Showing posts with label Passion for Baking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Passion for Baking. Show all posts

Thursday, 25 October 2012

What Has Made Me Cheerful This Week?

I believe, weeks where you may struggle - for whatever reason be it emotionally, physically, because you are under the weather - whatever, it is all the more important to sit and have a think about the positives that have happened during the week.

I have had a bit of a low spell of late so it has done me good thinking about the good going on in our life.  So linking up with Michelle from 'Mummy from the Heart' here are my 


* The Hubby went for an interview this week and got offered a role.  If he does well in the first few months, fingers crossed, he'll be made permanent by Christmas.  This is a massive relief, and if he does get the go-ahead at Christmas, that will be an even bigger one.

* Another relief for our family is that my sister in law has finally had an operation she has been waiting two years for.  My sister in law suffered with a very rare condition during pregnancy called Gigantomastia (severe hyptrophy of the breasts - basically this meant that from when she fell pregnant her breasts did not stop growing) which left her requiring massive reconstructive surgery.  She has now had the surgery and begins her healing period, hopefully this will be an end to what has been a traumatic and uncomfortable couple of years.

* The weekend of the BUPA Great South Run is almost here.  My parents are looking after the children so that the Hubby and I can go to Portsmouth on our own.  Three child-free nights sleep lie ahead (might be disrupted by The Hubby's snoring but I will have to dig out my ear plugs).  Two nights in a lovely hotel, just the two of us in the lovely old Naval town.  The run is on Sunday (and I believe is being aired on Channel 5) so not only do we get a break but I get to experience a big race too.  We are also hoping to be able to catch up with my cousin in Southampton who just recently got engaged.

* J2, although being a little under the weather this week has been really rather amicable and I have managed to get some writing done.  In fact the next instalment of Camomile Crescent is written which gives me good opportunity to edit and re-work it - almost unheard of.  It has also meant I have been able to get some house work and ironing done here and there which all helps with feeling more in control.

* I have managed to get a date in the diary to see two of the girls (both expecting babies at the end of the year) who I used to work with.  We hardly get to meet up due to work and they live quite a distance from where I do, but with them both going on Maternity Leave soon it has been made possible.  Roll on November.

* J2 and I did some more baking from Jo Wheatley's 'Passion for Baking' book.  We tried out the Oat and Raisin cookies.  All I can say is we had better not make them too often or I am going to be the size of a house because they are so unbelievably delicious.  Even the first batch that I over-baked, although crunchy instead of chewy still have an amazing flavour.  All bow down to Jo.

* I was published as a guest post on the Pregnancy and Parenting website Wriggly Rascals this week.  Click here to see my post about Messy Play.

If you need more inspiration to make you think of your positives, hop over to the Reasons to be Cheerful blog hop.

Thursday, 4 October 2012

What Has Made Me Cheerful This Week?

 
Yet another week has sped past in a flurry of school runs, rain and picking up (lots) of puppy poopy.  But a lot of changes have happened in the fast paced week.
 
With the arrival of October, much Halloween discussion has started on Facebook.  Some people have even dared to start discussions on the 'C' word.  In our house we are not allowed to mention the 'C' word until after J1's birthday in November.
 
The heating is scheduled to come on for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening - just to take the chill off.
 
The 'Winter Warmer' recipes have been cracked out of the cook books in preparation for walking in from the cold to a smell of slow cooked meals to melt in the mouth.
 
Yes, a season has truly changed this week.
 
One thing has stayed the same however.  That is, it's Thursday and time to think about things that have made me cheerful this week.  This is a blog hop with Mummy from The Heart - if you need lifting hop on over and read some other happy and grateful posts.
 
So, what has the last seven days meant for me?
 
* I participated in Race for Life and it was truly inspiring.  I was also very happy with my time!

* J2 and I have been baking this week.  We made fairy cakes from 'Jo Wheatley A Passion From Baking'.  I made the cakes and J2 did the toppings (well a few he lost interest after that) but they were all yummy.  There are many more recipes in this book that just look amazing and I can not wait to try them out.

* The Puppy is settling well.  She is very playful and eating well.  She is getting used to sleeping downstairs.  Now she has had her first set of injections she can go out in the garden - which means less poop hunting indoors.

* A couple of writing opportunities have come to light which is very exciting.

* I purchased my Mumsnet Blogfest ticket and am very excited about seeing Mush Brain Ramblings, The Digital Baby and Older Mum in a Muddle in November for a reunion.  One of my best school friends also said she is hoping to attend, if she does it will be the first time we have seen each other for about ten years.
 
We have quite a busy seven days approaching so hopefully there will be lots to be cheerful about next week too.