New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve was Brasserie Blanc night! We drank as much as we ate, we danced until our feet ached and laughed our way into 2010!

It's great to spend time with family...

Give me gold, give me jewels, give me all the clothes I might wish for... but most of all give me my family & friends. Life would be pretty lonely without them. Mum cooked one of our family favourites, paprika chicken. Dad prepared his secret family recipe for cucumber salad, and no matter how many times we practise it... it's still a well kept secret! Greg made Hungarian nokedli at home in Lancaster, drove down and loving hand cooked every single noodle in a pan of boiling water! I got to spend time with the newest member of our family, my new grandniece Violet, as well as catching up with all my lovely family.

3D specs, a space opera and chips!

Oh what a day! I've given up waiting for the snow to arrive. What are the weather men talking about? If I were that bad at my job, I'd have had the boot by now.. ! Big disappointment that there's no snow, particularly as it's been pouring with horrid, cold rain all day, but we've made the best of it. Me and Lisa went to Morans for soup and cake before rocking up at the cinema. This clever girl booked the tickets beforehand so we didn't have to stand in the queue, in the rain, we just went inside and I picked up the tickets from the machine. We met Dom and I queued for 3D specs to enhance our experience of the new Avatar movie. If you're considering going to see this movie, don't hesitate. It's 2 hours and 40 minutes of brilliance! I'm sure we all look a bit ridiculous sitting in cinema in our black 3D specs but believe me, it's well worth the embarrassment. The storyline is complex, the special effects awe inspiring. I am often guilty of dropping off during a long film but there was no chance of that happening this afternoon. The film was gripping, you could hear everyone catch their breath during some of the scenes. It's true that time goes quickly when you're enjoying yourself. This afternoon has raced by. So much so that when we came out, I was starving so whilst Lisa went to get chips, I sliced some of her homemade ham. I poached a couple of eggs to perfection - yum. The combination of good friends, a great movie and some comfort food has turned a disappointing day into a triumph!

A little moonlight glow and homemade corned beef!

Here's candlelight without mess or matches! I can switch them on and off, they change colour at the touch of the remote and there's no danger of them burning the house down! I'm going to have fun with these.. ! Rich and Jess came to visit so we swopped pressies, went for a lovely lunch at the Bell at Sapperton and then snuggled up on the sofa to watch tv. I don't think I've eaten homemade corned beef before so me and Jess both tried it. Accompanied by some piccalilli, rocket and a small bowl of chips, it was delicious. Rich managed the burger, though it was stacked so high, he had to dismantle it to eat it! I love watching movies over Christmas, especially if they are classics. 101 Dalmations is a must-see film for a frosty afternoon. Me & Jess ate Jeremy's cherry liqueur chocolates and Rich did what he does best... fiddled with my tv ;) We watched the Top Gear special, which was absolutely brilliant and laughed our trendy socks off before they had to leave to drive back to the Midlands.

The way to a girl's heart...

It's a fact that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. The way to a girl's heart is just as simple. A box of chocolates.. yes, hand-chosen from Green & Blacks, my favourite. Wine, yes of course, it has to be Sancerre because that's one of my favourites.. and then this girl always loves flowers.. two bunches! This man is keen.. ! I think being single means I manage my expectations of men reasonably well. They rarely surprise and exceed my expectations but tonight, this one did and I was loving it. All girls like to be treated like a princess and being showered with gifts, particularly surprise ones, is just a great feeling. It seems so simple but so many men just don't get it. Girls love to be pampered, treated like a princess by a gentleman. It's the little signs of affection, the attention to detail and just politeness that makes a difference. I'd have to say, it's a forgotton art and one that I miss. Things are looking up...
I met Nick today.. woo hoo... and we had a lovely Sunday lunch at the Langton. Lots of chatting, lots of smiling and lots of positive vibes. He was attentive, charming and the time just flew by. I'm usually a 'slow burner' now when it comes to men. That's not because I've had my fingers burnt, though I have been disappointed and let down by men.. oh yes! I don't carry grudges though. I just realise that the men I've had the longest and best relationships with have been ones that I never gave a second look to when we first met. They've been attractive to me, hey, otherwise I wouldn't have gone out with them... but, it's taken a while for them to capture my heart. But by golly, when they do.. it's like being hit by cupid's arrow and I fall fast and hard. Makes coming back from that love-thing tougher for me. But I'd still do it all over again.. there's no better feeling than being in love.. just as long as the object of your affection loves you back!
Don't you just love a man with a sexy voice? A man can be as dishy as you please, as fit as 'a butcher's dog' but it's the voice that hooks me in. I think.. "Is this the voice I want to be woken up by at 3am ;) ?!" If it's wimpy, dull, too posh, slow or boring or I can't understand the accent - forget it! Don't you think that too many men love talking about themselves and you can feel yourself yawning..?! I love a man who asks me questions. It's a sign that he's interested in me and one that remembers the answers is good too! Thankfully, this man has a lovely voice, always asks me questions and knows how to treat me like a princess... woo hoo±! Hopeful bunny ;-) x

I'm back in the apartment now sitting watching 'Holiday' with Lisa, which is one of my favourite movies.. it's been a great day :-)))))))))))))))))))))))) x x x

Happy Christmas.. !

If you can't be with your own family at Christmas, then do the next best thing... be with someone else's family! Same place as last year, same time as last year but this year, everyone else is here too so it's not just little me for Christmas Day. We've opened our pressies, eaten a fabulous lunch and are now chilled out on the sofas having a breather before it's time for pud! Lisa bought me and her mum tickets to Riverdance, woo hoo... I bought Lisa tickets to Strictly Come Dancing so we have a lot of treats in store for 2010!

24 little parcels of friendship...

I remember the days when advent calendars were made up of little flaps with pretty pictures behind them. The BIG day was always the biggest window and behind it would be a picture of the stable at Bethlehem. When I was little I had a lovely festive advent calendar which was covered in glitter to make it sparkle. Over the years there have been chocolate ones, boring ones, festive ones and some years, none at all. This year I had a very special gift for Christmas. Ginger made me a special advent calendar box. She cut and folded the stacking boxes and handmade every single one of the 24 triangular shaped little parcels. She even filled them with my favourite butterscotch sweeties, Werthers Originals! She knows me too well..

ps I'd just like to say 'thank you' for not putting a jelly bean surprise in each one! We've played that game before and it's yuk when you're left with a handful of the ones you love to hate!

Storecupboard sensations.. or cardboard crackers !!

Ready, steady.. take a handful of mushrooms a stick of celery & a wodge of stilton left over from the cheese and wine party and what do you get...? Annamazingly, wonderful soup! I wish I had more time to cook. Lunches like this don't take long, are cheap and taste so yummy. They are so much nicer than cardboard crackers!

Cocktail Party Night...

Take 36, 40-somethings, add a more than ample dose of alcohol and what do you get... ?? a cracking cocktail party!! Heavily disguised wearing our LBDs and venetian masks, we bought a serious dose of festive spirit to Evelyn Road! There was plenty of food, lots of laughter and more dancing.. ! I managed the Kia Royale and the Winter Pimms though started to fade when I got to the Cosmopolitan round.. and there were still three more cocktails to go! Highlight was the coronation chicken followed closely by the homemade trifle with the marscapone and vanilla custard topping! Thankfully, I had space for dinner because me and Rob had a very light lunch at Morans and although he had to have the last slice of the stickiest chocolate cornflake challenge, I was very good and only had a very small cookie, how good am I?! The secret to not putting on weight this holiday is to have smaller portions which in turn will mean a smaller stomach.. ! That's the theory anyway.. ;-) x

Back at the Bell...

Rob flew in from France today so we went to the Bell because it's one of the cosiest pubs that I know! It also serves great food so we both had the vine ripened tomato soup to start, which I followed with the modern version of fish and chips! The chips were wrapped in a china newspaper cone and served with a large piece of beer battered fish with a small pot of homemade tartar sauce, yummy. Rob had the seabass which also looked delicious, though not as yummy as mine.

Just like Cinderella..

Last year I missed the work's Christmas party due to a bump on the head. This year, even with the recession and all the problems that it is creating for us, Thursday evening was the time to let our hair down and party! Generosity is one of those characteristics that isn't mentioned until you feel someone isn't being very generous. It doesn't have to be about money either because generosity of spirit counts too. It's been a tough year for the company which is why I think this year's Christmas party meant more to everyone than it has ever before. With a freeze on everything and money very tight, it was a very generous gesture and one that confirms my belief that this is still a great company to work for.
The black and white themed venue worked, the food was interesting and adequate and six drinks each was definitely more than I needed! There was plenty of dancing which I always enjoy. It was actually much better without partners too and I can vouch for the fact that partners and work 'dos' really don't mix! It's been such a busy year that I've been guilty of not making time for some people in the office so it was lovely to be able to catch up over a drink. Work needs to have a strong social element, I think, in order for us to retain our personable image. I like working for a company that is people focussed and it was great to be able to celebrate with everyone just for one night. There was the usual rowdie bunch who had obviously made full use of their six free drink tokens! The funny ones who, after the first wiff of alcohol, decide to declare their undying love! The crazy ones who try to persuade you to get the FD onto the dance floor using your feather boa - just because you did once before! There were going to be more than just a few sore head the next morning! Not mine though.. just like Cinderella, I was tucked up in bed before midnight ;-)

Ladies who do lunch club...

Oh, today's culinary adventure was an absolute treat; lunch with 73 other women at Lower Slaughter Manor. I do love Christmas dinner and enjoy fitting in as many as possible during the month of December. It's the kind of food that I don't really bother about the rest of the year but crave before the actual day. And of course, I missed out on Christmas lunch last year so I have some catching up to do. Today's lunch was beautifully presented and every mouthful was delicious. I went with a couple of friends, Dom and Lisa, and we shared a table with 6 other women who are also great friends. They meet and play bridge, go on cruises, attend lunches and go shopping together. Three married, two widowed and one partridge in a pear tree, who is divorced :) None of them work.. so guess who felt the odd one out! Lunch was fabulous, the Manor is stunning and I do remember going a few years ago so it was lovely to go back! Hopefully, I'll find a reason to return there very soon because it's really a very special place ;-)

The secret's out...

There are very few restaurants where you can eat home cooked food which feels special, in a relaxed atmosphere. Great Queen Street is one such restaurant. Located in the centre of Covent Garden, it's a gem. The food is tasty, well cooked and well seasoned. And they have food to share, how cool is that!

Egypt Mill...

I'm on a marathon eating adventure! Tonight it was Egypt Mill, which is local and actually much better than I remembered it to be. The best dish was definitely their 'fish of the day pie' which was scallops, salmon and cod, topped with cheese and served with red cabbage, carrots, swede and broccoli!

365 days of feeling glad..

One year ago this weekend I had horrible red eyes, cuts and a lot of bruises! My world had been turned upside down, quite literally. Today I was back in London, in Paddington. My photos have been hidden away for a whole year, I don't think I do the bashed up look very well & this was taken when I was getting better! ;) I do think that sometimes it's good to remember the bad times because then we realise just how good life really is. I spent last Christmas on my own feeling poorly. This year will be very different. Last year I thought I had one or two good friends. 12 months on, I know I have more than one or two great friends who mean the world to me. Life doesn't always bring us roses, not every day anyway, but it still gives us plenty to feel glad about... my wonderful family+ my amazing friends ;-) ps kinda feels better sideways ;)

Sticking plasters...

Why do they make them so very sticky?! I've got one of my arm right now and it's stuck like glue! I've managed to prize the one off my finger. Shock, horror if it damages my nail polish ;-) ha ha You know when people suggest that it's best to rip a plaster off in one go? Ignore them, they are bonkers! Peeling it off slowly from each corner is much less painful. Today I've been to give a pint of the red stuff. A bit more painful than usual as the nurse said "Sorry, I felt that go in your vein". Hey.. so did I! She went on to describe how she thought she'd managed to slip the needle underneath the vein "I knew it was close".. !! When I'm sitting on the bed trying not to watch I really don't want to know. Anyway, it's another pint of me to share with strangers who don't even know they're going to need it yet!

The perfect man..

Yes, he does exist! Well, he does in the dvd I've just been watching. And guess who it was? Yes, CN, better known as BIG from S&TC and no Sarah Jessica Parker in sight! Wednesday evening is always a rubbish tv night so I cooked supper and settled down to relax in front of my widescreen perfect man. I'm sure he's much slimmer in real life ;-) but I don't care, he's romantic, gorgeous and just a lovely... fantasy. Talking of gorgeous men, I went to visit KN last night. He's always lovely and has always got something interesting to tell me! I got a lift to the Howard Arms in his new car, heated seats.. mmm! We caught up on what's been happening in our lives over a drink and a meal. The calves liver and mash was so delicious and packed with iron, which is apparently very good for me. I'm off to give blood tomorrow so whoever is lucky enough to receive my pint of the precious red stuff will greatly benefit from my thoughtfulness ;)

AD does sleep talking...

If you talk in your sleep don't mention my name
And if you walk in your sleep forget where you came

One of those infamous lyrics that I certainly don't have to worry about! Apparently, I was talking in my sleep on Friday night ;-) The door of the spare room was firmly shut so I can't have been whispering! Rob said I was chattering away and he wouldn't tell me what I was saying ;-)

Clothes Show Live...

Friday was Clothes Show Live day! I'd stayed at Fiona's overnight so it was a hop, skip and a jump over to the NEC because the show started at 10am. Allowing plenty of time for traffic, I actually arrived around 9am and managed to slip into one of the exhibitors car parks then into the show using my complimentary ticket - woo hoo! The show is massive though there's a lot of market trader style stands for the under 16's with lots of money and far less style or sense. The best part was definitely the fashion show which was pretty spectacular. The sets were stunning and if you were expecting entertainment, you weren't disappointed. It was loud, it was colourful, it was edgy so I'm sure it will be a big hit. I was expecting more fashion and waiting for the big dresses to come onto the catwalk. I wanted to see the festive, party ball gowns, the outrageous, the frivolous and the amazing WOW factor dresses... But, perhaps it's the age of the audience that meant the show was more about the spectacle. the music and the entertainment, than the fashion. It was however, very enjoyable and a great experience.

More nuts to crack...

I love going to the ballet, I think it's one of my most favourite evenings out. I adore the dancing, the scenery, the music, the atmosphere and it's always magical. It's like being a child again when I believed that Santa was real and fairies really did exist. Going to the ballet triggers all those special memories and I love the very first moment when the music begins to the very last curtain call. Birmingham's Royal Ballet gave an awe-inspiring performance of the Nutcracker which held me spellbound. It was enchanting, beautiful and unforgettable. Big thanks, Fi ;-)

Little brown eggs and BIG mini moments..

It's always lovely to be given free food and by that I mean, something unexpected. Sometimes it's garlic bread, often it's bread and olives, very occasionally it's something the chef has dreamed up that morning that you'd rather he hadn't! Today it was quayles eggs. Not one, but three tiny softly hard boiled eggs with a tiny dish of celery salt. Oh my word, what a revelation. Smaller than you're average chuckie egg, these small mottled brown eggs were deliciously tasty and the perfect pre-amble before my main course. It was only lunch but I couldn't resist trying their filled pancakes. One with ricotta cheese, the other with a cheese and ham sauce, which were served in a homemade tomato sauce - YUM!

Tuesday was a happy day. I had my car serviced and got seduced by the new Mini Camden. OMG, what a stunningly, beautiful car. Sadly, not on my wish list at the moment because it's v expensive. But, as it doesn't have a soft top (well the one in the dealership didn't) then it wouldn't be perfect for me anyway. Nice interior, beautiful styling, mmm

9000 steps and a few hoola hoops later... phew!

Me & Ginger have had a fab weekend! We've been crafting, shopping, smiling, stepping out and hoola hooping to excess. Let's face, we always do everything to excess, perhaps that's why I love her being here. It's like a wake up call! There's no time for sleeping, relaxing or chilling. Life just goes at 110mph and I love it! We were up until 3am Thursday evening crafting and of course, MGC managed to create masterpieces whilst I phfaffed! It's what I do best when she's here until I get in the groove. I had two cards to make for the girls for their birthdays and planning to do for my c&w party.

The Party People...

Cheese & wine at the Mill..

Take a few bottles of wine, lots of cheeses and pickles, some fresh bread, fruit and crackers, oh, and the neighbours... and you have the makings of a great Saturday night! My neighbours are very much 'party people' and we get plenty of practise at socialising. Indeed, there was definitely a bit of a competition going on Saturday night with the 'Longford Six' partying somewhere else for a birthday ;-) They had been looking forward to sitting on my sofa and getting together for a catch up on important neighbourly issues - the bins! I'm rather pleased I missed that conversation too busy filling glasses with my happy, chatty hostess hat on!

Thundering applause.. !