The Meal Plan - we are still eating edition

I may be late but this is just to note that we are still eating this week! Not a very exciting meal plan as its too hot and sticky and we are away for the weekend but this is what's been eaten so far:

Monday  -  Burgers, shapes and chips - was meant to be fish cakes but they cooked at a different temperature to the chips

Tuesday -  Wraps for the girls, I had a pot noodle because we did some clothes sorting and packing and couldn't be bothered!

Wednesday -  Something with mince ! Unsure as what yet, it may be lasagna/spag bol or sloppy joe!

Thursday - Pasta of some kind

Friday and Saturday - Away in Winchester to see new nephew, very exited as we are also going to Marwell zoo party on Friday evening. Also staying in a hotel which Car is very excited and unsure about where she'll sleep.

Sunday - Travelling back from Winchester so may grab something easy on the way!

BNM

Our future

Save Spend Invest Keys courtesy of [Stuart Miles] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I've been thinking recently about our future. About what happens when I turn old and grey* and need to ensure that I have money put aside for not just me and Neb but for the girls. Their weddings (if they ever do) will probably cost an arm and a leg and as mother of brides we will no doubt have to lend a hand.

So was it fate then that brought through the letterbox yesterday information about life insurances. I don't really understand enough about financial stuff to know what its about. If I'm correct  I pay a sum each month and then after say 20 years I get some money back which may be more or less than what I paid in? Is that right? Do I need it? If I die, then remaining dependants get the money?

I'm lucky enough to have a very good pension through work which will also pay out on my death or keep me going when alive. Its worrying to think about our future now when money is still tight, with only one wage coming in.

So my question is if any of you are financial minded what do I do? Do I live for today, spend it all and save none for a rainy day or do I save and invest my money now to be awarded with more in later life?

I hate being a grown up especially when I don't understand it!

BNM

* I may already have a streak of white but I will not go grey!

My recent reads and some totty!

I love reading and I love a huge range of books but since getting the kindle app on my tablet I have read loads and so I thought I'd share with you the recent reads!!

Murder on the Mind  L. L. Bartlett
One of the first books I read, which is currently free on the kindle chart was Murder on the Mind by L.L Bartlett. The stories are based on  a down-on-his luck former insurance investigator Jeff Resnick who after a vicious mugging in Manhattan, is able to sense things others can’t. He returns to live in Buffalo, with his half-brother Richard and with his new found sense leads him to solve vicious crimes. I loved this story and book so much that I've now read all 7 of the other books (and short stories) and can't wait for the next mystery. So if your into mystery and can believe the unbelievable then this book is for you:

The Mammacita murders Debra Mares

Again another book that is based on murder and based on the life of sex crimes prosecutor's Gaby Ruiz and her gritty and often heartbreaking job. I loved this book though note that as it is an American book some reviews had not been favourable to it but as I have read many American murder mystery books it all seemed fine.

Don't forget your miracle pants Jackie Taylor Justice

A laugh out loud comedy true to life book. I loved this book and then made a friend get it and she loved it and I think you should get it to!!
A book about finding love the second time around which is definitely a comedy!

And finally the book that I'm working my way through case by case:

The complete Sherlock Holmes eBook -  Arthur Conan Doyle

What can I say a classic and only because we have recently finished watching Elementary. And I'm missing Sherlock. So, now I can read and think about Johnny. I mean you wouldn't throw him out of bed would you:

So what books have you read recently, please share below and I will go and see if I can read them.

BNM

Panic......

Oh bugger, after not blogging for a week and sunning myself and being overall very busy I've only just realised that it's Father's Day on Sunday.

I blame my dad - normally I'd be looking round for something random to give to him but he's jetting off to follow the Lions on their tour of Australia on Sunday so thoughts of getting gifts had flown out of window!

Luckily, Neb will not be forgottten as I have a website that I use for all great gifts that look like you've spent ages hunting for them! The quality of the ideas and gifts are fabulous and its my go to place for difficult people to buy gifts for!

How about some Gin and Tonic Bath and Shower Gel (priced £7.95) to relax your father/husband at the end of the day:

A funky toothbrush holder (£5.95)

and I love dad mug for his cups of tea and coffee (£11.95)

a polar bear ice cube trays to keep his gin cool this summer (£9.95):

If you feel like spending a bit more for the father in your life then what about these great glasses (£16.95 for a set of 4). My dad was lucky enough to be bought these for Xmas and loved them. Even if he hadn't realised that they rocked for ages!! But he now knows that his gin will be lovely and mixed each time!

Some great gift ideas don't you think. And if you're as dis-organsied as I am don't panic because as long as you order by 2pm tomorrow it can be sent out on next day delivery. Whew....

BNM

A place for us all - review and giveaway

I do like it when the dinner table is laid out and looking lovely*

So I was happy to review some great personalised table mats from Scarlett Willow.  The personalised table mats take 4-6 weeks to make and even though the website states that the font is a capital letter and all letters will be such I got my initial on mine (that's Ff for you not B)

The table mats came in a lovely presented box (which means they can be kept together for special occasions). There was a bow around the box but Neb opened everything before I got home!

 

We had a choice of colours so I chose pink for the girls (which for a change Bel loved) and green for me and Neb (Neb laughed and went green! you and your green!)

 

See a Ff and not just  a F (happy BNM!)


The table mats are of great quality and will be used for special occasions. The website does have some lovely ones for day to day use but knowing the mess my girls make I think I'll keep these for special. There are some great designs and ideas on the website (not just placemats) so if you have a wedding coming up then these would be great. I love the Kiddywinks London placemats and I think it would make a great alternative christening gift (saves ending up with endless piggy banks). Luckily for you I have one to give away:

 

• Log in to Rafflecopter and enter the draw by leaving a blog post comment with your ideas for: Who you'd invite over for your perfect meal

• The more times you enter, the better your chance of winning the placemat

• The winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter (which uses random.org) and announced on this page.

• The deadline for entering the giveaway is Wednesday 19th June

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good Luck

BNM

* A lovely dining table is something I aspire to but normally the table has on it toys, half drunk squash cups and general mess!  

I was sent the items to review and all opinions given are my own

Finding books for the girls

Small girls reading book courtesy of [Phaitoon] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Why does it have to be so difficult?

How do you do it?

I'm lucky to be sent samples of great books as a blogger  and often let friends now about them. I also love going into book shops and seeing what's out there especially for a 9 yr old who loves adventure and egyptians and code breaking and definately not princess books! But otherwise, how would I find them books. Why are they not promoted? I mean the new Dan Brown was promoted in all the papers, supermarkets and book shops but a kids book!

It seems I'm not the only one worrying, top author Julia Donaldson recently commented in the Telegraph that we needed to take children's books more seriously and I agree. Why when Literacy is pushed in schools should we ignore and not push children's books more.

So I'm going to do some of my own promoting. Here are two books that have gone down well with the girls in our house recently.

Picture Book

Michael Morpurgo Beauty and the Beast £6.99 RRP

We were lucky to be sent the Michael Morpurgo reworking of a classic from Harper Collins Childrens Books and Car loved the book (she does like pink and princesses). We did have a few moments when she couldn't work out why the beast was blue He's meant to be brown Mummy but after we got over that (darned Disney) she loved it. It is quite a long story though and did sometimes lose her captivation so possibly more for not a late bedtime read! The illustrations by Loretta Schauer are lovely.

9+ Reading Book

Secret Breakers: The Power of Three by H L Dennis £6.99 RRP

I like finding books for Bel to read. She has a higher than her age reading age and she loves reading. When out on my lunch the other day I popped into the campus book shop which has a great range for kids. This book claims to be the Da Vinci Code for kids and Bel loved it. The series is about three kids who are head hunted by former members of the Black Chamber at Bletchley Park to solve codes and find a lost "key" to solving the riddle of MS408 also known as th Voynich Manuscript (a real thing). Bel got so excited reading it she read it in two nights and is now asking for the next in the series. She was overjoyed when I noted that there was more than one.This book would be great for both girls and boys (and possibly mums and dads too!!)



So if you have any new books that you think are a good read then promote them in the comments below

BNM

We were sent Beauty and the Beast to review and all opinions given are my own.
I bought Secret Breakers for Bel and wanted to share with you how good it is.

Mealplanning Tuesday

So sorry, day late...

Anyway as the sun is shining the meal plan is a bit hit and miss this week.

Sunday - Quick Rub Lamb Chops, Couscous, Sauteed Potatoes and Salad - Car decided she didn't like the lamb!!

Monday - Turkey Mince Kebab Sausages, Roast New Potatoes, Salad, Coleslaw and Rice - Car again was a pain

Tuesday - what its meants to be - Macaroni Cheese 

Wednesday - something with Sausage

Thursday - Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Roast Potatoes and Veg

Friday - Homemade Pizzas

Saturday - Sleepover at Wi's and possibly something quick and easy!