Mooching monday

Woke up feeling a bit strange, not 100% anyway. However, life goes on and its half term here so no school runs to do this week. Which means no uniforms to wash and iron.
I thought I had best get on incase I feel worse later so I got up and cleaned/straightened the bathroom straight away. I've started putting a bit of bleach in the toilet systern overnight, really helps out in the morning (after DH has been). Came down, popped the dishwasher on and then made a cheesecake. Then the girls got up and I did breakfast. So now having some quiet time on the computer while A plays upstairs (sylvanian fanilies) and G scoots around on her car.
Still things to do, I think the living room will only need a quick freshen today, with it being nice yesterday no-one was in there. Stairs need vacuuming though and the laundry will need ironing and putting away after its dry. Hopefully I can get time for a bit of crafting later on if its nice and the girls can play outside on the trampoline.

Sunday 10th February

Hello, had a wonderful day today, Amy has learned to ride a bike, oh its so lovely to see her, after the RTA in 2004 its taken a long time for her to get there. We had a great sunday lunch, really filling and really nice to sit as a family. Other than the usually chores its been an esy and fun day. My grandparents came for a visit for a while. And I have done a little bit of crafting too. Grace has just enjoyed running around with everyone. Its been lovely.

Bring it on Saturday!

yes, its here already, super saturday. three loads have already been washed, one on the line, one in the dryer, one about to finish and be hung out. Sofas washed, living room is sparkling, bathroom tip-top. I've been very busy setting my timer and getting on with it, while playing with the girls and having sneeky peeks on the forums. need to vacuum upstairs and the stairway next, hope I dont destroy the dyson today. We have baked a cake, made a jelly, had lunch and hopefully darling hard working husband will be home.
Must plough on.
8pm update: Listening to Darla Shine on the radio at the moment.
We had a lovely afternoon shopping, I got some new trainers (so I can break them in before the Race for Life, Cancer Research run, in June) and the weekly shop.
I dressed nicely and wore a high heel (3") I got a nice pair of wide leg tailored trousers from a supermaket (asda) for £8 ($16) they came with this cute little belt too. So I felt very special walking around (so pleased to have the trolley to hold on to!) we held hands, cuddled and kissed, it was a lovely trip.

Something you havent done in a while

Yesterday I pulled out the sofas and all the living room furnature and washed under it all, usually do that every two weeks. So they are kept clean (there is always something there though, dust, dirt, a spoon) I then turned my focus to my kitchen and the tumble dryer, as previously posted I am very saftey consious when it comes to cleaning this, but I pulled it out, first time in two months (I know, I'm bad) it was hideous, I'm not joking! The fluff and dust that was under there!! I'm so glad I was alone! Tomorrow is the fridge and freezers turn and the dates between the chore will now be changed, at least every month they are coming out, its disgusting.


I have been working hard with the housework catching p on the slow week from when little one was poorly. Its amazing how fats things can go downhill.
I've been watching a programme called "Cleanaholics" about people who cant stop cleaning. Its great to watch though, a few tips and lovely to see others that enoy their homes.

Inside-out strawberry Ice-cream cake.

To give ice cream the right consistency for spreading, soften it at room temperature, about 30 minutes, or microwave it on high in 10-second increments, testing for softness in between. Don't overdo it: You want it spreadable, not soupy!
Prep: 40 minutesTotal: 8 hours
Ingredients
Serves 12
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and finely chopped
1 tablespoon seedless raspberry jam
3 pints vanilla ice cream, softened
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until incorporated; mix in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, alternately add flour mixture in three parts and buttermilk in two, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix just until smooth (do not overmix).
Pour batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool 15 minutes in pan; turn cake out onto a rack, and let cool completely. Using a long serrated knife, halve cake horizontally.
While cake is cooling, combine strawberries and jam in a medium bowl.
Line sides of a 9-inch springform pan with a strip of waxed paper; wrap outside of pan with plastic wrap. Center bottom half of cake in pan, cut side up.
Spread 1 1/2 pints ice cream over top and down around sides. Spread strawberry mixture on ice cream, leaving a 1-inch border. Set top half of cake over it.
Spread remaining ice cream over top and down around sides of cake. Tap cake on counter to help ice cream settle. Smooth top, and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours or, covered, up to 2 weeks. To serve, remove plastic from pan, unmold cake, and peel off waxed paper. Let cake rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before slicing.

www.marthastewart.com

Well my list was made and added to, but I'm just about there, need to go grocery shopping in a bit though. So currently writing out the list that I will promptly forget to take with me. The car boot sale did well, with my dearest husband making over£120! I think thats fabulous, it means that the shopping will come from that rather than the bank, making things easier for the bills. Also menu planning at the same time as doing the shopping list. I do try to think of something new each week to at least try.

I gave the leather suite a really good wash and condition too, it looks great now. All floors and washed and vacuumed, I really have to time the floor washing well, although I dont get it too wet (wooden floors) I wouldnt want anyone to slip, so I try and dry the floor off with a towel after.

Uniforms and lunches and ready for tomorrow, homework is done.

I baked a victoria sponge and thats being devoured by hubby as he unpacks the car. he works so hard for us all, I am truly bless.

My photography skills have been noticed on the scrapbook site I am on (details on my Scrapping blog, if you go to my profile) and no, I dont take the all of the pictures on here Google helps me.

Time for me to head off. Once I'm back from shopping, packed away, cooked dinner, got the girlie-bugs bathed and in bed, its time for my beloved Lost to be on the tv, a wonderful Sunday relax.

Saturday has gone a bit wrong.

DH is doing a car boot sale tomorrow so we can clear some clutter and some unwanted bits. That'll be nice to get some extra space and the pennies will be nice too.
Beds changed again, thats four times in one week!
Windows on the outside need washing but I'm not going ut there in the cold and wind, I am happy that the insides are clean at least.
Due to getting the car-boot sale ready the housework isnt as good as usual. I could be doing it now but I'm listening to Darla Shine, each saturday I can listen to the american radio show, (click link on left at 6pm each saturday). Its finished now, its a great motivational show.
So nw its over I'll wash the kitchen floor and head off upstairs to straighten up the bathroom, lots to do tomorrow so I'll write a list!

A tough week

I've been at home all week, A has had a chest infection and been poorly since sunday. Which means I have spent lots of hours snuggling and things have got a little out of hand, I've done more loads of bed linen than ever and am still catching up. The weather here has been horrid, cold, wet, windy, yuck. So only the basics have been done, which means that this weekend its a super strip clean.
I'm sorry there are no exciting updates or fancy pictures. I'll get back to it.