Sunday, 7 September 2014

DOGGY MEMORIES

Thinking of training a new puppy, all the internet searches I'm doing at present, since it's been an unbelievable 20 years since we trained our puppy girls, Jessie and Jo.  And all this thinking has had me reliving many of the experiences they brought us through.  They were wonderful companions and such great company and I don't imagine we will EVER forget them.  And I do imagine little Miss Bella will often be compare to them ...... I just hope she lives up to her forerunners!

BEAUTIFUL, FEISTY JOJO






THE GORGEOUS, GENTLE, KISSING JESSIS
 
And we STILL say these are the two prettiest girls we've ever seen!!




Saturday, 6 September 2014

SATURDAY BAKING

Lovely light, fluffy egg sponge sandwiched with blackcurrant jam and
rich velvety double cream..........

EGG SPONGE with BLACKCURRANT JAM and DOUBLE CREAM

Ok.....this is not baking but..... top hats at their best!

PARTY TOP HATS

Friday, 5 September 2014

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?

We have always said we would never have another dog.  We both loved our two girls right through the 15 years we had them but, once we lost them, I was determined I never wanted to put myself in the position where I would have to inevitably face the same grief again.
 
Ben came to stay with us for a week....was here since last Friday.  He had just been here ONE NIGHT when I knew the battle was lost....we had to have another dog! 
We will never, ever forget our first two girls, Jessie and Jojo but
I am now ready to give a home of love to another little puppy.
 
I spent the week checking the newspapers and online -  initially thinking of a mini Schnauzer - then a Lhasa Apso, then a Shih Tzu.  I really was open to any offers!  There appeared to be no mini Schnauzers available, or Lhasa Apsos.  And then I found the most adorable little Shih Tzu puppy.... oh my goodness.... what's not to love??!! 

PUPPY BELLA FROM HER GUMTREE ADVERT
I could hardly wait to see her but we arranged
with the breeder to meet at Sprucefield on Friday evening and....
she is ADORABLE!!   Here's my first pictures taken
with the darling Bella.   One look at her, one cuddle
and she had both our hearts.....Jonathan is as
taken as I am!!

OUR FIRST MEETING WITH BELLA
What's not to love?????????
We pick her up on our return from holiday and I can hardly wait!!
 

Saturday, 30 August 2014

ANNUAL BARBECUE

Annual bbq at Thomas and Norma's - always a good night enjoyed by all.
I go with the intention of not staying too late as I haven't been feeling so great -
but we're not home til about 10.30
- and had a really good evening.
Great food and company! I made one of my favourite salads to take along ......
PEPPER, FETA AND ORZO SALAD love it in the summer months!
PEPPER, ORZO and FETA SALAD
 
Ingredients: 1 red onion, peeled, halved and finely sliced
2-3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces orzo pasta
3 roasted red peppers (from a jar, sliced)
6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
1 small bunch mint leaf, chopped
salt and pepper

Directions: Put the onion in a bowl, season really well and toss with the vinegar and olive oil. Leave to marinate and soften while the pasta is cooking. Cook the orzo in salted boiling water until just
tender, then drain and rinse under cold water and drain really well again. Toss with the onion mixture and gently mix through the rest of the ingredients.



MANGO and WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE






I also took along a MANGO and WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE.  First time I have made this and have to admit it didn't look very impressive.....the set wasn't very impressive either but it was rather tasty.  May be one that I never make again though....

Ingredients for 10
  • 150 g oaty biscuit crumbs
  • 40 g butter, melted
  • 425 g can mango slices in light syrup
  • Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime
  • 300 g white chocolate, broken into pieces
  • 280 g Philadelphia Original
  • 150 ml double cream, lightly whipped

Instructions
 
Stir the biscuit crumbs into the melted butter until coated and press into the base of a 19-20 cm loose bottomed cake tin or spring form tin.
 
Drain the mango slices from their syrup and puree the fruit in a liquidiser or food processor with the lime zest and juice.
 
Melt the chocolate by placing it in a basin over gently simmering hot water.
 
Whisk the Philly until soft then whisk in the cream and chocolate. Fold about half the mango puree into the Philly cream and spoon over the prepared base.
 
Immediately swirl the remaining mango puree on to the surface of the cheesecake to give an attractive pattern.
 
Chill for at least three hours before serving to allow the cheesecake to set.

Friday, 29 August 2014

BEN COMES TO STAY


JUST BONDING

We've had Debbie's Shih Tzu Ben here to stay with us for a week.....what a pet!
He's always been ready with a growl for me at ANY time - but not so this week....Ben knows not to bite the hand that feeds him :)   He has been a darling and is such a character.  We just love how he brings a toy to you when you come home....and he even tidies his own toys away!
We've had a great week with him while Debbie has been in Rome - and we will miss him when he goes home......didn't think we would feel that way!
......even better bonding!
Just going to help Auntie Linda with the gardening
                               
Uncle Jon and I keeping up with current affairs
Off walkies

Our bedtime selfie
 

Friday, 30 May 2014

RETURN TO MILLBURN ROAD

We head back to our own homw in Millburn Road -  I have been SO looking forward to returning and yet I am hit with mixed feelings now.  We had thought our lovely home was in safe hands, having entrusted all the rental proceedings to a local professional letting company - and through them letting our property to a professional 'gentleman'.
It appears there was nothing 'professional' about either the letting agents or the tenant and our home is no longer recognisable as ours.
 
I hope to post photos taken on the day we handed over to Peter Race... and the comparison of what we found awaiting us.
In the meantime  -  this is how this man and his daughter was living in our home!!
WHY??  HOW??



LOUNGE




 







SIDE HALLWAY



BEFORE
 







 

AND AFTER!
 



 
 
 

KITCHEN BEFORE
KITCHEN BEFORE
 
and after.....



 








MIDDLE FLOOR (MAIN)   BEDROOM














TOP FLOOR - LOUNGE TV ROOM
 
 







SMALLER TOP BEDROOM  - 











LOWER STAIRWAY - 












 
 
 
HOTPRESS AND BATHROOM .....






 






STAIRWAY ................................