Week Commencing: Nov 1

November 9, 2016November 18, 20163 Comments

Hello readers – I’m here, on a Wednesday and it’s not a book review? What, I hear you say. Well – today is a new blog day and I thought, let’s not sit around and cry about the mind-boggling election of Donald Trump (insert cry face emoji.) Lets explore all the exciting things I did last week and kinda move on from all the drama; because reading about the life of a small time blogger is quite distracting right?

QUICK NOTE: For those of you wondering what’s happened to the bloody blog – well, London is an exciting, amusing and crazy new place but it’s pretty exhausting and although I’ve read a hella number of books, I kind of want to push the boundaries of this blog and write a little more about my life here in London. It should still be primarily bookish but I just want to share a little more about my life here in London. Without delay, here’s what I’ve been up to!

Cocktails at Somerset House

On Saturday afternoon one of my loveliest long-time friends @HopeCami came to visit. After visiting Wagamama’s for a well-deserved catch-up (GIVEE me all the R A M E N,) we trekked towards the London Eye to take a number of touristy shots. We gave up though at Somerset house and spent an eye-watering amount of money on cocktails. (If you do go, The Somerset is one of the most perfect cocktails I’ve ever tried – so go try it!)

Walks in Greenwich Park

I’ve mentioned it maybe 100000000 times; but I recently moved to Greenwich and it is just the most beautiful place. Leanne, (another brilliant friend who I missed a hella load in Stoke) and I went for an early morning walk and it was sublime. This photo doesn’t have a filter; it was honestly perfect. (Plus hot-chocolates were pretty fantastic too!)

Having my own kitchen (yaaaas)

Basically I can now make the most delicious breakfasts each and every single morning; (then add mouth-watering filters and post them to instagram cause I’m that cool) . But seriously getting our own kitchen was a serious deal breaker. There might be fewer people to deny needing to wash up but it’s much better than the soul-destroying moment when going to cook and there being NO GODDAMN SAUCEPANS.

Greenwich Food Market

You guys, if you live anywhere near Greenwich you have to try this out, seriously. The range of food from different countries/cuisines/diets (gluten-free anyone?) is incredibly. Plus there are so many vegetarian and vegan options T was pretty damn happy.

Getting back into Instagram

This one coincided with moving to London. I have very, very fond memories of living in Stoke on Trent but after 5 years there I struggled to photograph it in any other light than it was kinda sucking the life out of me. Moving to London means I’m constantly whipping out my camera and taking photographs, and posting them on the ole instagram. I’m still getting a feel for it but if you fancy following me you can find me at @littlebookblog1!

So there you have it; my first week commencing style post? I’m not sure what I’ll call them in the coming weeks and I’m pretty sure I want them to come out on a Monday but once again we’ll see. Let me know if you enjoyed this – I would love to make them very book related but I don’t know how easy that will be. But I’ll stop withering – and chin up about Donald everyone. It’s only four years? (hits head on table.)

The Pastry Book Tag

September 4, 2015September 4, 20154 Comments

It’s Friddddaaay *cheers* which means not only is it the weekend, but I have another book tag for you which is always a brilliant way to round off the week. I’ve been nominated for quite a few bookish awards in the past weeks but due to my utter adoration of the GBBO, I thought that the Pastry Book Tag was a little fitting for today’s posting. This tag was devised by Áine at ‘writing on a vintage typewriter’ which you should get have a wander through because it’s a lovely little blog. But first, pour yourself a cup of tea, grab a hob-nob and settle down for some bookish/cakey answers.

Croissant: Name a popular book or series that everyone (including you) loves.

The Harry Potter series by J K Rowling

It has to be really doesn’t it?

Macaron: Name a book that was hard to get through but worth it at the end.

Odd choice for this one but,

The Summer of Secrets by Sarah Jasmon

When writing books that move between time periods, they need to be spelled out to the reader so we don’t end up wondering where they are. This book did that and it took me a chapter or two to work out where I was. Although I found this book difficult to connect to I was glad to finish this.

Vol-au-vent: Name a book that you thought would be amazing but fell flat

Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes

So I didn’t think this book would be amazing but I thought it would be an enjoyable and easy read. Turned out to be pretty horrible and tiresome.

Pain au chocolat: Name a book that you thought would be one thing but turned out to be something else.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.

Although I didn’t know what to expect when reading this, what I did read wasn’t what I was expecting. Saying that, this was a book I really enjoyed and found intriguing to read. I recommended this to T to read and he thought it was something very different from what he tends to read. Thumbs up all round I would say.

Profiterole: Name a book or series that doesn’t get enough attention.

Pearshaped and Leftovers by Stella Newman

I adored both of these books and am yet to read the newest (but I’m sure I’ll really enjoy reading it.) I just don’t see these books darting around the ‘bloggersphere’ all too often and they are brilliant comforting, homey reads.

Croquembouche: Name a book or series that’s extremely complex.

Wolfhall by Hilary Mantel

I really struggled with this book and it was such a disappointment. I always think if a book needs a character list at the beginning you’ve got a pinch too many. I read a good chunk of this book but gave up before I got half way. I need to try again because I thought her book ‘An experiment in Love’ was brilliant.

Napoleon: Name a movie or TV show based off a book that you liked better than the book itself.

This one is so difficult but I pick

50 Shades of Grey by E L James

Both were pretty awful but this trumped the book by a mile.

Empanada: Name a book that was bittersweet.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

This book was so sad but the tale was wonderfully and honestly told and the ending is just bittersweet through and through.

Kolompeh: Name a book or series that takes place somewhere other than your home country:

Madrid Metro by Abigail Kloss-Aycardi

This book is quite obviously set in Spain. It’s a short and sweet read which you can see my review of here.

Pate a Choux: Name one food from a book or series that you would like to try.

I think a foaming tankard of Butterbeer would do me nicely. TYVM.

I thought this tag was really special; no wishy-washy questions it’s a change from writing ten facts about yourself. There’s not that much to know about me. Brilliant tag, I now pass the cake onto Nicole at Sorry I’m Booked to complete said tag. *Cheers*

101 things in 1001 days: Learn to eat with chopsticks

June 3, 2015June 3, 20151 Comment

Afternoon readers, hope you’re having a wonderful day. I haven’t blogged about my 101 things in 1001 days in a little while so I thought it was time to start writing them up and getting them blogged about. I have so many to talk to you about and I promise I will start writing them up so you can see all the wonderful things I’ve been up to!

Today’s 101 things in 1001 days is one that became apparent a little while ago when faced with the embarrassment of asking for a fork at a Chinese restaurant. Having a mother who really doesn’t like Chinese food and having a wonderful vegetarian as one of my closest friends, Chinese restaurants have never been a real problem for me. My only real experience is spooning it out of a foil case and digging in furiously in front of Masterchef or the like. It’s never really been an issue. However a couple of times in the past twelve months it’s happened a number of times where slightly disbelievingly I’ve had to cajole someone into supplying me with a fork. After starting the list this one was a little lower down on the priorities however after a rather embarrassing date where I went a little pink when failing to pick up the little morsels of dim-sum without spilling it all over myself I realised this might be something that needed addressing.

So, installing a pair of chopsticks in the fridge almost in a permanent residence style situation I have mastered my own way of eating with chopsticks and yes it is with one hand. For the past six months give or take I have eaten almost everything in the fridge with chopsticks; some obvious including rice and noodles, and some a little less, pasta, pizza (that didn’t really work) grapes (they are a little fiddly) and even cereal. Yes, this has prompted a few odd looks, however it seems to have worked. I’m not saying that I’m an expert or even very good at all however a few weekends ago me and three of my closest friends went to a Chinese restaurant in Northampton called Felix Yu. Apart from a few spoons of rice I managed almost everything and honestly felt a little proud of my efforts. It’s something silly but once you get it, I think it’s something quite difficult to forget. Chopsticks: Done.

101 Things To Do In 1001 Day: Make Roasted Red Pepper Soup

November 13, 2014Leave a comment

Good afternoon my lovely readers, today’s post as you can see is a 1001 days post so if you’re looking for a book review you’re not going to find it here, but you will find a post about me being a culinary whizz. Well kind of. I was looking at my list of things to do and I worked out that I have to complete around three tasks a month and at the moment I am not keeping up with that and some of the bigger tasks can’t really be done over a weekend or even a month, as they need a lot of planning. So I sat down and looked at all the ones that I could do quite simply and this coming week I am going to be taking on three. I am off to Glasgow at the weekend with Mumma B which ticks off the task go somewhere in Great Britain you’ve never been before, and I am going to the midnight premiere of the new Hunger Games film (fingers crossed) next week with two of my wonderful friends.

Now this one today I actually completed about a month ago but my iPhone was broken and the photos from my old Blackberry were awful so I made it again last night with a different recipe and it tastes amazing; (well I think so anyway) So, I made roasted red pepper soup; it’s actually one of my favourites, right after Heinz tomato. For me you cannot beat that stuff, it reminds me of sick days snuggled up on the sofa, under the sick blanket (as we called it, I am sure it was riddled with disease) watching children’s films such as Barbie Rapunzel. This comes a close, close second and I now have a vat on it sitting on the side as long as neither of my house dwellers has devoured it whilst I’ve been at work.

I love cooking but I never really get round to it my life is either completely in a rush or I’m out of the house, so I’m either eating a toasted sandwich whilst furiously blogging and writing articles for the various sites I write for, or I’m out for dinner with friends, I just never MAKE the time and always think oh I’ll do it later. So after paying the water bill (I hate being an adult) I wandered around Sainsbury’s chatting away to my best friend whilst trying to remember the recipe for red pepper soup. I traipsed home with four red peppers, two carrots, an onion, stock jel thingies (yes that’s what they are) garlic, basil, chopped tomatoes, a new hand blender (last time I attempted to mash the soup as I did not own a blender, I can confirm it doesn’t work,) and a bottle of rose which is vital for cooking my mother tells me. Hair up, apron on and cooking could commence.

First I chopped up all the peppers; I must admit I don’t think I needed them all because they filled the roasting tray, splattered them with a little oil and sprinkled salt (and you should add pepper but I didn’t have any; shock) Pop them in the oven at 180. Then pour a glass of wine, following my mother’s wisdom as always. Peel the carrots, and chop them up with the onion and garlic. Then put a saucepan of water onto boil (two pints) and add the stock. I used a jelly type one rather than a cube but I don’t think it matters too much. Whack in the vegetables and boil for five minutes and then turn down to simmer for around twenty minutes. Pour another glass of wine (yes another.)The peppers should be done (don’t forget about them!) so bring them out the over and leave them to cool. The recipe said scrape off the blackened bits but mine were only a little so I left them on. Chop them up and throw them in the saucepan along with the chopped tomatoes and let it cook for another ten minutes. Blend and you’re done and dusted. The basil is for decorative purposes but I had some dried stuff that I popped in whilst it was cooking.
This soup honestly tasted delicious and it wasn’t because of the third glass of wine I promise. Definitely worth a go, I’ve popped in a link, and I don’t like celery that’s why it didn’t make it into the soup; if you were wondering. 🙂 Here’s the link: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7685/-roasted-red-pepper-soup