Tuesday 30 November 2010

Sunny St Lucia


Did you miss me? I've been away to the warmer climes of sunny St Lucia and couldn't believe the temperature when I stepped off the plane yesterday morning. People coming into Gatwick were dressed in thick winter coats and hats and all I was wearing was a thin t shirt and cardigan! We then had to wait nearly half an hour for our car to be brought to us and I vowed I would never ever complain of being too hot ever again!

Because of hurricane Tomas our hotel had been closed and only re-opened the day we arrived. Our transfer from the airport was by boat because of damage to the roads but this was brilliant as we got to see all the coastline from the south to north of the island.
The hotel is used a lot by honeymooners and is advertised as being the perfect romantic holiday destination. Champagne awaited our arrival and after a very long day's travelling (8 hour flight) sitting by the pool drinking it was bliss!

This entrance to the pool was feet away from our room. One day we all sat round the bar area in the pool under the verandah in a cocktail competition. We had to concoct our own cocktail, taste each one and score them. All 21 of them! I came 3rd with my 'Cranberry Kiss' of Cointreau, Southern Comfort, Orange juice, Cranberry juice, Champagne and crushed ice. As you can imagine most of the cocktails had rum and coconut cream liquer as part of the ingredients and I tried to work my way through the whole list!

The food was wonderful and I have just got on the scales this morning to face the damage! One evening there was a beach barbecue and entertainment.

They say there is nothing more boring than hearing about other people's children, holidays and diets so I won't bore you any longer .... now where did I put my Slimming World book?!

Friday 19 November 2010

Winter Warming Soup

I made this Broccoli & Stilton soup last evening and it was delicious (I had lots of compliments). It is taken from the National Trust's 'Soup Bible'. Here is the recipe if you are interested as it is very easy.

350 g/ 12 oz broccoli
2 tblsp butter
1 large leek, white part only chopped
1 small potato, cut into chunks
1 pt hot chicken stock
1/2 pt milk
3 tblsps cream (I used single)
115g / 4 oz Stilton, crumbled
Salt & freshly ground pepper

Break the broccoli into florets and discard tough stems. Melt butter in a large saucepan. Cook leek until softened but not brown. Add broccoli and potato, pour in stock. Cover and simmer for 15 mins until vegetables are cooked.

Cool slightly then liquidise. Add milk and cream. Season. Reheat then add the Stilton and serve when it is melted.

YUM YUM!

Monday 15 November 2010

Birthday (part 2)

The part 2 was going to be photos of prezzies but I have left it so long that now most of them are eaten, used etc. However, here are some vintage themed ones I can show...

This is an amethyst muff chain which I shall wear as a necklace (a muff was a cylindrical piece of fabric, usually fur, which was open at both ends to warm the hands and hung around the neck).

This dairymaid's yoke looks good in the kitchen and is certainly a talking point along with the double oxen yoke I also have.

I love this large old earthenware French bowl.