Happy Sunday! I hope you’re all having a gorgeous weekend and lapping up the sunshine in your neck of the woods.  I had a lovely day yesterday with my little man and took him to the park for the first time on Friday – he’s still too small for many of the rides, but he loved sitting on my lap on the swings and slide. 

Last weekend was equally beautiful and we met up with our friends and family at our annual reunion, which took place at Blenheim Palace last year, but this year we all met at the very beautiful Nymans Gardens.  I saw it as an excuse to wear my new breton striped maxi-dress…not that I need any more stripes in my wardrobe! 

There we roughly 30 of us in total, so you can imagine the kind of feast that we enjoyed during our picnic.  It was so lovely seeing everyone again and to think that Aiden was a bump last year, so it was great introducing him to all the gang.  My nieces and I wondered off after the picnic to explore and I think you will agree that the gardens are just stunning.  I feel a little regretful that we didn’t venture further afield as there are some woodlands too that we didn’t get to see, but I guess it’s the perfect excuse to return another time. 

On Sunday and after all the excitement of the day before, we decided to have a relaxing family day and lunch.  Alfie and I love trying out different restaurants and after I spotted The Perch Inn on Masterchef recently and finding out that it was on the Inspector Morse Trail that we never quite completed, we thought that it was the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon.  We sat in the garden to eat and it was far too hot for a traditional Sunday lunch, so I had a burger and these cooked-three-times chips off the menu for a bit of a BBQ summer vibe.

Of course, when the sun is out it’s always Pimm’s O’ Clock!  This was so yummy and we stayed in the pub garden for a while before walking more along the Inspector Morse Trail and sitting by the river before heading home for a Breaking Bad marathon.  High-five to perfect Sundays!

Here’s What Else I Have Been Eating

This supercharged green smoothie loaded with matcha green tea was the perfect start to a rather busy day. It also included apple, banana, spinach, cucumber and cashew nuts so it was really thick and creamy. 

 Fluffy scrambled eggs with half an avocado for breakfast always make for a winning morning. 

 I LOVE these Rebel Kitchen drinks for a healthy chocolate kick in the afternoon.

This quinoa and lentil salad with roasted butternut squash, edamame beans, rocket and chicken that I had cooked in the Turbo Air Fryer that I have been asked to try out from Vonshef was amazing.  I made a huge batch of it for quick and easy lunches for the week.

I reinvented the same quinoa and lentil salad by adding broccoli and a chopped apple to give it a different twist.

Courgetti with an organic beef ragu with cream cheese stirred in never gets old.

I treated myself to this amazing chicken and avocado superfood salad from Pret.  There was also meant to be a green juice in this picture, but someone’s chubby baby fingers thought it made a nice toy!

It totally felt like autumn one evening so I filled my belly with this comforting sausage pappardelle with homemade sauce.

This chilli fajita bowl was a highlight of last weekend, fully loaded with salsa, avocado, yoghurt and refried beans. Nom! 

I love treating myself to bits of foodie heaven.  Yesterday I couldn’t resist this yummy slice of salted caramel fudge from Fudge Kitchen.  

I really have been treated to some pretty epic weekends in the past few weeks, full of quality time with friends and family, amazing food and laughter.  Today we’re off to another christening, it seems to be the season for them at the moment and I’m really looking forward to it.  I hope the sun keeps on shining!

What would your perfect weekend involve?  What foodie pieces of heaven have you been treating yourself to recently?