Favorite boy t-shirts from Next

  I know you might think i am mad! I know i am not a boy's mum but when i saw this t-shirts on Next online page i just fell in love! I love t-shirts with slogans and we even had some made for Kara when she was 1 year old.

These multi-buy t-shirts for boys, make the perfect autumn cover up for kids still making the most of the great outdoors.  They have slogans like "I heart mum She is the Boss" or "Keep calm and laugh along" - i could even buy that for my daughter!

The offer at NEXT goes like this: You can buy 1 for £6, 2 for £10 or 3 for £15. Quite a good value for beautiful looking t-shirts!

And as i said previously they are suppose to be for boys but i bet my daughter would love the monster one and the bus on:

And mummy would love for her to wear any of the t-shirts below:

There are more types of t-shirts on the NEXT WEBSITE and it is up to you to choose your favorites.

Win a Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom:The Tooth Fairy DVD

Budding fairies and mischievous elves are invited into an enchanting little world that’s big on magic in Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom: The Tooth Fairy, the new DVD release from the BAFTA award winning animation.

Brought to you from the creators of Peppa Pig, Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom: The Tooth Fairy is available to buy from Monday 3rd October 2011 (£12.99 RRP Cert. U, Entertainment One).  The DVD contains 10 exciting episodes that perfectly blend magic, adventure and humour that will delight and engage young fans.

My daughter watches every day on Channel 5’s Milkshake along with Peppa Pig. She absolutely loves it and making my daughter happy is my priority! This cartoon is a bit more sofisticated than Peppa Pig though...Holly is a young fairy who is still learning how to do magic properly. Ben is an elf and elves don't do magic, but they are very good at making things.  Along with their friends, Ben and Holly have lots of fun and exciting adventures playing together in the Little Kingdom.

You can find more details about this cartoon here www.littlekingdom.co.uk

EPISODE LISTING – The Elf Factory – Ben’s Birthday Card – Books – Betty Caterpillar – Queen Holly – The Woodpecker – The Elf Band – The Ant Hill – Redbeard the Elf Pirate – The Tooth Fairy

To be in with the chance to win one of these DVD's all you have to do is leave a comment below and tell me which your kids favorite cartoon! The competition closes on 4th of October.

Competion terms:

• The competition is open to UK and Ireland residents only
• Your comment has to be under this post
• BONUS entry if you follow this blog
• The winner will be announced on this blog and will be contacted by email
• The winner will be selected at randon from all valid entries

Fashonista

Jibberish

  Hm..Jibberish or gibberish?...i am not even sure that this is how you spell gibberish...oh well i think though that this is the kind of word that people can spell it anyway they want to?!?! Do you think? Oh well i am not even sure what i want to write about here today... I feel a bit weird and overwhelmed at the same time.
The last couple of weeks been busy, hard and draining... At work was really busy and with me by myself it was even harder...at home it was busy as well.. Kara has become quite a demanding toddler and she needs a lot of attention! I do not mind it though..i prefer to do that more than anything else in the world!
If i could be a stay home mum i would say YES right now! You might say that i could be a stay at home mum if i want to...but it is not that easy it is not easy at all!!!
My hubby and I try to save money to build and finish building our house in Romania so that one day we will be able to move there and be happy! To move back to Romania and be with our extended family... but for that to achieve we need to sacrifice now. Sacrifice and not spend enough time with our daughter unfortunately.... I mean she enjoys her time at nursery but is not the same... She started nursery when she was 9 months old because mummy had to earn a living! Even though half of my salary goes on the nursery fee! If i could only have my mum here to care for Kara! My parents did say to send Kara to Romania and we would be able to save more money like this...But she is only 2 years old! I prefer to spend a couple of hours with her in the evening and the whole weekend together than not see her for a couple of months at the time! I think that will make me feel even more depressed than i am.... I love my baby so much and i couldn't stand be away from her more than the time i spend at work... At least when she is at nursery i know she has fun and she learns new things!
Hopefully soon we will be able to move back home and have more time with her-i will have more time to show her how much i love her and how much i love spending time with her!
It is true that sometimes she is driving me crazy especially when she is moaning and moaning or when she has tantrums. But on the other hand i feel that maybe the reason i am so inpatient is because i am so tired from being so stressed out at work... My husband says that i put too much soul into everything...Maybe he is right... I am sure he is right as i want always everything to be perfect and i hate it when i make mistakes or when i dissapoint people! I don't like that and i want to do the best job possible and when things are not right i suffer... Silly mummy like Kara will say!
Why can i not earn money from what i love doing?? Baking, cooking and organize parties for under 5???
I am trying to work towards that gold but it all seems so far away and i cannot help not to feel depressed about it. Am i the only one that feels like this? I am sure i am not but i do feel lonely....

Extravaganza

Double chocolate frappe from Nero! Had to share my extravaganza with you! It doesn't happen very often to indulge myself to have a take away coffee or frappe in this case. I'm not that kind of girl who pays 2.95£ to enjoy such a nice little pleasure every single morning. This frappe is a real delight however! I'm going to enjoy it and forget that it has I don't know how many hundreds of calories!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Romanian Pancakes-Clatite

   Romanian pancakes are similar to French crepes but they are more like a light,thin pancake. Like crepes they can be prepared with a savory or sweet filling. Unlike French crepes they do not get dry and they can be kept in the refrigerator and reheated.
Below you will find a basic recipe for CLATITE:

• 1 1/4 cups plain flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 tbsp. superfine granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups of milk
• 2 tsp butter,melted,for batter
• 1 tbsp. butter,melted for cooking

This is only for 8-10 pancakes but if you are like me you will double or triple this recipe and keep refrigerated for a desert ready in a couple of seconds.

Sift the flour into a large bowl and make a well in the center. Break the eggs into the well and add a pinch of salt and the sugar for sweet pancakes or 2 tsp of salt for savoury pancakes. Beat egg mixture well with a fork. Add the milk and continue to beat slowly adding the flour, until the batter is smooth.
Add the melted butter while continuing to beat the mixture with the fork. The batter should be the consistency of a light cream.
Let the batter stand for 30 minutes.
Butter a medium pan with a brush and put it over medium-high heat. Test butter temperature by splashing a few drops of water into the butter. Bubbles will sizzle then evaporate in a few seconds if the temperature is correct.
Put about 3 tbsp. of batter at a time in the centre of the skillet and immediately tilt the pan in a slow,circular motion so that the batter spreads to cover the entire bottom of the skillet. As soon as one side starts to brown,flip the pancake over,either with a spatula or by a quick jerk of the pan. Brown the other side and then place pancake on a warm dish in the oven at low temperature.(that if you want to keep them warm)
It should take about 30 seconds a side for each pancake. Make sure you butter the pan each time before adding the batter.

Crullers-Minciunele

    Sweet! We all love sweet! So here it is a recipe for something sweet and easy! This recipe is made with a French pate sucree(sweet flan pastry).
For this recipe you will  need the below ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar
• 2 oz butter,diced at room temperature
• 3 tbsp. rum
• cooking oli for deep-frying
• 1 cup granulated sugar

This makes about 20 crullers but depends how big you want them and if you are going to respect the below.
Sift the flour and salt on to a marble or stone work surfaceor into a large bowl and make a well in the centre.
In a small bowl, beat the egg and yolk. Add the sugar and continue to beat with a fork.Add the butter little by little until butter is partially blended into the mixture. Add rum and beat a few more seconds. Add this mixture into the flour well.
Using your finger tips from one hand pinch and rub the dugar,egg,rum,butter mixture to work in the flour,bit by bit. Use enough flour to turn the mixture into an easy to handle ball of dough.
With your hands dry and floured , knead the dough lightly a few times. Cover the dough with aluminium foil or plastic,and chill 1 to 2 hours or overnight if possible.
Roll out the dough on a floured surfaced with a floured rolling pin. Use a dough cutting wheel to make strips of 3 in. x 1 in. Cut a long slit in the centre of each,and pull both ends through to form a bow or a butterfly.
Deep-fry crullers to a golden brown in hot cooking oil. They sink to the bottom and the rise to the top of the oil as they puff up. After 2-3 min. turn crullers and fry them for another 2-3 min.
Lift them of the oil with a slotted spoon. Cool, and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
These crullers are absolutely delicious and easy to do! Your kids will love it and they will always ask you to make them. They can be served as a dessert or with afternoon tea or coffee.

What a lovely weekend!

Phew! We all had such a lovely weekend! Kara had a brilliant swimming lesson on Saturday and she didn't cry a BIT! Oh well I forgot to mention that last week was her first big swimming class which means that she is by herself In the pool without mummy or daddy! Well she still has her teacher and 4 other toddlers.... Last week she screamed and kicked and had a proper tantrum!!! But this week she was SO GOOD!!! I was so proud! Yes I know MUMMY PROUD MOMENT! She was swimming so nicely and even her teacher hug her and congratulate her!
After such a moment we all drove to Peterborough to visit Kara's best friend Megan! Well Megan is only 6 and a half month old but Kara loves her! She even named her baby doll Megan.
We all love visiting our friends in Peterborough! Is like a piece of home away from home! We feel home when we are there and relaxed!
We had a BBQ on Saturday and Kara loved the fact she could stay up late! And today a cooked a proper English Sunday Roast and a lovely crumble! Yummy! We ate so much we weren't even hungry when we got home!
The worst part of the weekend was the journey home! Road was so busy it took us double the time to get home! Oh well...at least we had the chance to pass the Tower Bridge at night and see again the Tower of London! It looks so good in the dark! We were trying to show Kara how beautiful it is and we said to her: "Kara look sweetheart do you know what is this? Isn't it beautiful?" and she said:" Wooow! There's a bus!" Yes my beautiful 2 year old daughter was really more interested in buses that the silly old castle across the road! This is yes THE FUNNY MUMMY MOMENT this weekend!
But now my baby is in bed-it was a bit of a struggle but daddy handle it! We are now watching Doctor Who and dread the day of tomorrow! Proud and funny weekends are over for another 5 days!
See you soon and wish you a easy week!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz&Giveaway DVD

Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz is an all newanimated retelling of the classic tale, available on DVD from 19thSeptember 2011.
The DVD is brought to you by Warner Home Video. This DVD features all your favourite characters including Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Wizard and many more. Packed full of your favourite classic songs, this DVD will take you on a wonderful journey with Tom and Jerry as they soar over the rainbow and traveldown the yellow brick road!

 My daughter loved watching this DVD! And i can tell you that she is not that easy to please! At only 2 and a half she has quite a taste when it comes to DVD's. Well some of it is her fathers fault for buying and developing her taste in cartoons!
Tom and Jerry are off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz! They soar over the Rainbow and travel down the yellow brick road!
Your toddler will love singing along favorite songs like Over the Rainbow and they will laugh until your sides hurt at the antics of your favorite cat and mouse duo as they get twisted up in twister, go paw-to-paw against flying monkeys and storm the Wicked Witch's castle in a heroic attempt to get Dorothy and Toto(and themselves) safety back to Kansas. After all there's no place like home!

You can already preorder the DVD on Amazon Here.


GIVEAWAY TIME:

If you would like to WIN a DVD copy of this cartoon just complete the following steps:

1. Follow this blog(this is not for the existing followers-you can only complete the steps below)
2. For one BONUS entry share this competition on your Facebook page
3. Hit LIKE on the Romanian mum in London Facebook Page
4. Leave a comment after you complete the steps above

GOOD LUCK!this competition is open until the 25th of September to UK residents!
PS: If you already follow my blog you can still enter this competition!

Ella's Kitchen-The Orange One

  If you are already a reader of my blog you will know that my daughter LOVES the Ella's Kitchen smoothies!
  This is why we are delighted to introduce you to a new smoothie flavour - THE ORANGE ONE!

This time the wonderful creators of this smoothie combine tropical flavours including oranges,mangoes, guavas and bananas. Ella's Kitchen doesn't disappoint this time either! They are offering again a 100% organic smoothie containing nothing but squished fruit just for kids. Well i do enjoy having a bit of it as well!

Your little one will love to shake, squeeze and slurp this smoothie fruit.

The Orange One is now available exclusively at Sainsbury's stores from 15th of August for only 69p per pouch!

Blogging

The other day when I was reading the complains of one of the quite successful mummy bloggers in regards to other bloggers using her blog as promotion for their own blogs - the idea of this post sprung into my head.

Why do I blog?

I don't blog to advertise myself on other bloggers pages! I don't blog for money or attention! I don't blog to have I don't know how many followers! I don't blog because I want to be famous! I don't blog because I want freebies from PR agencies!

I blog because I want to keep in contact with my family! I blog because I feel that sometimes writing here it's therapy for my mild depression! I blog because I love reading the comments and advices from my readers-even if it's a one of view! I blog because blogging gives the opportunity to find other interesting bloggers and reading them helps me go through every single day and help me relate with other mums and don't feel so alone sometimes! Did I mention that I am a foreigner here in UK? It is really easy to feel lonely here when nobody speaks my language. My own daughter answers me in English even though I talk to her in Romanian! Understandable though...she is only two, her daddy is English and she spends 10 hours a day at nursery where everybody obviously speaks English. So yes sometimes I feel lonely and blogging is my refuge! So please don't blame me if I post comments on well known blogs and do not blame me for trying to make myself some online pals.

I hope you will sometimes find something interesting to read here and I will always be telling the truth! I can definitely promise you that!

At the end, I do love blogging! And every single day i am happier for having this little place to confess!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

HUMF AND THE FLUFFY THING-and Win a copy of the DVD

Here is a new and delightful cartoon collection of the HUMF AND THE FLUFFY THING!
This DVD became available today 12th September 2011.

Undoubtedly the rising star of pre-school television, Humf is back to entertain your little ones in the new DVD Humf and the Fluffy Thing.
Available to buy from 12th September 2011 priced £9.99 RRP Cert. U from Entertainment One, Humf and the Fluffy Thing is packed with 10 fun-filled adventures and includes a bonus disc containing an additional 6 episodes absolutely free.

If you don’t know about Humf, where have you been? He’s a lovely furry thing. He is short and round and purple and cuddly. At three years old, Humf is full of wonder at the world and is always eager to explore the new things he sees around him and it’s this that forms the basis of his many delightful adventures with his best friends Loon and Wallace.

Humf, narrated by leading British actress Caroline Quentin, can be seen everyday on Nick Jr where it has been entertaining young children and parents since 2009. The show currently ranks in Nick Jr’s Top 5 shows and following unprecedented consumer demand, the first Humf books and toys will launch this Autumn ensuring that Humf tops pre-schoolers wish lists this Christmas!


HUMF AND THE FLUFFY THING EPISODE LISTING
- Humf and the Fluffy Thing
- Wallace's Quiet Game
- Humf's Red Mittens
- Humf Climbs a Mountain
- Uncle Hairy s Restaurant
- Uncle Hairy's Cinema
- Mum and Dad's Party
- Loon's Ballet Lesson
- Humf's Surprise
– Humf and the Bedbugs

FREE BONUS DISC EPISODE LISTING
- Humf and Wallace Fall Down
- Humf Changes His Mind
- Humf's Dad Goes on an Aeroplane
- Humf Puts it in the Bin
- Humf's Dog
- Wallace's Tie

Hope you will be buy and let your children enjoy this fantastic collection of cartoons!

For all my readers the PR company which make me aware of this new DVD offers this Humf colouring sheet:

If you would like to WIN a DVD copy of this cartoon just complete the following steps:

1. Follow this blog(this is not for the existing followers-you can only complete the steps below)
2. For one BONUS entry share this competition on your Facebook page
3. Hit LIKE on the Romanian mum in London Facebook Page
4. Leave a comment after you complete the steps above

GOOD LUCK!this competition is open until the 18th of September to UK residents!
PS: If you already follow my blog you can still enter this competition!

Postman Pat application

For all my readers I have a new application to share with you(and a free code which you can find at the end of this post.


POSTMAN PAT SPECIAL DELIVERY SERVICE APP IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE APP STORE!!!!!
Postman Pat application became available on the 06 September. You can download this application for you children to enjoy on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch!
Postman Pat has delivered enchanting entertainment to young children around the world for three incredible decades. In this new app, launched to coincide with Postman Pat’s 30th Birthday celebrations, Postman Pat delivers more than ever.




The Postman Pat App offers young fans games that deliver interactive early learning fun with their everyday hero, Pat. There are eight action-packed games to choose from plus a special bonus game where players can make pictures and fix puzzles from stamps collected during game-play. Perfect for young players, each game has been designed so that it is easy to learn and fun to play without the need of parental assistance.

Games include:

Helicopter Game: Help Postman Pat deliver the airmail. Which house does each of the parcels belong to?
Thompson Farm: Help Alf round up the animals into the right pens. Touch each animal and move them to the pen with the matching picture as quickly as possible.
Post Office Sorting Game: Help Pat sort the letters and parcels into the correct sorting bins.
Train Game: Help Ajay direct the trains. Look for the colored lights on the signal posts then touch the junctions to change the direction of the arrow points.
Whose Who?: Can you guess who each parcel belongs to? Touch each parcel and drag it to the correct person.
Garage Game: Pat's van needs some repairs. Can you find the right tool for the job?
Gift Giving Game: It's party time at Postman Pat's house and there's a sack full of presents to give out! Make sure each child gets the present they want before time runs out.
Post Box Run: It's time to collect the mail. Use your finger to guide Postman Pat's Van to each Post Box in the correct order so all the mail can be collected before time runs out.
Bonus Game: Postman Pat’s House: Fix the puzzles with all the stamps that you have collected throughout all of the other games!








The Postman Pat Special Delivery Service App is now available for £1.99 from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore .

Direct link: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/postman-pat-sds/id458116091?mt=8

For a limited period though you can download this application for free using this code: 676TMXPN3H3W.(make sure you go to the REDEEM button!

If you download it please leave a comment below. I would love to read them as my daughter appreciates this application a lot!

Silent Sunday

- For HQ go to Mocha Beanie mummy blog -

Ragout of Pork with Sauerkraut-Tocana de pork cu varza acra

 I decided to write this recipe because XmasDolly asked if she could cook my romanian recipe for Ragout of veal with pork of chicken. So why not write the actual recipe for it?? It is different but hopefully it will have loved ingredients as well.

So for this recipe you will need:

• 4 strips smoked bacon,cut into small pieces
• 1/2 lb. sauerkraut
• 1 1/2 lbs. onions,chopped
• 5 tbsp. cooking oil
• 1 1/2 lbs. bonelss pork for braising(from the loin),cubed
• 3 garlic cloves,peeled and sliced
• 2 tbsp. fresh parsley,chopped
• 1 tbsp. fresh dill spring,chopped
• 1 tsp. caraway seeds
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tsp. sweet paprika
• 1 cup beef stock
• 4 tbsp. sour cream
• 1 tbsp. flour

Wash Sauerkraut and drain through a sieve,squeezing all juice and water out. Set aside.
In a large, heavy pan or casserole fry the bacon in it's own far over medium-high heat. Add onion and 2 tbsp. cooking oil and saute until it softens and turns golden yellow. It should take about 8 minutes.
In a separate pan heat 2 tbsp. cooking oil over high heat. Add the meat to the pan and sear the pieces turning them constantly until they are all browned on all sides - about 5-6 minutes. After the first 2 minutes add the garlic.
Add the meat and all the sauces from the pan with the meat to the pan with the onion. Then add the sauerkraut as well and mix well. Cook for another 5 minutes over high-heat.
Add the parsley, dill, caraway seeds, thyme, salt and pepper and paprika. Mix well. Add enough beef stock until it just covers the meat. Cover tightly and cook over low heat for about 45 minutes.
take 3-4 tbsp. of sauce from the ragout and mix in a small bowl with sour cream and flour. Pour back over meat and mix well. Cover and cook another 15 minutes or until the meat is tender.
You can eat this dish hot with bread but the best it will be to be eaten with hot mamaliga and spoon sour cream over it.

 

My 1st JCB

 My 1st JCB is new application for iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. It became available on the 24th of August and it has a great inpact in the world of boys(and not only as my daughter loves it)!
This is the first ever app for the popular boys construction brand,My 1st JCB.

The My 1st JCB App offers children aged 1-5 years old interactive early learning fun with their favorite JCB characters!

Kids can enjoy playing with all ten characters from the 1st JCB team including Joey JCB,Marty Mixer and Doug Dumptruck. You can choose from a selection of nine creative and colourful mini-games and activities.
Each mini-game has been designed so that it's easy to learn and fun to play. Children can pick up and play without the need of parental assistance and if they get stuck, Joey JCB is on hand to help guide them through!

Your child can choose from the following collection of action-played activities:

• Painting: Get creative and colour-in the My 1st JCB characters!
• Memory: Find the matching characters in this pair's memory game.
• Matching: Match the JCB character to the right silhoutte.
• Sorting: Help tidy up all the vehicle parts and clean up the mess!
• Dot to dot: Join the dots to find your favourite characters!
• Jogsaws:Help to fix the jigsaw puzzles.
• Racing: Avoid obstacles and opponents to win the race! Choose from Joey JCB,Marty Mixer and Doug Dumptruck to be your racing partner.
• Create: Choose different vehicle parts to build a My 1st JCB character or create a tottally new one!
• Action: Choose the right character with the correct set of skills to finish the jobs!

This application - which you will not regret buying - is available for £1.99 from the App Store on iPad, iPhone or iPod.


Go on and dowload this application as i can assure you that your kids will love it! If your kids tried it and you have things to share please leave a comment below!

Growing up

Last night
Me: sweetheart can you come and help mummy empty the dishwasher?
My daughter: Hm....no I'm tired(and she actually cringed her face as well)

Oh...she make me laugh! Is it at the age of 2 when they start to mature? Oh...no....



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Love is in the air

5 ideas for....EGGS

Eggs can be boring but at the same time a good resource for protein. So let's see....
1. Mash up a boiled egg and mix with a knob of butter for a tasty first food.
2. Slice up a boiled egg and add to a fish cake for extra protein.
3. Chop an omelette into strips for a tasty finger food. Omelettes are also perfect to hide vegetables like sliced peppers.
4. Crack open an egg onto a pizza then bake, making sure the yolk sets.
5. Soak bread in a whisked egg and milk mixture and fry to make eggy bread.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Butternut squash with spinach and peas

Tonight in would like to share with you a recipe for a yummy food suitable from 6 months. This is one food that my daughter use to love when I was weaning her. Well....she loved everything that had spinach in it and this happens to be one of them.
So...you will need:
2 tsp sunflower oil
125g leek,diced
100g butternut squash,diced
80g peas(frozen)
150 ml milk
150 ml water
35g Parmesan,grated
30g baby spinach
10g fresh basil
1/2tsp Dijon mustard


Heat the oil in a saucepan and then sauté the leek and squash for 8 minutes. Add the peas , then stir in the milk and water. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 5 minutes. Add the Parmesan ,spinach,basil and mustard.
Stir all until wilted and then blend until smooth or to the desired consistency.
This is suitable for freezing so you can go on and freeze in whatever small portions you need.
No pictures for this recipe but if you cook it please feel free to add it in comments.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Silent Sunday with yummy cake

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Winner for The Family Fun Competition

  After reading all the post - they were only 4 but had to really think about it - all the activities seem a lot of fun.
However i really felt that the post written with a lot of soul was the Fun afternoon at Ayr Racecourse! It is interesting to read a story from the Gran point of view! Well done!

So Elaine i am going to email you soon to discuss this further and to choose your pressie!

Another competition will be here soon and hopefully this time we will have more entries!