Photos, memories, stuff and A RECIPE (as requested!)

I was going through photos and found these.

This was Bonnie as a wee pup.  Yes, I "pinked" her!  I didn't have a daughter. 



Angus got to the bed and decided that the mattress was good to play with.  And then Tom decided that this would be a good place to sleep. 



I had forgotten how tiny Bonnie was and, in comparison, how big was Tom.

I think The Stig is a big boy but he is nothing yet. 

I love The Stig and The Ninja and they are always making me smile but, jeez, I miss Tom and Sheba.  More than any other pets we've had.



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So.  Himself is still on the job hunt.  He missed out on another last week after the company decided to employ from in house.  But he was a close second.  Cold comfort.

Another interview today with an agency so now we wait to see if he gets to client interview and then, please please please, a job offer.

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I have a new personal trainer.  I LOVED my old one but she took another role.  The new one, though, will get results.  She won't take any shit and I am good at shit!!

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Lime Cheesecake (adapted from Women's Weekly Old Fashioned Desserts)

250g packet plain sweet biscuits (I use Marie or arrowroot)

125g butter, melted

250g cream cheese, softened

395g sweetened condensed milk

(I didn't say this was low fat, did I?)

2 teaspoons finely grated lime rind (be careful not to get the pith cos it's far more bitter than lemon pith and lime rind seems to be finer than lemon)

80ml (1/3 cup) lime jiuce

1 teaspoon gelatine

1 tablespoon water

Blend or process biscuits until misture resmbles fine breadcrumbs.  Add butter and process til combined.  Press mixtureevenly over base and side of 20cm springform tin, place on oven tray and refrigerate for approx 30 minutes.

Whilst chilling, beat cream cheese in small bowl with electric mixer until smooth.  Beat in condensed milk, rind and juice and beat til smooth.  (Make sure you get all the mixture off the bottom of the bowl or you'll have to rebeat later cos it will be lumpy)

Sprinkle gelatine over water in small heatproof jug.  Stand jug in small saucepan of simmering water and stir til gelatine dissolves.  Cool 5 minutes.

Stir gelatine mixture into lime mixture. Pout mixture into crumb crust.  Cover and refrigerate til set or overnight.

I have found the lime makes it a bit more grown up than lemon but I love them both.  How could you not with cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk?!

Now to cook baked mushrooms with a beetroot and almond salad for dinner.



Call me Priscilla

Himself interviewed yesterday for a position that had his name written all over it.  Yet again he came in "a close second".

This is getting really hard.

And on that note we're out for dinner with friends.   Every fortnight we go to a different house and take either dessert or starters.  The host does main.  Tonight I'm Queen of the Dessert.  Lime cheesecake - requested by the host.  One of those accidents that turned out well.  I was making the old philly cream cheese lemon cheesecake (courtesy of Women's Weekly) and didn't have enough lemons so used limes!  The rest, as they say, is history.

Saturday

Himself is a bit brighter today.  There is a job in the wings.  Unfortunately this is the pattern.  Abject misery ... applies for job ... gets put forward ... waits for response ... mood a bit better ... goes for interview ... mood very positive - starts to plan life around job ... gets rejected ... falls further than before.

Today we went to Ikea to buy some floor lamps for Mum and Dad so she can see to knit and he can change his hearing aid batteries.

Then we came home and I started sewing prep.  Drew up 2 patterns and then cut out 8 garments which I'll start tomorrow.  Most will be quick and easy. Then I shall start fiddling a bit more with my crafty stuff. 

Last night I finished reading Chocolat.  I didn't see the film (part of me wishes I had but I loved the book so would have hated to be disappointed).  A friend has lent me a stack of the author's books (read "they're on my bedside table and I'm too lazy to go and check the name!") and I can't wait to read the sequel and then the others which aren't related.

I love doggy school but I'm hoping it's going to be miserable in the weather department tomorrow so I can get a bit of sewing in before we have to go and see mothers.  Even better would be if Himself went and saw his mother on his own (with dogs!!).  Then I will go and see mine.

The Stig is helping me type so will go and do something else.  He helped me cut out patterns today.  Just as well I had him pulling out the pins or I might have cut a straight line!

kittens make the world better

Having said that, I do NOT believe that cats (or dogs) should be allowed to be free to breed willy-nilly. Own a cat or dog ... get it desexed or register as a breeder.  Just saying!

The Stig as a wee kitten

Himself is really struggling to find a job.  So many knock backs with feeble excuses.  We need a plan B but he's not quite there yet.

Alex (One) had a car accident this morning.  Legally, it's his fault (he ran up  the back of someone) BUT the person he ran up the back of (of whom he ran up the back) admitted that a) it was his fault b) it's the FIFTH similar accident he's had in 2 years and c) he doesn't know how to drive a manual, missed the gear and braked just as Alex was moving into his lane.

Alex's car is a write off.

But at least neither he nor Ebs were hurt.



Pictures and stuff

KITTEN IN A BASIN!!!

My sewing cabinet set up  in the living area. 
For the first time since the depression hit hard nearly 2 years ago I sewed something.  PJs for Himself!  I had to get the book of words out to work out how to use the machine!  My overlocker is under the chair hidden behind the quilt that a dear friend made for me. 

Count the cats!!

Find the kitten in the basket

The mirror.

And Himself's laptop.  Mine is to the right and bright pink.  Another photo for another day.

Alex and Ebs popped in.  The ring looks perfect on her and they are so happy.

We went to dog school.  The dogs are fine ... we might fail!

Left over tagine for dinner.  Home made quacamole for nibbles. I'm becoming domesticated again. 

And that makes me, and those around me, happy. 

An engagement

 


Alex (One) has proposed to Ebony (Ebs)!!!

We are so happy for both of them.

grrrrr

Last week I was able to upload a picture and now I can't.  Not that I had anything new to show you other than another cute kitten pic but that's not the point!

Himself is still not working.  This is playing havoc with his mental state.  He fluctuates between being grumpy as hell and apologising for being a failure.

Last Sunday was our 35th wedding anniversary.  We didn't do anything special.  I think the fact that he's been out of work for over 6 months as we're still married is pretty special!!!

Dad is walking less and less.  As much out of choice than lack of ability, I think.  It has been getting very difficult and dangerous to take him out with just his walker as he likes to sit on it and be pushed and that's not what it's designed for.  Mum spoke to the physio and they chose a foldable, light wheelchair for him which should be delivered tomorrow.  Dad, of course, wanted the electric one with a V8 and chrome trim!!  I can understand that at 93+, post stroke and a bit on the lazy side that it would be very tempting for him not to have to walk anywhere but as long as he can put one foot in front of the other for any distance then he will be made to do so!

I am slowly getting the place sorted so I can start sewing again.  I am aware that I need to do lots of things around the place, like tidying the wardrobe, cleaning out the fridge, paperwork for us AND the parents *shudder* ... but I must allow myself to do something I enjoy without having the house perfect.  I have dug out a cross-stitch that I started a few years ago with the plan to make it into a bag for a close friend for Christmas.  It is so satisfying to be stitching again, especially with a kitten or two on my lap.  BUT ... kitten/s, moving needle + thread = chaos!

Speaking of getting the place sorted, we dug out a mirror from our previous homes that was buried in the cupboard under the stairs.  It is now hanging above the sideboard (YES ... I will take a photo but can't guarantee the damn thing will upload) and OMG the drama to get it up there!!!!  It weighs about 20 kgs.  I always put things on walls or in garden beds or on benches by using my EYES!  If it looks right it IS right.  Himself, however, relies on spirit levels, tape measures, bad language and a patient wife.  Nuff said ... but the mirror does look great.

Nothing like a tidy living area to make every seem calm and attainable.