Hello

I feel terrible, it has been such a long time since my last post. Life has been a bit crazy with work, helping my sister-in-law with wedding favours, our Great Gatsby inspired joint birthday party....time just slipped away! I am glad to say that our birthday party was a hit - a selection delicious nibbles and drinks were flowing throughout the night. As for my sister-in-law's wedding, I made 150 gingerbread electric and classical guitar biscuits as wedding favours. Even though I made so many gingerbread biscuits a week before Easter, I still made a few Easter bunny gingerbread biscuits for my husband. Gingerbread biscuits are delicious throughout the year either eaten on their own or for dunking!

It has been a long time since my last post - I have been so busy with various things on the go, not mention a few long weekends away. We had a lovely long weekend in Bridlington and then another long weekend in Norfolk - nothing better than being on the coast enjoying fresh fish and chips. I also started a book club a few months go and everyone gets a turn to host the evening which also gives me a chance to try some new recipes - tomato, basil pesto and feta tart, hazelnut puff pastry wheels, butternut and beetroot salad with feta and pine nuts. I love to entertain and I am busy planning a Gatsby inspired evening when the latest version is released on DVD later this year.

Cumin, butternut and carrot soup

I tried a new recipe this weekend - cumin, butternut and carrot soup with a hint of chill 1 large onion chopped finely 3 cloves of garlic chopped finely 1 tsp of ground cumin 1 tsp of ground ginger 1 tsp of coriander 1 red chilli deseeded and chopped (optionally) 1 medium size butternut cubed 500g of carrots cubed 1 1/2 litre vegetable or chicken stock Fry the onion and garlic with frylight in a pan Add the cumin, ginger, chilli, butternut and carrots to the pan Pour the stock over it and bring it to the boil Simmer for 10 minutes but I generally simmer for longer than 10 minutes Pour into a blender and blend until smooth Fresh coriander for decoration I have freezed the soup in 4 individual portions

One year on....

This past week, I have celebrated my 36th birthday, Valentines Day twice just because we could and on Friday, 15th February it was exactly a year since I became a British citizen. I cannot believe that it has been a year since I pledged my allegiance to the Queen.

2013 - a new year

It has been so long - 2012 was a year filled with mixed emotions, hospital appointments and a lovely summer with my mom and fabulous husband. So 2013 brings us hope, new adventures and endless love - bring it on - I know that it is going to be a good year for us!!!

Summer fun 2012

Well it's been while since my last post - my mom arrived on the 28th July in time for my British Party which took place the following day. We had about 45 people over for a BBQ summer party - we had a gazebo which came in handy to shelter our guests when we had a few showers on and off throughout the day. I even iced a vanilla sponge with royal icing to look like the Union Jack flag. It was also the day that 3 of our kits went to their new homes so now we only have Flopsy and Dipstick. They have their very own 5 star accommodation of two storey indoor hutch. While my mom was here, we managed to fit in a lot by visitng a family friend in Oxford, mom visited family in Scotland, we took her to Norfolk where we had our honeymoon. I also took my mom to a one day international cricket match between SA vs England. It was a rather intense match but SA defeated England. On her last day,Scott and I took my mom to Chester for the day. We had lovely day walking through the Romian Gardens and then had lunch in The Boathouse overlooking the River Dee - some beautiful grand homes on the other side of the river. Sadly my mom left last Saturday after fantastic holiday with us - just wish she was here with us permanently. This weekend, Scott and I had Friday off and went to Bridlington for the long weekend to celebrate our 5 year anniversary since we officially started dating and 3 years since we got engaged. It was a fantastic weekend and just what we needed. Now we are home enjoying a cozy fire!

Bunnygate update

Well - I am pleased to say that we have 5 healthy, happy and loving rabbits. The kits are so big and cute to watch. However, we will only be keeping Flopsy and Dipstick (the kit with the complete brown coat). The the head vet reimbursed us and I am glad to say that we had a moral victory!! In a few, mini me, Schumacher and fluff ball will be leaving us to start their new life!