Made For You By Mrs Woo

Keeping Busy While Waiting.

2012-01-25T05:52:00.000-08:00

I've never been good at waiting. Patience is not a virtue that I have a great stock of.

What I do have is plenty of time on my hands!

I really should be taking advantage of these last few days when I won't have my sweet baby in one hand most of the time.

I am thinking about BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS.

{and about the pedicure I have booked for this afternoon}

I can't decide whether I want to design with a photo or not. I know most people will probably want to receive a photo...but I've seen a couple of adorable announcement cards sans photo.

I think this one is so darn cute!


I like this one too. Mr Woo doesn't want to use a b&w photo though.

I wish I had access to a letterpress, I could make something fancy like this

This one is very sweet.

Oh I just don't know, there are soooo many possibilities, plus there are store bought ones that we could just pop a photo in and send on their merry way!

As I'm sitting here typing Truman is fast asleep, but he's in a position that makes it look like he's glaring at me. Disconcerting.

This is a photo from the other day...not like his scary pose today.

My plan is now to have a nap, but first I'll call the midwife to see if I can go in tomorrow to see if she can help things on their way at all. I might have a bite of birthday cake on my way to to my bed. Then this afternoon I'm having a pedicure!!!! I can't decide between red or pink for my nail color...something fancy though. Definitely something fancy.

still waiting

2012-01-24T04:37:00.000-08:00

tick, tock...

Due Day!

2012-01-18T15:11:00.000-08:00

Today is theeeeeeeeee day!

Baby Woo is meant to grace the world with her presence today.

It's 11pm in England. Unless she *pops* out in the next hour...she'll be late for a very important date.

I had a clinic appointment today and the doctor did attempt to help encourage my body into labor, but it's not quite ready yet. I have lots of signs of being ready including some contractions but we're just not quite there yet. But that's ok.

I've done a lot of walking the past few days.

I ate some very spicy pepper cheese today.

The doctor tried to encourage things.

I'm taking raspberry leaf leaf.

But at the end of the day, we just have to wait.

I'm okay with that.

My Mom has arrived and she is extremely anxious for Baby Woo to arrive so that she can spend as much time with her as possible. I really want her to be happy but there is nothing I can do to convince Baby Woo that it's better out here than in there! Maybe the lack of space to stretch will be enough motivation for her, maybe not.

All in good time.

My mom wants to find some one who can give me a prenatal massage....I must hunt someone locally, I can hardly wait!!!
It's gotten very busy around here with my Mommy visiting so I won't be posting as regularly but don't worry, I will let you know when we've got a baby!

4 days!

2012-01-14T05:58:00.000-08:00

that's it til our due date!

only 4 days!

I've been crampy for the past couple of days & last night...well early this morning....I was experiencing some, what I think, were mild contractions.

Mild, but enough to keep sleep away.

I am very tired today even though I laid around in bed til 12!

Yesterday I was feeling crampy and fed up so Mr Woo and I went for a little wander to a near by town and had a wonderful day looking in charity shops and having some chippy chips. I guess all of the walking around did some good bringing-on-labor-wise.

When we got home I spent some time on my medicine ball and then started working on some more hair bows. Baby Woo already has far too many bows but I can't seem to stop making them!

We shall see what today brings, quite shortly it'll be bringing lunch & a nap.

My Mom arrives on Monday!

I've booked a table at the local pub which is across from her B&B for the evening.

It's all happening!

6 days!

2012-01-12T03:41:00.000-08:00

Oops! I'm not doing a great job keeping up with my countdown....that's probably a good thing at the end of the day. I am making an effort not to get hung up on dates as this baby girl does not have a calendar! She will come when she's good and ready!

Last night Mr Woo climbed up into the cramped and messy loft to put away boxes and other clutter, the flat looks so much better! Now just to tackle the laundry everywhere and the dusting that needs doing and the vacuuming and scrubbing and food shopping and rabbit potties and rearranging of the nursery.....

Uuugh....maybe I'll just lay down for a little while instead ;)

If Baby Woo hasn't arrived by her due date I have to go to the hospital again for an antenatal clinic appointment. My Mom aka Mema {to her granddaughters, Baby Woo will be granddaughter #3!} will be here by then. So I think I'll ask her to lets make a day of it! Go to the hospital but how about a nice lunch after and maybe getting our nails done! It might be my last chance for a while once baby comes!

Baby Woo just gave me a big kick...I'll take that as her seconding that notion :)

8 days!

2012-01-10T14:58:00.000-08:00

That's it! 8 days til Baby Woo is due! I can not believe how quickly this time has gone. We had a crazy day yesterday. I ended up back at the hospital, everything turned out to be fine, but I've spent today resting and recovering. I'm not feeling very well. I've had a headache since last night.

But we're both fine!!!

No need for worry.

Thanks to a few youtube videos and the advice of a friend I sorted out the tension issue with my Jones sewing machine & finished a couple more changing pad covers. I figured we'd need more than one ;)

Pink Diamonds and Purple Gingham.

Blue Polka Dot & Red Gingham.


The original Pink Plaid One :)

I'm off to bed, I didn't get much sleep last night and I need the rest because this baby could come at anytime!

Until tomorrow's 1 week countdown!

10 DAYS!

2012-01-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

Chez Beeper Bebe Blog

2012-01-08T11:39:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure this blog is gonna be a big part of my crafty life!

She has great sections like: (click away!)

Here's a recipe I look forward to trying once Baby Woo has arrived!

and


Kiddo crafts!

This sewing card tutorial that drew me to Chez Beeper Bebe!

Adorable isn't it!?!

I love this blog! I can't wait to try some of the lovely things!

38 weeks!!!

2012-01-04T11:31:00.000-08:00

YES! The best news of the day - we've been released from high risk care! I am thankful for the medical excellent medical care, but I'm very happy not to have to go back next week...unless it's to have a baby!

Two weeks of lower fluid levels! This week was up from last week but still in the normal range.

Baby Woo's heartbeat was normal as well.

I have to attend an antenatal clinic on our due date if Baby Woo has not arrived by then & I'm penciled into the Day Unit's diary for 28th January which will be 10 days over due. Hopefully I won't need to keep either of those appointments.

I got a mocha from Starbucks to celebrate & two tiny tubs of haagen dazs too =)

Yippee!

Not Really Up To Much

2012-01-01T10:04:00.000-08:00

Truman posing skillfully for my new camera! He's so handsome I can't stand it!

We had such a lovely Christmas as I told you about last time.With the exception of an ill-advised trip to Liverpool I've been properly taking it easy and Mr Woo has been out for the count with a cold. Besides going to the hospital for my checks I've only ventured as far as the village shop. I know lots of people recommend walking as much as possible to help baby get into position...I just can't go very far. My whole bump gets rock hard and feels full of cramps that won't stop until I sit down. SO the walking option isn't a great one for me.

Check the size of my 37 week bump and me with no makeup, at least my hair is clean!!!

Changing pad cover all cut out!

I've tried to stay busy with a few little projects like a cover for the changing pad & some hair bows for Baby Woo.

Baby Woo HAD to have at least one leopard print bow! There's a little leopard accent on the silver bow too ;)

Do you see my fab Union Jack pincushion??? It was a gift from Vicky, from Alexandra's Wishes, for receiving my spouse visa a couple of years ago! She is so talented and so thoughtful!

The gingham one is Baby Woo's Dorothy Gale bow! Like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz's dress and a red vintage button to hint at the Ruby Slippers :)
There's also the bright green one a nod to the Emerald City.

I must also show you the gorgeous bows Auntie Lindsay sent! I'll have an excuse to play with my new camera again!

some more handsome poses by our little man, I know I'm a bit prejudiced, but he is incredibly cute!

On my way to the shop! Oh my swollen nose & face....I've been assured it does go back to normal....right???

And it won't be long til my mom comes to visit!

37 Weeks!

2011-12-29T04:31:00.000-08:00

37 weeks!

9 months and one week.

wow.

I am feeling it though. Feet that look like hams & a bladder that must resemble a sad little deflated balloon. With that being said, they're signs of my body getting near time for my sweet babe to arrive. I'm showing other signs too. I've felt a rush of hormones and can check off some of the typical things that should be happening at this point...but I'm too embarrassed to mention them by name! Just know all is well!

I had my scan and monitoring yesterday. It was quite stressful just trying to get to the hospital, town was PACKED with people & the buses weren't running properly. Ya know those hormones I mentioned? Well by the time I decided to get a taxi to the hospital I was fighting back the tears.

As usual Baby Woo's heart rate was great! One midwife who stuck her head through to check on us said the print outs looked "beautiful"! That's what I like to hear!
In the scan there were lots of smaller pools of fluid instead of the one big one we usually have, so the fluid measured smaller than it has been, by 3 cm! Very dramatic, but the midwife said we'd still need to come back next week as 2 weeks of lowered levels are required before we could be released from this high risk category. She seemed to think that the lower level had to do with the position Baby Woo was in.

I'm being cautious. I don't want to get excited yet. I want to wait and see.

Mr Woo & I had a wonderful, quiet, laid back, & yummy Christmas.

He really spoiled me. I still can't believe it! Get ready to start seeing much nicer photos around here as I've been given a big fancy Digital SLR camera!!!!! I've wanted to replace my wonderful film camera for years but we've never had the money. I so wanted to get a decent camera before Baby Woo's arrival because I want to document EVERYTHING SHE DOES! Haha! And my incredibly sweet & thoughtful husband made my wish come true! He didn't stop there, he also got a vintage style digital radio/IPOD dock for me!

I've been shopping for an ipod dock for a while as I want to bring music to the hospital for labor. I'd been hunting on ebay for a while but never saw anything I really liked. Wouldn't you know Mr Woo kept telling me the ones I was looking at weren't great and I should keep looking because he'd bought the most perfect one ever in secret!

He is so thoughtful.

I love him so.

Uncle Laurie (Mr Woo's brother) is also a very thoughtful man, he gave us a game system! Haha! I think it's a hilarious gift but very sweet. He said it's for the times when we need a break when baby comes. Mr Woo has already worked out how we can use it to watch BBC iplayer on the tv using the system and so on...he's very high tech.

I just want to play some type of Mario Brothers :)

Gifts are LOVELY but the nicest part about our quiet Christmas we just spending the entire day together doing not much. We ate and laughed and played with our new game system. I felt totally relaxed (which for me is rare). We never even got out of our PJs! I'm really blessed to be married to such a good friend.

It's pouring rain and very windy & cold at the moment. I'm so glad my midwife's appointment is only across the street.

I'd better get showered and dressed for my check up!

Ok....I'm really going now....

Merry Christ-Mouse To All!

2011-12-24T14:50:00.001-08:00

36 weeks!

2011-12-21T15:05:00.000-08:00

Another week has flown by and taken me into what should be my final month of pregnancy.

I CAN NOT believe it!

CHRISTMAS is in 4 days!

Mr Woo is going to do the Christmas food shopping on Friday. We've decided to take it easy and graze all day rather than have a huge meal. It'll just be the two of us relaxing, eating yummy food and watching Christmas movies & enjoying our last Christmas as a family of 2.

Another reason we're taking it easy is because I am struggling. I went to the hospital today for my scan to measure the amount of fluid in with the baby. 2 weeks ago I was diagnosed with Polyhydramnois , too much amniotic fluid. I was hoping it would have been reduced, buuuut, it has actually increased. It was 8.1cm last time and today it was 9.5 cm. 8cm is the top of the normal range at our hospital.
Because of the worry of heart defect, which could be one cause of polyhydramnois, I'm going to have to go the hospital once a week as an out patient to have Baby Woo's heart monitored and a scan taken to measure the fluid levels.

Another possible cause is a birth defect which effects the baby's ability to swallow, but we won't know until she's born. The midwife seems to think that if there is a defect it would have been spotted by now in the ultrasounds. The other, according to the midwife, most likely reason for the extra fluid is that Baby Woo is growing well, that she's probably going to be a big baby so therefore more water is surrounding her.

We just have to go to our appointments, wait and see. We're being well looked after. Today was a bit scary when I was sent in for fetal heart monitoring and I didn't understand why. Mr Woo has assured me that it's just to be careful & that we'll be fine. There is a possibility that Baby Woo could come early with some help from the doctors. I'd like to avoid induction if possible, but I'll do whatever is best for Baby Woo.

Mr Woo did some research and is ordering me to rest and relax. So that's what I'm gonna do.

Take it easy & enjoy the next few weeks!

Tomorrow is going to be a big baking day! I will be taking lots of breaks lots of taste tests ;)

We're getting together with our friends who are coming home for Christmas. We usually meet up in the pub but this year we've been invited to a more formal get together!

So I'm bringing cookies!!!!

The Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies are by special request, our host loves them!

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Chocolate Espresso Snow Caps

and

Rolo Turtles!

and maybe

Salted Chocolate Shortbread Cookies!

Here's to rest and goodies!
I've got a pint of Mince Pie ice cream in the freezer as a special treat too!

Hope you're well and ready for the big day!

xoxoxo

Willkommen in der Gingerbreadhaus

2011-12-18T13:47:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love Christmas! I'm so excited that it's only 6 sleeps til Christmas!!!!

We're getting pretty festive around here, it snowed the other day, our first snow of the year!

the view from our front window.

the Old Bank Surgery.

And today I baked my very first gingerbread house! It was pretty darn easy & came out pretty well considering I didn't really know what I was doing!

After we had some dinner Mr Woo & I decorated it....

Tadaaaa! Thanks to Mr Woo's photoshop blurring skills there's our pretty festive, edible house!

Today is exactly one month until Baby Woo's due date!!!! She has been very active today, kicking and moving. I'm soaking up every last movement as she will soon be with us on the outside! We got loads of really helpful information in our class so I'm feeling more excited than scared.

I'm off to bed, I'm still pretty pooped from our snow day in Chester & our all day birthing class. For us that's a pretty full weekend! Although....I am on a bit of a sugar rush from licking my fingers during our decorating!
I'm sure I can still sleep, night night x

35 weeks

2011-12-15T07:53:00.000-08:00

A few people have asked if I'm having twins! Nope, I'm just massive.

One kind person said they thought my bump was small for 35 weeks. They're my new best friend :)

Wednesdays are my actual countdown day, so 35 weeks as of yesterday. Yesterday I was very uncomfortable and tried to rest. I gave myself a few small tasks too. Baby Woo's stretches and kicks hurt when my bump is hard with "practice" contractions. My hips and lower back have been sore so I've been taking lots of baths to help with that. Sweet Mr Woo brought home some lavender bubble bath to soothe my aching bones.

Regardless of my late pregnancy aches and pains and heartburn I am still enjoying being pregnant. It's so amazing. My body has been housing a whole new person! Feeding & protecting her!

I love having my little baby with me all of the time. She is due to arrive into this world in 5 short weeks! It seems like yesterday Mr Woo and I found out she'd be coming into our lives. I am blissfully unaware of how much our lives may change. I have no clue how we're going to feel. But I do think we'll be very happy. Our lives never being the same again doesn't strike me as a bad thing. I've seen my husband becoming a father and my love for him has deepened. I've become a zealous protector of this tiny soon to be born person. It is as though a switch flipped and I will do anything to make sure she is safe, healthy and happy, even now.

I've been so touched by the kindness and love others have shown Baby Woo. People that I hardly know have made things for her and given sweet thoughtful gifts. Cousins that I haven't spoken to or seen in years have bought gifts and have written to ask about how I'm feeling. It's truly remarkable.

Babies grow joy. I'm sure of this now.

Before I start crying and need to blow my swollen nose (yes, my nose has swollen. People don't tell you that your NOSE will grow in pregnancy! Thankfully it returns to normal postpartum.)

I'd better show you the photos of the onesies the sweet ladies from Baby Woo's shower made! Including a few that a special friend sent in the post as she wasn't able to attend the shower! Thanks Vicky!

i love buttons.

Baby Woo has some very thoughtful and talented Aunties doesn't she?!

I need to introduce you to Baby Woo's newest friend....

I'm pretty sure I told you about Benjamin in the last post.

the lovely changing table...now I need to get in gear to make a matching cover for the changing pad!
notice my Rennie heartburn relief on the shelf? Ha!

There ya have it folks...One week closer to holding Baby Woo! Hasn't it been an exciting week?! Mr Woo and I are attending our Child Birth class on Saturday. I'm a tiny bit nervous, maybe because it's all becoming very real! Ready or not, she's coming!

Baby Woo's Shower

2011-12-13T08:07:00.000-08:00

Sunday was our day for spoiling!

Our dear friend Heather, who only just had an accident at work and ended up with a concussion, threw Baby Woo & me baby shower! Baby showers are only just sort of coming into popularity over here in Blighty, so it was extra special.

Despite her concussion and 8 stitches she organised everything and got over early to prepare, with a little help from her boyfriend Andy. Andy put up Baby Woo's shelves too! So all the thoughtful presents had a home ready and waiting :D

mmmm!

The girls sent me out for coffee and decorated.

We got some exciting news! There is another baby on the way!

THE MOST ADORABLE AND YUMMY CUPCAKES EVER!

What every celebration needs, a Christmas tree!

How about a few more pix of the nursery, which is still very slowly coming together....

Gorgeous Door Hanger from Auntie Faith

How cute are these two who will live on the bookshelf!

Little Snoopy! Thank you Faith! I searched everywhere and never found one!

The start of Baby Woo's college fund thanks to Auntie's Toni & Krista

Baby Woo's books!

Tikki Tikki Tembo, Matilda and The Story of Little Black Sambo :)

Vintage Planter, minus the plant because I am terrible at keeping plants alive....

Just a few soft toys! There may not be room for Baby in there!

That ragged raccoon is my teddy Rocky.

My very favorite of Baby Woo's dresses!

It was an intimate gathering and we had such a lovely time! We ate lots and even sampled baby foods for one of the games! Gross! I'll tell you, I am glad I've made the choice make baby food from scratch! It was sooo gross even being the good organic stuff!

We played some other games including "Guess the size of the bump" - not a nice game for the heavily pregnant mother to be you guys!

One of the last things we did, and my favorite, was to paint onesies for Baby Woo! I still plan on stringing them up on a line so we can see them all and how precious they are, so those photos will be for next time, but they're lovely! Very sweet indeed.

Our friend who so generously gave us the crib has given us the matching changing unit too. Her husband dropped it off early Sunday morning & I managed to put it together today! Photos to come...

I brought out the carry cot and dusted it off today as well....there was something residing in it already....

A SPIDER!!! EEEEW! I hate spiders! And this one was big and gross. It ran away under the crib!
Daddy Woo will have to find that thing and get it outside.
Another sweet surprise for today was Daddy Woo came in with a GIANT teddy bear! He won it at the community club that he runs on a Tuesday! Thankfully Benjamin Bear has taken over for the spider in the carry cot.

In a few short weeks time my tiny baby will take over for Benjamin Bear in the carry cot & I am so excited!

Mr Woo & I will be attending our childbirth class on Saturday and then I've got a final scan to check on the amniotic fluid levels.

THEN IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will see my midwife after Christmas. Then it's just waiting for my body and baby to say it's time!

34 Weeks

2011-12-08T02:12:00.001-08:00

I am still surprised every day at how quickly these months have passed! So many people told me to expect time to draaaag, but I have experienced the very opposite. Maybe because I have loved every moment of being pregnant. It's been an adventure of discovery and magical! I've not always felt well and now I'm getting quite uncomfortable in every part of my body, but I have LOVED growing this baby & bonding with her.

Even when she wallops me or I have painful practice contractions or terrible heartburn I treasure it.

Some of you, my dear friends, have told me how heartburn is a sure sign of baby having a head full of hair...looks like you were absolutely right!

I had a scan yesterday to check on Baby Woo's growth. We saw her in so much more detail, her little pursed lips, cute button nose and "mop of hair"! At first the sonographer said "she {baby} has some fuzz on her head...nope, she's got a mop of hair!". We could see it even though it was just a normal 2D ultrasound!

Just like me, Baby Woo will enter this world with a head full of luscious locks ;)

My Mom said I looked like a spider monkey with all of my dark sticking up hair.
What do you think?

Baby Me circa 1977.

I guess Baby Woo won't be needing any headbands in order to wear the sweet bows her Aunt Lindsay is making, she'll have enough hair to just clip 'em right on!

During our check up yesterday the doctor found that I have polyhydramnios or too much amniotic fluid around baby. It's a very mild case, but as a result I had some blood tests to check for infection. I do not have diabetes or any of the other issues that can cause polyhydramnios and we will go

back to the hospital in 2 weeks for another scan to check on the fluid level again.

The doctor isn't worried and neither are Mr Woo & I. It's a pretty common complication 1 in 100 pregnancies. At this stage, being so close to full term the only action they might take would be to induce labor early if I am too uncomfortable, that might be a huge blessing actually!

This Sunday my sweet friend Heather is throwing a baby shower for me. It's going to be a very small and laid back affair, but I couldn't be more excited :)

I'll take lots of photos so that I can share what we get up to!

I'd better get back to making this custom necklace and bracelet order or else!

TTFN

20 Sleeps & Happy Birthday Mommy!

2011-12-04T02:15:00.001-08:00

According to Santa's OFFICAL clock there are only 20 sleeps, 13 hours, 43 minutes, & 51 seconds until Christmas!!!!

I think I'm more excited about Christmas now than when I was a kid....well....maybe that's not possible. But I'm super excited! We started decorating last night! eeeeeeeeeee! I love putting up our tree because so many of the ornaments were gifts and I think of each person who gave it as I unwrap the treasure and hang it up.

Thoughts of sugar plums and sugar cookies and truffles are dancing in my head as I'm trying to figure out what goodies to make to give as gifts this year....mmmm.......Christmas baking.....

I had a big surprise!!!

so charming!

Mr Woo & I have just been on a short break to Conwy in Wales to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. It was absolutely wonderful. I haven't felt so relaxed in....well....I can't even remember when I've been so relaxed. We stayed in a very charming B&B called Castlebank Hotel. It was gorgeous! The building was lovely & then our room was a dream! We had The French Room. Mr Woo & I have a special draw to France. Because I am 33, nearly 34 weeks pregnant I'm not able to fly. If I hadn't been so pregnant we were going to spend our anniversary in Paris. I've collected Eiffel Tower figures for a few years now. I don't know where this attraction to France started but it's there! Mr Woo had no idea of the theme when he booked the room. It was all a surprise for me so I didn't know either! It wasn't until we arrived that we noticed our room was like a Parisian salon. Perfect!

We ate in lovely restaurants and wandered around the seaside towns. Even in the cold it was fabulous! I'll have to do a full post when I've managed to get our photos together. It felt like we'd been gone for weeks rather than 2 days.

Once I'd worked out my due date for Baby Woo's debut I thought, "wow, it's so going to fly!". The lead up to her arrival is jam packed with wonderful. The countdown began with our anniversary. 30th November.

Mr Woo made this year especially special. It really was the best time I think we've ever had!

Then the whole exciting lead up to Christmas and the actual day!

Then my Mommy arrives ... and then it's baby due day (18 Jan)! Then my birthday a few days after the due date (23 Jan) in case she's running late, but hopefully she won't be later than my birthday.

It's going to be over in a flash! Then she'll be here!

Speaking of my Mommy...today is her birthday!

She's the one in red....of course! She wanted to wear red to my wedding...I had to put my foot down.

My Mom is the most generous person I know. Not only with money, but with her time, her prayers and she gives so freely of herself. She is never at home she's always running around looking after my Grandmother or her other friends or anyone else who needs looking after! Ben & I spent last Christmas at home with my family thanks to my Mom flying us over for our Christmas gift....and there was still loads under the tree for us. She just can't help herself! She's also one tough cookie, my Mom. She raised 4 of us on her own and it wasn't an easy life we had, it was full of challenges all along the way. She chose her path and she never complained. When I am struggling through something, even if it's something silly like dragging 2 suitcases full of stock through the snow, running late for a craft fair I think to myself

"if my Mom could start walking a mile to the nearest phone, in labor, pregnant with twins, to call an ambulance I can make the 500 yards to the fair."

Plus she's always been my biggest cheerleader. She doesn't always know how to tell me she's proud, but I know. She'd go to the ends of the earth for me. She's a good Momma.

Now she's showering Baby Woo with generosity and presents too! Baby Woo will be granddaughter

# 3 but my Mom was still hoping that she'd been a girl! I guess raising 3 boys was enough! Ha! Having 3 brothers was enough for me I'll tell ya!

It's about to be very, very fun around here :)

Chocolatey Christmas

2011-11-26T03:48:00.001-08:00

Chocolate. Christmas.

Don't those two words just make you happy?! In my world Christmas is the most exciting time of year {along with any other gift giving occasion really}. Even just THINKING about the word "Christmas" makes me giddy! And chocolate...well, the joy of chocolate needs to explanation does it really?

SO when I was given the opportunity to try out a special Christmas Chocolate something from UK cocoa growers & chocolatiers Hotel Chocolat, yup, you guessed it, I had to be peeled off the ceiling.

We've got a Hotel Chocolat in Chester now!

I then had the task of choosing what I wanted to try. It became a classic kid in a candy store scenario. What in the heck was I going to try?! It had to be Christmasy. No problem there. I wanted it all!!! I finally settled on the Christmas Chocolate Goodie Bag because it had a bit of everything. This shortly arrived at my front door!

I sat down and carefully untied the ribbon and pulled out the precious contents of my very own Christmas Chocolate Goodie Bag: a mini Festive Wreath, a Christmas Gift Slab, Milk Chocolate Pocket Reindeer and saving the best for last, a packet of Billionaire Shortbread Truffles.

This was some serious chocolate. No namby pamby selection box sweets here. I had to enlist the hus for tasting. He said he'd take one for the team, even though it would be a sacrifice. This from a man who eats chocolate biscuits for breakfast.

The wreath was hard core. Cranberries, honey roasted hazelnuts, chocolate biscuit pieces, milk and dark chocolate. I should have brought out a hammer to get into it! It took us a few days to eat it all. It wasn't my fave as I'm not a big fan of dark chocolate sadly. Now the Christmas Gift. That was more my speed. "mellow milk chocolate" and chocolate cookie pieces and a caramel gift. YUM! No fruity bits in, just straight up chocolate with the added delight of the crisp chocolate cookie bits. I'd buy this one again.

Couldn't fault the milk chocolate reindeer, you know I love my mellow milk chocolate and Hotel Chocolat's milk chocolate is exquisite.

Now brace yourself. I'm about to tell you about one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. No kidding. Will you go to the happy place with me?

Milk chocolatey caramely shortbready heaven.

I was transported right back to the very first time I'd ever tasted Millionaire Shortbread. It was when I first came to Scotland to study back in 2004. My course took elevenses and we had special elevenses on Fridays. One week we had home baked Millionaire Shortbread. I knew then that I had arrived in the most incredible country on the planet. It's been a favorite sweet ever since. When I bit into one of these truffles and the chocolate melted in my mouth followed by the decadent caramel with hint of praline I may have had some sort of religious experience. I stopped after one bite to bathe in the glow.

For a Christmas treat this was sinful. No wonder they're "Billionaire" Shortbread Chocolates and not Millionaire.

You must beg Santa to bring you some of these beauties. If he refuses take matters into your own hands & click the link. You won't regret it, unless you only order one packet.

And so it was, my Chocolatey Christmas Hotel Chocolat adventure. Baby Woo is kicking away, no doubt giving thanks for the beautiful chocolates we did eat.

I am also available to sample chocolates for Easter, Mother's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, exam results, weddings....

Thanks Hotel Chocolat!

Do Not Disturb

2011-11-22T03:33:00.001-08:00

Today is one of those days.

Today was THE day!

2011-11-12T11:32:00.001-08:00

From this...

To this.

The first photo is from Becnicks Wonder Emporium opening day back in March this year. The next photo is all that was left of my unit after clearing it out yesterday. I'm going to go back tomorrow with some help and pick up the shelves and the box of stuff that I couldn't carry on the bus.

The girls have kindly agreed to keep some of my stock and rather than paying rent and doing shifts! Duh! No brainer! I'll get to feather my nest and save my pennies leading up to the quickly approaching big day!

Can you believe that one carrier bag and two shelves is all that is left of 8 months of work! My entire business fit into one box and two small bags!

I've got mixed emotions about leaving, I guess anyone would. At first we discussed a maternity leave of absence but then in the end we agreed that I would finish. I know it is the right decision, it is a HUGE relief, it was time to leave. But if I'm honest I am feeling a little sad. I think it's only natural to feel that way. It's like a tiny mourning for a change in life.

As I'm sitting here enjoying a cup of tea, feeling & watching Baby Woo kick and move in my belly I am so looking forward to the totally life altering experience that is on the way in only a few short weeks. I have a lot of cleaning and prepping still to do. I can NOT believe it's nearly the middle of November. Mr Woo & I will be celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary on the 30th and then it's December! Where has the time gone?

For now I'd better get my skates on, I have a huge amount of cleaning and laundry to do.

Please join me as I raise my mug "may the next 10 {almost down to 9!!!!} weeks be full of rest, peace and joy!"

When I was in school 9 weeks, the length of our semesters, was an eternity, now 9 weeks is the blink of the eye. How things change.

30 Weeks!

2011-11-09T01:55:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it?!!!!

Only 10 weeks or 70 days until my due date!!

Baby Woo has been quite quiet for a week or so, she's been worrying me. Mr Woo & the internet said that it's normal as the there is less room in the bump for kicking and punching. But today she has been very busy, which has been a huge relief! I can feel something round on the left side of my bump I wonder if it's her head or bottom. How cute if it is her cute baby tocks?!

I should hopefully be finished at the shop in the next couple of weeks....fingers crossed for WEEK rather than weeks. I'm finding it harder and harder to spend the entire day in the shop, it really exhausts me. Last week I had to catch the bus in the dark and rain. It was pretty awful. I haven't felt right since.

Soooo, I'm hoping it'll be sooner rather than later.

In the mean time I've been reading the twilight books, drinking lots of tea, making gift & price tags, birdie ornaments and soaking in the tub...while reading the twilight books.

This cute little baby growing in my belly is getting heavy, she's got a lot of weight to put on in the next few weeks. I've still got lots of prep to do and I need to get this flat in order, it's a mess!

The grant application was returned denied. There has been a clerical error so I need to follow it up. Uuugh! Don't they know I need to order the crib mattress?! Off I go, to make a brew and get typing my "hey! you've made a mistake" letter.

Bye for now x

Christmas Crafts & Tutorial Round Up

2011-11-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

We've been getting the shop ready for Christmas. There are twinkle lights up and a shipment of vintage Christmas baubles and ornaments has arrived. Serious swooning. I'm telling ya! So with Elvis crooning Christmas classics in the background and working with Christmas loving Carrie yesterday...that was it....I was bubbling with Christmas cheer!

I have been collecting Christmas pins on pinterest for a while now. I have a found some wonderful vintage images and lots & lots of crafty ideas! I've been itching to get making some ornaments & stockings. Now that Christmas preparation is well and truly underway I can (once I get a boost of energy) get started!!!

Here are some of my fave tutorials:

{No Sew Ruffled Tree Skirt}

{Little Tree made from sewing patterns}

{No Sew Vintage Stockings}

{Burlap Stockings}

{Little Felt Bird Ornaments}

{Floral Baubles}

{pine cones and ribbon}

No tute for this one, but you're clever, you can work it out!

{pom pom garland}

{wonderful little birdie}

There are so many sweet wonderful Christmasy things that I'd love to fill my home with! I just need an energy boost to get me going! I brought some excellent green wool home that is perfect for a few birdies. I'm also planning adorning them with sequins and feathers. I have created a tradition of giving an ornament to my best friend every Christmas...I made a bird for her last year....I'm still not sure what to make this year.
Do you have any suggestions?

Great News!

2011-11-03T09:49:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know all about my long relationship with the Home Office. It's been frustrating and expensive....and it's just come to an end!!!!!

It's so totally YOU, Home Office! Not me!

The Last Chapter:

In August I had to scramble to find a lawyer who could take me on at the last minute to assist me with making my application for Indefinite Leave to Remain. My Spouse Visa was set to expire and my final step to permanent settlement in the UK was Indefinite Leave to Remain.

The non-profit organisation that had helped me with my Spouse Visa application lost their funding in the gov't cuts and closed doors. I was made aware of the loss of the organisation 2 weeks before my Spouse Visa expired.

PANIC does not begin to explain what I experienced.

I spent the following week searching for another firm or organisation that 1. offered legal aid 2. could take me on in such short notice.

There was NO where in Chester.

Liverpool was my next hope. By a miracle there was one law firm who had an immigration department who offered legal aid. Without legal aid it would have cost £500 to have a lawyer help with the application, then the application fee is currently £972 on top of that (in 2002 it was free to apply btw).

So I needed the legal aid.

Get this. I had to race to Liverpool the morning after finding the firm to get there in time for the immigration drop in to find out if I would be able to be taken on.

Mr Woo's brother took me in for 8:30 am. We stood outside waiting for the law firm to open up along with nearly a dozen other people who were hoping to be first to be seen. As soon as the doors were opened it was a mad rush! Everyone headed for the elevator....so what did I do?

Fat, out of shape and 5 months pregnant?

I ran up the stairs.

I beat Mr Woo's brother. He's 25 and trained for the RAF. I ran like the wind.

I could not breathe when I reached the 3rd floor office. I thought I might throw up. But I was #3!

It is a drop in, so you basically spend hours waiting. The room was unbelievably hot too. I should have brought a book.

2 hours or so later I got to be seen. Let's just say I wasn't filled with confidence after the meeting as I seemed to know more about the process and law than the person from the law firm. I was worried. I was also worried about being able to collect all of the evidence in time and I didn't have the money together either. I had just over a week. The good news was they were helping me. I have learned in dealing with the Home Office, they like an application that comes with an opening letter on legal letterhead.

It was hard. I had to travel back and forth to Liverpool a few times. I had to chase bank statements for Mr Woo and myself. Hunt his wage slips. Wait on letters from my mother and Mr Woo's dad. It was a crazy, crazy time. My hormones were raging. I was feeling very overwhelmed & sorry for myself.

At the end of the day it was done. The application went in on time. Some of the evidence had to follow later, but it all got there in the end.

Then the wait.

When I received the call today we had entered the 3rd month with no news. It's not one of those things you consciously worry about every day, it's one of those back of the mind niggles.

I must wait no more to find out. I WAS APPROVED!!!

MY APPLICATION WAS SUCCESSFUL in the words of the Home Office!!!!!!!!

Some tension left my body and some tears filled my eyes.

My little family will get to stay together! We'll have our passports back!

Mr Woo & I are planning going on a Babymoon....perhaps Paris at Christmas?

So I'm officially an ex-pat. I've crossed the immigration finish line. No more steps unless I want to become a citizen. No more hoops to jump through. Stick a fork in me, I'm done!!!!

I go next week to pick up all of my paperwork and dance around Liverpool as someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain. Well by dance I actually mean waddle. My bump is pretty big now.

Mr Woo is taking me out to The Royal Oak tonight to celebrate so I need to do my hair and get on some stretchy glad rags!

I am so happy x

A few more Baby Woo Nursery bits.

2011-11-02T15:07:00.000-07:00

My dreamy Heather Ross Far Far Away fabric

The finished dust ruffle!

I used a vintage sheet for the bit that will fit under the mattress. It isn't necessary, I could have used some muslin or something but why be bland!

The gorgeous wall hanging made by my half sister! She has given us so much! I've been spoiled beyond belief!

The owl clock made by my sister! It works!

She even made a rag quilt!!! Love it! It's so soft!

Owls!!!

I can't thank my sister Bess Anne enough. She has gone above and beyond! She has lavished us with love and generosity. The last time I saw Bess Anne was at our father's funeral in 1997. We have really bonded over my baby girl. It has been such a precious time. I guess the crafty gene runs in the family! Can you believe all she has done?! And she's not done yet, she's ordered some prints that I "liked" on facebook and is sending those too! I am gobsmacked!

In other news I sent of my maternity grant application today. Hopefully it'll be approved and I'll be able to finish the nursery. I need to paint. I need the crib mattress, sheets & blankets for the mattress, a rug, a dresser to use as a dresser and changing table. Hmm....what else? Mr Woo & I have decided to get a Tripp Trapp High Chair because they grow with the baby. We need a camera & I would really like to find a dryer if I can. Our clothes do not dry well in this rainy humid weather & I have to wash them again when they've gotten all smelly.
My friend is going to help me clean the carpets, pick out my paint, help Mr Woo paint and hopefully help me hunt for the dresser! There is a lovely vintage chest at Becnicks that I have my eye on as well! It's perfect for toys and blankets, fingers crossed that it doesn't sell until I can get to it! We're getting there, slowly but surely.
I have given notice at the shop, I am really looking forward to having the freedom of not spending looong days with no breaks. It's already starting to get dark at 5pm and the temperatures are dropping. I won't be sorry that I won't have to wait for the bus in the cold and dark. I'll miss spending time with the girlies but I can always visit. It'll be even more sweet to visit with Baby Woo in a couple of months time!

p.s. I'm 29 weeks pregnant today!

Baby Woo's Mobile

2011-10-31T05:23:00.000-07:00

I spent quite a lot of time thinking about what type of mobile I wanted to make, I did know I wanted to make something rather than buy something.

So my hunt for ideas was on. I thought woodland creatures made of felt, birds, and just plain circles.
It wasn't until I was checking out pretty things on Pinterest that I found the perfect pretty mobile! I came across a textile artist called Pam Garrison. This is the photo that inspired Baby Woo's mobile

by Pam Garrison.

My fave bit, milinary flower & vintage buttons.

The Rose was from a gift given to me by my best friend Hailey.

Little Bird x

The cream ribbon is from my wedding bouquet & the 2005 is the year Mr Woo & I met

I used vintage ribbons, buttons and laces. I simply wrapped a vintage wooden embroidery hoop in ribbon & started adding the bits - THAT'S IT!
I made the little heart and stuffed it with lavender for bedtime soothing.

Sneak Peek Reveal

2011-10-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

I'm 28 weeks pregnant today!

I spent the entire morning at the hospital being a human pincushion. I had an ultrasound scan that revealed that Baby Woo has very long legs, just like her dad! I had my anti d injection, glucose tolerance test and two rounds of bloods drawn! I had to fast because of the glucose test so I finally got to eat once I'd left the hospital! It was a long day, but it's all important!

Can you believe 7 months has past?! I can't!
I'm keeping busy so I know the next 3 months is going to be gone in a flash!

About the sneaky peek....

Do you remember the Sneaky Peek from last week? Check me out being a poet just then! Aaanyway! I'll refresh your memory a bit...

Tadaaaaaaaaa!

A vintage button monogram :)

The bits for Baby Woo's room are slowly coming together. I have more to show you but want to do one bit at a time. I started working on the crib dust ruffle/valance last night. It was the project I was most nervous about but you know what??? I've done the hardest bits now and it was so easy! I can't believe it! All that is left is for me to hem & press and it's ready! Amazing!

It was all fine til the nap.

2011-10-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

The nap.

I didn't sleep well last night, I don't guess women on the verge of 7 months pregnant do sleep well. On days I'm not at the shop I normally take an afternoon nap, I just HAVE to otherwise I'm a crab. Today I laid down around 4:30 I guess and had a really restless rest? Then Mr Woo got home and I fell back to sleep for about 2 hours! Oops!

I woke up hungry enough to eat an ox! But we have no food in the house at the moment. We really need to go shopping. So we had to go down to the village shop. But sometimes it takes Mr Woo a while to get going, so by the time we got to the shop it was like 9pm. Still no dinner & I was getting mad. We spent too much time wandering around the shop and I was getting really frustrated and annoyed. While I was trying to get everything prepped for our baked potatoes I was speaking to Mr Woo's brother on the phone. He has a new girlfriend. It's her birthday in a couple of days and he called to tell me about her wonderful gifts which includes a trip to someplace wonderful.

Well that was it.

I lost it.

I marched into poor Mr Woo who greeted me with a big smile and told him about how they're jetting off somewhere amazing and how we never do anything and I burst into tears & hurt his feelings :(

Hungry.
Hormonal.

Frustrated.
Seriously resenting my baked potato.

You should have seen my crocodile tears.

It was pretty terrible.

Plus when I was on the phone I was wiping something up and broke a ceramic letter and cut my finger and was bleeding all over the counter.

What a night.

I'm still grumpy but now also feeling awful for hurting Mr Woo's feelings.

Painting Baby Woo's Room

2011-10-22T05:53:00.000-07:00

B for Baby

We've been given the go-ahead to paint the spare bedroom {which is becoming Baby Woo's nursery}!!! Just so long as we paint it back before we leave. No problem!

I have been wanting to use Farrow & Ball's Saxon Green:

But...over the past week I'm really feeling a light grey would be nice & Mr Woo prefers a grey to the green. He said the green is old fashioned. Hmm. Who knows. Maybe something cool and calm like this Benjamin Moore Stone Harbor:

Here's a little girl's grey nursery from www.petitelemon.com

I really like it. I'll be using pink as an accent rather than yellow, but I find it so calming!

Now that my dream nursery fabric has arrived I think the grey will go better as there is a lot of orange in it that I never noticed in the online swatches.

I am so excited about my fabric btw, I might just have to start my dust ruffle project today!!!!

Although it's a modern trend to have grey nursery walls, with my fabrics and furniture I think it's still going to look very vintage.

OooOOo I'd love this on the wall!

ttfn! x

Penguins Need Jumpers

2011-10-20T13:24:00.000-07:00

Poor little mites! New Zealand's Little Blue Penguins or Fairy Penguins are being affected by the Taurunga oil spill. I'm probably a bit behind the curve here, esp as New Zealand is heading into Spring/Summer. But I read about the story only this morning.

The Taurunga oil spill off the coast of New Zealand unleashed 2,500 barrels of heavy fuel into a fragile ecosystem, coating thousands of local seabirds in oil. This puts many of them — particularly the mind-meltingly adorable Little Blue Penguin — at serious risk of freezing and/or being poisoned to death. We know, we know. After today's news from Ohio, there's only so much animal suffering you can take. But you can actually help, particularly if you know how to knit.

A call put out by Grist.org asks for the world to send in penguin sweaters, which will keep them warm and prevent them from preening and swallowing the toxic oil on their feathers until workers can remove it. A decade ago, a similar incident in the region asked for "penguin jumpers," and many Little Blues have already been outfitted from whatever stockpiles were left over.
Interested? Of course you are! Here are patterns and instructions from Skeinz.com,Penguins.org, and Etsy. Get stitching.

Here's one pattern:

Penguin Jumper in 8ply - Must be 100% Wool Yarn

1 pair 3.25mm , 1 pair of 3.75mm needles , 1 set of 3.25mm dpn’s or circular

Cast on 36 stitches using 3.25 needles.K1, P1 to end of row.

Repeat this row 7 times.

Change to 3.75mm needles and K2, P2 rib. Work 4 rows increasing at each end of every row. (44 sts)
Continue until work measures 15 cms.
Decrease 1 st at each end of every row until 28 sts remain.
Decrease 1 st. in middle of next row (27 sts.)

Leave on needle.

Make second side the same.

Transfer the 54 sts from both pieces to 3 of the set of 4 3.25mm needles.(18 sts on each.) and work a round neck in K1 P1 rib for 10 rows.
Cast off.
Stitch up sides to decreasing to 27sts (opening for flipper). Add elastic to the top and bottom to prevent the penguins getting out of them. Top: 15cm of elastic; bottom 17 cm (knots allowed). Flat elastic OK.

Here's another that looks a little easier for beginners like me:

PENGUIN JUMPER
8 ply pattern

8 ply wool or blend
1 pair of No.9 (4mm) knitting needles

METHOD: Back (repeat exactly the same for the Front)
Cast on 36 sts.

K1 P1 to the end of the row. Repeat this row 7 times.
Change to K2P2 and inc.1 st. at each end of this and the next 4 rows.
(44sts.)
Continue until work measures 10cm. This is a bit shorter than the original
pattern but we have found that it works better. {side}
Decrease 1 st. at each end of every row until 28 stitches. {flipperhole}
Dec. 1 st. in the middle of the next row. (27 sts.)
K1 P1 for 16 rows. {neck}
Cast off loosely.
Make the 2nd side exactly the same as the first.
Using a flat stitch like mattress stitch, sew the sides together and the neck
leaving the flipperholes open.

Mail finished Jumpers to:
Penguin Foundation
C/- P.O. Box 97
Cowes Victoria Australia 3922

Sneaky Peek!

2011-10-18T14:06:00.000-07:00

It doesn't look like much, but it's the beginning of my newest project! I've been hunting and hunting for lovely things to put up on Baby Woo's walls but I'm struggling a bit to find just the right things.
I've found some inspiration on pinterest as usual so I'm getting started because time is ticking!

I am 27 weeks pregnant tomorrow! Only 13 to go! There is so much still to do!

One little project at a time & we'll get there :)

Baby Woo's Quilt

2011-10-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if I have posted the pictures that I took while putting Baby Woo's quilt together. I was nervous to do it, but like I said before I had to get over being a chicken!

I had quite a collection of pretty vintage fabrics already that seemed to work perfectly together! I picked up a few other bits from Heidi at Becnicks .

And then I started!

Cutting out the square 4.5 x 4.5

Laying out the squares!

Strips done! Ready to be pressed.

half of the strips put together!

QUILTING! Go! little blue go!

The very last row of quilting....I was a little sad it was about to be over I was enjoying the process so much.

I ended up machine sewing the binding too, my hand stitching skills are horrid!

The whole sha-bang!

I was enjoying quilting so much I made a bib too!

Next I want to make some fabric blocks like these! I'm just waiting on the toy stuffing I ordered to arrive.

after the blocks will probably be the crib dust ruffle!

My little blue Jones sewing machine has been the busiest she's been in years! But she's a trooper and running well! My Great Aunt Jenny & Great Grandmother, who were extremely skilled seamstresses, must be looking over my shoulder, making sure everything is going well.

Pinterest Tutes.

2011-10-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

Cozy Quick Blankie

Junebug dress

I have found some of the CUTE-EST things I've ever seen on Pinterest! Have you heard of Pinterest? Are you on it?! I am so totally addicted! "Pinterest is an vision board-styled social photo sharing website where users can create and manage theme-based image collections".

The fun part for me is the new access to so many great tutorials and recipes all in one place with a sneak peek! It really is so addictive. Oh the crafty & tasty possibilities!

Bunny Softie

Toad Stools

oh I could just go on forEVER!

You can even find me on Pinterest :)

and I promise you'll become addicted too!

Upcoming Birthday Cake

2011-10-13T02:26:00.000-07:00

So I guess with the addition of Uncle Laurie's new girlfriend our nearly non-stop celebration season starts just about now! After her birthday at the end of this month {which is already half gone!} comes Mr Woo & my 3rd wedding anniversary!
and then...
Uncle Laurie's birthday, My Mom's birthday, Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!, New Year, this year the biggest celebration Baby Woo's arrival, Mr Woo's baby brother's birthday, my niece's birthday, my birthday, my twin brother's birthdays, my other niece's birthday, my Grandmother's birthday, my sister in law's, Mr Woo's Dad's birthday in mid April. And last, but by no means least, Mr Woo's birthday in May! PHEW!

Then we get a break.

I'm pooped just thinking about it!

I offered to make a special birthday cake for Uncle Laurie's girlfriend. She requested chocolate cherry. Most of the recipes I've found call for cake mix and canned cherries. EW! GROSS! They must be nice otherwise there wouldn't be so many recipes out there? But it's not my bag baby.

Here's the "gourmet" recipe I've found:

Chocolate Cherry Cake

This delicious cake is easy, rich but light, and so wonderfully moist. There is about 20 minutes prep time, and around 55 minutes cooking time. To make chocolate curls, melt dark chocolate, spread thinly onto a marble slab or inverted heavy tray, set aside until firm. Scrape with a knife at a 45-degree angle (away from you) to create curls. These extravegent curls give this dessert that 'cake shop' glamour!

Serves 10.

INGREDIENTS:
150 gms dark chocolate (54% cocoa solids)
150 gms butter, softened
170 gms caster sugar
6 eggs, separated
150 gms self-raising flour, sifted
3 tsp cornflour
50 ml kirsch, plus extra to drizzle {kirsch is a knock your shocks off cherry liqueur}
250 ml (1 cup) pouring cream

Cherry compote
1 1/2 cups caster sugar
500 gms pitted cherries

Ganache
150 gms dark chocolate (54% cocoa solids), coarsely chopped
140 ml pouring cream

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 175C. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Cool slightly. Beat butter and 150gm caster sugar in an electric mixer until pale and creamy (4-8 minutes), then add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add melted chocolate and stir to combine, then fold in flour in batches. Whisk eggwhites to soft peaks, then fold through chocolate mixture. Pour into a greased and baking paper-lined 23cm spring-form pan and bake until a skewer withdraws clean (30-40 minutes). Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

For cherry compote, combine sugar and 500ml of water in a saucepan and cook, stirring over medium heat, until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, add cherries, bring to boil again, reduce heat and simmer until cherries are tender (5 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside. Makes 1 litre of cherries and juice.

Meanwhile, drain juice from cherries (reserving 180ml and discarding remaining). Place cherries in a bowl. Mix cornflour with 20ml reserved cherry juice to make a paste. Combine remaining cherry juice, drained cherries and cornflour paste in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens (2-3 minutes). Add 30ml kirsch and set aside to cool.

For ganache, melt chocolate and cream in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (3-5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir until smooth and glossy.

Whisk cream and remaining sugar until stiff peaks form, add remaining kirsch and whisk briefly to combine. Refrigerate until ready to assemble.

Halve cake horizontally, drizzle base generously with kirsch, spread with cream and spoon over cherry compote. Sandwich with top half of cake. Drizzle with more kirsch, then pour over ganache and scatter with chocolate curls.

That's more like it I think! I hope anyway...

P.S.
*Uncle Laurie has informed me that he intends on making a "mini cake to go on top of your cake".
Oh really?
"I'm not trying to out-do you or anything", when someone says that they probably are aren't they, haha! I'm not bothered, I just don't want his massive "mini cake" creation smashing my cake!
He is not a baker. He is going to try to make a fondant covered Land Rover & person & dog.....to go on top of this cake.
He doesn't have any idea how heavy a fondant sculpture is! Oh well. I guess even if it's a pile of broken mess the Chocolate Cherry Cake will still taste nice.*

Heather Ross

2011-10-09T03:16:00.000-07:00

Heather Ross, hanging out the house gnome laundry, Vermont, 1973

Heather Ross is a wonderful illustrator & designer of whimsical fabrics. I first learned of her a few weeks ago when I was looking for a woodland themed fabric for Baby Woo's Crib Valance. I found Far Far Away

Isn't it beautiful!!! I just love it. I never thought I'd be able to find it, but thanks to my extremely kind & generous elder sister who lives in Texas I'm going to have it! She found it there and is sending it over to me! Baby Woo is actually going to have the most beautiful valance ever! I am so excited!

SO ever since finding Far Far Away Snow White I've been hooked.

Check this out! Far Far Away 2

Isn't it charming and wonderful!

Look at her adorable Halloween illustration

I just can't get enough!

Isn't she wonderful!

Changing Table Ideas

2011-10-07T15:06:00.000-07:00

I am on the hunt for a changing table. There seems to be a trend of using dressers and sideboards for changing units and I really like the way they look. They're something that will grow with baby and not become obsolete. We are in a serious shortage of storage especially now that we've got sooo many beautiful baby clothes for Baby Woo. There are two sideboards at Becnicks that might work nicely but they'll both need to be painted. Hmm....I'll need baskets to go inside of the bottom if I got sideboards....they're a great price at £40. Should I wait to see if I can find a dresser?

Or should I just go for a sideboard?!

Here are some of the pix that are making me swoon

All the pictures are of dressers or chest of drawers...but the sideboards might be gorgeous all painted up in the perfect color and with the perfect changing mat and baskets inside?

So many choices! So much loveliness!

♥

I got ma hairs did!

2011-10-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

For the first time in a year I got my hairs did!
I had at least 6 inches cut off of the longest layer! I should have taken a before picture but with my Baby Brain I didn't think about it...

I'm going to try to wrangle Mr Woo into taking some bump photos! I'm 25 weeks along tomorrow!
Seriously, this is flying!

In other news I got some cotton quilt batting today and I have cut out quite a few squares out of vintage fabrics! Squeeeee!

Just one step closer to piecing together Baby Woo's quilt! It's scary as I've never done it before but I'm excited!

Baby Woo's Room

2011-09-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here's the finished design board that Courtney made for me!

I sent her photos of bits I've picked out and she put it all together!

So what do ya think? x

I'm a chicken.

2011-09-29T04:26:00.000-07:00

There. I've said it. I'm being a chicken. I've got this "thing". I don't think anything I make is good enough for me to keep. If someone else likes it that's great! But why would I want to make something for myself? Cause I know where I've messed it up and stuff.

Well. I need to get over it. I knew if I told you I'd be accountable to doing something about it! My friend Courtney has really inspired me in nursery design. You've gotta see her design board for her little girl's room, it's sooo unique and welcoming! I mean, if you read my last post you know I can't actually set anything up yet but surely it can't hurt to make a few things in preparation right?!

I just remembered I have done something! I made a poster didn't I?! Do you remember?

I'd better send that away for printing!

Here's a photo of my crib {in it's previous home}

It used to belong to two little boys! It needs girlifying now! Bring on the pink!

I need at least one wall letter initial

I do have lots of ideas...I just don't have the confidence to carry things out. But I want to push myself.

I want to make a beautiful valance (aka dust ruffle/skirt), because I will need a custom one now that I look at the photo of the crib, I want mine to go to the floor.

I wanted a woodland theme but I'm not quite sure how to work that in and still having a room fitting for a little girl. I'm leaning more towards vintage now. Vintage fabrics. Can I be eclectic without the room looking a mess?

I LOVE this one:

I think Courtney showed me this nursery now that I think of it! I've also had it pinned in my Pinterest baby board for a while! They've done 3 valances...Hmmm....I like it!

Love that dresser/changing table!

what beautiful wallpaper! and I LOVE the toadstool seat!!!

these are so cool!!!!

SO I think my first project to get over my chicken liver will be the valance for the crib. I want a ruffley one not a really tailored one. I think I'll do a few layers maybe? I guess I'll have to see what fabrics I find {in my stash!}. This tutorial looks pretty good and this one is great for measuring.

just LURVE that dust ruffle!

I'm up for any tips you might have about how to make stuff for the nursery. Any ideas are also welcome! Here we go!

6 months!

2011-09-27T12:54:00.000-07:00

It is nearly impossible for me to believe that I am entering my 24th week of pregnancy. 6 months!

I'm 6 months pregnant!

This half a year has flown by. And I imagine that the next few months will be here and gone in a flash, before long our precious Baby Woo will be in our arms! January 18th is sooo soon! I'd better not blink!

We may move house, so I haven't set up the nursery. To be honest I don't even know how to set up a nursery! I've picked out the crib bumper & that's all so far. I do love this nursery idea:

I love this nursery but I'd use greens and pinks I think!

I feel like there is still so much to get done and the time is going by so quickly I'm beginning to think I won't get it done! Silly things like shampooing the carpets and removing all the cob webs and actually setting up the nursery so that Baby Woo actually has some place to sleep in her beautiful sleigh crib{it was given to us by a friend & it's stunning!}!

I signed up for my birth and parenthood class this morning though! Mr Woo wants to be there so we've signed up for a Saturday all day class at the hospital.

Baby Woo is growing quickly, she's already around1 1/2lbs & nearly 1 foot long!!! My bump is starting to show and I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable especially when I'm tired.

I'm craving lots of sleep and meat! Gimme a roast beef with a side of roast chicken. MmHmmm!

So, 24 weeks, 6 months, however you like to count it we're well on our way!

Crafty Challenge!

2011-09-25T01:06:00.000-07:00

My crafty pal Nikki {from Whimsy Love}has taken part in the Do Something Crafty Challenge!! Nikki is super fun & creative and her two little girls get in on the creative action too! And now she needs our vote! I mean, obviously you can vote for which ever project you like best, but Nikki's Chair Top Covers are pretty darn cute & it's nice to support our little crafty community!

Some how Nikki is currently in last place! SHOCKING! We have until September 30th to give her a boost! Come on bloggy mates! Won't you go cheer Nikki on?! Here's the link for the contest again & the voting bit is on the right side.
So you can put a face to a craft:

Heeeere's Nikki!

Nikki currently lives in a small town in Nebraska where she is a mommy to two super kidlets. She's also an award-winning newspaper columnist & photographer, a blogger, jumper extraordinaire, lover of thrifty & vintage & currently obsessed with knit graffiti. Take a peek into her world by visiting her blog, WhiMSy love.

Cute ain't she? :)

Release?

2011-09-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

I don't normally write about personal issues here. But I feel like maybe other people struggle the way I do and maybe it's helpful to know you're not the only one.

I suffer from an anxiety disorder called Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I also suffer from depression. It's all part of the same chemical imbalance in my brain which I normally take medication for. I've been stepping down my medication because of being pregnant. Pregnancy hormones + heightened anxiety symptoms = hard times, lots of tears and a not much sleep.

This is a pretty good simple description of GAD:

GAD is a particularly difficult disorder to live with as it is constantly on the sufferer's mind – there is no respite as the anxiety is not tied to a specific situation or event (it is for me ie. to do with family members, friends or stressful situations). It can cause problems with sleep, ability to maintain a job as well as impact close relationships.

GAD is a difficult thing to explain. People think I'm unreasonable or causing drama and I've been called crazy. I've been asked "what's your problem?! why do you care?!!!!". I don't want to care about the irrational things I worry about. But I can't seem to help it. I think there have been times when my dear, sweet, gentle, kind husband has wanted to shake me. Some of my worries can start out normal. But they escalate. Worries start out small but can get huge and life consuming to the point I can not escape the intrusive thoughts. There can be a constant stream of thoughts causing me to suffer from physical symptoms. At one point recently I actually pounded my head with my fists begging the thoughts to stop. That was the worst it has ever been. I can be besieged by thoughts that do not feel like my own. My attempts to deal with those thoughts impact those around me.

I worry about future events mostly. The "what ifs". They kill me.

The other side of the disorder is that I find things that could normally be a bit stressful INCREDIBLY stressful! Like packing to go away...that's a bad one for me. British driving lessons...I quit because I got so frustrated with myself. Dealing with bills...ooooh man. I had to avoid the supermarket for a while at one point because people not obeying my rules of personal space and shopping etiquette was too overwhelming - I've worked on that one, it's ok again - so don't you worry!

It can be really tough. I'm very, very lucky to have a loving and caring husband & patient friends who see passed my anxiety and don't take it personally even when it is personal.
I've just been through a very, very bad patch that lasted a couple of months. It is a huge relief to be on the other side. I'm trying my best to learn to relax for my little Rosebud's sake. Mr Woo and I have had a lovely few nights in lately which have included lots of laughter. A very good medicine you know. I think I will have a bubble bath tonight and do some knitting. I've been thinking about maybe making my own cot bumper, maybe a patchwork one, so maybe I'll start sorting through my fabrics tonight too. That all sounds a lovely way to relax to me.

My Dad used to say "Let go and let God". It was sort of his mantra. I am trying to learn to let go. To release the thoughts that lead to anxiety. I am learning to release. I am learning to have empty hands. One day I'm going to be great at it. Until then I must do my best.

Teddy Bears & Illustration Inspiration

2011-09-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

Mr Woo has been thinking a lot about what gift to give our little RoseBud {what I've taken to calling Baby Woo}. He wants to pick out a special soft toy for her. He's been trawling every toy store we pass, but he still hasn't found the perfect one yet. Everyone needs a first teddy don't they.
I found an extremely soft elephant & Uncle Laurie bought the matching cheetah. Mr Woo could pick a zebra from the same collection...but it's just not right. He wants the PERFECT soft toy for his baby girl. It makes my heart swell with love for him.

He also wants to write a little book for our little RoseBud. She'd be the main character and she will go on many adventures just like her Daddy and I have. I'm going to do the illustrations. I'm feeling quite inspired at the moment but I obviously need to wait for the story before I can go off drawing & painting!
The Black Apple has been especially inspiring. I first saw Emily's artwork on my friend Kitty's blog.

I think it's just so sweet!

One day when I'm not so tired I'll bust out my sketch book and watercolors.

New Big Knitting Challenge

2011-09-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

I'm a novice knitter. I enjoy it & find it really relaxing. The only problem is I'm not that skilled. Within the past year or so I've tried to branch out from scarves and work from simple patterns to push myself to learn more stitches besides knit & purl...which has handily given me the wonderful excuse to collect as many vintage knitting patterns as I can get my grubby mitts on :)

When I found out that Mr Woo & I were expecting a baby I wanted to knit as many sweet tiny things as I could! I started a little dress but decided to wait until I found out if we were having a girl to finish it, because it's a hard/scary pattern for me. Now that I know we are having a girl I'll pick it back up again. Booties are my other new obsession! I started a pattern for the above baby Mary Janes, but it got complicated putting stitches onto double pointed needles and I couldn't figure it out....

so I moved on to this pattern.

Here's the pattern link. It's sooo easy! I finished the first bootie in sage green with brown polka dot ribbon. Mr Woo will take a picture for me when they're done. It's adorable! I can't wait to finish the other one!

And then....I saw THIS

I had to have the pattern for this Baby Cashmerino Bonnet! The pattern is $6 from the designer Irina Poludnenko's website Hats & Not Hats. The pattern is out of my comfort zone! It's knit on circular needles and obviously has cabling and ribbing. I ordered Debbie Bliss' Baby Cashmerino in this purple:

I will be so proud of myself if I can do it! If I can't I'll have to ask my dear sweet friend Kirsten to do it for me. She's the one who taught me to knit & she's amazing!

So there you have it. My big challenge. I am going to give it the ole college try!

It's A.......

2011-09-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Geeky Clean Fun

2011-09-05T02:31:00.000-07:00

Because I don't have a robot or futuristic kitchen computer to help me around the house I struggle to stay on top of the cleaning and tidying. I didn't used to have such a problem. Friday used to be my "blitz the house day". I lived with 3 men in a 1930s bungalow, the house wasn't ever horrible but they didn't ever see dust or crumbs or toothpaste scum in the sink. You know what I mean....it's similar to male refrigerator blindness.
These days I don't have a set schedule and so I can't get into a rhythm.

I follow The Spotted Sparrow on facebook and I think she might have just saved my bacon! She been posting tips on how to keep your house clean in just 15 minutes a day. I KNOW!
And this morning she posted a calendar with a job for every day. I am in geeky housewife pleasure overload! I was just talking to a friend about making up a rota for keeping the house clean but The Spotted Sparrow has done the work for us!

Are you ready for this? Maybe you should sit down. Maybe I should sit down.

Here are a few notes she posted with the calendar:

The Spotted Sparrow

I've been cleaning one thing a day for the past few months and my flat is clean and tidy. No massive cleaning sessions before company comes over! You can do it too with this little cleaning schedule. Remember, this is based on my 2-bedroom flat. If you have a large home or children you can adjust the schedule to your needs.

surface clean: pick up anything laying about, dust, sweep, vacuum

deep clean: surface clean + baseboards, artwork, appliances, any anything else you've been avoiding when surface cleaning

touchables: door handles, telephones, remote controls, etc.

Want some more good news? SHE'S GOING TO MAKE ONE EVERY MONTH!
I'm just too excited about this (in case you couldn't tell!). I've been fretting about how I was going to keep a tidy home when Baby Woo arrived when I can't even do it now! Thank you The Spotted Sparrow you've answered my prayers!

On a Baby Woo related update my ultrasound is on Wednesday, that's just 2 more sleeps til I can see my sweet kicking baby again AND find out if I'm being pummelled by a footballer or ballerina!

Twenty.

2011-08-31T02:25:00.000-07:00

Today is a milestone day. I am 20 weeks pregnant. Half way!
This time has absolutely flown by. I can not believe that in 5 more months it'll be time for my very own baby to arrive. I've heard that time will slow down the closer I get to the end but I'm not so sure because it will be the big celebratory time in our family. Our wedding anniversary, Christmas and then it'll be time for Baby Woo to arrive & it's also my birthday near Baby Woo's due date. Who knows, we might even share a birthday!

In one week Mr Woo and I get to see our little person for the second time. We'll hopefully see a very healthy little one and also find out if we get to pick out pink or blue booties! We are very excited!

The day after the scan Baby Woo's Uncle Laurie will be moving to Germany. We're going to miss him loads and loads.
Some time soon my shop will be moving location too. I'm not exactly looking forward to that change but I'm sure it'll be good, luckily we're all moving together so we will all work together.

So as you can see this is a very busy time and we have so many exciting things happening! There is so much to look forward to and cherish!

Vintage Toys

2011-08-27T02:41:00.000-07:00

Wonderful, beautiful toys. I find toys of years gone by so much more charming than the massively produced plastic rubbishy things we see today. I can remember a few toys from my childhood. My very favorite was my rubber alligator. It was something like this hideous thing! I don't remember my toy being so ugly, haha! Oh well, I loved it. One day it got washed away in the sea :( My parents had taken me to a beach party one evening, I was playing in the water when my Alligator started floating away, I was starting to go after it when my Dad said I wasn't allowed in the water because sharks come out at night! Well, that was enough for me! I had to wave goodbye to my beloved Gator. I was approaching four years old but I've never forgotten that night!

I have been on the hunt for sweet vintage toys for Baby Woo. There are loads of sweet things out there but they are preeeetty pricey! Here are a few things I've found tonight.

How adorable are these two?!

Pull-A-Tune

Oh I really want a Lil Snoopy for Baby Woo!

My other fave toy was my piano. I'm on the hunt for one just like this one for Baby Woo

Oh, I could go on forever, I just love all of these wonderful treasures! I found this great toy website that sells the modern versions of vintage toys too like the Pull-A-Tune, it's called Fat Brain Toys. I'm adding to Baby Woos Registry as we speak! This is fun!

Vintage Woos

2011-08-24T02:56:00.000-07:00

Mini Mrs Woo. Central Park...age 7.

I always loved the animals best. I'm not sure how old I am here, 6 maybe?

Beach goof ball. 7ish.

brand new Mrs Woo with Aunt Linda c.1977

Easter with Auntie.

A rather small Mr Woo around age 4 or 5.

small Mr. Woo & his first set of wheels!

Mr Woo, Guns & Roses and a poorly baby bunny.

I am all brunette. Olive but fair complexion, dark hair, very dark brown eyes. Mr Woo on the other hand is very fair. Blond hair, green eyes, fair skin. What will Baby Woo look like?!

When I took biology in the 10th grade I learned how to predict genetic traits for eye color and stuff. But that was so long ago now I can't remember how it worked! My Dad had hazel eyes and dark brown wavy hair. My Mom has dark brown eyes and wavy hair. Mr Woo's Dad has bright blue eyes and dark curly hair. His Mum has light brown eyes and light brown straight-ish hair. Just continue the dark brown eyes, dark brown hair on my side of the family for generations back. Italian stock you see.

What are the chances of me having a blond baby with blue eyes?! I'll think they've given me the wrong kid!

Vintage Baby Clothes

2011-08-22T07:27:00.000-07:00

A lovely lady called me this morning. I'd given her my card months ago and forgot all about it. She said she was clearing her house and had some one her own baby clothing that she wanted to get rid of, would I like to buy them for stock.
Well. Yes. Yes I would. A lot.
She stopped by with the same friend she was with when I met her before. They are both very sweet. Sue, the lady with the clothes, brought in the most adorable hand made & hand smocked things you've ever seen.
And of course, I don't have a camera that works so I can't even show you the ACTUAL dress, tunic and romper just now. They are all from the 1940s when Sue was a baby.
As I am a total sucker for vintage and anything baby at the moment I've decided to have a mooch online while I'm at the shop all day. What do you think? Which is your fave?

The romper I have has this exact same smocking!

Bunnies! Squeee!

From Belle Heir

c. 1930

c. 1910

Speaking of Belle Heir you must go check out their beautiful things! Fine Vintage Clothing for babies and children. Serious swoonage.

Bargains & Plum Cake

2011-08-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

I got a large punnet of plums at the village shop for 20p! And a loaf of bread for 20p, a sweetheart cabbage for 20p and a bag of sweet potatoes...for 20p!
I'm feeling very pleased with myself. I'm marinading some big mushrooms Asian marinade. After sharing some cabbage with the Bunnies I will probably stir fry the rest & maybe make sweet potato oven chips?

Ready to see what I'm gonna make with the plums for dessert?

*Cardamom Scented Plum Cake*

I found the recipe on the One Year From Oak Cottage blog. I wanted to make an upside down cake but I didn't have the right ingredients and I've already been to the shop. I'm pretty sure I've got what I need for this! And boy does it look good!

Here's the recipe if you'd like to try it too :)

Makes 1 ten inch cake

I like to use the slightly tart purple Italian plums for this, but really any plum will do. A moist and rich cake with the delicate scents of vanilla and lemon, topped with tart and juicey sliced plums all underneath the cover of a delightly fragrant and spicy stresusal topping. This is definitely what I'd call moreish!

4 ounces butter
1/3 cup golden caster sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 large egg
1 TBS sour cream
1 pinch salt
grated zest of one lemon
1 3/4 cups plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups plums, pitted and sliced into wedges
For the topping:
6 TBS butter
3/4 cup plain flour
1/3 cup caster sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cardomom

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/375*F. Lightly butter a 9 to 10 inch cake tin with a removeable bottom and set aside.

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, lemon zest, vanilla, sour cream and salt. Whisk the flour, baking powder together and then add it to the creamed mixture, mixing it in well. Spread the batter in the prepared pan.

Liberally spread the plums over top of the batter. I like to arrange them in a circular pattern, but that's just me, it's not necessary.

To make the topping whisk together the sugar, flour and spices. Rub in the butter until it is crumbly. Sprinkle it evenly over the plums.

Bake in the pre-heated oven on the middle rack for approximately 45 minutes to an hour, until the topping is nicely browned and the cake tests done. Remove from the oven and let sit for about 15 minutes, cooling on a wire rack, before removing the sides of the pan. Serve warm, cut into wedges with scoops of good quality vanilla ice cream.

****I bet it's as good as it looks!*****
Yum!

Food Obsessed.

2011-08-03T02:31:00.000-07:00

I love food. I love eating. However, I have never been as food obsessed as I am now that I'm expecting Baby Woo. I'm sitting in my trusty chair trying to make out my to do list for today. It does include going to Tesco so I keep getting distracted by thoughts of what I can get to eat! Right now I'm desperate for a massive Greek salad!

This one is PERFECT! No gross tomatoes!

To be honest I could probably happily just gnaw on a block of feta cheese alone.

just hand it over and no one will get hurt.

Last night it was fish & chips soaked in vinegar. I would have probably been happy just to drink the vinegar. I love vinegar. mmmm. That's not just been a pregnancy thing either. I just love the stuff!

extra vinegar please!

I am a teeny tiny bit obsessed with pineapple too. Mmm. Pineapple....and cherries......

But nothing can compare to the mother of all of my cravings!

THE GHERKIN! The lovely, lovely gherkin!

I get through a jar at a time. One sad day I even drank some of the juice, well, it's actually just vinegar! I know, I know!!!! But it was good!

I will no longer subject you to my food obsession for now. I must go get showered and ready for my day. I'm off to town to buy more gherkins ;)