Slimming World Mean Plan Monday

After a nine day detox plus being unwell I am so

glad to be back on my Slimming World Meal Plan!!

Monday: Steak, Salad and Sweet Potato Fries

Tuesday: Homemade Chicken Burgers, Salad and SW Chips

Wednesday: Slimming World Spaghetti Bolognese

Thursday: My Favourite Fakeaway Taco Fries

Friday: We are going to eat out after our day in Dublin City Centre

going to try stay on Plan

Saturday: My Slimming World Christmas Party!

Sunday: No hangover takeout! Roast Chicken, Carrots, Peas and Oxo Roasties!

Over The Weekend #11

This weekend was the start of the busy ones!

We have something on every weekend from now to Christmas!

Friday Paul and I settled down to watch the Irish Tradition that is

The Late Late Toy Show every person in Ireland remembers watching it as a child

Oisín is still too young to stay up for it but we did Sky plus it and

he enjoyed watching it Saturday morning

I woke Saturday not feeling well again not as bad 

but it felt like my sinus where blocked and my ear was hurting too

I done my best to get over it and put our Christmas decorations up

We waited till Oisín had gone to bed to put the

tree up it takes awhile so I like to take my time over it

His face Sunday morning was priceless

he kept saying Wow over and over again!!

My parents and I then went to Console's annual concert

for families effected by suicide it was my Dad's first time at it

It was another beautiful concert and I came home 

with a lighter heart

Forever Aloe Vera Clean 9 Detox

I decided to give my body a another detox before Christmas as
December is a very busy month for me, with party nights out, meals out and many glasses of bubbly!

Last time I done this I forgot to blog about it so this time I thought I would do a little review of the product and how I got on. This is NOT a sponsored post I did not get paid or gifted the product it's just my own thoughts. Last time when I was thinking of doing this I searched the internet to see how other people got on, so maybe this might help some one else.
I started this on a Wednesday as I found it easy to do the first two days while I was in work
it took my mind off the hunger pains!
The two days before I cut down on tea and coffee and tried to get alot of water into me!
In the pack you get two bottles of aloe vera gel, fibre sachets, protein shake and food supplement tablets. For the first two days you drink alot of the aloe vera gel, have a shake at lunch time and take the fibre drink and tablets. After day two you cut down on the aloe vera gel and double the shakes and can have 600 calories a day.

Wednesday Day 1:
I found today okay in general but had to drink extra water in the
mid morning as I felt a headache coming on! The rest of the day was fine
kept eating my free foods!

Thursday Day 2:
Today is the hardest day for me, it was last time and was this time too.
Last time I didn't have to deal with the Christmas food TV ads!
I drank lots of water and ate free foods
and was praying for lunch time so I could have a shake!
But I did hit a wall in the afternoon and need a little nap!

Friday Day 3:
I have never been so happy to have scrambled eggs and wholemeal toast!
I split my 600 calories as I needed something to eat in the morning before work
Today wasn't too bad once I had my breakfast and shake for lunch
and had my other 300 calories with a spring onion and tomato omelette

Saturday Day 4:
Oisín had a sore throat and cough the past few days this morning I woke up
with tickley throat so I wasn't feeling hungry at all
So I had a shake for breakfast and kept my 600 calories for chicken stir fry
and wholegrain rice for dinner

Sunday Day 5:
I woke up with cold this morning and headache caught Oisín's cold!
Had two pints of water and my food supplement tablets
Didn't have my shake till lunch time when I felt a little better
Dinner was roast chicken breast with baked potato

Monday Day 6:
Cold and cough took over today but I am staying as
close to the c9 detox as I can had my shake for breakfast
Have been drinking warm water with honey and lemon for my throat
Stuck in bed all day feeling awful drinking lots of water
Had chicken with rice for dinner haven't much of an appiete

Tuesday Day 7:
Cough was bad today sent home from work sick
So I had to buy a cough bottle not sure if your made to take it with the c9
but need to make myself better so that comes first
Had a shake for breakfast and lunch didn't have much for an appeitte
so dinner was a baked poato and cheese

Wednesday Day 8:
Felt a bit better today but stayed of work today to rest
Felt little hungry this morning so had a boiled egg on toast
Shake for lunch and tomato and cheese omettle for dinner
I have to be honest and say I am glad today is day 8
being sick and doing a detox doesn't mix!

Thursday Day 9:
Finally felt a lot better today
Just a little cough now
Last day on C9 and tbh I am pleased it's over I wasn't as good on it this time
Had shake for breakfast and lunch
Then had over baked chicken with sweet potato chips

In total I lost 7lbs on the C9 detox which I am really happy about
I lost in total 11inchs all over my body, my skin and hair looks and feels better
It was a pity I came down with a cough and cold half way through it
I stuck to it as best I could but because I was feeling awful I didn't enjoy it as much
and don't think I was eating as much.
To be honest I don't think I would do the C9 again in the winter especially so close to Christmas
as the Christmas food ads just wanted me to eat very thing!
I found it hard this time around as the weather was awful and I found myself cold easier
Unlike the Summer time salads and fruit where not appealing I just wanted hot soup and comfort food!
Overall I am happy with the results and I do think I bounced back quicker after being ill
because of the detox
If you are thinking of doing it, I would recommend having something afterwards
to help keep the weight off like, Slimming World or Weight Watchers.
As it is very easy to put the weight straight back on, it is a detox and my body does feel better more refreshed just what I need as we head into the busy month of December.

My Sick Duvet Day Essentials

I have been unwell since Sunday with an awful cough and cold

I took Wednesday off work to try get over it 

Thankfully I feel so much better for it

Here are my sick/duvet day essentials

Hot Tea and Honey: Because my throat was so sore from coughing I was sipping hot tea with honey and it really helped!

Large blanket & Sky Plus: While sipping on my tea I was under my favourite blanket while catching up on all favourite TV shows on Sky Plus!

Water, Vicks, Cough Bottle: While I was sick I was on my C9 detox I really didn't want to break my detox so to try get better quick. I was drinking lots of water, with vicks rubbed on my forehead to try help me breath with the added help of a cough bottle

Good Book & Hot Water Bottle: When I was done with my TV shows I read my festive book with a hot water bottle. I love losing myself in a book especially when I am sick and the hot water bottle made me feel extra toasty!

Laptop & Blog: Of course reading my favourite blogs help too, and then finally sleep can work wonders when you are sick!

These are the things that help me get through a sick day what's yours?

On The Box This Week

Warning-TV Spoilers Ahead!

I love Adele while I seem to enjoy different tastes in music
Kate Bush, Fleetwood Mac, Sarah Brightman, Stevie Nicks, and Sam Smith to name a few
Adele is one of my favourites back in 2011 before Adele was a huge as she is now we has one of her songs as one of our Wedding songs
So when I knew there would be a one off special with Graham Norton I knew I had to watch
I loved this, listening to her amazing voice and doesn't she look fab the three year rest seems have agreed with her! It's hard to believe that Adele is still only 27 years old she can write songs that everyone can relate too.
What I really like about her is she is willing to laugh at herself too the sketch where she impersonates herself is very funny and her fans reaction is classic

We tuned into Nigella again this week to see
what tasty recipes she had this week
This week it was fish tacos, chocolate tart and chai muffins
We also learnt that Nigella doesn't like to get her hands dirty
and wears gloves for the sticky messy recipes
Now there seems to be some kind of up roar that maybe
this isn't the cleanest of things to do!
I have to be honest I have been doing this for years!
Doesn't seem to have done us any harm
as for Nigella's chia muffins might have to try giving them a go!

Glen is alive and I was wrong we found out before the mid season finale!
We found out what happened to Glen right at the start of the episode
(I try keep away from spoilers for TWD but I called it and said to the hubby way back when we thought the Glen was dead that I thought there was more to it. Hubby point blank said no Glen was dead. I love being right!)
Glen hid under the dumpster and it was Nicholas that was getting tore apart while on top of Glen. Glen then finds Enid who left Alexandria while the Wolves where attacking. She is kind of annoying character but don't they all start out like that in TWD?! Glen makes her come home with him even though she doesn't want to she even pulls a gun on him! In the end she sort of agrees to go with him
Back in Alexandria the dead are surrounding the walls. Morgan is still keeping a Wolf locked up in a house, Carol is getting more and more suspicious of him.
Rick teaches Jessie's son Ron how to use a gun, think this will come back to bite Rick and Carl on the arse. As I think Ron is not over Rick killing his Dad and Carl stealing his girlfriend! Just as Maggie sees a sign that Glen is alive (he released some green balloons) an old burn church collapses with the weight of walkers pushing against it, bringing the walls of Alexandria down
I enjoyed this episode and overall the first half of season six of The Walking Dead
wish we could of seen a little more of Daryl, Carol, Michonne and some of the new characters.
Looking forward to seeing the mid season finale next week think some serious stuff is going to go down!

This Month I Have Been Mostly Reading - November

This month I tried to fit as many books as I could in before the madness of December starts and I know I will not get the time to read much! I have been finding reading really helping me to relax this month as it has been a little stressful! So here is what I go lost in this month!

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander series book 2) - Diana Gabaldon
I finally started this book the end of October but with over 900 pages I knew I would be reading it for a while!
I don't want to give an spoilers here but this is the second book in the Outlander series which has been turned into a TV show now. It was the show that made me wanted to read the books unlike many book adaptations the first season of the show was very faithful to the books and after reading this second book I am hoping it stays that way.
What a book! What author has the balls to put a major spoiler at the very first few pages of a book Gabaldon does! I had to check I was reading the right book after the first couple of pages!
It is set into six books without giving away any spoilers it tells us of what happened to time travelling Claire and her new Scottish husband Jamie Frasier when they have to leave Scotland for France to help Bonnie Prince Charlies. Claire tells Jamie there will be war in a couple of years that will kill many Scottish lives for nothing and end the highland clansmen way of life. So off to France they go on a quest to risk their lives to save Scotland.
It did take me a little while to get back into the era of Claire and Jamie and some of the first chapters where a little boring but it really did pick up after the 200 page mark.  The books are long but if you like a sweeping epic love story that lasts the test of time with some heart breaking time travelling and huge cliff hangers thrown in you will like these books. It has got me so excited for season two of Outlander in the Spring. I will read book three but not sure if I will do before or after the next season of Outlander.

The New Countess - Fay Weldon
This is the third book in the trilogy that I was read last month
You can see my review for the first two books here....
I enjoyed the first book but I think the writing went down hill after that and this book
was my least favourite. It is quite easy to read the chapters are short, so I got through it in two days, but the story left alot to be desired!
This book is set five years since Long Live The King...Adela is married and gone to live with her husband (so not in this book) Minne is blissfully married, so is Rosina but both don't stay that way for long. The family are still in good company with the King and his Mistress who have invited themselves on a shooting weekend with the family.
I found Rosina's storyline dragged and boring, the same with Minne who adored her children I didn't see her getting restless and running off and leaving them
All of the characters including the downstairs staff are not likable and I found myself not caring what happened to any of them! It's a trilogy that I will not be reading again in a hurry!

The Magic of Christmas - Trisha Ashley
I started my Christmas reading early this year and got excited to see this book in my local library
I have read some of Trisha Ashley before and was happy to see another festive offering from her
So I was really disappointed when I started to struggle with this book after a couple of chapters
I felt the name and cover of this book is misleading the book isn't set at Christmas with only the last couple of chapters set at Christmas
The story is about Lizzy who is a writer and to the rest of the village is living the ideal life
But she isn't herself and her husband are living like strangers with the love long gone from there marriage
When an accident happens and Lizzy finds herself widowed it turns out her husband was having several affairs. Lizzy is shocked but goes on with her life with her son Jasper.
To be honest I found myself losing interest with this book half way through it and made myself finish it. I never really liked any of the characters and some of the Christmas Pudding Club characters where very boring!
I did enjoy the last couple of chapters of this book when it was actually set at Christmas
but overall I would read a different Trisha Ashley book to get into the Christmas spirit and give this one a miss!

It Started With A Kiss - Miranda Dickinson

This was my first time reading a book from this author but it will not be my last!

I was hoping this would be a better story than my last festive read and it really was.

 I wasn't sure when I read the blurb on the back of the book if I would like it, but the story in well written and quick to get into, chapters are short and easy to read.

I would say this a sweet easy to read festive chit lit book. 

We follow Romily over the course of a year when at a Christmas market she literally bumps into the man of her dreams, for a few fleeting seconds they kiss but then he is gone. Over the next year Romily makes it her quest to find him again, with the help of her Wedding Band mates, Aunt and Uncle and blog she is set to find her Phantom Kisser again! But maybe for her love is a little closer to home? 

There is a really great twist at the end which I have to say I didn't see coming and really enjoyed. The Christmas chapters are so festive I could almost see the snow and taste the mulled wine! I loved how all the chapters where named after well known songs. I read this book in a couple of days and afterwards wanted to put our Christmas tree up! If you like easy festive reading with a feel good ending you will enjoy this book.

What Oisín has been reading this Month!

One Little Baby - Richard Dungworth & Jane Massey

Oisín has been picking this one for bedtime alot this month
It's just a cute short story about a little baby and his busy day
It's very cute and Oisín likes to say night night sleepy head at the end!

So that's what we have been writing how about you?

Slimming World Christmas Meals Planning



My calendar is filling up for December, I love this time of the year, but I always have allot on as December is also my birthday month. I have worked so hard since the Summer to lose weight and eat well. I don't want to blow all that hard work but I also want to enjoy myself so I will be using flexi syns for allot of the meals out but will be extra good on days leading up to days and nights out.

I have something planned for every week in December, sometimes a number of things on the same week so it will take some good food planning in between to keep the weight off!

* Monday 30th November - Rathwood Santa Train with Oisín

This is a children's event that we are bringing Oisín to 

a Santa Train around the Rathwood Grounds

Then to see Santa and real reindeer then off to make your very own elf

We will be having lunch and hot chocolate here

but I have decided to save on the syns and bring my own lunch!

But I will enjoy a nice hot chocolate but syn it!

* Friday 4th December - Family Christmas Day Out

This is one of our family traditions a day out into Dublin City Centre

To bring Oisín to see Santa Clause (again) go to the Christmas Markets

Finish our Christmas shopping, see the Christmas lights

and finish off with dinner

For dinner I will be using my flexi syns and will be having a glass of wine with dinner

I plan to be extra good for the week leading up to this so might be saving syns during the

week to keep for this day

* Saturday 5th December - Slimming World Christmas Party 

I will be having dinner and drinks at this, again I will be using flexi syns

I expect a little gain after this week after having a few events this week

but I will be remembering my tipping point and plan to not have dessert

* Saturday 12th December - Girls Birthday/Christmas Meal

My friends and I always met up before Christmas to swap presents

and enjoy a girls night out. We will be going to a beautiful Thai restaurant

I have already ate here before so I know what the menu is like

I will choose an on plan starter and main, then skip desert to instead

enjoy a few glasses of bubbly my drink of choice

Again I plan to be very good the week before this meal 

and use flexi syns

* Saturday 19th December - Christmas At The Dogs Work Night Out

For something different this year my Christmas work do is a dogs race night

I am really looking forward to this and have decided to relax and enjoy the night

I will be having on plan starter and main, but will enjoy dessert and drinks

*Monday 21st December - My Birthday Meal Out

As a tradition hubby and I always go out for meal for on Christmas week

for my birthday which is on Christmas Eve.

 I am really looking forward to this we are going to Jamie Oliver's

I will skip a starter, have flexi syns for my main enjoy dessert and a glass of wine

I have to be honest  Christmas Day I will not be counting syns

I am going to eat, drink, relax and enjoy Christmas day

and be back on plan the 26th!

Over The Weekend #10

I would love to say this weekend was a lovely one
and we done lovely things to celebrate the run up to Christmas
but we didn't it seems this weekend in November is the time we
get sick, last year it was the same weekend different illness a winter bug
this year Oisín came down with a horrible cough and cold
the cough is so bad it has been making him vomit poor thing
I am in the middle of my second c9 detox
 but by Saturday I could feel the tingle in my throat and my nose was blocked!
So far Paul hasn't got it and he has been a diamond looking after his two patients!

I haven't broke from the C9 still doing

it and on day six today but finding it

hard as I have no appetite and

just want to sleep!

Spent alot of time in bed reading
festive books to cheer myself up!

Oisín and I wrapped ourselves up in blankets
had jammie days and watched lots of Disney

We have alot on next weekend so are hoping
to all better for then, so lots of snuggles
are happening today!

Our Top Five Christmas Ads 2015

One of our favourite things about Christmas
is of course the Christmas ads!

This year has been even nicer as Oisín has started to notice
the different ads.

Here are our top five for this year:

5: Aldi

Favourite Things
 This take on the Sound of Music classic is really festive
Oisín loves this ad every time it comes on he gets really excited
sings along and claps at the end!
I like it because we mostly shop at Aldi and I liked seeing
our favourites done up for Christmas!

4: Lidl

School of Christmas
I really enjoyed this School of Christmas idea
With classes in how to make the best leftover sandwich, how to appear
grateful for an unwanted gift and a masterclass in wrapping!
I found this ad very funny and clever

3:Sky Movies

Brussel Sprout
Hubby say this is not as good as last years
but Oisín and I really like it
After a little girl has been told to eat the rest of
her Christmas brussel sprouts she finds a different
way of getting rid of them as she is transported into
her favourite movies which just happen to playing on
Sky over the Christmas!

2:John Lewis

Man on the Moon

For me last years John Lewis ad has a special place
in my heart as the song reminded me of my love for
my little boy
This year's ad is another beautiful piece which people
are mixed about it, but I think it highlighted loneliness
at Christmas beautifully
It tell the story of the man on the moon how a little
girl sees him and sends him a gift for Christmas

1:Sainsbury's

Mog The Cat
We don't have Sainsbury's here in Ireland
so I can't buy a Mog for Oisín
But this is our favourite ad this Christmas
The three of us love it and Oisín thinks its so funny
and keeps saying Mog Meow when the ad comes on
the telly!
It tells of calamity prone Mog
who after a number of accidents sets her family's home on fire!
The neighbours all help and remind us Christmas is a time for sharing!

Noticeable Mentions:
We also like a few other ads but didn't make our top five
They are:

Mars Celebrations: Christmas Tree
Oisín really likes this one too think it reminds him of his favourite Pixar movies!
The Christmas tree decorations can't resist the yummy sweets and try there very
best to get one!

Spanish Christmas Lottery
Paul and I watched this online after it with viral
The animation reminded me of the movie UP so did the tears
There is no talking in the ad so you don't have to know Spanish
It's a beautiful story if you haven't watched it please do
Tells us of a lonely security guard who misses out when
his job win the lotto but his work friends have other ideas!

Waitrose Make It Christmas
I really like this ad we don't have Waitrose here in Ireland
doesn't mean I can't get excited over the ad!

Classic Christmas Ads:
Here are a few of our favourite classic Christmas Ads the ones that are shown
over and over every Christmas

Guinness Dreaming Of A White One

I have to admit this might be my favourite Christmas ad ever
Our country might not be equipped for a white Christmas
but we all hope it will stick at Christmas
so we will get a white one at Christmas
For me I know it's Christmas when I see this ad

Dennys At Home For Christmas

This is such a cute Christmas ad
show a little family of three at Christmas
From the moment the little girl comes into her living room
to see what Santa has left her...the magic of Christmas through
her eyes..."he's a very good Santy"

Coca Cola Holidays are Coming

Of course the classic holidays are coming jingle ad
This is the Hubby's favourite when he see it he knows
Christmas is on it's way!

So that's our favourites for this year and our classics what's yours?

This Week I'm Grateful For:

For this crazy man!

He makes me smile all the time

Work has been a pain in the bum this week!

Plus I have started my C9 detox

so the laughs this man has been giving me I really need!

So I am grateful, for this funny hubby of mine!

On The Box This Week

Warning-TV Spoilers Ahead!

This fly on the wall documentary is back
Set in the beautiful Georgian historical hotel The Shelbourne
The staff seem to love there job and why wouldn't you the place is stunning.
I would love to sip champagne cocktails and eat afternoon tea
but on my wages that might happen on the 12th of never!
This episode saw the end of Summer and the hotel getting a face lift to the front of the hotel
The Irish rugby team where back to get ready for the World Cup. Meanwhile a mother and daughter from the US book into the Princess Grace Kelly suite for 6 nights a costing a cool €20,000

I wouldn't be a big fan of reality shows
I don't watch X Factor, Strictly, Big Brother or Britain's Got Talent
but there is something about I'm A Celebrity!
I think it's something about watching so called Celebs slumming it!
 I love the trials and watching how they do!
My favourites so far are Jorgie Porter, Lady C, and Tony Hadley
we have already had the big parachute jump, an eating trial and a under ground trial
Can't wait to see what happens next!

Last week's episode of The Muppets was very funny
with Miss Piggy getting The Muppets drunk after a crazy night out!
I am still missing the old format of The Muppets and for me a little of the spark has
gone in this new format
While last week's episode was funny and fresh this week rehashed the fact
that Miss Piggy has a feud with another high profile actress
besides, Christina Applegate and Elizabeth Banks she also hates Reese Witherspoon.
I feels like the same storyline different actress hoping to see a different type of storyline soon for Piggy. I do like some of the new Muppets like the IT guy very funny, it's little gems like this that will make me keep watching. Can't give up on the Muppets!

This week focused on Daryl, Sasha and Abe and there quest to lead the herd
of walkers away from Alexandria they where almost done when unexpectedly they
got shot at by a group of people.
 Who we know are not the wolves as the wolves do not carry guns.
Daryl got split from the other two and ends up in some burn out woods with three people who believe he is part of a different group. I love the character of Daryl and Norman Reedus is a big crush of mine but I found this episode a felt a little flat. Daryl barely said two sentences in the whole episode!!
I didn't really care about the three others back story which tbh wasn't explained very well
but I have a feeling will come back to later in the season
Sasha and Abe seems to think that Daryl will find them so they wait in an empty building.
 This episode for these two characters was basically setting up some sexual tension between them, so I think these two might be hooking up in the future.
Of course Daryl does get away...without his bike and cross bow but he does find
the other two and on the way back to Alexandria they hear a strangle male voice pleading for help over the walkie talkie
Glen maybe? I don't think so and I also think the prediction I made last week
 when I said we will not know
about Glenn's fate until the mid-season finale will be right!! 

Currently I Am:

Currently I Am:

Listening To:

Michael Buble Christmas......

It's not too early yet?? Is It?

Any exusce for some Buble!!

Drinking:

A not so slimming world....caramel fudge hot chocolate

Well it's almost Christmas so allowed a little treat!

Wearing:

Layers to keep me warm! This grey over sized jumper with leggings and boots!

Wanting:

It to be pay day again!

Need to do some more Christmas shopping!

Needing:

It to be home time so I can give

this cutie a cuddle!

Enjoying:

Reading just started this book

looking forward to an early night and reading this!

Slimming World Meal Plan Monday

After a few weeks maintain in Slimming World
I finally had a 2lb loss last week
but this weekend has been awful and I was off plan for all of it!
Going to be really strict for the rest of the week and next weekend too!
Here is our meal plan for the week ahead:

Monday: Chilli Con Carne and Boiled Rice

Tuesday: Gammon Steaks, Beans, Eggs and SW Chips

Wednesday: Slimming World Salmon Parcels with Boiled Potatoes

Thursday: Chicken Curry with Boiled Rice

Friday: Breakfast for Dinner Slimming World Big Grill
SW Chips, Beans, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Eggs and Bacon

Saturday: Slimming World Burgers and SW Chips

Sunday: Bacon, Carrots, Cabbage and Mash Potatoes

Over The Weekend #9

This weekend we prayed for the victims of the terrorist attack in Paris,

I snuggled my boy a little closer while we watched Disney

We went to Oisín's friend's birthday party he was two
and his cake was fab!

Oisín had so much fun playing with the other kids

Sunday was spent Christmas shopping

and we then went for an Italian meal

which was yummy. Oisín really enjoyed his!

My Favourite Childhood Books - Books That Sparked My Love Of Reading

I  was instilled a love of reading from a young age

 my parents are big readers 

and from a very young age I was always read a bedtime story

(something that I have always done with Oisín)

 I picked up there love of reading and asked for presents of books for birthdays and Christmas.

 I joined the local mobile library and remember going every week 

with my two green tickets to take out two books!
When I had almost read everything in that little mobile library
my Mam brought me on a bus ride to our local library where I still go today!
Where Oisín now has his own library card and we take out two books
each month for him. He is already showing signs of enjoy books
one of the child care workers in his day care commented only yesterday how he loves
to be read too! He will also pick out a book and sitting on his own look at the pictures!
Hopefully my love of reading will be passed down to him!

Here are the books that I remember reading and re-reading through out my childhood

The Magic Far Away Tree - Enid Blyton

This is one of the first books I read along and was able to get through it alone!
Enid Blyton was my Mam's favourite author's as a child, so she read allot of her to me when I was little. The Magic Faraway Tree series was my favourite I loved the idea of an enchanted tree with secret doors and the magical creatures that live in it! Moonface, Silky and Saucepan Man to name but a few! I do think it's funny that new reprints names of some of the children have been changed to less saucy names! A live action movie is in the works!

The Famous Five - Enid Blyton

Another Enid Blyton series I read allot in childhood was The Famous Five
I remember always asking for one of these books for a treat luckily for me there was
a local book show on the way to do our weekly shop
so every second week I would get a new famous five book.
The book features a group of children and their dog who get into all sorts of scraps
The children must of came from well to do families as they adventures where set on holidays from board school! I really enjoyed these although I didn't read all 21 books I did get through 13 of them!

The Worst Witch - Jill Murphy

I was a little older when I started The Worst Witch series I asked for it for a birthday present after one of my friends told me about it in school. A young witch called Mildred who goes to a boarding school of magic, gets her own broom and pet (sound familiar?!) Her best friends Maud a small sensible bright and brain girl (sound familiar?!) and Enid a practical joker (sound familiar?!) Each book is one term at school and it follows Mildred through her school life as she tries not to be the worst witch. If I remember there was also a TV series which I think I might have watched a few times.

The BFG - Roald Dahl

There are a few Roald Dahl books I loved as a child, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Twits, Matilda but the one I went back to again and again was The BFG
My Dad loved this book and I remember asking him to read it to me again and again, this story just got to my nine year old imagination The Big Friendly Giant is discovered by a little girl named Sophie. He tells her that every night he blows dreams into peoples houses so that everyone will have sweet dreams. The BFG is not liked by the other Giants as he will not eat people and so it's up the Sophie to help save him from the others. An live action movie of this is also in the works!

Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery

I remember reading this when I was about 11 and
it was the start of me leaving children's books behind and starting young adult books
I read this because at the time a TV show version was airing
and I went out to the library and found this book
I loved the story of strong willed red haired orphan Anne with an e!
Who is mistakenly sent to brother and sister Matthew and Marilla who need a boy to help on there farm. We follow Anne as she gets settled in her new life in Green Gables, makes friends, and starts school. Anne is very strong willed but also sensitive of the fact she is an orphan. My 11 year old self loved Anne and I read the follow ups Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of the Windy Willows, Anne's House of Dreams and Anne of Ingleside.
I would actually like to go back and read them all again!

Little Women - Lousica May Alcott

This book reminds me of my Summer holiday off school sitting
in my parents back garden under a tree reading. I read this on school holidays and loved it!
The story of four sisters while there Father is off fighting in the America Civil war.
The four sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy find ways to keep themselves busy and to help as there Mother doesn't have much money. The book follows the sisters from little women into wives.
I have watched the two movies my favourite is the one with Clare Daines as Beth my favourite character of the book. I have also read the sequels Little Men and Jo's Boys
but it was Little Women that brought me from childhood reading into young adult reading and
ensured that I would be reading all my adult life.

Do you have an childhood favourite books that you re-read or read to your children now?

Five Top Tips for Feeling Good In Winter

Sometimes this time of the year can be a little depressing for some people. I can be one of those people especially when colds, germs and winter bugs creep in! I find when the clocks go back that it takes me a few weeks to get into the groove of Autumn/Winter, when the clocks went back a few weeks ago it threw me a bit. The dark mornings the early nights I wasn't ready for it! Then last weekend I went a little stir crazy with the windy rainy days and hubby in work so we where stuck inside. We got cosy and watched Disney so it was okay in the end! I keep to these tips when I feel a little down over the Winter time and I manage to cheer up!

Go Outside -
It might not be possible every day but I try to get out on a walk with Oisín every second day
even if it's just a walk to the shops! I do like getting to the park, it clears my head and blows the cobwebs away! We bundle up with hats, scarfs and gloves and head outside I aways feel better after a walk! If we can't get out we even try to play out our back garden for a while, Oisín just loves to be out and getting some fresh air is good for us all!

Treat Yourself -

For me this could be anything from some retail therapy to a glass of wine on a Sunday evening to an early night with a book. What ever way you like to treat yourself do it! I like to give myself extra treats in the Winter time. Even if it's just a bubble bath and a magazine I try to treat myself once a week to something I like!

Eat Well -

Since I started to detox in the Summer and then join Slimming World I have found that I am eating much better than before and I am feeling great for it. I will be doing another aloe vera detox again next week and I found that it helped build up my immune system along with good eating. Recently hubby and son got a cough and cold which lasted a few weeks, normally I would be the first one to get it and last one to have it. Since taking the aloe vera and eating on slimming world plan this time I got the cough for two days and it was gone! So putting the right things into your body does help and also I find getting proper sleep helps too

Put a Bit of Lippy On -

I always feel a bit better if I put a little effort in my hair and make up but even the days I feel like crap I put a bit of lippy on and it can make all the difference.

Light Some Candles -

Sometimes the hubby laughs at how much candles I have lighting everywhere

For me they can cheer me up on a grey morning and help me unwind in the evening

I light them when I'm in the bath, when I find a corner of the living room to read, when I'm having an early night or just getting cosy watching TV

That's my tips for feeling good in the days of dark mornings and early nights

what's yours?