Yummy lemon curd

I made lemon curd in my slow cooker over the weekend and it's yummy and was so easy to do
http://www.cookuk.co.uk/jams/homemade-lemon-curd.htm although it did turn out a bit runny.
The slow cooker has been given pride of place on the kitchen side board again after being stowed away for the summer. So far this month I've done a roast chicken, gammon in apple juice and beef casserole with dumplings. I'm going to tackle puddings next week.
I'm having a dinner party for 8 people (gulp!!) on saturday evening and have decided on a theme of traditional British comfort food. I'll be doing home made potato and leek soup, beef casserole with dumplings in the slow cooker and jam suet pudding. It's all easy which gives me plenty of time to socialise and knock back a few glasses of vino!

My log fire

It's fair to say that winter isn't my favourite time of year and once the clocks go back I just want to hibernate but failing that chocolate (lots of it), casseroles with dumplings (lots of them), and red wine (not too much of it) tend to lift my spirits somewhat.

But best of all I love my log fire. It's not just the sitting in front of it that I love but I also enjoy setting it all up and lighting it which I find rather therapeutic. I just love the smell of the logs burning and the memories it evokes of childhood weekends spent at my grandparents and watching grandad light the fire and then warming myself up after a bath in front of it.

For some reason I find watching a real fire so relaxing and calming. Am I the only one do you think?

Vomit and faeces in equal measures

Oh blimey what a weekend! Firstly the littlest one of my children threw up on Friday at mum and toddler group closely followed by another little girl (dropping like flies by the time I left). Surely a sickness bug can't be caught that quickly?!?, must try not to feel guilty. Aforementioned child continued to throw up all through the weekend on bedding, carpet, clothes and various toys and is still throwing up today so no preschool. Being the selfish mum that I am, the no preschool bit fills me with real dissapointment as I have loads to do with xmas only 6 weeks away.

Just to make sure my nerves were right there on the edge the cat had diarrhoea two nights running on the kitchen floor (fireworks grrr!) and eldest son trod dog poo all through the house on sunday.
Now as you can imagine my first impulse aside from running away is to nip to the shops and buy lots of nasty chemical antibacterial cleaners etc to deal with the onslaught of nasty messes but I restrained myself and reminded myself of all the bad things I know about antibacterial products http://www.life.ca/nl/107/soap.html and have a rummage in my utility room of all things green(ish) and decide on tea tree which is naturally antibacterial but must still be used sparingly, some castile soap and plenty of elbow grease.
I have to admit that my devotion to green cleaning has been sorely tested over the weekend yet it's also rather liberating to know that I really can get by without cleaners laden with carcinagenic chemicals even when faced with the horrors I've faced this weekend.

Wales

We survived half term in Wales in the caravan without killing each other and what's more we actually had a fabulous time despite my reservations and worries about the weather, the journey and the sheer claustrophobia of four people in a confined space for eight days!

Well firstly we were truly blessed with the most fantastic weather, glorious sunshine everyday and mild temperatures and the problem of the long (7hrs!!!) journey was much helped when our previously lost portable car dvd player was found and installed and last but not least we were barely in the caravan except to sleep as the weather was so good we spent our days exploring castle ruins and dramatic Welsh coastlines and the evenings were spent playing yahtzee and scrabble in the caravan awning once the kids were in bed, bliss.

So now I feel ready to face the fast approaching Xmas preparations etc. Thankfully my sister and brother in law are hosting this years festivities. I used to love Xmas and still do to a point it's just that the true spirit of Xmas (and I don't mean vodka) seems to get more lost with each year. My mum bless her has decided to buy ethical gifts for mine and my sisters family this year. I believe she has bought a pair of pigs and clean drinking water for a village on our behalf which is very admirable and makes me feel good but I'm not so sure how the kids will feel when they don't get a present. I think it's a great lesson for them to learn but i know that it might be hard for them the first year.

http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com/ is a good place to look for ideas for ethical gifts.

Charity begins at home.....

.....or at least that's what Jacob (5ys) believes as we gave him some money to give to a beggar on our trip to Bristol at the weekend and he kept the big stuff and gave the homeless guy the pennies!! We didn't realise till later when we found it tucked away in his pocket. I felt so bad and tried to explain to Jacob about how the man he'd seen had no money or home etc but I wonder if it wasn't all a bit too complicated for him. Meanwhile I hope the homeless guy managed to get rather more than Jacob saw fit to give him as the day wore on.

We had a lovely couple of days staying with friends in Bristol and enjoyed the use of the fab guest annexe with 2 bedrooms and an ensuite bathroom (posh or what?) Guests here generally get a blow up mattress on the floor of the lounge! We had a relaxing (well sort of) boat ride on the Bristo channel and were treated to lots of lovely homecooking and eggs from their chickens and ducks, not to mention wine at every meal except breakfast.

I felt so inspried that tonight I cooked a full roast and homemade crumble. Sadly no wine, just water with dinner in this house!

First Eco Party Since .......

.......the kids broke up for the summer. My brain has turned to mush, I've forgotten prices, stock levels and how to talk to a group of people all looking expectantly at me! It surprises me to say it but much as I love the sound of my own voice I must admit to being nervous nearly as much as i used to be when I first started the parties. Thankfully tonight's party is for a friend so it wont be so bad.

Loading the car was a long and arduous task. How on earth did I get all that stock? I really need to start selling rather than accumulating it. Half the problem is that if I do an eco party with very like minded and receptive people I get so engrossed in swapping ideas , thoughts and observations that I forget to promote my products. Still I have always advocated that the parties are all about spreading the eco word in a friendly achievable way rather than making money so I can't really complain can I? I just wish hubby shared my philosophy.

Where did the summer go then?

Well it's nearly over and passed in a mad blur of foreign students, day trips, screaming at the kids and stress levels off the planet! Hubby has been working his socks off with the business, summer being his busiest time. I have been challenged by hectic days trying to keep the kids amused long enough not to rip each others eye balls out. I've hosted 8 students in the last 6 weeks, 4 at a time. They have mostly been lovely particularly the 4 German girls (see photo of 2 of them with us) who I really built up friendships with and enjoyed their company but it's still been hard work cooking 9 cooked dinners every night and at least 5 lunch boxes every day, not to mention extra laundry and cleaning.
The evenings are getting darker earlier and there's an autumnal chill in the air when I walk the dog first thing in the morning and last thing at night. The school uniforms have been ironed and hung up ready for the new term. The eldest starts his final year at secondary school and the middle one starts year 1 at primary school. My baby will be going to preschool for 3 sessions.
This time next week we'll be away in our caravan for a few much needed restful days, the calm before the storm. I can't wait to get away.
As much as the school holidays have been hellish at times I'm dreading the start of the new school term. All that running around like a headless chicken to get them up, dressed and out of the door on time. The homework, the lunchboxes, the monotonous routine and deadlines to keep to. I love the freedom of the school holidays.