Monday :(

Oh why are Monday's such hard work? My darling husband has gone back to work and my children are always really moody on a Monday morning. I have loads of washing to do, a carrot cake to make, some shopping to order, the usual housework, writing of Christmas cards (yawn), filling of forms, juggling of the bills and all that jazz, all while my children are in a great big grump.
Its frustrating for the little princess, I understand that. Being 3 years old at Christmas must be an absolute nightmare, what with all the build up. It's a bit like Christmas, but it's not quite. We have a cupboard full of chocolate but the she can't eat any. All of the candy canes that were of the tree went within 2 days, and I have hidden the chocolates for the tree. I might put them on it on Christmas eve!

The World Has Gone Mad

We have had another crazy, busy weekend with the family, but it was lovely, actually. The mexican was nearly a disaster but I saved the day... my Churros were a disaster, so I did cinnamon toast instead! With a vat of melted mars bars, cream and maple syrup. Delish. Then I thought I'd try those taco shells, well they were awful. Just not strong enough, so I made a huge bed of Mexican rice and layered the mince on top, and made seafood fajitas with the shrimps that were destined for some of the tacos.The Gaucamole was a delight too. ...
Sunday was spent doing more Christmassy things and drinking mulled wine!

Still working on getting an 'online recipe book' up and running soon. It is just so chaotic at the mo, what with birthdays and Christmas.

I'm a bit sad today as yet again there is a story in the news about poverty. Some weeks we have to count every penny, cash in the copper tin, scrimp on things.Sometimes we have to go without fuel in the car, or put the tumble drier on less. We are struggling, but we've never gone hungry. I can't believe that can happen in this country. In any country. I do donate to food banks when I can, but this time of year.. how sad it is that people can't afford to eat. That is just a basic necessity. Wish I could do something else.....

Well how busy are we! All of this wonderful food to plan and shop for, all of these occasions (a few birthdays, oh, and Christmas). I have been so busy! Made the best soup ever too, all of my children absolutely loved it. Carrot, Beetroot and coriander. The colour was absolutely beautiful. It was so delicious and so easy to make. Just a few carrots, fresh beetroot, handful of coriander cooked in stock until tender, the lumps separated from the stock and whizzed up in the blender, then mixed back in the stock with a bit more coriander. I will have to figure out the photo posting thing on here so I can show you the amazing colour! If only there was a tasting app too eh?!

I will be doing the usual Turkey for The Main Event but found a very good priced frozen goose in Aldi, and I will be cooking that too, along with the usual ham, beef etc that I usually make for meals around Yule/Christmas. Loads of lovely meals and plenty to snack on! List writing is taking over my life, though. I have so many lists going on right now, and lists of lists. Menu's, gift lists, remember this and that lists, remember to write this list etc.....

This coming weekend I am hosting a Mexican Fiesta night! I have the pinata already (which has a festive twist) but it looks like the company I ordered from have messed up the sombrero order :( So no funny hats, but plenty of yummy food. The usual fajitas etc but also some lovely seafood tacos and salads. Mostly from memory, I haven't made a mexican meal properly for years! I will post the recipes after the event.

Tonight we will be working on my website again, trying to get something up and running with purely my recipes and photos on, since I have so many! Hopefully the little ones will go to sleep quite early as I would really love to eat my dinner first, it is smelling gorgeous and is one of my all time fav's of Dauphinoise and Slow Cooked Lamb (cooked in red wine, stock, whole garlic cloves and tarragon for the last 7 hours... yummmm)

More later!!