Book Review - Missing microbes ...How Killing Bacteria Creates Modern Plagues by Martin Blaser

This was one of the books I took to Malta with me as holiday reading. Some people may think it's a bit of a weird book to read instead of the latest novel... however I find books like this fascinating and have loved  learning about health and what happens in the body since as long as I can remember. I started reading it on the plane and managed to get some time (between all of our sight seeing jaunts) to sit around the pool and read some more...finishing it the day I came home. And now it's time to tell you a bit about its contents....

There must needs be "opposites" in all things

(This was written three weeks ago on my way to Malta)

Following my last post on laughter.... I actually don't feel like laughing right now (probably should though).
I'm sitting on an airplane having sprinted to the gate to catch our flight to Malta (a last minute surprise respite trip with my two youngest children). We turned up at the plane at about 6.45am (when all the signs said the the gate was closing at 6.25.... needles to say the gate wasn't closed and we have been waiting 15 minutes for everyone else to sprint here in a stressed out state too.... silly signs!
Today is feeling like the last 48 hours..... frustrating, rushed and stressed!

Hubby is working away this half term week  in the States (U.S) and we have a care worker  available to look after Heni for the whole week. Yippee! Rather than stay home we decided to book a last minute holiday... just me, "daughter no. 2" and "the hungry boy".

Laughter

I love this picture... I came across it on a Pinterest trawl. It got me thinking about when was the last time I truly laughed?
When was the last time YOU had an hysterical giggle fit or the raucous bellow of a big belly laugh... the type that makes your sides hurt and you just can't seem to stop?

The last time I remember that type of a laugh was a few moths ago in the kitchen with Tom (hubby). The kids were at school and we were just talking and catching up when all of a sudden Tom erupted in to giggles at something I said. It seemed like it had been a while since I last saw him laugh quite like that and it set me off laughing too. This made him laugh more, and it escalated from then on.... each laughing at the other ....with a cycle of fits of giggles ensuing... tears rolling down both of our cheeks and us wondering how on earth it all started and escalated to the hysterics we were both experiencing. 

Sanity Space- Project Beach Combing- Making Your Own Mini Beach memory jar!

For a while now I have been thinking of having guests contribute to the blog, to add a new dimension to Henibean... and seeing as I haven't done a "Sanity Space" project for a while I have asked a friend of mine to do one instead. Rebecca writes her own blog called Roses and Rolltops (http://www.rosesandrolltops.co.uk) and it's "full of of interior inspiration, floral love, weddings, travel and food ❤". She has some amazing project on there and so today she is going to share with you a really cool idea which links in very nicely with  the "Making memories and traditions" posts I've previously put up.http://henibean.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/making-memories-and-traditions-no-1.html

So without further waffle I will hand you over to the very capable Rebecca to tell you all about it.

 Jx

A couple of Easter's ago, my family, Ben and I went to Florida for nearly three weeks and had the best time ever. The beaches are so beautiful out there and you can find some real gems. Today I wanted to talk about making memory jars from some of the shells and amazing sand dollars we found there. Beach-combing is like a national sport in Florida where people come from all over the world for it's shells. We visited for the sunshine but the shells were a bonus and we've used some of the ones we bought home in this project ...  it makes me think back on the memories from that amazing holiday. 

Making Memories and Traditions 2 - Mum and Daughter date

 Siblings of special needs kids have special needs too... growing up with a disabled brother or sister can help them develop good qualities but it can also present many challenges for them. They often don't get to do things that their peers get to do or have the same amount of time or attention spent on them as it is often needed more elsewhere.  So over the years we have made an effort to carve out time to do something special purely for them.

A few weeks ago the boys headed out on a father and sons camp/soap box racing event...so that  meant it was the perfect opportunity for a  mommy and daughter date. Yippee!
For quite a few years now we have created a tradition that when the boys go to camp I get to take "daughter number 2" to go do something fun...getting some good quality one on one time while Heni stays at home with a carer.

NATURE CURE

  I wanted to post some picture that I took on my walk this morning for you to look at. I love being outside in the fresh air and sunshine, surrounded by nature and I love the contrasts of the blue sky against the green trees and grasses ... the feast to the eyes that are around every corner. It made me think of how important nature is to me and how I think I would fare very poorly if I had to live in the middle of a concrete jungle.  I'm fortunate enough to live close to the countryside and have the ability to be surrounded by the beauty of nature within minutes of stepping out of my front door.... and partake of  all its benefits .As I've been contemplating nature earlier today.... I have felt the urge to tell you a little bit about something called Nature Cure!

Eating out with food Intolerances - Greens of Grasmere

If you've  already read the post on "Walking with Wheelchairs - Grasmere Lake from Rydal car park" you will know that our half way point stop off in Grasmere village once again involved FOOD... this time at a place called "Greens".

However, first stop was to the Gingerbread shop.... which is obviously "off limits" for those with food intolerance's, due to the shed load of butter and flour! I can say from past experience though that it is VERY yummy and a definite must for those who don't have the misfortune of cutting gliadin and caesine from their diet! 
 You can't miss the shop...its super tiny and a squeeze to get in if there is a big queue. The shop assistants dress in old fashioned costumes like Sarah Nielson (the inventor of the top secret recipe) would have dressed in to add some more interest to the experience.