A bit of my day

Like this but two of 'em

I'm sure he's a lovely man

Me in my 'Alex' same sun, same shades, different day!

As a food fanatic I love it when, on a hot afternoon in September, I find a recipe gem.
This new recipe, which has me cavorting around the drawing room is called Basque Chicken Pie and it's in one of my latest cookery books, Hamlyn's Best of Baking....
Anyway readers, if the colourful pic is anything to go by we're in for a treat. Unlike 'ordinary' pies, which have 'ordinary' pastry shells, this beauty is made using bread dough so the excitement mounts...
Its filling is rich with cooked sliced chicken, chunks of ham, red and green peppers, fresh tomatoes and garlic. Not sure what I'll serve it with, some kind of green vegetable probably, but not sprouts.
I have a feeling in my bones that this exotic sounding pie will taste luscious served cold with warm garlic bread and greenish salad. I can't wait to get on it.


What else...Oh yes... Mr Miliband stating in his conference speech (which tv viewers had the misfortune to miss part of due to something going down or something) but radio listeners got it all, copping the full whack, anyway what I saw and heard was so familiar..."I'm not Tony Blair, I'm not Gordon Brown, I'm my own man" warbled the Wallace lookeylikey.
Well take me out and thrash me with a red flag if I haven't heard this kind of clap trap before. Admittedly Mr Miliband is newish to the game, but compared to Tone his style was colourless and lacked fizz..and compared to Kinnock's oratory skills, Miliband was a non-starter. Sorry Ed.
An after thought.....I'm being cruel and that's not me, his speech was good, possibly his best. That's enough kindness.

By the way Lisa, came today to do my hair, you remember Lisa she's overly tanned and doesn't charge much (pensioner specials?) She came and before I could say short back and sides she'd Pixiefied me. I adore the way she transforms me. But while she was shaving my neck she confided in me about her latest lodger...apparently he's brought a fish tank with him.

Other news...Went back today for part two of my job interview, and as usual I took a wrong turning, not much of a wrong turning but wiggly enough to demand information from a couple of workman..."I'm looking for the **** joint, I fear I've missed my turning" I said, pulling my sunglasses down. "Oh yes it's the next turning" said the old bloke laughing his overalls off, the younger one, the grungier one, just looked scared.
And so with a wave of my hand and a "Tallyho" I sped off.
It went well did the interview, so now I wait... again...

I'm in a flap over many things, jobs, boys, mothers and my knees but all in all my feathers are looking gooood and I'm certain things can only get better....

J.C for P.M ? O.K with G.H

David Miliband
James Purnell
Andy Burnham
Jack Straw
Harriet Harman
Alan Johnson

All the above are being mentioned in the yet-to-come-leadership election. But one name which isn't being bandied about much is that of lefty M.P. Jon Cruddas (see pic above) Currently polishing the back benches he's still blowing on his burnt fingers after losing out to Harriet Harman in the deputy leaders contest.
He came from nowhereville to claim third place, beating three cabinet ministers and winning the most 'first choice' votes.
So Jon is very well thought of obviously. Especially by the unions and me.

Anyway that's enough fantasizing.
Back to the real stuff, I can see 'Granita like' pacts taking place over the next couple of months, will James Purnell and Andy Burnham behave themselves and in so doing clear the way for a challenge to Gordo from Mr Miliband.
Or could Jack Straw be shoved temporarily into Downing Street to give the aforementioned young lads plenty of time to rise to the challenge of being a future Labour Prime Minster? And to shape up for major battles with Mr Cameron.

Hold on there's more.....

And best of all will there be a kamikaze candidate, a brave but foolhardy sort who is prepared to throw not only his titfer into the ring but his honour as well, just to force a contest. I can't think of anyone who'd be daft enough to do it, but the glorious House of Commons is stuffed to the gods with comedians, so someone might do it.
Hope so.
I need a good laugh.

So while Gordon basks on his Suffolk settee (might rain) he'll be reading the newspapers and blogs like mine with a sad and heavy heart, wondering what September and October 2008 have in store...
Probably removal vans.