Author: Deborah

Last weekend we headed to the recently opened Rosebourne Garden Centre to see what it had to offer. Plus, we were starving as we had no food in!

Roseboure Garden Centre Christmas displays

Restaurant

The first thing I loved about the restaurant was that it has table service. I asked to sit on a table with a sofa so that it was more comfortable for me to breastfeed and they were happy to oblige. As it was a Sunday my eyes were drawn straight to the roast dinners. I haven’t been able to cook one since Eleanor was born and really really wanted one.

We ordered our drinks and my husband asked for a honey tea and when the drinks arrived it was just a normal tea. However, when our food arrived he mentioned it to the waiter and they brought over a whole new pot of honey tea. I think they’re probably still ironing out the service as they’d only been open a few weeks.

rosebourne garden centre roast dinner

rosebourne garden centre roast dinner

Our roast dinners arrived and oh my goodness I’ve never seen a yorkshire pudding so big! And there was a huge amount of vegetables provided in bowls which were delicious. My beef was so tender and Simon enjoyed his pork. There was so much food I didn’t have enough room for dessert even though the menu looked good. I was also eyeing up the scones; I think a cream tea is in order midweek.

One thing to point out, the tables are really well spread so there was plenty of room for our pram. The baby changing facilities were good too.

Shopping

Roseboure Garden Centre Christmas displays

Roseboure Garden Centre Christmas displays little red riding hood

The Christmas displays were fantastic! I’m definitely getting into the Christmas spirit and Little Red Riding Hood was my favourite display. There were hundreds of baubles and a good array of trees and lights. I was tempted to buy the 10ft tree they had but I don’t think it will fit!

They also have a food hall selling fresh fruit and vegetables to frozen ready meals supplied by local producers. We picked up a lasagne al forno which I can’t wait to try. I wish this food hall was open when I was pregnant as I would have filled the freezer full of meals for when baby arrived.

Roseboure Garden Centre food hall Roseboure Garden Centre food hall

Garden Centre

I’m going to be honest and say we didn’t make it as far as the garden centre. Eleanor was crying as she was hungry and I didn’t want to wait to go back into the restaurant to feed her, so we left. We’ll definitely be returning soon to check it out more.

Author: Deborah

For December’s Bullet Journal setup I am keeping it really simple as it’s a busy month anyway without having a 2-3 month old baby. I’ve cut back on my usual monthly spreads and have added some Christmas spreads instead to help keep me organised.

December bullet journal setup

Monthly spread

For December I’ve removed the blog tracker and just included the calendar view of the month. I’ve also decorated it a bit more because it’s Christmas, so why not.

Weekly spread

December bullet journal weekly spread

My weekly spreads this month are simple again. I’ve made one large tasks column because I found that I was repeatedly shifting tasks from Monday to Tuesday all the way to the weekend, and then my weekend boxes weren’t big enough. So instead I’m going to use a weekly tasks list and put a star against anything that is really important. I can also use this section for notes too.

Christmas spreads

Bullet Journal Christmas spreads cards and presents

I have 4 Christmas spreads that I’m going to use this year. The first two are Christmas cards and presents trackers. On the card tracker I can see who I’ve bought for and whether I’ve written it and then posted it. Similarly the present tracker has the name of the recipient, what I plan on buying, the price, whether I’ve bought it and then if it’s wrapped or not. I used little icons as it took up less space than writing.

The next spread is for mine and Eleanor’s present wishlist. Everyone always asks me what I want for Christmas and I expect they’ll ask me what Eleanor wants too. She’ll be 3 months old by then, I’m sure she doesn’t really want anything apart from cuddles. But if you have any ideas for presents please comment below!

Bullet Journal Christmas spreads wishlist and movies to watch

My final spread is all the Christmas movies I want to watch this year. I’ve watched all but 2 of them before and the only reason Home Alone isn’t on there is because I’ve watched it already this year. I’m going to colour in the snow in the snowglobes when I’ve ticked one off my list.

What Christmas planning will you be doing this year? I was quiet tempted to do a Christmas dinner meal plan page but I think my mother in law is taking over the food at my house so I don’t need to worry.

Author: Deborah

Eleanor is now nearly two months old and I bought so much stuff since she was born. A lot of things I bought out of desperation while on my phone browsing Amazon during a 2am feeding session. When having very little sleep I tried everything that someone mentioned might help with baby E’s sleeping or feeding.

Ewan the Dream Sheep

I remember one 2am feed early on in which someone recommended a Sleephead. I was so excited that with Amazon prime I would get the delivery the next day to solve all my sleeping issues! However in my exhausted state I didn’t realise that tomorrow was actually another day ahead as 2am was already the next day. Damnit! I was so disappointed that my desperation buy wasn’t going to arrive on time. I think I actually cried.

Anyway, here are a few of those buys and things that I have found essential during the first couple of months with Eleanor.

  1. Sling
  2. Mummy groups/coffee mornings
  3. Love to Dream Swaddle Up
  4. Ewan the Dream Sheep
  5. Thermos
  6. Muslins
  7. Whatsapp


I have a Close Caboo sling which I love. It’s so easy to use once you’ve done it a few times in front of the mirror. Eleanor will happily fall asleep in it so I can get things done around the house. I’ve even baked in it before.

Getting out the house has been one of the most important things to keep me sane. Mummy coffee mornings or activities like baby massage have been great for meeting local mums and for staying in touch with my NCT group. Similarly, Whatsapp has been essential for those middle of the night feeds when you just want another mum to chat to.

Love to Dream Swaddle Up

For sleeping I found the Swaddle Up sleeping bags a saviour. Eleanor always tried to escape a swaddle but having her arms up in this version definitely helps her sleep. Every night we also put on Ewan the Dream Sheep which helps all of us drift off.

If you have a sicky baby then muslins are essential. We go through so many every day to mop up sick, for burping, to lay her down on – anything really. I used one the other day to mop up spilt tea.

And talking of tea, a thermos has been my essential product even if most don’t think it is. I kept making cups of tea and watched them go cold while being out of reach during a feed. So we got a thermos mug and now my tea is always hot! Why did it take me so long to think of it?!

Author: Deborah

Poplar Farm Inn

Poplar Farm Inn

Poplar Farm Inn

The Poplar Farm Inn is on the outskirts of Andover, Hampshire near Abbots Ann. It’s a lovely dog and child friendly pub in the Vintage Inns chain. It’s dark inside but so homely and warm. For starters I order the pate duo and Simon went for the prawn and lobster cocktail. I had been craving pate throughout my pregnancy and it’s one of those things you aren’t supposed to eat. I’m not even a huge pate fan but because I had been wanting it so badly I decided to give it a try. It was beautifully presented and tasted delicious! I’m not sure what hubby’s tasted like as he wolfed it down while I held Eleanor and had to wait to eat.

Poplar Farm Inn pate starter

Poplar Farm Inn prawn cocktail

Nowadays I always look at the menu and think about what I can eat one handed. So I opted for the wagyu burger with cheese, which came with a salad and triple cooked chips. Firstly, the chips were amazing! The burger was pretty good too but Eleanor was feeding at the same time and so I just tried to eat it as quickly as possible. I don’t think I’ve taken my time to savour and eat a meal since she was born. Simon went for one of their stonebaked pizzas and he really enjoyed it.

Poplar Farm Inn lunch

Poplar Farm Inn pizza

Poplar Farm Inn chips

At this point Eleanor started to scream so we decided against dessert and just got the hell out of there! It is a child friendly pub and the changing facilities were good in the disabled toilet. It’s also a lovely dog friendly pub. I saw so many cute pups in the lounge area where we were seated.

I’ve been to the Poplar Farm several times before and I think the service can be a bit hit or miss. This time they forgot to bring Simon’s cheesy chips to the table and I had to chase for them. But I do like the pub and the food is good so we will go back.

Poplar Farm Inn

Author: Deborah

Marks and Spencer Baby's First Christmas top and bib

I am so excited about baby’s first Christmas! I adore Christmas anyway so this year is going to be extra special, even if we burn the dinner and have to eat at separate times because Eleanor won’t stop crying.

There’s one item on here which I need to order asap and that’s the treats for Santa and Rudolph plate. It’s by a local ceramics lady who runs a business called Sherbert Fizz Ceramics. The other week me and a few mummy friends took our babies to her studio and had some wonderful footprint pieces done. I can’t wait for them to arrive and show you. They’re Christmas presents for grandparents and some sneaky bits for myself as I couldn’t resist. She’s definitely worth checking out!

Here are some of the ideas of items that I’d like to buy for Eleanor’s first Christmas. I can’t decide between a stocking or a sack. Which do you prefer? I want it to be something we can use every year with her just like the plate.

I love the idea of a Christmas keepsake box to store her decorations and cards.

Baby's first Christmas wishlist ideas

  1. Aliroo Baby’s First Christmas Decoration
  2. Letteroom Personalised Baby’s First Christmas Eve Box
  3. Smitten Red Personalised Christmas Stocking With Knitted Cuff
  4. Letterfest Personalised First Christmas Storybook
  5. BlueberryBooKids Personalised First Christmas Sleepsuit
  6. Rosie Nora First Christmas Moccasins
  7. Sherbert Fizz Ceramics Treats for Santa and Rudolph Plate
  8. 2 Green Monkeys Personalised First Christmas Baby Block
  9. Alice Palace Personalised Christmas Gift Sack
  10. Jellypress Baby’s First Christmas Personalised Wooden Star Christmas Tree Decoration

What are you doing for your baby’s first Christmas? Are you buying anything special?

We aren’t buying Eleanor any toys as she will be spoilt by relatives. She will only be 3 months old by then so we’ll save the present buying for next year. Does that make me a bit of a scrooge?

Author: Deborah

Chocolate chip cinnamon banana bread

I actually managed to bake! The other day I made a chocolate chip cinnamon banana bread while baby E was in the sling. I don’t know what I’d do without my Close Caboo, I can actually get things done with my hands free. Like right now, I’m sitting on the sofa with her in the sling typing away on my laptop.

Whenever we have over ripe bananas I always make a banana bread and use a recipe by Mary Berry. I had leftover chocolate chips from when I made a chocolate loaf the day before Eleanor was born so I decided I was going to do something a little different with my bread this time.

I accidentaly used too small a loaf tin. Well actually, it was Eleanor’s fault as I couldn’t reach far enough back into the cupboard to reach the bigger loaf tin with her strapped to me. So in a smaller tin it took a bit longer. When it came out and I cut it up some of the banana had sunk to the bottom. Also, the bread sunk a bit in the middle. I’ve never had that problem with the bigger loaf tin, so listen to Mary’s advice and use a 2lb tin.

Chocolate chip cinnamon banana bread

Chocolate chip cinnamon banana bread recipe

(adapted from Mary Berry’s Baking Bible)

Ingredients

  • 100g Softened Butter
  • 175g Caster Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 Ripe Bananas (mashed)
  • 225g Self Raising Flour
  • 1 tsp. Baking Powder
  • 2 tbsp. Milk
  • 100g Chocolate Chips (I used a mix of white, dark and milk chocolate)
  • 1 heaped tsp. Cinnamon
  • 50g Granulated Sugar

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180C / Fan 160C / Gas 4.
  2. Lightly grease a 2lb loaf tin, then line the base and sides with baking parchment
  3. Measure all ingredients except the cinnamon and granulated sugar into a mixing bowl and beat for about 2 minutes, until well blended.
  4. Mix the cinnamon and granulated sugar together.
  5. Spoon half the mixture into the tin and level the surface. Sprinkle over the cinnamon mix and then pour over the rest of the mixture and level.
  6. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 1 hour, until well risen and golden brown. A fine skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean if the loaf is ready.
  7. Leave to cool in the tin for a few minutes, then turn out, peel of the parchment and finish cooling on a wire rack.

Author: Deborah

November memories bullet journal spread

Here’s my November Bullet Journal setup. It feels good to get back to it and try something new. I skipped October because baby Eleanor arrived mid September and I didn’t have time to fill it out – even though we had lots of appointments to keep track of. But now I’m back and I hope to be able to keep using it this month.

Monthly Spread

I’ve kept to my simple monthly spread from September as it is so easy to quickly look and see what’s happening. I’ve also kept the blog tracker here as I didn’t get to use it in September. I filled in September’s Bujo pages until the 12th before Eleanor arrived and then it got forgotten about. So I’ve included it here to see how I get on with it and if it’s going to be a keeper.

november monthly spread bullet journal

Expenses Tracker

I’ve had expense trackers before and I easily get tired of them and forget to complete them. Now I’m on maternity leave and therefore on maternity pay, it’s vital that I keep my spending in check so I don’t spend more than I should. I’ve added a new category along the bottom called baby groups which will include activities for her and also coffee mornings for me.

november expenses tracker bullet journal

Baby Tracker

I have been using an app so far to track Eleanor’s feeding and nappies and I go through phases of filling it in or not. It’s the Medela app that I’m using and I find it a bit of a faff as all I want to record is times and not everything else it asks for. So I’m going to give this tracker a go.

I’ll add a square on the time (along the top) when she breastfeeds and then if we top her up with formula then I’ll add a dot too. I’ll also a w or p for wet and dirty nappies.

baby tracker bullet journal

Weekly Spread

I’m trying a new weekly spread this month with boxes for each day filling the whole page. I’m only using a page per week as I know I’m not going to be filling our my bullet journal all the time, I’m not going to be sitting at my desk for 8 hours a day like I used to be. I’m keeping it really simple and it will be stored in my changing bag now instead.

weekly spread bullet journal

How are you setting out your Bullet Journal for November?

Categories

About me

Hi there, I’m Deborah. I live in Hampshire with my husband and spend my time baking, making and getting out in the fresh air. Find out more or get in touch.

Youtube

Hello Deborah Live Stream

Popular posts

Me on Instagram