Open Farm Sunday - 12th June 2011

I've been tweeting about it and RTing @OpenFarmSunday, so thought I'd blog a bit more about it.  Their tag line is "Discover more about British Farms" and we read it as working farms opening to the public for 1 day a year, and we were very keen for the children to see the farms and understand where their food comes from.


Entry to the majority of farms farms is free, although some may apply a small charge for activities.  Open Farm Sunday is organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), who are a registered charity, that assists farmers and producers to manage their farms as efficiently and sustainably as possible.

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For more detailed info head to Open Farm Sunday 


We have been to Hammonds End Farm in Harpenden and before that Pilkington Farm in Hitchin.  As well as the animals to see, and the workings of the farm there were also tractor and trailor rides, live bands and fab food.

 

This year Chris is doing the triathlon in Windsor in the morning, so will be heading to a farm in Berkshire, having just had a quick check there are a few to choose from!


So for a fab family day out, I'd recommend it highly!


Annie x

Living with a threenager, difficult behaviour in children

Well we've all heard of terrible 2's but no-one warns you about the onset of the threenager, an apt name to describe the strops and tantrums that you may have to endure as they approach 3!

I remember all to well how Jasper turned into a little brat at the drop of a hat, and it didn't help that I was pregnant at the time too!   Of course he was an angel for his nursery teachers, I've learnt all too well that children reserve their challenging behaviour for their parents, as quite rightly it’s their boundaries they are trying to find!

My daughter at three had her moments, but in fact nowhere near the levels of difficult behaviour I found with Jasper.  2 of my friends are currently enduring the same with their sons, so this led me to investigate more about the "testosterone surges" that I had heard whispers about.

Having looked around, it appears that testosterone levels in boys double between the ages of 3 and 4, which should settle to normal levels again at around 5 years old.  Growth spurts can also affect their ear canals, so it may be that they can't hear you, not that they won't listen!

I found this website useful http://www.preschooldirectory.co.uk/adviceboys.html

It appears therefore that we need to show them patience and understanding, and I know all too well how difficult this can be sometimes.  Try not to beat yourself up if you deal with it wrongly on occasion, the guilt started at the onset of the blue line on the test stick and I can't see it getting any less any time soon.  I also find when a child is shouting at the top of their range, instead of shouting louder, almost whisper your request and they have to be quiet to hear it - thanks mum for that one :)

Thought it was worth sharing?
Thanks for reading.
Annie x

The Stranger Danger Conversation (Safety Kids)

I have found myself having to have the Stranger Danger conversation with my children.............

Last week a local mum told me she'd "heard" that there was a man locally trying to lure school children away to help find his lost dog.  That several schools close by had sent letters home to parents, although our school had chosen not to!  She ended the conversation by saying I'm not sure its true though!

I did what I normally do and went home to google it!!!!  All I found was lots of incidences where there has been rumour and urban myth, so I kind of forgot about it.  However, it was playing on my mind, so this morning I rang around and found out from a friend on the other side of town, that it was true, that a man had allegedly been arrested in the North Watford area.

I hadn't had the stranger danger conversation with my children yet, aged 3 and 7.  My Jasper in particular is a very chatty, sociable little boy,who likes to chat to anyone and everyone, and I was so reluctant to warn him against strangers, but have now done so.  There are several YouTube videos you can show your children, but I only found American ones, so didn't think it appeared real enough.  I did however find the attached a very useful read before I had the conversation.

http://www.personalsafetyadvice.co.uk/what-stranger-danger.html

I haven't gone as far as the discussion on sex education as yet, I think I will hold off until I can speak to his teachers on the subject!

The problem I've found is that if you ask children to describe a stranger they often paint them as menacing looking and mean and ugly, but of course we know "bad" strangers can come in many different guises.  Some parents choose to put a password system in place, whereby if a stranger doesn't know their password then they should run immediately, however I think that prolongs a conversation.  I have simply said if anyone you don't know asks you to go anywhere with them, then you say NO.  I tried to stress there are more "good" strangers than "bad", and most likely will never meet a bad one, but to be wary nonetheless.

I now feel a bit sad about it all, but would welcome any input or advice that has worked for you?

Thanks for reading!

Annie x

Simnel Cakes Recipe - Easter Baking with the little ones :)

When I met @mydaddycooks on his Radio Show on BBC 3 Counties, he showed us his recipe for these Simnel Cakes, so I thought I'd give them a whirl with Jasper and Scarlett.

Having looked up the tradition, if you make a whole cake you are supposed to put 11 marzipan balls around the outside, to represent the disciples, with Judas having been removed.  Often Jesus is represented by a marzipan ball in the middle.   

These are similar but as individual muffins.  The recipe makes 10-12 Irrespective of the religious element of course, they are simply delicious, like a fruity spicy cake with an almond surprise :)

Ingredients:
100g Butter
100g Caster Sugar
2 eggs
150g Plain Flour
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated Nutmeg
250g Chopped Dried Mixed Fruit (I used tropical)
Finely grated zest of half a lemon
100g marzipan rolled into 12 large balls


Method:
Preheat Oven to 180C/350F
In a food mixer or bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and lemon zest, until it is light and fluffy.
Add the two eggs.
Mix in the flour and spices.
Add the fruit.
Grease your muffin in if using, I used my silicone muffin cases, and spoon mixture in.
Sink a marzipan ball into each cake, making sure it is covered in mixture.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, but keep an eye that the cakes do not overcook on top!
Take the muffins out of the tin as soon as they come out of the oven.
Leave them to cool before eating (though mine simply couldn't wait of course)!

 


Enjoy, and thanks again to Nick Coffer for sharing :)


Annie x

3 Counties Radio our local BBC Radio for Bed, Herts and Bucks

I was handed yet another fantastic experience via Twitter a few weeks ago, as I was invited to appear as a guest on 3 Counties Radio.  Having twittered with Nick Coffer, AKA @mydaddycooks the idea was muted, and yesterday it happened (23rd April).


Nick has the Midday to 2pm slot entitled Nick Coffer's Weekend Kitchen where he has a Chef, a wine expert and a homecook - which in this case was me.   We bring in food and wine to sample and it really is like a dinner party on air, with the cheeky Nick asking us questions, which sometimes put you on the spot but never made you feel uncomfortable!  My beloved QPR were playing a crucial game during the show, which was referred to, but only in the form that being an Arsenal fan Nick knew exactly how I was feelling!


If you would like to listen to our show, then here is the link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00g2z81

You can see from the site that I was privileged to be sat alongside Fergus Martin, the Head Chef in charge of the AA Rosette award winning www.wybostonlakes.co.uk  Fergus brought in the most beautiful 3 course meal, starting with a mouth-watering Grilled Asparagus with Goats Cheese, Parma Ham and mixed leaves, fantastic Beef Wellington, using braising steak wrapped in a chive pancake and puff pastry, and dessert was Elderflower Cheesecake with Fresh Raspberries Compote Fruits, not only was this just beautiful to eat, it looked fantastic topped with wacky sugar!


Stefanie Steil, Director of www.themixedcase.com brought in some fabulous wines to go with the courses!  Most of you know that I am a simple girl when it comes to wine, and am rarely adventurous, but these wines were fantastic and priced the same as I would pay for my usual favourite!


I brought in my slowcook Jerk Chicken, which thankfully also went down well!


Next week they will have the winner of this years Masterchef, but they won't find out who it is until it is played out on TV next week.   It is a really fun show and I will be tuning in as a regular!  Also, if you are local and class as Chef, wine expert, or simply have a passion for cooking then I recommend having a go yourself!


I have just downloaded the fact sheet, which includes Nick's Mini Easter Simnel Cake recipe, why not have a sneaky peak and have a go yourselves, I will be :)


Annie x

The Cresta Run at The Snow Centre, not just for kids!!!!

We were invited to check out the Cresta Run at Hemel Snow Centre on Wednesday.  It was for mummybloggers and our little ones, though trust me its not just for kids!  We were all very excited!

Although most of the kit was to be provided (only boots for the 3yo weren't available), we got kitted out best we could anyway!  I stole my husbands Helly Hansen jacket, which I realised made me look more professional than my ability would prove, but willing to try and blag it!  Not seen the video yet but if my screaming is included will have to admit that said blagging was a failure ;)


And I now have the video, and it is as suspected haha :) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VGNQ2qYaoc



Of course my scarf, well there would be snow ;)



Don't tell his father about the hat!!!!!

I'd never been to The Snow Centre before and was amazed at the facility that has been under my nose, but out of my radar!  The Cafe Bar was fab too, and intend to go back for lunch sometime!  We were greeted by a welcome sign, and introduced to all the staff.  

When I looked out at the Cresta run it suddenly dawned on me what I was about to do.  I was going to put myself into a giant rubber ring and be pushed down a snowy slippery slope.  Not only that, I was going to subject my children to the same!!!! 

At first my children weren't too willing, so I had to mask my fear and prove what fun it was, and do you know what, it really was!!!!   I was kind of loving that the kids didn't want to come with me cos I was having so much fun going up and down, allbeit screaming like erm, well a girl, but trust me it was screams of delight!

I don't have many more pics as I was concerned for my iphone, so gave it to Sonny, one of the Slope Patrol, on top of the slope to look after.  The other slope patrollers were Lucy and Vicky.  It was a very professional operation as they ensured only one person on the slope at a time, despite my son just diving in as and when he wanted to from half way!   My daughter just stood and watched for a bit, but about half way in, I noticed that the girls were actually guiding Scarlett to smaller little zippers, and letting her have a go further down the bottom of the slope.  Scarlett got particularly attached to Vicky, and by the end of it was in the proper rubber ring and being guided down from the top.   The patience shown to my children was just so wonderful, which meant it was a really special and thrilling afternoon out for all!

No Papps - where'd she get that from?

Lastly, we were allowed to check out the Air Boards, following a safety chat!  I wouldn't have done it if @mediocre_mum hadn't done it first, but again it was thrilling to the end - even though I did chicken out and more or less attempt to brake from the top - which didn't help at all and I fell off, allbeit near the bottom.  My son was helpful though, asked if I'd done a poo, thanks for that Jasper!

I needn't have worried about being cold by the way, it was very warm under all the layers, and what with going up and down the slope, hair was soaking with sweat afterwards, nice :)

Post Cresta Run, sweaty head, nice :)

When we got home, the kids could not stop talking about it, and are desperate to go back and try the skiing!  When my husband got home, he was pinned in the hall for 20 minutes whilst they told him all about their afternoon, their little faces beaming!

Check out their website, its a fabulous way to spend an afternoon, and tire out the children too, win win in my book :)

It was brilliant, thanks so much to Fabiola, Ali, Chris, Elise and everyone else involved, trust me, we'll be back!

The Snow Centre http://www.thesnowcentre.com/

Annie x

What do my apps say about me?

I was tagged in @mediocre_mum blog - http://su.pr/1dWoG5 asking me to do a meme about my iphone apps, and what it says about me.   After asking what exactly a meme was, here goes.

Firstly I'd observe about myself that I probably don't make enough use of the phone.  I still have everything in alphabetical order - which I only noticed after examining, and also that I guess it does reflect me in that it is a mixture of sports, kiddies stuff, and restaurant sites.

There are also apps on there that I have never used so maybe a little clean up required!

Would love to know your thoughts after looking at your own apps, particularly :

@matwhiteqpr

@dirtybob

@scottjonesy

@julesey10

@nickie72

As @mediocre_mum says, "its also a way of finding more good apps :)
Annie x