by jo

Hooky Knitters Carshalton

Do you live near Carshalton? Are you aware of our fantastic family-friendly pub The Sun? Can you knit or crochet? If so, and you fancy meeting up once a month, the Hooky Knitters, a group set up by Rachel (who has now moved away from us sadly) are still running.

Hooky Knitters Carshalton

We’ve also got a project running with The Sun – we’re knitting them tea cosies for their teapots to serve Pimms Winter!

I have to add here that I’m not a good knitter – I can knit, and doing this project is the first time I’ve followed a pattern. We have all levels of knitters and crocheters, from experienced to just starting out – everyone is welcome – it’s a social thing.

We have a Facebook group which has all our meeting dates, which generally fall in the middle of the month on a Thursday, there’ll be a table booked for 8pm.

Come and join us! We’ve one last meeting for 2012 which will be a Friday – which may be noisy due to it being a Friday – before things go back to normal from January. We hope to see you there!

(n.b. we are not the fabulous knitters who did the Jubilee ducks and the halloween cobweb around Carshalton Ponds – we look on in envy)

by jo

Polesden Lacey’s Restaurant Gains Two Local Authority Awards!

Polesden Lacey in snow ©National Trust Images Nick Meers

Polesden Lacey is one of our local National Trust places, and the one we go back to the most often – and have often eaten here. The food is SO good and delicious, although there’s often big queues! They’re also doing Christmas meals (on December weekdays) so if you’re looking for something a bit different, why not consider Polesden Lacey? (then have a brisk walk around the grounds afterwards, or do a bit of Geocaching!)

Enjoy a two course Winter Warmer lunch at Polesden weekdays during November (excl 28-30), January (excl 1 & 2) and February. Three courses for £22.50, or two courses for £19.50, but hurry places are going fast!

Their Courtyard Restaurant is celebrating after receiving accolades from not one, but two local councils.

Surrey County Council recently promoted the popular restaurant to Silver level as part of its Eat Out Eat Well scheme, which rewards those caterers who make it easier for their customers to make healthy choices when eating out. Polesden is one of only four catering establishments in the whole of Mole Valley to have reached Silver level or above.

In addition, Mole Valley District Council gave both the coffee shop and restaurant the highest possible rating for its annual hygiene inspection after turning up unannounced during a very busy half term lunchtime!

For more information and to book, please call 01372 452048 or see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey

Polesden under snow ©National Trust Images Nick Meers

by jo

App Time – Hollywood Photobooth

I was approached and asked if I’d like to review the Hollywood Photobooth app, and after reading the press release I absolutely had to – as it looks like a lot of fun (H wanted to join in too). Several costumes from various Hollywood films, and you can photograph yourself ‘wearing’ them? I’m sold!
H wears Anna Karenina
My only photo taking gadget is my iPod – what can I say? To choose an outfit, then turn the camera and point it at me, or to point it at someone else is pretty good fun. Also, you get some fun facts about each costume. One niggle, if you scroll too quickly through each costume on my iPod, I found it would often crash the app – so I found loading it then waiting for half a minute seemed to help. My iPod was bought in April so still fairly new – be aware of this.
The press release mentioned Dorothy’s blue gingham dress from The Wizard of Oz, and I was sold – I’m a sucker for that film (see also: The Sound Of Music). Alas, you don’t get that costume to stick your head on, but hopefully soon…  I did see Mamma Mia for the first time recently… and I reckon this could be good fun at parties…
Mamma Mia
The V&A will bring the glamour of the Hollywood Costume exhibition to app users this autumn with Hollywood Photobooth, a new camera overlay app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Hollywood Photobooth will allow anyone to instantly ‘wear’ the costumes as immortalised by some of the most iconic film characters from a century of Hollywood filmmaking.
Face view on V&A app

a spot of Charlie Chaplin followed by Meryl Streep in Out Of Africa…

This light-hearted and playful app features 16 specially photographed costumes ranging from Charlie Chaplin’s Tramp suit, to Viola de Lesseps stunning dress, headdress and jewellery in Shakespeare in Love worn by Gywneth Paltrow. Users can also adorn their costume with essential accessories: from the Blues Brothers’ cool ensemble with the all-important sunglasses and hat to the combat armour of Gladiator’s Maximus worn by Russell Crowe. Right up-to-the-minute, the app also includes costumes from the latest movie releases such as the dress worn by Keira Knightley in Anna Karenina.

Charlie Chaplin info

Photos taken by Hollywood Photobooth can be shared via email, Facebook and Twitter.

Hollywood Photobooth has been created in partnership with Ribui, a leading digital publisher specialising in the creation of augmented reality and 3D apps and interactive books for smartphones and tablets.

EDITED TO ADD – the latest update is now compatible for iPad 1 – you can use photos in your library – so everyone can play! 

Hollywood Photobooth is available at the App Store now – for only 69p!

We received a code to review the app, all opinions are ours and honest.

App Time at Mum Friendly

by jo

App Time – Mog the Forgetful Cat

Mog app from HarperCollins

Mog the Forgetful Cat is a wondeful Judith Kerr book – and one I’m sure most people are familiar with. Back in the summer I decided to buy this app, as while it’s nice we read to H, she is left on her own from time to time (like when I’m cooking), and it’s nice for her to be able to read books rather than just play games. This app is fabulous – as you can record your own voice to the Mog book, so essentially you are reading to your child and of course there’s Judith Kerr’s illustrations.Mog App - game

Each page is interactive, and as well as being read by you (or Geraldine McEwan if you’d prefer), there’s some fun extras too. There’s a game – although that’s suited to a child that can read (or learning to) as it doesn’t speak the words (which would be handy!) – you have to match Mog’s expression (sad, happy, surprised, cheeky, sleepy) and if your device supports it, you can take photos or add one from your library.Mog App

We don’t own the first Mog book (shame on us!), although do have several Judith Kerr books – so know that H enjoys reading them. She has been known to sit and read the book several times on this app!

The app is available for £2.49 from the App Store from Harper Collins Publishers Ltd.

App Time at Mum Friendly

by jo

Souptastically Souper – a Minestrone Kind of Day

We hadn’t thought ahead as far as our evening meal goes – I’ve been coughing all afternoon and the last liquorice teabag had been used – we were all just lying low, a lazy day, resting. So it was with joy I spotted this recipe over at Thinly Spread and adapted it with what we’ve got in the cupboard – and it was so easy to do.

You need….

a tin of chick peas
small bits of broccoli
half an onion
a sweet potato chopped
six small baby potatoes, peeled and chopped
frozen sweetcorn (50g)
frozen peas (60g)
baby pasta (60g)
three heaped teaspoons of low salt bouillon

passata and some italian herbs and spice for the end

Stick them all in the Soup Maker pan, top up to the maximum level with water, set to the chunky setting and 28 minutes later is your almost-minestrone. I added some passata to cool it down (which was a good thing as H decided to stick her arm in Shaun’s bowl, so it wasn’t as hot as it could have been and she’s fine – phew) and make it more tomato-y which worked quite well, though overall there wasn’t much taste to it, though the veg was good – so if you wanted more, maybe add garlic or some chili.

It was nice and filling, anyway – and the first time we’ve tried soup with pasta all cooked in the pan. H ate all hers too which to me is a very good sign! I’ve not worked out WeightWatchers points yet, but I reckon no more than 2 or 3.

Minestrone Soup

by jo

Making Money, Part One

So short you missed it, I’m sure. I spilt the tiniest bit of water onto my MacBook keyboard and it stopped working. This is not a good thing when you’ve lots to type about, especially when mid-sentence you start typing complete nonsense even though you’re hitting the right keys.

Fast forward to the end of the week and here we are with a new MacBook Pro – which is lovely. We’re doing the Amazon Family deal so got free next day delivery, plus they’re selling the MacBook Pro for £100 less than Apple does in their store – anything to save some money!

purple keyboard protectorNow we’re on a quest to sell things and make money back to cover the costs of the new laptop (and I’ve also bought a thermoplastic cover for it to protect against future spills – like I’ll have any liquids anywhere near this computer right now!!) – so the first stop is Music Magpie.

We’ve used them for a few years now – I often find I have the problem of too many CDs – and sometimes I need to get rid of some. All you do is put in the barcode and you’ll get a value. I used to sell CDs via Amazon, where I’d get more money but you’d have to wait for someone to want to buy your it rather than getting a (lower) value instantly – plus Amazon is a good backup when Music Magpie don’t want your CD or don’t have it in their databases.

All you do is put in the barcodes, package up the CDs, print out the packaging labels you’ll get emailed (or posted) and take them to your local post office or pickup point, and wait for the money to be credited to your account. In the past we’ve taken payment by cheque, however this time I’ve opted for a bank transfer.

It’s really easy to do, and even better, I’ve now got a bit of space. Oh, and it’s a good use for all that Amazon packaging I seem to be accumulating too….

Do you have any good suggestions of places to sell things and raise a bit of cash?
Let me know in the comments!

by admin

We Love Books – Justin’s Annual 2013

Justin's Annual 2012It is probably no great surprise that our three-year old is a big fan of Justin Fletcher (MBE) given that I have yet to come across an under 5 who isn’t. Given that, the arrival of the annual was met with some (read much) joy in our house.

Justin's Annual 2012It’s a good annual as well. Combining decent stories (for younger children) with activities that can be both with parents and without and the ubiquitous stickers that seem to be the gold standard of any pre-schooler these days, the annual has been in play for a few weeks and is far from exhausted as yet. That, to me, tells you all you need to know about the content and quality.

Justin's Annual 2012If your children are fans of any of Justin’s many guises they will find something familiar in here. More than that they will find dot to dots that encourage counting and number recognition, tableau for stickers that encourage spatial awareness and compositional skills and a host of colouring in options.

Justin’s Annual 2013 is available now from Amazon and all good booksellers!

We Love Books at Mum Friendly

by jo

We Love Books – Froobles First Words and Fuzzy Christmas

Hey, is that the first mention of the dreaded C-word on here? It’s that time of year again, and if you’ve a child around H’s age (3) then these books may be ideal!

H and Froobles First WordsFroobles First Words is a nice simple book – and included are a set of magnetic letters – and a little sentence about each Frooble. Now, I’ve heard of the name Froobles though haven’t come across them yet properly – so this is a fun place to start. At the top of each page is a magnetic strip along with the letters greyed out – so if, like H, your little one is starting to learn to read, write and spell, this book is a really good starting point. It’s kept simple, half of the work is done for you, but H still finds it a challenge and enjoys it which to me is a good thing.

H and Froobles First WordsShe was also quite proud when she’d put together each word – nothing was too difficult and it was perfectly suited for her age and abilities.

Definitely worth looking into –  RRP £5.99, ISBN 978-1-84956-695-7

H and Froobles First WordsH and Fuzzy ChristmasFuzzy Christmas is similar to the previous book, though think more along the lines of Fuzzy Felt – you’ve a Christmas story book and a little story about each page – all you have to do is find the matching felt pieces for each page and stick them on – and like Fuzzy Felt it stays.

H and Fuzzy ChristmasH enjoys being creative, and this was right up her street. In fact, if she’d had her own way every felt piece would have been on the first picture – but as it was we went through it carefully and added to each scene. Again, she was quite proud of herself for getting it right and putting things in the right place – it’s a good book for the imagination, and really nice graphics too! RRP £7.99, ISBN 976-1-84956-963-7

Both books are published by TopThat! Publishing – and can be bought direct (Froobles First Words & Fuzzy Christmas)or via Amazon,

We were sent the books for review, all opinions are our own

We Love Books at Mum Friendly

by jo

Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt at the Criterion Theatre

Peppa Pig's Treasure Hunt LogoWe saw Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt back in April when it got to Croydon at Fairfield Halls on the UK tour – and it was a hugely enjoyable afternoon (complete with several merch stands so it was unavoidable – not too pricey though thank goodness!) – a really nice simple plot with plenty of songs and fun. Actually, I didn’t realise just how much the songs had stayed in my head until we saw Ben & Holly Live recently and I recognised them being played beforehand…

Well after a long tour of the country, Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt is heading to the West End for its third West End Christmas Season to the Criterion Theatre from the 6th December 2012 until 6th January 2013.

Peppa Pig's Treasure Hunt livePeppa Pig’s second live stage production proved to be a huge success on its travels the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland in 2011 – 2012, with sell-out performances wherever it went.

The Peppa Pig stage-show has a very successful track record at the Criterion Theatre, where for the past two Christmas seasons Peppa Pig has played to packed houses (2010 and 2011), breaking all the theatre’s previous advance box office records. Her first stage tour, Peppa Pig’s Party, was also one of the top-selling children’s theatre shows in 2010 and 2011.

Peppa Pig's Treasure Hunt liveIn Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt, Peppa Pig and her friends set off on a new adventure, a treasure hunt. Peppa, her brother George and friend Danny Dog get up to fun and games on a day out on Granddad Dog’s boat. There are clues aplenty as Pedro Pony, Polly Parrot and Zoe Zebra help them find their treasure as they all enjoy a day of adventure. Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt features true-to-life puppets, sing-along songs and a story that will charm and delight all her fans.

The cast is Nick Errington, Kerry Gooderson, Chris Hughes, Charlotte King, Kimberley Penna, David Sandham and Charlotte Sullivan. The composer is Mani Svavarsson, the designer is Simon Scullion, lighting is by Matt Haskins and sound by Ian Horrocks Taylor.

Peppa Pig's Treasure Hunt livePEPPA PIG’S TREASURE HUNT – CRITERION THEATRE LISTINGS
THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER 2012 – SUNDAY 6 JANUARY 2013

Criterion Theatre, 218 – 223 Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, LONDON SW1
Box Office: 0844 847 1778

Thurs 6 – Sun 9 December
Thurs 6 & Fri 7 at 11 am & 2.30 pm
Sat 8 at 11 am
Sun 9 at 12 noon & 3 pm

Mon 10 – Sun 16 December
No performances on Monday 10 & Wed 12
Tues 11, Thurs 13 & Fri 14 at 11 am & 2.30 pm
Sat 15 at 11 am
Sun 16 at 12 noon & 3 pm continued/
Mon 17 – Sun 23 December
No performances on Mon 17 & Wed 19
Tues 18, Thurs 20 & Fri 21 at 11 am & 2.30 pm
Sat 22 at 11 am
Sun 23 at 12 noon & 3 pm

Mon 24 – Sun 30 December
Mon 24 at 11 am
No performances on Tues 25 & Wed 26
Thurs 27 & Fri 28 at 11 am & 2.30 pm
Sat 29 at 11 am
Sun 30 at 12 noon & 3 pm

Mon 31 December – Sun 6 January
Mon 31 at 11 am & 2.30 pm
Tues 1, Thurs 3 & Fri 4 at 11 am & 2.30 pm
No performance on Wed 2
Sat 5 at 11 am
Sun 6 at 12 noon & 3 pm

by jo

Review – Popchips

If you read things on here regularly, you may have spotted I’m doing WeightWatchers. This has meant a whole lifestyle re-evaluation, cutting out things I don’t need and substituting them with things that are as good – my three biggest weaknesses being pizza, chips and crisps. I’m still working on the pizza as nobody seems to stock the vegetarian WeightWatchers ones, I’ve spotted some WW oven chips I’ve not yet got around to buying, and crisps-wise I’ve been looking at what’s out there that’s a low amount of points. More often than not I’m relying on WeightWatchers own brands, but I’m looking for more low-calorie tasty foods – and along came Popchips.

Currently you can only buy them in Waitrose, WH Smiths and a few other stores (but only Waitrose supermarket-wise), and the good news is that each pack comes in at a very nice and low 3 points – the salt & pepper one comes in at 2! So if you’re looking for snacks and weren’t sure what to make of what’s out there, try Popchips!

PopchipsThere’s six flavours in total – Original, Barbecue, Sour Cream &  Onion, Salt & Pepper and Sea Salt and Vinegar – plus there’s a brand new flavour we’ve not tried yet, Thai Sweet Chili (and I see America has some Sweet Potato ones). Oh, and they’re yummy too. Very yummy. Very very yummy. So much so I may be more than a little bit addicted.

So, what’s to know about them? They’re not fried, and they’re not baked – they start with the finest ingredients, add a little heat and pressure until they pop – and there you are – a popchip. After that the natural seasoning is added which makes the yummy flavours listed above.

Each pack has approximately 18 chips, and each pack is less than 100 calories. They’re less than half the fat of fried potato chips, there’s no cholesterol (which is something I need to be keeping care of), and there’s 0 grams trans fat.

What else? There’s no fake colours, no fake flavours, no preservatives and most importantly of all, no wiping greasy hands on your jeans (which I’m not so big on these days, though H is).

Popchips are good – check them out!

We were supplied a box of Popchips for the purpose of review – all opinions are our own!