Autumn Cosy Kitchen Creations

Hi all, happy mid-week, and for anyone observing Yom Kippur I hope you are having an easy fast.

I’m afraid I have been rather boring since my last post, having spent most of my time at work or cosying up at home under a blanket, enjoying the cooler weather that has finally joined us. I’m enjoying this while I can, as next week I’ll be joining 2 of my favourite people on my first flight in 12 years. Jetting off to Dubai for a few days, I’m sure I’ll have plenty to share once I arrive back in Blighty (and have slept for at least 19 hours).

At this time of year, I love trying out new meals and recipes. The selection of seasonal foods is beautiful and there are some glorious flavours to tap into. The last of the tomatoes are flushed, figs are flourishing, and the orchards are brimming with autumnal fare. It’s a wonderful time to take a stroll around local beauty spots or see if your location has a community orchard to visit, you may find yourself coming home with a haul of goodies.

The culinary treats on offer and a chill in the air inspires me to get into the kitchen and start experimenting, whether that be concoctions of my own devising, or recipes I have found online or buried within one of my cookery books. I’ve tried out some lovely ideas recently, and thought I’d give you an idea of what’s good.

Parmesan Garlic Butter Spaghetti

So simple, yet so tasty. Start by cooking your pasta following the pack instructions. Whilst that is boiling, brown some unsalted butter in a pan. After 2 minutes, add 2-3 cloves of crushed garlic and lightly fry.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain and then add to the pan with the butter and garlic. Gently fry for a minute or 2.

Remove the pan from the heat and season with black pepper to your taste. Plate up and grate a generous amount of parmesan over each plate and serve.

Slow cooker fajitas

My slow cooker is my favourite kitchen equipment, particularly when it is cold outside. Minimal fuss and mess, it does the cooking for you whilst you get on with your day, makes your house smell amazing and has dinner ready to go once you get home.

I know fajitas are not taxing to make normally, but I wondered about the impact a slow cook would have on the flavours and the juiciness of the chicken. This recipe only takes 4-6 hours on a low setting, so is best saved for a busy weekend afternoon cook (or any day you aren’t at work). I found it on the Good Housekeeping website and gave it a go.

When shredding the chicken, it fell apart into steaming, beautifully seasoned pieces, perfectly cooked through. It smelt and tasted amazing, as did everything else included in the slow cooker. The recipe calls for 2 cloves of garlic, but in my house, there is no such thing as too much garlic, so I used 3. A range of coloured capsicums, a large red onion, chilli all went in to the bowl, with fajita seasoning, chopped tomatoes and tomato puree. What came out was a bright, delicious meal. Served with tortillas, salsa and some grated cheddar, it was worth the wait.

Baked chicken

This recipe satisfies the need for comfort food that is filling but healthy and definitely tasty. The recipe I followed, found on gimmesomeoven.com, recommends brining the chicken breasts for a minimum of 15 minutes before cooking. A big bowl of lukewarm water and a handful of salt dissolved in it is all you need.

Once brined, brush the chicken with melted butter then season with spices of your choice. We chose a mixture of black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika and a pinch of chilli powder. Then bake in the oven for about 17 minutes on 230c or gas mark 8.

Once cooked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving with your sides of choice. We go for sweet potato wedges and veg.

Figs in Vanilla Syrup

This recipe by James Martin makes great use of the figs coming into season, is delicious, and also makes a nice addition to a gift hamper.

All you need for one jar is 8 figs, caster sugar (100g), half a vanilla pod split lengthways, a cinnamon stick and citric acid.

Make sure to sterilise your jar(s). This can be done by washing in hot soapy water and then placing in a pre-heated oven for 20 minutes, or by running through your dishwasher on a hot setting.

Once sterilised, halve the figs and add to the jar, cut side pointing outwards along the glass. Add the rest to the middle of the jar, packing tightly.

Pre-heat the oven to 150c or gas mark 2.

Add all other ingredients minus the citric acid to a saucepan with 400ml of water and gently bring to the boil, ensuring that the sugar has dissolved.

Remove the vanilla pod, scrapping the seeds into your syrup, and stir the citric acid through. Add the used vanilla pod to your jar, followed by the syrup to the brim. Top the jar with a piece of foil, and place on a baking sheet in the pre-heated oven for 30 minutes. During this time the syrup should become a light pink colour. Once removed from the oven, seal the jar and allow to cool. Once cold, check that the jar is sealed correctly and label.

I served mine with vanilla bean ice cream, a lovely combination.

If you do have the chance to try any of these out, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! 

I'll be back in a couple of weeks, hopefully with a tan, probably with some stories, and definitely with a hangover.

Hygge Hugs & a Return to Writing

Hi loves, it’s been a while.

I apologise for being MIA, much has been happening, some good, some bad, and alas, time (and inspiration) has not been abundant.

That glorious, golden tinge has begun to settle over the northern hemisphere announcing autumn’s arrival (my favourite season), and as such I’ve begun my usual hunt for warming recipes and cosy activities, plus indulging in the purchase of a jumper or two, anticipating the chill. I always feel at my most positive during autumn, safely wrapped up in scarves, clutching hot drinks and watching the leaves make their final glorious display before making way for bare branches. I decided last year to start making the most of this feeling, to try and adopt it throughout the year.

I began following the concept of hygge (hue-guh) a few months ago, the Danish concept of living in contentment and well-being. It’s marvellous how much positivity comes with taking time for yourself, allowing space for enjoyment of the things you love, those Danes are really onto something. Reading, sipping tea, listening to music or podcasts, painting, spending time with friends, or simply sitting in quiet contentment. Hygge encourages creating comfort, whether that be within your home, in your relationships or simply yourself.

I decided to pursue a hygge frame of mind in the aftermath of an anxiety diagnosis. For a long time, I felt unease in the way my thoughts operated, constantly feeling a low level of panic, not sleeping and questioning interactions with others. Finally seeking guidance from my doctor gave me the clarity and support I needed. With that came the realisation that I needed to review the way I choose to live, leading to the discovery of hygge.

There is no right or wrong way to attaining a feeling of hygge, it’s a personal journey that only you can take. But I’m happy to share with you how I approach it.

The first piece of my puzzle fell into place when I realised, after years of thinking the opposite, that I am (much to everyone in my life’s disbelief) an introvert. Not in the misunderstood sense – a discomfort of being around people or being active in social discussion – but in the sense that, after socialising, participating in discussion or time spent with loved ones, I need time to decompress on my own, in my own company, in my own safe space. It allows me to reset and prevents becoming overwhelmed by the constant barrage of information and attention that comes with venturing out into the world.

Hygge helps me tackle this. At home, I burn candles with lovely scents, have soft lighting, and a sofa covered in warm blankets. It’s a safe environment built for comfort and relaxation, a sanctuary from bright lights and overbearing noises.

I endeavour to spend 30 minutes at least every day, indulging in doing some of my favourite things. Reading has played an enormous role in my life, so it seems only fitting that a giant bookcase (thank you for this most appreciated of Christmas gifts mum and dad), stuffed to the brim with fiction, fact, recipes, crafts, horror, fantasy and humour now resides in a cosy nook in my living room, a lamp and a comfy seat tucked by its side.

I’ve always been a huge true crime fan (not particularly in line with the hygge mentality I know, but you can give me this one), so I made a point to discover and listen to podcasts focussed on this (albeit morbid) interest of mine. Those combined (respectfully) with comedy are a favourite, as I’m sure any fellow murderinos can agree (SSDGM).

Hygge doesn’t have to be kept to the confines of the home. Taking a walk around your favourite landscape, whether that be rolling hills or bustling streets, can play its part. As can trips to the cinema, pub, library, the gym (not a part a hygge for me, but sadly still a necessity), eating out, farmer’s markets, craft fairs, bell ringing, you get my point. Find your contentment, your fulfilment, and embrace it. Allow yourself the indulgence of time for you and your loves. Celebrate the smaller things, create rituals that fill you with joy. In a world of never-ceasing negativity and conflict, make your own peace. And if that peace is to be found in the middle of a concert, so be it.

In the approach to winter (except for you spring-bound Southern Hemisphere-ers) with dark mornings and darker nights on the horizon, there isn’t a better time to start appreciating the things that delight you. Hygge is an all-year, all-time endeavour, but in the face of the cold, murky months you may find that you are more eager to seek out the blissful things in life before the weather catches up.

London Love & Happily Ever After

As is always my excuse when I haven't posted for a while, the past few weeks have been chaotic. I haven't had a chance to pause for breath!

Tis the season for lots of weddings, and I have reached that time of life where all my friends have opted for grown up-ness and started to create their Happily Ever Afters. This was very much the theme of the wedding I attended a few weeks ago. The bride was truly princess-like, and everything had a sprinkle of sparkle.

In amongst all the nuptials, I've been a busy bee. First stop, the Shard. I've had a want to visit the viewing platform at the Shard for a while, and I was lucky enough to be gifted the experience for Christmas. I decided to hold off booking until the weather was warmer (albeit still as unreliable as only British weather can be). It didn't disappoint. I managed to visit just on the cusp of the heatwave we have been experiencing. Azure blue skies and golden sunshine reigned supreme on the day we ventured up, up and away, and the view was breathtaking.

Completely worth the visit, if you haven't already done so, I urge you to go. Afterwards, a trip to Borough Market is a must. Despite the tragedy that befell the area not long ago, the atmosphere is fantastic, and there are so many sights, sounds and tastes to experience.

I was back into London this weekend, this time Hyde Park-bound for the British Summer Time event. Green Day headlined the Saturday session, and as a huge fan, it was obligatory attendance. This was my 6th time seeing the band, and I never get tired of it, it was amazing. Unfortunately their Glasgow gig was cancelled this week due to adverse weather conditions. To their Scottish fans, I'm so sorry you missed out. I'm sure they'll be back to entertain you soon.

I've managed to squeeze in a few walks and wanders here and there, taking advantage of the weather and the views. We found cherry trees growing near our house earlier this week, so took advantage of the abundance of fruit that was ready to pick.

I'll be snacking on a few of these, and possibly bottling the rest to make cherry wine. Remember, if you do go fruit picking, be responsible, and only take what you need and are sure you can use.

I'm waiting in anticipation of the blackberries ripening on the multitude of bushes surrounding where I live, and will be visiting the community orchard shortly to see how the apples and pears are coming along. In the meantime, more evening strolls around the local beauty spots will suffice.

I'll be back with another post soon, hopefully discussing more fab local businesses and days out!

Grenfell Tower Fire - How to Help

In light of the terrible situation many people are currently facing in West London, with the devastating turn of events at Grenfell Tower, I'm putting this post out with details of how to help, where you can find help, and what contact details you can use to track down loved ones. I never usually put this in my posts, but please share, by any means you have, in the hope that this list can assist in some way.

Tracking down loved ones

If you know someone who has been caught up in the situation, you can contact the Met Police Casualty Bureau to express any concerns you may have about their welfare. The number to call is 0800 0961 233.

Shelter

If you live in the London area and are able to offer shelter and accommodation to those affected by the fire, you can register yourselves with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

There are also rest centres set up at Westways Sports Centre at 1 Crowthorne Road, W10 6RP, the Rugby Portobello Trust on Walmer Road, W11 1LU, Harrow Club, 187 Freston Road, W10 6TH and St Clements Church, Treadgold Street W11 4BP.

Donations

The fire has robbed many of everything they own, some left with only their pyjamas.

Donations of clothes, water, food, toiletries, toys, blankets etc can be made at several locations:

• Fulham FC, Craven Cottage
• Central Guruduara, 62 Queensdale Street, W11 4SG
• Westways Sprots Centre, 1 Crowthorne Road, W10 6RP
• Rugby Protobello Trust - the Trust are currently putting together a list of provisions required and will be publishing this shortly.

If you do not live in London but still wish to help, JustGiving pages have been set up in order to raise money to support those directly affected. You can decide which effort you would like to contribute to here.

If you are able to do anything at all, I'm sure it will be appreciated. Again, if you are able to share this post please do. I hope you're all safe today.

Eclectic tastes, spa dates and a bun race

It's been a busy few weeks recently, with no hint of slowing down in the near future. I've been here, there and everywhere! I've reached that age (which will not be disclosed here) where all my friends are having significant birthdays, getting married, buying homes and joining the parental ranks.

I on the other hand feel relatively grown-up if I go on a night out without falling home in a stupor, and think I'm pretty fabulous for doing a load of washing without flooding my kitchen.

It does mean that there is an inordinate amount of events to attend in the coming months, meaning my diary is reminiscent of a Jackson Pollock effort. I spent last night gluing sequins onto a clothing item I wouldn't usually be caught in in prep for an upcoming hen do. I can't give the details away on the off-chance that the lovely hen reads this post, however I do promise at least one picture of said outfit. Needless to say, time is not something I have in spades at the moment.

But onto recent events. A few weeks back I went to the O2 to see Craig David. I have what would be described as an eclectic taste in music, and whilst I tend to favour rock and indie sounds, there was a time when I could be found doing the sniper pose to the latest Garage release. I still love it when out and the DJ jumps into a Garage set. It brings back great memories, and the music is great to dance to.

Craig David was my first gig at 14, travelling to Birmingham with one of my pals, and it was brilliant. He didn't disappoint all these years later. This time around, he sung for the first hour, old songs and new, playing to his new fans but keeping his older fans (i.e. me) happy. Once he got the crowd in the mood, he proceeded to play an hour-long DJ set, effectively turning the Arena into a giant nightclub. Needless to say my legs were feeling the burn the next day. It was an amazing night, and it's easy to forget just what a great performer he is. If you have the chance to get tickets for any of his upcoming gigs, go, you won't regret it.

A couple of weeks later, I went back into London for not just one, but 2 theatre visits. This weekend was a little more refined than my earlier trip!

I'd managed to get tickets to see Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf at the Harold Pinter, starring the wondrous Imelda Staunton and Conleth Hill, alongside the great Imogen Poots and Luke Treadaway. I've wanted to see Imelda Staunton perform for longer than I can remember and she did not disappoint. All four actors exuded energy, the talent was raw and irrepressible. Imelda Staunton is a force to be reckoned with, and the 2 younger cast members did well to hold their own in the face of her undeniable talent. But it was Conleth Hill who really captured my attention. Quieter, more subtle in his delivery, but nonetheless equally present, he embraced his role, making you simultaneously pity and revile his lot in life. It was an astounding performance, and I'm forever indebted to my friend Chris for the recommendation.

There was barely a pause for breath once the show was over, as I had also secured tickets for Othello at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, a wonderful recapturing of a Jacobean playhouse next to the Globe. Othello is a favourite of mine, and having had these tickets for a year, I couldn't wait to watch. I wasn't disappointed, it was fantastic. Funny and tragic, the production was everything I'd looked forward to. The setting itself did so much in creating drama and atmosphere. Lit entirely by candle-light, the players incorporated the candles themselves into the very fabric of the play, which worked beautifully alongside the acapella music provided on the balcony. It was magical and mysterious, a little like the playwright himself.

Easter weekend followed, with a trip to visit friends and their village's annual beer and bun run. I sampled the beer, I sampled the bun. I did not sample the run. The walk back to the car satisfied my exercise-related desires that day!

Easter Monday was spent in luxury thanks to my rather gorgeous best friend. We visited the Y Spa at Wyboston Lake for on of their sun-down sessions. Utter bliss, I haven't been that relaxed in a long time, and seriously considered taking up residence in their infinity pool, prune fingers be damned. The food was lovely, the surroundings beautiful, and the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. I'm looking forward to going back!

Heated water beds are now a must in my life. See that face? Happiness personified!

There's so much going on that writing on here has become more difficult, but I'll do my very best to keep you all up-to-date, and let you know what lovely places to visit if you're ever in my neck of the woods :) 

Mothering Sunday at Browns

I decided to do something different for my mum on Mother's Day this year. Each time this day rolls around I buy her her favourite flowers (tulips and daffodils for those who wondered), a gift and possibly take her out for lunch to her favourite spot if our schedules allow. I frequently get told off if she feels I've gone overboard on the gift-giving (it's not possible to do so), but it's worth it to see her enjoy the day and be reminded of how much she is appreciated.

This year, I opted to treat her to that most quintessentially British experience - afternoon tea. Who doesn't love a good cup of tea accompanied by dainty sandwiches and indulgent cakes?! A wonderful friend of mine works at Browns and suggested I take her there. Luckily I got our booking in early, the closer the day came, the increasingly busy they were beginning to look. After an hour (or 2) of mooching around the shops, (and possibly indulging in the purchase of a hat or 3), we pootled into Browns for our lunch.

The first thing to know about Browns (Milton Keynes branch), is that the staff are lovely. Every single person we came across gave us a friendly greeting, checked that we were ok, and offered to fetch us anything we desired. They could not do enough.

We were seated and told the options available to us - traditional, champagne or a most unusual afternoon tea - and our drinks were brought to the table. This was my mum's first afternoon tea experience (I know, I don't understand how either), so she opted for the traditional option, as did I.

We were then served our food, and it was just gorgeous. Tiny brioche rolls filled with salmon, cream cheese, chicken and avocado were accompanied by mini profiteroles, black cherry mousse, opera cake and scones. Everything was delicious, and my mum adored it.

Just looking at this picture makes my mouth water!

The atmosphere in Browns adds to the experience. It was incredibly busy, but didn't feel crowded or overly loud. Buzzy and social, the staff were busy but never too busy to help if you needed it, you barely waited for your food, and never once felt rushed to finish. It's light and airy, comfortable and welcoming. We had a really lovely time, and my mum thoroughly appreciated her Mother's Day treat.

I even managed to score a photo of my friend Stu rocking one of my new hats. I did threaten to add it to this post, but seeing as he and his staff took such good care of us, I'll be kind and omit it!

Browns is a chain brasserie, so if you fancy treating yourself and a close one to the experience, you'll be able to do so with ease. All locations can be found here. Also make sure to check out their menus, there is some seriously delicious things in there!

So, a thank you to all at Browns who contributed to my mum's lovely afternoon, it was very much appreciated! We'll definitely be back!

My love of London

I've been struggling to find something to write about in recent months, I apologise for the silence. Nothing of huge significance has caused this, I have just had my mind on other things. I am intending to be more vocal, hopefully I'll find some inspiration in the coming weeks!

But I thought I'd write today in light of the attack on London yesterday afternoon. 

London has long been one of my favourite places. I live not too far away, and consider myself incredibly lucky as a result. I worked there for a brief period, have been visiting the theatre district for years, and have indulged in many of the wondrous activities on offer there. It, like everywhere else, is not perfect. London has its problems. But it is a diverse, living, breathing organism, full of life and vitality. It has opportunity, history, colour, sound, activity, a pulse. It is a place of inclusion and experimentation. London doesn't just belong to those who inhabit it, but shares itself with the world, inviting all to participate in its vivacity. 

Yesterday was a dark day in the city. But in amongst the tragedy, there have been shining examples of why this city is so bloody brilliant. From the bystanders dropping to their knees to assist the injured, the bravery and sacrifice of PC Palmer, and Tobias Ellwood, the MP who, without concern for his own safety, ran to his aid, to the hundreds of emergency service workers at the scene, putting themselves in harm's way to protect citizens and tourists alike. The school children trapped in Parliament who sang songs to keep everyone's spirits up. The overwhelming response for public support in piecing together what happened. These actions deserve to be recognised and remembered. We owe a great deal of thanks to those commissioned with protecting civilians. 

Those that choose to attack western cities, those that choose to kidnap young women in Africa, those who torture, maim and kill in the middle east, are weak. They seek to terrorise but only succeed in drawing us ever closer together. By trying to cause division, they achieve only in inflaming our spirit. They cause damage, yes, but they remind us why we must rally, must never give in to fear and must continue our way of living.

Today a vitriolic bottom feeder called Katie Hopkins announced to Fox News and the American public that British citizens are cowed and fearful, that we are divided. To that, I say 'Bollocks'. She does not speak for us, and her particular brand of spiteful bile is reviled by a majority of us here. I ask that you do not take her at her word. We are sad, we are angry, we are incensed. We are going about our day-to-day lives as normal. 

I'll be heading into the city this weekend and I will go with the same enthusiasm as always. I'll think of those whose lives have been so drastically altered this week. And I'll go about my day normally, in their honour. 

Autumn's arrival

At last it's here. Crunchy leaves under foot, steaming cups of tea, long scarves and warm jumpers. Just a few of the reasons I love autumn.

It's a beautiful time of year if you ignore the one or two damp days that accompany it. Even as I type, the view out of the window is stunning - blue sky, bright sunshine and burnished leaves. I've been going out and about recently, enjoying the scenery, and the benefits autumn affords us. Local to me is a wonderful community orchard, and the community is invited to pop by and help themselves to some of the tasty fruit on offer. I went there last week with the aim of filling my fruit bowl (and maybe making a crumble or two). Just walking to it is a pleasure, it feels like you're making your way to a secret garden.

I love the anticipation of what's to come when we reach this season, there's so much to look forward to. In the next couple of weeks we have our big annual beer festival happening, the Apple Day celebrations at Bromham Mill, film festivals, Halloween. you then have Bonfire Night to look forward to and then (whisper it) Christmas. Everybody else seems to see summer as their social peak of the year, but I've always preferred autumn.

I even broke out my slow cooker yesterday. It's great coming home to your dinner already prepared after work, plus my house smelt amazing! I love having friends over for dinner, so did just that last night, testing out one of my recipes on her. Luckily she seemed to like it!

Even the food and drinks available to us seem to be getting into the autumnal spirit this year. I know it's almost obligatory to drink nothing but pumpkin spiced lattes from September onwards, but now there's something better, pumpkin spice Baileys. And I have a bottle all to myself. Don't look at me like that, I'm an only child, sharing can be difficult for us...

In between all the fall festivities, this is the best time of year for reading that book you haven't quite got around to, or watching those movies you've had on your list for ages. So if anyone needs me, I'll be found curled up in a blanket somewhere with a good book and a cup of tea.

Soup in Summer

I'm that weird breed that constantly craves what I can't have. It's summer? I miss autumn. Tell me I'm gluten-intolerant? I want to mainline bread and beer. I can only buy brick-red lipstick? But I want oxblood. I can't help it, I'm bloody difficult. I also want things that are deeply inappropriate for this time of year. Boots, hats, but mainly soup. And none of that cold gazpacho. Hot, hearty soup.

Yes, yes I know it's due to be a scorcher of a week. The sun is bright, sky is blue, and the thermometer is edging towards 30. The normal among us will be sipping a cool drink and contemplating a salad (or a tub of ice-cream) for lunch in their quest to stay cool. Me? I want soup. The stomach wants what the stomach wants. Plus the sight of another lettuce leaf may just tip me over the edge.

I've been making a conscious effort to be healthy of late (ignore recent Instagram pictures, we're all allowed a cheat day), so I wanted to put something together that would be filling and satisfying, but packed full of nutrients, not calories. I also wanted to make something that would be accessible to as many as possible, so stuck with the vegetable variety, and what wouldn't cost a fortune to make. I took inspiration from the website Yummly - http://www.yummly.co.uk/. If you haven't got an account already, I'd suggest signing up. Free to use with hundreds of suggestions, you can't beat it. It's particularly good for those of us who are restricted in what we can eat. 

I found a recipe that utilised a slow cooker, so lessened the effort involved as you just bung everything in! It's a bulk recipe so make sure you have plenty of tubs to hand, or a large group to feed. But with it's lack of meat it should last for a few days, and the ingredients are robust so should freeze well too.

You need:

• 1 litre vegetable stock (I use Knorr, as all of their standard stock cubes are gluten-free)
• A sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, diced (alternatively, a handful of shallots would be a lovely addition)
• 2 tins of haricot beans
• A tin of chopped tomatoes
• Celery
• 4 carrots
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 red chilli, de-seeded and chopped (if you don't like spice just omit this. You can also replace with chilli flakes)
• A pinch of allspice
• 1 1/2 tsps paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Prep all your vegetables and place in your slow cooker, along with the garlic, beans and tomatoes. Sprinkle over your seasoning and add the stock. Set the slow cooker to low for 7 hours. If in more of a hurry, set to high for approx. 4 hours.

The beauty of this is that you can throw anything in that you like. Have a play and see what you think!

Trying my hand at upcycling

As is the case with me more frequently than I would like to admit, I become ridiculously busy, my attention is diverted and I forget to commit time to the things I enjoy! I hope that the summer is going well for you wherever you are! Or winter depending on which hemisphere you are reading this from!

Mine has been, as previously mentioned, a bit hectic to say the least, and is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. Between weddings, hen dos, birthdays, house projects and work, I've been kept rather busy!

I did find time to work on a project I've been meaning to get to for ages - upcycling my bedside drawers. I've been inspired by my cousin, who is incredible at taking plain, unloved furniture, and transforming them into gorgeous pieces. Freecycle is a wonderful thing, and I managed to nab a set of 2 pine, 3 drawer units a few months back. Having been stored in a garage with several things piled up on top of them, they were a bit scratched and sorry looking, but were functional and did their job. I've been planning their makeover for a while, but am the most indecisive person when it comes to choosing colour, or anything for that matter.

But as you can see, they needed some love and attention...

Finally having selected their new hue, and bought some beautiful new drawer knobs to add to them, I decided to make a start. Before these I'd only upcycled a small side table, so this job was slightly more daunting! 

I used chalk paint, as I love the finish it gives. The great thing about it is that you only need to provide a light sand on the surface for the paint to take. Just be sure to give it a thorough wipe over to remove all the loose particles. Once that was done, I added a coat of paint - colour choice called Flint - and allowed it to dry. I topped up a few areas where the wood colour was still visible, but as I was going for a vintage, worn look, I didn't worry too much. Once this was completely dry, I added a coat of clear wax, allowing it to set for a while before buffing off. Adding the final touch of the new handles, they were complete, and quite beautiful if I do say so myself!

From start to finish, the 2 units took around 6 hours to complete, and cost about £50 to renovate once the cost of the handles, paint and wax are factored in. I used the same products to upcycle a dresser for the bedroom too, without having to buy more, so a little really does go a long way. 

If you've been thinking about a similar project but have never tried it before, do what I did, practice on something smaller, preferably something that you didn't spend a lot on, if anything at all. But it's surprisingly easy, and really therapeutic. No item of furniture in my house is now safe! 

Independent Businesses - The Healing Shed

Recently I've been feeling sluggish and more than a little lethargic. It had been a while since my last break from work, so last week I headed off to (occasionally) sunny Norfolk for a few days of relaxation. It was much needed. As with everything the stresses of work and the every-day build up until it's take a break, or actually break. It's worked wonderfully, I'm feeling pretty great! However this isn't all attributable to my little trip away. A couple of days before setting off I was lucky enough to visit the lovely Jennifer in her beautiful Healing Shed.

I met Jennifer at a fundraising pamper evening for the Bedford Daycare Hospice. She was one of the wonderful volunteers who had sacrificed their evening to provide treatments for attendees, all in the name of donating their fees to the Hospice. Having been treated to a back massage with Jen (which was heavenly), we got talking about her life and what other treatments she offers. Whilst there are a multitude of strings to Jen's ever-increasing bow, her passion for Reiki really caught my attention.

I had never experienced reiki before, and knew very little about it, but Jen was more than happy to talk to me about it and offer me insight into its meaning and purpose, a well as inviting me to a session.

Reiki was developed by a Japanese buddhist in the early 1920s, and centres on the concept of transferring positive or healing energy from the practitioner to the client through the placement of hands. Reiki masters train students in the field, and the knowledge is passed on from master to student and so on and so forth.

Jennifer has been conscientiously working on developing a space on her property at home to practice from, transforming a space on her land into a beautiful, tranquil spot for her clients to visit for a number of treatments, including reflexology, deep tissue massage and, of course, reiki. You can find out more on her website here http://www.thehealingshed.com/treatments.

When I arrived, I was taken through to Jen's back garden, a beautiful space. I was taken through to the treatment space, where Jen told me a little more about her ambitions for the business. She has a series of workshops available for people to attend. These include meditation, reiki levels 1 & 2, smudge stick making, dreamcatcher workshops and reiki shares, with more to be added soon. It's clear just from talking to Jen that she genuinely adores what she does, and has a powerful desire to help others.

The treatment began with Jen asking me to lie down on the treatment bed. She then placed specific gemstones at various spots around me, and began the session.

It's incredibly difficult to describe the session, as I was so calm and relaxed, I very nearly drifted off! Jen was aware from having given me a back massage that I struggle with upper back issues, so she focussed on this area. She placed her hands at specific points and held them there for short periods of time, whilst I relaxed, eyes closed, listening to the sound of the birds in her garden and enjoying the stillness. I came away feeling incredibly peaceful, and felt throughout the session a strong sense of positive wellbeing.

It was perfectly lovely. Jennifer has created a beautiful little nook for her clients to visit, and she is such a lovely presence to be around, you would be hard-pressed to leave feeling anything but rested and serene. I really do believe that you are only capable of having a positive experience with a person who has a true enthusiasm for what they do. Jen is such a person. Friendly, warm and welcoming, she is an open book, so willing to talk about her craft and explain the reasons behind what she does, and you leave feeling as though you have made a wonderful new friend. Having never tried reiki before, I'd certainly go back to see her. That relaxed feeling is addictive!

You can also follow the Healing Shed on Twitter and Facebook at https://twitter.com/@the_healingshed and https://www.facebook.com/jenshealingshed.

  

Bedford Daycare Hospice

This blog has been a bit of a blessing. What started out as a casual opportunity to write some babble that perhaps a handful of people may wish to read, it has become a wonderful chance to meet some truly fantastic people doing incredible work.

This week I was invited to spend time with a group of people doing one of the most fundamentally selfless, generous of jobs - running a hospice for those in our society who suffer from life-limiting conditions. Bedford Daycare Hospice provides support, company and activity for seriously ill people from Monday to Friday, as well as raising awareness and fundraising on behalf of those who need support in their time of need. I am lucky enough to know one of the fantastic folk that work there.

My friend contacted me, asking if I would like to visit the hospice and take a look at some of the work they do, and I jumped at the chance. As I have said in previous posts, chances seem few and far between these days to celebrate the positives in life, it seems silly to pass up the opportunity to do so. So keen was I, we in fact arranged 2 visits. The first took place before the hospice opened one morning last week. I took my mum along with me, a further opportunity to both spend time with a friend not seen for a while. On arrival, Caroline showed us around the main building.

I imagine that, when the word 'hospice' arises, most people picture a clinical, cold, impersonal place, full of uniformed staff and blank, spaces lacking personalitiy. This could not be further from the truth when it comes to Bedford Daycare Hospice. The staff wear their own clothes, to make their clients feel more at ease around them. The main lounge is full of comfy armchairs for visitors to relax in. Beds are available in other rooms, if quieter, more relaxed times are needed. It feels warm, bright, and, importantly, it feels comfortably familiar. So good are they, that they were awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services 2013.

The staff could not be lovelier. These guys are fantastic. Enthusiastic, caring and generally just rather brilliant, they are a wonderful bunch. The time they dedicate to making every experience here pleasant is only surpassed by the willingness of all involved to dedicate free time outside of work to fundraising money to keep the hospice ticking along.

Once we had completed our look around the main building, Caroline took us into one of the hospice's ongoing projects, the Butterfly Boutique. A quaint addition to the grounds of the hospice, the Butterfly Boutique is an onsite shop, selling all manner of treasures kindly donated by the public. Needless to say that, with myself and my mum in attendance, it was slightly emptier after our visit! It really is gorgeous, full of goodies, and in such a beautiful setting. I urge you to visit and take a look. Not only will you enjoy your time there, but you will be helping fund an excellent, necessary cause. And you can always donate your own items if you are feeling particularly generous!

Once we had the full tour and I had taken plenty of pictures, it was arranged that I would come back and attend the pamper evening organised to raise funds for the hospice. I was lucky enough to nab a facial and back massage spot on the evening, no mean feat considering how many people attended! All the treatments given were as a result of time donated by local practitioners, and what a lovely bunch they were. My first treatment was provided by the wonderful Caron who gave me the most relaxing facial. During the session we talked, and I asked what prompted her to join in the festivities. Her response was touching, being that she wanted to assist in making the lives of those in difficult situations easier to handle. She also visits the hospice regularly to provide treatments for visitors, she's a genuinely terrific individual.

I then had a session with the lovely Jennifer from the Healing Shed for a back massage. This was her first time volunteering at the hospice. She wants to contribute more of her time to the community, and offering help to those who need it. She's fantastic.

On the evening, a raffle was taking place, products were available for purchase, and socialising was taking place. It was a wonderful atmosphere, with everyone enjoying their treatments and getting to know those who had also come along. Treatments on pamper evenings are £10 for 30 minutes, with the proceeds donated to the running and upkeep of the hospice. It was a lovely way to spend an evening.

There are a multitude of events and experiences made available, all in aid of continuing the excellent work taking place at Bedford Daycare. In the next few weeks alone you can attend a coffee morning (4th June. I'll be there. Come along, I'll buy you a coffee.), the Sweetings nightclub 30th reunion (11th June), a river cruise including food and bubbles (13th July), Proms in the Park (tickets purchased from the hospice will donate £5 back to them), and the Purple Butterfly Ball in Pavenham (17th September). There is so much to get involved in, all great fun. There is something for everyone, and it all contributes to your brownie points! You can find out more about future events, and the hospice itself at http://bedforddaycarehospice.org.uk/About.htm. You can also find out more about the Butterfly Boutique on the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/butterflyboutiquebedford/?fref=ts.

There are thousands of charities out there, all needing support and funding. Many of them are almost faceless. We receive pamphlets through our doors, asking for help, collectors on the high street, informing us about the good work occurring. But it's something else entirely to see it in practice. To talk to the people on the front line of it, day-to-day, delivering the care, working with the people, trying to keep everything running. These people care so deeply about what they do and who they do it for, you can see it when you talk to them, in the dedication they show to their work. They had a fundamental effect on both myself and my mum. We left wanting to, wishing we could, do more. And we're hoping to. The lounge in the main building needs a spruce up. If needed, we're going in, paint brushes in hand. We'll be attending their events, and jogging our friends to join in with us. There is a multitude of ways to help. New towels are needed for visitors. Cleaning products, items for the Boutique, charitable donations, time that can be given to improve onsite areas. Painters, decorators, plumbers, electricians, tinkers, tailors, soldiers, sailors, I'm calling on you guys. If you can help please do. You can contact me and I will pass on details. Alternatively you can contact the hospice directly on their site. But if you feel that you can offer anything, I really do, in the most heartfelt of ways, urge you to. Charities like this one, community based, quietly getting on with their work without making a huge fuss, are the ones that need help. They require our support in order to support others. I just hope that, should anyone I know and love ever need the assistance of such a wonderful enterprise, that they are still going strong, and that it is still filled with the kind of gold-hearted souls as it currently is.

Brighton, cocktails and inflatables

My friends have all deemed 2016 the year to get married, which is setting the tone for an exciting summer! Along with the beautiful wedding invites, hen do invitations have been winging around all over the place. The first 'do was this weekend in sunny Brighton.

My friends are a wonderfully eclectic bunch, all different but all fab. For this particular bride-to-be (my gorgeous friend Clare), lovely bridesmaid Amy arranged for us to compete in It's a Knockout. Think inflatables, think foam, think raucous lunatics running around! Great, great fun, all completed with the obligatory hen-do t-shirts and the cork hats favoured by our Australian buddies. Needless to say the only photo you guys are getting a look at is the one above! I did rather well in the drunken penalty shoot-out, wearing goggles that give the impression of one too many gins and dribbling a ball past 3 inflatable defenders, but it was pointed out that, as I enjoy a tipple, it's likely I've grown accustomed to seeing that way anyway and my success doesn't count!

My personal favourite moment was bride-to-be Clare dressed as a penguin being chased by 2 other brides dressed as penguins, all ending in a bout of sumo wrestling. What's not to love?!

It was a brilliant afternoon. If you're looking to organise anything similar I'd recommend checking it out. We were blessed with gorgeous weather, but they do still run in the rain so don't be put off by it's outdoorsy nature.

The evening was a slightly more refined occasion. Well it involved a cocktail making class, so it didn't remain refined for very long, but still, there were dresses and heels, as opposed to the trainers and trackies from earlier! We had a lovely cocktail waiter, Carlos, demonstrating all the tricks of his trade, then the poor soul let us loose on his bar. Shots, slushies, bombs and cosmos where all enjoyed!

Afterwards, we headed for dinner, then on to a nightclub, before collapsing at an hour too early to be decent. Breakfast at an American diner was my saviour the next morning!

We're heading to Bournemouth next weekend for the big day, so it will be all systems go again. I'll make sure to take plenty of lovely photos for you all to enjoy. When I get back, I'll be telling you all about the wonderful work of the Bedford Daycare Hospice, and the events that they run. Have a great week!

Independent Businesses - Cleanse & Wellbeing (Forever Living)

There is a wealth of opportunity these days for everybody to dip their toes into the realm of self-employment. No longer restricted by having to rent or own premises, the internet and social media have flung open the doors of possibility, you just need to have the drive and motivation to give it a go.

There are companies out there facilitating these opportunities, encouraging individuals to invest in products in order to build their own businesses. There is still a certain level of scepticism about such endeavours, so I took the chance to speak to Caroline, an active advocate of Forever Living products and owner of Cleanse & Wellbeing, to find out about the viability and lifestyle that comes from being involved.

I met Caroline at the D'Parys birthday event, mentioned in an earlier post. We did the stereotypical thing of chatting in the ladies restroom and quickly discovering that we have things in common (both gluten intolerant, it's amazing how these things encourage bonding!).

Bubbly, friendly and smart, Caroline told me about her business, and how much she believes in the products she sells. When you experience intolerances, whether they be dietary or other, you quickly become used to checking out the viability of different products and develop an interest in what you put into, and onto, your body. We arranged a get-together so that she could tell me more about what she does.

Previously working in HR, Caroline found herself in the tricky situation of facing redundancy last year. Testament to her character, instead of resting on her laurels, she looked at other opportunities in which to invest her time. An old school friend introduced her to the idea of Forever Living and encouraged her to find out more.

Forever Living is an American company, founded in Arizona, it has been running for 38 years and spans 150 countries. The products they offer are aloe vera-based (they farm their own aloe), and cover everything from health, beauty, fitness, home and pets. With a wealth of dietary supplements, skincare, weight management, cosmetics, vitamins and probiotics, they aim to cover all aspects of life.

Caroline has flown since starting up her own branch, hitting her first month's target in the first week! She talked to me about how she enjoys the social aspect of the job, and loves getting out there and meeting people, talking to them about the products that she believes can help them. She's a huge advocate for good customer service. Just speaking with her confirms that she cares a great deal about the clients she has gained and the quality of the products that she sells. Currently she is holding at least 2 events a month, whether face to face or online (you can find her Facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/CleanseAndWellbeing/), and she is also happy to come and talk to anybody  who may interested in her products. I was lucky enough to receive some samples, and I have to say, they've worked wonders. I'm particularly taken with the Aloe Heat Lotion. As someone who suffers with a recurring back problem, when the pain kicked in a few days ago, I decided to give it a try. It really did help, and i managed to go about my day with little discomfort. Needless to say, I've ordered a bigger batch! The lip balm is also a treasure, my lips feel so soft since using it. The shampoo and conditioner, body lotion, gel, I've yet to try any of my samples without finding a new gem.

It's lovely to know that, by placing an order with Caroline, I'm not just ordering a product that I will be happy to use, but I'm also helping her expand and strengthen her business. This lady has plans. Currently developing her website, she wants to build a team of her own, and wants to nurture others who want to give running their own business a try. Whilst she may have been dealt a hard hand with her previous career, it's admirable that she has dived straight into a new career path and has given it her all. It's clearly paying off and she deserves every positive outcome she achieves.

Caroline has an event coming up on Friday 29th April at The Cock Inn, Wootton from 7pm. I urge you to visit her, have a chat and find out more.                   

The Bedford Langar Project

External shot of the Gurdwara.

It is, sadly, a rare and happy occasion these days when we get to hear about acts of kindness, of generosity, of humanity. We are constantly inundated with images of horror, reports of violence and acts of terror. It would be easy to throw the proverbial towel in, throw our hands in the air and declare defeat in the face of such negativity. But then along comes a reminder that all certainly isn't lost.

I had one of those very reminders recently. Over the past few months, my attention has been drawn to The Bedford Langar Project, and it piqued my interest. Aware that it was a volunteer based project providing food for the homeless, but not knowing much more, I contacted them, and asked if I could meet them, see what they do and find out why.

Other events organised by the Gurdwara.

I was put into contact with Ravi, one of the most engaging characters I have met in a long time. He invited me to attend the next session, and I eagerly agreed to a visit last Sunday.

The Bedford Langar Project is a Sikh-run project, originally developed by 9 core members 2 years ago to assist the plight of those who struggle, and they have volunteers of all races and religions, and open their doors to everyone. The first Sunday of every month sees the volunteers meet together at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, roll their sleeves up, and put together delicious dishes to be transported to the town centre and dished out.

Fundraising success.

On arrival, Ravi gave me a tour of the Gurdwara, and gave me some insight into the Sikh faith. We slipped off our shoes, covered our hair and made our way inside.

Inside the Gurdwara.

An impressive building, it's incredibly peaceful inside. Spacious but welcoming, it's decorated with various artworks depicting the struggles experienced by Sikhs over the centuries. Pleasant the subject matter may not always be, but they are rich with a history that shouldn't be forgotten.

The kitchen was emitting gorgeous smells so we naturally gravitated there quite quickly! Inside we found possibly the most pleasant group of people I have ever met. We were welcomed and greeted so warmly, everyone was willing to talk to us about what they were making, how long they had been participating in the project and why. Ravi introduced us to the volunteers, and explained more about the project itself and how it came about.

Flurry of activity in the Gurdwara's kitchen.

The kitchen in action.

Sikh's practice the act of Seva, or selfless service to humanity. Seva intends that you help others where they require it, and the Langar Project does exactly this. Langar  refers to the food and kitchen itself, which is served daily within the Gurdwara. All the food is vegetarian, and none of the ingredients used by the project are permitted to be blessed, however the food served daily in the Gurdwara is. All people, regardless of race, religion or gender are welcome (demonstrated by the 4 doors placed around the Gurdwara), and it is designed to uphold the principle of equality. Sikh's are not permitted to preach to others about their faith, but will answer any questions asked by others.

Some of the food prep.

Once our tour was complete, we were served some of the food ( it was delicious) and I had the opportunity to speak with some of the volunteers. The recurring feeling emanating from the group was that participating in the Project is no hardship, but an enjoyable opportunity to help others and benefit society. Jas, one of the women volunteering that day, said that being able to help, to witness the comfort brought to those who benefit from the food they prepare, makes her feel humbled. Others felt touched by how appreciated the whole endeavor is, and said they felt proud to be able to participate. As a group they are incredibly humble, not seeing what they do as anything particularly special, but just an enjoyable part of their life. They are a truly kind, generous group. As Ravi said, they have become a family, looking after each other as well as the wider community, and enjoying the time they spend working together. The project on average, prepares and serves around 100 at a time, an amazing feat.

The delicious food served by the project.

Once the food is cooked and packaged, it is whisked off to Church Square (or Pigeon Square as it is more commonly known) in Bedford Town Centre. Service starts at 6pm, in order to allow their clients to collect food and still have time to get to the night shelter, which closes its doors at 7pm, and the food is served in take-away boxes to aid with this. This is just another demonstration of the thoughtfulness of the entire exercise.

On arrival at the Square, clients were already gathering, waiting for service to start. As well as hot food, a selection of boxed desserts, chocolates, tea and coffee, and bottles of water were all handed out, most of which had been donated to the project. At Christmas, scarves and gloves were donated, the concern being that the group wouldn't see their regular attendees until January and were worried that they would suffer in the winter weather. Other occasions have seen boxes of biscuits, homemade baked goods and other donated food handed out.

Clients queue for the food prepared by the volunteers.

It isn't just the draw of food and a hot beverage that encourages so many to attend these events. As one of the volunteers stated, this might be the first time in days that some of these people have spoken to another person. Such is the plight of those who find themselves fighting through hardship, they see themselves becoming invisible to society. We can all be so wrapped up in our daily goings-on that we scurry past, not thinking just how much a passing hello or a friendly smile can help. The Bedford Langar Project provides respite from this, even if only for a short while. Volunteers laugh and joke with their clients, they ask after them and show an interest. They demonstrate care and affection where others would simply walk past, and they really do care.

The volunteers ready for action.

My afternoon spent with the volunteers of the Langar Project was truly eye-opening. It is a word used regularly throughout this piece, but it was extremely humbling. I feel incredibly lucky to have met such a wonderful group of people, and would like to thank them for affording me the opportunity to witness them in action. It was a wonderful experience, and the work being done by them is fantastic. They welcome everyone to participate, so if you would like to volunteer, I encourage you to do so. You have the opportunity to make somebody's day a little brighter, take it! You can contact the project on their Facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/BedfordLangarProject/?fref=ts for more information. I'm going to be back there next month, I hope I see some of you there!