Lib Dems Propose Free School Dinners For Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 Children in England

At today's Lib Dem conference in Glasgow, Lib Dem Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, revealed his "showstopper policy" - that the Government is proposing to offer free school dinners to children in the Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 stages of education in England from September 2014 (i.e. 5-7 year olds).

Money is being provided for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to emulate the English scheme, however, it will be up to the respective devolved governments to decide whether to spend this on free lunches.

www.theguardian.com

The £600m plan is estimated to save families an average of £437 per child and, in a Coalition trade-off, the Lib Dems have given the go-ahead for the Conservatives to announce a tax break for married couples which could be worth around £3 per week.

Free school dinners will go some way to make up for what some viewed as the penalising of middle income families by recent changes to Child Benefit.  According to The Independent, some 400,000 children already receive free meals but an estimated four in 10 children living in poverty do not currently qualify.

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Autumn - A Poem

My father, John Brooks, is a wonderful poet and I find his poems very relaxing and peaceful.  I thought this one, about Autumn, might bring a moment of calm to anyone who is feeling a bit frazzled this morning!

www.freefoto.com

Autumn

The soft light of early evening

lit the tree whose leaves were

yellow and orange, red and brown;

a kaleidoscope of colour.

A returning crow rattled a branch

which shed a leaf that struck

another as it fell

both dropping with a lazy spin.

And then with the downing sun,

a gentle gust of quiet wind

brought down a shower of leaves,

scooping and hooping them away.

Light faded and a chilly breeze

blew whisps of cloud across

the moon, and in her wake

the line of coming night.

J. B. Oct 06.

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Review: Good Night Anti-Snoring Ring

Despite the fact that snoring is usually portrayed in full comedic glory and we've all chortled at partners so desperate to get a good night's sleep, they've sewn cotton reels or (now this is a sewing challenge), tennis balls on the back of their sleeping partner's PJs, snoring is categorically NO JOKE.

The Good Night Anti-snoring Ring

Unless you are in the privileged position of having a spare room in which to decamp and a partner whose feelings won't be hurt by such an act of noctural treachery, for many, the only recourse is to lie there and try to quell any murderous urges to stifle the blighter with an anti-allergy pillow (well, you want to give them a fighting chance, don't you).

When I met The Husband, he swore blind he did not snore. This was a blatant fib. Being a long term sufferer of hay fever, depending on the pollen count, he is capable of emitting sonorous rumbles which wake me (and occasionally even him) with a start.  

We've tried nasal strips and throat sprays with little effect and now the best defence I have is wax ear plugs which manage to muffle most of the sound but not the vibration.  So it was with grudging acquiescence on his part that I managed to get him to test the Good Night Anti Snoring Ring.

The Good Night Anti-Snoring Ring is a beautifully crafted ring which uses the theory of acupressure. The ring is shaped to include "acu-activator" points which apply pressure on, uniquely, two specific points on the little finger. It is non-invasive, comfortable to wear and, more importantly, drug free.

The Good Night Anti-snoring Ring has 2 Acu-Activator (acupressure) Points

Acupressure is the ancient Chinese practice dating from 3,000 BC which treats a number of ailments by applying pressure to specific points on the body.

The snorer should put the ring on about 30 minutes before retiring and it should be worn only when sleeping and for no longer than 12 hours at a time. It is suitable for adults over 18 years of age but you should not wear it if you are pregnant or suffer from sleep apnea.

How to wear the ring

The Good Night Anti-Snoring Ring comes in three sizes and is supplied in its own velveteen bag for storage. It comes with a useful leaflet containing full instructions and some excellent anti-snoring advice. Best of all, the manufacturers offer a No Quibble 30 Day Money Back Guarantee - so it is a no risk purchase. It is available to purchase at Boots, local pharmacies and health shops and online at www.goodnightsnoring.com. The current retail price is £30.00.

So did it work? Although it did not stop The Husband's snoring completely over the few nights we tested it, it did make it gentler and a little quieter and on this basis I have high hopes for it. The manufacturers say that it takes the body a good 3-4 days to acclimatise to the effects of acupressure so we are going to continue using it and also incorporate some of the lifestyle changes suggested.  

For example, our favourite tipple is red wine which is implicated in increasing snoring! It is also suggested that heavy snorers may benefit from two rings and that may well be required in our case. It is likely, that since The Husband is a hayfever sufferer, we need better treatment for this problem to help address his snoring and that once this is in hand, the Good Night Anti-Snoring Ring will help us to eliminate the problem altogether.

If snoring is a problem for you or your partner, I would certainly recommend giving this product a go. You have absolutely nothing to lose and possibly a relationship to save!

*A PR sample was received for the writing of this post.

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Silent Sunday - 15/09/13

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Bad Budgeting or Bad Santa?

The tribe and I have just returned from Mothercare (impromptu feet measuring and welly purchasing) and things were going relatively peacefully until the Boy spotted  his dream item - a Buzz Lightyear costume.  Cue "spooky face" and "I want it now". Cue immediate removal of the Boy back to the car to reduce our embarrassment levels and to avoid sympathetic and/or judgemental looks from other parents.

On the way back, stunned into silence by the melodious tones of Killswitch Engage and the loud sucking of Wether's Originals from the back of the car, I found myself wondering how other parents approach buying Christmas presents for their brood. What is the best approach? Do you set a budget per child, which means they simply will not receive some of the toys they have on their Christmas list, or buy them one big present supplemented by smaller stocking fillers, which is what my parents did.

I know I should be disciplined and start putting away a few bits and pieces now to avoid the nightmare that is Christmas shopping with children and the painful January credit card statement. I say every year I will have all the shopping done by 1st December. I've never managed it yet!  You can see why online shopping has grown so rapidly - at the very least you avoid 'pester power'.  

Wanted: for incomplete Christmas list fulfillment

Source:  www.spectator.co.uk

Christmas has become a time for conspicuous consumerism. I remember my mum reading Louisa May Allcot's wonderful novel "Little Women" to me when I was very young and I've never forgotten the bit where, on Christmas morning, the four March girls agree to give up their breakfast for a poor mother with a new baby and six other children to feed. Even at a young age, I could appreciate that the feeling of contribution and doing some good could outweigh the pleasure of receiving a gift. The value of charity and community is certainly something I will be teaching my kids. 

In the meantime, it's time for parents everywhere to gird their loins in preparation for the annual marketing onslaught that begins any day now on every single medium you can think of - TV, radio, press, internet, billboards, trains, buses, taxis - there truly is no escape.

Source:  Questgarden.com

And I'll be sitting down with a calculator to work out a sensible budget.

Little Women is available free for Kindle from amazon.co.uk.

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Review: Justin's World Jigsongs App for iPad / iPhone

You know that moment when you're in the doctor's surgery or a restaurant or - let's face it - anywhere with small bored children who are starting to attract venomous looks from others? 

Despite the fact that parenting gurus tell us we should immediately pull out a dog-eared copy of Charles Dickens "Hard Times" (set their expectations early on) or a lexicon of basic Mandarin (useful when ordering at Wing Wing's Ping Ping), I notice parents UK wide are starting to do the same thing - surreptitiously hand over a smart phone or lipstick smeared tablet to them to ensure peace is rapidly restored. 

Well I have the answer to your problems - an app which is fun, educational, easy to use and does not feature Annoying Orange or any of his deeply warped friends.

Justin's Jigsongs App - 69p for iPad/iPhone

Justin's Jigsongs is one of four fabulous apps under the banner of Justin's World from much loved children's entertainer, Justin Fletcher, MBE, best known as BBC's Mr Tumble. Justin is practically a God in our house. We are all word perfect with our Gigglebiz scripts and can all do the "Don't Panic" routine from Justin's House. It has raised a few eyebrows in Frankie & Benny's I can tell you (another place where tablets / phones are hastily produced despite the risk of ketchup stains).

We all love Mr Tumble

Justin's World uses storybooks, games and puzzles which build on Justin's characters and this particular app offers a choice of four songs, the videos of which are played only when a jigsaw is completed by dragging the pieces in place.  Justin then comes to life and sings for you. The jigsaws are set at easy, medium and hard levels and the songs are Old MacDonald, Twinkle Twinkle, 1,2,3,4,5 and The Grand Old Duke of York.  Designed for children from 2-6, the app costs 69p and is currently available for iPhone and iPad with an Android version in the pipeline.

I have to say that the quality of the app (illustrations, video and music) is, as expected, fantastic. I particularly liked that these are curriculum based teaching games from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Primary National Curriculum.

So, over to my two testers - Caitlin (5) and Ieuan (4).  Both my children have used PCs and tablets for quite a while and are not novices.  So what did they think?  

Caitlin concentrating hard

Caitlin really enjoyed the app, particularly the hard level of jigsaw which was just challenging enough to keep her interest. She found the songs too young for her, however. Ieuan stuck with the easy level and enjoyed the songs but would have liked a greater choice than just four.

Ieuan trying to beat his sister's time record

I thought it was really good and a natural vehicle for adding in some of the Gigglebiz characters which Ieuan, in particular, would have been thrilled with, particularly Dina Lady who his father has told him is really me. Harumph.

The Family's Cooking Icon, Dina Lady

For 69p this app is excellent value for money, but its appeal will depend on how experienced your kids are with apps in general. On the plus side, there is no in-app purchasing so, unlike Talking Tom, you won't be bothered with requests for 28 additional "friends". It is ideal for sitting down with your child and working through the jigsaws together or, if you are about to face a sniffly lynch mob at your GPs, whipping your tablet / phone out to keep the kids quiet for a bit.

The other apps in the series are:-

Justin's World - Goldilocks (£2.99) - an interactive adaptation of the well loved fairy tale, with all characters played by Justin.

Justin's World - Letter Sounds (£1.49) - pick a letter to match the sound then drag and drop to complete words.  Developed in line with the Primary National Strategy, this is a phonics based activity which has Justin teaching the sound and the child joining in.

Justin's World - Animal Sounds (free!) - hilarious impersonations of well known animals by Justin.

If I had to give the app stars, I'd say four out of five - please can we have a Dina Lady puzzle?

*PR samples were received for the writing of this post.

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Getting the Kids in the Pool - It's Sink or Swim Time

Oh gawd. It's time to teach the kids to swim. Now that they are both back to school it is time to create a social diary of exciting extra curricular activities with the express aims of  i) teaching them valuable life skills, ii) emptying my purse and iii) shortening the "arsenic hours" between 4 and 6 when World War III is likely to erupt if someone has eaten the last fig roll.

Swimming has to be on the list. It's just I'm rubbish at it. I'm so short-sighted the last time I went on my own,  I walked into a caretaker's cupboard and tried to dive into a mop bucket and now, with my dodgy hearing, I fear becoming a kind of water-logged Helen Keller. Let's be honest here. It's hard to be a swimming superstar if your swimming style has to encompass keeping your contact lenses in and, more importantly, keeping your hair dry.

I was lucky (?) enough to attend a comprehensive school which had its own swimming pool and remember the joy of  having to stuff a large ponytail into a swimming cap. It'd bring tears to your eyes.  I just remember the water being freezing and having to spend the rest of the school day soggy, tired and extra hungry.

Oh, yes, I had one like this.

Source: Lost In Austin Blog

I have nothing but admiration for those brave souls who cover themselves in goose fat and swim the Channel like an aquatic oven ready roast potato.

Whenever I swim, I stick to a regal breast stroke and the distance I swim is calculated on the likely distance I'd have to swim to a lifeboat, should I be on a sinking cruise ship. I have Celine Dion's "My heart will go on" playing in my head, together with an image of Leonardo Di Caprio. (Not enjoyable because he always looks about 12 to me).

Why I swim!

Source:  www.motorship.com

So I look forward to reporting back about our swimming successes. You never know, while we're on the waiting list we might go the whole hog and actually inflate their paddling pool.

Mind you.  we'll need plenty of goose fat.

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A Little Bit About Me [Liebster Award]

I was delighted to discover this week that my blog has been nominated for the Liebster Award by bitenomore, written by fabulous nail blogger Tracey Bellew. The Liebster award is a kind of peer to peer recognition; a way of finding new and up coming bloggers with blogs currently registering 200 followers or under.

The blogger who nominates you gives you 11 questions which you must answer and then, in your response, you must nominate another 11 blogs who have less than 200 followers and let them know you have nominated them.  The 11 blogs you nominate must receive 11 questions from you to answer.  Finally you must link back to the person who nominated you.

So, here are the questions I was asked by Tracey at  bitenomore.

1.  What inspired you to start a blog?


I've always enjoyed writing and worked in Legal Services Marketing for many years. I left work in 2007 to have my daughter Caitlin who was closely followed by my son Ieuan in 2009. I had my kids at 43 and 45 and wanted to write about my experiences with this in mind. There are lot of fabulous parent and lifestyle blogs out there, many with their own distinctive niche and I think there's a definite gap for blogs written by older parents. This is not to be ageist but I believe that 'older parenting' is a different experience and one that, despite age and maturity, many mums and dads are still not prepared for.

2. When someone comments on your posts, do you always reply?

If the comment includes a question of course but in general I acknowledge comments through Facebook or Twitter. I've learned that blogging is very much about community and many of my fellow bloggers have become good friends via social media.

3. Have you ever had any negative comments? If so how do you react?

No - and if I did I think I'd probably ignore them and if they were offensive, remove them so as not to cause offence to other readers.

4. What's your favourite season and why?

Autumn. One of the fabulous things about being a parent is that you get the chance to relive your childhood again. I love Halloween and Bonfire Night.  My daughter's birthday is in November so that's obviously another party and then there's the glorious build up to Christmas and New Year. Actually I suspect I enjoy it all more than the kids. It's a time of year when your senses go into overdrive - the lights, the smells, the sounds of caroling, food and decorations. One of my favourite places to be at this time of year is the beauty hall in Debenhams. Call me shallow but surrounded by the floodlit best that the beauty industry can offer in glorious wrapping paper, I have palpitations calmed only by a jumbo cappuccino and chocolate muffin.

5. If you could be any animal, what would you be?

A cat. With the exception of a sloth, no other animal can make inertia look stylish. I'd come home to find my cat Samson sat in an arm chair wearing a smoking jacket and cradling a whisky sour and a large cigar.

6. If you could change just one thing in your life, would you?

I've been incredibly blessed;  the older you get, the more you realise this but if if I could change one thing it would be the size of my feet. Size 8. I ask you. That's not a foot, that's a tennis racquet.

7. Do you enjoy blogging? Or has it taken over your life?

I love blogging and  I can be ever so slightly obsessional (I have a 'thing' about Hercule Poirot, Art Deco and lemon curd - happily not all at the same time). Since I'm currently a stay at home mum, (don't tell Katie Hopkins), I have plenty of time to indulge my passion. And have a bit of a flick round with a duster of course (in case the husband is reading).

8. Has anything good ever happened to you because of your blog?

It's very early days for me but I'm enjoying the new friends I am making via this hobby.

9. Sweet or Savory?

Oh that's a tricky one. Probably savoury. I love cheese and olives. They're my comfort foods.

10. Would you, or have you got a second blog?

Not till I am happy with this one. I'm a bit of a perfectionist.

11. Where do you see your blog 5 years from now?

I'd love it to be a go-to first port of call for readers each morning, with a thriving number of readers and commentators.

The 11 blogs I am nominating are:-

1.  mamaroddy84
2.  redheadbabyled
3.  rachelheller
4.  urbanalmanac
5.  twomonstersandmeeverythinginbetween
6.  beautywish
7.  thecrazyperfect
8.  welshfootymam
9.  sweetcraftiness
10. bellesnbows
11. slightgem


And my eleven questions for you all are:

1. What inspired you to start a blog?
2. What is your absolute favourite topic to blog about?
3. When someone comments on your posts, do you always reply?
4. Have you ever had any negative comments? If so how do you react?
5. What's your favourite novel?
6. What, in your view, is the best film ever made and why?
7. X Factor or Strictly - and why?
8. If you could change just one thing in your life, would you?
9. What's the best thing about blogging - and the worst?
10. Has anything good ever happened to you because of your blog?
11. Where do you see your blog 5 years from now?

Please comment back with a link so I know you have accepted the award and can read your answers. Can't wait to see what you all come up with - and thanks once again to Tracey.

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Age Shall Not Wither Her (Hopes An Older Mum)

One of the downsides of having children late in life (43 and 45 in my case) is that there comes a time when the age differential between you and other mothers becomes noticeable to your kids, even if there is no judgement in their observation.

Wrinkled Prune - Not A Good Look

I am 50 next year and Caitlin said to me tonight whilst doing her ablutions - "50 is an awfully big number isn't it. What do girls do at 50?". I was at a momentary loss to give her an answer. She wanted to know when she would become a big girl and I could see her mind working out where to place us both on a scale of age. She is also becoming aware of the concept of death and that we do not last forever.

Hubby and I are determined to keep young (ish), fit and healthy so we are around as long as possible for our children. There are those (many of them other women) who would say that having children at such a late age was an act of extreme selfishness and whilst I can see their point, it's a little late to turn back the clock and to deny our two the myriad of wonderful experiences that life can offer if you have the get up and go to, well, get up and go. 

In any case, is having a baby ever an act of altruism? I've been asked if my kids were an accident, if the conception was 'entirely natural' and if I was overcome by the raging tick of my biological clock. Manners seem to go out of the window when quizzing a woman about her fertility. I am well aware that I have been incredibly lucky and always counsel any younger woman who asks that the younger you can have your kids the better, simply because over 35 your guarantee of conceiving a child, at least easily, is not set in stone.

Of course I am apprehensive about my two being picked on for having 'older parents'. I am hardly in the same league as those 60+ first time mothers who have bypassed the NHS and had IVF in Italy, but if I look around at the other mothers at the school gate, there are some who seem barely out of school (they probably are). 

More comfortingly, however, there an equal number who seem closer to my own age. It is often said the older mothers have more patience. Hmm. Let me tell you it's potentially tougher if you do not make sure you keep your energy reserves up.  I always say that when you get pregnant the only thing you focus on is the safe delivery of your child.  Perhaps I'm not a 'tiger mother' because I certainly did not think about the impact on my daily life or what my approach to my kids' education would be. I had visions of swanning about in fields full of poppies, like an Amish version of the Flake advert, wearing Laura Ashley with my baby strapped to my breast, whilst pointing out flowers, birds and butterflies and singing like Stevie Nicks.

Swanning round fields dressed like Stevie Nicks.  It never happened.

Sleep, good nutrition, exercise and stress management all take on a heightened importance when you're an older parent. Supplements, both food, herbal and vitamins can help. Meditation, mindfulness and just taking a break can help you maintain your equilibrium. These are subjects I plan to cover at a later date, together with advice from those who are experts in these fields.

Actually, I am less concerned about other people's views about older mothers than I am about my two twigging that I may not be around quite as long as some of their friends' parents. But there are no guarantees in life, are there? Caitlin loves to count the days down to her 6th birthday (in November) but I have told her that every day is special and to make the most of each one. And as I approach the big 50, I try to remember to tell myself that too.  Plus, Stevie Nicks is now 65.

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Derek Zoolander Meet Your Nemesis - Ieuan

Leaving aside the fact that my thighs have gone blue this morning and I can't work out if it's dye from my jeans or I have got something horrible and vascular, the week has started relatively smoothly. 

The boy has gone off to start his first full week in school with excitement and reissued threats from his parents that all Christmas presents will be dependent upon Santa's satisfaction with his vegetable consumption.

We are hoping that school will, how shall I put it, smooth some of the rougher edges off his behaviour because Ieuan's favourite thing to do at the moment is "grumping". 

When he doesn't want to do something he will adopt the posture of a miniature rapper - less Eminen, more M&Ms (actually I still remember Peanut Treats but then I am a child of the 60's when established brands weren't buggered about with to keep the USA happy - Snickers?  Oh really.).

Lately Ieuan has ramped up this posture in homage to Derek Zoolander (the fab Ben Stiller in the film of the same name) to include his "spooky look". Disciplining a child whilst trying not to snort with laughter is no mean feat I can tell you.

Courtesy of Dailymail.co.uk

Currently our discipline methods include threats of toy removal, early bedtimes, cake bans, confiscation of Toy Story dvds and exchanging him for a cat.  These are all about as effective as Ed Milliband.

Ieuan Hobbis - "Spooky"

Dare I say that I have noticed the tendency of some mothers to be a little more lenient with sons?  I wonder sometimes if I am being less firm with Ieuan than I am with Caitlin and I really don't want him to grow up as a mummy's boy.  I am advised that a reward chart might be the way to go.  Kids certainly seem to love stickers. Needless to say, when I was in school we did not have stickers.  We had detention.

So, at various times during the day I hear the phrase "mummy, I'm grumping!" and then "I'm doing my spooky look" - and I'm trying to ignore it and channel the behaviour into something positive. 

I think it may be time to work on a new face of my own,  (my repertoire includes "nearly manic" and "cajoling") - but what will instill terror into the heart of a four year old?  Oh, I know.  Dr Who.

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Silent Sunday - 08/09/2013

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Pre-emptive Parking For A Ballet Debut

You know when you do things you don't need to but feel compelled? No, I'm not talking about OCD (although that's another story). My anxiety levels have risen since I left my job as a marketing maverick in a law firm for the much more challenging role of stay at home mother. I think it's the lack of project deadlines or not having to report in that's done it. Some times I wonder if it's the onset of the (whisper it reader, whisper it) menopause so I'm popping a bit of the old Black Cohosh each morning just in case.  My GP has snorted in derision at this suggestion - "the average age is 53" - but who needs proper medical advice when you've got hoards of complete lunatics offering unsolicited advice on the internet, right?

Anyhoo - Caitlin is having a trial ballet lesson this afternoon and I have just spent approximately an hour this morning scouting out the venue and, more importantly, potential places to park. My preferred approach to parking is "trundle to desired location and stop". My parallel parking is right up there with my macrame skills - both end up in knots. It's quite embarrassing to have to admit it because it's not very, well, feminist is it?

Penelope Pitstop - made driving look easy.  

I find these days I have to micro plan everything which means I'm efficient but as any fan of meaningless management jargon will know, it might not make me very effective. It's certainly not doing my blood pressure any good. Still, it's Friday which makes it a "mummy's special juice" evening and in the meantime I will peruse my wall of self help / stress management tomes to see what random advice I can adopt today and promptly forget all about tomorrow.

Caitlin is so excited about going to ballet. I studied ballet myself until I was 16, having all the grace of a three legged gazelle. I remember the pink tights and ballet slippers, the leotard and my mum cursing as she tried to shove my hair into a bun. I also remember my legs feeling like jelly after an hour's lesson. Ballet is a strict and exacting discipline - however beautiful it looks. It's excellent for improving posture and deportment. Something quite a few girls today would benefit from. I actually think ballet is a bit of a vocation - it can certainly be hard work.

We'll see how Caitlin gets on. I think the most important thing is to give your kids a chance to experience different activities if you can, encourage their progress but not be too disappointed if that activity is not for them. Let's be honest, I'm sure many parents may be spending a lot on activities their kids don't really enjoy  - our kids hobbies are not always cheap, are they!

And at least I know where to park. Hope there's a whacking great space available!

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The White Company store opens in St Davids Lower Grand Mall TODAY 5th Sept in Cardiff at 11 am.

I was lucky enough to attend the invitation only preview evening of The White Company's first store in Wales last night, situated in St Davids, Lower Ground Mall in Cardiff.

Founded in 1993 by Chrissie Rucker at the ripe old age of 24 with just a 12 page brochure, the company has now grown to be one of the UK's fastest growing multi-channel retailers. Rucker wanted to find 'gorgeous, high quality' white items and was frustrated that the only ones she could find and afford were cheap designs of poor quality. So The White Company was born to supply affordable stylish, white, designer quality items for the home with an excellent shopping experience to boot.

The product range concentrates primarily on essentials for the linen cupboard such as duvet covers, pillows, fitted sheets and luxury towels. They use only high quality cotton and yarn and pride themselves on impeccable finishing. There are also some signature colour pieces which are introduced on a seasonal basis.

Bedspreads, blankets and throws are available, as is a range of practical and stylish accessories for both laundry and dining. The softest bathrobes nestle close to furry slippers and a range of elegant daywear and gorgeously soft scarves.

There is also "The Little White Company" - a range of children's and baby wear with bedding toys and gifts and the company's bathtime treats, room scents and candles.

I found the store beautifully laid out and lit. The staff were chic and welcoming. For a neat freak (well, aiming to be), like me, the rows of artfully displayed clothes and bedding were an excellent example of how my own closets could look  (in the fullness of time ......). Items ordered in store can be delivered free to your home and the store offers a packing service for a small extra fee - useful to avoid Christmas wrapping if you're as useless at it as I am.

I think the Store's opening is timely and it offers a refreshing alternative to John Lewis (probably its nearest competitor in Cardiff for homeware) and IKEA. The simplicity and cleanliness of the designs provide a great starting point for interior decoration for those of us baffled by colour and texture.

The store opens TODAY, 5th September at 11 am.

Definitely worth a look - and yes, I invested in a selection of their lovely bedding.  It was 'all white' by me!

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Discussing Disability With Ieuan

For the first time today, Ieuan has noticed CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell does not have a full right arm. Why today I've no idea, but it meant that I felt compelled to talk about disability with him.

CBeebies Presenter Cerrie Burnell

Such is the minefield of political correctness surrounding issues of race, gender and ability these days, I was surprised to find myself struggling to explain. Since my son starts Reception tomorrow though, I felt today was a very good time to talk.

Cerrie Burnell is actually a bit of an inspiration, despite the ridiculous parental prejudices which came to the fore via numerous complaints when she was first appointed by the BBC in 2009.  Born with a right arm which stops at the elbow, Burnell stopped wearing a prosthetic arm aged 9. Despite also having dylexia, her accomplishments while growing up included joining the army cadets and working at a leprosy clinic in India. Cerrie now has a young daughter, born in 2008.  

So what did I say to Ieuan?  I said that sometimes we are born with bits of our body not working (I wear glasses and now have a hearing aid) and that if all our body works we should feel very lucky. I told him that it does not matter if a bit of your body does not work, everyone is special and should be treated with kindness.  It's what's inside and how we behave that matters most.

I'm not sure I got it right.  What would you have said?

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Back to Life, Back to Reality....

My little ice-cream eating princess and Barbie fan Caitlin is back to school today, having started Year One.

I managed not to sob at the school gate as she trotted in all grown up and apprehensive. Her brother has not stopped asking when he's starting Reception (Thursday) and is asking this on repeat approximately every 5 minutes.



I'm in that "where did the last six weeks go?" mood when I know we must have done something but I can't remember what - other than the raft of usual favourites (pizza, beaches, fair rides, you get the drift). I am feeling a little 'mummy guilt' that we did not up sticks and go to Bluestone / Centreparcs, Disney World, anywhere in Spain but the cost of a UK holiday, let alone a foreign one, is becoming almost prohibitive.

It is difficult sometimes to avoid the inevitable school gate competition for the most exotic holiday (ooh look, there we all are in Dubai, Malaysia, kayaking up the Congo) but I tell myself that our time will come - not least when I finally get around to updating my passport to my married name (how much!!!!)

In the meantime, Ieuan and I are reliving Buzz Lightyear's film highlights and I'm trying to introduce him to a foodstuff other than peanut butter. If only his food motto was "To infinity and beyond"!

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Nouvelle Indian Cuisine - A Purple Reign at the Purple Poppadom, Cardiff

Going for a curry can occasionally be, at least for an aspiring foodie, a bit of a lazy choice. No surprises are expected. Your order is usually on the tip of your tongue before you take off your coat. But for a completely new experience of Indian Cuisine, hubby and I visited the Purple Poppadom, winner of the South Wales Echo Food & Drink Awards Indian Restaurant of the Year 2013.

It is clear that, given the unprepossessing frontage of the restaurant which resides on the first floor of a non-descript building in Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, the Purple Poppadom is a bit of a connundrum - a well kept but open secret. 

Walking up the stairs into the soothing purple decor, we were met swiftly and ushered politely to our seats. Given the searing heat in Cardiff on Saturday night, the air conditioning was just the right temperature (nothing worse than sitting under a blasting aircon unit or actually getting chilly!)

The Streets of Mumbai

The restaurant's Chef, multi award winning Anand George had just launched the summer menu, "Ocean". From Kerala in Southern Indian, Chef George has worked in many of the prestigious 5 star restaurants in Mumbai, and is a winner of the Tiffin Cup for the UK's Best Indian Cuisine, awarded by the House of Commons.

Largely unaware of this, hubby and I were about to be very surprised.

We started with "The Streets of Mumbai" - three mini taste explosions which included Aloo Tikki (potato cake served on a bed of spiced chickpeas), tangy puffed rice salad with tamarind chutney and the amazing Bombay Chat (described as a "pop in the mouth semolina pastry snack filled with yoghurt and homemade chutney, topped with gram flour vermicelli) - a taste 'bomb' of Indian flavours.

Even the chutneys which accompanied our poppadoms (crisp without any oily residue) were full of subtle flavours. The raita was not the usual heavy handed mix of yoghurt and mint but a delicate and zesty minty dip which complemented the crispness of the poppadom without rendering it soggy.

A happy hubby with poppadoms

And so to the main course. I had Chef George's wonderful signature dish - "Tiffin Seabass", the dish which won the Tiffin Cup - described as "sea bass pan seared and served on a bed of curry leaf infused mash potato; in a tongue tickling raw mango, ginger and coconut sauce with beetroot pachadi". 

Tiffin Seabass

The combination of flavours in this dish was spectacular. The fish was cooked to perfection, melt in the mouth with the flesh falling easily away from the skin with not a hint of dryness. The mashed potato was a refreshing change from rice and the sauce was a perfect blend of exotic flavours.

Hubby had the Murgh Chatpata Kolaphur, described as "from Kolaphur in Maharashtra, boneless chicken with a thick tangy onion, tomato, fenugreek leaves and lemon juice. 

 

Murgh Chatpata Kolaphur

A deceptively spicy curry with subtle flavours and a developing heat, the chicken was moist and tender whilst the sauce was fresh and natural.

We finished our meal with coffee and the bill totaled around £70 including drinks. There is a selection of delicious desserts on offer, including Chocomosa Anand, Chef's signature dish of a" light crispy pastry parcel filled with a melted Belgian chocolate ganache, served with home made vanilla ice cream" which is now on my 'to do' list for our next visit.

We will certainly be returning to sample more of some of the most authentic and delicious Indian cuisine we've ever come across (without travelling to India!).

[I was not paid for this review and the views expressed are all my own].

The Purple Poppadom is situated at 185a Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff. Tel: 02920 220026. www.purplepoppadom.com.

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Baker Days Cakes - The Birthday Card You Can Eat

The lovely people at Baker Days, artisan bakers and creators of a clever range of personalised, quality celebration cakes sent me a fabulous treat to review for you - one of their letterbox cakes.

Baker Days produce round cakes which come in 4 sizes, from the 3-4 portion letterbox cake up to the large 55 portion party cake. Simple to order, prices start from £14.99 and if you order before 2 pm your cake can be delivered the next day virtually anywhere in the UK. (Cakes ordered over the weekend will be delivered on Tuesday). Choose your size, flavour and add your special message from the wide range of designs. Best of all, cakes can be personalised using photographs supplied by you.

The letterbox cake which we tried, comes neatly packaged in an airtight tin, together with a gift tag, candles, balloons and even a party blower. It is a 5 inch cake, big enough for 3-4 modest portions (although I could happily have eaten the lot myself), and the cake we were sent was a carrot cake covered in delicious fondant icing. I have to say that it was the lightest carrot cake I have ever tried.



The cake as it arrived, perfectly packaged and protected.

Baker Days pride themselves on hand-making their cakes with natural ingredients and no preservatives. For example their buttercream is made with real butter and you can really taste the difference.

As it was Ieuan's fourth birthday, we took the opportunity to have the cake personalised for him (and created by friendly aliens) and he loved it. Hubby and I, sister Caitlin (5) and the birthday boy made short work of it!

Ieuan's photo - perfectly captured on his birthday cake

I would certainly recommend a Baker Days Letterbox cake as a fresh alternative to a birthday card or flowers. The cake arrived freshly baked and in perfect condition.They are also an ideal standby for those of us who are, ahem, less organised than we occasionally should be and need to send a thoughtful gift to a close friend or relative. You could even send a letterbox cake as a "thank you teacher" gift, instead of a box of chocs or a mug!

A perfectly sized cake for Ieuan

Further information from www.bakerdays.com. Have a look at their website to see how easy it is to create a unique cake to your preferred design.

*sample received for the purpose of this post.

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Sports Day - The Final Frontier For Mums

School sports day. One of those occasions where I wish I hadn't spent most of my PE lessons hiding in the toilet pretending to be the poster girl for Alldays. (The Bodyform woman always sang far too loudly and probably had chronic laryngitis).

Ieuan in sports kit with obligatory party hat and balloon

I did use to make an effort at hockey and loved to play Left Back, but largely because the LB on the vest matched my then initials. I still can't do a forward roll (forget backwards, consider Swiss). So I am determined that Caitlin and Ieuan will have at least a modicum of sporting prowess. They both ran a normal race (see I don't even know the term) and an obstacle race against the polite applause and cheering of the crowd of parents. 

The sound of this was drowned out by the woman bellowing at the front like a wounded buffalo - "mooooove it, moooove it". I don't know what came over me. In the same way, I cannot explain why I routinely cry at every school play and concert.

Still, I know it's not just me. I think many mums returned home beaming with pride and updated their Facebook statuses to the effect that their offspring ran like Mo Farah or Jessica Ennis. Hmm. No pressure then. 

I tell my two winning is good but it's all about trying your hardest and taking part. Just in case sporting prowess is inherited from their parents' genes!

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