• Exploring Bentley Priory Nature Reserve
    Family Life - Local Review - London

    Exploring Bentley Priory Nature Reserve

    February 2, 2021 - By 

    Last weekend we went off to explore Bentley Priory Nature Reserve in Stanmore, north London. We wanted to visit after we went to the Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge last year. RAF Bentley Priory was the headquarters of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain and throughout the Second World War. Bentley Priory Bentley Priory itself was the final home of the Dowager Queen Adelaide, Queen Consort of William IV, before her death there in 1849. Bought by the RAF in the 1920s The Royal Air Force station was closed in 2008 and the original house was turned into…

  • February stitched calendar
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List {Week 329}

    February 1, 2021 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. It’s a post I always love to write. Monday Happy List {Week 329} We had such a busy week last week, keeping ourselves as busy as we could. Home learning isn’t going brilliantly so instead we’ve been filling our time creatively. My children still aren’t allowed to return to school despite my husband and…

  • Puff pastry mincemeat tart recipe
    Family Life

    Puff pastry mincemeat tart recipe

    January 31, 2021 - By 

    You’re probably not expecting another Christmas recipe in January. Sorry, not Sorry! I love mincemeat and don’t see why it shouldn’t be enjoyed throughout winter. It’s warming and delicious and there are so many ways to enjoy it. I have so many jars that I was looking for a quick and easy pudding to make. This puff pastry mincemeat tart is a winner! Puff pastry mincemeat tart ingredients: 375g ready-rolled puff pastry 300g mincemeat Brandy Butter or Brandy Cream to serve How to make a puff pastry mincemeat tart Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C for a fan oven. Unroll your…

  • Pressed Spring flowers suncatcher
    Crafts for kids

    Pressed Spring flowers suncatcher

    January 29, 2021 - By 

    So you may not be expecting me to be sharing a Spring craft at the end of January. My daughter was clearing out some old notebooks last week and discovered some flowers she had carefully pressed last year. We actually have a vintage flower press which we picked up at a charity shop but for some reason we had placed the flowers she picked amongst the pages of her notebook. The notebook was untouched for months and we were surprised to find leaves and simple flowers all perfectly preserved. Pressed Spring flowers suncatcher It felt wrong to just throw the…

  • Family Life

    Laser Hair Removal: A Definitive Guide For Beginners

    January 28, 2021 - By 

    Photo by Camille Brodard ~ Kmile Feminine Creative Designer on Unsplash Laser hair therapy is very different from the other physical therapies and cosmetic treatments that you undergo. No, you are not just removing body hair from different parts of your body; it’s a bit more than that. No more wasting time in the salon and buying expensive waxing strips because visiting a laser hair removal specialists can give you a life-changing experience. If you are new to this field and have no knowledge, here is a definitive guide for you. Laser Hair Removal: A Definitive Guide For Beginners Shave the…

  • snowdrops
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List {Week 328}

    January 25, 2021 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. It’s a post I always love to write. Monday Happy List {Week 328} January is such a long month and we’ve been trying our hardest to keep busy and positive. We’ve filled our hours with making and creating. We baked gingerbread cookies and mincemeat tarts (We have so many jars of mincemeat left!). The…

  • A walk through Black Park Country Park, Bucks
    Buckinghamshire - Family Life

    A walk through Black Park Country Park, Bucks

    January 24, 2021 - By 

    I really enjoy sharing some of the places we visit as a family. Since getting our dog last year we’ve explored lots of new places near to where we live on the outskirts of London. We’re really lucky to be close enough to London to go in when we want, but also have beautiful countryside at the end of our road. Last weekend we went for a walk through Black Park Country Park in Buckinghamshire. Black Park is just off the A412, in close proximity to Langley Park and the Pick Your Own Farm at Iver. Black Park Country Park…

  • Fold a Valentine paper heart origami bookmark
    Crafts for kids - Handmade gifts - Valentines Day crafts

    Fold a Valentine paper heart origami bookmark

    January 22, 2021 - By 

    I am so ready for something to celebrate and bring some colour into our lives again! I always find January a difficult month so have been eagerly looking for signs of Spring. This week we’ve spotted catkins in the trees, snowdrops on the ground and the bunches of daffodils I bought have been blooming with colour. Next month we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on the 14th February and I couldn’t resist a few crafts with my children. My son adores the art of origami and had so much fun making a bunch of Valentine paper heart origami bookmarks. These…

  • Mulled wine chocolate brownie recipe
    Family Life

    Mulled wine chocolate brownie recipe

    January 21, 2021 - By 

    Is anyone else still enjoying Christmas food? We have so many Christmas chocolates, treats and bottles of mulled wine. It was a bit strange drinking mulled wine in January but I don’t see why it should only be drunk at Christmas. I set a little mulled wine aside to make a batch of mulled wine chocolate brownies. We love brownies and I thought this was a fun twist on a brownie recipe. This isn’t my recipe. I’m not sure where the original recipe is from as I found it in a pile of recipes I’d ripped out of magazines. Mulled…