Seven days to Mothering Sunday.

Is Mother’s day a very important day in the year for you? Is it a day you feel you need to make a fuss of your mum? Is it an ordinary day like any other day?

Personally, I feel it is an ordinary day because every ordinary day is very special in relation to my mother. Many of us are really lucky to have a great relationship with our parents and more so with our mums. What makes this relationship pertinent?

1. My mother has empathised with my aches and pains.
2. She has enjoyed my celebrations and joys
3. She has felt proud she has given birth to a daughter like me..despite my many faults: stubbornness, hot headed, opinionated, …
4. She has treated me as an equal when she needed to confide in someone.
5. Even though I wasn’t her favourite among the children, I saw her world crumble when I was in pain…
6. The list is endless

 

Are you going to make a fuss of her on this day? Of course, make a fuss of her every single day- she deserves it! It could not have happened any other way, she gave birth to me- gave me life!

What about those of us who might not be so fortunate to have a good relationship with our mothers? I like the saying, “be the grown up” one , make the effort, let by gones be by gone. If Nelson Mandela could forgive people who were both mentally and physically cruel to him, surely you can as well. Negative thoughts are so heavy, they really weigh you down and sap your energy- it’s true! Rise from this and make amends with your Mum!!

A small gesture would go such a long way. All the flowers and foliage are from my garden(not the best), however it means that I spent time picking them, thinking about how I would arrange them.  How could I arrange them for Mum to derive pleasure from them? To be honest, I derived a lot of satisfaction making this arrangement!!

 

Barbara candy jars…just a thought.

Fantastic Medium sized Barbara candy storage jar with dimples around the glass. Aluminium lid. Comes in three sizes. a) 14909- H13x21cm b)14910-H25x31cm c)14920- H33x21cm

Fantastic small Barbara candy storage jar with dimples around the glass. Aluminium lid. Comes in three sizes. a) 14909- H13x21cm b)14910-H25x31cm c)14920- H33x21cm

Fantastic large Barbara candy storage jar with dimples around the glass. Aluminium lid a) 14909- H13x21cm b)14910-H25x31cm c)14920- H33x21cm

https://www.zaliwanaaccessories.co.uk/en-gb/product-category/kitchen/storage-jars

Mothering Sunday

Only thirteen days before Mother’s day. Have you thought of the special gift you are going to get for this very special lady?

I suppose your mother is one of the most important persons in your life. Yes, mine was, sadly, she passed away just last December. I miss her so much. I awake at 3.45am every morning the time the phone rang to tell me of her death.

I always believed Mother’s day was everyday, however, a very special day can be celebrated to let this special person know how much she is loved, appreciated and adored.

No, it’s not the horses, but the lovely bone China porcelain.

Beautiful porcelain in sea grass and cream with silver.

https://www.zaliwanaaccessories.co.uk/en-gb/product-category/dining-room/porcelain-tableware

Happy Valentine’s Day..

Hope you find the true love you have been searching for.

True Valentine.

Valentine’s meal on a shoe string budget, however, extremely delicious (serves 2 people)

The spicy borlotti beans and Swiss chard meal can be eaten with bread, potatoes or rice.

For Spicy beans

1. One (400g) can Waitrose essential borlotti beans (undrained)
2. Four table spoons sunflower oil
3. Three quarter can chopped tomatoes
4. One medium sized white onion
5. 2 /3cloves garlic(strength optional)
6. Fresh ginger (strength of ginger is optional)
7. Two teaspoons white pepper
8. One Teaspoon salt

Swiss chard

1. Two packets Waitrose Swiss chard
2. Four tablespoons butter
3. One teaspoon salt

Method

1. Chop up the onion into small strips, then crush the garlic.
2. Heat the sunflower oil on medium heat- gas, 5/6. Fry the garlic stirring well, until they start to stick to the bottom of the sauce pan- do not allow to burn. Add the onions to the sauce pan and continue to fry until they just start to turn brown. Pour the ¾ can of chopped tomatoes into the mixture, leave to simmer for about 5 minutes then add the grated ginger. Add the can of beans, stir well, add the salt , leave to cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the pepper and allow to simmer for a further 5 minutes. Serve in a bowl

For Swiss chard

1. In their bundles, chop the Swiss chard into medium sizes strips. Heat the butter in a frying pan on medium heat – gas 5/6, and then add the Swiss chard. Season with salt. Continue to stir the Swiss chard for about 6 minutes, until soft. Serve in a bowl.