The British Homemaker - One day at a time

 If you saw my post a couple of weeks ago (which I've since deleted), I apologise that I didn't upload. I have been wrapped up with a trilogy book I am writing and every spare minute I get, I spend on it. My deadline is fast approaching and the panic is slowly setting in.  However, amidst the craziness of my life, somewhere between college runs, food shopping and homemaking, I have managed to do draft a post that I've scheduled for this coming weekend. It's a collection of autumn slow cooker meals, batch cooking and some homemade granola balls.  For now, I'd like the thank Frankie and Mary for sharing this blog, once I get it set up as part of my routine (I have set work hours because I work from home) there will be some fun and useful stuff that I'll share.  If you aren't following my Facebook page, what are you waiting for? Hop on over and give it a cheeky like! All my blog posts will be shared over there and I plan to share lots of other things that may n...

Life has been somewhat chaotic of late.  The biggest thing to deal with has been my moms cancer. Whilst she is now recovering and doing profoundly well I have to admit that it does still play in my mind of the usual thoughts 'what would I do without her?' So I've buried my head a little. As well as working away at the business to get it as established as I can. Then dealing with the arthritis. Plus remembering that I am a full time mom too. So in all, my attention hasn't been on this blog or the Facebook page but now I'm willing to try again to regain some momentum with it. So, I thought I'd share some tidbits of what has been created. I very much got into crocheting. We grew strawberries. Charley learned the chain stitch on one of our trips to the Midlands. We made sweet ice pops! Many, many boy camps! We made cake in a tin. I spent hours in the patio, reading and relaxing. Breakfast date. Charley an...

I still cannot believe so much time has gone by since I last posted here. What is also amazing is all the good and not so good things that have happened in a few short weeks too! The biggest and best news I have is my youngest child, my lil dude was finally baptised into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints! He's so badly wanted this for a few years now but its customary to do so when a child turns 8, however with one hiccup after another it wasn't meant to happen so when one of the sisters popped by with the sister missionaries they were determined to make it happen. Belated Halloween photo but good grief he was awesome in his self made part! Photos will come shortly {computers off to have a make over today cos usb/s and other bits don't work} but it was a really awesome day with one happy little man hugging me oh so tightly come bedtime thanking me for making it happen. I really can't take the credit for it. I'm so proud of my doodlebug I can b...

If you read yesterdays post you will see that Charley's birthday party last month was photo'd by the talented Pink Apple Studio team, Jamie and Sharon. Hiring their services was the best money spent, the kids interaction with a camera was funny and hilarious. They posed their most geekiest faces and poses and tried out the weirdest poses. They captured the quiet moments when the children were eating and chatting as well as running round the field in the rain having water fights. The food table, food and general goings on throughout the day are being compiled into a book for Charleys future memories. I received a disc of all the photos taken, one that is watermarked with their company name and another set without. There is no limit to the photos they take and no limit to the strange things they say to get the children relaxed, all appropriate of course! Meet Mr Jamie Kinloch... the man who loves to play, laugh and interact with people. Sadly, the only way this photo got...

I meant to post this on 1st December to see if it could be added to and/or altered for other fun crafts. My teen isn't huge on crafting but the dude is, he will sit for hours making, drawing, designing, writing, colouring and creating something from almost nothing. Add that to the fun of Christmas crafting and it makes for a happy mommy! Every year we have our own little routine in preparation for Christmas, quite simple really and it keeps the kids happy on the colder days and longer nights. Goes something like this: 1st - Tree goes up and decorated 2nd - Decorations around the house From here on we have a rough sketch of what we want to do each day up to Christmas Eve: Make window decorations paper chains operation Christmas child boxes {between 2 ad 6} paper bunting felt ornaments bread and pastry goodies soap/hand lotion gifts teacher/church teacher gifts salt dough decorations personalised baubles chocolate and marshmallow chocolate gifts cookies, cake...

I love things to do with homemaking, diy and creativity and for the last 5 years I haven't had a fire surround for the stockings to be hung... an absolute must in my house but it just wasn't feasible in our former home given the ridiculous amount of doors in just the living room and radiators on the other. However, a few months ago I gained a dark wood one from freecycle with an electric fire, it needs a good overhaul in all honesty but I just haven't got to that on my to-do list yet. BUT that doesn't stop me enjoying the fact that the kids now have a place to hang their stockings and i get to play at mantel dressing.... or is it a fire place? Here in the UK we call it a fire place/fire surround but our fellows in USA call them mantels....so we'll go with both.. keeps the peace, dontcha think? :) I have a gorgeous dark wood framed picture of the baby Jesus above the fire place/mantel, {another to-do list project, lighten up the frame} which i...

What? It’s October? Sheesh! Who moved September then? Is that how you feel to? I think the whole of 2012  has whizzed by. I’m sure it was only last week we were about to sign for the keys for this house, enjoy a stress free Christmas {probably the only one ever !} and looking forward to re-creating a home for us all again. Now, as I plan for Halloween and Christmas I can’t help but cast my mind back to the wonderful things that have happened this year. I know this is a pre-mature kinda post but bare with me, all will be revealed... * January saw us in our new home, hardly able to believe we were on the way to becoming settled again. It also saw us ill {3 weeks for me!} There is nothing in the world that prepares you for being homeless, no matter how it comes about, but more than that, nothing prepares you for the time you know you can lay your hat again and allow the inside unfold...it took quite a while for us all to deal with th...

I’ve always said to my kids, don’t just leave home, plan it and I can help you. Well that was changed on my oldest sons part, he went for a visit one day and didn’t come home! We laugh about it now but he’s settled with his girls and his fiancé and all has come exceptionally well for them. No matter how many times I look at Jay, I can’t help but feel proud of the person he’s become. When Scott left it was appropriate timing after my marriage ended, since then he’s completed college and university and about to move into his own place nearby, so I’m now on the look out for some good furniture for him even if I have to do it up first. He has it together impressively well. I totally love the man my Scott has become. Now I’m determined that at least one of my 4 kids will leave home with some input and planning from me! I just always wanted to share that experience with them and Kirsten is the one that is more like me, plan, plan and more plan. While she has her l...

One week to go till school starts. One week to go till Kirsten starts college. Life will not only return to a normal routine but it will require some serious planning and preparation for the latter part of the  year now.  There are 5 things I am actively working towards... Bailey turns 2 Having a rather large doll house off my sister means Bailey gets a rather large doll house for her birthday....only Kirsten and I are decorating in inside and out as well as furnishing it. Reminds me of when I was a kid, I loved my dolls house! Charley turns 8 a week later ...