  A bit  like a bland blueberry. Not distasteful at all, probably better with a bit of sugar added maybe. You live and learn don't you!

 Here are some recipes for you to try !

 

 

I mentioned a couple of days ago I was going to try out a twist on an old recipe ( see below)...Oreo Brownies.

This is it before it was baked, and this is it after...

 

 

 

I reckon the experiment worked! I had wondered if the cream filling would melt but nope, the cookies are all intact! The Teens certainly think so!!

 

 

Here's a little tip my mother in law learnt from her mother in law! Save butter wrappers in the freezer. When you need to line a baking tray, just take out a butter wrapper and you have a ready greased liner...for free! I made the mistake of keeping them in the fridge initially...but the butter goes rancid pretty quickly, so the freezer is the best place.

 

 

 

A friend came for lunch, so we treated ourselves to a loaf of Morrisons  Cranberry and Pumpkin Seed loaf. It really is delicious.

 

 

Just as I was typing today's blog, my neighbours son popped in with this beautiful Pot Mum...how thoughtful!

 

 

Chocolate Brownies

 

175g marg

350g caster/granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

3 eggs

125g plain flour

1 level teaspoon baking powder

50g cocoa

175g  walnuts (optional)

 

Melt marg, add sugar and essence. Break in beaten eggs gradually. Sift in flour,baking powder and cocoa. Beat well. Add walnuts if using.

Pour into greased baking tray (9" x 12"). If using Oreos, break up enough to make a good covering and add to top of mixture.

 

Bake at 180 f for approx. 40mins, until skewer inserted comes out clean.