Colour, Colour, Colour...

I love colour, it has a big effect on me and can make me feel passionate and inspired and very hungry for more. There are lots of colour combinations that I am really drawn to, Turquoise and hot pink; 
lavender and Sage green; When I see certain colours they absolutely sing to me. The trouble is that I don't reflect that in anything that I wear, or buy. The colours of my wardrobe and that of my home don't reflect my feelings about colour at all. I am always inspired and a little bit envious of the people who's personal styles completely reflect their personality. These people surround themselves with creativity in everything they do. From how they dress and decorate their homes to how they cook and even how they give gifts. Everything has a creative and colourful twist and there is a little bit of art in everything they do.

This is how I want to be and so I am trying (starting with this blog) to add a little bit of colour, creativity and art into my life. I'll keep you posted!

Pushing Daisies...

                
I am very in love with Pushing daisies. I think it is the most visually beautiful series, as well as being funny and interesting. The styling is a dream and the sets and colours are stunning, so much fun to look at.

I love the photo's that accompany the series and Chuck's outfits...sigh! How I would love to dress like that!

This bee inspired picture is my favourite...

The whole series is a little slice of 50's Americana wrapped up in a pie crust. I was so upset when they cancelled it. This lead to the writers having to tie up all the stories in a very unsatisfying last episode.

                                                                                                                                                                                               I wish they would bring it back, it's definitely my kind of eye candy!

Easter bonnet

I know this is a few months late but I just thought I'd post about the hat me and the boys made for my eldest's Easter bonnet parade.

We were very proud of ourselves. I made the hat out of cardboard and the boys did the gluing, painting and decorating. I just put all the pieces together at the end. Not a bad effort, been as I only remembered he needed one the afternoon before!

Here's the boy himself, modeling the finished product!

Sunday Baking

Making Whoopie...

I love cooking sweet treats on a Sunday morning. Me and Mr Man take it in turns to have a lie in at the weekend and Sunday is his day. Me and the boys are usually up and about at half seven in the morning and whilst the boys are watching TV, I take the opportunity to shut myself away in the kitchen without being disturbed and bake. I find it really peaceful and relaxing and it's when I like to try out a new recipe. On the whole I don't relish cooking, as it usually comes hand in hand with the evening rush of feeding the boys, getting them bathed, ready for bed and settled down. More often than not it's just another job to do, but on a Sunday it's a pleasure. Today I made Whoopie pies, which was a new one on me as I'd never even heard of them! They turned out really well but I made them far too big so they were very filling.

These ones were coconut and raspberry and even though I found them a bit sickly, everyone else loved them, which made the morning even better.

Punch and Judy

I took the boys to our local town show today. They had a lovely time, there were stalls, bouncy castles, ice cream, hook-a-duck and a proper old fashioned Punch and Judy show. With that and the sun shining I could almost imagine we were at the seaside!

That's the way to do it!

Family sized Pizza

Thought I would make a pizza from scratch for tea tonight. How easy, if I had known it was so quick I'd have done it before! I made it from a Gino Dicampo recipe I cut out of one of my (many) magazines. I made double quantities to make a giant one.

Ingredients

• 2tsp quick action bread yeast
• 350g strong plain flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 2tbsp olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
• Passata
• dried Oregano
• Your choice of pizza toppings
• black pepper

Method 
Preheat oven to 220 degrees C. Add yeast and a pinch of salt to 140ml warm water. Put flour into bowl, make a well in the centre add yeast, water and oil. Mix with a wooden spoon to form dough.

Turn out onto a floured surface; work with your hands for 5mins (it's very sticky). Place in a greased bowl and cover with a tea towel. Leave at room temperature until it has doubled in size (such a lovely surprise to see, even though you know what is supposed to have happened!)

Turn dough onto floured surface and push out from centre to form your base. Place on an oiled baking tray.
Spread Passata on top and then add your toppings. Sprinkle with the dried Oregano and black pepper and cook in oven for 20mins or until edges are golden brown. Simples!

I topped it with diced green and red peppers, pepperoni, mozzarella and mature cheddar...yum. It was delicious and a big hit with the boys, big and small!

Makes me want to eat it all over again!

Grey Day

What a horrible day it is here today. It's grey and gloomy and feels really oppressive. I found myself getting over the top stressed this morning, trying to get the boys ready for school and nursery and then in town everyone seemed miserable and grumpy and no one was smiling! It felt like someone had died. Went to the coffee shop to cheer myself up and spent a lot of time giggling at the supremely funny book I took in with me (more about that in a later post!) When I emerged into the town again ready to pick up my boy, I felt much cheerier, amazing what a good read can do!