Living Local on a bad day

I enjoy shopping locally but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard at times and today was one of those times. I am beyond tired, I feel sick, i'm craving high fat carbs like pizza or chips, pies that sort of thing...and it is raining! What would have been ideal would be to load the boy into the car, drive to Sainsbury's, park in the very convenient parent and child spaces, have all the items I need in one place and be out in less than an hour or better yet sit at home on my sofa, in my PJ's, eating a bacon and egg sandwich and do all my ordering online and have it delivered to my door this afternoon. Instead Bear and I trundled out in our raincoats, wellies and pushchair and walked into town. Friday is the best day to go to the market as all the good stalls are there without the hustle and bustle of a Saturday. We firstly stopped at the cash machine because we can't pay with card, we then went to the greengrocers stall and bought our fruit and veg for the week and had a nice chat with the man about strawberries. Next we went to the dried food stall where we bought our porridge oats (bear and I love porridge in the morning and as he wasn't there last week we had to buy ready break from the garage...it isn't the same). Then we went to the biscuit stall and bought some cheesy crackers for snack, bear started to kick up a fuss because he wanted chocolate, I tried to tell him that we can only eat chocolate in moderation and he eats a lot of chocolate already then I thought, who am I kidding this is MY son! So I bought us a small packet of chocolate biscuits too. At this point I was drenched from top to toe and bear was getting tired of not being able to see out of the rain cover, so I thought it best that we just get the mince for dinner tonight and head home to dry off.

After all this I had to remind myself of why I am bothering to trapes around town in the rain when I could have made life so much easier for myself today. So I pulled up the shop online page of my local supermarket to compare the prices of the items I had bought and I did in fact save money. Today I learnt that strawberries last longer from Belgium than England and Scotland and I by shopping independently I am supporting my local businesses and putting money straight back into the local economy.

Elderflower Cordial

One of the many things I love about this time of year is Elderflower, a pretty white star shaped flower that is everywhere and free! You can make all kinds of things with it like this delicious elderflower cordial I made this week and it's a great family activity to go out and collect it. Here's the recipe...

Elderflower Cordial

30- 40 Elderflower heads 

1 kg Sugar

1.5 Litres of boiling water

4 Lemons

2 oz citric acid 

• Place the sugar into a large saucepan. Pour the boiling water over and stir until all the sugar has dissolved and leave to cool.
• Grate the rind of the lemons, add to the sugar water.
• Slice the lemons and add to the water. Add the citric acid and stir, then finally add the flower heads to the water and stir again.
• Cover with a clean cloth and leave to steep for 48 hours.
• Strain through clean fine muslin cloth (I didn't have anything like this so i just used a sieve which is ok but you might just get a few bits) into a clean bowl and pour into bottles.

Once I made the cordial, I was then able to use some of that to make Elderflower Cupcakes.

75g butter

150g  caster sugar

1 egg

125ml whole milk

175g self-raising flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

5 tbsp Elderflower Cordial

1 tsp vanilla essence

• Cream the sugar with the butter using a spoon and beat in the egg.
•  Next sift the flour and baking powder, and fold the mixture until mixed then add the milk (but don’t over mix). 
• Add the Elderflower cordial and vanilla. 
• Divide into bun cases and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 18-20 minutes. 

Enjoy x 

A visit to Farnley Hall

Each year our next door neighbour (the tree surgeon) helps a local bird of prey expert by climbing up trees to bring down baby birds of prey to have them tagged. This year he invited us to come and watch so we picked Bear up from nursery a little early, took snacks and met him at the gates of Farnley Hall.

Farnely Hall is a fascinating building made up of two parts, pictured above is a view of the Georgian addition to the house, the original Farnley Old Hall dates back to the 16th or early 17th Century. Since the 1780's the house has been occupied by the Fawkes Family (yes as in Guy Fawkes) and JMW Turner was a frequent visitor to the Hall which now boasts a collection of his work as well as a sizable collection of artifacts associated with Cromwell.

 So off we trekked across the grounds of Farnley Hall to a patch of woodland where a nest of baby red kites sat in a tree. Bear was very keen to follow our neighbour as he climbed most expertly up the tree (needless to say there was some holding back) and after a little fumbling around down came a bag with an 18 day old baby Red Kite

 

Look he's so fluffy and cute!!

Bear was absolutely fascinated!! 

Once all in the party had the opportunity to look at/hold/take pictures of the Kite a ring was placed on the ankle which contained a number so if the Kite was to be found, they can enter the number into the internet or whatever and they can trace it back to Farnley...cool eh? What a wonderful opportunity for us to go and see this baby kite in the wild and so close up! A lovely way to spend a Thursday evening!

Happy Thursday x

Yummy Strawberry Scones Recipe

Yummy Strawberry Scones

I have been looking for a delicious scone recipe for ages and today I found it! Made with flour that I bought from the Bakers because believe it or not there are no independent shops in Otley which sell flour!! Please excuse the picture, I am no photographer but I like to put a little picture of what I made on here for you to see! 

Ingredients 

•  1/2 cup diced fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons double cream
• 2 Cups plain (all purpose) flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup diced fresh strawberries

Glaze

• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon water  

1) Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets, or a full-size or mini-scone pan.

2) To make the scones: In a blender or food processor, process 1/2 cup of the strawberries with the sugar and half & half or cream until the mixture is smooth. Set it aside.

3) In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.

4) Work in the butter, using a mixer, your fingertips, a fork, or a pastry blender; the mixture should be unevenly crumbly.

5) In a separate bowl, whisk together the strawberry/cream mixture, the egg and the vanilla extract

6) Add this mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until the dough just barely starts to come together.

7) Add the 2/3 cup diced strawberries, gently folding them in; the dough will be quite sticky.

8) Drop the dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto threpared baking sheets; each scone should be about the size of a golf ball. A tablespoon cookie scoop is exactly the right size for this task.

9) Or divide the dough among the compartments of the scone pan of your choice.

10) Make the glaze by stirring together the sugar, water, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle some atop each scone.

11) Bake the scones until they're just beginning to turn golden brown around the edges, 15 to 16 minutes (on a baking sheet or in a mini-scone pan), or 18 to 20 minutes (in a standard scone pan). Break one scone open, just to be sure; they should be moist (but not gummy) at the center.

12) Serve scones warm. Or allow them to cool completely, and store airtight at room temperature. Just before serving, reheat very briefly in the microwave, or for 5 to 10 minutes, tented with aluminum foil, in a preheated 350°F oven.

Yield: 8 to 18 scones, depending on size. 

Enjoy x 

Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to the most amazing Dads I know.

My Dad is the hardest working man I know, he has always done his absolute best to take care of our family and continues to do so every day. I love you Dad! (p.s he won't like that his face is on here so shhh)

Happy Fathers day to D who is (aside from my dad obviously) the best father I know, who loves his kids so much that he will jump right in there in the ball pool with them. We love you!!

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there, they deserve a cup of tea and a cuddle on their special day!

Blue for a rainy day

In an attempt to teach Bear all about colours, I have decided to dedicate one day a week to a colour. This week we had a blue day.

 

Now we couldn't have a blue day without doing a picture of Thomas (Bears favourite). This would be a really good thing to do with some clear sticky back plastic and a picture underneath. 

 Then we searched the toy boxes and his bedroom for all blue toys to put on our colour tray. 

During nap time I made this using sandpaper and some felt (note:drawing the colours on with a wax crayon doesn't work, I learned that the hard way, use pencil crayon instead)

 

 since we enjoyed the sticking so much we made another in the shape of a B for Blue or Bear. 

I got most of these ideas from the amazing Georgina at Craftulate she has loads more super amazing ideas to try, I can't wait to do them with Bear. 

Happy Wednesday 

Kirsty x

Strawberry and Banana Ice Lolly Recipe

Since we started shopping local, there have been a few our favourite treats that we have been unable to get from independent retailers. So I have been making them myself which has a number of benefits. Firstly I know what is in it, I know where the ingredients have come from and I know there are no additives! Secondly it's really satisfying watching Bear enjoy something I have made myself. So here is a recipe for Strawberry and Banana Ice Lollies which Bear LOVES and I know he's eating lots of yummy fresh fruit!

Strawberry and Banana Ice Lollies 

1 ripe banana (good way to use up those bananas)

1 cup chopped strawberries

1 cup milk

1/2 cup double cream

1 tbsp sugar (use a little more if the strawberries aren't too sweet)

Put all the ingredients into a jug. Blend for a minute or two. Pour into molds and stick them in the freezer for a few hours or if you don't have any of these, pour the mixture into disposable paper cups  and put in the freezer, once they have started to freeze 

(but not completely) pop a lolly stick in and leave in the freezer for a few more hours.

Enjoy!

Reviewed and approved by Bear

Bear and the Magic Railroad

Bear and I LOVE to go for walks with Oliver Biggles (a Dog) and we're always looking for new and exciting places to explore. So hearing rumors of the Old railway line between Otley and Pool, we were very keen to go and discover.

The line was constructed in 1865 and ran from Ilkley - Ben Rhydding - Burley-in-Wharfedale - Otley - Pool-in-Wharfedale - Arthington. The line was then closed in 1965.

Image courtesy of http://www.lostrailwayswestyorkshire.co.uk

 After talking to locals and doing a little bit of Google research, I found that the line used to run right past our house...perfect! The path is not easily accessible and from what I could see there were two points where we could join, one through a field of horses and the other climbing over a metal guard rail at the Leeds road roundabout. I chose the latter as Oliver Biggles can be a little unpredictable around animals. At this point I was feeling rather excited as though we were about to discover a hidden road that would lead somewhere magical! What we found wasn't magical but it was very beautiful. 

 

Bear really loves seeing all the animals as we walk, he was particularly taken with this Horse and the only way to move him along was to see if he could find some Sheep along the way.

Bricks! I wonder what they were there for....

Very excited when we spotted this bridge! I think Bear was able to understand that choo choo trains used to go here!!

 

We weren't able to go as far as I would have liked but I'm so glad we found this! Wouldn't it be nice if this was opened up to make an official cycle path?

 I love finding little bits of lost history and I hear there is more to discover! 

Happy Monday,

Kirsty x

The Great Knaresborough Bed Race

I have lived in the area my whole life and never once been to the Great Knaresborough Bed Race. This year we figured it would be a nice day out and a good opportunity to see friends. For those of you that don't know, The Great Knaresborough Bed Race is a race whereby teams of 6 (+1 on the bed) push a bed round a 3km route through the picturesque and very hilly town finishing through the River Nidd! The event requires each team to decorate their bed, in keeping with the theme of the year and parade it around the town for all to see. They then take off their decorations and race each other for the quickest time. This years theme was Myths and Legends. Here are a few of my favourites...

Love the stormtroopers at the back!

Not even sure what this one is but its beautifully made

I couldn't not include one of my close friends Jon Proctor...He is Mad, like totally off his rockers but we love him!

The Bermuda Triangle, I thought this was brilliant and it turned out to be an old friend of mine who raced with it!

These are just a few of the most unusual ones that I thought were really clever and well made but they were all really amazing! 

We also bumped into a few familiar faces....

On the left is Jon and on the right is Jen AKA Hooters!!! It was so nice to see Jen as she moved to North Carolina about 2 and a half years ago, It was so nice to catch up!

Beautiful twins Sadie and Heather singing in their brilliant band The Directors

So down by the River there was rides for the kids, amusements, food and entertainment. We sat down on our picnic blanket in front of the stage to watch The Directors perform before the race started.  Bear Loved dancing to the music!

And they're off!!!

Jon (again) pushing the bed with his team mates

We had such a lovely day out and the weather was perfect (although probably not for the runners). Such a great tradition bringing communities together and attracting people from all over Yorkshire.
I hope your weekend was as fun as mine.

Happy Saturday

Kirsty x

Mum's Homemade Fruit Cordial

Mum's Homemade Fruit Cordial 

When I was little my mum would make her own fruit cordial. Now I have my own family and in an effort to live more frugally, I decided to ask her for the recipe and make some of my own. 

Here's the recipe

3 Lemons

3 Oranges

1 1/2 Lbs of Granulated Sugar

Heaped tsp Citric Acid

Heaped tsp Tartaric Acid 

Heaped tsp Epsom Salts

1 pint of boiling water

1. Combine the rind and juice of the lemons and oranges. 
2. Add the sugar, citric acid, tartaric acid and epsom salts. 
3. Pour in the boiling water and stir until all the sugar is dissolved. 
4. At this point I let the mixture cool before straining to remove all the bits. 
5. Then pour into bottles and dilute to taste...Voila! 

The recipe makes approximately 1.5 Litres of cordial and can be made with any combination of citrus fruits.  

Enjoy x

Hooray, Summer is finally here!!

I am LOVING this sunshine! Bear and I have been out for long walks in the Countryside, I feel so lucky to live where we do. Right out side our door step is the lovely Otley Chevin. For those who don't know, The Chevin is a really big hill...sounds exciting doesn't it? The highest point of is 282 meters and is covered with woods and heathland. The views from the top are so beautiful, you can see for miles! There are several trails you can take around the area, I like to go to the very top and look for our house all the way down there!

The View outside our house (note to self: must go back and take pictures)

So Yesterday we went for a little walk with Oliver Biggles (a Dog) and as this weeks theme is green and nature, we collected all kinds of green things to make a collage.

Happy Tuesday!

Kirsty x

Living Local Day 7

Well today was the last day of our Living Local Experiment. Although I have thoroughly enjoyed shopping Independent there have been a few down sides too and there were a few items on my shopping list which I had trouble finding. For example, In our little town of Otley we do not have a Delicatessen so picking up cheese and deli meats can be a bit of a challenge especially if I needed something in particular and branded items which we enjoy are tricky to find although we do have an independent garage which has a little shop selling basic foods (good for cereal, tea, coffee etc).

Clothing can also be a problem when shopping locally although we do have a few nice shops for ladies wear, the choice is limited and  if i wanted something for Bear or D, I would have to head into Harrogate or Leeds and therefore pay a lot more. I can also appreciate that for someone who works full time, shopping independent could be quite challenging as it requires more time and the shops are not open after normal working hours.

However with all that being said, D and I have discussed the benefits of Living Local and have come to the conclusion that the pro's out way the con's. In the last week, we have felt much a part of this community, when I go into a shop to purchase something, I feel as though the retailers enjoy what they do and are happy to see us and they offer advise about the products they sell and suggest items they think I might like. As a family we are eating healthier, I am making meals from scratch instead of resorting to whatever is in the freezer section in Sainsbury's. It also gives me a reason to get out of the house and interact with members of the community. Lastly we feel as though we are putting money straight back into our economy and helping our little town of Otley prosper and stay the lovely market town that we love.

So Living Local has been extended for one whole year!! We will purchase all of our grocery items from local retailers and will avoid supermarkets. Clothing and shoes we will buy from our usual high street shops unless we can buy independent first.  Let the adventure begin!

Kirsty x

Why won't he sleep?!?!

As a newborn, Bear was an Angel baby, he slept, he ate and he pooped. It was a dream, he would sleep from 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. "I am so lucky" I would say to myself feeling a little smug  as all the other mum's from my Anti-natal class would complain about sleep deprivation.

Until about 6 months ago! Oh how I wish I hadn't been so smug. At the minute his bedtime routine consists of me trying for about an hour, sometimes two, sometimes three to get him to stay in his bed and go to sleep. Then he will wake up at some point in the night and point blank refuses to get back into his bed. This at times can last up to four hours!!! eventually though he will go back to sleep "ah bliss" and then he wakes up ready for the day at 6 a.m. Experts say that toddlers need about 12 hours of sleep a night. He is lucky to be getting 9 and often he won't go for his afternoon nap which then leads to tantrums and frustration as he isn't getting the sleep he needs.

We have a good pre bed time routine, bath, story, cuddles and then bed. I have tried Supernanny's 'Rapid Return' technique which is all very good and when you see it on TV, the parents struggle for a bit and by the end of the episode all is well and good and the kids are all sleeping perfectly. To Bear picking him up and putting him back in the bed only for him to jump right back out again is a super fun game that can go on for hours! I have also tried sitting in the room with him and then slowly moving away, something I saw on Bedtime Live, however this only works when I can actually get him into his bed in the first place!  I have also been really keen to take him for long walks, go swimming, chase and tickle him to get to the point where he is so tired he wants to go to sleep and this does work sometimes but there are still a lot of times when it doesn't.

So for any mum's who are also going through this with their little ones, don't worry it isn't just you, your not alone. Maybe some of you have a few tips that I maybe haven't thought of, if so please write them in the comments I would really appreciate any help and i'm sure others will too.

Happy Saturday x