This is my first “The Gallery” post in a really long time. I have been concentrating on my allergy free baking blog so have been away for a bit.
The theme for this week is 11.11.11, which I think is apt considering this year it was 11.11.11.11!  Here in Belgium we get a public holiday to mark the day and seeing as many of the war dead from the 1st and 2nd World Wars are buried in Belgian War cemeteries I know many people travel there to pay their respects. We discussed going with the kids but decided that perhaps our eldest (who is 4) Ollie may be a little “difficult” during the all important quiet moments (he’s going through the constant question asking phase and pretty much talks from the moment he wakes til the moment we put him to bed) . So We decided on a family day at home instead. The hubs decided to take the kiddies to the village shop to get some bits and I went about creating a new Christmas recipe; Mincemeat Flapjacks with a Clementine Drizzle.

During the time when they were out I stopped during baking to do my 2 minute silence and think about war heroes lost, past and present. Carl had a 2 minute silence with the boys on the walk to the shop and apparently Ollie was very good, not a peep. He was also very interested in the reason why we have the silence and why we remember, even though I think he probably doesn’t completely understand. I hope this means that next year we can make the trip to Ypres to pay our respects.

The rest of the day was spent with the boys and Daddy playing football in the garden and (by me) cleaning the living room from top to bottom. Maybe not that exciting, but it is nice to get things done without kids in the way isn’t it?

And as for the Flapjacks, bloody delicious we at them all within 12 hours!

My it has been a while since I last posted hasn’t it? Not sure what happened really although I seem to have forgotten my poor little blog I have indeed been busy. I have some lovely pictures from the garden so will post a few here and a few randoms. To be honest my allergy free blog has been taking priority of late also the fact that I have gone back to school (for my son as he needs constant supervision at school due to his allergies). So I’ve been juggling a few balls and this is the one that got dropped.
 Now things are starting to settle I will try to do better.

Some news…..

In the summer we had a freak storm (suspected tornado) here in Belgium. It was on the news due to some very tragic deaths at a music festival in Hasselt. We had damage too which I shall show below;

a 3×1 metre hole in our roof, water was pouring in!

Our trampoline “jumped the fence” to next doors garden smashing the top of their greenhouse as it did;

And local apple and pear farmers lost alot of their crop and money with it….

We are more or less recovered here but the poor farmers are the ones suffering the biggest loss I fear.

Ollie and I have been finding a use for the endless amount of formula tins I have;

I’m rather pleased with them!

and the garden has been blooming;

All of the above proudly grown from seed by moi!

 I’ll try to be around more…

The theme for this weeks The Gallery is “My Backyard”.

 This year I actually really enjoy being in my garden. It’s so exciting seeing all the different veg and flowers growing and realising that it is much easier to “grow your own” than I once thought. It is most thrilling to eat cauliflower cheese and salads when the ingredients come from my own back garden. Zero air miles!

Above is a tiny corner of my huge garden…. see below;

And some lovely lil flowers and veg growing  at the mo….

Who knew potato flowers were so pwetty?

The honeysuckle is looking gorgeous!

And the Runner Beans are starting to appear!

Todays theme for The Gallery is “Chilled Out”. This could not have fallen on a better day as today I have been doing the things that make me feel chilled out, baking, gardening (all the things my Mumma thinks make me a “Grandma before my time”!) haha. I don’t care Mother!

For some extra chilled out Summeryness I have been making Elderflower Syrup/cordial and baking with that as well as making ice lollies (they are still setting so no pics folks). I love the cake pics so have decided to share those… ah so Summary!

this is the sugary syrup that will set on top of cake and make a lovely crunchy coating.

ah what a pretty cake! Now where’s my cuppa? Time to go chill in the sunshine.

 Oh and for anyone wondering about Mumma sheep…she had twins!!

Now doesn’t she look chilled out! and hello! Cuuute!

For us April has been a month of waiting. Waiting patiently for my little veg to grow and already seeing results. My first cauliflower!

also the runner beans are starting to flower;

and more….

  the lupins are loking pretty too!

It has also been a very long waiting game for my neighbours sheep (they have a little paddock behind their garden with “Mummy Sheep” and “Daddy Sheep”). We have been awaiting eagerly the arrival of Mummy Sheep’s new baby (s). Every other day at least we visit but still no lambs.

This is her yesterday, so fed up with the wait. Poor Mummy Sheep.

She had retired indoors she was so fed up (I bet she wanted to get away from Daddy Sheep!) Many overdure Mothers will feel your pain!