Looking back, looking forward

Let's get this clear, I'm no good at New Years Resolutions. Tell me I can't do something and it'll be the first thing I do. I'm kinda stubborn like that.

So this year I've decided to set a few goals for myself instead. 2013 has been full of change and I'd like to get back to finding a bit of 'normality' in my life so here are my top 3 aims for a fabulous 2014...

Christmas tree brownie pops

 It goes without saying that I love Christmas, I'm practically Pollyanna-esque in the run up to the big day and I love nothing more than getting in the kitchen and baking treats for the family. It's the one time of the year when we all get to sample the delights that are generally reserved for customers and thanks to Pinterest - my baking to do list is massive this year...

I started off my baking a few weeks ago and my first bake was the simple Christmas tree brownies. I popped them on suitable festive lollipop sticks and the kids loved eating them as a special treat with hot chocolate after we'd finished putting up our own tree.

Make your own Christmas decorations

Regular readers of my blog will know I'm a frugal being, living on a budget doesn't have to mean scrimping on the good things in life and luckily for me this time of the year is all about 'making Christmas' so I can be frugal and it's deemed more acceptable - even *whispers* cool. Bonus!

Myself and the boys have created an advent calendar activity list and each day the boys open an envelope which has a promise or Christmas related activity on it for us to do that day. I'm trying to instill a sense of Christmas spirit in the kids as I don't want the whole season to be ALLLL about the toys! Obviously, that will be their priority (I was exactly the same at their ages) but doing something a little festive each day helps me feel Christmassy and makes sure I set aside a little time with them each day.

White chocolate and gingerbread fudge pops

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I am such a massive fan of Christmas, my Mum was the same and I am determined that I will instill that festive spirit in my boys - whether they like it or not...ho ho ho!

It makes me a bit sad that so much of Christmas is now fuelled by materialistic things like over the top toys and having to send £100's of pounds just to get your kids the 'right' gift for the big day. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure if I had a more affluent lifestyle then I'd probably spoil my little ones but I want them to associate this time of the year with fun and love and the spirit of giving - so we're doing little and lots this month to make that happen.

Doctor Who inspired family fun day

Happy 50th anniversary Doctor Who! If, like me, you're a fellow Whovian then it will have no doubt escaped your notice that this past weekend has been ALL about celebrating a massive TV milestone for Doctor Who. 50 years, I mean I don't know many programmes that get past 50 episodes let alone 50 years!

Me and my boys love the Doctor so I decided to make the most of the day and create a little family fun day themed especially for the night time showing of the 'Day of the Doctor'.

Matcha tea cupcakes with strawberry frosting

I'm relatively new to tea, being a coffee lover, but recently I've been embracing new herbal teas and to my surprise have discovered that Redbush Tea is my new favourite hot drink of choice! I'm thoroughly addicted and the fact that it's caffeine free means I can drink it right up until bedtime.

But Matcha Tea is new to me. I've heard of green tea but I've never tried it so when a client asked me to make her wedding cupcakes matcha flavoured, I knew I'd have some experimenting to do! Luckily in Nottingham we have international supermarkets on tap and the Oriental Mart in Nottingham sold the Matcha powder which is imported from Japan. The guy in the shop was super helpful and even explained to me how to use it in baking which was an added bonus!

Mars Bar filled brownies

Halloween has come and gone and left our house filled with sweet treats of every description. The kids were very lucky this year and returned home with bags of sweets and 2wks on, we still have some leftover!

I posted my Sweet loaded cookie bars a few weeks back and whilst they are a great way to use up little sweeties you have left lying around, I had managed to pick up a giant bag of funsize mars bar for under £1 so I needed to find a recipe that would use them up - fast!

I decided on brownies as they last really well if stored in an airtight container and they're super easy to pop into a lunchbox. I was also travelling to see some friends at the weekend and made up a batch which travelled unscathed on trains, trams and after countless miles walking!

Minecraft dessert table fun at Gamecity

There are many things that lead me to believe that I truly do live in the best city in the UK. One of those things is Gamecity.

Now don't get me wrong; hardcore gamer I am not, but as the sister of a brother who played games for the duration of his youth I can safely say I've learnt a trick or two. I remember every console we had since the age of 9 and am very proficient with any brand Nintendo controller. I pulled out our old Super Nintendo a little whole ago just to check I still remembered all the cheats and warps throughout the Super Mario Bros 2 game (I can proudly report - I did).