Saturday 31 January 2009

Porridge or Pancakes?

I'm up early to wave Marty off on his work trip to Japan (lucky sausage!). We've done some extreme packing for the last 24 hours (he really is worse than a woman), we've had shoe fashion shows, emergency haircuts and lots of hugs and tears. So, he's gone and what to do next?

Well, first I should comfort eat. Porridge or Pancakes? Thick, creamy porridge made with cinnamon and topped with a dash of double cream and a sprinkle of brown sugar or a drizzle of honey? Or, small fluffy, pillow-like American pancakes served with berries, chopped pecans, natural yoghurt and some golden syrup?

PORRIDGE FOR ONE
Simmer 50g of porridge oats, 300ml of milk and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in a pan for 5-6 minutes, stirring, until thick and creamy. Pour into a serving bowl and top with whatever reminds you of childhood....cream and brown sugar for me!

PANCAKES FOR ONE (well, this makes about 10-12 but either make them all at once and eat them all at once (yikes!) or refrigerate and reheat them or else keep any leftover batter in the fridge to make them fresh for brekkie tomorrow.

150g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tbsp caster sugar
100ml buttermilk
2 eggs
25g butter, melted and cooled
1 tbsp sunflower oil

Stir the dry ingredients together in a large bowl..the flour, baking powder, bicarb and sugar. Mix the wet ingredients together in a small bowl or jug....I usually measure the buttermilk into a jug and then pop the eggs and melted butter in there. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry to give a smooth batter.

Pour the oil onto a piece of kitchen paper and rub a large non stick frying pan all over. Pour tablespoonfuls of the batter spaced apart around the pan (however many will fit at a time). Gently fry until bubbles appear on the top and flip over to reveal a golden underside. Fry for a few minutes more until golden on the other side.

Serve with anything from natural or greek yoghurt, honey, maple syrup or golden syrup and then fruits - mango slices are my favourite or berries or pomegranate seeds and nuts like pecans, chopped hazelnuts or toasted flaked almonds.

Then what to do so I don't miss Marty too much? Ok, I'll have some reflexology, my nails done, a bit of shopping I think and then a night out with the girls! I'll survive...

Wednesday 7 January 2009

Packing up Christmas

Well, its the day after the epiphany (the what i hear you say?!) so apparently it's time to take the Christmas paraphenalia down and sit in amazement at how big and bare your house has become!

The mother in law took her decorations down on Sunday night last as it was the 'twelfth night' but I did think that felt a bit earlier than I'm used to - I should have remembered religion would have a part to play in it - Carol is in London and we're in Catholic Ireland!

Anyhow, here are some piccies of my OCD Christmas packing up...








Tuesday 6 January 2009

marty's fun freshener

We have lots of Christmas tree trimmings leftover since we tried to fit a huge tree into a small space (but we won't go there!) and now that the tree is coming down there are lots more bits everywhere. Mart had a brainwave when he wanted to get rid of a Thai takeaway smell from his car this morning (I presume that takeaway smell in the car the next day happens to everyone?!). Here are some piccies of how he made his pine & lemon air freshener...(Buy muslin in a haberdashery (I get mine in Murphy Sheeheys) or good cookware shop)....





Beats those toxic car pine trees anyday!

Monday 5 January 2009

Fires a'blazin

I hope you're snuggled up from this very frosty weather. We are loving cosying in front of our flaming fire. We really should sort out using a small stick as a poker though! Never mind being a bit pikey, it's a bit tricky too!

I've been surfing the net to find a nice looking solution. I started by googling 'fire set', or whatever those thingys are called. I was soon enlightened they are 'companion sets' no less! I'm not liking the sound of them already...check these babies out...


Starting with these 'regular' looking ones...











Obviously trying out a 'modern' look on this day...











Not sure what was going through the designers minds here...











I think we'll be staying with the stick after witnessing this!!!...

If anyone knows of any more 'suitable' alternatives, please let us know where to find them!


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