Cheating

Last night, after it was  recommended to me (during our 'How to make Meat and Potato pie' chat) by my dear Aunt Mimi, I ordered this. I know that I should be ashamed and I shall have to hide the book from Poselq who is an accomplished cook  who does everything 'properly' - but I figure that coming to cooking so late in life I need all the help I can get:)

Secrets

I have a secret. It's a secret recipe actually. Goodness me - what's happening that I would get excited over a recipe? I need more gin. Anyway the 'secret' recipe has come direct from the horses mouth - well the 'aunty's mouth' actually as my beloved Aunty Mimi called me tonight to give me her special secret recipe for Meat and Potato pie. I told my Mum that I was making the pie and she called Mimi, who then called me to impart her years of cooking experience. There is a special secret ingredient - and obviously I can't tell you what it is - or it wouldn't be a secret...would it? Anyway - tomorrow is Meat and Potato Pie day - and I shall have to start cooking it quite early - not because it takes a long time - but because I am a tit and am bound to make some horrific mistake - and will therefore need bags of time to remedy the situation.

Full update on 'Cooking fun' tomorrow - no doubt at all :)

Geneva

I've just realised that I haven't written anything about our weekend away in Geneva. Well, we had a lovely time! We left here on Thursday tea-time - I was designated driver of fast racey BMW - because 'im indoors had some phone calls to make. I didn't drive fast racey BMW in a fast racey way though - because I am calm and sensible (not like when I was in my twenties and anything under 90mph was walking speed). When we got to Weybridge we went for a lovely Curry before a sleepover at the Big House (flying from Gatwick mid morning Friday necessitated waking up in Surrey - not Oxfordshire) Luckily I am still welcome at the Big House and nobody had moved into my old bedroom in the last two weeks!!!

We flew - we landed - we got cab - we arrived at the Hotel. 

On Friday night we went out for dinner here. The Steak and frites were very good - I would recommend it!

On Saturday night we had fondue at a cosy little restaurant (cannot remember its name!) and then on Sunday morning we went for a wander and found the History of Science Museum.

We flew home again on Sunday afternoon. On the way back to Banbury I was no longer designated driver. He drove. That means travelling at warp speed. He likes to drive fast - which is a good thing as it means you get there quicker - however (you knew that was coming didn't you?) He's a very safe experienced driver - after all he drives about 600 miles each week. I, on the other hand, am not a good passenger. Just like my Mother (I am turning into her!) I get very nervous when not in control of the vehicle - and sweat and panic when the driver does things like fiddling with the radio at ninety miles per hour. Cue wimpering and the involuntary making of strange noises from some place near the back of my throat. I can't help it - I know how annoying it is (I have nearly de-camped my mother from my car before for committing the very same crime) but still do it none the less. 

The Poselq put up with this until we were nearly home - then I made one wimper too many and that resulted in a bit of a barking at. To be honest I deserved it!!! That meant to the rest of the journey was carried out in frosty silence. 

Once we got home I apologised, he apologised and then we had supper. All in all we had a lovely time :) Perhaps I need hypnotherapy?

Phoebe's first day out

Today Phoebe's two week quarantine period came to an end (no strange diseases in my horse!!) and she went out in the field for the first time in over 15 days. I have to report that she went to the field in a calm and orderly manner - with no rearing, no pulling, no shenanigans of any type whatsoever! Unbelievable really - all things considered. She was wearing her new green check turn out rug - and she looked lovely.

Her stable is all clean and fresh for when she comes in again at tea time - but I have a feeling that she will be clarted in sticky mud seeing as it has rained all day today here in Banbury.

On the domestic goddess front - I have just returned from a trip to Tesco to purchase all the ingredients needed to make tomorrow's meat and potato pie - and we're having apple and blackberry pie for dessert (with custard - yum yum). I have to confess to having purchased ready made pastry - one step at a time!!!!

Ratings on the dinner will be published tomorrow night:)

The scores on the doors........

I got an eight out of ten for the liver and onions. It had nothing to do with the fact that I drank a quarter bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin whilst cooking the veg!!! I live to fight another day - on Wednesday I have to make a meat and potato pie ...wish me luck!!!

Cooking - again?

Today I am making Liver and Onions. It has been requested!! We shall have it with Mashed potato, carrots, spinach, and onion Gravy. It's in the slow-cooker as I type this. God, I hope it's edible!!!

RIP Michael

More sad news. The lovely Michael - a smashing friend and a true gent if ever there was one - has sadly lost his brave fight against cancer and passed away over the weekend. He will be sadly missed.  "Yo MacTaplin".