Leek and Bacon Tartlets

As the summer rolls on, it can become increasingly tricky to think up new and different ideas for picnics and days out. Ideally, you want something that everyone will like, that won't take a world of time, or complicated ingredients, to make. If you fancy a change from the usual scotch eggs and sausage rolls, these little pastries are a great addition to the family picnic basket. They travel well and are surprisingly easy to make. You can also mess about with the fillings, to create vegetarian or other options, depending on what everyone likes. If you are not keen on leeks, try mushrooms instead, just peel and chop, then add instead of the leeks. You could also substitute the bacon and have leek and mushoom for vegetatarians.

Baker Days, Cakes through the Post!

Everyone has that friend or relative who is impossible to buy for. Whether it's the person who's got everything, the minimalist, the fussy one, or, worse still (this one drives me crazy), the relative who is inconsiderate enough to live out of gift-giving range! I can't count the number of times I've pounded the streets, looking for something flat and light that won't cause me too much trauma at the post office! I think I have found the solution, though, to this annual headache and it comes in the form of cake. Who doesn't love cake? 

Corned Beef Hash

Corned Beef Hash is one of the first recipes I ever learned to cook and is brilliant if you are lacking fresh ingredients, but craving something home cooked. This is another recipe that is fun to do with children, as there's a lot of messy mashing and mixing involved and it all helps towards encouraging children to try new things and be confident around food. It's not the cheap staple it used to be because, unfortunately, corned beef has shot up in price over the years, making this dish far less budget than it used to be, but it is very convenient as home-cooked dishes go and it does fill a useful gap in the menu if you ever get snowed in!

Bristol Museum - Egypt to China in an Afternoon!

My son is getting a little bit obsessed with Minecraft. It's probably not the worst thing he could be doing with his time, it does seem to have some sort-of educational elements, but I needed to do the good-parent thing and limit his screen time, ideally without starting a war. One of the more educational aspects of Minecraft is a sudden fascination with rocks and minerals, which gave me an idea, so I hatched a plan to get him away from the game and out of the house on a day out to Bristol Museum. You see, amongst the dinosaur bones, roman artefacts and other exciting discoveries, Bristol Museum contains something that Minecraft fans will love.

Sunday Photo; The Wills Memorial Building, Bristol

Think it? Do it! Getting Motivated

I'm talking about those little thoughts and ideas that creep into the head and settle down under a blanket of procrastination. Often, the only time we even remember these thoughts, is when we need something to blame for how unsatisfying our lives are. 'I'm so bored! If only I'd acted on that idea to start a new hobby', 'I'm so unfit! If only I had joined a gym like my brain suggested!, 'I'm worried about money! How I wish I had sorted out all my surplus stuff and had that carboot sale I was thinking about!' See? Thinking about doing something doesn't change anything. It makes you feel better for a little while, as you imagine how much brighter your life will be once all your plans are underway, but it won't last unless you act on it.

An Alarming Experience - Family Fire Safety

Last night, our dishwasher caught fire. We are still not entirely sure how it happened, but I can tell you that it was very, very scary. Thankfully, we are all ok, a little smoke inhalation, but painfully aware that it could have been a whole lot worse. With that in mind, I wanted to share the experience with you, because I really, really can't stress this enough...