Checking in...

How are we all doing? It feels like October just zipped by in a blink of an eye, doesn’t it? I made the somewhat ludicrous decision to host a small gathering on Halloween night, which, in hindsight, might have been a bit ambitious given the chaos that typically accompanies such festivities. We always go all out for Halloween; it has become somewhat of a tradition in our household, and we usually find ourselves inundated with trick-or-treaters eager to collect their sugary bounty. This year was no exception. My husband took our oldest and youngest out trick-or-treating, while our middle child, who is far too independent and self-reliant for such family outings, opted to stay behind. He is very much like a cat, only returning home when he needs to eat or sleep, and is often off on his own adventures. So, there I was, dashing between the kitchen and dining room, trying to serve drinks to our guests while simultaneously attempting to engage in conversation. It felt like a juggling act as I answered the door every couple of minutes to greet the throngs of excited children dressed in an array of costumes, from adorable princesses to fearsome monsters. I made the rookie mistake of leaving a full bowl of sweets out one year, which resulted in two little toerags completely emptying it within the first ten minutes of the evening. Lesson learned, indeed! This time, I made sure to keep a close eye on the candy supply to ensure everyone got their fair share without any early pillaging.

During the half-term break, I had the delightful opportunity to go on a mini cruise to Amsterdam with a close friend who is also a fellow mum, along with our two boys. It turned out to be a lovely, inexpensive getaway, and Amsterdam is such a vibrant and charming city that feels quite safe for families. We were fortunate that the weather was exceptionally mild for late October, which made our exploration of the city even more enjoyable. Interestingly, mainland Europe doesn’t really celebrate Halloween in the same way we do, so it was a refreshing change to escape the spooky overload that typically surrounds this time of year. One of the must-do activities while in Amsterdam is indulging in the famous street chips served with generous lashings of mayonnaise—an absolute treat that should not be missed. We also took a scenic canal cruise, which allowed us to soak in the picturesque views of the city from the water, and made a trip up the A’DAM Tower, where we were rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views of the entire cityscape. This year, I made a conscious effort to take each of my three children away individually for some quality one-on-one time before they grow too old and independent to want to travel with us. It has been a wonderful experience to connect with each of them on a deeper level, sharing adventures and creating lasting memories.

On another note, we a new range cooker. After limping along for three long years with an oven that only partially worked and often tripped the power to the downstairs circuit, I am now the proud owner of a brand-spanking-new four-section cooker. The excitement is palpable, even though I have yet to fully figure out how all the features work. Just the thought of preparing Christmas dinner in a fully functional kitchen without the constant worry about space or malfunctioning appliances is a relief. I can already envision the delicious meals I’ll be able to create, and I look forward to hosting family gatherings with ease and joy, knowing that my kitchen will be equipped to handle the demands of festive cooking.

And now November, a quiet reprieve before the madness of Christmas begins.