The British Homemaker - One day at a time

I have a confession. I didn’t make all of the items I said I was going to make. I was full of good intentions but I kinda forgot some of the ingredients and I don’t shop on a Sunday. So we went ahead anyway with what we had, we made some craft stuff, went trick or treating and had plenty of fun as it were. The rest of this post is in pics, just cos it speaks for itself :)   I think after all the cakes, marshmallows, sweets and other stuff that did manage to get to the table my dentist is guaranteed a holiday in Bali….on us!!

Every year I throw out the inside of the pumpkin. This year I’m going to see if I actually like eating it. Not sure what I will make yet, but be warned, I will be back on that one! Kirsten came home and got all excited about our lil Halloween efforts and wanted to work on her pumpkin with some fancy face or design. Naturally, Charley followed suit: Not the best photo, it was flippin’ freezing out! The trick or treating that Charley has never been into has also came alive. He informed me that he wanted to go knock, knock a-knocking! Oh boy, I’m still reeling that he’s even bothered! I still hummed and arghed about it but in the end we went: We didn’t knock too many doors, I didn’t want him Charley to get carried away with it all. After all, why should I pay for our dentist to go Bali? :D A happy lil power ranger (who forgot his talking helmet!) returned home rather eager to check out his loot and dig into the goodies on the last minute Halloween table! Next post: Homemade...

Two years ago I knew my prescriptions were getting a little stronger over about a 3 year period. A couple of weeks ago Specsavers kindly informed me that I am now to wear glasses as much as I possibly can. As if that wasn’t enough, they also upgraded my prescription! I’d kindly like to remind the eye universe that I am still only 42. By many standards that is quite young. Though some days I admit that I feel like I am competing with a 90 yr old I do firmly still believe that I have a few good years in me yet. On the other hand, there are some funky frames out there. No one would really know if I was wearing them cos I needed them or just cos they are funky. Would they? Eh? EH? :D So I got some funky ones. And so did Kirsten. And Charley. Seems like going to the opticians is a family affair in more ways than one!! :D Then I realised that I do actually have to be responsible at times, especially with my church calling and when I am doing a work meeting or appointment, not to men...

Share this post : What do you think of it? Personally I hate it. I think it’s cheap and tacky. But… It does have its place. Sometimes. I have gotten into some tablescaping this last year and it’s all for fun, just the kids and myself, a way to get the kids involved in meal times and jazzing up the table area. It’s not like I am totally boring or snobbish, I’m really not. Here I’ll show ya: Like quick parties for the kids, themed stuff for the kids and last minute put together meal times for almost any occasion. However, if I was having a dinner party I would definitely not have disposable anything at my table, thank you! I am 42 after all! So why then, can I not find anything nearly as fun and funky in fabric as I can in paper? Don’t grown ups have parties? Now it’s on a hunt down for some fabric to make my own, after all, I cannot have a dinner date and give him pap...

Ok so I don’t usually bother with Halloween. Over the years the kids have gone trick or treating but over all I just don’t ‘do’ it because I think its beggars glory and potential for nasty outbursts. Anyone reading the news lately will know that 1 in 3 children will be injured by an adult who’s door they have knocked on. The latest and sickest trick is to put razor blades in a bowl of sweets. I mean, who could be that evil? Yes I know there is a lot worse out there but still, let the kids be the kids, if you don’t want them at your door put up a sign or don’t answer the door, but please, don’t harm them. As for the beggars, they are the ones that get mean when they don’t get something ‘decent’ then claim it to be a ‘trick’. Both methods has totally taken away any fun for the kids that do enjoy the day. Me, I love it when the kids come to my house, I love to hand out something that I've baked and wrapped all nice n halloweeny but then that’s cos I’m nice :) As Kirsten has got olde...

Share this post : I am half way to achieving the request of my 6 year old son to have a small Halloween kinda party, in just 24 hours. My personal blog has more info. So, checklist time, what is going on the table? Lets see: Food: bowl of tooth rotting sweets chocolate and vanilla sliced cake chocolate and marshmallow kebabs chocolate chip flapjacks spider cookies witches finger biscuits pear mice homemade toffee apples rice crispy bat cakes invisible lollipops cupcakes etc Wanna sneak a peek at what it’s like right this very minute? Ok, ok: This is just the starter of it…. Other: printed placemats with colouring/puzzles handmade Halloween book with jokes, puzzles, colouring pages and more handmade stickers (thanks to the creatopia) handmade magnets cake boxes ...

Share this post : Sometimes we gotta do just what we gotta do, right? If you read my personal blog you will know that I have had a big request off a small boy for a Halloween party, of sorts. And I aim to please. So, just for fun, here is a quick, desperate idea I came up with to store the straws on the table: A toilet paper tube covered in plain black sheer ribbon with a simple cut out on it.  I look at it and I have to chuckle. It’s so cheap n tacky but it actually works! Strange!