Chef Lilyjean!

Tomato soup!

At first we were in control of our ripening tomatoes and were able to eat them or give them away as quick as they were ripening but a couple of days ago we officially lost control! I'm now googling all sorts of things in order to use them or store them. Yesterday, we used 2lb, approximately 1 days gathering to make tomato soup but have half of it left. There will be another 2lb on the vines currently waiting todays harvesting. I'm thinking a good passata recipe might be useful.

Chai tea

Our friend, Amy came round and taught us how to make Chai tea. 

We used...ginger, cinnamon bark, cardamom, cloves, tea leaves and milk.

Dharampura Haveli, Old Delhi

Our opportunity came, to explore Old Delhi without the kids. Willmer and Lyn offered to take the kids home after our visit to the Rail Museum so that M and I could go into Old Delhi, explore and have dinner at the beautifully restored Dharampura Haveli.

The Haveli is set in the narrow alleys of Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi. It lives amongst the residences and small shops which this area is famous for. It dates back to 1887 and its design reflects the Mughal period. A Haveli is a multi storey townhouse set around a courtyard. It is visible from the busy and noisy street by a simple door which opens up to a peaceful courtyard beyond. From its rooftop we were able to see across the roof tops of Delhi towards the largest mosque in India. The Jama Masjid.

The narrow streets below where we entered the Haveli.

 The Haveli courtyard viewed from the rooftop.

Traditional dancing as entertainment.

MJ and Ljs guide to eating out

The kids have decided to rate the places we stop to eat while here in Gurgaon. Yesterday's surprise spice in a 'non spicy' pizza and being double charged left Pizza Hut with zero stars. Today's eatery, IHOP fared much better with 5 stars. 

Key lime pie and shrinkles

With M away for the weekend with the car we had to come up with our own car free fun.

Over the half term break we tried making No Bake Key Lime Pie. The kids loved both the making and the eating of it so this weekend we had another go. I'm keen for them to learn how to follow recipes and learn basic baking skills. This is a great recipe to start with as it seems pretty fool proof and tastes amazing.

Last time MJ worked on making the base, while Lj made the filling/topping. This time I thought they might like to swop but no, they were keen to perfect what they had tried before.

MJ finished first and while the base was chilling in the fridge I set him to work on washing the dishes...I don't want the thought of washing up to put them off cooking and baking but at the same time it is a job which has to be done.

Next weekend I'm leading a crafting party for a 7 yr old and her 11 friends so we tested the crafts and got some more prep work done together. Here, they are drawing on shrink plastic which we then put in the oven to shrink and thicken before turning them into a 'Applejack' brooch for Lj and a 'Steve' key ring for MJ.

We had a fun day staying at home on Saturday. However, on Sunday it was time to get some fresh air and adult contact so we walked to the train station and caught the train to church (a train journey of 8 minutes!!). On the return leg we stopped off in town and had some lunch before braving the cold, up hill walk home. Then it was snuggles and snoozes on the sofa as we watched 'Inside out' and waited for Daddy to come home.

'Tower of Babel'- 'Living our lives to please God' Wednesday club #12

A large part of today's plan came from Ministry to Children.

“Today we’re going to learn about a time when humans started taking credit for the gifts God had given them. In fact, they wanted to make themselves famous and even did the exact opposite of what God commanded them to do. In all this we’re going to learn the difference between glorifying God and showing-off to build our own reputation.”

Active Listening: As the kids prepare to watch the story, ask the children to listen for the following clues. Say, “Each of these items will play a part in our story and I want you to listen very carefully for why they are important.” Show a picture for each clue. Display these items on the wall before you read.

• Bricks made from mud
• Brain power
• Muscle power
• Word power (language)

Watch an animation of the Tower of Babel on You Tube.

Review the Active Listening Clues: Ask volunteers to come up and explain how each of the picture clues fit into the story. For each one ask the children where that item first came from. Lead them to conclude that each of those items were gifts that God gave the people. Say: “All of these things came from God and were given to the people so they could show God’s glory. Instead, the people used this stuff to show-off themselves and try to become important.”

Learning Outcome Test: Ask the children to respond to the following set of statements. If the activity is about seeking God’s glory they should stand with both hands raised toward Heaven, if the activity describes is mostly about seeking their own popularity (aka showing-off) they should cross their arms and remain seated. After each response, briefly point them back to the heart motives behind each action.

• Talking loudly about your good grades so that everyone knows that you’re smart. (showing-off)
• Using your intelligence to helping a friend with their math homework. (glorifying God)
• Doing your best to help your soccer team win. (glorifying God)
• Starting a new business so you can get rich and boss people around. (showing-off)
• Starting a new business so you can give people jobs. (glorifying God)

Gospel Application: Share with the children how difficult it can be for prideful people to accept Christ as their Savior. Explain that only through his grace can we become humble and give glory to God with our lives.

Craft:

Make towers using dry spaghetti pasta and marshmallows.

Everyday Creating #10 #Jam

The last couple of days have all been about jam making. On Tuesday we spent the morning at our allotment picking the last of the strawberries, the gooseberries and half of the blackcurrants. I then spent the afternoon washing and taking the little stalks off. Yesterday morning I got started on making the jam. I'm always shocked at the amount of sugar that goes into making jam but both blackcurrant and gooseberry jams are easy to make due to their fairly high pectin levels. We now have 24 pots of delicious homemade jam. Now to pick the other half of the blackcurrants before the birds spot them and clear the bushes for me.

Christmas Making and Learning

I saw an idea similar to this one on pinterest. Lj really enjoys the challenge each morning of matching up the Christmas tree bauble letters. Ideally I would make the baubles circular and a bit more Christmassy but time didn't allow and I don't think Lj really notices! I guess it could be used in all sorts of ways, matching numbers, words of a different language, colours...the list is endless.

My mum told me she had seen marshmallow snowmen in her local bakery, selling at 50p a pop. On Saturday while the boys played Lego Starwars Wii, Lj and I decided to try and make our own marshmallow snowmen. It was a fun activity and they taste great...but then why wouldn't them as they consist of marshmallows, white chocolate, milk chocolate, dolly mixtures and strawberry laces.

Christmas Cakes 2013 :: Part 3

I have thinking about how to package my now iced Christmas cakes and even had a little search on pinterest but to no avail. Then when shopping with Lj the other day in the 99p store I had a light bulb moment. Christmas coasters with a selophane wrap! So I purchased a pack of 6 Santa coasters for 99p, didn't ask any ethics related questions and went on my way.

One wrapped and ready for delivery!

 Six wrapped and ready for delievery...which leaves 1...do I buy another set of 6 coasters or save this little cake for us?

For Part 1 of my Christmas cake 2013 story click here and for Part 2 click here

Christmas Cakes 2013 :: Part 2

To see Part 1 click here.

Today Lj and I finally got round to icing our cakes. We put the marzipan on at at the weekend.

I thought I had a snowflake cutter and was planning on using it to decorate the cakes so when I realised that I didn't I felt a little stuck for ideas. At that point Lj joined me so I let her loose with the star cutters and she got to work. We used a mixture of pre rolled icing and a ready made block of icing. Although the pre rolled icing is quicker to use I don't like the finish as much (it has a funny sheen and it is hard to get rid of the lines from the roll) and it works out at least twice as expensive. In future I think I will stick to the ready made blocks. The pre rolled marzipan however is very handy!

I loved the little star patterns which Lj came up with and she spent a long time rolling, cutting and re rolling. I finished the cakes off with ribbon at the bottom (to hide the untidy edges :)) secured to the icing with dress making pins.

Now I need to think of a pretty way to package the little cakes as I hope to give them as gifts over Christmas.

Christmas Cakes 2013 :: Part 1

To read Part 2 click here.

The winning craft item!

Today was craft stall number 2 and thankfully I sold something! In fact I almost sold out of fabric covered noticeboards...perhaps because I lowered the price from Tuesday!

In any case, Lj and I decided to celebrate with lunch in Starbucks. Lj loves going to a cafe and I love it too, although not necessarily with Lj! I don't mean to be mean but she is drawn to everything delicious on display and chooses all the expensive stuff. OK so most things in Starbucks are expensive but for example she wants the teeny tiny pot of fruit...£2.99. Now that would buy us a bunch of grapes, bananas and a bag of kiwis in Sainsburys. So we agree on one thing each and one to share.

I enjoy watching Lj sit and take her drink in the cafe but I have to be quick as it only lasts for two minutes and then she is showing every customer in the cafe her full tummy and is getting restless to move on and my skinny latte hasn't even cooled enough to start drinking.

Illustration inspired by Pop I cok and Quentin Blake. Mj and I are reading 'George's Marvellous Medicine' by Roald Dahl.

First craft stall of 2013

and another tomorrow!

A very autumnal Monday

 If ever I have spoken negatively about Autumn I apologise. Today has changed my opinion. Today is a beautiful Autumnal day. The skies are blue, there is a coolness in the air but not a chill and the wind blowing is drying my clothes beautifully.

Lj and I have been picking apples in a friends garden and potting up some hyacinths in the hope they will be blooming for Christmas.

 This photo is taken from 'Homemade-Gorgeous things to make with love'

And now while I have a couple of childfree hours I have been for a run...(I am not a runner but I would like to be someone who exercises regularly so I'm trying running again and I'm hoping by mentioning it on here I will be held accountable and keep running). It is not me in the picture, it is another runner who overtook me while I stopped and got my phone out to take a pic of the leaves changing colour and creating a beautiful scene.

Another hot and sunny day :)

It seems unbelievable that these hot and sunny days would continue for so long...but I love it and hope we at least get a few more weeks of cloudless skies.

Today we are...

having a picnic in the shade.

posting some finished  'England inspired' bunting off to Canada

 and having a try at making a dress from my Mum's 1980's dress pattern.

Today at the allotment

On the hottest day of the year so far, we found ourselves at the allotment. Thankfully I brought my camera and the kids had fun taking some shots while M and I did the chores!

Picking large juicy strawberries...

 and watering the fruit and veg.

The reward was good. We harvested lots of strawberries, a few broad beans, two beetroot and a few spinach leaves.

 And on the way home M and I carried the produce and the scooters while the kids carried a stick!