Top Ten - August 21st

1. Whites laundry including bedding and t-shirt in soak. Clean laundry area and sink. Fold and put away dry laundry.
2. Eyebrows. Shower and shave legs.
3. Sew Bundle's nappy and Hubby's anniversary t-shirt.
4. Brush out en-suite.
5. Quiet time, scripture memory, prayer, grace, bedtime prayer, Lord's prayer, catechism time and worship CDs.
6. Walk to the far end of the road and back (1 1/2 miles) after naptime.
7. Eat a small breakfast, sensible lunch and prepare ahead a healthy snack (carrot sticks).
8. Clean en-suite sink and bleach loos.
9. Clean pigeon-hole shelving unit, decide on future paint colour if any. If necessary paint with methylated spirits.
10. Tutoring prep (see yesterday).

Additional rules:
No TV, except during dinner and times when Bundle is asleep.
Swagbucks, Moodscope, apps, email and Kindle only available while Bundle is asleep.
Podcasts allowed only while I am eating breakfast and during milkies.

Honey-do List
Get up with Bundle to allow Mama a lie-in.

Haiku - August 20th - 10.10pm

Time, where goest thou? Sleep,
Why do you hide when most tired,
Am I? Can't sleep. Tired.

Why does insomnia persist when,
Activity increased, both mental and physical. Pursuits,
Which should tire, but reinvigorate.

To bed and no mistake.
To bed and no arguments from me.
Then why am I up?

Who needs enemies when you,
Have yourself? To blame, to cause such,
Pain, negativity, distress, stress, frustration.

Rain bouncing off roof and,
Ground. Battering the senses and causing shivers,
Despite heat, humidity. Weather memories.

Breathe, just breathe, pray and,
Breathe, just breathe and write that list.
Tomorrow another day, another chance.

Top Ten - August 20th

1. Dark laundry including sheets and pillowcases.
2. Set timer for three minutes and shape eyebrows. Shave my legs after Bundle is settled in bed.
3. Watch educational reform video with Hubby and use it to draw a spider diagram of my takeaway from the speaker's educational philosophy
4. Sew another item from the mending basket.
5. Tutoring preparation - print out the next couple of weeks of the Armour of God copywork. Print out another phonics workbook. Write out all forty-four phonemes on flashcards.
6. Walk toward the other end of the road and back (1 1/4 miles) after naptime.
*Update - walked around and around MrsThing's house instead, as I had SportySis for company and it looked like rain.*
7. Reduce the amount I eat at breakfast. Eat sensibly at lunchtime.
8. Quiet time, scripture memory, prayer jar, grace, bedtime prayer, Lord's prayer, catechism time and worship CDs.
9. Brush out en-suite, WC, kitchen and hallway.
10. Arrange new podiatric appointment. Email Amazima. Research Google's 20% employee time.

Additional rules:
No TV, except during dinner and when Bundle is asleep.
Swagbucks, Moodscope, apps, email and Kindle only available while Bundle is asleep.
Podcasts allowed only while I am eating breakfast and during milkies.

Honey-do List
1. Bath Bundle after dinner.
2. Replace bed sheets.
3. Hang artworks. Cousin's watercolour (lounge). Yesterday's monogram artwork (kitchen) - mask also.
4. Charity shop donations drop-off and purchase of colour ink for the printer.
5. Empty bin in the barn and scrub clean (inside and out). Also scrub clean the potty chair from my sister.

Haiku - August 19th - 10.30pm

Quiet house, supper digesting, peace.
Sneeze erupts from sleeping babe, sleeps on.
To-do list for tomorrow brewing.

Catching up on reading blogs.
Enjoying educational discussions, thinking to the future.
Homeschooling - eclectic, God-centred, delight directed.

Philosophies of education aside; focus,
Homemaking must be mastered first before more,
Added to the brimming plate.

Little Susie Homemaker, fifties style,
Dreams of gleaming surfaces, smiling, order,
Instead chaos, clutter, must clean.

And now, I must sleep,
Last night, up gone three, mind whirling,
Hundred mph, lists help soothe.

Today, list followed, much acheived,
Still more undone, but paint finally removed,
From kitchen sink, two years.

Tomorrow, busy day to come,
Work and visitors all combined and double-booked.
Successful day if nerves intact.

Success only possible through Him.
Stretched tight, nerves frazzled, leaning on Him.
The everlasting arms bring peace.

Pray, breathe, pray, breathe, confess.
Grace offered anew, refreshed I breathe again.
Thankful heart praises, prays, breathes.

Haiku - August 19th - 7.40pm

Dinner cleared, house to tidy.
Hyper baby needs calmed. Husband home, fed,
Away again, external duties call.

Catechism songs play, baby plays,
Mummy plays at poetry and Daddy works.
Bedtime calls, we tiredly answer.

Time to get changed, pyjamas,
Stories to be chosen, read, milkies drunk,
Potty time, then lullaby, sleep.

Haiku - August 19th - 4.30pm

Post walk, laundry, activity, glow.
Moment of rest, relaxation, reset - milky time.
Upturned face, giggles, dribbles, joy.

Haiku - August 19th - 3.10pm

Chose not to sleep - why?
For disturbed sleep tires more than none.
Baby slept soundly. I rested.

Six words - August

Going fast, I'm crazy, hormonal, help.

Haiku - August 19th - 2.30am

Sleep eludes me, or I
Being without foresight avoid it, baby sleeps
Soundly, unusually long, breathing heavily.

Top Ten - August 19th

1. White wash including baby blankets, duvet cover and pillowcases. Replace duvet cover and pillowcases.
2. Brush out en-suite, nursery and bedroom.
3. Clean en-suite, including bath and shower screen, using vinegar spray and bleach loos.
4. Calculate and set aside tithe. Set aside change from purse and tally it along with moneyboxes. Calculate child sponsorship and set aside for it. Empty Bundle's moneyboxes into his bank account.
5. Set timer for three minutes and shape eyebrows.
6. Cleanse, tone and moisturise before bed (after Bundle is settled for the night).
7. Shine kitchen sink and scrub basin inside and out.
8. Quiet time for me. Scripture memorisation during breakfast, prayer time with Bundle during snack, grace before dinner and Lord's prayer/bedtime prayer before bed. Play worship CDs during day. Catechism time with Bundle in the afternoon.
9. Walk to the end of the road and back (1 mile) directly after naptime. Weigh-in and record on app.
10. Make a family monogram on scrapbook paper, framed for the hallway.

Additional rules:
No TV except during dinner and after Bundle is asleep.
Swagbucks, Moodscope, apps, internet, email and Kindle only available while Bundle is asleep.
Podcasts allowed only while I am eating breakfast and during milkies.

*I also repaired three jar decorations that had become unstuck and printed out some copywork for tutoring.*

Gentle Strength

The curling fingers wrapped around my finger. 

The sweetness of a hot, sweaty head with slick curls on damp forehead all smooshed up against me, seeking human warmth, not heat.

The hand that reaches out in reassurance that we are present.

The little head, sprung up as out of sleep he falls and into life and energy and the big grin and good morning "Hiya," proudly speaking his intent to start the day. 

The energy, oh the energy, the sleepy, drooping head, so relaxed and nodding, nodding until a dog barks and the spring is sprung as the sleepiness dissipates and the hand flies to his ear aside his cocked head with a "huh" and a questioning look as he seeks to know what is happening abroad and the settling begins again in earnest after the question is answered. 

The gentleness of the touch and the strength of the touch.

The gentle play of fingers lifting small bites from the table, of collecting up tiny toys or stroking your face.

The rough and tough and soreness of rebellion, fighting unassailable truths that sleep must be gotten and nappies must be changed in order for health to be held. The strength of will, the power of little arms stretched out in protest and squeals that pierce armour of the toughest form that squawk "no" to whatever the parent wishes: shoes on, feeding time, bed time, "you can't play with that," it's dangerous or fragile or not ours, you can't, shouldn't, won't and the resounding "no" and "never" and "I shall not be moved," responses.

You set the limits and choose the battles, repetitions worth repeating in order to move along and grow and learn and we all grow and learn.

There are distractions and deflections and things put out of reach and places and times avoided and naps are sought at appropriate intervals and we all work for a common cause - peace though not often quiet.

Of course tempers fray and sanctuary is sought away from squeals and Daddy is called into play, "tag you're it" and sometimes "baby jails" can save your sanity but always resolve, resolution, the coming together again of mother and child in dramatic reunion, big hugs and sobs and "sorrys," "I love yous" and love always love always love. 

14-08-13

Bundle Tales #3

Putting his doll (Jimmy) to bed and getting him up after naps/sleep. Giving him hugs and kisses.

Requesting milkies with repeated signing.

A precious moment of interrupting his play at LLL to come and sign for the toilet and then go and just melt his Mummy's heart.

Climbing out of the buggy and pitter-patting his way to find us, often going straight back to sleep. Proof positive that he just wants company.

Sharing his toys nicely with others.

Keeping his nappy dry for long stretches (most of the night).

Putting up his hands to protect his face from licks from the big dog.

Terrifying the little dog, not through any negative actions but simply because he is unpredictable and interested in her.

Pouring the (fortunately only number ones) comtents of his potty over his naked self in a temper, earning himself a cold shower (didn't have any hot water) and thus prompting angelic behaviour the rest of the morning.

Leaning to the side to surprise his Daddy from his hiding place on top of his Daddy's shoulders when Daddy claims to have lost him.

Continuing to charm the pants of all and sundry.

Trying to speak so much - recognisably (to us anyway) saying tractor, quack quack, moo.

Loving the cows and heading to the nearest window, gate etc. at the mere mention of them.

Giggling in anticipation of his milkies.

Giving the best most snuggly hugs in the world.

Open-mouthed, slobbery, drool-y kisses.

Sleep acrobatics landing him in all sorts of uncomfortable positions, for both him and us.

Bundle Tales #2

Dancing with lightning feet to Galway Girl.

Requesting Galway Girl by heading straight for the stereo in Nanny & Granda's.

Playing the bodrhán (both child-sized and Granda-sized and goat-skin stinky) with great gusto.

Greeting us with an enthusiastic "Hiya!" in the morning and pretty much any time we return from an absence.

Putting his legs over his Daddy's neck and also finding it more comfortable to sleep with his head hanging backwards or on top of his Mummy's legs.

Initiating "cheers" with his cup or rice cracker. (20months)

"Parking" his truck in its spot in the barn. (20months)

Carrying the nappy bucket to its home in the bathroom and putting the laundry into it. (20months)

Being so careful of kerbs and door ridges, going so far as to crawl or climb over millimetre rises. (18-20months)

Signing milkies when asked "what are we going to do now?" (20months)

Asking for a book with "beu beu" and his attempt at a book sign. (20months)

Waking to go to the toilet.

Enjoying the kookaburra hand-puppet, uncontrollable giggles when the kookaburra tries to eat him/kiss his neck, face, tummy. Including falling over from giggling so Mummy only plays at this when he's lying down. (19/20months)

His wonderful kisses where he leans in or when he lifts his chin and pouts. (18-20months)

His all-encompassing hugs, so wonderful and usually before nap or bedtime. (20months)

Playing the kissing game - everybody kiss Daddy, everybody kiss Mummy, and......everybody kiss James - cue the big giggles. (12months+)

Just adoring his books - requesting stories all day long and poring over them for up to an hour (once or twice) just staring, absorbing and flipping those pages.

Carrying sticks around at all times and following Mummy and Daddy's directions to drop them at the door (to our house or Nanny and Granda's) sometimes with squeals afterwards when the realisation hits that he no longer is holding them but increasingly with no adverse reaction. (18-20months)

Playing his xylophone, shaking his jingle bells and tambourines, drumming all available surfaces and tipping out the box of musical instruments every morning - thankfully also tidying them back into the box with direction and maybe a little squealing.

Enjoying many varied music styles and Mummy singing him nursery songs and folk songs from around the world.

Loving you to read the wall pictures/photos/art to him; there's a little girl driving a car and her dog "woof woof" is watching her; telling him the gumnut story; reading him his alphabet, a is for armadillo; there's a picture of Daddy and Bundle. (20months)

Cuddles and kisses to say sorry. (20months)

32 Goals: Week 1

Daily Tasks
Choose a cute notebook and begin to study Isaiah and make notes using the SOAP method (4)
Revise and relearn previous Scripture memorisation with Bundle (at breakfast) (6)
Work consistently to teach Bundle more signs (milk, food, toilet, bed, book, pray, quiet and no). (7)
Engage Bundle in a daily prayer time (10)
Say grace before all meals (10)
Maintain laundry, open blinds and make beds daily (13)
Air the house (13)
Tidy 32 things a day (15)
Read Flatland (22)
Save change (especially fivers) (26)
Track spending (26)
Dilute milk (26)
Knit (26)
Swagbucks and GFK Media Panel (26)
Practise separation discipline with Bundle (from event not from me) when necessary (31)

One and Done Tasks
Devise a meal and snack plan (2)
Try my Urban Dance exercise DVD (3)
Revise my already learnt WSC questions and answers, use the study book and CD (5)
Revise BSL alphabet, numbers and colours (7)
Develop a fluid schedule and more routines to the day to allow for cleaning, exercise, grooming, crafts, special interests, reading etc. (8)
Choose a time to get up each morning (8)
Tidy up the family tree information already gathered (9)
Make a prayer pot (10)
Revise Spanish alphabet, numbers and colours (12)
Develop cleaning schedule (13)
Tot up any decluttered items(14)
Sort/donate/declutter/delve through a "box" (18)
Email OzSis and family at least once (20)
Email Mr&MrsThing at least once (21)
Download the send to kindle application onto the PC (22)
Revise previously learnt hymn/chorus words (23)
Collate a scrapbook of Bundle's birth cards (24)
Rejoin GFK Media Panel (26)
Complete maximail surveys (26)
No takeaway week, set aside saved money (26)
Turn off TV/SkyBox at night, unplug microwave, toaster, washing machine and dryer when not in use (26)
Download and back-up the free curriculum about studying geography etc. through the great commission (27)
Set up an organisation system for my tutoring supplies (27)
Contact Suzanne re Blyton books (27)
Update business money phone app. after tutoring (28)
Tidy the base of the long-hanging wardrobe (29)
Practise church behaviour with Bundle by listening to ten minutes of a sermon CD, include practice of the signs for prayer, quiet and no (31)
Practise the piano (32)

Indefinite Tasks
Spend time with my SportySis (1)
Reduce my dairy intake (2)
Reduce/Cut out the junk food (2)
Lose weight (2)
Enjoy fresh air with Bundle (3)
Walk faster and farther when taking Bundle out in the pram/buggy (3)
Groom more consistently (11)
Eyebrow shaping, haircuts, re-fixing hair through the day, make-up, exfoliation, cleansing, toning and moisturising, weekly night-cream, handcream and nail care (11)
Use clothes dryer as little as possible (26)

32 Goals for my 32nd Year

This coming weekend I shall turn thirty-one and so, once more, my life is in sharp focus...

...here are 32 goals for my 32nd year, in no particular order...

1. SportySis & Sewing
Spend time with my SportySis and have her teach me how to use a sewing machine.
Spend time with her crafting otherwise and just spend time.
Make four fruit and vegetable bags from my already set aside pillowcases.

2. Weight Loss
Reduce my dairy intake.
Cut out the junk food.
Plan ahead for meals and snacks to lessen the likelihood of my falling off the wagon.
Lose the weight (pregnancy permitting).

3. Exercise
Enjoy fresh air with Bundle, including walks, playdates and trips to the park etcetera.
Walk faster and farther when taking him out in the pram/buggy.
Try all my exercise DVDs (one DVD a fortnight - trying it at least twice).
Borrow off friends/family to try and find one (or more) that I might *enjoy*.
Exercise.

4. Quiet Time
Study my way through the book of Isaiah.
Make notes about what I'm learning.
Use SOAP method.

5. Catechism
Learn a Westminster Shorter Catechism question and answer every week.
Use the study book and CD to help.

6. Memorise Scripture
Practise Scripture memorisation daily with Bundle (at breakfast) and try to learn a new Scripture about once a fortnight.

7. BSL
Revise British Sign Language, set aside a time each week.
Use vocabulary videos online.
Work consistently (at lunchtime or other relevant points in the day) to teach Bundle more signs (e.g. milk, food, toilet, bed, book, please, thank you, more, all done, dog, pray, quiet).

8. Schedule
Develop a fluid schedule and more routines to the day to allow for cleaning, exercise, grooming, crafts, special interests, reading etc.
Choose a time to get up each morning.

9. Family Tree
Focus on the family tree - sending emails and letters to confirm or learn information and gather letters, photographs and stories to collate and distribute.
Tidy up the information already gathered.

10. Prayer
Make a prayer pot.
Engage Bundle in a daily prayer time.
Say grace before all meals.

11. Grooming
Groom more consistently.
Eyebrow shaping, haircuts, re-fixing hair through the day, make-up, exfoliation, cleansing, toning and moisturising, weekly night-cream, handcream and nail care.

12. Spanish
Revise Spanish vocabulary and grammar, set aside a weekly time.
Make use of the various books, CDs etc. That I already have.
Plan a Spanish holiday and practise!

13. Housekeeping
Improve household care - continue with fortnightly bed linen changes, maintaining laundry, opening blinds and making beds daily, improve my airing of the house, cleaning and tidying.
Develop cleaning schedule.

14. Declutter
Declutter 32 things a month.

15. Tidy
Tidy 32 things a day.

16. Wedding Album
Choose favoured pictures.
Collate our wedding album.

17. Photo Book 1
Make a personalised photo book for Bundle.
Go through the alphabet, numbers, colours, shapes.
Include close family, familiar locations and pets.

18. Sort
Sort/donate/declutter/delve through at least 32 "boxes".
Including those in the barn and attic.

19. Photo Book 2
Collate a photo album/scrapbook of our Australian adventure.
Include journalling of our adventures.

20. OzSis
Develop my relationship with OzSis and her kids through regular emails (at least once a fortnight).

21. MrsThing
Maintain my relationship with Mr&MrsThing through regular emails (at least once a fortnight).

22. Kindle Reading
Read at least 32 of my Ultimate Homemaking Bundle e-books to ensure value for money.
Also all other "purchased" e-books (Flatland, Life of Pi).

23. Singing
Learn the words of a new hymn/chorus every week.
Make use of our multiple worship CDs.

24. Scrapbook
Collate a scrapbook of Bundle's birth cards.

25. Velcro
Velcro the sofa cushions.
Also cut, hem and velcro in place the Ikea fabric panels onto the craft cupboard doors, also clean the glass.

26. Save £2,500
Saving change (especially fivers).
Gathering what we already have (updating and closing the post office accounts).
Selling (e.g. excess nappies and wraps, ki-fit, perhaps using gumtree to declutter the outhouses and sell "excess" books, perhaps buying and selling charity shop finds).
Cutting spending (buying up cheap end-of-day bakery items and freezing them for general future use, tracking spending for a month to seek ways in which to save, cutting out all buying for a month-save milk/fruit/vegetables, using the library, reducing the number of takeaways we buy, buying in bulk for a saving, paying cash, buying little to no junk food, drinking only water/coffee/tea, growing vegetables/herbs, crafting rather than purchasing all gifts, watering down our milk, losing weight to fit into the clothes I already own, checking online for discount vouchers, comparison shopping, buying used).
Getting free money (rejoining tv panels for vouchers, using maximail, using swagbucks, getting swagbucks referrals-Mimi&Bella/SportySis/Mama/Gerta, emailing companies whose products we buy or those with new products to request coupons/free samples, completing online buying through maximail/swagbucks sites).
Cutting bills (e.g. sharing a main meal at a restaurant-just order an extra side or going for a kids eat free option, lowering the hot water temperature, using the dryer less, no paid for TV, unplugging appliances, doubling up on oven usage, using the slow cooker more, keeping the fridge/freezer fuller, turning the heat down/off, boiling the kettle once with the minimum amount of water in it, comparison shopping suppliers-where possible).

27. Schooling Supplies
Download and back-up the free curriculum about studying geography etc. through the great commission.
Organise tutoring and homeschool supplies.
Contact Suzanne re Blyton books and Girvins re Firefly, English book.

28. Tax Return
Complete my tax return before January 3rd 2014.
Keep better records using application on my phone.

29. Clothing storage
Clear out underneath our bed (and keep it empty).
Tidy the base of the long-hanging wardrobe.
Re-organise the second single wardrobe.
Sort Bundle's clothing storage.

30. Candlemaking
Try making scented candles.
Potential gifts for Christmas and birthdays.

31. Church Schema
Practise church behaviour with Bundle by listening to one (part) sermon a week through iTunes/SermonCloud or on our numerous sermon CDs.
Include signs for quiet and prayer.
Practise separation discipline (from event not from me) throughout the week.

32. Piano
Practise the piano at least once a week.
Learn to play the following tunes (at least a basic version) well: Happy Birthday, Away in a Manger, Jesus Loves Me and How Great Thou Art.

Skills, goals, projects, teaching, learning, using, making, talking, bonding, organising - a busy year ahead.

Bundle Tales #1

My fast asleep babe, laid out across my lap, when the first notes of a tune kick in and he gives a whole-hearted clap along with the music.

Bopping along with the background music on TV.

When he hasn't access to both hands for clapping e.g. during a feed, he'll clap his head in time with music.

Laying his sweet little body on me in sickness or tiredness or just laying his head against me, my tummy, arm, shoulder, leg.

Smiling in his sleep.

The day he fell asleep in the bumbo.

The evening he fell asleep in the high chair and the second one when he almost did - bless.

Getting so excited he literally bounces in his high chair.

His stream of conscienceness of mamamamadadadadad after his febrile convulsion.

Laying back against me in the hospital bed after the above fit and just nodding off.

Sleeping so soundly I have to lean in to make sure he's breathing.

Snorely so loudly I have to move his positioning so he'll stop snoring so I can get some sleep too!

Getting so excited when he hears/sees his Daddy's return from a day of work.

The huge waves he gives the dogs (currently Lucy and Betty) whilst people get only small ones :)

Dancing and clapping and the instant smile when he hears his favourite song (Maccabeats - Candlelight).

Dancing and practising his clapping and dancing, while standing unsupported (15 months).

His excitement as he chatters and squeals and makes his funny wee chokey sound, or chuckles so hard that he sounds like he's choking.

Starting to give and fully receive kisses (15 months).

His pure joy as you throw something (including him) up into the air and catch it (him).

Tapping his foot in perfect time to the music (17 1/2 months).

Holding the phone (or any phone-like object e.g. remote) at the back of his head instead of his ear (too cute at 15/16 months) and finally getting it and holding them to his ear and having baby-talk convos (17 months).

Pushing the laundry basket to the door for Mummy (15 months)

Carrying (the far too often used) disposable nappy bags to the door for Daddy.

Having a dustpan and brush as his favourite toy (from 16 1/2 months).

Pinisher Link-up - Week 2 - Home

Time for another edition of pinishing.

Thie week's theme is Home. Oh the options, oh the pins!



Link to the original project: tissue box as plastic bag dispenser.

Link to my pin: here.

Follow me on Pinterest: here.

I wanted to pincomplish something, so I set the bar low, waaayyyy low this week.
An old tissue box refilled with plastic bags, retaped shut and stashed under the sink. Ta-da!
Of course that wasn't much of a project, but I wasn't sure I'd have time for much else, but of course pinishing that gave me the motivation to do more...

Pincomplishment #2

Link to the original project: bed linen sets gathered together in pillowcases.
Although I highly suspect that Martha Stewart was not the original authoress, her company certainly is the source of the picture I pinned.

Link to my pin: here.

I'd seen the idea of gathering up each set of bedlinen in a pillowcase floating around for a while and hadn't bothered to pin it, after all my neatly tied up bed-sets, in co-ordinating ribbon no less, looked much cuter...only I'd gotten out of the habit of re-bundling them and so I conceded the whole pillowcase thing was a good idea. I now have the linens all less beautifully organised, but organised nonetheless.

Pincomplishment #3

Link to the original project: velcro-dotted lollipop sticks.

Link to my pin: here.

Link to my pin of my completed pincomplishment: here.

Not quite a "home" project so much as a "homeschool" project but I'd bought the velcro dots recently (thank you eBay) and picked up the "multi-coloured craft sticks" aka lollipop sticks whilst at a fabulous craft store in Australia. T'other day I took ten minutes during Daddy-duty to attack a bit of the craft cupboard, locating said dots and lolly sticks and uniting the two. Dorian you're defin-tootly having a good affect on me as I didn't stop until I was pinished with my labelled lolly sticks all beautifully boxed and ready to go (for a year or two's time, when the Bundle may have passed on from the everything-must-be-tasted-and-chewed-upon stage).

See all the Pinishers this week at Scrutinies!

P.S. Ta for the template Dorian.

Pinisher Link-up - Week 1 - Food

Clever girl, Dorian Speed of Scrutinies, is forcing encouraging us procrastinators pinners to actually pinish some of our million many pinned projects.

This week's theme is food.



I scoured my rather neglected "yum yum in my tum" food board and... who am I kidding it was always gonna be between the butter pecan sauce and the nutella brownies...fyi, brownies won.

Sidenote: no idea if these would work as gluten-free lovelies.

Original recipe here: Nutella Brownies

My pin: here.

Pinned photograph of the yummies here (since my seriously lacking computer skills only allow me to pin photos directly from my phone camera and not j.peg? them into this post).

Follow me here: Armour Academy - lots of funnies and organise-y things - my claim to fame being that the wonderfully funny Kelly Mantoan (of This Ain't the Lyceum) is a follower and I like to pretend she didn't just click follow because I repinned her funny pic of the cutie that is Teddy, her youngest :)

As for the recipe - yum! The suggested recipe only made me 10 decent sized muffin/cupcakes so you may wanna double up if you fancy making some (and you do believe me). The timing was off (I cooked mine 20/25mins rather than the suggested 30 and they were a touch dry) and you NEED to add just a couple or three hazelnuts to the top - they totally tip the cakes into heavenly, though I made a couple without the added nuts for my Hubby (loves Nutella but doesn't like hazelnuts - explain that to me if you can). Oh and licking (ahem, sorry) cleaning the measuring cup, baking bowl etc. was delicious easy too.

Three ingredients cupcakes - what's not to love!

I AM A PINISHER!



Link-up to Scrutinies to join in the fun!

Except my procrastinator self is leaving it to the last minute, so you might have to wait until next week...

Next week's theme - Home - oh the choice of pins!

Holiday Happened

So we're back from Oz - such an amazing trip!!

So I'm trying to re-organise my tutoring students,
Whilst away and after much back and forth over email we met up with my estranged sister - the meeting went so well that we had two more,
Had amazing visits with all my extended family, staying with two aunts and two cousins as well as fitting in an impromptu visit to Tasmania,
I got a haircut and gave Bundle a trim before the holiday and another trim during it,
Packing was FINALLY done and has been entirely undone,
Haven't stopped biting my nails (or Bundle's, since they seem to grow at an alarming rate),
Still haven't shaped my eyebrows,
Quit eating my body-weight daily in chocolate - managed this while away but not since I've been home,
Still must text SportySis' SIL re books her eldest borrowed off me,
Paid my podiatric bill,
All gifts for while we were away were made, purchased, wrapped and delivered - yay!
Got the two sets of Bundle's hand/footprints framed for the two grannies for mothers' day,
Visited my Granda and my hubby's aunt and we've visited my aunt-in-law since our return too, Granda's on Monday,
Make, purchase, wrap, write cards and gifts for those we'll visit - all this was done,
Shop for henna shampoo in Sally's - yet to do
Make some banana bread - still to do
Book eye appointment for Bundle and get his prescription updated - all this was done and is now being redone!
Picked up my glasses,
Still need to get navy trousers hemmed but I doubt they currently fit,
Still need to sew Bundle's leggings and have now added a button for one of his shirts, one of my cardigans and a hole in one of Hubby's jumpers,
Look into getting external steps plastered - didn't do this, but whilst away my Dad had a go, still deciding if this was good or not,
Complete my aqua Christmas pom-pom decorations - still to do,
Worked on knitting projects - yep,
Pack away Winter and Valentine's decorations and decorate for Spring - all done though I still have a few laundered stragglers, waiting to be packed away,
Keep on top of laundry - always,
Spring clean as I go - got loads done pre-trip, now to the floors, windows, kitchen and bathrooms (eugh, okay still lots to go then),
Tidied and decluttered as I went,
Ordered children's books for gifts and
Bought more underwear (M&S) and pyjamas for the holiday.

Whilst away I started shopping for Christmas, birthdays etc. and everyone got wee gifts that suited them well (I hope).

Challenging SportySis

Challenge 1
The medicine cabinet
-declutter, clean and organise

Challenge 2
The appliance of science
-wipe down the exteriors of all appliances (dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, fridge, freezer, cooker, hob, microwave, toaster and kettl)e
-run the dishwasher and washing machines (empty) with a cup of vinegar
-run the dishwasher and washing machine (empty) with no detergent of any kind

Challenge 3
Airing your dirty laundry
-gather ALL the laundry you can find, sort and begin to launder (needed and used items first)
-do at least TWO loads a day (except Sunday and make at least one load, one which can go in the dryer until dry as a bone) until you have cleared the backlog
-if it isn't raining and there's some sun/wind then get it out on the line
-use phone alarms to keep you on task with changing out loads, hanging them up etc.
-iron as you go (iron the bare minimum)
-put away as you go
-dump and donate as you go

Challenge 4
Dump Run
-fill the car after the morning school run
-set your phone alarm for one o'clock
-dump rubbish and proceed to VPS
-enjoy reading if you have any excess time

Challenge 5
Charity Challenge
-fill the car after the morning school run
-set your phone alarm for one o'clock
-drop off donations and proceed to VPS
-enjoy reading if you have any excess time

Challenge 6
A quarter hour declutter
-set your phone timer for ten minutes
-gather yourself three bags/boxes (keep, dump, donate)
-attack your chosen area (toys, kids' clothing, adult clothing, kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, garage)
-when the alarm sounds, put away your keep items, dump your dump items and put your donate items in your "donate spot" (this will use up your fifteen minutes)
-repeat as often as you like

Challenge 7
Dream Big with Gratitude
-get a notebook and go through your home one room at a time (physically and mentally) noting down all your ideas for each space, ideas for redecoration, change, creative touches, storage, organisation and add in any little fix-it jobs
-since the above task can sometimes leave you feeling dismayed, take a clean page and write down things for which you are thankful (focusing on your home and the shelter, comfort etc. it provides)
-if you can try and do one of the little jobs you noted down (lightbulb change or add the details of the needed lightbulb to your shopping list), do something to give yourself a sense of accomplishment today

Challenge 8
Cutlery Drawer
-clear, wipe down and dry the counterspace above your cutlery drawer
-empty your drawer completely, wash it out and dry it, leave it open to fully dry
-clean out your cutlery organiser (wash, dry roughly and leave to dry thoroughly)
-sort through the drawer contents, put into the dishwasher/sink anything that needs rewashed, gather like with like and declutter unused or excess items to one side
-set an alarm for returning to replace everything into the now dry drawer and organiser
-take donate/dump items straight to the grey/blue bins or into a bag/box at your "donate spot"

Challenge 9
Loving on your kids
-after the morning school run start a load of laundry, as you load in the items take time to pray for your husband, children and yourself
-sit down with a cuppa and blank paper and write a letter to each of the kids and then one to your hubby, praise them for their good qualities, tell them about how you pray for them and the specific qualities you pray for them (to be patient like Job, strong like Samson, wise like Solomon etc.), tell them about things you love about them and how proud you are of them (be specific) and these don't have to be long letters either - you shoukd get them all written before the laundry is washed
-share the letters with your chikdren either one-on-one or by reading them aloud to the whole family (after dinner/before bed/at breakfast)
-once read put these letters in a safe place
-as a follow up, put a love note in your boys' lunches/pencilcases next week (set a phone reminder for the time you make their lunches)

Challenge 10
Bleach your bathrooms and your kitchen sink
-open ALL household windows before you begin
-go to town on each bathroom and on the kitchen sink
-once completed leave your windows open for the rest of the (school) day to really blow the cobwebs loose and lose the smell of the bleach
-follow-up by bleaching both toilets every other day in the morning before you do the school run (opening the windows at the same time and then flushing the loos and closing windows on your return home)