Wednesday 11 November 2015

I Like to Knit and Shit

This did make me giggle!





I have started clearing out our attic, yes I know nothing is finalised yet but it needs to be done regardless of when we move.  I came across a bag full of little knitted cardigans that were made by my mum and me when I was pregnant with my eldest son nearly 32 years ago!  Where did the time go?  It really didn't seem that long ago when I had my whole life ahead of me, but now I have to face the realisation that most of my life is behind me.  Such a scary thought, it would be easy to be depressed about it when there are so many things I still want to do but it was not that long ago that I faced the prospect of having very few years ahead of me so I am grateful for everyday I have.  Anyway I don't want to depress all of you as well so I will just say my mum and I liked to knit and shit :)







I'm sure there are going to lots of lovely surprises in the attic, I could probably do loads of posts on 'What's in the Attic'........but I won't.  I will just share a few over the next few weeks.



I thought I would share these 'healthy flapjacks' that I have been making.   Don't ask me where the recipe is from, I saw it in a magazine at the hairdressers and took a photo of it.  Being gluten free means any snacks I buy would be a ridiculous price so these are really nice to take to work.   Diwali was being celebrated at work today so lots of cakes were brought in to share.  It wasn't quite the same eating healthy flapjacks but still very nice.  I take one out of the freezer each day.  I found I can't eat 'bought' flapjacks without them having an adverse effect, but I can make them using Sainsburys oats without any ill effects.






Banana and Peanut Oat Bars

1 tbsp coconut oil plus extra for greasing tray
3 very ripe bananas
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp peanut butter (mine is made from sustainable palm oil)
280g porridge oats
2 tbsp flax seeds ( I used mixed seeds)

Heat the oven to 180C gas 4

Grease 20cm square baking tin (or whatever you have) with coconut oil

In a bowl, mash the bananas with a fork

Melt coconut oil, honey and peanut butter over a low heat in a large pan

Once melted remove from the heat and stir in the bananas

Then mix in the oats and seeds and mix really well

Transfer to the tin and bake for 20 minutes until golden.

Wait until it has cooled before you cut it into squares

I then freeze the individual portions to take out when needed.

Thank you for all your comments on my last post, I am very relieved to be a step closer to our new life.  

p.s. I can't bring myself to get rid of the little hand knits, they are too small for our grandson so they will be carefully wrapped and put away for another 32 years!  Have you been strong enough to give away your little baby clothes or are you a softy like me?

Chickpea xx








22 comments:

  1. You made me giggle Chickpea! I look forward to seeing more treasured items from your attic.

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  2. Anything that was connected to the kids I gave to the kids to decide what to do with better now than trying to sort it when I am gone, was my train of thought also less stuff for us to move :-)

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  3. You might have another baby sometime in your life that will fit these beautiful knits! There are worse things you could keep I am sure. xx

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  4. Those handknits are precious! I'm The Queen of throwing and/or giving things away, but I would never get rid of those. I think it would be fun to see some regular attic posts as you sort and sift through things.

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  5. Such beautiful knits and special memories. I am afraid I gave all my baby bits to a charity. There were no babies in the family at the time. We now have three....... But I have lots of memories but at the time I was sad.
    Rosezeeta

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  6. What beautiful outfits.
    I have nothing left from my babies even the family Christening Gown.
    I had saved a few of my most favorite outfits for each child.
    But a crazy person decided it would be fun and set a wildfire, when I lived in California, that burned down my home.
    So save the beautiful knits that you and your mum made, That is so special and can never be replaced.

    cheers, parsnip

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  7. I confess, I'm a saver! I have lots of special clothes in the attic from when my daughters were babies and more children's books than you can shake a stick at. I can't bear to get rid of them, much to my husband's despair! So, I vote for you keeping the beautiful home knits and I'd love to see other treasures that you discover up there. Your flapjacks look very yummy too. xx

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  8. Those Little jackets made me smile and brought back memories. Our eldest sons are similar ages. I did get rid of most of the baby things but kept the outfit that each of my sons wore when I brought them home from hospital for the first time.

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  9. I have been doing exactly the same thing as you! I think having had to sort out the belongings of my Uncle and In-laws when they died and now my Mum's house prior to her move has made me realise it's time for things to move on to someone who can enjoy them so the pram after 28 years has left the house. I'm sure you will discover all sorts of things hidden away. :-)

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  10. thanks for sharing the recipe - that's a good tip about the Sainsbury's oats - Dave also can't eat bought flapjack with suffering for it but GF oats are so expensive! Might be worth giving Sainbury's oats a try when he next fancies some porridge or flapjack!

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  11. Mmm the banana and peanut oat bars sound delicious, I must give them a go as I have a few manky bananas in the bowl that need using up! Loving the photo at the start too, made me giggle!

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  12. Many thanks for the recipe, I will be making it soon, it sounds more interesting than standard flapjacks. I will have to wait as I used my brown bananas to make Nigel,s Black Banana Cake. I used to be a hoarder but now have a small suitcase of memories, it also holds my insurance documents, passport and any legal papers that I have. In case of an emergency I can pick that up, scoop up Ben and
    "exit stage left" in seconds.

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  13. Of course I had to read on.
    "Cook and Shit" doesn't sound so good though.
    I can't eat shop bought bakery of any kind, it makes me bloat. I can however eat all of my homemade. I do try to use organic oats and flour as much as possible, bought direct from 't mill in bulk.
    I am a hoarder, always have been. Don't be too ruthless, if you love something, keep it.

    By the way, veg boxes are a brill way of supporting local producers and getting good fresh food. There are also meat boxes for non veggies.

    Look to the future, but live for today!

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  14. I was lost at the peanut butter, can't eat nuts, but I will pass on to daughter who is gluten free

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  15. Love your blog it really cheers me up.LOVE all your recipes too.Hugs xx

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  16. what's in the attic sounds like the most fabulous post series. I could probably spend years on it............

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  17. "I like to knit and shit" brought up a most disturbing vision in my mind; I was relieved to read on and discover the explanation, especially when you went on to mention making the flapjacks!

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  18. "I like to knit and shit" brought up a most disturbing vision in my mind; I was relieved to read on and discover the explanation, especially when you went on to mention making the flapjacks!

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  19. Oh I meant to say that the photo of all those white matinee jackets took me straight back to the ones my Mum and I made for my first son - I think we used the very same patterns as you and your Mum. Sadly, I have none of my Mum's beautiful knitting any more, having passed all the baby clothes on to other babies. Do keep your treasures.

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  20. Love that postcard - it made me laugh. Not getting to blogger much these days but enjoyed your post. I've kept some baby clothes and use them to dress the baby doll we've also kept.

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  21. Thank you for all your comments everyone, I decided to keep some of my favourites and took the rest to the charity shop so some other little babies will get the benefit of the lovely hand knits.

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  22. I laughed even harder at that postcard when I tried it out - ' I like eating chocolate and ....' didn't quite work.

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