I love a good sprout. Unfortunately for everyone else I like them soft, almost mushy!

Searching for a new way to satisfy all over the Christmas table and I found these recipes after being inspired by a blog I follow. Clearly I am behind in sprout terms!

Peel the outer leaves (this is trickier than you might think but persevere) and cut the remainder in 3 length ways to keep the sprouts relatively thin. Heat your oven to 180 degrees or Gas Mark 4 and sprinkle/drizzle over your seasonings. Cook for 10 minutes but check regularly to not let the crispy ones become charcoal! I tried mine 3 ways.

1. Cinnamon, sugar, salt and olive oil. Salty but sweet - scrumptious!
2. Balsamic glaze and olive oil - sharp and sticky - best eaten with fingers.
3. Soy sauce, salt and olive oil - surprisingly complementary flavours.

If you love sprouts you will love my Pinterest board! Follow it here.

Our Local Authority are proposing to cut back on over 15 lollipop ladies at the school gates, across North Somerset by March 2014. It's a topic that is fresh in our minds as big boy is learning all about road safety at pre school. His pre school is nestled amongst trees in a picture perfect village setting where you can drive right up to the front door. However, the local school in the village is on the busy main road and has been fortunate to have a loyal lollipop lady who has worked outside the school gates for over 24 years!

He jumped at the change to make our own zebra crossing and lollipop and role played in the cul de sac, with our neighbour in giggles at how serious he was! He would make one strict lollipop man! We played until it got dark and I was so proud of how much he had absorbed from his pre school leaders.

I have signed an epetition urging the Government to take note of the need for safer crossings outside schools. You can support the petition here.

One of my favourite vintage fairs hosted a Christmas special at the Exeter Thistle Hotel. Crikey It's Vintage was home to over 55 stalls of handmade loveliness, vintage finds as well as clothes, home accessories and antiques.

Armed with a small boy in a buggy, which was both brave and stupid, I apologised my way round the stalls, trying not to bump into the trestle tables and wheel over people's toes.

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I saw some super cute fabric crowns by Maid in Devon, which you could reuse every Christmas instead of the useless paper ones that rip apart as soon as you place them on your head! I fell in love with some animal heads made from cardboard by Rob Mason. Check out his website, if just for the graphics! I lusted after the seagull for big boy's nautical bedroom but decided to pin it for when he's a little older, although I am kicking myself now as they were half price especially for Crikey!

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I spied some delicate fabric creations by Jeanie Deans and swiftly put a green and blue print caddy in the bottom of the buggy! £10 too and perfect for holding my SLR when I need it accessible. I swiped a beaten up vintage camera which I am going to use as a paperweight for £3 and it makes a great prop too.

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Then I discovered Claire Close a talented local artist selling hand screen prints (check out the floral one I bought on sale for £5), cards and giant colour in posters for kids! I snapped up a couple of cards too.

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I managed to find time to sneak some beautiful ceramic jewellery, hair slides and anchor earrings into my bag (all under £3) and a fab bow cushion from Kimbows which goes with my office decor perfectly.

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After watching the boy have a jig in the pushchair to the Santa Babies girl group I had just enough time to Face time my husband at home to show him a painted window frame mirror which I have been on the look out for, for the lounge, for ages! I couldn't believe it when the seller was Karen from The White Approach! I follow Karen's blog on twitter and it was a pleasure to actually meet her!

Small boy was as good as gold and I scooted back up the motorway before I was missed for too long!

Roll on the next Crikey It's Vintage fair!