Monday, 31 December 2012
Tuesday, 25 December 2012
Thursday, 13 December 2012
In The Bleak Mid Winter!
Brr...I am allergic to the cold and it has been freeezing here. Not that we have had snow but the central heating has decided not to work!
It has been like that - on and off for a few weeks now and last week was the last straw! After some investigating, it was noted that there was a leak in a water pipe that was dripping onto the electrical components and was shorting out. Eek!
When the plumber/electrician arrived - finally - yesterday, he said that the wiring behind the pipe had worn. Well, over 25 years, I guess something had to give up in time. So, I am very happy to say that we now have heat but it will take quite a long time before the house will feel anything but normal again.
On a more positive note, I had my post op results and I have been announced healthy. *Ü* That is such a relief, as always, the worse possible news does come to mind.
So, now I can concentrate more on Christmas.
It will be a quiet Christmas for us this year - just the 2 of us, so we have invited 2 of the missionaries from our church to join us for Christmas lunch. They are away from home for 2 years and miss their families - especially at this special time.
The autumn and run up to Christmas always finds me in my kitchen, cooking and baking tasty treats. This year hasn't been any different. I have found warmth in the kitchen from the gas cooker, so it has doubled the benefits of baking! *Ü*
These Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting were soo good...
I made chocolate marshmallow fudge and a cake that my mother in law used to make when she was alive. I just wish I had taken more notice of the ingredients but I have managed to find a similar recipe on the web.
I LOVE all of the cookery programmes that are on at this time of the year. It brings back memories of when my 3 daughters were little and that was one of my favourite things to watch on the television.
Writing lists are something else that I do a lot of! They are reducing though and hopefully, I will have everything wrapped up by the weekend. Enjoy your preparations and don't get yourself stressed.
Toots for now and stay warm,
It has been like that - on and off for a few weeks now and last week was the last straw! After some investigating, it was noted that there was a leak in a water pipe that was dripping onto the electrical components and was shorting out. Eek!
When the plumber/electrician arrived - finally - yesterday, he said that the wiring behind the pipe had worn. Well, over 25 years, I guess something had to give up in time. So, I am very happy to say that we now have heat but it will take quite a long time before the house will feel anything but normal again.
On a more positive note, I had my post op results and I have been announced healthy. *Ü* That is such a relief, as always, the worse possible news does come to mind.
So, now I can concentrate more on Christmas.
It will be a quiet Christmas for us this year - just the 2 of us, so we have invited 2 of the missionaries from our church to join us for Christmas lunch. They are away from home for 2 years and miss their families - especially at this special time.
The autumn and run up to Christmas always finds me in my kitchen, cooking and baking tasty treats. This year hasn't been any different. I have found warmth in the kitchen from the gas cooker, so it has doubled the benefits of baking! *Ü*
These Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting were soo good...
...as was this roast pork a la Nigel Slater - marinated in blackberries.
I LOVE all of the cookery programmes that are on at this time of the year. It brings back memories of when my 3 daughters were little and that was one of my favourite things to watch on the television.
Writing lists are something else that I do a lot of! They are reducing though and hopefully, I will have everything wrapped up by the weekend. Enjoy your preparations and don't get yourself stressed.
Toots for now and stay warm,
Saturday, 10 November 2012
It doesn't rain but it pours!
I LOVE autumn. It is my favourite season. We get all types of weather in autumn. So far, we have had some beautiful sunsets after glorious days of sunshine and we have also had our share of showers!
There are so many stories of flooding and disaster right now, it seems unfair to mention my 'little' problems. However, they are just as devastating when they happen and it takes a while to get them sorted after the time it takes to find the source. Take for instance, the boiler! Why do they choose to go wrong when the weather is cold and you need the heating on?
Then there's the water tank! The water heats to boiling point and bubbles over the tank on the flat roof and gushes through the bathroom ceiling on the 1st floor! It's happened on more than one occasion recently. (We have an old tank that needs to be replaced).
Just as I pulled the plug from the sink yesterday morning, I heard water spraying from a pipe that didn't sound like it was travelling through the pipe. Eek! That is another job to be done and it's getting expensive. We are being challenged to the limit right now!
Hoorayyy! We managed to get heating on by Thursday evening. I had been in hospital for a procedure on Tuesday and was hoping that it would be fixed by the time I arrived home! I HATE the cold. I am allergic to it! Thank goodness for my electric blanket. I LOVE my electric blanket.
OK...we've had the showers, now it's time for the sunshine - which is said to follow, so bring it on - pleease!
There are so many stories of flooding and disaster right now, it seems unfair to mention my 'little' problems. However, they are just as devastating when they happen and it takes a while to get them sorted after the time it takes to find the source. Take for instance, the boiler! Why do they choose to go wrong when the weather is cold and you need the heating on?
Then there's the water tank! The water heats to boiling point and bubbles over the tank on the flat roof and gushes through the bathroom ceiling on the 1st floor! It's happened on more than one occasion recently. (We have an old tank that needs to be replaced).
Just as I pulled the plug from the sink yesterday morning, I heard water spraying from a pipe that didn't sound like it was travelling through the pipe. Eek! That is another job to be done and it's getting expensive. We are being challenged to the limit right now!
Hoorayyy! We managed to get heating on by Thursday evening. I had been in hospital for a procedure on Tuesday and was hoping that it would be fixed by the time I arrived home! I HATE the cold. I am allergic to it! Thank goodness for my electric blanket. I LOVE my electric blanket.
OK...we've had the showers, now it's time for the sunshine - which is said to follow, so bring it on - pleease!
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
***HAPPY HALLOWEEN***
I hope you all have a wonderful day and evening whatever you have planned. Enjoy the 'spirit' of the season and don't eat too much sugar!
Sunday, 28 October 2012
HALLOWEEN - Food
Halloween is a time to have some unusual foods - whether you are celebrating with a party or not. It makes a change to have something different. There are lots of seasonal foods around right now and in plentiful supply.
Pumpkins are a substantial food when it comes to decoration and eating - they serve both very well and you can use them in either savoury or sweet recipes. Last year I made a Pumpkin soup (as seen in my previous post) and a Pumpkin Pie with a meringue topping.
As for recipe ideas, you know by now that I do like to visit Martha Stewart's website here.
Last year, for my Halloween party, I made some 'disgusting' and frightful recipes that both delighted and earned gasps of ewww from my family. *Ü*
Quacamoldy!
A 'severed' hand meatloaf with Monster Mash and Swamp weed!
I think everyone was suitably entertained by the way food can be presented.
Check out this website for some more yummy and disgusting food!
Whatever you make or bake, please share, so we can all be inspired. *Ü*
Happy eating.
Pumpkins are a substantial food when it comes to decoration and eating - they serve both very well and you can use them in either savoury or sweet recipes. Last year I made a Pumpkin soup (as seen in my previous post) and a Pumpkin Pie with a meringue topping.
Last year, for my Halloween party, I made some 'disgusting' and frightful recipes that both delighted and earned gasps of ewww from my family. *Ü*
Quacamoldy!
A cream cheese and parma ham skull with bat toasts (not seen).
Worm rolls...
Check out this website for some more yummy and disgusting food!
Whatever you make or bake, please share, so we can all be inspired. *Ü*
Happy eating.
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
HALLOWEEN - Pumpkins
The big orange globes are beginning to appear in the shops now and it might be a good time to get your pumpkin design sorted. Maybe there is a pumpkin farm or patch near you, so you can go choose your own. There is a HUGE patch on our way to church which looks like a fun place to get some photos too.
Find those carving tools and check out these numerous ways to decorate your pumpkins. You could even throw a pumpkin carving party to keep the children occupied during the half term school holiday.
One of my favourite sites to visit at this time of the year is Martha Stewart. Click on this link to take you to a plethora of pumpkin carving designs and ideas - and they even show you what to do with the seeds.
For more inspiration, click here - and here.
I made a simple one here...
I used the flesh to make this delicious Pumpkin Soup...
Find those carving tools and check out these numerous ways to decorate your pumpkins. You could even throw a pumpkin carving party to keep the children occupied during the half term school holiday.
One of my favourite sites to visit at this time of the year is Martha Stewart. Click on this link to take you to a plethora of pumpkin carving designs and ideas - and they even show you what to do with the seeds.
For more inspiration, click here - and here.
I made a simple one here...
...and I covered this one with a mesh pair of tights. Don't stop at pumpkins. There are other lovely shapes and sized vegetables and ghourds to get you creative. Try a watermelon which has a nice deep red flesh...or butternut squash - or you could even be different and paint your pumpkin - black - or white or whatever colour you choose.
Ooo...that has made me feel hungry...I am off to roast a Butternut squash to add to my Korma curry sauce.
Have fun carving and designing and I hope to see you next time when Halloween food will be on the menu.
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