Piggies, Shooting and the North Pole

Another very busy week... No wonder the doctor says I'm run down.

So last Friday it was my Nephew's birthday so we spent the day in Peppa Pig land part of Paulton Park theme park.

After 2+ hour drive from where we are it started off as a bit of a grey old day but we persevered and headed to see the Pig.

Have to say it was a great day out. So good for young children. There was lots of rides to amuse them. Had fun running on all the kiddie rides.

 Peppa's big balloon Ride.

Windy Castle Ride and a big hit  Daddy Pigs Car Ride.

Also the Soft play area which was helpfully split into section so the little one could play without the fear of being mowed down by the bigger kids.

plus loads more rides attractions and parks.

Have to say was very good value my ticket was around £25 and I bought a couple of souvenirs and some lunch and was pleasantly surprise at the cost of it all.

Would give it a big thumbs up and recommend it to young families as a relatively (remember I go to Disney a lot so that the bench mark) inexpensive brilliant day out.

Saturday we went to farm where my dad does his pheasant shooting for their clay day.

I personally am probably a hindrance with a fire arm so left that up to the Hubby.

Also having dyspraxia I do worry about handling loaded weapons as I'm not the most co-ordinated of people which was apparent as I fell walking across the field. It was compounded by the fact I was carrying the little one. I managed to fall to my knees before I eventually lost my grip on him. Luckily the ground was soft. But it was pretty scary and after I made sure he was okay a few tears but hugs soon made him better. Started to feel frustrated and stupid at the whole thing.

I know it just an accident and these things happen to everyone even people without dyspraxia, but then I have "what if it was worse" though running through my head for most of the rest of the day. Making me feel even more guilty than I did in the first place.

Having dyspraxia has effect my choices as a parent as I refused to use the baby sling/carrier when he was young as I was afraid of falling over when he was attached and he probably spent more time in the pram. As when we where going anywhere new I didn't really like carrying him if I was on my own and when we went shopping it was the Husband responsibility to transport the car seat to the trolley then back again.

The older his got and the more active and mobile hes got as made me less worried although with days like this don't think I'll go again unless I better prepared and have more help when he's running about the place.

Apart from the fall the rest of the day went without a hitch and we from a lovely range type cooker, (So jelly one day I would really love one of these)

event was rounded of with Boar Sausages.

They were super duper local as they farm we were shooting on was where the boar are raised. Super delicious and I can buy them from the local farmers market.

On Sunday in between going to the park to let the little one run off some steam in the nice weather I got some cooking done.

I made a lovely spicy chicken dish. Basically getting some skinless, boneless chicken thighs throwing them in a cooking dish, breaking an Oxo cube over them and sprinkling chilli power (a little or a lot depending on how spicy you want it) then just throwing in Red Onion, button Mushrooms and baby tomatoes before putting it into a high over (200 degrees) for around 25 minutes.

Monday Morning as the Hubby had work in the afternoon we decided to trek all the way to The North Pole, well the Wateringbury one :).

It a really lovely pub very kid friendly as they have a fab garden out the back. The also have a section off Dog Garden as well which is good if you have a boisterous pet you want to keep away from the play area.

Their food is great have eaten there on a few occasion and I've never had a bad meal. It was the first time eating for the little one. I got him a kids meal which he enjoyed some of. But he's still not eating loads so his father and I got to enjoy the rest along with our fab sandwiches. (Would have had order from their main menu but we were a little pushed for time, just another excuse to go back). Although saying that considering how big the sandwiches are and how lovely the homemade chips are accompanying felt so full after eating.

That afternoon I also made some dessert bars. I found a wonderful recipe on Google+ from the Mrs with the Dishes  blog of  Blue Berry Pie bars.

I have converted the recipe into UK measurements if anyone in the UK would like to give it a go as it was simple but effective as they look great and taste fantastic.

Crumble Mix
125g of Butter
100g Sugar
50g Brown Sugar
250g Flour

Yogurt Mix
1 egg
190g Plain Yogurt
65g Sugar
3tps Vanilla Extra
2tbsp Flour

Fruit
350g Blueberries
65g Sugar
2tps Lemon Juice
2tps Corn Flour

Mrs with the dishes has a great step by step guide to making these. But in essence Mix all the Crumble mix ingredients together in a bowl then get your hands in and rub them together till you get a nice crumble consistencies. in your foil lined tray put 3/4 of the mixture to form the base of the dish. Then mix all the yogurt ingredients together and pour on top of the base (jiggle the mix to get an even spread).

Mix the fruit with the sugar, lemon juice and corn flour together stick with it as it becomes a bit gloopy add the fruit on top of the yogurt mix.

Then with the 1/4 of the crumble mix distribute evenly on top of everything and bake in a 180 degree oven for 55 minutes.

Blueberry Pie Bars

I also put a twist on the recipe and made Chocolate Cherry Pie Bars. I used 25g less flour in the crumble mix to add 25g of coco powder. I added crumble Twirl chocolate to the yogurt mix and on top of the cherries which were used in of the Blueberries.

I took both in to work and they were both a big hit, but I think the Blueberry ones where the favorite as the were the first to go.

Oompah and Illness

Well it's been a bit of a full week in the Dyslexic Cooking household.

On the weekend it was time to say goodbye to our good friends N&B they are taking their little dog Luigi and moving all the way to Greece.

I respect them so much for that, they are both round my age and have just decided to leave the rat race behind. B quit his very lucrative job in the city, N is keeping his job and his boss is being fabulous about remote working. (I think in the future we will all be able to work in any job from anywhere in the world, if it was me I'd probably move to Florida and do my work from Disney World in between rides lol.)

They're going to the gorgeous island of Paros and have promised that we could come an visit whenever we want. Although where as years ago I would already sorting out the airfare with the little one it make things like this a little bit more logistical. Oh I am so going, but might need to work a few things out first.

So we had their farewell do at Katzenjammers  a Bavarian Beer house located near Borough Market in London.

What a lovely venue, the other half drove so I had a couple of the local brew.

I'm not a huge fan of beer in England one of those things I drink when I'm Holiday as a cold beer in the Sun just hits the spot. Although I did enjoy the Paulaner (well a few of the Paulaner) luckily the Grandparents had the little man over night so we could kick back and relax. We did plan to eat at the venue too, as there was an array of German Sausage dishes. But as the night drew on and lots more people turned up we all got a bit distracted from our goal, I ended up chatting rather than eating. Which I know is awful especially when I write a food Blog. Although it's one hell of an excuse to go back which I will.

Apart from catching up with old friends and making new friends and given out lots of Hugs to an upset N. One of the main highlights of the night was the Oompah band "Hosen Brass" a five piece band that played an array of modern hits in the traditional Bavarian Style.

What a fantastic band, as it was just music you had the whole bar contributing the words even if it wasn't in the right key.  The trombone player kept it very interactive by standing on tables and if you didn't watch out you have the Slide in your face.

The played tunes by Meatloaf, The Killers and the Beatles just to name a few.

Honestly if you're about in that area of London on a Saturday night I strongly suggest booking a table and going down.

The next morning work up and actually didn't feel too bad and I got a few hours before my folks brought the whirlwind back around 11am. Within a few minutes of bringing him back and lifting him in an awkward way I threw my shoulder out. Painful!!! Also didn't help that I was home alone with him till my husband got back from work later on in the afternoon.

That's a really difficult situation if you're a parent as you can't really explain to a little one that you need them to give you space to lie down till the pain goes away. I'm just happy he's mobile as I could give him a few toys and if I needed to change him I could get him to walk to the mat rather than carry him.

Added to that I developed a mouth full of ulcers. I got to the doctors on Monday to discuss both problems and she said I was run down. That's an understatement what with everything going being a mum to a child that hasn't master sleeping through the night and a ball of energy during the day, having a busy job with a long commute and my currently busy social life, I'm not surprised.

She suggested that I take some time to rest. I love it when doctors give advise like that and when exactly with a 19 month old at home do you have time to rest. Although with a bit of family help and an understanding boss I manged to get a day where I had some rest and some baby free time. I did feel better think as I hadn't had that in such a long time in the few hours I did made the world of difference.

As my back was giving me jip, I was unable to do a lot of cooking boo. There's a bank holiday this weekend so I'm hoping to fit a lot in yay.

I did manage to throw together a Salmon and Green Tagliatelle - a simple low fat dish.

Put some Salmon in the oven to cook, while starting a pan of water for the Tagliatelle and a separate smaller pan for the Greens. The Salmon will take about 20 mins to cook in a 190 degree oven.

Once you had 10 mins of cooking time the water should be boiling in both pan add the Tagliatelle to the pan with a pinch of salt. Then add the green beans that you've already sliced in what every way you like to the other then a few minutes later add some peas to the green bean pan (as why dirty another pan).

After everything is cooked drain the Tagliatelle and the greens add them all back into one pan, flake the cooked salmon and then add some 75% less fat cream cheese. I was debating whether to add some chilli to give it a bit of a zing but with my sore mouth I left it as is.

A recipe that is low in fat but very high in taste and if you used Quark instead of the cream cheese it would be syn free on Slimming World.

Whitsta-Bubbles and Seaside Dreams

Yummy Wine

 

 

This weekend I spend most of it in the lovely Kent seaside town of Whitstable.

 

I left from work Friday and me, S & J of the "Train Gang" the girls who I cause havoc with in Amsterdam (see Amok in Amsterdam posts for more details) got the train down from London Victoria. I started the sans baby evening (who was at home with his dad) with a lovely glass of wine at Victoria Station.

 

As I waited for the girls to arrive I met a lovely woman who was over from Spain meeting her son at the station. she was telling me about all her adventures and I mine. This is what we lack sometime in this country just stopping to shoot the breeze with someone while passing away the time. This is exactly how I met the people I was going away with. If I just stayed in my own little bubble I would have never met them and never had the fabulous experiences I've had or forged such good friendships.

 

So when the last of the group finally turned up we hot footed it on to the train down to Whitstable. Of course there was drink and nibbles as it was an hour and a half journey.

 

When and after going the wrong way leaving the station I blame S who also got us lost on the way to the station in Amsterdam as well. Luckily this time it was only a quick detour and we found our was to H folks house where we would be staying for the duration.

 

H was a star and already had the wine open to celebrate our arrival but as we old had 3 bottles S and I headed out to make sure we wouldn't run out. This is where I got my first look at Whitstable properly. First impression so quaint. As it was nearly 8pm all the shop were shut but we did like our amble window shopping in all the fab stores.

 

We found the local Offie (Off Licence) and picked up a few bottles of fizzy stuff and took it back to the house. When we arrived back we were greeted by a table full of yumminess. H & J had put together a buffet of meats, cheeses, breads and dips oh and a bit of chicken.

It went very well with the fizz we got and had a few toast to friendship, life and just general drinking.
Moving on to conversation of what is happening in everyone lives. With H over from Amsterdam we wanted to catch up with all her news.

 

Its great how with friends you don't have to see each other for a while but when you all get back together you just click again and have a fun time.

So much fun in fact that we got a bit silly as the evening dragged on and ended up taking a 2am walk to the beach. Apparently, according to my friend S after showing us the harbour and the ships, the big black expanse in front of us was the sea (who knew right ) lol. As it such a quaint quiet town taking a night-time stroll by the beach is nice a peaceful and thankfully free of reprobates well apart from us.

 

we head back down the high street where I got a couple of incriminating shots of us out and about. Most of us are parent and I want to point out how disgraceful this is, very, very fun and stupid but not what you would expect from such upstanding citizen lol :)

 

 

we got back to the warmth of the home just before 3 then after some wrangling of who was sleeping were we finally drifted off into a nice peaceful (crying toddler free night).

The next morning only slight fuzzy headed we all got up bright and early, well early for the rest of the girls but it was past 8am and all people with toddlers know that nearly a 2 hour lie in...

Co-ordinated us all getting ready and using the bathroom we headed out in search of breakfast.

S recommended a lovely little café/bistro establishment halfway down the high street call Samphire

Beautifully decorated inside with a nice open kitchen so you can see when your food is coming.

The menu is full of locally source produce and the staff are accommodating and very friendly. And thankfully non-judgemental as we all (well apart from J) order either buckfizz/Kir Royal for starters.

Then for breakfast S and I had Egg Royal, like eggs benedict but with salmon instead of the ham. Then J and H who had a discussion only that morning about how they're both nearly vegetarians and have nearly stopped eating meat both ordered a full English.

I think all that talk of meat pushed them over the edge.

Now we where all fuelled up we headed for the high street and its shops. The high street is full of a mix of brick a brack, art and boutique clothes shops and we had great fun popping in and out of each one.

In one of the galleries as it was the literary festival they had a poety tree where people could submit their poems. So I added one of my own, for all the world, well the world of Whitstable, to see.

On the way back up the high street we stopped off at the community centre where they were having a couple of art exhibitions an art market where H bought a sculpture and a nudes postcard exhibit where local people were asked to submit postcard size nudes. The embroidered one was my favourite.

 

H folks  submitted a picture I think it rather good and it obviously a great bit of fun.

 

 

After the girls and bought nearly their body weights in clothes, jewellery, candles and sculpture we headed back to the house to met my Husband and the little man. The rest of the girls where staying an extra night but due to family commitments I could only manager the one :(

 

But the sun was out and we could use the house's wonderful garden. Had to take a pic of the garden and house as it was amazing H dad designed the layout and H mum filled it with all the amazing furnishings. Wish I could pull rooms together like this. Although currently my main decoration of rooms in my house is toys as he seems to get them everywhere. 

We decided to have another wine before they arrived. I went to the fridge to get a bottle and to my horror we had run out. H, S and J were astonished until we though about it and yes we had gone through 6 bottles the night before. in our defence that's only 1 and a half each and it was spaced out from 8pm to 3am.

J and S popped out for more supplies, while the boys arrived. The little man had such a fun time running up and down the garden. He discovered a water feature and loved removing the black stones, much to the distress of me and the amusement of the others.

That's the downside of toddlers they sometime can be un-intentionally destructive whirlwinds which is not too bad in your own home but in someone else and especially a place that obviously had so much care and attention put into it not so much.

so after quick toast we headed out to the beach to help the little one run off some of that steam. We stopped on the way for an Oyster. Whitstable is famous for its Oysters and the one I tried didn't disappoint. They are not everyone cup of tea and I couldn't eat a whole plate but I do like the odd one especially when they are this fresh.

I took the little one to have a look at the sea, making sure I had a hold on him so he didn't decide to go head first into the drink. It was a sunny but slightly windy day so the ocean was choppy and roaring in its wake. Very spectacular but I think the little man was slight scared and windswept.

Before getting in the car and heading back home which was thankfully a lot less of a journey than the train ride we stopped at a harbour front café. Where I had some lovely Moules and my other half and the little man shared in some fish and chips.

I have to say it was one of the biggest bits of fish in a fish and chips and considering we all ate every bite it was very nice.

I really loved Whitstable and even though it was my first time there it will not be my last.

As I got home the Saturday night and with the girls still there and drinking I was involved by text into their conversation and we booked to go back in July for the Oyster Festival. This time I'm staying for the whole weekend and the husband and little one can come down and pick me up on the Sunday.

If anyone is attending I would love to say hi..

Birthday and Food Photo Winner

So it been a fun week.

I celebrated my 35 birthday (Must change my Bio) which means I'm half way to 70 and I have to fill in a new age box when taking part in questionnaires lol..

Actually I'm not that bothered by age or by birthdays, especially now as I'm a mum. So I'm half way to 70 all that means to me I get spend all that time with my beautiful family... Think of all the cool stuff I can do with them..

So my birthday was a quiet affair, as a few of my friends are going through bad patches with family illnesses and the little one was ill with a cold so we kept it very low key.

I woke up to a lovely breakfast of a bacon sandwich and bucks Fizz from my lovely hubby along with some vouchers to go towards my new computer (I'm saving up for a Surface Pro 3).

 

The from the little man I got send these lovely Flowers and Balloons (Although I have a sneaking suspicion his dad might have helped) :)

After having a lie-in, and as us parents know that is the best present ever. We went for a lovely lunch a The Hungry Guest in West Malling.

It has not long open and it is very beautiful inside a mixture of old and new as the building itself is quite old. Full of old wooden beams which look fab in contrast to the mix of modern art they hang on the walls.


I had a lovely open parma ham Sandwich with salad and as it was my birthday so I had a bit of pink fizz (Well you have to don't you) and my husband had a burger. They both were super delicious and enjoyed the quiet as the little one was at nursery.

I did also like the cutlery, although had the voice of Sheldon Cooper in my head saying a fork with 3 prongs is a trident lol..

 

The great thing about this place is it was reasonably priced, it had great food, great service and it is local. They also are welcoming of children so I know the next time we go we can bring "Captain Chaos" with us :)

 

Then in the evening I went to my parents we were supposed to go out again but as the little man was still not feeling well, we stayed in and had a take away and some wine which lead to me not feeling great the next day.

 

Then the rest of the week and because we had the bank holiday I did a lot more cooking.

 

I experimented as I'm trying to at least stay with in my Slimming World syn (Obviously Birthdays don't count).

 

So I made a Spicy Prawn dish.

 

 

 

I cooked off some prawns with a sprinkling of chilli powder on top, then added tomato Passata, bit more chili powder and some low fat Greek yogurt.

 

Then for the rice I just boiled up some plain rice but I roasted some carrot and swede chunks - 35mins at 200 degrees and mixed them in.

 

It was a great low fat dish which lasted me a couple of days. Although be careful with the carrot and swede as with the cooking it really easy to have them underdone or burnt.

 

 

 

 

I Also made a lovely low fat Bolognese with Turkey Mince and Passata but to jazz it up, I added 3 bell peppers, button mushrooms, Red Onion and baby plum tomatoes.

 

 

It was so colourful (Super tasty and Syn free) the photo won me "Dish of the Week" at my local Slimming World group which was nice.

 

I like to share recipes see other people recipes especially when dieting. As you're always looking for something different as its so easy to get stuck eating the same thing.

 

Its great that we can share ideas and then try them for myself, as I'm still trying to lose the weight. I'm hoping by the end of July I should be down to my target, but I do  have quite few parties and event to go to so I will need to stay strong...