Motivation Monday- Red Rose Cafe

Whilst on our babymoon in Bruges my husband found this reasonably priced hotel just off the main square, and it had its own bar attached. The hotel has basic amenities & is located a block from the main square down a quite side street- great location. 

The cafe is full of character and it's own intimate ambiance with is dim lighting, small tables and roses dangling from the ceiling. 

They specialise in Trappist beers and every wall is covered with different types of beers to try. This welcoming cosy atmosphere is a great place to spend an evening beer tasting with friends, a loved one or just pop in for a night cap! 

The Red Rose Cafe, Hotel Cordoeanier, Bruges, Belgium. 

Thanksgiving Special Recipe- pumpkin soup

This recipe was given to me by my Aunt, whom picked it up whilst on a 'relly tour' in the north of England. They had a recipe leaflet at their local garden centre. I usually roast pumpkin to add flavour, so I found this method is quite bland making it essential to add the cheese and some savoury spices. It makes six servings for a lunchtime portion, but would stretch to eight if you're using it as a starter for Thanksgiving or a dinner party. 

Serves 6 

1kg skinned pumpkin, cubed

2tbsp rapeseed oil

2 onion, roughly chopped

750ml bouillon vegetable stock 

400ml whole milk 

1/2tsp nutmeg 

1 tbsp cracked black pepper 

200g cheddar, grated 

1. Sautéed pumpkin in oil to soften, about 5 minutes, 

2. add chopped onion and continue to cook until softened. 

3. Add stock, milk, nutmeg, and seasoning, simmer for 20 minutes or until pumpkin fully softened. 

4. Allow to cool slightly before blitzing until puréed 

5. Check seasoning, add grated cheddar and enjoy with fresh bread! 

Sunny Sunday- healthy start

Breakfast smoothie 

2 satsumas 

1 banana 

1 apple 

1 plum 

handful of grapes 

1tbsp crunchy peanut butter 

1/4 c granola 

1/4c milk 

Put them all in a blender & mix until smooth. 

Enjoy immediately! 

Savoury Saturday- Savoy Cabbage Soup

Savoy cabbage soup Ingredients

12 rashers streaky bacon, sliced into 1/4" strips 

2 onions, diced 

4 cloves garlic, pressed 

1 Savoy cabbage

2 carrots, roughly chopped 

2 celery sticks, roughly chopped 

800g potatoes

1.5litres bouillon vegetable stock 

Fry off bacon, onions & garlic

Add celery, then carrots 

Add Savoy cabbage & potatoes

Fill with vegetable stock 

Bring to boil then simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft. 

Blitz with a hand mixer until smooth

Enjoy with fresh bread & butter. 

Bon appetite!  

Thanksgiving Recipe Special- Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Our Thanksgiving Recipe sharing continues and we are so excited to share one of our favourite Fall flavours: Pumpkin Cream Cheese. 

Ingredients 

200g Philadelphia Cream Cheese 

200g Libby's canned pumpkin 

50g Brown sugar 

1/2 tsp Ground ginger

1/2 tsp Ground cloves

1/2 tsp Vanilla essence 

1 tsp Cinnamon 

Beat ingredients together & chill for two hours before spreading on a toasted sesame bagel. Bon appetite!!

Pumpkin cream cheese on a sesame seed bagel

Refrigerate the pumpkin cream cheese in an airtight container. 

Thanksgiving Recipe Special- Pumpkin cupcakes

120g flour 

140g sugar

1 tbsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon 

1/2 tsp ground ginger 

1/2 tsp ground cloves 

Pinch salt 

40g butter, softened 

120ml whole milk 

2 eggs 

200g Libby's pumpkin 

Preheat oven 180C 

1. Put all of the dry ingredients into the bowl and mix in the butter

2. Slowly add milk to the mixture while beating on medium speed

3. Add the eggs and beat well

4. Stir in the pumpkin by hand until all ingredients are combined 

5. Spoon mixture into cupcake cases until 2/3 full

6. Bake about 18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. 

7. Allow to cool completely and top with cream cheese frosting  

Pumpkin batter is quite runny 

My little man found them on the cooling rack & they pass the taste test! 

Feature Friday- Treehouse Study Centre

The Countryside Education Trust has a Treehouse Study Centre based in Beaulieu, New Forest, Hampshire.  Three times a year they host an open day for family and friends of the Trust to come and enjoy a variety of activities and to introduce the public to the facilities and types of activities they have to offer.  

Hay bale petting zoo 

They are open all year round for school outings, education days for children and adults, and short courses.  The facilities are eco-friendly and are available for many types of activities or events. Check out their website for more information about what they have to offer. http://www.cet.org.uk/

Fancy dress station

During the October half term we attended one of the open days.  It was well organised and attended by many young families.  The volunteers were very welcoming and gave clear directions of where to park and enter the Treehouse Study Centre. There were activities for all age groups from one year onwards.  Activities available were colouring, a petting zoo with rabbits and tortoises, a fancy dress photo shoot area, colouring, face painting, story time, make your own music corner, a deer walk, hook a duck and an introduction to pond life. 

Festive hook a duck game 

Adults were charged £3 and children over two years were £2 for entry which went to supporting the Countryside Education Trust.  There was a BBQ area that was cooking burgers and sausages, a tea and cake station set up in one of the tree houses and many families who had brought their own picnic lunches. 

This is a great day out or even a morning or afternoon well spent with children as they are kept busy throughout their visit.