A pox on my house - (but hey cocktails)

Firstly the good news look at what my Son did a Nursery the first thing he's made so proud as he following in him mum's foot steps today it chocolate rice krispy cakes tomorrow Cake boss lol..

Well that is before he got sick, so it was my birthday in the past week I turned 36 whoop whoop actually don't mind getting older my 30's so far have been fantastic and far less stressful and unsure like my 20's were. Also because I'm embarrassed me, especially my dyslexia and dyspraxia. I find I am finally comfortable in my own skin. 

So I had a big party plan with loads of treats and fun things I was going to cook and share with my chums but the morning of the start of the festivities my son awoke with the Chicken Pox (right on my birthday, a gift I really didn't want). The poor lad was not well and I needed to cancel on everyone, two days of plans right out the window and all my cooking idea too.

Slightly worried though as the presents I did get (and please remember that most of my friends gift didn't arrive as they were bring them to the party) I still managed to amass a load of drink - Think I have an unfair reputation and yes I know my blogs are full of drinking and yes I'm going to be talking about drinking below. That's not the point and I think this characterization is wholly unfounded :P 

So on my birthday it was just My husband as me and the little one spent most of the day in bed the only highlight was Hotel Chocolat and Champagne 

Oh and I did get a cake a super cute Pug cake so cute from Asda - but between twopeople  a 16 person cake is just too much lol.

There were some highlights I manged to get back to the Artesain Bar at the Langham Hotel in London and have another one of their cocktails that's 2 now out of a list of around 20 and oh yes I will do the whole list but they are a bit pricey so will have to spread them out.

This time I had their utterly fabulous "How Not To Be Seen" it was Tots Amaz (Sorry was somewhere posh so it just came out) lol  - it was made of Martell Cordon Bleu, Caju, Sauvignon Blanc, Agave.

Goes down very well and was just as nice as the last cocktail I had there "Suspended in Time" but it was less dramatic, think next time I need one of their more showy cocktails.


Oh and I was taken by a colleague at work to Wahaca as it was only a few of us didn't want to spend it taking loads of food picks but I did take a photo of the Passion Fruit Mojito we had.

That is one smooth and refreshing cocktail, it tastes just like a fab fruit punch which I can see being dangerous as they go down far to easily but as I was only on lunch I only had one. (But will go back when I can and have more than one lol).

The other good thing this week in between trying to get a 2 and a half year old not to scratch his poxs - Which is just so much fun and who said parenting was glamorous.

The sun has finally arrived in the UK it is hot and sunny and wonderful and great and fantastic (oh you can tell I so over the cold can't you :) )

so I managed to eat outside and look my food dishes even came with a hidden Mickey.

Oh and you have to have cocktails in the sun it a rule (That I've just made up) Well I did have to use all the champagne I was gifted so, some Buck's Fizz (Mamosa) went down really well with a mini BBQ.

We just had a few nibbles some steak, plain for Hubby and then some chilli seasoned stake hot sauce and spicy seasoning for me.

so nice to eat alfresco and I really do think food is improved by your surrounding so eating some nice steak and corn in the sun taste far better than if you where eating it inside in the cold and with it raining outside.

Also with the left over steak in the evening I fried it with some mushroom and parsley to add to a salad.

I should have taken a picture of the salad but got distracted and then I was over half way through when I remembered and it look a mess. (bad food blogger, bad).

So hopefully next week the cursed Poxs should be lifted from our house (Sorry it's Shakespeare celebration over her in the UK so I'm challenging the Bard). And after all the trauma lately with one thing and other back to my old self (and maybe even a slight tan self if the weather holds).

A tale of Two Bacon Butties (Sandwiches)

Hello :)

After last week lull it's gone back to being full on. I don't think I'm cut out for the quiet life, well technically with a 20 month old running around the place bring his own all encompassing energy I don't think would be allowed even if I wanted too.

Also I think I'm just programmed to be manic with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia I tend to run on the bit of the crazy side. It a bit of a double edged sword as I suspect that being calm and tranquil would improve both conditions but I get really antsy if I not doing anything which works me up in to an anxious state so get manic again oh well at least its sunny.

So since my last post I've been a bit busy

On Saturday I went to a car boot sale, (American readers think Yard Sale or Flea Market) my husband wanted to go.

I don't mind them and used to enjoy them more as a child but I think over the years I've turned some what into a snob as I wasn't nearly as keen on the stuff as I use to be and secondly I found it slightly sad. Not in a lame way but sad for some of the people have to attend these thing due to economic trouble just to get essential like clothes and house hold appliances even toys for their children.

I must remember how lucky, not only compared to other countries around the world and their hardships but even lucky compared to people even in the same community as me.

Think that why I less excited about them as sometimes they can highlight the plight of others. Although I suspect that is a reason why I should go to ground me and stop me moaning about not being able to have another holiday this year.

Any Who, walking round the stalls and the trestle tables of brick a brac we became quite hungry. At these event there are always catering facilities and we happen on the standard fare of the BURGER VAN I love these portable greasy spoons. The limited selection of meat based product crammed into a bun of some sort.

So, as it was early, I had a staple of the British Breakfast a bacon butty (Sandwich) it was just two bits of bacon in a floured white bap with a bit of butter and added a bit of Ketchup. Yes I prefer ketchup!! For anyone who doesn't know there is a secret underground war between Brown Sauce and Ketchup on Bacon sandwiches, I think it will form the bases of the UK next civil war lol :)

it was tasty and definitely filled a hunger hole and we could carry on looking at the stalls. Although I suspect it would not form part of a healthy breakfast.

As the sun has finally showed his face in England we decided on having an afternoon BBQ, managed to get the little one in a paddling pool. This is where I start really wanting to live in the states as if I was over there this paddling pool would be a really pool; and in Florida, were I would love to live, it would be a few snatched days of summer enjoying the heat it would be every day (Sigh).

We got a lovely throw away BBQ from Asda along with some Angus beef burgers and some 97% pork Hot dogs. The food was great but didn't seem so happy about being cooked.

Added a bit of corn and salad to balance out the meat but all in all a yummy afternoon.

It was great just The little one, the hubby and myself. It so important with busy lives to get some quality time with the family. As I know it the biggest cliche going but time passes so quickly, cant believe the little one is 20 months already.

The next day after church where we booked the little ones baptism (Yes I know it a bit late but as you can see from my posts I've been Busy) Also with the In-laws (well currently father in law) in Malaysia we had to secure a date when everyone could come.

So after that we went to the West Malling Farmers Market it is such a pretty little village and the Market always falls on the 4 Sunday of every month. We always look forward to it as it's got lovely stalls with lovely things. Meaning the diet goes right out the window lol.

We stopped by the Sussex Wild Food Co - didn't get their details but when I go back next time I will definitely link them to the blog. At this fantastic stall I had a Wild Boar Bacon Sandwich it came in a lovely granary bap with a slice of cheese and some wild leaf salad.

Wild Boar Bacon Sandwich

It was so scrumptious, honestly it was amazing. A bit of a contrast to the day before.

The Two Bacon Butties 

Don't get me wrong the other one was nice but this one was on another level and for £1 more I know which one I would have every time (Sorry Burger Van).

I still wasn't done after the lovely butty and we pasted a Thomas Cookie Co it was obviously a very popular stall as it had already sold out of a lot of the cookies on offer so we got in there quick and ordered two Belgium Chocolate Chip cookies.

They were delicious, and because it was slightly on the hot side the chocolate was already a bit melty, just the way I like it. I hope him and the Sussex food guys are back next month as there lots of other stuff I want to try.

The last place we had a look into which wasn't a stall but one of the cute boutique-y shop they have in West Malling Down Swan Street it a cute little places (bit of a tight fit with a buggy) that sells lots of kitsch presents and home stuff they always have something cute inside and this time was no exception pick up a lovely MeriMeri YAY necklace in Neon Orange a perfect accessory in the summer sun.

It also my trademark phrase so now if I loose my voice I can point to the necklace to express my Joy :)

Late afternoon I decided to do a bit of cooking. I made Cheese Stuff, Bacon Wrapped Chicken.

Took some skinless Chicken Breast:


Flatten it out a bit and flashed fried it in Spray all for less than 5 minutes.

I then used a bit of Quark and some soft Cheese and spread it in the chicken.

Added a bit of chill powder for some extra kick

I then rolled the chicken and wrapped it in Bacon.

cooked in a UK 220 degree over for around 20-25 minutes before severing it with some roasted Courgette (Zucchini) Chips and Salad.

Was very moreish and smelt delicious

.

So all in all it was a weekend of Bacon fun, as bacon is super yummy.

As it summer with all the BBQ going on might not be the last time bacon takes center stage in my blog.

Meats, Fishes and Disney Shoes

Wow it's been a mad week...

I started off the week with all go intentions of being health and sensible.

I started by making a fab fish pie:

Ingredients:
Cod, Pollock and Salmon (as much as you want depending on the Size of the pie)
Carrots and Green Beans. (For the filling)
Quark and Low Fat Yogurt ( for the white sauce)
New Potatoes and Courgettes (Zucchini) (for the topping).

In one pan par boil for 6 minutes some New Potatoes.

Then in a shallow pan add the fish on a low heat in a pan and cook off for a few minutes.

Then add the carrots and green beans and stir in.

Then turn the hob right down and stir in the Quark and the low fat Yogurt. At this point I added some Chili powder to liven it up a bit as I am a big fan of the spice.

Transfer into a dish then cover the top with the new potatoes sliced and some sliced Courgettes. cook in a hot over around 200 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Then you should have a lovely healthy fish pie that server 4 people.

serve it with some salad and Voila something yummy but not calorific. Also if your on Slimming World it Syn Free.

So after that lovely healthy start to the week it went a bit awry.

It started with me, traveling between offices for a meeting deciding on Having Ice-cream for Lunch.

It was from Snowflake Gelato from their concession stand at Selfridges. I  had two scoops, one of Stracciatella and one of banana. It was so cream and so lovely just the thing on a hot day in London. I was definitely enjoying it, although probably a bit too much judging by some of the looks I got walking down Wigmore Street whilst devouring it lol :)

As the weather has finally turned sunny I  managed to get a little BBQ on the go first one of the year yay.

We had the standard eats of Burgers and Sausages with a yummy salad and olives

The highlight was an amazing new dip from Tesco's a Beetroot Tzatziki. Really fresh tasting with a little bite of sweetness from the beetroot, hands down my new favorite dip.

We also took a trip to visit some friends in the lovely town of Whitney near Oxford. It is a lovely little town and we were treated to a show of Morris Dancers. I used the Periscope app to film it all. I am loving this new App only wished I did more interesting things to film.

The App lets you broadcast live from wherever you are (well as long as you have Wifi or 4G). It is my new guilty pleasure as if I'm on it, I'm normally watching people filming from Disney World, especially the Parade as, because of the time difference, it on just after I get in from work. Although with the little man it normally just a quick fix before the bedtime story.

Back to Whitney, we were visiting to ask our friend to be godparents to our little boy, they said yes which was fantastic, we have to wait so it co-insides with the In-laws leave year as they need to be back for a weekend - probably end up a logistical nightmare but I'm sure I can sort it.

After lots of hugs and happiness at them saying yes, we went for a fabulous lunch at Chequers-Smoke-House My husband and I had their meat platter to share which was comprised of chicken, brisket, Pork Ribs, Beef Ribs, Pulled Pork, Burnt Ends, Corn Bread, Sweet corn, Coleslaw and Chips.

My friends had huge mouthwatering burgers they even did a naked "Pig" burger for the Gluten free member of the party.

the food was great, really tasty and a bit of a bargain for the 4 of us to eat and with drinks it worked out to £25 per head. Definitely be giving it another try even if it just to have a taste of their Mac N Cheese which a person on the table next to us was having as that looked yummy too.

Oh and this week I finally got my son some Disney Vans woo hoo...

Only taken me best part of 3 weeks going to different stores and tweeting the company (Which they didn't respond to, not great customer service boo).

They are so cute but as they are limited edition I'm undecided whether I should let him wear them or just squirrel them away for a later date when they could be worth a few more bob...

Although knowing me as he'll look so cute in them I'd rather just let him have the fun in them.. Which will probably be wreaking them in the first puddle we come across, oh well :)