A little weekend indulgence.....

In my 'mother/daughter separation anxiety' toolkit I have a few things I know I can rely on for their instant calming and soothing effects...


This weekend I plan to be a little indulgent, let the emotions settle & press Jack & Diane into service....I am thinking deep bubble baths (with candles of course!) , Something's Gotta Give in the DVD player with a glass or seven of Brown Brothers Chenin Blanc & a slice (or three) of the most versatile chocolate cake ever...

Chocolate Truffle Cake

(courtesy of the Bertinet Kitchen, Bath)

300g dark chocolate, chopped

125g unsalted butter

6 eggs

100g demerara sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

50 ml rum, poire william, cointreau or whatever you please

Preheat oven to 190 - or in my case, use the top oven of the Aga with a cold shelf above the tin & transfer to the bottom oven after about half an hour.

Combine the chocolate & butter, melt together gently in a microwave or in a bowl over simmering water.

Beat the eggs and sugar until light & fluffy.

Add the run & vanilla to the chocolate mixture and fold both mixtures together carefully.

Pour into a greased & lined round or square cake tin (about 8 inch) and cook in a bain marie for about an hour. The cake should feel just firm.

Absolutely wonderful served plain, with raspberries & cream or ice cream - also brilliant sliced into 3 & made into a retro black forest cake or any other chocolate gateau type cake you want. No flour - so light and not so sinful - that's what I tell myself anyway...

I'm not generally a lover of sweet things or cake but this is only sweet in that dark bitter chocolate sort of way...

Whatever your plans for the weekend - enjoy........s

She's gone!

We just got back from dropping my GG at Heathrow & I am back home, a little bruised & bereft...

I have been thinking about the list still to complete from last week (or the week before!) - 10 things which make you happy - I have to tell you taking my GG to the airport for the long haul back to Sydney definitely won't be on it! It's been so lovely having her around for the last few weeks and the house won't be the same for a while...I'm totally exhausted but in a good way (mothers, you know what I'm talking about)...have just been reading S's post at semi-expat in oz about her secret fondness for Abba - it brings to mind one of their old slushy songs which I never in a million years ever thought had any relevance for me..how wrong can you be?

Slipping through my fingers ...Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture

& save it from the funny tricks of time.....

This sums up my feelings at the moment - sentimental & slushy I know, melancholy, yes, definitely...but it feels right to be...tomorrow the tears will have dried and I shall be talking to her, listening to her plans for the new semester and sharing her new adventures....that will feel right too but today the wound is fresh & deep....I shall miss her........s

It's nearly THAT time again....

Output from the M.H on the blogging front has been a bit (to coin an Aussie phrase I picked up!) 'light on' of late - the reason being that we will be doing the red-eye run to Heathrow again tomorrow morning & have been running around like headless chickens (that's the anglicised version!) doing all the last minute things we 'meant' to do in the last few weeks....

I can't believe my GG is leaving so soon...the time has flown past...when she first arrived, she had a list of all the supper dishes she misses and I was given instructions to serve them all before she departed!! We haven't even got through the list! It can't be time yet.....

The last few days have passed in a bit of a blur - shopping trips to collect things seen but not bought, collection of items not available (or more expensive!) in Sydney, visits to family to deliver presents not yet given because of the snow & generally trying to get organised for her return to uni. Normal transmission soon to be resumed.........s

Rhythm of Life...

Last weekend we spent a happy few hours in the garden clearing all the dead wood and generally tidying up after the snow had melted - underneath the carpet of dead foliage and leaves I was amazed to see hundreds and hundreds of tiny green shoots poking their fragile heads through the frozen soil..in a few weeks there will be a carpet of snowdrops heralding the very early signs of spring on its way.




It made me think; this is the first year we have really observed the highs and lows of a complete year and the variations of all the seasons - usually we are hopping on planes and busily swapping winter for summer or vice versa and the year slips by seasonally intermingled. There is a natural order and rhythm, especially in this corner of the northern hemisphere - whoever decided (another post!) that Christmas would be at the end of December had obviously done their homework! Brilliant! A festival of food, light and celebration after the harvest and before the days start to get longer, a cheerful interlude in the midst of dark days and a respite after all the work of gathering in stores for winter. For me, it feels a bit like when you're coming down with a cold or infection of some sort - usually you feel tired and lethargic; the body's natural signal to slow down and rest. I don't think we pay enough attention to the rhythms of nature - winter is a natural hiatus when everything slows down, a perfect time to cosy up by a warm fire with a good book, the seed catalogues (or whatever takes your fancy) and indulge in a bit of reflection, make plans and recharge the batteries.



I have a current pet-hate (forgive me Wii owners of the world). The advertising agencies and technology producers would have us believe that our time is best spent, year round, closeted in our homes, enjoying any outdoor sport you care to name via a remote control and the television - they spend millions on ads portraying large happy families having a wonderful time indulging in various sporting activities from the comfort of their own sofa....don't get me wrong, I'm all for families spending time together but I really believe that in our 'have it all immediately' culture, we are losing out....

Are we disgruntled by our inability to control what's happening outside? After all, we are able to listen to exactly what we want, when we want; watch anything at any time of the day or night; go shopping for our heart's desire around the clock (without leaving our bed!) I have been surprised by the media's reaction to the recent frozen conditions here in the UK - endless debate about the Met Office not predicting the exact amount of snow or the lack of grit to spread on roads - there does seem to be a general impatience that seasonal conditions impede our highly ordered lives....

I'm not suggesting for a moment that we all switch off the power & take up candle-making - just pay a little more attention to what nature is trying to tell us....a time for everything and everything in it's natural order....enjoy the moment.........s

A Shopper's Paradise....

Last week we took a little trip for a spot of bargain shopping to Bicester Village, an exceptional 'outlet' destination at Bicester (just outside Oxford). Yes, last week (you know when the radio announcers were telling everyone not to drive unless their journey was absolutely necessary)....! It didn't look like this of course:




No, there were snow drifts about six feet deep and a narrow pathway in front of all the shops which had been gritted and cleared...Would we let a small thing like snow come between us and bargain hunting at a designer outlet village.....?

When I talk about 'us' in the context of driving through snow drifts with a grey and snowy sky overhead to get to a shopping mall, I do of course mean only myself and my GG....I cannot include the LAB in the percentage of the family who were keen to pursue this foolish activity....

I have to give you the whole picture in the interest of transparency...we had left home with the intention of going to the outlet mall at Swindon (about half an hours drive away)...even then, the LAB wasn't too enthusiastic....even though the main purpose of the visit was to stock up on pants (trousers) for him, a task which had been put off on many previous occasions but became necessary, urgent and immediate that morning when I ironed one of the remaining few pairs and found a large hole in the fabric...

So, having arrived at Swindon and headed straight for the Ralph Lauren shop which stocks the 'perfect pants' in the right size, leg length etc. we were disappointed to find they had very limited stock....I suggested we drive on to Bicester which has a store with two levels and more variety (I omitted to mention at this point that it also has a large White Company store & Jimmy Choo)...

I could see the LAB wasn't exactly what you might call eager but in the spirit of family harmony, he reluctantly agreed, especially after my assurances that it was a mere further half an hour away....Hmmm....I never have been that great at guessing time & distance...

A precarious hour and some minutes later, we were at Ralph Lauren & managed to acquire the necessary stock of pants in...let me think....about seven minutes.....The LAB was then ready to embark on the dodgy journey home as a few snowflakes started to fall from the lead grey sky. All that way and not even get to see the inside of Gucci et al? At this point I luckily remembered that they have a Carluccio's & thoughtfully suggested he might like a strong espresso before the long trek back.....Fortunately there was a REALLY long queue..........s

http://www.bicestervillage.com/

Tea for three....

After visiting the Victoria & Albert Museum yesterday (we went to see 'Maharaja - The Splendour of India's Royal Courts' exhibition thanks to Jeanne @ http://collageoflife-henrqs.blogspot.com/), I had the usual dilemma when finding myself in London late in the afternoon - to tea or not to tea? (sorry!!) It always seems like a great idea and I always have lots of places on my 'Where to go for afternoon tea in London list' BUT.......usually when dashing around the capital we have skipped lunch, had lunch on the run (or, worst of all, grabbed a sandwich at 4.00pm), we are ravenous by 5 o'clock but possibly have planned to stay in town for an early dinner....where does tea fit in?
Problem No. 2: My GG is tall, willowy & enviably able to partake of whatever she fancies without any obvious adverse effect - the lovely aussie bloke and myself are somewhat more conscious that those carefree days of unfettered calorie intake are long past....
Solution: One Little Piggy Had Scones & Jam;
One Little Piggy Had Some;

One Little Piggy Had Everything Else (including dinner) and felt sick all the

way home ........

The 'Rock & Roll' tea at The Gore Hotel....THE place for celebrity spotting apparently (although we didn't see any yesterday).

The 'Fashionista's Tea' at the Berkeley (Do fashionistas actually eat tea?) - great fun.....

Not 100% sure about this one but it looks like Fortnum & Mason....

And lastly, the daddy of them all......tea in the Palm Court at the Ritz (about which I have heard mixed reviews)......Wishing you a week full of happy tea-times.......s

Thank you dear Jackie...

I am so thrilled to have been given this by the gorgeous Jackie @ home - which has been one of my very favourite places to visit since I discovered the 'other' world of blogging! If you haven't been following, please take a look - she does the most glorious posts which are innovative, sometimes very funny and always imaginative with superb images.....

I need to share with you all ten things which make me happy (only 10???!!) I hope you will forgive me if I postpone publishing my list as we are away for a few days - look forward to finishing this post as soon as we are back! Happy week everyone.........s

Kreativ Blogger award.....

I am so thrilled to have been given the 'Kreativ Blogger' award by the lovely Rita @ http://arefocusedlife.blogspot.com/ ......thank you so much Rita, as a very new girl to the blogging world I am so touched to be included in your list....Please forgive me for taking a few days to post this....am still not quite sure how these things work! I hope I am doing this correctly and if not, please let me know! I have to thank the person who nominated me & in this case, ask her to forgive me for being tardy - I obviously missed the original comment and didn't realise she had been so kind as to include me until I read Jeanne's post (sorry Rita, I will get up to speed, promise!), copy the logo & post it on my blog, link to the person who nominated me, list seven things others may not know about me, nominate seven creative bloggers to receive this award, post their links & leave a comment on each (phew....!!)


OK - here is my list:


1. As well as my GG I have two BB's (beautiful boys!!!) - all grown up and out in the big wide world....the eldest has two gorgeous babies & that makes me a very proud grandmama!

2. I have two passports! Australia & U.K....I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to live on both sides of the world!

3. I have worked in law, the cosmetics industry and a few other things besides....my most recent role was co-ordinating a meals on wheels service & a large team of volunteers in a Sydney hospital - I absolutely loved it and miss it every day....

4. I own hundreds of cookbooks....cooking (and eating I confess) are passions - I discovered early on that in order to do the latter well it's necessary to have some idea about the former...!

5. I just got (for Christmas actually) the first iPod I've ever owned.....!

6. I don't have a sweet tooth apart from one little exception - Allens red frogs - I have them shipped/sent/brought/posted at any/every opportunity and am willing to do (almost) anything to make sure I have a constant supply......

7. I just adore tea! The first of the day is always black with lemon & honey, moving on to english breakfast & earl grey and I couldn't even think of going to bed without a cup of my favourite rosie lea.....

Oh dear - I've completed the requisite seven but I have so much more to tell you.....!! I shall have to leave that to my seven 'nominees' who are:

Jackie @ http://home-biba.blogspot.com/

Leigh @ http://brabournefarm.blogspot.com/

Vitania @ 'Verdigris Vie'

Julie @ http://beingruby.blogspot.com/

mise @ 'pretty far west'

sarah @ 'semi-expat in oz'

Yvonne @ 'La Petite Gallery'

I would have sent this on to Jeanne at 'Collage of Life' but she already has a nomination from Rita...

Also would have nominated Millie at The Laurel Hedge & Meredy at Count It All Joy but they have already been nominated by Jeanne!!!

So, Over to you ladies.........s

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

Apologies to those of you who are really over snow pictures now....I had intended to post something completely different today but after a very heavy fall last night and the impact it had here, it just seems right to continue the snow theme for a while longer! It may be a long time before this happens again so maybe we should be enjoying it whilst we can? We went for a stroll today when the flurries held off for a while - I'm trying not to see the inconvenience and just soak up the aesthetics! I took this down at the brook (it's actually the same view as the header photo...& just as beautiful I think)....




This was taken standing on the pontoon & looking across at the fields beyond the brook - I love the silhouette of the bare trees in the water:

There's really nothing quite like a huge expanse of freshly fallen snow, a pair of warm boots and being the first to walk on it!!!!

No rowing today.......

Even buddha's wearing his special snow hat.....

With the heating going full blast and the woodburners being constantly topped up, the snow on the roof still hadn't melted by mid afternoon......

The weather outside may be frightful (if you have to go out), the fire is very delightful & my GG is in raptures....the idea of swapping Sydney summer sun for dreary grey days wasn't too appealing but snow? Well, that's another matter.......s

How Cute Is This?

I still have one or two gifts to be united with their new owners and one of them I am reluctant to part with:

I have to tell you that I do not collect dolls, bears or even have any in the house (apart from those on GG's bed which are very firmly HERS)......I don't even peer into prams cooing softly....(now there's an admission!) but.....

when I went to the Mary Howard sale back at the end of November (or was it December? It seems so long ago now) I came across a stall selling everything to make a little girl's dreams come true. The business is called 'frilly lily' (www.frillylily.co.uk) and they make the most divine dressing up clothes for little gorgeous girls, alongside which they sell small versions of same for said gorgeous girls' dolls & bears....

What's not to love?!!!...............s

Beautiful beginning to 2010...

Having persuaded GG that it was a good idea on the first day of the year to walk off some of the chocolate/pudding/trifle/alcohol we had all consumed way too much of and finding it hard to stay indoors when the sun was shining and outside everything was looking like the top of a Christmas cake..... we crossed the little bridge leading to the canal, and were given the most amazing gift....


A single, beautiful perfect white swan swam along the brook to greet us....
After crossing the little swing bridge which leads to the path alongside the canal, we were so surprised to see the canal completely iced over and with a layer of freshly fallen snow covering it...we knew it was cold, but not THAT cold.....

The original plan was to walk briskly to the bridge and back - however, just beyond the bridge is the Barge Inn & a very welcoming sight on a freezing day it is too! Yes, you guessed - the attraction of the blazing fires and a glass of steaming mulled wine proved just too tempting.....after a couple of glasses of the spicy and delicious brew and a plate of something very unhealthy to mop up the alcohol, we all walked back home....in the dark..........s