Polly's A-Waffley Bad Blogger...!

Okay, so I'm a bad blogger! I haven't put pen to paper, metaphorically speaking for months on end. Perhaps this has something to do with my return to work back in May? Or maybe I've just lost the knack? Personally I think it's got more to do with my addiction to Facebook!

I tried tweeting for a while. Actually I quite enjoyed writing updates in 140 characters or less, in the beginning, but I soon got bored with it. Facebook is definitely my favourite form of micro-blogging. What I like about it is the fact that it's interactive, whereas blogging tends to attract the occasional remark - if you're lucky! Fair enough, maybe my copy should be more interesting and uplifting, surely if it were I'd get loads of remarks. Wouldn't I?

I don't know the answer to that one. What I do know is that if one neglects their blog, they sooner or later lose their readers. I mean, why on earth would anyone follow a blog that's not active? I know from personal experience that it's easy to lose interest if your favourite blogger doesn't blog - I won't mention any names, but the guilty will probably know exactly who they are! Anyway, enough of the waffle...

Speaking of which Lidl, the eponymous discount store ran a special on waffle makers a while ago. Seeing as I am a big fan of these light, fluffy batter confections I rushed home with one and eagerly made up my first batch. The result? Absolutely revolting, they ended up in the bin!

Luckily my now 13year old LB took matters into his own hands recently. Having demanded that I Google 'the perfect waffle recipe' a simple breakfast waffle was chosen from the Mr Breakfast.com site. As luck would have it the recipe was entitled Best Ever Waffles Ever and my kitchen turned happily into an impressionist version of the preverbial bombsite.

The inaugural waffle was dreadful. So much so that even the dogs turned their noses up at it! This was probably something to do with the fact that the recipe site had suggested the waffle maker wouldn't need to be oiled. I'd passed this information on without first checking the instruction booklet and true to form the first waffle had stuck, burnt to a crisp and failed to rise. Plus it was raw in the middle!

Having very carefully de-crisped the machine with a sharp knife (not to be recommended), placed some damp kitchen towel between the irons and steamed the mess off, LB tried again. Only this time he lightly oiled the irons...

Best Waffles Ever (5 servings)

• 1 and 3/4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 beaten egg yolks
• 1 and 3/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 egg whites - beaten stiffly

Mix all dry ingredients. Combine yolks and milk. Stir into dry ingredients. Stir in oil and mix. GENTLY fold in beaten egg whites, do not over mix.

Pour about 1/2 cup at a time into waffle iron.

 

The result: wonderful! Well, nearly wonderful. Considering that my youngest chose to follow the recipe to the letter, using a small blue and white cup rather than a proper measuring cup, plus the fact that he beat the egg yolks and stirred in the whites it was a specially good attempt at making waffles.

Okay, the mistake with the eggs might have resulted in disaster, but, thankfullyt it didn't. So what if the resultant waffles were a little, well, flat! Served on their own they were delicious. Served with maple syrup they were divine. My only complaint? I'd to share them with the rest of the family...

Sadly there are no photos. This is due to the fact that Miss Piggy here ate them all before it was possible to get any shots in. Needless to say, LB's discovered a new family favourite and the fun hasn't stopped there and for some strange reason I seem to have put a few pounds on over the holiday season.

Polly's A Thrifty Mammy

Thrifty Mammy Deborah recently resurrected her blogging expertise to bring us a great site full of tips and tricks on how to get by in comfort during these troubled economic times. With favourites such as Lidl and Aldi ranking highly on her list of crucial buys Deborah presents delights such as home-made bacon rashers to menu planning this lady certainly knows her onions.

In addition to this Deborah's site is jam packed with tasty but frugal recipes suitable for a family with young children. Reading her shopping list can be quite a revelation, because for the most part there is very little unusual listed on it. Perhaps this is due to her Irish-American background or maybe she just has more in the way of imagination than most, but this lady is a dab hand with the slow cooker and menu planning. She is a breath of fresh air, not least because she is based here in Ireland which makes her advice so much more worthwhile for the likes of you and me...

Like it or loathe, it our present economic climate presents us with opportunities to rediscover the simple pleasures of home cooked food, rather than fast mass produced factory food. If you read Deborah's regular updates and take them to heart there is no reason why you too shouldn't be eating like a king on a paupers wages! But hang on just one moment, Deborah doesn't stop at food.

She also gives some great advice on how to make a few extra bob to spend on 'lidl treats' such as holidays or even your common or ordinary dvd rental. Check out this Thrifty Mammy's site and let me know what you think

Polly Promotes Lidl & Good Heart Health

If the print on this appears too small to read, please click on the poster and you will be transported to the Lidl website where you will find more details...

Spend €10 or more on fruit and veg and we donate 10% to the Irish Heart Foundation For more information click on: http://www.lidl.ie/ie/home.nsf/pages/c.service.sort.charity.charity

Polly's Arctic Bunny Suit

OOooh! There's so much to do and so little time to do it in. Last week in the run up to the half-term break I had visions of spending long hours in the house with the two boys finally rescuing it from the quagmire of accoutrement's built up over the years. Like all good magpie's we live in the middle of a pile of clutter which we simply cannot bear to part with; perhaps this is the reason for the various members of the crow family building their nests within spitting distance of the house...

What I wouldn't give for a visit from Aggie and Kim to de-clutter and deep clean all those hidden corner's for me! Meanwhile the fantasy continues in the form of a written contract binding my eldest dear son to my side for the whole of this week; in performing his various neglected chores - without protestation - our nest will soon be ready for decorating. Once this is done we'll be out of the CHAOS phase of our lives and he'll be able to invite his friends over. Hardy, ha, ha - LOL!

CHAOS is an acronym coined by Marla Cilley - otherwise known as Fly Lady. It represents that horror of horror that all teenager's are so prone to; which is the double standard of can't be bothered + won't be bothered but want my friends over too = Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome!

The news so far is poor. BB has finally completed the extra-delightful task of providing his pet ferret with a clean and warm environment for the winter; lucky thing! He was also persuaded to bring in fuel for the in the stove; LB was coerced into taking the ashes out and the result was that the fire was lit hours later than intended - at nearly 7.30pm!

Meanwhile, Mum; the intrepid Scouter was lounging on the sofa in the sitting room complaining of stomach cramps and abdominal tenderness. The kids have diagnosed appendicitis; personally I think it probably has more to do with the copious amounts of draught Guinness consumed at Ms T's hen party & Mr T's stag party on Saturday night.

That wouldn't have presented too much of a problem; except for the fact that by 1pm Sunday; I was on my way to Charleville Estate for a winter camp with the Scouts! Yes folks, it was -2C on Sunday night and we'd no running water or toilet facilities; let alone central heating or electric blankets to keep us warm...

It was about 1am when eventually my tired body decided to call it a night. My feet were warmish; so I was alright for the night! Mr B; in the adjacent tent was much the same as myself - only he took his socks off! I replaced mine with wool, angora and Lycra thermals purchased in Lidl on Thursday. In fact my whole body was swathed in fluffy bunny; I was lovely and warm - that is until I started to fall asleep...

By 4am I could tell that Ms M was awake; the rubbing noises coming from her double layered sleeping bags were a dead give-away. That was my opportunity to rustle my way quietly into the huge over sized bin liner called a survival bag; while she tip-toed out into the cold, cold field in her bare feet.

Happily my rustling had relieved one bladder and brought warmth to another pair of feet in the next tent; yes I'd also woken Mr B! As the two of them rustled their way into their respective space blankets I snacked as quietly as possible on a chocolate digestive biscuit to quell my rumbling tummy. Soon I luxuriated in a rosy glowing sensation; then sleep finally took over...

Would I do it again? The answer has to be a definite "Yes!" The kids had a great time; and yes they too were cold; although they got to snuggle into one another like kittens in a basket! It was an experience and it was fun. We'll all be better prepared for the conditions next time; ie I've already put a new four seasons sleeping bag on my list for Christmas - my existing one is as old as the hills and needs to be retired!

Next time we'll all remember to bring the magic ingredients for our supper and an extra layer of clothing for warmth; but hey we survived this camp and we'll be recovered from it by the time the kids go back to school!

Like I said, so much to do and so little time to do it! One thing I have noticed though; is that I am much tidier at home in the immediate aftermath of a camp; so much so that I was able to work at the kitchen table yesterday afternoon. Things are looking up; and even though yesterday was definitely a day for pj's and sweats, I got so much more done - just because I'd tidied the kitchen upon my return from our Arctic exploration...

I somehow doubt that my fantasy of being able to redecorate the house at the end of the half-term break will be realised. The week is already half gone; the rest of it filled with social engagements galore including breakfast BNI meetings; overnight ghost hunting at Charleville Castle on Halloween followed by a 50th birthday party...

At least the kitchen is tidier and my 'Appendicitis' symptoms should by well on the way to recovery by then; just in time for the next round!Meanwhile; we continue to live in a state of organised CHAOS. I continue to build my empire from the kitchen table and fantasize about paying someone to come in and do the rest for me!

Anyway, that's a quick overview of the past week from your favourite card making Scouter! I've got to go and ring Martin and confirm my participation in Friday's adventure now; wish us luck...

Polly Pierce
Hand-Made Greeting Cards & Wedding Stationary

Polly Whines

As some of you undoubtedly know by now I recently attended The Midlands Bridal & Debs Exhibition at Charleville Castle; not as a visitor but as an exhibitor. I had a great time and left with plenty of ideas and big hopes for orders in the future.

© Lily O'Brien

As far as my stand goes, aside from having a superb product to show off I took my new best friend; Lily O'Brien with me. Or perhaps I should say some of her lovely chocolates which I offered

to my visitor's as brides bribes; excuse the accidental pun! Suffice to say; my table was very popular, not least because I was the only stationer present!

On Saturday evening; on my way home from the expo I called into my favourite shop, ie Lidl. As I had worked hard all afternoon; I'd decided to treat myself to a glass of wine to finish the evening off and this shop has a great collection of Spanish wines to choose from. Imagine my delight when their 'Barcelino' oak aged Barrica from Catalunya was on offer at just €5.99...


Needless to say I picked up two bottles. One I shared with my Mom the following evening; alongside Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding; and guess what? She loves it too! The other took pride of place at home and was shared with a thirsty farmer when eventually he got home from working on this years late harvest.

I am also pleased to be able to report that my local Lidl had some of their Lord Nelson teas left in stock. I had first encountered these on the Lidl Treats blog a couple of weekends ago and pounced on the opportunity to test them. As they had had such a good write up, my expectations were high and I was delighted to discover that these inexpensive treats were every bit as good as hoped for.


Even LB has discovered their delights. He has been plying me with huge quantities of the softly coloured beverage in the hopes of usurping me from my place at the computer this week. The poor lad wasn't in the best of health last week; suffering with one of those infernal bugs which does the rounds at this time of the year.

© lidltreats.com 2008

Despite returning to school on Monday; he's been off again this week following his withdrawal from a cross country race at our local Harrier's club. He's not quite well enough to be in school and he's not quite ill enough to be at home; suffering badly with boredom!

To make matter's worse; BB has also been off colour this week. He had his Tetanus booster injection the other day and appears to have suffered some of the unfortunate side-effects, including cherry red face, bodily aches and pains and a tomato sized lump on his left upper arm which is very sore. The delights of preventative medicine!

Today both of these guy's are a lot better and have taken to driving one another mad; and me in the process. Doubtless they're still not fit enough to return to school today; but you can't blame a gal for wishing!

So, that's enough from me; and anyway I think I can smell pancakes in the distance! LB has obviously decided to focus his energies in the kitchen for the time being...

Bon Appetit

Polly Pierce
Purveyor of Fine Irish Hand Made Wedding Stationary & Greeting Cards

The Day Before - The Morning After!

This week has been the most peculiar week. Instead of our regular Scout meeting on Monday night; we had the annual AGM. This took place later & finished much earlier than our usual session. The result being that none of the parents wanted to put in too much work & I am now the Vice Chairperson of the 1st & 10th Tullamore Scouts. Hmmm!

Upon my return home; I then sat until the small wee hours of the morning making jewelery, ieearrings x 3 pairs, one long beaded necklace and a small bracelet. As LB wasn't prepared to part with any of his treasured possessions at the school bring and buy sale; it all came back to Mum! Oh, and Gran! In all honesty, it was nice to be able to contribute something for a change; as the past few years have seen this annual event come and go before I was eventually informed of it. Last year both of the boys were given money to spend by one of the teachers; €3.00 each?! If only someone had bothered to tell me about it, before the grand event had taken place...

Between us we managed to cobble together a few more bits and pieces. You know the sort of thing, a tea pot which is too big and doesn't strain the leaves, a pretty little rice bowl, some gorgeous 80's handbags reminiscent of big shoulders and hair and a lovely headscarf too. My mum also tried to give away some of my childhood treasures, only to have them confiscated by me! Of course, if they were that important they should go up to my house, which is only fair...

Otherwise Tuesday was a relatively uneventful day. The regular jaunt into town to drop LB off at his Cubs meeting was un-necessary as I had cleverly fixed up for the poor child to be dropped & collected by DG. This was sensibly used as an excuse to stock up the Christmas wine cellar, as DG arrived home with armfuls of festive cheer; bought at a reduced price in our local supermarket. Two of those bottles turned out to be my favourite Spanish wine, cleverly purchased at our local branch of Lidl; who just happen to have a good selection.

Wednesday: oh my goodness! Wednesday turned into the most peculiar of days; perhaps I ought to say nights! I found it difficult to motivate myself and get going. I had spent the previous night finishing off some of my famous Christmas cards, having already announced that they were pretty much sorted I decided that they weren't and so spent the majority of Tuesday night scrunched up in a ball putting the finishing touches to them.

is indeed a Anyway, by the time Wednesday morning came I was in agony! It really doesn't do for me to be in contortions on my bed, for any reason. My left hip and leg were complaining loudly while the opposite neck and shoulder joined in the chorus. Were it not for the fact that I had the scouts meeting in the evening I would have been in bed really early; still duty calls and a commitmentcommitment.