Let's Try Again in 2013

Sorry I've neglected this blog for do long. The truth is I ashamed to say that my house is in a worse state than when I started. Stress from my job has kind of taken over and I've let thing get on top if me. Also my hubby has suffered several injuries which have put him out of action for weeks at a time. This has been quite difficult for me as household chores are always a team effort so I have really been missing his help. Anyway, I've decided that I really want to get on top of my disorganised ways and tackle things head on.

This is what I've done so far:

1. Subscribed to organisational blogs.
2. Use technology as much as possible to remind me of appointments and tasks.
3. Get through as much if the laundry pile as I can. I have a wonderful mum who has taken a few bags of laundry from me and washed and ironed them (what a gem). If you don't have someone to help you could use the services if your local launderette and ironing services.  It may cost a little but it's worth it to clear the backlog 
4. Continue to plan meals in advance and shop online accordingly. Remembering to always make use if special offers and multibuys.
5. I always organise kids school stuff the night before but I'm going one step further in 2013 and preparing for the whole week in advance.

I'm hoping that soon I will start to see the rewards.  The spring is almost here so it's making me feel more like getting off my backside and taking back control.

Aim for this week - 1

My wonderful husband has tidied our living rooms so they are now spotless clutter free spaces.  This has been a regular occurence over the years but it has always ended up falling by the wayside and become a dumping ground.  My aim this week is to keep it that way and devlop a system, with the kids, to make sure it stays like that.  It would be lovely to think that I can invite someone round at a moments notice.  As I sit here blogging it does look like a bit of a tip but I know that 5 minutes will soon sort it out. 

I think that my kids get an easy ride.  Everything is done for them and they need to get used to helping around the house now that they are old enough.  I've designated a corner of the living room as the 'put away corner'.  Each thing that I find which does not belong to me will be put in the corner and the kids and hubby will have till bedtime to return it to its rightful home (dumping at the top of the stairs will not do).  I will try to incorporate it into their bedtime routine.  It won't need to be done every night as we are out at work most days and don't get home until gone 6 some nights.  No time for sleepy children to make mess.

Any tips would as always be most appreciated.

Wish me luck :-)

Emma xx

Weekly Aims

23 April  - 29 April

Keep living rooms tidy 

Meal Planner Week 1

I always write weekly menus to help me be organised and cut down on trips to the supermarket.  I thought if I'm writing it anyway I'll put it on here and it might help someone whose lost inspiration. 

Breakfast is always the same.  Cereal, toast, porridge, pancakes etc.  (bacon & eggs on weekends sometimes)

Menu w/c 23 April 2012

Monday

Spaghetti Bolognese with Salad

Fresh fruit salad for dessert

Tuesday

Pork Chops and Saute Potatoes
(carrots and peas)

Cupcakes

Wednesday

Cream of tomato soup (from Hairy Bikers Mums Know Best)

Cheese and Ham Sandwiches with side salad

Yoghurt and a cookie - cookie optional ;-)

Thursday

Lamb steaks mash and gravy
(broccoli, cabbage and carrots)

Friday - Treat night

Chicken tikka masala, rice and naan bread

Saturday

Lunch - Omlette with spring onions and cheese 

Dinner - Bolognese pasta bake (with hidden veggies in the sauce) and garlic flat breads

Sunday

Lunch - Roast chicken with all the trimmings and lots of veg

Dinner - Tuna sandwiches and fruit salad

Theres no science or healthy eating rules behind any of this but the kids are all fairly healthy and seem to each their fair share of fruit and veg each day.

If we're making bolognese for example we always make extra and freeze it.  I make sure I take advantage of the special offers in the supermarket like 2 chickens for £7

Time to de-clutter big style

My youngest child is 6 now so I think it's well and truly time to get rid of all the baby clutter.  I had hung onto a lot of stuff which I thought "he still MIGHT play with that".  I realise now that I was probably trying to keep him "my baby".  He shares a room with his older brother who is 8 so they kind of play with the same stuff.  The room is bursting at the seams which is causing me endless headaches when they want me to find such and such.  This time I'm just going to chuck the lot.  Whenever I de-clutter somewhere I end up with a ebay or charity pile all of which have taken up residence in my bedroom.  I'm going to be firm with myself.  No more "oooh, we could sell that...".  Striaght in the bin/to the tip and out of the way.  I'm going to do the same with the garage and playhouse.  They are both full of un-used plastic ride-ons and toddler toys.

I was thinking this is going to take me hours which I don't have so I am going to spend 15-20 mins each day filling a rubbish bag with things that are to be got rid of.  I've a feeling that on add one or two things might end up on the "ebay pile" but going by what I've noticed in there lately it's all fit for the dump.

Before and after photos to follow.

Wish me luck x :-)

Cheese and Mustard Crust Gammon Joint

Bought this from asda and thought that the honey glaze would be a bit boring so I've tried to create my own mustard and cheese crust.

Cheese sauce:

15g Butter

15g plain flour

120ml milk
40g grated cheese (all cheddar or a mixture of other cheeses depending on your taste)
tiny pinch of salt
sprinkle of black pepper

Crust:
1 crust slice from a loaf of bread
35g mixed grated cheese
sprinkle of herbs (use what ever you have in the cupboard, I used thyme, parsley and italian seasoning)
2 tsp wholegrain mustard
1 tsp olive oil

The sauce and crust can be made in advance ( not the day before but earlier in the evening)

Blitz the bread in a food processor until it looks like breadcrumbs, don't worry if there are a few of large lumps.
While the processor is running add the herbs and cheese then 1 spoon of the mustard then the oil then the rest of the mustard.  After a few seconds it should have a crumble like texture.  You can leave this in the processor with the lid on until ready to use.  You can put the bowl in the fridge to keep it fresh.

For the sauce - melt the butter in a small saucepan until melted.

Take off the heat and stir in the flour.  Keep stirring until you are left with a thick paste. 

Return to the heat and keep stirring while it cooks for about a minute.  Remove from the heat again and add the tiniest bit of milk and stir until combined.  Keep adding small amounts of milk until it becomes a thick sauce then add the rest of the milk.  Return to the heat and simmer whilst stirring until thickened.  Don't stop stirring or it will become lumpy.  The cheese can now be added off the heat.  I have used a mixture of parmesan and mild cheddar.  Stir vigorously until melted into a smooth creamy sauce.  If you  find it is taking a while to melt you can return to the heat for a second or two.  Add your seasoning and stir.  I used the tiniest amount of salt then tasted to make sure it wasn't too salty.  Cover and set to one side.

The Gammon joint I bought was a ready to roast 465g and required 40-45mins at 190C so I cooked it on it's own for 20 minutes then I spread with the sauce and covered with the crumble topping.

 I baked it for the remainder if the time.  Remove from the oven and leave to rest for 5 minutes before carving.

We served with potato wedges and veg.  I had some of the sauce left over so reheated this and served on the side.

Rich Slow Cooked Beef

1 pack of diced beef
3 oz flour
2tsp garlic granules
good sprinkle of black pepper
2-3 tbsp oil
splash of worcester sauce
2 Knorr Rich Beef Stock Pot
1 tsp mustard powder
2tsp dried herbs (thyme is good but what ever you have in the cupboard will do)
150 ml cold water
Enough boiling water to fill the slow cooker
handful of chantenay carrots peeled (or scrubbed if you prefer)
2 large potatoes cut into large chunks

I use a mini slow cooker so I simply half the quantities
In a bowl mix together the flour, garlic granules and pepper.  Coat the beef in the flour. If some of the pieces seem on the large size cut with scissors.This probably won't use up all the flour so put to one side because you'll need it later.   Heat half the oil in a pan and fry the coated beef until browned.  Use the rest of the oil if needed.  Add the worcester sauce and the Knorr stock pot and stirr until combined with the beef.  You will need to add some water from the kettle to stop the stock from burning.  Let this simmer for a minute of two while you prepare the remaining ingredients.  Add the herbs and mustard powder to the flour then whisk in 150ml cold water.  Add the carrots, potatoes and flour mixture to the slow cooker followed by the beef and all the liquid from the pan.  Make sure that any residue on the bottom of the pan does not get missed.  With a small whisk or fork give it a mix until all the flour mixture is blended with the stock.  Top up with boiling water.  I usually fill my slow cooker an inch from the top.  Cook all day on low or 5 hours on medium/high.