Tag: family

Our Cats Louis and Mia

| October 25, 2013

I simply cannot live without pets. I adore animals, especially cats. My entire life I have grown up with cats and dogs. And whilst I love dogs, our life in central London just won’t accommodate one. Don’t tell hubby, I’m waiting until we move to the country…

Our cats Louis and Mia were rescued by Celia Hammond’s Animal Trust when they were kittens after being dumped in a cardboard box. I’ve written about them here and with my earlier cats Molly and Coco. Despite Louis being larger than Mia I still sometimes get them mixed up, they’re so alike. These photos show the similarities in their mannerisms, both are absolutely divine and ever so smoochy!

Louis the boy enjoying some sunshine.

mia and louis

Mia the girl likes to have the bed to herself.

louis and mia

Louis watching reflections on the wall.

only best for baby

Mia pondering whether to get off the bed (or not).

best for baby

This week I loved reading Charlotte’s lovely post about their new family pet Finding Our New Addition on her blog The Crumby Mummy.

Linking up with the lovely bloggers at What’s the Story? and Magic Moments.


Homemade Advent Calendar

| October 19, 2013

Christmas is approaching and I’m already thinking of some wonderful ideas to fill Imogen’s homemade advent calendar. This year I’ll be making a personalised advent calendar with a little treat for each day. And there won’t be any chocolate in sight (aside from the sugar content, Imogen doesn’t like chocolate).

I’ve bought some small striped paper candy bags that will be numbered 1 to 24. These will be strung up in the style of bunting and inside each bag will be a little surprise to count down the days to Christmas.

I found a set of gorgeous free printable numbers on the blog NoBiggie which is all about crafting, cooking and thrifting. These would look great used on the advent calendar.

free printable table numbersImage of free printable number courtesy of NoBiggie.

Some ideas to include in an alternative advent calendar are recycled mini cards (cut outs of old cards we have) with a special message inside tied to some ribbon so they can be hung on the Christmas tree as decorations and printed colouring pictures (there are plenty for free on the internet that you can print out). Other little treats could include a bouncy ball, crayons, a mini tub of Play Doh, hairclips, a cookie cutter, marbles, a Christmas decoration for the tree and a selection of dried fruit (which is sweet but without the refined sugar).

I will also be making some healthy flapjacks to include in some of the advent calendar treat bags as a natural, yummy and chewy surprise.

Fish Pie

| October 10, 2013

I made my quick and healthy Simple Fish Pie last night and it was devoured in no time!

fish pie

A delicious and hearty meal for toddlers, children and the whole family.

fish pie