Magic Moments :31/03/14to

I can't believe its a Monday yet again, and I am taking part in Magic moments . I don't know if its just me but it seems the older I get the faster the time goes. This week it was Mothers day in the UK. I think its a great time to spend time with your family or to remember mums that may not be around anymore. I fit into both areas really. I have my own lovely family but I also lost my mum to cancer some 23 years ago. My mum did pass away on Mothers day so it is a bit bitter sweet for me. I can think of her now without being sad and remembering the happy times.

I am very lucky as I have two wonderful children, who have grown into fab adults. Matthew is my oldest and he is the most lovely young man. I am so proud of him and all he has achieved in his life. He is married to Karen who is a delightful young lady. I'm am so excited that in June they have having my first grandson and I can't wait to meet him.

Natalie is my daughter and in the last two years she had done so much, I am amazed at how she has changed her life. She has lost a huge amount of weight and took herself back to university to be a nurse. She has a lovely partner called Ian and I am very proud of her.

I have tried to be a good mum. I really hope I have and I really hope they both know that they are my life and I love them with all my heart. I expect I have made mistakes but in general I think or hope they would say they had a good upbringing.

They were so lovely to me on Mothers day . Natalie and Ian gave me a lovely card and some money to spend at the next cake show I am going to. Matthew and Karen bought me a cute teddy , and lovely heart and a watch and cooked us dinner.
I'm very blessed and I hope all mums got the attention they deserved on Sunday.

Silent Sunday:30/03/14

Magic Moments

This Monday I thought Would join in the magic moments link up. When you get to my age of 56 there are a lot of magic moments and also moments that are not so magic lol. I feel the older you get the more time you spend looking back on your life. I also find life seems to slip past so fast now.
I think I have had a good life so far and had much to be very grateful for. I married very young and thankfully we are still together nearly 35 years later. The one thing I was wanting was to be a mum.
We started trying for a baby the second we got married, sadly nothing happened and my dream seemed like it was not to be. We got advice and were told that it would happen in time.

After two years of trying that wonderful magic moment happened and and I found out I was pregnant at last. On the 28th November 1981 my darling son Matthew arrived. I can't say enough how much he was wanted and loved , I was a mum at last. At first I thought Matthew may have been my only child. I was so delighted with him and wanted nothing more than to enjoy him. Fate had another plan for me lol. Five years later on the 21st July 1986 our darling daughter Natalie arrived.

My life was complete I had two beautiful children and my world was a joy with them in it.
They are grown-up now and Matthew and his wife Karen are giving my first grandson in June. Natalie is at University studying to be a nurse.
I am so proud of them both and all they have achieved in their lives.
I hope they think I have been a good mum and you always worry you could have done more.
Thanks for have the Magic Moments Link up as I really enjoyed counting my blessings.

Silent Sunday :23.03.14

Jordans Crunchy Oat Granola Fruit and Nut Review and Recipe

This week I got to try out the new Jordans Crunchy Oat Granola Fruit and Nut cereal. I also got a really yummy ( oh help my diet) recipe to try. So the recipe first.

Jordans Billionaire's Flapjack
300g (10oz) Jordans Crunchy Oat Granola Fruit and Nut
175g (6oz butter cut into pieces
125g (5oz) golden syrup
75g (3oz) muscovado sugar
Salted caramel topping

397g can condensed milk
150g(6oz) butter cut into pieces
4 tablespoons golden syrup
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons Jordans Crunchy Oat Granola Fruit and Nut

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180c fan. 160c oven, Gas mark 4. Line the base of a 20cm (8 inch) square cake tin with baking paper.

2. Melt the butter , syrup and sugar together in a large saucepan over a low heat, taking care that the mixture doesn't get too hot. Remove from the heat and stir in the Jordans Crunchy Oat Granola Fruit and Nut

3. Tip the mixture into the prepared tin and level the surface. Bake for 20-25 mins until golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

4. For the topping, heat the condensed milk, butter and syrup in a heavy-based saucepan until melted, then boil steadily over a low heat for 5-6 mins until rich golden brown, stir constantly to prevent the mix from catching. Stir in the salt and  pour onto cooled flapjack. Sprinkle the Jordans Crunchy Oat Granola Fruit and Nut on the top and leave to cool.

5. cut into squares and store in an airtight tin for up to a week.

So I have never made this sort of thing before and I have to be totally honest and say my first attempt was a totally mess lol. I made the mistake of using a loose bottom tin and not lining it , so all the liquid from the butter and syrup came out and made my oven fill up with smoke . It set the smoke alarm off , the cats were heading for the hills and I was coughing fit the choke.

Gone wrong attempt!

My flapjack was so hard I could not get it out of the tin lol. I had to soak it just to remove it.
So first attempt was in the bin! Second attempt went much better I am pleased to say.
I used a tray tin , rather than the loose bottom and lined it well. No leaks, or fire alarms or scared cats this time.
I put a little more than was said on top as it was so yummy.

All in all it was easy to follow once I sorted the tin issues. It really is a yummy cereal with a ton of lovely fruit and nuts. I had a wee taste and this was so yummy I can't tell you. I am on a diet so I am making sure I have one small piece hiding in the fridge , for after weigh in on Wednesday lol.

Please note I was not paid for this post, just receiving a sample of the product.

I Had a Dream

When I was younger I had a massive dream. I wanted to be a singer, I wanted singing lessons , I wanted to be a star. I would ask my mum for singing lessons every birthday and Christmas. Sadly we were not the sort of people that had singing lessons and I never did get those lessons. I really like country music and would play all the country songs and wish it were me. 

Then I got a daughter and when she was eight i could see she had real talent. I was amazed by her voice and the older she got the better she became. 

I love to hear her sing and I am so proud of her, but to be honest I still wish it were me lol. I know its too late for me and I have also come to terms with the fact I never had much of a voice either, so I live my dream through Natalie. So check her out today on my blog and on you tube. Enjoy

Silent Sunday : 15.03.14

SuperNatural collection Review and Giveaway

So today is a good day ! I have another lovely product to review and better still the same item to giveaway.

So I will start by letting the company speak for itself and a little about them.

If you want really cool, ethically produced clothes and accessories for your babies and kids ... then look no further!  We ARE the coolest!

SuperNatural means we're not just natural … we're SUPER natural.  We seek to reduce environmental harm with our use of organic cotton and other natural-based eco fabrics.

We also work hard to comply with global labour and minimum wage standards - it wouldn't be cool to do otherwise!

Check out our new Afro Supa Hero range featuring the Afro Supa Star™Twins © Jon Daniel.

With our Hoodie Tops, Dresses, T Shirts, Leggings and Super Hero capes, there's plenty here to make you and your children jump for joy - thank you for dropping by

www.supernaturalcollections.com

So I was excited to get my parcel and look at this hero cape. I was also interested in the company and its natural products. I have a new grandson arriving in June so I am keen to look at any baby ranges, and the ones that are caring of the enviroment can only be good.

This how it arrived all sweetly wrapped up with a lovely green ribbon. I hope this is how they send out their products as it was so nice to get. I was not unhappy once I got my supa hero cape out  (well not mine personally lol) and looked at it.

The quality was good , it was really heavy and well made. It was so super soft I could imagine any child would have to mad not to wear it. I love the idea of being able to whizz around whooshing your cape and making up adventures lol. They do boy, girl and even twin versions so lots of super fun for all.
The one above it priced at £20.00 but as I have said the quality is very good and I think it would be still going strong when your little one is grown -up.I Have to add the company is delightful to deal with and I think customer service is another thing to consider for a busy parent, or grandparent.

I am delighted to say that Supernatural Collections have been kind to give me another cape to offer in a giveaway.  So please enter and get a chance of winning this lovely cape which I am sure any child would love.

UK ONLY

So click on the link below and enter what have you got to lose

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My mum

A few days ago it was International womens day and I really did mean to talk about a lady who really was so important to me. Then time moved in and I had to put it on the back boiler until today.
I have had the luck to have a few women in my life who meant a great deal to me, but the most important was my mum,  Grace.
Sadly she was taken from me by cancer at an early age of 63 and I still miss her everyday. I can think of her now and not be sad but it doesnt stop me from wishing she were here . I hope she is up in heaven looking down on us and seeing what we have all done or is doing .

My mum was a character! She had a strong temper and very strong willed. As a child this got her in trouble with my nan alot lol. She was always going against my nan and alwyas fighting for her lifestyle. I will have to start recording her stories as she had such a very interesting life.

When she died I worried that I was at risk. I found no advice at all really. In the end I rang some cancer helpline and they were able to offer help. I would want to know if I were at risk as I feel I would have to know. I am still hoping for a cure in the near future, wouldn't that be so great as I am sure we have all lost someone we love to this illness.

My mum would be my woman of the year. She was fierce and independent which was not the norm for her age group. She was funny and very clever and I am so sorry I lost her so early as she would have done so much.
I love you mum and I hope I have been as good a mum to Matthew and Natalie as you were to me. xx

my my young women in the front row.
Also my nan, my aunt Mary and great aunt grace

Silent sunday:9/03/14

Craftsy Class Giveaway

So today is a first for Jollyjillys in that I am doing a giveaway!  Now I am not sure if I have told you before but I totally love Craftsy classes. They are online classes in all kinds of subjects which you can log on and enjoy.
I started out with one of two of their free classes and then went on to buy over 20 to date! Once you buy your course its yours for life. You don't have to worry that you only have a short time to view it you can relax and watch it when you need to. The other plus is that you have it for life, so If you feel you forgot someone or just want to watch again, then away you go.

Each course comes with full down loadable materials and instructions which is so useful.
I have enjoyed all the courses I have bought and I feel I have learnt so much. And best thing its all from the comfort of your own home.

So here it is ........My first giveaway and I am delighted that it is the chance to get your own craftsy class. Its a great prize and one that you will really enjoy. Come on what are you waiting for enter today.

Click on the link below and also leave me a comment and a winner will be choosen. Good luck be quick contest ends on the 13/03/2014

Enter to win a Craftsy class!

Life Story Bank

I often sit and cruise through the internet for something that gets my attention.I was doing just that the other day and came across Life story, and was hit with thinking what a great idea. In their words:

We set up this company after losing a close relative to cancer.

We missed them so very much and it was only when they had gone that we realised how little we had recorded about them. We had photos of them and a few pages of a diary but it is hard using these things to convey to grandchildren their warmth, their vitality and their love. We didn't have much recorded and what we did have didn't have this person as the subject of the video recording. Such a missed opportunity!

There was also a huge gap in our knowledge. Too young to ask the questions that would have been so helpful later in life.
This prompted us to figure out the best way to preserve more, to know more and have more to treasure.
 We started to conduct research which over the years has seen us talking with a wide range of people from vicars to mums, from psychologists to mediums. We've spoken with people who have lost someone and folk who deal with the bereaved and terminally ill. We have looked at studies in bereavement, interviews with terminally ill people and explored medical data.
Through a series of interview style questions we unearth memories, find out preferences, choices, advice and some great stories!
 By video recording the answers, the facial expressions, timbre of the voice and mannerisms are saved. Also the meaning is much clearer than when written - video is not as ambiguous as text.
Viewing afterwards is also easy and important not only for future generations but also for ourselves if we should ever be afflicted by Alzheimer's or dementia. What a wonderful legacy and resource.
Lifestorybank.com is unique. We use an avatar so that you can be interviewed and record anytime, anywhere so long as you have an internet connection. We offer a clear methodology and a well organised product. Easy to do and (also very important) easy to view!
The interview style process is gentle and private and easy to manage. Memories and thoughts that are video recorded are more powerful than when written or left orally.
 The new cloud technology allows this product to be stored at a reasonable price - effectively in a life memory deposit box ready to be opened and added to or stored for future generations.

Like many people I have lost dear people in my life and trying to remember them and who they were is so hard. I am nearly 56 so I am thinking that I would love my kids to have me to see and hear when I am no longer around. Plus I have all the family memories that I need to store and leave for them. Its really easy to set up the account and you can go for the free one or up grade to the higher account. They give you prompt questions if you need them which is great if you are wondering what to say. I am loving the idea and I will let you know how I get on. If you want to check it out go to http://www.lifestorybank.com/

Pancakes with Clarks Maple Syrup

Today is pancake day in the UK. If you want a real treat then try out this lovely product and enjoy!

I am going to make my slimming world pancakes but I may treat myself with a little clarks as it is so yummy. 

 If you are just going to enjoy ( and why not) then I would go for the recipe below. I think its a great fun idea and I am  not dieting I will be trying it out. Clarks maple is so tasty and the kids and adults will love making this.

Clarks Maple Syrup Lighthouse Recipe

Ingredients for pancakes

240g plain flour

a good pinch of salt

2 tbsp golden caster sugar

4 large eggs, separated

40g unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for frying

400ml full-fat milk

Additional Ingredients for pancake lighthouse

Clarks Pure Maple Syrup

8 -10 scoops of Vanilla ice cream

Assorted berries – blueberries, raspberries and strawberries recommended

Nuts (optional)

3 lemons

Equipment needed

Round pastry cutters, varying in size

Skewer

A chop stick or similar to keep tower upright

Method to make pancakes

1. Sift the flour, salt and sugar into a bowl, then make a well in the centre.

2. Add the egg yolks, butter and milk and beat with a whisk until mixed. Gradually

work in the flour to make a very thick but lump-free batter.

3. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff, then fold them into the batter

with a large metal spoon. Heat a heavy-based frying pan until medium hot,

then grease it lightly with butter.

4. Fry the mixture in batches of 3, using the pastry cutters which must be greased with a small amount of butter. Use a heaped tablespoon of batter for each

pancake. Cook for about 1 minute until golden underneath, then turn over with

a spatula and cook for another minute.

5. Continue to make pancakes until there is enough to stack most of the way up the skewer. Remember to leave room for the lemon havles – the ‘lights’ – and one additional pancake to form the ‘roof’. The pancakes will need to decrease in size in order to make a sturdy structure.

6. Cut both lemons in half.

7. Begin to assemble the pancakes, hold the chop stick/skewer upright and add the pancakes by sliding them down the length of the skewer. Use the bigger pancakes at the bottom and adding more in decreasing size order. Leave smallest pancake to one side.

8. Take 3 of the lemon halves and assemble them on top of the pancakes facing outward. Secure them to the pancake with toothpick.

9. Add final pancake on top.

10. Take last lemon half and put onto top pancake facing downwards.

11. Make ice cream balls and assemble around bottom of structure.

12. Add fruit and nuts.

13. Finally drizzle all over with Clarks Maple Syrup.

Recipe courtesy of Clarks Maple Syrup. 

I was not paid for this review only receiving a sample of the product

Magic Year

This Monday  I thought I would take part in the magic moment's link up . As I have said before its been a few months of magic moment's for me.

Christmas being the first with finding out I am to become a grandmother for the first time. My son Matthew and his wife Karen are having a little boy and I am so excited. My son and his wife are a wonderful couple and they will make the best parents. I can't wait to meet my grandson for the first time.

I am also so proud of my daughter Natalie. She has really been doing so well with her life and I am really happy for her.

Over this last year she has lost nearly 14 st ( a stone is 14 pounds for my overseas readers lol) and has totally opened out her world.

Its not been easy to lose all that weight and at times its been a hard year but she did it ! She also went on to get into University ! Now for someone who had no formal education past 16 that's something. Shes training to be a nurse, and I know she will do a fab job. Well done Natalie you are a star!

I love my children so much and they both make me proud everyday. I want them to know we are so so excited by what they have achieved and what is to come. I think the future is very very bright for you both.

Silent Sunday:02/03/14