Cough cough sneeze sneeze....

Well its 17.30 and i've only just got out of bed to check email then i will get back into it very soon.
I have been fighting the germs around me for awhile but alas they have overcome me today. All i want is for my son to be a little better when he gets back from his dad's. Even FB has said he is feeling unwell aswell what a household we are.

Well im getting back into bed now bye for now..

OOpsie

Well weigh came and i put 1/2 pound on which i am pleased (lost 1 stone 11 now) about and FB gained aswell.
We both new we would but will be focused on the new year.
The class was a little different this week we brought in healthy food (well some of us did !!) and had the skittle alley up and running and a free raffle for all, we did quite well for a change.

So i am now looking forward to seeing all the family over Christmas and the New Year.

Sunday school Christmas Service.

Just wanted to write down what a day yesterday was - we had a Christmas service for the Sunday School, and a Carol service in chapel in the evening.

We had eleven children, which to some may seem few - but to US it was a blessing. Several parents came and the headmaster of my son's school came (strangely the children all calmed themselves once he arrived - it was quietly amusing how a person can have such a impact on children).

They did so well with their memory work (I smiled inwardly) and were so excited with the amount of adults being there to witness it and the singing was beautiful. We had a guest speaker who used their time so wisely, giving a short but strong message - oh how the Lord blessed our time!

We sang hymns, had a quiz, short memory piece, and a message was given, and a small gift was given to all the children at the end. The parents that came thanked us and one even texted me to say how much they enjoyed their time there. Praise the Lord.

I thank the Lord for this opportunity to give a message to the Parents.

In the evening I went to the carol service sadly without husband and son as son has been fighting a cold for weeks and became quite unwell. So husband stayed at home so I could go out. It was a wonderful message and many hymns sang and after service their were some light refreshments. It was a lovely time to catch up with people especially those going away for Christmas.

Now I'm gearing up for next weekend!

Homemade craft.

Here are a few of the cards i have made this year , hopefuly as i time goes on i will improve.
I have been playing around with textures and different types of flexible paper to make them different , so far not a roaring success. Not one of my cards is identical some are similar in design.
The main objective in doing these was to become creative in my spare time and something i can do on my well days..

Weigh in 13th December

Well suprisingly i lost a pound last night so my running total is 25 1/2 pounds loss now. Going to have a really good week and work at getting my 2 stone... FB lost 1/2 pound and was happy (FB = hubby).
Now for low syn treats for susanna.

For one syn chocolate balls you break up scan bran if you have it or ryvita (1 healthy b) and use two table spoons of nutella and refrigerate, and mmmmm mmmmm yummy!

Or

If you're a fan of fruity malt loaf, you'll love this terrific recipe for Weetabix cake. Packed with juicy sultanas and mixed spices, who would have thought breakfast cereal could taste so good? And at only 3½ Syns per slice, it makes a wonderful snack or pudding

Weetabix Cake

Serves: 12
Syns per serving: 3½ Syns on both choices

Ingredients
2 Weetabix
113g/4oz sultanas
142ml/5floz skimmed milk
142ml 5floz water
113g/4oz self-raising flour1 teaspoon
mixed spice
14g/½ oz artificial sweetener (optional)
1 egg, beaten

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC, 350ºF or Gas Mark 4
2. Put the Weetabix and sultanas in a bowl. Pour the milk and water over the top and leave to soak up all the liquid.
3. Stir in the flour, mixed spice, sweetener and beaten egg.
4. Spoon the mixture into a 454g (1lb) lined/non-stick loaf tin and bake in the preheated oven for 1¼ hours until cooked.
5. Cool on a wire rack before serving then cut into 12 slices.

this is really yummy cut into four chunks as a snack approx 1 syn per chuck then.

Or
Weetabix cake christmas style

4 Scan bran (healthy b)
1 Weetabix (3.5 syns)
5ozs grated carrot
1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
4 level teaspoons of runny honey (2 syns)
2 level tablespoons mincemeat (4 syns)
3 eggs

Prehat oven to 180 c or equivalant.
Soak scan bran and weetabix and drain off excess liquid.
Place all ingredients into scan bran and weetabix bowl. Mix well. I add eggs last.
Cook for an hour ot until cooked throughout.
When cooked turn onto a wire rack to cook.

For a yummy topping
Quark , lemon juice and sweetner to taste , MIX WELL and to required taste put ontop of carrot cake once cooled.
This is suitable for freezing but i prefer it fresh.

9.5 syns whole cake if healthy b is used

Or

Ginger bread sqares

Serves: 30
Syns per serving: 3½ Syns on Green and Original

ingredients
Fry Light
350g/12oz self-raising flour
175g/6oz golden caster sugar
100g/3½ oz low fat spread
1 egg
1 x 200g/7oz pot Mullerlight vanilla-flavoured yogurt
4-5 drops vanilla essence
2 tsp ground cinnamon3 tsp ground gingersalt
2 level tbsp candied ginger, finely chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/Gas 5. Spray an 18x30cm/7x12in (approximately) non-stick baking tin with Fry Light and line with non-stick baking parchment.
2. Sift the flour into a food processor and then add the caster sugar, low fat spread, egg, yogurt, vanilla essence, cinnamon and ground ginger. Season with a pinch of salt and process until smooth.
3. Spoon the mixture into the baking tin and smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle over the candied ginger and bake for 30-35 minutes or until lightly golden and firm to the touch.
4. Take out of the oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes and then remove carefully from the tin and peel off the backing paper. Place on a board and cut into approximately 30 squares. Serve warm or at room temperature

These recipes are all tried and tested and if i can do them anyone can lol...

Being thankful

Mondays are always a little strange for me , as Sunday is so busy it is normally time for recovery and rest. Sent the last of my christmas cards by post this morning (a really good opportunity to use biblical texts which you know will be read atleast once, may the Lord bless it)

Sunday school as well as Chapel are having their Christmas services next Sunday , it really is a great opportunity for us to invite mums and dads to come along to the Sunday School Christmas Service. Also we the local area is being leafleted , highlighting Christmas services and activities held at chapel..

So far i have three definate yes's which is wonderful (SundaySchool Service) Praise the Lord.

I am so thankful to the Lord for these opportunities.

Today

Today has been totally thrown as my son is off sick. He has a swollen throat and full of cold and he isnt one to want a day off as he enjoys school. ,
I had planned to go shopping so all before 9.15 i went to market and got my fruit and vegetables and a quick frozen food shop, managed to do this as my husband didn't have to be at work till 10.00 so he picked me up with son once i had finished. Then off to work he went.
Got son into bed that now seems to look alot better strange that!! MMMmmm...
I am going to cook a batch of mince pies freeze some and eat rest (chuckles). I hope i do get around to it. W e will see.
FB is going to london tommorrow with a good friend of his who is a church elder should be a good day for both spiritually and FB should briefly see his family, I am so looking forward to seeing them all at New Years.
Oh well better go be mum , cleaner and chef at same time we are so good at multitasking aren't we...

Tuesday's weigh in Night.......

Well weigh in has come.
I lost 2lbs so total 24 1/2 lbs so far so my blip has been erased. My husband lost 1/2 lb and was very disappointed by it.
He is definately on his road of depression and this result didn't help matters at all , infact we left class early because of it. I have to admit of not understanding depression but it seems to silently eat away at a person until there is nothing left. I will do my best to support him at this time but im really not sure how. I am struggling with life myself but i know the Lord is there to support us both, He is indeed my rock.

Tonight i will make sure my husband rests and relaxes i think at times i burden him with my needs and wants (how selfish i am at times) .

So tonight is the beginning of a new home regime.

My first ladies prayer meeting

Today was my first time to be able to to the ladies prayer meeting , i wasn't sure how it was going to be, but was very much looking forward to it.
A lovely christian friend picked me up at ten and on way we chatted on many issues and she reassured me that it was a relaxed atmostphere and you did not have to pray out loud if you didn't want to. Which put my mind to rest as praying out loud at this moment in time was what i didn;t want to do(maybe it my memory as im so forgetful, or i rush things, or the words just don't flow, or just lack of confidence)
We got there and tea , coffee and biscuits were at the ready, i was good and had a black coffee and no biscuits (weigh in tonight).
By this time i began to feel quite ill my head was thudding and i felt quite sick but i wasn't allowing this to ruin my morning. I said hello to all and they were all so pleased i had made it. Then Irene went through what happens for example what they had prayed for last month and answers to prayers and some suggestions on what to pray for.
We had a short reading and went into prayer.
It was really wonderful to hear the ladies praying and the tone in some voices really humbled me.
All in all it is something i aim to do on a regular basis and im thankful to the Lord for opening this door to me.

Some people may think why i am writing this but it is another step for me in church life.

Mince pies 2.5 syns each and so scrummy!!

Did you know a single Mr Kipling mincepie is 18 syns!!! Only allowed 15 or less a day, to keep to plan.
I was shock when i found this out because i love them and knew i had to find a way to eat them and still loose weight!!
So thinking cap on and with a little help from a good friend we came up with this recipe.
They also freeze well aswell..

I got 36 out this recipe so worked out 2.5 syns each

Mincepies part deux

10 oz of flour (one oz is for rolling)
2 oz of low fat margarine
enough fromage frais to make it pastry consistency
a tablespoon of sweetner
and filling was 9 tablespoons of mincemeat
400 grams cooked apple finely shredded i add it grated and it cooks in pie
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 grated carrots medium sized and fine grater
a tablespoon sweetner and some mixed spice to taste

7 1/2 syns for apple (as apple is cooked it is no longer free)
11 syns for margarine
45 syns for flour
18 syns for mincemeat

delicious !!!!

Sometimes.....

Ever have one of those days when your trying to get things done and everything seems to get in the way.
For instance i went into town this morning sun shining and ready to face busy shops, then as i walked off bus the rain came down in buckets, but i kept on smiling and thought you can only get wet once, but alas the rain went through my shoes , trousers and coat, so i cut my shop really short and caught bus home. Didn't get what i wanted as it was other side of town.
As i got on bus my glasses steamed up and i couldnt see the driver but this made me smile. I gave him my ticket and found a seat, the bus only had a few people on it but somone sat next to me that was large (as i am) so we squashed together on journey i suppose it kept us warm , by the time i got off the bus my glasses had steamed up again ( i need windscren wipers!!).
Got home atlast two hours had gone and i had barely got anything done so my next target was making onion soup which i realised takes two hour to cook (there goes my lunch idea) and stuffed peppers in balsamic vinegar (all slimming world free food).
Then i remembered in my shopping bag i had brought some crackers for christmas they are soaked but saveable (sighs). Why didnt i think of it as soon as i got home !!
And ohh yes as soon as i got in my glasses steamed up it is definately a sometimes day today!!