Wednesday, 28 January 2015
A lounge fort
Cricket has Wednesdays off school and so today we built a large fort. It is pretty miserable outside (lashing rain and howling wind) and Cricket was tired as he is still recovering from a really bad dose of flu. Something quiet was on the cards. His favourite activity is building forts and usually it something quite small using one washing rack and I though something a bit bigger might make his day.
Out came the Christmas lights that have just been packed away, the duvets, pillows, two drying racks, soft toys and lots of blankets. We read stories in there, he played his ds game in there and this evening after swimming and tennis, they waited for dinner in there, watching tv from the doorway. Two very happy faces. Dad is away is Asia so I will leave it up for a few days ...the only problem is that I can't see the TV unless I sit in the fort. Oh dear.
Snow Days
We have had a few snow days, once a few days after Christmas and a few days ago we had another dusting. It is just incredibly beautiful when there is snow everywhere...here are some pics for the grandparents that never get any.
You can see above that Cricket is wearing the scarf I had just finished crocheting for him...look impressed this was my first ever scarf.
Our snowman next to Cricket to get an idea of how big he was. So much fun to make...never laughed so much before rolling that mahoosive snowball.
The snowball fight was brutal....^^
All traipsing back as fast as possible to warm our frozen hands and toes and get hot chocolate in us.
You can see above that Cricket is wearing the scarf I had just finished crocheting for him...look impressed this was my first ever scarf.
Friday, 23 January 2015
New Year Getaway to Texel
We decided at the last minute to get away for New Year to the island of Texel. We were in two minds as we weren't sure how bored the kids would be and how much we would be stuck indoors with bad weather, but we were bored at home on the holidays anyway and just needed a change of scenery. We set off with great excitement and of course had to stop at the new Starbucks on the way to Utrecht. It has been two years since my last starbuck. How I cope I don't know.
It was only about 2.5 hours drive to Den Helder where we caught the ferry across to Texel. Just amazing to think there are beautiful islands so close to home. The ferry was really quick - only 20 minutes.
Well we had a lovely time. Kids were happy with new ds games that they had got for christmas and they let us sleep in a bit every day. We then had lazy mornings making bacon and egg or pancakes etc. By the time we got out the house it was generally lunch time and we then headed out to walk on the beach or dunes. The beaches are gorgeous and clean with white sand stretching for empty miles. Quite a few dog walkers and couples about, not that many people with kids.
We had a lovely fish and chip early dinner/late lunch at a beautiful restuarant next to a lighthouse on a very blowy day and afterwards we braved the beach. Well at this point it was dusk and getting dark. The wind was blowing white sand over the darker sand and it created an optical illusion that the sand in front of us was undulating...very wierd. The kids were running and shouting and enjoying themselves. Walking back to the car we had sand whipping in our faces which wasn't so great and we had to all hold onto one another with the kids behind us to shield them, but the whole experience was exhilirating.
We also walked on another windy day and had sea foam blowing all over the show with the kids chasing around after that. On another day we walked in the dunes as the wind made the beach impossible. The dunes are gorgeous with lots of grasses and brown heather.
We went to a museum called the Scipbreuk en Jutters Museum, where there is a collection of all things that have washed up on the beach which was just fascinating. Will put some photos on soon. We also visited an aquarium and sea otter rescue centre called Ecomare. With both these outings we were pleasantly surprised at how good they were - we were expecting something thrown together and not really worthy of tourists, but really worth a see. At Exomare there is a "kids walk" which is about 1km and has activities for them, eg. hide in a hole in the ground, can you run as fast as a pheasant etc.
Every night we lit a fire in the fireplace and played games, did puzzles or read books.
All in all, a holiday to repeat - fresh air, exercise and beautiful scenery.
It was only about 2.5 hours drive to Den Helder where we caught the ferry across to Texel. Just amazing to think there are beautiful islands so close to home. The ferry was really quick - only 20 minutes.
Well we had a lovely time. Kids were happy with new ds games that they had got for christmas and they let us sleep in a bit every day. We then had lazy mornings making bacon and egg or pancakes etc. By the time we got out the house it was generally lunch time and we then headed out to walk on the beach or dunes. The beaches are gorgeous and clean with white sand stretching for empty miles. Quite a few dog walkers and couples about, not that many people with kids.
We had a lovely fish and chip early dinner/late lunch at a beautiful restuarant next to a lighthouse on a very blowy day and afterwards we braved the beach. Well at this point it was dusk and getting dark. The wind was blowing white sand over the darker sand and it created an optical illusion that the sand in front of us was undulating...very wierd. The kids were running and shouting and enjoying themselves. Walking back to the car we had sand whipping in our faces which wasn't so great and we had to all hold onto one another with the kids behind us to shield them, but the whole experience was exhilirating.
We also walked on another windy day and had sea foam blowing all over the show with the kids chasing around after that. On another day we walked in the dunes as the wind made the beach impossible. The dunes are gorgeous with lots of grasses and brown heather.
We went to a museum called the Scipbreuk en Jutters Museum, where there is a collection of all things that have washed up on the beach which was just fascinating. Will put some photos on soon. We also visited an aquarium and sea otter rescue centre called Ecomare. With both these outings we were pleasantly surprised at how good they were - we were expecting something thrown together and not really worthy of tourists, but really worth a see. At Exomare there is a "kids walk" which is about 1km and has activities for them, eg. hide in a hole in the ground, can you run as fast as a pheasant etc.
Every night we lit a fire in the fireplace and played games, did puzzles or read books.
All in all, a holiday to repeat - fresh air, exercise and beautiful scenery.
Granola - not too sweet
I have just made delicious granola and am adding it here for ease of reference. I have been wanting to do this for a while as we all enjoy it but the store bought granola is either way too sugary or it tastes like cardboard and looks all anemic..yuk. This is the recipe I used today although the sky is the limit in what you can add to it. Personally I like mine more simple and prefer not to include lots of dried fruit, but that is just me. Next time I will double up on portions and make more.
Healthy Granola
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup wheat bran (tarwe zemelin in Dutch)
2 Tbsp flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used almonds and walnuts)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
2 Tbsp honey
3 Tbsp apple sauce
1 Tbsp oil eg. canola
You can also add
1 Tbsp Seeds
1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1/2 cup dried fruit (only add dried fruit once the granola is baked and cooled)
Bake spread out on a baking tray spread with parchment at 150 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour turning every 20 minutes. When lovely and golden take out and cool before adding to a glass storage jar.
If you are adding sweet dried fruit like raisins then you can cut down on applesauce or honey. I am going to cut down on this next time anyway and perhaps eliminate completely with taste coming more from nuts and seeds.
Healthy Granola
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup wheat bran (tarwe zemelin in Dutch)
2 Tbsp flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used almonds and walnuts)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
2 Tbsp honey
3 Tbsp apple sauce
1 Tbsp oil eg. canola
You can also add
1 Tbsp Seeds
1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1/2 cup dried fruit (only add dried fruit once the granola is baked and cooled)
Bake spread out on a baking tray spread with parchment at 150 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour turning every 20 minutes. When lovely and golden take out and cool before adding to a glass storage jar.
If you are adding sweet dried fruit like raisins then you can cut down on applesauce or honey. I am going to cut down on this next time anyway and perhaps eliminate completely with taste coming more from nuts and seeds.
Friday, 19 December 2014
Shortbread Biscuits and Pantomimes
There has been more baking of mince pies and also shortbread biscuits for the children's Christmas pantomime. Here is the shortbread recipe (also by Paul Hollywood).
Yummy Shortbread Biscuits
Yummy Shortbread Biscuits
225g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
110g caster sugar, plus extra for dusting
225g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
110g cornflour
Pinch of salt
Line 2 trays with baking parchment. Cream the butter and sugar till fluffy and then add the flour, cornflour and salt. Knead to a soft dough. Roll the dough out to 1cm thickness between two sheets of baking parchment. Prick holes all over the dough and cut out into any shape you want. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes and then bake at 170 degrees for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and firm slightly before taking them off the tray.
Here are some pictures of the pantomime which was about the Knights of the Christmas Table. An amazing play written by Erica Gray. Here she is introducing the play whilst the knights wait to go on.
a well deserved break after rehearsal for chips...
The appreciative audience just hanging together
and it all ended with carols and dancing and of course mince pies and coffee. A fabulous afternoon well spent.
110g caster sugar, plus extra for dusting
225g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
110g cornflour
Pinch of salt
Line 2 trays with baking parchment. Cream the butter and sugar till fluffy and then add the flour, cornflour and salt. Knead to a soft dough. Roll the dough out to 1cm thickness between two sheets of baking parchment. Prick holes all over the dough and cut out into any shape you want. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes and then bake at 170 degrees for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and firm slightly before taking them off the tray.
German Christmas Market - Dusseldorf
I am so pleased we managed to get to a Christmas market this festive season. It is becoming a tradition to do this every year and it is amazing. Last year we did Aachen and this year Dusseldorf. I have to say though that Dusseldorf was INSANELY busy. Nevertheless it was fun to set out on an adventure with a car picnic of tostis and flasks of tea. The kids were just thrilled to be going somewhere. We did not buy much as getting to the stalls was problematic and the queues were long. We did manage to find an un-busy gluwein stall though and got mugs of this and hot chocolate for the kids. After alcohol and some Bradworst rolls we were in a fine mood - not so grumpy with the crowds and we meandered around for ages enjoying the atmosphere and the Christmas lights. I did not get many pics of the actual market which is a shame, but here are some of us having gluwein etc.
Kids Christmas Crafts
We are starting a few Christmas crafts because it is that time of year and Cricket is really into his crafting at the moment. Tiger is just that bit older and not so keen anymore. He is still joining in sometimes albeit a bit reluctantly. Very simple Christmas wreaths were made to hang in the kitchen. Glitter was everywhere and still is. Cricket was very pleased. I suppose you have to glitter your house at some point in the festive season.
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