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Another Christmas down and while it’s been great to be with the family, we had many a sicknesses! First Micah and his croupy cough. Then Jonah got a fever with a cough where he slept most of Christmas day and Boxing day. He missed Christmas dinner the poor boy. Now its Ezra’s turn for being feverish and has a bad cough too. So far Noah hasn’t been too bad and neither has Andy. I on the other hand had a bad head cold Christmas Eve and went to bed at 10:30 so I could get some extra sleep which seemed to help.

*Listening to Nana give directions for her version of pass the parcel*

The boys received lots of lego (Cars 2, Pirates of the Carribean, Star Wars and Kingdoms). I got some great warm slippers and 2 books. Andy got a book and new trainers. =)

*lego*

Best of all our car got fixed today!! We broke down 30 minutes from the ferry port in Scotland and a kind man towed us to the port. We had to get towed onto the boat, off the boat in Belfast and then Paul and Jo came to collect us and tow us to Cleveley. We found a mechanic that was open with some openings and it all ok now!! Yea =)

*brothers*

Well I hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas and that you will all have a super wonderful New Years!!

*sick babies*

*scooters*

We finally made the purchase and got ourselves some wood flooring!! Here is the start of it all:

Our first few rows:

Hard at work:

Looking good:

Nearly finished floor and the CHRISTmas trees new home!

Table now at front of lounge….just trying some new things!

We are nearly finished the lounge. The only thing we haven’t done is the last strip as that is where the door is and the edges will need some time and patience to cut and shape right! So Friday is Andy’s last day of school for the year and we have until the Wednesday before we go to Belfast for CHRISTmas. We plan on doing the hallway too, then the back room with the same stuff. Then eventually the kitchen will get tiled maybe?? =)

At the CHRISTmas tree farm.  So many trees to choose from.

Mommy was way to picky and Noah gave up!

A family photo….Daddy found the tree in the end =)

Ezra found it all very interesting!!

And the nearly finished product!

Time to feed…, originally uploaded by ✿- puddulduck -✿.

My dirt pudding, complete with gummy worms and pretzel salad and of course, pumpkin pie!!

Thanksgiving, originally uploaded by ✿- puddulduck -✿.

My turkey!! It was so lovely!!

my sunday afternoon putting ezra to sleep, looked like this:

and his homemade hat

Pumpkin Muffins (Chocolate Chips – optional)

(not my photo, found on Flickr)

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 and 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup water
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
{*optional* 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips}

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper liners.
Mix sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.  Add to pumpkin mixture, blend well and (stir in chocolate chips).
Fill muffin cups 3/4  full with batter. Bake in preheated oven for 15- 20 minutes.

Pumpkin Bread

3 c sugar
1 c vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 can pumpkin (15oz)
3 and 1/2 c flour
2/3 c water
2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp bakin soda
1/2 tsp cloves
1 tsp each of cinnamon, nutmeg and all spice

Combine sugar and oil. Add beaten eggs and pumpkin. Add dry ingredients together. Add to liquid and add water last.
Grease loaf pans (fills 2-3) and cook at 350/180/GM4 for 1 hour and 5 mins. Cool 10mins or so before removing.

Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 c flour
3/4 c wholewheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 eggs
1 c pumpkin
1/2 c veg oil
1/2 c honey
1/3 c water
1 cup chocolate chips

Combine first 7 ingredients.
Combine next 5 in another bowl, stir into dry mix then fold in chocolate chips.
Fill 3/4 way full. Bake at 350/180/GM4 for 20-25mins.
(To make them not too healthy, it tastes great with cream cheese icing!!)

And the best one of all:

Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 (15 ounce) can LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
2/3 cup NESTLE® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

PREHEAT oven to 350/180/GM4
COMBINE graham cracker crumbs, butter and granulated sugar in medium bowl. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of ungreased 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes (do not allow to brown). Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.
BEAT cream cheese, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs, pumpkin and evaporated milk. Add cornstarch (cornflour), cinnamon and nutmeg; beat well. Pour into crust.
BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes or until edge is set but center still moves slightly.
COMBINE sour cream, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in small bowl; mix well. Spread over surface of warm cheesecake. Bake for 5 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Remove side of springform pan.

AND ENJOY!!!

Great Pumpkin Cookies (given to my by my Aunt Rhonda)

2and1/2 c flour
1 cup oatmeal
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1cup margarine
1cup brown sugar
1cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup pumpkin purée
1and1/2 cup chocolate chips

Combine flour, oats, soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
Cream margarine. Gradually add sugars, beating until light and fluffy.
Add egg and vanilla, beat well.
Alternate adding dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in choc chips.
Drop by tbsp onto lightly greased tray/sheet.
Bake 12-15 minutes at 350/180/GM4

Here are 2 video clips from our last day of holiday! enjoy =)

So are we American? Irish? or Brummie (Birmingham is where we live! Or just British to you?!)