Magic Moments: Baby Blessings

So its Monday again and where on earth does the time go? It seems to me that the older I get the faster time seems to move . As its Monday I am doing my fave link up with Jaime over at theoliversmadhouse.co.uk for her Magic Moments. It is my fave because I think its good for the heart to remember all the nice things that have happened. There are so many bad things in the world it makes a change to count your blessings.

On June 8th this year we had the wonderful arrival of our first Grandson, Nathan. Having a grandchild is such a gift as you get older. You get to do the nice things without the sleepless nights of those early weeks lol. We are looking forward to getting to know him and love him over the years.

Then just shortly after his birth we had the wonderful news that our daughter was expecting her first child as well. How blessed are we that in the space of one year we get two grandchildren.
So its early days for our daughter but so far so good, mum and baby are doing really well. Baby two is due in Feb 2015 and we are very excited to meet him or her.

Silent Sunday: 31/08/14

Magic Moments: Days gone past and days to come

Well its Monday again and I am doing my normal link up with the lovely Jaime over at The Olivers Madhouse with her Magic Moments. I really like to do this link up if I can as I think it is really good to remember all the nice times.
This week I thought I would start with a picture of my son. It was taken on holiday and he had just won a contest so was very proud. We had so many fab holidays when the children were little , and lots of happy memories. I am very lucky as my children have grown up into lovely young people Matthew had turned into a wonderful, hardworking man. He has a lovely family with wife Karen and their new son Nathan. I am so proud of him and his sister and my heart is full of pride for them both. So today I thought I would share a picture of Matthew and a picture of Matthew and his new son Nathan.
Happy a lovely public holiday everyone.

Silent Sunday:24/09/14

Wu Tao Dance Review

I have my health issues and it can be a bit of a uphill fight everyday. I choose to try and make more of my life and keep a positive outlook but some days that is very hard. I am always  on the look out for anything that may help so when I got offered the chance to try out a system of healing I was keen to have a go.
I have to be honest in saying its not something I have heard of and it is called Wu Tao Dance. I think it is easier to let the founder explain more .

Leading the World through Dance

In 2000 Michelle Locke, an Australian ballerina and natural health therapist asked herself an interesting question. How do I turn the healing benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine into a dance? In 2001 Michelle received her answer and started her first classes in Wu Tao – the Dancing Way©, a complete system of healing combining dance, music and meditation. Sometimes referred to as ‘yoga dance therapy’ or ‘shiatsu dance therapy’, it combines multiple disciplines into a single powerful modality. Michelle was a ballet dancer with the West Australian Ballet Company but after suffering a severe back injury she was forced into early retirement. Devastated by the loss of her career, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Within her exploration of natural therapies to cure her back pain, Michelle discovered Shiatsu, a Japanese form of massage. Impressed with the results she furthered her studies in Shiatsu along with other therapies including massage, breath work and Chinese medicine. In 1993 she founded the first Shiatsu School in Western Australia.
Her Wu Tao journey began soon after the birth of her second daughter Isabelle, who became seriously ill and was later diagnosed with Rett Syndrome – a neurological genetic disorder. Michelle felt overwhelmed by the challenges she was facing. Unable to take care of her daughter and her business, she reluctantly passed her Shiatsu school over to one of her students.

Stressed and worried about her child, Michelle became her own guinea pig as the dance process that is now Wu Tao began to form in her mind. Combining her passion for shiatsu and dance, Michelle developed the Wu Tao dances in a tiny studio in Fremantle. Within 6 months she was teaching 7 classes a week and within 2 years Wu Tao had spread across Australia as Michelle travelled the country training instructors to teach in her Wu Tao method.

In 2006 the power and effectiveness of Wu Tao went to another level when Michelle commissioned Steve Richter to compose original music for the dances.

“There is no way in the world I could have orchestrated the perfect synchronization of my meeting with Steve.” Says Michelle “It was definitely guided by a divine hand! Steve’s music has brought depth, heart and feeling into everyone’s experience of Wu Tao. Each track holds the vibration of the element and the dance. It’s unbelievable how he was able to do that without knowing anything about Wu Tao! Steve didn’t read the book, watch the video or come to a class. He created the music guided from within. By the time he had presented the third track of music to me he was looking pretty attractive! By the end of the creative process I was in love with him. The love story continues on!”

It is a partnership made in heaven. Through their understanding of what an intimate spiritual relationship entails, Michelle and Steve have developed Wu Tao for Couples to support couples into deeper soul purpose, intimacy and connection through dance. They continue to work, love and play together creating beautiful Wu Tao dance and music offerings.

Wu Tao programs are offered throughout Australia and internationally in New Zealand, Japan, United States, Brazil, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Michelle’s beloved daughter passed away from complications of Rett Syndrome in July 2011. Though no longer in her body, Belle is in constant contact and continues to inspire Michelle’s healing work in the world.

I think Michelle sound like she has had a tough journey at times and I have to say this sounds really great to use. So I am going to be having a go and I hope to share with you how I get on over the next few weeks/months and so on.

If you would like to try Wu Tao or read more then go to their web site 

http://www.wutaodance.com 

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

Ryvita and Ben De Lisi Tin

If you have read my other posts you know I really love Ryvita's. So when I got to try out a new product I was very happy to do so.
Ryvita are currently in the process of an exciting relaunch involving a number of exciting things .  To mark these bold new changes Ryvita has teamed up with award winning fashion designer Ben De Lisi to create a special edition Ryvita tin.

Ben De Lisi famously created the red dress worn by Kate Winslet at the Oscars, as well as a sell out range at Debenhams.
I have always thought it would be a great idea to have something just the right size to keep your ryvitas in. When the tin arrived I was very impressed by it's stylish pattern and colours. It would look great in any kitchen and best still keep your ryvita's lovely and fresh. Be a great idea to do a hamper for someone for Christmas and put in a Ben De Lisi tin and some ryvita's inside.

The tin will be available online from September and will cost RRP£7.49.

http://www.ryvita.co.uk/

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

Silent Sunday:17/08/14

Thursday Favorite Things

So its Thursday again and gosh do you not think the weeks fly past? Maybe its just they move quicker because I am getting older lol. When I was young the weeks, months , years seem to go on forever, now they seem to go faster and faster. So today I thought I would share some of my favourite things. Over the last 2 years I have become a baker ! It started out as a little one day course and went on to more and more. I have to space it out a bit as i struggle with pain daily but it makes me happy when I can bake. I don't think I am going to set the cake world alight but I hope I can turn out a fair cake. My cakes are full of love and I really try hard to make sure they are really special for that person. I wish I had lots more talent and maybe if all the years had not slipped past I could have been better! So slipping years or not I will carry on. I thought I would end by sharing some of my creations for you, so enjoy! xx

Join  the blog hop at 

http:/www./katherinescorner.com

Magic Moment friendship

Its Monday again and another weekend has flashed past. I always try if I can to take part in a favourite link  up with Jaime over at The olivers madhouse

I like to do this link up as I think its so good to remember the magic moments in your week or life. When my daughter was five she had her first proper party. I said how many I could cope with and then at the last second she asked to add on one. My first thought is where she lived as I didn't want to have to walk miles if I had to take her home lol. My little girl took me to the first door and point across the road " Lindsey lives there mum"! So along came Lindsey and joined in. The next day as we left for school she was coming along the road and before I knew it we were walking together. Because the girls were off chatting us mums did the same, and that was just the start. Over the years we were always together Lindsey and her sisters became like nieces to me and it was the start of a long friendship. Today we are still friends and although we don't see each other much we are still there for each other. This is a lovely picture of my daughter (with the tattoos) and Lindsey and I think its so lovely.  Special friendships are rare but exciting to have and treasure.

Silent Sunday:09/08/14

Ozeri Elite Chef Ceramic Knife Set

We like to cook in my house, or to be totally honest my hubbie like to cook. So if we get the chance to try any new product for the kitchen its always fun. These knifes were a real surprise as they were ceramic and not metal. Very smart to look at in black so would fit in with any kitchen style really.
Very light and easy to grip and if you had any issues with heavy knives then they would be great for you to use.
Even if they were light it did not effect how they worked. They were sharp and cut through everything we threw at them. 100% ceramic but sliced everything from fruit to meat. And because they are not made of metal they are less likely to corrode .
I think if you are looking to up grade your kitchen equipment then this is the set for you, real value for money.

You can find them over on Amazon UK at 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BITA6GU

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

Gnat Review

I love fabric as its been a huge part of my life. So when I got the chance to review one of the many items by
Gnat I jumped at it. I was excited to see what they would send and I have to say I was not disapointed at all.
When my item came it was the most fun man's shirt I have ever seen!

It was made of soft cotton fabric and each part of the shirt was a different fabric. Slightly mad but also really lots of fun. It was very well made and fitted perfectly on my husband who normally has issues with shirts fitting. It washed very well and looked just as good as when it first arrived.

If you are able to wear a funky shirt why settle for a boring while one! My husband loves it and plans to save to wear on Christmas day to make everyone smile.

Check out the Gnat range and go have fun!

www.gnat.co.uk

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

Magic Moments Snow fall fall

I hope you will let me share a bit of a past magic moment. I know I will hear loads of you shouting at me but I hate summer! I hate being hot and feeling worn out in seconds because of the heat. I much prefer to be cozy with a nice warm sweater and a hot cup of tea lol. So magic for me is the wonder and beautiful snow and the winter months. This is a picture at my house and I love my tree and garden  and no matter how cold it is I will enjoy it.  Have a lovely Happy week

Degustabox Review

Its always nice to get a surprise in the mail. Today was the day for a lovely surprise in the form of a Degustabox .
Degustabox was founded in 2012 by Jürgen Schnatterer and Oriol Blasco in Barcelona.  A young and dynamic company with enthusiastic employers and employees, it is already very successful and is now launching in the UK with other European countries to follow in 2014.
The idea behind Degustabox is to bring new and exciting food products from recognised brands directly to the customer. A monthly surprise selection box of goodies picked out by a dedicated team who spend their time scouring for new, limited and special foods especially for their subscribers.
With no long term commitment, you can decide if you want to give yourself a surprise gift just once or every month! It came really well packed

I have to say I was very impressed by how much was in the box and the quality of the products. Hubbie is dying to try out some of the items as he loves to cook. I will post his recipes in the near future. My box had loads :-

Zeo Drinks
RRP 1.29 for singles and £4.29 for a pack of four
Forget the usual sweet and sticky soft drinks; its a crisp, dry soft drink with a tingling taste sensation comes in three light flavours -peach and grapefruit Burst, Citrus and Lime.
Really fresh and clean I loved the citrus and Lime and lovely change from other soda or fruit juice.

Portlebay Popcorn
RRP £0.79 per pack

We are a small crew from Devon who want to make great tasting fun and interesting food.. That's why we invented Kracklecorn, which is a bit different from your average popcorn. One bite of our sweet and salty artisan treat and the love affair will begin. Available at Tesco and retailers across the UK.
Really  yummy I can't say one flavour was better than the other as they all tasted great.

Maggi sachets
Each sachet contains a mix of delicious herbs and spices to help you make a delicious meal.
I had Cheesy chicken & Leek, Piri Piri , Beef and Ale,  and original Soy and Garlic.
I have had maggi sachets before and they are very yummy. I shall be sharing what we make soon!

Dr. Oetker
Eton Mess £1.99
Violet Crystals £1.29
Inspired by the latest baking trends, new Dr. Oetker Eton Mess and Violet crystals sprinkles are the perfect way to add extra colour to all your home baking and desserts. Our Edible decorations can be easily added to your home baking to create your own very special look.
I love to bake and I know this brand is excellent in every way. I loved the taste of both and the colours are bright and will look great on cupcakes.

Green and Blacks
RRP £2.29

Green and Black's Lemon bar infuses our 60% Dark chocolate with a zesty lemon flavour striking a balance between a fresh citrus hit and enticing rich dark chocolate. The subtle lemon tang of the bar will transport you back to those  hot summer days of years gone by.
Discover more at green and blacks,com.
Really yummy  dark chocolate with a lovely fresh gentle hint of lemon. I found it hard to put it down lol


Hornsby's Blueberry Cider
RRP 1.25
Stateside they use blueberries in pancakes, but here we've packed their juicy
 flavour into this fruity cider. Best enjoyed straight from a chilled bottle, the
 American way. Try squeezing fresh lemon over the bottle and pop a twist of lemon peel in for a zesty finish.
Follow us on facebook.com/hornsbys
I am not much of a drinking so I passed it over to hub. He said he really enjoyed it and it was smooth and fruity to drink, he would most defiantly buy it again.
I should say I do not think you get given alcohol each month and you can say you would prefer not to if you don't drink.

Frank
RRP £0.85
A snack bar made with 100% natural ingredients which is honestly good for you and honestly tastes delicious.
Available in 5 flavours: Blueberry, Strawberry, Orange, Oat & Double chocolate. Free from gluten, nuts, dairy & refined sugar- also suitable for vegans.
This was so yummy I can't wait for the next one. full of flavour and good for you what more can you ask

The Berry Company
RRP£1.49
The Berry Company produces a range of delicious and nutritious juices and fruit flavoured teas. We are one of Europe's fastest growing drinks brands with special commitment to sourcing the finest super fruits and teas from around the world. Available from Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, Wholefoods and Ocado.com
I'm a proper tea pot so I am always looking for a new product. I loved this fresh and fruity tea it was really refreshing and clean to drink and great in this warm weather.

So in conclusion I thought my Degustabox was excellent value for money. At 12.99 a month and no commitment ( you can cancel at any time) really well worth it. So why not give them a try. I have a
a great discount coupon for you so you can get your own box. Just quote LT1W7 for a £3.00 discount when registering. For more information you can check out\;

http://bit.ly/DBhomepage - website

http://bit.ly/DBUKfacebook - Facebook

http://bit.ly/DBUKTwitter - twitter


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