Snowdrops

We had a little bit of sun in the garden which made the snowdrops look even prettier. We have 2 tubs of them and then a few clusters around the garden. There are a few crocuses and a few forsythia flowers out but apart from that the garden looks a bit bare right now.

I made prune and apple cake for pudding last night...couldn't locate my recipe for it but I remembered I'd put it on here when I last made it about 2 years ago which was handy so I was able to go ahead and bake. Mike really likes it so it hasn't lasted long!

Spaghetti Pie

I tried this recipe yesterday which I got from Ruth Ann's blog "Warm Pie, Happy Home"...just adapted slightly to suit what I had and also because I had to remember the ingredients when I went shopping and that doesn't always work out!
It was really easy to make and Mike loved it. Think I will try it when his parents come to stay in March.

Couple of spring onions
Olive oil
1/2lb mince (I used a little less than this amount)
3/4 chipolata sausages (the original recipe used sausage meat but I had these links in the freezer and it worked fine)
2 garlic cloves minced - optional -I didn't have any in
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 tblsp tomato puree
salt & pepper to taste
a big sprinkle of celery salt
3 cups of water (I needed more than the original recipe suggested)
8oz spaghetti
1/4 cup of whipping cream
4 tblsp chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup parmesan - fresh & grated
1 cup mozzarella (again, I used less than this)

I used a wok to cook this.
Saute the spring onions in olive oil then add mince & sausages to brown ~ add in garlic if using ~ add can of tomatoes and add seasoning to suit.
Add the water and then break the spaghetti into thirds and push into the liquid ~ cover and cook for 8 minutes. Stir and simmer for another 6 minutes (I had to splash a little more water in at this point too)
Then stir in the cream, chopped basil and parmesan. It does look lovely at this point.
Then I transferred to a casserole dish although Ruth Ann suggests serving in the skillet (pan) but I do love to use my Portmeirion if I can.
Once in the casserole dish I sprinkled the mozzarella and grilled for 2/3 minutes.
Served with caesar salad.....very, very yummy!
It was so good I would love to have it again this evening, but I'll try to resist.

Valentine's Day

I was determined that Mike and I would celebrate Valentine's Day despite the sadness that was going on. It should be our last as a couple, before the baby is here so that was a good reason and I was also travelling to Scotland the next day and we would be apart for a week, plus I really love Valentine's Day!
We had a quiet day at home as Mike was still really tired after the flu. We did a little housey stuff, our plans for a walk didn't materialise so I did some scrapbooking and then we had dinner.
It was my year to cook, we take it in turns, so we had steak finished with brandy & cream, a whole load of veggies and baked potatoes followed by a chocolate fondue.
I gave Mike a Bond DVD and some kissing ladybirds...they move together on a wire and make kissing noises which really amused me although he didn't seem quite so keen on them!
Afterwards we watched the Bond movie...although I didn't last the course and went to bed early!

She is Gone

She is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone

Or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her

Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember her and only that she is gone

Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

written 1981

David Harkins 1959 -

Silloth, Cumbria, UK

A sad time...

We were shocked and very sad when our friend Anne died suddenly aged 46. She went to bed with a headache and died as a result of an aneurysm. Her adored and adoring husband and 2 sons aged 17 and 21 have been incredibly brave.
Anne was a head teacher and so the story was all over the papers in Glasgow, particularly because she donated her organs.
The church in Glasgow and wider Scotland will miss her terribly for her hard work, commitment and good sense.
I went to Glasgow for the funeral which was a great tribute to her but was a very sad occasion. As the coffin was taken out after the service Kathy, the organist, played Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata which was Anne's favourite piece of music. I don't know if I will ever be able to listen to it again without sobbing.

Anne was special and we will miss her lots.

"Now if we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him."
Romans 6v8

Jigsaw & Games Night

We had a cosy night at church for our Jigsaw & Games night. As usual I was doing a soup and bread supper followed by puddings/cakes. It wasn't until the day before that I learned both cookers were not working so we took our camping stove and made do with that! Also we had no heating when we first got there (fixed later) so we all huddled in the back room to keep warm. It was a good night in the end with lots of arguing over Scrabble words and other games.

The arrival of The Shed

A very exciting day for boys!

Our house is not yet habitable...no walls...no loft extension...no kitchen or bathroom but hey we have a shed - cause for celebration!

Snow (British-style)

At last a little decent snow has arrived to play in. It's been light all week and then overnight around 3 inches fell here. Apparently we have the least snow in the Midlands. I was amazed this morning how many people were off work...it seemed the whole of the town were sledging in Abbey Fields. The roads were ok too so I don't understand it, even the schools are cancelled.
I went to meet my friend for coffee and the deli wasn't serving - short staffed - unbelievable especially as they were missing out on so much passing trade - everyone walking past the door after sledging.
Anyway, after I did my shopping (Sainsbury's was blissfully quiet) we had broccoli soup & Pizza Express dough balls for lunch. Mike is off work sick - first days off since 2003 - I've never seen him ill since we were together. Then I ventured outside...along to the end of our street - just a few 100 yards to see the castle and then got busy in the back garden before coming in to warm up by the fire.