Cresswell Crags

Monday saw us going Cresswell Crags to see some Ice Age art, I wasn't prepared fir the temperatures at all! And that was still snow on the ground. It is the only place in the British isles where you can see Ice age art.

Creswell Crags is a limestone gorge on the border between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, England near the villages of Creswell, Whitwell and Elmton. It is well worth a visit and it is has a high impact on family fun.


And the boys (husband & son ) made the Hairy Bikers Mud pie.

And then I read about slow blogging just as meaningful as when myself and my family go out and actually connect and enjoy the world. Slow blogging is essence about speaking a step back and not feeling compelled to blog your every waking moment , you make feel as if you have to but trust me you don't . In a nutshell its quality over quantity , wise words indeed ! A mantra for life if I saw one.

And blogging isn't about being snarky , something I have probably been guilty of in my time !! I am an honest blogger but I like my privacy at the same time bit of a double sword blogging is sometimes.

So I am pledging to write more mindfully and more reflectively thats's not to say I am going to call all happy chick on you and start burning insense ...( that I hope wasn't snarky ..)

Also with slow blogging is to read as much as you blog , take in some inspiration , don't just blog the first thing that comes into your head. So I'll be taking the slow bloggers pledge, will you ?

So as with the countryside around you sometimes you must stop...

Breathe...

And take a good look around you'll be a better person and blogger for it.

Samsung ME89F-1SS Microwave Oven blog giveaway

So here its is nearly 2 years of my blog  there's been tears, toils ,smiles, cross words , happy words and that's just from Mr T about my cooking. Before I descend into a stereotypical 1970's sitcom I have a superb giveaway to tell you about to celebrate my blog, I am going to give away a microwave , I am very excited.

So its thanks to John Lewis who have a good choice of microwaves to purchase amongst otherhousehold appliances. So the prize in question is this microwave from Samsung. So what's the burning question for the competition." What would your ideal product from John Lewis be ?"

I know for me I would love a new sofa has my current sofa is looking a bit cat eaten to say the least.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friendships heads rule hearts

There's a lot to be said for friendships.

Hearts sometimes rule heads .

And sometimes heads rule hearts.

I may bring trouble to your doorstep.

My collection of friends may be unsuitable.

I have issues.

But despite how I look.

I really, really do like you.

Together a different time and generation.

Together through adversity , surviving dramatic childhoods, adulthood was no less traumatic yet it is a love story that endured time and went against society. My grandparents were very special to me , my granddad was a forgiving person , whilst my Nan was not. Yet despite being like chalk and cheese they had a unique quality  their togetherness, lasted through the ages they lived in the same road for over 40 years.

A different time, a  generation reeling from the complexities of war with mysteries of working for the government and secret work that included working for Winston Churchill and Bletchley Park. To my Nan who endured tuberculous like my Grandad and who also spent many a year recovering in hospital from another ailment so meeting my Mother had to be fostered.

My Grandad together with a friend in a sanatorium.

My Grandad at his brothers wedding.

My Grandparents together.

My Grandad.

My Grandparent & Mother together.

Holiday Ideas to do with Children

This is a lovely guest post from Maggy Woodley the most wonderful 'crafty' lady !

Holiday Ideas

Well.. the Easter Holidays are upon us – personally, I am looking forward to NO SCHOOL runs, leisurely mornings and general level of relaxedness. But with that, comes the price of “child boredom ness” and a child that is bored, can clearly drive you up the wall. Before, I delve into some crafty distraction, I just wanted to say, that a little boredom is GOOD. Boredom allows your child to get creative and have their own ideas. A box is far more likely to be turned into a boat or a den, pretend picnics invented for cuddly toys.

But needless to say you need a balance – some down time for the kids to do nothing, let their minds relax and after all that is why holidays were invented (I think).

So. My approach to the day is – half a day’s activities, half a day’s “free play” (i.e. the kids need to work out for themselves what to do and it does not involve TV or technical gadgets). Our activities tend to comprise visiting friends, going to the park of going into to town to a museum or gallery (no time for those during term time). But of course, we also love to get CRAFTY!! YAY.

Here are some of our favourite ideas:

Grass Heads – we LOVE LOV LOVE making grass heads – you pretty much only need a handful of grass seeds (we scrounged some off our neighbours) and bits and pieces from around the home. Then watch the hair grow, trim, style and keep “alive”. A great learning about basic plants and caring for them.

Handprint Alphabet – though the holidays is for down time, reminding them of their Alphabet does no harm. Why not write the kids names in Animal Alphabet handprints. Makes for a great keepsake too.

The ABC of Bakingwith Kids – we put together a list of 26 Baking Ideas for you to check out and be inspired by. I am sure you are bound to find something you all fancy making. My kids could bake every day! But don’t stop at baking.. get them in the kitchen do a little Cooking with Kids too.

Stick & Stones Crafts – why not go to the park – have a good day out in the fresh air. Then find some sticks and stones.. and come back and be inspired by these Stick Crafts or Stone Crafts.

Hope that these are enough and varied to keep you going through the holidays – remember a balance of downtime and activity is key to getting the most out of your break. And it is reasonable to say to your kids they should entertain themselves for a bit if you have had a “quality activity” session with them already!

Maggy Woodley is a mum of two – Red Ted aged 5yrs and Pip Squeak aged 3yrs and blogs over at Red Ted Art where they regularly get crafty! She also writes at Life at The Zoo and about Theatre,Books and Movies for those interested! You can find her on Google+, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!