10 NEW things I can't live without

So, the lovely Mama Belle laid down a challenge. What she wants to know is 10 NEW (not the same old thing) things you've discovered that you can't live without and why. So here goes:-

Number one

Ella's kitchen organic pouches. These are brilliant because they're just pureed fruit, so you can give them to children of any age. And because they've got the fiber in as well, it's like a meal and a drink in one! I try to keep some in the car. You can freeze them and use them as cool packs to keep a picnic cold, then they go like slushies. And they're pretty low calorie, if I fancy a snack!

Number two

Diesel jeans. I love them! They fit me. Most of the time they look pretty good (I think - if not, please tell me!). They're not too expensive. And they're pretty hardwearing.

Number three
On-line scrabble/Lexulous. I am a complete scrabble addict! 'Nuff said!

Number four

Tinted/pearlised lip balm. By this time of the winter, in the damp Oxford air, pretty much everything gets chapped. Nice lip balm makes you look smart and saves your lips.

Number five

My crockpot! So uncool, but so useful for vegetarians. Especially in the winter. And also for cooking up beans or pulses, or anything that needs to cook overnight. Just brilliant!

Number six

Fleece nighties. So comfy! And while you may not look so hot, they make you lovely to cuddle!

Number seven

The Phillips 'Add-a-Bike' tag along child's trailer bike. I am now a 'Long Vehicle'.
I have one child on the front, and one on the back! This gets us to school and back two days a week. Lovely in every type of weather, except rain!

Number eight

Angostura bitters. A ridiculous luxury. I just like to have the makings of a champagne cocktail around, should I feel the need!

Number nine

Anything from the Nature Babycare range. They're all natural and they decompose.
I know that I'm just never going to get to the stage where I use cloth for everything!

Number ten
Facebook! Can't live without it!


Oh, and just for the record, if you're ever tempted to order a de-caffeinated, soya milk cappuccino, with sugar-free syrup - DON'T! It tastes like cr*p!
Hot 'Apple Spice' apple juice is ,however, rather nice! You live and learn!

I've been tagged!

The lovely Debateur has tagged me, so here we go. Eight random facts about The Baroness!

1. I have very small feet. I just fit into UK size 3, which is European 36, US size 5. This is sometimes good as I do get bargains, but not ideal when you need something in a hurry!

2. I took my driving test in Kenya (what do you mean, it shows?), so I know how to react if I hit a giraffe on the open road. Really!

3. I love all vegetables that start with A. I could quite happily live on avocados, asparagus, artichokes, and any others you can think of!

4. I have a ridiculously good memory for trivia. The only prize I won every year at school was the general knowledge prize.

5. I was an advanced PADI diver before having children. I reeeealy miss our annual diving holidays.

6. My degree is in Psychology and Disaster Management.

7. I suffer from large family envy, so I love to have lots of people around. I'm constantly trying to persuade my husband to have more children - alas, to no avail!

8. My favourite book is The Slow Train to Milan by Lisa St Aubin de Terran.


Now for the rules and my turn to tag:

1. Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.

3. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged and to read your blog.

5. For the recipients, leave a comment for the person who tagged you, so they can go and read your answers.

I am tagging
Octomom because she's fantastic, and I want to be just like her when I grow up.
Marie at The Woman who talked too much because she's brilliantly witty and will write something very funny.
Mama Belle because she has the whole Southern charm thing going on!
Gill at Sometimes it's peaceful, because she has such drive, and has such a great take on life (and probably won't have time to do this-never mind!)
Heather of the Extraordinary Ordinary, because she needs something to take her mind off the cold - maybe?
Wendi at Every Day Miracles because she writes such up-lifting posts!
Mozi Esme, because she's the cutest, funniest little person! Maybe her Mummy can help her?
Gill at mehimthem because she's lovely!

All done! Off to bed now!

Craft Party!

We made Vanilla Bath Salts, and decorated the jars.
Here's the recipe:
Start with a large mixing bowl and a stirring utensil - chopsticks are good for children.
Add 3 cups of Epsom salts, 2 cups of baking soda and 1 cup of table salt into the bowl.
When all ingredients are added, begin mixing them with your spoon or chopstick.
Slowly add a few drops of an essential oil, or if you want a completely non-toxic/edible product, use vanilla essence.
Next, slowly add food colouring of your choice to the mixture. We had pink (of course!), and we topped off the jars with a dried rose bud. Pretty - huh?
Then we had Pasta Bake and Chocolate Fudge Pudding

Then, just time for a bit of dancing and playing before going home time.
Observe, Ladies and Gentlemen, six children playing together nicely - incredible!

A momentous day!

A quick picture of two of my favourite men!

You wouldn't think we hoover as much as we do, judging by the excitement from the children and their eagerness to help!You can't tell from this picture but we're watching Obama's motorcade on his way to the inauguration.



It's a pity we were doing something so mundane on such a historical moment, but at least I have the pictures of the children watching the swearing in ceremony, if they ever ask!

It's not the men in my life; it's the life in my men!

Here are some pictures of the lovely Captain Black and Guy messing around together this evening!

Christmas is over for another year!

Here are the pix:

You don't want to know what time of the morning this is!

Phoebe showing off her 'bling'!
Guy showing an usual interest in Phoebe's under-the-sea palace!

Then off to church:

This is Phoebe's moment of glory. She's being an angel showing Simeon in a dream the nativity of Christ. She had a bit of difficulty navigating the 'vision' around our assorted church furniture!

And by the time the cast assembled for a final photo, she'd lost her angel top and wings!
Still a good time was had by all, and I am completely christmassed out!

Hope for Christmas Eve!

I've just seen this

What a strange, fantastic, mixed-up world we live in!

Today's picture

Well, it's snowing in Oxford! Here is the view from my local Starbucks (Yes! That really is a shark in the roof of that house!).
The snow didn't come out very well, but you get the idea!

You have no idea how depressing it is when we haven't even had our Christmas yet, to see the Easter eggs in the shops ALREADY!

Happy Hogmanay!

So, bye bye 2008! You've been good to us. We'll miss you!

But we look forward to 2009!
And on the 7th January - Orthodox Christmas! Until then, we're still fasting `(or trying to). This can involve a lot of stir-fry!