And the winner is .....

Thank you all for your entries into my first competition to win a signed copy of Sue Gees book 'The Last Fling'

And the winner is ....Libby Alexander!!

Libby I have sent you an e-mail make sure this hasn't fallen into your spam folder hun x

Apolgies for lack of blogginess

Hi guys,

Sorry I've been a little inactive lately we have had a death in the family and have been a little busy with harvest too.

Just a reminder that our competition is open till the 30th August so remember if you put your friends in the comment box they MUST follow the group otherwise it will not be counted!

Also busy writing an article for my local NCT group newsletter on antenatal depression (1000-1200 words) so will post that here too when finished.

And...starting up a facebook page too so keep your eyes peeled, will be doing a joint blog/FB launch competition too!

Busy busy busy

Antenatal Depression in pregnancy

Hello all,

Once again thank you for reading (and don't forget to enter the competition for followers - link is in the June section).

Usually my posts are about the funny side of life or reviewing some great baby products, however, this post is different and talks about a couple of issues in pregnancy. 

I've recently completed an interview with a lovely journalist from Workingmums.co.uk and for Mother & Baby magazine talking about antenatal depression as I suffered from this during my recent pregnancy as well as a number of other issues.

I strongly feel that postnatal pregnancy is a widely talked about issue (much more openly confronted than 20-30 years ago) however, antenatal depression is more of a taboo subject and sometimes overlooked or easily missed.

Please take a few minutes to read this article, you may disagree with my opinion, however, if you are having low times in your pregnancy it is important to know you aren't on your own, many women do and some women like me have a lot more lows than highs or even mediums ...just remember you are a remarkable strong woman who will get through this, have faith in yourself and remember you are not alone in your feelings they are as natural as maternal instincts.

Workingmums article can be found following this link.
http://www.workingmums.co.uk/working-mums-magazine/news/3168491/antenatal-depression-the-dark-side-of-pregnancy.thtml

Mammasaurus Poem #1 – Mothers Ruin (aka Thank F*ck it’s Bedtime)

"I've been so lucky to be involved in the Britmum blog swap and also to be partnered with the fabulously funny Mammasaurus.  So read her rioting poem below enjoy and go and visit her, follow her and laugh at her wonderful blogs - Mamasaurus its a pleasure!"

 I shout but no one listens

I call but no one cares
But open up a bag of crisps
And they come bombing down the stairs

 I cook but get no thank you

And iron and hoover too
But open up some biscuits
And they’ll say ‘I love you’

And when their noses snotty

And it’s turned fluorescent green
I’m the lucky bugger
Who gets to wipe them clean
 
I read 6 stories every night
And then I get some cuddles
But after that I’m back downstairs
Tidying their muddles
It’s a never ending battle

I know I’ll never win

And that’s why every other night
You’ll find me drinking gin :)

http://mammasaurus.wordpress.com/
Or tweet tweetaroo  on Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/MammasaurusBlog
Or find me on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/MammasaurusBlog

Howdy! I am Mammasaurus, mother or 8, lover of gin.If your children are clean, well mannered perfect angels then you may want to pop a handful of valium and swig a large mouthful of gin as you’ll read of no such kiddies on my blog.
The children there are mainly a happy, imaginative bunch of mischief adoring, mayhem embracing monsters.
If you have ever taken your pre-schoolers along to a play date only to find that while others kids seem to sit quietly playing whilst yours are causing havoc,running about with breadsticks up their noses and generally giving you a mini-migraine in the process then this blog is for you.
For fellow mummies and daddies who have sat in an A&E ward next to your beautiful first born who has a lego mans arm wedged firmly up his nose requiring probable surgical removal – I salute you !

Keep it real – mess happens,accidents happen and patience gets tested but if your children are still smiling then you are doing a good job…

Galt Giant Soft Book Review for Izziwizzi Kids - Video

Hello all,

Excuse that I look a mess on this video (and Melody's drooling) but Melody has just started teething.

This review was done for Izziwizzzikids.co.uk a great website which features toys and accessories for all ages.  They also host playfest on a Tuesday night (Twitter) and a Thursday night (FB), I'm usually always there on a Thursday as I am still getting used to Twitter, call me oldfashioned but I like FB you can talk in a sentance!

What Iforgot to mention in this review is that the book is fully machine washable and a great pricepoint!

These feet were made for walking

Hello,

Well weve had a busy few days of farm work as we are preparing for harvest (hence the slow posts on here) plus I have also been working on a bespoke order for christening invites (will be shown on a later blog).

We have also had a new addition to Melody's favourite toys so I thought I would do a little review and write up so you can also see the features and benefits.

Melody is nearly 3 months old and is quite a long baby (shes all legs at the moment, not a bad thing) so we decided to get her a walker, something to keep her amused and also safe in one place while I get on with housework etc.

We have ended up with a Chicco DJ Walker and Melody loves it! Even though she can just touch the floor with her tippitoes she would spend all day in it if she could. (Weve now put a small cushion under her feet so she gets the sensation of being stood up.

As you can see she is enthralled (this was just her first go now shes an expert).

The frame is height adjustable so it grows with your baby and stops the need of repetitive buying.  The seat comes with a removable fabric cover which is machine washable and as the walkers main body is a sturdy plastic its easy to clean with water or disinfectant wipes.

As well as building strength in the legs this walker has many other features with flashing lights when baby touches different parts of the main panel, noisy gearstick, steering wheel and noisy horn.  It also has other buttons which work on two modes animal noises and music. 

The buttons are very reactive to light touches so Melody didn't need to bash her fist on them (like some toys) and when the music feature kicked in she was so excited she made this face

and waved her arms in the air manically (is that a word?).

Now the walker sits in our kitchen (the hub of the cottage) and is used at least twice a day to give her some variety from her playmats.

All in all a great buy and I highly recommend.

Future Reviews: Video review for Izziwizzi Kids on a Galt giant cloth book

* done forget to enter our competition*

Competiton Time - Follow my blog for a chance to win!

Hello,

I am lucky enough to offer one lucky blog follower a super prize!

Fresh off the press I have a copy of 'Last Fling' by Sue Gee and it's signed by the author!!

All you have to do is follow my blog for a chance to win. Then leave a comment with your name and e-mail address (so I contact the winner).

Plus if you get a friend to follow and leave a comment saying "your name sent me to follow" you get an additional entry (no limit on friend entries so recommend away!)

Closing date for entries is 30th August.

Have fun

Toy Review - Lamaze Captain Calamari

Brand: Lamaze
Toy name: Captain Calamari
Age Range: 0 months plus

http://www.lamazetoys.co.uk/lamaze-pg-captain-calamari-toy-552-p.asp

This quirky colourful octopus is a godsend in our household and we do not travel anywhere without the Captain strapped to the changing bag.
The bright colours and patterns really capture my daughters attention and whenever her bottom lip trembles the captain is a great distraction.
His 'tentacles' are easy for small hands to grab and squeeze and the different textures provide endless exploring oppotunities for those little fingers.  The tentacles also holds a couple of textured rings and a lovely colourful rattle, once again these are easy for her to handle and she also enjoys kicking this for the sounds of the rattle.
The detailing on this toy is fabulous and I always receive comments on how unusual and loveable the captain looks.  With an easily attachable ring design this toy can be used over a pram, on a bag or anywhere you need!
All in all this is a top buy, I know a few mums who also have a captain and they all love him.

Rating: Colouful, light and well designed...a must have for all those new babies

Best Sellers ....My Recipes Part One

Within our little farm shop (not a glamorous one with lots of gingham and straw, though I can wish) I sell a number of crafts, baked goods and preserves.  So I thought I would share some recipes of my best sellers, so you can try them yourselves or if you fancy ordering any through me once you see the ingredients list.

I try and use local produce in all of my cooking and if it can't be grown by the farm/in the garden/or down the road at another local producer I will always buy from local suppliers (I try to avoid supermarkets and support the independants i.e. greengrocers).

Fail Proof Scones

Always a winner and I make personal orders at least once a fortnight for these.
Whether they be savoury, sweet or plain I always stick to one standard recipe.  Trust me on this I have worked through alot of different scone recipes in my time but I swear by Paul Hollywood (the artisan bakers recipe) - which can be found on the bbc website under The Great British Bakeoff recipe list.
I never have any issues and his handling of the dough technique is superb (they even have a little video for you to follow).

I find all Paul Hollywood's recipes and tips useful and really look forward to the new series he is filming at the moment.

St Clement Marmalade

Whenever I make a batch of jars we sell out within a week (actually I have a batch of back orders for jars of this at the moment but the baby doesn't seem to understand that making preserves needs alot of attention).

Its called St Clements because it is a mix of oranges and lemons (remember the rhyme 'ornages and lemons say the bells of St Clements'?).  This is a lovely sweet marmalade with a lovely refreshing tang to it that I prefer to the standard seville orange marmalade which is tart and sometimes bitter. 

I find this recipe will make 4-5 standard size jars.  Make sure before you start that your jars are clean and sterilised and that you are using equipment that can take citric juices (in my younger days had a plastic grater/madolin which melting when I used a lemon on it ...bad cheap plastic).

Ingredients

2lb Sweet Oranges
4 Large Lemons
1.5 litres/2 1/2 pints filtered water
3lb granulated sugar

Wash your fruit and then grate the peel of all oranges and lemons (make sure you dont grate the plith, which is the white stuff underneath the peel just before you get to the flesh) and put this into your preserving pan.
Half the fruit and juice.  The juice goes into the preserving pan with the grated peel and tie the remaining flesh and pips in a large mulsin bag.
Add the water and muslin bag to the pan and bring to the boil.
Once it reaches the boil turn down to a simmer and leave for two hours.
Put your sugar into a baking tray and put in the oven on a low heat to warm ten minutes before your citrus fruits are ready.
Remove the muslin bag from the pan after the two hours and drain.  Put the liquid back into the preserving pan and discard the contents of the bag.
Add the warm sugar to the pan and stir till the suagr is dissolved then bring to the boil.
You need to get the marmalade to a 'bubbling boil' or if you have a preseves thermometer the setting temp is between 220 and 225.
Once you reach this heat constant stiring and checking the mixture is required until your ready to pot up.
My trick of telling when my preserves are ready is the saucer technique - put a clean saucer in the fridge for a few minutes until cold to the touch then drip the marmalade onto the saucer.  If after a few minutes the marmlade blob is a jellylike texture or has a skin to it then your ready to jar up!
Decant into your jars and seal with lids ( no need for wax seals) and leave to cool.
There you have your St Clements Marmade ..yum!

Now I have to put a disclaimer on here that the stuff is hot, you are responsible for hurting yourselves not me ( though I burn myself all the time, hot jam on hands is not a good idea!)

Anyway I hope you enjoy and I should be getting off to bed as I am egg grading tomorrow morning if I can get the baby off to sleep at the farm.

Take care,

One Man/Woman Band?

Why is it when you become a parent you also become a Pack Horse and a walking One Man/Woman Band?
With the amount of favourite toys I take with me every day whether I am just going to the farm, a quick sprint to the supermarket or any other trip I find that when I walk a musical cocophany follows.
My daughter loves Lamaze toys at the moment and the noiser the better so on go the wrist and feet rattle bugs. On the top of her bag is her musical inch worm *rattle, squeek* and attached to the outside is Captain Calamari *more rattles*.  This is not to mention the several different outfit changes she goes through every day due to her competing with every nappy to wet her clothes and a change for me (as my daughter decides if she likes mummy's outfit and if not a large amount of posseting or mini mil vomit comes up on it, till I change into something she prefers).  The nappies, wipes, bags, changing mat, phone,camera (just in case she has a good picture day).  No wonder I find myself developing arm muscles.
So off we go rattling, squeeking and if we are lucky smiling away to our destination just hope its not a long way as my back aches just thinking about it!

New beginings

Hello,
And thank you for taking time out to visit my blog.

As my profile says I am a farmers wife and new mother an completely new at blogging so my apologies if I ramble, please forgive me as I have a feeling most of my blogs will be done late in the evening after the little ones asleep and I have a minutes breath to take.

I will tell a bit more about my past history and stories later on in my blogs but at the moment I will concentrate on the present and hope you will like it...enjoy and please follow me.