Genius Mince Pies Gluten Free

Now I am not coeliac myself but my Mother in Law is so I like to make sure she is part of the Christmas ritual when they come round to visit and I do this with the Genius gluten free mince pies.

The very kind people at Genius sent me a pack of 4 mince pies to try as Christmas is coming didn't you know. Ho Ho  'd have believed it.. sorry no more Christmas jokes....!

Genius Mince Pies

Genius Mince Pies hot from the oven.

Both myself and Mr T liked the taste of these they were crumbly in a melt in the mouth way. Mr T thought they looked a bit pasty and wondered had I followed the instructiona on the packet, yes I had if I had left it to Mr T no doubt he'd have bunged them in the microwave. I suspect you could brush them with a little milk to make them go brown on the top.

The filling was plump and mouthwatering so its a thumbs up from myself and Mr T and scores us brownies points with the Mother in Law!

Down the lane

Baa, baa, black sheep,Have you any wool ? Yes sir yes three bags fullOne for the masterOne for the dameAnd for the little boy who lives down the lane.

Down the lane near my school.

Singalongz Spongebob review a truely inclusive toy.

Singalongz the ideal Christmas gift .

Here’s a  lovely range of  new toys for 2012 Singalongz a NEW brand for girls or boys ..  Also a SpongeBob Squarepants version available. I also think that think is a brilliant product for children with special needs especially for those with communications problems, this is proof that toys can be used by all children  a truely inclusive toy. Children learn by copying and if they can hear spongebob repeating what they say it adds to the fun. Also special needs children will not feel excluded as brothers or sisters can join in and make a band with the other Singalongz pets available.

 Three ways to play – hours of fun!
Performing in front of friends and family is a great way for children to build up their confidence. It can be daunting performing alone but with Singalongz pets they feel like part of a group. There are four different pets to choose from and each cute, cuddly Singalongz character is bursting with personality. Each Singalong comes with a special microphone which can sync with your pet using the Sing-a-link star to create the magical link. Singalongz can be played with in three different ways giving hours of fun and entertainment!
 
1.       SING into the microphone and your Singlong pet will instantly sing everything they hear in their own fantastic voice. 
2.       TALK into the microphone and your pet will repeat everything you say in their own special way
3.       COLLECT AND CONNECT the Singalongz pets to create a band and sing in perfect harmony. Each one has its own distinct voice so it’s easy to put on your own concert for friends and family!
 
Meet the Singalongz Group:
With Singalongz pets it’s impossible to pick a favourite. Each one has its own unique voice and character – the only challenge is deciding which one you love the most! Me-Me is a pink, fabulous fluffy cat who loves being in the limelight; an impossibly cute duck, Dally, with tufty hair and dazzling voice; Ruftey a fun-loving hound that can’t help bursting into song and finally Cobey a cuddly brown bear whose deep voice is instantly lovable.  
 
Bring your Singalongz pets to life
Singalongz pets come to life from the moment you press the magic Sing-a-link star on their arm. Hearing the twinkling sound lets you know that the magical link has been created and your pet is ready to play. When playtime is over simply hold down the Sing-a-link star on the microphone and the magical link fades.
 
Singalongz are suitable for children aged 3+ and available for just £29.99 (RRP) and were awarded Mums Choice Award 2012 Top Electronic Toy Category



Singalongz are suitable for children aged 3+ and available for just £29.99.

(Disclosure I was sent Spongebob for review and my thoughts, words and opinions are entirely my own )

Schools trips pre technology! Galley : The Eighties

Awwwh the 1980's I was there with my beeble boopars , ra ra skirt proper sized Wagon wheels. I didn't have colour TV till 1986 and the Betamax was the big daddy in our household. Going to the video store was a regular treat it was the "Highway to the dangerzone" and everyone "Cut Footloose" and just relaxed.

In the days pre technology how did we really cope it would seem now there are no confines to the world of Social media. On my own son's school trips they use twitter and blogs  etc. One teacher  even used his mobile to record my son being airlifted off the slopes of Mount Blanc when he had a serious skiing accident. It would seem now that we are all social media junkies in some way or another! And whilst perusing a social media site called Technorati I came across an inetesting article about teenager and facebook how they are apparently abandoning facebook in the quest of other things such as twitter and tumbler. My own son for example is favouring at the moment something called Minecraft which has the graphics of a Spectrum 48k . But perhaps what teenagers crave simplicity not the tagging , the liking and perhaps other services like twitter and tumbler offer this. I may self seem to sway over to twitter more , I haven't yet got tumbler ( I fear any more social media and my head  may well explode)

*Update I am now on tumblr.. my head hasn't expoded yet.*

In 1984 I went to Normandy and I remember we stayed a Lion Sur Mer and We had to write a diary of our adventures . I wasn't allowed to take a camera ( boo parents) So I had to make do with postcards where as now you can instantly take a picture of where you are and tweet it around the world. I wonder if you over do this does it take the enjoyment away from the event because you are so immersed in getting every little bit of what you see ( or don't see as you are so busy taking pictures)

My 1984 Normandy Diary ( scrap book )

The start of my Normandy adventure.

What we got up to on the ferry.

French breakfast and lunch at the youth hostel.

Various stuff I collected as stuck in the scrap book as memories.

 A hand written account of what I did on a certain day.

I give you the Eighties :I give you bad hair!

I remember that the scrap books were the catalyst for conversation when I got back off the holiday , we had a special evening where slides ( remember those were shown ). I fear that Social media if not done in the right way can indeed dilute both the written word and the art of conservation itself.

Alice in Wonderland Party On !

I have developed an obsession interest in Alice in Wonderland when I baked some cookies of all things and it got me to thinking which is a very dangerous thing. Curious and Curiouser I thought what a good idea for a children's/ family party such a beguiling theme.

Alice in Wonderland Cookies.

I also have started my own Pin interest board on Alice in Wonderland so feel free to pin from my board and please do tell me if you have an Alice in Wonderland pin board. I am always waiting on an antique book of Alice in Wonderland and have placed a bid on a Victorian one as well which has illustrations by Tenniel in it.

I also spotted this cute little Rabbit light from Find-me-a-gift which is ideal for if you are having that Alice in Wonderland party and it doesn't need to be plugged in.

Wondering what to wear on your head to a Mad Hatters tea party  pop over to this blog for ideas! 

Find a gift often run many brilliant competitions such as this won to win a Iphone 5 !
(Disclosure I was sent the Rabbit light for review all thoughts, words and opinions are my own)