At the end of last year, the delightful Helga sent me a package which included this book. I’d heard of this book before, but it’d had never really ‘crossed my path’ but the blurb on the back sounded interesting, so I thought I’d give it a whirl, and I’m glad I did, it’s a lovely story.
When I first started reading the book I really didn’t like the way it was laid out, you see the whole tale is told through the use of letters and telegrams. I was reading them, thinking they were setting the scene and that the actual chapters would begin anytime soon, but they didn’t. Soon though, once I’d gotten over that realisation and actually settled into the story I realised that this was a wonderful way of telling the story. It kept everything moving quickly and very much away from the slow moving dull love story it could have ended up being.
Basically, Juliet is an author and following the war she receives a letter from a member of a strangely named literary society on the island of Guernsey. Soon, they spark up a penpal kind of relationship and she begins to learn about the occupation of the Channel Islands, and the unusual folks that are members of the literary society. She’s so enthralled by the stories she hears that she decides that she wants to write a book about them and the occupation, and goes to the island. From that point onwards her life completely changes course, she’s no longer the London literary party person, but instead adopts the life of rural idyll, along with an orphaned child of the person who will become the heroine of her book. She finds love, friendship and a readymade family just by going to the island, and the whole tale is completely endearing.
For my part, I’d never really thought of the Channel Islands during the war and whilst this is a fictional tale it does reveal some pretty harrowing details of life under the Germans, and does seem somewhat realistic in its depictions. I was even more keen to read this book having visited Guernsey earlier in the year, but I think if I was to return I’d probably seek out a bit more about the German occupation as this book reveals, it was a very important stage in the history of the Channel Islands.
Anyway, this book has sadness, it has laugh out loud moments, it has love and good humour and I’d really really recommend this book as one to add to your ‘to read’ pile… Ideally while you’re on a boat to the Channel Islands.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Sunday, 30 January 2011
The Dandy Highwayman
I'm quite lucky at the moment inasmuch as I'm having some really nice days... this weekend was no exception.
Friday night I got home from work to find that the boots I'd ordered from Office has arrived and were with my neighbours. As soon as I got them in the door I had to put them on, and my word they are dramatic. Not just because of the huge heel (which facilitated my walking into our living room ceiling light) but because of the delicious wine colour of them too. They can be worn two ways, and I have to say that I do actually feel as if I should be going out with a frilly blouse and war paint a' la Adam Ant when I put them on. They are so musketeer it's unreal. Yes I do love them lots, I just need to break them in now.
Saturday morning, I was up bright and early to go collect my spectacles with the new lenses in. Is it just me, or do new specs always make you feel a bit, y'know, cross eyed? Anyway, hubby and I thought we'd take the opportunity to have breakfast in a local greasy spoon, before hubby was dropping Mum and I at the train station as we were going to check out Rugby's shopping offer. When I got to Mums she gave me this delightful little dress, isn't it sweet?
The train station was a nightmare. It was full of yobs going to the Coventry V Birmingham football match, guzzling cans of Carling and thinking it highly amusing to sing lady in red to me as I passed them by in my red coat. I just ignored them... fools.
Despite a long wait for the train, the trip to Rugby wasn't too bad. We hadn't been before during the day, only at night for the theatre, and thought that it might well be worth a peruse. In fairness, it wasn't too bad. It probably wasn't the sort of town I'd go to all the time, purely because it's actually quite small. There's a good offer of charity shops though and I managed to bag two books that are on my Amazon Wishlist
, and a fabulous shawl (that hubby and mum don't like) all for the princely sum of £3.
After a nice cappuccino in a gorgeous cafe, and a final peruse of the shops, Mum and I headed home to Coventry. We got back by about 5.30, and hubby collected us and our bags from the station.
That evening, it was a rare night of just me and hubby in the house. We decided it was too cold to go out anywhere, and there were no bands on (because the thought did cross our mind that we would go out, so we did check the listings), so instead we bought some beers and some nibbles and spent the evening watching 'Take Me Out' (is it weird that I've developed a crush on Paddy McGuinness) followed by Get Carter (I've always had a crush on young Michael Caine). It was a really lovely and cosy evening.
Today, we've mostly been catching up on household chores, and taking the dogs for a nice long walk in the cold sunshine. I'm back to work tomorrow, but I think on the whole it'll be a fairly quiet week. Right now, I'm off to bed. Night night blogland.
Friday night I got home from work to find that the boots I'd ordered from Office has arrived and were with my neighbours. As soon as I got them in the door I had to put them on, and my word they are dramatic. Not just because of the huge heel (which facilitated my walking into our living room ceiling light) but because of the delicious wine colour of them too. They can be worn two ways, and I have to say that I do actually feel as if I should be going out with a frilly blouse and war paint a' la Adam Ant when I put them on. They are so musketeer it's unreal. Yes I do love them lots, I just need to break them in now.
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| My new boots |
Saturday morning, I was up bright and early to go collect my spectacles with the new lenses in. Is it just me, or do new specs always make you feel a bit, y'know, cross eyed? Anyway, hubby and I thought we'd take the opportunity to have breakfast in a local greasy spoon, before hubby was dropping Mum and I at the train station as we were going to check out Rugby's shopping offer. When I got to Mums she gave me this delightful little dress, isn't it sweet?
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| New Frock |
The train station was a nightmare. It was full of yobs going to the Coventry V Birmingham football match, guzzling cans of Carling and thinking it highly amusing to sing lady in red to me as I passed them by in my red coat. I just ignored them... fools.
Despite a long wait for the train, the trip to Rugby wasn't too bad. We hadn't been before during the day, only at night for the theatre, and thought that it might well be worth a peruse. In fairness, it wasn't too bad. It probably wasn't the sort of town I'd go to all the time, purely because it's actually quite small. There's a good offer of charity shops though and I managed to bag two books that are on my Amazon Wishlist
, and a fabulous shawl (that hubby and mum don't like) all for the princely sum of £3.
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| Two books and a shawl £3 |
That evening, it was a rare night of just me and hubby in the house. We decided it was too cold to go out anywhere, and there were no bands on (because the thought did cross our mind that we would go out, so we did check the listings), so instead we bought some beers and some nibbles and spent the evening watching 'Take Me Out' (is it weird that I've developed a crush on Paddy McGuinness) followed by Get Carter (I've always had a crush on young Michael Caine). It was a really lovely and cosy evening.
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| Gratuitous picture of the love Michael Caine. |
Saturday, 29 January 2011
Old Tom Chocolate Ale
I'd consider myself a regular ale drinker. I love going to our local and enjoying a pint of the old man drink, and I'm eternally amazed by the varied tastes that the breweries can muster up, but NEVER have I been moved to write about one of the ales I've had... until now. This evening, when I was in Alexander Wines, a specialist off licence in Earlsdon I spotted this and thought it sounded delicious. My word was I right. Old Tom Chocolate Ale by Robinsons ale is truly delicious. I've had chocolate ales before, many a time, but they never quite manage to pin down the beautiful smoothness of rich dark chocolate properly. As soon as I'd poured this one into the glass I could smell the aromas of rich cocoa, and the ale looks so dark it could be chocolate. A taste though and it was just perfection, an ideal concoction of bitter ale and smooth smooth chocolate. Now, I'm going to stop cooing about this ale here, although as a self confessed chocoholic I could actually get used to this one. If you see this in your local bar or off licence you simply have to buy it, you will not regret it.
Note: This is not a sponsored post... I really do love this beer this much.
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| Slurp |
Note: This is not a sponsored post... I really do love this beer this much.
Friday, 28 January 2011
52 New Recipes Challenge - Week 4: Golden Chicken with Peppers
Well, I didn't want to leave it too long before I tried out one of the recipes from the dodgy 1980s cookbook that I found at the charity shop on Tuesday, and you'll be pleased to know that I didn't opt to make the choo choo train cake.
I made this meal on Thursday night for me, hubby and the kids and served it with mashed potato and green beans. It went down very well, and although it wasn't the fastest meal to cook it was certainly rewarding and very delicious.
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 chicken joints
seasoned flour
100g/ 4oz butter
12 tiny onions
12 button mushrooms
2 sticks celery chopped
1 red pepper
1/4 pint chicken stock
1/4 pint dry white wine
1 small packet of frozen peas
25g/ 1oz fat
25g/ 1oz flour
1/4 pint single cream
(Notes: I used 3 standard size onions instead of the tiny ones, I omitted celery and peas and the fat)
Method
1. Coat the chicken joints in seasoned flour. Heat the butter in a saucepan and fry the joints until browned.
2. Add the onions, mushrooms, celery and peppers and fry for 2 - 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and wine.
3. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Add the peas and cook for a further 10 minutes.
4. Using a slotted spoon put the chicken and vegetables in a serving dish.
5. Bring the juices to the boil and thicken by whisking in the flour and the fat. Remove from the heat and add the cream (do not return to the heat or boil). Mix thoroughly.
6. Poor this over the chicken and serve.
Yep, this one was definitely a winner, which I was very surprised about with it being from the 1980s cookbook lol.
I made this meal on Thursday night for me, hubby and the kids and served it with mashed potato and green beans. It went down very well, and although it wasn't the fastest meal to cook it was certainly rewarding and very delicious.
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| Golden Chicken with Peppers served with mashed potato and green beans |
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 chicken joints
seasoned flour
100g/ 4oz butter
12 tiny onions
12 button mushrooms
2 sticks celery chopped
1 red pepper
1/4 pint chicken stock
1/4 pint dry white wine
1 small packet of frozen peas
25g/ 1oz fat
25g/ 1oz flour
1/4 pint single cream
(Notes: I used 3 standard size onions instead of the tiny ones, I omitted celery and peas and the fat)
Method
1. Coat the chicken joints in seasoned flour. Heat the butter in a saucepan and fry the joints until browned.
2. Add the onions, mushrooms, celery and peppers and fry for 2 - 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and wine.
3. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Add the peas and cook for a further 10 minutes.
4. Using a slotted spoon put the chicken and vegetables in a serving dish.
5. Bring the juices to the boil and thicken by whisking in the flour and the fat. Remove from the heat and add the cream (do not return to the heat or boil). Mix thoroughly.
6. Poor this over the chicken and serve.
Yep, this one was definitely a winner, which I was very surprised about with it being from the 1980s cookbook lol.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Half day slacker
Tuesday was a pretty excellent day for me really.
In the morning I had to drop hubby at work as I was dropping overgrown Prudence off at her dog groomers to have her woolly mammoth winter coat stripped back. I only had the morning in work, as knowing that I had to pick her up again at lunchtime, and having some leave left, I thought I’d take an afternoon off to be at leisure. Perhaps it was knowing that I had an afternoon to myself that made the morning go so fast.
Anyway, just before leaving work I thought that I’d have a quick look on the office website to see these bargains that people like Vix have been mentioning. Having not bought a new Fever dress from the latest brandalley sale earlier in the week, I was assuring myself that I wouldn’t succumb to a new pair of shoes. In truth though, I couldn't resist and ended up buying myself some gorgeous new knee high boots… it was payday after all. Plus, I had some peer pressure from other ladies in the office lol.
First on my list of things to do was, obviously, to collect Miss Prudence from the groomers, looking wonderful, and to drop her home to her beloved pining Alfie.
After that, I decided to spend an afternoon in Earlsdon (a well heeled suburb of Coventry), perusing the charity shops and drinking cappuccino in the café. While I was perusing I stumbled on this cookery book.
Now, I have to give you a bit of background about this cookery book. When I was a child my mum and dad had one cookery book. My mum had bought it for my dad when they were courting (she had the right idea lol), and I remembered the book vividly. Mum was only talking about that very book a couple of weeks back, and my dears, this is the book! I couldn’t believe it was kicking about for 99p in a local charity shop, so I had to buy it.
After a bit more perusing, and a wee bit of grocery shopping (and have I really got to that stage in my life where men ask me how to cook things in the supermarket? I told hubby about this when I got home and he suggested that maybe I was being chatted up, I think it’s more likely that I look like the mumsy type these days who knows how to cook chilli con carne) I had to head off to collect hubby from work.
Earlier in the month I’d promised Mum and hubby that I’d treat them to a carvery meal in our local pub on payday, so once hubby and I walked the dogs we collected Mum and set off to the very busy pub for our gorgeous dinner. Over dinner, I began discussing the cook book with Mum, when suddenly I remembered a cake that my Dad had made for me one birthday. Lets not get excited, I remembered this cake because it was so damn awful and consisted of a swiss roll made to look like a train with (not so) clever use of buttercream icing, marshmallows, smarties and apple slices. Anyway, a later look of the cookery book revealed that the very recipe was in there, along with a humpty dumpty cake, and a Mississippi steam boat cake, all of which seem to be made with Swiss roll or Victoria sponge. Actually, looking through the book it’s typically 1980s and for every good recipe there are about 3 awful ones. Rest assured, I’ll definitely find something from it to make for my 52 recipes series… and who knows, maybe someone will get a delicious humpty dumpty cake for their birthday this year. If nothing else at least the book sent me to bed in fits of laughter and nostalgia, and really topped off a wonderful day.
In the morning I had to drop hubby at work as I was dropping overgrown Prudence off at her dog groomers to have her woolly mammoth winter coat stripped back. I only had the morning in work, as knowing that I had to pick her up again at lunchtime, and having some leave left, I thought I’d take an afternoon off to be at leisure. Perhaps it was knowing that I had an afternoon to myself that made the morning go so fast.
Anyway, just before leaving work I thought that I’d have a quick look on the office website to see these bargains that people like Vix have been mentioning. Having not bought a new Fever dress from the latest brandalley sale earlier in the week, I was assuring myself that I wouldn’t succumb to a new pair of shoes. In truth though, I couldn't resist and ended up buying myself some gorgeous new knee high boots… it was payday after all. Plus, I had some peer pressure from other ladies in the office lol.
First on my list of things to do was, obviously, to collect Miss Prudence from the groomers, looking wonderful, and to drop her home to her beloved pining Alfie.
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| New do Pru? |
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| A familiar 1980s cookbook |
Now, I have to give you a bit of background about this cookery book. When I was a child my mum and dad had one cookery book. My mum had bought it for my dad when they were courting (she had the right idea lol), and I remembered the book vividly. Mum was only talking about that very book a couple of weeks back, and my dears, this is the book! I couldn’t believe it was kicking about for 99p in a local charity shop, so I had to buy it.
After a bit more perusing, and a wee bit of grocery shopping (and have I really got to that stage in my life where men ask me how to cook things in the supermarket? I told hubby about this when I got home and he suggested that maybe I was being chatted up, I think it’s more likely that I look like the mumsy type these days who knows how to cook chilli con carne) I had to head off to collect hubby from work.
Earlier in the month I’d promised Mum and hubby that I’d treat them to a carvery meal in our local pub on payday, so once hubby and I walked the dogs we collected Mum and set off to the very busy pub for our gorgeous dinner. Over dinner, I began discussing the cook book with Mum, when suddenly I remembered a cake that my Dad had made for me one birthday. Lets not get excited, I remembered this cake because it was so damn awful and consisted of a swiss roll made to look like a train with (not so) clever use of buttercream icing, marshmallows, smarties and apple slices. Anyway, a later look of the cookery book revealed that the very recipe was in there, along with a humpty dumpty cake, and a Mississippi steam boat cake, all of which seem to be made with Swiss roll or Victoria sponge. Actually, looking through the book it’s typically 1980s and for every good recipe there are about 3 awful ones. Rest assured, I’ll definitely find something from it to make for my 52 recipes series… and who knows, maybe someone will get a delicious humpty dumpty cake for their birthday this year. If nothing else at least the book sent me to bed in fits of laughter and nostalgia, and really topped off a wonderful day.
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| Boots - Duo Boots; Tights - Primark; Dress - Gift; Jumper - Wallis; Red top - Gap; Handbag - Vintage Gift from Vix |
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Blue Suede Shoes
Last week I had a card from the postie, but hadn't had time to go and collect my parcel until yesterday. I was really vexed too as they've moved the post sorting office from the centre of town to right on the outskirts, out near Coventry airport, what's that about? Anyway, after a long drive to the other side of the city after work yesterday, it was nice to discover that it was worth it because check out my gorgeous new shoes... I'm in love!
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| An eBay bargain |
Monday, 24 January 2011
Good Karma, Bad Karma
This weekend was a really mixed one for me, and this is probably going to be a long post so grab yourself a cuppa.
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| £3.50 bargain |
Once I was home I set about cleaning up the kitchen, and baking some delicious sponge cake for my craft tea party… Victoria sponge, nom. After an afternoon kitchen bound hubby managed to drag me out, and we popped off to visit the inlaws briefly just as darkness was falling.
Saturday night, I’d planned to go out to Mustard and Blood, a local band night at the Belgrade Theatre with my Mum. She didn’t really feel much like going out, but nonetheless once I’d pulled my togs on and got down there I managed to persuade her. It’s a good job I did too. We often go to these live band nights, hubby loves them but wasn’t able to go this time as the children were up, but I swear this was the best one I’ve ever been to. I also saw a girl there who had the exact hair I want to grow mine into… a bit Florence Welch I guess but not so bright or so straight. Mum and I had a lovely time, it was just the elixir we needed I think as January has been one hell of a slow month. I didn’t get home until after 12.30, and rolled straight into bed, tired and happy.
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| Shoes - New Look; Jeggings - Primark; T-shirt - Gift; Jacket - gift; Scarf - Vintage; Bag - Vintage |
At about 1:00pm, there was a knock at the door and as I stood smearing fresh cream over my Victoria sponge, I could see the glamorous outline through my glass door of a furry coat and long black hair. Yes, Vix had arrived with her lovely fella Jon. Vix had brought me a gift of the most beautiful vintage frame bag and some vintage embroidered handkerchiefs, which was just what I’d been looking for late last year.
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| Gorgeous vintage bag and embroidered handkerchiefs |
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| Beautiful Handkerchiefs. Almost too nice to use |
Soon we were all sitting around nattering, and then Mum came and met Vix for the first time. (Mum actually asked me if I’d broke hubby’s ornament on purpose) They hit it off really well, and Jon and Hubby left us and head off to the pub. The premise was that they were going for a few ales, but I know the pub well and know that they do the most delightful Sunday dinners, so I wasn’t fooled.
Once the fellas were out of the way I popped Alice in Wonderland (the Johnny Depp one) on the DVD player and Vix and I set about doing some of our sewing tasks that we’d put aside for the day. I was working on hubby’s final waistcoat, whilst Vix was doing some fixing, and had brought some really interesting craft books too. All the time, the three of us were rattling on everything from vintage fashion and silver jewellery, to politics, the conversation flowed really well while we drank copious amounts of tea and enjoyed some tasty cake and sandwiches (I actually forgot to get the bread pudding out in the end). Vix made these great little business card holders, and gave one to me and one to Mum too, which was really kind.
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| Cute!! |
Despite there being a distinct lack of faces at my afternoon craft tea, it was so lovely that Vix and Jon came along. I had a lovely time catching up with them, and can’t wait to see them again soon!
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| Super glam Vix and I |
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Polyvore
I've never used Polyvore before, but Wednesday evening I had too much time on my hands since hubby was out at an overnight conference thing. Well, I didn't really have too much time on my hands, I could've been sewing or what have you, but instead I thought I'd give Polyvore a try since I've seen the results of other people trying it and quite liked it. Now, I don't own any of the clothes in this mood board, but I was trying to give myself some inspiration for the the Saturday night out (live band) outfit, and these are all similar to things I own (albeit 100 times more expensive than the versions I own). I actually quite like it, and who knows, I might even wear something like this in the end, but you'll have to wait and see won't you?
I don't think I'd have the time to use something like this all the time, but for the one off outfit inspiration, it's actually quite fun.
I don't think I'd have the time to use something like this all the time, but for the one off outfit inspiration, it's actually quite fun.
Women's House Of The Gods Blondie T-shirt at Women.Fashionbeans.com
women.fashionbeans.com
House of the Gods t shirts »
women.fashionbeans.com
House of the Gods t shirts »
Friday, 21 January 2011
52 New Recipes Challenge - Week 3: Philadelphia Spaghetti Carbonara
This weeks recipe was meant to be sea bass with fennel, but I suddenly remembered tonight that I had an open pack of bacon that needed to be used in the fridge, and stumbled on this recipe at the Ocado website. Now, this is the first non-vegetarian recipe that I've done in this series, so can I suggest to all my non carnivorous followers that you could still adopt this recipe, replacing bacon with mushrooms.
I made this dish on Thursday evening and hubby and I devoured it, it was delicious.
Serves 6
Ingredients:
600g spaghetti
6 bacon rashers cut into strips
180g Philadelphia light
2 egg yolks
300ml vegetable stock
30g Parmesan shavings to garnish (I didn't have any cheese in the house, it still tasted fab)
Method:
1. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet. Whilst it is cooking fry the bacon in a large pan
2. Beat together the Philadelphia and the egg yolks until the consistency is quite creamy.
3. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it. Add the veg stock to the bacon pan then add the pasta and mix together.
4. Add the philadelphia mixture to this and stir well to combine everything.
5. Divide between 6 plates, garnish with parsley and parmesan and serve
Notes: This recipe does not suggest that you cook the dish after the egg mixture has been added to the pasta, and many recipes for this suggest that the heat of the pasta cooks the egg. I have an issue with raw eggs, so I returned it to the low heat and continued stirring it until the whole lot was piping hot so I was sure that the egg was cooked... and it was delicious!
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| My delicious carbonara |
I made this dish on Thursday evening and hubby and I devoured it, it was delicious.
Serves 6
Ingredients:
600g spaghetti
6 bacon rashers cut into strips
180g Philadelphia light
2 egg yolks
300ml vegetable stock
30g Parmesan shavings to garnish (I didn't have any cheese in the house, it still tasted fab)
Method:
1. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet. Whilst it is cooking fry the bacon in a large pan
2. Beat together the Philadelphia and the egg yolks until the consistency is quite creamy.
3. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it. Add the veg stock to the bacon pan then add the pasta and mix together.
4. Add the philadelphia mixture to this and stir well to combine everything.
5. Divide between 6 plates, garnish with parsley and parmesan and serve
Notes: This recipe does not suggest that you cook the dish after the egg mixture has been added to the pasta, and many recipes for this suggest that the heat of the pasta cooks the egg. I have an issue with raw eggs, so I returned it to the low heat and continued stirring it until the whole lot was piping hot so I was sure that the egg was cooked... and it was delicious!
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Happy Tuesday
Tuesday was quite a nice and relaxed day in the office following on from my pleasurable trip to London on Monday. I enjoyed wearing my vintage dress to the office for the first time, the comments were mixed from ‘Love it!’ to ‘It’s granny material’… hey, I love it though.
Anyway, I had an eye test at lunchtime, and discovered unsurprisingly that my eyes are worse and I need a new prescription. I was tested for glaucoma for the first time in my life, now I’m approaching 30 (well, not quite approaching, it’s not until October) they must’ve moved me onto old duffer rating on the eye test scale. Anyway, I can live with that so long as I can see.
Also, one of my colleagues gave me 2 nail varnishes, knowing my like of dark nails in the winter. I love No7 nail varnish too, it seems to stick better than any other brand I’ve ever tried. So, I might try one of those this week or weekend.
To top it off, it was a lovely sunny day, which is always a bonus.
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| Shoes - Van Dahl; Tights - Peacocks; Dress - Vintage; Cardigan - Charity Shop |
Anyway, I had an eye test at lunchtime, and discovered unsurprisingly that my eyes are worse and I need a new prescription. I was tested for glaucoma for the first time in my life, now I’m approaching 30 (well, not quite approaching, it’s not until October) they must’ve moved me onto old duffer rating on the eye test scale. Anyway, I can live with that so long as I can see.
Also, one of my colleagues gave me 2 nail varnishes, knowing my like of dark nails in the winter. I love No7 nail varnish too, it seems to stick better than any other brand I’ve ever tried. So, I might try one of those this week or weekend.
To top it off, it was a lovely sunny day, which is always a bonus.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Private Viewing
You know some days you go to London and you just hate it? The hustle and bustle, the traffic, the fast pace. Other days you go to London, and you adore the place? You feel like a tourist and resident all at once, you admire the architecture and the individuality of the people there. The street buskers and the shops and just everything really. Monday was most definitely one of the latter.
Monday, I was due to attend a Carbon Management conference at the National Gallery in London. I arrived in London on time, and got the tube to Leicester Square for the short walk to the gallery. It was raining bad, and luckily I’d brought my umbrella but it was only a short walk and I didn’t mind. I arrived at the gallery early enough, but couldn’t find which of the many entrances I should go into. I took a punt, and went into one of them to find a grumpy old man on the desk. He knew nothing of the conference and told me to sit in the waiting area… for what I don’t know as he didn’t see if he could find anything out for me. I phoned the office, and had it confirmed that I was actually in the right place before getting up and leaving to try one of the other doors. Thankfully, the lady at the other reception desk was far more helpful, telling me that the conference must be on one of their other wings and that she’d walk me over. Well, the gallery wasn’t open yet, and when she said she’d walk me over she actually meant she’d walk me through the gallery. I was awe struck. There were security people and gallery guides around, but none of the general public. I walked through vast halls as Michaelangelo, Rapheal and Ruebens looked down on me. The colours, vivid as the day they were painted and me having an, albeit fleeting, private viewing. The lady brought me straight to where my conference was, and I thanked her.
The conference itself was good, and very valuable to the project I’m currently leading on. I got to network a bit, and managed to pick up some good tips for our own carbon management plan. Unfortunately though I didn’t manage much of the delightful looking lunch due to the very sore wisdom tooth I’m currently suffering with.
At 4pm, my conference was over, but I wasn’t booked on a train until 6.23pm, so I had a couple of hours to kill. First, I was drawn back up to the gallery to look at some of those paintings again. As someone who cannot paint to save my life, just seeing that sort of talent leaves me completely gobsmacked. I mean, how would you even find out you could paint that well? My favourite artists are far more modern (Dali and Lowry) but there is no way that anybody with eyes to see couldn’t love the Renaissance artists too.
Having had a quick peruse of the gallery, I walked out to their balcony exit and smiled at the sight of Trafalgar square, and Big Ben in the distance. I spent some time there admiring the view just as much as the tourists from across the world, before wandering around the square to admire the fountains, and the ship in a bottle on one of the plinths. Soon, I realised I still had some time to kill and all that standing around Trafalgar square was going to get me was a cold, and possibly a stolen purse, so I walked up to Covent Garden.
Covent Garden is a place I love. I remember when I first started working after leaving uni, Mum and I went on a trip to London and I bought a gorgeous blue handbag from Nine West in Covent Garden. I think it was about £40, and after the poverty of student life I thought I was a millionaire because I’d afforded this bag. I used it extensively before selling it on eBay… I wish I had kept it now. Anyway, I had a lovely peruse of Covent Garden, particularly the shoe shops where I fell in love with a few pairs. I stumbled upon Roisin’s favourite bakery, Paul and stared longingly at their sweet treats knowing that my painful wisdom tooth would prevent me from enjoying one of their famous Macaroons, maybe some other time.
Time was pressing on, and with an hour to get back for my train I made the ambitious decision to power walk it. Now, I’m not a fan of the tubes at all, I’m claustrophobic and have a fear of being below ground so although I do use them frequently, I find myself very anxious the whole time I’m on them, and I try to avoid rush hour when they are at their busiest. So I put leather to pavement and started my march, through Leicester Square to Piccadilly Circus, down Regent Street (where I admired the gorgeous Georgian architecture, as I always do), through Oxford Circus and through the bustling crowds of Oxford Street. As I reached Tottenham Court Road tube though, I realised that I would not make the rest of the walk in time for my train and hopped on the Northern Line to take the 2 stops to Euston, just in time for my train.
By the time hubby picked me up back at Coventry train station I was hot and tired but between a fabulously useful conference, and a lovely couple of hours spent in the big smoke, I was happy and contented. What a nice start to the week.
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| The National Gallery |
The conference itself was good, and very valuable to the project I’m currently leading on. I got to network a bit, and managed to pick up some good tips for our own carbon management plan. Unfortunately though I didn’t manage much of the delightful looking lunch due to the very sore wisdom tooth I’m currently suffering with.
At 4pm, my conference was over, but I wasn’t booked on a train until 6.23pm, so I had a couple of hours to kill. First, I was drawn back up to the gallery to look at some of those paintings again. As someone who cannot paint to save my life, just seeing that sort of talent leaves me completely gobsmacked. I mean, how would you even find out you could paint that well? My favourite artists are far more modern (Dali and Lowry) but there is no way that anybody with eyes to see couldn’t love the Renaissance artists too.
Having had a quick peruse of the gallery, I walked out to their balcony exit and smiled at the sight of Trafalgar square, and Big Ben in the distance. I spent some time there admiring the view just as much as the tourists from across the world, before wandering around the square to admire the fountains, and the ship in a bottle on one of the plinths. Soon, I realised I still had some time to kill and all that standing around Trafalgar square was going to get me was a cold, and possibly a stolen purse, so I walked up to Covent Garden.
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| Trafalgar Square, Big Ben in the distance |
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| Ship in a bottle |
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| No Macaroons for me |
By the time hubby picked me up back at Coventry train station I was hot and tired but between a fabulously useful conference, and a lovely couple of hours spent in the big smoke, I was happy and contented. What a nice start to the week.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest
So, Sunday evening hubby and I went to Warwick Arts Centre to see the final instalment of the Steigg Larsson trilogy; the girl who kicked the hornets nest. Why is it that if a film is foreign they never show it at the mainstream cinemas?
Anyway, when we arrived at the arts centre we had the pleasure of running into a friend of ours and having a bit of a catch up before the performance, so that was nice.
The film itself, as has been the case with the previous two, was fabulous. These films are very gritty, and indeed some of the scenes can be somewhat uncomfortable to watch, particularly in the first of the films, and if you’ve read the books (which I haven’t) then you will understand that it’s not gratuitous but is part of the story. Anyway, in this final film we cut back to Lisbeth Salander in her hospital bed, with the police waiting outside to stitch her up basically. Mikael Blomkvist is once again on the case, researching to get her out of the sticky situation which finds him and his colleagues at Millennium in receipt of death threats and near misses throughout the film. Now, as I said, these are gritty films, and this one is no different. It’s fast paced (although it’s still over 2 hours long) and it really holds your attention. I do have to confess, having consulted hubby, that this one does digress slightly from the book, but he assured me that it was still good and didn’t ruin it for him, so it’s still worth going to see even if you have read the book. For my part, I’m a little sad that a fourth instalment looks unlikely because these films have been great and I’ve really warmed to the lead characters. What I find difficult to swallow is that they are going to be making a Hollywood version of the girl with the dragon tattoo, starring Daniel Craig as Blomkvist. Personally, I think they will struggle to get anyone as suited to that roll as the Swedes have with Michael Nyqvist, but there you go, that’s Hollywood for you!
I would definitely say, whether you have read the books or not, if you like a good gritty thrilling story then go and see all three of the Millennium films, just make sure it’s the Swedish ones!
Anyway, when we arrived at the arts centre we had the pleasure of running into a friend of ours and having a bit of a catch up before the performance, so that was nice.
The film itself, as has been the case with the previous two, was fabulous. These films are very gritty, and indeed some of the scenes can be somewhat uncomfortable to watch, particularly in the first of the films, and if you’ve read the books (which I haven’t) then you will understand that it’s not gratuitous but is part of the story. Anyway, in this final film we cut back to Lisbeth Salander in her hospital bed, with the police waiting outside to stitch her up basically. Mikael Blomkvist is once again on the case, researching to get her out of the sticky situation which finds him and his colleagues at Millennium in receipt of death threats and near misses throughout the film. Now, as I said, these are gritty films, and this one is no different. It’s fast paced (although it’s still over 2 hours long) and it really holds your attention. I do have to confess, having consulted hubby, that this one does digress slightly from the book, but he assured me that it was still good and didn’t ruin it for him, so it’s still worth going to see even if you have read the book. For my part, I’m a little sad that a fourth instalment looks unlikely because these films have been great and I’ve really warmed to the lead characters. What I find difficult to swallow is that they are going to be making a Hollywood version of the girl with the dragon tattoo, starring Daniel Craig as Blomkvist. Personally, I think they will struggle to get anyone as suited to that roll as the Swedes have with Michael Nyqvist, but there you go, that’s Hollywood for you!
I would definitely say, whether you have read the books or not, if you like a good gritty thrilling story then go and see all three of the Millennium films, just make sure it’s the Swedish ones!
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Blustery with rain showers
I couldn't think of a title for today's blog post, so I just told you what the weather's doing. Isn't that so very British of me? Anyway, mine's just a short blog post today, as hubby and I are off out soon, to the pictures to see The Girl who Kicked the Hornets nest, the last in the Steigg Larsson trilogy. Expect a review of that over the next couple of days, but in the meantime, on to yesterday.
Since it's January and January = Broke; and since it's a couple of weekends until payday, and that = Broke, we were meant to be having a quiet day yesterday. I was up fairly early, but thought that I'd probably just spend the day doing household chores, getting on top of the cleaning and making bread pudding, you know exciting things like that. Anyway, hubby had to drop step-daughter off at drama, so he popped into a charity shop and came home bearing a great book about serial killers and other such psychopaths (I love reading about serial killers and psychopaths, is that worrying?) which I put into my pile to read. During the afternoon, he had an eye test booked at an opticians in an area where there is no less than 5 charity shops within 5 minutes of each other. Anyway, it's a fairly run down area of the city, so 9 times out of 10 you don't tend to find anything worth buying but I thought it'd get me out of the house for an hour so I tagged along, and its a good job I did. Not only did I find this great fascinator for £2, but I also found this gorgeous vintage Donegal Tweed coat for hubby. He was keen to wear it out to the pub lastnight, and has already declared it his favourite coat, so that was a job well done for me.
So, once hubby had had his eye test, and I'd scoured the charity shops we came home to find the in-laws had come to visit, and my mother-in-law had to work hard to keep the small glass of Baileys I gave her from Prudence. Pru seems to have this weird obsession with Baileys. They didn't stay very long, but it was nice to see them since I don't think I've seen them since around New Year, and I love having visitors anyway now I have a nice living room.
During the evening, once the children had been collected, hubby and I set off to the pub to meet up with my Mum. We had intended to walk so that we could both have a beer, but the weather was so bad that I offered to drive instead. It did mean I could try a nice little bouffant type thing with my hair though without being windswept. I also got to wear that dress that Mum bought me a few weeks back... I love it.
We had a nice time in the pub, it's a great old mans kind of pub that serves a great array of real ales and we usually go quite often, but haven't been in some time.
After a few hours in the pub we went back to Mums to watch the Creature from the Black Lagoon, which is one of the DVD's from the 1950s sci-fi box set that hubby bought me for Christmas. I've not seen it before, it was good, but not as good as 'It Came from Outer Space', which I'd really recommend viewing. We all enjoyed it though, and Bailey as always enjoys his visitors. Soon enough though it was time to head home and snuggle up away from the blustery rain showers, but we'd all had a really nice and sociable evening, hopefully the first of many this year as I'm hoping 2011 is going to be a very sociable and fun filled year.
Since it's January and January = Broke; and since it's a couple of weekends until payday, and that = Broke, we were meant to be having a quiet day yesterday. I was up fairly early, but thought that I'd probably just spend the day doing household chores, getting on top of the cleaning and making bread pudding, you know exciting things like that. Anyway, hubby had to drop step-daughter off at drama, so he popped into a charity shop and came home bearing a great book about serial killers and other such psychopaths (I love reading about serial killers and psychopaths, is that worrying?) which I put into my pile to read. During the afternoon, he had an eye test booked at an opticians in an area where there is no less than 5 charity shops within 5 minutes of each other. Anyway, it's a fairly run down area of the city, so 9 times out of 10 you don't tend to find anything worth buying but I thought it'd get me out of the house for an hour so I tagged along, and its a good job I did. Not only did I find this great fascinator for £2, but I also found this gorgeous vintage Donegal Tweed coat for hubby. He was keen to wear it out to the pub lastnight, and has already declared it his favourite coat, so that was a job well done for me.
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| My new Fascinator - Not bad for £2 |
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| Hubby in his new Donegal tweed coat I think Alfie wanted an outfit shot too |
So, once hubby had had his eye test, and I'd scoured the charity shops we came home to find the in-laws had come to visit, and my mother-in-law had to work hard to keep the small glass of Baileys I gave her from Prudence. Pru seems to have this weird obsession with Baileys. They didn't stay very long, but it was nice to see them since I don't think I've seen them since around New Year, and I love having visitors anyway now I have a nice living room.
During the evening, once the children had been collected, hubby and I set off to the pub to meet up with my Mum. We had intended to walk so that we could both have a beer, but the weather was so bad that I offered to drive instead. It did mean I could try a nice little bouffant type thing with my hair though without being windswept. I also got to wear that dress that Mum bought me a few weeks back... I love it.
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| Boots - duo boots; Dress - Red or Dead (gift); Bag - Vintage |
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| Hubby in the Pubby |
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| Mum and I in the pub |
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| I like this picture of the two of us |
Thursday, 13 January 2011
52 New Recipes Challenge - Week 2: Chana Dhal
Earlier in the week I was bemoaning the tomatoes in my fridge, and wondering what interesting recipe I could put them to. Anyway, the lovely Roisin suggested that I try a Dahl, so once home I rushed straight to my Curry lovers cook book and found the following recipe.
Chana Dahl and Bottle Gourd Curry
Serves 4 - 6
Ingredients
175g/ 6oz Chana Dahl or yellow split peas
450ml/ 3/4pint water
60ml/ 4 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
5cm/ 2in piece of ginger grated
6 - 8 curry leaves
5ml/ 1tsp chilli powder
5ml/ 1tsp ground turmeric
450g/ 1lb bottle gourd, courgettes or squash chopped
60ml. 4tbsp tamarind juice
2 tomatoes chopped
salt
handful of fresh coriander
Notes: I omitted the ginger because hubby doesn't like it, I also eliminated the gourd/squash because I forgot to buy one, and the tamarind because I don't even know what that is.
Method:
1. In a large pan cook the chana dhal in the water seasoned with salt, for about 30 minutes, or until the chana dhal grains are tender but not mushy. Put aside without draining excess water (make sure you have skimmed the scum of the top though),
2. Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the chillies, onion, garlic, ginger, curry leaves, chilli powder and turmeric with salt until the onions have softened. Add the gourd pieces and mix.
3. Add the chana dhal and water and bring to the boil. Add the tamarind juice, tomatoes and coriander. Simmer until the gourd is cooked. Serve alone with naan or rice or as a side dish to a dry curry.
I cooked this recipe tonight for me, hubby and step-son and served with naan. The taste of it was delicious, but we all agreed that as a main there was rather a lot of the chana dhal and as we're not really used to a diet heavy in beans and pulses it was quite filling and some work to eat it. Nonetheless, it was very enjoyable... which is just as well because I've followed Frugal Queens lead and made a massive pot of this which I'm going to freeze in portions.
Chana Dahl and Bottle Gourd Curry
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| Chana Dhal served with Naan |
Serves 4 - 6
Ingredients
175g/ 6oz Chana Dahl or yellow split peas
450ml/ 3/4pint water
60ml/ 4 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
5cm/ 2in piece of ginger grated
6 - 8 curry leaves
5ml/ 1tsp chilli powder
5ml/ 1tsp ground turmeric
450g/ 1lb bottle gourd, courgettes or squash chopped
60ml. 4tbsp tamarind juice
2 tomatoes chopped
salt
handful of fresh coriander
Notes: I omitted the ginger because hubby doesn't like it, I also eliminated the gourd/squash because I forgot to buy one, and the tamarind because I don't even know what that is.
Method:
1. In a large pan cook the chana dhal in the water seasoned with salt, for about 30 minutes, or until the chana dhal grains are tender but not mushy. Put aside without draining excess water (make sure you have skimmed the scum of the top though),
2. Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the chillies, onion, garlic, ginger, curry leaves, chilli powder and turmeric with salt until the onions have softened. Add the gourd pieces and mix.
3. Add the chana dhal and water and bring to the boil. Add the tamarind juice, tomatoes and coriander. Simmer until the gourd is cooked. Serve alone with naan or rice or as a side dish to a dry curry.
I cooked this recipe tonight for me, hubby and step-son and served with naan. The taste of it was delicious, but we all agreed that as a main there was rather a lot of the chana dhal and as we're not really used to a diet heavy in beans and pulses it was quite filling and some work to eat it. Nonetheless, it was very enjoyable... which is just as well because I've followed Frugal Queens lead and made a massive pot of this which I'm going to freeze in portions.
Monday, 10 January 2011
Book Review: Her Fearful Symmetry - Audrey Niffenegger
This book was one of my Christmas gifts from hubby, and I have to say he chose spectacularly well because I started this book last Thursday and it's so unputdownable (is that a word?) that I finished it tonight.
Some of you may be familiar with the author, since she also wrote 'The Time Travellers Wife' but I wasn't familiar, since I hadn't read that or saw the movie. Basically this book is a dark, romantic ghost story and it begins with the death of one of the lead characters. Bizarre I know, but we soon find out that Elspeth Hoblin is haunting her flat overlooking the wonderful Highgate cemetary, which she has left to her twin nieces from America whom she has never met. Anyway, I won't go into the story, because you may actually want to read this for yourself. Essentially though, over time a wedge forms between the twins as one wants to forge her own life with her aunts former lover, and the other wants to cling to her twinhood. There are lots of twists and turns as the girls communicate with their aunt through Ouija, and as the strange secrets of why their own aunt and her twin sister (their mother) never spoke for 20 years. There is a somewhat expected outcome in the book, but that does not detract from the story in any way, in fact I can't see any other direction that the story could have gone in, but lets just say what goes around comes around.
This is a spectacular book. The story is addictive and I found that I couldn't put it down once I'd started. I became intricately involved with the characters, and even grew to like and dislike them, as you would expect to do with a well written novel. Audrey Niffenegger's writing style is vivid, imaginative and an absolute pleasure to read and I'd happily read her again. As for this book, if you've not read it already then you really should add it to your 'books I must read' list.
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Frocks, shops and chilling
Today has been a really nice Saturday, and got of to a great start when I was woken late in the morning by hubby bearing a cup of tea, and a parcel that had arrived for me. Inside was this frock that I'd won from eBay before New Year, but which due to weather and bank holidays I've only just got. It was nice to wake up to though, and is proof that shopping on eBay for 'out of season' clothes unearths some of the best bargains. This super summer frock, unworn from Oasis cost me a mere 99p. It's so cute, a bit see through, but I thought I'd make a wee slip to wear under it... not yet though, having discovered it fits nicely I've packed it away with all of my other summer frocks.
Anyway, after a lazy morning spent reading in bed, hubby and I emerged from the pit and had a delightful brunch of poached egg on toast. I love poached egg... poached could actually be my favourite way of having egg. It's the delicious way the yolk spills out on the toast... *drool* ... sorry, where was I? Anyway, yes, so after our relaxed brunch we set off into town to run some errands, trips to the bank, collecting some photographs for frames for my living room, and taking mum for a new TV. Thankfully, the weather was lovely and bright so I didn't have to wrap up like the yetti for a change.
After all of that was done, I dropped hubby home and went back into town to catch the last hour of shopping time with Mum. We are coming upto what I believe to be the best time in the January sales. It's usually about now that the shops start to reduce their remaining stock yet again, and by the end of January you can pick up a plethora of skirts, dresses and all other things for silly money. I did see a few more maxi dresses reduced in Bank, although the one I am holding out for is still a bit steep. In fairness, I didn't buy anything... again... aren't I getting good? I probably would have done if I'd have had longer to peruse, but I am pleased to see the further reductions coming in now, so who knows, maybe I'll treat myself before the end of the month.
Once all of that was done with, I went back to tune my Mum's TV in, and then returned home to a tasty dinner of pie and mash before vegging out in front of the box all evening. One of my New Years aims (not resolutions as such) was to try to relax more, and do less, and actually... I'm quite enjoying it thank you very much! Now, off to watch the incredibles... tatty bye!
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| New summer frock 99p from eBay |
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| Outfit shot in front of a Coventry church Boots - Swap; Leggings - Unknown; Skirt - Next (via charity shop); Black top - Wallis; Blue vest - Dorothy Perkins Leather Jacket - Gift; Scarf - Gift; Hat - Gift; Bag - Gift |
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| Hubby enjoying the rare sunny day |
Once all of that was done with, I went back to tune my Mum's TV in, and then returned home to a tasty dinner of pie and mash before vegging out in front of the box all evening. One of my New Years aims (not resolutions as such) was to try to relax more, and do less, and actually... I'm quite enjoying it thank you very much! Now, off to watch the incredibles... tatty bye!
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
the last days of Christmas break
So, hubby went back to work yesterday, and I go back tomorrow. Things have been winding down around here as we come to the stark realisation that we didn't win the lottery and so work is inevitable. Nonetheless, I was determined to make the most of yesterday and so went on a shopping trip to Leamington with Mum. I've not really had a proper peruse of the sales so far, so I thought a girly shopping trip would be the perfect way to catch up on what's out there.
I had wanted to wear a frock, what with the fact that I'll be back to more sensible (well as sensible as I get) dressing tomorrow, but when I woke up to find sleet I thought of warmth more than style.
Leamington was a nice day out though, first we stopped off for coffee at the pump rooms as the walk from the train was so painfully cold. Then we set about perusing the shops. I like shopping in Leamington, there aren't as many shops as somewhere like Birmingham, but it's chilled and there are independent shops and charity shops too which make it a nice mix. I spent ages in Laura Ashley looking at their gorgeous dresses and coats, but alas with it being January, and what with always being broke in January I couldn't afford to buy anything. I did buy a rather funky cup though from Past Times which was reduced to £3, and some red tights from River Island; I've been looking for red tights for a while.
I have to say though, I was bitterly disappointed by the charity shops. I think I've mentioned before that the charity shops in Leamington have got terribly pricey, I found a sweet little vintage dress, nothing to write home about but pretty enough but the £20 price tag made me promptly return it to the rail. I appreciate that it's a charity and that they want to make as much money as possible for the charity, but with the current economic climate I think they are going to struggle to sell items at those prices.
Anyway, Mum and I took a mid shop food break in Weatherspoons, where I was surprised to get a delicious plate of sweet chilli noodles for only £2.99. Not a bad price for a tasty lunch, I think you'll agree.
Back to shopping, we didn't have much time left before we were planning to go for our train.. We popped our head in one of the high street banks to wave at my cousin who works in there, before scouring the sales for some bargains. We'd just got to the last shop when Mum spotted this lovely Red or Dead maxi dress at a bargain £10. Since I am trying to be good this month and was set to walk out without it, Mum bought it for me as she was adamant I couldn't leave the shop without it. So that was a nice surprise.
We made it back for our train, and hubby collected us from the station at 6.30. Once home I was able to try the soup that I'd blogged about the day before, and I have to say it was delicious. You would have to be a lover of sweetcorn though like me I think for it to really be your cup of tea. I'm going to have more for dinner tonight while hubby has some sausage goulash that I made a few weeks back and was in the freezer. I'm pretty keen to make sure we're using up all our food now rather than just running out and buying more needlessly.
Anyway, today is far less glamorous. As my last day before going back to work I have been doing a bit of a spring clean to make sure everything is in order before I'm knackered from an honest days work again. Although no-one wants to go back to work, I've had a wonderful break over Christmas. I've eaten loads, slept loads, sewed loads and enjoyed the company of all of my favourite people. I am realistic too, I'm grateful that I have a job to go back to, since I know a fair few people haven't in this economy.
I had wanted to wear a frock, what with the fact that I'll be back to more sensible (well as sensible as I get) dressing tomorrow, but when I woke up to find sleet I thought of warmth more than style.
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| Boots - Duo Boots, Tights - Primark, Socks - Unknown, Skirt - eBay, Jumper - Camden Market, Belt - Unknown Taken in Leamington pump rooms |
Leamington was a nice day out though, first we stopped off for coffee at the pump rooms as the walk from the train was so painfully cold. Then we set about perusing the shops. I like shopping in Leamington, there aren't as many shops as somewhere like Birmingham, but it's chilled and there are independent shops and charity shops too which make it a nice mix. I spent ages in Laura Ashley looking at their gorgeous dresses and coats, but alas with it being January, and what with always being broke in January I couldn't afford to buy anything. I did buy a rather funky cup though from Past Times which was reduced to £3, and some red tights from River Island; I've been looking for red tights for a while.
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| New Mug - Such an exciting life I lead |
I have to say though, I was bitterly disappointed by the charity shops. I think I've mentioned before that the charity shops in Leamington have got terribly pricey, I found a sweet little vintage dress, nothing to write home about but pretty enough but the £20 price tag made me promptly return it to the rail. I appreciate that it's a charity and that they want to make as much money as possible for the charity, but with the current economic climate I think they are going to struggle to sell items at those prices.
Anyway, Mum and I took a mid shop food break in Weatherspoons, where I was surprised to get a delicious plate of sweet chilli noodles for only £2.99. Not a bad price for a tasty lunch, I think you'll agree.
Back to shopping, we didn't have much time left before we were planning to go for our train.. We popped our head in one of the high street banks to wave at my cousin who works in there, before scouring the sales for some bargains. We'd just got to the last shop when Mum spotted this lovely Red or Dead maxi dress at a bargain £10. Since I am trying to be good this month and was set to walk out without it, Mum bought it for me as she was adamant I couldn't leave the shop without it. So that was a nice surprise.
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| New dress by Red or Dead (the heart is a label, not part of the dress) |
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| Close up of the print |
Anyway, today is far less glamorous. As my last day before going back to work I have been doing a bit of a spring clean to make sure everything is in order before I'm knackered from an honest days work again. Although no-one wants to go back to work, I've had a wonderful break over Christmas. I've eaten loads, slept loads, sewed loads and enjoyed the company of all of my favourite people. I am realistic too, I'm grateful that I have a job to go back to, since I know a fair few people haven't in this economy.
Monday, 3 January 2011
52 New Recipes Challenge: Week 1 - Sweetcorn and Green Pepper Soup
In case you haven't guessed already, I'm a girl who likes her food. I was brought up on hearty meals by a good cook, and when I left home I could barely cook beans on toast. Over the years though I've experimented and tried, and tried, and finally I've succeeded in becoming a pretty good cook, and I know that sounds big headed but it's other people who have told me I'm good, not just my assumption (apart from people who tried my mince pies, who would probably still think I can't cook beans on toast lol). Anyway, recently I've been thinking more about food than usual, and in particular I've been thinking about two things:
1. With the recent fuel price rise in the UK, and the VAT rise tomorrow, food is going to get far more expensive so I need to make sure that the food I buy can go further, and that we waste a hell of a lot less than we currently do.
2. I need to build more variety into my diet. Not just for health reasons, as we all know the more variety of vegetables consumed the better it is for us, but generally just to relieve the boredom of the food rut it's so easy to fall into. As someone who works full time, and has a life and hobbies, it's so easy just to roll home tired after a days work and cook whatever ready meal you can lay your hands on. Not that I do make a habit of it, but I do end up cooking the same things over and again.
Anyway, it was while I was in the kitchen looking at the myriad cookery books we have for some inspiration that the following conversation ensued:
Me: I'm going to try to cook one new recipe that I've never tried before, each and every week of this year.
Hubby: That's great, that's 52 new recipes you know?
Me: Yeah, I just think we need more variety.
Hubby: Sounds cool, you going to blog about it?
Me: Yeah, guess so....
And there you have it, so from now on I am going to try one new recipe a week, and share that recipe with you all, I hope you enjoy it and I hope I can inspire some of you to try some nice new dishes. Don't worry, it won't always be something savoury either, you know I have a sweet tooth too. Anyway, on with the recipe for week one:
This weeks recipe is taken from Recipe Round Up 1982 - 1985, Dairy Crest Limited (1993) - Bought from a jumble sale last year for a paltry 20p
Sweetcorn and Green Pepper Soup
INGREDIENTS:
40g - Butter,
Onion - 1 chopped
Green Pepper - 1 sliced and deseeded
Button Mushrooms - 100g sliced
Plain Flour - 25g
Chicken Stock - 1/2 pint
Sweetcorn Kernals - 225g
Potatoes - 2 Medium Chopped
Fresh Milk - 1/2 pint
Fresh Single Cream - 75ml
(Notes: I didn't have any mushrooms in the house, so I omitted them, and I also replaced the single cream for more milk, I also used tinned drained sweetcorn)
METHOD:
1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and gently fry the onion, pepper and mushrooms for 3 minutes,
2. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Add stock, sweetcorn and potatoes and season lightly,
3. Bring to the boil, remove from heat and add the milk, stir well and simmer gently (I can't stress highly enough how low you need this on to simmer, it's milk so it'll go crazy if you let it boil. You need it on your smallest hob on the lowest setting and you need to watch and stir regularly). Simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the cream and reheat gently.
Serve
Hubby is back at work tomorrow whilst I go out shopping (no work for me until Thursday) so I've made this tonight for tomorrows dinner. I'll let you know in my next blog post how it tastes, but I have to say it looks and smells delicious.
1. With the recent fuel price rise in the UK, and the VAT rise tomorrow, food is going to get far more expensive so I need to make sure that the food I buy can go further, and that we waste a hell of a lot less than we currently do.
2. I need to build more variety into my diet. Not just for health reasons, as we all know the more variety of vegetables consumed the better it is for us, but generally just to relieve the boredom of the food rut it's so easy to fall into. As someone who works full time, and has a life and hobbies, it's so easy just to roll home tired after a days work and cook whatever ready meal you can lay your hands on. Not that I do make a habit of it, but I do end up cooking the same things over and again.
Anyway, it was while I was in the kitchen looking at the myriad cookery books we have for some inspiration that the following conversation ensued:
Me: I'm going to try to cook one new recipe that I've never tried before, each and every week of this year.
Hubby: That's great, that's 52 new recipes you know?
Me: Yeah, I just think we need more variety.
Hubby: Sounds cool, you going to blog about it?
Me: Yeah, guess so....
And there you have it, so from now on I am going to try one new recipe a week, and share that recipe with you all, I hope you enjoy it and I hope I can inspire some of you to try some nice new dishes. Don't worry, it won't always be something savoury either, you know I have a sweet tooth too. Anyway, on with the recipe for week one:
This weeks recipe is taken from Recipe Round Up 1982 - 1985, Dairy Crest Limited (1993) - Bought from a jumble sale last year for a paltry 20p
Sweetcorn and Green Pepper Soup
INGREDIENTS:
40g - Butter,
Onion - 1 chopped
Green Pepper - 1 sliced and deseeded
Button Mushrooms - 100g sliced
Plain Flour - 25g
Chicken Stock - 1/2 pint
Sweetcorn Kernals - 225g
Potatoes - 2 Medium Chopped
Fresh Milk - 1/2 pint
Fresh Single Cream - 75ml
(Notes: I didn't have any mushrooms in the house, so I omitted them, and I also replaced the single cream for more milk, I also used tinned drained sweetcorn)
METHOD:
1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and gently fry the onion, pepper and mushrooms for 3 minutes,
2. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Add stock, sweetcorn and potatoes and season lightly,
3. Bring to the boil, remove from heat and add the milk, stir well and simmer gently (I can't stress highly enough how low you need this on to simmer, it's milk so it'll go crazy if you let it boil. You need it on your smallest hob on the lowest setting and you need to watch and stir regularly). Simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the cream and reheat gently.
Serve
Hubby is back at work tomorrow whilst I go out shopping (no work for me until Thursday) so I've made this tonight for tomorrows dinner. I'll let you know in my next blog post how it tastes, but I have to say it looks and smells delicious.
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Grand Unveiling: The Living Room
It dawned on me that despite our living room now being complete, I hadn't shared the photographs with you, and I know some of you are eagerly awaiting them.
I don't know if any of you can remember what my original living room was like from the few outfit shots that I did take in it. If you can't here is the before shot. A room that I would describe as bland, and not at all reflective of either mine, or hubbys tastes, but it was like it when we moved in and since we weren't sure if we were staying in this house, we never got around to changing it.
We decided in decorating the house that we would use our vast red leather suite as the basis on which to build our colour scheme. Originally we thought to do the room green, but when we spotted this red/gold wallpaper we fell in love and the decision was made. It was hard work, we had to strip and varnish the floorboards, redo all the woodwork, hubby papered (as I can't), get new curtains and just make everything as perfect as we'd envisaged it. It now looks like a Gentlemens club, and perfectly reflects the rich and dramatic tastes of both hubby and I.
Also, I just want to thank Mr and Mrs S. for the loan of their wallpaper steamer, I know they'll probably be reading this. :-)
I now have a nice living room, bathroom and kitchen... next stop the dining room.
I don't know if any of you can remember what my original living room was like from the few outfit shots that I did take in it. If you can't here is the before shot. A room that I would describe as bland, and not at all reflective of either mine, or hubbys tastes, but it was like it when we moved in and since we weren't sure if we were staying in this house, we never got around to changing it.
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| Bland Neutrals and too much clutter |
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| Rich colours and more space (well, once the ghastly Christmas tree has gone) |
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| Beautiful green curtains and clear view of the window |
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| A snug corner set up perfectly for reading |
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| A beautiful curio cabinet housing my collection of matrioshka dolls, amongst other ornaments. Bought from eBay and collected from Sutton Coldfield in the middle of blizzard like conditions |
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| Hubby's pride and joy, the 7ft Grandfather Clock Moving this around during decorating was not fun. |
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| Comfy sofa with all of our cushions. |
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| Our beautiful Tiffany light fitting, bought from a bar when they were refurbishing years ago. |
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| Fabulous shabby chic magazine rack bought from a charity shop A rather large Bonsai tree & a gorgeous floor standing candleabra at home in the bay. |
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| The floor that took so much work to make it what it is. |
I now have a nice living room, bathroom and kitchen... next stop the dining room.
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