Monday 29 October 2012

Half term

Had a great day today

Gave the shower in our en suite a good clean, removed a hair rat from down the plug hole, yuck!

Took my boys to zone camp at our gym this morning, they had a great time

Had lunch with my gym buddie and her kids

Went to Dorich house museum for a event as part of the big draw. The Big Draw is the world’s biggest celebration of drawing. It has grown into a month-long festival throughout October all over the UK.  Dorich house museum is a gallery/studio built in 1930 by Dora Gordine a sculptor.  It is now owned by Kingston University.  The boys made shadow puppets and loved going up onto the roof terrace.  We try to take advantage of these opportunities to see places and are big fans of the open house London weekend held in September even if the queues are long.

Had a movie night with popcorn on the sofa together was great as the boys are busy with sports after school most nights.

Dejunked

Old running trainers as a new pair arrived today, cant believe the lack of tread on the old pair!
I ordered a new workout vest too but the fabric is too thick and I know it will annoy me so that is being returned
A pair of Birkenstock sandals I havent worn much over the last couple of summers but are worn down to the cork sole!
J dejunked a game he got from science club.
They both pulled out 4 DVDS for charity.  So funny as all Disney classics I thought were must haves that they never watch.  A bit like the children's books I bought when I was pregnant they didn't want read at story time!


Sunday 28 October 2012

Recipe Request

Quorn Chilli

fry a diced red onion, diced carrot, diced red, green and yellow pepper, a pack of finely chopped mixed chillies for 5 minutes
add a pack of quorn mince fry for a few minutes
add 500 ml vegetable stock
season with chilli powder and chilli flakes
Add 2 cartons of chopped tomatoes 400g each and 1 carton of tomato passatta 500g
Add 2 tins of kidney beans 400g each

reduce on the hob then put in slow cooker till time to eat

served with uncle bens express wild rice

Spinach and Lentil Dahl with Aubergine and Tomato (Loved by many)

300g red split lentils
1 aubergine cubed
200 ml reduced fat coconut milk
300g spinach, roughly chopped
650 ml vegetable stock
12 cherry tomatoes
1 25g pack of fresh corriander finely chopped
1 tsp of ground cumin, corriander, turmeric and ginger

for the tarka (spiced oil)
2 tbsp oil
4 shallotts
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (I leave garlic out as my husband hates it)
1 tsp finely chopped root ginger ( I use the lazy ginger in a tube)
1/4 tsp chilli powder
 2tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp garam masala

Rinse the lentils under cold water until it runs clear.  Tip into a bowl of cold water, cover and leave to soak for 25-30 minutes
Drain the lentils and tip into a pan. Add the coconut milk, stock, aubergine, and spices.  Bring to the boil, cover reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally
Stir in the spinach and tomatoes and cook for 6-8 minutes or until the lentils are soft adding more liquid if necessary
Make the tarka, heat oil in a small pan and put all the ingredients except the garam masala stirring for 3-4 minutes until the shallots are golden. 
Tip into the lentils stir in the garam masala check the seasoning and stir in the coriander.

I make a double batch as it freezes well and coconut milk comes in a 400 ml tin and lentils in a 500 gram bag but I just double up everything else then I don't have odd bits left over.

I serve it with merchant gourmet quinoa

Saturday 27 October 2012

Wintery Weekend

Cant get over how cold it is for October!

Went for a run this morning, my hands were still cold in mits.

Offered older son J money to rake the leaves in our tiny garden.  Pathetic attempt, kids today!

Took the fighting foxes to see Ice Age 4 at the Odeon in the cheap seats, snore!

Made a quorn chilli for dinner, put it in my slow cooker all day.  Will freeze the rest for cold busy weekends when comfort food is needed.

 Dejunked some more of D's school paperwork and filed the decent artwork in our family scrapboook.


Apple and Raspberry crumble served with custard

Very Proud Wednesday

Was very proud of myself!

Older son J had a flat tyre on his bike meaning he couldn't cycle to school, luckily he managed to scoot there on time as we always leave early.

My husband R was away with work for the week and J needed to use his bike so I couldn't default to R to repair the puncture.

So I did it myself! I have never repaired a puncture before, (pathetic I know).  But I did it and it has remained inflated yay! R laughed when I told him as previously even my attempts to use the pump have been in vain.

J on his bike, a regular mode of transport for the wallington family!


Wallington bikes parked at church, a place we attend regularly!

Wednesday 24 October 2012

BIn Day

I love bin day although our landfill tends to be carrier bag sized as Richmond council recycle the majority of our waste.

My boys are really good at going through the weeks amass of art etc and deciding what will be going on the magnetic whiteboard in their rooms and what is going to the recycling.

You cant keep everything your child creates. I tend to add only a couple of things per year to our family scrapbook. Taking photos of things is another way of retaining the memory without the actual item shedding glitter, pasta shells etc.

Corfe Castle, Dorset

Monday 22 October 2012

Monday

Dejunked

Two pre-school white board books, spelling and maths my boys have outgrown.  Took them to a local charity shop.

A grey T shirt belonging to husband, large holes in the neck and both armpits meant it went to fabric recycling.

A large laundry bag and 3 big blue IKEA bags to a friend moving house, great for transporting beding etc.

Some kids paperwork, old partially completed phonic workbooks etc to recycling.



Sunday 21 October 2012

Weekend

Weekend

Met up with my sister, her husband and his young son at Boxhill for a walk and picnic.
All three boys enjoyed playing together.

Made some banana, raspberry and almond muffins to take on our picnic.



Then chicken noodle soup for dinner after being out all day in the woods. 



Thursday 18 October 2012

Thursday

Thursday

Made a big pot of lentil dahl today, put some in the freezer for cold wintry days.

So yummy, R worked from home so we had it for lunch with Quinoa.

Lizzie my gym buddy was here too and took some home.

I gave D's teacher a tub for her dinner.  He had his parent interview this afternoon and it was quite positive considering the dificulties he has with dyspraxia, his vision etc!


Wednesday 17 October 2012

Wet Wednesday

Dejunked

Had no takers from gumtree for the TV bracket so I offered it to school and they said they could use it so glad its gone.

Our Duplo collection went to the same church toddler group as last weeks Brio train track today.  No one has played with it for a while.  Both boys have really moved onto Lego now.  I did feel emotional as its definitely the end of an era.  I bought the first piece of Duplo for J's first birthday.  I have a lovely photograph of him looking at me with great puzzlement.  It being the first time he had been presented with a large item wrapped in shiny paper!  I look young and glamorous despite wearing PJ's! Ah youth!

Had a lovely mug of hot chocolate at Montezuma's the chocolate shop this afternoon with a friend.

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Tuesday

Dejunked 

There isn't much in our loft except for insulation and a few empty cardboard boxes for stuff we have bought recently, kitchen TV etc.  Also a small box of Christmas decorations and a tree stand.  However there is a TV bracket from our old house when we had the lounge TV wall mounted.  The TV is currently on its stand so the bracket has been unused for the last 2 years.  Today I got it out the loft and put it on gumtree.  I generally give stuff away if I can find it a home but was at a loss with this particular item.  I am looking forward to it going.  I find most stuff I put on gumtree goes the same day.



Sunday 14 October 2012

Unseasonally Cold Sunday!

Dejunked 

D's shorts, have lasted 2 years so done well!  Finally laid to rest at fabric recyling as holey!

Operation Christmas Child

A pair of kids winter gloves bought in the sale a couple of years ago.
No one wears them as too bulky to cycle in so lacking the grip needed
Put them in my shoebox for operation christmas child.
I save bits all year from party bags, duplicate pens etc to put in the shoebox
A good thing to do with my kids I think to ensure they realise how fortunate they are
http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/


Purchased 

Magic gloves we get through a lot of these as they go holey but are a bargain at £2.99 for pack of 3 (H&M). Not the end of the world either if one goes misssing during the school day.

Saturday 13 October 2012

Shivering Saturday

Its cold!  Went for a walk in winkworth woods and it hailed!



Its J's birthday so was looking forward to having lunch there but cafe had sold out Aarrgghh!

Made up for it by having a lovely dinner

chicken kebab with couscous, humous, olives, avocado, cucumber, tomato, leaves, chilli sauce



Wednesday 10 October 2012

Wednesday

Dejunked 

Our Brio collection of train track and engines.
A bag of wooden building blocks
Donated to a local Church's toddler group that provide a great service to the local community.



When I suggested getting rid of it younger D wasn't bothered, we don't really play with it any more he said.  Older J needed a bit more convincing.  But while sorting it out I found his bedtime mouse that has been missing since August so he was thrilled.  We looked everywhere for it at the time and were puzzled as there aren't many places for things to hide in our house.  Its meant to be I said!  I did also offer him a jelly snake after trampolining. 




Deep Joy
Freeing up a cycle rack space by helping the man at sainsburys remove an abandoned bicycle!

Monday 8 October 2012

Morose Monday

Dejunked

A belt to my friends son 

Read

Joshua Becker, Inside out simplicity, a great read
http://www.becomingminimalist.com/

Enough already with people dying, two more, one old and ill one unexpected.


Sunday 7 October 2012

Subdued Sunday

Subdued 

Took D to visit his great grandpa in the residential care home he lives in.  My granny visits her husband every day.  She doesn't encourage us to visit so I never tell her I am going.  I hope it is a nice surprise when we turn up. J doesn't like visiting, being older he understands too much.  When my grandpa first went to live there J asked if we could pray to God for grandpa to get better so that he could go home and live with granny again.  Gulp, trying to explain to a child about altzeimers and vascular dementia.

Grandpa was awake today and smiled when I kissed him goodbye.

D enjoyed seeing the chickens they have in the garden there.



Dejunked

Some miniature toiletries my husband collects on his frequent work travels! I can understand keeping a miniature shower gel, toothpaste and shampoo but not multiples as he gets new ones each time!



Saturday 6 October 2012

Sad Saturday

Sad

The husband of a friend has died very suddenly.  He had treatment for cancer a year ago but had responded well and looked good.  A big shock and a big reminder to live in the moment.

Immediately this came to me:

"There is almost nothing in your life that’s irreplaceable, other than people.
And in the end, you learn that the people and the moment are all that matter. Everything else comes and goes."
Leo Babautua and Courtney Carver Clutterfree


I am a person that likes to fix things, to make it better.  I cant make it better for this family.  So I did the only thing I know, bake.  I baked brunch muffins, blueberry, lemon and olive oil and took them to her home still hot from the oven.  I tapped the knocker very gently expecting to leave them on the doorstep.  She came to the door in her dressing gown and gave me a hug. It was good.



Family Wallington went to see Dr Seuss' the Lorax at the ODEON Kids screening.  My boys have wanted to see it since it was released in the summer. ODEON Kids screenings have been chosen especially for children and are every Saturday and Sunday mornings. Ticket prices are £2.50 each and with every child ticket you get a FREE adult ticket.  ODEON Kids runs every day throughout most school holidays too. We love the weekend cheap seats.

They also have ODEON newbies for parents with  babies and ODEON senior screen with appropriate films choices to suit these audiences.

Possibly the healthiest burger and chips ever made!


Chickpea, mushroom and corriander burger
Sweet Potato Wedges
Food Doctor multiseed and cereal pitta
Riata instead of mayonnasie
sliced red onion, avocado, tomato, steves leaves pea shoots to garnish
Yum

Friday 5 October 2012

Flat Friday

Negative

Older child was ill in the night with evil bug! The worst bug ever 13 days to go through our family.
Feeling tired after broken sleep!

Positive

Could have been worse, quite short and sharp and he made it to the loo so minimal clean up, bonus!

Today is an inset day from school so husband had taken day off for family trip to the science museum and hyde park.  I am at home with the ill child Mr J and R has gone out with Mr D!

Dejunked

Some nursery paperworkfrom Mr D, condensed one enormous foulder sent home at the end of the year in about 6 pieces with photos on.

Read

Clutterfree by Leo Babauta and Courtney Carver.  An easy read, not too wordy or long.



spider on our shed door this morning

Thursday 4 October 2012

Thursday

Purchased

Ordered a lego forest police station from amazon for my older sons birthday next weekend.  Was the cheapest place at £39.99. This will be his only large present from us and his grandparents.  Last year he got a new bike. He will also get some cards, money, and a few fillers, like chocolate and a mystery lego figure that costs £1.99 at every till point in the land.  Last time he got one he was a bit dissapointed as he got a bride!

My younger son got a lego set from the forest police theme for his birthday in the summer and was thrilled with it. When they have only one main present they really focus on enjoying it.  We built it straight away before school.  His other filler was new rubber ducks for the bath. He had two friends come after school for a play and pizza and choclate birthday cake with ice cream.  They brought him a little lego motor bike.  It was a brilliant birthday.

Read

The new book by the minimalists, Simplicity:the essays on the kindle app on my mac.  Really good and cost $5/£3.17. I enjoy their blog posts.
http://www.theminimalists.com/




Wednesday 3 October 2012

Wednesday

Dejunked

A plastic washing up brush I found under the kitchen sink in a cutlery draining pot. I never use either so brush to the bin as bristles perished and pot to charity shop  I aim to be as eco as possible recycling what I can and not over consuming but I do love electricity.  My dishwasher is a thing of beauty to me and I run it every night.

Negative

Husband came home from work feeling nauseosu last night and went straight to bed.  This bug seems to be the longest running bug known to man!

Positive

I could have got a worse nights sleep sharing top to toe with younger son in his bed I suppose!


Tuesday 2 October 2012

Tip Tuesdays

Dejunked 

Went to the tip for my parents and grandmother with rubbish from the recent repaint of the exterior of their house.  Looks lovely as was very tatty before.  So big empty plastic paint pots and the old gutters for plastic recycling.
Also an old computer monitor as they recently replaced their PC with something new but large and outdated!  I hope I remain a bit more in the zone when I am older or that I ask my children for advice!
Also a rug and a hat from my gran.
I also took a mini trampoline to the charity shop. I was advised to purchase it to improve my younger sons core stability as he has dyspraxia. He now attends a trampolining academy at a local school with Olympic sized trampolines.
Yesterday I also gave a few bits to our brilliant general builder that we won't be using, a wood plane set and some wood stain.

Positive

My parents garden looks much tidier now which always pleases my grandmother. She lived a very independent and ordered life until 18 months age when her husband went into a residential care home. He has altzeimers and vascular dementia and she was no longer able to care for him at home. She moved in with my parents more for the company than the practical help as she  is still very able and independent. She isn't enjoying these twilight years. but I can at least make them as easy and pleasant as possible for her.

Negative

My parents garden will resemble a miniature landfill site in the near future and I will clear it again.
I got paint on my running jacket from the lidless paint pots.