What is turmeric

What is turmeric? Turmeric is a common spice, which comes from the turmeric plant. It’s known as curcumin. Usually, people in Asian countries add …

What is turmeric

Monday Coffee

Hi, come on in!  It’s bitterly cold outside and there is hope for more snow.  The slight dusting we received on Sunday reminded me of icing sugar on a cake!  Delicious but doesn’t last long.

Well it has been a fantastically busy weekend for us.  Spring fever came early and the house has been blitzed!  Strangely enough, our neighbours had the same idea and we all ended up at the local dump ridding our homes of excessive rubbish.  New year, fresh starts.  Of course, this means my writing has been on hold and my anxiety levels are rising as time is running out for certain projects to be completed.  Add to that the fact that we have put our house up for sale!  As I said, new year, fresh starts.

How has your weekend been?  Anything interesting happen? Rob at The V-Pub has been on a smoothie cleanse for his new year, but wrote a lovely piece about chicken pot pie.  Not only did it set my mouth watering, I was hungry again (after eating dinner, dessert and snacks! I blame the weather.😊).  I find winter a wonderful time to stock up on food and add on a little weight before the summer fun comes.  Winter clothes are kind and hide the extra layers.  Of course with all the running about I’m doing I will have to keep up my vitamins and exercise.  Aqua-aerobics is the way to go for me.  Do you have a winter regime to keep you going?  

Well the kettle has boiled.  I’ll make the tea and get some biscuits.  Make yourself comfortable and I will be back soon!

Monday Coffee

 It is one of my favourite days of the week and today I really fancy a chat with you.  Shall we get a coffee at our favourite place?  Let’s go.

It has been an awful weekend with sadness overwhelming any happy moments that have occurred.  So many lives lost over the past week, both man made and natural events.  As we order our beverages, let’s take a moment to think of the families left behind.  

Now I don’t want to scream blue murder, nor do I want to cry and beat my chest in anger.  No, instead I want to raise my cup to the brave souls who have held an injured person’s hand this weekend, or stroked the head of a soul leaving this earth, comforting them in their last breath. It doesn’t have to be under the extreme circumstances, life tends to give us ample opportunity to care for others through all walks of life. I want to smile and thank the medical teams who work tirelessly to save the precious lives of our dear ones and miss their own families to make sure ours stay intact.  I’m sure you get the gist of what I’m trying to say.  It’s only in darkness that we see the stars appear, those beckons of light and hope in a world of confusion and fear.

As we sip our coffee, I’d like to know how your weekend panned out.  Did you achieve all you set out to do, or like me, did quite a few things fall off the list?  I would show you my plans for next year and how I have already set up ridiculous goals for myself and the family, hoping we at least touch some of them.  Did you know that this week, I will be one year older?  Not that it makes much difference as I stopped counting a while back.  My children thought they would do me a favour and picked up the habit for me, adding two more years to my age.  Such kind little sprogs!

How goes your NaNoWriMo?  Are you over the halfway mark yet?  My abysmal attempt this year has been hampered by work and a lack of motivation in my story.  The characters flop around helplessly in my head and should be fired! I need a fiery boost to get me to the end, which will be dire if I fail.  The children I have encouraged to take up the task will not be impressed by an adult who says but does not do.  What do you think I should do to kick my story into gear?

Of course, since we are sitting together, we should discuss cakes, even birthday cakes.  It has been mentioned how delicious the triple chocolate cake displayed at the top of this post looks very appealing.  I think this would make the perfect birthday cake, don’t you?  I hope you will join me for a slice as we discuss the future of my book and your projects.  

Mihran is just about to play a new song for us and before he starts, I just want to say thank you for visiting and sharing a cup with me.

Monday Coffee

What happened to summer? As we stand out under the stars the cold wind makes my bones shiver!  I’m glad you’re keeping me company as we wait for our turn on the Ferris wheel.  The fact that our Monday Coffee has moved to a Fun Fair is pretty fantastic since I love fast rides.

Whilst we sip on hot chocolate and watch children run by smelling of candy floss, tell me about your weekend.  What did you get up to? I had a wonderfully relaxing one with our puppy taking prime position in our day.  As much as my son swore to never kiss the dog, I catch him constantly cuddling him and giving him kisses!  The family is rotating and moving forward in a new direction again.  I can feel it and it’s wonderful.  How is your family?

Would you like a hot dog?  They always taste better at the fair.  I suggest you don’t eat it unless your tummy is not prone to up-chuck on the ride!

Earlier today, I started working on The Iron Pendulum again and that is one big roller coaster ride.  I have to keep knuckling down so that I can finish it before the end of this year.

Right, it’s our turn.  Do you have your ticket?  Whoop!  Let’s go!

Happy #Wensfriesday

Now that the days are getting shorter, nights are donning their chilly suits and the autumn term has well and truly begun.  We are back to searching for little pick-me-ups to carry us through the long weeks ahead.  What better way than celebrating #Wensfriesday together?  

For my #Wensfriesday treat today, I’m picking out a savoury snack.  With a cheesy flavour and crispy, crumbly body, it snaps under mouth-watering bites expelling the delicious herbs, salts and peppers trapped within its mix.  

What is my snack of choice?  Can anyone guess?

The Serins Starlight Special Party – recap #BeWoW #SerinsShoutOut

A huge thanks to Serins for running a full week of fun and interaction over various media fronts. It’s been awesome and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it. So, whilst I nibble on my piece of Biltong, here’s a recap of the week from Serins. 😀

Cleansing the Palate

It’s been a while since I’ve had the inspiration to write a post.  My ideas are pretty awful at the moment but seem to be the only thing I’m capable of creating.  So, I share those half baked creations with you, hoping to cleanse my palate and start afresh in a clean mind.  Well, that’s the idea anyway!

There are hundreds of articles on how to get around writer’s block.  Some are very helpful whilst others just seem impossible.  I think, for me personally, a writer has to cleanse their palate, just as we do at a food tasting session.  The idea came to me the other day when I attended a delicious biltong tasting session.  It was well attended, with customers from all walks of life coming together to taste their favourite meaty snack.  We sat there sipping Fanta Grape and Cream Soda and revelled in the huge spread before us.  Heaped trays of biltong in a variety of flavours lay in wait to be tasted.  I spotted a few trays of sliced French loaf lathered in butter/margarine (couldn’t tell!).  The lovely Shaun came through to explain what she wanted us to do and we set to work sampling the various flavours.  The bread was there to cleanse the flavours and suddenly it hit me!  Sometimes the simplest things in life can be the most efficient cleansing agent.  



I watched as the bread disappeared just as fast as the trays of biltong.  Conversation flowed and laughter filled the air as we debated on which flavour should win.  My mind relaxed and slowly unwound in the friendly atmosphere.  To tell you the truth, I had tried to argue my way out of attending this special event because that’s what I do these days – avoid functions and socialising as much as possible.

By the end of the evening we practically rolled ourselves back to the car park, filled with the glorious biltong and drinks we had consumed.  It was a good night.  Once we came home, I pondered over what could be my cleanser – what could I use to get past my writer’s block?

Poetry was my answer.  It’s my bread and butter.  When stories fail to make themselves into a cohesive idea, a stupid poem will fashion itself and the bard in my head will sing it.  I just needed to listen.  So I’m cleansing my palate and this is my first piece of work trailing out after the cleansing.  I know it’s not a strong piece of writing, but hopefully it’s been an enjoyable one and a start to my writing again.

Now, if only I had a way of finding my socialising mojo!  Any ideas would be welcome. 😊

Monday Coffee

Everyone decided to meet up earlier. We also had an ulterior motive…

The young, pretty barista smiled as we entered, hustling and bustling with our bags filled with laptops, balloons and bunting.  The air crackled with excitement as we got to work.  There wasn’t much time and Teagan kept checking the door to see if anyone else was coming.  Her thoughts were busy plotting the next instalment of Chopper and how Victo had added to her delightful story.  Mel and I giggled like two naughty school girls as we helped out and tried to make the sound of the Questing Beast from Arthurian Legend, whilst Trent and Hugh pinned the bunting to the walls.  Ronovan was tall enough to hang the balloons from the ceiling with the help of Lance and Ray was busy hanging streamers to finish the effect whilst sharing the exploits of his weekend.  They each took turns in making up a haiku using the words ‘pop’ and ‘bang’!  I looked over at Chris and burst out laughing – he had created an enormous fruit display with the main focus on bananas!  Gene’O and Diana tried to outdo him with a pile of serviettes folded into the shape of super heroes!

Olga and Natasha walked in carrying a massive three tiered birthday cake.  Each layer had a different flavour so that everyone’s tastes were catered for and pretty little fairies decorated the top tier.  Austin quickly pushed a little table into the centre of the open space close to the counter and the cake found its resting place. 

Everything looked fantastic.  

Teagan squealed in excitement and the lights were dimmed.  The tinkling of the bell above the door announced our special guest.

Mihran began to play the opening notes as   sang

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Everyone joined in as Colleen stepped into the coffee house.  Her face was a picture of surprise and excitement.  Jo came forward to give her a big hug and we all patiently waited our turn to wish her.  It took a while as there were so many friends in the place that had travelled from far and wide to celebrate this special lady’s birthday. We found a seat so that speeches and photos could be heard and taken, bad jokes shared and then, of course, the cutting of the cake.  Everyone wanted to try a slice.

As the last bright colours washed out from the sky and the twinkling sparkles of the first stars appeared, the sound of laughter and music could still be heard emanating from our coffee house.  

It was a good day!

Picture courtesy of londoncoffeenetwork.com

Layered Omelette Wraps Stuffed with Chorizo, Peppers, Feta Cheese and Pea Guacamole

Too good to miss! I had to reblog this yummy recipe from Homemade With Mess and will probably be serving this recipe to my kids soon. If you haven’t seen her blog before, I highly recommend you check it out!

Homemade With Mess

As you will all know, I do love my wraps and am always looking for new and exciting things to stuff them with. I considered whipping up an omelette wrap but spotted a lonely, on the verge of stale wrap on the side that just couldn’t go to waste; so hey presto! The double layered wrap was born! This recipe has to be up there with best; so if, like me you are a wrap and roller then this just has to go on your to-do-list.

Serves 1

• 1 red onion – finely chopped
• 60g chorizo – chopped
• ½ yellow pepper – roughly chopped
• 5 piquant peppers – quartered
• 50g feta cheese
• 2 eggs – beaten with a twist of salt and pepper
• Pea guacamole (see recipe)
• 1 x 12” wrap
• Salad
• Tomato ketchup

Heat a frying pan to a medium to high temperature and fry the chorizo until it has seeped most…

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Happy #Wensfriesday!

The sun is shining, birds are singing and it promises to be a warm, summery day!