On my baby wish list this month...

Bubs is getting bigger; weaning is on the horizon and the weather is getting colder. So, I know it's a bit early for Father Christmas to visit, but if he could come a couple of months early, these are the things I'd like this month:

A foot muff
A jumperoo
Some new baby sleeping bags
A High chair
Winter clothes

However, being a skint realist, I think I had better hit the nearly new sales to see if I can pick up any of these bits and bobs for a bargain.

The NCT and Baby and Children's Market often run nearly new sales in your local area, but get there on time so you don't miss any of the good stuff!

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Afternoon Tea Scones

Talking of afternoon tea (see previous post) and inspired by the beautiful recipes I've been salivating over on the Anecdotes and Applecores blog, made me think of this recipe, which has to be the easiest and cheapest scone recipe ever. It makes delicious scones which I often add different bits and bobs to.

Ingredients:

8oz flour
3oz butter
1/4 pint of milk

Why not try adding some chopped almonds or pistachios along with some chopped glace cherries or how about the grated zest of one orange and try serving with orange curd and clotted cream instead of jam.

Method:

Preheat your oven to gas mark 7
Rub the butter and four together to create a fine breadcrumb like mixture
Stir in any additional ingredients such as your dried fruit
Mix in the milk and combine until a ball of dough forms
Gently kneed for one to two minutes
Roll out until the dough is about 1inch thick then use a biscuit cutter to cut out your rounds
Place your rounds on a lined baking tray, brush with a little milk and then bake in the oven for 12 - 15 minutes until golden on top

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More Tea Vicar?

Yes, I did make it myself! Very proud of my achievements.

One of the nicest things about being at an age where lots of friends are having babies, is that you get to go to lots of baptisms and naming ceremonies. To me, these celebrations are even better than weddings; they are often much more intimate with just a few close friends and family and are a lovely way to celebrate and pledge your support and guidance to the new arrival.

Of course, a glass or two of bubbly to wet the baby's head and a slice of cake doesn't go amiss either. In fact, the best post-ceremony receptions we have been to have incorporated afternoon tea and I'm a girl with a sweet tooth, so that keeps me happy.

Don't get stuck behind the BBQ!

These types of events have seemed to work well, as not only does it give you free rein to get creative with your cupcakes and create a beautiful looking spread but it is fairly quick to set up; easy to prepare in advance and allows the hosts to then mingle with their guests, something we found hard to do at our own baby's christening after opting for a BBQ.

However, even if you decide to cater for your christening or naming ceremony yourself, it can still be expensive and for someone who loves all the entertaining fripperies, I do often run the risk of racking up even bigger  bills by getting carried away with the need to buy cake stands, table decorations, coloured glasses, bunting etc etc.


















So here are a few tips to help keep the costs down:

Well it was Jubilee year!

• Buy in bulk - if you can, visit a wholesaler to buy ingredients/wine/soft drinks etc for your party
• Substitute beautiful fresh flower arrangements with beautiful pot plants that will look lovely on tables but can be planted in the garden once your party is over 
• Beg, borrow and steal (ok maybe not the last one but you know what I mean)
• Take people up on their offers of help
• Keep your refreshments simple - it's all about being together after all. 

Any other top tips for entertaining on a budget, let me know!

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Slummy Mummy

I'm not sure who coined the phrase 'yummy mummy' but I have a feeling it was designed to make the mere mortals amongst us feel hopelessly inadequate. 'Slummy mummy' or perhaps 'scummy mummy' might be more appropriate and they certainly apply to me on a more than regular basis these days. I mean I'm not just talking about the odd assortment of clothes I now finding myself wearing; a random combination of what I can dig out of the wardrobe that fits, but I also find I'm often wearing a little eau de vomit along with a dodgy hairdo and a slightly frazzled look.

However, I shouldn't feel disheartened, I only need to look back a few months to realise that this is actually an improvement. A week after the baby arrived a friend dropped by at about midday to be greeted at the door by me, still in my dressing gown and sporting the rather attractive, hospital issue thrombosis socks, oh the embarrassment!

On holiday a year apart... before...

...and after! (Ooh look clashing colours, a dodgy do,  straining buttons and mummy tummy making an appearance from under the tshirt ha ha!)

Mind you, even that wasn't as embarrassing as the time I went to my local New Mother and Baby group only to leak breast milk all over my top and then almost squirt the woman sitting next to me when trying to feed bubs - no one ever mentioned to me the range you could get on the old babushkas. So ladies, take heed, don't sit too close to others when you breast feed and always remember to use some good quality breast pads (I'd recommend either the Lansinoh or Tommy Tippee ones, don't buy the cheap ones, it's not worth it) and always pack a spare top for yourself when out and about. Motherhood, glamorous? Rubbish! But I wouldn't change it for the world.

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The Happy Mummy: Some 'practical' advice...

The Happy Mummy: Some 'practical' advice...: 5 things to do before baby is born: 1. Go away, by yourselves, for the weekend. You might not really have the money for it as you are bu...

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The Happy Mummy: Roasted Vegatables and Goats' Cheese Crostini

The Happy Mummy: Roasted Vegatables and Goats' Cheese Crostini: Amongst the many things that I avoided eating during pregnancy, the thing I hankered after most was a nice bit of goats' cheese. So imagine ...

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Roasted Vegatables and Goats' Cheese Crostini

Amongst the many things that I avoided eating during pregnancy, the thing I hankered after most was a nice bit of goats' cheese. So imagine my delight when I stumbled upon the following goats' cheese recipe in Woman and Home magazine (how middle aged am I?!), featuring Tesco Everyday Value ingredients; cheap, quick and delicious!

Roasted Vegetables and Goats' Cheese Crostini

(Serves 4)

Ingredients

1 red onion cut into chunks
1 aubergine cut into chunks
1 courgette cut into chunks
1 tbsp olive oil
1tbsp of thyme leaves (I used chopped rosemary leaves instead as I didn't have thyme and it was just as tasty)
1tbsp capers (optional)
250g of cherry tomatoes
8 slices of garlic bread
150g goats' cheese sliced into 8
2tbsp of onion chutney
Balsamic vinegar
Crumbled walnuts (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 7

2. Place all the vegetables, except for the tomatoes, into a large roasting tin and toss with oil and thyme. Season well and place in the oven for 10 minutes.

3. After 10 minutes add the capers and tomatoes and cook for a further 10 minutes

4. Nestle the garlic bread slices amongst the vegetables and bake for 5 minutes

5. Top the garlic bread slices with the goats' cheese and grill until the cheese is soft and bubbling

6. Serve the garlic bread and goats' cheese on a bed of your roasted vegetables

7. Finish off by topping your goats' cheese with the onion chutney, a scattering of crumbled walnuts and a drizzle of balasamic vinegar

This recipe was delicious and really only took minutes to prepare; perfect when you don't have much time on your hands, which I certainly don't have these days. Perhaps not great for helping to eliminate the baby pouch, but hey who cares when dinner tastes this good!

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