Currently...

This past week has been a blur.  Back to school INSET days followed by our first two days with students. Needless to say, I'm exhausted.  

Rather than complain about the workload, the changes and the pure shock to the system; I thought I would focus on the other lovely bits of life.

Prior to the start of term, we had a Sexy Mexi night with H and T to say "So long, Summer!"  The hilarity extends far beyond these photos...

{Currently}

Listening:

We are still loving the country tunes!  I've been playing Absolute Country from TuneIn.  It can be streamed online which means I can listen to country in my car!

Eating:

In an effort to get my protein up and help curb my hunger between the end of the school day and before B gets home for dinner, I've been munching away on these Vanilla Coconut protein bars.  They are light and actually taste like a treat.  Once I can get back into a gym routine, it will taste even better as I'll be burning those calories! L-O-V-E.

Drinking:

SMOOTHIES!  I'm loving it first thing in the morning.  Light and filling - what more could you ask for?  My favourite has been a Peachy Green:

1 c spinach

1.5 c frozen peaches

1 apple

1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk

Blend for YUM.

Wearing:

Do you even need to ask?  Hunter Wellie Flats.  No joke.  I'm proper living in them.  I have my eye on a pair of Toms wedges at the moment - I'm trying to justify them to myself.  Shoes always make you feel better.

Feeling:

Tired.  The perfectionist in my wants everything to be just right.  Let's face it.  Life is never just right.

Weather:

Following Thursday's very sweaty and uncomfortable day, Friday started to cloud over and cool down.  Autumn is upon us!  This is without a doubt the best time of year.  Boots and scarves and wooly scarves are coming out!

Wanting:

Pumpkin spice EVERYTHING.  I have a few tins of Pumpkin which were gifted to us as a Wedding present.  A brilliant gift as I'm forever willing the country to start importing pumpkin.  I have yet to see it on the shelves in Tesco!

Needing:

Work clothes!  If my Pinterest wardrobe existed in real life....I'll tell you.  I've been waiting for a new work wardrobe for years - I think the time is now!  Hopefully I can find a spare weekend to grab Heidi and hit the shops!  SHOES FIRST!

Thinking:

Christmas!  I can't believe it but there are already Christmas chocolates and biscuits in the shops!  I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed as it's only mid September - but seriously!  I'm thinking about Christmas and gifts and how to decorate our house!  The garland is looking amazing - so maybe something along the paper tassel route?

Enjoying:

Sky TV.  We finally splurged and upgraded to Sky Plus.  We get the recording and loads of channels.  I'm not a TV watcher, but I always hear about shows and then forget to watch.  I've recorded a few guilty pleasures like Made and Chelsea so I can watch them on rainy days when I need a bit of chewing gum for the eyes.

I think I'm going to go an play with the new Sky - see what mischief I can get up to!

Happy weekend!

xx

The Summer in Review

It's true what they say.  All good things must come to an end.  It's the eve of Back to school Monday!  This means summer is officially over!

It's been a great break - probably my best summer on record.  Would I change anything?  Probably not.  Just to remind myself that it really did happen, here's my summer in Review!

1)  TRAVEL

Cornwall was brilliant - just the feeling of packing a bag and going away makes everything seem a bit more exotic.  I loved returning to our old haunts as there's so much history and tradition there - in spite of our short history.

Next year?  We defiantly need to go away - but perhaps somewhere new?  I like the sound of our holiday away with the Guyatts!

2) NESPRESSO LOVE

I think my body is going to go into shock without my mid day iced coffee and reading in the garden.  I will need to bring one into work and refrigerate it until required!  Not really the same though...with that said - I heard a little rumour that Starbucks will be coming out with Pumpkin Spice Latte within the next few weeks.  Oh. My. Word.

Next year? ALWAYS This would go without saying.  However - there has been talk about adding a little McBerry to our family....so....no coffee next summer?  I think I'm willing to make that trade.

3)  BERRY PICKING

The Berrys love berry picking.  Strawberry, Raspberry or Blueberry.  The prices are ridiculous around here - it's foolish to by your own when you can pick your own for a fraction of the price!  Freshly picked berries  mean freshly baked berry pie!

Next year?  Of COURSE!  Cheap and tasty.  Sign me up.  We are expecting an email soon so we can go for a twilight blueberry pick to clean the place out.  Frozen berries?  Yes, please.

4)  PINSPIRATION IN THE KITCHEN

Having the time to actually think my way through dinners has meant B is eating VERY well.  I've been creative and actually made all of those recipes I've pinned.  It's been fun and it's been a nice change from the usual!

Next Year?   Carry on!  I think this could be a permanent commitment.  Back to work means back on the healthy eating and exercise!  I think variety is the spice of life.  Check out my recipe collection.

5) Starbucks Work Dates

I haven't really written about this as it's been the unexciting side of our lives.  B is revising for the USMLE - like - hardcore revising.  Every day.  We have gone to Starbucks (my favourite work hangout) most weeks this summer to get work done.  I've planned and resourced while B was revising. Good coffee and good company.

Next year?  No.  I'm going to put my foot down and say no to this one.  USMLE will be done by next summer and I want to go to Starbucks and enjoy it.  I work hard enough during the academic year (don't get me started on the time it takes for English teachers to mark while teaching a nearly full timetable while half running the department).  Dates.  No work dates.

6) Zoku making
I love my Zoku. B knows me so well - it was the best birthday present a girl could ask for!  We have experimented with loads of different recipes - and when I say recipe what I really mean is we throw stuff in the blender and see what happens!

Next year? Defiantly.  This was the easiest way to eat healthy, have a snack without really having a snack and it's a great way to entertain children.  Hopefully I can come up with seasonal uses and break this bad boy out all the time!

Looking back, it's been a great summer.  All of the BBQs and Smores making and treat baking and laughing....I could do it all again!  I loved spending time resting and relaxing.  I'm going to miss morning coffee, Pinterest and Made in Chelsea though.

A lot went on last academic year and an awful lot went on back home in Ohio.  I'm standing by my goal - being positive and looking at the good things in life.

xx