Updating things

New start, new look etc.

Bear with me for a day or two while I get things up and running again. And get used to the Blogger app on iPad...

Ignore content in this post, I will be attempting to upload photos etc.

It's been a while...

I apologise for not being in here for a while. The death of my father in December did knock me back a bit and all the shenanigans that have happened since with work, mum etc. have rather taken over.

However, I 'm back! I have another blog now about looking after mum which you can find here:

http://herabsentmind.blogspot.com

I will start posting recipes again very soon and hopefully now I can organise some photos too :D

Such a slacker

I've been working all weekend and had a cold so not really felt like posting or cooking (or eating!).

Dorcas mentioned making soup and I think that is a jolly good idea and just the ticket to get me back to normal. I've got leeks, parsley and some frozen sprouts and spinach. Plenty of iron and vitamin C :) I also fancy a little hard boiled egg mashed with some butter. And wish I'd never been introduced to Marmite flavoured cashew nuts... talk about addictive!

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I've just been accepted to be a mystery shopper! It's an adhoc thing and you can do as much or as little as you like but it might bring in a few pounds for birthday presents and the like. Will let you know how I get on.

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Due to the fact that claiming tax credits just puts me over the limit for legal aid my solicitor has suggested that I do the financial stuff myself and she will offer guidance, keeping costs to a minimum. This is really nothing more than yet another statement of earnings type form with a few extra boxes to complete. Luckily I don't have any credit cards, ISAs, savings, other property or indeed any assets other than the equity in the house so it probably won't take that long!

Freezing!

Goodness me it is a bit chilly today! The windows are rattling and the rain is lashing down. I have one more day of birthday holiday then back to work tomorrow, and believe me I really really don't want to go back. There's so much uncertainty about our jobs and the rumours that fly around as a consequence of this are disheartening - one thing it does show though is how little we are appreciated. And if we survive this round of cost cuts, there's always next financial year when yet more millions will have to be saved from somewhere.

So.... one more day of not quite getting anywhere near low-carb food for me. As it is Thursday and therefore the tightest day of the week I have been on a cupboard rummage - or should that be crummage? - and found some leeks, onion, small potatoes, eggs, parsley, tinned tomatoes and cheese. This says Tortilla and a spicy tomato sauce to me. Simple, comforting, tasty and warming. Perfect!

(Or I could do and egg curry....)

(or a crustless leek quiche...)

                                                                         

Birthday treat

Last night we went to The Daffodil ( www.thedaffodil.com ) It was absolutely lovely. And I was completely spoiled. We had champagne cocktails (bellini for me and a classic for him) then we chose the sharing menu which meant starter was prawn and crayfish cocktail, twice baked cheese souffle, scallops with confit of belly pork and chinese crispy duck salad. Then we chose chateaubriand with pots dauph and veg (charentais carrots, green beans, broccoli) followed by the pudding plate: chocolate brownie thing, sticky toffee pudding and ice cream, orange creme brulee, and another one I can't remember... Then coffee and petit four which included turkish delight, tiny florentines and what looked like chocolate truffles but were filled with ice cream/raspberry sorbet. We had to take a bit of a constitutional on the way home to walk some of it off :D

Tonight I am cooking roast chook, roasters, parsnip and garlic puree, carrots, greens, cheesy leeks and yorkshires. Followed by choc mousse. But we did walk all round Burford this afternoon (and spend a bit in the cook shop... ooops!)

Normal eating will resume after Tuesday ;)

Bit of a Brucie Bonus

Due to the time-honoured fashion of checking pockets, sofas, handbags etc. I've managed to muster a couple of quids. Add to this the discovery of a tin of smoked oysters lurking in the cupboards - they were in the baking cupboard for some reason (probably the same reason that puts my purse in the dishwasher and the milk in the bathroom...) plus the bits and bobs sitting in the fridge and I'm all fired up for a tasty meal this evening. As usual I'm having difficulty choosing. I'm sure life would be easier if I wasn't so greedy!

I could do smoked oyster stuffed mushrooms using the oysters, smoked bacon, huge mushrooms, parsley, leek, cream and brie.

Or smoked oyster and brie soup.

Or maybe do something similar to the chicken liver thing I do with watercress and a warm dressing.

Decisions decisions....


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Why does my son feel it's necessary to tell me the entire plot of the book he's just read and I'm about to start?? Grr.

Blissful things

I am now on annual leave for a week and a day. It is a blissful feeling knowing that I won't be dealing with challenging behaviour until next Friday. Well... unless you count a brainless spinone, three teenagers, telemarketers and a recalcitrant Cornishman that is.

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I'll be nice about him though because on Saturday morning I am being treated to some time here:

http://www.vanillainc.co.uk/

Blissful indeed. I've decided on a pedicure because I like having my feet messed with and they always look so pretty when someone else does it. Generally my efforts to put polish on my toenails ends up looking like I've shut my toes in the door. And a manicure because I like my hands when I have pretty nails. Vacuous?? Moi?!? The only problem is choosing the colours... Do we think dark or pale bearing in mind that I am wearing black on Saturday night? Or just go for a French? French on toes looks really pretty I think. Massage was an option but ignoring the fact that afterwards it's almost impossible a) stay awake and b) string a coherent sentence together (not great in the romance stakes), you look as though all the aromatherapy oils were in fact applied to your hair. Plus you can't admire a massage for several days afterwards.

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Finally my stomach is in good order so normal kitchen activities resume. The monetary constraints continue however so after a swift shufty through the cupboards and freezer this evening I am planning on crustless leek and corned beef quiche with some quick cucumber relish, Nige and Horizon. And a lie-in tomorrow.

Bliss.