My Beautiful Blog

I've started this week on a big organising drive.  I want the house all spic and span, the garden neat and tidy and all paperwork sorted.  Well, I'm halfway there!  I spent yesterday sorting out all the paperwork, filing bills and reciepts, shredding old stuff and sorting out a new finance plan.  So many of our bills have increased this year that our old one was a bit out of date.  Do any of you have a finance plan, with all your expenditure laid out?  It's pretty shocking when you see everything in black and white! 

As well as listing all our bills, I also went back through my bank account records to see if there was anywhere I could make savings.  I was stunned when I saw how much I've spent already this year!  Some things were unavoidable, but, for the most part, it was money that could have been saved.  I've decided to be much more frugal in future and only buy things I really need, rather than things I really want.  To help me, I'm keeping a daily log of spending.  This won't include the bills, as they are accounted for in the finance plan, this will just be my personal spending.  I know it's going to be hard for me, as I get great enjoyment from shopping, lol!  I do have a VERY good reason for wanting to save though, and I'm hoping that will be motivation enough, I'll let you know how I get on each week.

So, paperwork sorted, I spent this morning on the back garden.  I had to cut back one of my neighbours trees, well, not a tree really, but a giant weed thing that encroaches.  If it was something pretty, I wouldn't mind it hanging all over our patio at all, but it has a nasty smell and sheds its leaves and berries!  That done, I spent a little time weeding and deadheading, picked another courgette, fed the tomatoes and beetroot, and then swept the patio.  I know I forgot to show you the potatoes I dug up a few weeks back too:-

 

I dug them up earlier than usual, because, with the amount of rain we've had, I was really worried they'd start rotting.  There were enough potatoes for 6 meals here, which wasn't bad at all, and, yes, they tasted nice, but I won't be growing them again next year.  I've decided that, considering the cost of the actual seed potatoes and the fertiliser and fresh soil I bought to start them off, it doesn't work out to be very economical.  If I was growing them en masse in an allotment, then I'm sure it would, but in my tiny garden?  Next year, I think I may just stick to tomatoes, which do taste better fresh, and hardly cost anything to raise from seed.

Tomorrow, I'll be tackling the house.  Sorting out cupboards and giving everything a deep clean.  Exciting, hey!

I finished another, really enjoyable book! 

 

Delilah, the main character, wakes one day and realises that, over the years, she has had twenty partners.  She is determined not to make it twenty one, so comes up with the idea of visiting her former lovers to see if one of them was "The One". 

I thought it was very witty and well written, although with a predictable outcome.  Saying that though, I think the moral of the story was, "Don't look back, look forward", so the ending was probably justified.  If you like chicklit, you'll love it!

I've been cooking new recipes a fair bit, especially desserts, and thought I'd share this delicious trifle with you.  Get ready to pile on some pounds!

RASPBERRY AND PISTACHIO TRIFLE

 

Ingredients

• 200g raspberries, plus extra to decorate
• 50g caster sugar
• 16 sponge finger biscuits
• 125ml amaretto liqueur

For the topping

• 60g pistachio nuts
• 4 chocolate cookies

For the cream

• 3 eggs, separated
• 50g caster sugar
• 250g mascarpone

Lightly crush the raspberries in a bowl with the sugar.  Break up the sponge fingers and place them in the bottom of 4 trifle dishes.  Drizzle them with the amaretto, and press them down lightly.  Add the crushed raspberries to each glass. 

To make the cream, beat the egg yolks and half the sugar in a bowl until thick and pale.  Then beat in the mascarpone until smooth.  Whisk the egg whites until at soft peak stage, then add the remaining sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.  Gently fold it into the mascarpone mix.  Divide this among the dishes.

To make the topping, place the pistachios and cookies in a processor and whizz until they are crumbs.  Sprinkle this over the dishes and top each with a few extra raspberries.

And with that, I'll leave you.  Have a lovely Tuesday all!

Paulaxx

I had a mad blitz on the house yesterday, cleaning it from top to bottom.  I'm not sure what came over me, but I'm glad it did, as the house looks great this morning.  Woe betide anyone who leaves crumbs or ringmarks anywhere (or clothes, dvd's videogames etc)!!!

I've been reading lots, mostly trying to get through a boxful that my friend lent me, but also slipping in the Twilight series again (I know, I can't help myself, it's the fourth time I've read them all!).  I really enjoyed this book that I picked up while in Sainsburys, and that, is another thing I can't help doing, you know, picking up books in the supermarket.  I only went in for a pint of milk and ended up with three paperbacks as well!  Lethal!

 

I think this was one was quite close to my heart, as it deals with the issue of a mixed race relationship (and I detest that phrase really, I mean, we're all from the human race are we not!)  The central characters are Niamh, bought up in England, but with parents who are proud to celebrate their Irishness at every turn (which makes for some fun reading), and Pierre, the man Niamh has fallen in love with, who couldn't be less Irish if he tried, as he happens to to be French Carribean and black.  The story flashes back to her childhood, where you learn how much her family means to her, and why she is worried about their reaction to the relationship.  I did enjoy the book, but felt it would have been better if Pierre's character had been explored a little more, and his feelings on the rascism issue expanded on.  But, for a lighthearted read, it's enjoyable and I would recommend it, just don't take it for a true reflection of a mixed race relationship, well, not one I've ever come across anyway, and certainly not mine and Mark's, which had so many minefields I'm surprised we're still together sometimes!

On Wednesday, the children got their braces fitted!  Now, please bear in mind that Rebecca has not stopped going on about getting hers for a year now, since they had their initial appointment at the orthodontist.  Not a week's gone by where she hasn't come up to me with her netbook showing me some new brace style she wants, even though I told her you don't get a choice on the NHS!  Now she has them, she's not stopped going on about getting them taken out.  She's even made a countdown calendar to cross off the months (all 18 of them)!  Benjamin's is not so bad, as he only has to wear a top one for 6-9 months, but Rebecca has the top one, and a retainer for the bottom teeth, which makes her talk with a lisp and juts her chin out.  I do feel sorry for her, as she does a lot of acting at school and I'd hate for this to be a barrier to that.  Does anyone have any experience of retainers and could let me know if the lisp will go away as she gets used to it?

 

 

The weather hasn't been up to much here, so I haven't had a chance to really test out the camera, but I did grab this shot quickly:-

 

We're off to a wedding tomorrow, so I hope to test it out further there.  Oh, one drawback I have found with it is the battery life, it is absolute pants!!  I'm definitely going to have to buy a spare one, as it runs out after about 50-60 shots, and I can take that many in about 10 minutes!

Now, just before I go, I wanted to share this dinner idea which I know you'll love.  The burgers are so tasty, and layering it on the naan with the salad really makes it special.

TANDOORI LAMB BURGERS

 

INGREDIENTS

• 500g lean lamb mince
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tablespoons mango chutney
• 2cm piece of fresh ginger
• 1tsp ground coriander
• 1tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp garam masala

To serve

• 6 mini naan breads
• 1 cucumber
• 1 red onion
• juice of 1 lemon
• teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt
• natural yoghurt (a cup or so full)
• handful of mint, chopped finely
• lime pickle

Mix all the ingredients for the burgers together and season with pepper.  Shape the mixture into 6 rounds and lay them on a baking tray.  Cook in a moderate oven for 20-25 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.

While they are cooking, use a vegetable peeler to cut ribbons of cucumber, and slice the red onion into thin rings.  Place them in a bowl and cover with the sugar salt and lemon juice.  During the last ten minutes of cooking, add the naan breads to the oven to toast and mix the natural yoghurt with the mint to make raita.

Top each naan bread with a spreading of lime pickle (beware, this can be very hot!), then with some of the mint raita.  Pile on the cucumber and red onion and finish with a burger.  Voila!  An easy peasey but tasty meal.  I hope you enjoy it:)

Have a great Friday all!

Paulaxx

So, this is my new toy that turned up on Saturday:-

 

The new Panasonic Lumix TZ7!  I really needed a small point and shoot camera, because, as much as I LOVE my Nikon D40, it's such a pain having to carry it (and the various lenses) around all the time.  I seem to find that I never have the right lens on at the right time, plus, I'm fed up with getting dirt in the lenses, even though I'm ultra careful with them.  I read review after review on p.a.s.cameras, and this was the one that came out tops.  People have even said that they're leaving their SLR's at home more, as this camera performs just as well.

I can't tell yet if this camera will surpass my Nikon as I haven't had that much of a play with it, although, I am super impressed with the macro facility and the anti-shake.  I took this photo yesterday, at the very top of a high hill where the wind was whipping my hair into my face, and this flower and bee were blowing rapidly from side to side!  I'd have expected to be unable to focus, but I didn't have any problems and managed this shot

Now, I know it will never make "Photo of the Week", but for a very quick shot, on full macro, with dire wind conditions, well, I think it's pretty good!

Then, these spider shots taken in the garden, again with the wind at full blast!

 

 

Looks scary doesn't it, but it was teeny tiny, or I can assure you I'd have been nowhere near it, lol! I think the camera focused just as well as my Nikon would have here.

A couple of flower shots, straight from the camera:-

 

 

 

I'm really looking forward to testing it out further and comparing like for like shots with my Nikon.  I'll let you know how I get on:)

I have some scrapbooking to share:)  Friday's Mojoholder was a lift of Kay Rogers, whose style I personally love!

This is Kay's layout:

The Mojoholder sketch:-

And my layout:-

 

And this layout is a redo of an old one that I didn't like anymore.  Probably something to do with the huge amount of fibres on it, yuck!

 

I like this one better:D!

Well, the children break up from school tomorrow, so I'd better go and get all the tasks done before then.  Have a great day!

Paulaxx

Phew!  I thought I was never going to blog again, things have been so manic here the last few days!

Benjamin has flu, and as a precaution, was sent home from school.  It seems to be just normal flu, not the swine variety, but we are keeping an eye on him. Rebecca has been busy with her school production.  They've been performing a fabulous version of the "Back to the 80's" musical.  She's a dancer in it, and is absolutely fab, if I do say so myself:D!

 

Does that take you back?  Fluorescent tops and jewelery, sparkly make-up?  She has bright pink legwarmers and is doused in glitter too, lol!  We saw the performance yesterday (it's running over 3 nights), and were amazed at how professional it was.  The teachers and children have put 6 weeks of hard work into rehearsing and I am sure there were a couple of future stars in there! 

I've now managed to get the majority of my photos and scrapbook layouts onto Flickr, and just don't seem to be able to tear myself away from looking at other people's photos on there.  It's a truly fascinating site and there are some seriously talented people out there!  Speaking of photos, there's a little something winging it's way to me tomorrow!  I'm excited and will probably be up at the crack of dawn waiting for it's delivery.  I'll let you know what it is when I've had a chance to play:)

Having lost all of my recipes on here:( I really need to make a start building them up again, so without further ado, I introduce to you, rhubarb and white chocolate buns.  They are seriously delicious, and having tried them out on several friends and family members who have all agreed, you know I'm not just being biased!

RHUBARB AND WHITE CHOCOLATE BUNS

 

INGREDIENTS

• 350g caster sugar
• 200g rhubarb, trimmed and cut into cubes
• 100g soft unsalted butter
• 225g plain flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 tablespoons hot milk
• 2 large eggs
• 100g white chocolate, chopped
• icing sugar for dusting

Preheat your oven to moderate.  Put 125g of the sugar and 125ml of cold water into a pan and bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.  Poach the rhubarb in this syrup for half a minute, drain and discard the syrup.

Put the butter and remaining 225g of sugar into a bowl and, using a whisk or electric beaters, cream until pale and fluffy.  Sift in the flour and baking powder followed by the hot milk.  Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix together.  The mixture should be quite moist.  Stir in the cooled rhubarb and white chocolate and spoon into 12 muffin cases.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown, then allow to cool on a wire rack.  Dust with icing sugar before serving.

Now, before I go, I want to share something so totally cute and funny, I bet you'll be watching it all weekend!

Happy Friday!

Paulaxx

Everything is at full bloom in the garden now, with the exception of some summer bulbs that have yet to flower.

 

 

 

 

 

It all looks really beautiful, and, other than watering, I'm not having to do much out there (which, sadly, includes sitting in it as the weather is so miserable!!).

My veggie patch has been wonderful!  The strawberries have finished now, but I had loads of great big juicy ones.  Runner beans have been plentiful, I can't pick them fast enough.  Tomatoes are starting to form:-

  

and just look at my courgettes!

 

 

I'm going to leave them for another few days to get a bit fatter, then I'll pick them - yum!

Busy again here today so I'll love you and leave you.

Paulaxx

It was a quiet weekend here, not much going on really, although we did go to Richmond Park for a walk yesterday.  We're trying to make a point of going out every Saturday or Sunday morning for a walk somewhere, with the children, so we all get a bit of exercise.  I can't say I enjoyed this walk much as I had new trainers on and they were pinching and rubbing my feet like crazy!  It's blister city today, lol! Still, I got a shot of the deers and some of fabulous trees and logs.  You know I love my trees!

  

 

Don't you think this one looks like a fish?

I've uploaded lots of my photos to Flickr, which you can access via the little widget on the right here.  I still have hundreds to go, but it's good to have them all in one place to view, and I'll be sending the link to family members once everything's there. 

I decided to start joining some groups, and imagine my surprise when I was looking at other members photos in one pool and came across one of my own!  I couldn't believe it, it had been directly lifted from my blog, complete with the smudge spot (my lens has needed professional cleaning for about a year now!), and the view of a sunset from my back garden!  Arrgghhh!  What's with people that they think it's okay to steal?  Copy my scrapbook layouts using your own materials, fine, I have no problem with that.  Let my photos inspire you and then take a similar shot yourself, fine, I have no problem with that either!  But to just steal a photo and claim it as yours, that's not on at all!  I haven't contacted the person because I figure they must be pretty sad to have done this in the first place, but it is sooo annoying!

I don't think the copyright sign I was putting on is helping much, so I've given up with that and just hope I've managed to compress these images enough that they won't be worth stealing! 

Anyway, just a short post today as I've got heaps to do!  I hope you all have a great day.

Paula xox

Errmm, just to let you know that I'm back!  This time, my blog will be a little less organised and a bit more rambling.  All my posts from the previous 4 years are gone, but I'm looking forward to starting afresh.  Onwards and upwards as they say:) 

Thanks for sticking around:)

Paulaxx