'Before you love, learn to run through the snow leaving no footprint'

It's December - By far the best month of the year, maybe May as an exception. Our Christmas tree has been up since the end of November, I know, I know.... Shameful - It does look lovely though!
One thing I'm not liking is Archie's constant re decorating of it, removing baubles and placing them in various spots around the house.

We've had snow! - Lot's of it, and it's very, very cold outside - It's like a different world, like Narnia, but with no Aslan.

We're all very much looking forward to Christmas, Grace is especially excited, chocolate advent calendars went down a treat too!

I've not updated my blog for a while but here's a selection of my recent photos from mainly November and some snowy ones!

Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life - John Updike

It's not April, yet I haven't seen this much rain in a long while, I don't like rain, not one bit. The riverbanks have flooded, mud gets everywhere, but more importantly, Grace's pink boots will get wet.

It's been a week where we haven't ventured outside much, the weather has been awful, I've been subjected to repeats of Postman Pat! arrrggghhh. So decided the other day that Grace and I would decorate the bathroom, why not? Grace chose the colour, surprisingly, shocking pink. I asked what she thought Daddy would say when he saw it, she said she thought he'd smile. He didn't. He didn't mind it after a while though.

I took photographs of the adorable Alfie and Woody last weekend, Alfie a little gem, who decided to call me Henry! (photos attached).

We've had a lovely Hallowe'en and bonfire night - We've still got some sweets left, although they're being attacked daily by Grace! Archie isn't too keen on fireworks this year! :( Grace likes them :)

Archie has started to speak better, lots of new words, his favourite being Mammy (Mummy) and Dammy (Dummy), he can count to ten too, although he misses number 9.

Christmas presents bought - 12

Days till Christmas 45 (I think) - I can't WAIT!!!

Dark nights and frosty mornings...

Ok, ok.... so I know everyone seems to get a bit depressed this time of year, you finish work and it's dark, go to work when it's dark, but for me... I love it. There's nothing quite like the chill of a morning breeze, the warmth of a house when it's bitter outside, the smell of fireworks and sparklers, or tucking into shepherds pie after a long walk.

I've started Christmas shopping and for the first time in a long while I have an idea for everyone! even Dad! I'm excited for Christmas with the little people, Grace knows who Father Christmas is, she reads the Early Learning Centre booklet telling him she wants this, and this and this... at the moment she wants a guitar and a kitchen.

Archie can count to ten and Grace now recites the alphabet, hers has two 'f's'.

Photographs have been looking lovely, a real autumn feeling to them, haven't been posting every album as I know some people have wanted to keep them a surprise for family Christmas presents.

So that's it for now, we've been enjoying ourselves recently (not that we don't normally) but we've finished all house projects so have been having lots of fun as a little family.

Number of times I've been forced to watch the film 'Up' = 104

Number of times ran to the central heating swivelly thing to turn it off when I hear Dean get in from work so he doesn't think I've had it on all day = 8 (Our house is weirdly warm, don't you know!)

One last thing, everyone must visit the Bull @ Broughton, I went with two of my lovely friends and it's lovely, log fire and a real atmosphere to the place, and fantastic food!

Autumn Leaves...

Hello! - Firstly, have a look at the You Tube link below, it's one of my favourite songs, a bit.......well, a lot sad, not one to listen to if you're in a good mood, it may just ruin it for you, but I like it!

Autumn is well and truly here, it's the best month of the year, (so I've been told) ;) - we've even brought our woollen hats out on a few occasions, I'm waking in the middle of the night, to find it's not the middle of the night which is very odd, it just suddenly happened!
Grace and Archie are just lovely, Grace, becoming more and more independent by the day, we have proper conversations now. Archie, has become my shadow, wherever Mummy goes, he's very near by!

I've been taking photographs again, and am booked now till the beginning of December! - I'm planning on keeping a weekend free to take some of my children, I'm thinking lots of leaves, woolly hats and rosy cheeks!
Here are some photographs of our friends latest addition, another little Archie, born September 1st, a very beautiful baby boy.

Dean turned 30 on Tuesday, and my brother two days previous... I'm not sure either of them is too happy about it, although it's one of those things you can't prevent, when I'm in my thirties I'll just do what my Mum did, I plan on being 34 for at least 3 years.

So that's about it, for now at least!




Toilet training accidents = 3 (this is Grace, not Dean)

Minutes listening to Fairytale of New York wishing it were Christmas = 36

New outfits for nights out = 2!

Paolo Nutini Autumn

'Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile'

It is officially Autumn, I like Autumn, I like the sound of leaves being crushed underfoot, I like the chill of the morning air and the darkness of early evening, for around the corner awaits Hallowe'en, Bonfire Night and Christmas!!! - and I, I love Christmas.

I've been busy on photoshoots again, Lara - A beautiful young girl - Aireville Park, Skipton the location - Sunday morning arrived and I became worried we may have rain, however, it turned into a glorious afternoon and we managed to get some really lovely photographs.

Bank Holiday was glorious too and we had a very lovely weekend.

I'm photographing two shoots tomorrow and looking forward to it!

Time wastes our bodies and our wits, but we waste time, so we are quits. ~Author Unknown

It's only been a week and I'm back - no need to wipe your eyes, it is indeed true! - The title I chose talks of wasting time, I haven't wasted any time... I truly wished I had... I want nothing more than to lie in until midday, like I did when I was a teen.

We've been decorating the living room this week - and have had new flooring put down in the living room and the hall, I've chosen Cath Kidston Mono Rose wallpaper for the living room, it's lovely and I *should* have it up in some way by the end of the week. The flooring looks gorgeous, it looks like real rustic oak - I'll add photos when it's all finished.



I've been doing more photographs! - Met Joshua & Hannah on Sunday (pictures attached) - They were adorable, Joshua is 6 years old and loves his little sister a lot, though I was told by their Mummy that it's not always the case... I'm sure it's not.


Archie and Grace have been very amusing, Archie is now talking, the odd few words, Grace repeats everything I say, it's very difficult to think before I speak, I've always struggled with that, she told her great gran it was 'bloody raining', didn't go down too well - I dropped my door key whilst trying to open the front door the following day (was still raining), 'bugger' was the word of the day from that moment on.. Ooops!

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”

Hello! So, it's been nearly a month, you're very welcome to slap my wrist and remind me I have a blog to update, I wonder if anyone reads this... someone will, maybe, one day, hmm.

There's been so much happening over the past month - It's August and it's supposed to be warm, and it's not, in fact it's thrown it down nearly every day recently... Mum & Dad went to Tunisia for 10 days, Mum send me text messages telling me what items of theirs had melted in the heat, she does this to make me jealous, it does work only I tell her it doesn't.

We have booked a break to Center Parcs (why spoil a habit) and we're off to see Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest. It's the best Center Parcs we've found, we're going in January, so I'm hoping it's cold, and we need to wrap up warm with thick coats, scarves and wellington boots!

We've been very busy at home, had our garden re-vamped by the husband (thank you Dean!) It looks really lovely and the little people love it!

Archie & Grace updates - Archie has started talking, says about 5 - 10 words now, Grace, is, well, Grace, funny as ever, we've not had any public tantrums though! Yey!

I've been more than busy taking more photographs, I really feel confident in taking them now and can see my work progressing when I look through my albums.... The ones on this post are some recent ones that I like :)

.

Lastly, I've developed a liking for reading a good book, I have no idea why, but nothing suits me more than sitting down with a coffee or glass of wine, I'd prefer the wine, but I don't think it's acceptable at 3pm, well, no, not really. I've just finished the Lovely Bones, and have now started on Harlen Coben...

Hours spent reading - 6 ish

Ice pops eaten on the new lawn - 5

Number of times I've told Grace not to climb Archie's drawers at 6am, grab the talcum powder, cover herself and the floor, the bath and the landing carpet, then try to 'ceen up' with baby wipes....' - 1

(I don't want to have to do that again!!)

Photo madness!

Hello! - well it's been a while - We've been very, very busy. In fact it's all been a bit of a blur and I have no idea what has actually really happened over the last month!
Holiday = No,
Days out = No,
Birthdays = No...

I have no idea - this reminds me of when I'm driving sometimes and I end up at my destination with no recollection of how I've got there, it's like I've been in a trance, a trance that's aware of other cars and pedestrians (the best kind).

I have been taking lots of photographs, I do know that! Here are some I've taken of Grace
& Archie.


Archie can now walk, he's walks like he's drunk, only he puts his arms in the air too (must get that from me)

Grace has started to sing all the time, only she can't sing (must get that from me too) - Here's a little bit of her singing below :)


.

Websites bought = 1

Archie walking accidents (usually include head banging - not the punk type) = 14

Haircuts = 1

Wine consumed on school nights = I don't get under the affluence of Incohol.... EVER ;)

A little bit of peace and quiet

I've lost my voice - When I do attempt to talk I sound like something of Jurassic Park, my throat has been bad all week and I've not been very well really. Either way, the world carries on and I'm trying not to let it bother me. What does annoy me though is Dean keeps shouting from the other side of the house, and I can't shout back!

The World Cup is on, and I've been left numerous time on an evening sat by myself watching Gok whilst Dean's in the kitchen or bedroom watching the football.

Mum asked Grace the other day if she liked football, she replied, 'No, Daddy likes football', Mum then asked her what Mummy likes... I became anxious, she replied 'Mummy likes Gee', she means Glee, and she's right, I do.

I've been busy taking photographs and getting myself rather booked up for the next month or so - Have bought some hats from Merry Berry to use as props, they are lovely.

We're having a family day tomorrow and I cant wait!

Oh Archie can nearly walk! That's when the fun begins!



Number of football matches watched = 2

Haircuts = 1

Cheesecake, Cameras, Creative-ness and Camels, yes, Camels.

What a week! - I feel like I've not stopped, and, I've loved that.

We went to Knowsley safari Park on Sunday and we had a fabulous time, Grace absolutely LOVED it and has been telling us how the monkeys jumped on our car, she forgets we were there... Archie looked slightly confused, moreso when we nearly ran over a camel. We had a fun day though! Who ever knew Meercats were so small, not me.

I've been baking cheesecake with Grace, she had the tantrums behind me whilst I did everything else, she wanted to play with eggs... Now, I'm not strict but even I could see it wasn't a good combination, cheesecake was medium, so a few days later I made another... Mmm I'm not one to like defeat!

I've been feeling very creative again and made my lovely friend a canvass, for her new home, I'm going to make one for our house too just not sure on the lettering. Whilst I made the canvass Grace was painting, in the end i'd taken that long she'd resorted to painting her hands, arms and face, even her mouth, not inside luckily...

Had a lovely day yesterday with family, taking photos of both my neice (shown above, Emily & Maisie), going to get snap happy again tonight with Grace and Archie...

I really feel like fish and chips this afternoon, I have no idea why, then a cup of tea (TEA!? I'm an avid coffee drinker) maybe a nap... oh no, Is this what old people do? There's no hope.

Trevor has had his weekly bath, I put Johnsons baby conditioner on him, he said he likes the smell you see, and he certainly does smell lovely now!

Off for Fish and Nips, maybe scrappy scraps.



Number of cheesecake slices consumed = 5, oh dear!

Tantrums = 3 (getting better)

Early morning wake up calls from Grace = 4 (this is because the birds sing outside our windows, why do they do this, what's so cheerful about 4am!!)

Mums Lasagne!

I'm cooking this recipe tomorrow and it's the best Lasagne I've ever had, Mums recipe is from her Mum, and hers from her Mum... blah blah, you get the idea. So, I thought you should all know it...

LASAGNE

Meat layer -
2lb Minced beef
2 Cloves garlic
1lb Chopped onion
2 OXO cubes
2oz Streaky bacon
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 oz Flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 Sticks celery chopped
2 tsp basil
3/4 pint water
2tsp oregano
7oz tomato puree
1 tsp italian seasoning


White Sauce -
3oz butter
2oz flour
2pts milk
1tsp mustard
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 ground black pepper


Cheeses -
1lb grated cheddar
4oz emmanthal or gruyere
(grated)

2 packs of LASAGNE SHEETS

DIRECTIONS - Cook meat and bacon and drain fat. Add flour, stir, add all other ingredients. Bring to the boil. Simmer for approx 1 hour...

Then make white sauce; Melt butter, add flour and stir, add milk and other ingredients, bring to the boil. First layer = WHITE SAUCE then
CHEESE
MEAT
LASAGNE Repeat, finish with white sauce on the top, cook in oven for approx 1 hour until golden. Gas 3 -4 Electric 225.

Mmmmmmmmm!!

What a scorcher

It's May... not even summer, and we've had temperatures up at 28 degrees!! - A very hot weekend, so in true Australian style we decided on a barbie... (that's BBQ, not the blonde plastic type).

Trevor annoyed everyone running around, but finally settled on a place next the the BBQ, only for us to find he'd been licking the fat from the floor... Mum warned us it might give him an upset stomach, he's had a slice of bread all day and as mean as I feel, he's not having any tea, I don't want to get home from work to what I did today.

I ran the Race for Life on Sunday at Broughton Hall, in memory of my Uncle Dennis, and all proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK when all you scrooges have paid me! It was red hot, I've burnt my shoulders and back but managed a decent time in the circumstances.

Archie has had his injections today, he didn't like them, not that I was expecting otherwise.

Grace has been a madam to the full this week, she'd argue black was white, it's been very testing, and she's been put back to bed on numerous occassions. 2 year olds are so hard to reason with, I'm sure I was never like that! If i was, Mum, I'm sorry.
The saying 'when she was good, she was very, very good, but when she was bad, she was horrid' is very true!

(pic to the right is my nephew Joshua)

BBQ's - 1

Tantrums - 32

Sweets offered as bribes for good behaviour - 3 *shame*

Fun in the forest...

We're back. I'm a year older, well, not a year only a couple of weeks but I'm now 27 and to me, that's old.... It means I have to act responsibly and can no longer use my age as an excuse.

Whinfell forest is a wonderful place, took us the best part of 3 hours to get there! Maude, the Sav Nat (that's what she's been named) is, an idiot, in actual fact I'm starting to detest her, she avoids motorways at all costs, on our return journey, instead of going down the M6, she took us to Hawes, near the Wensleydale cheese factory - driving on country lanes through the Yorkshire Dales National park for approx 2 hours, we made a left turn, upon which Maude announced we were on this twisting country lane for the next 26 miles... I hate you Maude!!!

Anyway, we did make it home, all feeling sick.

The Forest was fantastic, utterly magical, I forgot my good camera though (gutted) - so I can't show you! - The children loved it, the fresh air, animals running around, little robins singing in the garden, felt like I was in a disney film... We all miss our holiday house, we had so much fun, just wish I was still there.

Dean quote of the year - Upon spying a pheasant on the roof of a lodge we both agreed that we'd never seen one flying, conversation as follows;

D - I didn't know they could fly..
E - Yes, they must be able to, I'm sure penguins are the only birds that can't fly.
D - Penguins.......penguins CAN fly.
E - They can't, I'm sure.
D - Then how do they get on roof tops?
E - Penguins?
D - Oh, no, sorry, I was thinking of pigeons.

Grace and I have spent today doing nothing, other than painting. We've bought Uncle Ross a bird house for his garden (for his birthday, I'm a twin) and Grace has been painting it, although she mixed all the colours together and it's now a mucky purple-ish colour!

My darling bud of May...

May is here! The best month of the year.

We've had a very busy week, Trevor is 'no longer a man' after his visit to the vets, he returned feeling very sorry for himself, I could tell by the look in his eyes.

It's Archie's birthday today and we've had a lovely day - I still can't believe he's 1, the last year seems to have flown, and I've realised my baby is a baby no longer, my 7 week old neice was very cuddly today, made me feel very broody, although there's no chance of any more (Dean is 'no longer a man'). The picture above from L to R, my nephew Joshua (my bros little boy), my neice Emily, who's holding Maisie (Deans sisters children), then there's my two, Grace and Archie!

Archie got some very lovely presents :) and clothes, that we can take on our holiday!!

Dean has been very funny this week - he announced the other day ' Do we have the same pulse throughout our body'...

The children have been as entertaining as ever - Archie still very happy, Grace getting rather bossy at the moment, if I sing she tells me to stop, I swear I'm a good singer.


I've decorated at the top of the stairs, it looks lovely, Cath Kidston wallpaper (Love her!) - Just decided on Tuesday that neither of us really liked the paper we had, especially Dean, so within two days, paper had been ordered online and delivered and I'd stripped the wallpaper and put up the new, with help from Grace, although to be honest she was more of a hindrence.

Trevor would love it upstairs, I've painted the skirting boards and the doors in white... not sure if he's keen on eggshell though.

Anyroad, I'm off, to drink wine and Thomas the Tank Engine birthday cake :)

Bitten Arms, Crocs with Socks, Center Parcs ROCKS!

We've booked our holiday this year, woo... Just the 4 of us to the Lake District, Whinfell Forest - Center Parcs, we cannot wait!!

We will be away for my birthday and our 2nd Wedding Anniversary - have just sorted out the bike hire and a trailer to throw the kids in (there will be no actual throwing of children.... unless one of them is bad)... (joke)

Had a pretty mediocre week, nothing much happened, there are no Dean comments of the day / week, he hasn't been funny...

We've been out for lunch today and a girl (monster) only about 2 years old decided to bite Grace not once, not twice but three times on her arm whilst in the 'fun factory'... fun?!? - I saw it happen and went to her rescue, I didn't think it would be appropriate to kick a two year old so I spoke with her mum.

Grace has been repeating 'poor Grace' ever since, although I have told her she was stupid to let her do it three times?!?!

Archie's joining the England team, as a dribbler, he's not stopped... and now has 6 teeth to show for it.

(the Crocs with Socks reference is Dean... who loves his crocs to death, but wears them usually in the house, he even stole some of mums purple crocs... he wore his green pair with white socks out to lunch.... I pretended he wasn't with me)

Number of tantrums = 2

Barbecues cancelled = 1

Barbecues not really arranged = 1arranged = 1

Lazy Sunday...

A lazy lie in for me till 9am! Woo!
I had an urge for gardening, I'm not sure why, I seem to kill every plant I touch... with Mums guidance however, I've made my very first hanging basket! Doesn't look impressive at the moment, just green, but the little picture of what my green plants will eventually look like is fabulous, pinks, whites and purples, what more could a girl want! I've painted doors in the house which will excite Trevor (especially since it's gloss, and white) - I'm amazed at how my hands seem to be drawn to wet paint, did I touch these places before they were painted? or does my hand have a 'wet paint detector'... either way, they're covered. Dean's now inspecting my work...

Grace & Archie have also been lazy today, Grace didn't want to get dressed and was only persuaded if she could wear her top with the cat on... the one with 'dangle wegs' (dangly legs), she's been playing in her bedroom and in her Wigwam, which I have to say is my ideal bedroom! We're off for a walk to Mum's now only a couple of miles but it's another lovely day and I feel we should enjoy it!

Dean

I've been reminded that I've forgotten to introduce my husband!! - Actually I haven't introduced myself... My name's Erin and I'm an alcoholic... Only joking :)

Dean is my husband, we've been married 2 years in May and together nearly 5 years. He's patient, understanding, a million other things, (some not printable) and I love him, dearly.

Deanisms...

Mums cat 'Leroy' was laid on the rug at Mum's... He lays on his tummy with his legs outstretched behind him... Dean says 'Leroy looks like he should be laid on top of another cat'... maybe you had to see how he was laid... I found it hilarious.

I've never known anyone upon challenged, to ask for 'scrappy scraps' at the chip shop, off he went and on his return passed me his phone and on a recording was his order and included were indeed 'scrappy scraps'... he's also asked for 'doodles' at the chinese, I need to think of more challenges... Hmmm

(we do eat other food by the way than take-aways)

I've decided to include every day a 'Dean quote of the day' - You should ideally say this Harry Hill style...

Because they make me chuckle, maybe they will you too.

April 17 2010

Up early this morning for my shift at work, I never knew 6 had an 'am' until I had children. I start earlier on a Saturday, 7am, it's not too bad now the mornings are light and I actually like the calmness, today felt like a 'holiday morning' - (the ones where you feel as if you should be on your way to the airport) although I wouldn't be going anywhere with ash in the sky (volcanic eruption in Iceland - this is for when I read this back at a later date and wonder what the hell 'ash in the sky' means).
A day at the park proceeded, the ducks were thrown 'Pom Bear' crisps by Grace, they didn't eat them, I'm presuming they don't like the German's either. Bag of chips from the chip shop with 'scrappy scraps' (another story) and a 30 minute battle trying the get Grace to attempt to go down the slide, beginning on my knee we eventually got to just holding hands. Archie had a swing in a swing... We all landed back home for lollypops outside.

It's been a glorious day, and hope for the same tomorrow!

Tantrums = 1

Units of wine to be consumed tonight = 4

Minutes spent starting my own blog = 75, no, 76...

Trevor

Trevor 'Jordash'

Trevor joined our family in January, he's nearly 6 months old and the vet will soon rid him of his 'manness' - He likes wage slips (weekly), magazines and Barclays monthly statements, he also loves door surrounds and the taste of paint, preferably gloss, in white.

He hasn't buried any bodies under our patio... yet.

Archie

Archie 'Blue Eyes'

Born May 2009 - Archie is nearly one year old and I have no idea where the time has gone, he is my lovely little boy, he's sweet natured, loves cuddles and smiles, all the time - He adores Grace and looks up to his big sister, he has to, she's quite tall.

I've never met a more relaxed, chilled out boy - He looks just like his Daddy, mumbles like him too...

Grace

My beautiful daughter, born January 2008.
We've just hit the 'terrible two's' and Grace's favourite place to have a tantrum is Marks & Spencers... I have no idea why.

She likes to draw, to paint and feed ducks. She loves her Mummy and Daddy but can be a little madam at times, she's full of life, has a cracking sense of humour and is very independant, she's actually very much like me :) Minus the tantrums in Marks & Spencers.... I prefer Sainsbury's.