Well that was 2011!

It has passed in a blink of an eye and a constant flurry of activities.  2011, has been a great year! My family have continued to make me proud and are my greatest joy and achievement. Freddy has grown into a bright and gorgeous toddler (with a Diva-ish penchant for dancing in his big sister's dresses!)  Kizzy is thriving at school and has enjoyed taking part in the Gifted and Talented programme.  Ella's musical talents continue to astound me with her beautiful guitar playing and vocals.  Megan is doing so well applying for Graduate schemes ready for September. Joe has been promoted at work with his new post starting in January.  But 2011 has been a great year for me personally too!  My blog has continued to present me with amazing opportunities and I have been amazed at how much it has evolved over the last 12 months. Here are some of my highlights of the year.

My success with my weightloss has seen me have photoshoots for The Sun and Top Sante and I have appeared in the Mail Online.  I was the runner-up in the Slimpod Slimmer of the Year competition which was a huge honour, after shedding 3 stone with the Lose 2 Jeans Sizes Slimpod!  This year I want to lose another stone and maintain a comfortable size 12.  That will be a huge achievement and will make me truly believe that I have completely kicked the yoyo diet habits forever.  I am forever indebted to the wonderful Sandra Roycroft-Davis who I have met on numerous occasions this year.

Top Sante shoot by Thomas Skovsende

In 2011 I have been a Craniac for John Crane, a Graco Ambassador and a Toys R Us Toyologist. I have worked with some great companies including UK Mums TV, Aldi, Regis, Pampers, Warner Bros, P&O, Quinny, Next and Ubisoft.  I love working closely with brands that I believe in.  It is an amazing opportunity to test out products and attend events, and share my thoughts on my blog.

In 2011 I enjoyed going to Cybermummy along with fellow ambassador Emma representing Graco.  With a hire car from Hyundai and Lou as my co-pilot we had a great time meeting fellow bloggers and learning a thing or two about the blogging world.  I even won the passport competition, winning a weekend at The Four Seasons Hotel.  Above all though, attending this event was a huge achievement for me.  Just a few months prior to this, I would never have dreamt that I would be able to drive all the way to London and stay in a hotel on my own without Ian by my side.  This was a real test for me and my self-confidence...and I've not looked back since!

Feeling like an official Blogger at Cybermummy

I took Kizzy to the Hexbugs Bedbugs Sleepover at London Zoo.  It was amazing sleeping on the floor of a bug house alongside ants and cockroaches after having a private tour of the zoo by torchlight.  We went with Helen and her daughter Hanna who were perfect company.

Meeting a Tarantula at London Zoo

The Next event to preview the SS12 range was a wonderful, child friendly affair where we were thoroughly spoiled!  I had some photos taken of Freddy which I absolutely love.  I'm proud to be part of the Next Blogger Network and would love to work with them again in 2012.

Fred modelling his Next jeans (Next jumper was removed prior to photoshoot!)

I guest edited Real People which was a real highlight of the year and got to produce a two page spread that appeared in the magazine.  It was an amazing experience that gave me the chance to recommend some of my favourite blogs and top toys.

My Real People pages!

Attending the Tots 100 Butlins Christmas Party was a wonderful opportunity to combine blogging with my family, as me, Ian and the kids descended on the Bognor Regis resort.  I had a really great time catching up with favourite online friends and spending some quality pre-Christmas fun with my family.  Thanks again to Sally!

Our Tree Decorating Team at Butlins

The Rachel's Organic event at Buxted Park Hand Picked Hotel was another wonderful opportunity.  We watched top chef Lucy Hyder prepare dishes using Rachel's products before being treated to a sumptuous four course meal in the 5* restaurant.  The hotel was exquisite, the company was superb and the food was out of this world.

Me and Lucy Hyder of Buxted Park.

I have enjoyed family outings to zoos, safari parks, theme parks, Blackpool dungeons and events such as Bob's Big Build (where we enjoyed a marvellous breakfast on board a Clipper alongside Danielle, Helen and families before arriving at the O2 for lots of Bob related fun!).  Sharing the benefits of blogging with the children and Ian is a real bonus, making the hours spent tapping away on my laptop worthwhile.  The children have also relished the opportunity of being my Tiny Testers, helping me with my reviews.  I couldn't have done it without them!

Kizzy at Bob's Big Build

What a great year 2011 has been!  Here's hoping that 2012 is going to be as successful, eventful and fun for us all!  I hope to see many more of you in 2012...our community is a wonderful place and I am honoured to be a part of it!  Happy New Year! xxx

Orange and Lavender Steamed Pudding Recipe

As part of my Rachel's and Hand Picked Hotels' Cookery and Dining Experience, I attended a Cookery Demonstration with Head Chef Lucy Hyder at Buxted Park Hotel.  She prepared a three course meal that incorporated Rachel's products.  The starter was a Poached Lobster Salad with Lobster Brulee and Lobster Jelly. As a vegetarian I did not sample it but the skill involved was very impressive.  The main was a Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Couscous.  Again, I wasn't about to eat lamb, but the Couscous was divine!  Lucy used Micro-Herbs as salad garnish.  The tiny Coriander Leaves were so fresh, fragrant and delicious, and so tender. Micro-herbs are a new culinary sensation...look out for them!!

The dessert recipe I'm sharing with you is completely vegetarian and very yummy.  It is for  an Orange and Lavender Steamed Pudding which was served with a simple but divine Rachel's Yoghurt Sorbet.

Ingredients (serves 6)
100g butter
150g sugar
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
200g SR flour
1-2 tblspn milk
1 tsp lavender flowers
4 tblspns Seville Marmalade

Method


Beat the butter and sugar until white.  Add egg by egg until fluffy.  Fold in flour and lavender.

Place 1 Tblspn of marmalade in the bottom of individual buttered and floured moulds.  Three quarter fill with cake mix.  Steam for 20 minutes (or microwave individually if you cheat like I do!!)

Serve with Rachel's Yoghurt Sorbet (made in an ice cream maker using 100ml of milk, 300g of sugar, 1l of Rachel's Natural Yogurt, Juice of 2 Lemons and glucose syrup.)

Eat and enjoy...I did!!  The lavender gave a subtle floral flavour that elevated the pudding into something really unique.  It completed the marmalade really well.  The sorbet was gorgeous and offset the bitterness of the marmalade perfectly.

My "Moment" with Rachel's and Hand-Picked Hotels

Sometimes in life, perfect pairings are created...such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, strawberries and cream or Brad and Angelina.  One other such perfect pairing that has recently come to my attention is the delightful union of Hand Picked Hotels and Rachel's Organic!

Culinary expert and Hand Picked Hotel's Head Chef Lucy Hyder has partnered with Rachel's as part of their "Moments" campaign.  Celebrating that moment in the day when you can relax and unwind with your favourite, luxurious Rachel's Organic product, the "Moments" campaign asks us to reflect on that special time when time stands still and we can enjoy an oasis of calm in the storm of our hectic day!

I was absolutely over the moon to be chosen to enjoy my own special moment with Rachel's and Hand Picked Hotels, when I was invited to the sumptuous 4* Buxted Park Hotel in East Sussex for an exclusive cookery and dining experience to help celebrate the partnership.

I am already a big fan of Rachel's.  I love their passion and commitment to producing gorgeous organic products in harmony with nature. Ever since reviewing a selection of Rachel's products back in March, the brand has been a firm family favourite.  The superior tasting dairy products made with love and the company ethos make Rachel's a quality brand with a big heart.

Hand Picked Hotels boast seventeen superb country house hotels throughout the UK, Scotland and Jersey, where elegant architecture and exquisite interiors blend seamlessly with modern comforts and technology and you are encouraged to kick off your shoes, feel at home and relax.  They stand at the forefront of a renaissance in fine British hospitality.  These hotels are built for pleasure and enjoyment with attentive friendly staff who really care.  They offer a fine dining  experience with emphasis on sourcing local produce where possible, creating a better quality and flavour of food made with creative passion and culinary flair.  Combining such luxury with the relaxed atmosphere of home is a perfect combination for those of us who enjoy the finer things in life without any pretensions.

It makes perfect sense that these two brands, who do so much to indulge us in blissful "me time",  should go hand in hand!  A perfect pairing indeed!

On October 5th, I drove the 4 hours down to East Sussex accompanied by my eldest daughter Megan to be guests at Buxted Park Hotel with Rachel's.  From the moment I arrived at my VIP parking space in the courtyard I knew I was in for something special.  When we were shown to the King George V Suite, our home for the night, my feelings were confirmed! This two roomed suite was fit for royalty!  Antique furnishings, original features, works of art, a marble fireplace and outstanding views of the estate make this a truly indulgent experience.  But there is no feeling of intimidation...it is relaxing, homely and comfortable.

Buxted Park Hotel

Our view of some of Buxted Park's 312 acres!

We were treated to a cocktail reception and an introductory presentation in the hotel's cinema.  From there we made our way into the kitchens to enjoy a cookery demonstration with Head Chef Lucy Hyder.  She was amazing.  A visionary who transforms simple, quality ingredients into outstanding dishes where textures and flavours combine to deliver a contemporary gourmet meal.  She was down to earth, with a passion for home cooked comfort foods and home grown, seasonal produce. Her attitude to sustainability was wholesome and honest and I loved how she spoke so passionately about food.  Lucy has created some inspiring recipes using Rachel's Organic Yogurts that she demonstrated to us.  Gourmet Cookery Schools are held at the Buxted Park Hotel where you can learn the tips of the trade needed to cook gourmet dinner party dinners at home.

Lucy Hyder (and me!)

I will be sharing a recipe from Lucy Hyder using Rachel's Organic yogurt in another blog post coming soon!

Using Rachel's Natural Yogurt on Lamb Tagine

In the evening we gathered in the Crystal Bar for exquisite canapes and champagne.  From there we made our way into the sophisticated and contemporary Dining Room where we ate from the bespoke Rachel's Menu.  We were served food matched wines throughout and were overwhelmed by the amazing dining experience that we were given.

Vegetarian Canapes

Gazpacho, Celery Sorbet and Vodka Jelly

Goat's Cheese Risotto and Cherry Tomatoes with Balsamic Glaze

Mediterranean Vegetable Pave with Chick Pea and Apricot Cassoulet

Cranberry Sorbet

Chocolate and Almond Tart with Apricot Sorbet

I can honestly say I have never enjoyed a dining experience like this in my life...it was exquisite.  The vegetarian options were inspired.  The flavours in each dish worked so well together. I was really blown away by the attention to detail, the skill and the craftsmanship involved in the production of this meal.  My compliments to the chef Lucy Hyder and her team!!

Check out the Hand Picked Hotels website for details of locations, dining experiences, events and special offers available at the seventeen locations.

Go to the Rachel's Facebook Page for a great competition...just share your moment and create your very own pot!  Here's mine!

Find out more about Rachel's on the website. Look out for the Rachel's new TV ad too!

**The experience was completely complimentary...I feel so privileged to have had my moment with Rachel's and Hand Picked Hotels! It was wonderful! **