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Hi there folks

So sorry for the lack of posts...... I have had a crazy couple of months.

I shall be back up and running by the middle of September, I have heaps of photos to share.... I can't wait to get my vurtual diary up and running again!!

I hope everyone is keeping well.

xxx

Cocktails and a good friend too...

Well hello there, how have you all been?
I've been well.

Me and my friend Pauline got a wee night out, the cinema to see Arthur after a few drinks, then off to get some food in Karma I had salt and chili prawns... Yummy yummy. Cooking classes at accredited online colleges have excellent recipes for chili prawns you may want to give a go!

After our yummy dinner we had a few cocktails...
It was so nice to just be us, and not worry about the kids.
We had such a good night we were able to get out a wee boogie in too!

Here's good friends & getting the time to spend with them!

xxx

Our Easter 2011

So how did everyone's Easter go??
We had a fantastic day, We had our dinner cooked for us...

YUMMY INDEED

After dinner came the Hunt!!!!!

The boys had a a ball, I really enjoyed watching them.....

I also got a couple of my fave eggs too, I just love the bells & now have 2 more to add to my collection!

Frazer all tuckered out with a belly full of chocolate.....

.... In front of a lovely fire


To end the day ELIZABETH was on the telly

I love the shoulders in this dress......

And this collar well it is just ace, if only we could wear it in this day and age huh!!!

I hope you had a
FANTASTIC
Easter

xxx

Park fun with friends

Well how is everyone's Easter going?

I have a pre-Easter post for you, as the boys have their hunt after their tea.... I like to think they have a belly full of proper food first, before all the chocolate good-ness!

Me and my friend took advantage of the good day (a few days ago now!) And took the boys to the park....

This is Pauline with her youngest Liam, a wee cutie indeed...

And our boys on the round about..... Jo-jo and Frazer are so close in height, I hadn't noticed before!!

This is us on the walk home... Finn looks so lost in thought I love it

I shall be back later with tales scrummy dinner & chocolate hunting fun..... Might even have a little more of a sewing room floor wish me luck!!!!
xxx

More food and some Easter prep!!

Hello there peep's and a very happy Saturday to you...

It has been another glorious sunny day here, minus the rain so even better than yesterday! I have had a day of catching up on stuff you know washing, dishes etc.... But I managed to get a little Easter prep in with the boys. I am soooo looking forward to having our first hunt tomorrow, what fun it is making your own traditions eh!!

....... Yummy!!!!

And on another note....

Here is the finished Chorizo & lemon thyme AKA Fougasse...
It was very yummy indeed!!

xxx

Bad blogger yes I am... Oh & food food food!!!

So I have been a bad blogger of late... Yes I have.

Life has been a roller coaster at here at chez Traci, but that is for another post. Today is all about food glorious food, I recently bought Lorraine Pascale's recipe book....

BAKING MADE EASY

And I have to agree with her time... Yeah the bread takes a-lot of kneading, but hey if it's worth doing s worth doing well I say.

The good thing about this book is it's not all cakes which you find with lots of baking books this has cakes, breads, pies, and I have only made a few things... I have to say if you like cooking this book is a good book to have on the shelve.... Just want to say also this is not a sponsored post just little old me saying it's a good book!! This book is in fact recommended by pastry schools!

Here is the focaccia bread..

The dinner table of glam mac & cheese....

The close up of the mac & cheese...

Chicken & thyme short crust pie...

Served with stuffed mushrooms

And now the addiction to baking continues with this Fougasse... AKA Chorizo and thyme bread! it is just coming out of the oven so I think I shall be off now!!

I have lots of photos to upload so shall be back tonight or tomorrow

xxx

Family tree Building....

I have a exciting post for you today...
Well exciting for me anyways, I had looked into doing my family tree in 2009, and it turns out a second cousin had already started it, That being said it was my family as I know oh so many people in the tree, but it was all coming going through the route of my Granny Mattie and her ancestors. I do love that I have a substantial head start, and it is very interesting to see where my Granny Mattie comes from, being mostly Portobello Edinburgh & Ayrshire Scotland, BUT I have definitely been bitten by the bug.

I have always known my Biological fathers name and have recently found out his D.O.B So after a little searching, I have managed to find is his birth certificate, this is now on it's way to me, I am super excited.... He's from Musselburgh Edinburgh, and I have even found out his parents names and they were married there too.

On my mums side I have more Portobello Edinburgh from my Biological grandfather & great grandmother.... But have to do some more research...

I am currently reading

Scottish Genealogy ~ Bruce Durie

@ home with your ancestors.com ~ Diane Marelli

Well I have no doubt I shall keep you informed.

Have a fantastic day

xxx

Park time!!

Hi there
So how is every one? We have been good this end.... The weather has been a little Crazy to say the least. But amoungst all the heavy showers in the last week there has been real sunshine, much to my joy, walking has begun..... Me and my friend Pauline took our boys to St Columbs park ....

It was just so lovely to be able to take the boys for a wee adventure, it's been so long! I really think that this park is one of the prettiest in Derry. There are fun play parks for all ages, a leisure centre for community sports, a hotel/conference centre and the park itself massive so it's great for a good walk, Finn loves to throw stones in the stream. I think there will be more photos for me to share, through the coming months!

xxx

Shopping in Mandors Edinburgh

So whilst in Edinburgh for my brief visit, I managed to get a little fabric shopping done.... I went to Mandors which is pricey enough, but you get what you pay for I say!

I love the under construction fabric, I think it will be brilliant for little tote bags for the boys, and a little quilting too! The black and white graffiti fabric is a heavier cotton, it was a remnant and I'm not sure on it's purpose yet, but it has the cogs turning for sure! As for the tartan bundles, I just couldn't walk past them.... Just shows you how long I've not been home for huh!! I'm a tourist!!

This fabric was a total bargain at £5 a meter.... I love it, reminds me so much of home nostalgia is a strong incentive to buy fabric for me it would appear! I think this will be a crochet hook roll...

I know we should be nearing summer-ish weather soon, but both my boys are Harold the helicopter & Jeremy the jet plane mad, so this fabric will be put to great use at some point. As for my already coveted dolls.... I LOVE them I will be making the perfect tank top.

Till the next post have a great day

xxx

Gardening has commenced!

Hello there peeps
I have to say it feels like forever since I last wrote, I had lost my blogging mojo.... But it appears I have found it again!! I am oh so glad to I do love a good old blah blah blah to myself!

We have been buying and planting seeds for the coming summer.... When it decides it's coming that is! There have been a few nice days, I am looking forward to a few more though!

Me and the boys got out strawberries planted along with our herbs (the basil didn't last long the birds ate it the buggers!) We also have garlic and last but not least our peppers and tomatoes are beginning to sprout too. I fell like I have been missing out on all the gardening fun, for all this time.... That being said the boys very much enjoy watering so it might just have come at the very right time!

My friend also gave me a over grown pot of Aloe vera and I managed to get 13 plants out of it! I can't believe that there were so many in one pot! I hope they thrive in their new pots!! They would make lovely wee gifts for Easter with a poem too. Pauline also gave me a few cuttings from her money tree... I hope they sprout too!

I shall keep you posted on my green fingered escapades!!

A granny update.... My Granny Mattie seems OK ,I have been calling nearly everyday, just to say hi. Thanx for all your lovely comments they were greatly appreciated really they were xx

xxx