G - 'Oh! - you have had a lot of snow....'

G got home Saturday lunch time from Germany & commented, 'oh! -you have had a lot of snow'! Does he not read my blog when he's away?? Anyway I am sooo glad he's back.

In less than an hour, he was off, with the small things, to Chatsworth to sledge - & I stayed at home to play with my new toy....

This is my baby Kenwood - I just know its going to inspire me to become a domestic goddess....

It was bought with 5 years worth of Co-op vouchers gifted to me every Christmas by my mother in law. Who just happened to comment, when I proudly showed her my purchase 'I've got one you could of had, its got the original ceramic bowl' (which makes it even older than my mums one, which must be 30yrs old - Yikes!) - Ohh but I do like my shiny compact one, and I know its not just for looking at!

Well, any soon to be domestic Goddess needs nice tins to put her creations in, & what better than these??

& enclosed in the tins, was a recipe for pistachio & white chocolate cookies. Yum Yum Yum must make these I thought.

Do you ever think there is a conspiracy to stop yourself from being domesticated? Mine came in the lack of shelled pistachios in Sainsbury's. Never mind, I have child slave labour to hand....

A good job little miss did too....

And look - Nigella Cookies for my Nigella tin - Yum!

& of course, for a full Kenwood workout - cheesy feet for the lunch boxes next week....

Not only did I use child labour to help develop my new baking skills, I was also the wicked mummy who banned the TV this weekend. One to many sibling scrats, and not enough 'sharing is caring' attitude prompted a back to basics weekend.

We survived, they survived & they played in (almost) sibling harmony. The cry of 'kill Boadicea' was a little concerning, but I was reassured by No 1 child that he was allowed to say this because she was a Celt - (so he has been paying attention to Roman week at school).... although I cannot remember dinosaurs being present in this period of history....

Little Miss also had an Aqua bead session - Hearts -that's my girl! Did you know, if you ingest these little balls, they can have a hallucinogenic effect? No me neither, until my A&E nursey friend told me...& not that I've tried either....

We popped out for Sunday lunch to a local garden centre, and spent a good couple of hours mooching & looking at the fish etc.

I also got to indulge in my love of purchasing lovely things, such as these moulds for fried eggs or pancakes - I do hope G isn't now going to expect eggs on toast on Friday....

This in the Laura Ashley Sale £3.00 - Bargain!, which matches my apron, although I think I shall use it as the odd sock bag in the laundry room, rather than as a peg bag....

And finally, the best bargain, most loveliest thing, this -

I thought it was £15, but when I got to the till, it was only £7.50.... Now what to do with it, so many thoughts....Outside with plants?....Inside with herbs....On my crafting table, filled with lovely things.... I don't quite know, but I think its lovely all the same....

Well its been a lovely weekend, baking & buying, G home, peace in the house....I almost don't want to go to work in the morning....

Although not much housework has been achieved - but tomorrow is another day & I just hope the window cleaner won't come in this weather- I'm almost tempted to pray for snow!

Love Lydia xx