No sleep tonight... Again!

Urrrrrrgh... My eyes hurt from phone glare! I rarely get a full nights sleep. I don't even know why I'm awake! There was no loud noise, Scarlett is sound asleep, no snoring from Bern, (although I did wake with his leg on my stomach?!) no noisy weather, no burglars, no cats having crazy time and no mad dreams. So why am I awake! Did I go to bed too early? Is 10pm too early?? Honestly if I blogged every time I woke during sleep there would be enough text to create a novel.

Bern has just rolled over and I'm now left with a few inches of bed space and some nice heavy breathing in my right ear. How very irritating! I can hear Scarlett shuffling around on the baby monitor now too. Too many distractions. The annoying song stuck on repeat in my head is Diamonds by Rihanna. I HATE that song and I really don't think much of her either. Such a bad role model for young girls. Never thought I'd hear myself say that before. Being a mother has changed me!

Bern's just elbowed me in the arm rolling back over, how dare he!

Did my Mam say she was coming tomorrow (or today even considering its currently 3.09am) to give me something for Scarlett? I've forgot what time she said, I have to take Rolo to the dog groomers tomorrow, I can't remember what time it was at though. Was it 2pm or 2.30pm?

Did I put the paintbrush in the white spirit? I can't remember that either. Its covered in gloss and i need it to continue the can of worms I've now opened by starting the glossing in the first place! I can't be bothered to go downstairs to look. I'm loosing my memory, I must be getting old.

Speaking of which, I'm 25 this year you know. Twenty five, quarter of a century. Why?! I don't want to be 25. I want to stay 24 forever! To be honest if I told people I was 18 they'd probably believe me, I really do look like I still belong in secondary school. But mentally I will always know, I'm really almost 25. Why does age matter? Because it means you get OLD. I don't wanna get old! I don't wanna get crows feet and grey hair, or have to wear clothes to suit my age. And if I get old, that's means Scarlett will grow up too. I wish she could stay the age she is now forever. She's so oblivious and innocent. I don't want her to learn about certain things and I don't want her to experience what our sometimes cruel world has to offer. I don't want her to have her heart broken and I don't want her to go through the trials and tribulations life's path has waiting. I wish I could just preserve her sweet little self as she is now and keep her that way.

Oh my God, in five years time I'm going to be thirty...

Arrrrrgh I can't sleep!

Ni
Xxx

Jamie Oliver's British burgers with zero fat mayo alternative

I watched Jamie Oliver make these burgers on Jamie's 15 minute meals last week. They looked so simple and tasty I had to give them a go, so I did! They really are the easiest things in the world to make and cook and the actual burgers are really tasty and juicy. Far better than any homemade burgers I've made before. There's no egg or breadcrumbs to bind the burger together so they taste much lighter and the addition of the beer gives them that extra zing.  The zero fat mayo alternative is made from yoghurt and Worcester sauce, which sounds like an unusual combination but you'll be surprised!

For the burgers you'll need:

• Beef mince.  How much really depends on how many burgers you want to make.  If I make too many I freeze the ones I don't need to use for next time.
• Whole grain mustard
• A good glug of beer.
• Salt and pepper

For the sauce you'll need:

• Zero fat natural yoghurt
• Worcestershire sauce

1. First of all you need to make the burgers.  Put the mince in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.  Add a tablespoon of mustard and a splash of beer.  Using your hand, squash the mixture together to bind and mix the ingredients.  When you're happy with your mixture you can form your patties.  Divide the mince and roll into balls, then squash them flat to make your burgers.  How big you want your burgers depends on your personal preference so make them as big, small, thick or as thin as you like!

2. Heat some olive oil in a pan over a medium heat and start frying your burgers.  You'll be able to see the meat turning colour up the sides of the patty and you can use this as an indication as when to turn them over.  If your burgers are chunky just cut into the middle during cooking to make sure they're not pink on the inside.  When you're ready to turn your burgers over make sure you swirl them round the pan a bit to soak up all the lovely flavours that have escaped. It gives your burger a nice crispy outside too!

3. While the burgers are cooking you can make the sauce.  In a small bowl put two tablespoons of zero fat natural yoghurt and to this add some Worcestershire sauce.  However much you add is up to you, taste as you go to find the amount perfect for you.

4. Plate up! Get your favourite type of burger bun or pitta bread to put your burger in, or just go mad and eat it naked if you like, without any bun at all!  I personally enjoy my burgers in whole meal buns, with a slice of little gem lettuce, the yoghurt sauce and finished with a slice of juicy tomato.  I serve them with really chunky chips, perfect combination!

And thats it!  Such a quick and easy meal for all times of the day which I'm sure you'll enjoy.  

Bon Appetite :)

Ni

xxx

Galaxy nail art tutorial

This nail art is so easy to do. I was surprised myself at how good the effect is with hardly any effort! It can get a bit messy so put tape around your cuticles first or have some nail varnish remover and cotton buds to hand to clean up afterwards. Here's how I did it...

You'll need a bit of sponge. I cut a small piece off a kitchen sponge. You could also use a makeup sponge or even tissue paper scrunched into a ball. If you use the tissue you'll need a few sheets. You'll also need a selection of 'deep space' colours. I used black as my base colour and then I used a silver glitter (for a starry effect), white, dark blue, light blue and bright purple. You don't have to use these exact colours though, just use similar ones or whatever shades of blues and silvers you have to hand.

Apply a base coat to your nails. If you don't have any use a very pale nail polish. You don't have to use a base coat but it stops your nails from being stained black and blue when you take it off! After you've done your base coat, apply a base colour. I used black but any other dark colour would work.

When your base colour is dry add small blobs of all your colours onto the nail. They don't have to be in any particular order and they don't have to be neat either.

When you've blobbed all your chosen colours onto your nail, dab all over with your sponge. Add more of your colours here and there onto your nail and keep dabbing until you're happy with your effect.

Finally apply a clear top coat or a glitter to finish off. You could even. Paint on a few individual stars with some white or silver polish on the end of a toothpick or dotting tool.

Happy days :)

Ni

xxx