Summer is approaching and I have been having a play around with my blender. This recipe worked out really well so I thought I would share it with you.

You will need:

1 cup of cold mint green tea
1 cup of diced water melon
1 cup of ice
half a lime
2 spoons of Natvia sweetener

In addition all you need is a decent blender. I say decent as I have previously blown up a cheap smoothie maker trying to crush ice. I have a Boss blender which deals with ice effortlessly.



The recipe is simple, Just place all the ingredients into a the blender and blitz.

The sweetener can be replaced with sugar, but I am currently trying to cut down my sugar intake and this makes it sweet enough.

There is something about stickers that children love and this sticker book from Parragon will not disappoint. This book may have 2000 vehicle themed stickers but it is more than just a sticker book. It has a variety of activities including spot the difference, colouring and sorting activities. 

The retail price of the book is £8 which is quite high but I feel is fair for a book that will keep your little one entertained for hours. Whilst it may be primarily aimed at boys, I am sure that it would also appeal to girls as they are well represented in the pictures. Busy Busy Things That Go is now in the shops and online. Parragon have kindly offered a copy to giveaway to one of my readers. Just complete the Rafflecopter below. Good Luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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One of the things I find difficult with cooking for my 3 boys is that they have very sensitive palettes and dislike the slightest bit of spice in their food. I know that it is just part of growing up, and it will change, but for now I try to make my husband and I a more flavoursome dish on a Friday night.

Spice Kitchen UK kindly sent me a selction of their spices to review. They came packaged in a lovely little pouch and the smell was amazing as they were all freshly ground. I decided to make some spicy potatoes.


You will need:

1 large potato diced
Half a red onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 dessert spoon of Spice Kitchen UK garam masala
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
1 cup of frozen peas




I started by frying half a chopped onion and adding in a diced potato and the chopped garlic.


Next I added the Spice Kitchen UK garam masala, half a tin of tomatoes and some frozen peas. I added the lid to the saucepan and cooked through.



Simple and very tasty, this is great as a side dish.

I think the selection of spices I was sent would make a lovely gift for anyone who enjoys cooking. As well as a variety of Spice gift sets, you can purchase BBQ equipment and cookware. They also have a section of their site with recipe ideas on how to use their spices.

I suppose there are worse things to be addicted to in life, but my latest addiction is to go on holiday. Some may argue that a staycation is a cheaper option but with the costs of days out and meals in the UK, I think that saving a little bit extra and going away for a week is a better alternative.

Why am I so keen on holidays? Well firstly a holiday provides quality time as a family. My husband works long hours. Too long in my opinion. I love that he loves his job, but we rarely get to sit down for a family meal or play a game together. Week nights are a blur of pick ups, after school clubs and if you are lucky Daddy will be back to read you a bed time story. Holidays are different. We get to spend time as a family. We eat together. We have fun together.

Now you could argue that we could stay at home and do these things. However, things always need doing. "Let me just mow the lawn, fix the tap, take the rubbish to the tip...." The list is endless. A week off can just turn into a week of housework and children watching TV. The quality time has disappeared. 

I suppose the most important thing to me though are the memories a holiday brings. I often reminisce with my sister and parents about the lovely holidays we took when I was young. Infact, whilst my memory of other events in my life is often hazy, the memories of our holidays are crystal. 

Grabbing the tail of Mickey Mouse on a fairground ride to have a free go. 

My sister map reading and getting the scale a bit wrong. Her short journey lasted hours! 

The best pasta ever in Italy.

The list goes on and on.

And now I have memories of my little family. 

Little man's excitement at Thomson the Dog. 

Finding eggs under chickens at the farm. 

Riding a camel. 

I would much rather spend my money on a break with the children than buy them more plastic that they don't need. Forgo the latest gadgets or treats for myself to have a week away. Finding a good deal is the key and sometimes waiting for last minute holidays can save money too.

And with that I am off to search the internet for a late deal for the summer. 

How important are holidays for you? Do you choose a vacation or staycation?

Written for Thomson

I have to say that I am no expert with our DSLR. I really could do with some lessons on how to use it rather than just pointing and shooting. Having said that, it still does a pretty good job. I am not very good at looking after it. Here are some things that I have learnt about caring for my DSLR which may or may not be of use to you.

1. Buy a bag for it. This will keep it safe when you are at home as well as when you are out and about, especially if you have a different lenses. Chucking it in your handbag with the kids half eaten raisins isn't the best idea.

2. Don't leave it where the children can see it. I say see it rather than reach it as they will always climb to get it. It is a mystery object to them. They see how much you love it, and love taking photos of them with it. They only want a little go. Before you know it you will have close up shots of Peppa Pig on the TV and bits will have been removed from it that you will never find again. I speak from experience.

3. Ok, I know that not everyone is as into photographing their food as I am, but if like me you like to dabble in food blogging, beware of flour. The stuff seems to get everywhere. That includes your beloved DSLR. Don't tell the husband but I am forever trying to blow away flour from it. Wash and dry your hands before photographing your masterpiece.

4. Don't lose the lense cap. Seems simple right? Wrong. I swear ours has a mind of it's own. I spend as many hours a week looking for the lens cap as I do looking for my car keys. Those that know me will know that this is a stupidly large amount of time.

5. Get a cleaning kit. My husband and I were discussing whether we should get one when an e mail landed in my inbox telling me all about caring for my camera. Apparently wiping the lens with the sleeve of your jumper is not recommended. Who knew! Hopefully this will help us look after it for a little longer, providing we follow point 2 correctly.


What tips would you add?

Note: This is more of a reminder to myself than an educational post

1. Friend request anyone. If you haven't friend requested someone before a glass of wine, you probably shouldn't after one. Old school friends, mums on the school gate, old colleagues. You might want to be nosey but beware of hitting that button.

2. Read local Facebook groups. I am sure that everyone is a member of some small/large Facebook group. They can be great sources of knowledge. If you need a recommendation for a local builder, where better to ask? If you have had a bottle of wine don't do it. Firstly you may ask a stupid question. I didn't even need a glass of wine to post the question "My Mother in Law has asked for a "pointless" board game for Christmas. Any ideas of suitable games?" Yes, I still feel a prat that I had never heard of the TV show. Also alcohol may just get you answering questions a bit too honestly. Most questions can be answered with "Google it" or "see a doctor." For example:

"What time does Sainsbury's open on Sunday?"
"Ummmm Google it"

"My child has a rash do you think I should see a doctor?"
"Ummmm if you are worried yes see a doctor!"

3. Put a status that you love your sister. I do love my sister to pieces but generally the only times I declare it to Facebook are if I have had a glass or two of wine, or I have logged in on the computer and she has put in a status for me.

4. Tell the world how you really feel. Now this one can be debatable but generally Facebook seems to like the "I am happy and look at where I have been" type posts. Airing your personal life in public can just be awkward. Especially if you wake up the next day wanting to delete it. See point 5.

5. Post photos of you and/or your mates on a mummies night out. Yes you are having a great night. Yes you are cool. Why not show everyone how fun you are? I think this explains....

I have no idea who this is. It is almost definitely not me.....

What would you add?

When I had children, the one thing I had never considered was how much they would eat. Three growing boys in this house means three eating machines. Thankfully toast fills them up and I have to say I love the design of this new Breville toaster.

I have to admit that I have been getting annoyed with our toaster recently as it doesn't toast all the bread. I have to stop it half way through, turn it upside down and start again. Ineviteably I end up burning it. Well it appears I can't be the only person getting annoyed by such things as Breville have solved this issue with deep bread carriages. It also has variable browning and width. It also has a look and lift facility. This is what I am currently lacking and why I end up burning it! Non slip feet and removeable crumb tray as well and I am wondering how I have ever lived without one. Even better is that it comes in a 2 slice or a 4 slice version if you have lots of hungry boys like me.

The smart design and premium, sleek stainless steel finish means that the product will make a welcome,stylish addition to any kitchen. It is truly the best thing since sliced bread! You can purchase the 4 slice toaster and 2 slice toaster by clicking the links.

We have just received our toaster and I have to say I am impressed. Although it is a four slice toaster it isn't too big and fits nicely under my kitchen cupboards.


Even better though is that it does what it says and really does toast to the top!



I am pleased to say that Breville have kindly given me a 4 slice toaster to giveaway to one of my readers. Just complete the Gleam entry below. Good Luck!
Breville 4 Slice Toaster

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Big man is a little scientist. He loves all things scientific so was more than happy to review a couple of products from Discovery. 

First up is the Double Globe Planetarium. Included in the box is the main station, a light pointer, a cd rom and two globes. Not included are the 6 batteries you require.

There are two different projections. One of the planets and one of constellations. The light pointer is good for pointing at these. The planet one also has an accompanying recording telling you about each planet.

The Cd Rom was a little disappointing with star constellations and coordinates. Maybe it would interest big man when he is older but at the age of 7 it's a bit too complicated.

I have to be honest and say that I thought big man would tire of the planetarium. It's nice enough but once you've looked at it once that's kind of it. However, big man thinks differently and was asking to put the planetarium on at bed time. I say was, as the bulb has now gone. Apparently there was a spare in the box, but I think big man and I may have been over excited unpacking it as I can't find one so I figure it may have been thrown away. I will now be purchasing a new bulb as big man has enjoyed it so much.

We were also given a digital metal detector to look review. I have no idea if real metal detectors work particularly well, but this is classed as a toy. You calibrate it by placing a metal object underneath and turning the dials as described in the manual. It appears we have metal studs under the laminate as it was constantly beeping. 

We took it into the garden and it will detect metal that is in the correct region. We also took it on a beach to see if we could find anything. Unfortunately we didn't. It probably isn't the best metal detector in the world but the children have enjoyed playing with it. As an adult, the beeping can become annoying. Middle and little man are more interested in the metal detector than big man as he loses interest if he doesn't find something immediately. Both items can be purchased from Amazon.

We were given these products for the purpose of this review but the opinions are my own

Joseph Joseph have sent me a selection of their new Mutli-Peel peelers. I am quite fussy when it comes to vegetable peelers and I am pleased to say that I like these, in particular the potato peeler, or straight edged peeler as they have named it. Each peeler has a special gadget on the side giving it a dual use. For example the potato peeler has a round metal hole that can be used to scrape out any eyes.


Another requirement of mine when it comes to kitchen equipment is that it can go in the dishwasher. I am pleased to say that these are dishwasher safe. At £8 per peeler they aren't cheap, but I would certainly pay that kind of price for the straight peeler. The others would be more dependent on the type of cooking you do. Personally, I don't used much lime/lemon zest in my food as I am not that keen on it. If you are then the julienne peeler might be what you need. It will also be handy for carrot strips in a salad this summer.

I used the potato peeler to make some rather lovely sweet potato crisps that I thought I would share with you.

I started by peeling the sweet potato with the straight peeler.


I then sprayed a baking tray with a fine mist of olive oil.



I continued to peel my sweet potato and placed these strips on the baking tray. Next I sprayed again with oil and sprinkled over a little salt.


I then cooked for about 10 minutes at 180C.


I would say that one tray full makes one portion of crisps. If the crisps start going brown then they are getting over cooked and need taking out. These are really tasty and worth trying. Hope you like them as much as I do!



I was sent the peelers for the purpose of this post but the opinions are my own.

As you can see the user guide is extremely easy to understand and big man was able to assemble the computer himself.

You may think that as I am not keen on any animals, booking a farm holiday in North Devon was an odd choice. I admit I had my concerns before hand and hadn't even considered the need for wellies until my friend (who had recommended the cottages to us) told me not to forget them! Big man, in particular loves his animals and that is why we have spent the last week at Lower Hearson farm in Devon. 

We stayed in The Linhay which accommodates 5. It had everything we needed including a dishwasher, free wifi and a much needed washing machine. My boys just have to look at mud and they are covered in it! 

The best thing about Lower Hearson, however, is the warm welcome from Graeme the farmer. At 8.30am and 5pm each day the children can help feed the animals. This was fantastic and the boys wanted to do this on most days. There were baby chicks which seemed to double in size during the week!

Pigs.

And smaller pigs. Here we learnt that if you stroke a pigs tail it straightens. Who knew!

I managed to feed a sheep. Yes at the grand old age of 38 this was a first! It was rather wet and sloppy and I have no desire to repeat it. The boys, however, enjoyed the way it tickled!

On the final evening I even got to reach under a hen for an egg. An odd ambition to have, but I was very over excited to find one.

The boys had so much fun feeding the animals and even little man could tell you how many scoops of feed the pigs had. On Wednesday Graeme did a quiz around the gardens for the boys and then we got to eat some previous members of the farm at the sausage sizzle.

The boys also enjoyed the heated swimming pool and the large trampoline.

Lower Hearson Farm made a great base for exploring North Devon and we had some lovely days out that I will update you on soon.