schools out for summer

Another 12 days have passed in a blur since my last catch up here.  It's been a fun time, and this is a little round up, thanks to my iPhone (rather grainy) photographs

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I now have a 6th Grader.  Well, that's what he's calling himself now that he 'graduated' from Elementary School this week and will be off to the middle school years in September.  The last week of school was whirl of celebration that these kids had passed through the whole school.  It's a relatively new school and most of the class of 2014 5th Graders were the first kids to go all the way through from when the school first opened its doors and they are Kindergardeners.  He has seen a week filled with a bowling trip, field (sports) day (non-competitive sadly), leaving party, crazy hair day, final assembly and hugs and goodbyes all around as the kids go off to many different schools.  He then went on to a friend's birthday celebration, sleepover etc and rolled home 24 hours after he left!  Give me strength to get through these coming teenage years!

And then my little 5 year old finished Pre-school (finally), and we had lunches and singing and photographs with all the kids and their teachers.  So sweet and so excited.  She will be off to Kindergarden at the school my son has just left.  One out.  One in.  And 6 years of volunteering begin again.

The Huzz and I had a fantastic night this week seeing One Republic live at an amphitheater on a beautiful hot sunny evening.  We danced, sang and generally rocked out.  Such a fantastic band live.  I'm still recovering from the 2am bedtime!!!

Following up on my last post.  I hosted a fantastic and hugely successful Jamie Oliver At Home party, introducing the fabulous products for the first time in Oregon!  Such was the enthusiasm from everyone who attended, I have now become the 100th Jamie Oliver At Home consultant in the USA, and the very first in Oregon.  So excited to represent this line of products.  My consultants kit arrived and next my rather large order for personal and business use.  Next week I'll be attending my first party as a Consultant, so I'm now busy practicing my routine and sales pitch in front of the mirror or in the car (with a few strange looks from fellow drivers!).   If you're in the US and would like to browse the JOAH line, stop by my personal website and take a look.  I bet there is at least one thing you'll love!  You can also order direct from me.

Summer vacation is here.  3 months of summer fun and sun, hopefully!  Wish me luck!

Happy Weekending.

jamie oliver at home party

So thrilled to be hosting the first ever Jamie Oliver At Home party in Portland (and the Pacific North West) tomorrow.

Being a Brit, and having followed Jamie Oliver since his early days, when we were all more than a little taken with the idea of the 'Naked Chef' (don't tell me that didn't get you thinking?!), I'm excited to be having a house full of friends to view the Jme collection of products for cooking, entertaining, dining and serving that has become available in the US for one year now.

Our kitchen book shelf is heaving under a stack of Jamie Oliver cook books that we've collected over the years, and some of my favourite go to recipes are his.  The best every Chilli con Jamie (I will use this recipe forever) and Chilli Cheese Cornbread from Jamie's America , and the delicious Seafood Risotto from Jamie's Italy are all regulars on our menu. Plus so many other great recipes.

I love Jamie's enthusiasm for food, but not only that.  He is a real leader in bringing food education and healthy eating to kids.  Teaching kids where food comes from and making the right choices.  He now has the Big Rig here in the US, a mobile kitchen built in an enormous truck, that visits schools and communities giving children cooking lessons.  The Big Rig has just finished at 40 week, 6 city tour, giving cooking classes to over 5,000 children.

Jamie is all about enjoying food, from the growing and shopping, to preparation, cooking, sharing and eating with family and friends, and the products are of a quality and design that goes hand in hand with all of this.

I'll update you after Tuesday with what I'm sure will be more than a few purchases I make.

Happy Monday.

around here on Instagram

From ballet to blossom.

From Jamie Oliver cook book obsession to the 1st Judo tournament silver medal.

From dinner with friends to dinner for 2 for our 10th wedding anniversary.

From visiting our neighborhood 'Little Free Library' to loving blue skies.

This is life around here, via my Instagram.

Hope your week is going well.

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