Wartime Farm freebie

 I've really enjoyed watching the first two episodes of Wartime Farm on BBC Iplayer, so I was thrilled to find out that the Open University have produced a free booklet to accompany the series. You can nab your own copy by following this link and following the instructions. I can't wait for mine to arrive, I find the idea of rationing quite fascinating and I think it would be interesting to see if you could still live on it today in a healthy and satisfying manner. And would it still be a frugal way to live?
 I feel some research and experimenting is in order.
x x x

Winter woolys.

 I keep hearing from various sources that we are in for a long miserable winter this year so I have been starting to think about blanket stashes and making sure everyone has enough jumpers and cardigans in stock.
 Apparently I am not the only one on this train of thought as two of my wonderful friends have made Baby D the knitted gifts above. The hat should be perfect around Christmas time and the cardigan is just a shade to big for the moment so has been stashed away for a month or so.

I also picked up this lovely hand knitted two piece set in a charity shop for £2! The colours are very neutral so will match nicely with other items in my wardrobe. And should I find myself bored of it once winter has passed I can unravel the cardigan and matching short sleeved top for a huge amount of wool to recycle into something else. Expect to see this a ensemble worn a lot this wintertime.

  My plans for this afternoon is to watch the new War Time Farm series on Iplayer. I really enjoyed their Victorian Farm series that was on a while ago so I'm looking forward to nap time and a cup of coffee while I get my farming fix lol.
x x x

Free Homestead Emag

 

Who doesn't love a freebie? I have just spent a very happy 20 minutes flicking through this free Emag while having a bucket of coffee.Not everything in it will appeal to everyone but such is the stuff of life. I really liked the idea of making up your own cake and cookie mixes for the store cupboard. As a busy mum who likes to have home baked treats on hand this is an idea that could save me a lot of time and effort. Plus it would make cooking with DD slightly less messy but no less fun. My mission for this afternoon is make up a Brownie mix or 3 in some spare jars and see how I get on. I will keep you posted.

Enjoy the magazine :)

x x x

Slowly out and about

 It was my first big trip out today since having Baby D. She's almost three weeks now so I was in danger of become something of a recluse if hadn't been for Hubby dragging me out. We went for a wander around Gunwarf Quay which is a local shopping outlet type place. On route we popped in to see the doctor to have my section scar checked over and review my general well being. OH and the DR both felt I haven't been my usual perky self since having Baby D so I have started on some treatment for PND (Post natal depression),  so fingers crossed I am back to my old self soon.

2x Whittard's Hot Chocolate £5 BOGOF

2x Cath Kidston Mugs £3 each on clearance

In other news here are our bargains from Gunwarf Quays today. The hot chocolate is to die for at Whittard's and we try and make sure we have a pack in the cupboard for snuggly evenings. Autumn and winter evenings just aren't the same without a snuggly blanket and a vat of hot chocolate. The mugs are super sized and I must admit to being a huge fan of CK. Usually a trip into her shop at Gunwarf is strictly for looking and fantasising but today they were having a clearance ready for their xmas lines to come in. I was so pleased to find something new and within my budget.

Photo album - £7.50

Cath Kidston Bandanna - £2.50

Notebook - £9

 Next up is a photo album which we wanted for Baby D's first photos and cards. We made an album up for DD in the same way when she was born so we wanted to do the same for The D. The bandanna is actually a hankie but the fabric is really thick and just the right size for a bandanna so that what I shall use it as. The notebook is my new diary, I found writing really helpful in the past when I've been suffering from depression so I am keen to try it again. It's been over a year since I last kept one other than my blog so I have plenty to write about and catch up with.

 x x x x

RIP Micheal Clarke Duncan

 December 10, 1957 – September 3, 2012

 I was really shocked this morning to hear the news that Micheal Clarke Duncan had passed away on Monday. And at the far to young age of 54!!!
 This evening the hubby and I will be watching one of his films as a mini fan memorial
x x x

This is my Everest

 Horrible isn't it? Full of junk and clutter and I suspect secrets. And sadly it isn't the only cupboard like it in my home at the moment.
 So I armed myself with a selection of carrier bags and got to work for an hour. I have one bag for local charity, 3 things to pass on to specific people, 2 things to check on Ebay in case I donate a hidden fortune, 2 bags for the bin.

And voila. Isn't that better? The top shelf is stashed presents and gifts, the box holds all my cards for various occasions. I was surprised how many I seemed to have collected over time, I guess I won't be needing to any in for a good long time lol. I also have a few gift bags I forgot I had which is always useful.
  It took me just over an hour to complete the whole organise in one go, by the end of it I was struggling a little bit with some dizziness and a bit of pain from bending and lifting (nothing heavy just from the movement). I popped a painkiller and promptly fell into a 2 hour afternoon nap, but I feel so pleased as what I achieved.

 After my nap I woke up to find Daddy had spun some magic and both the girls were fast asleep at 6.30pm. We had a lovely dinner and just enjoyed chatting to each other without interruptions, and finished it off with a movie we've meant to watch forever on Sky. It was a perfect evening.

x x x

A post for Froogs

 Baby D is getting more and more alert with each passing day, and OH snapped these fantastic shots of her having a good look at the world earlier today.

 As you can see Froogs your wonderful quilt is being well loved and used by the newest FHMH member. It washes like a dream, dries soft and quickly and keeps tiny toes super snuggly warm.

x x x