Wednesday, 9 December 2015

Don't Trust Your Cat With The Internet

I didn't order the cats' Advent calendar.

My husband didn't order the cats' advent calendar.

My son didn't order it.

Mystery it must have been the cat.


Rollie is having slight discipline issues so I am suspecting that Rollie has got hold of my Amazon account and tried to order a Christmas stocking for himself. He has tried to eat Father Christmas and is currently biting my Christmas cards , he has a card board fiction and tries to eat and chew card board.



Lawless cat.



Friday, 4 December 2015

Christmas Morning Frittata

What if you weren't having your Christmas dinner till the evening  ?

Never fear super Frittata is here !


Ingredients 



6 eggs ( lightly beaten )
1/2 onion chopped
1/2 red onion chopped
chopped spring onion 
chopped green and red pepper
3 lots of different cheese of choice
about 50 g of each so 150g in total
salt & pepper to season






Method

Preheat your oven to about 160 / 170 allowing if you have a fan assisted oven.



In a frying pan , saute all together the green pepper onions and garlic (optional)for about 5 minutes or until they are tender. Remove and set aside . Next stir in the tomatoes and any herbs that you desire. In a large bowl mix together the ingredients that are left . Sir in the vegetables you set aside 


I pour the pictured in a non stick pie dish ( one of those ones with a lefty out base )

I booked for 25 in the oven , leaving to cool for 5 minutes .









I was able to pop into my local Co op which has been in my village for a 100 years all be in it in a new building but they still offer fantastic service, I know where I will be getting some of my Christmas #mycooptreats from.

Disclosure I was sent some vouchers from the Co op to develop this recipe .

Older Teenager Christmas Ideas

You're never too old for toys , otherwise what else is Christmas for ?, but the older children it gets more difficult it becomes to produce presents that delight and endure at Christmas. I've 2 Christmas left before my son goes off to University and I want make this a family Christmas to be memorable.




For the Star Wars obsessed teen 


It has got to be the droid that is Sphero BB-8 .

In a galaxy far far long ago that was 1977 I was there from the start ! hurrah , and seeing a blockbuster at Christmas time has always been a family tradition in the T household. So what better for a tech love at Christmas that the droid Sphero BB-8 The App enabled Star wars Droid that  I  can play with with this Christmas , cat is going to love that !


£129 is the price for this little chap may the Force be with you !


For the teen that loves gaming

As my teen get ever more gangly limbs a kimber like a startled bambi he is outgrowing his rocker chair in his bedroom , so a new gaming seat was in order . This bean gaming chair form is ideal and he will be able to game in comfort or sit their reading his A level books as he tends to work any where but his desk .

i-ex® Gaming Bean Bag makes a great gift for a teenager! Most teenage boys are into their gaming, and this specially designed gaming bean bag chair is the perfect accessory.

-          I-eX® Gaming Bean Bag - £99.99 (currently on sale at £74.99)




For the sporty teen

Trainers are essential for a teenager it enables them to go outside and experience fresh air and clouds and stuff ....  But really for my teenager good trainers are a honest necessity as he is doing A level P E and apparently they do more than shimmy up a top in gym these days. At the moment he is having his training sessions video towards his A level , Every thing is oh so technical these days.


So these ASICS Gel-Kayano 22 Lite-show running shoes will be just the right present for his feet ! and there is plenty of choice of other trainers from from Sportsshoes.com

These are priced at £115 but are a top quality sports shoes that meet the demands of the modern athlete.
Disclosure  I was sent the gaming chair and the trainers for purposes of review , the Sphero however I brought myself and let me tell you the lack of cat treats  which paid for Sphero  however fluffy Rollie wasn't taken very well.



Monday, 30 November 2015

Toad In The Hole Special

Ooh no more is it a sad day when there's no sausages to go to make toad in the hole , in fact you can you up your left overs ! And toad in the hole us very warming these dark evenings as the leaves blow by.

Ingredients


200g Wholemeal flour (usually it is plain but I had run out)
a pinch of English mustard powder
pinch of salt ( used Maldon salt)
3 eggs
300ml milk
Left over cubed beef, chicken, lamb etc
1 onion chopped to go in the gravy later.








Method

Heat your oven to 220c

Divide the oil into the individual Yorkshire tins or a  baking tin

1. Combine the sieved flour mustard and salt in a bowl then stir in the eggs. Then with a whisk , whisk until smooth.

2. Pour the mixture into either individual Yorkshire tin or  baking tin.

3. Stir in the cubed beef/ lamb chicken etc

Bake for 20-25 minutes.

4. Caramelise the chopped onion in a pan and add it to gravy when the Yorkshire pudding is ready.





If your Yorkshire suffer from soggy bottoms then you could add a little batter to the bottom of you individual tins or large baking , adding in the remaining batter for the last 15 minutes .

I think you can get wholemeal to raise more with a fair wind and the Mary Berry behind you , or Paul Hollywood I wouldn't say no to his help.

Last Night A Ramekin Saved My Life

Last night a ramekin saved my life.

You see all the times when you say....


"I'm going to IKEA "

And you actually buy those tea lights you swore you weren't going to buy , well those tea lights and the ramekins you hoarded have come in useful , then the Cosmos smiles at you.


But before that The Cosmos arranges a power cut whilst you are making a cheese sandwich , and you are at the point when you have the grater in your hands , you politely curse


"Blooming heck "


Now no one can actually vouch for the words that I said and unfortunately or fortunately Kate Burley from Sky news wasn't on scene to add gravity and ethos to the situation.



I've counted that I own 20 ramekins ...

My name is Claire and I've a Ramekin habit ....