Today has been another extremely busy day as I had asked my parents around for dinner in the evening and although we were only doing cold meats, nibbles and salad, I wanted to make my own bread and a panna cotta for dessert.
We took Sophie to work and Keith went for a walk while I returned home and started on the cleaning of the downstairs of the house. It's been a grey, muggy day without a hint of real sunshine so not pleasant to work in!
I made a loaf of wholemeal bread and prepared the panna cotta and managed some relaxation time in the afternoon before assembling a salad and the prawn cocktails for starters. I could have chosen the easy route and bought a pre-prepared salad but it's been ages since I did one myself and it looked really pretty when I finished, topped off with boiled egg slices. Delicious!
It was bliss to get into the shower after all my hard work and drench myself in lovely warm water! Keith and I went to get Sophie and when we got back I finished preparations and made sure the house looked pretty. My parents arrived and we had a lovely meal but hardly any of it was eaten! I think we all filled up too much on the prawn cocktail and bread which, I have to say, was very good.
Mum brought me cards around for our anniversary tomorrow - 24 years! I can hardly believe it!
Sunday, 14 August 2016
Saturday, 13 August 2016
An afternoon treat
Sophie and I had a very lazy start to the day while Keith went off for a walk. Mike was still out at a friend's house but we picked him up at lunchtime and he seemed fine, if a little tired! This morning Keith, Mike and I used the new shower for the first time and I was very impressed...it was great!
In the afternoon, after taking Mike back to Brixworth again (oh, to have a social life like his!) Sophie and I went to Farndon Fields Farm Shop for a cup of tea. A lot of people were sitting outside as the weather was lovely but we opted for a table by the window instead. I just knew that as soon as we started eating a swarm of flies and wasps would descend!
Sophie chose a chicken and bacon sandwich while I enjoyed a delicious warmed scone with butter and cream. I forgave them for the tea served in a weird cafetiere as it was very good indeed. Sophie's sandwich was packed with chicken, bacon and sun-dried tomatoes and came with a pot of chipped potatoes and a salad. Very good value!
After our refreshments we wandered around the shop and I bought some corn on the cob and courgettes to go with our barbecue tonight. As ever Sophie managed to find a rude looking sweet potato...
We also treated ourselves to a "Smokey Joe" Scotch Egg and a small pie to have for lunch tomorrow. Sophie bought us a tub of ice-cream to enjoy before we drove home which was delicious. All in all, we had a lovely time!
On the way home we had a couple of incidents...on the main road we came across a small herd of cattle that had escaped from their field and they were being rounded up by a policeman in his car. They ran past us and eyed my car like they were going to attack it as the lead cow (or bull?) had a set of very large horns! As usual we took the very narrow single track road and I nearly had a collision with a BMW coming the other way! Luckily we both dived for the side of the road and an accident was averted!
Back home we played cards in the conservatory and then had a barbecue for dinner. The corn was absolutely delicious and much better than the supermarket stuff we buy!
In the afternoon, after taking Mike back to Brixworth again (oh, to have a social life like his!) Sophie and I went to Farndon Fields Farm Shop for a cup of tea. A lot of people were sitting outside as the weather was lovely but we opted for a table by the window instead. I just knew that as soon as we started eating a swarm of flies and wasps would descend!
Sophie chose a chicken and bacon sandwich while I enjoyed a delicious warmed scone with butter and cream. I forgave them for the tea served in a weird cafetiere as it was very good indeed. Sophie's sandwich was packed with chicken, bacon and sun-dried tomatoes and came with a pot of chipped potatoes and a salad. Very good value!
After our refreshments we wandered around the shop and I bought some corn on the cob and courgettes to go with our barbecue tonight. As ever Sophie managed to find a rude looking sweet potato...
We also treated ourselves to a "Smokey Joe" Scotch Egg and a small pie to have for lunch tomorrow. Sophie bought us a tub of ice-cream to enjoy before we drove home which was delicious. All in all, we had a lovely time!
On the way home we had a couple of incidents...on the main road we came across a small herd of cattle that had escaped from their field and they were being rounded up by a policeman in his car. They ran past us and eyed my car like they were going to attack it as the lead cow (or bull?) had a set of very large horns! As usual we took the very narrow single track road and I nearly had a collision with a BMW coming the other way! Luckily we both dived for the side of the road and an accident was averted!
Back home we played cards in the conservatory and then had a barbecue for dinner. The corn was absolutely delicious and much better than the supermarket stuff we buy!
Friday, 12 August 2016
Going to the dogs!
Today has been another very busy day with a lot of driving about. Sophie was at work at 9.30am so we took her there and went straight to Aldi and Tesco to do our shopping. It's been a gorgeous day today - very sunny and warm with a lovely breeze. At one point in the afternoon the temperature got up to 27c.
When we arrived home with all the shopping Mike said he wanted to go and sort out his fancy dress costume for the party he was going to tonight. I'd already found a pirate costume that I'd used for a previous Come Dine With Me so I suggested he go as Jack Sparrow and I buy him a wig and a hat from the fancy dress shop in Northampton.
We hastily put all the shopping away and went over to the bank to draw some money out of his account as he owed both Keith and me some cash! While we were in there we met Mum and Dad who said they'd had a lovely meal last night...phew!
From the bank we drove into town and within minutes had picked out a Jack Sparrow-style wig and hat for £9.99...much better than hiring a costume for about £40! We dropped Mike off in a very busy and hot town and said that we could pick him up at around 4.30pm when Sophie was due to finish work. It was then time to return home and have a well-earned lunch!
As I was contemplating making some muffins the phone rang and it was Mike asking to be picked up early...two and a half hours early! I was a bit annoyed as it was only just 2pm so I called Sophie and asked if she could finish work an hour early, which, luckily, was fine.
Keith and I then got back in the car and headed back to town where we picked up Mike and took him to Brixworth. I did forgive him a little bit as while I was driving he gave me a head massage - wonderful for coping with the stress of the traffic but a bit too relaxing!
We bid farewell to our son as he was going on to a party in the evening and then staying at a friend's house and went off back to collect Sophie from work. She was sitting in the garden with Maureen and Polly and my parents who had called in to see them. I can't believe it's only a week until we celebrate our year anniversary of selling the business. Where has all the time gone?
Sophie wanted to get us a gift for our Wedding Anniversary on Monday so we went over to the Weston Favell Centre for the second time today and while Keith and Sophie went off to shop, I sat in Costa Coffee with a strawberry Creamy Cooler. Perfect for a warm day!
Back home it was into the bath and then hair and make-up with Sophie as I was out to Towcester Race course in the evening with Andrea, Fiona and Lynda for a night of Greyhound races. Andrea had booked us a table for a meal and hopefully we were going to be lucky with the betting!
I picked Lynda up and we headed over to Towcester where the car park was already filling up. Fiona and Andrea had already arrived and were waiting for us so they could order some drinks. It had to be a bottle of Prosecco (why is it so popular when there are other, really good Sparkling wines from France?) and at £23 a bottle it wasn't cheap!
We all paid Andrea £20 for the meal which I thought wasn't bad until I saw the menu - no starter but you could order bread, butter and olive oil/balsamic vinegar for an extra £3 a head...Of course the girls wanted this and then they ordered a second bottle of wine. They handed the wine list to me and a name popped out immediately: the Bicicleta Viognier that I can get in Tesco for £7 was going for £22! This was duly ordered (I figured that as I knew it was good and as the other wines weren't much cheaper at least we'd be guaranteed a good wine) and our dinner was served.
Now, I know I'm going to sound like a real whiny cow now, but the dinner was tiny and tasteless - you could have fitted my roulade of chicken and wild mushroom onto a side plate and it was garnished with two weeny potatoes and some grey veggies which were also devoid of any taste. I was very disappointed. I had a feeling my friends weren't satisfied either as they ordered cheese and biscuits for pudding (an extra £2) while I made do with a small chocolate tart that looked lost on the big white plate! The cheese and biscuits arrived without any knives and no butter so it wasn't the most smoothest of service...By now the bottle of Viognier was finished, so another bottle of Prosecco was ordered!
Unfortunately I didn't even win anything to compensate for the disappointing meal...I bet £2 on the first four races and lost every one. The race I didn't bet on I would have won, as the dog I liked the sound of came first! Keith had asked me to put a "reverse forecast" on two dogs, which I did, but one won and the other dog came third which made that bet null and void...oh well! We did have a good chat and a laugh and the other diners were obviously enjoying themselves immensely so it was a pleasant night. Our luck was summed up when another table gave us their betting slips for the last race as they were leaving early and not one of their choices won either!
The girls all finished down on their money even though they'd had several wins. I gave up after Keith's bet and saved my pennies! The girls were very fair though and adjusted my part of the bill accordingly as I'd only had a glass of Prosecco and half a glass of Viognier. We'd still racked up another £80 on top of the £80 meal so it was not a cheap night!
Lynda and I drove home through the countryside as there were a lot of roadworks on the route we'd taken to get there and by midnight I was home. Sophie very kindly gave me her dessert from the Tesco Finest she and Keith had enjoyed for dinner so at least I didn't go to bed ravenous!
When we arrived home with all the shopping Mike said he wanted to go and sort out his fancy dress costume for the party he was going to tonight. I'd already found a pirate costume that I'd used for a previous Come Dine With Me so I suggested he go as Jack Sparrow and I buy him a wig and a hat from the fancy dress shop in Northampton.
We hastily put all the shopping away and went over to the bank to draw some money out of his account as he owed both Keith and me some cash! While we were in there we met Mum and Dad who said they'd had a lovely meal last night...phew!
From the bank we drove into town and within minutes had picked out a Jack Sparrow-style wig and hat for £9.99...much better than hiring a costume for about £40! We dropped Mike off in a very busy and hot town and said that we could pick him up at around 4.30pm when Sophie was due to finish work. It was then time to return home and have a well-earned lunch!
As I was contemplating making some muffins the phone rang and it was Mike asking to be picked up early...two and a half hours early! I was a bit annoyed as it was only just 2pm so I called Sophie and asked if she could finish work an hour early, which, luckily, was fine.
Keith and I then got back in the car and headed back to town where we picked up Mike and took him to Brixworth. I did forgive him a little bit as while I was driving he gave me a head massage - wonderful for coping with the stress of the traffic but a bit too relaxing!
We bid farewell to our son as he was going on to a party in the evening and then staying at a friend's house and went off back to collect Sophie from work. She was sitting in the garden with Maureen and Polly and my parents who had called in to see them. I can't believe it's only a week until we celebrate our year anniversary of selling the business. Where has all the time gone?
Sophie wanted to get us a gift for our Wedding Anniversary on Monday so we went over to the Weston Favell Centre for the second time today and while Keith and Sophie went off to shop, I sat in Costa Coffee with a strawberry Creamy Cooler. Perfect for a warm day!
Back home it was into the bath and then hair and make-up with Sophie as I was out to Towcester Race course in the evening with Andrea, Fiona and Lynda for a night of Greyhound races. Andrea had booked us a table for a meal and hopefully we were going to be lucky with the betting!
I picked Lynda up and we headed over to Towcester where the car park was already filling up. Fiona and Andrea had already arrived and were waiting for us so they could order some drinks. It had to be a bottle of Prosecco (why is it so popular when there are other, really good Sparkling wines from France?) and at £23 a bottle it wasn't cheap!
We all paid Andrea £20 for the meal which I thought wasn't bad until I saw the menu - no starter but you could order bread, butter and olive oil/balsamic vinegar for an extra £3 a head...Of course the girls wanted this and then they ordered a second bottle of wine. They handed the wine list to me and a name popped out immediately: the Bicicleta Viognier that I can get in Tesco for £7 was going for £22! This was duly ordered (I figured that as I knew it was good and as the other wines weren't much cheaper at least we'd be guaranteed a good wine) and our dinner was served.
Now, I know I'm going to sound like a real whiny cow now, but the dinner was tiny and tasteless - you could have fitted my roulade of chicken and wild mushroom onto a side plate and it was garnished with two weeny potatoes and some grey veggies which were also devoid of any taste. I was very disappointed. I had a feeling my friends weren't satisfied either as they ordered cheese and biscuits for pudding (an extra £2) while I made do with a small chocolate tart that looked lost on the big white plate! The cheese and biscuits arrived without any knives and no butter so it wasn't the most smoothest of service...By now the bottle of Viognier was finished, so another bottle of Prosecco was ordered!
Unfortunately I didn't even win anything to compensate for the disappointing meal...I bet £2 on the first four races and lost every one. The race I didn't bet on I would have won, as the dog I liked the sound of came first! Keith had asked me to put a "reverse forecast" on two dogs, which I did, but one won and the other dog came third which made that bet null and void...oh well! We did have a good chat and a laugh and the other diners were obviously enjoying themselves immensely so it was a pleasant night. Our luck was summed up when another table gave us their betting slips for the last race as they were leaving early and not one of their choices won either!
The girls all finished down on their money even though they'd had several wins. I gave up after Keith's bet and saved my pennies! The girls were very fair though and adjusted my part of the bill accordingly as I'd only had a glass of Prosecco and half a glass of Viognier. We'd still racked up another £80 on top of the £80 meal so it was not a cheap night!
Lynda and I drove home through the countryside as there were a lot of roadworks on the route we'd taken to get there and by midnight I was home. Sophie very kindly gave me her dessert from the Tesco Finest she and Keith had enjoyed for dinner so at least I didn't go to bed ravenous!
Thursday, 11 August 2016
Getting there!
We had a busy start to the day as Mike had an Orthodontist appointment at 8.30am so I drove him to the surgery and then took Sophie to work for 9am. When I returned to the Orthodontist, he still hadn't been seen so I waited with him until he was finished. He now has retainers that he's supposed to wear all the time but I can't see that happening!
When I arrived home there was no Darren, who was supposed to be at the house today finishing off our en-suite. I called him and he assured me he would be with us but it wasn't until lunchtime that he showed up. Thankfully, he replaced the shower splash panel, re-aligned the shower door and grouted the corners with a white sealant so that was good news. We're now just awaiting the new extractor fan light to be done and I can start decorating!
I spent the rest of the afternoon catching up with various things and then I'm sure I was supposed to be working with Sue in the afternoon but there was no sign of her at all. Keith and I went to Mum and Dad's instead to wish my Dad a happy birthday. He was thrilled with his book and the wine I'd chosen and was looking forward to going out with friends in the evening to an Indian restaurant in town.
After we left them we sped home for a bath and then I went off to pick up Mike from Brixworth and Sophie from work while Keith cooked a roast chicken for dinner. We haven't had a roast for ages so it made for a very pleasant change!
When I arrived home there was no Darren, who was supposed to be at the house today finishing off our en-suite. I called him and he assured me he would be with us but it wasn't until lunchtime that he showed up. Thankfully, he replaced the shower splash panel, re-aligned the shower door and grouted the corners with a white sealant so that was good news. We're now just awaiting the new extractor fan light to be done and I can start decorating!
I spent the rest of the afternoon catching up with various things and then I'm sure I was supposed to be working with Sue in the afternoon but there was no sign of her at all. Keith and I went to Mum and Dad's instead to wish my Dad a happy birthday. He was thrilled with his book and the wine I'd chosen and was looking forward to going out with friends in the evening to an Indian restaurant in town.
After we left them we sped home for a bath and then I went off to pick up Mike from Brixworth and Sophie from work while Keith cooked a roast chicken for dinner. We haven't had a roast for ages so it made for a very pleasant change!
Wednesday, 10 August 2016
A somewhat stressful day!
Today hasn't been the best of days, I'm afraid. I was at the CAB early this morning and helped Frank to unlock the offices and set up the laptops. Just after we opened I had a call on my mobile from Darren who was fitting our en-suite to say he wouldn't make it to our house because of a problem. I called Keith to let him know and then half an hour later, as I was dealing with a couple of difficult clients, Sophie called to say that Keith wasn't well and could I come home?
I made my apologies to Frank and it was a good thing that we had another girl in training with us as she could help out. I rushed home to find Keith looking OK but a bit worried as he'd been bleeding and didn't know where the blood had come from.
We took Sophie to work and then decided to risk the Weston Favell Centre to get tonight's dinner. However, the works to the car park are still ongoing and it was bedlam so we fled and went home to pick Mike up and take him to Brixworth before going to Tesco in Kettering. It's my Dad's birthday tomorrow so I bought him a card from me and one from the children and a new book by his favourite author.
Mum and Dad called around in the afternoon for a cup of tea and they said that my Dad needs two new knees at some point in the future! He will probably have the first one sorted in November and the other one next year but it will mean he'll be out of action for a while. My Mum needs to get driving again!
After they'd gone Keith and I went to get Sophie from work and braved the traffic through town to go to Majestic where I bought my Dad three bottles of wine from Chile. It was very quiet in there - I do sometimes wonder how they make a living!
On the way home we collected Mike and then it was home for a game of cards and roast gammon for dinner. Up until today Sophie and I haven't had any wine but tonight, after my stressful day, I couldn't resist a glass!
I made my apologies to Frank and it was a good thing that we had another girl in training with us as she could help out. I rushed home to find Keith looking OK but a bit worried as he'd been bleeding and didn't know where the blood had come from.
We took Sophie to work and then decided to risk the Weston Favell Centre to get tonight's dinner. However, the works to the car park are still ongoing and it was bedlam so we fled and went home to pick Mike up and take him to Brixworth before going to Tesco in Kettering. It's my Dad's birthday tomorrow so I bought him a card from me and one from the children and a new book by his favourite author.
Mum and Dad called around in the afternoon for a cup of tea and they said that my Dad needs two new knees at some point in the future! He will probably have the first one sorted in November and the other one next year but it will mean he'll be out of action for a while. My Mum needs to get driving again!
After they'd gone Keith and I went to get Sophie from work and braved the traffic through town to go to Majestic where I bought my Dad three bottles of wine from Chile. It was very quiet in there - I do sometimes wonder how they make a living!
On the way home we collected Mike and then it was home for a game of cards and roast gammon for dinner. Up until today Sophie and I haven't had any wine but tonight, after my stressful day, I couldn't resist a glass!
Tuesday, 9 August 2016
Return of the robin!
Keith called me into the living room yesterday as he'd seen a robin across the road in a neighbour's garden! I had high hopes we would see one in our garden and today it appeared! I don't know whether it's the same one as it's very flighty but it was great to see the lovely little bird flitting about again. I even think (I'm not sure though) that we have a juvenile robin as well as I can just see a tiny glimpse of red feathers beginning to come through.
I took Sophie to work this morning as Keith had gone off on a long walk. On the way home I called into the post office again as I had another parcel to send. I'm enjoying this Ebay lark but I'll never make a living from it! It's enjoyable though and I'm certainly clearing the house of unwanted clutter!
I called into home as Keith hadn't taken any keys with him and he arrived home all sweaty and hot! I'd promised Mum I would go and giver her a hand with her weeding so suggesting to Keith he stay at home and shower, I went off with my new gloves and weeding implement.
The front of Mum's house is a real sun-trap and I arrived to find her already started. I strimmed the bit of lawn and tidied the edges and we almost filled her wheelie bin with weeds that had really infiltrated the border. Bloomin' things! Half-way through our way along the border she made me a cup of coffee and we sat in the lovely cool back garden and had a chat which was very pleasant!
I worked with Mum until lunchtime and then went home to try and finish my latest assignment. I've typed it up but will leave it a day and then go back, revise it and send it off. I'm just glad I managed to get down to it this afternoon!
I took Sophie to work this morning as Keith had gone off on a long walk. On the way home I called into the post office again as I had another parcel to send. I'm enjoying this Ebay lark but I'll never make a living from it! It's enjoyable though and I'm certainly clearing the house of unwanted clutter!
I called into home as Keith hadn't taken any keys with him and he arrived home all sweaty and hot! I'd promised Mum I would go and giver her a hand with her weeding so suggesting to Keith he stay at home and shower, I went off with my new gloves and weeding implement.
The front of Mum's house is a real sun-trap and I arrived to find her already started. I strimmed the bit of lawn and tidied the edges and we almost filled her wheelie bin with weeds that had really infiltrated the border. Bloomin' things! Half-way through our way along the border she made me a cup of coffee and we sat in the lovely cool back garden and had a chat which was very pleasant!
I worked with Mum until lunchtime and then went home to try and finish my latest assignment. I've typed it up but will leave it a day and then go back, revise it and send it off. I'm just glad I managed to get down to it this afternoon!
Monday, 8 August 2016
Manic Monday!
Today has been exceptionally busy... why do I always have so much to do? And how did I ever find the time to go to work?
After a delicious breakfast of leftover fried potatoes, I made a Key Lime pie with Sophie and marinated some chicken breasts for the Jerk Chicken pasta that we're having tonight. Keith tackled a load of ironing and I stripped my bed in readiness to put my new duvet cover on. The rubbish that was supposed to have been picked up on Saturday was still outside our house so Keith called B&Q and had a bit of a rant down the phone at them. As he was on the phone a van arrived to take the waste away so that was a result at least! He then had an argument with them about the new extractor fan light and the cost of installation which was over £80. We had thought this included the actual fan light but it didn't...As you can imagine Keith was not happy so after more complaining we received an assurance from them that they would supply the extractor fan light free of charge for all the hassle we've had. Hopefully, by the end of the week, everything will be completed.
At lunchtime Keith and I drove to Brixworth and went to the Post office as I had some more stuff to send off from Ebay. We collected Mike, who looked a bit tired, and I went home to hoover the house yet again!
Mike had an Orthodontist appointment at 3pm and we agreed that it was best for Keith to take him while I went with Sophie to her nail appointment at 4pm. To all go together would have meant a lot of hanging about and they were both back just as we were leaving to go into town. Sophie had taken my advice about her nails and had the gel polish removed without any more being applied. Her nails were in such a state last time that she would have been mad to have them done again. They still looked lovely, even without polish, as she has beautiful slender fingers and nails.
Back home Keith walked down to the pub and I tackled the front garden by sweeping up yet more leaves and tidying the verge where the rubbish had been. The plants weren't as damaged as I thought and by the time I finished it was all looking much tidier!
After a delicious breakfast of leftover fried potatoes, I made a Key Lime pie with Sophie and marinated some chicken breasts for the Jerk Chicken pasta that we're having tonight. Keith tackled a load of ironing and I stripped my bed in readiness to put my new duvet cover on. The rubbish that was supposed to have been picked up on Saturday was still outside our house so Keith called B&Q and had a bit of a rant down the phone at them. As he was on the phone a van arrived to take the waste away so that was a result at least! He then had an argument with them about the new extractor fan light and the cost of installation which was over £80. We had thought this included the actual fan light but it didn't...As you can imagine Keith was not happy so after more complaining we received an assurance from them that they would supply the extractor fan light free of charge for all the hassle we've had. Hopefully, by the end of the week, everything will be completed.
At lunchtime Keith and I drove to Brixworth and went to the Post office as I had some more stuff to send off from Ebay. We collected Mike, who looked a bit tired, and I went home to hoover the house yet again!
Mike had an Orthodontist appointment at 3pm and we agreed that it was best for Keith to take him while I went with Sophie to her nail appointment at 4pm. To all go together would have meant a lot of hanging about and they were both back just as we were leaving to go into town. Sophie had taken my advice about her nails and had the gel polish removed without any more being applied. Her nails were in such a state last time that she would have been mad to have them done again. They still looked lovely, even without polish, as she has beautiful slender fingers and nails.
Back home Keith walked down to the pub and I tackled the front garden by sweeping up yet more leaves and tidying the verge where the rubbish had been. The plants weren't as damaged as I thought and by the time I finished it was all looking much tidier!
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