Cocoboat - Conversations to Go :)

I have discovered the most amazing little store with perfect gift ideas if you are starting your Christmas shopping! I have sat, made a list and have EVERYONE covered with unique and fun presents - yep even those that are hard to buy for - how funky is this foot stool and just imagine this doorstop in your shabby chic study!
There is such a personal service from Cocoboat that you really do feel as though you are receiving a present instead of an order. My parcel came boxed, wrapped in gorgeous pale blue tissue and adorned with the cutest little Cocoboat sticker and ribbons.
Upon unwrapping i was surprised to see that the Conversations to Go Box was a lot bigger than i first thought!
I have previously bought conversation kits from well known stores and they are the smallest of boxes with tiny writing that, to be honest, after a few drinks you cant even read! lol
This Conversations to Go box holds many great conversation starters, the title of the set is money and there are questions in there ranging from 'What would you do if you won the lottery?' to ' Would you prefer money or candy at Halloween?'
This isnt just a set for grown-ups, we have had so much fun finding out about what our boys think of money too. Questions like 'Is money good or bad' and 'Is a credit card the same as cash?' have led to answers about how easily influenced kids are today by big names and the lure of 'free money'
I would highly recommend this set to anyone - dinner party conversation starters, spending more family time together or even as a platform to spark youre own issues with money - go on its fun!!

Thanks to the lovely Sarah from Cocoboat I have another Conversations To Go box to giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment below and make sure i can contact you if you win - good luck, i will announce the winner on Monday :)

Yayy back in the land of the living!

Phew, I know its only been 3 weeks but hey it feels like i have been offline forever! I have gotten so much done, so many projects finished and my oven has never stopped! Loads of new recipes, inventions, creations and giveaways, plus reviews on numerous items that i am proud to say have kept me well entertained while i have been MIA! lol

Tomorrow i am going to do a review of a fabulous item and store, Cocoboat.....just a heads up to check them out before i do the post and see if you can spot the perfect party conversation starters, what colour is the box?....go take a peek and tell me what else you love. More details on the giveaway and review tomorrow ;)

To finish up this quickie post here is a pic of Evie, not such a baby anymore and getting cuter every day! This was while we were at Alnwick castle with Ben, he took part in the Anthony Nolan 1000ft zipslide.....i was tempted but worried the cable might snap with my post cupcake binge weight!! LOL

Update from Debbie

The good news is that the battery for her poorly laptop has arrived. The bad news is that it's not a battery problem and something more serious, so poor Debbie is still MIA from the cyberworld! This means that she has no access to her e-mails, forums and blogs. Anyone wishing to get a message to Debbie please contact me via my blog.

posted by Ginger Claire, as requested by Debbie xxx

News from Debbie

Good morning it's Debbie's friend Ginger Claire here. Don't worry I haven't kidnapped her, it's just that her laptop is broken, so she's asked me to come and post and let you know that she'll be back blogging as soon as her new battery arrives.
If any of you need to contact Debbie please leave me a message over at my blog and I'll get in touch with her and pass the message on.

In the meantime Debbie has done the draw for the fabulous CSN giveaway and the lucky winner is Lynda Del. Congratulations Lynda, I'll e-mail you with the code you need to take advantage of your fabulous prize.

Debbie is making great use of having no computer and baking up a storm. I was treated to a chocolate and toffee cupcake last night and it was totally delicious.

CSN stores giveaway :) Open to EVERYONE!!

The lovely people over at CSN Stores have offered yet another giveaway on my blog. They sell everything from bedding to bar furniture, gym equipment to cooking equipment - go check them out and i guarantee you wont be disapointed with price and service!

US and Canada entrants, if you won you would receive a voucher code worth $65.00!! To spend at csn.com stores.

Europe, UK etc you would receive a voucher code worth £40!! To spend at csn.co.uk stores.

Germany you would receive a voucher code worth 50euros!! To spend on any csn.de stores.

All you have to do is pop a comment below after you have visited CSN and let me know what you would buy and i will announce a winner on Saturday :) Good Luck!! xxx

Week 39, recipe 2 - Asparagus Soup :)

Here is the second recipe for this week. This is a lovely light yet filling soup that is tasty enough to have as lunch with some crusty bread - pop in some croutons and double cream for an even more luxurious taste.

I made this for lunch for the 2 of us this week and there was just enough so obviously if you are feeding more then just double the ingredients etc :)

serves 2

450g potato
1lb asparagus
3 garlic cloves
tbsp butter
1pt vegetable stock
salt/pepper to taste
croutons

1. Melt the butter and add potatoes and stock, simmer for 15 minutes.

2. Chop the asparagus and add with the garlic to the pan.

3. Cook until asparagus is tender (approx 5 minutes) then using a handmixer blend until smooth.

4. Season to taste and garnish with croutons.
Another easy meal idea! :) Enjoy xxx

Halloween Prep!

Any excuse for a party, right?? Well, Halloween is just around the corner so i have started the prep work for the dessert table and grown up table too....how cool are these stamps!

They are Wanda's Pantry and Midnight Feast clear stamp sets from Waltzing Mouse, I have so many bits to make up and the detail on these stamps is just fabulous!
For the red wine, cough, I mean bottle of Blood i stamped with the main Vampire blood stamp then dipped my finger into the poppy red Papertrey Ink to leave bloody fingerprints. I also dipped a paint brush and flicked red and brown paint onto the label to make it look older than it is.

The little labels at the bottom of the photo are for some of the other bits and pieces im making....not giving too much away at this stage but theres a whole table full of decoration to come! :) What are you doing for Halloween this year?

3 spaces available!!

Just a quick note to let you know due to a cancellation we now have 3 spaces for our May weekend retreat - 6/7/8th 2011!

IF you are interested in being part of our very first retreat drop me an email at debbie@creativeheartandsoul.com

Check out more details HERE!

First come first served!

Week 39 - Lemon Pots - easy delicious dessert!

I made these desserts as part of my Project Food Blog round 3 - unfortunately i didnt make it past round 2 but at least it means i have some ready prepped and photographed meals for our 52 week challenge :) Always a silver lining, right?! lol

Lemon Pots

Ingredients:

Juice and rind of 2 lemons
450ml double cream
100g caster sugar

Put the sugar, rind and caster sugar in a heavy based pan and stir on a medium heat until the sugar is melted. Boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in half of the lemon juice, taste and add more lemon juice depending on how tart you like the flavour. Sieve to remove the rind.Pour into ramekins and chill for 4 hours.Serve and enjoy.
Simple as that!! My dinner party dessert was Hot chocolate Fondant, Lemon pot and Raspberry Coulis.....more to follow on that one later :)

Spicy Butternut Squash Soup, Whoopie Pies and Kisses!

I made this soup tonight for tea after spotting an abundance of butternut squashes in the supermarket! How can something so funny looking taste like pumpkin yet smell so much like melon! lol

To be honest we havent had it any other way than roasted so this was a first and i have to say it was really really tasty! It was a kind of make it up as I go along recipe and to be honest other than maybe a little less cayenne pepper then i wouldnt change anything :)
Ingredients:

2 Whole butternut squash
2 leeks
2 small onions
3 cloves of garlic
3 tsp Cayenne pepper
2oz butter
2pts vegetable stock
salt & pepper to taste
double cream and croutons to serve

1. Heat the butter, cayenne and garlic until melted.
2. Cube all veg and add to the butter mix. Stir well until coated.
3. Leave to sweat for 10 minutes.
4. Pour over veg stock and leave for another 45 minutes.
5. Blitz with a hand blender.
6. Serve with croutons and a drizzle of double cream.

My first attempt at Whoopie Pies....I know I know Im so behind the times! lol
Ingredients:

300g Plain flour
35g Cocoa Powder
100g Unsalted Butter
175g Muscavado Sugar
1tsp Baking Powder
1tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
1tsp Vanilla Extract
pinch of salt
1 egg
4floz semi skimmed milk

1. Cream together butter, sugar and egg.
2. Sieve together flour, cocoa, bicarb, salt and baking powder.
3. Stir vanilla and milk together.
4. Alternate between adding the milk mix and powder mix to the creamed butter and sugar until all mixed and smooth.
5. Pipe into small rounds onto greased and lined baking sheets.
5. Heat oven to 170 degrees c and bake for 15 minutes.
6. Leave to cool and sandwich together with butter cream or fresh cream mix.

I will leave you with a little blown kiss from Evie - isnt she growing up so much, all her cradle cap has gone and she has the cutest little fluffy head of hair. I cant believe on the 14th of October she will be HALF A YEAR OLD!! EEK!!!