Birthday!

A few snaps from Birthday activities last week...

Doughnuts for dessert (shared!) - nice but they should put some jam inside or give a little pot like they did with the chocolate sauce. Main course for me was sea bream with polenta chips - chunky but crispy on the edges -really good.

We went to a favourite cocktail bar called Santa Chupitos after dinner. Quite small and very black inside. The cocktails are all written up high on the walls and above the main bar. We went in the smaller room where there are big sofas and a smaller bar. Me and Julia had yummy Bakewell Tartinis. We were so excited that we didn't fully pay attention as to how to make them except that there was some chambord involved and a thin layer of cream on the top. One was sufficient though, well maybe could manage one more..you need to like almond/amaretto though!

Sadly no pictures of the wonderful Jesse Malin. He came and sat on the floor right by us which was just too close for a snap! Julia had never heard of him before but enjoyed it especially his accent!

Warm, cook, roast!

I have a confession... we've had the electric blanket on! It has three settings... 1,2,3 or warm, cook, roast as we prefer to call them! Roast is only really allowed on very cold nights and only then to warm the bed before getting in... I love it and try to keep it on for a little bit longer but Mr Croak won't have any of it!

In other news! Last weekend I went to St Albans to catch up with two of my friends from Art college - 10 years ago! We did a lot of catching up and even managed to fit in seeing some fireworks! We don't meet up very often and when we do it means there are always presents! This time we opened last years Christmas pressies and birthday pressies too! We all felt very festive by the end of the weekend! I was given this huge mug that looks like it is old enamel but is actually ceramic with a clever glaze!



We have been trying to improve the insulation in our house in preparation for the winter - we were very cold last year, especially in the build up to Christmas when it reached -20c! We put some carpet down last week, and covered the windows in faux cling film and today I have put up some thicker curtains! Sadly they were just too short... not any more!



ta-dar!



new curtains... too short!



no problem -

I'll just add a bit more fabric...



I am very excited about tomorrow's adventure... getting the train in the morning to go and see Hoppy Spadge, Nubby Tope and Tippety Nippet! What fun!



Whisky, stone circles and the best fish and chips in Scotland

Mother, father and Kato came to stay last weekend, well for a long weekend. The sun came out and helped show the delights of North East Scotland off to their best. We went to a megalithic stone circle on a very windy hill and then nearly got lost on a walk from it, due to lack of map. Ate a buttery, not really a delight seeing as it is like a squashed salty coissant. Went for a walk around the estate in glorious autumn sunshine. Drove over the hills to find out how whisky is made and try to tell the differences between three different aged whiskies, all much of a muchness to me but tasty though. Wandered round my garden and gave them some chilli plants. Moved a large chest of drawers and a large rug into the sitting room, matches in with the rest of the dark brown furniture we own. Had delicious fish and chips at the officialy best shop in the whole of Scotland. It was a mixed platter of cod cheeks (not actually the cheeks of cod I don't think), smoked haddock and coley. It changes every week, last time it was different fish, one was salmon but the other two escape me! We then went for a quick walk on the beech as it was quite bracing, Barnaby tried to get Daphne into the sea, she was not convinced.

Kato and Daphne are such opposit dogs

Just before Mum and Dad headed back south, we went further into the hills beyond Braemar, following the river Dee. It was very windy and I was sure I could see snow on the distant hills. If you go further in apparently there are some spectacular waterfalls and some massive bowls carved out be stones, there's one fifty meters deep. Will definitly have to come back and go for a saunter sometime. Cairn Gorm is nearby too, bet its chilly on top of there.

Got lots of things around the house done this weekend. Did learn one thing though, don't take a 12 year old boy with you to do your weekly shop, you end up with some very suspect items in your trolly. We did also see a firework display on saturday, which was delayed, because the line at the burger stall was massive.

First Roast Beef and Biscuits

I am too tired and full to relate exactly how, but today I made, Pumpkin Soup, Lemon Drops and Jam Swirls, and my First Roast Beef Dinner - with yorkshires!

Pork Roast and Carrot Cake

I began this post last Sunday and was too exhausted to finish it!

'Boo! With the clocks gonig back it's completely dark at only 5 o'clock, a sad day, but I am snug in the house with a pork joint roasting and a carrot cake cooking!'

Both were a terrific success, carrot cake has only just been finished, and the Pork Roast did two evenings and a lunch. Pork Roast was very simple, rubbed with salt, pepper and crushed fennel and roasted slowly, and I managed crackling too! Had it with roasties, broccoli, and some delicious apple sauce (made with enormous shropshire Bramley!).

Carrot Cake was moist and yummy - but I messed up the frosting by making it too runny and it made the whole thing a sticky, but delish, mess!






Last night was another culinary triumph with sticky bb ribs, crispy hoisin chicken thighs, and red cabbage colesalw, plus a game of Baker St, and the Guns of Navarone!


On the programme for today, Roast Beef, Pumpkin Soup, and Biscuits! Oh, and preparation for a job interview! Yay.

Biscuits, Birthday cake, Brownies... and a Breakdown truck!

Where has the time gone?! I had a couple of days off at half term last week (feels like forever ago!). During that time, I went out for a hot chocolate and a cafe made jammie dodger with Mum - she had the ginger crunch, both were pretty good!
I completed my moss stitch square - Hoppy Spadge has suggested it could be a lap warmer... the jury are still out.

On Friday it was Mr Croak's birthday and so went for a mooch / shop during the day and then out with the family for a curry and then home for birthday cake! Which was delish!

I gave Mr Croak the new DVD 'Senna' which we watched later in the weekend which was very good.

Saturday was a more girlie day... it started with me having 7" chopped off my hair! Appointment was booked for a trim but then I had a more spontaneous moment when in the chair and said goodbye to the lot! Just managed to take a 'before' shot!

Thankfully I am enjoying the new length and look!

Following the excitement of loosing the long locks, I met up with a couple of my best friends from school for more tea and cake! I indulged with a fantastic slab of chocolate brownie, and a pot of Earl Grey - a lovely afternoon!

Yesterday was rather dramatic as my car overheated and I had to be brought home on the back of a recovery vehicle :(  After a day at the garage it has miraculously been fixed and is back home again! Phew!