Karen Coates
@karencoates.bsky.social
Journalist with quite big hair. Rarely shares an opinion. Occasionally muses on parenting a toddler, or shares pictures of pretty things.
Best to just assume this is me every evening for the next two weeks. Type of cheese may vary.
December 20, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Best to just assume this is me every evening for the next two weeks. Type of cheese may vary.
Managed to get out for a haircut and when I came back my four year old immediately said: “I love you mummy. Your hair is still long though.”
To which my husband said: “I think you meant: your hair looks lovely mummy”
To which my husband said: “I think you meant: your hair looks lovely mummy”
December 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Managed to get out for a haircut and when I came back my four year old immediately said: “I love you mummy. Your hair is still long though.”
To which my husband said: “I think you meant: your hair looks lovely mummy”
To which my husband said: “I think you meant: your hair looks lovely mummy”
Chucking it down, still a lovely twinkly evening.
December 18, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Chucking it down, still a lovely twinkly evening.
Present wrapping time.
December 17, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Present wrapping time.
@janehill.bsky.social I hope you’re watching celebrity masterchef. I’ve no one to discuss it with. Alfie Boe has consistently looked on the edge of tears throughout.
December 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
@janehill.bsky.social I hope you’re watching celebrity masterchef. I’ve no one to discuss it with. Alfie Boe has consistently looked on the edge of tears throughout.
Not a gourmet week on the meal planner this week.
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Not a gourmet week on the meal planner this week.
Allow me to be the last person in the world to realise that vinted is quite handy really.
December 10, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Allow me to be the last person in the world to realise that vinted is quite handy really.
In trying times, Aldi Yorkshire puds and gravy granules help.
December 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
In trying times, Aldi Yorkshire puds and gravy granules help.
I think my four year old may be part rabbit. He’s going through a very annoying picky phase, but this is what he requested for his after school snack.
December 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I think my four year old may be part rabbit. He’s going through a very annoying picky phase, but this is what he requested for his after school snack.
We’re all sleep deprived in this house at the moment, so I’m not sure it’s the best time for my four year old to have his first existential crisis. “Mum, I don’t want to die. Does everyone die?”
December 3, 2025 at 8:30 PM
We’re all sleep deprived in this house at the moment, so I’m not sure it’s the best time for my four year old to have his first existential crisis. “Mum, I don’t want to die. Does everyone die?”
Turned out quite nice though. Yes we’ve gone a bit early.
November 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Turned out quite nice though. Yes we’ve gone a bit early.
Went out to buy a Christmas tree in the p*****g rain and everyone moaned. Ho ho ho.
November 29, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Went out to buy a Christmas tree in the p*****g rain and everyone moaned. Ho ho ho.
Blowing away the cobwebs and cabin fever brought by chicken pox. Big guy is nearly better, just one more day off to be certain. A beautiful morning for it.
November 26, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Blowing away the cobwebs and cabin fever brought by chicken pox. Big guy is nearly better, just one more day off to be certain. A beautiful morning for it.
We have reached the stage of toddler where my son had a full on screaming breakdown about the pack of crackers being empty, even though he was still holding a cracker, and had a cracker in his mouth. He’s not even 18 months yet.
November 22, 2025 at 9:55 PM
We have reached the stage of toddler where my son had a full on screaming breakdown about the pack of crackers being empty, even though he was still holding a cracker, and had a cracker in his mouth. He’s not even 18 months yet.
We’ve had hand foot and mouth, an ear infection, a really nasty viral upper respiratory virus, and now chicken pox. Just chuck something gastric our way and I think it’s probably close to a full house? Autumn 2025 has been a right laugh.
November 21, 2025 at 3:33 PM
We’ve had hand foot and mouth, an ear infection, a really nasty viral upper respiratory virus, and now chicken pox. Just chuck something gastric our way and I think it’s probably close to a full house? Autumn 2025 has been a right laugh.
Today’s lunch aims to fend off the baby germs whilst also emptying the dregs of the veg drawer.
November 19, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Today’s lunch aims to fend off the baby germs whilst also emptying the dregs of the veg drawer.
Have started bringing marmite to work and it has improved my life enormously.
November 17, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Have started bringing marmite to work and it has improved my life enormously.
Autumn with a toddler: a still life.
November 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Autumn with a toddler: a still life.
Tonight my four year old ignored his noodles and basically ate tofu and watermelon for his tea. He’s a wellness influencer.
November 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Tonight my four year old ignored his noodles and basically ate tofu and watermelon for his tea. He’s a wellness influencer.
A head clearing Stretford stroll this morning.
March 17, 2025 at 11:06 AM
A head clearing Stretford stroll this morning.
Properly annoyed that the final of The Great Pottery Throwdown isn’t on till 9pm because of Crufts.
March 9, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Properly annoyed that the final of The Great Pottery Throwdown isn’t on till 9pm because of Crufts.
Due to a defrosting error, tonight we are having chicken and black bean chilli with broccoli and focaccia for tea.
February 23, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Due to a defrosting error, tonight we are having chicken and black bean chilli with broccoli and focaccia for tea.
In this house, we like meals we can build. Unfortunately that results in 4000 dishes.
February 17, 2025 at 8:41 PM
In this house, we like meals we can build. Unfortunately that results in 4000 dishes.
Trying to reframe Aquababies in my mind. It’s not “bouncing my giant baby round a very warm pool.” It’s a spa trip.
February 11, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Trying to reframe Aquababies in my mind. It’s not “bouncing my giant baby round a very warm pool.” It’s a spa trip.
Went to the new year parade in Chinatown, bought some non-traditional snacks for afters.
February 2, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Went to the new year parade in Chinatown, bought some non-traditional snacks for afters.