March: Lately I've Been Loving

Two of my friends sent us beautiful bouquets after losing Bess our dog - thanks again Nardine and Julie! So kind. My mum and dad sent us some too! I've never had so many flowers.  I also received some sympathy, thinking of you cards, notes and wee gifts - thanks Jo, Magi & Derek, Susan, Ana and my sis and her family. It's nice to know people are thinking of you. We still miss Bess loads.

I ordered a Teapigs pick n' mix sample pack and I've been enjoying trying the selection I chose.

I had money left on my Amazon voucher from Christmas and treated myself to a gorgeous new bag from Mia Tui. I first read about the brand on Mumsnet Peterborough - see here. It is so roomy and I love the colour (and the hot pink lining!) I chose a Matilda Mae in Aubergine. Review to follow!

Getting the plot ready for the growing season. I've now bought all my seeds and can't wait to get growing! Up here in Scotland it takes a bit of time for the soil to warm up so I'm hoping next month I can get sowing. (My patch is the the left hand side with the herbs at the top).

I'm a huge Reese's Peanut Butter Cups fan and hubby bought me this yummy box full of treats as a surprise to cheer me up.

I was sent this new Organic Surge Anti-Ageing Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser* (£12.50 - 150ml) to review and I can quite simply say it is one of the nicest cleansers I've ever used.  It smells deeply of roses and cleanses the skin leaving it revitalised, clean, soft and smooth.  Full review to follow.

*PR sample

Friday's Makes, Bakes & Learns #18

This is one of my favourite soups -

Sweet Potato & Red Pepper Soup

1tbs olive oil
1 chopped onion
2 cloves garlic crushed
1 1/2lbs sweet potato peeled and diced
veg stock/water - enough to cover the veg in the pot
sprigs fresh thyme (which I got at the veggie plot)
2 pointy sweet peppers
2 tbs lemon juice
Cayenne Pepper, Salt & Pepper to taste

Put the peppers under the grill to blister and blacken the skin.  When done put in a plastic bag to cool and once cool enough to handle peel the skin off, de-seed and chop.

Heat the oil in a pan add the onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes or so until the onion is soft.  Add the diced sweet potato (this doesn't have to be small as the soup will be blended once cooked).  Add the stock/water and thyme.

Bring to the boil and simmer for approximately 20 minutes or so until the potatoes are tender.  Add the peppers.  Discard the thyme and zap with a hand blender or processor and blend until smooth.  You may find you need to add a bit more water.  Add the lemon, cayenne and salt and pepper to taste.  Yum.

Seeing as it was payday yesterday I picked myself up some beautiful flowers from  The Wild Flower Shop - they are gorgeous! Just lovely for Spring.

Veggie Growing - Update 2 (plus flowers & pooch)

Following on from my last update re veggie growing - I spent two and a half hours on the plot on Saturday and two yesterday.  It's beginning to take shape for growing.

I pampered myself after digging and weeding with a lovely bath using Relax Bath & Shower Concentrate by Clarins.  Its one of my favourites and great for aching muscles.

We have a local food store called Earthy which has a beautiful flower shop attached called The Wild Flower Shop. Esther, the florist stocks some amazing flowers and I picked up this posy for £4.90.  Its gorgeous!  I love thistles.  You can see Esther's website here.

Bess our dog also wanted to get in on the photo too!