Happy New Year

You Should Stay Home for New Year's Eve

By the time New Year's Eve comes around, you are usually exhausted. You just need to rest. That doesn't mean you won't celebrate, but you'll definitely be toasting the new year in your own low key way. You'll reflect on the year that's passed and make plans for the year to come. And when the clock turns over at midnight, you'll be cheering along with anyone else. You'll just be in your pj's!

How Should You Spend New Year's Eve?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

Funnily enough we are staying in!

Food

I watched Toast last night. I think it was set in the late 60s and early 70s and it started to make me think about food of my childhood.
I was born in 1968, so my earliest memories are of the 70s. My memories are of toad in the hole (which I hated at the time, but now really like)liver and bacon (oh triple yuck - but even though Mum knew me and my sister hated it she would still cook it, AS IT WAS GOOD FOR YOU)roast dinners, Yorkshire puds.
When Dad was growing up there was an Italian family living near by, so he knew about pasta dishes. Although we didn't say pasta , we called it spaghetti.He showed Mum how to make spaghetti bolognase. Spaghetti, mince onions, tomato puree, crowned with a bed of peas. Reader, I loved it, it was my favourite meal ever. When I got home from Brownie pack Holiday Mum cooked it as a welcome home meal.
Mum used to bake a lot too: fairy cakes, butterfly cakes, fruit cake. Which is something I never do, bake cakes.
Living in the East end, we also used to eat cockles, winkles, jellied eels, scallops. All splashed with vinegar. If we went out to eat it would be Chinese or a Berni Inn.That would be a very special occasion though. I don't remember us having take aways, unless it was fish and chips. Mum and Dad didn't drink wine, it would be Guinness (dad) and something and slimline tonic (mum) and they would go to out to drink, they didn't drink in doors.
Mum would get a lot of her food from the market. We would walk there and back, and Mum had a push chair that she would pile the bags on. We didn't get a car until I was 13.
Mum was a lover of grapefruits and cottage cheese. THESE WERE GOOD FOR YOU AND HELPED YOU LOSE WEIGHT. We even had cottage cheese sandwiches. Soggy brown bread mess. Since I left home I don't think I've eaten a grapefruit or cottage cheese.

Hostess with the mostest

The Robbos are "at home" tomorrow. Of course the Robbos are at home everyday, however when one is "at home" it means that one has invited people over.
My sister is a natural hostess. Angela has hosted Body Shop /gold/interior design parties as favours to friends. Angela always lays out a good buffet and the wine is always topped up. Angela seems to take all this in her stride. And she is very good at it.
As for me ...well years ago we would have friends over for dinner. I enjoyed getting the stuff all ready and I think people had a good time. But times change. Friends now have children and it is easier for us to go to them. Friends live further away...I can't pin point the exact reason, but apart from immediate family we haven't had any one over for yonks. By yonks, I mean I can't remember the last time - it may have been earlier this year, but I'm not sure.
So I've invited some friends over tomorrow. I'm doing a buffet, which isn't actually easier than cooking a meal because you worry you haven't got enough stuff and just before the guests arrive you get Buffet Remorse. Why didn't I just cook dinner so much simpler!
Still, now, at this moment I am really looking forward to it. It should be such fun!

It's official....

...and I do so love my kindle.

You Are a Kindle

You are a true lover of books and a hardcore reader. You love to get lost in what you're reading. Even though you like spending time online, you know that it can distract you from what you should be doing. You are rather serious and down to earth. You don't give into frivolous notions. If you will truly use a gadget, you'll buy it - but you don't buy anything just because it's the latest and greatest.

Are You An iPad or a Kindle?

Blogthings: Quizzes and Tests and Memes, Oh My!

Deep and crisp and even

Today I was supposed to have my holiday haircut and got out tonight with some friends. Unfortunately we have had "disruptive snow" so none of those things have happened. However I do get to spend the whole with Mr Robbo - so I suppose every clod has a silver lining.

Liar !Liar!

You Can Definitely Spot a Liar

Maybe you have good instincts. Or maybe you just have a lot of experience with liars. Either way, it's pretty hard for someone to pull a fast one on you. You're like a human lie detector.

Can You Spot a Liar?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

And I need to start preparing dinner instead of doing these silly quizzes!

Films

I watched Sex and The City 2 last night ..and was cringing by the end of it. What happened to the cutting edge, insightful humour? The series was always glamorous and escapist but it also had a hard edge - Charlotte's disastrous first marriage that she really tried to make work, Samantha's cancer. This was all just fluff - Miranda's problems at work were completely glossed over, so much so I wondered why they were mentioned in the first place. What I did like was Carrie and Big's (he'll never be John to me) decision that they didn't want children -and that wasn't turned over by her getting pregnant at the end of the film.(Yes, Four Christmases I am looking at you). However I am bit worried that they will be saving that for Sex and the City 3..

also watched It's Complicated - mainly for the gorgeous interiors rather than the story. In fact I do that a lot whilst watching films, clocking the accessories.

Christmas is Coming

Your Christmas Sprit Level: 55%

You have a lot of Christmas spirit, and it's evident to most people who know you. You love most things Christmas, and you do your best to make sure everyone has a great holiday. While you like the more commercial aspects of Christmas, you truly know what the spirit of Christmas is about. You're all about giving, being kind, and sharing the spirit of Christmas with everyone you know.

Do You Have the Christmas Spirit?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

I did this quiz a few years ago and it is still at 55%! And I thought I was gettong more festive.

If you want to keep an eye on how Father Christmas is doing - click here.

Big Weddings

I was watching Sarah Beeney's Restoration Nightmare, where she restores her stately home. Actually it is a measure of how likable she is that I could watch the show -rich people's problems and all that.
At the end there is a wedding held there. The bride comes in on a horse drawn carriage, there is a Master of Ceremonies and to finish, a firework display.
Now, everyone to their own, and who am I to judge - but I hate stuff like that.
Why do I hate that wedding magazine stuff? Because it is seems the bride and groom have become characters out of a story. The bride will often say how she has dreamt about this day ever since she was a little girl, and the bloke is reduced to a walk on part. And the cost! You could put down a deposit for a house for how much these things cost.
When I was planning my wedding I bought a wedding magazine - and nearly had an asthma attack over all the little expensive stuff I *needed* to get. Stuff like favours, colour themes, table displays, hire cars ...the list went on and on.
And I can see how easy it is to be sucked in to all of that,but we need to remind ourselves it is just ONE day.
And while I'm talking about weddings, a frined is getting married and she went to a shop and a wedding dress shop and told them her budge was £1000.00. and the shop assistant got sniffy with her! WTF!

Snow week

Thank the Lord it is Saturday! and the snow is melting, a little bit.
This week getting to and from work as been exhausting.Although the trains have been delayed and cancelled, I have been amazed that they managed to get through the snow at all. It has taken me about 2 hours to get to work, door to door this week.
I dug out my wellies and am proud that so far, I haven't even fallen over!

Snow

I hate snow. I hate the slippy mush. I'm prone to falling over in the stuff. I've looked out of the window and there is a light scattering of snow outside. It has given me the right raving hump.
I just hope it doesn't snow on London, because crossing Southwark bridge is a b!tch.
Bah humbug!

I Knew it!

You Are a Geek

You love to learn, especially when it's about technology. No subject is too obscure for you. You enjoy tinkering with things to see how they work. You aren't a traditional learner either... you need to hack around to figure things out. You may have the brains to be a super rich Silicon Valley geek, but you're truly content to have your own favorite projects, subjects, and toys. For you, being a geek is not about the glory. It's about a love of digging deep and truly understanding the world.

What's Your Stereotype?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

And another thing..

I watched New Moon last night. Bella and Edward don't have much fun do they? I like it because it does remind me that first love is so very intense and serious. I want to shout "Bella! hang on! by the time you get in to your 20s you will have lighten up a lot! You will come to realise that true love is not painful and all consuming!"
Any how I worked out why I like werewolves better than vampires. It is because werewolves are alive.

Stuff and Nonsense

I got a strange e mail the other day. A friend of mine got 2 kittens in the summer and it has got a bit much for him. He is looking for someone to take them off his hands,otherwise he will take them to a rehoming charity.
I'm astounded, because he isn't a frivolous man. He wouldn't have bought the kittens on a whim and then changed his mind. But then I believe if you may animals you are making a commitment and unless your circumstances totally change or you find you are severely allergic to it, I can't understand why you would hand them back.

On a lighter note I lent Mum my kindle to see how she gets on with it. Mum has needs to read large print, and you can alter the font on a kindle. But I am really missing it.

Seaside walk

The joys of living near the coast.

Diamonds and Marketing

I stumbled over this blog, Rowdy kittens.. It really struck a cord.
I love diamonds. I rather I did. I used to love looking at jewellery websites and fantasise over all the lovely rings. I've blogged before about how I'd like to change wedding rings (wearing the same old ring day in day out..)
Then 2 things happened. I watched the WAGS Come Dine With Me , and was repelled by their massive melon farmer of diamond rings. Then I went to a Pampered Chef evening, and looking round at the other ladies there. all of us wearing our solitaires and wedding bands...I felt like a Stepford Wife.
So it made me have a little re think, which is a good thing. Enough of the diamond madness!!!

Saturday

Would like to say haven't blogged the last couple of weeks because I've been on holiday/having exciting times/have a glamorous life. However I would be lying. I have had flu. It was horrible and draining and I felt v.sorry for myself. Pleased to say I feel tons better now. However as I have done eff all for the last 2 weeks I haven't got much to blog about.
I think the dog knows when I'm poorly. he didn't bother me for walks and he did try and take a few liberties. I woke up from an afternoon nap to finds him sprawled out on our (me and Steve's that is) bed. He wouldn't dare do that normally!

Comfort food part 2.

Ocean Jen, this is what Shepherds pie looks like (well, the one I make anyway!)




This is what I had for lunch at work on Friday, raised the spirits after a hard week's work!

Comfort food

When I'm at work , my comfort lunch is : cheese and coleslaw and cucumber baguette,cheese and onion crisps (with some of the crisps in the baguette) and Diet Coke.
At home it is spaghetti hoops and cheese on toast and a cup of Earl Grey.
My comfort dinner at home is :lasagna with a glass or 3 of merlot. Or a shepherd's pie, in fact I am cooking a shepherd's pie now.
Food that sinks the spirits: oven chips and a bean burger.

Now we are wed

I was reading Anna and the Ring, a blog about a girl's preparations for her wedding. it got me thinking, I've been married nearly 12 years. What are my words of wisdom?
The first year of marriage sucks. You will argue loads. I still don't know why this should be, it just is. Like gravity.
Never forget , that he is now your next of kin. HE CAN TURN OFF YOUR LIFE SUPPORT. Bear this in mind in your daily dealings.
After the first year, things do settle down. You remember why you got married in the first place.
You may have married your best friend, but with time he becomes more than your best friend.
These are the people who I take notice of and who can change my mind, in order:my husband, parents and my sister.
I can go off and do new things because I know he is there in the background to support me.