Catch Up

It's been unexpectedly quiet here recently. By that I obviously mean that there has been little in the way of SHENANIGANS from the amazing sons. And by that I clearly mean that there has been little in the way of DISCOVERING any SHENANIGANS as I'm sure there will have been some.

The gorgeous husband is recovering from a nasty sickness bug. He had the audacity to initially blame his illness on a pearl barley mushroom risotto I made. The cheek! I'm very glad he is starting to feel better because I am needing a little bit of help with a few things.

I've broken a bone in my hand. It's a long and silly story how that happened, and the initial plaster cast was ever so slightly over-dramatic. Thankfully I'm now wearing this:

No driving or (gulp) exercising for 3 weeks. I'm off to get a bus pass this morning. You've got to laugh.

Sticky Bottoms and Frilly Feet

I have finally defeated my nemesis - MACARONS. I spent last weekend working on my campaign to successful bake them. Saturday's lemon version were tasty, but ugly beyond belief not very pretty. Sunday's dark chocolate and raspberry variety were a beauty to behold complete with charming frilly feet. Their bottoms were sadly a little sticky, but nothing a couple of minutes longer in the oven wouldn't have solved, and did nothing to detract from how good they tasted and looked. I'm not sure whether my euphoria was as a result of their success or the sugar high from eating so many. Either way I know I need to try again very soon to ensure it wasn't a fluke.

Boy Food Friday

Boy Food Friday or #bff in Twitterspeak is quickly becoming an institution in our house. I think it started over Christmas and New Year, and there seems to be no going back. It basically means that on a Friday I cook a meal that the males in the house will love even more than the usual fare they are served. This often means chips. I should probably point out that Sunday night is also Chip Night chez Chui. I'm now starting to think that our diet is not as healthy as I thought. Tonight I made Nigel Slater's toad in the hole with onion gravy and peas. We are now all "stuffed as a puff" and can't even manage the millionaire's shortbread I also rustled up earlier in the week. Success!

Please note the pyjamas and dressing gowns. These are essential for #bff - we have a very strict dress code. Slippers are acceptable.

Stuff and Junk

I've not written anything for a while as I've been pondering a few things.

This year has been teaching me that life is better when it is simple. Fewer demands, fewer distractions, fewer things. I'm still working on this but I know for sure that life is good and that those people who are meant to be around me are still there, although some of them are geographically further away than before.

In it all  I have been learning to "settle" and to be "available" to those who matter most - the gorgeous husband, the amazing sons and family. I have also had my eyes opened to the reality of true friends and friendships. Those people who can really know you, who you can share the ups and down of life with, and who stick by you in it all.

So life is very different at the end of 2011 from at the beginning. That is more than good. Priorities have shifted in many directions. I feel healthier and more blessed in every way. I'm not saying it's not challenging at times but anyone that truly knows me will know that I always rise to a challenge.

So my challenges for next year are simple though daunting, and at the core of them lies the need to continue with putting my family first. By the end of March I am going to have stopped working as part of this ongoing process. I don't do 'staying at home' but it seems I soon will be. In it all I am trusting God that He knows best, and that ultimately He works out everything for the good of those who love Him.

Happy New Year.

Illicit Trading of Baked Goods

There is a guy at our gym called Barnaby who is notorious for his amazing mince pies. I have never met this elusive mince pie maker, but through a mutual friend (for the price of a triple chocolate cookie - bargain!) we have agreed to trade baked goods tomorrow evening at the gym. After spin/circuits (depending on your choice of class), showered, changed, carrying the goodies, by the front reception at 7.45pm. I am giddy with excitement. Barnaby has requested brownies, so I have made a sour cherry and macadamia nut batch which I hope will equal his infamous mince pies. I have adapted a Jamie Oliver recipe and added 75g of sour cherries along with 100g of macadamia nuts. I am so looking forward to the clandestine rendezvous and my ensuing mince pie fest!

Two (or Three) Can Play At That Game!

I've just had to check my diary to reassure myself that I haven't mysteriously and rather carelessly 'lost' several days of December. The reason? It seems that the amazing sons' advent calendars are rather inept at telling me the correct date, or rather that the amazing sons are rather adept at trying to eat the chocolates ahead of schedule. I know most children have probably done this but you have to admire their audacity.  I truly believe the amazing sons are continuing to properly make progress in their attempts to stay one step ahead of me with their SHENANIGANS. You see, this year, they have had the genius idea of putting the wrappers back in the little pockets so it appears they have not been eaten. Except I know. I always now! And now I have done the same with the rest of the chocolates in their advent calendars. Oh yes, I have removed them (for safe-keeping!) and replaced the wrappers so all appears well. I wonder if either of them will come to me when they are next expecting an uneaten chocolate bar to complain! We'll have to wait and see. Funny, so very funny.

Birthday Treats

It is the gorgeous husband's birthday tomorrow and he requested some espresso cupcakes to celebrate. To be honest, I think he would rather have had a pork pie, scotch egg or sausage roll as he has a very savoury tooth. But he IS the gorgeous husband and knows how much I like to bake cakes, so cupcakes it is. I used the Hummingbird Bakery recipe from their Cake Days book but also added an espresso syrup to soak into the sponge before I iced them with the coffee buttercream. No chocolate covered coffee beans for decoration, but a slice of flake on the top instead does the trick I think.

To appease his savoury taste buds I am currently slow roasting a tastily marinated leg of pork for 24 hours for lunch tomorrow. The plan is to eat it with some garlic and chive mash and some steamed cabbage. We have also been enjoying champagne cocktails using some fizz, The King's Ginger and my beautiful vintage glasses. I cannot begin to describe how good these drinkies are. I might have another shortly......