Friday 26 August 2011

Eight and Fifty-six

What is going on?
August is speeding by and I can barely keep up!
Living with a lively five year old keeps me on my toes and we have been enjoying long days out and two big celebrations this past week, with more to come soon (my Mum turns 80 next weekend).



In no particular order we have celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary and Andrew's (56th) birthday.
He looks good on it, hey??
Our wedding anniversary was spent enjoying (vegan) pancakes for breakfast and a lazy family day just hanging out together.
For Andrew's special day we spent time at our friend's beach hut on Mersea Island. The photo above shows his (vegan) chocolate cake, which went down a storm and tasted so good with the sea air. But then doesn't everything taste better with sea air in it?
Frank decorated the top and took great care with the berries and candles.
I went to my first Knitting under the Willow at the Natural Dye Studio in Hollesley, Suffolk and bought some amazing yarn. My friend Jan and I both cast on an Ishbel shawl on the day but I am not convinced I am up to lace knitting yet.
I'll give it a go though.
And the 30 Day Vegan continues.
For a couple of days I had withdrawal symptoms for my strong English tea with milk and then my head cleared and I feel fine.
The course is one I would very highly recommend as it is very supportive and I have to say I have been blown away by how easy I have found the transition.
Heather is very generous with her information and I have learnt to "crowd out" my diet with all the good stuff.
So, rather than focus on what I am not eating I fill my tummy with loads of wholefood goodness!

The blueberry breakfast loaf has been a staple here and I love it with almond butter.
The quinoa tabbouleh is yummy too.
And I have even managed to complete Andrew's Christmas jumper (yes, last Christmas before anyone asks).
I don't think I will go back to tea with milk. I feel so well not eating dairy products that I might just have a little Greek yoghurt (we have a brand here called Total and it's just too yummy to not eat!) and a little cheese here and there. Fish I miss but not as much as I expected.
It is proving a really eye-opening experience and is definitely helping me with my mid-afternoon energy slumps.
The D is mostly behaving itself but it never lets up, does it? The nights are long but I have made my peace with that. It was, however, a bit of a shock to spend time on our wedding anniversary looking at the wedding photos. We each had years and years of good nights' sleep like regular folks and we looked great! Na ja ...
Tomorrow sees the fantabulous return of the Colchester Free Festival so we will be cycling into town to enjoy some kiddo crafts and stories and then some live music from local bands.

Love to you all for a happy and peaceful, and safe if you are on the East coast of the USA, weekend.

5 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday Mr. Muffinmoon..lookin' great!
    I wish I was close by so I could come sample some of that yummy food!! Have you tried unsweetened soy milk in your tea Jules? I like it in my earl grey...

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  2. Recipe for the breakfast loaf please - looks great!

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  3. what a great update. I'd love that recipe, too :) I like Jen enjoy soy in my tea, especially black earl gray on cold night!
    I've been wanting to share with you that I've started my first quilt...nothing fancy, but exciting for me. Now I just hope everything lines up right!
    Take care and Happy Anniversary to you both and Birthday to your guy :)

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  4. Happy 56th! He wears it well. Glad vegan is going well for you. And you are totally right about everything better with sea air in or on it! We have survived Hurricane Irene, it walloped us last night in Philadelphia, but we are all OK. Glad you are well!

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  5. happy anniversary and birthday to andrew, and an early birthday wish for your mum! (my grandma is turning 85 this weekend with a big party). so glad to hear the vegan project is going so well, all that food does look quite yummy!

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