I had a pleasant morning at work, doing extra jobs and helping with the Box Office returns so that made the time go quickly. Outside, the weather was beautiful and after a cool start, the day became warmer.
I saw Keith and Mike when I was driving home as we were all held up by the arrival of a mobile home in a field on the outskirts of a nearby village. After a quick change and a chat with Sophie it was off to school where Lisa was in a chatty mood. We spent the entire session outside and only had six children to look after. The two who normally go quite late went before 5pm but we had another young lad who was picked up at 5.30pm so we didn't really gain much time!
I sped home and Keith made me a Vodka and tonic...bliss! I did some research for our French trip and discovered that the stretch of coastline between Calais and Boulogne is called the Cote d'Opal and has some lovely beaches and small towns. I think we'll head for there if it's a nice day!
Monday, 14 May 2018
Sunday, 13 May 2018
Domestic bliss!
Today has been a very relaxed day - just as Sunday should be!
Sophie helped me put a colour on my hair this morning as I was looking distinctly badgerish! Keith went to get the papers and popped in to see Mum and Dad with some dishwasher tablets as my Mum had forgotten them yesterday.
I checked my emails and learnt I'd been offered the Usher's job at the Court. Hmmm! That was a total shock as they'd previously turned me down, even though they said I was a "strong" candidate and would keep my details on file should another vacancy arise. Perhaps someone they'd picked hadn't worked out? I had to provide lots of pre-employment information so I grappled with that for a while!
Sophie and I started our preparations for making our Thai Yellow Curry and we roasted shallots, ginger and garlic in the oven for an hour until they were soft. We then added them to a whole host of other ingredients, such as coriander, cumin, lemongrass and dried chillis and ground everything up into a paste. We deviated from the recipe a bit by marinating the chicken with the curry paste as I thought it would give it more taste.
I did manage to get out into the garden and tidied up our gravelled bit next to the house. I hadn't been down there for a while and everything had sprung into life, which was lovely. The Clematis I cut down last year had grown again and looked really healthy and a beautiful blue flower had bloomed. I raked up all the dead leaves and branches that had come down over the winter and generally gave it a good tidy. It looked lovely when I finished and I'm determined we'll use it more this summer. Now we just need to give the conservatory a good clean!
After a game of cards and a couple of Margaritas Sophie and I started on dinner. We fried onions in coconut oil and added the marinated chicken. It smelt delicious! When that was cooked we added coconut milk, sugar and the fish sauce which was disgusting! The smell was very strong - like bad feet! I'd Googled fish sauce and everyone said that the smell was horrible but that it adds a depth of flavour to the dish! We also add lime juice and diced potatoes and let the whole pan simmer while we cooked some rice.
The meal was delicious and although we could still smell the fish sauce, we couldn't taste it. It was hot and spicy and Sophie and I were really pleased it had turned out so well. We have a lot of faith in the Hairy Bikers' recipes which always seem to work. We really enjoyed making the dish and using ingredients we never would have tried before!
Sophie helped me put a colour on my hair this morning as I was looking distinctly badgerish! Keith went to get the papers and popped in to see Mum and Dad with some dishwasher tablets as my Mum had forgotten them yesterday.
I checked my emails and learnt I'd been offered the Usher's job at the Court. Hmmm! That was a total shock as they'd previously turned me down, even though they said I was a "strong" candidate and would keep my details on file should another vacancy arise. Perhaps someone they'd picked hadn't worked out? I had to provide lots of pre-employment information so I grappled with that for a while!
Sophie and I started our preparations for making our Thai Yellow Curry and we roasted shallots, ginger and garlic in the oven for an hour until they were soft. We then added them to a whole host of other ingredients, such as coriander, cumin, lemongrass and dried chillis and ground everything up into a paste. We deviated from the recipe a bit by marinating the chicken with the curry paste as I thought it would give it more taste.
I did manage to get out into the garden and tidied up our gravelled bit next to the house. I hadn't been down there for a while and everything had sprung into life, which was lovely. The Clematis I cut down last year had grown again and looked really healthy and a beautiful blue flower had bloomed. I raked up all the dead leaves and branches that had come down over the winter and generally gave it a good tidy. It looked lovely when I finished and I'm determined we'll use it more this summer. Now we just need to give the conservatory a good clean!
After a game of cards and a couple of Margaritas Sophie and I started on dinner. We fried onions in coconut oil and added the marinated chicken. It smelt delicious! When that was cooked we added coconut milk, sugar and the fish sauce which was disgusting! The smell was very strong - like bad feet! I'd Googled fish sauce and everyone said that the smell was horrible but that it adds a depth of flavour to the dish! We also add lime juice and diced potatoes and let the whole pan simmer while we cooked some rice.
The meal was delicious and although we could still smell the fish sauce, we couldn't taste it. It was hot and spicy and Sophie and I were really pleased it had turned out so well. We have a lot of faith in the Hairy Bikers' recipes which always seem to work. We really enjoyed making the dish and using ingredients we never would have tried before!
Saturday, 12 May 2018
Frustrated!
After dropping Sophie off at work this morning I called into my work as I'd left my notebook behind yesterday! As it contains quite a bit of personal information (I write my blog entries into it sometimes!) I had to go and retrieve it! I had a quick chat with Sara and Sue and managed to get Sara two hours off as she was complaining about being there all day! Sue said she would work until 4pm so that was a bonus for her! Without our conversation, this wouldn't have happened!
On the way home I dropped Keith off at Pitsford before going to pick my Mum up to take her shopping in Kettering. She said she would be an hour so I bought the newspaper and enjoyed a Flat White and a chocolate twist in Costa while I waited.
After I'd dropped her at home I made a start on our bedroom as it was way overdue for a good clean! I cleaned the windows and dusted everywhere before giving it a good hoover and then carrying on to the landing.
After hoovering downstairs and having a quick, late lunch I went to collect Sophie from work as she was finishing early today. It's Eurovision tonight! When we arrived home we started to get all the ingredients out for making Pavlova when I realised we didn't have enough caster sugar and no cornflour! We had to slosh over to the nearest shop in the rain and buy what we needed before heading home to make the dessert.
I whisked the egg whites while Sophie slowly added the sugar and after putting in the white wine vinegar, vanilla essence and cornflour it went into the oven on a low heat for an hour. While it cooked Keith, Sophie and I played cards in the conservatory and enjoyed a glass or red wine as Keith is cooking Beef Stroganoff tonight. I helped him finish the dish and it was delicious - really creamy and the beef was very tender.
We settled down to watch Eurovision, this year coming from Lisbon. Our song was 9th and we were shocked to see a man run onto the stage and grab the microphone out of SuRie's hand while she sang. She coped very well - I would have been terrified!
As always there were some weird and wacky songs and we all thought that Israel's entry was bizarre! However, it was one of the favourites to win...and it did! Again, we were frustrated and angry that the UK had so few votes and we came fourth from bottom which was disgraceful as I thought our song was very good. Perhaps it is true that the rest of Europe hate us!
On the way home I dropped Keith off at Pitsford before going to pick my Mum up to take her shopping in Kettering. She said she would be an hour so I bought the newspaper and enjoyed a Flat White and a chocolate twist in Costa while I waited.
After I'd dropped her at home I made a start on our bedroom as it was way overdue for a good clean! I cleaned the windows and dusted everywhere before giving it a good hoover and then carrying on to the landing.
After hoovering downstairs and having a quick, late lunch I went to collect Sophie from work as she was finishing early today. It's Eurovision tonight! When we arrived home we started to get all the ingredients out for making Pavlova when I realised we didn't have enough caster sugar and no cornflour! We had to slosh over to the nearest shop in the rain and buy what we needed before heading home to make the dessert.
I whisked the egg whites while Sophie slowly added the sugar and after putting in the white wine vinegar, vanilla essence and cornflour it went into the oven on a low heat for an hour. While it cooked Keith, Sophie and I played cards in the conservatory and enjoyed a glass or red wine as Keith is cooking Beef Stroganoff tonight. I helped him finish the dish and it was delicious - really creamy and the beef was very tender.
We settled down to watch Eurovision, this year coming from Lisbon. Our song was 9th and we were shocked to see a man run onto the stage and grab the microphone out of SuRie's hand while she sang. She coped very well - I would have been terrified!
As always there were some weird and wacky songs and we all thought that Israel's entry was bizarre! However, it was one of the favourites to win...and it did! Again, we were frustrated and angry that the UK had so few votes and we came fourth from bottom which was disgraceful as I thought our song was very good. Perhaps it is true that the rest of Europe hate us!
Friday, 11 May 2018
Thank goodness it's Friday!
I didn't sleep very well last night and woke up feeling tired and groggy! I really didn't feel like going to work but I made it through the morning and felt a bit brighter!
Lisa had decided not to put on a film this afternoon but we still had quite a few children attend the after-school club and we managed to get outside for an hour before going in as it was quite chilly.
We were there until the bitter end and on the way home I met Keith and gave him a lift to the pub. back home Sophie had downloaded Terms of Endearment so we watched that before it was time to go and collect hubby. Dinner tonight wasn't very exciting - quiche with new potatoes and salad. However we have some nice meals planned for the weekend as tomorrow it's the Eurovision Song Contest final and Sophie wants to have Beef Stroganoff followed by Pavlova, and Champagne! Bring it on!
Lisa had decided not to put on a film this afternoon but we still had quite a few children attend the after-school club and we managed to get outside for an hour before going in as it was quite chilly.
We were there until the bitter end and on the way home I met Keith and gave him a lift to the pub. back home Sophie had downloaded Terms of Endearment so we watched that before it was time to go and collect hubby. Dinner tonight wasn't very exciting - quiche with new potatoes and salad. However we have some nice meals planned for the weekend as tomorrow it's the Eurovision Song Contest final and Sophie wants to have Beef Stroganoff followed by Pavlova, and Champagne! Bring it on!
Thursday, 10 May 2018
Planning ahead!
I had a busy session at work, doing the Box Office returns. When I finished the phone calls picked up and we had some complicated queries! I also dealt with the orders coming through so the time went by very quickly!
After a brief spell at home it was off to the school and we spent the whole of the afternoon in the playground. Lisa didn't seem very happy and I think she feels let down by the Head who promised her things would be better with the after-school club, and that we would be able to take the children to the park one day a week. It would be so nice to take them for a walk and break the monotony a bit!
In the evening Keith and Sophie cooked Coq au Riesling, another recipe from the Hairy Bikers. The chicken had been marinating in the wine since yesterday and the smells coming from the kitchen were delicious! We made dumplings to go with the chicken and the meal was scrumptious!
Sophie and I decided to book a day in France for later in May so we're really looking forward to spending a night in Dover (and exploring the coastal pubs) and then taking the ferry to France for the day and stocking up on some wine and beer. Cheers!
After a brief spell at home it was off to the school and we spent the whole of the afternoon in the playground. Lisa didn't seem very happy and I think she feels let down by the Head who promised her things would be better with the after-school club, and that we would be able to take the children to the park one day a week. It would be so nice to take them for a walk and break the monotony a bit!
In the evening Keith and Sophie cooked Coq au Riesling, another recipe from the Hairy Bikers. The chicken had been marinating in the wine since yesterday and the smells coming from the kitchen were delicious! We made dumplings to go with the chicken and the meal was scrumptious!
Sophie and I decided to book a day in France for later in May so we're really looking forward to spending a night in Dover (and exploring the coastal pubs) and then taking the ferry to France for the day and stocking up on some wine and beer. Cheers!
Wednesday, 9 May 2018
A marathon shop!
Keith and I went to the Weston Favell Centre this morning to see if we could get Sophie's furry bedspread cleaned (it really needs it!). We asked at Timpson's and they quoted us £35 which was ridiculous! I don't think it cost much more than that!
We decided to leave it and headed over to Kettering to do the weekly shop, a day early, as there were loads of ingredients we needed for two meals we were cooking - Coq au Riesling on Thursday night and a Thai Yellow Curry on Sunday. Both recipes were from the Hairy Bikers' Chicken and Egg cookbook.
It was a bit of a marathon shop as among the ingredients we needed were Kafir Lime leaves, ginger, lemongrass stems, fish sauce and some spices that we didn't have such as coriander. By the time we finished our heads were spinning!
After we'd unpacked everything at home it was time for some lunch in the garden and before I went to the school Keith and I put up some little fairy lights in the Jasmine bush opposite the conservatory.
We spent the whole of the after-school session in the playground and had three children of a couple of teachers who were doing some training in the swimming pool. It's been a beautiful day today and it was great to get out into the playground and watch the children have fun!
Back home it was drinks in the conservatory, a game of cards and then jacket potatoes for dinner!
We decided to leave it and headed over to Kettering to do the weekly shop, a day early, as there were loads of ingredients we needed for two meals we were cooking - Coq au Riesling on Thursday night and a Thai Yellow Curry on Sunday. Both recipes were from the Hairy Bikers' Chicken and Egg cookbook.
It was a bit of a marathon shop as among the ingredients we needed were Kafir Lime leaves, ginger, lemongrass stems, fish sauce and some spices that we didn't have such as coriander. By the time we finished our heads were spinning!
After we'd unpacked everything at home it was time for some lunch in the garden and before I went to the school Keith and I put up some little fairy lights in the Jasmine bush opposite the conservatory.
We spent the whole of the after-school session in the playground and had three children of a couple of teachers who were doing some training in the swimming pool. It's been a beautiful day today and it was great to get out into the playground and watch the children have fun!
Back home it was drinks in the conservatory, a game of cards and then jacket potatoes for dinner!
Tuesday, 8 May 2018
Enjoying the sunshine!
We awoke to another beautiful day, with clear blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Keith and I took Mike to college and on the way home I dropped him at the Pitsford car park so he could walk home.
I mowed the front verge, which took me all of two minutes. As the soil was quite dry I didn't do any digging but just swept up the dead leaves and tidied up. I'm hoping for a decent rainfall so I can put some grass seed down to fill the bare patches.
Sophie and I had showers before Keith got home and as soon as he was changed we went to Jones's to get some things we needed. I wanted more compost (until mine is ready!) and some bird food for our voracious feathered friends who are feeding their young.
On the way home we called into the Co-op to get some lunch and I was amazed that it was so late when we arrived back! Mum had called to say that she needed a lift to the hospital but she called again to say that my Dad was able to go home today, which was a relief! I said we'd go and get him after I finished work this evening and get him settled back at home.
Work was fine and we spent the entire session out in the playground. The boys all played together really well and Lisa and I sat with three of the girls and had a good chat. It was very pleasant sitting in the sun and enjoying the warmth!
At 6pm I dashed home and Keith and I went to get my Mum. At the hospital I went up to the ward with Mum and then took all Dad's stuff back down to the car, which included a Zimmer frame for him to use. Keith and I then drove around to the entrance and, with the help of a nurse, we managed to get him into the car. I was glad that tricky bit was over! We were able to get him out of the car OK and he sat on a chair in the kitchen to catch his breath as he'd found it quite an ordeal.
As soon as they were both settled and OK we drove home and sat in the conservatory with a drink, to plan the rest of the week's menus. Sophie and I are cooking a Thai Yellow Curry on Sunday which needs a whole new range of ingredients, including Kafir Lime Leaves and fish sauce!
I mowed the front verge, which took me all of two minutes. As the soil was quite dry I didn't do any digging but just swept up the dead leaves and tidied up. I'm hoping for a decent rainfall so I can put some grass seed down to fill the bare patches.
Sophie and I had showers before Keith got home and as soon as he was changed we went to Jones's to get some things we needed. I wanted more compost (until mine is ready!) and some bird food for our voracious feathered friends who are feeding their young.
On the way home we called into the Co-op to get some lunch and I was amazed that it was so late when we arrived back! Mum had called to say that she needed a lift to the hospital but she called again to say that my Dad was able to go home today, which was a relief! I said we'd go and get him after I finished work this evening and get him settled back at home.
Work was fine and we spent the entire session out in the playground. The boys all played together really well and Lisa and I sat with three of the girls and had a good chat. It was very pleasant sitting in the sun and enjoying the warmth!
At 6pm I dashed home and Keith and I went to get my Mum. At the hospital I went up to the ward with Mum and then took all Dad's stuff back down to the car, which included a Zimmer frame for him to use. Keith and I then drove around to the entrance and, with the help of a nurse, we managed to get him into the car. I was glad that tricky bit was over! We were able to get him out of the car OK and he sat on a chair in the kitchen to catch his breath as he'd found it quite an ordeal.
As soon as they were both settled and OK we drove home and sat in the conservatory with a drink, to plan the rest of the week's menus. Sophie and I are cooking a Thai Yellow Curry on Sunday which needs a whole new range of ingredients, including Kafir Lime Leaves and fish sauce!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)