Chameleon Crunch - bug feeding game

I loved the walking, talking, humming Chameleon, and more importantly so did the children!  It's for Ages 4+ and can be played by 2-4 players.  

The idea is that you feed the chameleon your bugs, and whoever has the most bugs in his mouth when he stops moving is the winner.   It can be tricky as some bugs can escape, so was a lot of fun!

You can buy the Chameleon Crunch for £19.99 from Amazon, Argos and Toys "R" Us.  I would point out that it does need 3xAA batteries which are not included.

Enjoy x

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Whac-A-Mole Molehill Mania Game

We were given Molehill Mania to play with.  It is designed for 2 players, for Ages 4+ , which is perfect for my 2.  Though as you can see below, Scarlett enjoyed playing with her friend :)

The rules are fairly simple, there are 5 blue, 5 green and 1 red mole.   You simply bash the sides with the mole-catching mallet to make them fly out, and the children have to collect them up.  As soon as 1 player has 6 moles then their mallet shows its full.   There are actually 3 levels of play.  You can make it more detailed in that each player has to find their own colours, but at the moment they are enjoying just being the first to get to 6!

We've decided that the winner shouts "King of the Molehill"!  Great fun, will be taking it to their cousins on Christmas day :)

You can buy Molehill Mania for £16.99.  It's available at Amazon, Argos and Toys R Us.

Enjoy x

Slow Cooked Caribbean Trout

Well it is in the slow cooker though only takes 90 mins to 2 hours, so a new take on the slow cooker for me.  The original recipe was for 4, but this is for 2 and I have ommited a red pepper cos I didn't have one, feel free to throw a sliced one in!

2 small trout, gutted, heads and fins removed and rinsed well with cold water (to remove the fins its easiest to use scissors)
1 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground coriander
2 tbsp olive oil
3 spring onions, thickly sliced
1 tomato roughly chopped
1 fat red chilli chopped (I kept seeds in, according to taste - you could try scotch bonnet)?
1 sprig of thyme
150ml fish stock
salt and pepper

Slash the trout on each side 2 or 3 times.  Mix the spices, salt and pepper on a plate, then coat the trout with the spices on both sides.

Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the trout and fry until browned on both sides.  Transfer to the slow cooker, top and tailed to fit in one layer.

Add the remaining ingredients to the frying pan and bring to the boil.  Pour over the trout, cover with the lid and cook on high for 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Serve with warm bread to mop up the juices and we added some spinach too.

Enjoy x

First Baby, second baby, third baby

My SIL, who has 3 children, gave me a cutting from a newspaper with this title.  It was 2003 and I was pregnant with Jasper who is now 8.   I found it randomly in my address book today, and now I have 2 it did make me chuckle, so I thought I'd share!

Scarlett, 2nd baby, that's OK right?

Maternity clothes
1st Baby:  you begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as it's confirmed you're pregnant.
2nd Baby: you wear your normal clothes for as long as possible.
3rd Baby: your maternity clothes now ARE your  normal clothes.

Preparing for the birth
1st Baby:  you practise your breathing religiously.
2nd Baby: you don't bother because the last time it didn't do a thing.
3rd Baby: you ask for an epidural in your eighth month.

The first clothes
1st Baby:  you pre-wash, colour-coordinate and fold the baby clothes neatly.
2nd Baby: you make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd Baby: boys can wear pink, can't they?

Dummies
1st Baby:  if the dummy falls on the floor you go home to wash and boil it.
2nd Baby: you wash it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd Baby: you lick it to get the fluff off!

Activities
1st Baby:  you take your infant to Tumble Tots, Baby Swing and Baby Story Hour.
2nd Baby: you take your infant to Tumble Tots.
3rd Baby: you take your infant to the supermarket.

Going out
1st Baby:  the first time you leave your baby you call home five times.
2nd Baby: just before you walk out of the door you remember to  leave the sitter your number.
3rd Baby: instructions to sitter are.....to call you only if she sees blood.

Enjoy!
Annie x

Mini Gingerbread House for Christmas

Update December 2014! Can no longer get the template on the site to download, so have used this one instead!

Well I thought I was being smart buying Gingerbread House kits when I saw them a few weeks ago.  I know they run out pretty quickly so happy as.

However, my husband decided to give it a go, whilst I was at our first QPR win of the season (hoorah), but it ended up in the bin - I didn't ask, but he's not the most patience of men.......

Back to square 1 then.  After a quick google, and advice from a neighbour (thank you @liziscooking) I discovered a recipe here

I must admit that a few attempts failed, but as I hadn't realised this was for 4 houses (rooky error) I had enough dough to carry on and get 2 out of it.

I think I would still prefer to give the kit a go, but very pleased with my first attempt (well apart from the odd failed bits in between).

Hope the kids appreciate it, Merry Christmas everyone :)

Annie x

Portable North Pole Message from Santa

We've been receiving special messages from Santa for the last couple of years.   The children are so excited to see their personalised message, and it really sets the scene for the countdown to the big day.

This year, on their fifth anniversary, they are adding even more ways to receive the messages, "little ones can receive personalised video messages and phone calls from Santa now direct to computers, smartphones and tablets.   They also now have Santa's e-shop and I can offer you 10% discount off all PNP merchandise with this code: BLOG10BK

For more information see here I particularly think it's fab that PNP has pledged to donate 5% of all personalised product sales to participating Children's Hospital foundations.

Go take a look at www.portablenorthpole.com it's great fun, and it doesn't have to be a message just for children by the way :)

Enjoy!
Annie x

Slow Cooker Pork and Clam Cataplana

I cooked this as part of my secret mission and a cook off for Booths, it was delicious :)

Slow Cooked Pork and Clam Cataplana Serves 2

Although this is a Portugese recipe, it came to mind as this Summer we spent time foraging for Clams from the sea bed in Noirmoutier France.

450g Pork Tenderloin, cut into 1inch cubes

1tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion
2 garlic cloves chipped
Half a 400g tin whole tomatoes
Dash of hot sauce (I used Dunn River)
500g Clams scrubbed, discard any that do not close
- when tapped! I kept mine in cold water so they filter
Bunch of parsley, leaves chopped

For The Marinade
2 garlic cloves chopped
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp olive oil
200ml dry white wine
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Put all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix.   Pour over the pork, cover and refrigerate for 2-12 hours, depending on time permitting.   Stir occasionally.

Preheat slow cooker, if required (no idea if mine requires it but always turn on as I start to prep)!  I digress!
Lift the meat from the marinade with a slotted spoon (reserve the marinade).  Heat the oil in a casserole dish over a medium heat, add the pork and brown well on all sides.   Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Reduce the heat and add the onion and garlic to the the casserole.   Cover and cook gently until the onion is softening.  Add the tomatoes, hot sauce and pork.   Pour in the marinade and stir.   Transfer everything to the slow cooker, cover with the lid and cook on auto/low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.   Add the clams for the last 20 minutes of cooking, or until all the clams are open (discard any that do not open).   Transfer to a bowl, remove the bay leaf, sprinkle with the parsley and serve with crusty bread and lemon (if you like lemon, I'm not a fan)!

Yummy :)

Annie x