Bowling, Pizza & Our New Addition!

My little baby boy turned 8 last Saturday and there were only four things on his Birthday wish list.  These were:

1. Lego Indiana Jones 2 for his DS
2. Lego Harry Potter for his DS
3. Bowling
4. Bunny Rabbit

On Saturday he woke to his Lego Indiana Jones 2 game which he has pretty much played non stop since.  Lego Harry Potter is not out until the end of the month and I had told him he can have that when it is released.  He really loves the Lego games and plays for hours, which is good for me as it keeps him very quite!

Monday night we went bowling, which he won, Grandad came last after supposidly pulling a muscle while bowling his first ball. 

This was followed by a meal at Pizza Hut.

Finally we called at the pet shop on the way home and I reluctantly gave in and purchased this little fellow, who Liam has named Snowball:

I was reluctant to agree to a rabbit, not because I had anything against another pet its just we have had 2 rabbits previously, both of which we have had to have put down due to abcesses.  All of us found this quite upsetting, especially our last rabbit Treacle who we had only had for 4 weeks.  I've made it clear he has joined our family on the understanding he does not go in the same cage as the guinea pigs, on both occassions the abcesses were caused by guinea pig bites.  The guinea pigs have gone out into the outside cage and little Snowball is staying inside in the indoor cage for a few weeks as he is still very tiny (only 10 weeks old) and has never been outside.  This gives me a little time to sort out another outdoor cage and run.

He had a little cuddle from both Liam & Freya and then a hop round the lounge while I moved the guinea pigs and cleaned the indoor cage.  He is really friendly and after only 10 minutes in the lounge last night he was hopping over to Liam and climbing up him! 

Only problem is Freya wants a rabbit for her birthday in July and is very insistant she has a girl bunny and can't see why thay can't live together because baby rabbits would be fun!  

I don't think so, baby bunnies are a big no no!!!!!!

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday

Well its that time again when I share with blogland my messy desk. Here it is in all its glory:

To the right we have my craft tote, Martha Stewart punches, tools, papers & paper rubbish bin:

Back Centre is brad box, distress inks, water colour pencils:

Cente front is cutting mat & gel pens:

Back left is ribbon tub, cuttlebug bits, wooden letters & Freya's Hello Kitty toy:

As requested last week, the tubs contain wooden letters of different fonts and 1 tub of inks:

Front left is Liam's 2010 album (MME Stomp papers):

And far left is the Liam's Birthday album, still blank, well his birthday was only Saturday!:

My new copic collection which no doubt will be added to very soon:

And finally todays sunny sunny view through the window:

One last comment about my table as asked last week; doesn't really get de stashed very often, but please note we have a breakfast bar in the kitchen where we eat, trays on laps are not allowed in my house!

I had good intentions last night of showing you what else I had purchased on Monday but instead had a little health relapse and ended up at hospital.  Waiting now for the Dr and nurse to come and see me and home and discuss treatment.  Its somehting that I don't really what to discuss on here but sadly is having a huge impact of my life as of late.  So no work for me for the rest of the week and much rest required.  Will come back later today and finish telling you all about Mondays shopping.  In the meantime this is what I have been making this week:

Two more pages for freya's 2010 mini book:

Some Granny Squares - these are for Liam's blanket:

Some cards:

A LO for Liam's album, made with the never ending March Kit from Scrapagogo:

Thanks for visiting me today.  If you want to join in with WOYWW or just have a look at other crafters work spaces just pop over to the lovely Julia's blog and hop around blogland.

Tuck In Tuesday - Pork with Crushed New Potatoes

Tuck In Tuesdays - home cooked food for busy working parents!

Pork With Crushed New Potatoes

Ingredients

8 chops
12 mushrooms
750ml of stock
tbsp flour
100ml of milk or cream
750g New potatoes
fresh chopped mint
150g butter
2 tbsp oil
cooking apple
2 tbsp sugar
salt & pepper to taste

Yes I know, that does read 8 chops.  But what we are doing is making things easy for ourselves.  We are actually making 2 meals here.  Once cooled we will freeze half of the pork in mushroom sauce for another meal in 2 weeks time.

Pre heat oven at 190 degrees

Boil the new potatoes in salted water with half the chopped mint.

Melt 50g of butter & 2 tbsp of oil in large pan.  Add chopped pork and cook until browned

Add mushrooms and cook for further 5 mins

Should now look like this

Add flour & mix

Slowly add stock & milk or cream, stirring all the time.  Simmer the meat & sauce mix to reduce the liquid.

Melt 50g of butter in a small pan, add the sugar and chopped cooking apple

Keep an eye on the apple sauce & mix regular.  Continue to cook until apple is soft.

By now the potatoes will be cooked but check with a sharp knife & drain.

Gently press a potato masher down until you hear them 'pop'

Place on a baking tray, add salt & pepper and remaining butter chopped.

Place in the pre heated oven for 15 mins, you are just slightly crisping them and melting the butter.

Serve potatoes, apple sauce & half the meat & sauce

Now TUCK IN & enjoy!

Lets Make Things Easy & Meal Alternatives

Freeze the remaining pork & mushroom sauce once cooled.
Come back in 2 weeks and I'll show what you can make with this

Don't forget to come back next Tuesday for

Chocolate Tiffin