How Direct Line Made my Daughter's Day!

It's often said that it isn't the value of the gift that's important, but the thought and time that went into it. I am a great believer in this. It's not that I don't appreciate extravagant gifts, but my best presents will always be the ones that mean somebody was thinking about me. The trinkets my daughter used to find at car boot sales or charity shops, because she knew I would really love them, the cards and gifts the children have made me over the years, and not forgetting the card with a recording of my son saying 'Happy Birthday Mummy' when he had not long learned to talk. For my birthday this year, it made me so ridiculously happy that my nephews, aged two and four, took time out of their day to draw me lovely pictures, I could have exploded with joy! So, that's me, a great believer in; 'It's the thought that counts'.

Win Two Accessorize Tablet Sleeve Gift Sets!

With Christmas creeping up in the distance, this week I am giving away two gift sets, one to keep and one to give to a friend, perhaps? Or maybe you have two children who would like one? Either way, I wish you lots of luck in the competition.

10 Skills Parents Accidentally Learn

My Sunday Photo; The Hands of Generations

Remembering Jack for National Poetry Day 2015

I originally wrote this almost exactly three years ago, although it really doesn't seem that long. It was something I did to reach out to a friend during an incredibly difficult time. It was meant to let her know I was thinking of her and I cared, but it ended up doing so much more, but that's another story. It is the poem I will always be most proud of, because I wrote it from everything I was thinking at the time. I didn't edit or mess about with it, I just wrote it from the heart. It is the most genuine poem I've ever written. I hope you like it and forgive me this little indulgence.

Win a Betty Crocker Baking Bundle

Great British Bake Off evokes different feelings in different people. For some, it creates feelings of inspiration and enthusiasm. Getting creative juices flowing all over the country. Spurring on even the least culinarily literate to get their bake on. However, for some, it is met with quiet defeatism at the very idea of attempting some of the elaborate creations. For those people, when even a Yorkshire Pudding would be a challenge, there is hope. To cheer you up, in the face of Paul Hollywood's raised eyebrow and Mary Berry's kind, but hopeless, encouragement, I bring you the best in faking it cake mixes! So easy and pain free and, as far as anyone has to know, you did it all yourself. Your secret is safe with us...

The Importance of Learning Digital Marketing for Bloggers

There are many different reasons why people blog. Many do it to share a passion, or as an outlet for their thoughts and ideas. I meet so many people who began blogging for a variety of reasons but are now finding they can make money from it. I don't think, as a blogger, making money should ever be your primary objective. If you can make money from it, brilliant, but I believe, it's much harder to keep readers interested when you don't have an 'organic' base for your blog.

Surprisingly Easy Beef Wellington

It's Buy British Day today, so how about a British classic, Beef Wellington? When I did my coupon shop recently, I bought a Tesco meal deal, which included a small beef joint. It wasn't really big enough for the whole family, so I had to get creative to make it stretch. I had a look around for a Beef Wellington recipe and found they varied in difficulty from a bit complicated, to 'degree in catering required'. As I'm quite lazy, I simplified the recipe as best I could, and it was still really, really nice. Here it is, for any other lazy, cheaty 'chefs' who fancy giving it a try!