Some .......... "News"

So I've haven't written in a while, nearly two months.

Why you ask, why indeed well where to start...

In December we got the "-----" news that our son is Autistic, diagnose with "Autism Spectrum Disorder" - The reason I left that space blank before news is there so many words I could put there.

The most obvious on is Bad news - but I don't think I like that term, as my son went into the Doctors office the same way he came out of it - he hadn't changed that always been a part of him, so it can't be "bad" as that would make some part of who he is bad and he's just fantastic.

I could use "informative" but that wouldn't sum it up either as being told your child has autism is information of a type.  It's helpful you are a name round it, but then you realize you have no real knowledge and are woefully under informed on the subject.

The internet has been helpful and especially the National Autistic Society but it's not the whole story and you have to do the leg work. You get told about these organisation but then you have to leave the Doctors office come blinking into the light and have to do something when frankly the first thing you want to do is cry.

I could have used the word "Harsh" or "Unfair" as it is a bit harsh to get this news, at the time really I felt really unfair why us, actually more why me. What did I do to deserve this. Like the universe had it in for me especially even though it my Son who is suffering - luckily the unfair thoughts wore off quickly as just looking around the world my life is anything but unfair.

I could have used the word "Painful" as a bit like harsh it hurts, it was like being winded. You feel the pain but as the wind is knocked out of you, so you can't express the feelings within.

I could have used the word "confirmed" news, as anyone with a Autistic child before the diagnosis knows there is something wrong, my son is a brilliant little boy but not in the same way as the other children in his nursery. As he's my first and currently only child to me all his quirks seem sort of normal in the closed setting of our living room but in a room full of other children you can see he's walking his own path.

I could of said "Hard" news as it will be hard as there is help out there but the world is set up for the standard (I nearly said normal but I hate that word as no one is truly normal) world and if your world is different it will be harder to engage and access the same things. For example my son doesn't look at people when they're talking to him, he can hear them fine but without the standard social convention of eye contact most people give up.

Now I'm not having a go about that as it is a social convention and even now when I'm talking to someone and they look at their phone I do think I'm sure they're not listening to me. But I do talk crap most of the time so not really their fault.

So it will be hard as I will need to make concessions, plan more for even simple activities and will have to engage on a higher level with services like Schools, institutions and social activities to make sure he is getting the most out of life.

Being a parent is hard so extra challenges just add another layer of hardness - not that it's not worth the all the extra effort.

That's why I'm just going to leave the statement as just plain old "News".

As it will be hard it will be painful it will be harsh at times, but it also will be brilliant, amazing, wonderful and ultimately so worth it.

I am a strong mumma bear and my disabilities have sometime been hard to over come but I over came and I am a better person for it. So I know the challenges my son will face in his lifetime he will over come and will go to shape him into an even more amazing person.

So from now on my blog like me will be altered - it will still have food, Disney, dyslexic, dyspraxia and general life stuff but will now have a new addition of Autism - I hope to learn and pass on knowledge I find out and be a record of our little journey through life.

Who knows he could be reading this while siting in his Prime Minister office or the set of his next block buster or in the middle of nowhere search for a new species of newt.

He has so many possibilities and so much to see and do and I know that it is my job to make sure his Autism is never an reason for him not achieving - so woe betide anyone who says he can't do that or he's not capable of... as they will have do deal with an angry dyslexiccook lol 

Scotland Run and a Run

So went to Scotland to visit the in laws

Now for any of you who have read my blog before you know they live right near Loch Lomond the gateway to the fabulous countryside.

So we always do a lot of the same thing but his time we ventured out a bit more, get me, changing my routine - I shall alert the media lol.

So we went to the Falls of Falloch - such a beautiful waterfall and it's also a short walk from the car park which is great with a little one.

It all seems very mystical I'm surprised I didn't see an fairies or sprites :) 

Also on the way back home got to visit a great pub call The Drovers Inn it's over 300 years old and Rob Roy drank there. 

It's also supposed to be haunted. 

Don't know about the Haunting but it did have some nice spirits, to drink (See what I did there lol).

The bar staff are really knowledgeable and help me pick a lovely Whiskey that was nice and smooth.

It also a beautiful trip trip back through some stunning scenery 

We then headed to the pub Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha for some food. I had a lovely Scottish Smoked Salad and a cheeky wine.

It was so lovely, fresh and tasty and was very nice paired with a Pinot,

They also Dumpling which is kinda like Christmas pudding. Not 100% sure what it was all I know it was yummy and would definitely have it again..

Or the sticky toffee pudding my other half had, honestly I only tasted it so I could report back to you lot - well that's what it told him :) 

As with any trip to Scotland we visited the Loch Lomond Sealife Centre. It's so near to where we were staying and the little one loves it.

Now it's not the biggest sealife centre about, but it does have a great array of sea-life :)

We made the most of staying with the inlaws and got a couple of dining out chances without the little one.

We went lunch at The Balloch House they have a nice selection of wine and also my current favourite tipple Black Cow Vodka but as we were having Italian I paired it with a lovely Rose

We order off their Pizza menu - really reaonably priced around £10 each and they were huge.

Just look at the size of them, I pretended I was healthy and had a salad as a side order, Paul went for Chips

You could tell they were hand made and they tasted divine especially for the price. I left feeling very full.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is visiting that area.

The next day to burn off the pizza calories we visited Loch Katrine where as it was such a nice day we hired bikes - the bike rental for all three of us for the hour was on £21 

It was the first time the little one had ever been on a bike, well in a wagon on a back of a bike (it was really hilly so glad the hubby was pulling him along instead of me lol).

It is such beautiful countryside and the little one just loved it.

Honestly if I could get paid to write I would seriously consider moving up there as he thought it was great as he could just run and run and run.

Unfortunately the demand for dyslexic travel and food writers aren't that plentiful. I have no idea why :) oh well guess I have to stick to the 9-5.

But back to how beautiful it was amazing sky, wonderful mountains and fantastic Loch that make you want to dive in - well that is if it wasn't so cold and you remembered to bring your swim suit 

I could have stayed looking at the water for hours. But the bikes needed to be back.

It was a bit of a flying visit, but no trip to Scotland would be complete without a cheeky night out at Cameron House- it where we got married so has a special place in our hearts.

It also a stunning hotel and it everything you would expect from a Scottish Hotel. tartan on the walls, big roaring fires and a great selection of whisky. Although I had a couple of wines.

We also paired the wine with a couple of snack, a fantastic baked Camembert.

and a ham, Cheese and Bread-stick board (with a couple of cheeky olives.

The perfect accompaniment to a nice cold glass of wine.

The staff and the service is totally amazing as well, they really take care of you.

Also when I say they have a great selection of whiskey's I really mean it.

But I had to head back as I was taking part in a 5k run for Race for Life Cancer Research with a few of my friends.

But it wasn't just a normal 5k it was a Pretty Muddy 5k meaning the course was punctuated with fun obstacles full of mud.

Well apart from the space hopper challenge bit, I haven't been on a space hopper in years but glad I still remember how to do it and didn't totally embarrass myself

So it was lots of fun and I made it through till the end still smiling.

To prove how muddy it actually was here is a before and after picture.

Unfortunetly the white top could not be saved and had to go in the bin.

But the good news is we raised around £1500 which will go to help fund research to help find a cure for this awful disease.

It was also good prep for my Run Disney Half Marathon that is coming up in November super excited and super scared all at the same time, fingers crossed I can get round - will keep you posted. 

A quick Christmas Message

This week at work has been full of sweets, chocolate and biscuits and the highlight of the week a guy at works wife made an AAAA-mazing chocolate cake it was so so so so yum. Actually jealous as I don't think I could make a cake that tasty.

it was all gone in about two hours.

I also got to see the new Star Wars - No spoilers! But I really enjoyed it and give ti 5 Stars. Our local cinema where doing some Star Wars Themed cocktail, I didn't managed to have one well I did go to the 10.30am showing and even that's a bit early for me.

So between that and getting the last minutes Christmas Stuff Done just a short post this week.

I'll give you an update next week of how the Dyslexic Cooking Christmas went.

All I can say is there will be far to much food, far too much drink and I know for the little one far to many presents.

although I will pause and remember how lucky I am at this time of year. I have an amazing family, I have a lovely home and I will have good friends, good food and fun over this special time. I know a lot of people won't have any of that.

Christmas, I do think is about family and it is the one time of year that we normally take a breath and enjoy all being together.

So spare a thought for those who have less and more importantly those who have nothing. Please remember to donate and help where you can.

And make sure you appreciate what you have. If your family start getting on your nerves or the turkey's a bit dry or the kids are being to loud with their toys or there's the same old crap on the telly. Look around and really take it in and think about the thousands of people who would be happy with just a fraction of what you have.

So I hope everyone who reads this has a great festive period and I will be back in touch before the New Year :)

Busy Bee mean a blank Blog

Hi guys so I admit I forgot to post last week.

It just I've been so busy. House moving has turned into hell on earth with Lawyers, Mortgage advisers and general craziness.

Honestly having dyslexia and dealing with loads of forms and trying to retain lots of information in your head and doing figures and other stuff all at the same time, is sometimes physically painful. I spent most of the time feeling sick. I know it will be all worth it in the end just need the end to come soon. (I know first world problems)

But I do think that Banks and Lawyers really need to make their processes more Dyslexia and other learning difficulty friendly. Also a bit better Customer service so they don't make you feel stupid if you get stuff wrong but hey ho you can't have everything.

Coupled with that Husband is away, in Manchester, for work so I'm at my mums to get help with the little man. Yes could do it on my own, but considering I'd have to drop him round every morning at 7am then pick him up every evening at 6.30pm it seem far more sensible to stay.

That also means I get a home cooked meal every-night, which after a hard day at work is utter perfection. And as it's my mums cooking it fab as everyone know their mum's cooking taste better than anyone else.

The one downside is that my mum is the guardian of her kitchen so it  means I haven't been able to cook.

So my cooking blog this week consists of no cooking.

Although I did have my first Christmas Sandwich and Mince Pie of the festive season. They were so yum and now feel I'm starting to get into the spirit of the season.

And I've nearly completed my Christmas Shopping so another positives.

So that about it really not the most exciting blog in the work but  as I am back at home this weekend, I   promise to cook something Simple yet Christmassy for you guys.

So apologies again for being a bit crap.

North of the Boarder so Food is in Order :)

I'm back from Scotland and it was an amazing week.

It did start out with a bit of a long car journey of 8 hours - I know if you're reading this in America that nothing but in the UK we covered nearly the whole country.

But the little one was amazing through out the trip 

The foodie part of the trip started early we stopped at Westmorelands service station which is an independent service station serving local produce. It's so yum, much better than the chain stuff you get by the side of the road.

We got to Scotland around 9pm. So put the little one to bed and got ready for the next day.

We awoke to a bit of a chilly morning but raring to go. As we were staying at the in-law house right near Loch Lomond we decided to take a jaunt to the shore.

In the afternoon we went to visit with my husband nana, she was actually in fine form she'a nearly 90 and isn't very well

but she was laughing and joking and got a kick out of meeting the little lad. So We have 4 generations of one family having a nice afternoon tea.

Well I had Irn Bru which is a truly Scottish drink and it is really if a slightly acquired tasted

We Got back to the house and started to plan for the next day as the main reason for being up there it was our Son's 2nd birthday, we have reached the terrible twos lol..

We had a great day started in the morning with a room full of gifts as usual we all went (especially the Nana) over board

As at that age sometimes they prefer playing with the box rather than the toys.  

He did like all his gift but I think he liked the balloon best (thanks nana). 

His Nan also got him his amazing car cake. 

It was a lovely sponge filled with butter cream and jam 

Only had a couple of slices, the sponge was so light and fluffy and the filling was so rich.. I would tag the bakery but the Mother in Law arranged it all so I don't have the details which is a shame as I would highly recommend it.

So for his birthday we spent the morning in Pirate soft play on Loch Lomond shores.

Then we went to Lunch we stopped at The Queen of the Loch for a small lunch lol - the portion sizes were amazing I had a medium the other half had a large.

A fantastic, generous portions and very filling Carvary.

 To wash it down the MIL and I had a glass of fizz, well it was a celebration.

Then in the afternoon a return trip to the Loch 

To take him to the Sealife Centre it's not a very big aquarium but it is fun.

We saw Otters 

We saw Sharks 

We touched Star Fish 

And saw loads of weird and wonderful creatures.

So after all that fun when we got home we had one very happy but a tired little solider. Even though last year we were at Disney I think this was a fantastic birthday perfect for him he got to do all hid favourite things. Running about like a crazy at soft play then an afternoon of discovery. Hope my next birthday is a fun :)

With all the important things out of the way visiting great Nana and the birthday we wanted to get out into the countryside so the following morning we headed further north to explore.

We drove up to Glen Coe a stunning part of Scotland if you ever visit you need to add this to your list of places to stop off and have a look and just breath it in. with working in London being out in Nature is very good for your soul sometimes.

After the "Coe" we drove up to Fort William 

where we stopped for Lunch at  a love restuarant called Cobbs it had a lovely working fire place as even though it was very Sunny (which is a bit strange for Scotland - honestly if you visit pack a mac) there was a chill in the air.

I ordered Haggis Lasange well I was in Scotland.

I actually like Haggis and tend not to really think what in it but it proper traditional food which I think is all was great in the country of origin.


The little one even enjoyed a few fork fulls - must be the Scottish blood coming out lol.

On the way back to the car even though it was cold we stopped for Ice-Cream at a lovely little store called Henry's,  I had "Fruit Salad", They had loads of weird and wonderful flavours, mine was so sweet but so yummy.

after we had been replenished by the stop - also have a cheeky Vodka and coke bought for me. I think it was more a way to make sure I could drive as the roads were very twisty and I kept offering.

We took a trip up to the Glenfinnan Viaduct  it the train bridge that they used in the Harry Potter movies - Especially the "Chamber of Secrets".

I could just imagine the Hogwart's Express thundering by taking the kids back to School. Probably a very popular sight on the 1st September.

Also if you look behind you from the viaduct is a beautiful Loch - Loch Shiel. With the sun dancing on the water and the tree all changing colour to their autumn hews it was a magical place to be.

So quiet so peaceful well until my Son wanted to find the biggest rocks he could pick up and throw them into the loch and looking very pleased with himself when he did :).

As it was a bit of a trip back when we got in we feed the little man and decided to grab a take away for the rest of us a lovely Kebab and chips - might not seem a great food choice but after a long day getting something a bit naught but filling and with the little one in bed accompanying it with a beer help to wind-down

The next morning after the little one's poor Nana had to climb over the garden fence retirive his ball, ah the joys of children. Not only did make her immaculate house like a bomb site with the toys everywhere, his favouite thing to do would be to tip up the ball pit, he make the poor woman clime into brambles as well. I of course was in a supervisory  position and was taken the photo for H&S reasons lol

My husband and I while the little one played with his nan took a walk out to get some Fritters.

You get these from most Fish and Chip shops in Scotland and a must try if you go to Scotland looking for Food.

They are huge slices of potato deep fried in batter, okay not the healthiest but put on some salt and vinegar leave for a few minutes to let it soak in and honestly you are in for a really nice treat.

To work of that treat we took to the pool at the local hotel Cameron House we go there every time we visit as that where we had our Wedding Rececption after being married in Lush (which is also on the Shores of Loch Lomond) it such a nice hotel and if you want a great place to stay with fantastic Loch views and very comfy beds and beautiful decor it the place to be.

The pool and spa is wonderful too and I've been informed they have a great Golf course but as that not my thing can't really give an opinion.

We had fun though and the little one was a bit of a daredevil and insisted on going on the slide at least 10 times (with his daddy of course).

The next day our final day (Sad Face) we took a trip down to the Loch Lomond Farmers Market - As you know from previous post I am a sucker for a farmers market as I love fresh local produce and I also like process stuff to, who am I kidding I just like food ;).

It wasn't a massive market but in a great location and did have a couple of interesting stalls.

I got some lovely Scones from Erincroft Bakery 4 fruit and 2 chocolate and banana.

Some stuffed peppers

and even a Aberdeen Angus beef burger which was scrummy

On the way home we took a detour to the loch to get another bit of Loch Lomond greatness it was such a beautiful day and the loch was almost glass still

The little one and my other half enjoyed throwing rocks again into the stillness and laughing at every splash.

We dropped the stuff off and head out to go and see an Highland Cow.

I love these cows, they are so big and fluffy and their hair is exactly like mine when I get up in the morning.

The little one as they are a bit big and imposing was a bit unsure to start up with but soon warmed to their cute faces.

When we got back i dived into one of the scones i bought it was Banana and Chocolate - 30 seconds in the microwave and it was utterly delicious so need to get the recipe and make them with a bit of butter smeared on top you are in for a delectable dining experience.

The last thing on my Culinary trip which is a must for Scotland is a Scots Pie

Just a mince pie from the looks but with the pasty being a bit crunch around the pie but softer on top it a really luscious tasty again back to good traditional food but if it cold and you've been out in the element it a perfect thing to get your strength back up.

So all in all a great trip, it was so nice to get away and have some family time and was nice for the little one to spend time with his Scottish Nana. With all the open space and outdoor things to do with him can tell it going to be a firm favourite for him over the coming years and next time I go I want to make it all the way up to Loch Ness and see if I can find a monster.