Quite frankly I know where I'd rather be.....

...not here that's for sure!

Whilst I am dealing with this....

My two small people are living it up on holiday with "The Nana" and "Grand-dand" and have been very busy indeed. Introducing Daisy, Henri(etta), Charlotte, Ruby and P-Eggy

R has said that when all our building work has finished, we should get hens! My flabber is truly gasted as this comes from a man who reluctantly agreed we could get a rabbit, or a cat but draws the line at a dog, yet enthusiastically wants chickens. I'm not going to argue with him though. We might go for a pink Eglu...I'm getting very egg-cited (sorry, I couldn't resist that, it just came out).

Still haven't made anything, although I have cut out C's nightdress which I'm hoping to put together tonight. I also went to IKEA this morning and bought some funky fabric for 2 tablecloths.

I could have bought so much more but don't really have anywhere to store it! Plus my other fabric from Etsy arrived yesterday and R thinks we're being taken over!

I'm going to refill my hot water bottle in a minute. There's no point having the heating on as there's a giant hole in the wall and the front door is permanently open. It will be lovely when it's finished, it will be lovely when it's finished....(repeat to fade)...

Tag, you're it....

The delightful G tagged me and complained I hadn't blogged in ages....well that is true so here are my answers, and I will hopefully blog some more later on during this glorious Easter Weekend.

Why I started my blog ....Gill told me about hers, and I thought it was a good idea! Found it very strange at first, but I'm addicted now..

How I came up with the name of my blog ....My daughter loves pink, and we call her cupcake sometimes. Plus I love cake...

Do my friends and family know about my blog? What do they think of it? My blog is on my Facebook account, so I would imagine my friends know about it, and that means my family do too. R knows I blog, but can't get his head round it at all!

How do I write my posts ...If I think of something, I write about it. Sometimes I'm formulating blogs in my head when I'm cooking, listening to my iPod (whilst cooking), or sewing and listening to my iPod!! Lately though I've been up to my eyes with builders and cups of tea and because I haven't had a chance to do any sewing, I am not inspired as much! Mind you, I have cut out a gorgeous nightdress for C!

Ever had a troll or had to delete unkind comments ...Had a troll who posted something this morning (which is why I am now moderating my comments). No unkind posts yet...why would someone do that!

Do I check my stats? No? How do I do that?!

Do I care who/how many read my blog? Yes!

Do I try to increase traffic? No idea how to do that!

What I like and dislike about blogging...I like reading about other peoples blogs...and looking at photographs, and getting inspiration! I hate uploading the photographs and sometimes get carried away looking at too many blogs while my ironing multiplies..

I was tagged by Gill and I'm going to tag...erm let me think....Shabby Shac !

Cupcakes and Aprons

It's been a funny ole week. C was 4 on Tuesday but that seems like a week ago already. Still, building is progressing. I now have a door on my new utility room and the roof is going on next week. Am praying there won't be a gale over the weekend as, although we're not exposed to the elements, I don't want us to lift off (or our scaffolding to start shaking!).

As time draws nearer to the opening of the coffee shop, we (that's me and friends from work) started talking about names. I was actually supposed to be doing something else but came across a site which had quite a few suggestions for a coffee shop which will be inside a church. A few were good, and most of them made me chuckle....The Bean'ry, Let there be Latte (I nearly spilled my latte reading that one!), Jehovah Java, Son-light Cafe, Cup O'Joy, Beanier than thou, Holy Grounds, Higher Grounds, Blessed Beans and my favourite...Fire Escape!!! Gill came up with Cafe on the Hill, as our strapline is "A City on a Hill cannot be hidden". However, we aren't actually on a hill and I can already imagine the endless stream of people saying "But you aren't on a hill". Everyone liked it though and it might make the short list!. Another idea was "Divine" but Gill pointed out that's a name of a drag act, and also the very nice chocolate! So...we are still nameless.

So as I couldn't think of a name, I started looking at the more fun things, like fabric for aprons, coffee machines and cakes. I can't do any cooking at the moment as all my cake tins are in storage! However, I could look at, and buy some fabric for my Emmeline Apron. I was only supposed to be looking, as I can't even make them as my sewing machine is away at the moment! But...I fell in love with them, and suddenly Paypal were emailing me with a receipt. Funny how that happened.

The dark brown one with the dots reminds me of chocolate cupcakes with lots of sprinkles over them, and the other ones just coordinate so well!

I actually have a fat quarter of the paisley pink, and didn't even realise it was Amy Butler. Best keep that to myself and not tell R :-)

I have also been asked to make two bridesmaids dresses in pale pink silk with hot pink sashes. One is for C, and the other is for another little girl, E. My sister-in-law is getting married in September and I will be making a toile out of calico at some point, which I will show you. It's all very exciting. I am doing the flowers as well so I may as well just stop sleeping now!

Littlest Cupcake.....

Happy Birthday!

Been a While.....

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted!

Life has been pretty hectic at Chez PinkieCupcake. The builders are here, scaffolding is up, neighbours are difficult, the kettle is in overdrive, the kids have had half-term and there is a fine layer of dust everywhere. Apart from that, life is gooooood.

I have been suffering from a severe sewing withdrawal. I haven't done anything crafty for a month. Have done a bit of cooking though (including 2 ginger cakes for work!) but not enough time has been spent at the sewing machine as far as I'm concerned!

C has become increasingly interested in baking, so we've done a fair bit over half term. H did get involved too, but didn't want to pose for the camera!

H was more intent on sitting on the sofa, covered in a blanket (takes after his mother) and reading. He read loads! Mr Gum books, Sir Gadabout and Captain Underpants......we also took a trip to the library where he leafed through a few Horrid Henry books to check them out.

R and I are really looking forward to a weekend away. We go every year for a couple of nights without the children. No real occasion, which makes it even better. We also go for a mammoth shopping expedition which is great because we hardly ever go shopping together, and it's great not to have any small people hanging off your arms saying "Can we go NOW....." I'm looking forward to going to John Lewis and drooling over some new Emma Bridgewater pottery....I'm easy to please!

Oh, and the opportunity to enjoy some uninterrupted reading.....bliss. Mind you, I say all this now, but I shall be sitting there saying "Shall we ring the kids....I wonder what they're up to!!"

Getting Fruity

I always find it harder to get my two to eat fruit during the colder months. Whilst I pack their dinners with veg (some of it they can't see - although my daughter can spot a courgette a mile off!), fruit seems to lose it's appeal. I'm giggling as I remember getting my children to try new veg by candlelight - it's amazing if they can't see if properly they will try it!!! Doesn't work now though....

I'm not a fan of stewed fruit and so to be honest it doesn't occur to me to get them to try it (although I have an idea what would happen!!). My freezer is full of it though as I don't want to waste it. I think a few people might be getting apple pies over the weekend!!

C and I went fruit shopping today in Marks & Sparks. Perhaps because she chose it, she devoured quite a bit after dinner tonight, as did H - especially the Strawberries and Cherries.

I'm really pleased with the photo of the apples and plums. Having had my camera for 4 years, I discovered that if you press the 'food' button on the menu, you get a better picture (better late than never I guess!)

As part of a New Year Resolution and pre-building project sort-out, I had an amazing discovery. I'm amazed that they were unopened and hadn't been discovered by one of my children during a rummage through the cupboards to find something....anything to eat (other than fruit!!!!).

I had 4 with my tea and now feel sick! They were gorgeous. Now they are open, I can hear them calling me from the cupboard! I hope R comes home and hides them somewhere else before I end up eating them all!!!!! Uh-Oh...C has just found them!!!

Some pictures from the Weekend

We went to The Millennium Dome, a.k.a The O2 (I prefer the former name as when we mentioned to friends and family we'd been to The O2, they looked confused and said 'huh?' and then we had to explain!

I wish I'd taken a picture of this prior to going in, as the sky was sooo clear and blue. But by the time we came out it was cloudy. Hey ho.

A clue to where we've been. Took the children to the Tutankhamun exhibition, which was fabulous and well worth it.

I just love this picture, I'd love a lampshade like this!!


Back to school tomorrow......(groan).

Post-Christmas and New Year

Happy New Year!

Well it's been busy. Before Christmas I was ill, so I had a little rush on, finishing presents. This one for my friend Amanda, who I work with. (little felt ice skates were so wonderful to make, an idea from Montessouri by Hand). The heart was a little extra for her tree, and the X-stitch was from here and was particularly apt for her (I've since learned that it made her cry, with joy hopefully!!).

Running a Craft afternoon at my Church for the children while the parents helped making 400 Christingles. It was great fun. My two were guinea pigs....

UP at the crack of dawn? Get sewing young man....

C loves stuffing....

After Christmas we went to visit my brother and his family in Cardiff. Staying in a really gorgeous hotel with a roaring fire in each room to sit and sip Baileys next to and get nice rosy cheeks. The following morning while the children played,

We sat reading, and stared at the view.

On returning home, despite not having cooked on Christmas Day, I still seemed to have a plethora of leftovers. Well, we did cook a turkey, ham and acoutrements for the following few days after Christmas, as we did have quite a few visitors.

Poor hubby has been in bed since we returned from Cardiff on Saturday afternoon. He's not usually poorly so I know when he's feeling rough as he never sleeps during the day and doesn't like lying in bed. He's done both every day. (He is also catching up on Season 2 of 24 which means we can continue watching it together once he's caught up with me!!)

Anyway....we have lots of leftovers as he hasn't been hungry enough to eat, so I've been busy making in the kitchen.

Turkey Soup

Yes, yes - I know, a good ole Turkey recipe. However this one is really nice. (Turkey carcus, 1 parsnip, stick of celery, 2 carrots, 1 onion, 2 bay leaves and sprigs of rosemary, 2 litres of water, bung in cooking pot and bring to the boil, simmer slowly for 2 hours). They say that a good chicken soup is good for the soul, and the enzymes released while cooking it is a good cure for colds and flu. R has just eaten a bowl so if he miraculously springs from our bed tomorrow I will let you know.

Broccoli and Stilton Soup, Cheese Sauce

Why Oh Why did we buy a "cheese board". Well I know why, because before Christmas I had a tummy bug and when I finished doing my shopping online, I had no appetite for food so ordered something that would suit all tastes. The Somerset Brie was decimated by the mother-in-law and so there was some Stilton, French Brie and Edam left. I leafed through my Nigella Express Recipe Book and found Broccoli and Stilton Soup....I actually wouldn't touch Stilton with a barge pole if you handed it to me on a cracker, but in a soup, I likes it :-D

It's really, really simple and I'm having it for tea.

First of all fry 3 chopped salad onions in garlic oil.

Add 500g frozen broccoli, together with 1 tsp of dried thyme
Crumble in Stilton....add 800ml hot vegetable stock.


Cook for 5 minutes, liquidize and serve with a little red chilli crumbled on top.


Yum.

I also made batches of cheese sauce for the children, ready to throw on pasta with some of the leftover ham, chicken and some broccoli.

Split Pea and Ham Soup
I have made this before and it's gorgeous. It's also low fat which means it tastes better!!!!

Now that all our guests have gone, the tree is down and things are getting back to normal. I'm already planning what my next sewing project is going to be. I have a few birthdays coming up so better start thinking! (especially as one of them is a big one...you know who you are ;-) )

Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be
on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.

Wishing you a Joyous and Peaceful Christmas, and a very Happy New Year!

(and yes, I'm sure Shepherds wore trainers back then!!!!!!)

A Great Day...

TODAY is a great day.

Today I finished swimming the channel and raised £260 for Aspire.

Today we decorated the tree.

Today I finished these hearts as a present for my friend.

Today we went to Starbucks!!

Today we posed in front of the tree.

Oh, and we have a "fake" tree this year!

oooOOOooo

Floristry....

I love flowers....which is a good thing seeing as I trained as a Florist almost 5 years ago! I had worked in the City for 10 years, ending up in Legal Recruitment. But after having H, I just couldn't hack it anymore, I didn't want to be working the long hours, plus travelling and after a glitch with the nursery he was at (a blessing in disguise) I left.......

I wanted something that was going to fit in around children, and for those with children, you know how hard that is. Anyway, when I was 15 I had wanted to be a florist, but my mum persuaded me not to do it. Probably because junior florists are paid hideously low wages and if you learn 'on the job' you are going to get all the horrible jobs to do!

So at the age of 28, I went back to college for a 2 year stint to train to be a florist. I had an idea that playing with flowers was going to be a wonderfully enriching past-time and I would be happy spending all day being creative. Capel Manor College is THE place to go to learn floristry so off I trotted. H was settled at a new nursery and the course was less than 15 hours per week and so I had the best of both worlds.

Some things I learned in my first year.......

• You are always going to be COLD.


• You learn how to 'feather' carnation petals until the cows come home.


• Wiring 100 ivy leaves is not funny and does not feel remotely creative with cold hands


• You need lashings of handcream after every lesson


• There are only so many things you can do with Leather Leaf to make it look attractive.


• You have to learn many Latin names for plants and flowers, and learn how to pronounce Tsuga Heterophylla like you know what it looks like, and what to do with it (especially as everyone says it differently!).


• Work experience as a 28 year old is no fun at all, especially when the Head Florist is younger than you!


• Making arrangements and hand ties in class is totally different when you do it at work as the customer is always waiting.


• Tool Boxes are best not left in the middle of the room, especially when you are carrying a bucket full of freezing water.
  

However, in my second year...

You learn to think creatively on every piece of the flower, like how to use stems of Gerberas in an arrangement. Something my floristry teacher had never seen before.

You learn to work as a team. Our team always went for large-scale designs. When we were asked to design and make a wire framed 'animal', we in fact, designed and made a swan. It was so large that the floristry department went over their budget for the year (the wings had individually glued on leaf skeletons that cost a fortune wholesale, let alone retail!). But our tutor said she had to let us make it as she wanted to see how it would turn out! We constructed the frame from bonsai wire, covered it in chicken wire, stuffed it with paper, and used moss all over (which you have to wire in place), and then we sprayed it. It was the centerpeice for Christmas.

You learn how to design and construct wedding bouquets - funnily enough I said I was never going to get involved doing weddings, but it turned out, I was very good at them and now that's what I do the most of!

I don't do as much floristry as I did, with two children, a job as a Fundraiser and all my other projects on the go, it has taken a back seat (for now). I still do the odd bouquet, funeral arrangement and wedding....my sister-in-law is getting married next September so I will have to dig out my scissors and stem stripper!

We are what we do...

I got into a little debate the other day about the Cbeebies Song "How would you feel...." (Listen here). Anyway the person I debated with seemed to think that telling children about the effects of global warming was too scary for them, and something they should be sheilded from (but on the same note, it was OK for their 3.1/2 year old to watch Harry Potter(!)...but I digress...)

I think really it's vital that children learn from a very young age the importance of "we are what we do". That doesn't mean hammering it home every five minutes, but as children learn by example it's a wonderful thing for a 7 year old to have some idea about his surroundings, how important it is to recycle, not leave the TV on standby and definitely not leave the tap running when brushing teeth!

I bought Marie Clare last month. Not because it's my usual magazine (don't worry, I passed it onto a friend!) but because of the bag. I do love bags, but I particularly liked this one as it says "Plastic aint my bag". It fits into my handbag and I now make sure that I have it with me so I can decline plastic bags whenever I'm in a shop. I don't mean to sound virtuous but it does leave me feeling pretty good that I have less plastic to recycle this week.

Another environmental 'thing' I feel passionate about is nappies. I'm rather sad that my two don't wear them anymore as I absolutely adored seeing their little bottoms in cloth, especially when I had lots which were second and third hand. I then passed them onto a friend whose little boy wears them - isn't that amazing! (well, it is to me!).

C had to take in a "named plastic bag" on Monday for her plimsolls. As one of my actions on the "We are what we do" website is to decline plastic bags...I don't have many! So I made her a bag.......and she is very pleased with it.

Oh, and my knitting has grown this week! Instead of head bobbing on the sofa whilst watching re-runs of Friends or Ugly Betty, I've been knitting. Still a way to go but I feel rather pleased with myself! :-D