Happy Monday & Music Monday

I have two Monday themed posts, and lately I've just been switching off what I'm doing, but today I think I'm going to do both. Partly because I want to, and partly because I don't want to get up and clean my kitchen right now. So this will help me procrastinate!!

Happy Homemaker Monday:

The weather::
It's been cold & windy lately. We've had a bit of sunshine off & on, but it's Summer in England so we have more cold days than warm. I think after the summer solstice we'll be getting a few more warm days, but nothing like that week & a half of crazy heat.

On my reading pile::
I've been on a Midnight in Paris kick. I loved the movie and the books that I've read by the authors featured in the film. So I'm rereading some I haven't picked up since high school as well as some I had never read before.
Right now I'm reading Save Me The Waltz by Zelda Fitgerald. I love it so much. The prose is sloppy, but the imagery is just brilliant. She paints a beautiful scene with her pictures. I'm only about halfway through right now, but I'll be finishing it soon & then I'll move on to Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Zelda's husband) both novels are loosely based on their lives together, so it's interesting to see the same relationship from different points of view.

On my TV::
UEFA Euro 2012 tournament has taken over my television!! I was very happy when Croatia won last night. Since my papa was born there I have a soft spot for them, but I'm also rooting for a few other teams.

On the menu for this week::
I don't have a set day-to-day menu for this week. I've been so busy going to the gym 6 days a week, and on top of that we have Layla's activities. So we've stocked up on chicken breasts and other healthy meal ingredients and just playing it by ear. Jer has a weird week at work this week so he might not even be home for dinner some days.

On my to-do list::
Make a plan for the gym tomorrow- working out my arms!
vaccum
clean the kitchen (it desperately needs some cleaning!!)
Finish items for etsy shop

What I'm creating::
I've been so terrible with my crocheting. I have hardly done anything for my etsy shop! I'm nearly done with my Hunger Games ornaments. I need to make 6 more from pages out of the last book (so I'll have 9 sets to sell) & then I need to embroider 4 more pages to send out with the ornaments. I need to really get started on my crochet items. I want to get some scarves and ear warmers done and ready to list in August. Lately I've been working on a ripple baby blanket I'll be sending to some soon-to-be parents I know, and then after I get the ear warmers and scarves done or nearly done, I might do some blankets to sell as well. We'll see.

Summer Fun::
We've been so busy! On days that there is sunshine we try to get to the park or track to get some energy out, but we go to the gym nearly every day & Layla has gymnastics and ballet classes during the week!

Looking around the house::
My kitchen is a right mess. So is my living room, but Layla is playing in there right now. All of her ballet clothes from this morning are on the floor. I am hating this house less and less the longer we live here, but I still hate the plumbing with a burning passion. I just want to take a decent shower!!

From the camera::

Something fun to share::
I don't really have anything fun, except maybe this picture of a rabbit I made friends with. Her name is Truffles & she likes to eat shoelaces.

Looking forward to this week::
I always look forward to Layla's gymnastics class. I am unable to sit in there & watch, but they have a small video screen we can watch them on & they are just so cute!! Also looking forward to gym time with my friend, Amber on Friday. She met us there today & Layla LOVES playing with her daughter, Isobella. It's always easier when there are other kids there, and since we're usually the only ones there Layla gets bored easily and sometimes I have to cut my workout short or modify it so she can work out with me.


& Music Monday!!

I love love love M. Ward. He is in two bands that I love, and he also has many albums out of his own. I have everything he's ever made. His bands are She & Him (probably the most popular because of Zooey Deschanel) & Monsters of Folk. I looooove MoF. They are brilliant & beautiful & simple.
Here is the music video for The Sandman, the Brakeman, and me Have a listen. love & enjoy them as much as I do!!

MONDAY!!

The Weather::
It's been SO weird! It will be bright, not a cloud in the sky and then BAM it's black as night!! Then 10 minutes later, no clouds, bright & sunny! It's been difficult to get used to.
On My Reading Pile::
Emma and the Vampires
On My T.V.::
Grimm is new tonight!
On The Menu This Week::
Homemade chicken nuggets
Healthy chinese food

lots and lots of smoothies (I just got a new blender!)
Looking Forward To This Week::
I ordered the Hunger Games Trilogy (I have no plans on reading it, it does not sound like my cup of tea,) but I will be making HG themed crafts to sell in my etsy shop! I'm looking forward to making them because I've already had so many people show interest in the items!
On My To-Do List::
Vacuum. Basically get my house ready for a guest arriving in about a week and a half! 
What I'm Crocheting or Creating::
Right now I'm working on a scarf I'll be listing in my etsy shop in August. It's really pretty!
Looking Around The House::
Glitter. Layla and I were playing with glitter and now it's kind of everywhere.
From The Camera::

I've been feeling slightly better with my costochondritis so I decided to shake out the legs and see if I could maybe run a bit. We all headed out to the track and we did a few laps as a family. Layla loves to go out and run & we took our time. I was a little sore, but I'm happy to say that after a warm bath and some motrin, I was FINE!! I think if I take some motrin before I run, I'll be able to tackle a 7-miler on Saturday!!

Favourite Blog Post This Week::

I always enjoy the posts from Tracy

Something Fun To Share::

In addition to my Hunger Games crafts, I'll also be listing lots of yarny goodies as well as some Jane Austen & Pride and Prejudice and Zombies goodies! 

It's Monday!!

The Weather::
We had a nice, sunshiney day yesterday so Layla, Jer, & I took advantage of it by heading out of doors. We didn't go far, Jer put together our patio table as well as Layla's climber, so on our next sunny day I'll be able to enjoy a nice cuppa while Layla plays on her slide. I also tried to take Layla for her first bike ride in England, but she was scared of bugs and cars. She even tried to get us to let her hold onto her plastic golf club so she could swing it at any bugs she might see, but she's not a good enough rider for that. We made it about a block away, but had to turn around because she kept screaming.
Today it was supposed to be partly sunny, but we have yet to see anything but grey skies.

On My Reading Pile::
I'm a little indecisive on what I'm going to read next. Just yesterday I went through all of my books, organizing them on my shelves while rearranging furniture, & a few titles caught my eye. Some I've never read, some I would love to read again.

On My T.V.::
Big Fat Gypsy Weddings
Sherlock
Whitechapel

On The Menu This Week::
Layla and I made healthy, baked chicken nuggets for lunch yesterday, & they were a big hit for all 3 of us, so I think I'll make a huge batch this week to reheat when the craving strikes again!
I'd really like to try spaghetti squash.
Beef Stir Fry
Chicken Lo Mein
I've been craving really good chinese food, and I haven't been able to find any decent take-away in our area, so I'm going to try some recipes I've found online.

Looking Forward To This Week::
De-cluttering and maybe starting a new project. It's been a while since I've done any embroidery, so I may do something fun. & St. Patrick's Day! We're not doing anything extravagant, but I'm going to make Irish Car Bomb cupcakes for Jer's co-workers!

On My To-Do List::
De-clutter (story of my life)
Layla's writing lessons (though, I don't think we're going to do that today since she's sick on the couch and I don't think she'll really be up for it.)
Vacuum

What I'm Crocheting or Creating::
Nothing! I finally finished my ripple blanket last night! Ever since I tied the last loop & declared "It's done!" Layla demanded to be wrapped in it. She snuggled up in it & fell asleep with it last night. Then this morning she woke up sick & she's been cuddling in her new ripple blanket on the couch watching Disney Junior. I don't know what my next project will be, but I will probably start making stuff for my shop soon.

Looking Around The House::
Clutter.
Ugh.
& I hate this house. I hated it when we first saw it, then when we got all of our stuff I really tried to be optimistic about everything and hoped that once I had my own furniture and belongings I'd feel better about it, but no matter how hard I try I just hate this house. I will never like it & I can't wait to move out of it.
I'm going to try really hard to de-clutter & get rid of things we just don't use or don't use often enough. Also try to figure out a better storage situation; clean out drawers and cupboards to make room for the things we actually use.
This will make living here a little easier, and it will make things easier when we finally move out of this house.

From The Camera::
Layla wrapped up in my finished ripple blanket. My poor little sicky.

Favourite Blog Post This Week::

From Lucy at Attic24 posted about the Sunshine we had this weekend. I think the whole country got a glimpse of Mr. Sun yesterday!

Something Fun To Share::

I know that with the hustle and bustle of everyday life & the stress that often creeps uninvited into our lives can slowly, but surely disconnect us from the important things in life. I don't have to put much effort into making time for family, but it is important to plan "unplugged" time together. No T.V., no phones, no computers. Just us. Playing out of doors, playing a game inside, any type of fun, playtime. It's important that children engage in fun activities with their family & it's very important that they know they have your full attention. So go ride bikes, or help them bake something fun!!

Happy Homemaker Monday!

The Weather:
SO COLD!!
We had a chilly, but sunny day on Saturday, and I'm so glad we took advantage of the sunshine by heading out to Newmarket for some shopping. It was mostly window shopping, but it was nice to walk around outside & not be freezing for once! I did pick up a magazine & found a gold mine of stamps!!
After that nice day it rained all night Saturday & all day Sunday (I even went out & ran on the track in the pouring, freezing rain!) Then a few hours afterwards the snow took over. It accumulated a bit on the lawns, but didn't stick to the roads (SO grateful for that!) & then it warmed up too much for snow, but the wind and rain lasted through the night and morning & it's still going strong this afternoon.
It looks like we'll have rain/snow for the next few days!
I'm okay with that though, I can stay indoors with Layla and get some crocheting done!

On my Reading Pile:
I have a graphic novel of selected short stories by Edgar Allan Poe. I am a huge Poe fan & am getting very excited for the new Poe movie 'The Raven' (staring John Cusack as Poe!!!!) so I've been reading through a few of my favourites.

On My T.V.:
Rugby
Footie
Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

On The Menu This Week:
Healthy, homemade baked chicken nuggets
Creamy Avocado Pasta
Baked sweet and sour chicken
Chicken Parmesan (I found a healthy delicious recipe that is easy & simply divine!)
Creamy grilled chicken piccata
Artichoke crusted chicken

On my to do list:
Help Layla clean her room
Clean the kitchen up
Dust
Grocery shopping

What I'm crocheting or creating:
Still working on my ripple blanket. I've only been able to sneak in a row here and there every now and then. I'm also working on some flowery bunting for my living room to liven it up. I'm still living in a false sense of spring in spite of the bitter cold taking over.

Looking around the house:
Well the dresser has finally been moved up to my bedroom, and my kitchen table is still in pieces in the dining room. The stacked chairs and table are in the way of organizing my pantry, so I'm having a bit of trouble keeping the kitchen clutter free for now (which is ever so annoying!!!) I did spend Friday night organizing as best as I could as well as giving the counters a good cleaning and sweeping and mopping the floors really well.

From the camera:
I love stamps! I have a few pieces of jewelry made from stamps that my beautiful cousin, Sarah, has made. My absolute favourites are the Great Britain stamps of Queen Elizabeth II's profile. They come in such beautiful colours! This weekend I found an absolute goldmine of used stamps, many of them were Queen Elizabeth, as well as some spiffy stamps with her father, King George VI and some of King Edward VIII. There were some other cool royal ones in there as well. I am going to make something with them, but I'm just not sure what!

Something fun to share:
I was just informed this weekend that about an hour from here there is a Cath Kidston warehouse shop! It's cheaper than the regular stores & it looks like they are stocked up on every print that is normall available, as well as out of season items that have been taken out of stores! Also, since it's a warehouse things are a bit cheaper than normal!! I'm so excited to go have a look around & I'm hoping to be able to go pick up a few goodies for my birthday this summer! Maybe Jer will take me for mother's day =)
So anyone in the Mildenhall/Lakenheath area, if you fancy a trip to St. Neots for some Cath Kidston shopping and lunch, let's plan an outing!! We'll make a day of it!

Happy Homemaker Monday!

The weather:::
Cold. Though, it's supposed to warm up this week & get up into the mid-40*F range. I'm kind of looking forward to that! Don't get me wrong, I love cold weather! I think I'm becoming vitamin D deficient & I'd like the sun to come out just long enough to feel the warmth on my face. 


On my reading pile:::  
Darcy & Fitzwilliam by Karen V. Wasylowski

On my TV:::

Downton Abbey series 2 episodes 7 & 8.
I think the Grammy's are replaying tonight on AFN (Armed Forces Network) & I'd like to see what all the fuss was about last night.
Six Nations rugby tournament has been fun to watch!

On the menu for this week:::

Not sure yet. I'll make something delicious.
I've been too anxious for the move, and we're getting the keys tomorrow, so I'm going a little crazy!!

On my to do list:::

Pack up our stuff in the hotel room & move it to the new house. We want to move some of our stuff over there as soon as we get the keys. We'll still be staying here until our furniture gets delivered, but this will make things easier when we finally get out of here.
Buy a car! I think we're going to go look this week.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

Ugh nothing. I've been practicing a couple of stitches for a pattern for really fancy wrist warmers, but I don't have enough yarn to finish a whole one, so I'm just making little sections.

Looking around the house:::

Chaos. It's a hotel room, and Layla didn't clean up her toys last night before bed.
Seriously. I know I sound like a broken record, but I'm just SO READY to be home. I was not made to live out of a suitcase for 5 months.

From the camera:::

I got a brand new purse from the Cath Kidston store!

Something fun to share:::

For those of you stationed at either RAF Mildenhall or RAF Lakenheath, did you know there is a Martha Stewart housewares store in the Commissary on Mildenhall?! I had NO IDEA, there are no signs outside indicating this, & I wouldn't have noticed it unless I went in to get Subway for lunch the other day! I've been in the commissary before, but the Martha Stewart goodies are hidden away in another section completely. I saw so many cute things in there! I may need to go pick up some cute food containers because I always seem to lose the lids to mine.