Angel Delight Memories and Zombie's Delight Dessert

Being a child of the seventies, I can remember many iconic things that coloured my life during the decade.  Some of my favourites include spacehoppers, roller skates, my brown flared trousers with embroidered bottoms, Fingerbobs, the much coveted wind up Evel Knievel toys, Mousetrap and Angel Delight.

I remember helping my mum in the kitchen when I was a little girl.  She'd wear her headscarf and her pinny and would often quote the late, great Fanny Craddock, telling me that a well scrubbed pair of hands was a cook's best tool.  Mum was a traditional cook making apple pies, rice puddings, hot pots, roast dinners and shepherd's pies for our family. But one of the things I remember most fondly from my childhood mealtimes is Angel Delight!  It was a super quick and easy treat that seemed so sophisticated to my young mind.  Seriously, the first time I tried the light, fluffy, pink, strawberry flavoured dessert, I was in heaven.  I loved the taste and texture.  It was just so luxurious, unlike anything I had ever tasted before.  Mum used to serve it in our 'posh' glass bowls, elevating its status in my eyes as something very fancy.  Having a blob of cream and a sprinkle of hundreds and thousands on top was the real pinnacle of pudding pleasures.

If I helped my mum make it, which involved energetically whisking it using a hand held whisk until it thickened, I got the privilege of licking the bowl.  I recall sweeping my fingers through the smears of pink deliciousness and licking up every scrap. It kept me going while waiting for my bowl of Angel Delight to chill in the fridge.

Angel Delight was a real teatime treat and the memories of my childhood days are still easily evoked simply by its taste and smell.

Nowadays, Angel Delight remains on the menu as a store cupboard staple, which we  use to make different puddings.  Sometimes, Angel Delight really hits the spot! The kids love 'trifle' made using a layer of Angel Delight over a layer of jelly and topped with whipped cream.  We also pop it in the freezer and serve it like an ice cream dessert with sliced banana.  You can even use it to make a milkshake. It's a quick and easy versatile treat for busy families to enjoy.

It's so lovely seeing my own childhood favourite being enthusiastically enjoyed by my own children. Angel Delight have just launched a brand new flavour, Bubblegum, to the range.  The thought of this made Kizzy's eyes light up, so we need to try some out. It's definitely on my shopping list! (Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to get a free sample from Britmums!)

This Halloween was the perfect opportunity to serve up some Angel Delight in a fun way! Strawberry Angel Delight and strawberry jelly are a perfect pairing. With a spooky twist we made Zombie's Delight...complete with wobbly brains!

Freddy, while dressed as a ghoul,  happily helped make the Angel Delight, just as I used to help my mum back in the 70s. He helped use the electric whisk, which is a much easier method than the whisking by hand that we did in my childhood.

We made the jelly in a brain shaped mould and Freddy surrounded it with chilled globs of Angel Delight and white chocolate buttons to make a creepy but delicious dessert that looked like bodily brains and bits and bobs. Freddy and I may have licked out the bowl afterwards - I wonder if in 40 years time he will remember doing this with me, in the same way that I remember doing it with my own mum?  It's lovely knowing that I am making memories with my own children.

We served up a spoonful of jelly with one of the blobs of Angel Delight into Halloween bowls, and it went down an absolute treat.  Freddy calls Angel Delight 'Pink Fluff Pudding' which I think is a really cute and apt description!

Ella, at 18, still loves Angel Delight and uses it as a cheeky snack while away at university.  It's perfect for students for when they want a yummy sweet snack that reminds them of home!  As she was home for Halloween, she enjoyed sharing in her little brother's scary dessert, while dressed as Twisty the Clown!  Definitely a future memory in the making right there!

For 40 years Angel Delight has been a treat that I have enjoyed.  My children enjoy it and it remains one of our favourites when a quick and easy pudding is in order.  My only wish for the brand is a grown up coffee flavoured variety.  Now that would be amazing!


This post is an entry for #AngelDelightMoments Linky Challenge with Angel Delight.

How Would You Spend £20K?

We all dream of a financial windfall finding its way into our lives.  Who hasn't fantasised about matching six balls on the lottery?  I know I have!  Everytime I've bought a ticket for the Euromillions rollover I've thought long and hard about who I'd help out and how I'd treat my family.  The £2 stake buys me a few days of wishful thinking until the draw dashes my hopes again until next time.  But the dreaming is still fun!

Britmums have teamed up with the National Lottery and are asking bloggers what they would do if they had £20,000 to spend in the #Spend20K challenge, which is the same amount as the new guaranteed prize in the National Lottery raffle draw.  That's some raffle prize...the most I've ever won in a raffle before was a bottle of wine so £20K would be quite an improvement on that!

£20,000 would be a great lump sum to enjoy.  Forget doing sensible things like buying a new car or paying a lump sum off of my mortgage, this cash would be for something just for us.  Something fun.

Something I really want to do but could never justify doing financially, is to renew my vows with Ian. I want to celebrate our relationship, our love and our family. We are happier now than we have ever been and I'd simply adore standing up and declaring my love for the man I married 16 years ago.  At the time of my wedding I still suffered with my mental health issues and although it was a wonderful day, it wasn't everything it could have been.  I wasn't the best version of myself and I'd love to do it all again now with me being in such a better place.

Organising a second wedding without the pressure and expectations that came with the first, would be such fun.  We don't like anything too fancy or frivolous. The guest list would be small and intimate, made up of all my favourite people.  The venue would be somewhere beautiful, and definitely not the impersonal registrar's office where we first got wed. The menu would be a glorious vegetarian feast and my wedding cake would be something totally indulgent from Choccywoccydoodah or The English Cheesecake Company (or both...after all I have a 20K budget to play with)!  At my first wedding I wore Doc Martens and a black lace skirt.  This time I would go sophisticated and feminine in a proper, pretty dress and girl shoes!  I'd buy outfits for my nearest and dearest and they would all look gorgeous.  I'd hire a funky photographer to capture some quirky shots for the photo album.

I'd follow the wedding with a night or two at Alton Towers Hotel for all my family (which is where Ian and I had our actual honeymoon back in 1997) and we'd all ride The Smiler and go on Nemesis Sub Terra the next day.  How very perfect...how very us!!

I'd better keep playing the Lotto so I can turn this dream into a reality.


This post is an entry for BritMums #Spend20K Challenge sponsored by The National Lottery, with more ways to win more money on the new Lotto game. Find out more about new Lotto, which starts in October, here – www.national-lottery.co.uk

Thirty Years of Change

Special K has changed for the first time in thirty years, launching a brand new, more wholesome recipe for their breakfast cereal.  Now made with not two but three grains - rice, wheat and barley - it contains wholegrains with 8 added vitamins and iron and has only 2% fat per portion.  The delicious, crisp flakes deliver a tasty and nutritious breakfast.  It is apparently a favourite of the Queen and Lady Gaga who clearly know how to enjoy a healthy start to the day!  It is definitely my favourite cereal served with almond milk, and the new recipe tastes great.

Yesterday was my 44th birthday so thirty years ago I was 14 years old.  I was an awkward, tall, slim schoolgirl, insecure and unsure of what lay ahead.  How would three decades change me?

Whereas Special K has gained an extra grain, I have gained some extra pounds since 1983 (so I may not be planning to sport that iconic red swimsuit anytime soon). However, like Special K, thirty years of changes hasn't changed what lies at the very heart of me.

What would I have thought had I known that in 30 years time I would be married to that lad from my English class that I had a crush on (and not John Taylor from Duran Duran!)?  That we would five wonderful kids and a gorgeous grandson together!?  That I would be, by choice, a stay at home mum, rather than have a high flying, jet-setting career of my own?!   That I'd escape city life for a rural existence?!  I don't think 14 year old me would be expecting these things in her future.

So many things are so different now.  The world has changed around me.  

I used to keep a written diary in 1983, recording the trials and tribulations of a teenager growing up in the eighties.

Now I run my blog recording the trials and tribulations of being a middle aged mum in 2013.

I used to take photos on my 110 camera and get my films developed, waiting anxiously for the postman to deliver my pics to see if any of the 24 prints were worth keeping.  

Now I use my mobile phone to take pics, edit them on Instagram and upload them all to the internet in an instant.

Back then, Bauhaus, Marillion, Bowie, Blondie and Meatloaf played on my record player, as the needle ran across the vinyl of the 12" LP's.  In my bedroom I'd sing along to my favourite tracks as I imagined myself on stage, performing alongside my musical idols.  

Today I have the same artists on my iPod alongside an X Factor winner, a reformed boyband from the 90s, some Justin Fletcher for the kids, The Killers (my musical tastes have been influenced by my teenager) and some  Andrew Lloyd Webber musical numbers.  I sing along in my car on the school runs. Some self-hypnosis weight loss MP3s are tucked away on there too...not very rock and roll!

In 1983, on our Radio Rentals TV I'd watch Blackadder and The Young Ones as I discovered the joys of the alternative comedians. The Tube introduced me to new bands and I loved it when they'd host the first UK showing of a new music video at midnight and I'd be allowed to stay up to watch it.  Having to tolerate watching Allo Allo, Game for a Laugh and The Paul Daniels Magic Show with my parents was painful, but I secretly enjoyed Blankety Blank!

Nowadays Dexter, American Horror Story, Revenge and Modern Family grace our 55" 3D plasma screen (alongside CBeebies, Nickolodeon and the Disney Channel when the kids gain control of the remote control - which is most of the time).

I used to read James Herbert and Stephen King books, flicking through the yellowing pages of the second hand books I'd acquired.  I still do this...Kindles are just not the same!  

I used to be pretty shy...I still am if I'm honest.  But I now have the confidence that comes with age and experience to carry me through most situations.  I'm not afraid to go for what I want in life and don't worry about what other people think.   

I used to wonder what my purpose was.  Why was I here?  But ever since becoming a wife and mother, and having my incredible family, I have fully understood the meaning of life!

                                    

This is my entry for the BritMums/Special K “How I’ve Changed Linky Challenge” #SpecialK30  

The Magic Of Christmas

Still in their pyjamas the children donned their Santa hats.  Christmas music was playing and everyone was singing along.  Dad had been up in the loft bringing down the boxes of decorations.  Each bauble, Christmas toy or homemade Christmas card from years gone by that had been carefully packed away, brought back a host of wonderful memories.  A nativity scene from my childhood, the children's "My First Christmas" baubles and a candle that my sister gave to me back in 1992, three years before she passed away, made my emotions run high.

Giving the kids free reign to create the kind of Christmas that they want to celebrate, really fills my heart with festive joy.  Watching them together, lifting Freddy to hang his baubles on the highest branches of the tree and talking excitedly about all of the family activities that we plan to do is simply heartwarming.  Feeling the love and the connection between my children at this time of year, to me, is the magic of Christmas.

This is my entry for the #O2GuruMagicofXmas Linky, sponsored by O2 GuruTV – the home of tech help and inspiration.

Half Term Meal With Aunt Bessie's

Brit Mums have challenged us to get creative in the kitchen to come up with a delicious meal plan using the convenience of  the Aunt Bessie's range of products.  I am a fan of their products, anything that saves me time on a busy day gets a thumbs up from me!  So I've devised a three course meal that is quick, easy and delicious and each course uses something from the range.  The meal plan serves four.

Winter Warming Soup

Bag of Aunt Bessies Carrot & Swede Mash

600ml organic vegetable stock

Add the stock to the bag of mash, bring to boil and simmer for 15 minutes.

Puree with a hand blender.

Cheese Topped Garlic and Herb Spanish Style Omelette

Half a bag of Aunt Bessies Mid Week Roasties with Garlic and Herbs

1 onion sliced

2 tblspns of sweetcorn

50ml virgin olive oil

6 free range eggs

2oz grated cheese
pepper to season

Cook the Mid Week Roasties for 20 minutes at GM6.

When cooked, remove from oven and cut any big ones into bite size chunks.

Slice the onion and gently fry in the oil in a heavy bottomed frying pan.

Add the potatoes.

Beat the six eggs together and pour over.

Sprinkle over sweetcorn.

Cook gently with a lid on until almost set.

Top with grated cheese and finish off under the grill.

Cut into quarters and serve with salad.

Roly Poly Mixed Fruit Cobbler

Aunt Bessie's Jam Roly Poly

Can of apple pie filling

Pack of mixed berries (fresh or frozen)

Allow the jam roly poly to defrost slightly so you can slice it into 8 slices.

Put one quarter of the apple into four individual oven proof dishes.

Top with a handful of berries.

Put two slices of roly poly on top.

Bake at GM5 for 15-20 minutes.

Serve hot with custard.

This three course meal is quick and simple to make, nutritious and extremely delicious.  It counts heavily towards your five a day with fruit and vegetables included in the menu.  I was really impressed with how versatile the Aunt Bessie products can be with a bit of imagination.  You can certainly go beyond a traditional roast dinner, which was my usual way of using Aunt Bessie's range.

My Three Course Aunt Bessie's Inspired Menu!

Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe

Britmums and Anchor have challenged a number of bloggers to cook up a recipe using Anchor's delicious butter or cream.  As it is Kizzy's birthday today, I spent a very enjoyable few hours baking up cupcakes.  Armed with my Anchor wooden spoon and with my Anchor Butter ready in my butter dish, I had my own mini Great British Bake Off in my kitchen and one of the goodies I made was Red Velvet Cupcakes.  I kept seeing these cupcakes on TV, in fancy cake shops and I even tried one freshly baked by Eric Lanlard at an event last year, and I really wanted to have a go myself.  This was the perfect opportunity!

Ingredients For Red Velvet Cupcakes

4oz softened Anchor butter

4oz caster sugar

2 eggs

4oz self-raising flour

1tsp vanilla extract

4 tbsp buttermilk

10 drops of red food colouring

1oz cocoa powder

1 tsp white vinegar

Method

Preheat oven to 180 degrees and put cake cases into a muffin tin.

Beat together sugar and butter until pale and fluffy.

Beat in eggs one at a time.

Stir in flour, cocoa, vanilla, buttermilk, colouring and vinegar to make a vibrant red mixture.

Divide into cake cases and cook for 15-20 minutes.

Cool on a rack.

Ingredients for Red Velvet Cupcakes Topping

4 fl oz milk

1 egg yolk

1oz vanilla sugar

1-2 tspn cornflour

1 tsp vanilla extract

5 fl oz Anchor double cream

chocolate curls to decorate

Method

Warm milk in a pan.

Mix egg yolk, sugar and cornflour in a bowl.

Gradually add warm milk into the egg mix.

Pour back into pan and heat gently until thickened.  

Leave to cool.

Whip cream until stiff.

Fold into vanilla cream.

Top cakes and decorate.

The verdict was that these cakes were really delicious.  The soft topping was really yummy with its custardy, creamy flavour.  The sponge was vibrant and rich.  They looked really impressive too. This is definitely a cupcake I'll make again and again!!

I'm working with Anchor to promote their brand new Rewards Club, find out how you can get some of their kitchenware as well as more prizes - Anchor Rewards Club.

This is a Sponsored Post.

My Superhero Husband #kodakavengers

My husband Ian is a bit of a comic book geek when it comes to the Marvel Avengers.  He loves all the films and admits to a man-crush on Tony Stark.  I bought him the 1978 Black Sabbath Tour T-Shirt as worn by Tony Stark in the Avengers Assemble movie and he is adamant that the resemblance between himself and the man behind Iron Man is uncanny!  Ian also thinks that he would be able to beat the Hulk in a fight.  The green giant, who is not in the least bit jolly, would definitely find himself in a battle of brain over brawn  going up against my husband in this fantasy battle.

It is therefore no surprise that Ian was very quick to volunteer as a model for the #kodakavengers Linky Challenge on the Britmums Blog to celebrate the release of Avengers Assemble on DVD and Blu-Ray.  Kodak have an exciting online printable kit which includes a whole host of Avengers goodies that can be printed out and used to create a fun movie night or party.  We printed out the masks!!

My Superhero husband was in his element.  He made a dashing Captain America, a ferocious Hulk and a  spectacular Iron Man!  Here is is striking his best poses and embracing his inner superhero.

Captain America...The Old School Hero

The Hulk...You Won't Like Him When He's Angry!!

Iron Man...The High Tech Hero

You can print out your own Superhero masks and join in the fun yourself.  There are some great prizes to be won...and you too can get your husband or kids to embrace their inner superhero.

Unfortunately for Ian, the closest he normally gets to being Iron Man is when he is doing the ironing...but he will always be a superhero to me!

Colour Me In with Kelloggs #ColourMeInRK

When Britmums were looking for children to have a go at colouring in the special boxes of Kellogg's Rice Krispies, I knew that my 9 year old Kizzy would love to get involved.  She was overjoyed when she received a brand, spanking new case of felt tips and a big box of Kellogg's Rice Krispies to decorate in order to personalise her breakfast!

She loved the selection of colouring pens which included colour change markers and stampers and sparkly tubes of glitter....perfect for getting crafty with her colour-in cereal box!

Kizzy thoroughly enjoyed colouring in, stamping and glittering the box and the end result was quite impressive!  It is a great idea of Kellogg's to incorporate a craft activity into their packaging. The Kellogg's Rice Krispies website has loads more fun craft ideas and downloadable activity sheets, so if the weather is grim you can keep the kids entertained!

We will enjoy eating our Rice Krispies from Kizzy's customised box that now has added artistic Snap, Crackle and Pop!!

This is our entry is for the BritMums #ColourMeInRK competition, sponsored by Kellogg’s.

My Money Saving Vlog!

In today's economic climate, being a parent can put a huge strain on the purse strings.  Hard earned wages quickly disappear meaning that the savings dwindle.  With the costs faced by our children as they get older...university fees, driving lessons, house deposits...it is increasingly important that we are in a position to help them out.  Unfortunately I don't know of any get rich quick schemes or ways to make a million, however with a few gentle penny pinching tweaks to our daily routines we can save cash and every penny really does count.  Soon the savings will add up...making a much needed nest egg for you and your children's future!

Here are my penny counting tips brought to you (badly!) through the medium of song (and with added jazz hands!)

Here are my lyrics so you too can sing along as you save!!

"Turn the heating thermostat down by one degree,

Stock up on essentials when they're Buy One Get One Free,

Pay off your credit card so you're not charged interest fees,

That's the way to save your cash when you're counting pennies!

Try own brand products...they might be to your taste,

Squeeze every drop from your shampoo and toothpaste,

Today's ingredients could be yesterday's food waste.

That's the way to save your cash when you're counting pennies!

Forget expensive foreign climes, staycations can be cool,

Leave your car at home to save money on your fuel,

Make homemade lunch and drinks to go - Starbuck's prices are for fools.

That's the way to save your cash when you're counting pennies!

Check your gas provider is the cheapest you can choose,

Sign up to Quidco and get free cash to use,

Enter online giveaways...what've you got to lose?

That's the way to save your cash when you're counting pennies!

Make a weekly shopping list for tasty, frugal meals,

Search on the internet for voucher codes and deals,

Remember nothing feels as good as saving money feels.

That's the way to save your cash when you're counting pennies!"

 

Brit Mums, British Gas and Energy Saving Ideas!

I am working with Brit Mums and British Gas on an exciting campaign to help educate about energy conservation.  The aim of the campaign is to teach children about ways to save energy around the home and in turn remind us all how to be more mindful of our own consumption.

My daughter Kizzy is 9 years old and very keen on green issues, so I've recruited her help to compile a list of energy saving ideas that are easy to follow, will save money and will reduce our carbon footprint.  Maybe if we all made a New Year Resolution to do our bit to save energy we could make a difference.  Involving young people in energy saving ideas is a great way to get them to follow in our carbon footsteps!  Children are never too young to be prompted to turn off the tap when brushing their teeth, or to switch off the light when they leave a room.

Top Ten Ways For Kids to Save Energy

1: Turn things off when they are not in use.  We don't need to have lights on in empty rooms, the TV doesn't have to be left on all day when no-one is watching it and laptops and other electrical devices don't need to sit on standby.  Kids make great switch-off monitors!

2: Turn your thermostat down by one degree.  You won't even notice the difference in temperature.  Set the timer on the heater to come on and off during the day rather than leaving it on all day.  When it's chilly it is tempting to crank up the heating...instead put on a jumper or jump up and get active. You'll soon warm up!

3: Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need if you are making a cuppa for your mum.

4: Be quick when getting food out of the fridge or freezer.  Don't be indecisive and stand with the door open letting all the cold air out!

5: Make sure you 'dirty out' clothes!  Can you wear those jeans one more time?  Does that jumper really need washing after just one day?  You can reduce the amount of loads of laundry done in a week, and you will help save money, water and energy.

6: Shut your bedroom curtains at dusk to keep the warm air in the room.  Heat escapes quickly through a cold window.

7: Have showers instead or baths.  Limit the time spent in the shower to under 10 minutes.

8: Keep doors shut to keep heat in rooms and stop drafts.  No standing on the doorstep chatting with friends either.  Invite them in or chat outside!

9: Recycle or re-use!  Be sure to think before throwing rubbish in the bin.  Can it be re-used or made into something new?  If not can it be recycled?  Think before you consign anything to landfill!

10: Don't leave taps dripping.  Always give the taps an extra turn!!

One great way to monitor energy consumption in the home is to use a Smart Meter.  British Gas is helping to launch a campaign to educate people about the benefits of having a Smart Meter installed. You can get all the family involved allowing everyone to see, understand and control their energy consumption.  You can see how to reduce the energy you are using and save money in the process.  The UK government has committed to reduce energy usage and has set a target for all UK homes to have a Smart Meter by 2019.  The accuracy that smart meters provide will make it possible to forecast energy use throughout the day, across the country. This means power suppliers can become more efficient in how they generate the nation's power, producing cleaner, greener electricity.

The Smart Meters have great benefits for home owners:

• Smart meters will transform our understanding of energy and how we use it forever 
• For the first time you can see how much gas and electricity you're using as you use it - and how much it's costing
• Knowing more about what you use will help you make changes that could save around 10% on your bills  
• Smart meters means accurate bills and an end to having to submit meter readings

“I'm participating in the British Gas Smart Meter campaign. Smart meters work with an in-home display to show how much energy you're using in pounds and pence. You can see how much you're spending by leaving your phone charger plugged in all the time, or the heating on at night. And when you can really see how much you're using, you can start to make small changes to become more efficient. Smart Meters automatically send British Gas readings so they represent the end of estimated bills! British Gas is committed to install 1.5 million smart meters by the end of 2012. http://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy-efficiency/smart-meters.html "

Kodak Christmas Photo Craft Challenge

We have been challenged to come up with a Christmas craft idea using a precious photo in the Kodak Christmas Photo Craft Challenge with Britmums.  I love using my children's photos and artwork to make personalised gifts for loved ones and in the past have made calendars, T-Shirts, handkerchiefs and canvas bags.  With a printer and specialised art paper, you can be as creative as you like!

One year we made a T-Shirt for Ian with "World's Best Dad" printed underneath a picture of my (then) four children's faces using printed iron on transfer paper.  We made calendars for the grandparents using the same picture printed onto a calendar template then laminated.

 I like to make a Christmas collage capturing our festivities to send as a card to all our loved ones to say thank you for our presents and to show them what we got up to.  Here is last year's collage that we printed onto photo quality A4 paper.  My family all loved receiving them.

 I love having fun with photography and Christmas is a particularly good time to get creative.

This year I'll definitely include a photo taken at Santa's grotto at Dudley Zoo this weekend.  Freddy's look of wonder sums up what Christmas means to me.  The joy of my children.