The British Homemaker - One day at a time

The lovely Perry Perkins: If you don’t know Perry Perkins, you are seriously missing out! Read on for his intro.. Heyya peeps! So, first of all I'd like to thank Debs for the opportunity to be a guest blogger here on The British Homemaker! A quick bit about me: I'm a work-from-home dad, a freelance writer, and a passionate foodie. I'm a third-generation chef, and am trying to pass those skills on to a fourth generation (Okay, she's only 3, but where starting early!) Today we're gonna talk about a few tips I have for "Raising an International Gourmet" ( and maybe learning a few new things ourselves! ) I have gone through the following steps with children as young as five and, with a little flexibility and patience, it can be a lot of fun. Note: when it stops being fun, stop. You're not teaching at the Le Cordon Bleu, so tell your inner Iron Chef to lighten up! Forcing a kid to cook will only get you the opposite of what you're shooting for.....

This last week I’ve was challenged to sort out my craft room. You know when they say ‘don’t buy a car from a mechanic’ or ‘a house from a builder’? Well, dont expect someone who comes to sort out your clutter and storage solutions to have a sorted, workable craft room!   At the end of day 1 this is what my landing looks like:   What you don’t see is how none of the 4 doors on the landing cannot be got to, nor the stairs that go up to my room! The only route is from my craft room door and down the stairs!   A lot of this will not be going back in, a good portion of this is storage solutions which will go to some of my clients {trust me, when coming to storage solutions most often we only need look in our recycle bins to find what we are looking for} to save them £££’s on unnecessary spending!   So, more on this room in a day or two….if I survive!   Debs  p.s. It's that time again, folks....time for some awesome guest bloggers. Star...

I love wall art. I love words. When they both go together then I’m very excited I found three printable word art posters over on Sugar Doodle that particularly got my attention. Now I am on the hunt for frames that I can put them in! Feel free to print them off and do something fun with them Debs

Did you fall for the New Year Resolutions and now find that you missed that first hurdle? Maybe you managed a week or two then ‘forgot’ about it? Me too! I have to confess, I really don’t like working out, it’s gruelling and tedious. I used to work at Fitness First, years ago and we’d get free gym membership anytime we liked. Sometimes I would take advantage of this in my lunch break, other times I’d do it after my shift, but to be honest, I just never really got into it. So I got me a personal trainer, Steve. He was good, motivational, listened and wasn’t afraid to work me. But it only lasted as long as the job. So after moving here to the Forest of Dean I accidentally took up walking. It was a great time for me to walk with the dog, listen to music/talks/scriptures on my ipod, let my thoughts wonder and figure out a worry or challenge in life. So many of them have been calmly figured and concluded in those trees! I’ve prayed to my lil hearts content, I’ve figured out what I w...

I have a client who has over 2000 car/motorcycle magazines that are neatly lined up in date order on a handmade unit in his hallway. When I saw them I was glued to the sheer volume! When I found out they were from all over the world, dating back years and years I figured he must be totally wacko or a professional driver of some sort. Wrong. He’s a milkman . Always has been. I have always enjoyed magazines, I love homemaking ones, diy ones, craft ones and psychology ones. I don’t go for these celebrity or real life stories but ones that feed my general creative interest. At one point I would spend around £20 a month on them, sometimes more. When I purged my craft room I was stunned with how many I’d gathered over the last 2/3 years, it was that point I decided I just wasn’t going to buy them anymore, well the odd one here and there! Ok, ok I buy Sew Hip each month but that's cos I actually USE it! I gave a lot to my mom, a few I kept (I limited myself to 20 which is a...

After doing the majority of refunds on Saturday I was getting confused why the total amount wasn’t going down. It wasn’t till I checked my email that I found that the donations/sponsorship money was being returned back to me! The over all decision was that I was being urged to keep hold of the money and use it to donate to any charity I chose. I was very touched and very humbled. 18 lovely people left messages of support and apologies for the breakdown of this event. Previously it was friends that called to ask what happened but soon I didn’t want to get into it, the attitude was not productive. My Facebook friends are the ones that reminded me that all is not lost and there is still something I can do, just without the drama and abuse from Daisy’s mum. So I’m going to spend a few days thinking out what the next move can be and who the money’s shall be going to. Thank you so, so much for your generosity, I underestimated the readership here, my friends and business contacts s...

Do your kids watch tv at bedtime? I know this is a controversial subject but I’ve always been ok with it myself, all 4 of them have been happy to snuggle down and generally doze off without too much fuss. So when my 6 yr old announced he was giving up bedtime tv I was shocked but figured we’d just wait and see. He’s on day 6 now and he still has no intention of changing his mind. He is reading his favourite books, trying to write a journal and quietly playing with some of his lego men. When asked why he made this choice he was very clear: I need to get as good as I can with my reading and I need to learn my scriptures. I couldn’t really argue with that eh? I must admit though, he does settle down quicker and seems to be totally ok with his decision. For years the tv has been a controversial issue with many parents, but to me it is whatever we make of it. There was a time when our tv was on all the time, often no-one would be watching it but still, it was on. For the...

I found a really cool blog a few days ago that had a simple but fun idea {though I can’t remember which one for the life of me!} so I just had to try it out: Imagine this tray was full of marshmallows before we got carried away eating them! By letting them dry out for a few days they are ideal to stab with pick sticks: Bad photo, I know but this is what Kirsten made. I didn’t get a picture of Charley’s hanging mobile because he couldn’t resist eating the marshmallows! I made a ball but again, before I could get the camera Charley demolished it. Kept us all quiet for a good half hour, next time I’ll threaten the boy for the pictures first! Debs

Sundays are for roasts. Meat, potatoes, vegetables, stuffing (according to the meat) roasters and all that but today, knowing I was going to be late home from church we decided we’d have Sheppard's pie. My kids all time favourite. Remembering a meal I saw on Jamie Oliver’s 30 minute meals (well sort of remembering!) we opted for the following: 2lb ground mince brown off with a few thyme leaves (or a tsp. ground leaves if you have them) once mince is browned add 6 tbsp. Worcester sauce leave to totally cook till its a dark brown add in some chosen, sliced vegetables add a tin of butterbeans, including the liquid they soak in Let it all simmer for approximately 15 mins then serve with fluffy mashed potatoes. Different from Jamie’s but on the same track and just as delicious! Debs

I have been demanded to leave the sponsorship/donations for Daisy alone. Daisy’s mom doesn’t wish for me to do anything to help Daisy or the cause, so with that I shall now be cancelling all future deals and appointments and return all funds I have received to the people who have donated. Thanks for the effort you have showed on Facebook and through the monies you have already, generously sent. Refunds will be happening today. Debs

I have been doing a lot of emailing/calling to get some awareness to my loverly, long dark hair being skinned off, I have got donations from Next, free printing from a local company, radio shows lined up, people waiting to actually part with money to sponsor/donate and it’s gone all very crazy! Good crazy though. Today, one of the local newspaper reporters called me, he wants to do an on going story of Daisy and my hair cutting. I am so excited, that means a lot more awareness to the cause and if that only means one person doesn’t feel alone then that’s good. If it means one more person tries out for the bone marrow transplant list, that's even better. We can all do something to contribute to save a life! While I was on the phone, this guy wanted to know a little more about me, all I really wanted anyone to know was that I am Daisy’s aunt and I want to do something rather than just sit on my ample butt! However, we talked a little about my business and where it’s taken me lat...

I know, I know it's a bit of a show stopper when we think of all the stuff we want/need to do...but trust me, if you break it down it's not nearly so painful...so here's how to get started. 1. Decide on ONE room at a time. If that one room is still overwhelming, decide on ONE area. 2. Go in when you are not feeling emotionally charged. With a decided choice to be ruthless and realistic we're more likely to achieve the desired result. 3. Arm up with a bin liner, marked boxes for recycle, donate, bin and keep. 4. Set a rule: If it's not been used for 3 months, get rid of it. 5. Deal with rubbish, recycling and donated items that same day, don't leave them laying around to be picked at and rehomed in YOUR home! 6. Go back to the stuff you kept and invest in appropriate storage to avoid them being lost in the midst again, keeping them accessible assures them being used. 7. When you feel a little overwhelmed, take a break. Don...

How many times do you hear that word? How many times does that word apply to you? I think it applies to almost everyone (at least who I know) but it definitely applies to me, and I reluctantly admit that! Through Sunday’s church meeting we talked about sacrifice, temperance and patience. By the time I got home I realised that the other events that occurred during the meetings that frustrated me was the perfect example of my lack of sacrifice, temperance and patience. You see, I was released in my calling as Branch Activities Chairperson and was called as Relief Society Teacher. Again. Now back in the day I loved this calling, both times I was called. I loved that I got to know the sisters that little bit better, I got the perfect opportunity to learn more than I could teach and I loved that I was part of a pro-active Relief Society. I also loved that by working on a lesson I was able to get closer to my Heavenly Father and  understand Him so much more. Then why does this ca...

Before I begin, please be aware that I am not looking for appraisal for the move I am making for my niece. I am just grateful that after all this time there is finally something I can do to contribute towards making Daisy’s life just a little bit easier. I can’t help with giving her cuddles (even though I’d love to), I can’t take the pain away for her, though I would in a flash if I could. I can’t help with transport, (they live quite a way away) and I can’t help to make this go away, though I would if I could. For months I’ve felt rather useless so I’ve relied on prayers to petition the Heavenly Father I know to help Daisy and her mom through this ordeal. It’s easy for me to do this and for me to  put my faith in God, but I’m not the mommy that has to be dealing with this every day. I’m not the little girl who is going through the medical procedures, missing out on school and friends. I’m not the one who’s world has been tipped upside down. No, that is Daisy and her family. ...

For those of you who have been following my neices journey to find a bone marrow match, I am so happy to report that one has now been found and they are working on early March to do the operation!! Daisy is just 5 years old and was rushed to hospital two days after her 5th birthday last July with suspected Leukemia. After many tests and much messing about it was finally diagnosed as Aplastic Anaemia. Not much is known about his condition and it’s been a hell of journey for Daisy, her mommy and her brothers and nanny. Daisy is a brave little girl who has a lot to give in life and deserves every chance possible to regain her future. I firmly believe that prayers are answered, in many ways from many people and those who have prayed for her, thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My mom and I are going to travel some of this journey with Daisy. You see, she is a girly girl, she loves her long blonde hair and is worried about losing it when she starts chemotherapy. Having b...

New year, New look. What do you think? I figured the diary style was coming to the end of it’s appealabilty {not a word? It is now!} and time for a change. All I want to do here now is find the right template to mingle in and I’m set! What I like about this layout is I can post some bigger pictures…at least I can once I figure some settings on the camera (yep. I’m naff!) In the meantime, and now I’ve finished playing, I am now going to enjoy working more on the design of the website {yep, the one I wasn’t going to do for a while} ready to work on with my friend who is doing the work for me. Stardom! Happy Sunday! Debs xx  

Like may homemakers I live by lists. Through December I shared some of those lists to hold myself accountable but today, as I sat at the dining table I recognised my list making is a little less than a part time job! What I am trying to achieve today is a 100% clean and tidy house, while it’s still Saturday! My thinking is rather logical, to me that is, though in reality it’s unrealistic.For starters I have 11 rooms that need a good overhaul and as good as the kids ‘can’ be it just wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t do it myself! I have a full calendar next week, with my church calling to-do’s, school stuff, my courses (2 of), and some work appointments I am worried that the running of my home and keeping my kids organised will suffer and that’s not including the kids clubs, homework etc. In reality the world never ended when targets weren’t met, no person ever died and no family ever fell apart. Yet. So why do I still feel myself feeling that guilty knot in my stomach when I t...

I love blogs. I can’t help it. Here are a few of new ones I came across recently that I figured I’d share: 1. Want some fun printables for the kids? 2. Ready to jazz up the recipes on some themed cards? 3. Need a quick gift? 4. What about some fun for the kids? 5. Looking for reviewed and recommended reads? Enjoy! Debs

On Christmas Eve Charley was diagnosed with Chicken Pox, by the evening he was a dot-to-dot picture suitable for a 3 yr old! Jay and I doused him with calamine lotion and kept reminding him not to scratch the itches. He done really well and persevered. His scalp was plastered so you could barely put a pen between them so many mornings he’d wake with scabs on his pillow where he’d caught one as he turned over. Now, 2 weeks later he’s in the incubation time for them to disappear and the infection apparent again. This is when I developed spots. Lots of them. Again. I’ve had Chicken Pox 3 times now and never had shingles, as I thought they were in adults. Then just as they settle down I develop flu like symptoms but life goes on. My energy levels plummet, my breathing shallows and my joints ache to the touch. My GP tells me to not go into the surgery and as I’m otherwise healthy I am not a priority for the medication they are urgently needing for this super sized outbreak. So I...

For  years I couldn’t motivate my kids to clean their rooms or in the kitchen without some shouting match. It wore me down. Eventually I clicked that there is a much easier way to get them going. This post is inspired by the lovely Beckie at Infarrantly Creative who has come up with a system of her own that works a treat on her two young children. I remember a couple of years ago asking 2 of my kids what they saw as we stood in the doorway of my small, one surface top kitchen as it piled up with plates, cups and other stuff. Both of them looked at me blankly. I asked them to look round the room and tell me what they see there. Then they broke down each job that needed doing. And thunder struck me, the penny dropped! When I look in a room I see all the jobs that need doing, the cushions, the cups, slippers, toys, books, wii remotes and all that. The kids, though, saw things one at a time. So now, when I ask for help or assign chores they are asked to do one at a time ti...

Whilst working on my year’s plan I got to thinking how last year went. How did it go for you?   Did you do something you had never done before? I became a Nanna for the first time. I completed my first adult training course so I can now ‘teach’ in schools/colleges etc and I finally mastered my sewing machine!   What was your biggest achievement? Most definitely the training course for me, it’s much more structured than the workshops I’ve done previously but so much more fun. Have you decided what you want to end 2011 with that you didn’t get to achieve last year? This year I am determined to read more Lds bio’s and conquor crocheting! What was your biggest failure? Mine was definitely not taking up the offer of moving abroad. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for so long but either something stops it or I have a change of heart at the last minute. What do you wish you had done more of? Writing. Decorating and Walking. Or less of?...