Making Memories

Enduring ties

Abiding friendships

Small Talk at Lunch Time

Climbing Frames and Ice Creams

Don't Want To Go Home

Refreshments

Another Day, Another Friend

Even the dog had some friends round…

Edward and Lily

Uncle Edward

Humphrey (or is it Harvey?)

Ruaraidh and Harvey (or is it Humphrey?)

Ready To Do It All Again Next Week

Oh, I know that it will be some time before the New Season dawns and we’re all venturing outside in short sleeves, but that day is drawing nearer…

At this time of year I always look at my home with a fresh pair of eyes and like to create the illusion of the lightness and brightness of spring with fresh whites and greens, in the form of beautiful long stemmed tulips, as soon as they become available.

This normally satisfies my desire for lighter brighter days, that is until I saw the home of Fons Cohen, owner of Imps&Elfs, one of our favourite brands.

Somehow, my tulips don’t quite cut it anymore…

With clever off the shelf costumes readily available in shops and online, which saves us underachieving mums (in the sewing department, at least!) a world of embarrassing pain. Treats, sweets and decorations are also stacked ceiling high in the supermarkets.

Due to the marketing and general playground buzz, Captain Chaos and Major Disaster, have their costumes planned well in advance, as well as the backup costumes in case of ‘spillage’ at any of the three events which they have to attend this weekend in our small village. At their insistance, Edward, our Dandie Dinmont, also has a costume to wear, although it has proven virtually impossible to take his photograph in it, as he just turns into a black blur, obviously not keen on the Vampire Bat look being inflicted upon him.

While searching for costumes, I came across the Pop Culture Blog and have to credit these funny Halloween Costumes For Dogs photographs to them. Unfortunately, I have neither the skill, not the patience to remake any of these costumes for Edward but I commend those who do as they are certainly worth sharing…

This is not something which I have instilled in them to protect my rugs from their boyish wear and tear, but just a natural instinct and need for comfort. Nice as this is when the sun is shining and there is a little heat underfoot, but as we rapidly descend into the colder months I despair for their cold little toes.

We have had mixed success with slippers, but they seem to be manufactured solely with popular tv characters emblazoned on the front, and at 5 and a half years old, Captain Chaos considers himself too old for such childish footwear.

They also seem to be distributed exclusively through supermarkets, correct me if I’m wrong, but when I have strict instructions regarding specific ingredients from the temperamental chef of the house, the last thing that I want to do with two impatient boys is try on slippers and debate about the suitability of the character decoration, when all they want to do is head for the comics and chocolate – the bribe required for accompanying me on the shopping trip in the first place.

As the fit is detrimental to whether the slippers are actually worn or if they end up in the first charity collection bag which lands on our doorstep I cannot risk buying without trying and in my limited personal experience the footwear calling itself ‘slippers‘ is often way too heavy and clumpy for an indoor shoe.

I think, however, that I have just solved this minor, but vexing issue.

As I was browsing blogs and stores in attempt to kick start the Christmas shopping, I came across www.collegien-shop.com an online store in France selling a version of slipper socks but with a proper aerated sole and non slip spikes. They come in a variety of styles, from subtle and stylish to outlandish patterns and Dr Seuss like stripes. I have ordered a pair each for the boys and also slipped a pair into the cart for myself, but removed them later. Their need is greater than mine, at the moment.

Fingers and toes crossed for warm tootsies this winter.

None that I have ever encountered in the flesh have ever come close to the talent expressed by Rie Hosokoai, a world renowned balloon artist, and rightly so. Just look at the detail on these dresses.

There is also a balloon font app available which may amuse your little one.

Met up with old friends…

and made some new ones.

Found the Gruffalo’s House…

Before getting ready for an important first day…

We converted this…

To this…

Then This…

Finding ourselves with a glut of courgettes and tomatoes after all the rain we decided to make ‘Glutney‘, a wonderful recipe for chutney using excess garden produce, or indeed store bought fruit and veg which is likely to be thrown away if not used, courtesy of Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s ‘River Cottage Year’

Find the recipe here : www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

In the UK we throwaway 8.3 million tonnes of food and drink every year. Most of this is avoidable and could have been eaten, if only we’d planned, stored or managed it better.

We throw away food for two main reasons – buying too much, and disposing of items because they’re not used in time. Among this enormous quantity, which we dispose of, is 860,000 tonnes of fresh vegetables and salads and 500,000 tonnes of fresh fruit. As well as being damaging to the environment, food waste produces 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. This is food which we could have consumed and costs the average household £480 per yer, rising to £680 per year for a families with children.

Most of us don’t yet realise just how much food waste we produce but in our house we’ve resolved to take a good look at each bendy carrot or bruised apple just in case there is a chance that it can be incorporated into a dish, or even just juiced before being consigned to the compost heap.

Soaked up the Summer – Literally!

Wet weather attire all round.

When is this rain going to stop!!!