So, here we are then.
Just days away from Christmas 2015 and all the fun and frolics which accompany the big day.
Right now, most of you are probably really stressed out, hunting the shops for the perfect gift for that special someone or trying to find a ravishing `under the mistletoe dress’.
Well, with so much going on, it can be easy to forget what this time of year is really about.
If you’re lucky enough to have family and friends around, Christmas is the perfect time to spend some quality time together and make precious memories.
But it can be a hard time of year for those of us who miss loved ones.
For many, Christmas can also be the right time to sit back and assess this past year.
For me, 2014/2015 was one of the best.
From becoming a parent last December along with my husband, to having our little girl Abbie baptised and from enjoying our first family holiday to recently celebrating her very special 1st birthday, we have been truly blessed.
I’ve just been so lucky and I feel so thankful to have what I have, including a wonderful family who support me at every turn.
And it’s just as well really because as we approach Christmas 2015, it seems that Darren and I are to be blessed with another little miracle.
For those of you who have seen me recently, you’d be forgiven for thinking I had put on a little extra weight, particularly around the middle.
But no, I haven’t eaten all the mince pies nor have I emptied the selection boxes from under the Christmas tree.
Nope folks, today I am over the moon to announce to you all that Darren and I are expecting another little baby.
No words can express how overjoyed we are and how happy our families are with our news.
We have had such a wonderful time watching our gorgeous little Abbie grow these past 12 months and now our little princess is to get a baby brother or baby sister in March.
We are just so happy and of course we are not underestimating the task before us.
Yes, I know it will be challenging with two little ones but the joy and blessing they bring far outweigh the exhausting night feeds and constant nappy changes.
Although, to be fair, Abbie has been such a good baby, sleeping through the night from she was born and just relaxing the rest of the time.
Of course, in recent months, as she has found her feet, life has gathered pace.
She has been attempting to outsmart her daddy and myself by standing up and sitting down at every turn and then she just attempts to break free to try and walk on her own.
She’s not quite there yet but she’s very close and to be honest, my heart just melts when I see how far she has come and how beautiful she is. We are just so proud of her.
And now she is in training to become the best big sister she can be.
She’s preparing to pass on all her own baby knowledge to the new arrival and I’m sure she will be a fabulous big sis.
So, for now, we must just hope and pray that all remains well and when the time comes for the big arrival, that all goes to plan for both baby and myself.
Until then, I’ll have to put up with the crazy cravings and get on with our own preparations.
We’ll keep you posted. Wish us luck.
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There's a new year on the horizon, so how would you like to win a new healthy living cookbook to help you start 2016 feeling great?
The new Slim's Healthy Kitchen Choose Balance Cookbook is a hardback, 152 page book divided into sections of breakfast, light bites, mains, soups, salads and sauces, sweet treats and little big people - perfect for kickstarting the eating healthy campaign in January.
At Slim's Healthy Kitchen restaurants, the aim is to bring a fresh approach to food, by simply making healthier food more accessible and more exciting.
Not everything they serve is uber healthy, raw or organic it's not what they are about. It's about choices, you can visit any of the Slim's restaurants and find something to eat around most diet choices, grass fed meats, gluten free, paleo, even slimming world.
Slim’s Healthy Kitchen restaurants are located on Belfast’s Lisburn Road, Belmont Road and Victoria Square.
The new Slim's Healthy Kitchen Choose Balance Cookbook is available from Slim's Healthy Kitchen restaurants and is also available to buy online at www.slimskitchen.com for £19.99.
I have three copies of Slim's Healthy Kitchen Choose Balance Cookbook to give away.
If you fancy winning a copy, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com
Closing date for entries is Tuesday, December 22, 2015.
(Q) What date is New Year's Eve?
Normal Irish News Rules Apply
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What's Hot?
Return - Star Wars fans have been sent into overdrive thanks to the release of Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, starring Harrison Ford and the gang. Out now. Enjoy.
Laughs - After a lengthy wait, we finally have a release date for Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley will return as Edina and Patsy for their big screen debut on July 1. Good news, sweetie darlings.
Yum - If you're searching for a yummy festive snack, check out these Asda Extra Special White Chocolate, Cranberry and Pistachio Cookies, priced at £1.20. They are delectably crumbly and wonderfully indulgent. Yummy.
So Not!
Pass - Hollywood great, Al Pacino has revealed he turned down the role of Hans Solo in Star Wars because he "didn’t understand the script". Whoops.
Cancelled - Fans of CBS comedy, Mike and Molly, starring Melissa McCarthy and Billy Gardell have been left disappointed after learning the series has been cancelled after six seasons. Such a funny show. Bad decision.
Criticism - Katie Price has come under fire after she shared a photo of her eight-year-old daughter, Princess, wearing heavy make-up. What's the big deal? She's a little girl and that's what little girls do.
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Competition
The winners of the How To Stuff Up Christmas competition are Lilian Nugent, from Keady; Elizabeth Hartley, from Belfast; Christine McQullian, from Antrim; Therese Ferguson, from Omagh; and Sonia Haddad, from Newry
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Easy Peasy Recipe
This week’s Easy Peasy Recipe is Eggnog Milkshake which has been sent in by Musgrave MarketPlace
You will need:
2 scoops of soft scoop vanilla ice cream
200ml of Kerrymaid dairy custard
200ml of skimmed milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
2 pinch of ground cinnamon
Handful of ice cubes
2 candy canes (optional)
To Make:
Place all the ingredients in a blender
Mix until smooth
Dust with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg
Add candy cane and serve
Do you have an Easy Peasy recipe you would like to share?
Are you the queen of quiches, magnificent at muffins or can you turn out some nice scones?
If so, then we want to hear from you.
You can send your name, address, contact number and recipe (plus photo if possible) to:
Easy Peasy Recipes,
Marie Louise McConville,
Irish News
113-117 Donegall Street,
Belfast,
BT1 2GE
or
m.mcconville@irishnews.com
