Showing posts with label lists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lists. Show all posts

Dear Blog (6) - {reflections over the last year}

Dear Blog,

You're 6 years old today. How do you feel?

I haven't been blogging like I used to. In the past I was at home with my children. Now I work part-time, volunteer, and keep busy with other hobbies. Reading being one of them, which is why I have been trying to fit it into the blog as of late. Check out my instagram as I am currently doing a daily book challenge and I'm loving it! I recently took a refresher life drawing workshop, which just taught me I already know stuff, I just have to be more confident in my abilities!

I am sorry if you've been feeling neglected.

So, that's the update on life stuff.... nothing as dramatic going on as the last couple years have been. It's a bit of a lull and I'm taking full advantage of that, because you never know what life will throw at you next!

Having a look back at last year here is a baker's dozen of bakes and events that have appeared here on the blog and are worth having another look at!


  1. Having just moved into my flat this time last year I experimented with my new oven and made these gorgeous Orangey Orange Cupcakes with Raspberries. My flat is located above an office and I shared with them, on my way out I heard a guy in the back say "These are the best cupcakes I've ever had!" To say the least it made my day! 
  2. There is literally only one brownie recipe I use these days and I am continually adding all sorts of stuff to them. The hottest day last August my friend and I went to London to check out some of the museums and to keep the cost down we packed ourselves lunch. I brought brownies made with double chocolate oreos and since they came with us I titled them "Traveling Oreo Brownies!"
  3. The post that I wrote with all the things I had been baking lately! 
  4. My visit to the Panasonic Idea's Kitchen! Saw a few familiar blogger faces and had a great time learning about their beauty products as well as having a play in their kitchen! 
  5. Making cocktails and learning how to salsa at Revolución De Cuba with my friend Jacob! 
  6. I gave my blog a new look and made MnM Cookies. 
  7. Lemon Cake and review of the Lunar Chronicle series is the start of my second attempt to incorporate my love of baking and books... I'm still working at it! 
  8. Publicly announcing my happily single status by post a list of 7 movies I think single people should watch on Valentine's Day! 
  9. Blueberry scones inspired by my rewatching all 7 series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, proving that inspiration can come from anywhere! 
  10. The treats we had as kids are even better as adults because of the nostalgia and these Oreo Cheesecake Cupcakes are just that for me! Minus the Oreo Creme Easter eggs of course. 
  11. My second attempt at mixing my love of books and baking was with these Blackberry Custard Tarts inspired by a young adult novel that goes by My Lady Jane! 
  12. Finally wanting to get use out of my juicer I asked fellow bloggers to share with me their juice and smoothie recipes. 
  13. Learning that if you make anything by Mary Berry and give her the proper credit you get more views. 



There used to be more posts to choose from, but it's not always about quantity and I feel like the quality of my posts have changed as I have found my voice and have worked on my photography. Not to toot my own horn .... actually I am tooting my own horn. I am proud of the work and time and how far I have come as a blogger. Why do we live in a world where we aren't allowed to show any pride in ourselves and what we have achieved? So, I am ending this post with this: Be proud of what you achieve in any aspect of your life! 


Five on Friday - 5 Shows I'm Currently Watching on Netflix

I am a bit late to the Netflix bandwagon! So, I have a load of series and movies I need to catch up on! Here are the five shows I've either just finished watching or in the middle of!


Shadowhunters - The Mortal Instruments 

I read all the books except the last one so I was curious about the show. I haven't seen the movie, it apparently flopped and if it's anything like this show I understand why! The show is actually not that good, but because I love the Shadowhunter world I'm stuck watching it!!


Fuller House

I watched most of the series in one sitting! I grew up watching Full House and I can't help, but love this. Yes it's a bit cheesy and all goody goody, but I can't help but think we need a bit more of that in the world.


The Ranch

As a huge fan of That 70's Show (see previous post) when I saw that Danny Masterson and Ashton Kutcher were to be reunited in this made for Netflix series I just had to watch. It's about a prodigal son returned to help out on the family ranch. A different kind of show and I hope there is a second season!


Mako Mermaids

My girls really wanted to watch this show and I was all "Ugh, it looks terrible." However, I spent one Saturday night watching the last four episodes of season 1 with the girls because we, me included, just had to know does Zac takeover Mako Island? Does the pod return? I have refrained from watching season 2 as I was sucked in once and didn't want to get sucked in again!


Him & Her

A series that really focuses on the characters and they are loveable and completely outrageous. I started watching this on TV, but never caught all of them and now they are all in one place! Steve and Becky live in a bedsit and most of the show takes place in that bedsit with their friends and family coming in and out bring drama and comedy with them! I can't wait to get through the seasons!!

Classic shows that I love:


  • That 70's Show
  • TMNT
  • Buffy
  • Arrested Development 


On my too watch list:


  • Once Upon a Time 
  • Firefly
  • Daredevil
  • Jessica Jones
  • Orange is the New Black
  • Making a Murderer 
  • Between
  • Scream (the series)


Series I wish were on Netflix


  • Ugly Betty 
  • Angel
  • Felicity 
  • Coupling 


And one show I don't have to wish for: Gilmore Girls! I am so looking forward to the reunion!

Are there any other shows I should be watching? 
Please leave a comment below if you have any suggestions!

note: images are not my own, they come from Netflix or Wikipedia - this post is also in no way associated with Netflix, all opinions are my own please see my contact/policy page for more information. 

All I Want for Christmas

I’m going to be honest and say that this time of year isn’t my favorite. It takes a lot for me to get myself in the thing we call “the Christmas Spirit.”

It’s probably a combination of a couple of things. One being that I’m far away from my family and our non-traditions and possibly because as soon as Christmas stuff comes out I feel nothing but stress and anxiety.

It’s the pressure that this one day is suppose to be magical and that’s a lot to ask from one day. It is hard to ignore and avoid all the media telling me how and what my “magical day” should be like.

I don't like being told what should be important to me this time of year or any time really! I just have to remind myself that no matter what I do it’s my best and that the girls will enjoy it no matter what I do and don’t do. Because they will not know any difference.

So, I thought I’d share the things that make the holiday season special (warning it’s mostly about food) and it’s all I really want.

All I Want for Christmas...


is for dinner to be stress free! I usually put something in the slow cooker. We are completely non-traditional when it comes to Christmas Dinner.

Don't forget the snacks! Crackers and cheese please! Don’t forget the chutney - store bought, maybe one day I will be prepared and make my own.


Coffee - especially as I have little people who will be up early when all I’d rather do is sleep.
A full breakfast, it is the most important meal of the day and should not be skipped even on Christmas morning.


“The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing Loud for all to hear!” - Elf One of the best Christmas movies ever is viewed every Christmas Eve.

Speaking of singing…. the NSync Christmas Album is my favorite Christmas Album - go ahead judge away, I don’t care. I actually remember buying it in Thief River with my sister and making her to promise not to tell anyone - oh how far I’ve come! What is your favorite Christmas album? Leave a comment below! Who knows I might have to change my mind! 


Christmas Eve Curry became a thing when I moved here due to my father-in-laws work schedule. We’ve been slacking on this tradition the last couple years as things have changed, but I always believe a good tradition is an adaptable one. 

Candy Canes - I love a good candy cane and I’ve tried a few. Best ones to get in the UK, that I know of, is from B&M. If you know where to get a good peppermint candy cane please tell me by leaving a comment below!


Buck’s Fizz - Never was a big drinker, but I love a glass of Buck’s in the afternoon with lunch/dinner. I use Prosecco of course as I could never justify champagne for myself. 

Christmas Tree Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups these I have to source from family or friends in the states or on one of the many websites that sells American candy. They are just Christmas to me. 

No one else likes sprouts which is okay by me because I do! So, I usually get some for the holidays as a treat for myself! If you too like sprouts and have a great way to cook them please leave me a comment below! I am always looking for new ways to cook them up!


Now that I have children the best part of Christmas is watching them get excited for the holidays. I love going to their Christmas productions, writing out cards with them, making cookies, and watching Christmas movies.

Happy Holidays!! 


With my girls officially off from school and the extra hours I am picking up at work until the big day this will be my last post until the new year!
Hopefully you aren't like me and stress too much about this time of year and hopefully you have an amazing couple of weeks! 
We will see you in the New Year! 

notes: all images excluding the Elf Movie Poster image and the Brussel sprouts (linked from a free photo site) are mine.

August Break Day 29 Listening


Counting Crows - Possibility Days

Other songs on my recent play list:

Little Mix - Move
Train - Bullet Proof Picasso
Pitbull - Give Me Everything
Rupert Holmes - Escape (pina colada song)
Mamma Mia - Lay All Your Love On Me
Jewel - Hands

Spring Reading List

Okay so it's not exactly spring and I completely missed a winter reading list, but since this going to into spring I thought I would title it as a "spring" reading list.

That was a bit of a run on sentence.... anyway as I said in my round-up post this month is going to have a few more posts about books. Some novels and a cook book or two! Don't worry there will still be bakes!

Also Jen from Jen's Food and I are starting a pastry challenge! To be honest I'm not all that great at pastry which is why I wanted to be apart of this monthly challenge! Click on the button in the side bar, it links to Jen's blog where she tells you all about it! I will be getting more information up on here soon.

My Spring Reading List:

Ready Player One
By Ernest Cline
synopsis: It's the year 2044, and the real world has become an ugly place. We're out of oil. We've wrecked the climate. Famine, poverty, and disease are widespread. Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes this depressing reality by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia where you can be anything you want to be, where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. And like most of humanity, Wade is obsessed by the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this alternate reality: OASIS founder James Halliday, who dies with no heir, has promised that control of the OASIS - and his massive fortune - will go to the person who can solve the riddles he has left scattered throughout his creation.

The Lunar Chronicles: Cinder, Scarlet, & Cress
By Marissa Meyer
I am excited to start this series!! 
synopsis: Is a series of five young adult fantasy novels Each book entails a new take on an old fairy tale, including Cinderella, Litter Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White. The story takes place in a futuristic world where humans, cyborgs, and androids all coexist. 

The Hundred-Food Journey
By Richard C. Morais
synopsis: The Hundred-foot Journey is the story of Hassan Haji, a boy from Mumbai who embarks, along with his boisterous family, on a picaresque journey first to London and then across Europe, before they ultimately open a restaurant opposite a famous chef, Madame Mallory, in the remote French village of Lumiere. A culinary war ensues, pitting Hassan's Mumbai-toughened father against the imperious Michelin-starred cordon bleu, until Madame Mallory realizes that Hassan is a cook with natural talents far superior to her own. Full of eccentric characters, hilarious cultural mishaps, vivid settings and delicious meals described in rich, sensuous detail, Hassan's charming account lays bare the inner workings of the elite world of French haute cuisine, and provides a life-affirming and poignant coming-of-age tale.

Prudence
By Gail Carriger
I have this pre-ordered so will be reading later when it comes out in a week or two! 
synopsis: When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama (Rue to her friends) is given an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female would under similar circumstances - names it the Spotted Crumpet and floats to India in pursuit of the perfect cup of tea.
But India has more than just tea on offer. Rue stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier's wife and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis and an embarrassing lack of bloomers, what else is a young lady of good breeding to do but turn metanatural and find out everyone's secrets, even thousand-year-old fuzzy ones?

Love Tanya 
by Tanya Burr 
synopsis: Hi everyone and welcome to Love, Tanya! This book is really close to my heart, because it's inspired by my journey to becoming confident and feeling happy about who I am. I wanted to write a book to share the things I've learnt with you - to reveal my top tips on fashion, beauty, love, friendship, YouTube... and loads more! Plus, there is room for you to list your own hopes and dreams alongside mine - so get creative and get involved! I'd love it if this book became a keepsake you can turn to whenever you need some guidance or a little pick me up. I hope you enjoy it! Love, Tanya

the hummingbird bakery: Life is Sweet 
by Tarek Malouf and the hummingbird bakers
synopsis: The brilliant new book from Britain’s favourite bakery – packed with recipes for extra-special treats and surprises. My review will be up tomorrow!! 

Chocolate at Home 
by Will Torrent
synopsis: Covering the history and provenance of chocolate, the varieties available, and the techniques needed to turn it into beautiful and mouthwatering creations, this book will inspire you to try all sorts of chocolate recipes. You will discover how to make a host of delicious ganaches, caramels and pralines. There are also chapters on Cookies, Biscuits & Bakes, and Desserts & Puddings, so that you can put your new knowledge and love of chocolate making to the best use in recipes!

From Season to Season 
by Sophie Dahl 
synopsis: Bursting with moreish yet nutritious recipes for budding foodies and seasoned gourmets alike, stunning photography and Sophie’s delightfully quirky illustrations, this latest offering promises pleasure, indulgence and of course, simple, good food.

Books I still have to read from my Summer Reading List:

Life after Life by Kate Atkinson
Pretty Good Number One: An American Family Eats Tokyo by Matthew Amster-Burton 

Books I read in the winter: 

The Shining by Stephan King
Red Glove & Black Heart by Holly Black
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Deliciously Decorated by Charlotte White 

notes: images and synopsis's have been taken from various online sources mostly amazon I have bought all of these books except for Deliciously Decorated and Life is Sweet were given to me to review in exchange for the book and I won a copy of Chocolate at Home through a twitter competition. 

21 Blogs to Choose From

Here is a list of 21 blogs I read regularly. 

I do read and follow many other blogs too, but these seem to be ones I am always checking for updates! 

They are in alphabetical order. I don't have a favorite so to speak. Each one gives me something different that I need or want. 

The majority of them are food blogs, but I do love a good book or lifestyle blog! 

Sometimes I wonder if I should turn my blog into more of a lifestyle blog. 

Then I think about how much work I already put into my blog and then how much more work it would be to add all the other life things in. 

Maybe one day when I find more time. Like one day I will pull it out of my back pocket and go "Hey Time! Where'd ya go? I've been looking for you!" and automatically I will be able to do all the things I want too and blog about it too! 

How great would it be if it were that simple. 


In the meantime if you're looking for something new to read here are 21 blogs to choose from! 

A Flurry of Ponderings - {books} by Missie
American Cupcake Life - {lifestyle} by Kelly
Bakerella - {baking/food} by Angie
Baking Explorer, The - {baking/food} by Kat
Jen's Food - {food} by Jen
Bookish Outsider - {books} by Fi
Brave Tart - {food/baking} by Stella
Caked Crusader, The - {baking/food} by The Caked Crusader
Cakeyboi - {baking/food} by Stewart
Confessions of a Cookbook Queen - {baking/food} by Kristin
Crazy Cupcake Gem - {baking/food} by Gem
Debs Dust Bunny - {lifestyle} by Deb
Kitchen Frolic - {baking/food} by Stephanie
Londoner, The - {lifestyle} by Rosie
My POTL - {lifestyle} by Laurie
raspberri cupcakes - {food/baking} by Steph
Rosalilium - {lifestyle} by Elizabeth
Sparkly Panda, The - {lifestyle} by Rhiannon
Sprinkle Bakes - {baking/food} by Heather
Susannah Conway - {lifestyle/photography} by Susannah
Taking Flight into Art, Love, and Life {art/lifestyle} by Kelly Rae

I'm always looking for new blogs to read, so please leave a link to your favorite blog or your own blog in the comment section below! 



notes: this post was written for Day 28 of Blog Every Day in May, #BEDM. None of these blogs or bloggers have endorsed this post in anyway, all opinions are my own. Please see my contact/policy page for more info. I just posted some cool pictures I took of fruit once, because fruit is always good. I could have used images from the blogs I listed, but I like to ask permission first and I didn't write this in time! :0) 

something to get you through the {rest of the} week

So, there is this blog I read often and she does a blog post every Friday that she titles "Something for the Weekend" and she links things she likes anywhere from books to photos to articles the list goes on.

I might have 'borrowed' the idea, but where would the world be if people didn't borrow ideas off each other?

So, here are a few things I've been looking at on the internet!

I want to try a Lobster roll from this pop up restaurant. 

Re-reading hungry monkey one of my girls loves trying all food so I can relate, but the other not so much. All kids are different. I just finished reading World War Z. 

I will probably be planning a party like this by the end of the year, but I would rather plan a party like this. 

I can't get this song out of my head. 

I can watch this movie over and over again!

Have recently bought this, now I have to make marshmallows. #firstworldproblems 

Which Transformer are you? I am Bumblebee! 

Really looking forward to going to this in a couple of weeks! 

This joke never gets old.

If I had extra money I would totally buy one of these and make it like new again!

notes: Susannah Conway website is where I got the idea for this post. Facebook wouldn't exist if he didn't 'borrow' an idea. This post was not compensated in anyway all opinions are my own, please see my contact/policy page for further information.This post was written for Day 21 of #BEDM.