1) Don't iron what you don't have to. I find that a lot of things don't need ironing, by hanging straight, the creases drop out naturally. Also, if you can line dry, you will get less creases.
2) Only sort your washing into 2 different sorts, whites and coloureds. Makes life a lot simpler and I haven't had any runs doing this, only when I accidentally put in red with my whites. Many modern washing machines have a mixed fibre wash anyway, and I always do this at 30 degrees.
3) Always plan your meals out a week in advance before you write a shopping list. This saves time, money and you can write a list of what you need when you go shopping.
4) When cooking, especially for a large brood, keep it simple. I like to always cook simple but healthy things. I see it unnecessary to spend hours in the kitchen, when there are so many other things to be done.
5) Use a breadmaker. I have 2. It mixes the dough for my currant buns, while I go and have a cup of tea. Also, I can have 2 cakes baking in them while I am out and come back to freshly baked cakes. I can't burn them and don't have to watch them as it is timed. Using a breadmaker also enables you to have fresh bread ready for the morning. You can't beat that smell, Mmmm!
Saturday, 19 September 2009
Apple picking
Now is the season for apples, pears, and plums. Above is a pic of me checking the apples that I have picked. The ones shown are a variety of eating apple. We have been picking a lot of different varieties, all growing in the wild. We eat the eaters and cook up the cooking apples. What I do, is blanche a whole load in a saucepan and cool and store in tubs in the freezer. That way, when I want to make pies, or sponges it is already done.
Here is a recipe we like for apple sponge-
1)Chop the apples and put them in a dish which is oven safe.
2) Cream 4 ounces of margarine with 3 ounces of sugar.
3) Add one beaten egg.
4) Fold in 4 ounces of selfraisng flour. I use wholemeal.
5) Spoon over your apples and cook at medium heat for about 40 mins, or until a fork comes out clean.
This recipe will serve 4-6. We double it for our family and cook in 2 seperate bowls.
Here is a recipe we like for apple sponge-
1)Chop the apples and put them in a dish which is oven safe.
2) Cream 4 ounces of margarine with 3 ounces of sugar.
3) Add one beaten egg.
4) Fold in 4 ounces of selfraisng flour. I use wholemeal.
5) Spoon over your apples and cook at medium heat for about 40 mins, or until a fork comes out clean.
This recipe will serve 4-6. We double it for our family and cook in 2 seperate bowls.
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Fire!
Just over a week ago the children were able to film a fire which had broken out at a plastics factory. It is the biggest fire Lincolnshire firefighters have had to deal with. At one point there were 100 firemen at the scene. Plumes of toxic black smoke were emitted into the air, but fortunately most of it avoided the people living nearby.
A beautiful rainbow!
It was a couple of days before it finally went out. The cost is expected to run into millions of pounds. A real blow to the area, considering we are in times of recession. Work is expected to start as soon as possible to rebuild the factory as soon as the cause is established. It is thought the fire started in the fan room.
My husband filmed this video and put it on youtube:Saturday, 29 August 2009
Living History
As a child, I enjoyed History. However it was marred by the use of textbooks and a constant obsession on the teacher's part of world war 2 and aspects of the Victorians. I guess you could say the teaching of History in my school left quite a lot of gaps!With my children I have decided to take a chronological approach. So we started at the very beginning when God created the Earth 6,000 years ago. We have used a lot of 'living books' in our History studies, which have been very enjoyable. We are currently reading, Our Island Story and the story of John Calvin.
Children are natural explorers, so we enjoy discovering places of Historic interest and I guess there is History to be found where ever you go! I often pass somewhere and wonder what it would be like if you could turn the clock back and see what really happened. What were the people really feeling and was it in line with the accounts we have today?
We are blessed in England to have a rich historical heritage. Castles, cathedrals, churches, battlefields, homes, woodland. They each tell their own story.
competition for uk readers
There is a new competition running at www.fillyourpants.com Here are the details.
This month sees our best competition yet! Up for grabs is a set of some of our best selling products, including a Dream-Dri Pop in Nappy, an Itti Bitti d’Lish, a bumGenius 3.0, a bag of Tots Bots Potion a Nappy Tote Bag and a pair of Babylegs! Worth over £60!
For more details and to enter see HERE.
Increase your chances of winning:
1) Link to the competition on a blog or forum and email us the link for an automatic extra entry!
2) Add a new review to any product that you have used on the site and receive an extra entry- be sure not to mark it as anonymous though so we know who to give the extra entry to!
3) Add a comment to any post on the Really Pants Blog to be awarded an extra entry.
4) Make any 5 posts over on the Forum for yet another chance of winning! We will draw one winner randomly with an "Online Number Generator" and will notify the winner by email.
Closing date for entries 15.09.09
This month sees our best competition yet! Up for grabs is a set of some of our best selling products, including a Dream-Dri Pop in Nappy, an Itti Bitti d’Lish, a bumGenius 3.0, a bag of Tots Bots Potion a Nappy Tote Bag and a pair of Babylegs! Worth over £60!
For more details and to enter see HERE.
Increase your chances of winning:
1) Link to the competition on a blog or forum and email us the link for an automatic extra entry!
2) Add a new review to any product that you have used on the site and receive an extra entry- be sure not to mark it as anonymous though so we know who to give the extra entry to!
3) Add a comment to any post on the Really Pants Blog to be awarded an extra entry.
4) Make any 5 posts over on the Forum for yet another chance of winning! We will draw one winner randomly with an "Online Number Generator" and will notify the winner by email.
Closing date for entries 15.09.09
Monday, 17 August 2009
Berry Picking in the Welsh Mountains
Recently we went wild berry picking in the Welsh mountains. The berries are called wynberries and they are like blueberries, except smaller and more potent!
Doesn't look like much, but the berries are hidden underneath the clumps of purple heather.
All in all, it was a great day and we picked about 8 pounds of them!
Unfortunately on the way back our car battery went flat and we weren't going anywhere! So after calling out breakdown we arrived home at 4;30a.m. Phew! It was a long day.
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Our Homeschool
A new year is starting again and that always calls us to reflect, as to whether or not the year has been a success. I find by doing a yearly report, this puts it into perspective, as I can see exactly where the children are compared to last year!This year we will be using Christian Light for Maths, reading and some Social Studies. We are switching to Bob Jones for English for a change. Sometimes it is good to have a change, as it gives the children fresh impetus.We use Answers in Genesis for science, and the Bluedorns' books for logic. Also lots of read alouds, especially for History and Geography. Not to forget the all important field trips as well! One we enjoy, is Sherwood Forest, home of the legendary Robin Hood.Our typical school day is never the same, as the children have a schedule and they mark things off as they are done. Every day they have English and Maths to do, but the other subjects vary, unless of course they do their week's Maths in one day! Believe it or not, that has happened!We do a 4 day week, this helps to prevent burnout. We then only have a week off for each summer month. On a Friday we might do baking, sport, or anything else considered fun!If a child has a particular interest, then we encourage them and help them to follow that. Our eldest is into writing and has just finished her first book.
A new year is starting again and that always calls us to reflect, as to whether or not the year has been a success. I find by doing a yearly report, this puts it into perspective, as I can see exactly where the children are compared to last year!This year we will be using Christian Light for Maths, reading and some Social Studies. We are switching to Bob Jones for English for a change. Sometimes it is good to have a change, as it gives the children fresh impetus.We use Answers in Genesis for science, and the Bluedorns' books for logic. Also lots of read alouds, especially for History and Geography. Not to forget the all important field trips as well! One we enjoy, is Sherwood Forest, home of the legendary Robin Hood.Our typical school day is never the same, as the children have a schedule and they mark things off as they are done. Every day they have English and Maths to do, but the other subjects vary, unless of course they do their week's Maths in one day! Believe it or not, that has happened!We do a 4 day week, this helps to prevent burnout. We then only have a week off for each summer month. On a Friday we might do baking, sport, or anything else considered fun!If a child has a particular interest, then we encourage them and help them to follow that. Our eldest is into writing and has just finished her first book.
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