Should old acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?  Should all acquaintance be forgot and all times past? Not for me, I'm all for fresh starts and new beginnings, but you can't rewrite history.  I'm content and happy with my life these days, looking forward to 2014 and stretching myself, a little, maybe... ;-)

Feeling festive! I'm not very good at this "selfie" lark! Ha ha ha, or should that be Ho Ho Ho!
Detoured to my sister's on the way home tonight, had a little catch up over a coffee.

It's my birthday!    BBE and I love to travel, eat local dishes and then try and recreate them at home.  As a special birthday treat I spent quite a few pounds on ingredients to make this Norwegian speciality.  We ate it in Oslo earlier this year.  It was on the menu everywhere we went, and we loved it!  We used the recipe on Nordic Nibbler,  but with different fish.  We used a mix of cod, salmon, smoked haddock, prawns and scallops. It turned out pretty tasty!



Ingredients to serve 4 -6

• 2 ltrs good quality fish stock
• 2 carrots, diced into ½-inch cubes
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 small celeriac, diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 parsley root (or parsnip), diced into ½-inch cubes
• 125g cod fillet (skin and bones removed) cut into 1-inch cubes
• 125g halibut (skin and bones removed) cut into 1-inch cubes
• 125g salmon (skin and bones removed) cut into 1-inch cubes
• 125g monkfish tail cut into 1-inch cubes
• 125g fiskepudding (or homemade fish dumplings. Optional)
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 300ml double cream
• 2 tbsp good quality red wine vinegar (to taste)
• 1 tbsp sugar (to taste)
• Salt and freshly ground white pepper
• A handful of chopped chives to garnish

Method

1. Bring the fish stock to boil in a large pot
2. Add the chopped vegetables and simmer for 5 minutes
3. Whisk the flour into the cream and add to the soup, and bring to the boil
4. Add the sugar and the vinegar gradually and taste to get the right balance between sweet and sour
5. Add the fish and fiskepudding/dumplings and simmer until the fish is just cooked (around 6-7 minutes)
6. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground white pepper and sprinkle with some finely chopped chives
7. Serve with lots of crusty white bread to dunk in the soup

I've been out for a meal tonight with BBE.  We went to a local steak house that serves Chateaubriand for two, the included side dishes are delicious too, we had a bottle of  Amancaya Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon, to go with it.  BBE needed a little nap before going out tonight but he is doing really well in terms of adjusting to the time difference.

BBE is back.  He is shattered and went to bed early.  His first question to me was "Where is my Misfit?"   Well, dear reader, I broke it!  Oops!  The large framed print I collected 2 Saturdays ago was accidently knocked over and the glass broke.  I took it back to the Framing Cottage last Saturday.  BBE was mystified looking for it around the house and wondering where it could be! Oh dear...
Tigi Cat is pretty underwhelmed that BBE is home.  She seems happy as long as someone is feeding her :-)
BBE wasn't hungry tonight, too tired, and I've booked a restaurant for tomorrow night, so I'd best get cooking and freezing a few things! I need a good nights sleep myself first though.
It's good to have him home x

BBE is back tomorrow!  I am tracking his flights on Flight Aware, an App on my phone.  I am really looking forward to seeing him, of course! I have over-shopped in an attempt to have some of his favourite things available to eat over the weekend, he probably won't even be hungry after his long journey!  and I'd quite like to go out on Saturday night!  You can tell I'm excited by the number of exclamation marks I've used in this post!

I can't get warm tonight.  I feel sorry for BBE coming back to this weather and work on Monday.  I know that's mad; I shouldn't really be feeling sorry for him, after all he has just had 2 weeks away in the sun, whilst I have been in work and the cold! I think the contrast just makes it worse for him.  If it continues to be this cold I'll light the coal fire in the lounge over the weekend.  That's one of the good things about the cold, lighting the fire and making it nice and cosy!  Also enjoying some hearty food, casseroles, curry, chilli, PIE!  Maybe even a proper pudding with custard!  
Just heard that Nelson Mandela has died, he was 95.  R.I.P

Met a friend after work for a long overdue catch up.  It was so good to see her and her bump! We talked about a range of subjects that one or both of us is passionate about including work, family, health, travel and holidays (past and forthcoming), Yoga, food choices, diet and nutrition, cats, HS2, and all the problems in the world! It was great!
Talking of HS2.  I am against.  I have yet to be convinced that it is a worthwhile investment.  The journey time saved is small from London to Manchester or Leeds and not worth the disruption or the astronomical cost for the time saving achieved if it does ever get approval beyond Manchester and Leeds.
This article is a good starting point to read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16467903

Another busy day at the office.  I went to my Slimming World meeting straight from work.  I've put on a pound *sad face*.  No great surprise.  My eating has been somewhat haphazard this past week!  I will stick to it for the next few days, well at least til BBE is home.  Not long now!
I've made some leek and potato soup, I had it when I got in from work. I'm going to try and keep a pot of soup on the go.  I used to always make soup.  I have fallen out of the habit. I used to make a lovely homemade chicken soup with a nice kick of chilli and plenty of garlic.  Mmmm, I must make that again.  Other soups I used to make include Butternut squash and sweetcorn, and broccoli with stilton; well with any leftover strong cheese I had in the fridge really.  There is a soup that I ate in Oslo earlier this year and would like to make one day, This recipe from Nordic Nibbler looks like a good Fiskesuppe to try.
I wonder what BBE will want to eat when he gets home?  Soup?! Steak and chips maybe?

I forgot to tell you about my night out in Manchester!  It served as a reminder to me of why I don't go out in Manchester!  That's not as bad as it sounds.  I'd love to go out in Manchester more, but public transport from where I live into Manchester is difficult, mostly time consuming!  So I either stay in Manchester or drive.  I don't usually mind driving, but on this occasion I got stuck on the M602 for 40 minutes as it was closed whilst an accident was recovered!  This does seem to happen often.  Then I went round in circles looking for a parking space.  Finally parked in a dodgy looking underground car park, which turned out to be fine and really convenient!  Not free like on street parking is after 8pm though.  C'est la vie!
So, walked in 40 minutes late, there were 5 people already there.  3 guys on one side of the table and 2 girls on the other.  I took my seat opposite a guy I'd never seen before, and was chatting away to everyone,   when I was tapped on the shoulder by BBE's brother!  He was there with his wife and the little flowers (their 2 daughters).  Serendipity!  We had an impromptu and all too brief catch up.  Lovely.

I'd only made the effort to go out because people from work were going to a restaurant serving East Asian cuisine which I love! Tampopo.  So not such a coincidence as we all love South East Asian Cuisine!

3 out of the six people were driving and no one stayed out very late.  I gave one of the girls a lift home as it wasn't much out of my way, and more to the point I liked the company getting out of Manchester and knew where I was going once I'd dropped her off!  I really would so much prefer to travel by public transport for a night out in Manchester.

I was shattered when I got in and went straight to bed.  Sunday was a quiet day.  I had a long lie in, made brunch.  Went to Mum and Dad's.  Got some groceries.

Busy day in work today.  A new guy started.  He sits opposite me, but I was hardly at my desk today.  I first met him over 15 years ago!  Time flies.  We know a lot of people in common, but they are all people I haven't seen for years.

Went to Ikea on my way home tonight and had their meatballs and chips!  Not part of my diet plan, I was hungry though!  I walked round for nearly 2 hours after that.  I bought some battery operated Christmas lights, I'm excited to light them up!

When is something that makes you cry a good thing? When it's this heart warming and poignant 48 minute long film.  Put some time aside to watch it.  I started crying at 4 minutes in and was sobbing at 6.  The saga of the geese, oh no!  The man at 28.54 "if it doesn't come together at 1 o'clock it will be a total disaster".  BBE takes getting the dinner on the table for 1 o'clock very seriously too!  

Christmas in a day

Started off well this morning, went to the gym first thing, came back and had scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast.  Went to Ormskirk on an errand, paid the paper bill, posted some cards, dropped in on mum and dad for a coffee.  Came home tidied up.  Had a tossed salad with ham.  Did some laundry.  Quite a productive day.  Going out tonight so starting to get ready now! x

Tigi Cat is sad this evening.  She has been restless and demanding, pacing and jumping, questioning me with her meows.  It reminded me of this: MY SAD CAT
I was also reminded this week that life is precious.  I couldn't say it better than this from thepoetrypad.com

Life is so precious
And each day a gift
So enjoy every minute
As if it were your last to live

Cherish your loved ones
Hug them tight
Share with them your heart
And your time

Nothing is forever
And life goes so fast
Each minute that passes
Is one you can’t get back

When troubles arrive
And knock you off your feet
Stand up and smile
And remember life is too sweet

Every morning when you wake,
Decide right from the start,
That “Today will be a good day”
And let it all in with an open heart

Halfway through BBE's holiday.  I'll have to blitz the house this weekend as it doesn't happen during the week!  I haven't got much to say tonight, so here's a picture of a squirrel.  I stitched it myself. x

Tired.  Didn't get in from work til nearly 8. I left work late and then got stuck on the M6.  Used to this now. Crawl along for a bit, stop whilst obstruction is cleared/recovered.  Go! I got in before 8.  Not hungry, too tired to cook.  Should have gone to the gym, should have gone to bed.  Ate the remains of a packet of cheddars and the last of a tube of Pringles. To be fair, neither were very full and tomorrow is another day. x

Tigi Cat is much better now.  Yowling at me this evening because I wouldn't let her out.  I ran in, fed her, put the heating on, and ran out again.  I went to the pictures.  Is it very old fashioned to say 'the pictures?' The Cinema, for anyone who doesn't know what I am on about.  I really wanted to see 'Philomena' and I didn't mind going by myself.  Inevitably there were tears, maybe it was just as well I wasn't with anyone; although at one point I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. There were only about a dozen people, ok, all women, and there was sniffing and tissues being pulled out of handbags all around me.  I'd describe it as a tragic comedy.  It stars Judi Dench and Steve Coogan and tells the story of a woman looking for her son.  It's a sad tale, based on a true story, told with a touch of humour.
I went to my slimming class straight from work, I've lost 9lb in 5 weeks!  I've been to Center Parcs with my family in that time! I am very pleased with that progress! x

Leaving work tonight I heard some owl type noises and thought it was somebody larking about, until two owls swooped over my head.  One landed in a nearby tree where it stayed until I drove off.  Wow!  My first owl encounter. I like owls. I have a print of an owl hanging in my bedroom, it's been demoted from the lounge as BBE isn't fond of it, but I love it! It's by Raela K a Liverpool Artist, you can see her website  HERE











In Myanmar two owls are considered lucky, and you see them everywhere you go, like these photographed by the guys at Our 7 Worlds


Super Noodles!  BBE would be horrified.  I didn't even take my coat off before scoffing a couple of slices of homemade turkey and bacon meatloaf from the fridge, followed by 5 crackers with cheese. With my coat still on I put the noodles on and added some chopped veggies, soy sauce and extra chilli flakes.  I did take my coat off before I ate it!
My plan to go to the cinema was foiled when I came home to a poorly Tigi Cat.  She was lethargic and wouldn't even pick at her food.  She has perked up now and is on my knee purring after eating a bit of meatloaf.

Ta Da!  In an effort to maintain standards whilst BBE is away I bought the most enormous rump steak and cooked it sous vide, cool box style!  It was already vacuum packed, I left it in the original packaging and referred to this article which I love because of all the facts and figures and pictures which make it very clear.  I was aiming for 130 degrees F, to give a medium rare steak, turns out my cool box isn't very good at maintaining the temperature of the water.  I started off with one kettle of cold water, plus two kettles of boiling water.  I topped it up with boiling water about every 20 minutes, checking the temperature carefully each time.  I think next time, given the loss of heat I get with my cool box I will aim for 140 degrees F.  I left it for two hours, This allowed the fat to render and the connective tissues to start to break down.  The steak was patted dry and then seared in a smoking hot pan.  The chips are made from parsnips and baked in the oven with Fry Light. The vegetables were steamed. I was quite pleased with the result.  x

I'm done in tonight.  It's been a busy day.  I had a text message from the lovely Wendy at The Framing Cottage last night saying that Misfit II was ready to be picked up.  I left the house at half ten this morning and didn't get back until half six.
It only took about an hour round trip to pick up the new picture, it's massive by the way!  The rest of the day was spent in and about my mum and dad's.  It was the Merseyside derby today, as I am known to have no interest in football I was the first to volunteer for childminding.  The child in question was my delightful almost three year old niece.  She was no trouble at all.  Together with my mum we went to M&S for a few bits.  Picked some lovely stuff up, but oh my, with 4 weeks to go til Christmas it was already super busy! I will try to venture out to the shops at weekends, only in the morning times until well in to the new year.
The on-line shopping that we collected today was super easy.  I hope to do that again with mum.  It will be much easier to do the ordering bit next time I'm sure.
The derby result was ultimately a 3-3 draw, fair enough from the reports I've heard.

Early start for me today.  It was a beautiful autumn day, clumps of golden leaves were still clinging to the trees, the sky was a cloudless expanse of blue, traffic was light and I was in work before 8.15, well I felt I had to be really.  I was leaving early to take my dad for a hospital appointment.  He's ok, in case you were wondering.  
I felt a tiny wave of sadness when I turned into my road and BBE's car wasn't outside my house.  I put the dishes away that I'd left to dry on the drainer, including BBE's espresso cup it never goes away as he uses it everyday and it gets put back by the Presso machine.  The Presso machine is an elegant little device that allows you to make a fresh espresso coffee with very little fuss or mess.  It's now sold as ROK, it is easily the best, or at least the most used present that I have ever bought for BBE.  I put the heating on for Tigi cat before going back to Mum and Dad's.  We had a chippy tea, I left most of the batter and didn't eat many chips, honest!
Mum is highly sceptical of on-line grocery shopping preferring to go out and select her own produce two to three times a week, and why not!  It's good to be out and active, and it's sociable too as Mum often goes out with her sister, but it can be difficult to carry lots of heavy shopping home on the bus...  I spent a good two hours doing an internet shop for us to collect from the store tomorrow.  This is somewhat of a compromise in that we can still go out to pick it up in store, and hand pick a few bits whilst we are there.  If it's a success it won't take as long next time! 
So although I didn't get to the gym tonight and my diet was sent slightly off kilter, it was a cosy night in with the folks and time well spent. x

I woke up before the alarm this morning and tried to get back to sleep. I was mostly just lying there and not sleeping, but it was quite nice. I'm not a starfish kind of sleeper, I like to wrap the duvet around me.  Tigi cat purred extremely loudly. 
Normal day at work. BBE rang when I was driving back from a meeting, my Bluetooth in the car is playing up so I missed it!  *sad face*
When I was driving home later the traffic slowed up, to a stop. I often ring BBE at such times, so I missed him and it really did feel strange coming home to an empty house tonight. I fed Tigi cat, put the heating on and went to the gym.  I really felt my gym session.  I don't go regularly!  Went to Mum and Dad's for an hour to catch up before going home to make my dinner.  Dinner was a chicken leg and cherry tomatoes left over from last night plus some freshly steamed green veg. Tasty!
Washed my hair and watched Masterchef.  Not a bad night.  I'm going to have to squeeze more into my evenings if I hope to make some changes before BBE comes home.
Nearly the weekend!  x

So....I said Bon Voyage to my boyfriend this morning and left for work.  Let's just call him BBE from here on in.  I was a little reluctant to leave the house but fortunately my journey this morning was quite swift.  Only 50 minutes or so.  Whilst fully concentrating on my driving a few more ideas of Things To Do over the next two weeks came to me.  

• Take a Dance Class
• Go to the Cinema
• See Friends
• Go to the Christmas Markets

I wouldn't say that I am happy about BBE leaving me alone but I am excited that I might get round to some of the things that I always mean to do! 
Tigi cat may find it odd that BBE is missing, he is very good at giving her the love and attention she demands, whilst I perform the more mundane tasks of feeding, grooming, cleaning out the litter tray and taking her to the vets as required.
I expected to come back to a cold dark house but BBE had thoughtfully left the heating on and a bottle of red wine open to breathe for when I got in.   "When I got in" turned out to be quarter past eight, I stayed in work a bit later than I have recently, stopped at Asda for Cat Litter and ended up with a small trolley full of groceries.  Popped in to see my mum and dad before finally arriving home.  I set Masterchef to record and set about making something to eat for myself.

I have to admit that BBE does most of the cooking, it's not that I can't, he's just in earlier.  You get out of practice though, and lose a bit of confidence when you don't cook often.  Thus my first challenge was keeping up the standard of evening meal I had become accustomed too.  I think I did a pretty good job of chicken leg with chilli and garlic, roast cherry tomatoes, steamed green beans and low fat oven cooked chips. (also known as Slimming World chips!)  I've finally purchased a Chip and Dice from Lakeland and some Fry Light and I am making chips as often as I am allowed...which may be a bit more over the next two weeks.

Hopefully future evenings will be more productive than this first one!  x

You may have read Here that my boyfriend is going on holiday for two weeks, or so, without me :-(
I've started my blog to mark this.  It's not a relationship problem or some kind of cry for more space, it's a logistical one, where every so often he has more holidays than me and a couple of weeks away somewhere he loves to be is the answer.  I am going to make the most of this time.  Ideas so far include revamping a room, going to the gym to help my weight loss plan and seeing more of my friends.  Not extravagant plans, I'm hoping for a quiet time and to feel just as refreshed as if I have been on holiday!