Sunday, May 19, 2013

Break Time

Time For Some Funnys!
As a mum I spend most of the day stressing out as do most mums, actually as do most people in general. So I've found that once I have managed to put little one down to bed, I arm myself with a glass of wine and I search the internet for some hilarity... which usually ends in me cleaning up wine off the floor from laughing to much but it's worth the wind down time.

Here are my fav funny's for the week. click caption for more...








Ran out of funny? Visit my pinterest board dedicated to hilarity here.


Gluten Free Fluffy Blueberry Pancakes

Fluffy Gluten Free Blueberry Pancakes
If you are like me, some times crepes aren't enough, I like my pancakes fluffy! I got inspired by the Fluffy American Pancake and made my own twist on a classic.

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Pancake Ingredients:
4 3/4 oz. of Gluten Free Flour
2 tsp. of baking powder
1/2 tsp. of salt
4 1/2 oz. of milk
2 tbsp. of caster sugar
1 lightly beaten egg
2 tbsp. of melted butter
1 tsp. of vanilla extract
Hand full of blueberry's (extra for serving plate)


Step 1:
In a medium sized bowl sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and caster sugar. In a jug/small bowl whisk together the milk and egg, then after the melted butter has cooled whisk it in with the milk and egg along with the vanilla extract.

Step 2:
Add the milk mixture to the flour mix, with a fork whisk till you have a creamy batter. Leave the pancake mix to stand for a few minutes.

Step 3:
Heat a teaspoon of butter in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat, once melted and spread over the pan pour in the batter around the size of the width of your fist. 

Step 4:
Drop 3 -5 blueberry's into the batter, wait until the top of the pancake begins to bubble and form little holes then flip over. Cook until golden brown. Repeat until batter is gone.

Step 5:
Serve with extra blueberry's and enjoy!


Saturday, May 18, 2013

Gluten Free Cheese and Tomato Pesto Ravioli


Gluten Free

So just over a week ago I got tested for celiac disease and my other half and I decided that no matter what the result we would go on a gluten free diet just to see if we felt healthier. The day after my blood results we started. Having both a grandfather and father who suffer from this disease I was well educated on what we could and couldn't eat, but I wanted to make everything from scratch as anyone who knows or suffers from celiac will tell you it's a "not-on-a-budget" diet. So armed with my gluten free flour I started! And if I may say so myself, it was pretty darn fun!

These are pictures from the first time I ever attempted this, I thought this would be better so that it gave you an idea what it might look the first time rather than comparing it to something you can't reach on the first try.

Gluten Free Cheese and Tomato Pesto Ravioli

Pasta Ingredients:
2 cups of gluten free bread flour (no xanthan gum) I use Doves Farm
8 Egg yolks
1/2 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
Sun dried tomato pesto
Cheddar cheese (roughly 1inch x 1inch) or sized desired.
Salt

Sauce Ingredients:
2 teaspoons of Olive Oil
4 ounces of thinly chopped bacon
2 teaspoons of minced garlic
100g of Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese and Chives (Half a 200g tub)
2 egg yolks (Save the egg whites for later)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup of chopped fresh coriander (can change to parsley if you prefer)


Step 1: Making the Pasta
Using a mixing bowl or a machine mixer bowl turn together the flour, egg yolk, and vinegar. Into a ball. I did mine by hand.

Then make smaller balls that will be easier to work with through your pasta stretcher.

If you don't have a pasta stretcher you can lay a piece of cling film on your work space, place your pasta blob on top then cover with another piece of cling film. With a rolling pin go over until it's a completely flat but not see through flat. You don't want it to tear when pealing off the clingfilm. 

After you flattened your pasta cut each side so it is neat like this.

You will need to roll two pieces roughly the same size and shape. Don't worry if they are not completely neat, as you practice you will get better.

The first time I tried this I spread the pesto along the pasta, but It's better (depending on how much pesto you like) to dollop the pesto leaving an inch and a half between each dollop. Which you will then place cheese on.

You will then place the other piece of pasta on top. This is the hard part as you don't want any air trapped in any of the ravioli pockets or they will burst when cooking and you'll loose your filling (this will happen to a few so don't worry) 


As you can see my first attempt was a bit sloppy and has air pockets, you will need to push as much air out as possible (Without tearing the pasta) as you don't want any holes, the corners will need to pushed together as tightly as possible so that there is no opening.

Then you will need to cut them into shape. Fix any openings you may find after cutting 
TIP: The pasta may slightly stick to your surface because of pushing the slices together. To remove them simply use a knife and gently slide underneath then lift, this will stop you from ripping the pasta as you pick them up.
Once you have finished making your ravioli set them aside to rest for awhile.

Step 2. Making the sauce!
In a pan on a low heat, add your Olive oil, garlic and chopped bacon.
In a separate bowl whisk together the cream cheese, egg yolk, basil and coriander.
Then in a large pot on a high heat bring salted water to a boil.

While you are waiting for the water to boil lightly coat your pasta in egg whites.

Once this is done and the water is boiling add them to the pot (Some of the egg white may scramble in the pot this is fine) You want to cook these until they are slightly tender but not mushy. Around 2 minutes. You may see the water changing colour, chances are some of your ravioli wasn't are tight and the contents as come out. 

Drain the pasta then add along with the cream cheese mixture to the pan of bacon and garlic. And toss over a medium to low heat. Do not let the cream boil or you'll get scrambled eggs. Add any extra seasoning you may desire. I like to add Chili powder to mine to give it a kick. Then transfer to a serving dish and garnish with coriander or basil leaves. 


Ta dah! Now it's time to dig in.
Hopefully you'll like it!


Thursday, May 2, 2013

Rohan's 1st Photo Shoot


Rohan Is 8 Months Old!

Time has flown! But every parent will tell you it goes in a blink of an eye and they are so right, so you better listen to them! Rohan was 8 Months old when I took these, he's almost 9 months as I'm writing this, he'll probably be 10 or 11, maybe even 12 months old when you read this?

Being a photographer I swore to myself he would have a billion photo shoots... no, it's taken 8 months for me to do this with him properly. Work has come first, I'm shamed to say that I've put his time to shine on the back burner but it finally arrived! I took him to our local park and sat him down on the grass (something he hadn't really experienced yet) and let him roam. He loved it! I hadn't seen him so happy. Every dog that came past he made noises at and smiled, he pulled the grass and naturally tried to eat it even though mummy kept trying to deter this from happening, despite my best efforts he did manage to eat one blade. His inner thespian poured out in front of my lens (just like his father) and It was all I could do not to take a thousand photos. I wish I hadn't waited so long!

To see more of my work visit my website
www.RavingMadAbout-Photography.co.uk
Facebook
or
Photography Blog


10 Memorable Birthday Ideas for kids!

10 Great Birthday Ideas for kids

So, Rohan is turning 1 in less than four months! I cannot believe this! It was only yesterday I was bent over the bath with morning sickness and now I almost have a 1 year old? So this got me thinking, I want to do something that we can show him when he's older and he says "you never do anything for me!" and I'll whip out the family photo album of all his birthdays and say "OH YEAH! Well, look at these!" 
These are my top 10 favourite ideas for making birthdays memorable

1. Food Colour Pen Cake - Let your little one draw on their birthday cake each year and see how they change! 


2. The Pinata Cake - What a brilliant idea, when you cut the cake out spills a surprise!
3. Stick mass amounts of balloons in their cot or stuck to the door for when they wake up on their birthday
4. Hire a caricaturist - Guests will love these to take home and look on for years to come!

5. Let them get messy! - Put huge card or canvas up in the garden and let them paint whatever they want.

6. Camping Sleepover Party - Make little tents with blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, mattresses, or blow up beds.

7. DO the themed birthday party (at least once!) - but go all out like this Star Wars themed birthday party

8. Cotton Candy On Glow Sticks - Yeah, that's right! Why didn't I think of that?

9. Make an obstacle course - Kids have so much energy, wear them out with this course!

10. Kinterviews - Interviewer each party guest with a video camera (make sure you get parents permission) and ask them the questions in the link above. Its fun because kids don't always pronounce things properly and their answers are amazing. Then give the parents the video after the party.



Check out my ideas for our sons birthday here

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

The Good Life Hens



So I did it! I fulfilled a goal I had been wanting to do for awhile now. I educated myself on anything I could possibly find, I'm amazed at how much pinterest helped with this! Who would have thought? Then I checked how many hens I could have in our area (two max!) Then proceeded to ask the neighbours if they would be comfortable with us keeping chickens, only one was uncomfortable but the majority won! We picked up our two hens a couple days ago, Barbara & Margo! (From The Good Life) They stayed in a Guinea pig hutch for the first night. It didn't go down to well after that, as, excuse the pun, they got a little "cooped up" and Margo started attacking Barbara but they were moved into their new run straight after that and now they are happy again!

Barbara (Barbara Good)
Barbara is the calmer of the two, she comes straight up to you when you walk up to the run, is gentle when taking food from your hands and has a sweet quiet nature. She is the same colour as Margo but has less red around her face, beak and comb.

Margo (Margo Leadbetter)
Margo, well, how do I put this, is a little high maintenance. She wants the nesting box the way SHE likes it, She wants first pick of the food, she wants your attention if you're giving it to Barbara and she gets a little aggressive if things don't go her way. She's quick to put Barbara in her place but they still snuggle up together when the sun comes out. Margo has more red around her face than Barbara does, she also tends to make lots of noise and talks to everyone whether they are listening or not. 

Check out my pinterest board all about our chickens!
http://pinterest.com/polaroidgurl/the-coop/

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Day I Said Yes! - Valentines Day


❤ Valentines Day 2013 

The night air was crisp, snow had fallen the day before leaving a scattered white coat sparkling like diamonds in the moonlight. Inside candles are lit, a warm glow kisses faces of generations young and old. Laughter can be heard along with the orchestra of knives and forks playing religiously against plates. But there is only one thing on my mind. Him, he's as handsome, if not more so than the first day I met him. He sits calmly next to me, then he smiles. I could just stay there and gaze at him forever, but that could get a tad bit awkward after awhile and I'm pretty sure the owners of the restaurant might be a little aggravated that they can't reuse the table. I had no idea what was about to happen.

Earlier that day I had made breakfast for us both. It was supposed to turn out like this...
to find out how to do this click here

but it didn't turn out quite as good. The bacon roses had no stems to be pedestalled upon because for some reason no where close to me sell fake roses any more? Which meant I had to improvise. I carved leaves out of pancakes, and placed them, as best as I could, on a bed of scrambled eggs. It seemed to go down well with Ralph. I mean, bacon roses? How could you resist?
After, I presented him with a bouquet of flours, yes I spelled that right, FLOURS, not flowers. As a cook I thought it would be funny. Throughout the day I surprised him with silly little things like this, it brightened up my day just to see the look on his face.

Weeks in advance I had booked a room at our local and favourite B&B
Yann's at Glenearn House.
It's become a family tradition to stay here on Valentines Day. 
After I came back from my nail appointment, something I barely ever do these days, we got ready and I sent Ralph downstairs early to order drinks in the lounge, while I sneakily decorated our room
I placed heart confetti on the bed that I recycled from newspaper. And a sinful jumbo Toblarone!
I'd also made my own hearts out of pink card with little notes that said things like "You're my cup of tea", "Care for a spoon?", or "Give me a little sugar". I also placed the worst heart banner ever made on the full length mirror that I made out of crocheted string and newspaper hearts. Then I realized I'd forgotten another bouquet I'd made out of sweets, which I gave to Ralph the next day. 

I was so excited, maybe a little more than a respectable adult should be on, well, any day of the year. I was all dressed up, something that both of us don't do as much as we used to due to being parents now. Our wardrobe consists of sweats, PJs and work clothes. I'm not complaining, I only get dressed if I know I have to work or we're expecting company, I'd happily live in pyjama's if I could. But not today! Today I looked spiffy, and so did Ralph!
Dr.McCoy is being pervy in the background.
When I got down stairs I was welcomed by the beautiful smell of French cuisine, a roaring fire, Valentines day champagne, and food tasters. The setting was more magical than ever. It was almost distracting me from the fact that I really missed my son and wondered how he and the grandparents were doing, if I'd forgotten to pack something in his over night bag, and, oh stop it, he's fine! 

We had a beautiful meal, Then I brought out my very last surprise (That he knew about, as he had yet to see upstairs) A quiz....now most people probably would be like, what? Really? A Quiz? But you see, Ralph is a quiz man. I had competing against him as I have no chance, along with most other people. But this one had a twist. It was a quiz based on the show from the late 60s called The Newly Wed Game. Now keep in mind, I had no idea what was going to happen later. Ralph thought this was funny, he indulged me and proceeded to play the game.
To see what I'm talking about click here to check out the game from The Dating Diva's.

We found out really how much we pay attention to each other, surprisingly a lot more than I thought!? Then to our surprise Yann's brought out their Valentines Day Quiz! We laughed, proceeded to fill in the answers, we lost because I kept changing my mind but we didn't care as it was just nice to be enjoying each other. The food, where do I start? We ordered to much, again, my fault, the drinks, this time we drank too much, this was Ralph's fault :D We didn't have dessert, well not in the restaurant anyway, and before your dirty mind wonders that's NOT WHAT I MEANT! Remember the Toblarone?
After what has to be my third bathroom break, I came back to the table to find a beautiful hand made glass box on the table. 
I sat down at the table, looked at Ralph, who smiled and then I proceeded with.
"I SAID NO PRESENTS!"
He looked at me understandably annoyed and told me to open it. I sighed, still completely clueless, and looking back on it, stupid, then lifted the lid.
There it sat, surrounded by white silk, a ring with Rohan's (and Ralph's) birth stone with two triquetra's guarding it on either side. Triquetra is a celtic symbol of love, honour and protect. But most people know it as one lady said later on "That symbol from Charmed!" .... yes, the symbol from Charmed :/

Well as you can imagine I was quite shocked, and a little confused until Ralph got down on one knee, then my heart started racing and I couldn't breath very well, if I'm right the same thing happened to him, or so it looked. We both welled up a bit, or if you know Ralph then, no he didn't well up at all! I don't know what you're talking about? After a little time passed he finally managed to ask the question. And after a little more time, when I finally learned how to speak again I of course said yes. You can never say no to that face anyway! The staff came out clapping and congratulated us both with, you guessed it, more champagne! Then I spent most of the evening fixed on my hand and speechless.

With all this I'd completely forgotten about upstairs, so it was funny when we finally got back to our room and I burst out with an "Oh yeah! Toblarone?"
Ralph grabbed his belly in disgust as we were grossly full from dinner, yet we had some anyway. I put on some tea and we went to bed.
The next morning I couldn't believe it when I woke, at first thinking it was a dream until I saw the ring on my finger. The room was hot from the scorching heaters that we spent most of the night figuring out how to turn off? What made it worse was upon opening the curtains we were met with blinding sunlight that humidified the room to sauna level, so we promptly went down for breakfast.
The restaurant was empty due to it being a week day no one but us had stayed over. The rooms were lit up by the beautiful morning sun, music echoed from the kitchen and a chipper Yann (The owner along with his wife Shari of this beautiful place) came whistling into the dining room to great "The appy couple" as he put it with his strong french accent. A breakfast buffet of milk, orange, yogurts, toast, cereal, fruit, etc. were spread out for us and the chalk board had been changed to the breakfast menu, or full cooked breakfast, chocolate crepes or Eggs Benedict. Because I was still full from the night before Chocolate crepes and Eggs Benedict sounded too rich so I went for Full Cooked, but really I could have just had an orange juice and I would have been fine. Ralph ordered Eggs Benedict, something I ate a lot of from both Yanns and their other restaurant called The Lounge while I was pregnant with Rohan, so naturally all it reminds me of now is morning sickness sadly. Ralph regretted it as he managed half way through and felt sick for over eating, I stuffed myself as you cannot resist anything at Yanns once it's placed in front of you, the taste and aroma are so plesent you stop caring that you couldn't fit another bite. It's surely is my kind of heaven!