Expressions of a loving husband...

I have recently been suffering with headaches that last most of the day. Jason wondered if it was because I was not drinking enough water. Each day this week he has loving placed six glasses along the window ledge in the kitchen to remind me to drink. I have been so grateful for his care for me. I have actually found that it has worked a little. My headaches have deceased as the week has gone on, and I have started to drink more. I am grateful for my constant reminder to remember to look after myself.

Muffins x2

Yesterday my little niece came to play with Nathaniel. Isn't she just adorable. I noticed that her baby features are changing into little girl features now, and I think she's just beautiful!

Nathaniel and Ashleigh really are best buddies, they love playing together. And I mean together - if one does it the other has to, if one has something the other has to have one too. It's just too cute. Yesterday they decided to climb into bed and read each other stories - 'You want story Baby?' Nathaniel asked. He still calls her 'Baby'. I think it's sweet, I almost hope he never stops.

Today's news is another successful muffin. And here's a big o'll picture to prove it. I wish there was smellivision, they really do smell and taste as good as they look. I'll post the recipe if anyone wants it.

Skinny Jeans and boots...

I've been looking for a new pair of boots for several years now. I bought my last pair a few years before having Nathaniel and despite being Doc. Martins I had completely worn away the tred on the soles. So I've been looking a new pair that were safe to walk in - I only have to look at ice and snow and I fall over and were a little more feminine - DM's aren't always considered the prettiest of boots.

I found a pair from hush puppies last week - just what I wanted, half price and my size! Yes! So Jason gave me permission to order them - Valentines day was coming up. Yesterday they arrived.

What do you think? I know I probably need to invest in a proper pair of skinny jeans, but the boots are pretty and really comfy. Katy remarked that all I need now is a horse. To that I say - 'Howdy Ya'll, ya like'n my new boots?'

I think they're pretty!

I {heart} You!

I love my crazy soppy husband. I love how he gets up early with each of our boys and how he unloads the dishwasher and makes the sandwiches each morning. I love how hard he works for us as a family, and how he rides to work each day on his bike so that we can have the car. I love how he always complements my cooking 'If I ordered this in a restaurant, I'd be so impressed, I want to eat there again' - I love how he say's the same thing each time. I love how he sincerely asks me how my day has gone, and listens supportively to me. I love that his favourite hobby is me, and that when he needs someone to hang out and spend time with, his choice is me. I L-O-V-E him.

Happy Valentines day!

Family Movies

We love a good movie as a family. We really enjoy sitting together with the pop-corn being entertained by a really good story. We particularly love a story that has it all - laughter, tears, tension, and best of all a happy ending.

Picking a favourite is ridiculously difficult. Dad likes a good thriller with some deep twists, Jason enjoys a good war film, Jarom likes a comedy, Tayler too likes a good laugh, Nathaniel loves Toy Story. I have an eclectic taste. I love a good chick flick, but I have high standards, there're aren't many truly good chick flicks that make the grade. I also love really silly comedy that makes me laugh and good period dramas. There are some movies that I could watch over and over again and I love every minute of them. 'Up' is one of those movies. Disney really did some genius story telling there, the music - amazing and animation - just beautiful. So here's a little clip for you to enjoy. We watched it together as a family on Saturday, and I thought of Valentines day which was fast approaching. Enjoy!

Some photography homework...

This morning Nathaniel and I were out about about in Weston-super-Mare. We were taking photographs of Weston landmarks to use in some up and coming photography sessions for my business. We were privileged to see the new fountain being switched on for one of the first times, just flukey we were there, but I was really pleased because it looked great!

Nathaniel wanted to have a look at each picture I took.

We took his new scooter and he really enjoyed being Mr. independent.

He absolutely loved the new fountain. It wouldn't have taken much persuasion to get him to go paddling, even though it was pretty cold.

The fountain in full force - so pretty.

I love the seating they've built around the fountain. Modern. Functional. But I think the use of chunky wood and slate is pretty too.

We also looked at other locations - beautiful stone seated areas in the middle of town.

The bandstand in the park.

And the avenue - also in the park.

I realised that I hadn't visited these areas much in the last few years, and had forgotten they were even there. Sometimes it's important to take a moment and see the beautiful architecture, and use of materials in our towns and cities, and sometimes you just need to look past the graffiti and see an object as it was originally intended to be seen.

The perfect muffin?

On monday I bought some blueberries from Asda - they were only a £1. I love blueberries, especially in muffins. All I needed to do was find a better recipe and method of cooking them then I currently had. So I googled blueberry & banana muffins (I also had old bananas to use up) and found this recipe for - Cinnamon, banana and blueberry muffins. The fact that they baked well, have no sugar inside them, and taste a-m-a-z-i-n-g could make them the perfect muffin.

Ingredients

• 250g/9oz plain flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon, plus ½ tsp extra for the topping

• pinch of salt

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed

• 150g/5oz blueberries

• 3 tbsp honey

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

• 1 large free-range egg

• 185ml/6fl oz milk

• 50g/2oz caster sugar

Preparation method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Line eight holes of a muffin tin with paper muffin cases.

2. Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt into a large mixing bowl. Add the banana and blueberries and, using a fork, lightly toss the fruit through the flour.

3. In a separate bowl, lightly whisk together the honey, vegetable oil, egg and milk.

4. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined (don't over-mix or your muffins won't be as light in texture). Spoon the batter into the individual muffin cases.

5. Mix the extra half a teaspoon of cinnamon and the caster sugar together and sprinkle on top of the batter.

6. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, until risen and lightly golden. Serve warm from the oven.

   
   

Bad hair day!

Do you sometimes suffer from a bad hair day? Nathaniel had it tough today. After trying to remove the remains of his baby cradle cap with baby oil yesterday, we discovered it is incredibly difficult to wash it out. We had to wash his hair again this morning, but had to put a hat on him before rushing out on the school run. When I got home and took off the hat, this is what I discovered. Could it become a new trend? Umm, I think not!

Tayler turns 8

Tayler chose @Bristol to celebrate his 8th Birthday, it couldn't have been a more perfect choice for our clever inquisitive little boy. He had an amazing time there - investigating and exploring science. Perhaps his favourite area was the bubble making zone - he had so much fun and went back several times to play again.

Jarom also got in on the excitement.

Tayler - master bubble blower!

Tayler is such a Morph fan, he loved this fun zeotrope.

Playing with the water wheels, canals, pulleys and dams. Jason and I also had a great time, Nathaniel thought he was in heaven - so much to do, so little time!

Sunday was the day of Tayler's official birthday. His gifts included a game for his DS and a lego movie, he recently got into drawing, so we bought him some pencils, paper and a 'how to draw' book. Grandpa bought Tayler a new set of scriptures.

After church in the evening, Tayler was baptised a member of the church. Tayler has been looking forward for this day since Jarom his older brother was baptised when he was 8. He was well prepared and really enjoyed the whole experience. He thought the water was lovely and warm and I could tell by the way he threw himself at me for a big hug that he was completely happy with the choice he made to be baptised. During the closing prayer of the service, he leaned in close to me and whispered 'Thanks Mum'. My heart was full. I feel it is such an important part of my role as a mother to teach my boys well, and help them to make good choices. Sharing with them my love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and having them live and love those teachings too, brings me the greatest joy. Tayler's little 'thank you' yesterday meant so much to me. It confirmed to me that the hard work is worth it, and sometimes really appreciated!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Last night we had a big celebration dinner to mark the Chinese New Year. We all enjoy Chinese food and thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to indulge ourselves with spring rolls and duck pancakes - yummy. It's becoming quite a Beale family tradition to celebrate other countries festivals - first American Thanksgiving and now Chinese New Year. Nathaniel helped me to make Chinese dragons to decorate the table, and we had party hooters to honk. I even made lucky little red envelopes to put the boys pocket money into, which is a sacred Chinese custom, (the boys particularly loved this!).

I'm sure will continue through the year to find inspiration through other cultures and enjoy the amazing food they eat in celebration.

Thoughts about January & The Joy of Love...

On the whole I think I did quite well trying to take a picture a day during January. I think I managed about 14 pictures out of 31 - that's two a week - I'm going to look on the positive and say that's not too bad for my busy life! I will continue to try and take a picture a day (umm, two a week) for the rest of the year. Check back and see if I manage it.

Something that may help me is the 'Joy of Love' photography course by Kelly Willette. I signed up at the beginning of the year and I'm looking forward to my daily dose of photography inspiration for the month of February.

Today's picture - photographing someone you love doing what they do.

Umm - Nate watching Toy Story 2 ought to do it. I couldn't count the number of times he has - yet it still holds his attention to the end and I guess still holds a little mild peril! He is absolutely in love with Buzz and Woody.

It's not too late to sign up for the course - click the link above and take a look. Not only are there ideas to inspire, but simple technical details to help you improve your pictures, oh and it's FREE!

Grinding wheat...

Why did grinding wheat hold such fear for me? I've had it as a personal goal for many years now to grind wheat and make it into bread, like a good Mormon Mummy. I joke, but I know the health benefits of doing this (plus the benefits to my pocket - it's so much cheaper!). Yet, it's taken me until the 13th year of my marriage and my 12th year of mummy-hood to pluck up the courage to do this. I had very willing helpers, and actually can't take much credit again - I baked the bread, but Jason was the one who got the equipment out of the cupboard and the boys kept an eye on the little grinding machine as it whizzed away. A real family effort. It was so easy and our homemade bread tasted amazing. This is definitely going to become a weekly Sunday tradition in our home.