Sunday, 12 May 2013

Nuture nature #blogging4madeleine

Nurture nature as you nurture children and you will see them/nature  grow.

In my life time I have seen the bottom of human existence within my job many years ago at the Crown Prosecution Service.  And the the things I read,  saw and had to comment on  are harrowing beyond belief. It left me with a complex of emotion ranger, disbelief ,sorrow, fear but you have to try and be professional you have to be detached its your job and and emotional involment could compromise or jupdise the case.


Children should  never be denied a natural children but the sad true is that they are, its fact we don't really like to acknowledge because wear within our own safety zones in respect to our own families. Madeleine Mccann went missing in 2007 we are all to familiar with the case so the questions of could of?, would of,should of ?, are moot in the respect she was just a little girl when she went missing.


Travelling as I do I am always seeing missing children posters in airports some taken by their parents, some not some simply missing there are always and forever a myriad of reasons. I remember on one occasion my son saying in respect to the Madeline case "Don't they know that Madeline wants to be with her family?"



  • When and where Madeleine went missing from (whilst on holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal on Thursday 3rd May 2007)
  • The campaign #blogging4madeleine
  •  12th May 2012 is her 10th birthday
  • Contact information to report any sightings or information
  • Your local police force immediately, AND +44 845 838 4699 or investigation@findmadeleine.com OR Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org
  • The Find Madeleine official website www.findmadeleine.com
  • The latest image released as she may look now
  • All this information is available from www.findmadeleine.com


So if you can please join in continuing to spread the world of Madeleine, Ben and all the missing children.

Like and share #blogging4Madeleine via Facebook, Twitter, Google + and any other form of social media.


If you are affected by this or any other missing person/child situation there are a number of organisations you can contact Missing Kids UK (http://uk.missingkids.com/) or Missing People (https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/) 

Thursday, 9 May 2013

Reasons To be Cheerful

Reasons to be cheerful in particular a friend who keeps me on the straight and narrow and reminds me of who and what I am. Without my friend I don't think I would be the person I am today , one who stretches my mind and reminds me that my intellect is something that shouldn't be wasted.

I am by nature a worrier .. I try not to and there are those who seek to undermine me play on this . But my friend gives me a virtual slap and brings me back to earth and then the world is a harmonious place again.

So what have I learnt

To be cheerful

How to cook... Seriously I was rubbish before now I am surpassing myself and I am even eating Beetroot , though I am yet to eat to tomatoes.

And I have learnt that silly pictures of cats are never ,ever a waste of time.




Now and Then 30 years back and forth : Roy Castle it's all about the nuts!

This post is an entry for the the #SpecialK30 linky on Britmums.

A lot has changed in thirty years one of these things is me and the other is Special K My memories of Special K that as a young child I didn't eat it but I do remember my dad really, really liked the adverts something to do with red swim suits I think..!

SO 1983 saw the introduction of Breakfast time television my parents muttered that will never catch on so thirty years later I am sat here munching my Special K watching yes you guessed it Breakfast television.

The Compact disc goes on sale in UK ... many people are confused as they mutter they can't hear a sound , it is pointed out to them they can't listen to on a turn table ( it is not a record !)


The introduction of the one Pound coin see a decline in people ironing one pound notes ....

Wheel clamps are introduced in London to combat illegal parking thirty years on are they are still at it !


And in 1983 birthday parties were all the rage along with silly hats , fast food eating establishment  that will never catch on .. will it ?

Also 1983 was an era of bad hair cuts notice mine below I am the little girl top left .... what a bad fringe.


Me top left in 1983!


Sir Clive Sinclair is knighted for his computing endeavours I had a Spectrum 48k and I hero-worship him for this, other people however thought different things about the Sinclair C5 a failed mode of transport . But without triumphs and failures we would never evolve !






The blame for this post is due to the fact I got to reading about buying the Guinness book of Records for Christmas this got me to thinking about my letter from Roy Castle.

Yes my dad found two nuts joined together and as you do I wrote to Roy Castle believing it to be a World record. He wrote back ! would the modern stars of today have the time to do that for a child nowadays.

Now Roy Castle didn't have to send me that letter he just did it out the kindness of his own heart. I wasn't trying to blag a free book off him or anything!. A genuine man who had a real talent as a presenter, musician and a human being. And I saw him in 'Singing in the Rain' as well, and met him at some fete or other.





So this is what I was doing thirty  years ago .... a memory made and one that will last forever.

And today Special K The new recipe contains three grains — rice, wheat and barley (previously there were two) — and is made with wholegrain, for a source of fibre as well as 8 vitamins and minerals. It gives health-conscious, weight-watching women  a tastier breakfast.

BUT special K is far more than a cereal it is also a useful ingredient for recipes from chicken nuggets to   taking the old fashioned crumble and swapping the topping to something more healthy.



May 2013 I do smile ! but taking your own picture is quite hard !
And as for the cereal I throughly enjoyed it and I am currently planning my summer holiday swim suit .. red I think don't you ! And also 30 years old I am hoping I can be a Record Breaker and finally get to lose that 6 stone in weight with the aid of Special K.



Disclosure ( I wrote the letter to Roy in  May 1983 I was 10 years old and probably used Basildon Bond note paper and envelope. I used of course a first class stamp!)



This is an entry for the BritMums/Special K “How I’ve changed Linky challenge” 








Wednesday, 8 May 2013

Roasted Beetroot , Garlic and Thyme

The other day I ate something that I had not eaten before usually I just see it popping round in vinegar o after pulling everything out of the cupboard. After which I ceremoniously dump it on my husbands plate either at Christmas or during a madcap moment when its summer.

What I hear you cry is it ?

The master chef audition hasn't come calling yet but I am on my way..

You still haven't guessed what I ate yet ?

The clue is in the title ......

I ate Beetroot..

Hard to believe , I thought I hated Beetroot but it seems that hate is a strong word in no uncertain terms.

But this week I roasted organic beetroot with thyme and whole garlic & balsamic vinegar.







Tuesday, 7 May 2013

Walkers Hoops and Crosses The Review

Today a package arrived.

Which in this household is not unusually culminates with " Oh its for you again " and the family goes about doing their usual routine. That is except when it comes to food and this package was food. I am meant to tell you how tasty the package is , except I can't ..


The child ate them.


SO in a game show voice  " have a look at what you could have won"






  • Each bag has 85 calories 
  • Hoops and Crosses are made from wholegrains, have no artificial colours or preservatives 
  • They come in three flavours – all suitable for vegetarians (prawn cocktail, roast beef, salt and vinegar) 

Crisps are not a regular in our household they are a treat , its important to have a healthy diet and do plenty of exercise.

I think you can play a game with these of noughts and crosses with the winner obviously taking all the spoils of war, this is perhaps what I should have done with the teen but then again I haven't won at tiddlywinks since 1982.

And Walkers Hoops and Crosses are baked not fried so are healthier and at only 85 calories I don't feel cheated or rather I wouldn't if I had managed to nab  a crisp. I shall be putting these on my shopping list  and maybe not declare to the child that I have indeed purchased them.

The cat also got in on the act and decided to try and sit in the box ...




The cat is rather daft ... do they say pets are like their owners ?

I was sent a packet of Walkers Hoops & Crosses to review along with a toy monkey.  This is a sponsored post.  We were paid for our time. All opinions are entirely  my own and I am not obligated to give a positive review.