Saturday 14 October 2017

A Little Bit of Everything

 It feels like this past week has zipped past in a flash. We had a very successful parents evening at Imogen's school at the beginning of the week, it's a big year for her this school year as her GCSEs are at the end of it.

I had my first mammogram on Wednesday and will hopefully get the results in a couple of weeks. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the 2 mamographers (I believe that's what they call them) were lovely ladies and made me feel completely at ease (there really is no dignity in being a woman is there, but worth it to have regular check ups to keep you safe) and as an added bonus we didn't really have to wait long so the whole thing was over with in around 20 minutes.


I didn't really get anything done the week before so I really wanted to make some cakes this week. I've made these a couple of times and we all really love them, lemon cupcakes. I use equal amounts of self raising flour, caster sugar and butter (4oz of each), a pinch of baking powder and about a teaspoon of lemon essence and a couple of eggs. The whole lot goes in one bowl and is whisked until lovely and smooth



Distribute the mixture between 12 cupcake cases and I have the oven on Gas 5 for about 20 minutes (our oven isn't the best in the world, so you may not need as long).




The scrummy buttercream topping is made with butter and icing sugar with a tablespoon of lemon essence this time. They really don't last long once they've been made.




I've also done some knitting this week. Little Zack has already outgrown the cardigans I made him and Holly said she needed some the next size up. I found this pattern in a local charity shop and quite liked the diamond pattern on the blue cardigan.



 I found some lovely, soft white yarn in my stash and knitted it up for my gorgeous grandson.




The tricky part was finding some cute buttons. I have loads of buttons, but many of the sweet little wooden ones are more 'girly' in nature. I thought these little bunnies were quite unisex for him.



A bit more progress on the cross stitching. The top picture is from last time, the bottom half is now. It was good to use a bit of colour though I'm still just working on the snowman's hat, I am enjoying doing it even though progress appears slow.



Holly wanted to have a day back at work on Friday so asked if we'd have Zackary for the day. Obviously I didn't even hesitate and was all ready when she dropped my little firecracker off at 8am. He came in his little Ninja Turtle babygrow and was oh so gorgeous.


I'd bought a cheap baby bouncer chair second hand during the week so Zack would have somewhere to sit. He loved the rocking motion.



Mummy came to pick him up at 5.30 and he was tucked up fast asleep and exhausted after a day of playing and nanny singing lots of nursery rhymes. I'm pleased to report that he didn't wake up at all last night until it was time to get up this morning, so we did well tiring the little dot out. We're doing a babysitting stint this afternoon so mummy and daddy can go to Ikea, he may not be as tired out after todays visit as Imogen has him tucked up in his pram walking around the park, lots of fresh air, but also sleeping.





What's everyone else up to, I can't help but feel Christmas is slowly creeping up on us now...


Take care
xxx



41 comments:

  1. Grandchildren are such a joy, I didn't believe until ours arrived.
    As I'm 62 I've been boob-squeezed lots of times now! Only had to be redone once and that was due to static on the scan. Such a good service - we have a mobile one round so we don't have to trek as far as hospital

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    1. They really are, I’m totally besotted with Zackary. We do have a mobile service, but they don’t accommodate wheelchairs, so the trek for us x

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  2. Awwww he is just so gorgeous Cheryl.
    The cardigan is lovely with it's little bunny buttons.
    Christmas is really creeping up now and I am Christmas crafting today.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. Thank you, I love him to pieces, he has me totally wrapped round his little finger x

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  3. Your cupcakes look delicious! So does your baby!!

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  4. Well done to Imogen for a successful parents evening, I'm sure she'll do very well in her GCSEs. I had my first mammogram last year and had heard some absolute horror stories beforehand and I'm pleased to say that it was nothing of the sort, no discomfort even for me, and as you say, worth being checked out. The cupcakes look delicious and the little cardigan is lovely, they don't half grow quickly at this age, don't they? He's a beautiful baby.

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    1. I thought the staff were lovely, efficient with a gentle manner too. Thank you, I think he is so beautiful and he is certainly growing at quite a pace x

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  5. What a lovely grandchild. Glad you had fun with him. The cardigans look gorgeous. I love hand knitted baby items. I still have some my Mum made for my kids.

    Today is really rainy - stormy and pouring. I Skyped with Mum and crafted a little. Christmas is creeping up

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    1. We haven’t had a bad day today, managed to get a line full of washing dry outside x

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  6. You are a wonderful Grandmother, but who could resist that cutie?

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    1. Thank you, I think it may be my favourite job ever x

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  7. Your cakes let k lovely and gooey...yum! I've had two call backs after mammograms and been seen by a specialist resulting in no further treatment. They have saved do many lives.

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    1. It is a wonderful service especially in this day and age with the NHS being to thinly stretched x

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  8. Yum! I will have a cupcake. :-)
    What a sweet time with your grandbaby.
    Carla

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  9. A lovely post. Those cupcakes look delicious. I can see why they don't last long!! The white sweater you knitted is beautiful.
    So nice that you live near your grandson and get to see him often, he sure is a cutie.
    I don't even want to think about Christmas yet. : )

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    1. It is lovely to be so close, it means we can help with childcare too xx

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  10. Oh, those lemon cupcakes look so moist and Yummy. That is so special that you knitted a little cardigan for your grandson. It turned out very nice, and I love the white - perfect for Christmas. How interesting that you call them "prams." Here, they are called "strollers." I'll have to tell Jess about the baby bouncer chairs. I don't recall having those when I had little ones. Your grandson is so precious. Yes, Christmas is creeping up on us. I went to a store today, and the Christmas cards were all messed up being looked at already.

    This was a lovely post today, Cheryl, and "this and that" posts are always my favorite.

    ~Sheri

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    1. We call them prams or pushchairs here. I like knitting baby clothes in white, I’m probably a bit old fashioned x

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  11. So many delicious little things.....cupcakes, darling sweater, and sweet as can be little grandson. Life is good :) xx Karen

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  12. There is nothing pleasant about mammograms, is there, but unfortunately they are a necessary part of life. How wonderful Imogen is doing well at school. Your Zack is adorable. Sweet cardigan you knitted for him; cute buttons. Those cupcakes look delish.

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  13. The lemon cakes look yummy. Love the knits, and what a little cutie.

    Julie xxxx

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  14. I was lucky being called in for a mammogram early, I believe it was fate I was totally shocked to hear those words, but hey I am here to tell the tale. Your cakes look scrumptious, my baking is good but I am no good at doing the swirly buttercream. You gorgeous grandson is growing away quickly now isn't he, I remember those little bouncer chairs, I have a photo in our lounge with our boy sat in his, where did those 20 years go. xxx

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  15. Glad to read you had such a lovely day with Zack. He is growing so quickly!
    Have a wonderful week.
    Robin

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  16. They really are a joy Grandchildren, he is one precious baby. Loved the pattern you chose for his new cardigan, they grow so quickly. I have just made a lemon cake, but with a little drizzle not the buttercream.

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    1. It does feel like he’s growing quicker than I can make them! I do like lemon drizzle, yum x

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  17. What a beautiful baby sweater! You are such a talented knitter. Your grandson looks so sweet and loved. Wonderful post, Cheryl.

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    1. Thank you, he is a very loved and cherished little boy x

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  18. So pleased your 'squish' (that's what my friends call it) went well and you didn't experience any discomfort.
    Good luck to Imogen in her GCSE year.
    A great pattern you found, some of the older ones are still so popular. He'll be nice and snug in that pretty cardigan you knitted up.
    mmmm lemon cupcakes ... yes please lol.

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    1. I can see why they would call it a squish, it certainly was x

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  19. Zack is adorable and I like the look of those lemon cupcakes as well :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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  20. You whipped up that cardigan so quickly. The pictures of your grandson are precious. It must bless your heart to spend quality time with him. Congrats on getting your mammogram done. It's unpleasant but needed. Hoping for a good report.
    xx Beca

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  21. Lovely to read that Imogen had a successful parents evening, I'm sure she'll do very well in her GCSE's.
    I think it is important to go for mammograms, so glad you went.
    Your cupcakes look delicious, and the little cardigan is so lovely - and those buttons are just great!
    Zack is adorable.

    All the best Jan

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  22. Love the sweater Cheryl....but adore the pics of your grandson...gorgeous!!! :-)

    keep well

    Amanda x

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  23. Goodness me those needles must have been smoking, you got that cardi knitted in double quick time! The buttons are very cute.
    Well done to Imogen on the good feedback at parents evening.
    Lisa x

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