baking

lottie's blueberry muffins...i never really thought muffins were "all that" until lottie made these and now i get it!

she used nigella's recipe from her "how to be a domestic goddess"

despite it being chinese new year, my children decided to make a valentine cake...betty crocker devils food cake mix and home-made cream cheese frosting (and what appears to be all my edible glitter and sprinkles)

burns night supper

my lovely table

i made wee pillar box hats out of a gift bottle box

and some ribbons and applique flowers

modelling aforementioned hats

children singing "auld lang syne"

we had scotch broth to start; haggis, neeps and tatties for main and clootie dumpling for dessert...washed down with whiskey and coke

jay recited "oh my luve's like a red red rose" and ellie addressed the haggis when it was served

with highland music in the background, it was a joyous evening

(and after 3 drinks i slept like a baby!)

dessert

this was my children's highly nutritious dessert last night

whilst the oven was still hot from cooking dinner, i threw a couple of giant american marshmallows in and then sandwiched one between 2 choccy digestives

ellie had to endure this one

and lottie forced down this one

preparations

microwave clootie dumplings

haggis, neeps and tatties

just waiting for tonight!

thrifty queen!

all these were 75% off

and this is usually £17 per bag but currently on offer for £11

AND

i had a coupon for £5 off

so i only paid £11.48 for the whole lot!!

my new hobby is coupon and free sample collecting; thus far i have enjoyed free cereal bars, free waffles, free milk, free envelopes, free make-up and there is more to come

i've also started watching extreme cheapskates and am excited to be privvy to more thrifty ways (i had ellie pavement searching for lost change today!)

not that i need another reason to love him...