Tuesday 20 March 2012

Mother's Day 2012

Well, this post is a day or two late but I still wanted to share the lovely day I had on Sunday. I took Sunday completely off - from blogging, from cooking, even mostly from photographing - Liam cooked all our meals for the day, and photographed most of them as well. Thanks Liam! :)

Yesterday was mostly spent attached to my Kindle. Have any of you read The Hunger Games? I'm sure some of you have as I first heard about it on blogs. I started and finished the first book on Sunday, read all of the second and 75% of the third book yesterday, and finished the third book off this morning. Whoops. I love reading, but now remember that when I'm absorbed in a book I'm pretty useless at doing anything else except the essentials!!

Back to Sunday though, as well as lots of reading, I did manage to do some other fun things that day! Liam and I have our birthdays three days apart in May, and with Liam being in a new job now, this will be the first year we haven't taken the week off work. Liam's birthday falls on a Saturday anyway, but mine will be a boring school day Tuesday, so Liam and Izzy (well, and Toby but he didn't really know what was going on) made an extra fuss of me on Sunday to make up for it. No complaints here!!

I slept in until 9am when I woke up to the smell of cooking downstairs. Liam brought me up a tray with breakfast on, whilst a very excited Izzy bounced up after him!! French toast with banana, raspberries & maple syrup, plus my usual latte:


Liam took photos before bringing breakfast up, and he liked the look of the maple syrup on the raspberries!


After breakfast it was time for presents - it really was like my birthday! As with breakfast, Liam took photos of the presents before bringing them upstairs...

Love all the artwork Izzy made at school, and Toby made the blue hands at toddler group last week!
Purple tulips are my favourite flowers :)
Pretty earrings that Izzy chose :)
Love this bowl and mug set (with Monday's breakfast) - so cute!!

So many lovely presents, thank you Izzy and Toby!! (& Liam for helping them shop!)

Mid-morning the children had a nap, which is when I started reading the Hunger Games, and before I knew it it was time for lunch! Liam cooked again, such a treat to have a day completely "off" from cooking! I do enjoy it, but it's nice to have an occasional break too. He cooked this sweet potato and egg salad (minus the chorizo) and it was delicious!


I'd cooked this once before, but it must have been over a year ago as I used chorizo that time. Just as good without - griddling the sweet potatoes with garlic added lots of flavour, and I did add a bit of ginger-mandarin salad dressing to the leaves.

After lunch it was time to meet up with more family - my Mum, Grandma and sister Sarah - to go for a walk...


and then it was time for cake! I made a lemon drizzle cake (sandwiched with lemon buttercream, topped with lemon sugar drizzle and lemon glace icing - same as for Toby's birthday and Sarah's work leaving do) as this was the popular choice, but bless Izzy - she got Liam to buy a carrot cake as well as that is mine, my Mum's and my Grandma's favourite.


I had a slice of each. The carrot cake was pretty good for a shop bought cake (it was the one from Waitrose's fresh section) but could've done with more icing, and the lemon cake is always a crowd pleaser!


I also gave my Mum a couple of presents:


A voucher to have a manicure or pedicure, and a mug I ordered from Photobox with a photo of her and her daughters on it. I was really pleased with the mug - it arrived really quickly and seems to be good quality too. The photo isn't stretched or anything which I was a bit worried about.

Back home, the children were getting a bit tired and grumpy, so we chilled out on the sofas - them watching a DVD and me reading more on my Kindle (it was addictive I tell you - a sign of a good book!), and Liam cooked dinner! He insisted he didn't need (or want) any help in the kitchen so I left him to it, bliss. He chose to cook a meal that he has cooked once before - butternut squash and goats' cheese risotto:


Yum. I never really fancy cooking risotto, but whenever I (or someone else) do cook it, I really enjoy it. Must remember that for next time!

Once we'd put the children to bed, Liam and I finished off the day by watching a DVD (Liam's choice - Green Lantern - pretty good) and sharing a cider (apple with vanilla and cinnamon - Liam thought it tasted like bubblegum!) and finishing off the cake - there was only one slice of lemon cake left sadly but I was happy to polish off the carrot cake instead!


A really great day, thanks to all who were part of it! I couldn't remember how we spent the day last year, so I looked back at my blog post from Mother's Day 2011. Liam worked 7am-5pm, I was too tired to make myself breakfast, only managed cheese on toast for lunch, and we had meat-free burgers, chips and corn on the cobs for dinner. This year was definitely a huge improvement, although both years did include time with family...and purple tulips...win!! ;) In all seriousness, Liam and I are both really lucky to live close to the majority of our immediate families. It's so nice to be able to get together for coffees, chats, walks etc on a regular basis, and days like Mother's Day are a nice reminder of that...with extra cake added in as a bonus!! :)

How did you spend Mother's Day this year? Or what did you do this weekend if you didn't celebrate it? (the US don't celebrate until May I think?) I can't really remember what we did on Saturday. Not much I don't think. I made the lemon cake while Liam took the children to visit his Mum and Nan, but I can't even remember whether it was sunny enough to go out or if we stayed indoors in the rain. One of the reasons I like recording things on my blog - my memory is rubbish otherwise!!!

25 comments:

  1. It looks like you had such a lovely day- tulips are my fave flowers too :) That bowl and cup set are so pretty, and those earrings that Izzy chose are perfect too.
    I saw my Mum on the Saturday, and then we went over to see Andy's parents on the Sunday.
    I know what you mean about the blog helping your memory too- I have a terrible memory so it is great to look back at certain days.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Mother's Day! Looks like you had a great day! Mother's Day in the U.S. isn't until May.

    I looove the Hunger Games. I bought the first book when I went on vacation last year to read pool side and finished all three books in like two weeks. I cannot wait to see the movie, hopefully this weekend. I've been hearing that it's getting very good reviews!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The hunger games are fab books! My daughter studied them at school in literacty and she insisted that I read them. I am in the middle of the second one which I started yesterday. It is on at our local cinema tomorrow evening for one showing only and then again next week for a couple of weeks so we are going tomorrow, can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks like you had a wonderful Mothers day. Those tulips are beautiful and The Hunger Games is very addictive I know.

    ReplyDelete
  5. clients, Rachel, who got back together with her ex. All spaceship game leveling systems are designed slightly differently, but there are some general concepts that apply to all games in this genre.

    The main reason why you would want to do this is simple, you can unlock the true potential of
    your purchase.

    my web page; click through the next page - www.internet-friedhof.de

    ReplyDelete
  6. Both drugs have also been denied FDA approval the first time around and are
    awaiting news on their second attempt. Vitamin B3 or also called as
    Niacin is important in weight loss because it is responsible for the regulation of
    thyroid hormones and also in sugar levels in the body.
    Expect to lose all that extra flabbiness as you melt
    off all your unwanted fat.

    Stop by my blog :: http://www.rizzio.info/

    ReplyDelete
  7. As the medium is not limited to any particular geographical or demographic
    region, advertising on internet radio would give the business an
    international audience base. There are hundreds of people working in foreign aid missions, expats, Peace Corps, and others in relief and business sectors.

    Back in the day, people had little choice but to take what was given to them
    as their "lot in life.

    my web blog :: http://happydogdays.co.uk/community/profile/freyalanie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Break your 3 normal main meals into 5 smaller
    portion sizes - morning, snack, lunch, snack, dinner.
    Avocados- Although not my favorite, are high in fats, the good ones.

    That way, the actual process will end up being much less frustrating and, for the majority of people, enjoyable.



    My blog - www.vixenrock.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. If, at the end of this time period, the score is tied, there
    are two options the officials can take. It is an adventurous game
    filled with fun and excitement. The nature of Reddit's platform makes it possible -- through great and creative effort, it appears -- to give users a gift of the unexpected, rather than deriving humor from humiliation.

    My blog post pcc

    ReplyDelete
  10. When we choose to do the opposite of nothing, then we can do something to help others and make a
    difference. By obtaining increasingly more favour using their company people in your social settings,
    the more handle you will need to acquire what you
    would like, and thru The particular Coalition Game you have just about the most effective tips
    for hypnotherapy that gives you the talent to ensure that you influence other folks.
    The nature of Reddit's platform makes it possible -- through great and creative effort, it appears -- to give users a gift of the unexpected, rather than deriving humor from humiliation.

    Feel free to visit my webpage :: Karry

    ReplyDelete
  11. Break your 3 normal main meals into 5 smaller portion sizes - morning, snack, lunch, snack,
    dinner. Anyone who dares to make a closer inspection will find the underlying difference.
    Hence, broccoli is a must-add ingredient in your vegetarian weight loss
    diet.

    Here is my webpage - mouse click the up coming website

    ReplyDelete
  12. For any kind of luxury item of consumption, MAD (Money, Authority and Desire) is required.

    This means that everyone in the whole wide world can access this new kind of radio and you are assured that the
    programs as well as the list of radio stations you are
    listening to are all automatically updated. Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar:
    The Duke Red Matter (Part One; CBS, 1956)'Abbott Stables's Duke Red
    is a thoroughbred destroyed over a serious injury in an
    accident, and Dollar (Bob Bailey)'asked to review a $65,000 insurance claim on the horse'smells trouble when the stable's business manager is dismissed after filing the claim, and its veterinarian may have destroyed the horse a little too swiftly.

    Also visit my blog post :: radio vision nouvelle fm

    ReplyDelete
  13. You don't have to hit the gym for two and three hours each day to lose weight, but it does help to squeeze in 30 minutes of physical activity each day. It’s old news that tracking food intake could lead to losing a few pounds [2]. When you're about to start on
    your weight loss plan, it's a good idea to think about your end goal and chunk it down into smaller goals.

    Here is my blog http://www.atoday.org ()

    ReplyDelete
  14. That's like Houston Texas being without a Country station. Hardware mechanisms used in the manufacturing of a Wi - Fi internet radio system is less complicated and the point of ergonomics is kept in mind by the manufactures. Perfect for long trips and for up to date information on road conditions ahead.

    Also visit my blog post :: xm radio equipment [http://www.pettrade.net]

    ReplyDelete
  15. As long as poets continue to write poetry new ones will be created to categorize the person's poems. Friendship Collection: a beautiful selection of friendship audio poems to share with your closest friends. There are many famous author books published on poems.

    My weblog poems []

    ReplyDelete
  16. It bears mentioning that there are also games and simulations available to those wanting to learn to trade stock index futures.
    It combines RPG elements and strategy for a very interesting game where you must stop
    the rows of pirates ship from making their way down the river.
    Are you a Kansas City Chiefs or Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

    Also visit my site - visit the following post

    ReplyDelete
  17. Enjoying the service of Odyssey - Streaming - Radio is so easy.
    It was an entertaining radio program that played the music people wanted to hear
    combined with his groovy upbeat personality. Perfect for long trips and for up to date information on road conditions ahead.


    My page ... radio watch online ()

    ReplyDelete
  18. Break your 3 normal main meals into 5 smaller portion
    sizes - morning, snack, lunch, snack, dinner. In fact,
    I always suggest to those overweight vegetarians to keep to a max of 4 pounds a week so
    you won't suffer loose skin post weight loss. Expect to lose all that extra flabbiness as you melt off all your unwanted fat.

    Also visit my webpage :: click through the following document :: ::

    ReplyDelete
  19. You don't have to hit the gym for two and three hours each day to lose weight, but it does help to squeeze in 30 minutes of physical activity each day. In fact, I always suggest to those overweight vegetarians to keep to a max of 4 pounds a week so you won't suffer loose skin post weight loss.

    Do not be tempted to lose weight as quickly
    as you can, because a crash diet will have you
    eating less than a thousand calories a day slowing down your metabolism.


    my web blog; simply click the up coming web site ()

    ReplyDelete
  20. Major follows some sports, primarily during the playoffs.
    By obtaining increasingly more favour using their company people in your social settings,
    the more handle you will need to acquire what you would like, and thru The
    particular Coalition Game you have just about the most effective tips for hypnotherapy that
    gives you the talent to ensure that you influence other folks.
    Moreover, there you could also play Scrabble in the internet, TV game
    shows or game consoles.

    Look at my web page: similar web site []

    ReplyDelete
  21. The fishfinder approximates where the fish are by
    measuring the amount of time between when the beam was sent out and when it registered the hit.
    Here is some helpful information so you can select a good charter boat and avoid
    a few of the pitfalls. If the fish are not
    hitting on your main crappie jigs you may need to switch to live bait
    or a combination of live and artificial baits.


    Stop by my webpage: http://fishing.seweb.
    de (kreativquiz.de)

    ReplyDelete
  22. No longer does a music lover need to bother about traveling out of range when
    a fantastic song comes on over the vehicle radio.

    So your personal, non-commercial, watercraft is exempt from a licensing requirement.

    These channels offer a variety of genres for the user.

    Here is my page - radio walkie talkie long range

    ReplyDelete
  23. Though the levels look really simple, they are actually quite challenging.
    If you are unable to sign in to Game Center or are having problems staying connected:
    . The nature of Reddit's platform makes it possible -- through great and creative effort, it appears -- to give users a gift of the unexpected, rather than deriving humor from humiliation.

    Also visit my blog post; blamebateman.com ()

    ReplyDelete
  24. They want to win by playing their very best as opposed to winning by putting the other person off.
    The player who spins the coin is referred to as the spinner.
    Making your game play is the next phase you'll be focusing on.

    My web blog ... finnfoto.framedreality.c.. ()

    ReplyDelete
  25. trendy gifts for mother present her Personalized Coffee Mug on her birthday anniversary and mothers day gift.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...