Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Creative HeART & Soul Retreat - October 2012.

This last weekend was the most recent Creative HeART & Soul retreat.  Held in Ansty Hall, Coventry, this was a perfect location for a perfect retreat! 

I am so so happy with how everything went and the feedback we have received has all been so positive I am walking on air!

We, Myself and Tracie Hudson, started on Friday by setting out all of the goodies for the girls including little bird houses with their initials/name on, bowls of chocolate and candy with a bird chalkboard table sign in the middle and goodie bags.
  
 Tracie and her mum had made these fabulous birds to act as mascots for each table - they went down a storm and were so cute I happened to bring one home with me!  
 
After a champagne and strawberry welcome toast with all of the teachers, where they explained who they were and the classes they would be teaching, we set about to a night of working on the challenge kit.
 
The classes started early Saturday morning and everyone fell in love with The Glitz Design Girls - Erin and Laura and Fancy Pants owner Jodi (and her adorable daughter Abbi),
 
 the classes were fabulous, the laughs many and the time flew by!  
 
Saturday night was spent doing make and takes, raffle, random facts quiz and generally eating cupcakes made by the fabulous Lydia and making pretty things!
 
Sunday passed in a blur as we completed 3 layout classes broken only by lunch and coffee breaks.  As soon as I get the group photographs from our photographer I will share - I also managed to nab 5 minutes to have some promo shots done so im dying to see how they turn out! 

We spent Sunday night having dinner with the ladies that had too far to travel so chose to stay an extra night.  We laughed lots and headed to bed early ready for a visit to Warwick Castle on the Monday with the Glitz Girls!
  SO MUCH FUN! 
 These girls are a scream!

Tuesday, 2 October 2012

Coffee and Cake!

You may remember a little while ago when I did a giveaway for the Project D overnight bag.  The bag was created between Danni Minogue and Kenco Millicano coffee and apparently has gone down a storm *Im after one myself so if anyone is listening that have the powers that be then i would be very greatful!* lol
Well, I was sent more coffee and being a tea drinker I was content to let hubby try it out and inform me of the results.  Ermmm, that was until I got a smell of the intense coffee aroma that comes with this tin of lusciousness!!

Of course there's also the new caffeine free variety available too!

Add to that a homemade cake (or two!) and you have a 5 minute break to die for!

No hooked on 'instant' coffee again I thought I would give a little nudge in the direction of Kenco Millicano for anyone who isnt keen on instant coffee.  This really is different to normal scoop and add hot water coffees!  Give it a go!

Sunday, 30 September 2012

Philips/Jamie Oliver Come Round Party!

Last night I had the pleasure of hosting a dinner party with the new Jamie Oliver Home Cooker by Philips.   

10 members of my family got together and we hung posters, balloons, wore aprons and tested out the cooker!  WOW...its so easy to use and such a fabulous machine - bung it in and let it work while you sit back with wine - whats not to love! lol

We enjoyed Hearty Minestrone Soup....
...followed by Seafood Paella...

and Pot Roasted Fruit with Lavender Honey.
Mmmmm so impressed and it was a fabulous night!

Friday, 28 September 2012

Groupon Winner!!

Oops...so busy this week i forgot to draw  winner for the Groupon vouchers! lol

I have just popped the numbers into random.org and the winner is....

NUMBER 29!

SWEENY !!

Congratulations and if you can email me (debbie(at)countryheartandhome.com) I will reply with the code you need to use to spend your £40 with Groupon!

Thank you everyone for taking part :)


Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Happy Birthday To ME!!

Today I decided I wasnt making my own cake...
I was going to go for the girliest, pinkest, sparkliest cake I could find!!

I walked into Sainsburys and checked out the cakes. 

Pink - Check.
Glittery - Check
Girly - Check.....

...hold on a minute whats that I see there...

...Be still my heart!!  My hero (Thor) in cake form!!

Avengers Assemble!!
 

Sunday, 23 September 2012

Groupon giveaway ends tonight!

Get your comments in before midnight to be in with the chance of winning £40 of Groupon vouchers - see the post below!

Friday, 21 September 2012

Back in the kitchen!

For a while I stepped back and let hubby take the lead in the kitchen department...whether I was burnt out or simply too tired after doing everything else it made it easier to let him do dinners etc.   

Now Im back!! Mwahahahahhaa  

Ive found a new love of savoury meals and not just cupcakes and desserts!! Wohoo!

I made a delicous coating for a join of pork yesterday...

5tbsp Wild Forest Honey
2tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
1tbstp Jamaican Jerk Herbs
Mix together and brush onto pork crackling before cooking for 2 and a half hours - baste every 30 mins :)  MMmmmmm!!

Jacob is even embracing his adventurous side and asked for muscles in garlic sauce for tea!
We even have a little chilli plant on the windowsill to spice things up a little!
 
I can see a chilli con carne brewing soon!