Wednesday 31 December 2014

Happy New Year

As a mother of a young son I will be spending this New Year in front of the telly with my lovely family, trying to stay awake lol.

But I hope you all have a fab time.

I will be posting my resolution over the coming days. I've decided if I write them down and share them it's harder for me to pretend I didn't make them lol.

I hope to stick to all of them, I'm feeling very positive about 2015 and I hope this feeling lasts. I think it will as long as I stay focus and happy.

Any who enjoy the night and of course the New Year :) 

Friday 26 December 2014

My Christmas Day

Yay Christmas 2014 in the DCM household was a low key affair this year well apart from my fab crimbo accessories.


With a little one you think we'd be up earlier but the pudding slept past 7am and by the time I managed to get husband unit out of bed we did presents at 8am.


As the little one only 14 months we decided not to go too mad with gifts as I'm sure over the coming years the demands on Santa will increase. 

Christmas morning in our house all ways consist of Bacon Sandwiches. Mmm Bacon making the house smell delicious.. 

Then on with a The Christmas Tv while we enjoyed the bacon and slowly got dressed. Think there's nothing nicer than having a quiet Christmas morning as the day can be stressful enough without starting it in a panic. 

Then it was off to my folks for Christmas Dinner they're only 10 minutes away so it was a short jaunt. I drove there so the Husband unit would drive back. Don't feel too sorry for him he's not a big drinker and with us just getting over cold I wouldn't be having a lot.


Now it is true what they say nothing beats your mother's cooking. My mum always pulls out all the stops for Christmas a proper Turkey Dinner. The starter was Prawn Cocktail which is a bit 1970 chic. But hey I like them and if someone else is making it I'm in no position to comment. 


We have a serve yourself system at dinner at my mum's which I think is great so you can just have what you want rather than being rude and leaving stuff on the plate you don't like. For me it's peas I like them in stuff like a cottage pie but have a thing about the on their own (yes I know I'm weird). 


So dinner with all the trimmings was amazing.


Followed by Christmas pudding and custard.

As you can see I'm a traditionalist when it  comes to Christmas eats. 

But that's just once a year ( well we are having Christmas two tomorrow when my brother and Nephew go over to my mums). So that's okay... 

And considering my fantastic Christmas present 

Know I'll be cooking up some interesting flavours in the New Year. So if any of you out there have any good Tangine Recipes I would love for you to share them,

I'm now having a relaxing Boxing Day ( for my American readers this is a holiday we have the day after Christmas in the UK) in front of the telly with a sick little man. 

Piece of advice people don't get your kids MMR jab just before the holidays as he's having a mini measles session while the vaccination start work. Not too bad apart from the 1am sickness session :( but seems to be not too bad now.

So a quiet day in front of the box with some movies (mostly cartoons) and the odd treat to keep me going.


So I hope you all had a great Christmas Day and have a fun fuelled new year planned.... 








Wednesday 24 December 2014

Happy Christmas

Just to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and I hope Santa brings you everything you want xoxo 


Tuesday 16 December 2014

Christmas Decs and Do


Hello everyone hope you're all doing well.

With only 9 days left till the Jolly Fat man comes, hope festive cheer is filling your lives. 

I am starting to now feel christmassy as we've got the decorations up. Although as we have a very inquisitive (and by inquisitive, I mean want to destroy everything he sees) 14 month old darling son. We thought it best not to get a tree.

This is quite sad in a way as I've never not had a tree :( although it is far less stressful than constantly try to prevent the little man trying to pull it down on himself :). We'll get a massive one next year to make up for it. 

We also had our works Christmas do in a very nice pub called The Queen Adelaide in Shepherds Bush. I had smoked salmon to start, Duck for main and Christmas Pud for dessert. It was all super lovely unfortunately didn't take any pics as I was in charge of the event as well as our Christmas Attire competitions. I didn't win boo, I didn't even get one vote out of 35. I thought my headband and Totes Amazeballs T-shirt were very festive.


Oh well, but a fun afternoon and night was had by all. Also my folks had the little one over night so I got to have a couple of drinks. I even got the 10pm train home which sounds early but if you have a little on and the fact it started at 2 that is uber rock and roll.

Yesterday I had a lovely night out with my hubby and couple of good friends. My folks even had the baby overnight again which was great for us. (although it transpired that he wasn't well he's got an infection so wasn't a good night for them).

We went to a lovely restaurant call 28 West in Canary Wharf.

Also for once as I am now driving I didn't drink boo, but I got to drive all the way home and even got my first time on a motorway which was interesting I was a bit scared to go over 65mph but I did manage it a couple of times lol... What do they say practise makes perfect :)

We all go there hungry which was a bit of a bad idea as we all over ordered.




I got the Bones and Buns combo and changed my fries to cheesy chips.
I ordered the Chicken, brie and pesto Burger it was nice it came in a Brioche Bun, which seems to be all the rage at the moment.

My Hubby ordered a load of sides including Nachos and Onion Rings as he thought the burgers might not be enough.


We tried to eat it all but failed.

The food was nice but it was way to much I couldn't even get through my Burger and Ribs let alone the sides.

My advise is if you go there not have eyes too big for your belly. Start small then if you're still hungry order some more till your full.

To sign off this week I thought I use a quote from the 1980 film "Working Girl" as it was on at E4 at some ungodly hour this past week but with a sick baby you sometime come across these gems when dealing with soothing them in the middle of the night.

"You want to be taken seriously you've got to have serious hair"

Which is a true now as it was in the 1980 lol. 

Monday 8 December 2014

Driving Test and Santa

Just a short post from me this week as I'm trying to pull myself together for Christmas don't know why but I can't seem to get into this year. I'm hoping after I put up a few decorations and start wrapping presents I'll feel better.

So this week was a momentous occasion in my life, I finally past my Driving test.  As I grew up and lived most of my life in London and what with the great Transport links and the fact that I always commuted and my Husband who I met in 1999 drove when we needed to get somewhere, it never really came up.

But now living in Kent and having a child I definitely needed to be on the road so after 6 month worth of lesson and one failed test I can now legally drive on our fair nations roads.

The other fun thing I did this week was take the little one to visit Santa at the local school fete. I love these things. The smell of classrooms mixed with, mulled wine and a ancient tea urn coupled with the throng of mostly parents of the children who attend the school they are quintessentially English. So we entered the grotto which was two classroom merged together with a actually quite festive array of lights and tinsel to the Beard Man sitting in his sleigh. Then in usual comic as it is with Kids he was having none of it so I now have a blurry photo of him throwing a fit lol


So hopefully we'll have better luck next year :)

Monday 1 December 2014

IKEA, Christmas and Curry

This Weekend we took a trip trip to Ikea (Lakeside). Have to say I love the store and as it's a bit out of a way out it becomes an event going there.

I think I love the fact that they see you the vision as well as the product. Sometimes seeing things in isolation doesn't really work I like see it in a context. I.E a lamp in a bedroom or a couch near a TV.

I also fell in love with this Kitchen as I plan to move earlier next year this will definitely be on my wish list when renovating the new place. Think of all the cooking I could do... Sighs longingly



Also walking around I came across these dogs - between you and me, I think the one on the end has had a bit too much, but hey it Saturday and he obviously likes to party :)




I don't care what anyone says it not a trip to Ikea without stopping for some Swedish Meatball. I love them and so does my other half. We even gave the little man some but he wasn't as impressed as we were, which is probably lucky as I dread to think of the salt and fat content.

I think it's the gravy I like the most, having a parent from the North East of England I am particular to Gravy and Chips and this is just Swedish gravy and chips.




I even to treat myself as I obviously didn't get enough calories from the meatballs, gravy and chip I had a slice of there Dime Bar Cake. Actually I say had a slice I had a bite and I didn't like it. It looked a lot nicer than it tasted which is a shame for my taste buds but not for my thighs.




We didn't leave empty handed we bought a light for the living room as our last lamp was destroyed by a head on crash with a train. Thomas the Tank engine walker that my son uses to be exact. But you'll be pleased to know there were no injured apart from the lamp, unfortunately we couldn't save it. (a moment of silence for the lamp)..

I couldn't leave with out some thing sweet so in the food hall I picked up some Godis Snogubbe and some Singoalla. At the time of writting this blog the Godis Snogubbe are no more as they were very delicious and we hadn't started on the Singoalla but I'm thinking they are like Jammie Dodgers...



On Sunday it was our local Village Christmas Market and light switch on. As it was only me and the little man and owing to the weather and the not great facilities for pram users we just had a quick look round.



He managed to get a nice Santa balloon and we hightailed it out of there before it became too busy. It is actually a very nice event they have the local school choirs and lots of local shops and local producers with their stalls. I think I would have stayed longer if I was with the other half or my parents. but even now I sometimes get nervous of being out with the little one on my own especially when there's a bit of a squeeze and not ready access to toilets if there is a changing emergency.




I got the free bus down to the town but I walked home which was a bit silly as it up hill all the way. but hey it will of least gone some way to burning off my Ikea meatballs.

Sunday late afternoon I decided to do some cooking. After pigging out on nommy stuff from Ikea I decided to make myself a Potato and Spinach curry.




Ingredients:

1 bag of New Potatoes (or 800g of other potatoes)
Onions (about two or a whole bag of chopped (why yes I am that lazy lol))
Two Tins of Chopped Tomatoes
300g of Spinach
1 Stock Cube
Curry Powder (as hot or a mild as you want)
Water

chop the potatoes and if needed the onions and add them with some of the spinach to a pan with a little bit of oil and a big dash of the curry powder (for the exact mesure I'll leave that up to you to have as little or as much as you want) cook them off for about 3 mins. then add the tomatoes and about 300ml of water.

Then you just simmer it all for 30 mins adding more spinach as you go. I like spinach so I sometimes add more from another bag just to make sure there's enough. About 5 mins from the end I add the stock cube and stir.

(You can if you want add chicken at the start throwing them in with the potatoes and onions if you want to add a bit more protein.)

Cook up some rice (My Fav is Brown) and Voila homemade, very healthy, curry for a cold winters night.

Thursday 27 November 2014

Liberty's and Sausages

So yesterday I had a meeting near Oxford Street as I got there a bit earlier so I thought I would pop into Liberty as I've always loved the shop. When I was little I thought it was a magical place with all its nooks and crannies we always take a look in especially round Christmas when it was extra lovely.

I love the fact that when it was built it was meant to look old, but now due to it being built in 1875 it is old. So you've got the double history and double soul in the place. The feel of the weather beaten wood from the ships that have absorbed the knowledge of the high seas and the years of shoppers from all ages looking at the spectacular wears. I not much for the supernatural but that places has a mystique about it that is wonderfully eerie (Although I would not like to be there after dark on my own) lol.

I am also a huge fan of the show currently my two favourite shows are Liberty's of London on Channel 4 and Posh People on BBC 2. I think I love all the glamour and the idealistic lifestyle. I lead a relatively run of the mill life (albeit with a couple of Crazy antics thrown in) I'm do okay financially but I am far off rich and I'm fascinated by how the other half live. Some people think they lead feckless lives and its wrong to spend £1000 on a T-shirt or 30k on a dog's bed (honestly I saw one for that price in Harrods a few years back). But I'm still undecided, obviously there's the Jealous aspect of that argument do we criticises because we are on the other side of the fence; and would be behave any differently if we had the money.

Also I think its also a part of cutting your cloth to suit your means. I spend what I can afford on Clothes so if I had more I could spend more. So by that reasoning if I have millions I would be top to toe in Designer fashion lol.

but I digress I was in the store to look at there lovely displays. In the Scarf hall they have a wonderful ship mast which is perfect for the history and the look of the store. Really wanted to climb up the rigging dressed in a flora print with a matching eye patch.


I had to get the view from above and below. It worked especially well with the festive Christmas coins strung up around it and between the floors. Like gold doubloons stolen from a Spanish Galleon.




I also had a look at the light display in the second atrium when I stopped by the 4th Floor carpet hall.




Didn't realise it was going to be featured in last nights programme :). But I love it, it is definitely like a Moroccan Bazaar. Think it especially Apt to visit round Christmas as you can pretend you're in a panto. Think the staff are missing a trick and not getting into the holiday theme and dressing as the cast of Aladdin lol...


As I was in a shop I though I'd make a purchase. I really wanted some Nancy's Nail scented top coat. Although not sure if it a good look to go round smelling your nails all day :). Alas they had sold out which is a shame as I'm not sure when I can get back to pick some up.



But as I didn't want to come out empty handed I went to their Christmas shop and got this little fella. Who is bound to brighten up the festivities in our household. Although I haven't thought of a name. (So any suggestion would be appreciated) :).


Managed to see the Christmas lights down Regents Street. Hmm not really a big fan of such blatant sponsorship on the lights but I suppose that how they get the companies to pay and it probably better than not having them at all.


I stopped outside BBC Broadcasting hHouse as they were having a Sausage fest I bought myself a Uncle Henry's Firecracker Sausage. OMG it was A-Mazing. I do like sausages and this was one of the best.  If you're ever in Lincolnshire definitely pop on by as it is definitely a treat.



I was also asked to try a random bit of sausage from of the stalls and rate it out of 10. It was a herb one and that too was so good. I got a little too into it and proclaim that "I was enjoying it a bit too much" which is something you should never say with a sausage in your mouth. My husband found it hilarious as we watch the "One Show" and my mug popped up. He proceeded to tell all our friends of Facebook. I just thank god no one at work watch it as it been all morning and I've had no comments phew.

But if any of you guys want to watch my now amazing 5 second of fame I sure its on the BBC Iplayer according to my friends brother on FB it's about 18 mins in.  Although I am talking with my mouthful which of course is the height of bad manners and should not be emulated lol.

Monday 24 November 2014

Sunday Lunch and baking Fun

After my week of highs and lows. I thought I would do something productive with my weekend.

My husband works in Sports TV meaning he works weird and wonderful shifts so this Saturday with him working and the weather being horrible thought I'd give baking a Clafoutis a go.

Although my little one had other ideas as I think he was as board as I was with the wet Saturday. So we played with what I think was every single toy we own. It was actually good fun and for me very therapeutic. It amazing how interacting with a child can make all other problems seem so small. They're just so happy and amused by the most mundane of things which in infectious and cheered me up no end. Another plus it, helped the little one sleep better he did wake up in the night but not as often as he had in the week and not for as long.

So Sunday after being house bound I insisted we at least go out for a bit. With the Grand Prix final in contention I knew I'd have to get him back for that. We decided to try out a new(ish) pub in the area (open March 2014)  The Poppy Field Its a Marston's pub so part of a chain and lacked some of the atmosphere of the other pubs in the area which have their years of history oozing out of the walls. Although unlike these bygone treasures it is amazingly accommodating for Children and ease of access. Wide enough spaces to get the pram around and a lovely colourful play area for little ones which is great. The little one played and discovered while we ordered.
The food was okay too, nothing spectacular but it was a nice meal. I did eat everything on my plate and the menu looked quite interesting with a rotisserie on site. Plan to go back and give that area of the menu a try before I pronounce final judgement on the food. Also even though we didn't order from it the children menu is very good a lot of classic with a slew of healthy items.


Overall it was a great experience and we will definitely be going back as it fit in with exactly what we need at the moment from an eating establishment. The food is nice and the staff and the set up are geared to people with young children. Also have to go back as I never did find out what "The Trouble With Lazy Ethel" was lol.


We got back about 10minutes after the Grand Prix had started and with Lewis firmly in the lead and the little one and my husband captivated by the happening on the screen I decided to do some baking. I wanted something quick and easy as I was cooking more for a stress free activity than an actually event. I decided to make Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies

150g Sugar
80G Brown Sugar
80g Granulated Sugar
2 small eggs
225g flour
dash of Vanilla extract
1tps of baking power.
Bag of chocolate chips




Cream the sugars and the butters till creamy, add the egg and Vanilla Essence stir. Sieve in the flour and the baking powers, dump in the chocolate chips and mix together. spoon teaspoon amounts on to a greased baking tray and cook in a 190c preheated oven for 8-10 min an Voila yummy cookies.

 

The mixture does make quite a lot, I got over 30 in my batch; so I brought them into work for a Monday treat. Great way to start the week on a positive note also doesn't hurt to do something nice for you work chums once in a while.



Tuesday 18 November 2014

A Week of Ups and Downs

So not been the greatest week in the Dyslexic Cooking Mum household the little one has a cold. 'A cold? that's not so bad' I hear you say; but with a baby if they don't sleep you don't sleep and congested babies are not the best sleeper. I truly believe this is what they should teach in Sex Ed classes in school. Simulate a sick baby and I'm sure that would bring down the teen pregnancy rate. 

This then developed into tonsillitis. So that meant a trip to the Docs and a bottle full of Meds. He's hasn't been the best at taking medicine but he is getting better. The problem I have is they are always a fluorescent colour and stain. Im sure one top is ruin for good Grr.

Compounded by the fact I'm getting a bit sick of work. Can't be too hard on my work as they have been really helpful with accommodating me coming back to work as a new mum and all the stresses. But I'm feeling under appreciated and under used. Being tired isn't helping but if I'm going to travel in, leaving my Son, I want it to be for something good or at least more stimulating. Know I shouldn't  moan as I know I'm lucky I am that I even have a job and the fact they are so flexible. ( I'll try to be less whiney) 

Last bad thing of this week and it's only Wednesday is they taking down the big hat in Disney Hollywood Studio. 




I'm a big fan of the hat and will miss it when it's gone. Like the Tree of Life, Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth I love the way you can see the peak of it (along with the tower of terror) when you walking through the car park up to the main gate. Fingers crossed they replace it with something wonderful and all my moaning is in Vain. 

Hasn't been a total disaster of a week even though I've had no time for cooking I've managed to sample two Christmas Sandwiches the Marks & Spencer's 'Count on Us - Turkey and Butternut Stuffing' which was nice if say a 7 or of 10. Good points is its low in fat so don't feel to guilty about munching it. 



I also had a Pret 'Turkey Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce' sandwich it was AMAZING I am giving it a 10 out of 10 it was so yum but very calorific. Also didn't help I had a sneaky mince pie which was also delicious (will definitely be getting another one of those) I now worring about my waist line lol.



Another nice thing my wonderful Australian cousin sent the little one a belated birthday gift of a Bon-Jovi onesie and a CD with all their songs in Lullaby form. 

Obviously not everyone's cup of tea but both her and I are huge fans so now mega excited to start introducing my son into to the world of Rock yay. 

Last thing which was a good bad thing. Due to Victoria Station being closed this morning my train got diverted to Blackfriers. Although that did mean I got to amble through the city getting to the central line and I got to pass St Paul's in London which is a fantastic building.

Well fingers crossed it all up from here as I have a free weekend ( well as free as it can be with a 1 year old) and I plan to get some baking in yay..



Saturday 15 November 2014

Amok in Amsterdam -Part 3 (Hungover in Hilversum)

So didn't get to bed till 2am but at 7.30am I'm wide awake. First time abroad from the little one. A perfect opportunity to lie in and I'm up checking my phone.

Didn't feel too bad but I lounged around with water and diet coke. Also harassed my host with amusing text till she got up and got me a glass of juice. 

We all got up slowly embracing the fact we had a late flight. 

When we were all washed and up we headed into Hilversum as the walk would blow away the alcohol infused cobwebs. We chatted about the antics of the day before, filling in gaps for some whose recollection of the night before was fuzzy. 

It was weird going into town as the Netherlands is still a country where shops are shut on a Sunday. Well most shops as there was a supermarket open. Think I like that as there's a place to get the essentials but you have the opportunity to have family time.

H took us to one of her favourite eateries in the town  


Flinders cafe  http://m.flinderscafe.nl was a very nice restaurant. On a Sunday lunchtime it was filled with weird and wonderful people. Men in top hats sipping coffee, tattoo old rockers having lunch with their kids and old couples stopping for a cake during their Sunday walk and a cat.


We Sat down after the festivities the night before I had decided not to drink but as S wanted a drink, and I need only the slightest persuasion, so I joined her. I decided to try another beer this time I opted for a Texan. This was another nice beer, perfect for the morning after. 



We ordered some food. As we waited, I found a selection of Disney cartoon books so took a chance to catch up with my reading lol.



  J & I got sloppy joes. After the waiter telling them it was nicer than you can get in England H & S ordered Fish and Chips.



The Sloppy Joes where lovely they came in a brioche buns topped with bacon and cheese a nice way to get you back to normal after a fun night out.

Unfortunately the waiters boast were slightly unfounded and even though the fish and chips were nice it was a bit on the salty side, which was a shame. 

After the food a couple of the girls had coffee S and I were intrigued by a advertisement on the table for Scrappino. 
After egging each otheron we ordered 2.

It is an amazing drink a fusion of Vodka, Prosecco and lemon sorbet/ice cream. It refreshing and filling at the same time it was so good we had to order another one.


We headed back to H's to finish up packing and wait for the time to click round to the airport. We just had time to help her walk the dogs round the local forest next to her house.  which was a riot of brown and golds in the low autumn sun.


Off to the airport, we went, after what felt like too short a time to fit as much as we did in. By that time I was keen to get home and hug my little man. Although Easy jet had other plans delaying us and not having any excuses Grr nightmare.

So a lot later than expected l, but after the girls where lovely and dropped me home first (even though it easier to drop me last) I was finally home just before midnight. The little one was asleep but I got to see him dreaming. Before heading wearly to bed.