My Mandy...

My Mandy, how I miss my princess while I'm away!! 

Hopefully she is behaving herself and giving my friends Magda and Tomic lots of kitty cuddles!

Are you a cat or a dog person? Maybe a bit of both?

Illustrations by Kayley Mills...

I am sure quite a few of you are aware of my Instagram obsession and my love for super talented beauties and their illustrations. I think I am drawn to the talent I wish I had! 

I have mentioned the super fantastic Sophie and the the beautiful unicorn that is Toni on my blog and today is the turn of the sparkling princess that is Kayley Mills. 

Kayley's amazing work is just beyond amazing! I just love her and her style. I love it so much in fact that it graces every room in my house, well except for the bathroom but that will probably change soon!

She has done everything I ask her so perfectly my saying in my kitchen, our family portrait, the sign for Benji's door and even special Dinosaur bunting for his bedroom.

I don't just request custom pieces but also love her prints in her etsy store Kayley Draws too, to which she is always adding to.

So if you haven't got your hands on one of her prints...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!? They are fabulous just like the gorgeous lady herself!

Hidropark - Alcudia, Mallorca...

Feels strange writing this last post about Spain, reason being I leave for Cyprus tomorrow :) *YAY* But when I am a mummy that can only blog into the late hours, getting posts up when I can, writing a post about one holiday the night before the next is fine!

So Hidropark...one word FUN!!!! And by far Benji's best day! It was the day before we were due to head back home so we thought why not. I am so glad we did.

The park is packed with fun rides for big and small kids and the baby area is just awesome. So awesome infact that I think its the only place Pan actually went on a slide lol

In saying that I must mention that Pan swimming is a Miracle!!! I literally had to tackle him into the water! Swimming isn't the issue, its the getting out part - skinny man = no fat to keep him warm! If only I could give him some of mine lol

I of course wouldn't get out and enjoyed the slides while Ben was napping! ( think its the mermaid in me...water is my happy place!)

The wave pool was also a big favorite of ours and we spent our last hour there taking the compulsory underwater holiday selfie. Even got Benji *hi five me*

Hidropark was such a good way to end our holiday and had us all smiling even when we went to bed. Me and Pan are big kids ourselves sometimes I think.

It can get a little pricey doing a water park and if you have a little one, toddler age, Hidropark is great as the other water parks are allot more expensive and are more for the older child.

Final word...Hidropark, as you can see from the last pic Pan gave it a thumbs up :)

Marmalade Muffins ...

I have been wanting to bake FOREVER but have stopped myself as I tend to go off plan when I do. But on Sunday I gave in and very deliciously too.

As you know already we have recently moved and with moving comes new neighbors and we are lucky to have lovely ones either side. So lovely in fact that the old man next door welcomed us with a  jar of homemade marmalade. Now its not my favorite and wouldn't put it on toast but I do love cooking and baking with it. And on Sunday that's what I did :)

Ingredients

Dry
2 1/2 cups of wholemeal flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon

wet
1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
1 small apple grated (no skin, you could use unsweetened apple sauce)
1/2 cup veg oil
3/4 cup marmalade
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
squeeze of orange
1 tsp orange zest

topping
2 tbsp golden granulated sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
orange zest

Method

1. In a bowel mix all your wet ingredients together.
2. Sieve in your dry ingredients, this is just to get some air into it. Once done just tip all the wholemeal goodness into the bowel. Mix to combined.
3. Divide into muffin cases. Mix together your topping ingredients and then sprinkle over each muffin. This will give it a little crunch.
4. Pop in the oven  at 180 for 25 - 30 minutes. Once done leave to cool completely.

These muffins are great for breakfast or when you are on the run. They are moist and delicious and the marmalade gives them a great texture.

recipe -  mine

photography - mine

Choo Choo - Train to Soller and Port de Soller, Mallorca...

Or otherwise known as the Tren de Soller . My son loves trains so this day trip was right up his street and one we couldn't miss.

The Tren de Soller has been running from Palma to Soller since 1912 and the tram from Soller to Port de Soller since 1913. So if you love a bit of history and old trains this is the outing for you. The journey lasts about an hour or two if I can remember and is just lovely. No matter what side you sit you have a gorgeous view of the Spanish mountains. You even get to get out half way and take in all its beauty. 

Once in Soller you can either get straight on the tram to Port de Soller or you can take a walk around Soller like we did. There isn't a massive amount to see but the Catholic Church is just stunning inside and out and there are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops to get a drink.

While walking around I came across this tree and lamp post lovingly decorated in crochet.

And of course looked around some local delis and shops. How could I not. They are just so inviting in Spain.

 We then caught the tram to Port de Soller, which in hind sight we should have done sooner. We forgot about siesta!!!!

The tram ride was lovely, just 20 min or so and Ben loved it even more then the train as he could stand outside and wave at everyone as we went by.

Port de Soller is gorgeous!!! The water is so clear and blue. We unfortunately didn't bring our swimsuits but i was very tempted to strip down and have a splash about :) Instead we had some lunch!

I'm not 100% but I think its where the slightly wealthier people may 'vacation'.  Slightly posh ;)

As mentioned we didn't think about siesta and when it came time for us to go home we found out we had missed the last train and had to wait till 6pm :/ sigh* now I am sure there are worse places to be stuck but when its HOT and you have a very tired 2 year old its not the best. However we survived and caught the train home as soon as we could. Ben who slept a little through the journey there was so excited on the way back and I have the BEST video ever of him as the train took off from the station. ( I will upload it soon)

When we arrived in Palma we had an hour or so before our bus back to Can Picafort so decided to walk around the park and give Ben a little run around. While doing so we came across some water fountains and well...did as the local kids do. Striped down and had some fun! :) Ben had the best time and was the perfect way to cool off! It was VERY HOT!!!

Overall it was a super great day, even if a little long and a tad pricey - 60 Euros each. I would definitely recommend it but maybe make sure you catch that last afternoon train.

Summer Berry Iced Tea Lollies...

Today was gorgeous! The sun was shining and hot. A perfect summer day, well almost. A summers day is never compete without an ice cream of lolly in hand and as my freezer was bare I decided to make my own... as I do quite frequently actually.

I wanted something refreshing and healthy but something my Benji would enjoy too, and with the blackberries in my garden in full bloom I thought SUMMER BERRY!
But these are not your normal summer berry lollies but iced tea ones made from delicious strawberry and raspberry tea and garnished with fresh blackberries, from the garden of course. *Sugar free*

Ingredients

2 strawberry and raspberry teabags
1 pint of hot water
1 tbsp sweetener
handful of fresh berries - I used blackberries

lolly sticks, mould

Method

1. Steep your tea bags in the water for a good 30 min to an hour or until the water is cooled.
2. Place a few berries into the bottom of the mould and then poor in your tea.
3. Place in the freezer. After abut an hour carefully place your lolly sticks.
4. Leave to freeze completely.

if you follow me on instagram you will see that I also wrote lovely summery words on the lolly sticks instead of jokes. just adds a little something. :)

The refreshing tea taste combined with the fresh berries is just wonderful and a real summer treat.

syns - free

recipe - my own

Cas Padri, Can Picafort Mallorca - Mejillones a la Mariner...

Good day my lovely readers, its been awhile I know but this summer has been crazy busy so far but I promise I will blog and share recipes when ever I can! (Especially now that I have a new lens for my camera!! YAY!!)

And just as you thought my Spanish posts were over! Here's another! Today's however is a little different as its more of a restaurant review and recipe for you all. Wanted to change it up a bit instead of just boasting about the fabulousness of my Spanish adventure ;)

Cas Padri is a lovely family run restaurant along the promenade in Can Picafort. It's a real feast for the senses with amazing decor, a sea view with smells and flavours that lets you know you are in Spain.

Before you even sit down for a meal you cant help but wonder round the restaurant looking at all that is on display. Old fishing nets, instruments, bones and gorgeous old black and white family photo's cover the walls while animal skins add a comfy touch to beautiful stone tables and benches.

The open fire oven fills the place with the most amazing smokey smell and gently heats the room perfectly for when it starts to get a bit chilly from the ocean breeze in the evening. But even then they provide blankets which is perfect for when the live music starts and you want to sit outside. ( top marks for being purple blankets too he he ) The atmosphere is lovely as is the staff and that is reflected in there 4 star rating on Tripadvisor.

They have a large menu that offers everything from freshly made pizza to tapas, I however had their mussels or Mejillones a la Mariner.  I saw them on another table and just had to try them for myself, they looked and smelled amazing! And I wasn't disappointed!

For 13Euros i got the most enormous portion of fresh mussels in the most AMAZING tomato sauce, Seriously when the mussels were finished I literally drank it like soup!  Just yum!!

And after saying all this and teasing your taste buds I couldn't not share a recipe.

Ingredients

good portion of mussels, cleaned and steamed.
Spanish Sofrito - Garlic, tomato and onion cooked down.
Bay leaves
salt and pepper

Method

Spanish Sofrito 
1. in a blender add 2 large onions finely diced, 5 large tomatoes, deseeded, skinned and finely diced, lots of minced garlic, good glug of olive oil, 1 tsp of sugar and salt and blend.
2. Once  blended add to a large pan and cook down slowly with a few bay leaves. Keep stiring. You want it to thicken.

Mussels
1. Steam until open in a little water, wine, garlic and lemon.

 Mejillones a la Mariner
1. In a new pan add your Sofrito, as much or as little as you want.
2. Add a little of the mussel cooking liquor to loosen it up  and then toss in your mussels. Leave for a few minutes making sure the mussels are coated in all the tomatoey goodness.
3.Serve hot with some crusty bread and a good glass of Spanish wine.

Gosh I feel like having this right now! And if you dont like mussels... this will convert you!

Can be served as a tapas dish .