It’s just about now that I start to feel the festive anxiety rise. I’ve never been particularly organised with gift purchasing and sending – I’m always the one in the Post Office queue sending things off to relatives far and wide on the 22nd December. And don’t get me started on the mess in the … Read More
Even the most exotic dish can become mundane if repeated every other Tuesday ad infinitum. But it’s easily done: kids have a reputation for enjoying the same old familiar favourites. Experience tells you that they’ll kick up a stink if you attempt something new, so it’s hardly surprising that you’ve fallen deep into a rut … Read More
Every Monday night as we go to sleep, my husband leans over, gives me a kiss and whispers “Night. Love you. Bins in the morning”. Oh, be still my beating heart, you’re killing me with the romance. Luckily I get it, the bins are a big deal around here, I’m delighted it wasn’t me who … Read More
SUMMER BLOG SERIES – 3 Routines Summer holidays send everything into the breeze. All the happy, predictable old routines are shot to pieces and every. single. decision. becomes a trial and a challenge. I do love the freedom and fun times the summer holidays can afford me within the family set-up, but when the … Read More
Summer Holidays Blog Series – 2 – Camping CAMPING HACKS WITH GUEST BLOGGER SAM SWANN and a exclusive peek at two recipes from The MasterPlan! Camping is a bit marmite, isn’t it? I’m in the ‘love’ camp – pun intended – but even if you’re not a happy camper, there are still loads of … Read More
Serves Serves 4-61258SALMON EGG FRIED RICERice, fish, eggs and veg… What’s not to love?But if the children are fussy about this as a one-pot dish, cook each item separately and serve up like a fun feast so that everyone can build their own bowl! Make it super fun and everyone will be chomping away in … Read More
“LIMES!” she squealed as she thumbed lemon wedges over the top of our dinner. We hadn’t expected that as we walked back in the room last Friday. It was as if she’d done a Little Britain-style leap up onto the table! And to be honest, it was the perfect start to the meal – once … Read More
We have a magic bag of things we take out to restaurants. I don’t want to sound like a show off, but we have four sets of grandparents (…divorce…not what I’m showing off about), five sets of siblings, and our combined friendship groups all close enough to see each other over food and drink, so … Read More
How do you manage your working hours? How does your partner manage it? How do you make family & work work? Man, it’s been so windy this week. The perfect weather for flying a kite. Cue a Mary Poppins singalong… Hilariously, kite flying was not our friend, despite gale force winds! We tried on Sunday. … Read More
I’ve been trying to figure out why I’m obsessed with laying the table…Well, firstly, I’m a crockery junky. I ruddy love a pretty serving bowl. So maybe that’s how this all started. But seriously, I lay the table the same way for each mealtime because it really works in a routine kind of way to … Read More
Mealtimes can be a nightmare if you have conflict at the table. Young children respond well to a routine, but sometimes they can be anxious or disruptive and it’s tough to bring them around. Here’s one thing to try to keep the mood light and help you stay zen… Music! We’ve always loved sharing music … Read More
Fajitas can be a quick and easy week night dinner! It really is possible. What’s more, the children love this kind of construction meal where they can build a wrap of their choice. If you’re battling with a fussy eater, this is definitely a meal you can sit back, relax and watch them enjoy.
There’s homework to do, laundry to put away, swimming kit to get ready, and grumpy grumpy tiny people who need your undivided attention otherwise they’ll riot and start trashing the kitchen (insert your latest toddler anarchy anecdote here) … but there’ll also be hell to pay if you can ‘t get some sort of tea on the … Read More
So, inevitably you have to take your messy little cherub out for a meal as some point. Initially it may be lunch in a café with mummy friends, but you will have to graduate to the slightly more formal confines of a pub or restaurant. DO NOT PANIC! It will be fine. Here’s the most … Read More