The big event was Toby's birthday, which somehow took over most of the month! Graham's parents visited the weekend before it, when we had his party; then he opened presents on the actual day; then my parents visited the week after, which involved more cake and gifts. We saw fire eating and live music at the local marina; survived all of us having colds at once; started attending a baby group in the village with Theo; painted a fence and made a Christmas cake.
- turned four years old! (I feel like I've been saying he's "nearly four" for months now.)
- finally plucked up courage to try the big swings, and discovered he's really quite good at them.
-suddenly decided he would have a shower instead of a bath, which he has never done before.
- enjoys going kayaking with Graham...
...and playing on the playground in his lifejacket afterwards.
- drew a bus and said it needed to say London on it. So I described the letters and he wrote them.
- still entertains his little brother
Quotes:
"Those people are talking tripe!" - about some actors performing Shakespeare
"I'm looking forward to Christmas." - as soon as his birthday was over.
- is still a smiley chap who now sits up extremely well
- says "mum-mum-mum" very plaintively when he wants something
- sees absolutely no point in trying to roll over
- but will happily pull himself up if you give him a hand, and is just able to stand up while holding onto a sofa or bed for balance.
Both boys keep taking their socks off, so there are constantly small socks lying around. Here they're both trying the "one on, one off" look.
- a visit to Hardwick Hall, which I've been wanting to see for a while
When I was trying to use up potatoes, I often made one of those dishes where you slice them thinly and layer them up to bake. The layering stage seemed like a hassle, though, so recently I had an epiphany: why not just dice them and stir everything together?
3 largeish potatoes, in 1 cm dice
1 small carrot, diced
1 onion, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
100g / 4 oz Gouda or other firm cheese, diced
handful of frozen sweetcorn
250 ml / 1 cup chicken stock
mixed herbs and black pepper
Stir all the diced ingredients and sweetcorn together in a large casserole dish. Season with herbs and pepper (I found it didn't need salt). Pour over the stock.
Cover and bake at 150°C for 2 hours (or a higher temperature if you want it quicker). Uncover and grate Parmesan or Cheddar over. Bake for a few more minutes to melt cheese. Serves 2.
Toby
- turned four years old! (I feel like I've been saying he's "nearly four" for months now.)
 |
| He said the strawberry plants needed sheltering from the rain |
- finally plucked up courage to try the big swings, and discovered he's really quite good at them.
-suddenly decided he would have a shower instead of a bath, which he has never done before.
- enjoys going kayaking with Graham...
 |
| The intrepid mariners set sail |
 |
| Hard a-port! |
- still entertains his little brother
Quotes:
"Those people are talking tripe!" - about some actors performing Shakespeare
"I'm looking forward to Christmas." - as soon as his birthday was over.
Theo
- is still a smiley chap who now sits up extremely well
- says "mum-mum-mum" very plaintively when he wants something
 |
| Modelling a lovely coat made by my friend Sharon |
- sees absolutely no point in trying to roll over
 |
| Why would I want to do that? |
Both boys keep taking their socks off, so there are constantly small socks lying around. Here they're both trying the "one on, one off" look.
Thankful for:
- free electricity! We had solar panels installed completely gratis.- a visit to Hardwick Hall, which I've been wanting to see for a while
Recipe of the Month: Potato Bake
When I was trying to use up potatoes, I often made one of those dishes where you slice them thinly and layer them up to bake. The layering stage seemed like a hassle, though, so recently I had an epiphany: why not just dice them and stir everything together?
3 largeish potatoes, in 1 cm dice
1 small carrot, diced
1 onion, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
100g / 4 oz Gouda or other firm cheese, diced
handful of frozen sweetcorn
250 ml / 1 cup chicken stock
mixed herbs and black pepper
Stir all the diced ingredients and sweetcorn together in a large casserole dish. Season with herbs and pepper (I found it didn't need salt). Pour over the stock.
Cover and bake at 150°C for 2 hours (or a higher temperature if you want it quicker). Uncover and grate Parmesan or Cheddar over. Bake for a few more minutes to melt cheese. Serves 2.
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