Currently........

{Source}

Firstly big thanks to Pinky! for the inspiration for this post! I had no idea what to write about today and saw her "currently" post so figured I would do one of the same - check out her post here

Reading - I've just finished Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen by Jane Hawking. I downloaded it to my Kindle after seeing the wonderful British film The Theory of Everything. Both Felcity and Eddie deserve Oscars for their performances they were great!  I'm now starting on Committed: A Sceptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert, because I loved Eat Pray Love and lets face it I can be a bit of a marriage sceptic. All a bit of a departure from my usual fiction but I'm enjoying them! 

  

Buying - A couple of David Bowie CD's for H - Nothing Has Changed and The Next Day. Also the ingredients for a Lemon poppy seed cake that I have been developing a recipe for.  

Hating - going running in the cold but feeling very proud that I am sticking with it!

Wanting - to be back in the cosy cottage in Norfolk with the roaring fire.... along weekend is never long enough! But very grateful that we have the opportunity to return in the summer!

Hoping - to continue to build on my running and that soon i'll be making 5k runs look like childs play (we can dream can't we)

Listening - BBC Radio Two at my desk at work. And pretty soon i'll be listening to some David Bowie methinks!

Watching - Spiral - a french police drama that I have recently become obsessed with, since I've started on season 5 I think I'm going to have to purchase the previous seasons on box set. Also Wolf Hall mainly because Damien Lewis and Mark Rylance are two of the finest British actors on TV at the moment and also because since I studied Tudor history at school it has been one of my favorite periods to learn more about. 

Devouring - after a weekend off (having a lovely break in Norfolk) I am now back to devouring vegetables and protein with very little carbs or dairy!

Drinking - All so water....so.much.water.

Loving - my Papermate Flair pens and Pentel sign pens - stationary porn and all that! And my new running trainers - thanks H!

Feeling - a little tired, content and better for having eaten better the last couple of days! Cheese is my love but not my friend!

Wishing - for a spiralizer! I feel like I need one in my life *HINT*

Linking up with the lovely Miriam for the "Lets Grow Together" series - Welcome to my blog!

2014..... you've been an "ok" one

Hello 2015.... didn't you just sneak up on us all. Christmas has been wonderful although I am slightly distressed that it is Friday and work begins again on Monday *sigh*. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. We ate a lot, indulged a lot, spent time with friends and family and actually got to relax. It was great.

2014 was a real mix of a year. I moved three times, eventually moving in with H. It's great but sharing your living space with the one you love is not the easiest - I'm a bit too messy and he never puts the lid on the milk. Still........ there's nowhere I'd rather be.

Friends seem to be more settled this year. Many have moved into new houses, moved to new towns, even new countries. They've had babies, announced pregnancies and asked me to be a godmother. There's been a couple of weddings, an engagement or two, a couple of funerals and a divorce. The divorce is a funny one for me as I still think that I'm too young to have friends getting divorced but that is life and sometimes you realise that two people who once loved each other very much, simply don't any more and the kindest thing they can do is call it quits and the kindest thing you can do as a friend is to just be there for both of them. Friendships change and develop or sometimes they have drifted away a bit. Before this would have really upset me but I get older I understand more that everyone has different priorities in life and some friendships last the distance and some don't. That doesn't mean you've fallen out or started hating them it's just that  as life changes and evolves so do your friendships.

We had a few holidays, just in the UK. A couple in Whitstable (of course), Norfolk and Yorkshire. Here's to some abroad in 2015!

My career changed this year and it has pushed me and challenged me in ways I have never experienced but oh how I miss the food industry. However my new role has led to me getting my own food pages in a magazine which is such an amazing experience. I work with some amazing people as well and have made some lovely friends. It's good. Not what I want to do forever but it is fine for now. 

I fell more in love with H this year. Our relationship grows as we are together longer and we are no longer in the first flush of love but I prefer this side more. Yup we may sometimes bicker but we know each other so much better, we understand each other more and know how to make one another laugh. I'm pleased to have him next to me as we go into 2015. I've never loved anyone more. 

We lost H's sister in 2014 which was devastating. Strange phrase that - "we lost her", when you don't loose them, they die, you can't find them again. She was ill for the shortest time, a brain tumour, and It rocked our family's world, shocked us to our core and the loss of a such a vibrant, fun, big hearted woman is something we feel every single day. It's not something I talked about on my blog as grief is a very private thing and it's not really my grief to claim; she leaves behind two sets of parents, never expecting to have to deal with the death of their child, a husband and two beautiful, talented children and three adoring brothers.  What I will say is that it was a privilege to have known her, even for such a short time, I'm glad she approved so vocally of me, I'm glad we had some amazing chats before she left and I mourn the sister I would have gained. 

So 2014 was an "ok" one. Highs and lows, as there will always be in life. I am so lucky ad so blessed and I try to remember this at all times, even when I'm feeling a bit down on life or when I'm a bit tired and fed up. I'm excited for 2015 - I think it's going to be a good one!

Blogtober Day 30: Facts about me

I love rain and thunderstorms and puddles, I like to be cold so living in the UK makes perfect sense for me


I am the worlds silliest and craziest dancer i look really mad but I love it and I love making people laugh when I'm dancing

My siblings are my world and I would honestly do anything for them, I love them so much and our bond is so special 

There is a  19 years and 7 month age gap between me and my love

 I am pretty photogenic but also maybe just a little bit vain

I tell my sister jenni everything even though i probably shouldn't- I've probably put her of men for life 

I still feel like a completely geeky, gawky, clumsy young girl 


I always have tomato ketchup sachets and a tube of english mustard in my handbag 


Recently I became a published food writer which was a dream come true. In the future I would like this to be my full time career 

 I am incredibly loyal and would do anything for my friends and family, even if I haven't spoken to you in ages I would drop anything to help a friend out 

One of my greatest achievements was getting my first and no matter what people say no one can take that away from me 

 Although i have been really hurt I would never change a second of any of the experiences I've had in life- they have made me who I am, be that a good or bad thing 

 I have a few close friends- they know who they are and without them i would be lost 

I love champagne and Prosecco they are my favourite thing ever 

I love cooking, I love going out for meals, I love flavours, I love menus, I love food full stop 

I am incredibly honest and very open about things, I like to think that this is why I'm quite good at giving advice 

I always have my phone on silent even though it drives my friends and H batty 

Sometimes I get so happy and excited about life I really want to walk along the streets dancing and singing 

I talk to myself ALL THE TIME its really embarrassing but Its one of the reasons I'm quirky

When I was younger I used to always look for drama in life, now I actively don't- life's complicated enough!

Blogtober : Day 9 ........ Best and Worst Halloween

This prompt didn't real inspire me and here's why – compared to America,  Halloween is just not a big deal in the UK. It really isn’t. Sure some people dress up and they trick and treat but not everyone does that and it only tends to be the younger kids.

And here’s  a confession – I have never trick or treated. The curse of being a vicars daughter I guess. My parents were very much “Halloween celebrates the devil” blah blah as we grew up which I think is a bit extreme but each to their own. So growing up Halloween was the worst time for me as all my friends would be dressing up, sorting their costumes and I was never allowed to join in.

I digress..... so, the only time I have dressed up was at the pub I worked in a few years ago and they decided to have a Halloween themed night and being the good barmaid I am I dressed up as a zombie pirate and had a wonderfully fun evening!

Did you trick and treat as kids? Is Halloween a big deal where you live?

Linking up with Helene and Taylor for Blogtober!

Blogtober: Day 7...... Io amo l'Italia {Best vacation}

I am lucky to have friends who live in Italy, just outside of Rome, but by the sea. I have stayed with them around 5 times and I am taking H for the first time in May. Every holiday I have there is the best. When you stay with a family abroad I think you get a much more genuine experience and in Italy that experience is amazing; 

long evening meals that go on for hours,

The amazing food and fresh produce,

BBQ's in the vineyard,

making vino with local grapes, 

visiting "a friend of a friends" new pizzeria, 

jamming and singing until the early hours, 

buying fish fresh from the boats.

visiting the beautiful city of Rome where there is something different around every corner 

the open hospitality and love you get from the people who live there

I love Italy and the life I have when I go there, everything tastes better in Italy

Linking up with Helene and Taylor for Blogtober!

Blogtober : Day One..... {if I won the lottery I'd....}

Blogtober - Fab idea! Can't wait to learn more about other bloggers and meet some new bloggers!

So here goes, if I won the lottery I would:

Get married to H and buy a house in Whitstable 

Open my restaurant "Rachael's Kitchen" (in Whitstable) and write food articles as a sideline 

I would always have champagne and prosecco in the fridge 

I would buy a house in Latina, Italy so I could always go over and see my family and friends there 

and I would treat my friends and family to a big party and buy houses in Kent for all of my siblings so that we can always be close by to one another!

What would you do if you won the lottery?!

Linking up with Helene and Taylor for Blogtober!

Lately I've been..... {2}

I know, another post that isn't a recipe - if I actually have a chance to get in the kitchen and cook tonight I will be posting one tomorrow.

Baking: Cinnamon Rolls - I base my recipe on this one here and they are amazing every.single.time

Cooking: Not much as I haven't had time, but I did make this after picking up some yummy sausages from the farm shop the other day. And yes, I know it's not Autumn

Reading: From a book - stupid broken Kindle! Currently reading The Good Father by Noah Hawley and really enjoying it

Exercising by walking to the office, swimming in the Whitstable sea and gardening! (great for bingo wings don't you know)?!

Dreaming of a holiday. Fingers crossed for September

Enjoying Impromptu BBQ's with wonderful friends 

Loving My anniversary present. Amazing. 

Looking forward to Lulus Hen weekend! This weekend will be messy but great!

Drinking LOTS of water... it's so warm in London at the moment

Wearing a nautical blue and white striped dress. I love stripes 

Organising Hen Do's!! And lots of things at work. I'll be pleased when in a few weeks I'll be able to breathe again!

That's all for now folks;  I'll update with some yummy recipes real soon

Knowing Me, Knowing You {Blogmopolitan Quiz}

Oh lovely lovely Erin! Creating another link up for a Friday that's so good I just cant miss out on it..... so here's a first - A two post day - Wow!

I loved the idea of sharing a bit more of me on here with you and as Erin's done the hard work for me I liked the idea even more.... so with no more ado here is my Blogmopoliton Quiz, I cant wait to link up and read everyone's responses! Enjoy

Happy Friday everyone!

Getting Green Fingers {Oh Hey Friday!}

Linking up for the first time with for Oh Hey Friday! I love reading what everyone's into at the moment.... here's mine and this week I've done quite a random one about what I've been loving this week, but I like the idea of choosing a different theme each Friday! Great Idea Karli from September Farm and The Farmer's Wife, can't wait to link up with you all: 

One

Been really into my salads this week - so quick and easy to prepare when I come home from a busy day at work.... My favourite one this week was a mackerel, beetroot, egg and tomato salad with gem lettuce and red onion. I sprinkled a bit of balsamic dressing on it and it tasted great. Salad for the win!

Two

Feeling proud about actually getting my lazy bum in gear and posting two recipes this week. Both interesting healthy meal ideas. Find them here and here - Give them a go!

Three

Loving all the hard work we have put into our garden - it's starting to get to where I want it to be - although i really need to crack on with some weeding this weekend. My tomatoes and chillies are just starting to look like they are ready to sprout and I never thought it would get me so excited!

Four

Talking of gardens my biggest success so far has to be my herbs! I followed a tutorial from the lovely Rachel at Tryingforsighs blog for making a hanging herb garden! Great idea, I love how it looks and no nasty foxes can reach them to eat!

Five

My beloved has his guitar exams this weekend and he is starting his first guitar teaching job soon. I am a guitar widow. But he's so talented so keep your fingers crossed for him!

Enjoy the weekend lovelies

Jumbled thoughts

Source: http://thedailyquotes.com

This little space of mine on the Internet has been a bit neglected methinks......how many times do I seem to have written that?  Life has been a bit manic recently;  job hunting,  moving house, managing to land what I think is my dream job, first crazy busy week at work, getting used to commuting, Grams' 80th birthday celebrations, Dad's birthday, every weekend being filled up weeks in advance, the small snipes with my beau as we struggle to have quality time and miss each other...... the list is exhaustive. "I'm so time poor"  is the phrase most commonly used in my life right now.

 

But through it all, there is this overwhelming sense of peace and of happiness. I am incredibly blessed that after a couple of difficult months where I've found overcoming my situations tough, I have this feeling that everything in my life is as it should be. Of a sort of inner peace.  I think its taken me almost 28 years to get here but then whose counting? I think I've learnt that whilst some things just fall in to place, other things you have to really work at to get it right. Sometimes you have to take risks and it's not easy but when you do get to the other side it's the most rewarding thing. I'm no expert, I'm just over sharing.

 

Its my birthday next Monday and that beloved man of mine is whisking me away this weekend. My birthday treat. My love. He could take me to the grottiest place on earth and I wouldn't care, I'd just be happy to be there with him. I hope he doesn't test me on that theory though. I'd like to be by the sea, I'd prefer that sea to be the sea by Whitstable, Whistable has my heart.  

 

Just a few thoughts. Some recipes soon. I promise

 

 

The Winter Tag

The blogging community is a strange thing, I believe I may have said this before. I still feel I'm circling on the outskirts looking in and still not really connecting even though I'd like too. I think its because I can be flaky with this blog. I pick it up when I have time and neglect it when I don't. Who has time these days. I've made a few friends and my lovely blogger pal Rachel (best name) over at Trying for Sighs has been as lovely as ever and has and nominated me for a little tag. Go check her out; what she does with her outfits amazes me, I wish I could throw an outfit together. I cant.

 

So here goes my take on the Winter Tag. Grab a Cocoa.

 

Winter in Paris - C/O my friend Holly currently enjoying her time there

 

'Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire; it is the time for home' - Edith Sitwell.

The Winter Tag

The rules

Share twelve random facts about yourself

Answer the 12 questions

List 12 bloggers you wish to tag on by letting them know you have nominated them

(I've kind of forgone this part as, like I said I'm still pretty new to this community)!

My 12 Random Facts

1. I have a scar on my knee from when I knelt on garden shears when I was a child. Dumb thing to do.

2. Fleetwood Mac are my favourite ban in the world. Stevie Nicks is my girl crush, Lindsey Buckingham is my crush. Seeing them at the O2 was a highlight of my 2013

3. I talk to myself all the time, especially when I'm food shopping. Its embarrassing but I cant seem to control it.

4. I was single for over a year before I met my love. It was an important time for me to work on myself, work on relationships with my family and family and just take joy in simple things. It made me ready to meet my boyfriend and our relationship is happier and calmer because of it. Being single is fantastic and I wish more girls realised this

5. I am the worlds silliest and craziest dancer. fact. But at least it makes people laugh

6. I would have always said that smoking and drinking alcohol were my vices. But I've given up smoking and I am doing "Dry January" so perhaps they aren't vices at all.... Cheese, Cheese is my vice. What is a life without cheese?

7. I love Prosecco more then Champagne, but I'll take whichever.

8. I love cooking, I love going out for meals, having a menu in front of me makes me happy, feeding people makes me happier

9. I always have my phone on silent even though it drives my friend's batty!

10. Sometimes I walk along the street and I get so happy and excited about my life that I want to start singing and dancing. I watched way to much Disney as a child.

11. I love curling my hair, I hate how long it takes

12. Never thought it would happen but I now love a lot of the things I hated when I was younger - red meat, board games, walks, M&S

The Questions

What are your favourite things about winter?

Being really cold outside and then coming in from the cold and warming up with a snuggle and a cup of licorice tea. Oh and mittens. I love mittens

What is your favourite winter outfit?

Black jeans, stripy black and white top under a long sleeveless black blouse, my grey cape, black pixie boots and woolly hat and mittens

 

What is your favourite winter food?

Beef bourguignon with buttery mash and glazed carrots (no such luck on my current health kick, but still its my favourite). If I'm being healthy its "Rachy's Lentils" check the recipe out here.

 

What is your favourite winter drink?

Licorice tea, I'm addicted and its good for you.

How do you like your make up in the winter?

Darker lips and smoky eyes with hints of greens and gold

What are you hoping Santa brings you?

Santa bought me some lovely presents and my lovely man surprised me with a beautiful watch. The boy did good, seriously good

 

What is your favourite winter scent?

I have to agree with Rachel, it's got to be cinnamon, and oranges

What is your favourite winter memory?

When we have snow. I love the stillness and silence it brings. There is nothing like it. Snow days are great too. Getting a group of friends together all of us walking for a while through the snow and meeting in the cozy warmth of the local pub.

 

What is your dream way to spend a winters day?

A long country walk, followed by a table full of my friends with me placing steaming dishes of my food in front them, lots of laughter and talking and wine, a huge cheeseboard and then just me and the beau and a sofa snuggle and chat

 

What are the first three things that remind you of winter?

The chill in the air, the frost on the round and the nights coming sooner

 

What is your favourite winter song?

Diana Krall "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Every Time.

 

Finish this sentence.......If I could have one Christmas wish it would be........

Nothing, all is how it should be.

 

Hoped you enjoyed finding out a bit more about me - tell me about the Winter things you love!

 

Thanks again Rachel x