Fridays with S

Recently (probably because S has decided to start sleeping properly so I can actually function outside of his waking hours) I have been feeling inspired to cook, bake and generally produce delicious food again. Needing somewhere to share the recipes I've been finding, I decided to resurrect my Baby Scrumptious blog; however I then realised I didn't really have the energy to maintain two blogs - so I have decided to merge it with Fridays with S. From now on my tales of Fridays spent with the boy will appear here alongside declious recipes and anything else I want to share with my friends.

So, to kickstart the blog again, here is a recipe for Salted Caramel Brownies from The Guardian magazine. Make them, they're amazing. One tip - the recipe for the salted caramel makes about three times as much as you actually need so it's an idea to have some other recipes on hand to use it up - perhaps these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, or maybe just drizzle it warm over some good quality vanilla ice cream. Yum.

Salted Caramel Brownies

For the salted caramel
90g golden caster sugar
60ml double cream
¼ tsp sea salt flakes
60g unsalted butter, cubed

For the brownies
200g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids), broken into pieces
250g unsalted butter
4 large eggs
175g caster sugar
150g light brown soft sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
120g plain flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp sea salt flakes
20g cocoa powder

Start with the caramel: tip the sugar into a heavy-based pan and add two tablespoons of water. Heat gently, stirring only until the sugar dissolves, then turn the heat to medium-high and let the syrup come to the boil undisturbed. Simmer briskly, swirling the pan occasionally but never stirring, until the caramel turns a rich amber. Remove from the heat, stir in the cream and salt, then the butter, and set aside to cool.

Now for the brownies. Line a 23cm x 32cm brownie tin with nonstick baking parchment. Heat the oven to 190C/375F/gas mark 5. Melt the chocolate and butter over a pan of simmering water (or in the microwave), and set aside to cool.

Beat the eggs, sugars and vanilla in an electric mixer (or with a whisk) until increased in volume. Sift in the flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa, pour in the melted chocolate and butter, and beat briefly to combine. Scrape half the mixture into the tin and dot teaspoonfuls of salted caramel over the surface. Cover with the remaining brownie mix and top with more teaspoonfuls of caramel. Slide into the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 180C/350F/gas mark 4. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until almost firm in the middle. When cool, turn out and cut into 18 bars.

All Apologies

 'Tyred' at Eureka!

 I have been very lax in updating this blog for the past few weeks for a myriad of reasons - mainly though, I'd started to feel like I'd done everything there was to do on a Friday with S so felt very uninspired to write.

However, I've noticed a change in him over the past week or so; he seems to have suddenly, overnight, become a little boy - no longer a baby. So I'm feeling inspired again and ready to start exploring the world again.

A quick update then. Since I last posted we have attended two Friday birthday parties (both very different in scale and location, both very fun), visited MOSI again a few times for Experitots, been on holiday to a rainy Scarborough and visited Eureka! in Halifax with his Grandparents. All in all we've had a lovely time together.

Tomorrow brings something new for S - a visit to The Bridgewater Hall to see The Casablanca Steps performing a free lunchtime concert. The Casablanca Steps are a 4 piece band who perform music from and influenced by the 1920's and 30's - I'm hoping S will pick up a few Charleston steps!

What Shall We Do Today?

Last Friday, S and I had no plans at all so we decided to just head into Manchester and see what happened. The first thing to happen was that S was sick all down himself on the train, ruining his coat, all his clothes, his footmuff and the straps of his buggy. Following a quick change and a wipe down, he was back into his buggy, happy as Larry. A side note, if you're on a train and see a mum on her own trying to clean up a squirmy toddler, don't just move to the other end of the carriage, try offering some help...

Anyway. Once we arrived in Manchester, after a quick visit to Primark for a spare set of clothes to replace the spare set S was now wearing, we went to Manchester Art Gallery for a play in the Clore Interactive Gallery. We borrowed a sensory bag from the information desk which contained lots of different textured items for S to explore. True to form, he picked up a rubber ball and wandered around the gallery holding it.

After we'd been to the Gallery we headed to the Virgin Money Lounge so that S could have a sleep and I could have a coffee in peace. The staff there are very welcoming and are happy for the two of us to just come along and use their facilities - and the great thing is, everything is free if you are a Virgin Money customer!

Refreshed, the two of us went to MOSI for a run around the Experiment gallery where S played in the soft play area and had a good look around at all the flashing lights.

On the way home, he was sick again... poor S :(

Mini Art Club

On Friday S and I tried the Mini Art Club at Manchester Art Gallery. From their website:

We...head up to galleries to explore and look for things related to the topic of the session - this could be autumn leaves, contrasting colours or faces. It's then back down to studio to explore materials and get messy. There are lots of materials to choose from and we encourage everyone to use their imagination to create something special and unique to them.

I had initially thought that he wouldn't be old enough to appreciate it as he struggled to concentrate at Creation Station recently, however I needn't have worried as it was a lot less structured in that there was plenty of space to walk around and play.

The theme for this week was Loops and Lace. First, we went up to the Craft and Design gallery where we were asked to look for the lace bowls; S preferred however to just wander around exploring every corner. Unlike normal galleries this wasn't a problem as there were plenty of tactile objects that children are encouraged to interact with as well as string and lace cuttings scattered all over the floor for them to pick up and play with.

After we'd had a good look around we moved back downstairs and into the first Education space where there were rolling pins, clay, more lace cuttings and string and trays of white paint with rollers, brushes, black paper and acetate laid out on child sized benches. We were encouraged to make prints with the lace and string and also to use them to make imprints on the clay. The room was a great size for a child like S who likes to be on the move as he was able to move around and explore all the areas with no restrictions.

 

 

The second Education space had most of the lights turned out and there were overhead projectors and light boxes laid out around the outside of the room. There was also lots of silver material and string making a type of maze in the middle and hula hoops for them to play with. The children were encouraged to put the string and lace onto the projectors, creating interesting shadows on the walls.

 

 

It was a messy session but great fun, we will definitely be visiting again!

As we were meeting S's daddy when he finished work we decided to pass the time at MOSI in the afternoon, there were no specific sessions on for S to attend but we just played in the soft play area and had a look around the Experiment gallery. We love MOSI, the soft play is great and I'm looking forward to S being big enough to interact with the exhibits fully. For now though, there are plenty of flashing lights and moving objects to keep him entertained!

Treasure Baskets

On Friday 2nd March S and I tried out the Treasure Baskets session at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester.

I think he was probably a little old for the session as the aim of Treasure Baskets is to allow babies who can sit unsupported (but not yet crawl or walk) to explore baskets of found and natural objects, such as loofahs, brushes, torches, feathers and shiny material. S did not want to sit and touch these objects, which surprised me as he loves textures, but instead he wanted to walk around the wide open spaces of the gallery and explore all the dark corners.

   

Once he'd exhausted the exploration opportunities, he did become captivated by the torches for a few minutes, and Carol, who was running the session, also fetched him a basket of musical instruments as I explained how much he loves to make a noise!

 

There were not that many other babies there which was a shame but hopefully over time the session will become more popular as it was a lovely session for both babies and parents.

After the session, we went through to the cafe for lunch, I only had the soup and bread (from Barbakan in Chorlton so of course it was delicious!) due to money saving necessities but it was very filling - although I did need to order another portion of bread as S decided that bread dipped in soup was a much preferable meal to his jar of Organix food!

All in all I would say it's definitely worth a visit if your baby is sitting unsupported or even crawling, but if your child is as active as mine then it's still a lovely session - just expect them to want to run around!

Experitots

This week S and I went to Experitots at MOSI in Manchester. We have been before but as it's only once a month it's really nice to see how S has developed in the past month; what new toys he's attracted to, how fast he can get around and whether he's interested in the stories and songs. This time, all he wanted to do was make noise and walk around with a yellow plastic ball in each hand...Still, he had fun!

 

The Experiment! Gallery on the first floor of the main MOSI building is closed until 12pm to children over the age of 5 making it a lovely safe environment for toddlers and babies. As well as the usual soft play area and the child-focused experiments and displays, the MOSI staff cram hundreds of toys - blocks, dolls, play tents, balls, trains etc - into the space, meaning there is something different to do around every corner. For each Experitots session there is a theme - this month it was Out of This World - and for the last half hour two of MOSI's education team lead a story and song session around the theme. It's great fun!

 

The cafe at MOSI is fantastic with plenty of space and a huge number of highchairs. There is a kids section where they can pick 5 items for £3.95 (or just buy them seperately) and the adult menu is great too. I can't wait until next month to visit again!

Experitots runs one Friday a month (check the website for details of dates and theme) and is £3 for one child and an adult. It's advisable to email to book in advance as it fills up quickly.

The Creation Station

Today S and I (along with S's daddy) tried out The Creation Station in Glossop. The Creation Station is a nationwide franchise of art and craft sessions for children aged 1-11. As S is only 13 months I did wonder whether he would be ready for a class like this, but as it was the Valentines Day session I decided to show a little love and take him along.

The children are all given protective clothing, either full suits for the toddlers or plastic coats for the older children. The class then started with a welcome song and then some magic words and movement to open a box filled with the art materials that would be used that week.

Once we had the materials unpacked, everyone took a seat and began to create! We made pictures of 'lovebirds' using paints, foam rollers, paintbrushes, sequins, feathers and tissue paper. We then made clay hearts which were then coated in red glitter and hung with ribbon. The children could then take these home with them. The class ended with washing of hands, and a goodbye song.

 

Overall I thought this was a lovely activity and one I will look forward to taking S to in the future, however for now I think he may have been a little young as he mainly wanted to run around the room and explore. Having said that, he is a very active child and perhaps a child who is more willing to sit on their parents knee would get more out of the session.

You can book a class by emailing Sarah Kooper at sarahkooper@thecreationstation.co.uk. The Glossop classes are currently 10am on a Friday at the Glossop Girl Guiding Hut on Dinting Vale.