A quick Christmas Message

This week at work has been full of sweets, chocolate and biscuits and the highlight of the week a guy at works wife made an AAAA-mazing chocolate cake it was so so so so yum. Actually jealous as I don't think I could make a cake that tasty.

it was all gone in about two hours.

I also got to see the new Star Wars - No spoilers! But I really enjoyed it and give ti 5 Stars. Our local cinema where doing some Star Wars Themed cocktail, I didn't managed to have one well I did go to the 10.30am showing and even that's a bit early for me.

So between that and getting the last minutes Christmas Stuff Done just a short post this week.

I'll give you an update next week of how the Dyslexic Cooking Christmas went.

All I can say is there will be far to much food, far too much drink and I know for the little one far to many presents.

although I will pause and remember how lucky I am at this time of year. I have an amazing family, I have a lovely home and I will have good friends, good food and fun over this special time. I know a lot of people won't have any of that.

Christmas, I do think is about family and it is the one time of year that we normally take a breath and enjoy all being together.

So spare a thought for those who have less and more importantly those who have nothing. Please remember to donate and help where you can.

And make sure you appreciate what you have. If your family start getting on your nerves or the turkey's a bit dry or the kids are being to loud with their toys or there's the same old crap on the telly. Look around and really take it in and think about the thousands of people who would be happy with just a fraction of what you have.

So I hope everyone who reads this has a great festive period and I will be back in touch before the New Year :)

Christmas Do & Christmas Do two

Another busy week in the Dyslexic cooking household.

Okay next time I say I never do anything I'm going to revert back to this blog.

I did manage to get some cooking in but just something really simple.

I boiled up some leeks for about 20 Minutes

Added some veg then some pasta

and added some cream cheese 

and a bit of hot sauce and you get a lovely cheesy leak pasta.

Actually if I had time I would have put it in the oven with some more cheese on top to make it extra creamy.

I spend most of the week getting ready for Christmas the tree is finally up yay, nearly all presents bought and hopefully we are all getting sorted.

It was also time for the annual Christmas do and this year I managed to attend two.

The first one was in the wonderful venue of The Royal Academy of Art

Got to see a bit of art before I went in.

Then had a wonderful meal

As I was only invited last minute, to replace a drop out I got what they ordered but it was delicious.

I had pate for starters

Turkey for main

The Christmas Pud for desert

Washed down with lots and lots of champagne

I even got some antlers for a secret santa

Only criticism I would have is there mince pie dessert option was a bit small lol

Although they did make up for it by giving us a few extra ones.

As the Royal Academy is in such a great location I got to see the amazing Fortnum & Masons Christmas Windows.

I even popped in to buy my folks some of their famous Piccalilli, for those of you who don't know what it is it's a relish goes great in your sandwiches yummy.


I also had a look at The Ritz display as I've always wanted a cocktail from their but as I was on my own and already had a drink or two I headed home. (Aren't I good)

The next day I had my team Christmas at the Finery Pub near Oxford Street, apologies there's no food pics but as I helped arranged it I spent most of the time running around making sure people had the right food and were sitting in the right place. I even gave away my dessert as they forgot ones of the teams (Good deed of the year).

Again had some bubbly this time in what I like to call "Downton" champagne glasses.

I felt very sophisticated even if I was in my elf outfit.

So I'm feeling exhausted  it hard work having this much fun lol

Although I will pay for it, as I have Slimming World tonight I know the scales won't be forgiving.

Also I would say I'll be good this coming week up till Christmas and I will try but its another bumper week.

Meeting by bezzie mates (Best Friends) tomorrow then I am going out to see STAR WARS on Friday (So excited I promise no spoiler in my next blog) and the amount of Chocolate that has surfaced round the office I don't think next week way in will go well either lol.

Busy Bee mean a blank Blog

Hi guys so I admit I forgot to post last week.

It just I've been so busy. House moving has turned into hell on earth with Lawyers, Mortgage advisers and general craziness.

Honestly having dyslexia and dealing with loads of forms and trying to retain lots of information in your head and doing figures and other stuff all at the same time, is sometimes physically painful. I spent most of the time feeling sick. I know it will be all worth it in the end just need the end to come soon. (I know first world problems)

But I do think that Banks and Lawyers really need to make their processes more Dyslexia and other learning difficulty friendly. Also a bit better Customer service so they don't make you feel stupid if you get stuff wrong but hey ho you can't have everything.

Coupled with that Husband is away, in Manchester, for work so I'm at my mums to get help with the little man. Yes could do it on my own, but considering I'd have to drop him round every morning at 7am then pick him up every evening at 6.30pm it seem far more sensible to stay.

That also means I get a home cooked meal every-night, which after a hard day at work is utter perfection. And as it's my mums cooking it fab as everyone know their mum's cooking taste better than anyone else.

The one downside is that my mum is the guardian of her kitchen so it  means I haven't been able to cook.

So my cooking blog this week consists of no cooking.

Although I did have my first Christmas Sandwich and Mince Pie of the festive season. They were so yum and now feel I'm starting to get into the spirit of the season.

And I've nearly completed my Christmas Shopping so another positives.

So that about it really not the most exciting blog in the work but  as I am back at home this weekend, I   promise to cook something Simple yet Christmassy for you guys.

So apologies again for being a bit crap.

Weird Christmas plans in the Netherlands

So last Friday I went to visit my friend in the Netherlands again..

It's weird as we were all full of fun in an airport with people traveling hither and thither, all full of happiness.

We started off in similar fashion having a few drinks because the working week was done, I was getting a bit of me time. Which for me personally I think is really important if you have young children. As sometimes you sort of lose yourself and just need a day or two to remind yourself there is another world out there and it not just nappies. Although can't last anymore than two days as I miss the cuddles.

So we had wine and cocktails at the airport:

Mojito

Followed by drinkies on the plane.

Some poor (Drunk) girl behind us had never flown British Airways before, and needed to tell the whole flight how happy she was that you got a free drink. She was only 20 and on her way to a rave in Amsterdam (Ah to be young and foolish).


The flight from London is really quick just under 1 Hour, that the great thing about living in the UK Europe is just on your door step. But I think in the UK as there is a body of water separating us, we feel further away. I haven't been to nearly enough of Europe as I should have been. Although that's because I'd rather head over to the States so always saving my pennies for that.

But I do plan with the little one a few more jaunts to nearby places to expand his horizon and my own. Especially as you can drive to Europe so can take all the stuff we need with us too.

We got off the plane and headed for the train. OMG coming from England where the train service at best is bad, to go on to the ATM service in the Netherlands, like night and day. So cheap for starters.


All the trains have free Wifi and when you log on it gives you information on when you will arrive at your destinations.

Absolutely bloody brilliant. To celebrate how great it was we had a bit of fizz (Although I have now discovered that you are not supposed to drink on these local trains so I apologies to the authorities and vow not to do it on my next trip).

We arrived at our destination and were reading for a great night, my Friend had just moved into a fabulous new house just on the Edge of the little town of Hilversum. It is beautiful she worked in fashion for years so has the most amazing eye for detail pair things together that I would never even think of.

I love her dog or as I call it the "Friends" dog.

As we were just settling for a big session of drinking and eating the sad, heartbreaking news of the Paris attacks was emerging. It's hard to fathom how awful it is. This misguided people driven by hate, taking innocent lives of people just trying to get on in the world.

I know a lot has already been said, and who am I with my lowly blog to add more? I'm saying something as I am a person in this world and I have a voice and even if only one person hears it could make a difference. All I am going to say is Hate breeds hate, compassion will always breed compassion. People have been hurt have lost loved ones and had their lives turned upside down in the most devastating way. I feel nothing but sorrow for everything that went on. I hope that we find some way to end this terrible loss of life.  And the most important thing is we all stay strong and keeping love and compassion in our hearts as that is the best way to beat hate and fear.

So was a bit subdued when we went to bed and got up the next morning especially as the scale of the horror unfolded. But we where there and we wanted to enjoy our time.

So we headed into Hilversum for a quiet day of drinking an eating.

As we were in the Netherlands we came across a sex shop, not my thing but I did like the theme of the window very autumnal lol

then we headed to the market, I loved it the last time and loved it again. So many stalls filled with fresh produce and it smelt divine. We picked up some yummy cheese for later on in the day.

As we skipped breakfast went back to the same place we went before "Flinders"  to get some eats. I got some traditional food of Bittenballen which are deep fried bites filled with meat (Don't know what kind of meat and thought best not to ask) but they were delicious but so fattening. We order the Fish Bittenballen and some great cheese bites. That were like spring rolls with cheese in the middle. Total Nommage

We also added some lovely dipping bread.

Washed down with a fantastic Gin and Fever Tree Tonic - Well I am on my holidays don't judge lol.

There seemed to be a commotion going on outside, our friend informed us it was the local Christmas parade. It is to mark the arrival of Santa coming by boat from Spain to the Netherlands. Now I normally happy and fascinated by other countries traditions. although I was slightly uneasy about this one.

Now I'm all for people, especially the kiddies having fun and feeling the Joy of Christmas. But I, as coming form London, didn't really get or understood Santa's helper "Black Pete". where people get dressed up put on black face make up, bright red lipstick and a curly black wig and give out treats to the children.

Now this is not my culture or my tradition so I am the first to say I don't full understand its significance. also someone tried to tell me it was because of the coal from going down the chimney (Although that would not account for the Red lip and curly wig). But in a western multicultural place it seem very outdated.

So people tried to modernize it and a caught a picture of this lovely lady with a pink face.

 But Our friend told me that only 18% of the population see a problem with it. I just think round children it send a weird message. Although it wasn't sinister in anyway and the kids loved getting the candy and all the local seemed to be having fun. I just think a bit of modernizing to bring it in to the 21st Century would make it a truly amazing festival.

Also got to see Santa and he seemed fun.

As for me I prefer the Elves version of Santa's helpers rather than these garish Petes

We stayed in the cafe most of the day gassing about this and that we even had to order some more food love array of meats and cheeses.

 at around 5pm we left to go and meet our friends son and his new girlfriend. All I can say is he was brave considering we're a nightmare at the best of times but after a drink it's a lot worse.

We met at the Soul Kitchen and after another round of deep fried snacks,

Some more drink and a chat with the Bar owner.

Sitting out in the cold

We moved onto shots to warm us up.
JAGERBOMBS

had a great chat and then made the long walk (which was all of 7 minute) back to our friends house where we all curled up on the couch again and had some glasses of fizz an tucked in the cheese we purchased.

Next morning and our last day boo. We awoke to our amazing hostess cooking us bacon.. mmmm bacon which was especially nice as she doesn't eat it.. I know mad right.

to make the most of our time before we headed back to the airport we went to the lovely town of Urtrecht.


Had drinks on the train again (Sorry still didn't know at that time it was bad).

Utrecht is fab, it like a mini Amsterdam with beautiful canals

Lovely architecture

Yummy shops and a great cafe culture.

we managed to find this great restaurant De Beurs and as it was dry we sat outside for a bit of a cocktail

it was so nice we went inside to have some lunch.

I have a big burger.

So yummy so tasty and medium just the way I like it.

So after being very well fed we had to make our way back to the train station and boarded the train back to Schiphol...


I was very excited as it was a double Decker train, we don't have these in the UK and I think they are very cool - but then again I am sad.

So plane home (after extensive Security which was heighten due to everything that been going on), cab back and just in time for a big huge mummy hug before bedtime. That what making go away great you get so excited for going back and giving the little one a big tight squeeze and just getting a beaming smile in return.


So apart from the obvious it was actually a good weekend and just want I need to re-charge my batteries before the Christmas Rush..