Weekly Update!

Domestic Goddessing, Spa Days & Nights In!

This week has been quite fun, as I had stuff to do on a couple of the nights for a change. Monday and Tuesday were quiet, except the usual meal at Hale Country Club on Tuesday, where I had mackerel, orange and chilli nigiri sushi, accompanied by baked cod in miso-yuzu with sautéed shiitake mushrooms and spring onion. I am not usually a fan of mixing sweet and savoury things, but the orange added a really nice flavour to the mackerel sushi, and the miso-yuzu sauce on the cod was incredible, it gave a new twist to the normally common and plain tasting fish.

On Wednesday I fancied playing domestic goddess after work, so made a Greek lamb pie with Greek salad followed by crème brulee, for Mum, Mo and I. The pie was basically lamb mince, ratatouille (home-made of course!) and a few other vegetables that were lying around all chucked together in a pie to fry off, and then put in a dish and topped with puff pastry. It was quick and simple to make, yet felt like I had made an effort, and got good feedback from the taste testers! Unfortunately the brulees didn't go quite as well, as I failed to make them in advance as planned, so had to put them in at the same time as the pie, and the oven was too hot for them, resulting in a slightly scrambled consistency. Luckily they still tasted fine, and the top was perfectly crackable with blow-torched sugar, which is my favourite part!

On Thursday evening after work Emily, Ellie and Jason came round to mine for some predrinks and then we went out to Factory in Manchester. It was Emily's and Jason's day off, and Ellie had handed her dissertation in that day, so everyone was pretty drunk, I felt like the sensible one for a change! I had tea and crumpets before bed when I got in, so felt positively peachy the following morning, even if I did struggle to stay awake in my (really dull and totally unenergetic)Pilates class. 

After my class I went to look around the flat I've been coveting since I saw it last week, and signed the contract to reserve it, so I am now an official homeowner, very exciting! That evening Mo and I stayed in and had a little feast including cheesy nachos, Krispy Kremes and jelly sweets - I've not had a night with so much bad food in for ages, it was bliss!

On Saturday I paid to take Mo as a guest to the country club - we both did separate workouts, and then met up to do all of the sauna, steamroom, jacuzzi etc which was fun, and a cool different thing to do on a Saturday afternoon. We stayed in again that evening and had a bottle of wine and watched a film, I think because I went out on Thursday I felt like I had an extended weekend, so wasn't too bothered about not going out again.

Today we have been to the point to point horse racing at Tabley House (see previous post) which was been loads of fun; the rest of the gang have just left after an amazing Indian feast courtesy of mum including home-made onion bhajis, poppadoms, and two types of curry. A genuinely really enjoyable weekend!

Days Out...

The Cheshire Hunt Point To Point, Tabley House

Today we've had a really good day out at the races. Although not a 'proper' meet, it was a Point to Point, where amateur riders and those involved in local hunts race over jumps to the finish. It is a little less formal than a traditional race meet (no hats or heels here - wellies and Barbours all the way!) but you still win the same, so it's all good!

We took a little picnic and set up a table with the goodies on. It was pretty chilly, but luckily a kind gentleman strategically parked his Jeep as a windbreak for us. There were six races in total, but it started pouring down before the last one, so we skipped that and went home for a curry.

The first and second races Dad and I split on, choosing Bleu Run and Fineas Finn, neither of whom won, despite the latter being second for the whole course, obviously peaked too early. The third race I went for Our Jim, who was first the whole way and then fell at the last post! The horse that Mo backed, Ganbei, won though, so I'll let mine off. I had a big win on Natural Action in the next race, as it was 14/1 so I came away with £39, giving me a £20 profit on bets, woop!  Finally I chose Joe's A Boy, who was at 6/1, but didn't come anywhere near. Can't complain after my decent win though, everyone else about broke even, though Mo was in the minus. It's always a great day out, loads of fun, and you get to have a few bevvies and some nibbles. Shame about the weather not being that nice!

Candid Article 28

Here is a link to my latest Candid piece, a review of a documentary called 'Planet Ocean':
http://candidonline.com/dvd-review-planet-ocean/

Weekly Update!

A Pub Reunion, Tatton Walk & Flat Viewing!

It was nice to ease back into routine this week with Aum being back at school, certainly gave me more time to myself! Aside from that though, it also meant I could get back into the gym properly, I have just three weeks left now until my triathlon, so training is in full swing. On Monday I did a Body Pump class, and then caught up with a few errands that got neglected last week as I was so busy at work. The following day I did an hour long cycle, though unfortunately the film was Saving Private Ryan, which isn't the most motivational, or easy to just see an hour in the middle of! 

That evening Aum and I ate at Hale Country Club; this week I chose a quinoa, green bean and teriyaki beef salad, with a side of edamame beans in a chilli dressing. The salad was very nicely presented, and had a surprising amount of meat in it, I never know what to expect with the dishes there, as some have been tiny and others too much for me to eat! It also had spring onion, pepper, chilli and lime juice on it so felt quite summery and refreshing. 

As I am there every week, the staff always chat to me and are very friendly, and this week I was brought out a sample of some edamame beans in a new lime, ginger and honey dressing. I actually preferred them to the ones I had ordered, as the sweetness of the honey was counteracted with the zestiness of the lime, and they were much more flavoursome than the chilli version. I suppose it would depend on how subtle you like the dressing to be.

On Wednesday I had a meeting with my building society about obtaining a mortgage, which is all very exciting. Though I can't get the amount I initially wanted, it is enough for a flat (as opposed to my plan of a terraced house) so when I met my parents afterwards for a coffee we had a look at what was available, and I set up a couple of viewings. It will be very strange looking around somewhere as a potential buyer rather than just giving a second opinion on somewhere my parents are thinking of getting. That evening after an amazing chocolate summer berry pavlova made by mum, I did another cycle and reached a personal best which is always an accomplishment, this time the film was Invictus, which was surprisingly gripping for a film on rugby, which I have absolutely no interest in!

Thursday was a lovely day, I went for a relaxing sauna and jacuzzi at the gym in the morning, followed by my first swim in ages, which actually went pretty well. Then I met my friend Kirsty for cake and a catchup (see previous post) and in the evening I had my nails done (as I was having both done I went for a contrast, with pale pink fingers and neon pink toes) and then went to The Little B in Sale to do the pub quiz. As is usually the case we didn't do amazingly, but it's always the taking part that's the fun bit anyway!

On Friday I felt a bit ill so skipped my Body Combat class, which is a shame as it is one of my favourites. I perked up in the afternoon though, and by the evening was ready for a couple of drinks with two of the girls I used to work with at the pub. We went to Hogan's in Hale, which was dead when we arrived at 8pm, but livened up as the night went on, and I bumped into Tasha there which was pretty funny - we shouted at each other and practically the whole place turned to look at us, whoops! I wasn't out too late, and got a lift home from Mo who then stayed at mine.

Yesterday was my favourite day of the week, as not only was the sun shining, but after a good brunch of fried eggs and toast, I went for a lovely walk around Tatton Park with Mo, (stopping for an ice lolly halfway) and then on the way home we called into The Bells Of Peover, a gorgeous pub set next to a church in really beautiful surroundings. I got a glass of wine and we sat on a table in a secluded little bit of grass next to a pagoda and some weeping willows and just soaked up the sun and had a natter. I've got quite a lot done this week, so I felt like I could completely chill out and not have to worry about anything. In the evening after I had driven us home I went to watch a good production of Spring Awakening with Hannah (see previous post) and then we grabbed a quick drink at Hale Bar and Grill before I stayed at Mo's for the night.

Today has been quite a lazy day, I left Mo's just after midday, and came home as I had my first flat viewing. I tried to keep an open mind with it being the first one, but I love it! I've got a few more next week though, so I'll wait until I've got ones to compare it to before making a decision. Afterwards I came home and chilled out, I attempted to write an article on a documentary I had been given to watch, but my internet was playing up and after I had only seen three minutes in an hour, I decided to give it a miss! I'm just about to go round to Mo's to watch Wreck It Ralph, aided with chocolate buttons, good end to a good week!