How many buttons does it take to turn off Corro?

I had to get up earlier than normal because Small needed to get to school for 8am in order to go off for MathOlympics. His original intention was to walk but it was horrible and wet and rainy and still a bit snowy. I decided to give him a lift but had to do so in my PJ's. Would never have done that in the UK. Smallest went on the bus with an extra piece of cake for MissMoll who apparently ate it at first snack and left a load of crumbs in her classroom. Smallest gave her the bigger piece by mistake.

I left Grandma and Grandad home alone as Huffle also went into the office today. Grandma had material to iron and undo and dinner to make and Grandad had engineering things to deal with in regard to the KubKars. I had to go to school to deliver the music for Smallest's talent show audition which didn't happen after all. Then I went off to knitting. Today we met ShopkeeperEl's boyf who I made the Liverpool cake for. The reason for the cake (apart from his birthday) was that he never gets Birthday cakes. Well yesterday his workmates bought him a cake and it had a Liverpool badge on it (just a printed one, not a hand cut one). El couldn't believe it!

Suffolk and I went for lunch today in a really nice Gluten Free restaurant. It was fabulous. We had a lovely waiter and great food. Leek and Chick Pea Soup which was so creamy considering there was no dairy and was Gluten free. We had a lovely time, it was nice to be like real grown-ups though we laughed a lot and were very silly. She had too much sugar in her dessert and we had to walk around to get it out of her syste. She was as silly as a ship. We popped into a shop that sold handmade goods, among other things, and Suffolk got into a conversation with the owner about us selling some stuff in there. She asked us to make things, bring them in and she would see if she wanted to sell them. Suffolk has already starting making things.

Funny tea contraptions. Made us giggle but very effective

I picked up some essentials and went home to dinner cooking, material ironed and undone and KubKars weighted. Very productive house. Huffle was home from the office too. The boys varnished the kars and we all had dinner.

Suffolk bought Smallest some Salt n vinegar crickets. Yes, real ones but dead. Grandad and Smallest ate on each 'I'm a Celebrity stylee'

Huffle and I had to go out this evening for a meeting at the new Football club. We watched a slide show explaining where the money goes and what you could and couldn't say. No shouting at the refs. Only positive comments to the team. No complaining to the coaches and if there is a complaint we have to wait for 48hours. It was a good meeting overall and Huffle agreed with everything they said except for them saying that they believed the reason for them having so many of their past players on the national team was down to the players being open to playing in different positions. He feels that they should worry about that more when their national team is doing better.

Back home we heard that we had a visit from MrsJazz who asked Smallest if his Mum was in. He said yes and went to get me before he remembered I wasn't there and he sent her away. She came with tickets for the Jazz in the Hamlet too. Silly bear!

We watched Gardeners World. Lovely.

 

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You're in big trouble!

Happy Birthday to my lovely little bear of ten today. Who would have thought the noisy little man who came into the world by Caesarian ten years ago, screaming the Operating Theatre down, making the first doctor faint and sending Huffle into the recovery room could turn into such a lovely boy. Smallest spent the next four years being more noisy and having the worst tantrums ever. When we moved to Canada he was four and he hated everything and then all of a sudden he changed overnight and became a lovely, kind, thoughtful, loving little boy. Don't get me wrong, he still has his moments but mainly he is joy to be around. He has a fabulous sense of humour if not a little sarcastic at times. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SMALLEST.

Everyone but Huffle was up before me this morning. All were sitting around the breakfast table, watching Smallest play on his tablet. No cards or presents were opened and he decided he would leave it all to the weekend. Bless him. He thought that was when we would have more time but we had a little birthday tea for him and he opened them then. We had lots of messages for him on text, Facebook, what's app etc. Thank you.

Early morning ShopKeeperEl came round to collect her cake and was very happy with it. The boys nearly missed their bus due to the kitchen clock being slow. I went off to Suffolks for a sewing lesson. I learned what to do next with the blinds plus how to make a seam on a bag I want to make and tried lots of different threads on the blind material. I came home in time for lunch.

After lunch I made a Chocolate Cake and Grandma made some dough for the pizza later. She also made jellies this morning for our tea which incidentally Grandad had forgotten he had stored them in his shoes for the journey. Pooooeeeeee. Grandad sanded, weighted and varnished and unvarnished (because it wasn't allowed) the KubKar and squirted varnish everywhere!! All of us made Simpson characters out of fondant and added them to the cake. It wasn't a masterpiece (we made it from start to finish in about two hours) but it was tasty and he was happy with it.

It started snowing and settled a bit. We caught Grandad photographing the snow. Bloomin' tourists!

Our very first snowdrops. In the snow. How fitting

Grandad had a game of 'goalie' with Smallest.

The boys came home and had a FaceTime with CousinEl and CousinDyl and a visit from ClownRose, MissMoll and LittleFin. For th birthday tea we had Pizza, Garlic Bread, Pringles and Iced Gems. Jelly and Ice Cream and Birthday Cake. He finally opened his cards and presents too.

We ended the birthday evening with a game of cards. Newmarket. Grandad won and was allowed to saunter around the kitchen.

Later there was more weighing and geek discussion on the 18 wheeler and KubKar.

 

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Lying Indian* and a Triangle Square

Yesterday I wrote about the fact I could smell Spring and hoped there would be no more snow PLEASE! This morning I woke up to a Special Weather Statement saying that on Thursday (tomorrow) we would get the last bit of snow and if not snow then rain and freezing rain. Well that's a rubbish start to Spring and a bad welcome to Grandma and Grandad. Hopefully it will have disappeared on its way from Texas.

The boys went to school and Small went on his Invention Convention to the Univesity of Toronto. He said there were lots of cool inventions there. He had a good time.

I went to aerobics and was just a little bit late and missed the holding up of the arms for too many minutes. What a shame ;). It was a good funny session as usual and I came home and made a start on the cake I was asked to make for ShopKeeperEl. Her boyf is a Liverpool Supporter. I made the cake and then realised I had used the wrong flour. We don't have a lot of Self Raising Flour here and I normally make do by using more baking powder but I specifically bought SR Flour. Luckily I wanted to make a cake to welcome Grandma and Grandad so I just made another using the correct Flour. Both cakes went into the oven and I sat and watched Broadchurch while it baked and cooled.

I got it cooled, cut and butter creamed before Huffle came down for lunch. We had lunch watching part of a Gotham episode and then I carried on decorating the cake. It didn't take me too long and I was finished by about 2:30pm. It took me ages to clear up my mess and have a shower.

Huffle went off to the airport to pick up G&G (they had been upgraded and landed 15 minutes early) and the boys came home and played basketball before coming in. Smallest and I had dinner early because of football practice. We left Small at home for football. At the end the whole team sang Happy Birthday to him.

When we got back Huffle was there with his airport pickups. Dinner had been eaten and suitcases were being opened. We had a 'few' treats.

Plus two packets of Percy pigs

We won't be eating breakfast in this table tomorrow.

*an Indian man in front of Grandma on the flight, kept putting his chair back too far squashing her. Grandad made him spill his drink several times and swore at him. Grandma thought the pilot landed too quickly (she is an expert now).

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Marvel-ous

Kids went to school with no coats. Definitely getting warmer now. I can smell Spring. Please no more snow.

Huffle worked in the loft and I went off to work in the greenhouse with Jeff, Pat and Jan. Lots of potting on for the next show in a week or so. Lots of potting up seedlings. For coffee break we had a lovely lemon square. Ummm I have that recipe, maybe time for some.

I came home for lunch with Huffle and we sat and watched some of Gotham. We are both so tired. My fault for not sleeping well or snoring or waking up. Don't know why!

This afternoon I crocheted whilst Facetimeing Moo. We chatted for ages and she saw the boys come home. Not that they spoke really as they were playing basketball but they managed a wave to two. Small has a trip tomorrow to the Toronto University with school for Inevtion Convention. His class had to invent something and make it. Today the teachers got to vote the best three inventions to go to the uni. Tomorrow he will present his invention to the students. How exciting. His invention is a floor cleaning product you attach to shoes.

I made dinner with the help of my little chef. We made chicken nuggets with some very chunky breadcrumbs and Leek sausages with mash and vegetables. The boys chose the dinner. Nice.

After dinner we set about making the KubKars. Huffle cut wood and sanded. Small sanded, glued, marked wood and painted. Smallest sanded and painted and I painted (lots). We did really well. Smallest's just need some fine tuning, the wheels and weights adding and varnishing. Small's needs a last bit of paint, varnishing, a bit more gluing and the wheels and weights adding. We worked tirelessly until about 8:45pm.

All the pieces ready for asembley

Very tired. Need sleep. Busy day tomorrow.

 

 

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Marvel of Stoke!

Monday morning. Oh already?

The boys went to school. Huffle hid in the loft working while my crochet ladies came for a lesson. Just two of them this week. One carried on with her monkey and wrote down the pattern we were working on and the other started a basket. Next week we are making a slouchy hanging basket and in the meantime we have found a pattern for a lovely blanket and their homework is to make lots of little circles and when we have plenty, we will work on putting them together. Very exciting as the finished blanket is just beautiful. I have to make one too.

From atty_s blog

Huffle came downstairs for lunch and I went off to my exercise class. Just me again. My own personal trainer. She does work me hard though and although we had a laugh, it was tough. At one point I couldn't get up to do my last sit up and she said I was 'buffering'.

Back home I had my lunch and tidied away all crocheting stuff before having my shower. Small came home from school without Smallest as he was in a basketball tournament that we had forgotten about. Small offered to walk back to school and bring Smallest back with him (as long as that was counted as a chore). Off he went and then shortly after I realised they had piano lessons. I drove to the school and watched the basketball for about half an hour. MrsPiano, who is a teacher at the school, took Small back to our house and I took Smallest when he was finished playing. He actually didn't get to play much today because he was one of the younger ones. I told him he would have a better chance next year and at least he has had a go. He was happy with that. MrsPiano didn't get back much before we did.

Piano lessons done while I made dinner. After dinner, Huffle and the boys went to Cubs and Scouts and cut their KubKars and 18wheelers (Huffle helped). We are hoping Grandad will do the next technical bit and I will help with the artwork later. When they came home we designed on paper. Smallest is doing his in a Stoke City badge and Small is doing a Marvel theme.

 

 

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The present of tidiness

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY UK MUMS and Moo and Grandma obviously. I'm afraid it is not Mothers Day here though I did mention it to my children this morning. One of which, Smallest, looked horrified that he might have forgotten and the other just shrugged and said "oh well, you'll have to wait till Canadian Mothers Day". When I asked for a present they told me I could have the present of tidiness as I had just written a long list of all things I needed tidying or cleaning before we sat and watched the England v Lithuania football match.

We started cleaning at 10am and everyone worked very hard. We even managed to get showers in too. Beds have been changed and made. Small has moved his stuff out of his room and into the loft, including his TV and Grandma and Grandad have a nice clean room to stay in. All bathrooms are clean and everywhere has been dusted and swiffed. We only had time for a cursory mop but the house is ready for a Royal visit.

At midday we stopped for the game and fit in our lunch at half time.

This afternoon we took Smallest to his football practice. One and a half hours of gruelling drills, formats and mini games. He was exhausted but loved it.

We went out for dinner afterwards to a new pub we haven't been in before. There wasn't much for me, salad was the only veggie option really but the food was tasty and nicely cooked.

We came home and the boys played on their tablets while I made a Banana Loaf for tomorrow's Crochet Lesson which is here in the morning and I made some Gingerbread for Huffle and for Smallest's birthday.

Smallest's fish are settling in nicely. Smallest switched on their light when he got up and waited for me to get up before he fed them. Arnie likes eating but PeterCrouch is fussy. We caught them trying to antagonise each other (I suppose they could be kissing but it's unlikely). At one stage it looked like Arnie bit PeterCrouchs nose through one of the tiny holes (I'm not sure they have noses or whether it is even possible as the holes are really small).

 

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Crouch and Arnie join the family

It is Smallest's birthday on Thursday and we have been asking him what he wants to try as he might he can never think of anything. He asked for a pet dog the other day which is not going to happen for a long time, if ever. I had an idea and this morning we broached it with him. SMALLEST, WOULD YOU LIKE A GOLDFISH FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY? I kind of expected him to say either 'no not really' or 'oh yes please'. Instead he burst into laughter and told us he had pictures in his head of a goldfish in a bowl wrapped in paper. He couldn't stop laughing and said it was 'really random'. He decided he wanted one anyway and we went shopping for fish later. Both boys had fishes from when they were really young and we aways replaced them when they died. The last time we tried to replace their fish (when we were in the UK) the pet shop refused to sell any to us because we had a big bowl and no filter. The boys were devastated but that was about six years ago and we haven't had any since. Plus I broke the huge glass bowl we had, when Smallest had a robotic fish in it.

The boys made friends and sat together playing on their tablets and Huffle took full advantage of a unoccupied XBox and played FIFA by himself.

Off we went to the Mall for fish purchasing and birthday shopping but alas the big pet shop had moved. We picked up a few bits and drove to where the pet shop had gone to. We started looking at goldfish and little fish and got overwhelmed so asked one of the girls working in there. She advised that for a beginner fish we should get a Betta Fish (Siamese Fighting Fish) and a smaller tank or bowl. Betta Fish need to be kept singularly as they fight and get territorial. Huffle decided on a split tank with a filter which meant we could get two different ones. Of course they needed gravel and a tank decoration (Smallest chose some fake grass and a blue cave) water conditioner and food. Smallest chose a red fish first and then a blue one. Both were housed in little containers that were no bigger than jam jars. I carried them home in the car.

Back home we washed and filled the tank with water and conditioned it. Small and Huffle put the filter together and we put the green gravel in (green was the choice of Smallest) and the divider. The blue cave went on one side and the grass the other. We waited the allotted time whilst eating lunch and put the fish in their new homes. Smallest named them Arnie and Peter Crouch after two of his favourite Stoke players. I tried to get a Leicester players name but he was having none of it. The fish seemed to settle in really well and we sat and watched them for ages. They are mesmerising. The tank has a light in the top so everything looks really bright and vibrant. Every now and then they seemed to sense each other and would flare their gills (this is a territorial thing and something they do to be impressive). They would fight if they could get at each other but we are hoping they will become friends through their dividing wall.

Huffle and I left the boys emptying the dishwasher and went out to get food from the supermarket. When we got back, Small was playing on the Xbox and Smallest sat by his fish playing on his tablet. He loves the fish. Not such a funny thing after all.

We had fish finger sandwiches (it being a fishy kind of day though a I told Smallest it wasn't fair to eat them in front of the new fish but he said they wouldn't know) in front of Saturday Night Takeaway and then as Smallest went off to bed, he switched off the fishes light and bade them goodnight. They looked like they went to sleep. One by his grass and the other with his head poking out of the cave (yes the are both males, or supposed to be).

We watched The Voice as Jamiroquai were on. Very good. Please come and Tour over here. We haven't seen them since 2010.

This evening watched Hidden Figures. Another excellent film.

 

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Turtles Wanted

I slept really well apparently, though Huffle didn't because I was all stuffed up and snored. Whoops. Sorry Huffle. My throat has turned into a full blown cold now. I can cope with a cold. Smallest also has a cold. Let's get rid of these bugs before Grandma and Grandad get here.

Kids went to school, Huffle worked in the loft and I went off to knitting. I spent the majority of my time helping other people as I threw my ball of wool into my coffee. Well to be fair it jumped off the table and into the mug. I have never blocked a sock before I have knitted it. I had to wash the wool and dry it. This is where I learned that Kitchen Roll is not a word here as the table giggled at my use of the words. Paper Towel is the correct name. I didn't tell them that in our house we called it Poly Roll which was from a school friends name for it. That then started a conversation about loo Roll and what everyone called it. Toilet Paper here.

Suffolk and I went for lunch, a quick shop and then back home to work out what had to be done next on the blinds. The silly billy left her phone here and the only way I could contact her was through her daughter and Snapchat. I knew it was useful for something other than making silly faces and voices.

I sewed until the kids came home and when Huffle finished work we went out for dinner near where Suffolk lived and delivered her phone back to her. The boys had played in the basement before we went out and had an argument and a fight and were sent to their rooms. They apologised to each other but both are bickering and picking at each other constantly at the moment. They sat in the car in silence not looking at each other at all.

 

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Shirriff vs Angel Delight

A good night's sleep for both of us and I woke up still feeling a bit poorly and groggy but a bit better.

I had a FaceTime with Yahoo while I finished my morning coffee. We had a nice chat and catch up.

Suffolk came round for a cup of tea and a bit of a sew. She pointed me in the right direction for the next stage of the blinds and helped me unpick a side I had sewn too wide, measure and hold material up to windows. I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon sewing, ironing and pinning ready for the next stage.

MrBasement came and did a few 'fixings' for us and looked at what job we are going to get done this year. After lots of discussion, we decided on the main bathroom. Huffle and I have to look for what we want and let him know once we have chosen or purchased. We are finally taking our bathroom out of the 1980's where it has firmly been since it was last updated and bringing it into the present. How exciting.

The boys came home, climbed the wood chip pile (I got told off the other day for moving some of them as it has ruined their structure!), played basketball and finally came in to say hello and tell me about their day. Smallest has joined the basketball team but couldn't go to the first tournament because it clashed with his football. Hopefully he can play in the next one, at least he will continue to practice with the team. Small keeps forgetting his Graduation Photos that have already been taken despite him not graduating until June.

Small vacuumed all my material bits and thread up and Smallest took all the laundry up and they played on the XBox together while I cleared away and made dinner. Huffle came and helped when he finished work.

Moo and Grandma and Grandad bring the boys a supply of Angel Delight as we can't get it over here. It's not something we have regularly (you'll be pleased to hear Yahoo!) but the kids like it every now and then. The other day while I was out shopping I saw a box of Shirriff Instant Mousse and it looked very similar to the stuff of the 70's that we were brought up on. This evening after dinner, Smallest decided to make some. We played a game of Ghostly Galleon (a very old favourite game) while we waited for it to be set. Angel Delight it was not. Mousse it definitely was not although Smallest took it out of the fridge before it stated you should. There was nothing Moussey about it at all. It was very sweet and artificial tasting. Oh well, keep the supplies coming FamilyUK please.

Smallest and Huffle played FIFA this evening and Small and I watched TV, wound wool and played on tablets.

Huffle and I watched The Pottery Throwdown and I stupidly looked at Facebook and ruined who had won. I was so annoyed at myself. I should know better. Won't say who won in case I ruin it for Aunty A. Going to miss this programme though.

 

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3 hour wool winding

I had a terrible night's sleep. My throat was so sore and the wind outside was horrendous all night. I got up at 2:30am until 3:30am drinking hot lemon, honey and ginger. I was so tired this morning and felt so ill that Huffle sent me back to bed and looked after the boys' lunches and sent them off on the bus. I tried to stay in bed and sleep but all I could do was rest. In the end I got up and had some breakfast and hot water. I can always judge how bad I am by whether I can drink coffee and today I couldn't, though I did manage a cup of tea late afternoon.

I was supposed to be sewing with Suffolk today but we cancelled it. She told me it was my body's way of telling me to stop and watch TV all day. I didn't but I didn't do much. I read by the window with the sunshine coming through which was lovely. I never get a chance to just sit and read in the house (I promise I will make more time for one of the things I love).

I did make a chilli which was easy because I threw it all in the Slow Cooker and let it do its thing and put a jacket Potato in the oven for me for dinner.

Huffle and I had lunch and watched a Gotham episode before he left me and went back to work and I went to bed to try and sleep. I got up before the kids came home and we sat and watched the England v Germany game and had our dinner watching it.

Smallest and Huffle went off to Smallest's first practice for his new club. He hasnt got his practice t-shirt yet so he went in his England shirt. We have had so much correspondence from this new club, they seem very organised. Today they wanted us to fill out the measurements for Smallest so he gets the correct kit. Huffle is impressed so far with how the practice went. Much better than the old club.

Small stayed at home with me and we tidied the kitchen and emptied and filled the dishwasher before he played on his tablet and I watched DIY SOS whilst winding wool.

 

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Whittle me some drumsticks

Boys went to school. Huffle worked and painted whilst listening to a very long call. I went off to the Greenhouse and potted on loads of succulents. For coffee break Jan made us a lovely Decadent Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake with Pecans. OMG Heaven. I ended up leaving earlier than normal because we ran out of things to do and Jeff was out. So instead, when I got home, I collected ten wheelbarrow loads of wood chips and filled the paths on the front garden and a couple of the veggie beds paths. Looking better. It's going to take much much more but I stopped for lunch with Huffle.

We watched a Gotham while eating. I FaceTimed Moo and pinned together my blinds, caught up on all Moo gossip and shared mine and then I sewed two of the three linings to the main material. I ran out of time as the boys came home but I am pleased with my progress, despite it taking me since Autumn to get this far.

Before the boys came into the house, they played on the woodchip pile (well why wouldn't you?) and then played basketball with Smallest's football until Huffle came down and gave them their basketballs and pumped them all up. They had a good play, came in, sorted their bags, chatted, chored and played on their tablets and Xbox while I made dinner. Tonight I made omelette. Not had one for ages. Yum

After dinner Smallest and I made his percussion music centre as a project for school and Huffle whittled two drum sticks. What an excellent job.

Huffle made monogrammed drum sticks. We had three drums filled with chick peas and decorated with rubber bands and drawings and stickers. A guitar of rubber bands. A scratcher from the inside of a pizza box and a shaker from a can with dried peas in it. All beautifully decorated.

The boys played on the Xbox and Huffle and I tidied and cleaned the kitchen and did some paperwork.

I am not feeling 100%. Very sore throat, tired (too many late nights and early mornings?), weary and achey (exercise?). Going to bed early to get some rest.

 

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No Fizzy Water

Back to school. Back to a routine. Back to being busy busy busy.

Before Huffle and I went to bed last night, we rescued Smallest's new alarm clock as it was going off at 9pm. We tried to reset it but it seems to have a mind of its own. We changed the batteries, changed the time, changed the alarm setting but it goes off when it wants. This is the second one as well as the first one didn't tell the time at all. Oh well, back to the shop it goes.

When Smallest woke up he wondered where his clock was but still managed to get up in time, then he woke Small and then he woke me. Lunch was prepared, bags were packed and tablets played on while they waited for their bus. I think Maurice is back as the bus was on time and she waved at me. I couldn't see it was her but none of the others ever waved.

I left Huffle working and drove off to pick up Di for a morning of Crochet at Mim's beautiful house set in 100 acres. I should call her Winnie the Pooh. She had baked a Banana Loaf with Skor bits in (note for future it was yummy). Today we did some monkey crochet and I started Miche off with a small basket. We are actually making baskets next week but she won't be there. Mim's finished a beautiful blanket and started a new one. Di managed to finish her monkey head and was working on the body. They are doing so well.

I had ten minutes to spare to get my exercise stuff together and had my one on one session with ExerciseNic. We had a week off so today hurt and I tweaked something in my leg. We worked hard.

This afternoon Huffle went off to the dentist for a clean and check. No cavities though he did bite the dentist when he asked him to bite down and forgot his finger was still in his mouth. I iced the second lemon cake. Buttercream inside and a lemon drizzle on top. I chopped up fruit and put water in bottles. All for the Gaden Club Meeting this evening. I then made a Carrot and Lentil Soup and used some Chilli Oil to sautée the onions. It made a nicely warming soup which we had for dinner.

The boys came home and ran up and down the wood chip pile before coming in. Smallest had a drum to make out of cardboard and cans and made a start as soon as he came in. Small just sat and ate his yoghurt and chatted to me about his day and mine. He is such a nice person to talk to when he isn't mumbling. He is always interested in what I have done. It seems natural for him to ask about my day which is really good. Hope it continues. He also asked me lots of 'what is the capital of....' and was amazed at how many I knew. We asked Huffle the same ones and he knew plenty too.

MrsPiano came and the boys had their lessons. Both have new pieces to practice and she left us with a CD of some Monestry Choir to listen to. That's when we realised we don't own a CD Player anymore. We have the computer and we have our cars, but thats it. We have our IPod and blue tooth speakers or radio. Never thought of it before.

All the boys played FIFA on the XBox while I went to the Garden Club. Tonight was a talk about Bees. It was very good and the speaker was very passionate. We got to try honey, feel a bee suit, hold a frame and look at a smoker as well as find out which plants were beneficial for our gardens and hear lots of interesting and funny stories.

Garfunkel and I were in charge of refreshments. My lemon cake, melon and lemon water (we should have brought fizzy water but Garfunkel asked me to get it and I thought she was getting it and Huffle said he would carbonate our water with his own gas!!!!), however they liked the idea of lemon water in a nice glass jug. Garfunkel made an apple cheesecake and oatmeal cookies. Very good cheesecake, I didn't get a cookie. I met a new vegetable Gardener who moved in across the road and was asked to make a cake for a lady's Mum this weekend. I declined because of having too much on right now but I am going to make one for her in April.

During the Summer there is going to be a Garden Tour and we had to volunteer for tasks we would be willing to do. Someone inadvertently volunteered Huffle for three tasks (one of which was hostess). We found out it was the person whose name was above his. I sorted it. Also because I added Grandad to my membership his name was down for volunteering too. I volunteered him for hosting the tea party (actually I scrubbed his name out).

 

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Can you get that in Canada?

Last night I had dreams of espionage and government secrets. Huffle didn't sleep well. Today was the last week of the boys March Break so we wanted to make the most of it and go out and enjoy the sunshine. The temperatures were in the single figure positives. Off we went to the lake, Small's choice, Rouge Hill. We didn't follow the map or go the way we normally go so we ended up at the wrong end of our normal walk which was different. We started without our coats but it was a little bit cooler than we thought so Huffle walked back to the car to get them for us.

The lake was sparkly and the sky was a deep blue, hinting at a promise of Spring on the way. The bright sunshine created my favourite type of shadows everywhere too.

We wandered along the beach picking up beach glass and a stone or two. We tried to escape the tide coming in by running along the rocks but it got me. Luckily I have waterproof boots.

Halfway, we stopped for a sit on the rocks. We watched the water and Smallest ran up and down. Today we took two bouncy balls and played with them, bouncing, throwing and bowling. We had a few near losses.

We walked all the way to the station but walked back the other way towards the car when we all started to get hungry. By the time we got back we were starving and opted for the pizza place we found when we were walking New Years Day. We had a lovely well needed dinner and came home for a play on the Xbox and a FaceTime with Grandma and Grandad.

With a cup of tea and slice of lemon cake, we sat and finished Harry Potter (order of the Phoenix) and then watched a Robot Wars (very funny, man walked off in a huff!). When the boys went to bed (a little bit earlier - school tomorrow) Huffle and I watched the final of the Big Painting Challenge. It was in Greenwich Park. Lovely, I've been there with Aunty A.

 

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Got things blown at me!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZZIE DOT DOT

I didn't sleep well because my silly mind was on cakes. How I was going to construct them, what I was going to make, what tins etc etc. BORING!!!!! What a Wally!

This morning we had Stoke v Chelsea (2-1 lost) on the main TV and Leicester v West Ham (3-2 win) on Huffle's tablet while I made a cake. As I have been asked to make a lemon cake for a Liverpool Supporter I thought I would try a new recipe from one of my Great British Bake Off books. I baked it in a Swiss roll tin hoping it would be big enough to make it into a football shirt. Unfortunately I couldn't get it out of the tin without it falling apart but it tasted very very nice so much later I sandwiched it together with some lemon buttercream and we had some for our tea. Huge success. Everyone loved it, even Huffle who is not a Lemon fan. I made a crochet basket too.

For dinner we went out for a burger in the local town. Why is it that everywhere we go, it's always my meal that's wrong. I asked for mayo and I got mustard. They were very good and made me another one. I think it was a combination of my accent and it being written down wrong. I like their burgers because they are made of beans and rice and no soya or pretend meat and it's not a chain. We even fit in a very quick game of Monopoly Deal.

While we were out we picked up some baking ingredients for another cake and wandered around Walmart while the boys played on the gadgets. We were looking for ideas for Smallest's birthday which is soon but he doesn't know what he wants. I picked up a new crochet hook (a mahoosive one) and some big wool.

At home we emptied my car of rubbish (been meaning to do that for ever) and put our shopping away. The boys all played FIFA and I made cake No2. This one is for the Garden Club Meeting on Monday where I volunteered to help Garfunkel make the refreshments. I made another lemon Sponge but this time in a square tin. It looks okay, obviously we can't try this one but tomorrow I will attempt to cut it in half and add buttercream to see how well it stands up so I know whether it can make the birthday cake in it.

I crocheted another basket with my huge hook and wool and we all watched Robot Wars and Saturday Night Take Away with a slice of cake. No photos of this one because it was not aesthetically pleasing but was sooo tasty. Possibly one of the best cakes I have ever made. So lemony.

This evening Huffle and I watched Snowden. WOW!

 

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Patrick, Pins, Potter and Pizza

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA and St.Patrick.

He wasn't drinking the cider, we bought them for Grandma for her birthday for when she arrives

What a beautiful day. The sun shone brightly and it was almost warm. Definitely in positive figures.

The boys and I didn't do much this morning. Some playing, lots of resting, bit more playing. I did some crocheting.

Huffle worked.

After lunch, the boys and I went to our local town and met up with Angel and family4 for an hour of five pin bowling. Angel and I watched while the kids all bowled. Smallest was doing very well and winning for most of the first game and was then pipped by miss10. The second game they didn't quite get through (we booked an hour) and Small won. They had fun and Angel and I got to chat and relax. They had to get home so we went off for a drink and a cookie before heading off to a couple of shops on the way home. I told Smallest we were going to the cinema to see Beauty and the Beast (when he was little we used to watch the animated version a lot). He said he was happy to go and see it but I could tell from his face that he wasn't pleased at all. We were only joking. He was relieved. Too old for Mummy's silly girly films now!

We bought some string in Dollarama for a crochet project. We popped to Bulk Barn to cost some cake ingredients (I have been asked to make a cake for a Liverpool supporter) and then to a supermarket to buy essentials. The boys were very helpful if not a bit silly and we packed our stuff and came home where everyone helped put away and I made some pizza dough for later.

Smallest and the mountain of wood chips.

Small played on the Xbox and Smallest and I played a couple of games of Home You Go and Q-Bitz and Huffle joined us later. Smallest joined Small on FIFA and Huffle and I made pizza which we ate whilst watching half of Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix.

Huffle and I watched Gardeners World this evening when the kids went to bed. So jealous of the growing season. Despite almost all of our snow melting, we are still a fair way behind gardening yet. Still, we can dream and plan.

 

 

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