So the holidays are finally over...11 glorious days of meandering now in the past. Reflecting on this decadent period of relaxation the highlight for me has to be time spent with the super cute nephew. So cute I could eat him!
Talking of eating that’s something I have spent plenty of time doing - indulging. Apart from the usual festive fayre I particularly enjoyed trying a couple of ‘new to me’ foods - I would highly recommend Unearthed Foods Pork Rillettes, tender slow cooked shredded pork produced in Le Mans France, tasted rather exceptional served on Betty’s crusty bread like a pate.
A sucker for hand made and hand wrapped wax packaging I couldnt resist sampling Spanish biscuits Tortas De Aceite, an orange flavoured flat bread great with freshly brewed black coffee.
I’ve enjoyed re-stocking at Betty’s and trips out for good old Fish ‘n Chips. Evidence of the excess - our wine rack is empty, and when will I learn that you shouldn’t judge a wine by its label. This beauty set me back an arm and a leg and was somewhat ‘forgettable’. Described by Oddbins as ‘Frankly Brilliant’ it was the last bottle and I can’t help but wonder if someone swapped the description ticket from another wine!
Snow has been the predominant focus here in the UK and on the mornings that I awoke early I was rewarded with spectacular sunrises and frosty full moons. Brrr!
I have enjoyed watching this amaryllis slowly blossom and am patiently waiting for the Hyacinths to follow suit..
My days have been peppered with afternoon naps followed by back-to-back movies in front of cosy log fires. I’ve watched re-runs of boxed sets of my favourite shows like The Good Wife, Nurse Jackie and The Middle.
Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy has to be our most played and Quincy Jones Soul Bossa Nostra featuring artists John legend, Mary J, Snoop, LL Cool J, Robin Thicke to name but a few is superb. On Boxing Day I was saddened to hear of Teena Marie passing away, a true legend ‘Lady T’ proved that soul has no colour and was a very rare talent in todays half clothed, half talent music industry. R.I.P Teena you will be missed.
Finally, I never completed any of the holiday projects that I set myself (no surprise there). No, instead I started planning some new ones and bought a whole load of colour tester pots in anticipation - interestingly the colour Blackened no. 2011 nicely leads me to wrap up this post by wishing you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Max x
