Dresses, bones and slow cooking #littleloves

Happy Friday Friends. 

I'm linking up with the lovely Morgana over at Coffee, Work, Sleep, Repeat for #Littleloves.

Read
Lots of magazines this week. I love looking at these for inspiration for my home and who doesn't love Chloe Kardashain. she's my favourite dash girl.

Watched
Bones is back this week. I love all those kinds of shows. CSI, Criminal Minds. All that. Oh and the other huge reason that I love it... David Boreanaz. I fell in love with this man back in the day when he was on Buffy. Very easy watching. 

I'll just leave this here. 

Made 

I bought a slow cooker about a week ago and it's been sitting in the box until Wednesday night. I was afraid to try cooking something in it. I've never used one before. I've done all the research, found some lovely recipes but didn't want to leave it alone all day in case it blew up or something. I tried beef stew for my first go and it turned out lovely. And it didn't blow up. I'm pretty sure I can let it cook away while I'm out and about now. If you have any family friendly recipes leave them in the comments below. 

Wore

Clothes. Ha! But seriously. Nothing too fancy here this week. I really need to start taking some pictures of when I do actually get dressed up nice and not my momiform. I have been wearing my fav hat that I got at Christmas. It's a fake fur bobble hat from Penneys. It's perfect for hiding my hair on a bad hair day and so nice that someone tries to "borrow" it. 

Heard

My little girl is getting her holy communion this year and all I've been hearing is what she would like her dress to be like. Lace, bling and flowy is what I'm hear for now but I'm sure it'll change everyday until we actually but a dress. I've been looking around and nothing really caught my eye yet but the price of some of there dresses. Crazy!! I'm going to do my best to find a bargain.

And Lastly

I've started a new series here on the blog. It's called "20 Questions : Getting to know the Blogger". I will be featuring a new blogger or small business owner every fortnight, where they answer 20 questions and introduce themselves to my readers. The first interview is live and if you want to have a look {click here}. If you want to take part, just shoot me an email at mycountrygirlramblings@yahoo.ie

Have a great weekend everyone! 

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The Weekend Recap Linky

The Weekend Recap Linky

Welcome to another week of The Weekend Recap. A weekly link up where anyone is free to join in and share there adventures from the weekend. All you have to do is add your link, using the tool at the bottom of the post. If you tweet about it or instagram about it, use the #theweekendrecaplinky so I can like and share your posts. 

Saturday

We didn't get up to a whole pile on Saturday. Being stuck at home for 2 day because of the ice, we had things to catch up on. We did manage to see some friends and hang out with the ponies and meet the newest member to the family, Taffy. Her mom died after giving birth so were looking after her for a few day and feeding her milk. She is the funniest little thing. Came home after a fun day to pizza and a movie night and a huge open fire. Lovely finish to the day. 

Sunday

Sunday started off as a miserable day. The rain came back to try spoil our fun but it didn't stop us going on our adventure. We headed to the local railway track for a family walk. My sister and her boyfriend brought their golden retriever, Wally. We found Dinosaur in the woods and sharks were seen in the river below us. We found Ben's house, from Ben and Holly, but he wasn't home. We headed back to Nana's house for poached eggs on toast and tea to warm up. Another great weekend out in the fresh air. 

Don't forget to join inon the fun with your posts and use the hashtag #theweekendrecaplinky so I can share your posts.

Snow, cakes and blogging #Little Loves

Happy Friday Friends. Do you have snow where you are? I'm stuck up on the hill with 2 days now but the sun is shining and I'm hoping we'll get out soon. 

I'm linking up with the lovely Morgana over at Coffee, Work, Sleep, Repeat for #Littleloves.

Read

I've been reading lots of blogs this week, catching up on all I've missed out over the holidays. With back to school madness, I've been doing lots of homework with Jasmin. The break has gotten her out of practice and homework is taking a little longer than normal. 

Watched

We've been watching Operation Transformation with the last two week. There's a local woman taking part in the show this year so we love seeing how she getting on. Jasmin and I took part in a 5k last weekend as part of the Operation Transformation program. You can read about that {here}. 

Made 

It's my brothers birthday. Happy Birthday Daffy!! And for the past 3 year {so he says} he's asked me to make a chainsaw cake for him. I never thought I'd be able to make one though. I'm the family cake baker so it falls on me to make the cakes. I don't mind. Who doesn't love cake.

Oh, and lot of Banana Bread. {recipe here}

Wore

We wore lots of boots and woolly hats this week with the snow and ice. I can't wait to be able to get out and walk and run slowly. I got these amazing Sketchers memory foam trainers for Christmas and they haven't gotten nearly enough wear yet. 

Heard

All I've heard with the last few days is, "Mom, Mom, it'snowing, it's snowing!!". When really it was raining with a little snow. I really wish we did get snow instead of this frozen mess that we do have but I'll take a day off any day. The other thing we heard is One Directions album. 'd like to say that my 8 year old got it for Christmas but no, it was me. And I just love it. Yes, I'm probably, just slightly, too old to love them but I just do. 

And Lastly

I've started a new series here on the blog. It's called "20 Questions : Getting to know the Blogger". I will be featuring a new blogger or small business owner every fortnight, where they answer 20 questions and introduce themselves to my readers. If you want to take part, just shoot me as email at mycountrygirlramblings@yahoo.ie

Have a great weekend everyone! 

The Weekend Recap #1

The Weekend Recap

It's January. The blogging juices should be flowing. I should be inspired to write all kinds of new year, new me, blah, blah blah. But, I'm not. I'm drawing a blank. I know I'm not alone in this, right?? In a hope to inspire myself and others to get back blogging, I'm starting a link up, The Weekend Recap. 

My blog is a life/family journal as well as a place to share my creative projects and whatever else takes my fancy. So I'm going to share a recap of the fun and boring thing that we get up to. It will be a keepsake for me to look back on. It will give me something to write about at least one day a week and hopefully the juices will start flowing. And the best part is, you can all join in too. 

Saturday

We had an early start on Saturday. We were heading to Newcastle West to take part in the Operation Transformation 5k walk to support Claire. She is one of the leaders this year and is a local lady. The morning was freezing but dry and the excitement was high. Jasmin has been bugging me with ages to do a 5k so off we went. There were huge number there, not sure how many yet, despite the cold weather. There was tv cameras and people from the tele (as Jasmin put it) getting footage for the show. We did the 5k in just over an hour. Slow, I know.But the crowds made the going slow. We met a friend and her kids there and it made the day even better to have someone to share it with. We're already looking forward to the next one. 

Sunday

Sunday was another busy day of activity. We went to follow our friends who were taking part in a local drag hunt. One of the members is collecting for the Hope foundation so we went to support a great cause. The sun shone all day again even if it was freezing. We spent the day with the kids and there cousins. They had a ball running through the fields and eating the picnic I brought. Daddy had to carry Paddy for some of it. Short legs aren't the best in high grass. It was a lovely day spent with family. We came home a little bit of every field we went into but also came home with great memories. 

And that my friends was our very busy weekend. The kids were exhausted after all the fun and fresh air. I'm looking forward to lots more dry days so we can get out and have some more family fun. 

Now, it's your turn. Link up your posts below. Have a look around at the other bloggers and leave a comment if you like anything that you see. You might even find somewhere new to explore.

#30thankfuldays2014 photo challenge/link up

Did you guys see my Thankful Tree in yesterdays post? If not head on over now and have a look { here }. Keeping in line with being thankful, I decided to run a little photo challenge/ link up, where I will be sharing photos on my social media sites of what I'm thankful for. Starting tomorrow, October 30th, I'm going to be sharing and using the hashtag #30thankfuldays2014, so I can see all the things you lovely people are thankful for.

When the 30 days are up, it will be Thanksgiving in America. I know we don't celebrate the holiday here in Ireland but I thought it was a good idea to do it at this time of year. In my house we have lots of birthdays and Christmas in the next 2 months. That is alot to be thankful for but it also alot of stress. So, I'm hoping that this challenge will remind me of what I have to be thankful for. 

At the end of the 30 days, I'm going to have a link up on the blog. I will do a post, where I'm going to share my favourite photos from the challenge. Which ones meant the most to me and made me the most thankful. It could be all of them or just one. It's totally up to you.

So, spread the word and join in. The more people we have, the more fun it's going to be. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and lets share all the amazing things we have to be thankful for in our lives.

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Darkness into Light 2014

Last weekend I headed out at 2.30am with my sister and her boyfriend and nearly 80,000 others all around Ireland to run the Darkness into light 5k. This has become an annual event for me and one of my favourite runs.

Over the past number of year this event has grown into one of the biggest charity run and I couldn't be for a better cause. Pieta House does great work for people who are affected by suicide.

I unfortunately have known too many people who have taking their own lives and the destruction it has left behind. The work these people at Pieta House do is so important ans I'm so glad that I can help in this small way.

The run turned out to be a great run for me. I walked for about 1/4 of a mile because I got a stitch AGAIN. These stitched really are starting to become a problem. I also had a little twinge in my lower calf. I hurt tendons there before and decided it wasn't worth hurting myself. I ended up with a time of 42.34 as the run was 3.5 miles and I didn't get running properly for the first 3 or 4 minutes. I'm so happy with this and I found the run a lot easier too.

3am selfies!!

I linking up with Jen over at JVKom Chronicles for her #20X31 May Fitness Challenge.

I've been getting in my 20 minutes nearly every day. I'm also doing leg, abs, butt and arm workouts everyday. I'm done with starting over.

If you want to see what I'm up to everyday with my workouts and everyday ramblings be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
XO Caroline
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Lessons in Motherhood: Ten random things I have learnt as a mother

To say that my kids have thought me things since they were born is an understatement. They have helped me grow as a person. They have thought me to be more patient, loving and understanding. They have thought me that I can live an very little sleep or food. They have thought me that I can deal with anything that life throws at me because there is nothing more determined or stubborn than a 2 year old that wants something.

I'm linking up with Learner Mama : Lessons in Motherhood Link up today and below are a some of the many thing I learned over the past 6 and a half crazy beautiful years of parenting.

No matter how much food they have on their plate, yours always looks better and they want yours.

I have to share pretty much everything with my kids. But sometimes this mom just needs to hide in the bathroom and have a cream egg on her own. 

My son can sleep through anything but if Daddy so much as coughs quietly in the morning when he gets up, he'll hear it and there is no more going back to bed 

Sometimes, the couch with a crappy little blanket and a lumpy cushion are better than fighting over 6 inches of space on the bed.

Putting clean clothes on my kids means that with out fail they will get juice/food/dirt all over themselves in about 10 seconds flat.

That my kids poop, puke and buggers are not disgusting. Other kids poop, puke and buggers are the MOST disgusting thing ever and will make you want to vomit. Go figure.

That you will protect your kids with every fiber of your being and God help the people that try and hurt them. Think Mama Bear mode.

That when you open your mouth sometimes your mother comes out. It doesn't matter how much you said that it would never happen. It does. 

That we all need a break from our kids. That sleep overs at Nanas house every now and again are lifesaving. And even though you can't wait for some alone time you will more then likely miss the kids for every second and can't wait to get them back.

That my kids are amazing. They can go from demons to angels in the blink of an eye. They can make me crazy and make me want to lock myself away in the bathroom. But they can make me feel like Supermom and the most loved person in the world. That they are the greatest things I have ever made and I will love them unconditionally forever.

If you want to see some of the other amazing bloggers that linked up head on over to Learner Mama and have a look around.

Happy Monday!!

ox Caroline

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Get Fit, Stay Fab : A weekly Fitness Link up

Welcome back everyone!

How was you week of fitness?

Did you workout?

In case you new to these parts let me fill you in on what being happening.

A few weeks ago I came across Sadie and her amazballs workouts that she was setting up for all us stay at home moms or busy working moms or anyone who really wanted a workout that you can do at home and didn't need any fancy equipment. I can't say enought good things about these workouts. They really are easy to do and I really enjoy doing each one of them.

Here's the link to the first two weeks.

Make sure you read the links in the first post. They are really important and full of very good info.

Week 1

Week 2

This week, I managed to get another workout in. My body is finding it easier to recover from the workouts. My legs are able to do more squats and my arms are getting stronger.

I did 3 of this weeks workouts and I got a days hunting in too. That's two and a half hours up on a horse. Cantering around jumping whatever comes in our way. Total body workout. Trust Me!

I'm still doing some of the moves slightly modified. Like push-ups. I just can't for the life of me do a proper army style push-up. But I will. Someday. For now I'm doing the girly one but it's still tough. And I can honestly say that I don't think I will ever be able to do a pull up but I'll keep trying.

I said last week I needed some new music to workout to. I have fallen in love with one song in particular and I love the better life message behind it.

I'm loving a few of their songs right now, Swedish House Mafia's song "don't you worry child" is also a good one. And Shakira and Rihanna have a great one out at the minute that is great for running to. And I love me a little Pharrel and his song Happy. It just puts me in a good mood.

Do you have any favourites?

Let me know, K?

Here's week 3 of the workouts people.

I'm also trying to give up sugar and cut way back on the sugary things I eat. The headaches are killer and I feel like shit but I'll be worth it. If you have any tips on helping me to give up this lovely sweet drug of mine, please let me know.

Keep using the #getfitstayfab4life on instagram if you post any photos.

Don't forget to link up any of your fitness posts below.

Get Fit, Stay Fab : A weekly fitness link up

Welcome back Everyone.

I hope you've had a productive week.

I have been celebrating and researching all week.

First I'll share the celebration.

Last year in January 2013 me, my mom and sister took measurements of our hips, waist and bust.

We had started to follow Operation Transformation and we wanted to see if there was any change after all our work.

Fast forward 6 months and we totally forgot about the measurements.

It wasn't until this past weekend that we remembered them.

My daughter had her tiny measuring tape and was checking how big everyone was.

Then we remembered, found the old ones and compared them.

OMG!

I was shocked.

I knew I had toned up a bit but nothing like this.

I have lost 4 inches of my waist and 4.5 off my hips.

HAPPY DAYS!

That is such an amazing feeling.

It's like finding a €10 in the pocket of an old pair of jeans.

It has really motivated me to keep going.

I wasn't doing a whole pile to loose those inches but can you imagine the results if I really pushed myself.

So I started the research to find something that I can do at home or at the gym.

Something that I can do even when the kids are with me.

Something that was easy to follow and doable.

Enter SIMPLE SADIE JANE.

I came across Sadie on instagram.

This is the photo that caught my attention.

Yes that is the same woman.

Amazing, right?

So after a little blog stalking, I realized that she has been doing Crossfit for year and was after starting a 6 week at home Crossfit workout.

The workout is for all us busy moms that can't find time to workout.

Well I'm going to MAKE time to do this.

I'm late to the game, as usual, but I'm looking forward to doing this program.

There are a few posts of Sadies that I think you should all read before you do the program.

Sadie's Fitness Class : Part 1: Nutrition

Sadie's Fitness Class : Part 2 : Fitness

Sadie's Fitness Class : Part 3 : Putting it all together

Make sure you have a look around her blog. She talks about her AT HOME CROSSFIT GYM and her PALEO diet. She even has a HEALTH AND FITNESS QUESTIONS ANSWERED post.

Here is the first week of the program. Click here for the full post.

I'm still doing the ab challenge and i'm starting to feel the burn now.

I'm getting kind of bored of it though.

I'm going to stick with it and start Sadie's workout today too and see how I go.

If you want to see what the ab challenge is check out last weeks post.

I hope you'll come along with me on this journey with me.

We're all just trying to find time and support to get back to where we once were.

We CAN do it!!

Don't forget to use the #getfitstayfab4life on instagram if you're posting workout/progress photos.

Join in and link up below.

Have a good one!

Get Fit, Stay Fab : A weekly fitness linkup

Welcome back lovelies!

I'm late with this post today as my internet has returned to the stone age and has been acting like a bipolar nut. It's either really slow or just won't work at all. But I'm here and I ready to report.

Last week I announced this little link up and why I wanted to start it.

I feel like I need somewhere to report to. Somewhere that I can see if I'm pulling my weight.

I don't know if anyone will link up and that is worrying but I hope if you have any fitness goals and want someone (namely me) to help you stay on track.
Then join in!

Ok, so I'm doing the Fab ab challenge and it's going good. I'm doing the exercises and I feel ok so far.
I'm feeling a little burn but nothing I can't handle. Next week could be a different story. If you want to join in on the challenge, I've posted a picture below.

I thought alot about my diet over the past week and I figured out I'm not that bad when if comes to my main meals. We have a home cooked dinner at least 6 if not 7 nights of the week and there iv always veg on my plate. I't my snacking where I have a problem. I have a problem with sugar.

Hi.
I'm Caroline.
And... I'm addicted to sugar.

This might seem funny but it's no joke. I gave up cigarettes easier. I tried to cut it out completely since the start of February. Not a good idea. I swear I had with drawls and everything. I was not an easy person to live with either. Sorry Hubs. So instead I'm going to try wean myself off it slowly. I'm going to cut back on the sugar I add to things and cut back on the lovely cream eggs.

I don't want to stop having nice thing all together. I'm not that good. I like cake and cookies and chocolate and sweets and eclairs... ok you get the point. I know giving up all of these things will make me want them more and make me more likely to fail. So instead I'm going to treat myself each day with my sugar fix and fell ok with that.

Everything in moderation.

Iwas doing some research on at home workouts and things that I can do when my kids are around.

I think I've found the perfect thing and person the inspire me.

The transformation this woman has undergone from hard work and dedication is ah-masing!!

But, You'll have to check back next week and see what I'm talking about.

I have some more research to do.

Until then...

Oh, don't forget to follow me on Instagram and use the #getfitstayfab4life to see how I'm doing.

Get Fit, Stay Fab : A new weekly fitness linkup

Is it over yet.

I'm so over January.

It has been the longest, wettest month here and I'm read for some better weather.

Now!!

Bad weather make me fell bad.

I've been in a fitness funk since the new year.

I just can't seem to get motivated to get up and do it.

I hate working out in the rain.

It's my glasses you see. 

I'm blind, pretty much anyway, with out them and can see if they get all wet.

And yes I could wear contacts but I don't look like me without my glasses and it's kind of a waste if I'm just going for a 20 minute run.

But February is just around the corner and I'm giving myself a kick in the ass.

I'm going to start blogging once a week about my fitness highs and lows.

I was involved in a fitness link up last year over on Jen's blog last year and it really motivated me.

I got back into running and I loved it.

I miss the support I got from the group of lovely ladies that linked up.

I missed how we pushed each other to do more, be healthier, stay fitter.

So today I'm starting my own fitness linkup.

The first linkup will be next week.

If you want to link up and find great workouts, good healthy recipes and people that know what it's like to fail and start again, then join in.

Come February,  I'll be starting a new challenge.

My abs are more flab than fab and I'm ready to do something about it.

I'm hoping that this link up will keep me accountable for my fitness too.

I hoping that you will join in and share your fitness highs and lows with me.

If you're on Instagram you can follow me HERE and use the #getfitstayfab4life .

If you don't have a blog and want to follow along, you can leave a comment under the blog post or on my Facebook page under the post.

Check back next week for the link up and to see how I did with week one of my new challenge.

Don't forget to grad the button and add it to your post.

Have a great day!

Health and fitness Friday : Bye Bye Night Owl

It's time for Health and Fitness talk today.

Fitness

Last Saturday I had my 10k run.

It was 31* when we were running walking.

It was so hard.

Hot and hard!!

I'm still waiting for some photos to put the post together but I hoping to do it this week.

I did much better this week with Fitness.

I did ab work 3 days and did lots of stretching.

I needed to stretch after the 10k.

I was very stiff and sore.

No runs but I'm starting back tonight hopefully.

Jen and I were going to try to be early birds this week.

The plan was to see if getting up early made it easier for us to do all the things us women have to.

I got up early 2 mornings and I got quite alot done.

But the night owl in me is not giving up without a fight.

I forgot that to get up early you need to go to bed early. Doh!

I'm setting my phone to remind me to go to bed early.

Sounds crazy, Right?

I'm hoping to be in bed for 11pm and up at 6.30am.

In bed for 11pm!

Not get up off the couch and start turning off the lights, locking the doors and putting in the dog and end up going to bed closer to midnight.

I'm going to tweet Jen when I get up and hope we can keep each other motivated.

My favourite hashtag I'm using at the moment is #SlackerNoMore .

If you want to join in on our quest to not be slackers use to hashtag so I see what your all up to.

Health

I made dinner every night this week.

Healthy options. 

And I have made much better choices when it came to snacking.

I picked at fruit and fresh peas.

I love fresh peas.

The other thing I was meant to do this week was try yoga.

I have been meaning to try this all week. 

Jen posted a great video in her post last week.

I need to this for a de-stressing workout.

I suffer from tension headaches and this will help for sure.

So this coming week these are my goals.
Go to bed early.
Get up early.
Eat healthier.
Run.
Yoga.
Be happy.

That it for this week.
Thanks for stopping by.

If you want to stay up to date with all the happenings here on My Country Girl Ramblings, click the links below and follow along in the fun.

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Health and Fitness Friday : Giving myself a kick in the Butt

It Friday! Woohoo!

Linking up with Jen over at A Daily Dose of Davis of Health and Fitness Friday.

I said last week that I was being a total slacker.

Not doing any running.

No workouts.

Nothing.

Guess what?

This week wasn't any different.

It's not good enough!!

I'm letting myself down.

I did so much good work up to last month and now I feel like I'm going to have to start over again.

I feel like I'm letting all you ladies here at the link-up down.

I read your posts for inspiration.

For new recipes, workouts and motivation to keep going.

I'm not pulling my weight at all here.

But tomorrow is a new day. 

Tomorrow is race day for me.

I was collecting my race pack today.

It's going to be tough.

The heat, lack of training and too make cupcakes are all things that won't help.

( I'm eating a cupcake while I write this. Oops!)

Starting Monday everything changes.

I'm going to be joining Jen on her quest to become a morning person.

I'm going to be doing some sort of workout EVERY day.

Start doing yoga.

No more snacking on crap.

Drink more water.

I what you girls to keep me in check.

I'm sharing this smoothie recipe that I pinned ages ago.

Have any of you tried it?

I'm hoping that it will give me the energy I need and help with the poundage issue. Ha!

 The recipe 

Two handfuls of baby spinach

1 apple

1 banana

1 cup of yogurt

5 strawberries

1/2 orange

Blend well and enjoy!

I hope you've had a better week than me fitness wise.

Have a great weekend.