Ticking Five Goals in One Meal

I'm feeling a bit under the weather this week all sorts of aches and pains including  ear ache. I'm sure it is the change in the weather.  Every year the change from summer to the much colder weather seems to affect me, does anyone else experience this?  I haven't felt much like cooking, so simple food is on the menu this week, however I can still tick my own personal goals with just simple food.  So what are my personal goals I hear you ask ( well maybe not but I'm going to tell you anyway)

ZERO FOOD WASTE - As a child my mum used to nag me to eat my food saying there were starving children in the world and there was me wasting food.  At the time, I would just roll my eyes and mumble under my breath that they were welcome to my brussel sprouts.  Many many years have passed since I was a child, no I'm not saying how many - and food waste has got to obscene proportions.  You only have to look in the bins outside the supermarkets to see tons of perfectly good food being thrown away, but it is not only the supermarkets that are guilty of this.   Love Food Hate Waste reports that 15 million tons of food is thrown away in the U.K. every year, 50% of this is from our homes.  All of the energy, land and animal suffering (oh I am being controversial this week, probably because I'm feeling poorly and grumpy)  that is involved in producing this food.  Transporting it to the shops - more energy, pollution and destruction of land to build more roads for all the lorries - just to throw it in the bin! This week I had some left over mashed potato so made some potato cakes, it's a nice feeling saving food from the bin.  The 'love food hate waste' website has lots of ideas to use up leftovers.  I often think leftovers make the best meals, bubble and squeak being one of my all time favourites.  Do you have any favourite 'left over' recipes?  For these I added some rice flour (you can use plain), salt and pepper and dried tarragon (or any other herbs you want), rolled it out, cut out some circle and popped them in the over with a little oil brushed over.

ORGANIC - The amount of chemicals sprayed onto food is frightening, do we really know the long term effect consuming the combination of those chemicals has on us?  By growing my own I know exactly what goes onto them - very little.  A bit of organic feed and that's it.  There is nothing better than going out and picking the freshest of veg, still full of goodness because they haven't been transported half way across the world and sprayed with who knows what.   Now as you have probably noticed, I am a novice at growing my own, but I have managed to grow a few things including these tomatoes, and with a lot more practice and space I hope to grow more.  Animal welfare standards are also higher in organic milk etc. which brings me onto the next point.

ANIMAL WELFARE - 25 years ago me and the kids decided to stop eating meat and fish, that was our decision, just as the bearded one made the decision to carry on eating meat and fish.  I still eat eggs but try to ensure the chickens have been treated properly so buy free range.  I lived beside a poultry farm where the chickens were crammed into cages and never saw the light of day, they had a short and terrible life, and of course male chicks had a worse fate.   We used to have our own chickens and that will be the first thing I will do when we move back out into the countryside, it will be so good to eat our own freshest of eggs again from our own free range chickens.  Yes, before you say it, being vegan would be even better and I was for a while, but being unable to eat gluten already limits my options food wise.  As long as we all do our bit, meat eaters and vegetarians, for the best animal welfare we can make a difference.  Sorry do I sound preachy?  I'll shut up now.

PRODUCED LOCALLY - I will never managed to be totally self sufficient, we would starve if we had to rely on what I can grow, so will have to continue to buy produce.   However I try to buy as many things as possible that are locally produced.  It puts money back into the local economy, as Cornwall is one of the poorest regions in the U.K. we certainly need it.  It cuts down on food miles and through the box scheme I use it gives the local farmers a fair price.  I would rather my money went to keep them going than into the supermarkets pockets.  If farmers continue to go out of business we will have to rely on food shipped in from overseas, bad for the planet and our economy.  Now if only we could grow bananas in our fields as the bearded one has to take one to work everyday, he's addicted to them!

COOKING FROM SCRATCH -  I like knowing exactly what goes into my meals, no e numbers lurking, no added colourings and in my case no hidden gluten that causes me to run to the loo all day!  It's not always possible, when I get home from work really late there's nothing better than a Sansburys Free From pizza and a glass of wine  At the weekends when we have been busy and there is a house full to feed, the new Indian takeaway up the road is extremely tempting, but on the whole my meals are cooked from scratch.  Better for my pocket, health and waistline!


So a simple meal of cooked from scratch potato cakes made from left over locally grown potatoes, free range locally produced poached eggs and home grown organic tomatoes ticked my goals.    I'm only human, I don't always manage to achieve my goals, but it is something I am working towards.  I'm sure many of you do all of these things already, but I'm getting there.

I'm working extra hours again this week and painting, this is the last room to paint!!!!! Yay.  I'm missing popping around to visit you all but fingers crossed I will have more time soon.

For this post I'm joining Amys lovely Five on Friday

Chickpea xx

Friendship and Home

For B xxx

We have had a busy few weeks with family visiting and staying and last week a very dear friend came to stay for the week.  We haven't seen each other since she came to stay last year, but we soon slipped back into our old routine, sitting and chatting as if she had never moved away.  That's what friendship is about for me.  It doesn't matter how far away they live, or how long ago you saw them, you slip back into that friendship like a pair of comfortable slippers.

We had some lovely trips out including seeing Cornwalls' own Kneehigh Theatres performance of Rebecca, with all their usual fun, drama and quirkiness.  They are touring the play so if you get a chance go and see them, if only to see the incredibly imaginative way they transform the set.

We also went to see 45 years with the wonderful Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay.  It is a beautifully observed study of a long relationship which changes over the years as the couple age.  Their whole life together and their relationship that Charlottes character was so sure of is suddenly brought into question when a ghost from the past intrudes into their comfortable life.  It will not be to everyones taste but I found it very thought provoking and left me mulling it over for days after.  The added bonus for my friend was that it is set in Norwich, her home city and even included a friend of hers as an extra.

After living in Cornwall for several years, which is how we met, my friend made the decision to move back home to Norwich for various reasons.  Although she loved Cornwall, Norwich is where she grew up and will always be her home, just as Cornwall will always be my home.  We are both lucky to be able to choose to live in our 'home' counties.  Many thousands are forced to leave their homes and set out for an unknown future in other countries.  I have found it heartbreaking to watch the news in the last few months, seeing desperate people risking their lives to find somewhere they can be safe and start a new life free from fear.  I know it is a very contentious issue which has brought out the best and the worst in people.  The comments on social media have truly shocked me and made me feel like withdrawing from any form of online contact.  It saddens me that people I know are reposting such hateful things without even checking the source, just accepting things as fact when a couple of minutes research would show that they are complete lies.  I feel battered and bruised by the whole thing and needed to just withdraw and lick my wounds for a while.  However what I feel is nothing compared to those desperate people.  To me they are my fellow humans who need our help.  You may not agree with me and that is your right.  I will continue to do what I can to help, I have put together some toiletry bags that will be taken out to the refugees.  If you feel you want to do something,  various organisations have lists of what is needed, look up your local collection points.

Our plans for moving house have been put on hold to spend time with family and friends.  Next week will see me picking up the paint brush again in readiness to put the house on the market.  The excitement of it all has dulled in the face of images of families sleeping on the side of roads.  I know how lucky I am to have a roof over my head.



Chickpea xx

The Little Things

After months of working extra to cover colleagues sick leave I have had my first Friday off for months.  I was ridiculously excited by the thought of having the day off, I hadn't actually planned anything but that was the pleasure of it.  So what exciting things did I get up to?...........Well I cleaned the fridge and cooker, caught up with washing and general tidying up.....yes I know, but they really needed doing.

It has been a cold and miserable day so I didn't feel like going out anywhere instead I spent the afternoon knitting, drinking cups of tea and listening to the Archers.  It was bliss!

So in celebration of the return of Five on Friday, here are my five little things I did today.

1. I didn't get out of bed until 7.30

Isn't it lovely when you don't have to be anywhere at a certain time and you can just get up when you want and decide what to do depending how you feel on the day. Hair tied back in a scrunchy, no make-up and scruffy old clothes.  Bring on retirement, I'm sure I will be just as busy but at least I will be setting the agenda.


2. I had the time to try a new recipe 

I'm not sure what to call these but they were tasty.  After eating more convenience food due to being so busy and getting a little careless with checking labels lately I have been suffering badly from my gluten intolerance.  It was fun to have the time to make some gluten free food from scratch.  I'm not sure the label 'wraps' was a good description of these but by adding some cumin to a basic batter of   gram flour, water and salt, these were delicious served warm.  They would be nice to dip into a curry or with home-made hummus.


3. Working on my winter wooly

I don't know what's happened, but this cardi has turned out huge.  Usually my knitting comes up just the right size so I don't bother to make a sample anymore.  I came very close to ripping it all out and starting again but there was hours of work in it already, so I am turning it into a chunky oversized jacket instead.  I'm sure it will keep me toasty in the winter.


4.  Caught up with the Archers

Funny how you can miss this for months and then just fit back into it as if you have never been away. I thought it would help to catch up with what is happening among 'country folk' for when we become country folk ourselves.

Anyone else a fan?


5.  Collecting Bees

I am not a philatelist, but when I saw these advertised I couldn't resist, aren't they gorgeous.  They come in a lovely presentation pack.  I have enjoyed reading about the bees on the stamps today.




I hope you had a lovely Friday as well, it really is the little things that make life enjoyable.

Chickpea xx

Shipwrecks and Cliffs

We had a much needed day off yesterday so thought it would be nice to take a walk along the beach.....what was I thinking?  It was Bank Holiday Monday in Cornwall so despite the weather not being brilliant the car parks by the beaches were packed.  Plan B was put in place,  I found a quiet little carpark on the cliffs between Portreath and Godrevy where we took a walk along the coastal path.

It's good to see the gulls in their natural habitat 

As you can see the views are stunning along the coast and despite it being windy it was warm, even hot when the path took us through areas of high growth.  The heather and gorse looked stunning against the blue of the sea and sky.  As we neared Hell's Mouth, a well known cove, we were reminded of how deadly the sea could be.  The wreck of the Secil Japan still lies at the bottom of the cliffs.  On a stormy night in 1989 it lost it's steering and was pushed onto the rocks by the huge seas.  On board were 16 terrified Korean sailors who gathered on the deck hoping for rescue.  An incredibly brave RAF helicopter crew battled against nature to airlift 15 of the men off the stricken ship one by one.  Tragically one of them fell from the strop and was taken by the sea.  We went to see the wreck a few days later, it was a sad sight to see.

You can see the shipwreck lying in the cove

After a stop at Hell's Mouth for a cup of tea we started on our way back along the path.  There are areas where the path has been diverted away from the cliffs because of the danger of cliff falls.  Wooden barriers make it clear that you do not go beyond, but of course you always get the people who don't realise the danger.   We passed a group who stepped over the barrier to have a picnic on the edge of the cliff.  If they were local there is no way they would be sitting there, we all remember when this happened just a few feet from where they were sitting!

I hope you had a great weekend,

Chickpea xx

Love, Hate and glow in the dark sperm key rings

Once again it was a lovely dry, warm day for Pride Cornwall.    Rainbow flags, music and cheers filled the streets of Truro as we carried the huge flag with pride.  This years theme was solidarity, as the parade made it's way through the city we thought of all those across the world for whom this would not be possible, the brave people who take part knowing they could be putting their lives at risk and the recent events in Jerusalem where six people were stabbed while taking part in Pride.  I usually attend with my son and his partner but they are away on holiday at the moment. The lovely young men on either side of me, complete strangers were soon chatting away to me and promising to pick me up if I tripped over the pavement, it's hard to see where you are going when you are carrying a huge flag!   Everyone is so friendly it really is a happy day.  As for the woman who deliberately slammed the door to the toilets in my face as popped to the loos before the parade, decked out in my rainbow beads, bracelet and sunnies...... shame on you.  Life must be hard when your heart is so full of hate.  At the party in the park afterwards, it was lovely to see the usual presence of the police and fire brigade there to show their support, and well done to Cornwall Council  who flew the rainbow flag outside of their offices.  We are so lucky to live in a country that supports equality.  The Quakers were giving out free bananas again this year,  and my manager was there on our stall handing out glow in the dark sperm key rings, you gotta love Pride :)


Life is still busy, we have had some valuations done on the house, £10,000 difference, do they just pluck figures out of the air?  Just waiting for the new shower to be fitted when my son and his partner (who is a plumber) return from their holiday, then we will put it on the market.   I'm still looking for our new home, but there is not much around at the moment, fingers crossed, when the time is right something will come on the market that ticks the boxes.  I'm trying to train the bearded one in the ways of house presentation before we put the house on the market.  The rules are:

The posh throws, towels and bath mats are for viewing only, DO NOT use them!


I hope to get around and read your blogs soon, have a lovely weekend dear blogging friends,

Chickpea xx

Searching

After last weekends shenanigans, I spent this weekend with my head stuck in various shrubs and trees, literally, not good for my hay fever I can tell you.  By Sunday evening I looked like a boxer who had done too many rounds with Mohammid Ali my eyes were so swollen.  The back garden is looking a lot tidier (too tidy for me) and I just have some weeding to do in the front.  The weather was glorious so I decided to take some photos for the sales blurb.  I tried to take carefully staged photos that didn't show all the wild plants (well o.k. weeds)  patchy weedy lawn, piles of wood that have deliberately left for insect homes under the trees and two ruddy great compost bins.  I was pleased with the results until I downloaded them and realised that in most of them there buckets, spades etc from our toils, bare patches and of course the compost bins and the water but.  Oh and not a flower in sight, I am clearly not a gardener!

So I can here you all asking when is she putting the house on the market?  Yes I know this has dragged on but what with working, doing all the normal things in the house and trying to find time on top of that to paint, declutter and generally pimp my house........

I guess what is also dampening my enthusiasm is that despite spending hours searching, nose stuck to my computer, I just can't find THE house, or is it THE lifestyle?  Don't get me wrong, there are some beautiful properties out there, but maybe some are just too beautiful.  Everything designed to within an inch of it's life, the sort of thing you see on the television, all glass and metal with 'landscaped' gardens, but I just couldn't see myself in them.  In my mind my future dog will be running all over the  cream carpets with muddy paws, the grandchildren will be falling down the designer glass floating stairs.  The future goat and chickens will be happily munching away in the landscaped garden.  Me, I will be wandering around in my cut offs with inappropriate holes, (the bearded one did remark that my ass was hanging out of my threadbear jeans yesterday when I was bending over weeding)  I found a beautiful cottage which was next to some woods, it looked idillic but I would be shut indoors suffering from heyfever half the year.  A property by the sea had me wavering but it had no garden at all, yes a gorgeous view but.......

I guess in my mind I can see myself in a traditional hard working shabby farmhouse kitchen, the type my farming grandparents and uncles had.  Where dogs and muddy boots were welcome, my shabby old furniture would fit right in and cats would feel at home tracking muddy paws over the back of the old sofas.  Clothes and boots by the range drying, free range grandchildren running through the house wreaking havoc with no fear of breaking anything precious.   I want some land around me but not pretty land, more wild, gorse covered land, preferably high up where I can look across miles of landscape and watch storms approaching.  I want it to be 'our' home, not completely finished to another persons taste.  I want to get my 'teeth' into something, not sit in a pretty house with nothing to do but look at it and tidy up.   How do I explain all of this to an estate agent.  Am I asking too much, do these places even exist any more, or have they all been prettified, lost their character and priced out of most peoples reach.   I will keep searching and hoping.

Not sure which photos to include, what do you think?  I've booked  a couple of estate agents to come and do a valuation next Monday eeek!!  Right off to do the second coat of gloss on the backdoor and start on the cloakroom, and yes my ass is still hanging out of my jeans, I'd better remember which way to face when I am weeding the front garden.  I don't want to frighten the neighbours.

Chickpea xx

Dancing my little socks off

After weeks, well actually months of D.I.Y. I thought I deserved to treat myself to a little fun.  I doubt if I will ever get to Glastonbury but we do have our own Boardmasters Festival here in Cornwall set on the cliffs near Newquay, the perfect setting.  There were various stages with lots of different music to suit everyone and luckily perfect weather.  Yes I am old enough to be mum to most of the people there, but do you know what, I don't care.  I will continue to go along to watch live gigs and jump around with the youngsters for as long as I am able.  I hate the whole now you are 'this' age you should be behave in 'this' way.  Life is too short, we have to squeeze every bit of fun out of it we can, we don't get a second chance.  As long as we don't hurt anyone else, go for it I say.

Faithless were the headliners on the day we went and were amazing.  They are no spring chickens themselves, having been together for 20 years,  longer than a lot of the audience have been on the planet.  It is not the bearded ones type of music so he headed over to the Keg and Pasty stage where local bands played, including a fabulous Ska band called Rudis Message who had everyone up dancing.  He enjoyed a pint and pasty while I danced around like an excited puppy.

Knitty Nutter was staying along the coast in her camper van, I hope we weren't too noisy!

You can just see Jamie Olivers 15 in the distance

On Sunday our band played in Wadebridge Carnival.  We stopped for coffee on the way in a lovely Cafe called Strong Aldofos before heading into the town.  Wadebridge is not far from Padstow, but doesn't get so busy.  It has a lovely community feel to it where everyone seems to know each other, and has some nice little shops.   If you are going to Padstow it is worth a visit, you can even hire a bike and cycle there along the cycle path.   The evening ended with a spectacular firework display, I still get excited by fireworks :)

I am exhausted today but it was lovely having a couple of days that didn't involve a paint brush.  I hope you've had a good weekend.



Chickpea xx