Battle of the Toys Guns v Swords!

I'd like to think you can never be over diligent when it comes to child safety, though I am aware that due to my line of work I am exposed to extreme cases.  When it comes to - dare I say it - "boys toys", I have never been a fan of either toy guns or swords.  Yes I grew up with them, and a brother running after me shouting bang bang you're dead *charming*, so yes I may be being over-sensitive.  However, in this current climate of knife culture, I thought I'd share with you an interesting conversation I had with a policeman on the matter!  His words were extremely enlightening when he informed me that if a child had to have a "pretend weapon" then he recommended it be a gun over a sword anytime, his reasons being!
1) A gun is not a contact sport, whilst a sword lends itself to being 1!
2) A gun can rarely - we hope - be found, whilst a knife from the kitchen can make a really good pretend sword!
This information left its mark on me, and far from trying to be a killjoy just thought I'd pass it on!
All comments would be welcomed!
Annie x

Leftover Turkey Curry for 2

Update: Sept 2015  I first published this recipe on the 27th December, to use up the Christmas roast.  I have since used it for leftover roast chicken, and also roast venison, and was as delicious!

This recipe is for 2 but can be easily doubled up for four!  I have adapted this from many other recipes to use ingredients I had in the fridge, and it was fabulous!

Ingredients

1 tbsn sunflower oil

1 onion peeled and chopped

3 garlic cloves peeled and chopped

2cm knob of ginger, peeled and grated, or cheat ginger if easier

1 teaspoon chilli flakes, or 1 chilli deseeded and chopped

4 cardamon pods, slightly crushed (back of a knife will do)

1/2  tsp ground cumin

1/2 tbsn ground turmeric

1/2 tsp garam masala

1/2 tsp ground coriander

250ml turkey or chicken stock/gravy

2 heaped tbsp of yoghurt - I used 0% Fat Greek

3 large handfulls of roast turkey, or chicken chopped

1/2 tbsn Coriander chopped

Method

Heat the oil in a large pot, add the onion and fry for 2-3 minutes.   Then add the garlic, ginger, chilli, cardamom, cumin, turmeric, garam masala and ground coriander, cook over a medium heat until the onion is soft.

Add the stock and bring to the boil, then simmer for around 15 minutes.

Stir in the yoghurt, then add the turkey to heat through.  Add the coriander and serve with rice.

As an alternative, which is what I did, after adding the turkey, I added some rice to the pot and cooked for another 10 minutes or so, before adding the coriander and serviing.   It was more like a one-pot dish and was fab!

Enjoy!

Annie x

Breakeryard.com

Some of you may remember that Jasper was lucky enough to be cast in an advert, which I am pleased to say is finally on T.V.  A version of it is also on the website of www.breakeryard.com
I just wish I'd known about this company when I needed a new seat for my Peugeot 2 years ago, great idea :)
Annie x

Portable North Pole, personalised video message from Santa

We've used this link to provide a personalised video message from Santa for the last two years, it's just adorable and free of charge.  I'm guessing an American site but the Santa still manages to pronounce our kids names properly - enjoy, its very special!
Santa Message Site
Annie x

Lego City Rocket/Space Shuttle review for Cuthbert Toys, St Albans

We were lucky enough to be given the opportunity by Cuthbert Toys St Albans, to build and review the Lego City Rocket/Space Shuttle.   My son Jasper is a huge lego fan, and couldn't wait to get it home and build it.
With other toy shops closing in St Albans, it is great to have such a lovely shop in Christopher Place, which is well stocked, competitively priced, and staffed by young, fun people, who clearly love their job!
Rather than me waffle on,  I thought I'd film Jasper talking about it.  It was done in one take so forgive my making up of new words - dexteritry?????
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ai51g3hZxs

In Seach of a 10" Android Tablet, sub £200 with 2.3 OS

24th November 2011
I appear to have bought said machine after consulting many more informed pals around the cyber city, I'll let you know when I've had a play :)
Thanks for listening :)
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OK, fickle me, am now interested in the Samsung Galaxy 10" Tab, refurbed at around £250 looks a whole lot of kit for a good price.  Only problem is the mixed reviews on the Amazon site?  Anyone got one?
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Below is my original post, having investigated further I feel I now *need* the following out of a tablet!
10"
2.3 OS
10.3 flash - required for Moshi Monsters and iplayer
16gb
Capactitive screen
USB port/s
Having spoken to A1CS they have a new tablet being launched this weekend for £184 including shipping.  They are unsure of its name yet.  Whilst it has all the above spec they say it won't play iplayer? BBC website says as long as 10.3 flash and a minimum 2.2 OS it should?  Will need to investigate further, but getting there!!
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Yeah I did really put that in the title, those of you who know me know that my knowledge of these things are limited.  However, a shout out on twitter has helped immensely and have narrowed gap down.  Have learnt a lot of stuff along the way too!  Many thanks to @padja1 @madbouncydogs @itsmewizard and @kingskykemark
My wish list is:
10" screen
2.3 OS (thanks to Patrick I vaguely sound like I know what I'm talking about - 
possibly 2.2 thanks to @madbouncydogs other half who is happy with it)  Review here!
Sub £200
Wifi Mifi USB ports
-  now to add the yes I'm thick bit, make sure I can have Yahoo on it etc.!
Been narrowed down to the following!
A1CS Tablet via Amazon
Flytouch 16 GB 
I discounted a Momo cos it had Resistive screen and capacative is more like an iphone screen which I'm used to?  Not sure on the capacity of the A1CS tho at the moment?
Would love your reaction to this, via twitter if you like @annieqpr
Thanks for reading!
Annie x

Nostalgic Food

I came across this competition at My Dish where you can win £100 of Marks and Spencers vouchers, which would be very handy since I've been tasked with cooking the Christmas Dinner this year!!!!
I've thought long and hard, and at first couldn't get past boiled eggs, mushed up with butter and served in a cup, with soldiers.  Doesn't sound all that but mum used to make it when we weren't well and it was very comforting.
Thinking further I decided it was a full Roast Lamb dinner.  My dad was a creature of habit and would insist on it *every* Sunday.  My brother and I would take turns to either lay the table and make bread and butter (don't ask, possibly an Irish thing, but had to have at every mealtime) and the other would do the washing up.  Dad worked long, silly hours, so it was about the only time the family ate together.
When I eventually left home I couldn't bring myself to cook a roast lamb dinner, in fact lamb in general was very much off the agenda for many years.
However, after dad passed away in 2004, its become something rather special, and though I don't cook it very often, it is always done with dad in mind and I imagine he's smiling from above!
I must admit I have in fact dropped the bread and butter aspect tho, as that's just, plain silly!
Would love to know what your nostalgic foods would be by the way?
Annie x