This is my life

So, we're looking for new windows and what a faff and a big confusing mess that is. So far we've had two quotes both in the region of a thousand pounds for three windows. We're going to get another couple next week and a very good friend of mine (who is a builder/DJ - what a combination!) is looking into how much he can get them for us. However, His Lordship is umming and ahhing about said friend being involved because he wants a guarantee and all the stuff that comes from a "company", he's clearly not as bothered about the cost as I am! Anyway, we shall see what comes from it. Said friend has also offered to come and fix anything that needs doing around the house, for free as a moving in present but we've not taken him up on it as yet as he lives quite a way away. However, we're off up to see him in a fortnight so I can quiz him further then over what is needed.

I think the kitchen floor needs completely re-tiling, and having spoken to a mate of ours who is a painter and decorator, he reckons if we want to do the living room (decorate) we'll need to take the paper down that's up because it's a right mess. Basically, I'm beginning to think the people who lived here didn't care about their surroundings much as everything is slapdash and a bit rubbish. They also appear to have neglected to change their address as we are getting more post for them on a daily basis than we get ourselves! They even had a parcel delivered here today, which I sent back with the Fed Ex people saying they didn't live here. He was trying to get me to take it in but I told him no so he had to take it back to the depot.

I've been busy with work all week, and have another two days of earlies before the weekend. Dave and her bloke are coming over on Saturday and then we're all (about 8 of us including Disco) off to Manchustah for the Hacienda night featuring Shaun Ryder.

In other news, we are putting in for an allotment with one of our friends and his boyfriend. The boyfriend is a lettuce farmer so we'll let him do all the digging!

Bon appetite

So, after a week of "Garden Blur" by His Lordship which consisted of Monday - shepherds pie made in a home economics style, Tuesday - fajhitas of which my meat fell on the floor, Wednesday - curry from a jar, Thursday - chilli con quornie, and vegetables, mash and steak and kidney puddings (hollands made) yesterday I decided to take back the cooking reigns for fear of never eating well again. So today, we've had lasagne, with bread and salad. I'm far too full though. I was going to make apple crumble, but I spent the day cleaning and then playing on my decks and the time got away from me.

We're off to Manchustah tonight to see some friends. There was talk of going to a fun fair that's set up near their house but I don't go on anything for fear of them breaking, and a deep seated hatred of the Waltzer, thanks to a certain cousin who shall remain nameless (he knows who he is)once paying one of the blokes who run them to spin me, Samia and Dean around for the whole ride.

I'll leave you with a little song that's my current favourite thing in the charts...

We are not amused

Today I went out on a proper waste of time story that resulted in me standing in the sleet for an hour, getting soaked to the bone. On returning to work the ever humourous AC says "ooh is it raining out?". So, I went over and gave him a great big hug and made sure to wipe my wet hair on him.

His Lordship is taking on the cooking role this week because I am doing lates and tonight we have partaken of Quorn shepherds pie, broccoli and peas. Lord only knows what we'll get tomorrow.

I made some more butternut squash soup for lunch tomorrow butit's not turned out right, too much liquid, not enough taste, I wish I could remember how I made it the last time.

Easy like Sunday morning

Well, today certainly has been relaxing, and I've enjoyed it! I don't normally get to see much of the weekend as it disappears in a whirl of parties and clubbing so this one was quite refreshing.

His Lordship went out and bought a puzzle mat so he could finally do a jigsaw he got as a gift last year, I helped him find the straight edges and then as he started to put it together I did a spot of baking. Not to be outdone by all this photography, I've taken a picture of my fairy cakes. I think the term is rustic....



We've also planted a strawberry plant and a raspberry plant in the vain hope that the slugs will leave them alone and let us have at least some fruit! Our yard looks a lot bigger now we've sorted it, but we still need to pressure wash the whole thing before summer.

I've decided that when the weather gets a bit warmer that Poppy will go on her holidays and we will paint the lounge. The feature wall is starting to get on my nerves and one of our friends has offered to help us do it for nothing, so I'm going to take him up on it. I'm going to go for a light browney pink on some of the walls and magnolia on the others.

For dinner tonight, we had polenta and buns.

Middle aged?

So, today we had another crack at the outside toilet and associated yard. His Lordship took some of the wood to the tip whilst I swept the yard and toilet out in preparation for it's jetwash. The toilet absolutely STINKS so I used an entire bottle of bleach in there. His Lordship then hosed it down and accidentally got some of the stink and dirty water on him after pointing the hose into the bowl, oh how I laughed, he wasn't so amused. It was almost as funny as the time I was jetwashing the car and it got out of control in my hands and soaked him through but not quite.

It's looking a lot better now, I've even managed to plant some carrots in a tub, I'm going to grow a raspberry plant too and am considering onions if I can find a large enough container. Seeds are all sown for my herb garden and are currently on the bathroom window, this year as well as basil I will be attempting corriander, mint, parsley and chives. I will NOT be growing peppers after the events of last year and may only have tomatoes if my wonderful Pa gives me a plant again....*nudge nudge wink wink*. Not quite The Goodlife yet though, we're thinking of putting our names down for an allotment, but the waiting lists are high so I won't hold my breath.

Carbonara recipe

I suspect Pa will say this isn't authentic, but it is delicious.

Ingredients

1 pot of half fat creme fraiche
2 egg yolks per person
2 slices of bacon per person
1 onion
grated parmesan
salt and pepper
you can use garlic if you wish, but I think there's enough with the onion

Method

Chop onion into small dice and soften in olive oil, add chopped bacon and fry together.

Whilst this is happening, boil your pasta, the meat and onion will cook in this time, don't let it burn!

Crack your egg yolks into a bowl with the creme fraiche and a handful of parmesan, season.

When the pasta is cooked, drain and return to the pan, add the bacon and onion, then stir in the creme fraiche mixture.

You can return this pan to the heat to make sure the eggs are cooked (the hot pasta will cook the mixture but it's a piece of mind thing!), do not let the eggs get scrambled.

Serve with more parmesan if liked!

********

So, in other news, I had a terrible night's sleep thanks to Miss Poppy Paws and her midnight meowing, I was on edge with it because she was almost howling. There's nothing at all wrong with her, I think she just gets lonely when there's no one up to play with. What she needs is to go out I think but we've still not had her "done" (yes, yes, I know!) Plus I felt a bit shivery thanks to this cold that's appeared. I'm putting that down to the bad weather we had over the last few days.

I made butternut squash soup a few days ago and it was delicious, thing is, I can't remember exactly what I put in it, so making it again is going to be an experiment! The Cousin in Question should be interested in this because butternut squash is low GI or some such rubbish and apparently is good for weight loss.

Mr Marwood 2003-2007

A year ago today we lost our beautiful, beautiful boy. He was the best cat ever, he used to sleep next to me every night, sit on my knee as we watched TV, and was the most loving creature (if not a bit feisty at times!). I cannot believe it's been a year and I still miss him terribly. However, I promised myself I wouldn't feel sad today, and would remember all the good times and the joy he brought us.

So here's to Mr Marwood Paws, taken from us far too soon. *raises glass*

Mangiamo

Is the name of the restaurant I went to this evening with my work colleagues. Now, I'm always a bit wary of Italian restaurants and this was no exception, especially since it's run by GREEKS! I sat next to my friend who's husband is Italian and runs a deli where the chef gets his ingredients from, so at least we know they are authentic!

I had, pate to start because it was all a bit garlic mushroomy for starters and I didn't fancy that. Then followed it with carbonara. I have become my dad because I thought to myself "I can make this better". If anyone is interested in the recipe, let me know because it is AWESOME.

Had a text from Our Sean today and tried to rope him into coming and doing all my DIY, don't think I was very successful though! He seems well. I on the other hand feel a bit sore throaty, I think I've got a sore throat on the way as it's been quiet scratchy all day today. Before the Cousin in Question starts with all his poison business, I suspect what's happened is my throat's been under a lot of stress with all the reading I did last week, plus all the shouting in a loud club on saturday. I might take it easy on the vocal front tomorrow.