Hello,
Today I am sharing with you my first blog in 'My Planting Series'. I have decided to start with Butternut Squash. I love buying Butternut Squash in the supermarket and making risotto, soup and pasta sauce out of this vegetable. Butternut Squash is rich in Vitamin A. It is a creamy vegatable that little ones love to eat. This vegetable is an interesting and tasty addition to the standard vegetables and it offers many uses in cookery. Butternut Squash is easy to grow, needs no great expertise for success.
See below the full health benifits of the Butternut Squash;
One cup of Butternut squash, cooked, baked, drained with no added salt has 1.84 grams protein and 82 calories.
Butternut Squash are heavy feeding plants. they grow quickly and use large amounts of nutrients from the soil and alot of water. The ideal place to plant your Squash is an area fully open to sunshine with good shelter. The soil should be rich. Every year we get a truck load of horse manure from our neighbouring horse Stud Farm. This really enriches our raised beds, it is great for ensuring good home grown veggies!
You should sow your your Butternut Squash seeds in late April or early May. I had mine inside by a large window that gets alot of sun. If you have a greenhouse even better. These plants cannot tolerate frost. Sow each seed, on its edge, in a good sized pot to avoid potting on. Be careful not to over water, as this can cause the seed to rot. Allow the compost to dry abit before watering, but do not delay watering at the same time.
Planting out your Butternut Squash
Harden off the seedlings towards the end of May or early June and plant outside after a few warm days. The planting site should be well prepared with compost and manure. Set the plant on a slight mound, about 25 centimetres from the plant to allow the watering layer. If the plant is a bit floppy, a light cane can be used to secure it against wind damage.
Aftercare
Allow the plant to settle and do not water until it has hardened and settled fully. Watch out for slug and snails! When the plant begins to grow, it will grow very fast. The Butternut Sqash plant takes up alot of space. Butternut Squash seeds can send out vines up to 15 feet long!! If cultivated and maintained properly each seed could potentially yield 10-20 squashes. Allow the squashes to continue to ripen into October, then they will begin to colour and our ready to be picked.
Enjoy planting amd growing. I love this time of the year, getting all the seeds growing and the great hope for lots of home grown vegetables at the other side. My children love to help maintain the plants by watering everyday. They love nothing more than the excitment of spotting the vegetables arriving!
Don't forget you can keep up to date with Countryside Mumsie on our social media accounts facebook and instagram.
Thanks for reading,
Hey Guys,
So Aldi had their first day today of their Special Buys/ Baby Event. I have always picked up some great baby bits in Aldi, I think their nappies and wipes are brilliant.
Here is what I got for the girls today.
As we do alot of Arts & Crafts at home I thought I would get great use out of the PVC tablecloth. It is at a great price at 4.99e. It comes in 3 different / cute patterns. We tried it out with some painting this evening, good quality. A must for any home with small kiddies.
Check it out here;
The pattern I chose below. Good for my two year old's vocabulary too, she enjoyed naming out all the things she saw!
On the table;
The drinking beakers at 3.49e are handy and don't spill or leak, we checked! A few colours to pick from. Have grips on them to help small hands.
I go swimming with the girls at least 2/3 times a week. We are all members in our local hotel/leisure facility so it's a great activity/option to have to keep us busy and avoid the dreaded cabin fever. As my youngest still wears nappies that means we go through a lot of swim nappies. I spotted these washable swim nappies that keep in all accidents due to the elasticated sides. At 5.99e they are worth trying out, especially as summer is coming which means holidays, beach trips and playing in the paddle pool in the garden. The design is cute with unicorns, there was also a boy design option. Various sizes available.
Pick up these nappy sacks, they are much better than the Tesco ones! 1.39e
Did anyone else head to Aldi today? Love to hear what you picked up. There was some great things there. If you were pregnant it would be a good place to start shopping. Here is the link to everything they have in the Special Buy/Baby Event;
https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/thur-21-apr/
Don't forget you can keep up to date with Countryside Mumsie on our social media accounts facebook and instagram.
Thanks for reading,
Hey Guys,
So recently I decided to invest in some really good porcelain cookware from a brand called Revol. Check out their website here;
http://revol-porcelaine.fr/en/materials/from-white-porcelain/
It is of very high quality and due to this has great performance, dinners I have tried so far taste great when cooked in them. The modern design and colours used by Revol appealed to me as I felt they fitted well with the modern style kitchen that I have.
The first recipe that I tried out in my new Revol Tagine was 'Moroccan Lamb with Sweet Potato and Raisins'. Recipe below. If you don't have a Tagine a normal casserole dish is perfect to use. Give this a go, fabulous dish to indulge in on a Sunday!
Here is the new cookware;
Ingredients
1/4 cup of Olive oil
700g diced lamb
3 red onions, 1 sliced and 2 chopped
2 garlic cloves crushed
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp Fennel seeds
1 cinnamon stick
1 Bay Leaf
A Can of Tomatoes
375g or two small sweet potatoes into 3cm chunks
4 tbsp Raisins
4 tbsp chopped Dates
500ml of Chicken Stock
Sea Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Bunch of Chopped Coriander
Method
1. Coat the bottom of the dish with olive oil. Spread the sliced red onion on the base of the Tagine.
2. In a bowl, combine the lamb, spices, remaining red onion, chopped coriander, garlic and remaining olive oil, mix well. Season this with salt and pepper. Pile into the middle of the Tagine.
3. Arrange sweet potato in the dish.
4. Pour in your can of tomatoes and stock and sprinkle over fruit (Dates and Raisins)
5. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer for 3 hours or until the lamb is tender.
Then serve, we used pittas and Greek yogurt. Cous Cous would also go very well with this.
It was just Yum!! :-)
Give it a go!
Don't forget you can keep up to date with Countryside Mumsie on our social media accounts facebook and instagram.
Thanks for reading,
Orla & Kerri X
Hey Guys,
Today I am blogging about my new car. These days I wholely commute without fossil fuels!! I am very proud to be able to say that!! I recently purchased a Nissan Leaf which is a 100% Electric Car.
This car in term of performance is brilliant. It is surprisingly quick. Acceleration between 0km/h and roughly 100km/m. The Leafs power train is comprised of 48 laminated compact lithium ion batteries and a motor that can churn out C02. Therefore sits in the lowest tax band at just 120 euro a year.
Electric cars have no gears so getting used to an automatic and getting to 120km/h was a pretty surreal experience for me at the start, I've gotten used to it all too easily now!!
I am now a tech expert due to the Leaf. It starts up with the touch of one button. The key can be in your handbag, saves me time finding them in my work/gym or changing bag! The car will also lock if the key is in close proximity, unreal! I was forever spending five minutes trying to find the keys at the end of my bag! In the car is a display that informs you how far you can go on the map before you need to recharge your car, it will inform you of your battery level also. I have an App on my phone that allows me to turn on the heated seats, heated steering wheel, A/C and heating from my bed! No more freezing cars in the morning. No more getting the kettle out to defrost the windscreen! Love it!
I like the interior of the Leaf. It is comfortable and we can easily fit a four person family, buggy and shopping. I love the futuristic exterior look of this car, I am delighted I got it in White, I personally think it is very stylish. The car is very quite when A/C is turned off.
I got a charge point installed at my house. ESB did so free of charge. I find the charging so easy. Just have to remember to charge it daily like my mobile phone. When I get home I must plug it in for the next day. I haven't forgotten yet or been caught out with no battery. Full charge at home is about 6 hours and this will give me average 140km. If you charge the Leaf at a public 'Fast Charge' point it takes roughly 30 minutes for 80% battery. There is a 'Fast Charge' point in Adare by the Heritage Centre. I park up and go for a coffee in The Good Room Cafe while my car charges free of charge! No petrol costs anymore! Seriously are you not on the way to test drive one already? I love owning an Electric Car. The Leaf genuinely fits in very well with my lifestyle. I am delighted I took the leap and purchased an Electric Car.
Don't forget you can keep up to date with Countryside Mumsie on our social media accounts facebook and instagram.
Thanks for reading,
Orla & Kerri X
Hey Guys,
So M&S online are currently having a 50% sale. Here are my top picks for kids wear. Certainly have a look, their kids clothes are fab, great quality and wash very well. I am a big fan!!
Girls
A Lovely Spring/Summer 3 piece set
Click here to see;
http://www.marksandspencer.ie/3-Piece-Top%2C-Shorts-Tights-Outfit-%281-7-Years%29/P22429097,en_IE,pd.html?dwvar_P22429097_color=R4&start=
I find M&S fantastic for PJ's and dressing gowns. They have lots of lovely designs. They are always really comfortable for little ones.
This two pack set is now at a great price;
http://www.marksandspencer.ie/2-Pack-Pure-Cotton-Assorted-Pyjamas/P22422516,en_IE,pd.html?dwvar_P22422516_color=ZZ&start=
I love this Spring/Summer jacket for the young fashionista.
Check it out;
http://www.marksandspencer.ie/Faux-Suede-Fringe-Jacket-%285-14-Years%29/P22435490,en_IE,pd.html?dwvar_P22435490_color=VS&start=
My last girl pick is a real kids wardrobe basic, both my girls have one and they are very handy for playground trips as the weather improves. This one is very pretty and comes with a fur hood for added warmth.
Click to see it;
http://www.marksandspencer.ie/Showerproof-Padded-Thermal-Gilet-%285-14-Years%29/P22390508,en_IE,pd.html?dwvar_P22390508_color=XM&start=
Boys
This boy's gilet is at a great price @ 9.50e and is fur lined!
To purchase click;
http://www.marksandspencer.ie/Showerproof-Padded-Hooded-Fleece-Lined-Gilet-%281-7-Years%29/P22390233,en_IE,pd.html?dwvar_P22390233_color=F0&start=
I am back to dressing gowns now for boys, these are adorable!
For the Spider man fans;
For the yeti monster fans;
So adorable and super fluffy;
http://www.marksandspencer.ie/Anti-Bobble-Yeti-Hooded-Dressing-Gown-%281--8-Years%29/P22420466,en_IE,pd.html?dwvar_P22420466_color=T4&start=
Don't forget you can keep up to date with Countryside Mumsie on our social media accounts facebook and instagram.
Thanks for reading!
Orla & Kerri Xx
Hey Guys,
As it is World Book Day I said I would share what we have been reading;
I recently purchased this great book collection from Julia Donaldson on Amazon. It is a brilliant collection and at a great price. I've seen one of these books at my local book shop for sale at 18e!! This collection is a steal!
Now most of you mum's will have certainly come across Julia Donaldson before, most likely through The Gruffalo. She has written many children's books. They are all so catchy! My girls can remember text very easily from her books due to the rhyming techniques she uses. The illustrations are fab too, your young reader will really love them. You know what? I love reading them out loud too! Main favourites in our house are The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child, Room on the Broom, A Squash and A Squeeze, George The Giant and Paper Dolls. I know, so many favourites!
You can also get the short film of some of these books, the BBC recently produced them. I have seen them and they are lovely, well worth a watch.
Here is the link to purchase the collection;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1509801251
As an English teacher I see daily the importance of reading and getting children enthusiastic about books as early as possible. We don't go to bed without a story or two in our house, it's part of the bedtime routine.
Each of my girls have their own book shelf, they enjoy that they have their own books and respect them. We get great mileage out of books and even play bookshop regularly!
Let me know if you have this collection?
What is the favorite Donaldson book in your house?
Don't forget you can keep up to date with Countryside Mumsie on our social media accounts facebook and instagram.
Thanks for reading!
Orla & Kerri Xx
Hey Guys,
We all love and deserve a nice treat every so often, any excuse really! Some things I love about Valentine's Day;
THE MEAL
This year we have booked dinner in 1826 on the Main Street of Adare in Co Limerick. I am really looking forward to having dinner here with my husband to celebrate Valentine's Day. Fabulous food in a great location.
THE FLOWERS
He always gets them and I always love receiving them, Roses. Wouldn't be Valentines Day without them!
THE PERFUME
I adore Chanel No 5 always have , always will!
THE CARD
This year I bought my Valentine Card from LAINEY K. She just launched a new Valentine's Day collection and I fell in love with it. It is quirky, made in Ireland and will put a smile on anyone's face. Check out her Valentine range here;
http://bit.ly/LAINEYKVALDAY
Don't forget you can keep up to date with Countryside Mumsie on our social media accounts facebook and instagram.
Thanks for reading,
Orla & Kerri xx
