Thoughts from the Bungalow

~My new hair cut has put a tingle in my step, so when I went out this afternoon, I almost broke into a little dance:)

~I was sorry to see mini Annie get booted out of the MasterChef kitchen, but was relieved it wasn't Sara or Tom or Tim or indeed any of them! I love them all! Except Jackie who I find to be a whopping pain in the derriere.
Tim is so wonderfully creative that I feel excited when he brings his plate of food to be judged by John and Gregg, and, this week, by Michel Roux.....
He's an absolute one-of-a-kind is Tim, vanilla with seafood? "Whatever you say my madcap American friend."

I especially loved this week's programme which had our contestants cooking inside the oldest University on earth, Oxford, for both students and lecturers and other important type people. Was open mouthed at the sight of the simple yet lavishly decorated dining hall, with its scrubbed wooden tables and sparkling silverware and lamps, I was in heaven just looking at it.
Simply beautiful.

As for my kitchen, it isn't grand or well scrubbed but it is beautiful. And in a mo I'll start making tonight's tea...

Chicken Goulash made with tomatoes, red pepper, onions, paprika and cayenne, and, to keep it kind of authentic...potatoes.... this warm spicy casserole will have quite a lot of yoghurt swirled in at the end and then be served with hot fluffed rice.
For pudding, just a slice of coconut cake and pot of tea.

Eh Up! This morning's hoo hah

As the road narrowed due to 'works' ahead I let in a gigantic all-the-way-from-Yorkshire artic lorry and in thanks the driver stuck his chucky arms out t'winda giving me thumbs up lass....I, of course wishing to be even more hospitable to the Yorkshireman, blew a frilly Southern kiss. He honked:)
Everybody 'appy!

Sainsbury's was chokka. Mostly with older people. And I too am fast approaching being one of THEM...More later...

Stuff bought included bicarbonate of soda, Kale and for a bit of fun... Coca-Cola:( On the way out, by the newspapers, a recipe book for cakes and bakes caught my eye. The price, for a workhouse gal like meself was prohibitive, so for just a few indulgent moments, I flicked the pristine pages and then cried inconsolably as I rode the escalator.

Home to tea and a squabbling House of Commons.

I'll probably make a beef and onion pudding for tonight and have with it steamed kale and mashed spuds. Time to Fess Up...I usually drizzle rivulets of tomato ketchup on puddings.

In my second para I mentioned senior citizens and how I'm evolving into one of THEM...
I approached my white car with trolley. Slowed down, rummaged mumbling for keys. Then realized the car I was attempting to break into wasn't mine:)

My Day In Brief...

London. Damp then warm. Aiding and abetting my sniffles.
Mum's eye. Big cock-up on the appointment front. Blah Blah after three hour wait. Steamed our way to wet bus stop, hungry, tired and livid.
Eating spiritual Tofu in a salty black bean sauce with Jasmine rice was my attempt at achieving inner peace after a dreadful morning. Which, by the way, began at 4:30.

After much uplifting chat (was a struggle) I headed home spreading germs on the tube and later on, the big train.
Head hurting.
Eyes HORRIBLE.

But all will be very well in a very little while because Lisa the hairdresser is heading my way. Texted her whilst dribbling on train.

So really must fly now, have a ham and chip tea to prepare and a cherry nose to dry:)
Then.... a...... knockabout...England take on Ghana ITV1 19:30 hrs.
The RED HIGHLIGHT of my day:)

Phew....!

About today and tomorrow

It's been a queer sort of day today what with one little thing after another, but here I sit undaunted:)
A gingercake was baked, along with half a dozen little apple pies and a medium sized chicken pie.
Home-work was mostly completed but as usual other more thrilling things vied for my attention. The thrills won!

A London trip is planned for tomorrow (Tuesday) and I'm hoping just for two things....One I find the Lovelies in a better state than last time and two, that I'll be back in time to watch England v. Ghana live on ITV1...I won't rattle on about Capello handing the Captain's armband to Barry. BUT hope he knows what he's doing. I think El Manager is playing foul. A little off-side on his brain-side. Hope he doesn't end up scoring an own goal. Here endeth all footie puns.



Now I must blow the whistle>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>:)

Monday Cruelties

Hello :)

The sun has taken a break, much to the utter brokenheartedness of moi.
So it is under grey Stratus that I stagger on doing/attempting/battling...
laundry
pies
inflamed throatals

Will, if time allows, clamber inside the tv box apparatus with, if he's up for it, Denzel W.

:)

(Updates will appear below as and when time and importances allows)

Update....10:42....Will, if brain allows, try to fathom the mind set of El Capello.
My England, if she's not careful, will be in danger of getting her intimate apparel scrunched in so far as the up and down captaincy palaver is concerned. Major news Conference today regarding the aforementioned thing........
Throatal Inhibitors still making it impossible for vocalisation:(
Other medicals...
Penny sized bruise on right side of left patella. Origin unknown.

15:19...
Well the sun came out and no mistake, so off I walked, down my road, along the lane and into the...charity shop.
Where after a soporific browse, I left, holding a tiny cake tin and tiny teddy biscuit cutter total expenditure 20p!
I decided to dawdle back luxuriating myself in mild warmth.
A tortoiseshell cat leapt up and over a small grey wall, it's liquid moves ballerinaesque.
Home to a languid Monty, his only movement being the half-opening of one eye. Nice to see you...
We sat and had tea together.

Wake me up why don't you?

England 2. Daff Munchers 0.

A more snooze inducing match I've yet to hear. So without blistering excitement was the lack lustre game, that I had a lie down with blanket and cat.
But we won so mustn't grumble...

According to commentators a moron in the crowd pointed a laser pen at Jack Wilshere. Surely a criminal act.

Now I must fly, cooking to do don't you know.
Being concocted (love that word) .........................

Salmon, spinach and lemon fishcakes
Vegetable rice
Ice cream and fruit

*I see socialist beasts with faces coverings are threatening my beloved Fortnums....(Bought a box of tea there 25 yonks ago).

Now I really must fly>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

As I write this I'm listening to Radio 5 Live!
And the build up to today's BIG 'derby match'...!
England v. TaffyNoNuts:)

I get so excited by the excitement!

We, that's the English, MUST win, but as usual it all depends on the mind set of Fabio's Boys! Drat! Let's hope Captain John Terry pulls his team in the right direction and smacks the Welsh about a bit.

Ok away from the game, it was mission accomplished this morning as regard Mother's Orders.

Tea Pot? Yes, yellow dinky one. Brand new!
China Cups? Yes, cream with floral fancy.
Ladies Intimate Apparel? No, will need to venture further afield.

As for me? All secondhand.
One gorgeous large Victoriana style knitting bag. Me no knit, but my beauty will make a handsome holdall/handbag:) 75p
To go with it? A perfect floral cosmetic bag, good thick zip, waterproof lining all for 50p.
M.R. James paperback. Lovely. I love shivery spectres. 30p
A small bottle of M&S Rose body lotion. 30p.

Highlight of the morning a woman who I was talking with about her two daft dogs told me I had a 'lovely face'.
She was missing her son she told me.
I wished I'd hugged her.

The biggest highlight so far today:
A cheesy bap watching "Ruddy Hell It's Harry and Paul!".
Love the surgeons...


Footie now...X