Sophie makes flapjacks

I love baking with Sophie, she gets so enthusiastic and excited, but it can get very messy, so I was thrilled when the lovely people at elinens sent me this gorgeous Sabichi Best of British apron to try out. It gave me just the excuse I needed to make one of our favourite recipes - flapjacks. Its such a simple recipe that Sophie can do most of it with assistance. I tend to have to hide them when Michael is around though as he's always dipping in! We put them in lunchboxes and take them on picnics - they can be frozen, but they don't often last that long!

I always weigh out the ingredients in advance and have everything I need to hand, as Sophie stands on a chair at the kitchen table to help. This way I can stay with her. I let her add all the ingredients (apart from the hot butter) and give them a good mix. I do have to keep a close eye on her otherwise she would eat everything before it gets to the oven! I also have to watch she doesn't chuck everything everywhere, including over me, so an apron for both of us is a must.

I loved the design of the apron, its quite short, which is perfect for me, and the ties are long enough for it to fit any size. The lightweight 100% cotton material was lovely for a hot kitchen and it kept my clothes nice and clean, I also really like the patriotic red, white and blue design - a great buy for the price!

Recipe

• 250g porridge oats
• 100g butter
• 100g raisins (or any other dried fruit)
• 80g golden syrup

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees, grease or line a swiss roll tin
2. Melt the butter in a pan or the microwave
3. Mix together all the ingredients
4. Add the mixture to the swiss roll tin and press down well
5. Bake in the preheated oven for approx 30 mins
6. Leave in the tin to cool, then cut up in the tin ready to serve 

 Disclaimer - I was sent this apron free of charge for the purpose of this review

Silent Sunday - 2nd June 2013

Walkers Hoops and Crosses Lunchbox Creations

We try and spend as much time as possible outside when the weather is good, after all we have to make the most of it. This of course often means picnics. It can be quite challenging to come up with original ideas, rather than the same old sandwiches every time, which is why the Tots 100 and Walkers Lunchbox Creations competition is great.

It really got me thinking of how I can make our picnics more fun - while still eating healthily. I'm hoping to get lots of ideas from the other entries too :) Here's my entry.

Our lunch today consisted of homemade falafel burgers with lettuce in pitta bread, with cucumber, carrot and yellow pepper crudites and homemade tzatziki for dipping and of course a packet of Walkers Hoops and Crosses. The carrot sticks made a great board to play noughts and crosses :) We also had Mikado fruit skewers, which went down very well with the little one.

Highfield Happy Hens, Etwall, Derbyshire

Yesterday we visited Highfield Happy Hens at Etwall. I have been meaning to visit for a long time now as I had heard some great things about it, and I love the way it was started.

Over 20 years ago, the owners started inviting homeless youngsters into their home. They needed something for them to do, so they started helping out a neighbour by collecting eggs. They then built their own chicken sheds and it seems to have gone from strength to strength. They now work with both the youth offending service and the education authority.

Highfield Happy Hens now has a farm shop, tea rooms, childrens play areas, crazy golf, animals to feed and you can even collect your own eggs!

Unfortunately when we got up today we were faced with the typical British summer - it was chucking it down! We debated on whether to still go or not, but in the end we donned our wellies and waterproofs and off we went.

There are advantages of the rain of course!

When we arrived we walked into a very welcoming looking shop, which had lots of lovely looking fresh produce, as well as a range of childrens toys. We bought some animal food which was very reasonably priced at 50p for a bag. The tea room was clean and tidy and they had some lovely looking cakes, although we had bought a picnic!

Due to the rain we headed straight to the indoor play area where there were various toys and climbing frames - Sophie particularly liked the tractor sit on ride.

The rain soon eased off and we took this as our cue to head on towards the animals, we passed pigs and sheep then headed up to an indoor barn, which had pigs, goats, lambs and calves which could be fed. Further up the track there were various different breeds of chickens, before reaching the top of the path with lots of free range chickens in a field which we fed. Sadly the weather didn't allow us much time outdoors, so we headed up another track to the big barns where we could collect some eggs. I think this was definitely the highlight of Sophies day - she loved looking for and collecting the eggs! You then take your eggs to the shop to pay for them and they are boxed up.

We then headed back to the indoor play area, where there are a few picnic benches and ate our lunch. It was a shame the weather stopped us using the outdoor play and picnic areas, and spending more time looking at the animals, but we will definitely be back again, hopefully when the weather is better.

Click here to visit the Highfield Happy Hens website

Really cheesy cheese scones.

I often find shop, and even bakery, bought cheese scones are very bland. So here's my recipe for really cheesy cheese scones.

These are perfect served warm from the oven with butter. We often take them out with us on picnics too. I tend to make them in large batches and freeze them.

Ingredients

250g self raising flour
55g butter
pinch of salt
good pinch of cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
100g mature cheddar cheese, plus extra for on top
150ml full fat milk

Method

1. Preheat oven to 220 degrees
2. Sift the flour, salt and cayenne pepper into a bowl
3. Rub in the butter, either by hand, or in a food processor, until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs
4. Mix in the cheese, then add the milk slowly and mix until you have a soft dough
5. Tip the dough out onto a floured surface and kneed lightly
6. Roll out the dough to approx 2cm thick, cut out the scones and place onto a lightly greased baking tray. Sprinkle the tops with cheese.
7. Bake for 12-14 mins until the cheese is bubbling on top and the scones are browned. Place on a wire rack to cool

Happy baking! x

Potty training....

So I think the time has come. And I have no idea what I am doing.....

Sophie knows what the potty is for, but as of yet hasn't used it, she got it out this morning saying 'doo' (poo). So off came her nappy again - she sits on the potty, then gets up and wanders off. Shes been doing this for days now. I'm not sure it has anything to do with her wanting to use the potty, more her current dislike of wearing clothes (who needs clothes!). Shes currently taking off her t-shirt too.

She has on a few occasions had a wee or poo without the nappy on (never on the potty or toilet though) and has got so upset and worked up over it. I'm really not sure she is ready, but when shes asking for the potty, I can hardly say no - luckily I have a carpet cleaner!

For the first time in a long time I feel like I did when she first came home - totally out of my depth - I'd not even thought too much about potty training, maybe that's because of my total denial that I no longer have a baby, but a toddler! And once shes out of nappies, there will be no denying that she really is growing up - I don't think I'm ready for that.

So I am currently sat watching my baby toddler wandering round the lounge in nothing but a pair of socks wishing that time would slow down, while trying to figure out if she really is ready for the potty!

My promise to my little girl...

Dear Sophie,

The moment I saw you, I loved you unconditionally, the best times of my life have been watching you grow into the amazing little girl you are today. You make me laugh, cry, frustrate me and challenge me every single day. When I am feeling sad, you know how to cheer me up. Having you has got me through some of my darkest days, so here is my promise to you.

I will love you unconditionally throughout your life, I will stand by you, support you and listen to you no matter what. I will ALWAYS be your Mum and you will always be my little girl. I will do everything I can to make sure your life is a happy one, and not one day goes by when you don't know you are loved by me at least.

I am sure we will row, thats just part of life, but I will still always be there for you. I don't mind what you do with you life as long as you do something that makes you happy - I won't judge your success on your career, or how you choose to live your life - I will judge your success on your happiness. As long as you are happy, I will be proud of you.

Love Always
Mum xxxx