Rant Alert......may involve bad language.

I thought I had better check in with you all in case you thought I had disappeared, I have been busy busy busy with juggling everything on very little sleep.  Working in health I have been incredibly busy helping people with their New Years Resolutions to get healthier.  It it my busiest time of year work wise and leaves very little time for me to actually work on my own health, seems a bit hypocritical really.  I advise people to "Go for walks, eat healthily,  get enough sleep, stop smoking etc etc" you get the picture.  While little old me is sat scrunched over a computer, living on whatever I can grab from the kitchen that is quick, and surviving on a few hours sleep.  Damn the insomnia!!

I am counting the days to retirement, if I could just do the working with people bit it would be great, it is all the paperwork that is involved in everything these day.  I wouldn't be surprised if I have to fill out a bloody form to go to the loo soon!!!  There is so much ass- covering these days in case you get sued that half your time is spent completing courses and filling out forms on the bleeding obvious.   Don't get me wrong, I'm in favour of Health and Safety to ensure people are kept safe, but it does seem to be going too far sometimes.

I have also failed my resolutions to be a more consistent blogger......yes my output is pants at the moment.  Sorry guys I will try harder.....perhaps I should do a course on it :)

In other news, I am scratching my head over all the forms involved in selling a house......they want to know the ins and outs of a ducks backside!!

Still chasing up estate agents to send us details on any houses that suit our criteria..... do they want to sell properties or not!!

I know, it is a badly worded, rushed post, probably full of typos and lots and lots of moaning (and exclamation marks!!!!)  My next post will be full of good things, raindrops and roses.....I promise.

Hope you are all keeping well dear bloggy friends,

Chickpea xx

Thank you bloggers

At the beginning of the year I like to look back on what I have done and look forward to what is to come.  Take into account the good, the bad and the downright ugly.  How I might have done things differently and what I would like to achieve in the following year.  More on future plans another time.  What has been evident in the last year is how much Blogworld has influenced me.  I don't want to be too slushy but I would like to take the time to thank all of the wonderful bloggers out there who I read.  I may not always have the time to comment, but I do try to keep up as much as possible with my blog reading.   You have taken the time, and yes it does take time and effort, to write about your lives, your loves, your crafts, your food, your reading ........well I could go on and on......

I won't name names, as I'm sure I would leave someone out and would be mortified, but will look at some of the ways you have all brought something to my life.

There is always someone out there who will offer kind words and support when times are hard.

When I ask for advice you are more than willing to take the time to help.

You have encouraged me to take up my knitting needles again and create beautiful things to keep me warm.

You have inspired me to take up a crochet hook and work on my first ever crochet project.

You have given me the confidence to share my quilting projects and inspired me to buy a dressmaking pattern (though I haven't had time to start it yet)

You have inspired me with the recipes you share.

You have moved me to tears with your beautiful writing.

You have opened my eyes to the beauty of other parts of the country I live in as well as other parts of the world.

You have made my dreams of growing my own food and becoming more self sufficient seem possible.

Your photos have inspired me to get out there and capture the beauty of the world.

You have taught me about the beauty of birds, butterflies and  even moths!

You make me feel less 'weird', for believing in buying less, buying local, growing my own, self sufficiency, recycling, making my own, being kinder in a world that promotes the opposite of all these things.

It has been a pleasure to get to know you dear friends.

I'm sure I have left lots of things out which I will kick myself for later, but a huge, huge thank you to all of you, you know who you are. My present to all is to continue to share the beauty of my beloved Cornwall.

Chickpea xx

Needles and Lies

I didn't spend all my time stuffing my face over Xmas I did actually spend a few lovely hours knitting away.  The cardigan I was going to abandon last year because I thought I would never finish has been resurrected and I have finished the back.......yes the whole flipping back woohoo!  I am using alpaca wool which feels fabulous and I can't wait to finish the cardi, it will be lovely, warm and soft.  It seems I have the knitting bug again, so much so that I ordered a new book on Fair Isle knitting  I have been lusting over some beautiful Fair Isle knits that have been shared on various blogs and thought I would like to give it a go.  I really need to finish some of the umpteen other projects I have on the go before I start another though!


Strange how the photos have come out totally different colours, the top one is probably nearer to the true colour.

I have also started joining my granny squares together.  I had to guess at some of it, I'm not sure if it was me or the instructions but I found it all a bit confusing, however I'm really pleased with the progress on my first every granny square blanket.  Thank you to Jennifer over at thistlebear for hosting the Winter Project Link Party, it has inspired me to have a go and keep at it.

Now to my rather random title.  I made the time and effort to look at a house today, in the photos it looked perfect, a house surrounded by fields.  I rang the estate agents who said there was another house nearby but you would not know it was there.  What did I find when I got there?  The owners had built another huge house right beside it, and I mean literally a few feet away.  They will be building a high wall between the properties says the estate agent hopefully, so you wouldn't see the house.  Why would I want to move to the country to have a huge wall right beside my house, I might as well stay where I am, and it wouldn't block out the noise.  I was so disappointed and really miffed to have been misled, a complete waste of my time.  Apart from the on-line estate agent I used to sell my house, I'm afraid the rest never fail to disappoint and annoy and sometimes downright lie.

As some of you know I have suffered from insomnia on and off all my life, for the last 6 years it has been a constant problem.  The doctor offered to refer me to a sleep clinic, I'm really not sure whether to take up the offer.  I find the idea of being wired up and watched while I sleep scary.  Have any of you been to one?  Any advice would be gratefully received.

Chickpea xx

Sugar Addicted Night Owl

The rescue services are always on-call

Every year I say this year is going to be different..........every year is the same.  I'm not even a 'sweet' person, more of a savoury type but damn it I can't walk past the pile of chocolates without shoving one or lets be honest, several into my mouth.  I have absolutely no will power I'm afraid, if they are there I will eat them.  I don't even buy them, the bearded one brings big tins of them home from work, gifts from well meaning people who have no consideration for my waistline.  While everyone is making new years resolutions to lose weight, get healthy, I know while the Xmas crap is still around the house I will eat it.   I have been trapped in the house because of the weather, watching rubbish television, eating rubbish and staying up until silly o'clock in the morning.  I feel rubbish because of it, I will be glad to get back to some sort of normality and really need to get back to some sort of sensible sleep pattern.  If left to my own devises I would be a night owl, I could stay up all night with no problem but when you have to get up and go to work in the morning it's not an option.   I'm back at work this week, I have the weekend to try to reset my sleep patterns eeeckkk!

Our Xmas tends to go on and on as we try to get everyone in the same place at the same time which was even trickier this year as sons partner was on call and got called in Xmas Day and Boxing Day. We eventually managed to get all four kids, their partners and the grandchildren under our roof on Monday which was lovely, there were bodies sleeping everywhere but that's what it's about.  Ziggy Stardust even joined in the fun, snuggling under the wrapping paper, she is easily pleased.

The weather was just too bad for our usual Xmas day walk on the beach but we ventured out on Boxing Day, which was dry but the wind nearly took me off my feet a couple of times and caused a sand storm, well ok slight exaggeration but it was bracing.  We are lucky to have a dry warm home to retreat to, I feel so sorry for the people whose houses are under water this year.  I'm no expert but if we didn't concrete over everything and cut down all the trees the land may be better able to cope with the deluge of water.


So have I got any New Years resolutions?  Well no I haven't got around to thinking of any.  Cut out sugar? That's not going to happen while the chocolate still lurks in the house.  Get fitter?  Not if its raining I'm afraid, I'm a fair weather exerciser.   I did think about going vegan for January, but I was given cheese making kits for Xmas so that isn't going to happen.  Be a more consistent blogger? Um, we will see.  I love reading about people who vow to stop buying 'stuff' for a year, eat only things they have grown, de-clutter, have no waste etc. The woman who runs the local food box posted a photo of herself swimming in the sea over Xmas without a wet suit, vowing to do this though out the year.  It all sounds rather exhausting I'm afraid, perhaps when I detox from the sugar overload I will have more energy and focus, so my New Years resolution might start in February.....or March if I can be arsed to even think of one.

Have any of you made a resolution?  My brain/typing fingers keep wanting to say/type New Years revolution.........mmmm now that's an idea :)

Right, must get back to searching for our new home in the country, I guess that is enough to be taking on this year.

Chickpea xx

Missing Faces

Last night I sat holding the hand of a dying woman as she drifted in and out of drug induced sleep.  Her son will stay with her until the end, she is at home with friends and family around her.  This is the way I would wish to go when the time comes.    She has been a friend of my family for many years and always popped around on Christmas Day.  Along with my parents, aunts and uncles, she is yet another person whose smiling face will be missing from this years Christmas celebrations.  All now memories captured in old photographs.

I'm not a Christmassy person, for me the day is about spending time with family, I realise that I am very lucky to be able to do this, for many it can be a lonely time.  I won't be going over the top, there will be presents to open and food to eat and weather permitting our usual walk on the beach.  The most important thing is to spend time together.  Life is very precious and gone too soon. We hope to leave happy memories for our children and grandchildren.  Not by spending huge amounts of money on them, but by spending precious time together.  Capturing these times in photos of our loved ones.


Chickpea xx

Needles and Pillow Talk

Storms are crashing around the house, whipping the trees as if they are little twigs.   I love the change in season I couldn't contemplate living somewhere the weather was the same all the time.  Winter brings the excuse to shut yourself away, light the fire and get some crafting done.  Of course it's not all good, driving to and from work in the dark is pretty depressing but I will grab my little pleasures where I can.

I have taken up my crochet needle and sit by the fire working on a blanket.  I have never actually crocheted anything before so I am hoping this turns out o.k., even if it doesn't I am enjoying making the little circles and I will snuggle in it's warmth.

I complete a couple of the circles each night if possible, hopefully by the time I take my Xmas leave I will be able to start joining them together to make my first granny square blanket.  I have admired so many that other bloggers have shared, now I'm taking up the challenge of making my own.  It will be my Winter Project for the link party hosted by thistlebear.  Pop over and take a look at all of the beautiful projects that have inspired me to take up a crochet needle.  Oh dear, nothing like putting pressure on myself, if you never see it on here again you know it's all gone tits up :)

Not happy with having one project on the go I will also be picking up my sewing needle and attempting some dressmaking.  My mother was a fantastic dressmaker and tailor but I never took it up, much to my regret now.  Yes I was a stroppy teenager who thought sewing was boring!  I picked this pattern up while in London.  It says 'easy', well we shall see!  Ditto the above if it never appears again.

Talking of needles I have also booked some acupuncture sessions.  I had my first session last week, if they can help with the hot flushes it may help with my insomnia.  A couple of people recommended it, I'm not sure if it will work for me but I'm willing to try anything!  Have any of you tried it?  The needles didn't bother me, it was the lying still for what seemed like ages after that I found hard, I'm such a fidget but was afraid they would drop out if I moved too much.

We had to buy a new radio alarm the other day and had the option of buying this with it.  I bet you were wondering what the pillow talk of the title was,  sorry to disappoint :)   It won't cure my insomnia but it helps pass those tortured hours when sleep evades me.

You plug it into your radio alarm and pop the speaker under your pillow, you can then listen to it without disturbing your partner, I find it more comfortable than earphones.  

I hope my blogging friends in the U.K. are keeping safe from the storms and floods.  I'm off to play with the Samba band today at the Padstow food festival.  Fingers crossed that I don't get blown into the harbour!!

Chickpea xx

Persephone and Curious Incidents in London

A ghostly St Pauls

Hi all, thank you for your birthday wishes on my last post, you are all stars :)  My last post was all about birthday food,  this post is birthday book related.

 I had read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time several years ago and wondered how it would transfer to the stage.  We went along to see the play while in London at the intimate Guelgud Theatre and loved it, I laughed, I cried and was sad when it ended, I could have watched it all over again.  It was very cleverly done with an ingenious set that made you believe you were on a train, on the tube, on the streets of London with very few props.  The small company of actors were playing multiple parts, as well as being part of the scenery, a special mention has to go to Sion Daniel Young who played Christopher.  The whole play relied on the right person playing Christopher, a young autistic boy.  It was a very challenging part which he played to perfection.  If you get a chance to see it I would highly recommend it.

As we were sitting waiting for the play to start, the woman in front of me got out her knitting and was knitting socks as she chatted away to her friend.  I love that.  Yes we were there very early, I am always early, the theatre was full by the time it started.

After being too ill to make it over to Persephone Books on our last trip to London I was determined to  get there this time.  What a lovely book shop, what I would call a 'proper' book shop, books piled on tables and shelves in a tiny little shop tucked away on a lovely little street.  I made some purchases which will sit proudly on my bookshelf, each with their matching bookmarks.

I often ask for books for my birthday, in preparation for all the growing I hope to be doing when we find our new home I asked my son for this, Abundance by Alys Fowler.   I have already been dipping into it and dreaming of all of the lovely food I will be able to preserve.  A dehydrator is something that is mentioned, and would also be useful for my raw food experiments so will go on my Xmas list, any recommendation for which one to buy?

Celeriac puree with spiced cauliflower and quail's eggs

a little bit lumpy but tasted delicious

As I mentioned on my last post I received Yotam Ottolenghi's book Nopi as a birthday gift.  When we got home my veg box had been delivered and contained a large celeriac, it has a very distinct taste which I like in small doses.  I found this recipe in my new book, it was delicious and didn't actually taste like celariac, just very tasty. I will be making this again, as I know I will be getting regular deliveries of celeriac in my veg box and by the end of the season will be getting fed up with it's unusual taste so this will be the perfect way to use it for me.  Yotams recipes can be complicated, time consuming and involve lots of ingredients and in this book even more so as it is the recipes from the restaurant.  But you don't have to make the whole dish, you can make parts of it as I did with this recipe, I just made the celeriac puree which was easy and used ingredients I already had.  Instead of the cauliflower I had it with roasted carrots and sweet potato and salad.



Celeriac Puree

60ml olive oil
1 large onion roughly diced
2 garlic cloves roughly chopped 
2 bay leaves
1 large celeriac peeled and cut roughly into 2 cm pieces (600g)
500ml vegetable stock
2 tblsp tahini paste
2 tblsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp sweet smoked paprika
course sea salt and black pepper.

Place the oil in a medium saucepan on a med high heat.  
Add the onions and fry for 5-6 mins stirring often until soft and starting to caramelize
Add the garlic and bay leaves and cook for another minute before adding the celeriac.
Fry for 8 - 10 mins, stirring often so that all sides are golden brown.
Pour over the stock, bring to the boil, then simmer on a medium heat for about 15 mins until the celeriac is cooked through.
Remove from the heat, discard the bay leaves and transfer to a blender or food processor.
Blitz to form a smooth puree before adding the tahini, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, 1  1/2tsp salt and a good grind of black pepper.
Serve at room temperature or warm.

I found mine was a little runny so next time I will drain off some of the liquid and set aside before blitzing then adding as needed.  Mine was also a bit lumpy but tasted delicious.

This has been my first week off since last March and the last couple of days I have been feeling really under the weather.  I'm sure bugs wait until my annual leave to pounce on me, or is it that you slow down enough for them to catch up with you.  I'm sure a couple of days curled up on the sofa reading and crafting will see me right.  Anyway I will leave you with some photos I took as we walked along the southbank, the camera did something weird in some of the photos but I like how they turned out, other-worldly.

.

Chickpea xx