Sunday, 21 December 2014
Friday, 19 December 2014
Point and Shoot
Wow last weekend really was a busy one!
On Friday night the hubby and I had a much needed night away. We stayed in a fantastic hotel and had an amazingly delicious meal.
Saturday was just a regular Saturday, we played together, went shopping and spent quality time together.
Sunday was the day that Christmas finally arrived to the Hijacked By Twins household! The hubby announced on Sunday morning that we were going to go Christmas tree shopping. Not for a usual artificial tree, but for a real one! Hubby has always known that I have longed for a real tree. So this year we made it into a big occassion for the family. We all got wrapped up and went to get our tree. The children loved it as much as the hubby and I did. We even bought a few new baubles to make it an experience that we would all treasure. After we had bought our tree we took it home and spent the rest of the afternoon decorating it. This is the first year that the twins have really understood Christmas and it really is such a magical time.
Here is our weekend in pictures...
Word of the Week - 19th December 2014
There is only one word that can sum up this week. That word is...
Indecisive
This is the fourth time that I have written my Word of the Week post. After changing my mind a lot as I was writing last night I shut the laptop down and decided I would write my Word of the Week this morning.
The words that could summarise this week are exhausted, traditional, Christmassy, anxiety, pride and accomplishment! Wow that is a lot words and a lot of emotions. Now do you understand why I chose indecisive?!?!
I have felt exhausted this week after a few late nights. Not late nights because I have been out but late night because I have been blogging until late and then struggled to sleep as I start thinking about what I need to get done.
Traditional as we have chosen a traditional, real Christmas tree this year instead of our usual artificial one. I have always wanted a real tree and on Sunday the hubby surprised us all by suggesting we all go out and choose our tree. It was a lovely family outing and we are going to make it into our family Christmas tradition to go real tree shopping each year.
Christmassy (if that is a word!) as now we have our tree the house is finally decorated. The children love the lights and the decorations. This year the twins understand Christmas a lot more which is lovely.
My anxiety has been up this week. I am assuming that it is because I am thinking about what needs doing before Christmas and the list does seem endless. However, today, I am feeling good and I can see that I am getting through the list and everything will be ready by the big day.
Pride sums up how I felt yesterday. We went to watch Joseph's Christmas service at the church. This year Joseph stood up and spoke his lines with more confidence than before. He does often lack in confidence but it is lovely to see that it is growing.
I feel accomplished as my Center Parcs Winter Wonderland is now live and includes my first blog video. I am also up to date with my reviews and collaborative posts which means I can truly relax over Christmas. I am planning to have a few posts scheduled so that on Christmas eve, or even the day before if I am lucky, I can shut the laptop down and leave it until after the weekend!
This week has been up and down and I have felt a mixture of emotions. Today is Joseph's last day at school before the manic few days before Christmas.
I hope you all have a....
The words that could summarise this week are exhausted, traditional, Christmassy, anxiety, pride and accomplishment! Wow that is a lot words and a lot of emotions. Now do you understand why I chose indecisive?!?!
I have felt exhausted this week after a few late nights. Not late nights because I have been out but late night because I have been blogging until late and then struggled to sleep as I start thinking about what I need to get done.
Traditional as we have chosen a traditional, real Christmas tree this year instead of our usual artificial one. I have always wanted a real tree and on Sunday the hubby surprised us all by suggesting we all go out and choose our tree. It was a lovely family outing and we are going to make it into our family Christmas tradition to go real tree shopping each year.
Christmassy (if that is a word!) as now we have our tree the house is finally decorated. The children love the lights and the decorations. This year the twins understand Christmas a lot more which is lovely.
My anxiety has been up this week. I am assuming that it is because I am thinking about what needs doing before Christmas and the list does seem endless. However, today, I am feeling good and I can see that I am getting through the list and everything will be ready by the big day.
Pride sums up how I felt yesterday. We went to watch Joseph's Christmas service at the church. This year Joseph stood up and spoke his lines with more confidence than before. He does often lack in confidence but it is lovely to see that it is growing.
I feel accomplished as my Center Parcs Winter Wonderland is now live and includes my first blog video. I am also up to date with my reviews and collaborative posts which means I can truly relax over Christmas. I am planning to have a few posts scheduled so that on Christmas eve, or even the day before if I am lucky, I can shut the laptop down and leave it until after the weekend!
This week has been up and down and I have felt a mixture of emotions. Today is Joseph's last day at school before the manic few days before Christmas.
I hope you all have a....
As always I am sharing my word of the week with the lovely Jocelyn from The Reading Residence.
Thursday, 18 December 2014
5 Tips To Improve The General Running Of Your Blog
Starting
and maintaining a blog may seem really simple, but it's amazing how
many bloggers give up early on because they either get bored or
underestimate the amount of work involved. In reality though,
managing a blog can be easy if you follow certain advice - and here
are five of my top tips that can help to improve the general running
of your blog.
1. Schedule Posts
One of the reasons why so many blogs fail is that the bloggers can't find the time to post regular and relevant content. One thing that I do is to schedule blog posts. If I have some free time, I write multiple posts in one day, and use my blog dashboard to schedule these posts to go live at different times on different days. You can even schedule tweets and Facebook posts to publicise these new blog posts when they go live, meaning that you have fresh new content appearing online without the need for too much regular work.
2. Take A Look At Your Layout
Load up your blog's homepage, and try and think objectively about what visitors would think. Is it too cluttered, or too full of ads? You'll want to gain the trust of visitors, so make it look as professional and clean as possible.
3. Promote Your Posts
How are you currently sharing new posts? I use social media as one of the key tools to shout about my new blog posts, and you should be doing the same. You could also consider signing up to blog directories, which will share new posts as they are published, and commenting on posts on other blogs (including a link to any relevant posts on your own blog) can also help to spread the word.
4. Keep An Eye On Your Analytics
I've installed analytics software, Google Analytics, that allows me to see where visitors to my blog are coming from, which posts they are reading and the search terms that they've typed in that have led them to my blog. By monitoring these stats, you'll be able to see which types of post get you the most readers, giving you an idea of the sort of content that appeals most to your audience and keeps them coming back.
5. Install Antivirus Software
When it comes to blogging, you can't be too careful as far as security is concerned. Choose the best antivirus software you can find to keep your blog safe; this will help to protect your passwords and make it more difficult for hackers to make changes to your blog or even destroy it completely.
1. Schedule Posts
One of the reasons why so many blogs fail is that the bloggers can't find the time to post regular and relevant content. One thing that I do is to schedule blog posts. If I have some free time, I write multiple posts in one day, and use my blog dashboard to schedule these posts to go live at different times on different days. You can even schedule tweets and Facebook posts to publicise these new blog posts when they go live, meaning that you have fresh new content appearing online without the need for too much regular work.
2. Take A Look At Your Layout
Load up your blog's homepage, and try and think objectively about what visitors would think. Is it too cluttered, or too full of ads? You'll want to gain the trust of visitors, so make it look as professional and clean as possible.
3. Promote Your Posts
How are you currently sharing new posts? I use social media as one of the key tools to shout about my new blog posts, and you should be doing the same. You could also consider signing up to blog directories, which will share new posts as they are published, and commenting on posts on other blogs (including a link to any relevant posts on your own blog) can also help to spread the word.
4. Keep An Eye On Your Analytics
I've installed analytics software, Google Analytics, that allows me to see where visitors to my blog are coming from, which posts they are reading and the search terms that they've typed in that have led them to my blog. By monitoring these stats, you'll be able to see which types of post get you the most readers, giving you an idea of the sort of content that appeals most to your audience and keeps them coming back.
5. Install Antivirus Software
When it comes to blogging, you can't be too careful as far as security is concerned. Choose the best antivirus software you can find to keep your blog safe; this will help to protect your passwords and make it more difficult for hackers to make changes to your blog or even destroy it completely.
Disclosure: Collaborative post
Winter Spiced Cupcakes
I am over the moon to be writing this post! Recently I have lost my baking mojo but it is coming back and I have had a successful gluten free bake!
I have always read about how gluten free baking is notoriously difficult so I was dreading baking without gluten. However since I started my diet I haven't baked, which I will admit I have missed, so has my hubby! I gave in and agreed to give gluten free baking a go.
My first attempt was not a success. I had read that avocado could be used as a dairy substitute in free from baking. I also did not have any xanthan gum to bind the cake so I used meringues as a substitute. The cake did not turn out well. It reduced a quarter in size when removed from the oven and was so stodgy. However this disaster did not put me off. In fact it made me more determined to succeed.
The recipe which I am sharing with you today is my second attempt. I am feeling especially proud of it as I now know that I can bake gluten free cakes by simply swapping flours and adding xanthan gum.
In this recipe I am writing the ingredients for both gluten and dairy free as well as regular cakes!
This is what I did...
Winter Spiced Cupcakes
Ingredients - Makes 16 cakes
150g baking spread or vegetarian spread
150g caster sugar
3 eggs
175g gluten free or regular self raising flour
1/8 tsp xanthan gum (for gluten free)
1tsp mixed spice
1 teapigs Winter Spice teabags
1tbsp clear honey
Method
Pre heat the oven to 180C
1 - Soften the spread
2 - Mix in the caster sugar until light and creamy
3 - Gradually add an egg at a time with a little flour to prevent curdling
4 - Add the remaining flour, xanthan gum if using, the contents of one Winter Spice teabag, the mixed spice and honey
5 - Mix until all of the ingredients are evenly combined
6 - Divide the mixture between the cake cases and place in the centre of the pre heated oven and bake for 15 minutes
7 - Once thoroughly baked remove from the oven and leave to cool on a baking tray
8 - When the cakes have completely cooled dust over some icing sugar and decorate as you wish
Enjoy x
I have always read about how gluten free baking is notoriously difficult so I was dreading baking without gluten. However since I started my diet I haven't baked, which I will admit I have missed, so has my hubby! I gave in and agreed to give gluten free baking a go.
My first attempt was not a success. I had read that avocado could be used as a dairy substitute in free from baking. I also did not have any xanthan gum to bind the cake so I used meringues as a substitute. The cake did not turn out well. It reduced a quarter in size when removed from the oven and was so stodgy. However this disaster did not put me off. In fact it made me more determined to succeed.
The recipe which I am sharing with you today is my second attempt. I am feeling especially proud of it as I now know that I can bake gluten free cakes by simply swapping flours and adding xanthan gum.
In this recipe I am writing the ingredients for both gluten and dairy free as well as regular cakes!
This is what I did...
Winter Spiced Cupcakes
Ingredients - Makes 16 cakes
150g baking spread or vegetarian spread
150g caster sugar
3 eggs
175g gluten free or regular self raising flour
1/8 tsp xanthan gum (for gluten free)
1tsp mixed spice
1 teapigs Winter Spice teabags
1tbsp clear honey
Method
Pre heat the oven to 180C
1 - Soften the spread
2 - Mix in the caster sugar until light and creamy
3 - Gradually add an egg at a time with a little flour to prevent curdling
4 - Add the remaining flour, xanthan gum if using, the contents of one Winter Spice teabag, the mixed spice and honey
5 - Mix until all of the ingredients are evenly combined
6 - Divide the mixture between the cake cases and place in the centre of the pre heated oven and bake for 15 minutes
7 - Once thoroughly baked remove from the oven and leave to cool on a baking tray
8 - When the cakes have completely cooled dust over some icing sugar and decorate as you wish
The teapigs Winter Spiced Red Tea really does add the finishing touch to the Christmas flavours. It works so well in these moist little festive bakes.
Enjoy x
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Seasonal Vegetables and Pearl Barley Bake - Family Favourites
At this time of year a warming baked stew is just what is needed to warm up. We always enjoy the sweet, earthy flavours that root vegetables add to a dish. Combined with pearl barley this makes a great winters meal.
Not only is this a delicious meal but it is also a quick and easy meal to prepare.
Here is this weeks Family Favourites recipe...
Seasonal Vegetables and Pearl Barley Bake
Ingredients
300g parsnips, cubed
300g carrots, halved and sliced
1 lg red onion, chopped
150g mushrooms, coarsely chopped
150g fennel, chopped
300g pearl barley
1.5lt vegetable stock
1 Knorr mixed herbs Flavour Pot
1tbsp olive oil
Method
Pre heat the oven to 180C
1 - Heat the olive oil in a large pan
2 - Add the parsnips, carrots, onions, mushrooms and fennel to the pan and gently cook for 5 minutes
3 - Rinse the pearl barley and add to the pan, stir through and heat for 2 minutes
4 - Pour over the stock and stir in the Flavour Pot
5 - Bring to the boil
6 - Transfer to an oven proof dish, cover and bake for 40 minutes or until the pearl barley and vegetables have softened
Serve with fresh bread or simply as it is. I have called it "seasonal" vegetable bake as this is a dish which can be changed depending what vegetables are in season. In the summer replace the roots with peppers and courgettes. It can be tailored to your taste.
Enjoy x
Not only is this a delicious meal but it is also a quick and easy meal to prepare.
Here is this weeks Family Favourites recipe...
Seasonal Vegetables and Pearl Barley Bake
Ingredients
300g parsnips, cubed
300g carrots, halved and sliced
1 lg red onion, chopped
150g mushrooms, coarsely chopped
150g fennel, chopped
300g pearl barley
1.5lt vegetable stock
1 Knorr mixed herbs Flavour Pot
1tbsp olive oil
Method
Pre heat the oven to 180C
1 - Heat the olive oil in a large pan
2 - Add the parsnips, carrots, onions, mushrooms and fennel to the pan and gently cook for 5 minutes
3 - Rinse the pearl barley and add to the pan, stir through and heat for 2 minutes
4 - Pour over the stock and stir in the Flavour Pot
5 - Bring to the boil
6 - Transfer to an oven proof dish, cover and bake for 40 minutes or until the pearl barley and vegetables have softened
Serve with fresh bread or simply as it is. I have called it "seasonal" vegetable bake as this is a dish which can be changed depending what vegetables are in season. In the summer replace the roots with peppers and courgettes. It can be tailored to your taste.
Enjoy x
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