Friday 28 February 2014

Mothers Day Giveaway from BOMBUS!

Thank you to the wonderful Becky and the team over at Bombus for allowing me to host another giveaway on my blog. 

This time you get the chance to win one of these gorgeous trio of butterfly frames worth £125!
 

How stunning is that and something not every mum will be receiving this year - get entering our competition, you know she deserves it! :)

All you need to do is enter via the rafflecopter widget below - come back each day and tweet the message to gain extra entries too!


Good Luck and keep an eye out for lots of Homemade Mothers Day gift ideas coming up!
 
TTFN
Debbie
x

Thursday 27 February 2014

Fairtrade Fortnight recipe 1 - Homemade Banana Ice Cream!

Fairtrade Fortnight runs from the 24th of February to the 9th of March and I have 3 recipes to share with you from 3 rather gorgeous gentlemen!

Celebrity chefs James Gregory Smith, James Martin and Paul Frangie have all specially created recipes for Fairtrade Fortnight in support of this years campaign.
 
They are currently supporting our campaign to "Stick with Foncho to Make Bananas Fair" this Fairtrade Fortnight 2014. Foncho is a Colombian banana farmer who's coming to the UK this February to transform the banana industry. 
 
The UK supermarket sector is selling bananas so cheaply that they're trapping many banana farmers and workers in a cycle of poverty. 

 

Today I am showcasing John Gregory Smith’s Homemade Banana Ice Cream
 

Credit: John Gregory-Smith, chef and editor of www.eattravellive.com , is supporting this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight – www.stickwithfoncho.org.uk
 
This delicious banana ice cream is Fairtrade and dairy free.

It only uses frozen bananas, which turn really smooth and creamy in the blender. A pinch of cinnamon and a drizzle of sweet agave syrup adds a load more flavour just before serving.

Ingredients 
• 4 Fairtrade bananas, peeled and roughly chopped 
• 4 tbsp. agave syrup or a really good Fairtrade runny honey
• 2 tsp. Fairtrade cinnamon

Method
1. Put the bananas into a freezer bag and pop them into the freezer for 4-6 hours, or until frozen solid.

2. Chuck the frozen banana pieces into a blender and blend until smooth. This will take a little time. They will start clumping together like dough, then they go beautifully smooth. Scoop out the banana ice cream and transfer it into a freezer-proof tub. Freeze until ready to eat.

3. Make sure you give the ice-cream 10 minutes to soften before serving, then divide the ice-cream between 4 serving bowls. Top each one with agave syrup and a good pinch of cinnamon and serve the banana ice cream immediately
 
Please let me know if you try it and what you think :)
TTFN
Debbie
x

Wednesday 26 February 2014

A day at the beach...

Yesterday we spent time at the beach, well I say beach....it was more like a lot of pebbles since the tide was coming in and we struggled for sand!

This was all part of a project coming up with ideas for Mothers day gifts.  We were making plaster and sand hand casts, the kids loved it! 

I think they enjoyed throwing stones in the water more...and dodging the incoming tide which seems to be getting ever closer (...cue me willing the plaster to set!!)   They turned out quite well but not frame worthy so we are going to do it again....yes any excuse to go to the beach - even in this weather!  

We just need a stair lift on the cliff side as I really did struggle to climb back up - damn hips!!
 
TTFN
Debbie
x

Monday 24 February 2014

Decent TV at last!

I know im not the only one who loves to watch a good reality programme!
 
Tonight brings the return of OBEM (One Born Every Minute) and I love it!  
 
 
This show is a ground-breaking look at the drama and emotion of a maternity unit, from the perspective of the parents-to-be and the maternity ward staff and gets me blubbing every week!
 
Another series that has just started is BBC2 The Great British Sewing Bee. 
 
Claudia Winkleman presents a series from the makers of The Great British Bake Off in which eight hopefuls are tested on their sewing and dressmaking skills as they compete to be crowned Britain's best amateur sewer.
Over three challenges, they must follow a simple pattern for an A-line skirt, transform a high street top by altering the neckline and produce a made-to-measure dress for a model under intense time pressure. The judges, May Martin from the Women's Institute and Savile Row's Patrick Grant, scrutinise every stitch as they look out for puckering seam lines and perfect top stitching. One sewer is awarded garment of the week whilst two leave the Sewing Bee.
Whats your favourite programme right now??
 
TTFN
Debbie
x

Friday 21 February 2014

Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 - DVD and Goodie Bag Giveaway!

Hilarious alternative foodie animation adventure Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 is released this week, and to celebrate the release of Flint Lockwood and gang's latest adventure we have a fantastic prize package for one lucky reader!

This fabulous prize for one lucky reader comprises a DVD and goodie bag (containing a lunch box, watch, magnets and scented erasers and plush toy) 
All you need to do is register via the Rafflecopter widget below:


 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Getting bigger by the day...

It certainly feels like it and this time round I haven't even taken many pictures of my bump! 
 
On a visit up to my mums though Scott took this quick shot of me - its not the best but hey this is me at 27 weeks! :)
 
I cant believe I have a little one due soon and an almost 18 year old moving away!
 
Ben has been accepted for a job at Alton Towers and is SOOOooooo excited about it all - Stu is taking him down tomorrow and hes staying with my little sis down there so I know hes in good hands.  Its seasonal so he will be there until November but I know its going to be so good for him - get him out of his shell - im going to miss him though (just don't tell him that) ;)
 
I have a giveaway coming up for Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs 2 and a goodie bag coming up - just waiting for the goodies to arrive so we can review the movie and offer a chance for you to win too :)
 
TTFN
Debbie
x
 
 

Tuesday 11 February 2014

My little ballerina!

How cute is this!!
Evie is a proper little girly girl and was so happy when I suggested we make a tutu - she loves Lamby from Doc McStuffins!
 
A piece of ribbon and some tulle later and we have one very happy little girl :)  Its nice to be getting my making mojo back :)
 
TTFN
Debbie
x