Month: September 2013

7 things you need to pack when camping with kids

I dragged my parents camping several times this summer. Some of it they enjoyed (namely, the parts where they were asleep, and the parts where they were drinking cider), some of it they didn’t. I enjoyed ALL of it. I know how to have a good time, and so I offer you my best tips for getting rid of the camping jitters and throwing yourself into the spirit of camping with kids. What to take when camping with kids Friends: there is nothing like a couple of middle-aged people whining about boredom to wreck your holiday. There are fields full …

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The MADs: my winning ladies

By The Bug… I don’t say much on this blog. It’s not because I don’t want to (although I am currently in veto discussions over next week’s Wot so Funee?); it’s because living with two vociferous females makes it hard to get a word in edgeways – goodness knows how Daddy feels! But after last Friday’s Mad Blog Awards, I need to have my say about the winning ladies. The Mad Blog Awards 2013 For the last 2 years we’ve been lucky enough to attend the Mad Blog Awards ceremony. I say lucky, and I know that the ladies of …

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Spider Webs: Wot so Funee?

On the School Run “It’s like the spiders have made England into an adventure playground…” Spider webs in the mist I had a whole other #funee lined up for today, but after the school run this morning I couldn’t resist this one. Because that’s the best thing about a Mummy blog – the small moments with your children that make you smile on a misty morning. Now, if you have your own post to link this week, grab the badge code from the sidebar, and click the link below to enter your post – I can’t wait to see what …

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Losing gracefully – a life lesson

Dear GG, some time ago you had to prepare for a big event at school. To coincide with the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s momentous speech, the entire school would deliver individual speeches to their peers, on a subject of their own choice. You would be judged by your class, and a winner selected to go through to the school final. You prepared for this speech day after day after day. You really took on the challenge, researching your chosen theme – the marshmallow – and writing up your notes. You put together 2 minutes of facts and opinion, some …

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The MAD Blog Awards 2013 – Thanks, and Good Luck

I couldn’t not blog today, but if I’m honest, I’m feeling a bit under par. Annie, bring your tea tree oil and don’t stand too close 😉 Tonight I am fortunate enough to be attending the Mad Blog Awards for the second year running. Last year we were absolutely thrilled and gobsmacked to win our Schooldays category, sponsored by Startrite Shoes. The competition was stiff, and it is no less so this time round. Look: Thinly Spread: I mean seriously, the woman is a blogging legend, writing beautifully about life, food, gardens, and campaigning for a better world. What’s more, I’ve …

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How to look good in photos – a MAD’s Award tutorial

As the Mad Blog Awards 2013 draw mega close, I’m going to show you how Mummy might look on the big night. You’ve had the task of selecting my outfit, but now it’s actually Mummy’s turn in the spotlight. And bearing in mind the red carpet moment (although I seem to recall last year it was orange), I’ve been doing some research on how to look good in photos. Trust me, Mummy needs this advice… This was her last year: Not bad, and the word most bandied around afterwards was “cleavage.” Apparently it is the wide-angled lens that made her …

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What I’m wearing to the Mad Blog Awards

This Friday sees my second ever visit to the Mad Blog Awards. I am a lucky girl – once was fabulous, twice is just too exciting for words! Last year I had the most awesome outfit, I was beginning to worry that I would never be able to top it in 2014. But at the last minute, from out of the ashes of my woefully Marks and Spencerised wardrobe, my Fairy Godsister came up trumps. I’ve been waiting for the packages to arrive for a few days now, with excitement increasing daily as I enter the house. And today was the …

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How to Use Up Leftover Egg Yolks: Chewy Lemon and White Chocolate Cookies Recipe

The perfect recipe to use up leftover egg yolks   Egg yolk recipes are thin on the ground, unless you’re keen to make a homemade custard. And let’s face it, who wants the bother of making a custard (or one step further, an ice cream recipe) when you’ve just whipped up a pavlova (likely the reason you have leftover egg yolks in the first place)? This egg yolk cookies recipe is the answer. It’s a basic method I’ve used for many years, and it’s a great way of using up leftover egg yolks when you’ve made a meringue. Really simple, …

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Freakishly weird: Wot so Funee?

Oh brother of mine, you are freakishly weird but I love you. This, on our way home from school last week caused some bemused looks from my mother. Was this a compliment or a slur? Was it designed to make the Bug happy, or as a put-down of the most withering variety? Who knows? It’s just something I say. I was asked to elaborate: He is freakishly weird because he loves Skylanders so much. That, no-one can argue over – he is, and he does. You, Mummy, are freakishly weird because you’re just too organised. Daddy is freakishly weird because …

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7 reasons why you want to be a Center Parcs blogger in 2014

This year I was a Center Parcs blogger. What this means is that I had a bit of a giggle joining in with challenges every month and writing about them on the blog, and then I had a free holiday at Center Parcs. As an 8 year old, anything which forces my mother into the craft box with me is welcome, so I can thoroughly recommend it from that perspective. You too can be a Center Parcs blogger! Center Parcs are now looking for next year’s recruits, so I thought I’d give you 7 reasons why you might like to …

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Tesco Mum of the Year Awards 2014: do you know an incredible Mum?

Image by Stephanie Belton “Muuuuum, how come I love you so much?” I asked Mummy as we left the supermarket. “Because I’m the most awesome person in the world ever?” She replied, with irony. “Yessss! That’s exactly why!” And I gave her a massive squeeze as we walked, just to prove it. The truth is, although I think she’s pretty epic, there are mums out there who beat her hands down in terms of what they do, what they’ve been through, or what they’ve inspired. The Tesco Mum of the Year awards honours these “women who have inspired a generation,” …

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National Geographic Kids magazine: Wot so Funee?

For about a year now we’ve been subscribers to National Geographic Kids magazine. It costs us about £30 a year, and I can honestly tell you it’s the best thirty quid we spend in terms of value for money for the kids. GG especially reads it cover to cover, fills in everything she’s asked to, attempts every craft, and enters every single competition! Ok so it actually costs us a bit more, by the time you factor in the cost of stamps and envelopes for all the comps 😉 With features on topical news (they covered the Olympics) as well …

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A bit different: inspiration for more interesting BBQ recipes

By British standards, we’ve had an amazing summer. Our BBQ has seen a lot of action, and long lazy afternoons with friends as the kids dodge water guns on the lawn have been, if I’m honest, the main delight of the summer holidays. But for the first time ever I’ve become bored by BBQ food. I soon started to tire of even the Taste The Difference burgers (you know, with the added cheese, caramelised onions, or redcurrant jelly). Nice as they are, I craved more interesting BBQ recipes. Add to this that fact that I’m trying to be a bit …

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Saturday is Caption Day

I haven’t joined in with #SatCap for a while, but I couldn’t not this week after Mummy snapped me having a chillout in the bath. SatCap is hosted at Mummy Never Sleeps this week – do your worst 😉

Jamie Oliver’s Big Feastival the only family-friendly festival you need (review).

Highs for the kids at Big Feastival 2013

Call me Victor Meldrew if you will, but most of the time I enjoy staying at home. I like my own company, my family (though if you tell my sister I said that I will shoot you with my best stick), and just hanging out with my toys. Going out is – well, it’s hard work to be honest: getting dressed, putting shoes on, walking, all of those things are just an irritation, and I prefer to be getting on with life. But on Sunday I was actually keen to leave the house. I surprised everyone, including myself by looking …

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How to Make Macarons: Easy Banoffee Macarons Recipe

Decadent Banoffee Macarons recipe that's easy to make

  Great British Bake Off – the Macarons Challenge Inspired by the Great British Bake Off, my friends Jenny and Helen – pudding and cake bloggers extraordinaires – have set a challenge to bloggers who enjoy #GBBO. Each week we will commit to creating an item on the theme of that week’s Great British Bake Off. This week the theme is Trifle, and Petits Fours. So as I sit here watching the contestants mess up their Iles Flottantes, and steal each other’s custard, my caramel ganache and banoffee caramel are cooling in my kitchen, destined for these babies. Read on …

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When I grow up: Wot So Funee?

  When I grow up When I’m 30 years old I will live 1 kilometre from my current home. I will live in a mountain, on a house. Hmmm. You need to have a rethink darling. We live in Hertfordshire; there are no mountains here, and all you will find within one kilometre is a 1950’s housing estate and 5 Tesco metros. Unless of course your mountain is metaphorical, which it would have to be, were you to actually build it on top of a house. I do hope the house in question is not our current abode – I think …

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