Annie Sloan Chalk Paint turns out to be the Solution to our Pine Furniture Problem

After years of wanting to, I've finally painted a piece of furniture and I'm delira! 

When we moved into our existing house there were no built in wardrobes or storage. We were lucky to be given some pine wardrobes and chests of drawers which work fine but look not so great.  Because our walls are painted white and our floors are wooden, the pine furniture adds nothing to the decor which is in need of a colour pop here and there. I've always wanted to paint them but was discouraged by hubby and others with tales of having to sand and prime and how hard it would be to get an uniform finish. 

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred - A Review

I have a "Mum Tum". My first step is admitting it. Apparently,  some people with means schedule tummy tucks after giving birth. Before I had children, I thought this was ludicrous. Do a few sits ups. Cut down on the biscuits. Get out there and walk. No need for surgery, I thought with judgmental delusion.

Mind you, as I write this, I'm finishing off a glass of wine and just enjoyed a home made brownie. Perhaps I have ordinary "Fat Tum" rather than "Mum Tum" and am just in denial?

The Nicest Home Made Chips that aren't Deep Fried

Obviously, if you have a deep frier, this post will be of no interest to you because let's face it, home made chips made in the deep frier are the most delicious. I love chips and I have played around with various recipes for home made wedges and chips and this is the closest I've gotten to deep fried loveliness.

My Tuppence Worth to those about to become new Parents

Hi There, impending parent, normal, civilised person, who has all the time in the world. That's how I view you and indeed how you may come to view other childless people around about two seconds after your new baby "pops out". Because after that momentous event, the part of your life you can devote to you and your needs and sleep and your interests and sleep and your desires shrinks to almost nothing. Your life is instantly transformed, mostly for the good, honestly. I have jotted down a few points which might be of interest to you (or may be annoyingly condescending). I hope it's the former.

Cheat's Porridge

I like a bowl of porridge in the morning. Warm, filling, cheap. It's all good.

There are perhaps many schools of thought as to how porridge should taste. When studying for Inter cert Irish (I am that old), "Leite Donncha Pheig" was one of the stories I learnt (and indeed the only one I actually remember). I recall it dealt with matrimonial disharmony arising out of a difference in taste for porridge between salty and sweet. I don’t put salt into my porridge but I like to sprinkle it with sugar, brown if I’m treating myself. While I’m at it, I love to pour a little cream over my porridge too. Not every day.

My Friend

The gardens in the houses in my row slope around in a vaguely semi circular fashion and I can just catch a glimpse of the end of a clothes line in the garden of a house several doors up from mine.

Each morning I engage in a sort of risk assessment as to where it might be wisest to place our wet laundry to dry. The tumble drier doesn’t get a look in as I have a deep-seated prejudice against them, borne out of my rearing and bitter experience. I resent the clothes-horses taking up room and the fact that it takes longer for the clothes to dry inside. On the other hand, it is so satisfying to watch the clothes outside on the line blowing back and forth drying briskly in the air.  So many considerations to factor in: the temperature, the forecast, how much time I have, if I will be there to take the clothes in before it gets too late, whether there is “good drying”.

The Children's Dinners - Using a Safefood Meal Planner

Back in the day when I had none of my own, I smugly (and naively) pooh poohed when I saw children eating sausages or chicken nuggets and chips in restaurants. Oh no, my little darlings, should I be blessed with offspring, would enjoy a varied and adventurous diet.

Now I actually have children, I'm acutely aware that if you are shelling out for a family meal, the last thing you want is to see untouched plates and to have to head home to prepare a second meal. If your children are sure to eat and enjoy sausages and chips then you will gladly let them order that. In fact you will make sure it, or a similar fail safe choice (Macaroni and Cheese, anyone?) is on the menu before you darken the doors of the restaurant.