Faux Fun

So I had big plans for cooking and was going to teach the hubby how to make Bread and we were going to paint the front of the house be busy productive members of society...

The little man had other plans. He was a bit ill and when I say a bit ill if you've ever seen the "Exocist" you'll know what I mean.

Wasn't so bad when we were at home lots of cleaning up lots of hugs as you always worry so much when they are not well,. but his temperature was fine so obviously something just upset his stomach.

Or major error came when we thought he was doing better and took him out to the local hardware store "B&Q" to look at getting supplies for the house painting, and was subsequently very ill down one of the isles and all over his dad. To be fair the staff were wonderful and really helpful and didn't get upset even when I showed them the mess.

Just think that great for a store as there are times when you are a bit mortified but they handled it like it wasn't any trouble at all and I did even offer to do the mopping myself but they said to take care of the little one and they would take care of it.

So as for cooking, this week to make thing easier I stuck with quick simple dishes in between handing out a shed load of TLC.

I made a Faux Carbonara .

cooked up some leeks and Mangetout while frying some bacon..

After the leeks and Mangetout were cooked I thew them into the frying pan too for a couple of minutes.

Before mixing them all with some pasta and low fat fromage frais for very quick very easy and if you've cut the fat of the bacon low in fat healthy scrummy meal.

I even made another Lasange (See previous week's post for recipe) but instead of pasta sheets on top I used potatoes which gave it an added kick.

Don't worry the little one did get better and even managed to have some fun on the swings.

I am  a big kid at heart and the swing are one of my absolute favorite things to do and I am  so glad my son is like me and loves them.  I know when he upgrades to the big kid swings we'll be on them together from morning to night  :) 

As he was doing so well went out for a lovely brunch  at The Fancy Goat. I had a Bucks Fizz (mimosa) to celebrate his recovery

And enjoyed a wonderful Tortilla De Patatas.

Oh and when the waitress said the pan was hot I should have paid more attention as I burnt a finger on it ouchie, ouch.. Although being so yummy made up for the pain.

The little one got some tasty scramble egg very rich and creamy.

Another highlight of the week was another trip to Thomas Cookie Co to get some more of there fab cookies can see them become a staple in my life (but shh don't tell the diet)...

Right this weekend I am having no excuse (well a sick infant isn't really an excuse it a all encompassing situation) I will be making bread and will post it up step by step...

And as it's a Bank Holiday over here I've also got a few other interesting things planned so will be a far more exciting post, well they can't all be mad weekend in Amsterdam (even though I wish they were lol) :)

Giggles and Guzzles at the Kent County Fair

So this weekend we had a fab time at the Kent County Fair.

for those of you guys who don't know what this is, it's really a show and a celebration of all things Kent.

And considering Kent is the Garden of England there's a lot of Farmers, Fresh Produce and Outdoor type things.

We tried to get down there early but due to the traffic! Thank You Operation Stack - where they close the motorway because the crossing to France is scuppered. It to do with Strike action and some poor illegal immigrants getting them self killed trying to make it over to the UK all very sad and all very stressful. And definitely one I think the politician need to sort out!!

Any who we got there and in an unlikely English even the sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

We proceeded straight to the "Food Tent" which was one of the areas selling food in the show.

Full of all kinds of tasty noms.

My first stop was to Ballymaloe Country Relish and their offers of a free taste sample. I got a bit of brown bread, cheese and the relish on top. It was nom-arama I am not the biggest fan of relish but this was Tasty with a capital T so I got myself a pot. I thinking open sandwiches with a mature cheddar and a bit of the relish on top a perfect summer snack.

we then popped by Grasmere Farm  to stop make a stop for our breakfast.

I had a bacon buttie (Sandwich) as you can see from my 1st July post, I do love my Bacon. Think I might have to start rating all the bacon butties I try and give them a score out of ten. This would defiantly have a high score for the bacon although the roll was a bit plain. My husband opted for a pork burger which he said was fab. We both had lovely fried onions to top them off. We where two satisfied customers.

Also we weren't ignoring the little one he had breakfast at home so he was nice and full enjoying his sippy cup of water while we ate. Offered him some of it but he seem content just to have a drink. (But he is a bit of a fusspot when it comes to food and as we can see doesn't get that off his mummy) To be fair to him he has improved and will have a few more things to eat we are getting there slowly but surely. Toddlers eh lol :)

We then past a lovely tractor display on our way to see Titan the Robot a mechanical man who provides laugh and fun for the children.

When we came last year the little man was only 10 months and he didn't like him at all this year he seemed more curious and definitely wanted to see what was going on. Also helped Paul had him lifted up high so he was at eye level which helps . (good tip if you taking the little ones to theme parks to meet characters as it makes them less afraid of them if they are not being towered over)

We then made it to the highlight of the day for my little one the John Deer exhibition. my son loves, no scrap that, is obsessed by wheel so when he saw the huge ones on the JD Tractors he was in Heaven.

Think he would have spent all day there and made one of the wheels his home if we let him.

But we moved on to have a look round some more of the stalls and took in some of the Animal exhibitions and shows that were going on.

By this time we met up with the folk and we went in search of a coffee for them. I don't like coffee and I being slightly strange for an English person can't stand Tea either, shock horror I know.

as we where looking for a lovely place to sit and rest our feet we came across a 4 piece band playing some 1920/1930 music, all very "Downton Abby" and they drew quiet a big crowd.

After a drink and a chat we split off again to look at things around the fair. The little one had fallen asleep so we headed for the Produced in Kent Area. I got a little distracted by the Pub on Wheels a great idea where a van that pulls out into a bar can come to your events.

I stopped for a Vodka and coke before heading on.

We found the produced in Kent area just at the start of the Spitfire fly over.

We had to stop and watch that. currently we live on what used to be an old WW2 airfield and was home to many spitfires.

They are such amazing machines and they noise they make is astonishing beautiful.

As it was the 75 year to the day since the battle of Britain which help to stop use being invaded it brought home that just a relatively small number of brave men climbed into these machines and lots of them didn't make it back to give us the freedoms we enjoy today. I got a bit teary at this point :)


when it had finally flew off into the big blue. I headed back to the food there was so much on offer. I got a bit giddy trying all the favours and sight and was  bit of a bad blogger got so caught up chatting and tasting my camera phone was an after though. I would say it because I'm new to this but 43 post in (bad me).  I did get a few shot of some of the stalls.

And I picked up some Amazing  Ashmore Chilli cheese which I did snap while waiting for them to cut my slice.

With the baby still asleep we quickly darted into the antique market section, as him running about in there would have been akin to a bull in a china shop lol. so we had a quick look round and came across a great light stall Beauty From Decay

It was fabulous what he could do with old machine part and Army paraphernalia. We had a chat and found out he makes it all himself in his workshop. I loved them and will be saving up my pennies for one as when we move I getting a workshop shed and ones of these could take pride of place. I love talking to artist especially ones as passionate as he was you can see the love, sweat and tears that go into making it.

We dragged ourselves away as we were meeting the folk again for a late Lunch. Hubby as he was Hungry needed something STAT so we got a cookie for him.

He also tried a Cricket from the bug selection stall, he said they tasted okay. Each to their own.

I decided against bugs and found a lovely local Wine seller Hush Heath Estate  Balfour

We had a fantastic lunch thanks to Gypsy Joe's Pizza  which consisted of a Rustic and a Game Feast Pizzas. Which were cooked on site by a proper Pizza oven on a back of a van. Apologies the pic of the stall is a bit rubbish the red arrows were flying over when we ordered and then the Pizza arrived and I got bogged down in eating.

I preferred the Game Feast over the Rustic but as my dad a bit of a pizza bore only really like cheese and tomato we had to have one of those.

Although if it was just me eating on my own I like the look of their  "Spicy Bad Boy" offering. Hopefully I will catch them at another event in the local area.

So as I was saying when we where waiting on our food we saw a wonderful display by the Red Arrows.

And not to take away anything from the Red Arrow as it was one of the main reason we went on the Friday as we knew they would be performing and they performed so well. I think I had a more emotional connection to the Spitfire, I suppose it was just thinking about what those brave guys did in just such a small plane.

Cant believe how good they are its like a mad Roller coaster in the Sky. Especially went the blue and the red trails were looping I could have been standing next to Dragon Challenge in Universal Studios.

It brilliant that these planes are 40 years old and they can still perform such dazzling feats of aerial acrobatics. Don't think I could fly with them though might make me feel a bit queasy lol.

As a post flyby treat I got myself some Churros form the Don Churros, Churros & Chocolate Stand.

Deep fried and very tasty, although I think the ones I had Stateside last October had the slight edge over these one. But very good so if you ever see the stand and you enjoy a Churro I would give it a go.

As we took our last bites after 2+ hours of being asleep the little one woke up so we took him  (after a quick snack for him) to see the horse which he wasn't too impressed about think he might be like his mum. I like Horses as an animal and wish them no harm but not too keen on getting on one. Especially as when I was little I got on one and it bolted nightmare and totally scared for life.

So as he wasn't impressed with the real thing we took him too to the fair ground an let him go on the carved merry go round horse which he did enjoy. It was an beautiful only carousel with a pipe organ belting out old tunes as the horse spun faster and faster.

The restored ones are works of art which are great to interact with.

We let the little one have a couple of goes on the other rides including some scaled down swings which he enjoyed and some cars and because they had a steering wheel think that might have been his favourite.

As it was gone 4pm having got there at 10am and both feeling very weary and slightly sun-burnt. We religiously topped up he little ones sun cream and kept him covered if we only thought of that for ourselves doh.

So verdict a great show, just wish we had more time there, it was over 3 days but we only got to go to one. Next year will definitely be going for two days. One day with the little one for lots of fun and second day a proper adult look around which will include a lot of food and maybe a cheeky drink or two..

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.