I started the bank holiday weekend a little early by taking the afternoon off work on Friday. I used the time to cook the ‘no knead bread’ I had started the night before and to go for a photowalk in Top Wood with Dave and the dogs. Gracie was in fine posing form and Maya [...]
On Friday I spent 20 minutes doing the following – · Examining my face up close · Checking my diary for possible medical appointment dates · Making an appointment to go see my dentist · Looking at a world standard times map · Staring into space – deep in thought I’m sure there are better [...]
It’s ffffffffffreezing outside. Not good weather to be walking on icy paths with two dogs who think they are trying out for the sled dog team. So, I have just had a week off work and it has been great. I could do with another month off just to get properly caught up with everything, [...]
I have been craving cake for days – I am female and cake cravings are entirely normal. When I got home from work I decided that I would have to do something about it and recalled a cake that Auntie Ganching had made with chocolate and marmalade – Store Cupboard Chocolate-Orange Cake. The recipe is [...]
Sky Originally uploaded by ZMB. I’m finding it increasingly difficult to wake up in the morning. Especially Mondays. I like to wait until I’m sure that the sun is up, too, and that he’s got his hat on. I made the chocolate whiskey ice cream and it is delicious. Cousin S didn’t want to offend [...]
Last summer, whilst in County Kerry, we ate an extraordinary amount of Murphy’s ice cream and it was delicious. Last week I discovered that they have a blog with lots of recipes! Hooray! D has already requested that I make him Chocolate Whiskey Ice Cream. I think it is marvellous that they share some of [...]
I am typing one-handed as a small dog is lying, softly snoring, on my lap with her head resting on my left wrist. She can quite often be found on my lap when I am at the computer. She is also very fond of lap lying while I am knitting. This week I won the [...]
Chocolate Guinness Cupcake Originally uploaded by ZMB. D had a birthday this week; we went out for dinner at the Blackstone (starters were a bit dodgy, but mains were delish), then home for pudding – Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes. They were every bit as good as the full sized cake but in a handy paper case. [...]
Wild Mushroom Risotto Serves 2 Based on Mushroom Risotto from How to Eat by Nigella Lawson 30g Butter 1 tbsp olive oil 1/2 onion, finely chopped 1/2 jar dried wild mushrooms (about 15-20g), rehydrated in hot water for about 20 mins 180g arborio risotto rice 60ml white wine or marsala (optional) 750ml hot stock, including [...]
Edinburgh is stunning, but not so much if you have been before. The first time is like magic. Last time I was here I followed D in a daze, just absorbing all the new sights. This time I feel like I am getting a better understanding of where places are in relation to each other. [...]
Chillifest Originally uploaded by ZMB. I try to fit in at least one ‘fest’ a year. Last year it was Woolfest – held in Ballymena Livestock Market. This year is was Chillifest. The venue was the marquee at custom house square. The theme was chillies. The soundtrack was cajun. It is part of the 9th [...]
Another batch of chili has been made. This is one of our staples and it is very unusual for us not to have a couple of portions in the freezer. For a few weeks our freezer has been bare! Horror! The recipe is from ‘Two Cooks and a Suitcase’. It really is very tasty and [...]
Titanic Model Deck Originally uploaded by ZMB. The picture above is of a model of SS Titanic that is onboard SS Nomadic. I had meant to write about all the fun things I have been up to and all the delicious food I have cooked and eaten, but now I am having difficulty remembering everything [...]
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cupcake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting Originally uploaded by ZMB. I’ve not got a lot of time to write but have a heap of stuff I want to share. Like buns (Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cupcake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting) and quiche lorraine. Both delicious. Yesterday, Gracie experienced her first big party and she coped very [...]
Last weekend was spent gadding about and walking into things. On Saturday I went to St George’s Market with my mum and sister. Gracie went to Cully and spent the day being chased around Pearlie’s mobile by Bonnie the German Shepherd. On Sunday we climbed Slieve Donard and were rewarded with a bit of a [...]
