Baby Pom-Poms

One of the main types of toys Lil'A was given as an infant was a rattle. He had a wooden one, plush one, a crinkle cube that rattled, the list goes on!! I decided that it was time to test drive my creativity, and what resulted was a fluffy handmade toy with a rubber handle for teething, I could even tie a rattle into the centre for some extra sound effects.

The Pom-Pom
I would love to say I came up with this method all on my own, but I am afraid not. These instructions were simple to follow and made sense. However, instead of passing a piece of wool between the two circles of cardboard, I tied a scoubidou string to start on the "chewy handle"

http://www.kid-craft-central.com/pom-poms.html

The Scoubidou String
Tie the first string around the pom pom, leaving space to loop the second string underneath and begin your Scoubidou!
http://www.yoarra.nl/eng/technieken-recht.php
Before tying off the final knot, loop back around and under the pom pom loop and knot. This will create a small rubber handle perfect for little hands.

Unfortunately I did not finish the handle on this one, but Lil'A loved his wooly "lollypop" none the less!!

Hope this is a fun crafty idea for your little people!

Spicy Mince on Toast

Unfortunately my efforts were consumed prior to photography, so I will have to update this post once I have made Mince on Toast again. Having never made this before and labouring under the false sense that it was as simple as mince and toast, I thought I better have a Google! After saying to Sir M that I was going to use chilli beans, I couldn't go back on that promise. With a slight adaptation of a Food in a Minute recipe, I had a delicious serving of Spicy Mince on Toast!!

http://www.foodinaminute.co.nz/Ideas/Savoury-Mince-and-Beans/Mince-on-Toast

Spicy Mince on Toast
Serves approximately 3-4 people (I am terrible at portioning with my cooking!)

• 250g beef mince (could use chicken or lamb mince if you fancy)
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1-2 diced carrots, diced into smallish cubes
• tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garam masala (for a bit of a spicy kick)
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp Vegemite or other yeast spread
• 1 tbsp Soy or Worcester sauce
• tin chilli or baked beans (depending on how spicy you want your meal)
• salad greens
• two pieces of toast per person
• one egg per person (if you fancy poached/fried eggs on top)

• Heat oil in a fry pan and brown off the mince and garlic over a medium heat
• Add the diced carrot and cook for a further two minutes
• Stir in the tomatoes, paprika, garam masala (if using), brown sugar, vegemite and soy sauce. Bring to the boil then cover and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add your choice of beans and stir in. Simmer for a further 10 minutes uncovered until the sauce has thickened
• While the beans are warming up, pop your toast and eggs on. Butter your toast if you wish. I put salad greens ontop of the toast with a drizzle of oil instead.
• Pile on the mince and beans ontop then your egg.

Enjoy!! Hope you love this meal as much as I did!!

Job Hunting and CV Reinvention

Yesterday I was a woman on a mission!! I applied for five suitable jobs with the hope of getting a bite on the employment fishing line, but I'm sure they read the "Single Mother" tag line on my cover letter and promptly drop it in their deleted items. Being a mother its not a fact you can brush over while applying for jobs I'm afraid. It dictates your workable hours and days, stops you working weekend shifts; but mostly it explains why you haven't been in employment for over 12 months.

The first and most important step I had to take was the revision of my CV! It has been almost three years since I had to give the old girl a tidy up! With the help of Auckland University and careers.govt.nz, I was on the right track! I never realised how hard it was to write a CV with incomplete tertiary qualifications but reasonable experience in my industry, hospitality. Somehow I was even able to keep it down to two pages. Just a side note: When writing your CV up, if it is over three pages long, you have written too much! Keep your previous job descriptions to the most recent three, only listing places of employment and the employment period for other jobs. Try not to leave gaps in your employment history if you can; one thing employers worry about is when they see you have been unemployed for an extended period of time without rhyme nor reason.

Next was the cover letter. I haven't often used cover letters for my CV's, as they have often been hand delivered, therefore I become my own cover letter. In the process of online application, this is not a viable option. The best cover letter exemplar I found was on the Careers website, and it has become the basis for my personal cover letters. I'll be the first to admit that I cheat a little bit, I have a cover letter targeted at hospitality work I apply for and one for office and administration. Usually only minor things are tweaked, such as my highlighted skills and experience relevant to the position. Do not forget to change the details of the person the letter is intended for! A sure sign that you are a bit of a slacker like me is when you use an old cover letter, then send it without editing the name of the intended receiver or their business/company. Even make sure you change the date! Another dead give away!

Any Mums out there that are currently on the job hunt, best of luck to you all!! Some of you will have more flexibility than I do; have partners/husbands at home to mind the kids on weekends. It's a tough life seeking employment, but never settle for second best. If you weren't happy with the interview, chances are you won't be happy in the job.

My next hurdle: Having Lil'A looked after while I attend a job interview...

http://www.careers.govt.nz/how-to-get-a-job/cvs-and-cover-letters/templates/

http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/cv-examples

Plum Perfection!

Courtesy of my Grandad, I have had a large bag of plums from his work sitting in the bottom of my fridge since Sunday. Besides the fact that any fruit or vegetable left in the vege bins of my fridge freezes within hours of being placed there; the plums have gone from quite ripe to unable to be touched without collapsing ripe. This posed a problem... What am I to do with all these plums I can physically prepare before cooking, but I want them to be as versatile as possible?!?!

Professor Google to the rescue!! The entire bag of plums was poured (frozen or half frozen, whatever state they were in) into a large pot, covered in cold water and brought to the boil. Once boiled I allowed the plums to simmer for 10 minutes, or until they disintegrated when pressure was applied to them with a fork. Then using a metal sieve, the plums and liquid were poured into a heat proof bowl until all the plum flavoured water was out of the pot. Reserve the liquid, you can use it later in several items.

Place the sieve back over the now empty pot. Inside the sieve is all the pulp, pips and skins of the plums (Now here comes the fun part) Using the back of a large spoon, rub the pulp into the sieve, forcing the usable pulp back into the pot. Continue to do this until you have sieved through all the manageable pulp (I was using a serving spoon to do this and it still took me a good 10-15 minutes of sieving to drain as much pulp as possible) Ensure you scoop the underside of the sieve into the pot so you don't lose that pulp!! Dump the pips and skins in the bin, as much as I love using all parts of fruit and veges and waste nothing, I'm afraid you don't get a choice this time.

So now you have a diluted plum liquid and pulp to work with!! I used the liquid on its own to make ice cubes that you could add to vodka and lemonade, or just plain water. Half filling ice block moulds with pulp and topping up with the diluted liquid I have made Lil'A friendly plum ice blocks!

With the last dribble of pulp and the reserves of the liquid, I used an old glass bottle to make plum juice!! Can drunk on its own or with a sweet liquor (if you are that way inclined) Also a great remedy for constipated little (or big) people, just make sure its diluted for the little ones!!

 Don't think this is just applicable to plums! Most stone fruits could be boiled and prepared in this manner. The trick is to ensure they are super ripe, more nutrients and a better flavour will result from the fruits after the boiling process. Enjoy!! xx

Mummies Day Off

All parents love their children. We love them in different ways, but we still love them all the same. But with all that love and care we put into raising these future doctors, lawyers, builders, mechanics etc, even Mums and Dads need a day off! Today was that day for me, so while Lil'A and his Dad had some quality boy time, I was off to the beach!!

For a few hours you feel mildly human again (many stay at home Mums, single or attached will appreciate this sentiment) You regain the feeling that for the next few hours there are no nappies to change, there is no one screaming for your attention because you forgot it was snack time and if you want to sit in the warm sand with your headphones in and a book covering your face, you don't have to put it down at the end of each sentence to play surf life saver.

Of course I suffered the repercussions once I got home, the tantrums and clingy "But Mummy you ABANDONED me!!!" cuddles; but it is all worth it for those few hours of sunburn and sand in your pants! A fantastic coffee and great company also brings your spirits up.

How about next week, find a baby sitter for part of the afternoon, sit down in your favourite cafe and order a sweet treat and a coffee. Don't rush, enjoy it! No ones is pulling on your trouser leg making you hurry up or wanting to share your chocolate brownie. Go for a walk on the beach, in the park, around the local gardens; ignoring the voices in your head that are nagging you to go home and make sure it is still in one piece. This time is about you, and only you! xx

Money, Money, Money

After receiving a letter informing me of the reduction of my electricity costs, I knew it was time to crack out the calculator (or in reality, the Excel spreadsheet) and reassess the household budget. Reduced costs equals more in savings... Doesn't it?? I wish!!

I had forgotten the complication that comes with our household budget. We have bills that are monthly, some are weekly, some have to be factored fortnightly!! All this made me realise one big thing... I hate having to work out the equations to give us our weekly budget!! If its a monthly figure I have to reduce to weekly, that figure needs to be multiplied by 12 and then divided by 52 to give an even weekly share. If its a weekly figure and I need to know the monthly outcome, its multiplied by 52 and then divided by 12. Don't even get me started on fortnightly sums!!

I cannot complain though, for a Mum living on the benefit with a one year old that could eat a house if given the opportunity, we make it by very comfortably whilst still being able to treat ourselves to a small toy for Lil'A or a cup of coffee out for me. I am also lucky to have an espresso machine at home, so when coffee beans are down to five dollars a bag, hold me back!!!

A simple trick I have learnt that prevents impulse spending is to leave the eftpos card at home! Once a week, withdraw your cash allowance for the week (this should include grocery budget, petrol allowance and any extra spending money your budget allows) By not having your eftpos card on your person, the desire to "just have a quick look" is soon forgotten, as well as removing the temptation to put the expense on the already maxed out credit card.

Here are some quick equations to pop in your Excel spread sheet at home if you are looking at creating your own budget from scratch:

• Weekly to Fortnightly =(value)*2
• Weekly to Monthly =(value*52)/12
• Fortnightly to Weekly =value/2
• Fortnightly to Monthly =(value*26)/12
• Monthly to Weekly =(value*12)/52
• Monthly to Fortnightly =(value*12)/26

Although this is just a rough example, I hope it helps on your money planning future!

Toddler Firsts!!

Happy Birthday to Lil'A!!!! Survival of Year One... Complete!!

As goes with the first birthday comes the official transition from breastfeeding or formula to cows milk. We had to make this transition a couple of weeks early unfortunately, so didn't get to enjoy the ceremony attached; what we did get however, was the first official Fluffy!!

Of course the lovely Bobby and Jenny and Modicum Cafe on Upper Queen Street, Auckland put alot of effort into the notorious first fluffy. Nice and frothy with blobbed baby marshmellows and a dash of chocolate powder; it wasn't long before Lil'A had his own adorable mini milk moustache!

Don't be fooled. That sweet innocent little face was not the happiest of chappies for his first birthday, even with two fluffies in his belly and a brand new ride on car that plays the most heinous music known to man kind (Okay, so it's not that bad, but when the button is pushed excessively it becomes a tad irritating)

All in all, the first year of Lil'A's life has been a roller coaster, but I wouldn't be without him and he really is the coolest kid ever. Lots of love from Mummy xxx

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Modicum-Cafe/224211727607582

Puree Muffins

Since Lil'A stopped eating pureed and mashed foods a LONG time ago, I have had a freezer full of ice cubed pureed fruit and vegetables!!! My best friend Pintrest and I had a wee chat and I found a way to put them to good use!

Puree Muffins

• 1 1/2 c flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 c soft brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 c oats
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 c milk
• 1/4 c oil
• 1 1/2 c pureed fruit and/or vegetables (this is approximately 12 ice cubes, mix and match the fruit and vegetables up! One of my favourite combinations was carrot, pumpkin and apple)

Preheat oven 200°C

• Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another.
• Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet, a quarter of the dry mixture at a time. The batter should be lumpy.
• Pour into a sprayed muffin tin (or even better, a silicone muffin tray so the muffins pop right out after) Makes 12 muffins
• Bake for approximately 18 minutes, or until a cake skewer comes out clean

Enjoy!! Make sure you cool these babies down before sharing them with the little people of the household!

Brag Wall

Photo frames are not a cheap thing to buy!! When you are a proud parent and all you want to do is show off your child to all your guests, walls can become cluttered with chunky frames that detract from the beautiful photo of babies first mouthful of sand (or in my case, sharing a cookie with the neighbours dog)

After having too much blank wall space and nothing to fill it with, Pintrest gave me absolution!! With a trip down to the $2 Shop, I returned with a ball of twine, tiny scrap booking pegs (about the size of your nail), and closed eye hooks (if you dont want to put holes in the wall like I have, closed Command hooks should do the trick)

With some carefully measured (or so I thought) pencil marks on the wall, I proceeded to dig my hooks into the wall!! The top row is relatively level, dropping an few inches for the next hook, criss-crossing down the along the wall to create five strands of photo hanging genius!! With two tiny pegs per photo, I have created a montage of photos flaunting how proud I am to be a parent, whilst also displaying in one photo that I used to have a life before Lil'A was born.

No removing the back of frames each time I want to add more photos, just peg and un-peg as your photograph collection expands. Ill admit the unhung photos are in a pile in a box, but sorting them is a challenge for another rainy day.

Temper Tantrums and Vehicle Maintenance

And I'm not talking about the toddler kind...

Lil'A's birthday present has been sat on top of the couch for two weeks now awaiting his birthday. It took all my strength not to open the box and to leave it there, the temptation of breaking the seal and tooting the horn too great to bear!! Well with his birthday being tomorrow, of course I thought I better get it out tonight and ensure it was in working condition. This is what I found...

Holy moley!!! Amongst the jigsaw of puzzle pieces I found the instructions for assembly. At least I think that is what they were... They were written in a foreign language that seem more difficult to decipher than ancient Mayan hieroglyphics, using expressions including "gasket" and "jump-ring". Last time I checked I don't think I had been awarded my PhD in Mechanical Engineering, nor was I a mechanic for NASA.

Despite the set backs I carried on!! Turned out the axis' were two different sizes and two of the wheels had longer axis' sleeves than the other (yes, amongst all this I seem to have determined what the technical names are for their required mechanics!) Almost at the finish line I discovered that the hieroglyphics had failed to inform me that the rear support to stop the car tipping required application before the attachment of the wheels. Removing tiny jump-rings four times is not my idea of fun!!!

After all the sweat, tantrums, tears, phone calls to a male requesting mechanical assistance... It was complete!! And no pieces were left behind!!

Now hiding under a blanket for Lil'A to find tomorrow, I am hoping that my hard work does not go unrewarded. I have inserted the batteries and test driven the sound button, and now know that I have subjected myself to a year plus of listening to a singing car with a very squeaky horn. Please let the batteries die quickly!!

Second Hand, Second Life

Heading out of the house the other day I spotted an old stroller on the side of the road, brown and white canvas and vinyl with tassels on the umbrella and the original rubber wheels. Of course, I had to have it!! In perfect working condition, Lil'A even got a ride around in it once we got to Aunty S' house. Its now sat in the garage pending a sponge down with some bleach.

Finding these amazing trinkets that people take for granted makes me wonder, why don't more people have a passion for restoration and revival? Sure this isn't the newest and flashiest of strollers, it doesn't steer around corners like modern strollers do, but how funky do you look when you have a perfect condition antique rolling down the street?!?! Aunty S has a house full of trinkets found tossed by other people that just needed a little TLC; a touch of paint, a quick sand down, even something as simple as this stroller required like a gentle sponge bath.

The next day my Dad arrived with a present from my sister. I knew I was expecting a toy chest for Lil'A to have in his room. What arrived through my front door was far from what I had expected...

An original metal chest off a barge, with barge number and the original lock still attached. Sure it is a tad rusty in places and needs the hinges replaced, but the original paintwork remains intact in places and it is as sturdy as anything! I shudder to think the price you would pay for an item like this today, especially since most of the originals have most likely been sold for scrap or recycled for a similar reason. The chest is now stored safely away until its' date with the wire brush to remove some more of the rust and until its' hinges can be fixed/replaced without compromising authenticity.

Both of these items just required that little bit more loving to return to a usable state, and no I did not pay hundreds of dollars for replicas or newer items that would fulfil the same purpose. If you are heading out shopping this weekend, whether it be for furniture, clothing or otherwise; give the people at Savemart, Hospice or Salvation Army a visit. Not only are you saving a pretty penny, your money is contributing towards a good cause also.

http://www.hospice.org.nz/
http://www.savemart.co.nz/
http://salvationarmy.org.nz/giving-back/family-stores/

Teething Rusks

(Sneaky little box of rusks tucked in the middle)

The one thing I despise about supermarket rusks is their consistency!! You pretty much just lick them and they fall apart (not literally, but they aren't ideal for little people in my mind) In light of this, I sought out a basic recipe that would best fit Lil'A and his insatiable appetite!! And what I found was perfect, they are so delicious and such a great consistency I was even using them to dunk in my cuppa before bed. I have had people adapt this recipe to reduce sugar quantity or change the type of sugar used, as well as small additives to make them more flavoursome. They are also ideal as you can make them into any shape or size you like!! Best prepared the day before you plan to turn the oven on as they need time to rest

Teething Rusks

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2c white sugar (feel free to adjust this quantity or change the type of sugar you use)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 c plain flour (if you wish to use a different flour type, give it a go!)

• Combine egg, sugar and vanilla
• Add the flour and mix until dough is stiff (don't be afraid to get your hands dirty!!)
• Lightly flour a flat surface a roll out the dough (use your hands or a rolling pin, depending on what thickness and shape you want your rusks to be)
• Cut the dough into the shape and size you desire (if using a cookie cutter, this dough is able to handle remoulding and further rolling if necessary) and place on a lined baking tray
• Cover the tray with a dry tea towel and leave somewhere cool and dry (pantry/benchtop out of the sun/inside the oven, as long as you remember to take them out before you turn it on!)  for 12 or so hours

Preheat oven 160°C

• Bake until golden and hard, approximately 30 minutes

Just remember, you baked these for your little person!! If you eat them all before they do, you are obliged to bake more!!

Mummies Treat

When Lil'A has gone to bed, all the dishes have been done, the lounge has been cleaned, and any other chores you can think of that couldn't be completed with the toddler tornado awake... There is nothing better than sitting down with a cuppa and a little sweet treat. In my case tonight, chocolate brownie!!

After trying recipe after recipe for a nice chocolate brownie that didn't taste purely of sugar, I finally found one! Tucked at the back of my recipe book pile calling my name. So of course I have to give Alison Holst the credit for the basis of this recipe, I have adapted it to reduce the sugar and hopefully the guilt that goes with each chocolatey gooey bite...

Chocolate Fudge Brownie

• 100-125 g butter (the reduction to 100 g will not affect the recipe)
• 1/2 - 1 c white sugar (again, reduction will not affect the recipe)
• 2 Eggs (I use Size 7's, 8s would be better for the larger measurements of butter and sugar)
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 level cup of flour (or 1 c minus 1 tbsp to be accurate)
• 5 Tbsp cocoa
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 c chocolate chips or other desired add in (ie. chopped walnuts)

Preheat oven to 180°C

• Chop butter and place in a microwave proof bowl in the microwave until the butter is melted, but not hot
• Beat in (using a fork or stirrer) the sugar, eggs and vanilla
• Sift in the flour, cocoa and baking powder but do NOT mix yet
• Add in chocolate chips or other add ins then stir until just combined (easiest to do this with a spatula so you can scrape the edges of the bowl)
• Pour mixture into a lined 20cm square tin (it may not be pouring consistency, mine never is. Just scrape with your spatula into the bowl and then push the mix out to the edges. It will distribute itself a little during the baking process)
• Bake for 30 minutes or until a cake skewer (knitting needle, narrow knife) comes out without cake batter on it (don't be tricked if it has melted chocolate chips on it)
• Allow to cool in the tin for at least 20 minutes before removing, and preferably allow to cool fully before portioning

This brownie is perfect in little bite size pieces with icing sugar dusted on top. Just remember, if its that good, you don't have to share it :)

No Bake Muesli Slice

I hate turning on the oven for just one item!! I cannot wrap my head around wasting electricity like that. So when I wanted to make something Lil'A and I could both have that wasn't overloaded with sugar it was a toughy! I ended up adapting a no bake cookie recipe that has worked out a treat for us, and can be adapted to have whatever you want in it!!

No-Bake Muesli Slice

• 3/4 c soft brown sugar
• 1/2 c margarine or 110 g butter
• 3 c rolled oats
• 2 tbsp custard powder
• 1/2 c milk
• 1/2 c peanut butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1-2 c of what ever you want to add!!! My mix usually includes diced apricots, sultanas, dried cranberries, linseed, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, chopped dates... The list goes on!!

• In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, milk, butter/margarine, custard powder, cinnamon and ginger. Bring to the boil, stirring to ensure butter melts evenly and sugar dissolves, and allow to boil for a minute and a half, or 90 seconds
• Remove from heat and blend in the peanut butter
• Add oats, vanilla and your additional ingredients. Blend until combined
• Press into a lined fudge tin, or similar small square tin, and refrigerate until set (leaving it overnight is best)

Once set, the slice can be cut into small squares, or portions of your choice. Best kept in the fridge to maintain their shape. Lil'A loves bite sized pieces of this as morning tea!!

Year One... Done!!

So Lil'A is one on Wednesday, where the hell did that go?!?! I swear I was still breastfeeding thirty times a day and changing "up the back" poo only yesterday!! Now we are standing on all the furniture, crawling around the house to pull on Tiggers tail, and eating ham and cheese sammies for lunch. Just because the type of fun we have has changed, doesnt mean it ever ends. But with the end of his first year comes the new beginning, the clean out of the baby gear from the house!

I am lucky to know a few people due this year with their first babies, so the two Huggies boxes of clothes and toys can go to good use; plus the bag of maternity clothes Im glad to see the back of. Welcome back underwire!! There is, however, a little stash in the bedroom cupboard of things that are too precious to go... The "First" Bodysuit, the "Going Home" Outfit, my favourite onesie with the Batman logo that is so stretched I could almost fit my head through it! The items that remain cute and bring back memories for the next twenty years... Until you whip them out for the 21st Birthday!! (I hope you don't think I'm joking...)

But with the clearing of the baby clothes, comes the clearing of the "post baby" clothes of my own closet. After a year of moderate exercise and eating *mostly* right, it was time to face the music on the Size 8-10 jeans and the transparent party clothes... And off to the clothing bin they go! I would like to say my drawers and closet now look very empty and are in need of replenishing, but I am afraid the drawers still over flow and there are never enough coat hangers to satisfy.

Tip of the day: If you are cleaning out your closet, and you see clothes that haven't actually touched human flesh in the past six months, bin them. You clearly aren't ever going to wear them! As for baby clothes, unless they have sentimental value, hand them on to someone you know is having a baby or add them to your charity pile. There is always someone in need

Banana Oat Cookies

Yeah yeah, I know they are boring old banana oat cookies, but the variation of this recipe means they are friendly even for the little people!! The margarine is reduced using the method that you halve the quantity, then add half of that in either apple sauce or yoghurt. Good for big people too!

If you can't be bothered mashing bananas everytime you make a banana cake or cookies, just pop a few bananas that are overripe in the freezer, then grab them out to defrost before you need to bake with them. I always ensure I have atleast four bananas hiding in my freezer. It slightly changes the consistency of the banana, but all you have to do is cut the top off and the banana will just slide into your mixture! Save time, hassle and dishes!!

Banana Oat Cookies

• 1/2 c sugar
• 1/2 c (110g) margarine or butter, softened
• 2 eggs (I use Size 7)
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 2 c flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3 bananas, mashed if not using pre-frozen
• 2 c rolled oats
• 1/2 - 1 c sultanas or raisins or other mixed fruit

Preheat oven to 190°C

• Cream the butter/margarine and sugar together until combined
• Stir in the eggs and vanilla until combined
• Sift over the flour, baking soda and cinnamon, blend until combined
• Add bananas, sultanas or other dried fruit and oats. Carefully mix until all the ingredients have been combined.
• Place teaspoonfuls of mixture onto a lined baking tray, evenly spread. Cookies should not spread overly during baking.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and cooked through, or until the cookies bounce back when lightly tapped.

Rest for 10 minutes on tray before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

ENJOY!!

An introduction

Forgive me if this takes a while to make sense, I have far too many ideas and not enough time in a day to make sense of them all!!

My names Aliesha and I am a single Mum to one year old Alekzander and two year old Tigger. I am in my early twenties and my entire life is dedicated to bringing up my two little guys. We have survived the first year of breastfeeding, sleepless nights, solids and pureeing the entire contents of my fridge!!

Along the way I have learnt alot about myself and my abilities as a parent, the pressures of going it alone and how to live from week to week with a little hungry mouth to feed and clothe on a limited budget.

I hope this blog will be an inspiration to all, parents and non parents, no matter your age, marital status or quantity of children. I hope my tips, recipes and suggestions become helpful in your lives.