I have a rather long list of potential blog post subjects, things I WANT to talk about, recipes, updates about the kids, weaning, breastfeeding as well as reviews etc etc. Sometimes I just want to write about nothing. And everything. About me. About my little world where I live with my family. About the bigger world in which we all live in. A kind of in my head update if you will.

I’m 8 months into my maternity leave. Chloe is 7 months old. Izzy is nearly 3 years old.. I’m 31. How did any of that seem to happen in the blink of an eye?

I still feel (and act sometimes) as though I’m in my early twenties. I often sit and wonder at how strange it still feels that I’m responsible for TWO children. It doesn’t always feel real if I’m honest.

Am I happy? Yes. Mostly I’m happy. I do find being a mother hard. Everyone knows it’s not an easy role. Being a mum of two is a bigger challenge that I expected but I wouldn’t change it. I love being a parent. Life is wonderfully weird and full of smiles, tears, sticky hands and dirty nappies.

I’m starting to look at what I want to do with my life. Career wise. I’m a little older than most people making these kind of decisions but I know I’m not happy with my office job anymore. It’s a good, steady, responsible job so I won’t be making any rash choices but it means nothing to me and you only get to live your life once.. Unless you are a cat.

I want to work somehow within social media and food. I love both and I feel I could be good at that kind of work. It’s rather vague I know but I have some things in the pipeline which I’m very excited about. For now the aim is to return to work in December part time but I am really positive about being able to work freelance and hoping that I won’t be back there for too long. Sorry boss.

I’ve recently spent some time in London and whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the events I attended and the people I was able to enjoy time with I can say it’s made me even happier to live where I live. Our life here is pretty laid back and although I occasionally crave the excitement and non stop lifestyle of a big city I know where I belong. I live in Wales by the way. Yes there are lots of sheep, yes we talk like we are singing and frequently our sentences make no sense to non Welshies.

A lot has changed in the blogging world since I started writing this blog. There are more bloggers, more opportunities and people are more aware of blogging as a whole. I love writing it, I love you all for reading it. I love what I feel I’ve achieved and the people I have met and friends I have made as result of it.

To finish up I want to share a photo of strawberries growing in my garden. Actual strawberries in my actual garden. Could I be more domesticated?

So there you go. A rather random post today 🙂

Where does the time go? How is it nearly July? It feels as though the May Degustabox just arrived when it was actually over 4 weeks ago. Sorry for the delay with the review but it’s been such a chaotic month that I’ve only just got round to trying the products and well if it wouldn’t be much of a review without that would it?

So here we go..

Another fantastic box! Every time it arrives I feel as though I am waiting to be disappointed as I’ve never been a fan of subscription boxes but they truly are brilliant. Every month has something new for me. Every month it makes me try out new recipes. I can’t recommend it enough.

Ooh and do you want to save £3.00 on your box? Use code: KT9HI 🙂

This is what was in the box:

First up Cirio products – haven’t yet used the passata but the purée has a great flavour.

Then Hornsby ciders – we LOVED these. Delicious. Will definitely be buying soon.

RAW energy chewing gum – I couldn’t try this as I’m breastfeeding so they are in the car for when my OH gets tired. They do smell like red bull 😉

Cawston Press – this is the second flavour I’ve tried and liked. The rhubarb is definitely my favourite though.

Next up is Garofalo pasta – this is a new brand to me and we eat tons of pasta here. It’s really good and I will keep an eye out for it in my local stores.

Dr Oetker Cake Release Spray – I use a lot of Dr Oetker products and I was eager to see if this worked and yay it’s brilliant. I don’t use baking parchment anymore as it’s so effective.

Finn Crisp Rye Sourdough Crispbreads – these were really unusual and at first I wasn’t sure I liked them but I do, I do. My mum loved them too so I shared.

Taylor’s Blackberry and Elderflower herbal tea– I don’t drink much herbal tea SO I used these to make tea loaf and it’s so good I’ve made it twice since. It smells totally delicious when brewed. Recipe to follow tomorrow.

Kettle Sweet Potato Oven baked crisps – I’ve seen that some people don’t like that these but I thought they were really tasty, I am quite a fan of veggie crisps though so perhaps that’s why.

Finally Elizabeth Shaws dark chocolate cocoa crunch flutes – these were I think my favourite part of the box. I’ve rationed then out and because they are such an intense hit of chocolate you don’t actually need to eat much in one go. Will have to buy more soon.

Check out the Degustabox website for more info and keep an eye on my blog for two recipes inspired by the products in the May Box.

* I was given the May Box for the purpose of the review.

There must a be a million different recipes for homemade lollies or ice pops on the internet but I’m still surprised when I talk to friends and family at just how many people have never tried DIY lollies.

The perks:

* You know what’s gone into it. So no nasties, colourings etc etc.

* You can use up fruits, juices or yoghurts which would otherwise be thrown out.

* They are cheaper. For the reason above. I never buy ingredients to specifically make them I just use leftovers.

These ones were created out of a new love of Izzys for cherries and to use up yoghurts in the fridge which were very close to going out of date.

You will need:

Flavoured yoghurt – I used Asda smart price fromage frais which cost about 44p for 6.
Cherries – I used Picota cherries which I halved and stoned firs.
Lolly Moulds

Depending on the size of your moulds layer with yoghurt and cherries then stick in a spoon and give it a swirl. You don’t want too many cherries in each one. My mould which is a standard lolly size took 1.5 yoghurt pots per lolly and about 8 cherry halves. Freeze until solid. I left overnight.

Then give to an extremely grateful child or eat them yourself. They taste surprisingly indulgent and look fab.

The two middle ones are yoghurt ones. The one on the far left is a frozen orange aero and the one on far right is leftover smoothie.